Nosocomial bloodstream infections in neurosurgery: a 10-year analysis in a center with high antimicrobial drug-resistance prevalence.

Background: Data on nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSI) in neurosurgery is limited. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology, microbiology, outcome, and risk factors for death in neurosurgical patients with NBSI in a multidrug resistant setting.

Methods: Neurosurgical patients with a confirmed NBSI within the period 2003-2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Dermal Sinus Tract of the Thoracic Spine Presenting with Intramedullary Abscess and Cranial Nerve Deficits.

Congenital dermal sinus tract of the spine is an unusual developmental defect which represents a failure of the surface ectoderm and dermal elements to separate from the neuroectoderm. A 15-month-old female presented with high fever, severe right hemiparesis, difficulty breathing and cranial nerve deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine revealed a congenital dermal sinus tract at the Th6 level, an intramedullary collection extending up to the brainstem and a probable intramedullary cystic lesion.

Decline of hepatitis B infection in Greece.

Hepatitis B has long been a serious public health problem in Greece. In recent years, a decline in hepatitis B infection is observed ascribable to many factors such as demographic and socioeconomic changes, medical precautions, use of disposable medical equipments, screening of blood donors and vaccination. We studied the prevalence of HBV infection in a sample of 1050 Greek male Navy recruits.

Knowledge of HIV serostatus and preventive behaviour among European injecting drug users: second study. European Community Study Group on HIV in Injecting Drug Users.

The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of knowledge of HIV serostatus on behaviours preventing the acquisition or transmission of HIV among European IDU, and to compare results with a previous similar study conducted 3 years before. Data were gathered in 1992-1993 during a retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study of IDU recruited in 11 European countries, in specialized centers and on the street. We compared, between groups with different HIV serological status (IDU who knew well before their HIV-positive serological status, IDU who knew their HIV-negative serostatus and IDU who did not know before their serological status), the respective proportions of IDU who reported that, during the six months prior to interview, (1) always used condoms, (2) never gave their used injecting equipment to other IDU, (3) always injected drugs safely.

Hepatitis B maternal-fetal transmission in Southern Europe.

Screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen especially in countries with a high carrier rate as in Southern Europe is absolutely necessary for the control and elimination of the disease. In most Southern European countries screening of pregnant women is highly recommended. In Greece the carrier rate in pregnant women varies between 2.

Current combined vaccines with hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine has been included in the national immunization programmes of more than 90 countries world-wide. Its combination with DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) and other childhood vaccines will lower administration costs, simplify vaccine administration and improve the logistics of vaccine delivery. It is believed that the combined vaccines will increase acceptance and vaccine coverage.

Hepatitis B immunization programme: lessons learnt in Greece.

Historically, Greece has had the highest burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the European Union (EU). Heterosexual contact is the primary means of HBV transmission in Greece, accounting for approximately 30% of acute cases in adult males and 50% of acute cases in women of reproductive age [Kattamis C, Papevangelou G. Workshop Group: Greece.

Hepatitis A vaccine: persistence of antibodies 5 years after the first vaccination.

The recent development of safe and effective inactivated hepatitis A vaccines provides the opportunity to control hepatitis A. However, effective control will depend upon the duration of protection provided by the vaccine. Evaluation of persistence of antibodies over time is essential for the determination of vaccination schedules and strategies.

Evaluation of a combined tetravalent diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis and hepatitis B candidate vaccine administered to healthy infants according to a three-dose vaccination schedule.

A vaccine combining hepatitis B with diphtheria, tetanus and whole-cell Bordetella pertussis (DTPwHBV) would facilitate the attainment of universal vaccination of infants against hepatitis B. A candidate vaccine was administered to 42 infants beginning at 7-15 weeks of age. Antibodies were measured from pre- and postvaccination blood samples.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of European injecting drug users concerning preventive measures for HIV.

Strategies for controlling the HIV epidemic include education and information campaigns for intravenous drug users (IDUs), as for all high-risk groups, and the provision of various public health measures and treatment. These can only be effective if the IDU is aware of them and has a favourable image of them. A study of 2330 IDUs in 12 European countries recorded awareness and opinions of various categories of measures and institutions.

Intrafamilial clustering of hepatitis A.

The intrafamilial clustering of hepatitis A virus infections (HAV) in families with an index case of sporadic hepatitis A was studied. Four hundred and three family members (84.3%) of 113 children with acute hepatitis A admitted to the Paediatric Department of the West Attica Hospital were included in the study.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B containing S and pre-S2 sequences using two different schedules.

The immunogenicities of hepatitis B virus vaccines containing S and pre-S2 regions were compared using two different schedules of immunization (A: 0-1-2-12 months and B: 0-1-6 months). Two hundred males and females aged 17-22 years were vaccinated with 20 micrograms per dose. The follow-up period was extended up to 13 months.

Factors associated with HIV seropositivity in European injecting drug users. The European Community Study Group on HIV in Injecting Drug Users.

Objective: To study factors associated with HIV seropositivity among European injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: Data on behavioural and other factors potentially associated with HIV status were collected retrospectively by personal interview with IDU (n = 2330) in a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted in 12 European countries from 1989 to 1990. HIV status tested at the time of the survey was examined in relation to demographic data, history of imprisonment, travel to foreign countries, high-risk drug-using practices in the previous 6 months (re-using other IDU's injecting equipment without effective disinfection) and high-risk sexual behaviour in the last 6 months (multiple partners, unless none was IDU and condoms were always used).

Knowledge of HIV serostatus and preventive behaviour among European injecting drug users. The European Community Study Group on HIV in Injecting Drug Users.

Objective: To study the effect of knowledge of HIV serostatus on behaviour for preventing the acquisition or transmission of HIV among European injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: Data on behaviour and prior knowledge of HIV status were gathered during a multicentre cross-sectional survey of 200 European IDU recruited in 12 European countries in 1990. The respective proportions of IDU who (1) used condoms, (2) did not give their used injecting equipment to other IDU and (3) injected drugs safely (ether did not re-use other IDU's equipment or re-used it only after disinfection with bleach, alcohol or boiling water during the 6 months preceding interview were compared according to whether they knew their HIV serostatus for at least 6 months prior to interview.

Association between HLA antigens and progression of HIV infection in Greek haemophiliacs.

The frequencies of HLA antigens in 33 HIV seronegative and in 88 HIV seropositive haemophiliacs, who have been followed for at least 6 years since seroconversion or first HIV positive test, were evaluated in relation to disease susceptibility and disease progression. A high frequency of HLA-A2 and -DR2 antigens and a low frequency of HLA-A9 were found to characterize HIV seropositive patients (p < 0.05).

Brief report: hepatitis A vaccination in Greek military recruits.

Improved standards of sanitation have contributed to a shift in the prevalence of hepatitis A in countries such as Greece. Children are now coming into first contact with the infection at an increasingly later age, leaving more adults susceptible to the disease. In military forces where close living conditions prevail, the likelihood of infection is even more pronounced.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Greek health professionals, in relation to AIDS.

In order to improve educational programmes directed at health care workers we investigated their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to HIV/AIDS. An anonymous self-administered questionnaires was distributed to 609 health care workers. Of these, 59.

Chronic liver disease rarely follows acute hepatitis B in non-immunocompromised adults.

The risk of developing a chronic carriage state after acute hepatitis B infection in adults was evaluated. Two hundred and eighty-nine HBV-susceptible heterosexual partners of acute hepatitis B patients were used to investigate the effectiveness of post-exposure immunoprophylaxis; 75 of them received hepatitis B vaccine, 72 hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin (HBIG), 71 vaccine plus HBIG and 71 placebo. Participants were interviewed, clinically examined and serum specimens were taken at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after their first intervention.