RESUMO
Acute transverse myelitis, an acute inflammation of the spinal cord, can be caused by HSV infection. We report a case of an 85-year-old man who presented with lower extremity weakness and flare-up of a vesicular rash on the sacral area. The patient was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis based on MRI and CSF findings. CSF analysis showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis and positive HSV-2 PCR. The patient was started on intravenous acyclovir, with full clinical and radiologic improvement despite persistence of HSV-2 PCR positivity in the CSF for four months. A review of the literature of HSV myelitis is included. We conclude that testing of HSV PCR on repeated CSF samples might not accurately reflect viral activity in the setting of clinical improvement
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Herpesvirus Humano 2 , Replicação Viral , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseRESUMO
Febrile neutropenia is common in cancer patients managed with chemotherapy. Many published international guidelines have included detailed recommendations on the management of various aspects of febrile neutropenia seen in this population. Various factors play a role in the management of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients including, local microbiology epidemiology, availability of diagnostic tests and available antimicrobial agents on the local market. On behalf of the Lebanese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the panel members hope that the guidelines on the management of infections in patients with febrile neutropenia in an era of rising antimicrobial resistance will help health care providers standardize the care of these patients
RESUMO
The objective of this study was to examine the epidemiology and the clinical manifestations of typhoid fever as well as the susceptibility and strain relatedness of Salmonella typhi isolates in Lebanon from 2006 to 2007. A total of 120 patients with typhoid fever were initially identified from various areas of the country based on positive culture results for S. typhi from blood, urine, stools, bone marrow and /or positive serology. Clinical, microbiological and molecular analysis was performed on cases with complete data available. These results indicated that drinking water was an unlikely mode of transmission of the infection. Despite increasing reports of antimicrobial resistance among S. typhi isolates, the vast majority of these isolates were susceptible to various antibiotic agents, including ampicillin, cephalosporins, quinolones, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Molecular analysis of the isolates revealed a predominance of one single genotype with no variation in distribution across the geographical regions
RESUMO
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a global phenomenon, mainly due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. There are no studies in Lebanon to assess the public's knowledge, attitudes and practices [KAP] of antibiotic usage. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire completed by a random convenience sample of 500 people. Nearly half of the respondents [46.1%] demonstrated moderate knowledge levels, while 40.6% demonstrated moderate attitudes. Although 80.2% knew that antibiotics are anti-bacterial, 73.5% did not know that antibiotics are not anti-viral. Moreover, 68.3% of respondents reported consuming antibiotics 1-3 times per year, while 22.4% consumed antibiotics on their own accord. Approximately 66.7% realized that abusing antibiotics could lead to resistance. Participant knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with monthly family income, educational level, place of residency, having medical insurance, working in the health sector or having a relative working in the health sector. Nation-wide awareness campaigns targeting susceptible demographics should be initiated