Relation of chronic disease and immune response to influenza vaccine in the elderly.

The ability of elderly patients to mount an adequate immune response to influenza vaccine has been debated. We studied the serum haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody response in elderly persons to determine whether different degrees of chronic illness were a critical factor in immune response. In autumn 1986, trivalent split virus vaccine was used to immunize 87 healthy ambulatory elderly adults and 53 institutionalized elderly adults.

Factors affecting the use of influenza vaccine in the institutionalized elderly.

Annual influenza vaccination has been recommended for the past four years for all the patients residing on the extended-care facility of this large county hospital. During the fall of 1983, baseline data was collected regarding compliance with these recommendations. It was found that only 33% of the high-risk individuals had been vaccinated.

Nosocomial infections among patients in a long-term care facility: spectrum, prevalence, and risk factors.

During a 6-month period data were collected on 460 patients residing on the long-term care division of this 1200-bed county hospital. The purpose was to determine prevalence and spectrum and to identify risk factors for skin infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and sepsis. Overall, the prevalence of nosocomial infections among 460 patients was 12%.

Bacteremia in a long-term care facility. Spectrum and mortality.

One hundred episodes of bacteremia were studied in a primarily geriatric population. Gram-positive bacteremia accounted for 24% of all bacteremia (50% mortality rate), while gram-negative bacteremia accounted for 67% of bacteremia (25% mortality); 9% of all bacteremias were polymicrobial in nature (67% mortality). Overall mortality was 35%.

Pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma associated with strongyloides.

A 60-year-old woman presented with a mass in the left upper abdominal quadrant. Noninvasive studies showed a cystic structure arising from the pancreas. Pathologic studies of the tumor revealed pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma; the fluid contained Strongyloides larvae.