International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2012
ReviewNeonatal tetanus elimination in Pakistan: progress and challenges.
Pakistan is one of the 34 countries that have not achieved the neonatal tetanus (NT) global elimination target set by the World Health Organization (WHO). NT, caused by Clostridium tetani, is a highly fatal infection of the neonatal period. It is one of the most underreported diseases and remains a major but preventable cause of neonatal and infant mortality in many developing countries. ⋯ To successfully eliminate NT, women of reproductive age must be made aware of the benefits of TT vaccine, not only to themselves, but also to their families. Effective communication strategies for TT vaccine delivery and health education focusing on increasing awareness of NT are strongly suggested. It is imperative that the private and government sectors work cooperatively to report NT cases and improve routine TT vaccination coverage.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2012
Review Meta AnalysisIs primary prevention of Clostridium difficile infection possible with specific probiotics?
The efficacy of probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is highly controversial, particularly with regard to the prevention of recurrent CDI. We hypothesize that primary prevention of CDI among patients receiving antibiotics might be a more achievable goal for probiotics than prevention in patients with previous CDI where the host flora is markedly altered. ⋯ While potential flaws in study design were identified, a review of the available literature suggests that the primary prevention of CDI with specific probiotic agents may be achievable. Additional studies of sufficient size and with rigorous design are needed to confirm these findings.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2012
Review Case ReportsImported Loa loa filariasis: three cases and a review of cases reported in non-endemic countries in the past 25 years.
The aim of this study was to highlight the increasing chance of Western physicians encountering patients (both immigrants and expatriates/travelers) seeking help for loiasis. ⋯ Due to increasing travel and the migration of people from the endemic countries of West Africa to Europe and the USA, we speculate on the possible emergence of loiasis. Western physicians should be aware of the typical (eye worm migration and Calabar swellings) as well as unusual clinical presentations.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2012
Combination of adenosine deaminase activity and polymerase chain reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the diagnosis of smear-negative active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Some studies have assessed the diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). However, a conclusion has not been reached due to the limited number of patients with various pulmonary diseases used as comparators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of BALF ADA activity and TB PCR assay for diagnosing pulmonary TB. ⋯ BALF ADA had limited value in differentiating pulmonary TB from some other pulmonary diseases. To differentiate TB from solid tumor without endobronchial obstruction, a combination of BALF ADA and TB PCR had marked additive diagnostic value.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Aug 2012
Analysis of variables and interactions among variables associated with a sustained virological response to pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus genotype 3-infected patients.
The recommended standard therapeutic regimen for chronic hepatitis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment efficacy and variables predictive of treatment success, interactions among variables contributing to a response to therapy, and the utility of the rapid virological response (RVR; week 4 virological response) to predict treatment outcomes in HCV genotype 3-infected patients in routine clinical practice. ⋯ RVR is an independent variable that is predictive of SVR. Moreover older patients (>40 years) who achieve an RVR are likely to have an SVR, while patients who do not achieve an RVR and who have a high pre-treatment viral load (>8 × 10(5) IU/ml) are unlikely to have an SVR.