Giant kidney worms in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.

Dioctophyma renale (D. renale), or giant kidney worms, are the largest nematodes that infect mammals. Approximately 20 cases of human infection have been reported.

Comparative pooled survival and revision rate of Austin-Moore hip arthroplasty in published literature and arthroplasty register data.

The aim was to evaluate the pooled survival and revision rate of Austin-Moore hip arthroplasty (AMHA) in published literature and arthroplasty register data. A comprehensive literature analysis of clinical publications and register reports was conducted with the main endpoints revision surgery and revision rate. Sixteen relevant clinical studies have been found to significantly underestimate revision rates by a ratio of 2.

Pooled outcome of total hip arthroplasty with the CementLess Spotorno (CLS) system: a comparative analysis of clinical studies and worldwide arthroplasty register data.

Purpose: Our aim was to elucidate the pooled outcome of the CementLess Spotorno (CLS) system in total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: We compared the outcome of clinical inventor studies, independent clinical studies, and worldwide register data. The main endpoints for analysis were revision rates.

Enteric pathogens in stool samples of Chicago-area water recreators with new-onset gastrointestinal symptoms.

Background: Characterizing pathogens responsible for recreational waterborne gastrointestinal illness is important in estimating risk and developing management strategies to prevent infection. Although water recreation is associated with sporadic cases of gastrointestinal illness, pathogens responsible for such illness are not well characterized.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted enrolling non-water recreators (such as cyclists and joggers) and two groups of limited-contact waters recreators (such as boaters and kayakers): those on an effluent-dominated urban waterway and those on general use waters.

Risk factors and outcomes associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infections with reduced susceptibilities to linezolid.

A retrospective matched case-control study of hospitalized patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infection with reduced susceptibility to linezolid was performed in order to identify risk factors for this infection and describe patient outcomes. Forty-eight linezolid nonsusceptible VRE cases were identified between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2008, and compared to 96 controls with linezolid-susceptible VRE, matched based on culture date and anatomic site of infection. Demographic, clinical and microbiological data were collected.

Timing of susceptibility-based antifungal drug administration in patients with Candida bloodstream infection: correlation with outcomes.

Objectives: We sought to determine the impact of timing of appropriate antifungal therapy, as assessed by susceptibility results, on patient survival.

Methods: Patients ≥16 years of age with first episodes of candidaemia during 2001-09 were included. Clinical data were collected retrospectively, including time to appropriate antifungal therapy and patient survival.

The outcome of the cementless tapered SL-Plus stem: an analysis of arthroplasty register data.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of the cementless SL-Plus stem in worldwide arthroplasty register datasets.

Methods: A structured analysis was conducted the registered data about the SL-Plus stem manufactured by Smith&Nephew including published data from Australia as well as previously unpublished datasets from the Registers of Lombardia, Italy and Valdoltra, Slovenia. A total of 75% of the data analysed had not been published so far.

Outcome and reproducibility of data concerning the Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a structured literature review including arthroplasty registry data.

Background And Purpose: The reproducibility of results and potential confounders in sample-based studies is important to consider in the assessment of studies. Comprehensive arthroplasty registers could serve as a reference dataset for comparative analyses. We analyzed an implant that is frequently used worldwide, the Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement, in order to identify potential confounders inherent in the datasets and to evaluate the outcome achieved with this implant.

Revision rates after total joint replacement: cumulative results from worldwide joint register datasets.

In a systematic review, reports from national registers and clinical studies were identified and analysed with respect to revision rates after joint replacement, which were calculated as revisions per 100 observed component years. After primary hip replacement, a mean of 1.29 revisions per 100 observed component years was seen.

Organisation, data evaluation, interpretation and effect of arthroplasty register data on the outcome in terms of revision rate in total hip arthroplasty.

Originally developed in Scandinavia, national arthroplasty registers have spread worldwide during the last decade. The value of registers for quality improvement in arthroplasty has frequently been documented. However, for the development of a successful register a few key points should be taken into account.

[Detection of inferior products in arthroplasty and implementation of findings: a retrospective analysis of the Boneloc incident].

Aim: By a retrospective assessment of the Boneloc incident, a bone cement which had an inferior outcome in terms of survival rate, the value of published datasets for the detection of inferior outcomes was evaluated.

Method: A structured literature review of English and German peer reviewed journals was conducted. The articles were assessed with respect to revision rate and statements about the product.

Tinea capitis due to Trichophyton soudanense in Chicago, Illinois: report of a case.

The etiologic agents of tinea capitis have traditionally been very stable with respect to geographic boundaries, with different anthropophilic or zoophilic species serving as the primary agents in particular countries and even continents. With recent increases in immigration and international travel, these traditional patterns are being challenged. We report a case of tinea capitis due to Trichophyton soudanense in a West-African-born boy living in Chicago, Illinois.

Multicenter evaluation of the new Vitek 2 Neisseria-Haemophilus identification card.

The new Neisseria-Haemophilus identification (NH) card for Vitek 2 was compared with 16S rRNA gene sequencing (16S) as the reference method for accurate identification of Neisseria spp., Haemophilus spp., and other fastidious gram-negative bacteria.

Multicenter evaluation of the Vitek 2 anaerobe and Corynebacterium identification card.

The new anaerobe and Corynebacterium (ANC) identification card for Vitek 2 was compared with a 16S rRNA gene sequencing (16S) reference method for accuracy in the identification of corynebacteria and anaerobic species. Testing was performed on a Vitek 2 XL system with modified software at three clinical trial laboratories. Reproducibility was determined with nine ATCC quality control strains that were tested 20 times over a minimum of 10 days at all three sites.

Rapid development of Acinetobacter baumannii resistance to tigecycline.

A 53-year-old woman experienced a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii urinary tract infection 5 months after undergoing kidney and liver transplantation. The tigecycline minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for her A. baumannii isolate was 1.

Atypical favic invasion of the scalp by Microsporum canis: report of a case and review of reported cases caused by Microsporum species.

Favus is an uncommon pattern of dermatophytic infection of the scalp, glabrous skin and nails. We report the first documented case of favus of the scalp caused by Microsporum canis in an immunocompetent 8-year-old girl. The classic and various atypical clinical presentations of favus are discussed, as well as a brief review of the literature given.

Gemella haemolysans infectious crystalline keratopathy.

Purpose: To report a case of infectious crystalline keratopathy caused by Gemella haemolysans.

Methods: Observational case report. A 65-year-old woman underwent penetrating keratoplasty for contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis and developed a nonhealing epithelial defect.

Women find it easy and prefer to collect their own vaginal swabs to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections.

Background: Self-collected specimens can be used to screen asymptomatic women for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC). We surveyed women's opinions on ease and preferences as to sampling after collecting their own vaginal swab and urine and a physician collection of vaginal swab and cervical swab.

Methods: In 7 North American cities, a questionnaire was used for women after they participated in a clinical trial of nucleic acid amplification testing of various specimens.

Vaginal swabs are the specimens of choice when screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae: results from a multicenter evaluation of the APTIMA assays for both infections.

Background: Vaginal swabs were recently U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) using Gen-Probe Incorporated's APTIMA COMBO2 Assay (AC2).

Secondary intracerebral blastomycosis with giant yeast forms.

Secondary central nervous system (CNS) blastomycosis is an unusual manifestation of blastomycosis. We report a case of recurrent intracerebral blastomycosis that presented histopathologically with giant yeast-like cells and multinucleation that mimicked Coccidioides immitis. The yeast forms of Blastomyces dermatitidis usually range in size from 8 to 20 microm in diameter.

Confirming positive results of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for Chlamydia trachomatis: all NAATs are not created equal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended confirming positive screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis when positive predictive values are <90%. It is accepted that less sensitive tests (i.e.