Multidisciplinary approach to the management of a case of classical respiratory diphtheria requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding.

We present a case of a Caucasian woman aged 67 years referred with a 4-day history of sore throat, dysphagia, fever and nasal blockage. Examination revealed a swollen neck and pharyngeal pseudomembrane. A throat swab was positive on culture for , with toxin expression confirmed on PCR and Elek testing.

Determination of Urinary Neopterin/Creatinine Ratio to Distinguish Active Tuberculosis from Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection.

Background. Biomarkers to distinguish latent from active Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis infection in clinical practice are lacking.

Sterile surgical helmet system in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the sterility of the sterile surgical helmet system (SSHS) during elective total hip and knee arthroplasty in theatres with (n=20) and without (n=20) laminar flow.

Methods: Three surgeons performed 14 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) and 6 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in a laminar flow theatre and 15 TKAs and 5 THAs in a non-laminar flow theatre. An SSHS was used in all the procedures.

Temocillin use in England: clinical and microbiological efficacies in infections caused by extended-spectrum and/or derepressed AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Background: Temocillin, a β-lactam stable against most β-lactamases [including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and derepressed AmpC cephalosporinases (dAmpC)], has been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems when Pseudomonas can be excluded. Aims To assess temocillin clinical and microbiological cure rates (CCR and MCR) in infection caused by ESBL/dAmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae and the effects of different dosage regimens.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patients treated for at least 3 days with temocillin for urinary tract infection (n = 42), bloodstream infection (n = 42) or hospital-acquired pneumonia (n = 8) in six centres in the UK.

BCG vaccination reduces risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as detected by gamma interferon release assay.

Aims: To investigate whether BCG vaccination, in addition to a reduction of active tuberculosis, leads to a reduction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection during an outbreak of tuberculosis.

Methods: Pupils (n=199) of a Junior School exposed to a pupil with active pulmonary tuberculosis were screened using a gamma interferon release assay for detection of M. tuberculosis infection (ex vivo ELISPOT assay).