International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2008
ReviewVentilator-associated pneumonia in adults in developing countries: a systematic review.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a leading cause of death in hospitalized patients, but there has been no systematic analysis of the incidence, microbiology, and outcome of VAP in developing countries or of the interventions most applicable in that setting. ⋯ Based on the existing literature, the rate of VAP in developing countries is higher than NHSN benchmark rates and is associated with a significant impact on patient outcome. Only a few studies reported successful interventions to reduce VAP. There is a clear need for additional epidemiologic studies to better understand the scope of the problem. Additionally, more work needs to be done on strategies to prevent VAP, probably with emphasis on practical, low-cost, low technology, easily implemented measures.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · May 2008
ReviewInfluenza viruses and the evolution of avian influenza virus H5N1.
Although small in size and simple in structure, influenza viruses are sophisticated organisms with highly mutagenic genomes and wide antigenic diversity. They are species-specific organisms. Mutation and reassortment have resulted in newer viruses such as H5N1, with new resistance against anti-viral medications, and this might lead to the emergence of a fully transmissible strain, as occurred in the 1957 and 1968 pandemics. ⋯ S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine against the avian influenza virus H5N1 for humans at high risk. However, more research is needed to develop a more effective and affordable vaccine that can be given at lower doses.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2008
ReviewWeb-based HIV/AIDS behavioral surveillance among men who have sex with men: potential and challenges.
With more men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking sexual partners through the Internet, the Internet has been characterized as a newly emerging risk environment for HIV transmission. Meanwhile, the flourishing of gay websites provides a good opportunity for health professionals to conduct systematic HIV/AIDS behavioral surveillance among MSM. Effective methods to recruit online MSM users have been developed, and online surveys have suggested many practical advantages over surveys in the traditional gay community. Although surveys among MSM via the Internet have a few limitations and risks, online surveillance can still be viewed as a feasible and convenient approach, especially in countries where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated in high-risk populations and where the conducting of such surveillance in traditional gay venues is difficult.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2007
ReviewPrevention of herpes zoster and its painful and debilitating complications.
Reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in sensory neurons to cause herpes zoster (shingles) is common in adults 50 years of age and older; half of adults experience an episode by age 85 years. Herpes zoster is attributable to the progressive decline in the VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity that occurs with aging or other conditions that cause immune compromise. Herpes zoster and complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), can have a substantial negative impact on quality of life. ⋯ Herpes zoster and PHN represent a substantial burden in terms of suffering and associated costs. Immunization of older adults is a good option to prevent herpes zoster and PHN.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2005
Review Case ReportsStaphylococcus capitis endocarditis due to a transvenous endocardial pacemaker infection: case report and review of Staphylococcus capitis endocarditis.
Newer microbiologic methods to determine the species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have evolved which have shown that most endocarditis due to CoNS is caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, and far fewer by Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus lugdunensis. ⋯ CoNS as a cause of endocarditis appears to be increasing and the current ability to determine the species of these organisms should elicit the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and biomolecular mechanisms involved in the induction of valvular disease.