Multi-centre evaluation of the speed-oligo Mycobacteria assay for differentiation of Mycobacterium spp. in clinical isolates.

Background: A new DNA line probe assay (Speed-oligo Mycobacteria, Vircell) has been launched for rapid differentiation of Mycobacterium spp. from cultures. Compared to other line-probe assays, Speed-oligo Mycobacteria covers a relatively limited spectrum of species but uses a simpler and faster dip-stick technique.

Efficacy and Tolerability of 5- vs 10-Day Cefixime Therapy in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis.

The efficacy and tolerability of oral cefixime 400mg once daily for 5 days was compared with standard 10-day therapy in a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial of 222 patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Clinical and bacteriological efficacy were assessed after 6, 11 and 30 days. A total of 167 patients were evaluable for efficacy on a per-protocol basis.

[Sepsis and multiple organ failure after BCG instillation in bladder cancer].

Local Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy is an effective and widely used treatment for superficial bladder carcino-ma. Local side effects are frequent, where-as systemic side effects are rare, but more serious. Systemic BCG infection as a life-threatening complication of intravesical BCG instillation should be suspected in any patient who presents with persistent fever after BCG instillation for bladder cancer.

[Sepsis and multiple organ failure after BCG-instillation for bladder cancer].

Local Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is an effective and widely used treatment for superficial bladder carcinoma. Local side effects are frequent, whereas systemic side effects are rare, but more serious. Systemic BCG infection as a life-threatening complication of intravesical BCG instillation should be suspected in any patient who presents with persistent fever after BCG instillation for bladder cancer.