Large inter-individual variability of cellular and humoral immunological responses to mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in health care workers.

Purpose: Studies on the immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines are necessary to evaluate the ongoing vaccination programs by correlating serological response data and clinical effectiveness data. We performed a longitudinal immunological profiling of health care workers vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna, Cambridge, MA, USA). Half of these vaccinees had experienced a mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in the spring of 2020 ("COVID-recovered" cohort), whereas the other half of the vaccinees had no previous COVID-19 infection ("COVID-naive" cohort).

Evaluation of the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 interferon-ɣ release assay in mRNA-1273 vaccinated health care workers.

Current studies focus on cellular and humoral immunity induced by novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Non-responders to vaccinations are not uncommonly encountered in clinical medicine (e.g.

Does percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy increase the incidence of sternal wound infection - a single center retrospective of 4100 cases.

Background: The impact of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) on the development of post-median sternotomy wound infection (SWI) and mediastinitis is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the frequency of cross-infection and incidence of SWI after PDT.

Methods: In a retrospective design, out of a total of 4100 procedures, all patients who had undergone median sternotomy and postoperative PDT were included from January 2010 to May 2013.

Hand hygiene in medical students: performance, education and knowledge.

Background: Despite several guidelines on hand hygiene (HH), compliance especially in physicians is reported to be low which has huge implications for healthcare-associated infections. To evaluate performance of HH, influence of teaching and influence of monitoring the results in medical students, we conducted an observational study.

Methods: Performance of hand disinfection was evaluated in first (N=28), third (N=193) and fifth (N=45) year medical students using fluorescent hand disinfectant.

Improving hand hygiene compliance rates in the haemodialysis setting: more than just more hand rubs.

Background: Haemodialysis patients are at high risk for developing healthcare-associated infections as well as acquiring multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Hand hygiene is considered to be the single most effective tool to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The number of indications and the extent of indication-specific compliance with hand rubs in the haemodialysis setting are currently unknown.

Hand hygiene in pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit patients: daily opportunities and indication- and profession-specific analyses of compliance.

Background: Hand hygiene is considered to be the single most effective tool to prevent health care-associated infections. Daily hand hygiene opportunities and compliance for pediatric/neonatal intensive care units (ICU) are currently unknown.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study in pediatric and neonatal ICU patients with analyses of hand hygiene behavior in relation to profession, indication, and shift and correlation with disinfectant usage.

Compliance with hand hygiene on surgical, medical, and neurologic intensive care units: direct observation versus calculated disinfectant usage.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is considered the single most effective measure to prevent and control health care-associated infections (HAIs). Although there have been several reports on compliance rates (CRs) to HH recommendations, data for intensive care units (ICUs) in general and for shift- and indication-specific opportunities in particular are scarce.

Methods: The aim of this study was to collect data on ICU-, shift-, and indication-specific opportunities, activities and CRs at a surgical ICU (SICU), a medical ICU (MICU), and a neurologic ICU (NICU) at the University Hospital Aachen based on direct observation (DO) and calculated disinfectant usage (DU).

Evaluation of postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background: Artificial joint replacement of hip (HPRO) and knee (KPRO) are 2 of about 20 categories of operative procedures of the surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI) as stated by nosocomial infections surveillance systems in the United States and in Germany. Periprosthetic SSI can manifest itself after a long period.

Methods: Seven hundred fifty-six orthopedic patients from 2 centers were evaluated after HPRO (n = 508) or KPRO (n = 248).

Assessment of a selective surveillance method for detecting nosocomial infections in patients in the intensive care department.

Background: The implementation of a time- and cost-effective system for the surveillance of the nosocomial infection (NI) is a challenge for infection control practitioners.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and the time reduction using a selective surveillance method (SSM) for the detection of NIs in comparison with a reference surveillance method (RSM).

Methods: During a 12-month period, surveillance was performed prospectively in 4 intensive care departments on a rotating basis.