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Clinical Infection (clinical + infection)
Selected AbstractsPhagocyte activation in preterm infants following premature rupture of the membranes or chorioamnionitisACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2000I Nupponen Phagocyte activation was studied in 48 preterm infants, gestational age 27.3 ± 0.3 wk, birthweight 968 ± 40 g, during the first postnatal week. Human neutrophil lipocalin as a marker of neutrophil activation was measured in plasma and tracheal aspirate fractions; and lysozyme, as a marker of monocyte and macrophage activation, in plasma. The concentration of plasma human neutrophil lipocalin was 69 (46,126) ,g/l (median and quartiles), tracheal aspirate fraction fluid 213 (71,433) (,g/l and plasma lysozyme 1337 (923,1764) ,g/l. Infants born to mothers with premature rupture of the membranes or clinical chorioamnionitis (group A, n 20) had significantly higher plasma [73 (58,151) vs 53 (38,108) ,g/l; p 0.027], and tracheal aspirate fraction human neutrophil lipocalin [319 (129,540) vs 190 (57,324) ,g/l; p= 0.019], and plasma lysozyme [1739 (1356,2021) vs 1140 (739,1557) ,g/l; p 0.0001] than did infants whose mothers had intact membranes and who had no suspicion of infection (Group B, n 28). In infants born to mothers receiving corticosteroids ante partum, correlations existed between time from treatment to delivery and plasma (r 0.322, p 0.0256) and tracheal aspirate fraction human neutrophil lipocalin (r= 0.314, p 0.0096). Infants born to mothers with at risk of infection are exposed to the potentially harmful effects of activated neutrophils. Premature rupture of the membranes, even without signs of clinical infection of the mother or the fetus, is associated with phagocyte activation that may begin already in utero. Corticosteroid treatment of the mother may cause transient inhibition of neutrophil activation in the newborn. [source] A PCR,restriction fragment length polymorphism assay to genotype human metapneumovirusCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 1 2008M. Montes Abstract Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) genotypes A and B show epidemiological and probably clinical differences. This report describes a fast and simple PCR,restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay, involving digestion of the fusion protein gene with Tsp509I, that allows lineages A1, A2, B1 and B2 to be distinguished. The assay should help in elucidating the epidemiology of hMPV, and possibly in predicting the severity of clinical infection. [source] Whole blood interleukin 8 and plasma interleukin 8 levels in newborn infants with suspected bacterial infectionACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2004AR Franz Aim: To evaluate a new micro-method technique for measurement of interleukin 8 in detergent-lysed whole blood (whole blood IL-8) applicable to capillary blood sampling as a test for bacterial infections in neonates. Methods: Whole blood IL-8 was measured at the first suspicion of infection along with IL-8 determined in plasma (plasma IL-8), C-reactive protein and blood cultures in 154 consecutive newborn infants with clinical signs of bacterial infection. Only 20 ,l of whole blood were required for the new assay. Results: Blood culture-proven infections were diagnosed in six infants and clinical infection (defined as a combination of clinical and laboratory signs) in 20 infants. 1000 pg/ml was determined as the suitable threshold for whole blood IL-8 by ROC-curve analysis. At that threshold, whole blood IL-8 detected blood culture-proven infections with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 67%. The areas under the ROC curves were similar for whole blood IL-8 and plasma IL-8. Conclusions: Compared with plasma IL-8, whole blood IL-8 offers the advantages that measurements of whole blood IL-8 require a smaller blood sample volume and are not altered by haemolysis. The diagnostic accuracy of whole blood IL-8 remains to be studied in more detail in the future. [source] Bacterial colonization of stimulation electrode wires in patients undergoing temporary sacral nerve stimulationCOLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 2 2010T. Dudding Abstract Objective, In patients undergoing sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), a temporary percutaneous stimulation wire is often used to assess the clinical response to therapy prior to chronic stimulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of bacterial colonization of screening wires and risk of clinical infection in patients undergoing prolonged temporary SNS screening. Method, Data were collected prospectively on a consecutive series of patients undergoing temporary SNS for bowel dysfunction. Procedures were performed using a standardized percutaneous technique with a single shot of either co-amoxyclav 1.2 g or cefuroxime 1.5 g given intravenously on induction. Adherent polyurethane dressings were applied to secure the wire. At the end of the screening period the wire and dressings were removed, the skin entry site was cleaned using an alcohol wipe and the wire removed via an aseptic technique. The distal tip of the wire was then cut and sent for culture. Results, Thirteen wires were removed at a median of 21 (range 16,29) days following insertion. There were no signs of local or systemic infection. Seven of the thirteen wires (54%) were found to have deep bacterial colonization. The commonest organisms isolated were staphylococcus species. There was no correlation between the length of time the lead had been implanted and the incidence of bacterial colonization. Conclusion, Bacterial colonization of the temporary stimulation wire is common but appears to be associated with a low risk of clinical infection. A single peri-operative dose of antibiotics does not appear to prevent colonization. [source] | ||||||||||