International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2000
Multicenter StudyTwo-year assessment of the pathogen frequency and antimicrobial resistance patterns among organisms isolated from skin and soft tissue infections in Latin American hospitals: results from the SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program, 1997-98. SENTRY Study Group.
This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates collected from patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in Latin American hospitals, as part of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program. The dissemination of multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR-MRSA) among the Latin American countries also was studied. ⋯ High resistance rates to antimicrobial drugs among the most frequent bacterial pathogens were observed in 10 medical centers in Latin America. This study also demonstrated a clonal dissemination of a MDR-MRSA strain in several nations.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2000
Lincomycin-induced endotoxin release in Escherichia coli sepsis: evidence for release in vitro and in vivo.
To evaluate the propensity of lincomycin and clindamycin to induce release of endotoxin, the authors investigated endotoxin release in Escherichia coli isolated from a patient who developed septic shock following lincomycin treatment. ⋯ Results of this study suggest that the bacteriostatic antibiotics, lincomycin and clindamycin, induce endotoxin release in the treatment of E. coli infections.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 1999
ReviewEmerging fungal pathogens, drug resistance and the role of lipid formulations of amphotericin B in the treatment of fungal infections in cancer patients: a review.
The incidence of life-threatening invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients has increased dramatically in recent years. Candida spp other than C. albicans are increasingly being isolated, and Aspergillus infections also are on the increase, as well as infections due to previously uncommon organisms. It is likely that this phenomenon is multifactorial in origin, although the extensive use of antifungal prophylaxis may have played a role, especially for the emergence of non-albicans Candida. ⋯ At present, there are no studies comparing the lipid formulations with each other and only a few randomized trials comparing them with conventional amphotericin B. However, a number of open clinical trials and compassionate-use protocols suggest that lipid-based forms of amphotericin B can achieve good response rates with minimal toxicity in patients with a variety of invasive mycoses, including those who have proved refractory or intolerant to previous therapy with conventional amphotericin B. Unfortunately, the cost of these compounds remains high and may represent a limiting factor to their use.
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The transmission of malaria has increased in recent years in many countries where it was once eradicated or under control, and malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the developing world. Imported cases of malaria have been increasing in New York City and throughout the United States during the past decade. The New York City Department of Health has modified its malaria surveillance program in order to improve the assessment of diagnosis and treatment of malaria in New York City residents and to provide appropriate advice to health professionals who treat these patients. ⋯ Imported cases of malaria occur frequently in New York City and may be associated with serious complications. Health care providers should consider this diagnosis in patients who have recently travelled or arrived from abroad, presenting with headache, fever, and other constitutional symptoms. There are many missed opportunities for the use of malaria prophylaxis, and physicians should familiarize themselves with current recommendations for malaria prophylaxis for travel to areas of the world where people are at risk for the transmission of malaria.