Airborne virus shedding of the alpha, delta, omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants and influenza virus in hospitalized patients.

Airborne transmission is an important transmission route for the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological data indicate that certain SARS-CoV-2 variants, like the omicron variant, are associated with higher transmissibility. We compared virus detection in air samples between hospitalized patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants or influenza virus.

Rapid screening method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Background: Comprehensive and up-to-date monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC) is crucial as these are characterized by their increased transmissibility, immune evasion and virulence.

Objectives: To describe the wide-scale implementation of a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) multiple variants assay with melting curve analysis as a routine procedure.

Study Design: We prospectively performed multiple variants RT-PCR on consecutive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive samples from patients, healthcare workers and nursing home residents from our hospital catchment area.

[A neonate with rectal bleeding].

Background: Rectal bleeding in neonates is commonly associated with non-significant anal fissures or with the severe condition necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). A 'banal' bacterial colitis is often considered unlikely and, subsequently, diagnostics for this condition are usually not conducted.

Case Description: We describe the case of an otherwise healthy neonate who experienced rectal blood loss as a result of Campylobacterjejuni infection.

Differential complement activation pathways promote C3b deposition on native and acetylated LDL thereby inducing lipoprotein binding to the complement receptor 1.

Lipoproteins can induce complement activation resulting in opsonization and binding of these complexes to complement receptors. We investigated the binding of opsonized native LDL and acetylated LDL (acLDL) to the complement receptor 1 (CR1). Binding of complement factors C3b, IgM, C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and properdin to LDL and acLDL were investigated by ELISA.

Stroke-associated infection is an independent risk factor for poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke: data from the Netherlands Stroke Survey.

Background: Infections are a common and serious threat to patients with acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of infection on mortality and functional outcome at discharge and at 1 year.

Methods: From a consecutive cohort study in 11 centers, the Netherlands Stroke Survey, we selected 521 patients with ischemic stroke admitted to hospital within 48 h of onset.

Propionibacterium acnes and the pathogenesis of progressive macular hypomelanosis.

Background: Progressive macular hypomelanosis is a common hypopigmentation mainly on the central parts of the trunk, predominantly in young adults, especially women. It is often mistaken for pityriasis versicolor and pityriasis alba. It occurs in all races and has been described in many parts of the world.

Nosocomial Mycobacterium bovis-bacille Calmette-Guérin infections due to contamination of chemotherapeutics: case finding and route of transmission.

We studied nosocomial infections due to Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Onco-TICE bacteria, transmitted by contamination of medication prepared in BCG Onco-TICE-contaminated hoods in the pharmacy, in 5 immunocompromised patients at 3 hospitals. The BCG strains cultured from the patients had the same DNA profile as the BCG Onco-TICE strain used for bladder instillation. To prevent these infections, a change from open to closed preparation was made; strictly separated preparation in time of BCG Onco-TICE instillation and chemotherapy was enforced, the biological safety cabinet was disinfected between preparations, and gloves were changed between preparations.