The Journal of infection
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The Journal of infection · Aug 2007
Review Case ReportsSinusitis complicated by dural sinus thrombosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature.
Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis is most commonly associated with pneumonia. It is relatively uncommon disease but its severity makes it clinically relevant. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of both S. pneumoniae endocarditis and dural sinus thrombosis complicating sinusitis. A case report and review of the literature is presented.
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The Journal of infection · Aug 2007
Coagulation, coma, and outcome in bacterial meningitis--an observational study of 38 adult cases.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of intravascular coagulation in bacterial meningitis and to recognise the associations with disease severity and outcome. ⋯ Coagulation was activated in a majority of patients with bacterial meningitis and related to coma and unfavourable outcome.
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The Journal of infection · Aug 2007
Predictive value of the serum bactericidal test for mortality in patients infected with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.
Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to all available antibiotics except polymyxin B have circulated in Taiwan since 1998 and have caused a variety of nosocomial infections. There are no standard tests to measure outcome in patients infected with these strains. Our aim was to determine whether a serum bactericidal test (SBT) could be used for this purpose. ⋯ In a region with few therapeutic options for multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB), such as in Taiwan, SBT could be used as a prognosis indicator and indicator of the need to modify treatment in patients infected with MDRAB.
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The Journal of infection · Jul 2007
Guiding empirical antibiotic therapy in orthopaedics: The microbiology of prosthetic joint infection managed by debridement, irrigation and prosthesis retention.
This study describes the microbiological spectrum of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) managed by debridement, washout and retention and so guides the choice of empirical antibiotics within this patient group. ⋯ Most infections involved staphylococci. MRSA was infrequently isolated. Most polymicrobial infections occurred in early infection. A high rate of resistance to cephalosporins among Gram-negative organisms justifies the use of a broader agent such as a carbapenem in the early empirical antibiotic regime for PJI.
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The Journal of infection · Jul 2007
VZV infection in pregnancy: a retrospective review over 5 years in Sheffield and discussion on the potential utilisation of varicella vaccine in prevention.
To study retrospectively the epidemiology, demography and clinical issues related to varicella in pregnancy in a UK city over a 5-year period and help inform the debate on the potential of varicella immunisation in prevention. ⋯ Varicella in pregnancy may be associated with significant morbidity and health care cost and prevention by immunisation is desirable. Though targeted vaccination is attractive, screening in pregnancy followed by a post-partum varicella immunisation programme would fail to protect 25% and would be associated with logistical challenges not occurring with rubella immunisation. Varicella is now a preventable disease by immunisation. Exposure in pregnancy with or without infection has financial costs related to antibody testing and prophylaxis. Infection in pregnancy may be associated with additional costs and potential morbidity to mother and baby. Potential immunisation strategies are considered.