Sensitivity and clinical utility of the anti-cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A (cN1A) antibody test in sporadic inclusion body myositis: Report of 40 patients from a single neuromuscular center.

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired myopathy affecting patients over age 50. The discovery of an autoantibody directed against a 43-44 kD protein (anti-cytosolic-5'-nucleotidase 1A or anti-cN1A) has provided support for the hypothesis of an immune-mediated pathogenesis. Previous studies have reported variable test sensitivity and specificity, and inconsistent results on the predictive value.

The Role of Patient History and Body Site Surveillance Cultures as Predictors of Colonization in a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Setting.

Background: Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) have high rates of antibiotic and device use, hospital-acquired infections, and antibiotic resistance. Admission surveillance cultures are controversial.

Objective: Evaluate the significance of patienthistory and multiple body site admission surveillance cultures for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).

Low rate of bacteremia with a subcutaneously implanted central venous access device.

Purpose: Patients at long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) are medically complex with multiple comorbidities and high rates of antibiotic and device use. The objective of the study was to analyze the incidence and rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and the critical factors for patient care, management, placement and maintenance of the implanted central venous access device at this LTAC.

Methods: A 13-year retrospective chart review was performed comprising 191 medically complex patients with multiple comorbidities who had an implanted central line port.