Infection
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effectiveness of a multidimensional approach for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in 11 adult intensive care units from 10 cities of Turkey: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC).
To evaluate the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional approach on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in adult patients hospitalized in 11 intensive care units (ICUs), from 10 hospitals, members of the INICC, in 10 cities of Turkey. ⋯ The INICC multidimensional approach was associated with a significant reduction in the VAP rate in these adult ICUs of Turkey.
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This study was designed to compare the efficacy of polymyxin B with other antimicrobials in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and tracheobronchitis (VAT) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii. ⋯ Polymyxin B treatment in the currently recommended dosage may be inferior to other drugs in the treatment of VAP and VAT caused by organisms tested as susceptible in vitro to this agent.
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Regular monitoring of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended, but the view about the effective method and performance of serial monitoring is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine differences in conversion rates according to TB exposure risk using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT), and to evaluate the reproducibility and within-subject variability of the QFT-GIT in South Korea. ⋯ Stricter prevention strategies remain necessary in HCWs at high risk of TB exposure, and serial interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) should be interpreted with caution in HCWs.
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The objective of our study was to evaluate the presence of respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected outpatient population and to further investigate the role of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and other possibly associated risk factors. ⋯ We evidenced a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and COPD among HIV-infected patients. HIV infection, current cigarette smoking and previous bacterial pneumonia seem to play a significant role in the development of respiratory symptoms and COPD. Thus, our results suggest that the most at-risk HIV-infected patients should be screened for COPD to early identify those who may need specific treatment.
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Clinical spectrum and outcome of critically ill patients suffering from prosthetic joint infections.
To report the clinical characteristics and prognosis of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in Intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ In our case series of critically ill patients suffering from PJI, factors associated with a poor outcome were diabetes mellitus, ASA score >3, and acute infection. Surgical strategies and surgical procedures had no significant impact on the ICU mortality. Adjustment of initial antibiotherapy according to previous microbiological findings should be made with caution.