Prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis represents a defined pathological entity which follows an epidemiological and nosological pattern in accordance to an arbitrary classification. Chronologically it is divided into the entities of early and late prosthetic valve endocarditis, each with its own unique characteristics. The clinical features, complications and diagnosis do not vary much from native valve endocarditis.

Phenotypic confirmation of extended-spectrum B-lactamases (ESBL) in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Extended-spectrum Beta (beta)-lactamases (ESBLs) have emerged as an important mechanism of resistance to B-lactam antibiotics in gram-negative bacteria (GNB). They are enzymes that hydrolyze older B-lactam antibiotics as well as broad-spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. ESBL producers have been reported in many bacteria but special attention has been paid to the ones in E.

Management of urinary tract infections, decubitus ulcer and pneumonia in the aging person.

Infections in the older person are common and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections of the urinary tract, skin and soft tissue infections including decubitus ulcers, antibiotics associated diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections are particularly important in the elderly because of their frequency. While most initial antibiotic therapy is empiric, its important before treatment to try to document the etiology for better use of antibiotics.

Potentially serious infections in the aging person: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Infections in the elderly patient are a challenge, since the classical signs of infection are absent or ill defined. The present paper describes the presentation, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment for a selected group of potential serious infections including influenza, bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infections as well as infections caused by multiresistant bacteria, like vacomycin-resistant enterococcus and methicillin resistant S. aureus.