ABSTRACT
In April 2012, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness occurred in a public hospital in Zarqa city, in Jordan; 8 health care workers were among the 11 people affected, 1 of who later died. The cause of the outbreak was unknown at the time and an epidemiological investigation including laboratory testing carried out immediately afterthe outbreak was inconclusive. Following the discovery of novel coronavirus infection (nCoV) in the Arabian peninsula in September 2012, stored respiratory and serum samples of patients from this outbreak were retested and the diagnosis of nCoV was confirmed in 2 deceased patients. This paper describes the epidemiological findings of retrospective investigation carried out in November 2012 and highlights the likelihood of nosocomial transmission of nCoV infection in a health-care setting. A total of 2 laboratory-confirmed and 11 probable cases were identified from this outbreak of whom 10 were HCWs and 2 were family members of cases.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Coronavirus Infections/transmission , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/transmission , Female , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Jordan/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
In April 2012, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness occurred in a public hospital in Zarqa city, in Jordan; 8 health care workers were among the 11 people affected, 1 of who later died. The cause of the outbreak was unknown at the time and an epidemiological investigation including laboratory testing carried out immediately after the outbreak was inconclusive. Following the discovery of novel coronavirus infection [nCoV] in the Arabian peninsula in September 2012, stored respiratory and serum samples of patients from this outbreak were retested and the diagnosis of nCoV was confirmed in 2 deceased patients. This paper describes the epidemiological findings of retrospective investigation carried out in November 2012 and highlights the likelihood of nosocomial transmission of nCoV infection in a health-care setting. A total of 2 laboratory-confirmed and 11 probable cases were identified from this outbreak of whom 10 were HCWs and 2 were family members of cases
ABSTRACT
In April 2012, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness occurred in a public hospital in Zarqa city, in Jordan; 8 health care workers were among the 11 people affected, 1 of who later died. The cause of the outbreak was unknown at the time and an epidemiological investigation including laboratory testing carried out immediately after the outbreak was inconclusive. Following the discovery of novel coronavirus infection [nCoV] in the Arabian peninsula in September 2012, stored respiratory and serum samples of patients from this outbreak were retested and the diagnosis of nCoV was confirmed in 2 deceased patients. This paper describes the epidemiological findings of retrospective investigation carried out in November 2012 and highlights the likelihood of nosocomial transmission of nCoV infection in a health-care setting. A total of 2 laboratory-confirmed and 11 probable cases were identified from this outbreak of whom 10 were HCWs and 2 were family members of cases
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Coronavirus , Retrospective Studies , Coronavirus InfectionsABSTRACT
In late 2002, health professionals from the ministries of health and academia of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel formed the Middle East Consortium on Infectious Disease Surveillance (MECIDS) to facilitate trans-border cooperation in response to infectious disease outbreaks. The first mission of MECIDS was to establish a regional, laboratory-based surveillance network on foodborne diseases. The development of harmonized methodologies and laboratory capacities, the establishment of a common platform of communication, data sharing and analysis and coordination of intervention steps when needed were agreed upon. Each of the three parties selected the microbiological laboratories that would form the network of sentinel laboratories and cover the different districts of each country and also designated one laboratory as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL). Data analysis units have been established to manage the data and serve as a central point of contact in each country. The MECIDS also selected a regional data analysis unit, the Cooperative Monitoring Centre (CMC) located in Amman, Jordan, and established a mechanism for sharing data from the national systems. Joint training courses were held on interventional epidemiology and laboratory technologies. Data collection started in July 2005 with surveillance of salmonellosis as the first target. This network of collaboration and communication established in an area of continuous dispute represents an important step towards assessing the burden of foodborne diseases in the region and is expected to be fundamental for coordination of public health interventions and prevention strategies.
Subject(s)
Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control , Laboratories , Sentinel Surveillance , Arabs , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/standards , Epidemiologic Methods , Foodborne Diseases/diagnosis , Humans , International Cooperation , Israel/epidemiology , Jordan/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. MRSA strains are endemic in many American and European hospitals and account for 29%-35% of all clinical isolates. Recent studies have documented the increased costs associated with MRSA infection, as well as the importance of colonisation pressure. Surveillance strategies have been proposed especially in high risk areas such as the intensive care unit. Pneumonia and bacteraemia account for the majority of MRSA serious clinical infections, but intra-abdominal infections, osteomyelitis, toxic shock syndrome, food poisoning, and deep tissue infections are also important clinical diseases. The traditional antibiotic therapy for MRSA is a glycopeptide, vancomycin. New antibiotics have been recently released that add to the armamentarium for therapy against MRSA and include linezolid, and quinupristin/dalfopristin, but cost, side effects, and resistance may limit their long term usefulness.
Subject(s)
Intensive Care Units , Methicillin Resistance , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Humans , Risk Factors , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Causes of bilateral low vision (BLLV) and bilateral blindness (BLB) were investigated among 720 outpatients aged > 45 years in Irbid, Jordan, between July 1999 and October 2000. All received full ophthalmic examinations. BLLV was defined as visual acuity < 6/18 but > 3/60 in the better eye; BLB as acuity < 3/60 in the better eye. The leading cause of BLB and BLLV was cataract. Refractive error was the second major cause of BLLV. Other common causes were diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration was the single cause of BLB and BLLV for only 1.6% and 2.8% respectively. A population-based survey of BLB and BLLV in the elderly, yearly vision examinations and an ophthalmic education programme are recommended.
Subject(s)
Blindness/epidemiology , Blindness/etiology , Vision Disorders/epidemiology , Vision Disorders/etiology , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blindness/diagnosis , Blindness/prevention & control , Cataract/complications , Causality , Diabetic Retinopathy/complications , Female , Glaucoma/complications , Hospitals, Military , Humans , Jordan/epidemiology , Macular Degeneration/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Needs Assessment , Ophthalmoscopy , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Referral and Consultation , Refractive Errors/complications , Vision Disorders/diagnosis , Vision Disorders/prevention & control , Vision Screening , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Causes of bilateral low vision [BLLV] and bilateral blindness [BLB] were investigated among 720 outpatients aged > 45 years in Irbid, Jordan, between July 1999 and October 2000. All received full ophthalmic examinations. BLLV was defined as visual acuity < 6/18 but > 3/60 in the better eye; BLB as acuity < 3/60 in the better eye. The leading cause of BLB and BLLV was cataract. Refractive error was the second major cause of BLLV. Other common causes were diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration was the single cause of BLB and BLLV for only 1.6% and 2.8% respectively. A population-based survey of BLB and BLLV in the elderly, yearly vision examinations and an ophthalmic education programme are recommended
Subject(s)
Age Distribution , Blindness , Cataract , Diabetic Retinopathy , Glaucoma , Macular Degeneration , Ophthalmoscopy , Referral and Consultation , Vision Screening , Visual Acuity , Vision DisordersABSTRACT
A 22 year old unbooked female patient presented to our Prince Hashem Hospital in Al-Zarqa with labor pain. The patient was admitted to our labor room and delivered normally. Diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia was made after she developed left eye macular hemorrhage on the second day of delivery and confirmed by bone marrow biopsy.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Megaloblastic/diagnosis , Macula Lutea , Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/diagnosis , Retinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Adult , Biopsy , Bone Marrow/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Puerperal Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Rapid detection of hemostatic defects presents a challenge for the anesthesiologist who must balance anesthetic and surgical considerations for maintaining adequate platelet and coagulant factors, while keeping allogenic blood exposure to a minimum. The Clot Signature Analyzer, a point-of-care device capable of rapid response and easy interpretation is described here. Its applicability in two obstetrical patients with platelet dysfunction is discussed.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia , Blood Coagulation Tests/instrumentation , Blood Platelets/physiology , Adult , Blood Coagulation Disorders/diagnosis , Blood Coagulation Tests/methods , Female , Hermanski-Pudlak Syndrome/blood , Humans , Intraoperative Period , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/bloodABSTRACT
To determine the importance of sinusitis as a cause of orbital cellulitis, the causative organisms and peak age of occurrence, 25 patients hospitalized with orbital cellulitis (ages 8 months to 17 years; 80%, 1-4 years) were studied. Complete blood counts were carried out and radiographic sinus examinations and eye swabs (for culturing) performed prior to antibiotic treatment. Sinusitis was evident in 72% of the patients. Eye swab cultures indicated 80% had streptococcal, staphylococcal or enterococcal infection. The data indicate that sinusitis is an important cause of orbital cellulitis. The most common causative organisms were Streptococcus viridans (44%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32%). Initial antibiotics should therefore cover both organisms.
