Mass spectrometry: pneumococcal meningitis verified and Brucella species identified in less than half an hour.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is currently being introduced for the rapid and accurate identification of bacteria. We describe 2 MALDI-TOF MS identification cases - 1 directly on spinal fluid and 1 on grown bacteria. Rapidly obtained results had great value for the continued treatment and for the elucidation of exposure.

Mortality in patients with chronic and cleared hepatitis C viral infection: a nationwide cohort study.

Background & Aims: It is unknown whether mortality differs between patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and those who cleared the virus after infection. We examined the impact of chronic HCV replication on mortality among Danish patients testing positive for HCV antibodies.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study focused on Danish patients with at least one HCV RNA measurement available after testing positive for HCV antibodies between 1996 and 2005.

The search and destroy strategy prevents spread and long-term carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: results from the follow-up screening of a large ST22 (E-MRSA 15) outbreak in Denmark.

In the aftermath of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST22 hospital outbreak, we investigated the prevalence of long-term carriage, the efficacy of MRSA decolonization treatment (DT) and the spread of MRSA to households of patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of repeated DT in long-term MRSA carriers. Of 250 index persons (58 HCWs and 192 patients), 102 persons (19 HCWs and 83 patients) and 67 household members agreed to participate.

Azithromycin Concentrations and Microbiology of Tonsils during Weekly Medication in Patients with Recurrent Tonsillitis.

This study was performed in order to assess whether 500mg of azithromycin given orally once per week could produce tonsil tissue concentrations above minimum inhibitory concentrations for key target pathogens in patients with recurrent tonsillitis. For the measurement of tissue concentrations an automated solid phase extraction (SPE) method for cleaning the tissue extracts was developed. Concomitantly, the influence of this treatment on the microbiological flora of the tonsillar surface was monitored.

Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical swabs using a high-throughput real-time PCR-based method.

The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals and the community is a serious problem. Accordingly, a comprehensive plan has been implemented in the County of Vejle, Denmark, to identify colonised and/or infected individuals and to control the spread of MRSA. Since 2005, all patients and healthcare personnel have been screened for MRSA colonisation, involving analysis of 300-400 samples daily.