Impact of immunosuppression on incidence, aetiology and outcome of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections.

The aim of this planned analysis of the prospective multinational TAVeM database was to determine the incidence, aetiology and impact on outcome of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTI) in immunocompromised patients.All patients receiving mechanical ventilation for >48 h were included. Immunocompromised patients (n=663) were compared with non-immunocompromised patients (n=2297).

Neurosyphilis versus Herpes Encephalitis in a Patient with Confusion, Memory Loss, and T2-Weighted Mesiotemporal Hyperintensity.

Acute confusion and memory loss associated with asymmetrical mesiotemporal hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI are characteristic of herpes encephalitis. The authors report the case of a patient with these symptoms and MRI presentation who had neurosyphilis. Recently clinical and imaging patterns usually associated with herpes simplex encephalitis have been seen in patients with neurosyphilis.

Severe isolated thrombocytopenia after clopidogrel and pentoxifylline therapy: a case report.

Introduction: Clopidogrel is frequently associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, however this drug is rarely related to severe isolated thrombocytopenia. Pentoxifylline has previously been associated with thrombocytopenia only once. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of severe isolated thrombocytopenia after therapy with both clopidogrel and pentoxyfilline.