The Fusion of Lipid and DNA Nanotechnology.

Lipid membranes form the boundary of many biological compartments, including organelles and cells. Consisting of two leaflets of amphipathic molecules, the bilayer membrane forms an impermeable barrier to ions and small molecules. Controlled transport of molecules across lipid membranes is a fundamental biological process that is facilitated by a diverse range of membrane proteins, including ion-channels and pores.

Analysis Of The KLIC-score; An Outcome Predictor Tool For Prosthetic Joint Infections Treated With Debridement, Antibiotics And Implant Retention.

Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) forms the primary treatment modality for early prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The KLIC score has been proposed as a risk stratification tool for use in predicting outcome of prosthetic knee infections. Our aim was to determine the accuracy of this scoring system at an independent tertiary PJI centre in a typical DAIR population.

Does screening neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit for Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization help prevent infection?

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a Gram-negative environmental organism that can cause severe infection in immunosuppressed patients, including preterm neonates. In recent years, it has become common practice to screen neonates for PA colonization.

Aim: To assess the value of screening neonates for PA in (1) predicting the risk of developing severe PA infection and (2) directing infection control practice.

Impact of moving to a new hospital build, with a high proportion of single rooms, on healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks.

Clostridium difficile infection, meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Escherichia coli bacteraemia rates, and bed-days lost during norovirus outbreaks at North Bristol NHS Trust were analysed over a five-year period to determine whether moving to a new-build hospital with 75% single rooms reduced healthcare-associated infection rates. C. difficile, MSSA bacteraemia and E.

Role of early intravenous to oral antibiotic switch therapy in the management of prosthetic hip infection treated with one- or two-stage replacement.

Objectives: To determine outcomes for an antibiotic regimen using early switch to oral antibiotics for treatment of infected total hip replacement (THR) treated by either a one-stage or two-stage procedure.

Methods: Cases of infected THR were identified from the microbiology records on all orthopaedic infections in a 24 month period. Diagnosis was made by microbiological culture of theatre specimens and findings at the time of surgery.

Antibiotic treatment of gram-positive bone and joint infections.

Gram-positive organisms, particularly staphylococci and streptococci, are responsible for the majority of bone and joint infections. Treatment of these infections can be difficult, usually involving a prolonged course of antibiotics, often with surgical intervention. The selection of antibiotics depends on sensitivity profile, patient tolerance and long-term goals, e.

The use and therapeutic drug monitoring of teicoplanin in the UK.

Teicoplanin dosage recommendations for specific infections have been modified in recent years. However, there was no significant increase in the proportion of pre-dose concentrations > 20 mg/L between 1994 and 1998 in samples sent for teicoplanin assay at the Regional Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol, UK. A questionnaire on the use of teicoplanin and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was sent to all UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme antibiotic assay users.

Teicoplanin therapy for Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia: relationship between pre-dose serum concentrations and outcome.

Logistic regression analysis was performed on data drawn from a clinical trials database for Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia treated with teicoplanin. Variables analysed were age, body weight, mean pre-dose and post-dose serum teicoplanin concentrations, mean dose (mg or mg/kg body weight) and combination versus monotherapy. Only two variables correlated with clinical outcome at a significance level better than 0.

Use of meropenem 3 g once daily for outpatient treatment of infective exacerbations of bronchiectasis.

Meropenem administered as a single iv 3 g dose once every 24 h was used to treat nine ambulatory patients with infective exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Serum meropenem concentrations were measured before dosing and at 30 min after each 30 min infusion. Mean pre-dose concentrations were <0.

Septic sacroiliitis: an unusual causative organism in a rare condition.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a relatively uncommon cause of septic arthritis, and Infection of the sacroiliac joint by this organism has been rarely described. We present such a case.