International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2004
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran, a case-control study on epidemiological characteristics.
Several cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), an arboviral disease, have been reported since summer 1999 in different areas of Iran. The main objectives of this research were to determine the most important means and patterns of transmission and the epidemiologic characteristics of this disease. ⋯ The results of this study confirm that the scheme of risk factors and risk groups for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Iran do not differ substantially from the other parts of the world. Even though tick bite is one of the most important risk factors for CCHF, it cannot explain all cases and there are other important risk factors such as high-risk occupations and having contact with livestock. Even taking care of livestock for a short period at home can increase the chance of contracting CCHF.
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To evaluate the value of plasma fibronectin (pFN) as a diagnostic marker of sepsis. ⋯ Plasma FN appears to act as a marker of sepsis in that patients showed diminished pFN levels. Along with other clinical and laboratory variables, the use of this marker would allow a rapid diagnosis of sepsis and limit the number of blood cultures to be processed and the number of antibiotic prescriptions, particularly when symptoms are insidious and diagnosis is doubtful. We propose further and more complex studies using a higher number of patients.
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Tick-borne rickettsioses are of emerging importance in today's travel medicine but have until recently received little attention. We describe the current knowledge of tick-borne rickettsioses as they relate to international travel, their microbiological diagnosis, treatment, possible prevention, and future prospects. ⋯ Tick-borne rickettsiosis should be suspected in febrile returnees from endemic areas, especially in cases with skin eruptions. Travellers to endemic areas should be encouraged to use personal protective measures against tick bites.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · May 2004
Comparative StudyAntimicrobial resistance of Gram-negative bacilli isolates from inpatients and outpatients at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon.
To determine and compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of pathogenic bacteria from inpatients and outpatients at a university teaching hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. ⋯ As the incidence of antimicrobial resistance is substantially higher in isolates from inpatient than outpatient pathogens, more resources should be allocated within the hospital to encourage good antibiotic practices and good hospital hygiene.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2004
Co-existing conditions for deaths from infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia.
To examine the frequency distribution of co-existing conditions for deaths where the underlying cause was infectious and parasitic diseases. ⋯ The study indicated that the quality of death certificates is less than satisfactory for the 1998 Australian mortality data. The findings may be helpful in clarifying the ICD coding rules and the development of disease prevention strategies.