Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Clinical Utility Of Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio In Sickle Cell Disease With Vaso-Occlusive Crisis, Satish Maharaj, Simone Chang

Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy

Background and objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio represents a universally accessible value that correlates with inflammation and prognosis in several disease states; however, the role of this biomarker in sickle cell disease remains poorly explored. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine its potential clinical utility in patients with sickle cell disease.

Patients: Herein, we retrospectively reviewed 143 patients with sickle cell disease who presented to the emergency department with fever and painful vaso-occlusive crisis.

Results: The examined cohort had a prevalence of 11% confirmed bacterial infection, with approximately two-thirds reporting the use of hydroxyurea. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio …

Multiple Regression Models To Analyze Length Of Hospitalization Due To Nosocomial Infections In U.S. Hospitals, Ernest M. Oleksy

The Downtown Review

Nosocomial diseases are a serious concern and detriment to hospitals’ abilities to provide appropriate patient care. Bearing this in mind, an effort must be made to determine whether infection surveillance and control programs have reduced the rates of nosocomial infection at U.S. hospitals. The data that were studied were obtained as part of the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) and used to develop a model of what variables most contribute to a patient’s length of stay at the Cleveland Clinic (Quade et al, 1980).

Etiology Of Community Acquired Clostridium Difficile-Associated Disease, Shannan Sherman, Dr. Pamela Ark

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

A review of literature related to community acquired Clostridium difficile -associated disease (CA-CDAD) was conducted. Nine relevant studies were identified using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and MEDLINE-EBSCOhost databases. Clinical practice recommendations were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The studies provided information about epidemiology of infection due to C. difficile in the community and interventions to reduce transmission. Multiple studies found underlying gastrointestinal disorders and use of cephalosporin antibiotics to be a risk factor. Another risk factor was administration of gastric acid suppressive drugs. No particular C. difficile strain was more likely …

Fmt Placed By Colonoscopy: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nadia Huq, Veena Kumaravel, Aboud Affi, Maharaj Singh

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Fecal transplants are successful in the treatment of recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), but there is no consensus on the best method of instillation. Studies have shown greater success with lower gastrointestinal tract placement, but technical aspects of placement are not validated.

Purpose: This review aims to identify common traits and procedural techniques of successful fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) therapy via colonoscopy.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted using OVID Medline and PubMed for articles published from January 2010 to January 2016. The primary outcome of interest was cure by FMT placed via colonoscopy.

Results: Of the …

Path To Resistance: Risk Factors Associated With Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Kushal Patel, Jessica J.F. Kram, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: An estimated 51,000 health care-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections occur in the United States annually. More than 13% are secondary to non-carbapenem multidrug-resistant strains, which result in 400 yearly deaths. Traditional risk factors for resistance include ICU stay, mechanical ventilation, previous hospitalization and major comorbidities. As microbes evolve, risk factors also may evolve.

Purpose: To determine if traditional and/or new risk factors for P. aeruginosa resistance are valid and predictive of infection with carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Methods: We retrospectively studied inpatients and outpatients ≥ 18 years old who presented to an Aurora Health Care facility with a positive P. …

Blastomyces: Why Be Dimorphic?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In introducing the infectious disease focus for this edition of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the author describes the unsolved mysteries surrounding the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces and the related pathogenesis of pulmonary blastomycosis.