The Journal of infection
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The Journal of infection · May 2013
Characteristics of infections associated with external ventricular drains of cerebrospinal fluid.
Manifestations of external ventricular drain (EVD) - associated infections overlap with those of the underlying neurosurgical conditions. We analyzed characteristics of EVD-associated infections. ⋯ Fever and increased CSF leukocytes should raise the suspicion of EVD-associated infection, which may occur up to 10 days after removal of EVD.
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The Journal of infection · May 2013
Prognostic value of serum albumin levels in hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia.
To investigate whether serum albumin levels within 24 h of admission correlate with outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ Serum albumin level within 24 h of admission is a good prognostic marker in CAP. Physicians should consider albumin level when evaluating the severity of illness in patients with CAP.
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The Journal of infection · Apr 2013
Tuberculosis skin test, but not interferon-γ-releasing assays is affected by BCG vaccination in HIV patients.
Of this study was to compare the results of tuberculin skin test (TST) with two interferon-γ releasing-assays (IGRA) in a cohort of HIV positive patients, to analyze impact of prior Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccination. ⋯ TST but not IGRAs interfered significantly with prior BCG vaccination in a cohort of HIV infected individuals from a low prevalence TB country. Therefore IGRA should preferentially be used for LTBI-testing in BCG-vaccinated adult HIV-patients.
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The Journal of infection · Apr 2013
Hydrocephalus in tuberculous meningitis: Incidence, its predictive factors and impact on the prognosis.
Hydrocephalus is one of the most common complications of tuberculous meningitis. The present study evaluated the incidence, predictive factors and impact of hydrocephalus on overall prognosis of tuberculous meningitis. ⋯ Hydrocephalus occurs in approximately two-third of patients with tuberculous meningitis and has an unfavorable impact on the prognosis. Hydrocephalus in early stages of tuberculous meningitis may resolve completely.
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The Journal of infection · Mar 2013
Bacterial and viral interactions within the nasopharynx contribute to the risk of acute otitis media.
To understand relationships between microbes in pathogenesis of acute otitis media during respiratory tract infections, we compared nasopharyngeal bacteria and respiratory viruses in symptomatic children with and without AOM. ⋯ Co-colonization by M. catarrhalis seems to increase risk of AOM and RSV may contribute to AOM pathogenesis even without nasopharyngeal bacterial colonization.