Absorption rate of subcutaneously infused fluid in ill multimorbid older patients.

Background: Subcutaneous (SC) hydration is a valuable method for treating dehydration in the very old patients. Data are absent on the absorption rate, and the availability of SC infused fluid in the circulation in this group of patients where SC hydration is particularly relevant.

Methods: We performed an explorative study on ill very old (range 78-84 years old) geriatric patients with comorbidities who received an SC infusion of 235 ml isotonic saline containing a technetium-99m pertechnetate tracer.

Commensal streptococci serve as a reservoir for β-lactam resistance genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and middle ear infections. The incidence of S. pneumoniae isolates that are not susceptible to penicillin has risen worldwide and may be above 20% in some countries.