0000000000445458
AUTHOR
M Trizzino
Real-time PCR for early diagnosis of Rickettsia conorii and prompt management in patients with septic shock and multiple organ failure: two case reports
We herein describe two severe cases of Mediterranean spotted fever caused by Rickettsia conorii. The ar- ticle presents polymerase chain reaction-restriction analysis as an early diagnostic tool for rickettsiosis caused by spotted fever group Rickettsiae. Timely microbiological diagnosis, the combined use of antibi- otics, intensive care measures and a multidisciplinary team approach are fundamental to manage these serious diseases.
Incidence and risk factors for liver enzyme elevation among naive HIV-1-infected patients receiving ART in the ICONA cohort
AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors for liver enzyme elevations (LEE) in patients initiating first-line ART in the ICONA prospective observational cohort, between June 2009 and December 2017.Patients and methodsIn total, 6575 ART-naive patients were selected, initiating two NRTIs with the third drug being a boosted PI (n=2436; 37.0%), an NNRTI (n=2384; 36.3%) or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) (n=1755; 26.7%). HBV surface antigen and HCV RNA were detected in 3.9% and 5.8% of the study population. Inverse probability weighted Cox regression analysis was used to calculate the HRs, according to first-line regimen, for LEE, defined as ALT or AST increases…
One-year surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in health-care setting, Palermo, Italy
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging cause of infections outside of health care settings. We carried out a survey to determine the prevalence and characteristics of MRSA isolates (CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA) identified among in- and outpatients by the clinical microbiology laboratories of four general hospitals in Palermo, Italy during the period February-January 2010. Methods: Participating laboratories performed isolation, confirmed methicillin-resistance by their routine method and weekly sent their strains to the coordinating laboratory at the Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Italy. The isolates were tes…