ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate a large outbreak of scabies in an intensive care unit of a university hospital and an affiliated rehabilitation center, and to establish effective control measures to prevent further transmission. DESIGN: Outbreak investigation. SETTING: The intensive care unit of a 750-bed university hospital and an affiliated 92-bed rehabilitation center. METHODS: All exposed individuals were screened by a senior staff dermatologist. Scabies was diagnosed on the basis of (1) identification of mites by skin scraping, (2) identification of mites by dermoscopy, or (3) clinical examination of patients without history of prior treatment for typical burrows. During a follow-up period of 6 months, the attack rate was calculated as the number of symptomatic individuals divided by the total number of exposed individuals. INTERVENTIONS: All exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) and their household members underwent preemptive treatment. Initially, the most effective registered drug in Switzerland (ie, topical lindane) was prescribed, but this prescription was switched to topical permethrin or systemic ivermectin as a result of the progression of the outbreak. Individuals with any signs or symptoms of scabies underwent dermatological examination. RESULTS: Within 7 months, 19 cases of scabies were diagnosed, 6 in children with a mean age of 3.1 years after exposure to the index patient with HIV and crusted scabies. A total of 1,640 exposed individuals underwent preemptive treatment. The highest attack rate of 26%-32% was observed among HCWs involved in the care of the index patient. A too-restricted definition of individuals at risk, noncompliance with treatment, and the limited effectiveness of lindane likely led to treatment failure, relapse, and reinfestation within families. CONCLUSIONS: Crusted scabies resulted in high attack rates among HCWs and household contacts. Timely institution of hygienic precautions with close monitoring and widespread, simultaneous scabicide treatment of all exposed individuals are essential for control of an outbreak.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data , Sarcoptes scabiei/drug effects , Scabies , Adult , Animals , Child, Preschool , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/parasitology , Cross Infection/transmission , Family Characteristics , Female , Health Personnel , Hospitals, University , Humans , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional , Insecticides/administration & dosage , Ivermectin/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Permethrin/administration & dosage , Rehabilitation Centers , Scabies/drug therapy , Scabies/epidemiology , Scabies/parasitology , Scabies/transmissionABSTRACT
In the last decade, community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have emerged in young, individuals without risk factors for MRSA acquisition. They mainly present with skin and soft tissue infections. CA-MRSA are genotypically and phenotypically differents from HA-MRSA. In case of recurrent or severe soft tissue infections, search for CA-MRSA should be performed. Treatment consists of incision and drainage of abscesses and furuncles. If antibiotics are needed, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the first choice. A specialist in infection control is advised for contact screening implementation of hygienic precautions and decolonization therapy.
Subject(s)
Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy , Methicillin Resistance , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Ambulatory Care , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Community-Acquired Infections/diagnosis , Humans , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis , Staphylococcus aureusABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the virological outcome of patients with undetectable human immunodeficiency (HI) viremia switched to tenofovir (TDF)-containing nucleosideonly (NUKE-only) treatments and to investigate the factors influencing the physicians' decision for application of a nonestablished therapy. METHOD: Patients' characteristics and history were taken from the cohort database. To study the decision-making process, questionnaires were sent to all treating physicians. RESULTS: 49 patients were changed to TDF-containing NUKE-only treatment and 46 had a follow-up measurement of HI viremia. Virological failure occurred in 16 (35%) patients. Virological failure was associated with previous mono or dual therapy and with a regimen including didanosine or abacavir. No failure occurred in 15 patients without these predisposing factors. The main reasons for change to TDF-containing NUKE-only treatment were side effects and presumed favorable toxicity profile. The rationale behind this decision was mainly analogy to the zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir maintenance therapy. CONCLUSION: TDF-containing NUKE-only treatment is associated with high early failure rates in patients with previous nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mono or dual therapy and in drug combinations containing didanosine or abacavir but not in patients without these predisposing factors. In HIV medicine, treatment strategies that are not evidence-based are followed by a minority of experienced physicians and are driven by patients' needs, mainly to minimize treatment side effects.
