Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Apr 2010
Genotypic analysis of genes associated with isoniazid and ethionamide resistance in MDR-TB isolates from Thailand.
Nucleotide sequences of genes conferring isoniazid resistance (katG, inhA, oxyR-ahpC and ndh) and ethionamide resistance (ethA) in 160 drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Thailand were analysed. Mutations in the katG gene were found in 129 isolates, predominantly at codon 315, which was mutated in 127 isolates. ⋯ Of 24 ethionamide-resistant isolates, 13 had mutations in the ethA gene. However, these mutations were dispersed along the entire gene, with no codon predominating significantly.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Mar 2010
ReviewThe past and present threat of vector-borne diseases in deployed troops.
From time immemorial, vector-borne diseases have severely reduced the fighting capacity of armies and caused suspension or cancellation of military operations. Since World War I, infectious diseases have no longer been the main causes of morbidity and mortality among soldiers. However, most recent conflicts involving Western armies have occurred overseas, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease for the soldiers and for the displaced populations. ⋯ West Nile encephalitis and chikungunya fever). For this reason, vector control and personal protection strategies are always major requirements in ensuring the operational readiness of armed forces. Scientific progress has allowed a reduction in the impact of arthropod-borne diseases on military forces, but the threat is always present, and a failure in the context of vector control or in the application of personal protection measures could allow these diseases to have the same devastating impact on human health and military readiness as they did in the past.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Mar 2010
Case ReportsA family outbreak due to an emm-type 11 multiresistant strain of Streptococcus pyogenes.
Four cases of Streptococcus pyogenes infection due to an emm-type 11 strain, including one with a fatal outcome, occurred within a seven-member family. All strains shared biotype 5, pyrogenic exotoxin genes speB and speC, and resistance to kanamycin, tetracycline, macrolides and lincosamides. ⋯ This highlights the ability of S. pyogenes to spread rapidly among family members. This first report of a family outbreak due to emm11 S. pyogenes reinforces the importance of surveillance of close family contacts of individuals with invasive streptococcal disease, and provides further support for antibiotic prophylaxis among the elderly.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Dec 2009
Case ReportsKinetics of nasopharyngeal shedding of novel H1N1 (swine-like) influenza A virus in an immunocompetent adult under oseltamivir therapy.
We describe a patient with confirmed novel H1N1 (swine-like) influenza A virus who had daily nasal swabs tested during oseltamivir therapy. Nasal shedding remained positive for 2 days and became negative on day 3. This report presents the first available data on the kinetics of shedding of this novel virus under antiviral therapy.