Impact of an automatic hospital probiotic protocol on () infection (CDI) rates and CDI antibiotic usage in a community hospital setting.

The aim of the present study was to see how widespread preventative use of the probiotic via automatic protocol in hospitalised patients receiving antibacterials affected rates of hospital-associated () infection (HA-CDI). Rates of HA-CDI appeared to be similar between the pre-protocol and protocol periods. Use of CDI treatment antibiotics (oral metronidazole and oral vancomycin) was also similar.

Nosocomial Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 5: laboratory and epidemiologic implications.

Environmental monitoring and clinical surveillance for Legionella species were done for 12 months as recommended by the Allegheny County Health Department (Pittsburgh). The water system of a hospital was found to be colonized with Legionella pneumophila serogroup 5. Three patients with nosocomial L.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome as a complication of postanginal sepsis.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was described in 1971 by Petty and Ashbaugh. Since that time it has been reported in association with many disease entities. We report a case in which a patient with postanginal sepsis, also known as Lemierre's syndrome, had development of ARDS.

Mycobacterium fortuitum presenting as an asymptomatic enlarging pulmonary nodule.

A case of Mycobacterium fortuitum presenting as an asymptomatic enlarging pulmonary nodule is described. This case is unusual because the patient was female, did not have underlying pulmonary disease, was not immunocompromised, had no evidence of dissemination, and had no history of aspiration or diabetes mellitus. The patient underwent thoractomy for resection of the pulmonary nodule, which led to the diagnosis.

Bilateral otitis media and hearing loss in an adult.

Bilateral otitis media, an uncommon entity in adults, may represent the initial manifestation of a life-threatening systemic disease. Prompt recognition and treatment of the underlying disease is needed to preserve auditory function and prevent involvement of other organ systems. We present the case of a thirty-four-year-old male with bilateral serous otitis media and progressive hearing loss, which was refractory to antimicrobial therapy and middle ear drainage.