International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Review Meta AnalysisDisease burden of intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are associated with poor clinical and economic outcomes. Data regarding ICU-acquired pneumonia and VAP are not readily available from developing countries, including China. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the incidence, mortality rate, length of stay, and pathogens associated with ICU-acquired pneumonia in China. ⋯ ICU-acquired pneumonia/VAP remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients in the ICU in China. Data on organisms causing disease in this population could help guide appropriate prevention strategies and treatment.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Overview of preparedness and response for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Oman.
Several countries in the Middle East and around 22 countries worldwide have reported cases of human infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The exceptionally high fatality rate resulting from MERS-CoV infection in conjunction with the paucity of knowledge about this emerging virus has led to major public and international concern. ⋯ The aim of this report is to describe the epidemiological aspects of these two cases and to highlight the importance of public health preparedness and response. The absence of secondary cases among contacts of the reported cases can be seen as evidence of the effectiveness of infection prevention and control precautions as an important pillar of the national preparedness and response plan applied in the health care institutions in Oman.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Observational StudyMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) viral shedding in the respiratory tract: an observational analysis with infection control implications.
Since the first description of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), it has not been known how long patients shed the virus in respiratory secretions. Thus, we analyzed the available data on time to negative MERS-CoV test in patients with confirmed MERS-CoV infection and asymptomatic positive contacts. ⋯ Contacts cleared MERS-CoV earlier than ill patients. This finding could be related to the types of sample as well as the types of patient studied. More ill patients with significant comorbidities shed the virus for a significantly longer time. The results of this study could have critical implications for infection control guidance and its application in healthcare facilities handling positive cases.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Overt and occult hepatitis B virus infection in adult Sudanese HIV patients.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Sub-Saharan Africa is complicated by co-infection with hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), which share similar transmission routes. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and HBsAg-negative HBV infection and of HCV infection among HIV-infected patients. ⋯ Evidence of HBV infection was detected in 26.8% of HIV patients with HBsAg-negative infection, with viraemia detected in 15.1% of the patients. All HIV-infected patients should be screened carefully for HBV infection with HBsAg and anti-HBc IgG antibodies prior to starting antiretroviral therapy.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Observational StudySeverity and frequency of community-onset Clostridium difficile infection on an Australian tertiary referral hospital campus.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly being found in populations without traditional risk factors. We compared the relative frequency, risk factors, severity, and outcomes of community-onset CDI with hospital-acquired infection. ⋯ Community-onset CDI accounts for a large proportion of C. difficile infections and has a similar potential for severe disease as hospital-acquired infection. Using a history of previous antibiotic use, proton pump inhibitor use, or recent hospitalization to predict cases is unreliable. We recommend that patients with diarrhoea being investigated in emergency departments and community practice are tested for Clostridium difficile infection.