Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Lystad

Publications and source records attributed to A Lystad.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Indications for testing for sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infections].

Laboratory testing for sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infection is widely used in Norwegian general practice. The yield of this testing is declining, since the prevalence of infection in the community has decreased. Thus, the cost-effectiveness of testing is reduced, and the risk of false positive results using non-culture methods has increased. In cooperation with a panel of medical microbiologists, gynaecologists, venerologists, general practitioners and public health specialists, we have reviewed the literature and drawn up a set of recommendations for the use of laboratory testing for genital C. trachomatis infection. We emphasize clinical testing of men and women, notification of partners in order to reach males, and screening of women under the age of 25 after each change of sexual partner.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Communicable diseases in Norway. Epidemiological status and future challenge for prevention of the most important diseases].

The authors briefly review the incidence of some of the more important communicable diseases in Norway today. Thanks to extensive use of vaccines, effective preventive measures and useful antibiotics, many of these diseases are no longer a threat to public health, as was the rule up to the latter half of this century. However, constant vigilance is needed to sustain this positive situation.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of the National Notification System for infectious diseases during an outbreak of Shigella epidemic in Norway 1994].

The National Notification System for Infectious Diseases, in Norwegian abbreviated to MSIS, registered 110 cases of Shigella sonnei-infection in persons with debut of symptoms during weeks 21 to 25, 1994, and where we did not receive information that the patients had been abroad. We evaluated the notification system during this outbreak of infectious disease by looking at delays in the notification process and estimating the proportion of patients who received an etiological diagnosis. It took a median time of seven days from onset of illness until a faecal specimen was obtained and a further ten days (maximum 15 days) until the result was registered in MSIS. The time lapse between receiving the specimen until MSIS had registered the result varied from six to 15 days among the laboratories which sent more than four notifications. In the summarical notification system we registered an increase of 712 cases (86%) of acute gastroenteritis compared with the same week the previous two years.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[High incidence and mortality of systemic pneumococcal disease among persons without spleen].

We surveyed 472 cases of culture-confirmed systemic pneumococcal disease that were reported to the Norwegian Notification System for Infectious Diseases during a 12-month period in 1992-93. The clinicians in charge of the patients filled in a questionnaire providing information on underlying disease and outcome for 461 (98%) of the patients. Eight of these patients were splenectomized; all of them more than ten years before. Four died, two survived but had serious sequelae, and two survived without obvious sequelae upon discharge from hospital. Using a rough estimate of the prevalence of unvaccinated splenectomized persons in Norway, we estimate that this group, compared to the normal population, has a relative risk of 25 of developing systemic pneumococcal disease and a relative risk of 75 of dying from pneumococcal disease. The serotype of the pneumococcal strain that caused the disease was determined for seven of the eight patients. All serotypes were represented in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. We strongly recommend that doctors trace and vaccinate splenectomized individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Follow-up after treatment of genital chlamydia infection].

We surveyed routine practice among a random sample of 302 Norwegian general practitioners. 49% perform a test of cure in all the patients whom they treat for genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. 22% of the practitioners test "most" patients, 19% test "some" patients while 10% of the general practitioners test none of the patients after treatment for genital chlamydial infection. Female practitioners perform more tests of cure than male practitioners do. Most tests are performed 1-4 weeks after completion of treatment. Although test of cure has been a controversial topic, we believe it to be a useful measure against the epidemic of genital chlamydial infections. The purposes of the test are to establish whether or not the treatment has been effective and ensure that the patient has not been reinfected by a partner who did not receive treatment. The test of cure must be performed later than two weeks after completion of treatment, in order to avoid false positive tests as a result of residual chlamydial antigen in the genitalia.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1993

[Prevalence of hospital infections in Norwegian somatic hospitals].

A nation-wide survey of the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections was carried out on 25 April 1991. The purpose of the study was to assess the size of the problem, to find out in which medical disciplines they occur and what types of infections dominate, and to motivate hospital personnel for training in infection control. The survey included 77 somatic hospitals with a total of 15,160 patients. 4,418 patients had undergone surgery during their stay in hospital. 1,063 were newborns. On the day of the survey 976 clinically manifest infections were recorded. This gave a total prevalence rate of 6.4%. At county level the prevalence rates varied from 3.8 to 8.9%. The prevalence rate for surgical wound infections was 3.7%. Urinary tract infections accounted for 33.6% of the total infections, followed by lower respiratory tract infections (16.8%), and surgical wound infections (16.6%). The study indicates in which medical disciplines the problems of infection are most serious, and where the control should be strengthened. It also provides a good basis for further detailed studies of hospital-acquired infections.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1992

[Contact tracing in genital chlamydia infections].

Only one in five general practitioners in Norway initiates notification of partner(s) after diagnosing a case of genital chlamydial infection. In order to increase the use of this efficient case-finding method we review the aims of notifying partners and the judicial, ethical and economical aspects of the method. We describe both provider-referral and patient-referral methods. The first approach is chosen when the index patient wants to remain anonymous. General practitioners are advised not to give the index patient medication for the contacts. Instead, the contacts should be examined and informed by qualified personnel. Notification of partner will be a cornerstone in the struggle to control the current epidemic of genital chlamydial infection in Norway.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1992

Asymptomatic subjects at HIV diagnosis have prolonged survival as AIDS patients.

The median AIDS survival for all AIDS patients was estimated as 11 months (95% confidence interval (Cl): 8-13 months). For the group of AIDS patients who were asymptomatic when HIV seropositivity was established, the median AIDS survival was 20 months (95% Cl: 13-23 months). For the group with symptomatic HIV infection or those who already had AIDS when HIV seropositivity was established, survival was estimated to 5 months (95% Cl: 1-15 months) and 4.5 months (95% Cl: 2-8 months), respectively. By using a Cox proportional hazard model it was found that being asymptomatic when HIV seropositivity was established or having Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia as the initial AIDS-related disease were associated with long AIDS survival. Being HIV infected by transfusion was associated with short survival. Long AIDS survival in the asymptomatic group may be explained by a positive selection of slow disease progressors. Differences in diagnostic routines may also cause systematic differences in the estimated AIDS survival.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Hospital-acquired infections in Norway: a national prevalence survey in 1991.

A 1-day prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) was carried out in Norwegian somatic hospitals in 1991. The survey aimed at assessing the problem of HAI. 950 infections were found among the 14977 surveyed patients (prevalence rate 6.3%). HAI were more prevalent in combined intensive care units (prevalence rate 22%), surgical intensive care units (17%), haematological wards (15%), special care baby units (14%), and geriatric wards (14%). Urinary tract infections were most prevalent (33% of all HAI) followed by respiratory tract infections (21%) and surgical wound infections (17%). 157 (3.6%) of the 4382 patients who had undergone surgery, had a surgical wound infection. With a high response rate (76 out of 84 hospitals) and a sensitive method of screening the patients (chart review and bedside examination), this survey gives a fairly reliable measure of the prevalence of HAI in Norwegian somatic hospitals.

Adult↗