Congenital SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Two Neonates with Confirmation by Viral Culture of the Placenta in One Case.

Congenital infections with SARS-CoV-2 are uncommon. We describe two confirmed congenital SARS-CoV-2 infections using descriptive, epidemiologic and standard laboratory methods and in one case, viral culture. Clinical data were obtained from health records.

Medical Masks Versus N95 Respirators for Preventing COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers : A Randomized Trial.

Background: It is uncertain if medical masks offer similar protection against COVID-19 compared with N95 respirators.

Objective: To determine whether medical masks are noninferior to N95 respirators to prevent COVID-19 in health care workers providing routine care.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial.

Asymmetric eye size in an infant.

Toxoplasmosis is an uncommon congenital infection in Canada, but one with potentially severe clinical manifestations, including fetal death. Neurologic and ocular manifestations are frequent in untreated disease; however, small eye size (microphthalmia) is a rare finding. This finding may be a marker of severe ocular disease.

Survey of Infection Control Precautions for Patients with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency.

Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is caused by an array of genetic disorders resulting in a diminished adaptive immune system due to impaired T lymphocytes. In these patients, active infection at the time of hematopoietic transplantation has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality. To prevent transmission of infections in SCID patients, standardized infection control precautions should be implemented.

Sickness presenteeism: The prevalence of coming to work while ill among paediatric resident physicians in Canada.

Background: Sickness presenteeism is defined as the act of attending one's job despite ill-health. Recently, physicians and other health care workers have become the focus of sickness presenteeism research, because presenteeism in this population can put patients at risk of infection. There are currently no data on this topic among physicians in Canada.

Sickness presenteeism in clinical clerks: Negatively reinforced behavior or an issue of patient safety?

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate sickness presenteeism in medical students and to understand the factors that may promote this behavior.

Methods: All 178 final year medical students (clinical clerks) at the University of Calgary, Class of 2014 were invited to complete an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey. After completing each mandatory rotation, students were sent a link to the online survey.

Leishmania in HLH: a rare finding with significant treatment implications.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a very rare phenomenon. We report the first known North American case in a 21 month old boy. He was initially diagnosed with Epstein Barr virus (EBV) triggered HLH and treated with the international treatment protocol, HLH-2004.

Skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): an affliction of the underclass.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients presenting to The Ottawa Hospital emergency departments (TOHEDs) differed from SSTIs caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) with regard to risk factors, management, and outcomes.

Methods: All patients seen at TOHEDs in 2006 and 2007 with SSTIs who yielded MRSA or MSSA in cultures from the site of infection were eligible for inclusion. We excluded patients with decubitus ulcers and infections related to diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.

Access to hand hygiene in eastern Ontario.

Background: Hand hygiene compliance improves when alcohol-based hand products (ABHP) are provided at the point-of-care (POC). However, it is not known how many facilities have the infrastructure available to provide easy access to ABHP currently.

Objectives: To describe the extent to which facilities in the Champlain Infection Control Network (CICN) provide POC access to ABHP.

Surveillance for healthcare-acquired febrile respiratory infection in pediatric hospitals participating in the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program.

Objective: To determine the rates of healthcare-acquired febrile respiratory infection (HA-FRI) in Canadian pediatric hospitals and to determine the vaccination status of patients with healthcare-acquired respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, influenza, or pneumococcal infection who were also eligible for immunoprophylaxis.

Methods: Prospective surveillance was conducted in 8 hospitals from January 1 to April 30, 2005. All hospitalized patients less than 18 years of age were eligible, except for patients housed in standard newborn nurseries or psychiatric units.

Acinetobacter baumannii in casualties returning from Afghanistan.

Military personnel returning from Afghanistan and entering Canadian hospitals may be infected with multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The Public Health Agency of Canada, in conjunction with the Canadian Forces, have developed an alert to inform hospitals of the potential for importation of Acinetobacter baumannii, and the appropriate precautionary measures that should be taken to prevent secondary spread within hospitals.

Necrotizing pneumonia and septic shock: suspecting CA-MRSA in patients presenting to Canadian emergency departments.

We report a case of fatal necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in an otherwise well, 48-year-old Canadian man with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had travelled to Texas. Despite therapy that included intravenous antibiotics, intravenous immune globulin and other supportive measures, the patient succumbed to his illness. Recently, CA-MRSA pneumonia has been reported in several countries.

Survey of isolation practices at a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Background: Although isolation precautions are an important aspect of hospital infection control, current rates of isolation in a pediatric hospital and rates of compliance with established precautions are unknown. We therefore initiated hospital-wide point prevalence studies to determine unit-specific rates of patient isolation and compliance with proper isolation requirements focusing on communication of isolation status and availability of personal protective equipment. In this report, we present data from the first 14 months of the study.

Children hospitalized with skin and soft tissue infections: a guide to antibacterial selection and treatment.

Skin and soft tissue infections in children are an important cause for hospitalization. A thorough history and physical examination can provide clues to the pathogens involved. Collection of purulent discharge from lesions should be completed prior to initiating antimicrobial therapy, and results of bacteriologic studies (Gram stain and culture) should guide therapeutic decisions.