June 3rd, 2010
Clements ACA et al. – This framework first requires identification of potential vehicles of introduction, including international transfers of hospital patients, international tourism and migration, and trade in livestock, associated commodities, and foodstuffs. It then calls for assessment of the risks of pathogen release, of exposure of individuals if release happens, and of resulting outbreaks. Health departments in countries unaffected by outbreaks should assess the risk of introduction or reintroduction of C difficile PCR ribotype 027 using a structured risk–assessment approach. read more
May 26th, 2010
Urban C et al. – Bactericidal activity was achieved in 90% of all bacteria assayed using combinations of polymyxin B, doripenem, and rifampin against five each of the carbapenem–resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli isolates studied. Combinations with these antibacterials may provide a strategy for treatment of patients infected with such organisms. read more
May 25th, 2010
Jabbar U et al. – Hand washing with soap and water is significantly more effective at removing C. difficile spores from the hands of volunteers than are ABHRs. Residual spores are readily transferred by a handshake after use of ABHR. read more
May 3rd, 2010
Nomura K et al. – The results represent two significant findings. One is the major capability of MRSE to colonize patients. The other is that some MRSE isolates proved to be sensitive to clindamycin, minocycline, and cephalosporin, so that using antibiotics to which MRSE is sensitive as first–line therapy can avoid the need for vancomycin in clinical settings. read more
April 14th, 2010
De Serres G et al. – Human challenge studies with seasonal influenza have shown that virus shedding after day 7 is rare, but clinical studies have shown that shedding may persist beyond that period in some populations, such as elderly persons, immunocompromised patients, and children. In a study among hospitalized persons infected with seasonal influenza A viruses, 54% remained positive by PCR beyond 7 days after symptom onset, and 29% were positive by cell culture. read more
