International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2004
ReviewBrain natriuretic peptide: a potential marker for mortality in septic shock.
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a diagnostic marker for left ventricular dysfunction. Sepsis and septic shock are increasing in incidence and mortality. Myocardial dysfunction frequently accompanies severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ At present, a relationship between BNP with myocardial dysfunction in septic shock has not been evaluated. However, growing evidence supports the hypothesis that BNP could be an early predictor of mortality in septic shock. If proven, the hypothesis would have important clinical and public health implications.
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To evaluate the value of plasma fibronectin (pFN) as a diagnostic marker of sepsis. ⋯ Plasma FN appears to act as a marker of sepsis in that patients showed diminished pFN levels. Along with other clinical and laboratory variables, the use of this marker would allow a rapid diagnosis of sepsis and limit the number of blood cultures to be processed and the number of antibiotic prescriptions, particularly when symptoms are insidious and diagnosis is doubtful. We propose further and more complex studies using a higher number of patients.
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Tick-borne rickettsioses are of emerging importance in today's travel medicine but have until recently received little attention. We describe the current knowledge of tick-borne rickettsioses as they relate to international travel, their microbiological diagnosis, treatment, possible prevention, and future prospects. ⋯ Tick-borne rickettsiosis should be suspected in febrile returnees from endemic areas, especially in cases with skin eruptions. Travellers to endemic areas should be encouraged to use personal protective measures against tick bites.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · May 2004
Comparative StudyAntimicrobial resistance of Gram-negative bacilli isolates from inpatients and outpatients at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon.
To determine and compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of pathogenic bacteria from inpatients and outpatients at a university teaching hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. ⋯ As the incidence of antimicrobial resistance is substantially higher in isolates from inpatient than outpatient pathogens, more resources should be allocated within the hospital to encourage good antibiotic practices and good hospital hygiene.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2004
Co-existing conditions for deaths from infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia.
To examine the frequency distribution of co-existing conditions for deaths where the underlying cause was infectious and parasitic diseases. ⋯ The study indicated that the quality of death certificates is less than satisfactory for the 1998 Australian mortality data. The findings may be helpful in clarifying the ICD coding rules and the development of disease prevention strategies.