A controlled survey of less typical long-term consequences after an extensive waterborne epidemic.

Background: Extensive backflow of treated wastewater caused household water contamination in a Finnish town in 2007. The drinking water of 9 500 residents became heavily polluted with faecal microbes, resulting in a large gastroenteritis epidemic. Cases of reactive arthritis, milder joint symptoms and prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms were observed after the outbreak.

[Effect of MRSA on treatment and care in Finland - applications for compensation and complaints in 1993 to 2012].

Events involving applications for compensation or filing a complaint in a MRSA case in Finland by patients or family members were studied for over a twenty-year period. The number of cases found was 305. Of the applications, only 7% resulted in compensation, and none of the complaints led to a change in decision.

The duration of gastrointestinal and joint symptoms after a large waterborne outbreak of gastroenteritis in Finland in 2007--a questionnaire-based 15-month follow-up study.

An extensive drinking water-associated gastroenteritis outbreak took place in the town of Nokia in Southern Finland in 2007. 53% of the exposed came down with gastroenteritis and 7% had arthritis-like symptoms (joint swelling, redness, warmth or pain in movement) according to a population-based questionnaire study at 8 weeks after the incident. Campylobacter and norovirus were the main pathogens.

Excess healthcare costs of a large waterborne outbreak in Finland.

Background: The economic effects of waterborne outbreaks have rarely been reported. A large waterborne outbreak occurred in the town of Nokia in Finland in 2007 with half of the population in the contaminated area suffering from gastroenteritis. We studied the healthcare costs of this outbreak.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus epidemic restricted to one health district in Finland: a population-based descriptive study in Pirkanmaa, Finland, years 2001-2011.

Background: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been low in the Scandinavian countries, including Finland.

Methods: We report a population-based, prospective survey of an exceptionally large ongoing MRSA epidemic in a Finnish health district (HD), Pirkanmaa HD, during 2001-2011 caused by 1 strain, spa t067 (FIN-16).

Results: The first FIN-16 case in the HD was identified in 2000.

[Rationale for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery and its implementation in Finnish patient care].

Country-specific differences in bacterial antibiotic resistances cause variability in recommendations given in different countries. Mutually approved national expert and hospital-specific practices are therefore beneficial. Selection of the best prophylactic antimicrobial drug and correct timing of drug dosing are of high significance.

Joint symptoms after a large waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak--a controlled, population-based questionnaire study.

Objectives: Waterborne outbreaks offer an opportunity to study joint symptoms after a simultaneous exposure. In November 2007, a gastroenteritis outbreak due to faecal contamination of tap water took place in a Finnish town. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of joint symptoms after the outbreak.

Secular trend in candidemia and the use of fluconazole in Finland, 2004-2007.

Background: In a previous study we observed an increasing trend in candidemia in Finland in the 1990s. Our aim was now to investigate further population-based secular trends, as well as outcome, and evaluate the association of fluconazole consumption and prophylaxis policy with the observed findings.

Methods: We analyzed laboratory-based surveillance data on candidemia from the National Infectious Diseases Register during 2004-2007 in Finland.

Healthcare associated infection: novel strategies and antimicrobial implants to prevent surgical site infection.

This report is based on a Hygienist Panel Meeting held at St Anne's Manor, Wokingham on 24-25 June 2009. The panel agreed that greater use should be made of antiseptics to reduce reliance on antibiotics with their associated risk of antibiotic resistance. When choosing an antiseptic for clinical use, the Biocompatibility Index, which considers both the microbiocidal activity and any cytotoxic effects of an antiseptic agent, was considered to be a useful tool.

Incidence of prosthetic joint infections after primary knee arthroplasty.

We report the 1-year incidence of postoperative infections in an unselected series of 2647 consecutive primary knee arthroplasties (3137 knees) performed in a modern specialized hospital dedicated solely to joint arthroplasty surgery in 2002 to 2006. The rates of superficial and prosthetic joint infections were 2.9% and 0.

Obesity and smoking are factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with bacteraemia.

Background: Bacteraemia is still a major cause of case fatality in all age groups. Our aim was to identify the major underlying conditions constituting risk factors for case fatality in bacteraemia patients.

Methods: The study involved 149 patients (79 male and 70 female) with bacteraemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with diphtheria: a prospective study.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in adults with diphtheria.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted involving 122 adult patients with respiratory tract diphtheria. Diphtheria was confirmed by isolation of a toxin-producing strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Pancreatic pseudocystportal vein fistula manifests as residivating oligoarthritis, subcutaneous, bursal and osseal necrosis: a case report and review of literature.

Pseudocyst is a common complication of pancreatitis. Pseudocyst may rupture into the surrounding organs. Rupture into the portomesenteric vein is extremely rare with only seven cases being described in the English literature.