International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2011
Galactomannan detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematological diseases-the role of factors affecting assay performance.
We evaluated the performance of a galactomannan (GM) assay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid compared to serum samples for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with hematological diseases. ⋯ In contrast to recently published data, we found only moderate sensitivity, but high specificity and high positive predictive value of the detection of GM in BAL fluid. In addition, neutropenia, antifungal therapy, and BAL standardization affected GM assay performance.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2011
Procalcitonin measurement at 24 hours of age may be helpful in the prompt diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis.
The clinical signs of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) are nonspecific and indistinguishable from those of noninfectious disorders. The early diagnosis of EONS is difficult, but is essential to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) at birth and at 24h of age in the prompt diagnosis of EONS. ⋯ In EONS, PCT measurements at birth may initially be normal; a serial PCT measurement at 24h of age may be more helpful for an early diagnosis. During the first 24h of life PCT is a more sensitive marker of infection than C-reactive protein. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2011
Outcome of cefazolin prophylaxis for total knee arthroplasty at an institution with high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of cefazolin prophylaxis for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a hospital with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. ⋯ Our data suggest that antimicrobial prophylaxis using only cefazolin can maintain low SSI rates if other important infection management measures are employed, even where there is a high prevalence of MRSA infection.
-
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among tuberculosis (TB) patients attending three TB clinics in Guyana. ⋯ This study clearly highlights that diabetes and HIV are frequent in Guyanese TB patients. Routine screening of TB patients for diabetes and diabetic patients for TB should be speedily implemented. The National TB Programme should work closely with the diabetes clinics so that TB patients who are diabetics are optimally managed.