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In vitro study assessing the antibacterial activity of three silver-impregnated/coated mechanical valve needleless connectors after blood exposure

Abstract

This in vitro study’s purpose was to assess antibacterial activity of 3 different connectors: V-Link (Baxter, Deerfield, IL), Ultrasite Ag (B. Braun, Bethlehem, PA), and MaxGuard (CareFusion, Ontario, CA), impregnated with silver nanoparticles after blood exposure. All 3 silver-coated/impregnated connectors grew Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.… Read more

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Prevention of invasive Cronobacter infections in young infants fed powdered infant formulas

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Invasive Cronobacter infection is rare, devastating, and epidemiologically/microbiologically linked to powdered infant formulas (PIFs). In 2002-2004, the US Food and Drug Administration advised health care professionals to minimize PIF and powdered human milk fortifier (HMF)’s preparation, feeding, and storage times and avoid feeding them to hospitalized premature or immunocompromised neonates.… Read more

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Health care-associated infection outbreak investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1946-2005

Abstract

Since 1946, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) personnel have investigated outbreaks of infections and adverse events associated with delivery of health care. CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officers have led onsite investigations of these outbreaks by systematically applying epidemiology, statistics, and laboratory science.… Read more

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Use of antimicrobial agents in United States neonatal and pediatric intensive care patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial use contributes to the development of emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. There are few published data on antimicrobial use in neonatal (NICU) and pediatric ICU (PICU) patients.

METHODS: Personnel at 31 Pediatric Prevention Network hospitals participated in point prevalence surveys on August 4, 1999 (summer) and February 8, 2000 (winter).… Read more

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Comparison of routine glove use and contact-isolation precautions to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria in a long-term care facility

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare routine glove use by healthcare workers for all residents, without use of contact-isolation precautions, with contact-isolation precautions for the care of residents who had vancomycin-resistant enterococci or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a clinical culture.

DESIGN: Random allocation of two similar sections of the skilled-care unit to one of the infection-control strategies during an 18-month study period.… Read more

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Controlling healthcare-associated infections: the role of infection control and antimicrobial use practices

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients in the United States and throughout the world. Overall rates of infection range widely depending on the pediatric population, with the highest rates being in patients in neonatal intensive care units, followed by those in pediatric intensive care units, immunocompromised patients, and those undergoing surgical procedures.… Read more

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Detection of bloodstream pathogens in a bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated pediatric population in Malawi: a pilot study

Abstract

Children in Malawi receive bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination within the first 3 days of life. Thus, we hypothesized that Malawian children infected with the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) might be particularly vulnerable to dissemination of the BCG Mycobacterium bovis strain with which they were vaccinated.… Read more

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Peripheral blood cell-specific cytokines in persons with untreated HIV infection in Malawi, Africa

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in Malawi, Africa, because of its many effects on the immune system. Immune cells communicate through cytokines; therefore, we examined the relationships between HIV serostatus and cell-specific cytokine production for 40 asymptomatic, employed adults and 312 acutely ill, hospitalized patients in Malawi.… Read more

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Demographic and immune correlates of human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity in Malawi, Africa

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the USA, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and HIV infection. We examined HHV-8 seroprevalence in a Malawian cohort, and assessed its relationship with HIV, KS, demographic characteristics, and immune findings.

METHODS: In 1997 and 1998, blood samples were obtained from 272 hospitalized Malawian patients, for whom demographic information was obtained, and 24 healthy volunteers without demographic data.… Read more

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Clinical and immune impact of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination scarring

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination in areas of high tuberculosis prevalence. BCG’s clinical and immune effects, not necessarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific, are unclear. BCG vaccine scarring often is used as a surrogate marker of vaccination or of effective vaccination.… Read more

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Spontaneous cytokine production and its effect on induced production

Abstract

Cytokines regulate cellular immune activity and are produced by a variety of cells, especially lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Multiparameter flow cytometry is often used to examine cell-specific cytokine production after in vitro phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin induction, with brefeldin A or other agents added to inhibit protein secretion.… Read more

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Vitamin A levels and immunity in humans

Abstract

In animal studies, vitamin A deficiency induces a shift from type 2 (humoral, Th2) to type 1 (cellular, Th1) cytokines; there are no similar data for humans. Control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections requires type 1 cytokine (cellular) immunity.… Read more

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Age-related differences in cell-specific cytokine production by acutely ill Malawian patients

Abstract

Age-related changes in human cell-specific cytokine responses to acute illness have not been well examined. We therefore evaluated age-related differences in T, B and natural killer (NK) peripheral blood lymphocyte cytokine responses of 309 acutely ill hospitalized people in Malawi, Africa, < 1 month-61 years of age.… Read more

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Evaluation of a reporting system for bacterial contamination of blood components in the United States

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The transfusion of blood components contaminated with bacteria may have serious clinical consequences, but few data are available on the incidence of these events. A national effort to assess the frequency of blood component bacterial contamination associated with transfusion reaction (the BaCon Study) was initiated to better estimate their occurrence.… Read more

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The effects of iron deficiency on lymphocyte cytokine production and activation: preservation of hepatic iron but not at all cost

Abstract

Worldwide, over 40% of children have iron deficiency anaemia, frequently associated with infections. Certain cytokines are involved in both immune activation/response to infection and iron transport/metabolism. We therefore assessed the relations among iron deficiency, cytokine production and lymphocyte activation markers in 142 hospitalized Malawian children.… Read more

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Comparison of serum and cell-specific cytokines in humans

Abstract

Cytokines function at the cellular, microenvironmental level, but human cytokine assessment is most commonly done at the macro level, by measuring serum cytokines. The relationships between serum and cellular cytokines, if there are any, are undefined. In a study of hospitalized patients in Malawi, we compared cytometrically assessed, cell-specific cytokine data to serum interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in 16 children and 71 (IL-2, -4, -6, -10) or 159 (IL-8, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha) adults, using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and Pearson’s (r(p)) and Spearman’s (r(s)) rank correlations.… Read more

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Physician preferences for continuing medical education with a focus on the topic of antimicrobial resistance: Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the type of media preferred for continuing medical education (CME) and to assess the factors that affect physician preferences for CME in general and on the special topic of antimicrobial resistance.

DESIGN: A voluntary survey of the membership of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Inc.… Read more

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Intracellular cytokines in the acute response to highly active antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is usually associated with a rapid decline in HIV plasma RNA levels and a gradual increase in CD4 T cells. We examined whether changes in cytokine production and profile precede other immunological changes and whether these might occur in temporal association with plasma HIV RNA changes.… Read more

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Cytokines and malaria parasitemia

Abstract

The balance between pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines may be important in malaria presentation and outcome. Malaria tends to be more severe in children than in adults, presumably because partial immunity develops with age. However, the full nature of, and age-related differences in, anti-malarial immunity are unknown.… Read more

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A prospective study of vascular access infections at seven outpatient hemodialysis centers

Abstract

Vascular access infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients, and the use of antimicrobials to treat such infections contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. To determine the incidence of and risk factors for vascular access infections, we studied hemodialysis patients at 7 outpatient dialysis centers (4 in Richmond, VA, and 3 in Baltimore, MD) during December 1997 to July 1998.… Read more

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Serratia liquefaciens bloodstream infections from contamination of epoetin alfa at a hemodialysis center

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In a one month period, 10 Serratia liquefaciens bloodstream infections and 6 pyrogenic reactions occurred in outpatients at a hemodialysis center.

METHODS: We performed a cohort study of all hemodialysis sessions on days that staff members reported S. liquefaciens bloodstream infections or pyrogenic reactions.… Read more

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Colonization of skilled-care facility residents with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of and risk factors for colonization of skilled-care unit residents by several antimicrobial-resistant bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), or extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL-producing) (ceftazidime resistant) Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli.

DESIGN: Point-prevalence survey and medical record review.… Read more

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Emerging healthcare-associated problem pathogens in the United States

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Dramatic changes in the delivery of healthcare during the past decade have changed the definition of healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare delivery changes include a reduction in the number of general hospital beds, an increase in the proportion of patients who are in intensive care units, a larger proportion of surgical procedures performed as outpatient procedures, a marked increase in patients cared for in outpatient settings, and an increase in the delivery of healthcare in the home setting.… Read more

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Seasonal variation in the etiology of bloodstream infections in a febrile inpatient population in a developing country

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Published data suggest that Streptococcus pneumoniae, non-typhi Salmonella species, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the predominant causes of bloodstream infection (BSI) in hospitalized populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted during the wet season to ascertain the etiology and prevalence of BSI among febrile inpatients in a hospital where the dry season BSI profile in a similar study population had already been documented.… Read more

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Natural T, gammadelta, and NK cells in mycobacterial, Salmonella, and human immunodeficiency virus infections

Abstract

NK cells, gammadelta T cell antigen receptor chain-positive cells, and CD3(+)CD16/56(+) (natural T [NT]) cells are involved in innate immunity and immunoregulation; however, their role in clinical infection is not well defined. Cytofluorometric analysis was used to examine peripheral blood from bacteremic, nonbacteremic, and healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and -negative persons in Malawi, Africa.… Read more

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Comparison of BACTEC MYCO/F LYTIC and WAMPOLE ISOLATOR 10 (lysis-centrifugation) systems for detection of bacteremia, mycobacteremia, and fungemia in a developing country

Abstract

In less-developed countries, studies of bloodstream infections (BSI) have been hindered because of the difficulty and costs of culturing blood for bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi. During two study periods (study period I [1997] and study period II [1998]), we cultured blood from patients in Malawi by using the BACTEC MYCO/F LYTIC (MFL), ISOLATOR 10 (Isolator), Septi-Chek AFB (SC-AFB), and Septi-Chek bacterial (SC-B) systems.… Read more

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Immune determinants of organism and outcome in febrile hospitalized Thai patients with bloodstream infections

Abstract

Opportunistic infections (OI) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Immune cell and cytokine profiles may be related to the type and course of OI and to the OI-HIV interaction. Examining cell-specific cytokine production ex vivo has only recently become feasible.… Read more

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Outbreak of sterile peritonitis among continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30,000 patients receive peritoneal dialysis in the United States. In August 1996, several dialysis centers from different states reported sterile peritonitis among CCPD patients using sterile peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) from a single manufacturer. The manufacturer recalled 53 lots of PDS that had passed established industry guidelines and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved quality control tests [including endotoxin levels 1 cfu/ml.… Read more

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Outbreak of Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infections in a nursery associated with contaminated aerosols and air conditioners

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter spp. are multidrug-resistant bacteria that grow well in water and cause infections with unexplained, increased summer prevalence. In August, 1996, eight infants acquired Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infection (A-BSI) while in a nursery in the Bahamas; three infants died and an investigation was initiated.… Read more

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Study to determine the ability of clinical laboratories to detect antimicrobial-resistant Enterococcus spp. in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Few reports of vancomycin-resistant enterococci have appeared outside the USA. Therefore, we evaluated the ability of five laboratories in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to perform susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion method. Laboratories had difficulty identifying the low- and intermediate-level vancomycin-resistant phenotypes.… Read more

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Secular trends in bloodstream infection caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in New Jersey hospitals, 1991 to 1995

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance among bacteria is an increasing public health problem. In 1991, New Jersey was the first state to establish statewide, hospital-based surveillance for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

METHODS: Each month, all 96 nonfederal New Jersey hospital laboratories complete a form listing the species identity and drug susceptibility results for selected antimicrobial-resistant bacteria isolated from blood cultures from hospital inpatients.… Read more

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Pyrogenic reactions in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization associated with contaminated glass medicine cups

Abstract

Pyrogenic reactions are potentially life-threatening complications caused by bacterial endotoxin. After two cardiac catheterization patients developed rigors the same day, the procedures were halted and a case control study was conducted. To identify case patients (persons with rigors < or = 3 hr after catheterization during September 25-November 9, 1995), we reviewed medical records of all cardiac catheterization patients who had a blood culture or received intravenous meperidine. Twelve case patients and 40 randomly selected control patients were identified. No specific catheter was associated with case patients, but exposure to intracoronary-nitroglycerin (NTG) was (odds ratio = 12.0; 95% confidence interval 2.2, 75.6). NTG or indocyanine green dye was poured into glass medicine cups previously washed in an enzyme cleaner and then sterilized. The cleaner, used for an entire day, had elevated levels of gram-negative bacteria (> 10(4) colony forming units/mL) and endotoxin (434 endotoxin units [EU]/mL]); the reprocessed cups had no live bacteria but had elevated endotoxin levels (median 2,250 EU).… Read more

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Reducing the spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Control of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Abstract

Strategies to reduce the spread of hospital-acquired microorganisms resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents are discussed. Because hospitals have experienced a rapid increase in the incidence of infection and colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in the past 5 years, the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued recommendations for preventing the spread of vancomycin resistance.… Read more

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An outbreak of gram-negative bloodstream infections in chronic hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Six chronic hemodialysis patients acquired bloodstream infections (BSIs) with Klebsiella pneumoniae of the same serotype and similar plasmid profile during an 11-day period. The 6 case-patients were more likely than noncase-patients to have received dialysis during the fourth shift (p < 0.05) and to have their dialyzers reprocessed for reuse after those of the noncase-patients (p = 0.05). Investigation identified a patient during the same shift with an arteriovenous fistula infected with K. pneumoniae. The dialyzer reprocessing technician did not change gloves between contacting patients and their dialyzers in the treatment area and reprocessing the case-patients' dialyzers at the end of the fourth shift. We conclude that the outbreak of BSIs was caused by cross-contamination of the case-patients' dialyzers with bacteria from the gloves of the reprocessing technician and by inadequate dialyzer disinfection. After revised dialyzer reprocessing techniques and glove-changing policies were instituted, no further clusters of BSIs occurred.

Welbel SF, Schoendorf K, Bland LA, Arduino MJ, Groves C, Schable B, O’Hara CM, Tenover FC, Jarvis WR

Am.… Read more

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A prospective study of pyrogenic reactions in hemodialysis patients using bicarbonate dialysis fluids filtered to remove bacteria and endotoxin

Abstract

Pyrogenic reactions (PR) are a well-recognized complication of hemodialysis and have been associated with dialyzer reuse, high-flux dialysis, and bicarbonate dialysate. However, the roles of bacteria and endotoxin in dialysate for producing PR are not well defined. To determine the effect of removing most bacteria and endotoxin from the dialysate on the incidence of PR, a cohort of chronic hemodialysis patients receiving high-flux, high-efficiency, or conventional hemodialysis at three centers with bicarbonate dialysis fluids that had been filtered with a polysulfone high-flux hemodialyzer was prospectively studied.… Read more

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Pyrogenic reactions in patients receiving conventional, high-efficiency, or high-flux hemodialysis treatments with bicarbonate dialysate containing high concentrations of bacteria and endotoxin

Abstract

High-efficiency (HE) and high-flux (HF) hemodialysis are becoming increasingly popular methods for treating patients with chronic renal failure because they reduce the time required for dialysis treatment. HF and HE dialyzers require bicarbonate dialysate, often prepared from concentrates that can support bacterial growth with endotoxin production.… Read more

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Bacteriologic and endotoxin analysis of salvaged blood used in autologous transfusions during cardiac operations

Abstract

Autologous blood transfusion is a common method of reducing the need for heterologous blood transfusion during cardiac operations. Recently we investigated an outbreak of severe, nonsurgical postoperative bleeding among patients undergoing heart operations and receiving intraoperative transfusion of blood from a cell conservation device (Cell Saver System, Haemonetics Corp.,… Read more

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Outbreak of gram-negative bacteremia and pyrogenic reactions in a hemodialysis center

Abstract

During the period from April 4, 1988, to April 20, 1988, nine pyrogenic reactions and five gram-negative bacteremias occurred in 11 patients undergoing dialysis. All pyrogenic reactions and gram-negative bacteremias occurred among patients in whom a reprocessed dialyzer was used.… Read more

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Pyrogenic reactions associated with the reuse of disposable hollow-fiber hemodialyzers

Abstract

We investigated 18 pyrogenic reactions (PRs) that occurred between July 1 and 13, 1987, in 16 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis at one dialysis center in Illinois. We defined a case of PR as the onset of chills or fever (oral temperature, greater than or equal to 37.8 degrees C) in a patient who was afebrile and had no signs or symptoms of infection before a dialysis treatment.… Read more

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Comparative evaluation of selective media for isolation of Pseudomonas cepacia from cystic fibrosis patients and environmental sources

Abstract

Pseudomonas cepacia has recently emerged as an important pathogen affecting cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We evaluated three selective media to assess their comparative potential for identification of patients colonized with P. cepacia and for efficacy of detection of P. cepacia in environmental fluids.… Read more

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Pseudomonas cepacia colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis: risk factors and clinical outcome

Abstract

During the period of 1979 to 1983, 38 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the CF center of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Pennsylvania developed respiratory tract colonization with Pseudomonas cepacia. Seventeen (45%) of the patients with colonization died.… Read more

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Klebsiella pneumoniae: selected virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae infections occur in humans of all ages, however the highest risk groups appear to be infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. One or more virulence factors may contribute to pathogenicity in humans. In this article we review three factors that may mediate virulence: cell wall receptors, capsular polysaccharide, and endotoxin.… Read more

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Bacterial growth and endotoxin production in lipid emulsion

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae serotypes 21 and 24 and Enterobacter cloacae were responsible for an outbreak of polymicrobial bacteremia associated with the receipt of lipid emulsion. Since it is recommended that lipid emulsion be kept refrigerated between uses, we undertook a study to determine the growth characteristics of these organisms in lipid emulsion at 5 and 25 degrees C and to examine the use of alternative measurements (pH and endotoxin) to determine contamination by viable and nonviable microorganisms.… Read more