Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyComparison of diagnostic tools with multiplex polymerase chain reaction for pediatric lower respiratory tract infection: a single center study.
Acute respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Most have a viral etiology, with pneumococcus as an important pathogen. This single-center study compared the use of conventional diagnostic tools and two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examinations for determining pathogens in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) among children aged <5 years. ⋯ Most LRTIs in children have a viral etiology. Multiplex PCR tests are rapid assays that can increase the diagnostic yield rate and detect slow-growing viruses and can detect more pathogens than conventional viral culture to enable, thereby helping clinicians to provide appropriate and timely treatment.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Dec 2013
Observational StudyEtiology of pulmonary complications of human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected patients in Taiwan in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy: a prospective observational study.
We aimed to investigate the etiology of pulmonary complications of human immunodeficiency virus-(HIV)-1-infected patients in Taiwan in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). ⋯ The etiology of pulmonary complications in HIV-1-infected patients was diverse and varied with the categories of CD4 counts. Pneumocystosis remained the leading cause of pulmonary complications in patients with lower CD4 counts in Taiwan in the cART era.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Dec 2013
Reporting an outbreak of Candida pelliculosa fungemia in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Fungemia in preterm infants is associated with high mortality and morbidity. This study reports an outbreak of unusual fungemia in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). ⋯ The study demonstrated the clinical importance of emerged non-albicans Candida species in NICU. For unusual pathogen isolated from immunocompromised hosts, more attention should be paid to monitor the possibility of an outbreak.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Oct 2013
Increased proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells during early-stage sepsis in ICU patients.
We investigated whether CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are induced in patients suffering from early-stage septic shock and distinguish them from noninfectious patients with systemic inflammatory response. ⋯ Our findings indicate that the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells could be an indicator for the early diagnosis of sepsis. This proportion can also facilitate the evaluation of the patient's immune status and guide suitable immunoregulatory therapy.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Jun 2013
Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with community-onset Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia requiring intensive care.
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is the major pathogen of community-acquired pyogenic infections in Taiwan and can lead to poor prognosis in critically ill patients complicated with bacteremia. This study investigated the characteristics and outcome of patients with community-onset K. pneumoniae bacteremia who required intensive care. ⋯ Nearly one fifth of patients with community-onset K. pneumoniae bacteremia required intensive care and this was associated with high mortality and poor long-term prognosis. Physicians should recognize the distinct characteristics and risk factors for mortality among these patients.