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Hepatitis B immunization coverage and risk behaviour among Danish travellers: Are immunization strategies based on single journey itineraries rational?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The rationale and efficacy of current immunization strategies are challenged. Based on the results presented here and the availability of vaccines with long-lasting coverage, the authors find that recommendations of immunization should be based on lifetime risk instead of single journey itineraries. The authors find that a recommendation and/or cost-benefit discussion would be relevant in the pre-travel counselling of most – especially younger – travellers to endemic areas. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - October 23, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ulla Schierup Nielsen, Eskild Petersen, Carsten Schade Larsen Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Syphilitic panuveitis with retinal necrosis in an HIV positive man confirmed by Treponema pallidum PCREmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report on a case of retinal necrosis in an HIV-infected patient where polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for Treponema pallidum performed on vitreous fluid was used to confirm a diagnosis of ocular syphilis. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - October 6, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: John Booth, Alison Rodger, Jasmin Singh, Sarah Alexander, Susan Hopkins Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis: Findings of a 10-year review of experience in a UK centreEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We read with interest Luzzati et al's recent review of spinal infections presenting to two Italian hospitals over an 11-year period. They presented data on 27 cases of spinal tuberculosis (TB), and concluded that tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis was associated with significant diagnostic delay, need for operative intervention and ongoing back pain after completion of therapy. They found that most cases of spinal TB occurred in non-foreign-born individuals, although further data on ethnicity were not given. We have recently reviewed cases of tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis in Sheffield, United Kingdom over a 10-year ...
Source: Journal of Infection - October 6, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Polly C. Kenyon, Ann L.N. Chapman Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Systematic telephone triage of possible ‘Swine’ influenza leads to potentially serious misdiagnosis of infectious diseasesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
On the 2nd July 2009 the UK moved to the ‘treatment phase’ to control the current Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus (‘swine’ influenza). In order to reduce the burden on primary care, patients are encouraged to use the NHS Direct online symptom checker, or to telephone the National Pandemic Flu Service. As a result, potential cases of ‘swine’ influenza are being assessed and treated without the need for direct assessment by a health professional. Only those with specific co-morbid illnesses, with symptoms for longer than 7 days or specific concerns are advised to see their Primary Care Physician. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - October 4, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ruth Payne, Tom C. Darton, Julia M. Greig Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Excess mortality, length of stay and cost attributable to candidaemiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Candidaemia remains a severe disease associated with high attributable mortality in the UK. In addition, candidaemia leads to additional ICU length of stay and costs. The implication is an attributable cost of at least £16.2 million with 683 deaths attributable to candidaemia per year in the UK. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - October 4, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: I. Hassan, G. Powell, M. Sidhu, W.M. Hart, D.W. Denning Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Clostridium difficile-related death rates in Texas 1999–2005Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: C. difficile has become an important public health concern with a significant mortality burden on the Texas population. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - October 4, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Miguel Salazar, Lyudmila Baskin, Kevin W. Garey, Herbert L. DuPont Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Response to Ergonul: Scientific Evidence Versus Personal Beliefs In Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever TreatmentEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We read Dr Ergonul's detailed letter with great interest, however, it is impossible to agree with any of his comments due to the reasons below. We would like to refer Dr. Ergonul to some basic statistics textbooks because he has a misunderstanding of the logic of calculation of sample size and power. Using a statistical software does not replace theoretical knowledge, nowadays, any statistical software can easily crunch some numbers as a sample size or power whenever you provide the necessary information. However, a wrong interpretation can lead to misleading conclusions like in this letter. First, sample size is not the ...
Source: Journal of Infection - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sibel Ascioglu, Hakan Leblebicioglu, Nazif Elaldi, Hurrem Bodur, Haluk Vahaboglu Tags: Debate Source Type: journals

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever treated with ribavirin in a pregnant womanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report a case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) infection in a 36-week pregnant woman. She was treated with ribavirin. She did not transmit the disease to her baby. Her baby was the first known to survive being delivered by a woman with CCHF. The initialization of ribavirin treatment probably resulted in the survival of the mother and her baby. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Murat Dizbay, Firdevs Aktas, Ummugulsum Gaygisiz, Hasan Selcuk Ozger, Kevser Ozdemir Tags: Case Reports Source Type: journals

The case for outpatient treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a selected UK immigrant populationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: UK guidance recommends that all patients with falciparum malaria be admitted to hospital, although a number of cohort studies in the developed world demonstrate that outpatient treatment of falciparum malaria is feasible and safe in selected patients. We review the literature on outpatient treatment in developed countries and present local data from East London where a selected immigrant population were successfully treated as outpatients. Although it is premature to claim that outpatient treatment of falciparum malaria is safe in all selected patients, we conclude it is time for a large UK-based safety study or r...
Source: Journal of Infection - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mark Melzer, Sandra Lacey, Greta Rait Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

High prevalence of antimicrobial drug-resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in asymptomatic children living in an urban slumEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The high carriage status among the slum children point towards the widespread environment contamination in low socio-economic housing conditions, in conformance with the pediatric population at higher risk for developing DEC diarrhea. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tamara B. Souza, Mauro B. Morais, Soraia Tahan, Ligia C.F.L. Melli, Mirian S.C. Rodrigues, Isabel C.A. Scaletsky Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Improving diagnosis of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection by using differential time to positivity as a hospital-wide approach at a cancer hospitalEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: A hospital-wide approach of DTP was practical and feasible in improving the diagnosis of CRBSI in a real practice setting. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 28, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Wei-Ting Chen, Ting-Mei Liu, Shih-Hsuan Wu, Tran-Der Tan, Hsiu-Chin Tseng, Chiang-Ching Shih Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Fatal co-infection with swine origin influenza virus A/H1N1 and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report the clinical and pathological findings of the first death with fulminant co-infection by CA-MRSA. Since early empirical treatment with beta-lactam plus fluoroquinolone or macrolides is often initiated before specimen collections, bacterial co-infection in S-OIV may have been under-reported. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 23, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Vincent C.C. Cheng, Yuk-Kong Lau, Kwok-Lun Lee, Kwan-Ho Yiu, Kwok-Hung Chan, Pak-Leung Ho, Kwok-Yung Yuen Tags: Case Report Source Type: journals

Clinical relevance of Mycobacterium chelonae–abscessus group isolation in 95 patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: One-fourth of the patients with pulmonary M. chelonae–abscessus group isolates met the ATS criteria; this percentage differs by species. Species distribution and clinical relevance differ from other regions. M. abscessus isolation in cystic fibrosis patients warrants special attention. Current ATS criteria might be too lenient to diagnose M. chelonae–abscessus group disease. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 15, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jakko van Ingen, Rina de Zwaan, Richard P.N. Dekhuijzen, Martin J. Boeree, Dick van Soolingen Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Frailty among HIV-infected persons in an urban outpatient care settingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: HIV infection was associated with a premature presentation of frailty. Frailty was associated with greater comorbidity, markers of advanced immunodeficiency and adverse socioeconomic and clinical outcomes. Further study of frailty in patients with HIV infection is warranted. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Nur F. Önen, Abayomi Agbebi, Enbal Shacham, Kate E. Stamm, Alev R. Önen, E. Turner Overton Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Low incidence of haematogenous seeding to total hip and knee prostheses in patients with remote infectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Arthroplasty infections associated with remote infections were rare, and occurred like their potential exposure mostly more than 24 months post-arthroplasty. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ilker Uçkay, Anne Lübbeke, Stéphane Emonet, Luisa Tovmirzaeva, Richard Stern, Tristan Ferry, Mathieu Assal, Louis Bernard, Daniel Lew, Pierre Hoffmeyer Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

A simple score to predict early death in adult cancer patients with bloodstream infectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The score model was able to identify adult cancer patients with bloodstream infection at lower risk for early death with an elevated degree of certainty as depicted by a very high negative predictive value. It is essential to prospectively validate the rule in a different group of patients. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eduardo Velasco, Rodrigo D. Portugal, Jorge I.F. Salluh Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

DEBATE (see Elaldi N et al, Efficacy of oral ribavirin treatment in Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: A quasi-experimental study from Turkey. Journal of Infection 2009; 58: 238–244) Biases and misinterpretation in the assessment of the efficacy of oral ribavirin in the treatment of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic feverEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In March 2009 issue of the journal a study by Elaldi et al. was published on the efficacy of oral ribavirin. The study reported ribavirin as not an efficacious, and even harmful drug in the treatment of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and stressed the necessity of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the efficacy of the ribavirin in CCHF infected patients. Such a conclusion was different from the previous reports on the efficacy of ribavirin in CCHF. In previous reports, almost all the authors concluded their reports by stressing that the ribavirin was found to be beneficial, although statistically no s...
Source: Journal of Infection - September 13, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Onder Ergonul Tags: Debate Source Type: journals

Current bacteriology of chronic otitis media with effusion: High rate of nosocomial infection and decreased antibiotic sensitivityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The bacterial strains detected in MEEF, and their antibiotic sensitivity profiles, differed somewhat from those of PTTO. Antibiotic sensitivity was decreased in bacteria from PTTO compared with those in MEEF. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 10, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Hoon Jung, Sun Kyu Lee, Sung-Ho Cha, Jae Yong Byun, Moon Suh Park, Seung Geun Yeo Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

The Oxford Handbook of Infectious Diseases and MicrobiologyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Oxford Handbook series has provided junior doctors and medical students with indispensable information and advice for decades and the Handbook of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology is its latest addition. The new offering is instantly recognisable as a member of the series, retaining a clashing colour scheme, and its compact size stands as a memorial to the late, germ-laden white coat pocket. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - September 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: David G. Partridge Tags: Book review Source Type: journals

Response to DoganciEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This letter accuses us, with serious malconduct, mainly conflict of interest. COPE defines Conflict of Interest during peer-review process as “when an author, reviewer or editor has financial or personal relationships that inappropriately influence his or her actions (such relationships are also known as dual commitments, competing interests, or competing loyalties)”. So first of all, we have difficulty in understanding what a “scientific paper-producing organization” is and what the author is trying to imply with the accusation of a conflict of interest? When it comes to the accusation of the authors having confli...
Source: Journal of Infection - September 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sibel Ascioglu, Nazif Elaldi, Hurrem Bodur, Haluk Vahaboglu, Hakan Leblebicioglu Tags: Debate Source Type: journals

Phenotypic and genetic characterizations of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae isolates in a hospital in ThailandEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, the decline in invasive Hib disease and the relative increase in nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) infections has been well documented in many parts of the world. In South East Asia, however, Hib disease burden is controversial and has been a matter of debate. The decision on the use of Hib vaccine thus awaits for more data on the true incidence of Hib disease. In Thailand where Hib vaccine has not been nationally introduced, H. influenzae remains one of the most important respiratory pathogens. While studies regarding the infections caused by H...
Source: Journal of Infection - September 2, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Duangkamol Kunthalert, Parichart (Kamklon) Thunyathada, Sumalee Pruksakorn Tags: Regular Letters Source Type: journals

Potential therapeutic failure of generic vancomycin in a liver transplant patient with MRSA peritonitis and bacteremiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report a case of generic vancomycin treatment failure in a liver transplant patient with MRSA peritonitis and bacteremia, followed by a rapid sterilization of blood and peritoneal fluid after switching to the branded product. It raises concern about therapeutic equivalence of generic vancomycin. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 31, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Carlos A. Rodriguez, Maria Agudelo, Juan C. Cataño, Andres F. Zuluaga, Omar Vesga Tags: Case Reports Source Type: journals

Antibiotic-lock technique using daptomycin for subcutaneous injection ports in a patient on home parenteral nutritionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The treatment and/or prevention of catheter-related Gram-positive bacteremia using antibiotic-lock technique has been recommended in situations where removal of the catheter is not advisable. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Santiago Grau, María José Gil, Javier Mateu-de Antonio, Miguel Pera, Mónica Marín-Casino Tags: Regular Letters Source Type: journals

Detecting sepsis-associated bloodstream infection acquired in intensive care using multi-pathogen real-time PCREmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Dear Editor, There is growing interest in the potential use of real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technology in diagnosing bloodstream infection by detecting pathogen DNA in blood samples within a few hours. SeptiFast® is a multi-pathogen probe-based RT-PCR system that targets ribosomal sequences of bacteria and fungi. It detects and identifies the most common pathogens associated with bloodstream infection and has European regulatory approval for this purpose. Laboratory validation has confirmed the analytical performance of SeptiFast and studies assessing clinical utility, predominantly outwith intensive care, are now beginning to...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 26, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paul Dark, Paul Chadwick, Geoffrey Warhurst Tags: Regular Letters Source Type: journals

Concomitant Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria is associated with complicated S. aureus bacteremiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The 3 following factors were found to be associated with complicated SAB in univariate analysis: community acquisition (56% vs 26%, P=0.002), concomitant bacteriuria (47% vs 19%, P=0.016) and persistent bacteremia (55% vs 26%, P=0.016). This last factor was associated with endocarditis, but not with other complications such as bone and joint infections. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 25, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Céline Pulcini, Matta Matta, Véronique Mondain, Alice Gaudart, Fernand Girard-Pipau, Jean-Luc Mainardi, Pierre Dellamonica Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Mortality of S. aureus bacteremia and infectious diseases specialist consultation – A study of 521 patients in GermanyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These data suggest that outcome of S. aureus bacteremia may be improved by an expert consultation service. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 25, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Siegbert Rieg, Gabriele Peyerl-Hoffmann, Katja de With, Christian Theilacker, Dirk Wagner, Johannes Hübner, Markus Dettenkofer, Achim Kaasch, Harald Seifert, Christian Schneider, Winfried V. Kern Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Measles in a highly vaccinated society: The 2007–08 outbreak in IsraelEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: To minimize the risk of future outbreaks in Israel, successful marketing of the MMR vaccine to under-vaccinated sub-groups is essential. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 16, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Emilia Anis, Itamar Grotto, Larisa Moerman, Bruce Warshavsky, Paul E. Slater, Boaz Lev, Avi Israeli Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Pertussis epidemiology in Argentina: trends over 2004–2007Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Pertussis is an important problem for public health in Argentina. Divergence between vaccine strains and local isolates could contribute to the described pertussis epidemiology. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 16, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: D. Hozbor, F. Mooi, D. Flores, G. Weltman, D. Bottero, S. Fossati, C. Lara, M.E. Gaillard, L. Pianciola, E. Zurita, A. Fioriti, D. Archuby, M. Galas, N. Binsztein, M. Regueira, C. Castuma, M. Fingermann, A. Graieb Tags: Review Source Type: journals

Cerebrospinal fluid NOx (nitrite/nitrate) in RSV-infected children with CNS symptomsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
RS virus is the most common cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children. Approximately 1.8% of admitted patients with RS virus infection showed central nervous system (CNS) symptoms such as convulsion. A review of the literature suggests the possibility of an association between acute encephalopathy and RSV infection. Sweetman et al. reported that, of the 964 RSV-infected children admitted during a 4-year period, 12 (1.2%) were considered to have acute encephalopathy, and 7 had convulsions, excluding epilepsy and febrile convulsions. The positivity of virus genome and increased cytokines have been recently ...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Shinichiro Morichi, Hisashi Kawashima, Hiroaki Ioi, Masanobu Ushio, Gaku Yamanaka, Yasuyo Kashiwagi, Kouji Takekuma, Akinori Hoshika, Yasuo Watanabe Tags: Regular Letters Source Type: journals

REGULAR LETTERS: Lymphocyte subgroups in children with CCHF: A marker for prognosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic disease that can develop into a severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. It is an endemic disease in Turkey and large outbreaks have been observed during spring and summer months since 2002. The virus belongs to the genus Nairovirus in the Bunyaviridae family, and causes severe disease in humans, with a reported mortality rate of 15–70%. This tick-borne pathogen is transmitted to humans primary by the bite of an infected Ixodid tick (mostly of the Hyalomma genus). Human infection could be transmitted via direct contact with blood or tissues from infected humans or livestock...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Hasan Tezer, Tülin Revide Saylı, Ayşe Metin, Yavuz Köker, Ilker Devrim, Önder Ergönül Tags: Regular Letters Source Type: journals

Ethical concernEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
I read the article by Elaldi N et al. appeared on Journal of Infection 2009 Mar;58(3):238–44 which is titled “Efficacy of oral ribavirin treatment in Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: a quasi-experimental study from Turkey” with a great concern. First of all, ethically, I assume there should be a declaration of “conflict of interest” at the end of the article according to the Committee on Publishing Ethics (COPE) and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) agreements. I was not able to see that acknowledgement and I am specifically asking the distinguish authors if any of them have a relation to any organizat...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Levent Doganci Tags: Debate Source Type: journals

Lp95, a novel leptospiral protein that binds extracellular matrix components and activates e-selectin on endothelial cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Objectives: The study of a predicted outer membrane leptospiral protein encoded by the gene LIC12690 in mediating the adhesion process.Methods: The gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (SI) strain by using the expression vector pAE. The recombinant protein tagged with N-terminal hexahistidine was purified by metal-charged chromatography and used to assess its ability to activate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Results: The recombinant leptospiral protein of 95kDa, named Lp95, activated E-selectin in a dose-dependent fashion but not the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). I...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marina V. Atzingen, Ricardo M. Gómez, Mirta Schattner, Gabriela Pretre, Amane P. Gonçales, Zenaide M. de Morais, Silvio A. Vasconcellos, Ana L.T.O. Nascimento Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Molecular characterization of GIIb recombinants and a novel genotype of Norovirus detected in ChinaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Noroviruses (NV), a genus of the Caliciviridae family, are the major causes of nonbacterial epidemic gastroenteritis affecting people of all ages. Like other RNA viruses, NVs are genetically and antigenically highly diverse. Recent epidemiological surveillances showed that GII norovirus is predominant and new genotypes in this genogroup are continually reported, raising a possibility that highly pathogenic strain might emerge and circulate. Recombination is another important factor in norovirus evolution and increasing data showed that recombinant noroviruses caused gastroenteritis epidemics. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Hui-ying Li, Miao Jin, Qing Zhang, Na Liu, Shu-xian Cui, Zhao-yin Fang, Zhao-jun Duan Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Tuberculous cerebrovascular disease: A reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Cerebrovascular complications of tuberculous meningitis are common, and may represent its most serious legacy. They present in clinically diverse ways, and continue to develop during the initial stages of treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice in detecting brain infarcts, typically revealing multiple or bilateral lesions in the territories of the middle cerebral artery perforating vessels. Vessel pathology appears to be a consequence of its immersion in the local inflammatory exudate. Infiltrative, proliferative and necrotising vessel pathologies have been described, but the relati...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: G. Alistair Lammie, Richard H. Hewlett, Johan F. Schoeman, Peter R. Donald Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients with liver cirrhosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) occurs mainly in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and is usually caused by gram-negative bacilli. Streptococcus pneumoniae has been considered to be a rare cause of SBP because it is not known as gastrointestinal normal flora. However, SBP caused by S. pneumoniae is common in the clinical setting. In one study, pneumococcal peritonitis accounted for 5.8% of all primary bacterial peritonitis. In addition, in a study of all culture-positive SBP infections in LC patients, during a 90-month period, SBP caused by S. pneumoniae accounted for 3.4% of infections (8 out 236 cases). However...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 4, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Hae Suk Cheong, Mi Kyoung Joung, Cheol-In Kang, Kwan Soo Ko, Doo Ryeon Chung, Kyong Ran Peck, Nam Yong Lee, Jae-Hoon Song Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Immature platelet fraction (IPF) in hospitalized patients with neutrophilia and suspected bacterial infectionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Objectives: Neutrophilia is frequently in hospitalized patients, so a screening test for infections would be very useful. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is provided by the automated blood analyzer XE 2100 (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) as a proportional value of the total optical platelet count [IPF%; an absolute count of immature platelets can also be obtained (AIPC)] to indicate the rate of platelet production. IPF could help to identify the aetiology of thrombocytopenia and to recognize the increased bone marrow activity as occurred during the course of infectious disease.Materials and methods: We selected from d...
Source: Journal of Infection - August 2, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Antonella Di Mario, Mariagrazia Garzia, Fiammetta Leone, Andrea Arcangeli, Livio Pagano, Gina Zini Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

British Infection Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis of the central nervous system in adults and childrenEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary and key recommendations: The aim of these guidelines is to describe a practical but evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system tuberculosis in children and adults. We have presented guidance on tuberculous meningitis (TBM), intra-cerebral tuberculoma without meningitis, and tuberculosis affecting the spinal cord. Our key recommendations are as follows: 1. TBM is a medical emergency. Treatment delay is strongly associated with death and empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy should be started promptly in all patients in whom the diagnosis of TBM is suspected. Do not wait for microb...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 29, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Guy Thwaites, Martin Fisher, Cheryl Hemingway, Geoff Scott, Tom Solomon, John Innes Tags: British Infection Society Guidelines Source Type: journals

Apolipoprotein E-ɛ2 confers risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in women from the Indian subcontinent – A preliminary studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of death, with 8 million new cases and 2–3 million deaths per year. Approximately one-third of the world’s population is infected with the bacterium responsible, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and once infection is established the organism may persist indefinitely in a latent state. Of those who are infected, only ∼10% develop overt disease. This discrepancy between numbers infected and numbers who become ill is common to many infectious diseases and likely represents differences in the balance between host defences and the virulence of the organism. We investigated if a genetic factor...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 26, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Matthew A. Wozniak, Richard J. Maude, John A. Innes, Peter M. Hawkey, Ruth F. Itzhaki Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Trends in invasive pneumococcal disease among older adults in Olmsted County, MinnesotaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Objective: Following the introduction of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) for children in early 2000 in the United States, a decrease in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was seen in adults, likely due to a herd effect. However, there have been recent increases in IPD in adults caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes not included in PCV-7, so called “replacement disease”. We performed a population-based study to further investigate this emerging concern.Methods: Population-based incidence study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, United States, in adults aged ≥50 years.Resu...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 26, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Constantine Tsigrelis, Imad M. Tleyjeh, Brian D. Lahr, Lisa M. Nyre, Abinash Virk, Larry M. Baddour Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Clinical effectiveness of oseltamivir for influenza A(H1N1) virus with H274Y neuraminidase mutationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The clinical effectiveness of oseltamivir for the A(H1N1) virus was reduced in the 2008–2009 season compared with the previous season, especially in children, probably due to the H274Y mutation. Oseltamivir seems to be not recommended for children and patients with high-risk underlying diseases infected with H274Y mutated A(H1N1) virus. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Naoki Kawai, Hideyuki Ikematsu, Norio Iwaki, Kunio Kondou, Nobuo Hirotsu, Takashi Kawashima, Tetsunari Maeda, Osame Tanaka, Ken-ichi Doniwa, Seizaburo Kashiwagi Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Clinical features of neonatal toxic shock syndrome-like exanthematous disease emerging in JapanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The number of NTED patients decreased over the 5-year period from 2000 to 2005, even though more than 100 patients contracted NTED in Japanese NICUs in 2005. MSSA as well as MRSA can cause NTED, and NTED is more severe in preterm infants than in term infants. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Naoto Takahashi, Ritei Uehara, Hiroshi Nishida, Izumi Sakuma, Chika Yamasaki, Kayo Takahashi, Yoko Honma, Mariko Y. Momoi, Takehiko Uchiyama Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Community-associated MRSA in the United KingdomEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains have rapidly emerged worldwide as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections and occasionally severe disease. Although there have been relatively few reports from the UK, it is clear that the incidence of CA-MRSA infections is rising. Several distinct clonal CA-MRSA lineages have been identified causing infections in individuals both in the community and in UK hospitals. Their prevalence is likely to be considerably higher than reported. In this review article we clarify the terminology and definitions used for CA-MRSA, detail their emergence, and summarise the available...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 20, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: J.W.T. Elston, G.D. Barlow Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Genetic heterogeneity in human G6P[14] rotavirus strains detected in Hungary suggests independent zoonotic originEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Accumulation of point mutations and reassortment of cognate genome segments are the main forces driving the evolution of group A rotaviruses that continuously re-model the genetic pools of circulating rotaviruses. Genetic reassortment between human and heterologous strains is also believed to be an important mechanism enabling animal-like rotavirus neutralization antigens, which are novel for humans, to be incorporated onto the genetic backbone of human rotavirus strains. Emergence of such animal–human reassortants has substantially re-drawn the global map of strain prevalence of medically important rotavirus strains sin...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 15, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Krisztián Bányai, Vito Martella, Péter Molnár, Ilona Mihály, Marc Van Ranst, Jelle Matthijnssens Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Gene polymorphism at the interleukin 6 -174 G>C locus affects the outcome of chronic hepatitis BEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Human interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to facilitate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in vivo and in vitro, although it is not clear whether this is the result of a direct interaction between IL-6 and the HBV envelope proteins or of indirect mechanisms. A G/C polymorphism in the promoter region of IL-6 at position -174, influencing the degree of IL-6 expression, has been described in association with chronic inflammatory disorders and/or cancer. Whether the IL-6 genetic polymorphism at the -174 region may influence the clinical and/or serological outcome in patients with chronic HBV infection is not fully understood. T...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Carlo Fabris, Pierluigi Toniutto, Davide Bitetto, Giovanna Fattovich, Edmondo Falleti, Elisabetta Fontanini, Annarosa Cussigh, Rosalba Minisini, Giuseppa Occhino, Mario Pirisi Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

New FTIR methodology for the evaluation of 13C/12C isotope ratio in Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The newly developed FTIR methodology has been demonstrated to be a reliable and accurate analytical tool, low cost and easy-to-operate, which permits a highly specific measurement of 13C enrichment in breath samples. As IRMS and NDIRS it allows to adequately discriminate between infected and non-infected subjects. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Oriana Motta, Francesco De Caro, Floriana Quarto, Antonio Proto Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

The clinical efficacy of fluoroquinolone and macrolide combination therapy compared with single-agent therapy against community-acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella PneumophilaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Legionella pneumophila pneumonia is an acute infectious disease that causes severe pneumonia. Legionella community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has a mortality rate of 10%, which increases to 27% in patients who do not receive adequate antibiotic treatment as part of the empirical treatment on admission. Erythromycin has been the treatment of choice for Legionnaires disease since a retrospective study of the epidemic outbreak in Philadelphia in 1976 showed a significantly lower death rate in patients treated with this antibiotic. Recently, fluoroquinolones have been found to achieve high intracellular levels with a lower minim...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Shigeki Nakamura, Katsunori Yanagihara, Koichi Izumikawa, Masafumi Seki, Hiroshi Kakeya, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Hideaki Senjyu, Atsushi Saito, Shigeru Kohno Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Widespread public misconception in the early phase of the H1N1 influenza epidemicEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Although the public response demonstrated vigilance and preparedness there were signs of complacency. Clear communication, updated scientific information and transparency on government decision making are warranted. Data of the study provide a baseline for an ongoing surveillance program to help shape policy and provide information to the international community. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 9, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Joseph T.F. Lau, Sian Griffiths, Kai Chow Choi, Hi Yi Tsui Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Identification of low HBV-DNA levels by nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) in blood donorsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Summary: Objective: To evaluate the presence of HBV-DNA in 22,765 consecutive blood donors, who donated blood in the period from January 2006 to August 2007 at a transfusion centre in Lazio, a region in central Italy with low HBV endemicity.Methods: Each donation was individually tested using immunoenzymatic assays and nucleic acid amplification technologies (NAT). Samples that were reactive to generic NAT, Procleix Ultrio Assay were tested for HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA and HIV1-RNA by Discriminatory Procleix Ultrio NAT Assay. In samples that were reactive to generic NAT and negative for HBsAg, HCV-RNA and HIV1-RNA, HBV-DNA was fur...
Source: Journal of Infection - July 7, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Stefano Dettori, Angela Candido, Loreta A. Kondili, Paola Chionne, Stefania Taffon, Domenico Genovese, Paola Iudicone, Michelina Miceli, Maria Rapicetta Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

Emergence of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by multidrug-resistant serotype 19A among children in BarcelonaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: There was an increase of IPD caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 19A which was mainly related with the emergence of preexisting clones several of them closely related with international multidrug-resistant clones. These results should be considered when selecting the new conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 5, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Carmen Muñoz-Almagro, Cristina Esteva, Maria Fernandez de Sevilla, Laura Selva, Amadeu Gene, Roman Pallares Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals

A clinicopathological study of pulmonary mucormycosis in cancer patients: Extensive angioinvasion but limited inflammatory responseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: PMM in immunocompromised cancer patients is characterized by extensive angioinvasion and coagulative necrosis. The different histopathologic features of PMM in neutropenic, non-neutropnic, and HSCT patients may reflect differences in the pathobiology of PMM in these populations. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - July 2, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ronen Ben-Ami, Mario Luna, Russell E. Lewis, Thomas J. Walsh, Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis Tags: Original Articles Source Type: journals