Use of real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients: a meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients is still challenging today due to the absence of an in vitro culture system and the low diagnostic accuracy of microscopic examinations. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of PCP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched Web of Knowledge and Medline from 1990 to May 2010 for studies reporting diagnostic accuracy data regarding the use of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten individual studies were included. Overall, the sensitivity of real-time PCR was 97% (95%CI: 93% - 99%); the specificity was 94% (95%CI: 90% - 96%). The area under the HSROC curve (95%CI) for real-time PCR was 0.99 (0.97 - 0.99). In a subgroup analysis regarding studies involving HIV patients among the study population, the sensitivity and specificity were 97% (95%CI: 93% - 99%) and 93% (95%CI: 89% - 96%), respectively. Regarding studies using Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples only: sensitivity = 98% (95%CI: 94% - 99%); specificity = 93% (95%CI: 89% - 96%), respectively. Regarding studies using microscopy as a reference standard: sensitivity = 97% (95%CI: 92% - 99%); specificity = 93% (95%CI: 88% - 96%). However, high between-study statistical heterogeneity was observed in all analyses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Real-time PCR has a good diagnostic accuracy and may provide a useful adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients. Further studies are needed in order to identify any differences in the diagnostic performance of real-time PCR in HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients.</p>

Gemifloxacin for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of gemifloxacin for the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing gemifloxacin with other approved antibiotics. The PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, with no language restrictions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten RCTs, comparing gemifloxacin with other quinolones (in 5 RCTs) and β-lactams and/or macrolides (in 5 RCTs), involving 3940 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the treatment success was higher for gemifloxacin when compared with other antibiotics (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.15 - 1.68 in intention-to-treat patients, and 1.33, 1.02 - 1.73 in clinically evaluable patients). There was no significant difference between the compared antibiotics regarding microbiological success (1.19, 0.84 - 1.68) or all-cause mortality (0.82, 0.41 - 1.63). The total drug related adverse events were similar for gemifloxacin when compared with other quinolones (0.89, 0.56 - 1.41), while lower when compared with β-lactams and/or macrolides (0.71, 0.57 - 0.89). In subgroup analyses, administration of gemifloxacin was associated with fewer cases of diarrhoea and more rashes compared with other antibiotics (0.66, 0.48 - 0.91, and 2.36, 1.18 - 4.74, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The available evidence suggests that gemifloxacin 320 mg oral daily is equivalent or superior to other approved antibiotics in effectiveness and safety for CAP and AECB. The development of rash represents potential limitation of gemifloxacin.</p>

Respiratory tract infections in a military recruit setting: a prospective cohort study

Acute respiratory tract infections [RTIs] are an important cause of morbidity in the military setting. Respiratory viruses are the most frequently implicated pathogens, especially adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. We performed this study to investigate the role of factors such as obesity, cigarette smoking, and educational level on the development of respiratory tract infections in a military recruit setting. A cohort of 472 military recruits was prospectively followed up for the basic training period of 3 weeks. Symptoms of infections were monitored during this period. Eighty-four of 472 recruits [17.8%] were diagnosed with infection; 55 [65.5%] with upper RTI [mainly rhinitis], 23 [27.4%] with flu-like syndrome, and 6 [7.1%] with tonsillitis. There was no association between age, BMI, or smoking status and symptomatic RTI [p > 0.05]. Occurrence of respiratory tract infections in military recruits is common, at least in some populations and settings. We did not find an association between risk factors such as BMI and smoking and symptomatic respiratory infection in our population, a result that may be associated with the limited power of this study

Polymyxins: a review of the current status including recent developments

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Polymyxins have become the drug of choice for treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli infections in Singapore, simply because these pathogens are only susceptible to either aminoglycosides and polymyxins, or polymyxins only. Furthermore, there is no new antibiotic in the pipeline that targets these difficult-to-treat infections.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>All published literatures (up to end of February 2008) regarding polymyxins are included for review.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This review serves to give a summary of polymyxins from the current available literature, highlighting relevant clinical studies and information that help to guide informed prescription of polymyxins, should the need arise.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>However, there are substantial information gaps that needed to be filled urgently, to preserve the clinical utility of this very last line of antibiotic.</p>