SARS-CoV-2 Viral Replication Persists in the Human Lung for Several Weeks after Symptom Onset.

In the upper respiratory tract, replicating (culturable) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is recoverable for ∼4-8 days after symptom onset, but there is a paucity of data about the frequency and duration of replicating virus in the lower respiratory tract (i.e., the human lung).

Burden of tuberculosis in intensive care units in Cape Town, South Africa, and assessment of the accuracy and effect on patient outcomes of the Xpert MTB/RIF test on tracheal aspirate samples for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective burden of disease study with a nested randomised controlled trial.

Background: There are few prospective data about the incidence and mortality associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in intensive care units (ICUs), and none on the accuracy and clinical effect of the Xpert-MTB/RIF assay in this setting. We aimed to measure the frequency of culture-positive tuberculosis in ICUs in Cape Town, South Africa and to assess the performance and effect on patient outcomes of Xpert MTB/RIF versus smear microscopy for diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Methods: We did a prospective burden of disease study with a randomised controlled substudy at the ICUs of four hospitals in Cape Town.

ICU-associated Acinetobacter baumannii colonisation/infection in a high HIV-prevalence resource-poor setting.

Background: There are hardly any data about the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of ICU-associated A.baumannii colonisation/infection in HIV-infected and uninfected persons from resource-poor settings like Africa.

Methods: We reviewed the case records of patients with A.

Hemodynamic changes associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in severe preeclampsia.

Background: Hemodynamic responses to spinal anesthesia (SA) for cesarean delivery in patients with severe preeclampsia are poorly understood. This study used a beat-by-beat monitor of cardiac output (CO) to characterize the response to SA. The hypothesis was that CO would decrease from baseline values by less than 20%.

The role of the anaesthetist in the management of the pre-eclamptic patient.

Purpose Of Review: Recent literature on the anaesthetist's role in the management of the patient with severe pre-eclampsia is reviewed, with particular emphasis on the role of regional anaesthesia.

Recent Findings: Laboratory findings in pre-eclamptic women include increased levels of markers of oxidative stress and circulating tyrosine kinase 1, and inflammatory activation of leucocytes. Magnesium sulphate is the most effective agent for seizure prophylaxis.