1/14. Necrotizing periorbital fusarium infection--an emerging pathogen in immunocompetent individuals.Fungal infections of the skin and deeper tissues of the periorbital region are quite rare. We report a case of a localized, deep periorbital necrotizing fusarium infection in an otherwise healthy, elderly lady. Since the clinical features and histopathological findings of fusarium infection are by no means characteristic, the definitive diagnosis was achieved with the help of microbiological examination of cultured organisms. A combined medical and surgical therapy led to adequate control of infection. To conclude, localized, deep periorbital necrotizing soft tissue infection by fusarium in an immunocompetent lady is not reported in literature. One should have a high index of suspicion for emerging fungal pathogens in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing orbital or adnexal conditions, even in an immunocompetent patient. The histologic findings of septate, branching hyphae and vascular invasion cannot distinguish fusarium species from various other moulds such as aspergillus species; microbiologic studies are essential for confirming the diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/14. Fasciolopslasis--a re-emerging infection in Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh).Fasciolopsiasis is endemic in the far east. In india, there have been a few reports of the infection, prior to the 1990's. We report two cases from Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Both the cases were from nearby villages where water chestnuts are cultivated. These may be a source of infection. Pigs are commonly observed in these areas and and may be the source of ova. The only missing link is the finding of infected snails. Presence of at least three cases (one reported earlier) in the area indicates the potential for the infection to re-emerge. Further epidemiological studies are needed to analyse the various ecological factors of transmission. Fasciolopsiasis is endemic in china, taiwan, vietnam and thailand. In india, (Fascilopsis buski) infections in man have been reported earlier from Assam, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and parts of Uttar Pradesh. However, to the best of our knowledge, no such reports have been made since 1990's. We herewith report two recent cases from district Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), india. Factors, such as cultivation of water chestnuts, presence of snails as intermediate hosts and pigs as definitive host in this geographical area seem to be suggestive of an endemic focus and thus needs further epidemiological survey for preventive and control measures, at the earliest.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/14. photorhabdus species: bioluminescent bacteria as emerging human pathogens?We report two Australian patients with soft tissue infections due to photorhabdus species. Recognized as important insect pathogens, photorhabdus spp. are bioluminescent gram-negative bacilli. bacteria belonging to the genus are emerging as a cause of both localized soft tissue and disseminated infections in humans in the united states and australia. The source of infection in humans remains unknown.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/14. Gymnophalloides seoi: a new human intestinal trematode.A new minute intestinal fluke, recovered from a Korean woman suffering from acute pancreatitis and gastrointestinal difficulties, was described as Gymnophalloides seoi. The coastal village where the patient resided was found to be a highly endemic area for this fluke, and 24 other endemic areas have been found. This fluke infection is now recognized as an emerging parasitic disease. Its second intermediate host is the oyster, and migrating birds are a natural definitive host. This new trematode might exist in other countries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/14. nocardia veterana, a new emerging pathogen.nocardia veterana is a newly described species named after the veteran's hospital where it was first isolated. This initial type strain was not thought to be clinically significant. We describe three cases of pulmonary disease attributable to N. veterana: two cases in patients presenting with multiple pulmonary nodules in a setting of immunocompromise and one case of exacerbation of chronic pulmonary disease. The isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, imipenem, gentamicin, amikacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and had reduced susceptibilities to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, minocycline, and ciprofloxacin. The MICs of amoxicillin-clavulanate were higher than that of ampicillin alone, and the bacteria produced a beta-lactamase detectable only after induction with clavulanic acid. Phenotypically, the isolates could not be characterized beyond the nocardia genus level. All three isolates were definitively identified as N. veterana by PCR and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. On the basis of their susceptibility and restriction enzyme analysis profiles, our findings indicate that they could potentially be misidentified as N. nova. These cases illustrate the pathogenic potential of this newly described species and emphasize the importance of accurate identification of nocardia isolates to the species level by integrated use of phenotypic and genotypic methods.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/14. Human rabies: a reemerging disease in costa rica?Two human rabies cases caused by a bat-associated virus variant were identified in September 2001 in costa rica, after a 31-year absence of the disease in humans. Both patients lived in a rural area where cattle had a high risk for bat bites, but neither person had a definitive history of being bitten by a rabid animal. Characterization of the rabies viruses from the patients showed that the reservoir was the hematophagous Vampire Bat, Desmodus rotundus, and that a sick cat was the vector.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 52.694519730541keywords = person (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/14. Severe tungiasis in underprivileged communities: case series from brazil.tungiasis is caused by infestation with the sand flea (tunga penetrans). This ectoparasitosis is endemic in economically depressed communities in South American and African countries. tungiasis is usually considered an entomologic nuisance and does not receive much attention from healthcare professionals. During a study on tungiasis-related disease in an economically depressed area in Fortaleza, northeast brazil, we identified 16 persons infested with an extremely high number of parasites. These patients had >50 lesions each and showed signs of intense acute and chronic inflammation. superinfection of the lesions had led to pustule formation, suppuration, and ulceration. Debilitating sequelae, such as loss of nails and difficulty in walking, were constant. In economically depressed urban neighborhoods characterized by a high transmission potential, poor housing conditions, social neglect, and inadequate healthcare behavior, tungiasis may develop into severe disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 52.694519730541keywords = person (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/14. burkholderia pseudomallei: another emerging pathogen in cystic fibrosis.BACKGROUND: burkholderia pseudomallei is an important cause of acute fulminant pneumonia and septicaemia in tropical regions of northern australia and south east asia. Subacute and chronic forms of the disease also occur. There have been three recent reports of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) who presumably acquired B pseudomallei infection during extended vacations or residence in either thailand or northern australia. methods: The clinical course, molecular characteristics, serology and response to treatment are described in four adult CF patients infected with B pseudomallei. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods were used to confirm B pseudomallei and exclude B cepacia complex. Genotyping was performed using randomly amplified polymorphic dna (RAPD) PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: Four patients are described with a mean duration of infection of 32 months. All but one patient lived in tropical queensland. Two patients (with the longest duration of infection) deteriorated clinically and one subsequently died of respiratory failure. Both responded to intravenous treatment specifically targeting B pseudomallei. Another patient suffered two severe episodes of acute bronchopneumonia following acquisition of B pseudomallei. Eradication of the organism was not possible in any of the cases. PFGE of a sample isolate from each patient revealed the strains to be unique and RAPD analysis showed retention of the same strain within an individual over time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a potential pathogenic role for B pseudomallei in CF lung disease, producing both chronic infection and possibly acute bronchopneumonia. Identical isolates are retained over time and are unique, consistent with likely environmental acquisition and not person to person spread. B pseudomallei is emerging as a significant pathogen for patients with CF residing and holidaying in the tropics.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 105.38903946108keywords = person (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/14. nursing care of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome in the intensive care unit: case reports in hong kong.severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was diagnosed in more than 8437 patients in 25 countries between February and July 2003. During this period the world health Organisation issued a global alert about SARS and together with the Centre for disease Control have coordinated their efforts to investigate its pathogenesis and treatment. The outbreak in hong kong has been dramatic due to its geographical proximity with Guangdong province, china where the first case of SARS was reported. SARS has been described as a rapidly progressive, sometimes fatal pneumonia with a case fatality rate of 7.6% requiring intensive care. The four case reports illustrate a number of important points concerning the recognition, treatment, management and prevention of SARS, and highlights the importance of considering vigilant assessment and monitoring of patients with SARS. The purpose of this paper is to share our experiences in caring for critically ill patients with SARS in the intensive care unit to nurses globally in order to reduce SARS' morbidity and mortality as well as to protect nurses and other healthcare workers from this disease that is so far threatening the community at large.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/14. Human metapneumovirus-associated atypical pneumonia and SARS.Acute pneumonia developed in a previously healthy man during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in southern china in March 2003. Antibiotic treatment was ineffective, and he died 8 days after illness onset. Human metapneumovirus was isolated from lung tissue. No other pathogen was found. Other etiologic agents should thus be sought in apparent SARS cases when coronavirus infection cannot be confirmed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3.2386629656684keywords = illness, ill (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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