Bmc Infect Dis
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: a phase III, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a short course of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in women with hepatitis B virus e-antigen.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is complicated by cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Thailand, 6-7 % of adults are chronically infected with HBV. The risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV has been estimated to be about 12 % when mothers have a high hepatitis B viral load, even if infants receive passive-active prophylaxis with HBV immunoglobulin (HBIg) and initiate the hepatitis B vaccine series at birth. We designed a study to assess the efficacy and safety of a short course of maternal tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) among women with a marker of high viral load for the prevention of MTCT of HBV. ⋯ The results of this randomized trial will clarify the efficacy and safety of a short course of antiviral treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV and inform international guidelines.
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Community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) is a life-threatening disease and timing of antibiotic therapy remains crucial. We aimed to analyse the impact of antibiotic timing on the outcome of CABM in a contemporary cohort. ⋯ Delay in antibiotic therapy was associated with unfavourable outcome at discharge.
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Observational Study
Factors related to outcome of bloodstream infections due to Candida parapsilosis complex.
Although Candida albicans is the most common cause of fungal blood stream infections (BSIs), infections due to Candida species other than C. albicans are rising. Candida parapsilosis complex has emerged as an important fungal pathogen and became one of the main causes of fungemia in specific geographical areas. We analyzed the factors related to outcome of candidemia due to C. parapsilosis in a single tertiary referral hospital over a five-year period. ⋯ Candidemia due to C. parapsilosis complex, the second most commonly causative agent of yeast BSIs in our center, is characterized by a non-negligible mortality at 30 days. An early CVC removal is associated with a significant reduced mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of a demand-creation intervention for couples' HIV testing services among married or cohabiting individuals in Rakai, Uganda: a cluster-randomized intervention trial.
Uptake of couples' HIV counseling and testing (couples' HCT) services remains largely low in most settings. We report the effect of a demand-creation intervention trial on couples' HCT uptake among married or cohabiting individuals who had never received couples' HCT. ⋯ Our findings show that a small group, couple and male-focused, demand-creation intervention reinforced with testimonies from 'expert couples', improved uptake of couples' HCT in this rural setting.