Hepatitis C status and infectious complications in the surgical intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis of 1,941 consecutive patients.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is thought to be associated with immune dysfunction. We hypothesized that HCV status would be associated with increased infectious complications in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

Methods: All patients admitted to our SICU between 2008 and 2012 were included.

Effect of a preoperative decontamination protocol on surgical site infections in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation.

Importance: Surgical site infections (SSIs), commonly caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, specifically when hardware is implanted in the patient. Previously, we have demonstrated that a preoperative decontamination protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate washcloths and intranasal antiseptic ointment is effective in eradicating MRSA in the nose and on the skin of patients.

Objective: To examine the effect of a decontamination protocol on SSIs in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation.

Identification of methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrier status preoperatively using polymerase chain reaction in patients undergoing elective surgery with hardware implantation.

We compared bedside polymerase chain reaction to culture for identifying Staphylococcus aureus in patients about to undergo surgery with hardware implantation. Patients were screened for S. aureus carrier status at the preoperative clinic and on the day of surgery.

Treatment outcomes of human bartonellosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, and Bartonella bacilliformis are responsible for the majority of cases of bartonellosis in humans. These species have various unique epidemiologic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches. The objective of this study was to summarize the evidence on the treatment for the three most common species of Bartonella in humans.