Short versus long course therapy in the treatment of febrile urinary tract infections in men based on serum PSA values.

Background: Febrile urinary tract infections (fUTI) in men are frequently complicated with subclinical prostatic involvement, measured by a transient increase in serum prostate-specific-antigen (sPSA). The aim of this study was to evaluate recurrence rates in a 6-month follow-up period of 2-week versus 4-week antibiotic treatment in men with fUTI, based on prostatic involvement. Clinical and microbiological cure rates at the end-of-therapy (EoT) were also assessed.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mortality after hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is isolated in advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine whether PA isolation during hospitalization for COPD exacerbation was associated with a poorer prognosis after discharge.

Methods: We prospectively studied all patients with COPD exacerbation admitted between June 2003 and September 2004.

Mortality of tuberculosis in very old people.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) in elderly people.

Design: Observational analysis of a prospective cohort of adults with TB (1995-2004). A case-control study to determine attributable mortality to TB in very old people was done.