International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Overview of preparedness and response for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Oman.
Several countries in the Middle East and around 22 countries worldwide have reported cases of human infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The exceptionally high fatality rate resulting from MERS-CoV infection in conjunction with the paucity of knowledge about this emerging virus has led to major public and international concern. ⋯ The aim of this report is to describe the epidemiological aspects of these two cases and to highlight the importance of public health preparedness and response. The absence of secondary cases among contacts of the reported cases can be seen as evidence of the effectiveness of infection prevention and control precautions as an important pillar of the national preparedness and response plan applied in the health care institutions in Oman.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Revisiting leishmaniasis in the time of war: the Syrian conflict and the Lebanese outbreak.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in many worldwide foci including the Middle East. Several outbreaks have occurred in the Middle East over the past decades, mostly related to war-associated population migration. With the start of the Syrian war, the frequency and magnitude of these outbreaks increased alarmingly. We describe the epidemiology of Leishmania infection in Lebanon and the most recent outbreak relevant to the Syrian war. ⋯ This new outbreak of leishmaniasis in Lebanon is the first of its kind for more than a decade. The sudden increase in Leishmania cases in Lebanon in 2013 is attributed to the increasing numbers and wide distribution of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This serves as an example of the risks associated with military conflicts and the ability of communicable diseases to cross borders.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Overt and occult hepatitis B virus infection in adult Sudanese HIV patients.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Sub-Saharan Africa is complicated by co-infection with hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), which share similar transmission routes. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and HBsAg-negative HBV infection and of HCV infection among HIV-infected patients. ⋯ Evidence of HBV infection was detected in 26.8% of HIV patients with HBsAg-negative infection, with viraemia detected in 15.1% of the patients. All HIV-infected patients should be screened carefully for HBV infection with HBsAg and anti-HBc IgG antibodies prior to starting antiretroviral therapy.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Observational StudySeverity and frequency of community-onset Clostridium difficile infection on an Australian tertiary referral hospital campus.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly being found in populations without traditional risk factors. We compared the relative frequency, risk factors, severity, and outcomes of community-onset CDI with hospital-acquired infection. ⋯ Community-onset CDI accounts for a large proportion of C. difficile infections and has a similar potential for severe disease as hospital-acquired infection. Using a history of previous antibiotic use, proton pump inhibitor use, or recent hospitalization to predict cases is unreliable. We recommend that patients with diarrhoea being investigated in emergency departments and community practice are tested for Clostridium difficile infection.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2014
Review Meta AnalysisDisease burden of intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are associated with poor clinical and economic outcomes. Data regarding ICU-acquired pneumonia and VAP are not readily available from developing countries, including China. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the incidence, mortality rate, length of stay, and pathogens associated with ICU-acquired pneumonia in China. ⋯ ICU-acquired pneumonia/VAP remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients in the ICU in China. Data on organisms causing disease in this population could help guide appropriate prevention strategies and treatment.