A prospective study of AIDS-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Thailand treated with high-dose amphotericin B.

OBJECTIVE: To assess kinetic of cryptococci in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and outcome of AIDS-associated cyptococcal meningitis after high-dose amphotericin B. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study involving Thai adults (n=106) with cryptococcal meningitis associated with AIDS was conducted to determine the kinetic of cryptococci in CSF and prognostic factors affecting survival after high-dose amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg/day) followed by oral azole treatment. Cerebrospinal fluids were collected for cryptococcal count and culture at weekly intervals for at least 2 weeks or until CSF cultures were negative for cryptococci. All patients were followed monthly for 1 year or until death in order to detect relapse or occurrence of any other opportunistic infection. RESULTS: A total of 106 AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis were enrolled. The geometric mean (range) total and viable cryptococcal counts in CSF on admission were 430,000 (1000 to 3.4 x 10(7)) and 31,000 (10 to 1.4 x 10(7)) per ml, respectively. Both total and viable cryptococcal counts declined monoexponentially with an elimination half life of 4 days. The cumulative CSF yeast clearance rates were 38% and 56% at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Early death was associated significantly with previous history of weight loss [relative risk (RR)=2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-3.9], Glasgow Coma Score <13 (RR=2.33; 95% CI, 1.55-3.50), and hypoalbuminaemia (P<0.001). Later mortality was associated delayed CSF yeast clearance (RR=3.6; 95% CI, 1.9--6.4) and relapse (RR=3.9; 95% CI, 1.4-10.8). CONCLUSION: High-dose amphotericin B was not as effective as previously thought. Cumulative mortality at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 1 year were 16%, 24% and 76%, respectively.

Outcome following staphylococcal peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus spp predominate as the causative pathogen of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-related peritonitis.This study evaluated the difference in morbidity and mortality between peritonitis caused by S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A single regional dialysis unit in a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients had S. aureus peritonitis and 65 patients had CoNS peritonitis between July 1990 and November 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Using the first recorded episode of peritonitis, survival analysis was performed for time to (1) death, (2) removal of peritoneal dialysis catheter, and (3) change to hemodialysis. Abdominal complications were recorded for the first and subsequent episodes. RESULTS: No difference in time to death was demonstrated for the two groups (p = 0.79), although two deaths that occurred during therapy for peritonitis were attributable to S. aureus infection. In addition, 5 patients developed serious abdominal complications related to an episode of S. aureus peritonitis. Patients with S. aureus peritonitis had a shorter time to both peritoneal dialysis catheter removal (p = 0.004) and change to hemodialysis (p = 0.014). The change in mode of dialysis was independent of catheter loss. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the serious nature of S. aureus peritonitis and confirms the need for effective preventive measures against infection by this pathogen.

Comparison of imipenem and ceftazidime as therapy for severe melioidosis.

An open, prospective, randomized, comparative treatment trial was conducted to compare the therapeutic efficacy of high-dose intravenous imipenem and ceftazidime for acute severe melioidosis. Adult Thai patients with suspected acute, severe melioidosis were randomized to receive either imipenem, at a dosage of 50 mg/(kg x d), or ceftazidime, at a dosage of 120 mg/(kg x d), for a minimum of 10 days. The main outcome measures were death or treatment failure. Of the 296 patients enrolled, 214 had culture-confirmed melioidosis, and 132 (61.7%) of them had positive blood cultures. Mortality among patients with melioidosis was 36.9% overall. There were no differences in survival overall (P = .96) or after 48 hours (P = .3). Treatment failure after 48 hours was more common among patients treated with ceftazidime (P = .011). Both treatments were well tolerated. Imipenem is a safe and effective treatment for acute severe melioidosis and may be considered an alternative to ceftazidime.

A comparison of lysis centrifugation, pour plate, and conventional blood culture methods in the diagnosis of septicaemic melioidosis.

AIMS: To determine whether quantitative blood culture methods could improve the diagnosis of septicaemic melioidosis. METHODS: A comparison of conventional broth based blood cultures, a pour plate method, and a commercial lysis centrifugation (Isolator 10) blood culture system was conducted in 71 Thai patients with severe melioidosis. The time to identification of B pseudomallei was recorded for each method. RESULTS: 42 patients (59%) were septicaemic. Compared with conventional blood culture, the Isolator and pour plate methods had sensitivities of 81% and 61%, respectively. The median times to a positive culture were: Isolator 39.3 hours, pour plates 45.5 hours, broth culture 61.8 hours (p < 0.001 Isolator v broth). There was a significant inverse correlation between Isolator tube or pour plate quantitative counts and time to detection (r = -0.44 and -0.57, respectively). Mortality was higher in patients who were septicaemic. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of one of these quantitative methods, in addition to conventional broth culture, may lead to earlier diagnosis of septicaemic melioidosis.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: factors influencing recovery of organisms from effluents.

In order to establish reasons for a decreased yield of positive culture results from peritoneal dialysates of patients with continuous ambulatory dialysis peritonitis 60 specimens were examined, 47 (78%) of which were positive. A negative result was associated with a delay in processing the specimen and the presence of antimicrobial substances in the dialysate. The application of a method involving dilution of a large volume of effluent in broth did not substantially increase the positive yield.

Behavioral observation of children during play therapy: preliminary development of a research instrument.

There is a need for a measure of children's playroom behavior to assess areas of functioning relevant to diagnosis, therapy process, and outcome, as discussed in clinical literature. This study concerned the development of a Play Therapy Observational Instrument designed to meet criteria specified as necessary for such a measure. Two nonclinicians were trained in the observation and scoring of 31 child behaviors. The observations were made on video tapes and transcripts of ongoing play therapy sessions. Results indicated that 13 of the behaviors were scored with a high level of interjudge reliability. These reliable scores formed three statistically valid and theoretically meaningful subscales: emotional discomfort, use of fantasy play as a coping method, and the quality of the child's interaction with the therapist. Children's scale scores were sufficiently stable within sessions and across two therapy sessions to indicate that they reflected individual differences. Relationships between scales were assessed and discussed in the light of theoretical controversies. Implications for future research were discussed.