Lactate in cystic fibrosis sputum.

Background: Antibiotic therapy is thought to improve lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) by decreasing neutrophil-derived inflammation. We investigated the origin and clinical significance of lactate in the chronically inflamed CF lung.

Methods: Lactate was measured in sputa of 18 exacerbated and 25 stable CF patients via spectrophotometry and gaschromatography.

The impact of workload on hygiene compliance in nursing.

The objective of this research was to clarify whether external factors (e.g. ward capacity, level of nursing intensity) had an influence on nursing staff compliance with hand hygiene guidelines.

Constructed wetlands--Are they safe in reducing protozoan parasites?

Constructed wetlands have been promoted in recent literature for use in rural communities in developed as well as in developing countries as an appropriate technology to be handled with low operational maintenance costs. Within a joint project supported by BMBF (Project No O2WA0107 and No 02WA0108) research was done concerning the sanitation effect of constructed wetlands on wastewater effluents. This article will focus on the detection and the removal of cysts of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giarda lamblia, those being the most frequently identified pathogenic protozoan parasites worldwide with increasing medical and economical consequences.

Outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a hematological oncology ward and hygienic preventive measures. A long-term study.

Background: We report on two endemic outbreaks of VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci, vanA type Enterococcus faecium) on a hematological oncology ward in a university hospital and a new strategic concept to fight against spread of VRE.

Patients And Methods: During management of the outbreak, a total of 1,124 patients and 1,700 specimens were investigated from June 1999 to December 2001. Protective measures were instituted.