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The risks of malaria infection in Kenya in 2009Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Model based geo-statistical methods can be used to interpolate malaria risks in Kenya with precision and our model shows that the majority of Kenyans live in areas of very low P. falciparum risk. As malaria interventions go to scale effectively tracking epidemiological changes of risk demands a rigorous effort to document infection prevalence in time and space to remodel risks and redefine intervention priorities over the next 10-15 years. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Abdisalan NoorPeter GethingVictor AleganaAnand PatilSimon HayEric MuchiriElizabeth JumaRobert Snow Source Type: journals

Serum immunoglobulin G, M and A response to Cryptosporidium parvum in Cryptosporidium-HIV co-infected patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The study showed specific serum IgG and IgA production in patients infected with Cryptosporidium, both HIV seropositive and seronegative as compared to uninfected subjects suggesting induction of Cryptosporidium specific humoral immune response in infected subjects. However, there was no difference in number of patients with positive response in HIV seropositive or seronegative groups indicating that HIV status may not be playing significant role in modulation of Cryptosporidium specific antibody responses. The number of patients with positive IgG, IgM and IgA response was not significantly different in patien...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 18, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Kirti KaushikSumeeta KhuranaAjay WanchuNancy Malla Source Type: journals

Moraxella catarrhalis acquisition, airway inflammation and protease-antiprotease balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Moraxella catarrhalis causes approximately 10% of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also colonizes the lower airway in stable patients. Little is known about the effects of colonization by M. catarrhalis on airway inflammation and protease-antiprotease balance, and how these changes compare to those seen during exacerbations. Since COPD is a progressive inflammatory disease, elucidating the effects of bacterial colonization and exacerbation on airway inflammation is relevant to understanding disease progression in COPD. Our aims were (1) Analyze changes in airway inflammation in ...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 15, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ganapathi ParameswaranCatherine WronaTimothy MurphySanjay Sethi Source Type: journals

PCR melting profile (PCR MP) - a new tool for differentiation of Candida albicans strainsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Data presented here show for the first time the evaluation of PCR MP technique for candidial strains differentiation and we propose that this can be used as a relatively simple and cheap technique for epidemiological studies in short period of time in hospital. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 11, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Beata KrawczykJustyna Leibner-CiszakAnna MielechMagdalena NowakJozef Kur Source Type: journals

Evaluation of routinely reported surgical site infections against microbiological culture results: a tool to identify patient groups where diagnosis and treatment may be improved.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Surgeons may improve their decision making by assessing the extent to which their initial clinical diagnosis of a surgical site infection (SSI) was supported by culture results. Aim of the present study was to evaluate routinely reported SSI by surgeons against microbiological culture results, to identify patient groups with lower agreement where decision making may be improved. Methods: 701 admissions with SSI were reported by surgeons in a university medical centre in the period 1997-2005, which were retrospectively checked for microbiological culture results. Reporting a SSI was conditional on treatment bein...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 10, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marco KrukerinkJob KievitPerla Marang-van de Mheen Source Type: journals

Uptake of meningococcal conjugate vaccine among adolescents in large managed care organizations, United States, 2005: Demand, supply and seasonality.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: In February 2005, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the new meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) for routine use among 11- to 12-year-olds (at the preadolescent health-care visit), 14- to 15-year-olds (before high-school entry), and groups at increased risk. Vaccine distribution started in March; however, in July, the manufacturer reported inability to meet demand and widespread MCV4 shortages were reported. Our objectives were to determine early uptake patterns among target (11-12 and 14-15 year olds) and non-target (13- plus 16-year-olds) age groups. A post hoc analysis was con...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - November 3, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Suchita LorickDaniel FishbeinEric WeintraubPascale WortleyGrace LeeFangjun ZhouRobert Davis Source Type: journals

Downregulation of MIP-1alpha/CCL3 with praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma haematobiumand HIV-1 co-infected individuals in a rural community in ZimbabweEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The results of our study show that the MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were positively associated with S. haematobium egg counts at baseline but not with HIV-1 infection status. MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were significantly reduced at three months post treatment with praziquantel. We therefore conclude that MIP-1α/CCL3 is produced during infection with S haematobium. S. haematobium infection is associated with increased MIP-1α/CCL3 levels in an egg intensity-dependent manner and treatment of S. haematobium is associated with a reduction in MIP-1α/CCL3. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 23, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: R Zinyama-GutsireE GomoP KallestrupC ErickstrupH UllumA ButterworthS MunyatiT Mduluza Source Type: journals

Downregulation of MIP-1alpha/CCL3 with praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma haematobium and HIV-1 co-infected individuals in a rural community in ZimbabweEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The results of our study show that the MIP-1alpha/CCL3 levels were positively associated with S. haematobium egg counts at baseline but not with HIV-1 infection status. MIP-1alpha/CCL3 levels were significantly reduced at three months post treatment with praziquantel. We therefore conclude that MIP-1alpha/CCL3 is produced during infection with S haematobium. S. haematobium infection is associated with increased MIP-1alpha/CCL3 levels in an egg intensity-dependent manner and treatment of S. haematobium is associated with a reduction in MIP-1alpha/CCL3. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 22, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: R Zinyama-GutsireE GomoP KallestrupC ErickstrupH UllumA ButterworthS MunyatiT Mduluza Source Type: journals

Acute sensorineural hearing loss and severe otalgia due to scrub typhusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: When patients in endemic areas present with fever and rash and have sensorineural hearing loss or otalgia without otoscopic abnormalities, clinicians should suspect scrub typhus and consider empirical antibiotic therapy. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 21, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ji-In KangDong-Min KimJun Han Lee Source Type: journals

Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our conclusion is that, since there is no therapy to date that guarantees life-long protection, deferral of therapy should be preferred in order to minimize the risk of adverse effects, the occurrence of drug resistances and the costs of treatment. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 19, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paola PaciRossella CarelloMassimo BernaschiGianpiero D'OffiziFilippo Castiglione Source Type: journals

Protective measures and H5N1-seroprevalence among personnel tasked with bird collection during an outbreak of avian influenza A/H5N1 in wild birds, Ruegen, Germany, 2006Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Gaps and variability in adherence demonstrate the risk of exposure to avian influenza under conditions of wild bird collection, and justify serological testing and regular training of task personnel. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 17, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Wei CaiBrunhilde SchweigerUdo BuchholzSilke BudaMartina LittmannJorg HeuslerWalter Haas Source Type: journals

Newly formed cystic lesions for the development of pneumomediastinum in Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that cystic lesions and bronchiectasis can develop in spite of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole treatment for P. jirovecii pneumonia. The newly formed bronchiectasis and cyst formation that were noted in follow up high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) but were not visible on HRCT at admission could be risk factors for the development of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema in HIV-patients. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 17, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ju-Yeon ChoDong-Min KimYong Eun KwonSung Ho YoonSeung Il Lee Source Type: journals

Barriers to the care of HIV-infected children in rural Zambia: a cross-sectional analysisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: HIV-infected children in rural southern Zambia have long travel times to access care and may have poorer weight gain on ART than children in urban areas. Despite these barriers, these children had a substantial rise in CD4+ T cell counts in the first year of ART although longer follow-up may indicate these gains are not sustained. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 15, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Janneke van DijkCatherine SutcliffeBornface MunsanjeFrancis HamangabaPhilip ThumaWilliam Moss Source Type: journals

Influenza activity in Cambodia during 2006-2008Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Influenza activity in Cambodia occurred during the rainy season, from June to November, and ends before the cool season (usually extending from December to February). Even though Cambodia is a tropical country, geographically located in the northern hemisphere, influenza activity has a southern hemisphere transmission pattern. Together with the antigenic analysis of the circulating strains, it is now possible to give a better influenza vaccination recommendation for Cambodia. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 14, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sek MardySovann LySeng HengSirenda VongChea HuchChea NoraNima AsgariMegge MillerIsabelle BergeriSybille RehmetDuong VeasnaWeigong ZhouTakeshi KasaiSok TouchPhilippe Buchy Source Type: journals

Identification and genotyping of bacteria from paired vaginal and rectal samples from pregnant women indicates similarity between vaginal and rectal microfloraEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a certain degree of correspondence between the vaginal and rectal microflora, not only with regard to species composition but also with regard to strain identity between vaginal and rectal isolates.These results support the hypothesis that the rectal microflora serves as a reservoir for colonisation of the vaginal econiche. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Nabil El AilaInge TencyGeert ClaeysHans VerstraelenBart SaerensGuido Lopes dos Santos SantiagoEllen De BackerPiet CoolsMarleen TemmermanRita VerhelstMario Vaneechoutte Source Type: journals

Initial psychological responses to Influenza A, H1N1 ("Swine flu")Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We examined initial behavioural and attitudinal responses towards Influenza A, H1N1 ("Swine flu") in the six days following the WHO pandemic alert level 5, and regional differences in these responses. Methods: 328 respondents completed a cross-sectional internet or paper-based questionnaire study in Malaysia (N = 180) or Europe (N = 148). Measures assessed changes in transport usage, purchase of preparatory goods for a pandemic, perceived risk groups, indicators of anxiety, assessed estimated mortality rates for seasonal flu, effectiveness of seasonal flu vaccination, and changes in pork consumption Results: 26% respondent...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 5, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Robin GoodwinShamsul HaqueFelix NetoLynn Myers Source Type: journals

Frequency of medically attended adverse events following tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccine in adolescents and young adults: a Vaccine Safety Datalink studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Medically attended local reactions were uncommon following Td vaccination. The risk of those reactions varied by age and by prior receipt of TDCVs. These findings provide a point of reference for future evaluations of the safety profile of newer vaccines containing tetanus or diphtheria toxoid. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - October 4, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Lisa JacksonOnchee YuEdward BelongiaSimon HambidgeJennifer NelsonRoger BaxterAllison NalewayCharlene GayJames NordinJames BaggsJohn Iskander Source Type: journals

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii on computer interface surfaces of hospital wards and association with clinical isolatesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: With good hand hygiene compliance, we found relatively low contamination rates of MRSA, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii on ward computer interface, and without further contribution to nosocomial infection. Our results suggested no necessity of routine culture surveillance in non-outbreak situation. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Po-Liang LuL. k SiuTun-Chieh ChenLing MaWen-Gin ChiangYen-Hsu ChenSheng-Fung LinTyen-Po Chen Source Type: journals

An evaluation of the sensitivity of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance for poliovirus infection in AustraliaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Given the ongoing risk of poliovirus importation prior to global eradication, long term surveillance is required to provide a high degree of confidence in freedom from poliovirus infection in Australia, particularly if a low prevalence of infection is assumed. Adherence to the WHO surveillance targets would considerably improve the sensitivity of surveillance for poliovirus infection in Australia. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 29, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Rochelle WatkinsP. Anthony MartinHeath KellyBen MadinCharles Watson Source Type: journals

Trends in DDT and pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.s. populations from urban and agro-industrial settings in southern Cameroon.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate the ongoing spread of kdr alleles in An. gambiae in Central Africa. The rapid evolution of insecticide resistance in this highly dynamic and genetically polymorphic species remains a challenge for its control. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 29, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Philippe NwaneJosiane EtangMouhamadou ChouaibouJean Claude TotoClement Kerah-HinzoumbeRemy MimpfoundiHerman Parfait Awono-AmbeneFrederic Simard Source Type: journals

Infective endocarditis caused by Salmonella enteritidis in a dialysis patient: a case report and literature reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Although there are several reports that Salmonella endocarditis without cardiac failure can be successfully treated with antibiotics alone, early surgical intervention is essential for some cases to prevent life-threatening complications. Transesophageal echocardiography should be performed in any patient with high clinical suspicion of infective endocarditis for the early detection and the early surgical intervention. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case-report of Salmonella endocarditis in a haemodialysis patient. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 28, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Yusuke TsugawaMiyuki FutatsuyamaKeiichi FurukawaFumika TakiYuji NishizakiKeiichi TamagakiYuki KaneshiroYasuhiro Komatsu Source Type: journals

Small islands and pandemic influenza: Potential benefits and limitations of travel volume reduction as a border control measureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These results suggest that relatively few island nations could successfully rely on intensive travel volume restrictions alone to avoid the arrival of pandemic influenza (or subsequent waves). Therefore most island nations may need to plan for multiple additional interventions (e.g., screening and quarantine) to raise the probability of remaining pandemic free or achieving substantial delay in pandemic arrival. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 28, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Martin EichnerMarkus SchwehmNick WilsonMichael Baker Source Type: journals

Large serological survey showing cocirculation of Ebola and Marburg viruses in Gabonese bat populations, and a high seroprevalence of both viruses in Rousettus aegyptiacusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These findings confirm that ZEBOV and MARV co-circulate in Gabon, the only country where bats infected by each virus have been found. IgG antibodies to both viruses were detected only in Rousettus aegyptiacus, suggesting that this bat species may be involved in the natural cycle of both Marburg and Ebola viruses. The presence of MARV in Gabon indicates a potential risk for a first human outbreak. Disease surveillance should be enhanced in areas near caves. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Xavier PourrutMarc SourisJonathan TownerPierre RollinStuart NicholJean-Paul GonzalezEric Leroy Source Type: journals

Prevalence of HIV-associated ophthalmic disease among patients enrolling for antiretroviral treatment in India: A cross-sectional studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of HIV-associated ocular conditions in patients referred for ART in India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken at a large public sector ART centre in Mumbai, India. Data collection including a standardised symptom screen, and an ophthalmic examination were performed on all consecutive patients satisfying the criteria for enrolment into the ART clinic irrespective of the presence or absence of ophthalmic/visual symptoms. Results: Enrolled patients (n=149) had a median CD4 cell count of 180 cell/muL (inter-quartile range [IQR], 106-253 cells...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 22, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sophia PathaiAlaka DeshpandeClare GilbertStephen Lawn Source Type: journals

Procalcitonin levels and bacterial aetiology among COPD patients admitted to the ICU with severe pneumonia: a prospective cohort studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Based on these results we suggest that a PCT level cut off > 0.1 mg/L may be more appropriate than 0.25 mg/L (previously proposed for non severe lower respiratory tract infection) to predict the probability of a bacterial infection in severe COPD patients with pneumonia Further studies testing procalcitonin-based antibiotic strategies are needed in COPD patients with severe pneumonia. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cedric DaubinJean-Jacques ParientiSabine FradinAstrid VabretMichel RamakersNicolas TerziFrancois FreymuthPierre CharbonneauDamien du Cheyron Source Type: journals

Interferon for the treatment of genital warts: a systematic reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Interferon tends to be a fairly well-tolerated form of therapy. According to different routes of administration, locally-used interferon appears to be much more effective than both systemically-used interferon and placebo in either improving the complete response rate or reducing the recurrence rate for the treatment of genital warts. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jin YangYu-guo PuZhong-ming ZengZhi-jian YuNa HuangQi-wen Deng Source Type: journals

Intestinal parasitic infections in relation to HIV/AIDS status, diarrhea and CD4 T-cell countEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Immunodeficiency increased the risk of having opportunistic parasites and diarrhea. Therefore; raising patient immune status and screening at least for those treatable parasites is important. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 17, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Shimelis AssefaBerhanu ErkoGirmay MedhinZelalem AssefaTechalew Shimelis Source Type: journals

Impact of first-line protease inhibitors on predicted resistance to tipranavir in HIV-1-infected patients with virological failureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Cross-resistance from first-line PIs may impede the effectiveness of TPV/r-containing salvage therapy. TPV/r should be used cautiously for patients with virological failure to LPV/r especially long duration of exposure. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Szu-Min HsiehSui-Yuan ChangChien-Ching HungWang-Huei ShengMao-Yuan ChenShan-Chwen Chang Source Type: journals

Genotyping of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci) isolated from vaginal and rectal swabs of women at 35-37 weeks of pregnancyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The combination of Lim broth and subculture on Granada medium provide high sensitivity for GBS detection from vaginal and rectal swabs from pregnant women. We established a higher genotypic diversity per individual than other studies, with up to four different genotypes among a maximum of 6 isolates per individual picked. Still, 18 of the 19 women with GBS from both rectum and vagina had at least one isolate from each sampling site with the same genotype. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 10, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Nabil El AilaInge TencyGeert ClaeysBart SaerensRita VerhelstEllen De BackerMarleen TemmermanMario Vaneechoutte Source Type: journals

Gene expression profiling of human alveolar macrophages infected by B. anthracis spores demonstrates TNF-alpha and NF-kappab are key components of the innate immune response to the pathogenEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The results demonstrate not only that TNF-alpha and NF-kappaB are key components of the innate immune response to the pathogen, but also that a large part of the mechanisms by which the alveolar macrophage responds to B. anthracis are still unknown as many of the genes involved are poorly annotated. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mikhail DozmorovWenxin WuKaushik ChakrabartyJ. Leland BoothRobert HurstK. Mark CoggeshallJordan Metcalf Source Type: journals

Varicella: epidemiological aspects and vaccination coverage in Veneto Region.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Data from passive and active surveillance systems confirm that varicella is a common disease which each year affects a large proportion of the population, mainly children. Uptake of the varicella vaccination programme was strikingly good with average coverage rates reached about 70% after only 3 years. Sustained implementation of existing vaccine policies is needed to warrant any significant reduction of varicella incidence in the Veneto Region. Continued surveillance will be important to monitor the impact of the recently introduced mass vaccination policy. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 7, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Vincenzo BaldoTatjana BaldovinFrancesca RussoMarta BusanaCinzia PiovesanGreta BordignonAurore GilibertiRenzo Trivello Source Type: journals

A Mycobacterium tuberculosis cluster demonstrating the use of genotyping in urban tuberculosis controlEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Cluster analysis underscored several issues for TB control in an urban setting, such as the recognition of the outbreak, the importance of reinfections, the impact of delayed diagnosis, the contribution of pub-related transmissions and its value for decision-making to extend contact investigations. Visualising cases in a cluster diagram was particularly useful in finding transmission locations and the similarities and links between patients. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 7, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Gerard de VriesRob van HestConny BurdoDick van SoolingenJan Richardus Source Type: journals

Hepatitis B virus: molecular genotypes and HBeAg serological status among HBV-infected patients in the southeast of Brazil.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The genotypes encountered in our HBV-infected patients were apparently a consequence of the types of immigration that occurred in our region, where European and African descendents predominate. The HBeAg-negative status predominated, possibly due to the length of time of infection. The viral load in HBeAg-positive patients was higher than in HBeAg-negative individuals. The fibrosis grade in genotype A-infected patients was more advanced than genotype D-infected patients. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 7, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Priscila TonettoNeiva GoncalesViviane FaisAline ViganiEduardo GoncalesAdriana FeltrinFernando Goncales Source Type: journals

Leptospirosis in the Asia Pacific RegionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: In the Asia Pacific region, predominantly in developing countries, leptospirosis is largely a water-borne disease. Unless interventions to minimize exposure are aggressively implemented, the current global climate change will further aggravate the extent of the disease problem. Although trends indicate successful control of leptospirosis in some areas, there is no clear evidence that the disease has decreased in the last decade. The efficiency of surveillance systems and data collection varies significantly among the countries and areas within the region, leading to incomplete information in some instances. Th...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 3, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Anne Florence VictorianoLee SmytheNina Gloriani-BarzagaLolita CavintaTakeshi KasaiKhanchit LimpakarnjanaratBee Lee OngGyanendra GongalJulie HallCaroline Anne CoulombeYasutake YanagiharaShin-ichi YoshidaBen Adler Source Type: journals

Evaluation of a novel real-time PCR test based on the ssrA gene for the identification of group B streptococci in vaginal swabsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The RiboSEQ GBS test is a valuable method for the rapid, sensitive and specific detection of GBS in pregnant women. This study also validates the ssrA gene as a suitable and versatile target for nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests for bacterial pathogens. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - September 3, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Martina WerneckeCiara MullenVimla SharmaJohn MorrisonThomas BarryMajella MaherTerry Smith Source Type: journals

Neonatal enteral feeding tubes as loci for colonisation by members of the EnterobacteriaceaeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: This study shows that neonatal enteral feeding tubes, irrespective of feeding regime, act as loci for the bacterial attachment and multiplication of numerous opportunistic pathogens within the Enterobacteriaceae family. Subsequently, these organisms will enter the stomach as a bolus with each feed. Therefore, enteral feeding tubes are an important risk factor to consider with respect to neonatal infections. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 31, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Edward HurrellEva KucerovaMichael LoughlinJuncal Caubilla-BarronAnthony HiltonRichard ArmstrongCraig SmithJudith GrantShiu ShooStephen Forsythe Source Type: journals

Improved hospital-level risk adjustment for surveillance of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections: a retrospective cohort studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The high model goodness-of-fit and the higher frequency of OBSI and STAPH outcomes indicated that hospital-specific risk adjustment based on medical services provided would be useful for these outcomes in Queensland. The low frequency of IVD-STAPH and MRSA outcomes indicated that development of a hospital-level risk score was a more valid method of risk adjustment for these outcomes. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 31, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: E TongA ClementsM HaynesM JonesA MortonM Whitby Source Type: journals

Renal impairment in a rural African antiretroviral programmeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: There is little knowledge regarding the prevalence and nature of renal impairment in African populations initiating antiretroviral treatment, nor evidence to inform the best methods of screening for renal impairment. With the increasing availability of the potentially nephrotoxic drug tenofovir, such information is important for the planning of antiretroviral programmes. Methods: (i) Retrospective review of the prevalence and risk factors for impaired renal function in 2189 individuals initiating antiretroviral treatment in a rural African setting between 2004 and 2007 (ii) A prospective study of 149 consecutiv...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cara FraneyDeborah KnottTill BarnighausenMartin DedicoatAhmed AdamRichard LessellsMarie-Louise NewellGraham Cooke Source Type: journals

Primary and secondary cases in Escherichia coli O157 outbreaks: a statistical analysisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Within outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157), at least 10-15% of cases are thought to have been acquired by secondary transmission. However, there has been little systematic quantification or characterisation of secondary outbreak cases worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterise secondary outbreak cases, estimate the overall proportion of outbreak cases that were the result of secondary transmission and to analyse the relationships between primary and secondary outbreak cases by mode of transmission, country and median age. Methods: Published data was obtained from 90 confirmed Escherichia...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Kate SnedekerDarren ShawMary LockingRobin Prescott Source Type: journals

Low sensitivity of a urine LAM-ELISA in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: This commercially available generation of LAM-ELISA does not appear to be useful as an independent diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis. The question whether the assay is suitable as a supplemental device in the diagnosis of HIV-associated TB, requires further investigations. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Klaus ReitherElmar SaathoffJutta JungLilian MinjaInge KroidlEiman SaadJim HuggettElias NtinginyaLucas MagangaLeonard MabokoMichael Hoelscher Source Type: journals

Molecular detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance to guide chronic TB patient management in Burkina Faso.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The GenoType MTBDRplus assay performed directly on sputum specimens improves the management of chronic TB cases allowing more appropriate anti-TB regimens. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paolo MiottoNuccia SaleriMathurin DembeleMartial OuedraogoGisele BadoumGabriele PinsiGiovanni MiglioriAlberto MatteelliDaniela Cirillo Source Type: journals

Comparison of rapid tests for detection of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kampala, UgandaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: All four rapid technologies were shown capable of detecting rifampicin resistance directly from sputum. The LiPA proved rapid, but was the most expensive. It was noted, however, that the LiPA test allows sterilization of samples prior to testing thereby reducing the risk of accidental laboratory transmission. In contrast the Etest was low cost, but slow and would be of limited assistance when treating patients. The phage test was the least reproducible test studied with failure rate of 27%. The test preferred by the laboratory personnel, direct BACTEC 460, requires further study to determine its accuracy in rea...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 25, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sam OgwangBenon AsiimweHamidou TraoreFrancis MumbowaAlphonse OkweraKathleen EisenachSusan KayesEdward Jones-LopezRuth McNerneyWilliam WorodriaIrene AyakakaRoy MugerwaPeter SmithJerrold EllnerMoses Joloba Source Type: journals

Five year follow-up of children with perinatal HIV-1 infection receiving early highly active antiretroviral therapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report data from 40 perinatally HIV- infected-children receiving early HAART, with a median follow-up period of 5.96 years (interquartile range [IQR]:4.21-7.62). Children were enrolled at birth in the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children. Comparison with 91 infected children born in the same period, followed-up from birth, and receiving deferred treatment was also provided. Results: Nineteen children (47.5%) were still receiving their first HAART regimen at last follow-up. In the remaining children the first regimen was discontinued, after a median period of 3.77 years (IQR: 1.71-5.71) because of viral failure...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 25, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Elena ChiappiniLuisa GalliPier-Angelo TovoClara GabianoCatiuscia LisiStefania BernardiAlessandra ViganoAlfredo GuarinoCarlo GiaquintoSusanna EspositoRaffaele BadolatoCesare Di BariRaffaella RossoOrazio GenoveseMassimo MasiAntonio MazzaMaurizio de Martino Source Type: journals

Transmission of Specific Genotype Streptomycin Resistant Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area in JapanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Although firm conclusions could not be reached through the present study, it suggested that we have to take into consideration that tuberculosis can be transmitted in congregated facilities like internet cafes where tuberculosis high-risk people and general people share common spaces. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 25, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Akihiro OhkadoYoshiro MuraseMasaaki MoriNaoki HasegawaGoro OtsukaMichiko NagamineHideo MaedaKazuhiro UchimuraMasako OhmoriNorio YamadaShinji MaedaSeiya KatoToru MoriNobukatsu Ishikawa Source Type: journals

Control of MRSA infection and colonisation in an intensive care unit by GeneOhm MRSA assay and culture methodsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our results show that the GeneOhm MRSA assay is a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting MRSA quickly in nasal swabs. This study confirms that colonisation represents a high risk factor for MRSA infection, and that good MRSA surveillance in an Intensive Care Unit is therefore an excellent way to prevent MRSA infection. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 23, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Claudia Dalla ValleMaria Rosalia PascaDebora De VitisFederico Capra MarzaniVincenzo EmmiPiero Marone Source Type: journals

Limited duration of vaccine poliovirus and other enterovirus excretion among human immunodeficiency virus infected children in KenyaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The results indicate that mildly to moderately symptomatic HIV-infected children retain the ability to clear enteroviruses, including vaccine-related poliovirus. Larger studies are needed to confirm and generalize these findings. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 22, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Nino KhetsurianiRita HelfandMark PallanschOlen KewAshley FowlkesM. OberstePeter TukeiJoseph MuliErnest MakokhaHoward Gary Source Type: journals

HLA-DR and HLA-DQ alleles in patients from the south of Brazil: markers for leprosy susceptibility and resistanceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These data confirm the positive association of HLA-DR2 (DRB1*16) with leprosy per se, and the protector effect of DRB1*04 against lepromatous leprosy in Brazilian patients. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 21, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Samira da SilvaPriscila MaziniPamela ReisAna SellLuiza TsunetoPaulo PeixotoJeane Visentainer Source Type: journals

Group C meningococci in Italy in the era of conjugated menC vaccinationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Public health surveillance of serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease and microbiological/molecular characterization of the isolates requires particular attention, since the hyper-invasive ST-11 predominantly affected adolescents and young adults for whom meningococcal vaccination was not recommended in the 2005-2007 National Vaccine Plan. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 21, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paola StefanelliCecilia FazioTonino SofiaArianna NeriPaola Mastrantonio Source Type: journals

Mutations at codons 178, 200-129, and 232 contributed to the inherited prion diseases in Korean patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Despite differences in ethnicity, the clinical and pathological outcomes were similar to the respective mutations around the world, except absence of insomnia in D178N-129M subject. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - August 21, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Bo-Yeong ChoiSu Yeon KimSo-Young SeoSeong Soo AnSangYun KimSang-Eun ParkSeung-Han LeeYun-Ju ChoiSang-Jin KimChi-Kyeong KimJun-Sun ParkYoung-Ran Ju Source Type: journals