International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Jun 2011
Gastroenteritis in childhood: a retrospective study of 650 hospitalized pediatric patients.
Acute diarrhea continues to be an important cause of hospitalization in young children, and deaths still occur as a result. We reviewed a large cohort of hospitalized children affected by gastroenteritis. The hypothesis of our study was that clinical characteristics and a limited set of laboratory data can differentiate between the different causative pathogens of diarrhea. ⋯ Gastroenteritis is a common reason for hospital admission in previously healthy children during the first years of life. Rotaviruses were found to be the most common pathogens in our cohort. On the basis of clinical and laboratory parameters it appears possible to distinguish between the different causative agents. This may have implications for hospital hygiene management and for the identification of predictive markers of a severe course.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · May 2011
Device-associated infection rates in adult intensive care units of Cuban university hospitals: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) findings.
To determine the rate of device-associated healthcare-associated infection (DA-HAI), microbiological profile, length of stay (LOS), extra mortality, and hand hygiene compliance in two intensive care units (ICUs) of two hospital members of the International Infection Control Consortium (INICC) of Havana, Cuba. ⋯ DA-HAI rates, LOS, and mortality were found to be high, and hand hygiene low. It is of primary importance that infection control programs that include outcome and process surveillance are implemented in Cuba.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · May 2011
Diagnostic accuracy and potential clinical value of the LightCycler SeptiFast assay in the management of bloodstream infections occurring in neutropenic and critically ill patients.
The objectives of this study were to compare the performance of the LightCycler SeptiFast Test MGRADE and conventional blood culture in the etiological diagnosis of febrile episodes occurring in neutropenic and critically ill patients (in the intensive care unit; ICU), and to assess the potential clinical value of the SeptiFast test in patient management. ⋯ The SeptiFast assay is a valuable ancillary method for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections in neutropenic and ICU patients. In these clinical settings, results of the SeptiFast assay may lead to a more targeted antibiotic therapy early after the onset of fever.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2011
Review Meta AnalysisFluoroquinolones are associated with delayed treatment and resistance in tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Current guidelines for treating community-acquired pneumonia recommend the use of fluoroquinolones for high-risk patients. Previous studies have reported controversial results as to whether fluoroquinolones are associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and the development of fluoroquinolone-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify these issues. ⋯ Empirical fluoroquinolone prescriptions for pneumonia are associated with longer delays in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary TB and a higher risk of developing fluoroquinolone-resistant M. tuberculosis.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Feb 2011
Novel influenza A (H1N1): clinical features of pediatric hospitalizations in two successive waves.
To describe and compare the characteristics of children hospitalized with novel influenza A (H1N1) during two successive waves. ⋯ Children hospitalized during the two successive waves of H1N1 were mainly school-aged and suffered from moderate disease. Although clinical features and severity of disease were similar, oseltamivir was prescribed more frequently and the length of hospital stay was shorter in the second wave.