Background: Cryptococcosis is a generally systemic and potentially lethal fungal infection. Although HIV infection is a predisposing condition, especially if the CD lymphocyte count is less than 100cells/mm, other forms of immunosuppression may be associated with this opportunistic fungal condition, such as prolonged steroid therapy or solid organ transplantation. Pulmonary presentation must be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia or pulmonary neoplasia in the immunosuppressed patient.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of past infection due to Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia conorii in the Canary Islands (Spain).
Methods: A representative sample of the population of the seven islands, formed of 662 people aged between 5 and 75 years (368 females, 294 males), was analyzed. Epidemiological data were obtained by direct survey.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
September 2009
Objective: The risk of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in healthcare workers (HCWs) is high. Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) was the only diagnostic test available for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) test, was recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an alternative test for the diagnosis of LTBI in HCWs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNon-ulcerous dyspepsia is common among sub-Saharan people migrating into Spain. Given the high prevalence of H. pylori (HP) infection in their countries of origin, we studied the prevalence of infection in this population, and specifically the prevalence of infection by the more virulent, cagA-positive strains (CAP).
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