Infection
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The overall mortality rate among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has significantly declined in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, little is known about the causes of death for HIV-infected patients who are hospitalized in acute care hospitals. ⋯ The mortality rate in our hospitalized HIV-infected patients remained low. Non-AIDS-related illnesses were the major causes of death, with sepsis being the most common. Low CD4+ T cell count and female sex were associated with deaths due to AIDS-related illness. Poor adherence to HAART was also noted in those patients to whom treatment was offered in the outpatient setting. Further prospective studies are needed in order to better define the epidemiology and outcomes for hospitalized HIV-infected patients in the era of HAART.
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Clinical spectrum and outcome of critically ill patients suffering from prosthetic joint infections.
To report the clinical characteristics and prognosis of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in Intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ In our case series of critically ill patients suffering from PJI, factors associated with a poor outcome were diabetes mellitus, ASA score >3, and acute infection. Surgical strategies and surgical procedures had no significant impact on the ICU mortality. Adjustment of initial antibiotherapy according to previous microbiological findings should be made with caution.
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Before elective operations, particularly orthopaedic surgery, national guidelines in Germany recommend testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus through a needlestick or cutting injury. Such testing is expensive. The number of new and unknown diagnoses of viral infections that can be detected by routine screening has not yet been evaluated. ⋯ Two-thirds of the patients included in our study actually underwent screening; this rate was lower than expected. The incidence of newly detected infections was low, putting the benefit of a routine preoperative screening for HBV, HCV and HIV into question. From an economic point of view the low detection rate is a strong argument in favour of omitting routine preoperative screening. Screening only those patients with risk factors may be as safe as screening every patient and would help reduce costs.