Search results for "INFECTIONS"

An innovative risk-scoring system of dental procedures and safety protocols in the COVID-19 era

2020

Abstract Background The aim of this paper is to assess an innovative risk score for common dental procedures, based on the most recent contaminant SARS-CoV-2. After scoring the level of infection risk, safety procedures, advice and personal protective equipment (PPE) are recommended for the dental team in each dental practice. Methods The authors of this research analysed 42 common dental procedures on the basis of known transmission risks. In increasing order, many consider the parameters leading to different risk scores for the dental team and patients for each procedure to be: direct contact with saliva (score 1), direct contact with blood (score 2), production of low levels of spray/aer…

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in the saliva of sexually active women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias

2020

Background The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of human papillomavirus-DNA (HPV-DNA) in the saliva of sexually active women with HPV-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) and compare the findings with a healthy control group. The secondary objectives were: 1) to determine the concordance between genital and oral HPV types in sexually active women with HPV-related CIN; 2) to analyze whether sexual habits influence the presence of HPV-related CIN; 3) to determine whether sexual habits influence the presence of oral HPV. Material and Methods Saliva samples were collected from 100 sexually active women, 50 with HPV-related CIN and 50 healthy subjects pres…

Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia, Spain: norovirus versus Salmonella.

2008

Objective. To describe the epidemiology of norovirus (NV) and Salmonella gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia between 15 October 2004 and 30 October 2005. Material and methods. Epidemiological data were obtained from outbreak reports. The aetiologic agent was investigated by culture for enteric bacteria, enzyme immunoanalyses, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and molecular epidemiology genotyping for NV. The x 2 test was used to compare proportions. Incidence rates and their confidence intervals (CI) were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. Results. A total of 225 acute gastroenteritis (AG) outbreaks were reported, with 3436 persons affected and 115 hospita…

Procalcitonin for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis: what is the evidence?

2017

Abstracts Procalcitonin is a widely used marker for the evaluation of infection and sepsis and to guide antibiotic therapy. During the last decade, several studies evaluated its role and diagnostic performance as a surrogate marker for the identification of Candida spp. in suspected invasive candidiasis. A low serum level and a favorable negative predictive value are the main findings for procalcitonin in this setting. The aim of this report is to provide an updated brief summary of the evidence supporting the use of PCT for the management of invasive candidiasis.

Plasmid diversity in Vibrio vulnificus biotypes.

2009

Vibrio vulnificus is a heterogeneous bacterial species that can be virulent for humans and fish. Virulence in fish seems to rely on a recently described plasmid that can be transmitted between strains, aided by a conjugative plasmid. The main objective of this work was to analyse the plasmid content of a wide collection of strains from the three biotypes of the species, as well as to identify putative conjugative and virulence plasmids by means of Southern hybridization with specific probes and sequence analysis of selected gene markers. We found 28 different plasmid profiles in a total of 112 strains, which were relatively biotype- or serovar-specific. Biotype 1 lacked high-molecular-mass…

JC Virus, Helicobacter pylori, and Oesophageal Achalasia: Preliminary Results from a Retrospective Case-Control Study.

2012

Management of Intra-abdominal Infections due to Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms.

2014

The prevalence of bacterial resistance to carbapenem antibiotics continues to increase because of bacteria producing metallo-β-lactamases (MBL), called carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). Enterobacteriaceae, which can be a common cause of intra-abdominal infections (IAIs), have become carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Updated international guidelines for the treatment of both IAIs and IAIs due to CRE have been published. Given the multifaceted nature of these infections, these recommendations have been jointly reviewed and endorsed by the Surgical Society and the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease. The aims of this review are to summarize the genera…

The Italian paediatric society raccomandations on children and adolescents extra-domestic activities during the SARS COV-2 emergency phase 2

2020

Abstract Background Due to novel coronavirus infection emergency, restricting measures have been imposed in Italy. As well as adults, also children are limited in their daily routine. Main text As the lockdown period is expected to end on 3rd May 2020, we discuss the opportunity for children to practice safely recreational or physical activity outdoor. Conclusion The Italian Paediatric Society recommends specific recreational and physical activities according to the age of the children and respecting social distancing.

Telemedicine during Covid-19 pandemic: Advantage or critical issue?

2020

Telemedicine offers a support to traditional medicine, delivering clinical services when distance is a critical factor. Although this tool does not replace a medical examination, during Covid-19 pandemic, it reduces the spread of infection and avoids the need for a patient’s visit. It is useful in the management of chronic disorders or for patients undergoing palliative treatment. The University Hospital of Palermo has applied this in cases of chronic illness caring for patients who cannot stop their treatment, such as Department of Onco-Haematology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, etc. The Department of Legal Medicine of Palermo, in particular, is also using telemedicine to manage medico-…

Telemedicine Online Visits in Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic-Potential, Risk Factors, and Patients' Perspective.

2020

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed considerable strain on hospital resources. We explored whether telemedicine (defined as a videoconference) might help. We undertook prospective structured phone interviews of urological patients (n = 399). We evaluated their suitability for telemedicine (judged by a panel of four physicians) and their risks from COVID-19 (10 factors for a poor outcome), and collected willingness for telemedicine and demographic data. Risk factors for an adverse outcome from COVID-19 infection were common (94.5% had one or more) and most patients (63.2%) were judged suitable for telemedicine. When asked, 84.7% of patients wished for a teleme…