The Journal of infection
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The Journal of infection · May 2011
Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia--Nationwide assessment of treatment adequacy and outcome.
To assess the treatment adequacy for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) and its association with outcome on a whole population basis. ⋯ In a national study of S. aureus bacteraemia the antibiotic treatment was judged inadequate in 53% of episodes, while appropriate treatment was associated with lower relapse rate and mortality. Despite this, the mortality in Iceland is among the lowest reported.
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The Journal of infection · Apr 2011
Review Meta AnalysisDiagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid lactate for differentiating bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis: a meta-analysis.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate is produced by bacterial anaerobic metabolism and is not affected by blood lactate concentration, an advantage over CSF glucose in differentiating bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis. However, the previous investigations have shown mixed results of the sensitivity and specificity. Our study's purpose was to assess the utility of CSF lactate in differentiating bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis. ⋯ CSF lactate's high negative likelihood ratio may make it useful for ruling out bacterial meningitis though pretreatment with antibiotics reduces clinical accuracy. CSF lactate of 35 mg/dl could be optimal cut-off value for distinguishing bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis.
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The Journal of infection · Mar 2011
Effect of immunomodulatory therapies in patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia.
To determine the effect of immunomodulatory therapies on the development of severe disease in hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia. ⋯ Immunomodulatory therapies use since hospital admission did not prevent the development of severe disease in adults with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia.
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The Journal of infection · Feb 2011
ReviewThe inflammasome regulatory pathway and infections: role in pathophysiology and clinical implications.
The innate immune system serves to generate immediate host defenses against pathogens. Advance in the mechanism of innate immunity has provided new insights into host-pathogen microbial interactions. ⋯ We summarize the current knowledge regarding the regulatory functions of the inflammasome in the pathogenesis of infections by various microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa), and discuss its potential application in a clinical setting. Understanding of the unique role of the inflammasome signaling pathway in initiating and regulating inflammation is pivotal for the development of innovative approaches to optimize management of these infections.