Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Dec 2012
Case ReportsJapanese viral encephalitis mimicking stroke with an initial manifestation of hemiplegia.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an endemic disease in Taiwan. After the program to vaccinate children against JE was implemented in 1968, the incidence of JE gradually started to decrease, but it is still an important infectious disease here. Neurological manifestations in JE vary highly during the initial stage of the disease. ⋯ No bacterial pathogen was isolated from the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A diagnosis of JE was confirmed based on the presence of JE virus-specific immunoglobulin M in the CSF and serum samples. It is necessary to consider JE when a patient presents with abrupt hemiplegia with fever followed with mental confusion and seizure, especially if the patient comes from a JE-endemic area.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Oct 2012
Decreasing catheter-related bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit: interventions in a medical center in central Taiwan.
A high catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate, in comparison with that in the National Healthcare Safety Network report, is an important concern in our hospital. Therefore, evidence-based interventions have been introduced to reduce the rate of CRBSI. ⋯ The reduction of infection rates could be possible by standardizing the CVC implantation procedure. However, more interventions, such as cleaning the skin with chlorhexidine, avoiding the femoral site when possible, and removing unnecessary catheters, should also be considered to reduce the rate of CRBSI.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Oct 2012
Case ReportsEmphysematous cholecystitis complicating liver abscess due to Clostridium baratii infection.
Clostridium baratii bacteremia is a rare but severe anaerobic infection. Its major clinical features are neurological presentation, and significant risk factors include hemodialysis, intestinal disease or malignancy. We describe a case of emphysematous cholecystitis complicated by a liver abscess due to C baratii infection in a healthy adult without neurological manifestation.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Oct 2012
Risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia.
It is still controversial whether carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an independent risk factor for mortality. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and outcomes of patients with CRAB bacteremia, compared to those with carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) bacteremia. ⋯ Risk factors for CRAB bacteremia were hematological malignancies, previous use of cefepime and use of total parenteral nutrition. Acquisition of CRAB itself is not a poor prognostic factor for the patients with A. baumannii bacteremia.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Aug 2012
A scoring system for predicting results of influenza rapid test in children: a possible model facing overwhelming pandemic infection.
The pandemic novel influenza H1N1 (swine) influenza A virus (H1N1v) infection has caused large-scale community infection in Taiwan. Anxiety developed in the general public and physicians faced a huge challenge in many aspects. We conducted this prospective study to develop a scoring system based on the clinical manifestations for predicting the results of influenza rapid testing, as a surrogate of influenza rapid testing, to lower the anxiety and decrease the burden for the test. ⋯ The emergence of H1N1v infection is not only an important medical issue, but also a socioeconomic problem. Based on easily available clinical information, we develop a scoring system as a preliminary screening tool for the general public and first-line health care providers to evaluate the possibility of influenza virus infection. Although this study was limited by the sensitivity of rapid tests, this type of model may be a surrogate weapon when faced with overwhelming pandemic infection in the future, especially in areas with scarce medical resources.