Cases Of Nosocomial Infection Research Articles

Rotavirus carriage, asymptomatic infection, and disease in the first two years of life. II. Serological response.

Serological response to rotavirus and virus shedding were prospectively studied in 179 children (neonatal to 24-month-old) upon admission to a hospital during an 11-month period. Analysis of the evolution of IgG and IgM ELISA titers revealed 24 cases of rotaviral disease (serological response and diarrhea), 13 cases of asymptomatic infection (serological response and no diarrhea), 36 cases of virus carriage (absence of a serological response), three cases of past infection, and six possible cases of nosocomial infection. Rotaviral disease was encountered two out of three times and was characterized by diarrhea associated with fever and vomiting. Asymptomatic rotaviral infection and disease, observed from the neonatal period onwards, affected 2% of neonates, 20% of one- to six-month-old children, and 37% of 7-24-month-old children. In contrast, virus carriage occurred in 27%, 19%, and 14% of those children respectively. Altogether these results indicate that during the period 1-24 months of age, when asymptomatic rotaviral infection and disease were prevalent, approximately two of 10 children had rotaviral disease, one of 10 had asymptomatic infection, two of 10 were virus carriers, and five of 10 were not infected with rotavirus.

Legionella infections: a review of five years of research.

In an attempt to place in perspective the role of Legionella pneumophila in human disease, the literature concerning this organism was reviewed. In the five years since the etiology of legionnaires' disease was elucidated, an impressive body of information has been gathered from retrospective investigations of illnesses of previously unidentified etiology and from studies of new cases of nosocomial or community-acquired infection caused by L. pneumophila. Topics on which considerable knowledge has been gained include the characteristics of L. pneumophila itself; the etiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of infection; the mechanisms of immunity to infection; the role of aerosols and potable water in the transmission of disease; the spectrum of clinical manifestations; the efficacy of therapy; the features of sporadic cases; and the rapid diagnosis of infection by direct immunofluorescent techniques and bacteriologic methods. A limited amount of research has also been done on six other species of Legionella, all of which have been associated with pneumonia in humans.

Nosocomial infection with highly resistant, Proteus rettgeri. Report of an epidemic.

Over 22-1/2 months an epidemic of at least 127 cases of nosocomial infection developed from a strain of Proteus rettgeri resistant to all antibiotics commonly tested in hospital laboratories. Although there were at least four cases of septicemia and one related death, the majority of cases consisted of asymptomatic bacteriuria or clinically mild urinary tract infection. Indwelling urinary tract devices and antibiotic therapy were important predisposing factors. Data supported an association between increasing use of gentamicin and increasing rates of resistant infection. No common source was found, and contact spread appeared more likely. Control measures included efforts to reduce unnecessary exposure to the incriminated risk factors and to improve asepsis in the management of catheterized patients. An additional 36 cases and one related death were identified in the 7-1/2 months following the investigation and institution of control measures. Nosocomial infection with extremely resistant organisms may pose a serious hazard wherever indwelling urinary tract devices and antibiotics are used together intensively.