causing recurrent superficial skin infections in an immunosuppressed patient.

is a gram-negative bacterium found commonly in water and soil. Initially thought to be non-pathogenic, it is now recognised as an important cause of nosocomial and opportunistic infections. Skin infections are rare, but cases of causing ulcers, abscesses and necrotizing fasciitis have been reported.

Bedside leucocyte esterase reagent strips with spectrophotometric analysis to rapidly exclude spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a pilot study.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a potentially fatal complication of cirrhotic ascites, is diagnosed when the polymorphonuclear leucocyte count in the ascitic fluid is>250/mm. Manual laboratory counting of ascitic polymorphonuclear leucocytes is, however, labour-intensive, costly, results in diagnostic delay and it is not available in all hospitals as part of the 'out-of-hours' service. Thus, a rapid diagnostic screening test for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis would be beneficial in this condition.