International survey of cytomegalovirus management in solid organ transplantation after the publication of consensus guidelines.

Background: The Transplantation Society published guidelines on cytomegalovirus (CMV) management after solid organ transplantation in 2010, which provide recommendations on prevention, treatment, diagnostics, and resistance. We aimed to survey international clinicians on their posttransplantation CMV management practices with reference to these guidelines to see if they altered the management of clinicians caring for transplant patients.

Methods: The members of The Transplantation Society were emailed an electronic survey 12 months after the guideline publication.

Evaluation of a diagnostic algorithm for acute Q fever in an outbreak setting.

In the peak of the 2009 Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands, we introduced a diagnostic algorithm for acute Q fever with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin M antibodies to Coxiella burnetii phase II antigens (MII screen) as an initial step. Subsequently, an immunofluorescence assay or PCR was performed depending on the MII screen outcome, date of onset of disease, and inpatient or outpatient setting. The impact of MII screen on the number of immunofluorescence assays performed and the contribution of PCR to diagnosis were retrospectively evaluated in 825 patients referred in a 17-day period.