Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi
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Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a serious and common disease often associated with infective endocarditis. It occurs in both healthy, immunologically competent people in the community and compromised patients in the hospitals. For S. aureus bacteremia, questions on clinical issues such as antimicrobial treatment are raised. Is nafcillin/oxacillin superior to vancomycin? Does the addition of rifampin improve outcome? Does addition of aminoglycoside improve the outcome? Does increasing duration of therapy (> 4 weeks versus < 2 weeks) improve outcome? How many cases of community-acquired S. aureus bacteremia have endocarditis on admission? What are the risk factors that would separate bacteremia from endocarditis? What is the role of echocardiography? What are the indications for routine echocardiography? Are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) more virulent than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)? What factors predict mortality in S. aureus bacteremia? Herein, the above important issues on S. aureus bacteremia and endocarditis are critically reviewed.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Mar 2000
Profiles of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from premature infants with respiratory distress disease.
In view of cytokine's effects in promoting or inhibiting inflammation, the objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the inhibitory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of premature infants suffering from respiratory distress disease. Eighteen premature neonates with respiratory distress disease with gestational age (GA) ranging from 24 to 37 weeks were recruited for study. BAL fluids were collected following endotracheal intubation during an episode of hypoxemia or dyspnea. ⋯ The level of IL-8, but not IL-10, was significantly correlated with the duration of intubation. IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid samples collected on the day of intubation were correlated with the development of chronic lung disease (CLD). The results suggest that extreme prematurity tends to have increased IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid compared to premature infants with older GA, and that these increased levels are associated with the development of CLD.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Jun 1999
ReviewApplications of acute phase reactants in infectious diseases.
The elevation of acute phase reactants (APRs) is a nonspecific host response to infection, inflammation, and tissue injury. The major biologic function of APRs is to restore homeostasis and to improve survival. ⋯ By contrast, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations increase markedly with acute invasive infections which parallel the severity of inflammation or tissue injury. This advantage makes CRP a useful marker for the presence of disease, response to therapy, and ultimate recovery.
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Though proximal muscle weakness is characteristic of polymyositis, other agents may also lead to proximal muscle weakness, such as drugs, endocrine diseases, or infections. Here, we report a thirty year-old female suffering from proximal weakness which initially was thought to be a case of polymyositis with high serum creatine phosphokinase level. Very low thyroid hormone levels were found as the history inquiry revealed constipation, hoarseness and cold intolerance. ⋯ Up to now, hypothyroid myopathy with muscle mitochondrial abnormalities shown by electron microscopic examination has not been reported in the medical literature in Taiwan. Hypothyroid myopathy, though it is rare, may be misdiagnosed as polymyositis clinically. Therefore, it is recommended that hypothyroid myopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proximal muscle weakness.
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Mar 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialRandomized, double-blind, comparative study of levofloxacin and ofloxacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.
Levofloxacin, the optical S-(-) isomer of ofloxacin, was compared with ofloxacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Patients eligible for the trial were randomly assigned to either a daily 300 mg of levofloxacin or 600 mg of ofloxacin for 10 consecutive days. The double blind design was achieved by a double-dummy technique utilizing placebo of both test drugs. ⋯ Four laboratory data abnormalities were observed (defined by 25% as exceeding the normal range), and were considered to not be related to the test medications. Both antibiotics were efficacious in the treatment of complicated UTIs (response rates ranging from 80 to 90%) and were well tolerated. Levofloxacin demonstrated comparable antibacterial effects and safety profiles with double potency dosage, compared to the ofloxacin.