Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Dec 2008
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an opportunistic infection capable of causing life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. To elucidate the clinical presentation and outcome of this disease in Taiwan, we analyzed the patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia during a 34-month period. ⋯ P. jirovecii pneumonia remains a significant problem for immunocompromised patients. The mortality rate for patients without HIV infection was high (50%). Greater alertness with regard to early detection of P. jirovecii in HIV-negative immunosuppressed patients with the application of nested PCR may improve the clinical management and outcome.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Oct 2008
Risk factors for mortality in patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infection with genotypic species identification.
Acinetobacter baumannii is an increasingly common nosocomial infection with a high mortality rate. Identification of predictor factors of mortality from A. baumannii infection is important for the implementation of therapeutic management for patients with higher risk. However, many studies have reported data for Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex, which might lead to an uncertainty of results. In this study, we aimed to identify the predictive factors for mortality of patients infected with true A. baumannii that had been precisely identified by genotypic methodology. ⋯ Increased serum creatinine level, malignancy and inappropriate therapy within 3 days were related to increased mortality in patients with A. baumannii bloodstream infection. Physicians should be aware of patients with poor prognostic factors and initiate prompt strategies, including appropriate antimicrobial therapy, in order to reduce mortality.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Aug 2008
Clinical spectrum and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing community-acquired extrahepatic abscess.
Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a wide spectrum of infections, including abscess and non-abscess formation. This study investigated the clinical spectrum and molecular characteristics of community-acquired Klebsiella infection with primary extrahepatic abscess. ⋯ Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent underlying disease among our patients. The rmpA and/or hypermucoviscosity phenotype were the most common virulence factors in K. pneumoniae isolates causing extrahepatic abscesses, among which K2 capsule serotype (k2A+) was more prevalent than K1 capsule serotype (magA+).
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Jun 2008
Spinal epidural abscess due to Staphylococcus aureus: clinical manifestations and outcomes.
Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, spinal epidural abscess due to Staphylococcus aureus remains a challenge to clinicians. In this study, we describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with spinal epidural abscess due to S. aureus. ⋯ Although medical treatment alone might benefit selected patients with spinal epidural abscess due to S. aureus and minimal neurologic sequelae, close monitoring of the evolution of neurologic deficits with radiographic imaging follow-up is necessary, since the rate of progression of neurologic impairment is difficult to predict.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Jun 2008
Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis and infectious complications among human immunodeficiency virus-infected injection drug users at a referral hospital.
The seroprevalence of viral hepatitis and spectrum of infectious complications among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected injection drug users (IDUs) remains unclear in Taiwan, although there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of HIV infection among IDUs in the last 2 to 3 years. ⋯ Bacteremia, infective endocarditis and tuberculosis were the three most common patterns of infection among HIV-infected IDUs who sought medical care at a referral hospital; and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus was the most common etiology of bacteremia. The high seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C and subsequent hepatic complications may present a future challenge to the health care system.