Hospital-wide reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections: a tale of two small community hospitals.

Despite increasing awareness of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in general wards, published strategies come from intensive care units (ICUs) of large tertiary care centers. After implementing a central line insertion checklist, two community hospitals experienced an 86% reduction in CLABSI rates in ICUs and a 57% reduction in non-ICU settings over 36 months.

Five cases of bacterial endocarditis after furunculosis and the ongoing saga of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Bacterial endocarditis secondary to Panton-Valentine leukocidin producing community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is rare. We report 5 previously healthy patients who presented with endocarditis after developing furunculosis due to CA-MRSA. A retrospective chart review of all patients with MRSA positive blood cultures was conducted over a 12-month period.

Severe adenovirus pneumonia (AVP) following infliximab infusion for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

We report a case of severe AVP three weeks following the administration of infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Since the introduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists, various microbiologic agents have been reported to cause pneumonia following their administration. To our knowledge, AVP following therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists has not been reported in English literature.

Does steroid exposure adversely affect the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis? Report of two cases.

Multivalvular endocarditis of native cardiac valves due to streptococci in patients without any predisposing conditions has not been reported previously. Moreover, the effect of exposure to systemic steroids on the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) is not well known. We describe 2 patients with SBE involving 3 native cardiac valves, who were initially exposed to systemic steroid therapy under the clinical impression of 'rheumatologic disorders'.

High-dose steroids in the management of acute flaccid paralysis due to West Nile virus infection.

Despite an increasing incidence of severe neurological disease due to West Nile virus, supportive care remains the mainstay of treatment. We present the first report of WNV induced acute flaccid paralysis successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroid therapy.