Exploring the lived experiences of individuals with Parkinson's disease and their relatives: insights into care provision experiences, disease management support, self-management strategies, and future needs in Germany (qualitative study).

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts the health-related quality of life of affected individuals and their relatives. In order to support the affected individuals and their families in coping with PD, it is essential to offer comprehensive information about their experiences. A comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences with the disease, the healthcare system, applied self-management strategies and their needs is considered crucial for developing a PD support program.

Comparison of shedding characteristics of seasonal influenza virus (sub)types and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09; Germany, 2007-2011.

Background: Influenza viral shedding studies provide fundamental information for preventive strategies and modelling exercises. We conducted a prospective household study to investigate viral shedding in seasonal and pandemic influenza between 2007 and 2011 in Berlin and Munich, Germany.

Methods: Study physicians recruited index patients and their household members.

Preventable and non-preventable risk factors for influenza transmission and hygiene behavior in German influenza households, pandemic season (H1N1) 2009/2010.

Background: To date, little is known about the role of behavioral risk factors for influenza transmission as well as hygiene behavior in the household setting during the influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009. In a household-based study conducted during 2008/2009, we identified several behavioral risk factors for influenza transmission; 30% of index patients and 30% of household contacts reported increased hand cleaning frequency in the week after symptom onset of the index patient. We conducted another household-based study during the pandemic season 2009/2010.

The role of facemasks and hand hygiene in the prevention of influenza transmission in households: results from a cluster randomised trial; Berlin, Germany, 2009-2011.

Background: Previous controlled studies on the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) - namely the use of facemasks and intensified hand hygiene - in preventing household transmission of influenza have not produced definitive results. We aimed to investigate efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of NPI in households with influenza index patients.

Methods: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial during the pandemic season 2009/10 and the ensuing influenza season 2010/11.

Lack of evidence for pre-symptomatic transmission of pandemic influenza virus A(H1N1) 2009 in an outbreak among teenagers; Germany, 2009.

Background: Observations on the role of pre-symptomatic transmission in the spread of influenza virus are scanty. In June 2009, an outbreak of pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 infection occurred at a teenager's party in Germany. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 infection.

Shedding and transmission of novel influenza virus A/H1N1 infection in households--Germany, 2009.

Essential epidemiologic and virologic parameters must be measured to provide evidence for policy/public health recommendations and mathematical modeling concerning novel influenza A/H1N1 virus (NIV) infections. Therefore, from April through August of 2009, the authors collected nasopharyngeal specimens and information on antiviral medication and symptoms from households with NIV infection on a daily basis in Germany. Specimens were analyzed quantitatively by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Video documented follow-up of liver transplantation in Wilson's disease with predominant neurological manifestation.

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder of copper metabolism with predominantly hepatic and extrapyramidal motor symptoms. Copper chelating therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for WD. Yet, if conservative treatment fails, liver transplantation (LT) often is the only remaining therapeutic option.