Device-related nosocomial infection in intensive care units of Alexandria University Students Hospital

We studied the magnitude and determinants of device-related nosocomial infections in intensive care units [ICU] and identified the predominant microorganisms involved. Sputum, urine, blood cultures and chest X-ray were taken from each patient on admission and on appearance of any sign/symptom of infection. Out of 400 patients admitted to 3 units during the study, 45 [11.3%] developed nosocomial infections. The most important determinants of infection were previous admission to an ICU, whether in the same or another hospital, and duration of stay. Overall, 38 patients developed 43 device-related nosocomial infections [1.13 episodes per patient]. The main infectied association with invasive procedures were ventilator-associated pneumonia followed by catheter-related urinary tract infection and bloodstream infections

value of Ca 15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosis of breast cancer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of preoperative serum tumor markers CA 15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] in diagnosis of breast cancer. These tumor markers were measured preoperatively in fifty patients. The results of both tumor markers were compared. The CA 15-3 level was above normal [22 U/ml] in 56.5% of the patients with breast cancer. The CEA level was elevated in 10.9% of patients with breast cancer [more than 2 ng/ml]. The CA 15-3 was shown to be significantly positive in premenopausal status reaching 56.3% of premenopausal cases while CEA was insignificant. Both tumor markers were insignificant in postmenopausal status and in relation to tumor T stage and tumor N state. These results indicated that CA 15-3 antigen is significantly a more sensitive marker than CEA for the evaluation of patients with breast cancer