Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Sep 2003
Case ReportsNosocomial bacteremia and catheter infection by Bacillus cereus in an immunocompetent patient.
We present a case of Bacillus cereus bacteremia and catheter infection in an immunocompetent patient subjected to abdominal surgery, who recovered following central catheter removal and treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Aug 2003
A prospective study of fever in the accident and emergency department.
Body temperature is one of the most commonly performed measurements in the accident and emergency department, and is often used as the basis for clinical decisions. Fever is frequently assumed to indicate infection, but there are few data on unselected patients presenting acutely. ⋯ There were no simple clinical tests that could distinguish fever due to infection from other diagnoses. The results suggest that, for patients presenting to an emergency department, pyrexia often indicates infection that may necessitate admission, especially in the elderly.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · May 2003
Clinical TrialThe influence of inadequate empirical antimicrobial treatment on patients with bloodstream infections in an intensive care unit.
To determine the occurrence of inadequate antimicrobial therapy among critically ill patients with bacteremia and the factors associated with it, to identify the microorganisms that received inadequate antimicrobial treatment, and to determine the relationship between inadequate treatment and patients outcome. ⋯ Almost a quarter of critically ill patients with bloodstream infections were given inadequate empirical antibiotic treatment, but mortality was not higher in the group with inadequate treatment than in the group with adequate treatment. This fact was probably due to microbiological factors and clinical features, such as the type of microorganism most frequently isolated and the source of the bacteremia.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Aug 2002
ReviewLaboratory diagnosis and biosafety issues of biological warfare agents.
Bioterrorism events have been rare until recently. Many clinical laboratories may not be familiar with handling specimens from a possible bioterrorism attack. ⋯ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed the Laboratory Response Network to provide an organized response system for the detection and diagnosis of biological warfare agents based on laboratory testing abilities and facilities. There are potentially many biological warfare agents, but probably a limited number of agents would be encountered in case of an attack, and their identification and laboratory safety will be discussed.
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Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Aug 2002
ReviewAnthrax, tularemia, plague, ebola or smallpox as agents of bioterrorism: recognition in the emergency room.
Bioterrorism has become a potential diagnostic consideration in infectious diseases. This article reviews the clinical presentation and differential diagnosis of potential bioterrorist agents when first presenting to the hospital in the emergency room setting. ⋯ In addition to the clinical features of the infectious diseases mentioned, the article discusses the infectious disease control and epidemiologic implications of these agents when employed as bioterrorist agents. The review concludes with suggestions for postexposure prophylaxis and therapy.