Containment of carbapenem resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii in a Greek hospital with a concomitant increase in colistin, gentamicin and tigecycline resistance.

In 2010 the Hellenic center for disease control and prevention launched the "Prokroustes" nationwide action plan to tackle the increasing rates of carbapenem resistance among gram-negative nosocomial pathogens. In the present report, data from a Greek tertiary-care hospital are presented three years after the adoption of the infection control measures. Carbapenem resistance rates have been contained for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii but not for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Effect of one-year oral alpha-tocopherol administration on the antioxidant defense system in hemodialysis patients.

Oxidative stress is increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients and contributes to the increased morbidity and mortality in this population. Vitamin E is an antioxidant agent. In the present study the effect of prolonged oral alpha-tocopherol administration on the antioxidant defense system was evaluated.

Effect of 1-year oral alpha-tocopherol administration on anticardiolipin antibodies in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have been related to an increased incidence of thrombotic episodes and atherosclerosis progression. ACA levels are elevated in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Atheroembolic episodes are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population.