Infectious Disease Status Research Articles

Management of soft-tissue trauma to the face

The management of acute soft-tissue trauma can be very challenging for the facial plastic surgeon. The goals of management of facial trauma are the preservation of form and function. These goals are particularly important in facial soft-tissue trauma, where injuries can cause not only esthetic deformities but also can affect neural function, normal mastication, visual fields, and salivary outflow. This article outlines the evaluation and treatment of acute soft-tissue facial trauma. The key components include allowing for the stabilization of the patient, complete examination of the injury and face, thorough wound irrigation and debridement of necrotic tissue, preservation of all viable tissue, tension-free closure, and realignment of important facial esthetic structures. Special consideration must be given to injuries of functional structures such as the facial nerve, ductal systems or organs, and ensuring appropriated management of these structures.

Unusual magnetic resonance imaging features in Menkes disease

We present a case of an inherited disorder of copper metabolism, Menkes disease in which MRI studies revealed the coexistence of T2 hypersignal in the temporal white matter with an increase of apparent diffusion coefficient indicative of vasogenic oedema combined with T2 hypersignal of the putamen and head of the caudate and decreased apparent diffusion coefficient indicative of cytotoxic oedema. These unusual MRI features emphasize the interest of newly developed techniques in early diagnosis in Menkes disease. The acute cerebral damage might result from the combined effects of acute metabolic stress due to infectious disease and prolonged status epilepticus, acting on a highly susceptible developing brain. Vasogenic oedema in the temporal white matter could be related to prolonged status epilepticus and vascular abnormalities. Cytotoxic oedema of the putamen and head caudate could result from energetic failure.

Sampling programmes to establish and monitor the infectious disease status of cattle herds

INFECTIOUS diseases can play an important role in the economic viability of a beef or dairy enterprise. In particular, disease introduced into a naive herd can have detrimental effects on...

Serological survey of the infectious disease status of Old English Game fowl in the lower North Island, New Zealand

AIM: To investigate the serological status of Old English Game (OEG) cockerels for a range of infectious diseases of poultry. METHODS: Standard methods were used to screen serum collected from approximately 200 birds during routine dubbing operations, in 2004 and 2005. RESULTS: There was no serological evidence of infection with Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, or Salmonella Pullorum. Antibodies to infectious bronchitis virus, avian encephalomyelitis (AE) virus, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The disease status of OEG birds is similar to that of commercial poultry.

Prevalence of hepatitis and HIV infections and vaccination rates in patients entering the heroin-assisted treatment in Switzerland between 1994 and 2002

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains very prevalent in injection drug users (IDUs). In spite of recommended vaccinations against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), many IDUs remain susceptible to HAV and HBV. Patients entering heroin-assisted treatment between 2000 and 2002 (N = 210) were compared for infectious disease status with patients entering this treatment in 1998 (N = 243) and between 1994 and 1996 (N = 1035). Infection status was determined with the aid of questionnaires and blood tests for antibodies against HAV, HBV core antigen, HCV and HIV. In the cohort 2000-2002 78.3% of the patients were HCV positive, 53.3% were HBV positive, 41.2% were HAV positive and 12.6% were HIV positive. In comparison to the cohorts entering the heroin- assisted treatment at an earlier time, there was a significant reduction of HBV and HAV infections, but not of HCV and HIV infections. 15.6% of the patients entering between 2000 and 2002 were vaccinated against HBV and 10.3% against HAV. 31.1% of patients at entrance were susceptible for HBV and 48.5% for HAV. In comparison to patients entering treatment in 1998 there was no significant increase in patients who were vaccinated against HBV. This data illustrates the need for improving HCV prevention and more consequent vaccination against HBV and HAV in IDUs.

Relationship between hyperglycemia and symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage*

To determine the relationship between blood glucose levels (mg/dL) and occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm (VSP) and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Retrospective observational study of 352 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted within 48 hrs of ictus between January 1995 and June 2002. Neurointensive care unit. Adult patients admitted after subarachnoid hemorrhage. None. Variables included age; Hunt-Hess classification score; Fisher group; insulin use; infectious disease status; history of diabetes mellitus; and blood glucose values. Poor clinical outcome was defined by a modified Rankin score > or =3, and hyperglycemia was defined by a blood glucose level >140 mg/dL. Mean daily blood glucose values were assessed from admission to development of VSP or day 14. Mean admission blood glucose value, mean inpatient blood glucose value, insulin use, infectious disease status, Hunt-Hess classification score, Fisher group, and history of diabetes mellitus were entered in a Cox proportional hazards model. VSP occurred in 103 (29.2%) of 352 patients. Mean admission blood glucose values (176.6 +/- 40.3 mg/dL vs. 162.3 +/- 47.8 mg/dL; p = .01) and mean inpatient blood glucose values (166.2 +/- 24.7 mg/dL vs. 155.8 +/- 29.7 mg/dL; p = .001) were significantly higher in patients with VSP. Mean inpatient blood glucose value (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.03; p = .04), Hunt-Hess classification score > or =3 (relative risk, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.99; p = .02), and Fisher group score of 3 (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.1; p = .05) increased the risk for VSP. Hyperglycemia was associated with longer length of stay in the neurointensive care unit (14.5 +/- 7.1 days vs. 11.6 +/- 5.4 days; p < .001) and poor outcome at discharge (modified Rankin score > or =3: 58.9% vs. 18.8%; p < .001). Mean inpatient blood glucose value is associated with the development of VSP and may represent a target for therapy to prevent VSP and improve clinical outcomes.

Psychiatric and Substance Dependence Comorbidities, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Risk Behaviors Among Methamphetamine-Dependent Gay and Bisexual Men Seeking Outpatient Drug Abuse Treatment

This article describes psychiatric and substance dependence comorbidities, lifetime rates of infectious disease, and reported high-risk sexual behaviors for methamphetamine-dependent, gay and bisexual men at entry to outpatient drug abuse treatment in Los Angeles. Participants' selfreports of high-risk sexual and drug use behaviors and of history of infectious disease status were correlated with diagnostic information from 155 Structured Clinical Interviews for the DSM-IV (SCID). A total of 82 participants met criteria for lifetime depressive disorders; 44 participants met criteria for lifetime anxiety disorders. Compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses, significant differences were observed in lifetime prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among those who have generalized anxiety disorder (higher rates of genital gonorrhea), specific phobia and major depressive disorder (higher rates of oral gonorrhea), social phobia (higher rates of syphilis) and bipolar disorder, type I (higher rates of HIV). Differences in infectious disease prevalence did not correspond to significantly different rates of high-risk sexual behaviors. Findings indicate that gay and bisexual men seeking outpatient treatment for methamphetamine dependence are likely to experience psychiatric comorbidity and to have high rates of infectious disease, including HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.

Issues related to infectious disease and immunization status of immigrant children including immigrants, refugees and international adoptees.

Issues related to infectious disease and immunization status of immigrant children including immigrants, refugees and international adoptees.

Economic effects of subclinical infectious bursal disease on broiler production

A survey of the infectious bursal disease (IBD) status of 85 clinically normal broiler flocks was carried out. Flocks were grouped into three categories: flocks without IBD lesions (category A), flocks with typical acute IBD lesions (B) and flocks with typical chronic IBD lesions (C). Category A flocks achieved a net income per 1,000 birds which was 11% better (P<0.05) than category B flocks and 14% better (P<0.01) than category C flocks. The 85 broiler houses used by the surveyed flocks during production were similarly grouped into the three categories. Analysis of production data from 991 flocks comprising 14 million birds demonstrated that flocks reared in category A houses achieved a similar superiority in net income per 1,000 birds over those flocks reared in both category B and category C houses. Food conversion ratio and average weight per bird were also superior in flocks reared in category A houses. These findings suggest that IBD virus persisted from flock to flock in category B and category C houses. The differences in performance were greatly accentuated during the winter months. The results indicate that the presence of IBD virus infection accounts for about two-thirds of the reduced profitability achieved by broiler flocks in Northern Ireland during the winter.

Interaction of nutrition and infection: plans for future research

Future research concerning the interactions between infectious disease and nutritional status must extend our available knowledge concerning these two major problem areas. Critical studies must be designed in animal models as well as in man. The effects of malnutrition on immune responsiveness must be studied. Key information is lacking with respect to the utilization of host energy and protein during infection. Alterations in body chemistry are especially important in protracted diarrheal and respiratory diseases of children. A concensus has not yet been reached concerning the optimal approach to iron nutritional needs during infection or to those of other trace nutrients including the vitamins. Research needs in each of these areas are listed.