Economic and health impact modelling of a whole genome sequencing-led intervention strategy for bacterial healthcare-associated infections for England and for the USA.

Bacterial healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a substantial source of global morbidity and mortality. The estimated cost associated with HAIs ranges from $35 to $45 billion in the USA alone. The costs and accessibility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of bacteria and the lack of sufficiently accurate, high-resolution, scalable and accessible analysis for strain identification are being addressed.

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis of the ankle joint: a case report.

We present the case of a healthy 18-year-old female who presented with history of an acute onset, painful, swollen right ankle joint. Microbiologic samples from the ankle aspirate grew Neisseria meningitidis. She had had no previous contact with a patient with meningitis nor any existing or preceding clinical symptoms of meningitis.

Group A streptococcal septicemia, meningitis and cerebral abscess: case report and literature review.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a global bacterial pathogen. It is a rare cause of central nervous system infections and accounts for about 1% of all childhood meningitis. Otitis media or sinusitis has been reported as a risk factor for brain abscess in invasive GAS diseases.

A pilot clinical trial to evaluate a novel time-to-positivity assay to measure the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for septic patients in intensive care.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether a novel assay of antibiotic efficacy could predict clinical outcome measures in septic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A prospective, noninterventional clinical study was performed involving 48 adult patients with sepsis in a single adult general ICU, with measurement of the time-to-positivity (Tpos) at 2 time points (Tpos1, Tpos2).

Results: The mean length of stay for all patients was 14.

Unexpected antimicrobial effect of statins.

Objectives: Epidemiological studies of statins have suggested a link between statin therapy and a decreased risk of sepsis. It has been proposed that the mechanism underlying this apparent protective effect of statins relates to their known immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to explore the antimicrobial effect of statins.

Fever in the returning traveller.

Travel-related infections are becoming more common as travel abroad becomes easier. Whilst most imported infections will have recognisable features some of the more obscure will be less familiar to the clinician. A detailed travel history including all stopovers is vital as is a thorough examination.

Superior venocaval obstruction secondary to central venous catheter-related thromboses in two patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma receiving weekly 5-flurouracil. Should adjusted-dose warfarin be used as thromboprophylaxis?

Standard treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (MCC) involves treatment with weekly 5-flurouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy by continuous infusion, requiring the insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC). One of the main complications of CVCs is venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), with an incidence varying between 3 and 54% in different studies. During the past 14 months, 17 patients with MCC have been treated weekly with 5-FU in our unit, comprising 11 males and six females with a mean age of 60 years (range, 49-72 years).