ABSTRACT
We describe a case-control study of a small outbreak of nosocomial sepsis and pneumonia with high mortality due to clonal dissemination of a multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the neonatal intensive care unit of a Mexican institution. Our study helped to change nosocomial infection control policy in this hospital.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/microbiology , Cross Infection/mortality , Disease Outbreaks , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Klebsiella Infections/mortality , Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Pneumonia, Bacterial/mortality , Sepsis/microbiology , Sepsis/mortality , beta-Lactamases/biosynthesis , Case-Control Studies , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data , Klebsiella Infections/drug therapy , Klebsiella Infections/epidemiology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy , Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology , Sepsis/drug therapy , Sepsis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
We report on the results of a study comparing mianserin with amitriptyline and placebo, in outpatients with major depression (DSM-III 296.2 or 296.3). One hundred and forty-nine patients were randomized to mianserin (n = 50), amitriptyline (n = 50) or placebo (n = 49). Medication was taken in a nightly (qhs) dose. During Week 1, the maximum dose was 60 mg mianserin, 120 mg amitriptyline or two placebo capsules. Beginning at Day 7 (through Day 42) maximum dosages were 150 mg mianserin, 300 mg amitriptyline or five placebo capsules. At multiple weeks and endpoint, statistically significant reductions in the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) 17- and 21-item scores were recorded for both active drugs compared with placebo. Positive results with the HAM-D were corroborated by other measures of efficacy. There were no statistically significant differences between mianserin and amitriptyline in terms of efficacy; however, the results do suggest a more rapid therapeutic response for mianserin compared with amitriptyline, in terms of percentage of patients showing > or = 50% improvement at Weeks 2 (30% vs 23%) and 4 (61% vs 44%). The most common adverse experiences were somnolence (amitriptyline and mianserin 60%, placebo 31%) and dry mouth (amitriptyline 76%, mianserin 30% and placebo 20%). Our results indicate that mianserin is clearly superior to placebo, compares favorably with amitriptyline, and is a safe, well-tolerated, effective medication in the treatment of depressed outpatients.
