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High Prevalence (high + prevalence)
Kinds of High Prevalence Terms modified by High Prevalence Selected AbstractsHIGH PREVALENCE OF EXTENDED-SPECTRUM ,-LACTAMASES ESCHERICHIA COLI AND VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI ISOLATES FROM CHICKEN PRODUCTS.JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2010A PROBLEM OF PUBLIC HEALTH ABSTRACT Twenty-nine chicken products were acquired from different supermarkets in Portugal during September to December 2007 and were analyzed for extended-spectrum ,-lactamases (ESBL) Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates were recovered in 27 of 29 chicken samples representing 93% of the analyzed samples. The highest percentages of resistance (more than 50% of the isolates) were detected for ampicillin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. VRE isolates were detected in 17 of 29 samples of chicken origin (59%) and were identified as Enterococcus durans (n = 15) and E. faecium (n = 2) with the highest percentages of resistance being detected for erythromycin, tetracycline, ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. Seven E. durans and the two E. faecium isolates recovered from chicken wings, gizzard and skin show gelatinase activity. The high rate of colonization of chicken products by these bacteria supports other studies suggesting that the food chain could be a source of ESBL and VRE colonization in humans representing a public health problem. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The data indicate that chicken products may be contaminated with a high prevalence of extended-spectrum ,-lactamases Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). It is important to mention that the isolates present a diversity of phenotypes of antimicrobial resistance, and half of the VRE isolates show also gelatinase activity, indicating that these animals may be a reservoir of bacteria showing virulence and increased resistance to antimicrobial agents, raising special concerns about their transmission to humans through the food chain. [source] High Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Peruvians Who Have Sexual Intercourse With Foreign Travelers in CuzcoJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009Miguel M. Cabada MD Background Sexual networking in popular tourist destinations is a problem worldwide. In Peru, locals sexually interacting with travelers bridge high-risk groups, the general population, and travelers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Cuzco about sexual behavior among young Peruvians who admitted having sex with travelers. A subgroup of the participants had serologic testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2, and Treponema pallidum. Results Eighty-eight subjects volunteered for blood sampling. Their mean age was 22.9 years (±4.1) and 53.4% were male. The majority were single (86.2%), but 12.6% had a stable relationship. The median number of sexual partners in the 3 months prior to the study was 2 [interquartile range (IQR): 1,4]. During that period, 43.1% reported foreign partners, 28.4% reported foreign and Peruvian partners, 17% reported Peruvian partners, and the remaining 11.5% reported combinations of Peruvian, foreign, and sex workers partners. The median number of foreign partners in the 12-month period prior to the study was 4 (IQR: 2,8). Only 25.3% reported consistent condom use. Alcohol (69%) and drugs (36.8%) were commonly used before sexual activity. Seventy-eight percent tested positive for HSV type 2, 25% for C trachomatis, and 1.1% for T pallidum. Conclusions The core group of young Peruvians we report on demonstrated a high-risk sexual behavior and a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. Our results underscore the need for education on safer sex practices among this group and among travelers. [source] Opioid Deaths in Rural Virginia: A Description of the High Prevalence of Accidental Fatalities Involving Prescribed MedicationsTHE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 1 2009Martha J. Wunsch MD In rural Virginia, drug overdose deaths increased 300% from 1997 to 2003. Polydrug deaths predominate (57.9%) in this review of 893 medical examiner cases. Prescription opioids (74.0%), antidepressants (49.0%), and benzodiazepines (39.3%) were more prevalent than illicit drugs. Two-thirds of decedents were 35,54 years old; 37% were female. When compared to western Virginia metropolitan cases, polydrug abuse was more common, specific medication combinations were found, the death rate per population was higher, and fewer illicit drugs were detected. These rural prescription overdose deaths differ from urban illicit drug deaths, suggesting the need for different strategies in prevention, treatment, and intervention by clinicians and policymakers. [source] FS07.1 A survey of occupational hand eczema in DenmarkCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Rikke Skoet Background:, The need for prevention to reduce the number of occupational hand eczema is high. Occupational hand eczema is the most frequently recognised work-related disease in Denmark. Previous findings have shown that almost half of all cases develop a chronic condition with persistent dermatitis, and the annual cost to society is immense. Aims:, The aim of this study was to survey the trends and development of occupational hand eczema in Denmark and thereby help to ensure future successful prevention of chronic disabling occupational hand eczema. Methods:, 758 patients with recognised occupational hand eczema were included prospectively in the period October 2001- November 2002. Data on diagnoses, disease duration, severity, absence from work and occupation was obtained from The Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries and an additional questionnaire was administered by mail. Results:, 621 patients answered the questionnaire (response rate 82%). Irritant contact dermatitis was the most frequent diagnosis and the female/male ratio was 2:1. High prevalence was found in particularly wet occupations. 19 per cent had sick leave more than 5 weeks per year and the mean disease duration was 4.8 years (median 2.1 years). 68.2% had chronic changes. Conclusion:, The results showed a marked gender difference in the pattern of diagnosis and occupation. The impact of occupational hand eczema is still high with prolonged absence from work and a high percentage of chronic disease. The results of the study give important suggestions for future preventive strategies for health authorities. [source] High prevalence of vasomotor reflex impairment in newly diagnosed leprosy patientsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2005X. Illarramendi Abstract Background, Initial nerve damage in leprosy occurs in small myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Early detection of leprosy in the peripheral nervous system is challenging as extensive nerve damage may take place before clinical signs of leprosy become apparent. Patients and methods, In order to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, peripheral autonomic nerve dysfunction in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, 76 Brazilian patients were evaluated prior to treatment. Skin vasomotor reflex was tested by means of laser Doppler velocimetry. Blood perfusion and reflex vasoconstriction following an inspiratory gasp were registered on the second and fifth fingers. Results, Vasomotor reflex was impaired in at least one finger in 33/76 (43%) patients. The fifth fingers were more frequently impaired and suffered more frequent bilateral alterations than the second fingers. Multivariate regression analysis showed that leprosy reaction (adjusted odds ratio = 8·11, 95% confidence interval: 1·4,48·2) was associated with overall impaired vasomotor reflex (average of the four fingers). In addition, palmar erythrocyanosis and an abnormal upper limb sensory score were associated with vasomotor reflex impairment in the second fingers, whereas anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies, ulnar somatic neuropathy and a low finger skin temperature were associated with impairment in the fifth fingers. Conclusions, A high prevalence of peripheral autonomic dysfunction as measured by laser Doppler velocimetry was observed in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, which is clinically evident late in the disease. Autonomic nerve lesion was more frequent than somatic lesions and was strongly related to the immune-inflammatory reaction against M. leprae. [source] High prevalence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts in first-ever stroke patients with cardioembolic sourcesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2009A.-H. Cho Background:, With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis, we investigated the prevalence, clinical significance, and factors related to the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts in patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke. Methods:, We consecutively included patients who were admitted with first-ever stroke. Unrecognized cerebral infarct was defined as an ischaemic infarction or primary intracerebral hemorrhage on MRI irrelevant to the index stroke, without acute lesions on diffusion-weighted image. Results:, Of the total 203 patients, 78 (39.4%) patients were observed as having unrecognized cerebral infarct. Patients with high-risk cardioembolic sources (e.g., atrial fibrillation) more frequently had unrecognized stroke than those without (P = 0.008, 21/36 [58.3%] vs. 57/167 [34.1%]). On univariate analysis, male sex (P = 0.027) and cardioembolic source (P = 0.008) were associated with the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts. After adjustment for gender, age and risk factors, the presence of cardioembolic sources independently increased the risk of unrecognized cerebral infarct (P = 0.002, odds ratio 3.56, 95% confidence interval 1.58,8.02). Regarding clinical outcome at 3 months, the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarct was not associated with the poor clinical outcome. Conclusion:, In our study, the presence of cardioembolic sources was an independent risk factor for the unrecognized cerebral infarct in patients with first-ever stroke. [source] High prevalence of restless legs syndrome in multiple sclerosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2007M. Manconi Despite the fact that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients often include leg restlessness as a sensory symptom, MS is not mentioned amongst symptomatic restless legs syndrome (RLS) forms. The aim of this study was to estimate RLS prevalence in a large population of MS patients, comparing clinical and MRI findings between patients with and without RLS. Each of the 156 MS patients (100 females, 56 males, mean age 40.7 ± 10.4) enrolled in a prospective study underwent a medical history interview, a neurological examination with the assessment of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and a structured questionnaire to verify the presence and features of RLS. Conventional brain,spinal MRIs of 99 subjects were also evaluated and compared between patients with and without RLS. Fifty-one subjects (32.7%) (mean age 43.8 ± 12.8) met the criteria for RLS. In a few patients (8.5%), the RLS preceded clinical MS onset, whilst in the remaining cases the RLS was followed by or was simultaneous with clinical MS onset. Comparing the RLS group with the group without RLS, no significant differences were found in MS duration, gender, and referred sleep habits. The primary progressive MS course was more represented in the RLS group, which also showed a higher EDSS score. RLS is a very common finding in MS patients and should be considered amongst the symptomatic RLS forms. RLS is also associated with higher disability. [source] High prevalence of abnormal alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in a "worried-well" population in the United Kingdom: Rationale for a liver screening program?,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Diana García-Romero No abstract is available for this article. [source] High prevalence of an active cytomegalovirus infection in the appendix of immunocompetent patients with acute appendicitisINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 2 2008Mensur Dzabic Abstract Background Appendicitis is a very common surgical diagnosis with unclear pathology. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can modulate our immune system and has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and various other inflammatory diseases. Methods We investigated the association between HCMV and acute appendicitis in 14 immunocompetent patients. Tissue sections from 10 AIDS patients with verified HCMV infection were used as positive controls, and uninflamed intestinal tissue sections from 12 patients were used as negative controls. Results Cells double positive for HCMV early antigens and IL-6/IL-8 were observed in the appendices of 64.3% of appendicitis patients (9 of 14) by immunohistochemical analysis. HCMV late antigen was found in the appendices of 42.9% of the acute appendicitis patients (6 of 14). Latent HCMV appendix infection, as verified by in situ hybridization, as well as HCMV IgG, was observed in 78.6% of patients (11 of 14). The study samples from all 6 healthy appendices were negative for HCMV early and late antigens, although 50% (3 of 6) were HCMV IgG and HCMV DNA positive. Conclusions We have shown that HCMV infection of the appendix is associated with acute appendicitis (P = 0.002) and possibly with the severity of the disease. Our study identified HCMV as a pathogen to be sought for in the appendicitis patient group, possibly allowing further medical treatment of these patients. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] High prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant genes and integrons in Escherichia coli isolates from Black-headed Gulls in the Czech RepublicJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007M. Dolejska Abstract Aims:, To carry out an assessment of the occurrence of resistance to antimicrobials in Escherichia coli that has been isolated from young Black-headed Gulls in three nesting colonies. Methods and Results:, A total of 257 isolates were tested for sensitivity to eight antibacterial substances by disk diffusion method. The polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting specific genes of antibacterial resistance and class 1 integrons in resistant E. coli isolates. A total 75 (29·9%) of 257 isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. The dominant type of resistance was to tetracycline, detected in 49 (19·1%) isolates. Resistance to ampicillin was detected in 30 (11·7%), cephalothin in 11 (4·3%), streptomycin in 24 (9·3%), sulphonamides in 20 (7·8%) and chloramphenicol in 5 (1·9%) isolates. Nine isolates carrying integrons were detected. Conclusions:, The study suggests that young Black-headed Gulls are an important host reservoir of resistant E. coli strains, probably reflecting the presence of such strains in their sources of food and/or water. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Although Black-headed Gulls do not naturally come into contact with antibiotics, these birds can be infected with resistant E. coli and potentially serve as their reservoirs, vectors and bioindicators in the environment. [source] High prevalence of orthostatic hypotension and its correlation with potentially causative medications among elderly veteransJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2005I. O. Poon PharmD BCPS CGP Summary Background:, Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is defined as a reduction of systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg from a sitting to a standing position. It is a common physical finding among older adults and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Use of medications that have the potential to induce OH, particularly concomitant use of several of such medications, is a major factor for the development of OH. Objectives:, To describe the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic OH in veterans aged 75 years and older attending a geriatric clinic, and to assess the association between OH and the number of potentially causative medications used. Methods:, Charts of all patients who attended a VA geriatric clinic (Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center) during the period of 1 June 2002 to 1 June 2003 were reviewed retrospectively for (i) the use of potentially causative medications, i.e. medications that were reported to cause OH in at least 1% of the general population and that were available in the VA formulary, (ii) the presence or absence of OH, and (iii) the presence or absence of symptomatic OH. Patients with primary autonomic dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, and patients who were unable to stand, or who had no assessment for both sitting and standing blood pressure for other reasons were excluded. Results:, A total of 505 individual patients attended the clinic during the study period, and 342 patients fit the inclusion criteria. About 189 of these patients (55%) had OH. Among patients with OH, 61 patients (33%) were symptomatic, including 52 patients who had falls. The prevalence of OH in patients receiving zero, one, two, and three or more potentially causative medications was 35, 58, 60 and 65% respectively. Receiving hydrochlorothiazide was associated with the highest prevalence of OH (65%), followed by receiving lisinopril (60%), trazodone (58%), furosemide (56%) and terazosin (54%). Conclusion:, The prevalence of OH is very high in older veterans and significantly related to the number of concurrent causative medications used. Providers should be educated to reduce the amount of potentially causative medications in the elderly and better assess patients in which use of such medications is necessary to avoid symptomatic OH. [source] High prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies in blood donors from South West FranceJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Jean Michel Mansuy Abstract Cases of autochthonous acute hepatitis E occur in most industrialized countries and are frequent in the South West of France. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG antibodies in blood donors in this area was determined. A total of 529 samples from rural and urban blood donors were tested. The overall prevalence was 16.6%, 19.1% of rural donors and 14.2% of urban donors had anti-HEV antibodies (P,=,0.13). The antibodies were widely distributed among all age groups and the sex ratio of the anti-HEV positive blood donors was 1.12 (P,=,0.57). Hunting was the only pastime or profession associated with a high prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies (P,=,0.038). The frequency of anti-HEV antibodies in blood donors could reflect active autochthonous transmission in this area of France. As the risk factors for HEV infection in industrialized countries are still unknown, further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of HEV infection in the Midi-Pyrénées region. J. Med. Virol. 80:289,293, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] High prevalence and level of resistance to metronidazole, but lack of resistance to other antimicrobials in Helicobacter pylori, isolated from a multiracial population in KuwaitALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2006M. JOHN ALBERT Summary Background The primary treatment regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection for Kuwaitis does not contain metronidazole, but that for expatriates does. There is also increasing failure of antimicrobial therapy. Aim To determine the susceptibility of H. pylori from upper gastrointestinal biopsies of Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis to find out if differences existed in the susceptibilities of the isolates from the two different populations. Methods The susceptibilities of 96 H. pylori isolates were tested against metronidazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and tetracycline by the E test. The rdxA gene was analysed from selected metronidazole-susceptible and metronidazole-resistant strains to find out polymorphism and the basis of metronidazole resistance. Results Approximately, 70% of isolates from both populations were metronidazole resistant with 65% isolates showing high minimum inhibitory concentration values of >256 ,g/mL. No resistance to the other three antimicrobials was found. There were novel nonsense and missense mutations with no deletion in the rdxA gene by insertion of mini-IS605. Conclusions The prevalence and level of metronidazole resistance in H. pylori in the two populations was high with no difference, in spite of different treatment regimens. Metronidazole resistance in this transitional country appeared to be independent of prior metronidazole use for treatment of H. pylori infection. [source] High prevalence of parkinsonian disorders associated to manganese exposure in the vicinities of ferroalloy industriesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2007Roberto G. Lucchini MD Abstract Objective To assess the prevalence of Parkinsonian disturbances in relationship to environmental exposure to manganese due to ferroalloy industries in the province of Brescia, Northern Italy. Methods Manganese concentrations were measured in settled dust collected in each of the 206 municipalities. Parkinsonian patients were identified using two sources: (1) clinical registers from local hospitals, specialized neurologists, and exemption from prescription payment; (2) L-Dopa prescriptions. Standardized prevalence rates and raw and full Bayesian-smoothed standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) were calculated for the entire province and for each municipality. Results Manganese concentrations in settled dust were significantly higher in the surroundings and downwind from the industrial plants. A total number of 2,677 Parkinsonian cases were identified among 903,997 residents (crude prevalence, 296/100,000; 95% CI: 284.80,307.20; standardized prevalence, 407/100,000; 95% CI: 393.87,420.12). Significantly higher SMRs (Kruskal,Wallis ,2 1 df,=,17.55, P,<,0.001) were observed in 37 municipalities in the vicinities of ferromanganese plants (324 cases among 77,708 residents; standardized prevalence 492/100,000; 95% CI: 442.80,541.20), compared to the other 169 municipalities of the province (2,353 cases among 826,289 residents, standardized prevalence 321/100,000; 95% CI 308.80,333.20). Row and Bayesian SMRs were associated with the concentrations of manganese in settled dust. Conclusion Study results suggest that environmental exposure to manganese is associated with an increased prevalence of Parkinsonian disturbances. Since the highest prevalence rates were observed in a closed community of the pre-Alps where the industries are located, further research should address a possible interactive role of genetic factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:788,800, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] High prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in adults with Williams syndrome,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010B.R. Pober Abstract A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered to 28 adults with Williams syndrome (WS). Three quarters of the WS subjects showed abnormal glucose curves, meeting diagnostic criteria for either diabetes or the pre-diabetic state of impaired glucose tolerance. Fasting mean glucose and median insulin levels did not differ significantly in the total WS cohort versus age,gender,BMI matched controls, though the glucose area under the curve was greater in the WS subjects. HbA1c levels were not as reliable as the OGTT in diagnosing the presence of diabetes. Given the high prevalence of impaired glucose regulation, adults with WS should be screened for diabetes, and when present should be treated in accordance with standard medical practice. Hemizygosity for a gene mapping to the Williams syndrome chromosome region (WSCR) is likely the major factor responsible for the high frequency of diabetes in WS. Syntaxin-1A is a prime candidate gene based on its location in the WSCR, its role in insulin release, and the presence of abnormal glucose metabolism in mouse models with aberrantly expressed Stx-1a. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Role of Allergy and Smoking in Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Polyposis,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2008FACS, Steven M. Houser MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The article considers the interrelatedness of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The negative impact of perennial allergy and tobacco use on polyposis in sinus surgery patients is explored. Study Design: A retrospective chart review, performed by the first author over a 6-year period, of patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS. Methods: The subjects' allergy status and smoking history are scrutinized by summary statistics and a multiple linear logistic model for predicting the presence of polyps. Results: High prevalence of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) is seen in the subject population (56.4%). Both PAR and tobacco use are associated with nasal polyposis (P = .0073 and P = .0114, respectively). Conclusions: The close association of PAR and CRS suggests a possible causal link. Management of allergic rhinitis and tobacco cessation may provide greater control of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis. [source] Psychotic phenomena in 257 young children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder: delusions and hallucinations (benign and pathological)BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 1 2008Rebecca Tillman Objectives:, In contrast to studies of adult bipolar I disorder (BP-I), there is a paucity of data on psychotic phenomena in child BP-I. Therefore, the aim of this work was to describe delusions and hallucinations in pediatric BP-I. Methods:, Subjects were 257 participants, aged 6,16, in either of two large, ongoing, NIMH-funded studies, ,Phenomenology and Course of Pediatric Bipolar Disorders' or ,Treatment of Early Age Mania (TEAM)'. All subjects had current DSM-IV BP-I (manic or mixed phase) with a Children's Global Assessment Scale score ,60 (definite clinical impairment), and all had cardinal mania symptoms (i.e., elation and/or grandiosity). Comprehensive assessments included the Washington University in St. Louis Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (WASH-U-KSADS), which was administered to parents about their children and separately to children about themselves by experienced research clinicians. The WASH-U-KSADS contains modules for developmentally child-age-specific manifestations of numerous categories of psychotic phenomena. Results:, Psychosis was present in 76.3% (n = 196) of subjects, which included 38.9% (n = 100) with delusions, 5.1% (n = 13) with pathological hallucinations, and 32.3% (n = 83) with both. The most common delusion was grandiose (67.7%, n = 174), and the most common pathological hallucination was visual (16.0%, n = 41). Benign hallucinations occurred in 43.6% (n = 112). A median split by age yielded 6,9 year-olds (n = 139) and 10,16 year-olds (n = 118). Analyses of these two groups, and of 6, 7, 8, and 9 year-olds separately, found no significant differences in psychotic phenomena. Conclusions:, Counterintuitively, psychosis was equally prevalent in 6,9 compared to 10,16 year-olds. High prevalence of psychosis in child BP-I warrants focus in intervention strategies and is consistent with increasing evidence of the severity of child-versus adult-onset BP-I. [source] High prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in adolescent girls in a tropical area of EcuadorBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010M Vaca Please cite this paper as: Vaca M, Guadalupe I, Erazo S, Tinizaray K, Chico M, Cooper P, Hay P. High prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in adolescent girls in a tropical area of Ecuador. BJOG 2010;117:225,228. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common clinical syndrome, but data are scarce on the BV prevalence in tropical regions among sexually active and virgin adolescents. To estimate the prevalence of BV among adolescent girls in an Ecuadorian coastal town, girls were asked to complete a questionnaire on risk factors for BV and vaginal samples were examined. Bacterial vaginosis was present in 31.5% of 213 girls, and the prevalence was similar in self-reported virgin and sexually active girls (OR 1.06, 95% CI, 0.51,2.21, P = 0.88), although the power of this analysis was limited. The prevalence of BV was high among Ecuadorian adolescent girls, and did not appear to be associated with sexual activity. [source] High prevalence of HFE gene mutations in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda in the Czech RepublicBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008K. Kratka Summary Background, Iron overload and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are independent factors which are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Objectives, To determine the prevalence of the HFE gene mutations p.Cys282Tyr (C282Y), p.His63Asp (H63D) and p.Ser65Cys (S65C), the p.Tyr250X (Y250X) mutation of the TFR2 gene, and HCV infection in patients with PCT in the Czech population, and to make comparison of the iron status among the respective genotypes. Methods, Iron metabolism indices, results of mutational analysis and serological markers of HCV infection were examined in 63 patients with PCT. Results, The HFE gene mutations were detected in 70% of patients with PCT compared with 35% in the control group (P < 0·001). Mean serum ferritin levels were increased in all genotypes, the highest being in homozygotes for the p.Cys282Tyr mutation. HCV infection was detected in only 8% of patients with PCT. Conclusions, There was a very high prevalence of the p.Cys282Tyr and p.His63Asp mutations observed in patients with PCT accompanied by mild degrees of iron overload, which was genotype dependent. [source] High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end-stage liver diseaseACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2010D. Cocito Cocito D, Maule S, Paolasso I, Castelli L, Ciaramitaro P, Poglio F, Ottobrelli A, Grimaldi S. High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end-stage liver disease. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 36,40. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives,,, Peripheral neuropathy has been reported in association with end-stage liver disease, but there is only a limited number of reports on the incidence and features of these neuropathies. Materials and methods,,, In this study, 83 patients awaiting liver transplantation were evaluated for the presence of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Results,,, Sixty-five percent of the patients had evidence of neuropathy, in agreement with peripheral NCS or cardiovascular autonomic function test. The neuropathy was more frequent in patients with advanced hepatic failure, evaluated with the MELD score. The most frequent abnormalities in nerve conduction studies were sensory-motor neuropathies and sensory neuropathies, with a length-dependent pattern. Conclusion,,, Peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy are common in patients with end-stage liver disease with different etiology and correlate with the severity of the liver disease. [source] High prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in Chinese children and adolescents with prehypertension/hypertensionACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2009Lei Zhao Abstract Aim:, To assess the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose among Chinese children and adolescents with prehypertension/hypertension (PHP/HP), overweight/obesity (OW/OB) or both in the general population. Methods:, In total, 3409 children and adolescents among the age group of 10,18 years were enrolled. These subjects were then divided into four groups: OW/OB, PHP/HP, OW/OB + PHP/HP and a control group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid levels were measured in children with a body mass index ,85th percentile and/or blood pressure ,90th percentile and in 100 subjects randomly selected from the control group. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all the subjects with fasting glucose ,5.6 mmol/L. Results:, Eighty-one impaired fasting glucose subjects and one girl with type 2 diabetes were identified. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in PHP/HP (7.03%) was not significantly different from that in the OW/OB + PHP/HP group (8.59%), but was higher than that in the OW/OB group (3.31%). Conclusion:, Although the American Diabetes Association does not recommend the FPG test for children and adolescents with PHP/HP, in this study, we found that children and adolescents with PHP/HP have a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose than those with OW/OB. Further validation of these findings is warranted and a type 2 diabetes screening protocol for Chinese children and adolescents needs to be established. [source] High prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors among adolescents with intellectual disabilityACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009Eva Flygare Wallén Abstract Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have poor lifestyle-related health compared with the general population. Our aim was to study whether such differences are present already in adolescents. Aim: To compare the prevalence and severity of cardio-metabolic risk factors and cardio-vascular fitness in adolescents with and without IDs. Methods: Intellectual disability (ID) students (n = 66) and non-intellectual disability (non-ID) students from practical (non-ID-p) (n = 34) and theoretical (non-ID-t) (n = 56) programmes were recruited from three upper secondary schools. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, body composition, fasting-insulin, fasting-glucose, fasting-lipids and cardio-vascular fitness were measured. Results: Participants with and without ID differed significantly in the prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors with participants with ID having a higher percentage of total fat mass, wider waist circumferences (WCs), lower levels of fat-free mass (FFM), lower bone mineral density (BMD) and higher insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) levels and poorer cardio-vascular fitness. The healthiest levels were found in the non-ID-t group compared to the group with ID and the group with non-ID-p in between. Conclusion: The prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors and poor cardio-vascular fitness was found to be high in this young population with intellectual disabilities. Measures should be taken to improve the health messages directed towards children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. [source] High prevalence of blaCTX-M extended-spectrum ,-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolates from pets and emergence of CTX-M-64 in ChinaCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 9 2010Y. Sun Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 1475,1481 Abstract As a cause of community-acquired infections, extended-spectrum ,-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli constitute an emerging public-health concern. Few data on the molecular epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from pets are available in China. Detection and characterization of ESBL genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV and blaTEM) was conducted among 240 E. coli isolates recovered from healthy and sick pets in South China from 2007 to 2008. The clonal relatedness of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. ESBL-encoding genes were identified in 97 (40.4%) of the 240 isolates and 96 (40.0%) of them harbored CTX-M. The most common CTX-M types were CTX-M-14 (n = 45) and CTX-M-55 (n = 24). The recently reported CTX-M-64 was identified in three isolates. Isolates producing CTX-M-27, -15, -65, -24, -3 and -9 were also identified. Ten isolates carried two or three CTX-M types, with the combination of CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-55 being the most frequent (n = 6). ISEcp1 was identified in the upstream region of 93 out of the 107 blaCTX-M genes (86.9%). The sequence of the spacer region (45 bp) between ISEcp1 and the start codon of all blaCTX-M-55 genes (except four) was identical to that of blaCTX-M-64. No major clonal relatedness was observed among these CTX-M producers. It is suggested that the horizontal transfer of blaCTX-M genes, mediated by mobile elements, contributes to their dissemination among E. coli isolates from pets. Our finding of high prevalence of ESBL in E. coli of companion animal origin illustrates the importance of molecular surveillance in tracking CTX-M-producing E. coli strains in pets. [source] High prevalence of carbapenem-hydrolysing oxacillinases in epidemiologically related and unrelated Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates in SpainCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 12 2007M. Ruiz Abstract Carbapenem-hydrolysing oxacillinases are reported increasingly in Acinetobacter baumannii. This study investigated the role of these ,-lactamases in causing resistance to carbapenems in 83 epidemiologically related and unrelated imipenem-resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates. The isolates were also analysed for the presence of ISAba1 in the promoter region of the blaOXA-51 -like gene in order to investigate the role of ISAba1 in OXA-51 expression. All clinical isolates contained a blaOXA-51 -like gene, 20% contained a blaOXA-58 -like gene, and 42% contained a blaOXA-40 -like gene; blaOXA-23 -like, blaIMP and blaVIM genes were not detected in any of the isolates investigated. ISAba1 was found in 24 (82.7%) of 28 pulsetypes, and was located in the promoter region of the blaOXA-51 -like gene in five (20.8%) of these pulsetypes. Expression of blaOXA-51 was detected in the five isolates with ISAba1 located in the promoter region, but was not detected in an isogenic imipenem-susceptible A. baumannii isolate that did not have ISAba1 located in the promoter region. It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of oxacillinases with activity against carbapenems among genetically unrelated A. baumannii clinical isolates from Spain, and that concomitant expression of two carbapenemases (OXA-51-like and either OXA-40-like or OXA-58-like) may take place. Insertion of an ISAba1 -like element in the promoter of the blaOXA-51 -like gene promotes the expression of this gene, although this did not seem to play a major role in carbapenem resistance. [source] The periodontal abscess (I).JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 6 2000Clinical, microbiological findings Background/aims: Little information is available regarding the diagnosis and microbiology of periodontal abscesses. The aim of this descriptive clinical and microbiological study was to provide more information in order to help in the characterisation of the periodontal abscess associated to periodontitis. Method: 29 consecutive patients with a periodontal abscess were studied by the assessment of clinical variables, including both subjective (pain, edema, redness and swelling) and objective (bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing pocket depth, tooth mobility and cervical lymphadenopathy) parameters. Microbiological samples were taken for anaerobic microbiology and processed by means of culture. Systemic involvement was also studied through the analysis of blood and urine samples using conventional laboratory standards. Results: 62% of the abscesses affected untreated periodontitis patients, and 69% were associated with a molar tooth. More than 75% of the abscesses had moderate-severe scores related to edema, redness and swelling, and 90% of the patients reported pain. Bleeding occurred in all abscesses, while suppuration on sampling was detected in 66%. Mean associated pocket depth was 7.28 mm, and 79% of teeth presented some degree of mobility. Cervical lymphadenopathy was seen in 10% of patients, while elevated leucocyte counts were observed in 31.6%. The absolute number of neutrophils was elevated in 42% of the patients. High prevalences of putative periodontal pathogens were found, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Bacteroides forsythus. Conclusions: The periodontal abscess has clear clinical characteristics and is usually associated with severe periodontal destruction. This condition may cause systemic involvement and the lesion generally has a large bacterial mass with a high prevalence of well-recognised periodontal pathogens. [source] A SURVEY OF THE PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA AND OTHER ENTERIC PATHOGENS IN A COMMERCIAL POULTRY FEED MILLJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2003PAUL WHYTE ABSTRACT A study of the prevalences of Salmonella, Listeria and thermophilic campylobacters in a dedicated commercial poultry feed mill was undertaken. Salmonella was frequently recovered in samples taken in the preheat and postheat treatment areas of the mill with the overall percentage of samples positive found to be 18.8% and 22.6%, respectively. Feed ingredients and dust collected in the preheat treatment locations within the mill were frequently contaminated with Salmonella (11.8% and 33.3% of samples, respectively). High prevalences of Salmonella were also detected in dust samples (24.2%) obtained from the postheat treatment area of the mill and from feed delivery vehicles (57.1%). Listeria was also recovered from samples at pre- and postheat treatment areas within the mill with overall isolation rates of 14.1% and 18.5% observed, respectively. The most frequently observed species of Listeria recovered from samples in both areas within the mill was L. innocua, L. monocytogenes, L. grayi and L. welshimeri. No thermophilic campylobacters were recovered from any of the samples analyzed in the current study. [source] The Atrial Fibrillation Paradox of Heart FailureCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 1 2010Rhidian J. Shelton MRCP Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:3,9. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is high, but longitudinal studies suggest that the incidence of AF is relatively low. The authors investigated this paradox prospectively in an epidemiologically representative population of patients with HF and persistent AF. In all, 891 consecutive patients with HF [mean age, 70±10 years; 70% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 32%±9%] were enrolled. The prevalence of persistent AF at baseline was 22%. The incidence of persistent AF at 1 year was 26 per 1000 person-years, ranging from 15 in New York Heart Association class I/II to 44 in class III/IV. AF occurred either at the same time or prior to HF in 76% of patients and following HF in 24%. A risk score was developed to predict the occurrence of persistent AF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing was 0.5% (0%,1.3%) for those in the low-risk group compared with 15% (3.4%,26.6%) in the high-risk group. Despite a high prevalence of persistent AF in patients with HF, the incidence of persistent AF is relatively low. This is predominantly due to AF coinciding with or preceding the development of HF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing can be estimated from clinical variables. [source] Heart Failure Drug Utilization Patterns for Medicaid Patients Before and After a Heart Failure-Related HospitalizationCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 3 2005Patricia A. Howard PharmD The authors examined heart failure (HF) drug utilization patterns in Medicaid patients before and after a HF-related hospitalization. This was a retrospective claims analysis of Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries hospitalized for HF between July 1, 2000, and March 31, 2001. HF drugs were tracked 6 months prior and 6 months following the admission. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor doses were compared with target ranges. The cohort of 135 patients had a mean age of 53.6 years and was predominantly female (66.7%) and Caucasian (70.4%) with a high prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities. Before hospitalization, less than one third of patients were receiving ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, , blockers, digoxin, or vasodilators. Following hospitalization, increased utilization was observed for , blockers, digoxin, and angiotensin receptor blockers, but overall usage remained low. ACE inhibitors and vasodilator use remained constant. ACE-inhibitor doses were below target ranges before and after hospitalization. In this Medicaid cohort, HF-related hospitalizations did not lead to improved HF therapy. [source] On functional motor adaptations: from the quantification of motor strategies to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck,shoulder regionACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2010P. Madeleine Abstract Background:, Occupations characterized by a static low load and by repetitive actions show a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in the neck,shoulder region. Moreover, muscle fatigue and discomfort are reported to play a relevant initiating role in WMSD. Aims: To investigate relationships between altered sensory information, i.e. localized muscle fatigue, discomfort and pain and their associations to changes in motor control patterns. Materials & Methods:, In total 101 subjects participated. Questionnaires, subjective assessments of perceived exertion and pain intensity as well as surface electromyography (SEMG), mechanomyography (MMG), force and kinematics recordings were performed. Results:, Multi-channel SEMG and MMG revealed that the degree of heterogeneity of the trapezius muscle activation increased with fatigue. Further, the spatial organization of trapezius muscle activity changed in a dynamic manner during sustained contraction with acute experimental pain. A graduation of the motor changes in relation to the pain stage (acute, subchronic and chronic) and work experience were also found. The duration of the work task was shorter in presence of acute and chronic pain. Acute pain resulted in decreased activity of the painful muscle while in subchronic and chronic pain, a more static muscle activation was found. Posture and movement changed in the presence of neck,shoulder pain. Larger and smaller sizes of arm and trunk movement variability were respectively found in acute pain and subchronic/chronic pain. The size and structure of kinematics variability decreased also in the region of discomfort. Motor variability was higher in workers with high experience. Moreover, the pattern of activation of the upper trapezius muscle changed when receiving SEMG/MMG biofeedback during computer work. Discussion:, SEMG and MMG changes underlie functional mechanisms for the maintenance of force during fatiguing contraction and acute pain that may lead to the widespread pain seen in WMSD. A lack of harmonious muscle recruitment/derecruitment may play a role in pain transition. Motor behavior changed in shoulder pain conditions underlining that motor variability may play a role in the WMSD development as corroborated by the changes in kinematics variability seen with discomfort. This prognostic hypothesis was further, supported by the increased motor variability among workers with high experience. Conclusion:, Quantitative assessments of the functional motor adaptations can be a way to benchmark the pain status and help to indentify signs indicating WMSD development. Motor variability is an important characteristic in ergonomic situations. Future studies will investigate the potential benefit of inducing motor variability in occupational settings. [source] Dermatitis from common ivy (Hedera helix L. subsp. helix) in Europe: past, present, and futureCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 4 2010Evy Paulsen Common ivy (Hedera helix subsp. helix) is a well-known native and ornamental plant in Europe. Reports on contact dermatitis from ivy have regularly appeared since 1899. Recently, it has been suggested that allergic contact dermatitis from the plant may be under-diagnosed, partly due to lack of commercial patch test allergens. The objective of the article is to present the results of aimed patch testing with the main common ivy allergen, falcarinol, during a 16-year period and review the newer literature. Consecutive patients tested with falcarinol 0.03% petrolatum from May 1993 to May 2009 were included. Cases published since 1987 were retrieved from the PubMed database. One hundred and twenty-seven Danish patients were tested with falcarinol and 10 (7.9%) tested positive. Seven were occupationally sensitized. Between 1994 and 2009, 28 new cases of contact dermatitis from ivy were reported, 2 of which were occupational. Only 11 of the 28 patients were tested with pure allergens. Falcarinol is not only widely distributed in the ivy family, but also in the closely related Apiaceae. Sensitization may occur in childhood or in adults pruning ivy plants or handling them in an occupational setting. In view of the ubiquity of falcarinol-containing plants and the relatively high prevalence of positive reactions in aimed patch testing, falcarinol should be the next plant allergen to be commercially available and included in the plant series worldwide. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||