ABSTRACT
We conducted a retrospective study on the prevalence and correlates of transmitted drug resistance among newly-diagnosed antiretroviral naive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Northern Greece, during the period 2009-11. Transmitted drug resistance was documented in 21.8% of patients enrolled, affecting approximately 40% of subtype A HIV-1-infected individuals. Overcoming challenges due to the ongoing financial crisis, effective preventive measures should be implemented to control further dissemination of resistant HIV strains.
Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Viral , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/drug effects , Adult , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Greece/epidemiology , HIV Infections/transmission , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
On 26 and 27 May, the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Greece reported two confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) virus infection in travellers returning from Scotland. The two cases had no apparent traceable links to an infectious source. Herein we report details of the two cases and potential public health implications.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Travel , European Union , Greece/epidemiology , Humans , Influenza, Human/physiopathology , Male , Scotland , Young AdultABSTRACT
Acute renal failure is a rare complication following the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Only 114 cases have been reported in the literature. The exact mechanism of IVIG-associated acute renal failure remains unclear. Hereby we describe the first case of ARF in a HIV-infected patient, who received IVIG stabilized with maltose for the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenic purpura.
Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced , HIV Infections/complications , HIV-1 , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/adverse effects , Thrombocytopenia/drug therapy , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Thrombocytopenia/etiologyABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana among a risk group, patients with HIV infection, and to identify the epidemiological factors involved. Our data indicate that the prevalence of Bartonella infection among HIV-infected patients is much greater than that in the healthy population of the same area and that Bartonella infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with HIV disease.
Subject(s)
Bartonella henselae , Bartonella quintana , HIV Infections/microbiology , HIV , Angiomatosis, Bacillary/epidemiology , Angiomatosis, Bacillary/immunology , Antibody Specificity , Bartonella henselae/immunology , Bartonella quintana/immunology , Female , HIV/immunology , HIV Infections/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Trench Fever/epidemiology , Trench Fever/immunologyABSTRACT
The activity of linezolid in comparison to vancomycin, teicoplanin, oxacillin, clindamycin and gentamicin was tested against 60 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 60 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from patients with nosocomial infections and 24 strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolated from feces of hospitalized patients. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined by the Epsilometer test method. All tested strains were sensitive to linezolid and specifically all methicillin-resistant S. aureus had MIC range 0.25-3.00, MIC50 = 0.75, MIC90 = 1.5, all methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis had MIC range 0.125-1.5, MIC50 = 0.5, MIC90 = 1 and all vancomycin-resistant E. faecium had MIC range 0.5-1.5, MIC50 = 1, MIC90 = 1. Linezolid is the first of a novel antimicrobial class, the oxazolidinones, which is a promising treatment for serious Gram-positive infections, including multiresistant strains.
Subject(s)
Acetamides/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Methicillin Resistance , Oxazolidinones/pharmacology , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects , Staphylococcus epidermidis/pathogenicity , Vancomycin Resistance , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Cross Infection , In Vitro Techniques , Linezolid , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
The activity of clinafloxacin was compared to that of ciprofloxacin against 154 Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from patients treated in Intensive Care Units. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the Epsilometer test method. The majority (87.6%) of the A. baumannii strains tested were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC range 0.125->32, MIC50 = >32, MIC90 = >32). On the contrary, only 9.7% of the strains tested were resistant to clinafloxacin (MIC range 0.023->4, MIC50 = 0.75, MIC90 = 2). Due to its superior activity shown against A. baumannii strains, compared to ciprofloxacin, clinafloxacin may be added to the therapeutic armamentarium for hospital-acquired infections caused by A. baumannii in Intensive Care Units.
Subject(s)
Acinetobacter Infections/drug therapy , Acinetobacter baumannii/drug effects , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Fluoroquinolones , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Ciprofloxacin/therapeutic use , Critical Care , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to a variety of antimicrobial agents are often found in the hospital environment and are responsible for many life-threatening infections. The activity of quinupristin/dalfopristin against 84 Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream isolates (both methicillin resistant and methicillin sensitive) was compared to the activity of vancomycin, teicoplanin, erythromycin, oxacillin, clindamycin, gentamicin, rifampicin. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of these agents was evaluated with the Epsilometer Test. Quinupristin/dalfopristin inhibited all methicillin-sensitive strains at 1mg/L, and 75% of methicillin-resistant strains at 1.5mg/L. According to these results, quinupristin-dalfopristin shows promising in-vitro activity and may be a welcome alternative treatment for methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections, resulting in reduced use of glycopeptides.
