Prevalence and clinical significance of heparin induced antibodies in chronic hemodialysis patients and cardiac surgery patients.

Introduction: The prevalence of heparin-induced antibodies (HIA) varies widely among reported series, but is generally higher in cardiac surgery than hemodialysis patients. This study was designed to explore the reasons behind the different prevalence of HIA in these two populations.

Methods: Blood samples from all hemodialysis and cardiac surgery patients in our hospital were examined for HIA.

Nursing and physician attire as possible source of nosocomial infections.

Background: Uniforms worn by medical and nursing staff are not usually considered important in the transmission of microorganisms. We investigated the rate of potentially pathogenic bacteria present on uniforms worn by hospital staff, as well as the bacterial load of these microorganisms.

Methods: Cultures were obtained from uniforms of nurses and physicians by pressing standard blood agar plates at the abdominal zone, sleeve ends, and pockets.

The cellular immunological responses of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting compared with those of patients undergoing valve replacement.

Objective: Major surgical intervention such as cardiac surgery has been shown to have profound effects on the immune system. We conducted a prospective study comparing the effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus isolated valve surgery.

Methods: Blood samples were drawn from 59 patients undergoing either elective CABG or elective isolated valve replacement surgery.

[Vibrio vulnificus infection outside of the fish ponds in northern Israel: acquisition in the "Einot Tzukim" springs near the Dead Sea].

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative bacterium that may cause severe skin and systemic infection after exposure of open wounds to contaminated water, especially in patients with underlying disease such as immune-deficiency, iron overload or end stage liver or renal disease. The V. vulnificus infection has been reported in Israel almost exclusively after exposure to Tilapia fish cultivated in fresh water fish ponds in northern Israel.

[Gastrointestinal carriage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children residing in chronic care institutes in Jerusalem: high prevalence and high rates of antibiotic resistance].

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa carriage in the gastrointestinal tract is uncommon in healthy children. Children living in chronic care institutions are often carriers of P. aeruginosa in the respiratory tract, but data is lacking regarding gastrointestinal carriage in these children.