BACKGROUND Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly responsible for nosocomial infections, including ICU-acquired infections. Due to high virulence, rate of multi-drug resistance and limited availability of new agents, these infections create cumbersome clinical burdens, making it important to reduce the risk of their occurrence. The aim of the study was to assess epidemiology-related factors an...

INTRODUCTION Microbiological profiles were analysed and compared for intra-abdominal, urinary, respiratory and bloodstream infections according to place of acquisition: community-acquired, with a separate analysis of healthcare-associated, and hospital-acquired. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective cohort study performed at a university tertiary care hospital over 1 year. Inclusion criteria were ...

The epidemiological characteristics of nosocomial infections among patients requiring chronic hemodialysis, a high-risk and rapidly growing population, have not been fully elucidated. During a 30-month cohort study, rates of bloodstream infections (BSIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile and the distribution of pathogens among hospitalized...

Nosocomial bloodstream infections are a leading cause of death in the United States. If we assume a nosocomial infection rate of 5%, of which 10% are bloodstream infections, and an attributable mortality rate of 15%, bloodstream infections would represent the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Because most risk factors for dying after bacteremia or fungemia may not be changeabl...

In this issue of Virulence, Asplund et al., provides a proof of principle study indicating that physiological concentrations of alcohol impair macrophage antimicrobial functions against Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab). Thus, this communication delivers seminal evidence that alcohol and macrophages plays a key role the pathogenesis of Ab. Ab is a wide spectrum of intrinsic and acquired multidrug-re...

Native valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci has become more common. A study of 35 cases showed that the infections were usually acquired in the community and occurred in men (mean age 51 years). A pre-existing cardiac abnormality (mitral leaflet prolapse in a third of patients) was detected in 26 (74%). The source of the organisms in the community acquired infections wa...

OBJECTIVE To determine the percentage and frequency of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community and hospital-acquired pyogenic skin and soft tissue infections. METHODS The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dermatology Department of Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad, from June 2009 to March 2010, and comprised 144 community-acquired and 54 hospital-acq...

Campylobacter jejuni isolates (n = 533) from domestic cases diagnosed in Finland during a 3-month peak period were studied. The highest rate was observed among those 70-74 years of age. Domestic C. jejuni isolates were especially frequent in the eastern districts. Six serotypes covered 61% of all C. jejuni isolates.