Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
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Since their reemergence in 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses have reached endemic levels among poultry in several southeast Asian countries and have caused a still increasing number of more than 100 reported human infections with high mortality. These developments have ignited global fears of an imminent influenza pandemic. The current knowledge of the virology, clinical spectrum, diagnosis and treatment of human influenza H5N1 virus infections is reviewed herein.
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Comparative Study
Safety of blood supply in the Caribbean countries: role of screening blood donors for markers of hepatitis B and C viruses.
Blood transfusions carry risks of untoward reactions, including the transmission of infections, such as hepatitis B and C. Proper blood donor recruitment and selection, and adequate laboratory screening for infectious markers diminish the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. ⋯ Blood donor recruitment and coverage of screening for transfusion-transmitted infections, especially HCV, must be improved in the Caribbean countries.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of Thermo Electron RSV OIA to viral culture and direct fluorescent assay testing for respiratory syncytial virus.
Rapid diagnostic methods for respiratory syncytial virus are useful tools available for the clinician. ⋯ The rapid OIA assay format proved to be cost effective, and simple to use in comparison to DFA and viral culture. Negative rapid test results should still be confirmed with a secondary test.
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Practice Guideline Guideline
Chronic hepatitis B: recommendations for therapy based on the natural history of disease in Australian patients.
Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is a major health problem in Australia and worldwide. CHB is associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. Well tolerated treatment is now available, however the development of resistance is common and the optimal timing of treatment is yet to be determined. Identifying the factors that influence the natural history of CHB may help determine which patients need treatment and when to start it. ⋯ Perinatal or early childhood transmission is predominant mode of infection in Australia. Two thirds of this cohort had active replication and were at increased risk of developing cirrhosis and/or hepatoma. Advanced disease was associated with age and ethnicity. HBeAg negative CHB accounts for almost half of all those with active viral replication. This parallels the rise in this form of CHB in Asia and the Mediterranean basin. Screening should be offered to people born in, or with parents born in areas of high endemnicity. To detect the development of active disease, patients with positive HBsAg but normal ALT should have liver function tests done 6 monthly and those with elevated ALT should be referred for consideration of therapy, irrespective of HBeAg status.
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Viruses are a frequent cause of upper respiratory tract infections in children. Like Taiwan, there were few virological surveillance systems for respiratory viral infections among children in developing countries. ⋯ The results of this study demonstrate that adenovirus and enterovirus are the two most common viruses isolated from pediatric outpatients with acute, febrile URTIs and can be identified throughout the year in northern Taiwan. Influenza viruses also can be identified throughout the year and during the epidemic, a child older than 5 years of age with acute febrile URTI is likely to be a case of influenza.