Antroduodenal manometry findings in children with suspected pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Background: In 2018 diagnostic criteria for pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) were established. Neuromuscular dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is one of these, and often examined through antroduodenal manometry (ADM). There is little data on antroduodenal manometries in children.

Current Practices and Opportunities for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Hospitals: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

This nationwide study assessed how outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is organised by Dutch acute care hospitals, the barriers experienced, and how an OPAT program affects the way hospitals organised OPAT care. We systematically developed and administered a survey to all 71 Dutch acute care hospitals between November 2021 and February 2022. Analyses were primarily descriptive and included a comparison between hospitals with and without an OPAT program.

Integrating hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV screening into tuberculosis entry screening for migrants in the Netherlands, 2013 to 2015.

We evaluated uptake and diagnostic outcomes of voluntary hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) screening offered during routine tuberculosis entry screening to migrants in Gelderland and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between 2013 and 2015. In Amsterdam, HIV screening was also offered. Overall, 54% (461/859) accepted screening.

A multicentre verification study of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay.

Objectives: The aim of this verification study was to compare the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) to the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT). The new QFT-Plus test contains an extra antigen tube which, according to the manufacturer additionally elicits a CD8 T-cell response above the CD4 T-cell response. We assessed the value of this tube in detecting recent latent tuberculosis infections.

Monitoring therapy success of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women: A prospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: The use of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as a test of cure after treatment is subject to discussion, as the presence of C. trachomatis nucleic acids after treatment may be prolonged and intermittent without presence of infectious bacteria. We used cell culture to assess if a positive RNA- or DNA-based NAAT after treatment indicates the presence of viable C.

Biomarkers Can Identify Pulmonary Tuberculosis in HIV-infected Drug Users Months Prior to Clinical Diagnosis.

Background: Current diagnostic tests cannot identify which infected individuals are at risk for progression to tuberculosis (TB). Our aim was to identify biomarkers which can predict the development of TB prior to clinical diagnosis.

Method: In a retrospective case-control study, RNA of 14 HIV-infected drug users obtained before TB diagnosis (cases) and of 15 who did not develop TB (controls) was analyzed for the expression of 141 genes by dcRT-MLPA followed by Lasso regression analysis.

No added value of performing Ziehl-Neelsen on auramine-positive samples for tuberculosis diagnostics.

Setting: Regional Laboratory for Tuberculosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: There is a push to switch from Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) to auramine microscopy. Despite World Health Organization guidelines that one staining method is sufficient, in some countries national guidelines prescribe that auramine-positive samples should be confirmed by ZN.

Two cases of mild IgM-negative measles in previously vaccinated adults, the Netherlands, April and July 2011.

We describe two cases of mild, modified measles in fully vaccinated adults in the Netherlands. The mildness of disease, the lack of an IgM antibody response, the relatively low amounts of virus detected and the fact that no additional cases were reported, suggests that these vaccinated patients were less contagious than unvaccinated patients.

Diagnosis of cryptococcal and tuberculous meningitis in a resource-limited African setting.

Objectives: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are common in HIV-infected adults in Africa and difficult to diagnose. Inaccurate diagnosis results in adverse outcomes. We describe patterns of meningitis in a Malawian hospital, focusing on features which differentiate CM and TBM with the aim to derive an algorithm using only clinical and basic laboratory data available in this resource-poor setting.

The value of postmortem computed tomography as an alternative for autopsy in trauma victims: a systematic review.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) as an alternative for autopsy in determining the cause of death and the identification of specific injuries in trauma victims. A systematic review was performed by searching the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Articles were eligible if they reported both PMCT as well as autopsy findings and included more than one trauma victim.

An evaluation of a Shockroom located CT scanner: a randomized study of early assessment by CT scanning in trauma patients in the bi-located trauma center North-West Netherlands (REACT trial).

Background: Trauma is a major source of morbidity and mortality, especially in people below the age of 50 years. For the evaluation of trauma patients CT scanning has gained wide acceptance in and provides detailed information on location and severity of injuries. However, CT scanning is frequently time consuming due to logistical (location of CT scanner elsewhere in the hospital) and technical issues.

Clinical features of liver involvement in adult patients with listeriosis. Review of the literature.

Clinical features of liver involvement due to Listeria monocytogenes infection in adults are rarely reported in literature. This is surprising, regarding the current opinion that the portal system is extensively involved in the first stages of pathogenesis in invasive L. monocytogenes disease.

Lack of discriminating signs and symptoms in clinical diagnosis of influenza of patients admitted to the hospital.

Objectives: Rapid diagnosis of influenza in hospitalised patients is important to prevent the transmission of the infection in the hospital. This prospective observational cohort study was designed to determine the relationship between the clinical diagnosis of influenza made by the physician at admission and the presence of influenza virus in patients with respiratory tract infections.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a large Dutch teaching hospital in a period of four weeks during the influenza season 2004/2005.