ABSTRACT
The incidence of enterococci from clinical sources shows a significant increase with properties of intrinsic resistance to many antimicrobials particularly glycopeptides such as vancomycin. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE] are usually resistant to many antimicrobials and pose a great threat to the patient safety. The possibility of the transfer of the van A gene from enterococci to Staphylococcus aureus has caused much concern among scientists and clinicians. Management options for VRE infections are limited. Empirical therapy to treat VRE infections should be guided according to the local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of VRE. Newly developed antibiotics like linezolid, daptomycin, quinupristinldalfopristin, have promising effects against VRE. The prudent use of antibiotics, strict guidelines for the use of new antimicrobials, adherence of infection control measures such as surveillance, hand hygiene, environmental disinfection continue to be essential components of the therapeutic management of colonisation and or infection due to VRE. The present study was undertaken to review VRE infections and the therapeutic options for the management of VRE infections
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C, caused by hepatitis C virus [HCV], has emerged as a major health problem not only in developing world but also in developed countries. HCV infects approximately 170 million people worldwide. HCV is the most efficiently transmitted through percutaneous exposure to blood, intravenous drug abuse, haemodialysis, nosocomial incidents [colonoscopy], inadequately sterilised medical instruments, high-risk sexual behaviour, body piercing, tattooing and vertical transmission. Most patients with acute HCV infection develop persistent infection and 75-85% patients develop chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis C predisposes patients to progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnosis of HCV infection by serological, virological, molecular tools and biopsy is essential in the management of HCV infection. Pegylated interferon a combined with ribavirin has been the mainstay of treatment of HCV infection. Awareness of health care workers and general population is important to curb this silent epidemic. This review is presented as an overview of epidemiology, virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HCV infection