Computational and experimental mapping of the allosteric network of two manganese ABC transporters.

Transition metals (e.g., Fe, Zn, Mn) are essential enzymatic cofactors in all organisms.

Titratable transmembrane residues and a hydrophobic plug are essential for manganese import via the Bacillus anthracis ABC transporter MntBC-A.

All extant life forms require trace transition metals (e.g., Fe, Cu, and Mn) to survive.

A novel host-protein assay outperforms routine parameters for distinguishing between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections.

Bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to antibiotic overuse. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of a new assay that combines 3 host-biomarkers (TRAIL, IP-10, CRP) with parameters in routine use to distinguish bacterial from viral LRTIs. Study cohort included 184 potentially eligible pediatric and adult patients.

A novel host-proteome signature for distinguishing between acute bacterial and viral infections.

Bacterial and viral infections are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to inappropriate patient management and antibiotic misuse. Bacterial-induced host proteins such as procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6, are routinely used to support diagnosis of infection. However, their performance is negatively affected by inter-patient variability, including time from symptom onset, clinical syndrome, and pathogens.

Leukemoid reaction: spectrum and prognosis of 173 adult patients.

Background: The prognosis of patients with leukemoid reaction (LR) depends mainly on their underlying illness. Our aim was to investigate the etiologies and prognosis of a mixed group of patients with LR.

Methods: We identified 173 patients who had ≥30.

Impact of a computerized integrated antibiotic authorization system.

Background: Overuse and abuse of antibiotics is a major cause of microbial resistance. Within the hospital setting such overuse necessitates real-time supervision by infectious diseases (ID) specialists.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of a recently introduced computerized antibiotic authorization system on the pharmacy budget.

Pregnancy course and outcome in women traveling to developing countries.

Background: The issue of travel to developing countries during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate, course, and outcome of pregnancies in women who traveled to developing countries while pregnant, or became pregnant during such travel.

Methods: Women visiting two major travel clinics in Israel for consultation within the years 2004 to 2009, who were pregnant or declared an intention of becoming pregnant during travel were contacted.

When uncommon uncovers: mucosal tuberculosis in a medical tourist from Burundi.

Tuberculosis confined to the mucus membranes is a rare presentation in the era of effective chemotherapy. We describe a case of mucosal tuberculosis in a "medical tourist" from Burundi that went undiagnosed for 6 years. Starting as conjunctivitis, the disease has spread to involve the nose and larynx as well.

Assessment of rabies exposure risk among Israeli travelers.

Background: The decision whether or not to administer rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to travelers visiting endemic areas is a complex one. Paramount for making that decision is knowledge of the risk of animal bites during travel. This study attempts to estimate the risk of bites in travelers, and study the action they took before and after the incident.

Ischemic stroke, aortic dissection, and thrombolytic therapy--the importance of basic clinical skills.

Aortic dissection masquerading as ischemic stroke is particularly challenging in the era of thrombolysis as a result of narrow diagnostic time window and severe hemorrhagic potential. We describe a case of a 77-year-old patient with a presumed ischemic cerebral infarct, in whom planned treatment with tissue plasminogen activator therapy (TPA) was withheld because of partial spontaneous improvement in his condition. Shortly afterwards, newly elicited clues in the medical history and physical examination led to timely diagnosis and treatment of ascending thoracic aorta dissection, which was the underlying disorder.

Emphysematous cystitis: illustrative case report and review of the literature.

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare disease characterized by primary infection of the urinary bladder with gas-producing pathogens. There is a paucity of information on this entity in the English-language literature covering the last 45 years, and the clinical picture is poorly outlined. We carried out a comprehensive, retrospective review of the English-language literature from 1986 to 2006, searching for reports describing cases of emphysematous cystitis.

Proteinuria on dipstick urine analysis after sexual intercourse.

Objective: To examine the role of sexual intercourse as a cause of proteinuria, and establishes its duration, as a knowledge of benign causes of proteinuria is required to avoid unnecessary testing.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-four married couples were instructed to produce a urine sample before and after sexual intercourse; their urine was tested for proteinuria by dipstick analysis.

Results: Samples were assayed from 22 men and 11 women.