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Nosocomial infections in a Dutch neonatal intensive care unit: surveillance study with definitions for infection specifically adapted for neonates.

The incidence of nosocomial infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is high compared with other wards. However, no definitions for hospital-acquired infection are available for NICUs. The aim of this study was to measure the incidence of such infections and to identify risk factors in the NICU of the VU University Medical Center, which serves as a level III regional NICU. For this purpose, a prospective surveillance was performed in 1998-2000. We designed definitions by adjusting the current definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children <1 year of age. Birth weight was stratified into four categories and other baseline risk factors were dichotomized. Analysis of risk factors was performed by Cox regression with time-dependent variables. The relationship between the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) and nosocomial infection was investigated. Furthermore, for a random sample of cases, we determined whether bloodstream infection and pneumonia would also have been identified with the CDC definitions. Seven hundred and forty-two neonates were included in the study. One hundred and ninety-one neonates developed 264 infections. Bloodstream infection (N=138, 14.9/1000 patient-days) and pneumonia (N=69, 7.5/1000 patient-days) were the most common infections. Of bloodstream infections, 59% were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci; in 21% of neonates, blood cultures remained negative. In 25% of pneumonias, Enterobacteriaceae were the causative micro-organisms; 26% of cultures remained negative. Compared with the Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) of the CDC, our device utilization ratios and device-associated nosocomial infection rates were high. The main risk factors for bloodstream infection were birth weight [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-2.17] and parenteral feeding with hospital-pharmacy-produced, all-in-one mixture 'Minimix' (HR 3.69, 95%CI 2.03-6.69); administration of intravenous antibiotics (HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.26-0.56) was a protective risk factor. The main risk factors for pneumonia were low birth weight (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.01-1.85) and mechanical ventilation (HR 9.69, 95%CI 4.60-20.4); intravenous antibiotics were protective (HR 0.37, 95%CI 0.21-0.64). In a subcohort of 232 very-low-birthweight neonates, the CRIB was not predictive for infection. With the CDC criteria, only 75% (21/28) of bloodstream infections and 87.5% of pneumonias (21/24) would have been identified. In conclusion, our local nosocomial infection rates are high compared with those of NICUs participating in the NNIS. This can be partially explained by: (1) the use of our definitions for nosocomial infection, which are more suitable for this patient category; and (2) the high device utilization ratios.

Bacteremia↗

Cryoglobulinemia in subjects with HCV infection alone, HIV infection and HCV/HIV coinfection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in three groups of patients: HCV-positive/HIV-negative, HCV/HIV co-infected and HIV mono-infected. METHODS: From September 2002 to December 2003, 58 patients with documented HCV infection, 70 subjects with HIV/HCV co-infection, and 48 subjects with HIV infection alone were enrolled. Serum samples were tested for detectable cryoglobulins, liver enzymes, HCV viral load and HCV genotypes. Plasma HIV-RNA levels and CD4+ cell count were also evaluated in HIV-positive subjects. RESULTS: Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 24.1% HCV mono-infected, 14.2% HCV/HIV co-infected and 6% HIV mono-infected patients. A significant statistical correlation was found between the presence of cryoglobulins and HCV infection (P = 0.03), while cryoglobulins were unrelated to HIV mono-infection (P = 0.16) and HCV/HIV co-infection (P=0.7). No significant correlation was observed between the presence of cryoglobulinemia and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, HCV viremia and duration of HCV infection. Circulating cryoglobulins in HIV patients were not correlated with plasma HIV viral load, CD4+ cell count or duration of HIV infection. Only two HCV mono-infected patients complained of arthralgia. CONCLUSION: A similar rate of cryoglobulinemia prevalence was detected in the patient groups with an HCV-related infection. HIV infection does not appear to play a significant role in cryoglobulin production.

Adult↗

Musculoskeletal infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Musculoskeletal infections constitute an unusual clinical manifestation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Available information about patients' characteristics and their clinical course has been obtained mainly from case reports and small retrospective studies. Our retrospective study is the largest in the literature providing detailed information about the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HIV-infected patients with different musculoskeletal infections. We identified 30 patients with various infections of the musculoskeletal system during a 5-year period among a cohort of 3,000-4,000 HIV-infected patients, and we describe them along with all cases of musculoskeletal infections in patients with HIV reported in the literature since 1985. Septic arthritis was the most commonly reported infection of the musculoskeletal system. It usually affects young men with a median CD4 count of 241. The exact contribution of a previous history of intravenous drug abuse in the pathogenesis of septic arthritis is unclear from the present and previous studies. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated agent (31.3%). Numerous atypical pathogens were also identified as causes of septic arthritis. Approximately 90% of patients recovered with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Osteomyelitis was a more serious infection which also affected young individuals but with lower CD4 counts (median, 41). Half the cases were due to atypical mycobacteria. The mortality rate in the previously reported cases and in our series was high (20%). Pyomyositis is an increasingly recognized infection of the striated muscles in HIV-infected patients. It affects almost exclusively males with advanced HIV infection (median CD4 count, 24). Most cases are due to Staphylococcus aureus (67%). Drainage of the involved muscle(s) accompanied by proper antibiotic treatment resulted in resolution of the infection in the majority of patients (90%). Although the incidence of musculoskeletal infections in patients with HIV from this and previous studies appears to be low (0.3%-3.5%), these infections add a significant morbidity and mortality in the affected individuals. Better understanding of their pathogenesis and clinical course would aid the proper diagnosis and management of these infections.

Adult↗

Coxsackievirus B infection in pregnant mice and transplacental infection of the fetus.

Direct instillation of coxsackievirus B1 into the gastrointestinal tracts of albino mice caused viremia in more than 85% of the animals within 1 day. In pregnant mice infected early in gestation (7 days), the geometric mean titer of virus in the blood was lower (P = 0.02) and the duration of viremia was shorter (P = 0.07) than in nonpregnant female mice, but infection of the heart, liver, and uterus did not differ on each of 5 days after infection. Although transplacental infection of the placenta or fetus or both occurred, the high spontaneous abortion rate (48%) obviated comparison of transplacental infection in these mice with mice infected later in gestation. Pregnant mice infected in the third trimester had significantly greater geometric mean titers of virus in the blood, heart, liver, and uterus, and infection persisted longer than in nonpregnant mice (P = 0.04). A very high geometric mean titer of virus was recovered from the uteri of these mice for 3 days after infection, whereas simultaneous geometric mean titers of virus in the placentas and fetuses were lower. In the majority of third trimester pregnant mice, virus was found in low titers in the fetuses at 2 and 3 days after maternal infection, and virus was not detected after day 3. We conclude that coxsackievirus B1 infection in late gestational pregnant mice is more severe than in mice at earlier gestational stages and in nonpregnant mice and that transplacental infection of the fetus occurs transiently during maternal infection. This model will prove useful in the study of perinatal enterovirus infection and in examination of the numerous factors that may influence outcome of infection of perinatally infected newborn infants.

Animals↗

Anal human papillomavirus infection in women and its relationship with cervical infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, is also associated with the development of anal cancer. Relatively little is known about the epidemiology of anal HPV infection among healthy females and its relationship to cervical infection. We sought to characterize anal HPV infection in a cohort of adult women in Hawaii. Overall, 27% (372 of 1,378) of women were positive for anal HPV DNA at baseline compared with 29% (692 of 2,372) with cervical HPV DNA. Among women with paired anal and cervical samples, anal infection without accompanying cervical infection was observed in 14% (190 of 1,363). Concurrent anal and cervical HPV infections were observed in 13% (178 of 1,363) of women. Women with cervical HPV infection had >3-fold increased risk of concurrent anal infection. Concurrent anal and cervical HPV infection was most prevalent among the youngest women and steadily decreased through age 50 years. By contrast, the prevalence of anal infection alone remained relatively steady in all age groups. Compared with cervical infections, the overall distribution of HPV genotypes in the anus was more heterogeneous and included a greater proportion of nononcogenic types. A high degree of genotype-specific concordance was observed among concurrent anal and cervical infections, indicating a common source of infection. Nevertheless, the association of anal intercourse with anal HPV infection was limited to those women without accompanying cervical infection. The relationship of anal to cervical infection as described in this study has implications for the development of anal malignancies in women.

Adult↗

Tendon involvement in pedal infection: MR analysis of frequency, distribution, and spread of infection.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the frequency, distribution, and extent of tendon involvement in patients with pedal infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast-enhanced MR imaging examinations of 159 infected feet performed at 1.5 T were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists for the presence and location of tendon infection (peritendinous enhancement contiguous to an adjacent ulcer or cellulitis) and for the spread of infection along tendons, which was defined as peritendinous contrast enhancement extending more than 2 cm beyond surrounding cellulitis. The study group was composed of 156 consecutive patients, 82.7% of whom had diabetes; all patients underwent subsequent surgical treatment. Results of MR evaluations were compared with the patients' charts and surgical reports. RESULTS: Of the 129 MR examinations showing an infection in the forefoot, MR evidence of tendon involvement in the infection was observed in 56 MR examinations (43%). The sum of involved tendons per ray was as follows: first ray (flexor tendon, n = 19; extensor tendon, n = 13), second (flexor tendon, n = 12; extensor tendon, n = 7), third (flexor tendon, n = 5; extensor tendon, n = 4), fourth (flexor tendon, n = 5; extensor tendon, n = 1), and fifth (flexor tendon, n = 11; extensor tendon, n = 6). Of the 32 MR examinations showing infection in the hindfoot, 14 examinations (44%) showed evidence of tendon involvement, most frequently of the distal Achilles tendon (n = 7). MR evidence of the spread of infection along a tendon was seen in 12 examinations, always with proximal spread of infection; and infection led to the development of an abscess in the central plantar compartment in three patients. Intraoperative evidence of a tendon infection was documented in 11 patients. The surgical procedure was altered because of the tendon infection in six patients. CONCLUSION: MR evidence of tendon infection is present in approximately half the patients who require surgery for pedal infection. Evidence of spread of the infection along tendons is seen infrequently on MR imaging. Detection of a tendon infection could influence surgical therapy.

Adult↗

Prevalence of rat virus infection in progeny of acutely or persistently infected pregnant rats.

Infant rats are susceptible to persistent rat virus (RV) infection, but risk of persistent infection after prenatal exposure to virus is unclear. We examined this aspect of RV infection in the progeny of dams inoculated with virus during or prior to pregnancy. Sprague-Dawley (SD) dams were infected during pregnancy (gestation day 9) by oronasal inoculation with 10(5) TCID50 of the UMass strain of RV. SD rats were infected prior to pregnancy by oronasal inoculation of two-day-old females with 10(2) TCID50 of RV-UMass, which induced persistent infection. They were mated to non-immune males after reaching sexual maturity. Rats were assessed for RV infection by virus isolation, in situ hybridization, contact transmission, or serologic testing. The progeny of dams inoculated with virus during gestation had high prevalence of infection through postpartum week 9 (9 of 12 rats were virus positive at week 3, and 7 of 10 were virus positive at week 9). Additionally, 2 of 10 rats were virus positive at least through postpartum week 15. The progeny from persistently infected, seropositive dams had no evidence of infection and did not transmit infection to contact sentinels. However, 12 dams were virus positive at necropsy and 9 had transmitted infection to their breeding partners. These results indicate that prenatal infection in non-immune dams can lead to RV persistence in their progeny. By contrast, the progeny of persistently infected dams are protected from infection, presumably by maternal antibody, although their dams can transmit infection to their breeding partners.

Acute Disease↗

National nosocomial infection surveillance system-based study in Iran: additional hospital stay attributable to nosocomial infections.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infection is a serious health and financial problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the extra hospital stay attributable to nosocomial infections for patients undergoing surgery. METHOD: All patients undergoing surgery admitted from March 1, 1999, to February 28, 2000, to the 38-bed general surgery ward within a university hospital in Shiraz, Iran, were included in this study. The study was planned as a pairwise-matched case-control study nested in cohort design. A case was defined as any patient with 1 of 4 of the following nosocomial infections: urinary tract infection; surgical site infection; bloodstream infection; or pneumonia, whereby definitions for the nosocomial infections were on the basis of National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system definitions. For each patient, an appropriate match was selected, which resulted in 69 pairs of study patients. RESULTS: The total incidence of nosocomial infection during the study period was 17.59%. The mean extra length of hospitalization as a result of all major kinds of nosocomial infections was 6.62 days total, which was obtained using 4.4, 5.33, 8.73, and 9.2 extra days for urinary tract infection, pneumonia, surgical site infection, and bloodstream infection, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infections add considerable costs to the health care system in Iran. Therefore, the development of strategies and concepts to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections is cost-effective and warranted, and an appropriate surveillance system on the basis of international criteria is the cornerstone for this task.

Case-Control Studies↗