Nosocomial infection with Asaia lannensis in two paediatric patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

This is the first report, to our knowledge, of two temporally and geographically related nosocomial Asaia lannensis infections in a paediatric setting. Two patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy awaiting cardiac transplantation developed bacteraemia during their hospital stay. The physical location of both patients, the temporal association of infections, as well as the isolation of two identical pathogens suggested a nosocomial transmission.

Clinical and Laboratory Issues in Community-acquired MRSA.

The prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has steadily increased over the past 40 years. Today, intravenous clindamycin or vancomycin is recommended for anti-staphylococcal coverage. Failure to identify resistant strains could result in the overuse of vancomycin and subsequent resistance to that antibiotic.

Barriers to public health management of a pertussis outbreak in Arkansas.

Background: During the 2001-2002 respiratory season, Arkansas experienced one of its worst pertussis outbreaks. This crisis occurred shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Objective: To determine whether vulnerabilities in the public health infrastructure existed in the context of emerging infectious diseases or possible bioterrorist attacks.