Effects of Stroke Unit Care in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient Ineligible for Thrombolytic Treatment.

Background: Several trials have verified the benefits of stroke unit (SU) in acute stroke care worldwide. Objective: Compare clinical outcomes and costs of care in acute ischemic stroke patients who were ineligible for thrombolytic treatment (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator-rt PA) in a primary stroke center. Material and Method: A prospective study was conducted in acute ischemic stroke patients, aged 15 years old and above, presenting within 72 hours of onset. At discharge, neurological and medical complications, mortality rate, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Activities of Daily Living (Barthel ADLs Index), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for disability were measured, as well as the length of stay, and cost of hospital care. Results: There were 1,110 acute ischemic stroke patients, 472 subjects (42.52%) in general medical ward (GMW), and 638 subjects (57.48%) in stroke unit (SU). The number of neurological (brain edema, hemorrhagic transformation, or recurrent stroke), and medical complications (gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pneumonia, or pressure sore) in GMW had highly statistical significance (p<0.001, p<0.001) more than those in SU, with adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI) of 84.53 (31.14 to 229.46), 4.03 (1.99 to 8.17), respectively. Whereas, the death rate, NIHSS, and disability (Barthel Index of ADLs, and mRS) were statistically significant lower among SU cases (p = 0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001) respectively. The median length of stay was three days in both groups, while the median cost of in hospital care was 10,206 Thai Bahts in SU, which was 15.23% higher (p<0.001). Conclusion: The stroke unit increases the survival rate among stroke patient compared with the general medical ward and have less complication.

Infectious causes of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis in Thailand, 2003-2005.

Acute encephalitis is a severe neurologic syndrome. Determining etiology from among ≈100 possible agents is difficult. To identify infectious etiologies of encephalitis in Thailand, we conducted surveillance in 7 hospitals during July 2003-August 2005 and selected patients with acute onset of brain dysfunction with fever or hypothermia and with abnormalities seen on neuroimages or electroencephalograms or with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid were tested for >30 pathogens. Among 149 case-patients, median age was 12 (range 0-83) years, 84 (56%) were male, and 15 (10%) died. Etiology was confirmed or probable for 54 (36%) and possible or unknown for 95 (64%). Among confirmed or probable etiologies, the leading pathogens were Japanese encephalitis virus, enteroviruses, and Orientia tsutsugamushi. No samples were positive for chikungunya, Nipah, or West Nile viruses; Bartonella henselae; or malaria parasites. Although a broad range of infectious agents was identified, the etiology of most cases remains unknown.

Japanese encephalitis virus remains an important cause of encephalitis in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is endemic in Thailand and prevention strategies include vaccination, vector control, and health education. METHODS: Between July 2003 and August 2005, we conducted hospital-based surveillance for encephalitis at seven hospitals in Bangkok and Hat Yai. Serum and cerebrospinal (CSF) specimens were tested for evidence of recent JEV infection by immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). RESULTS: Of the 147 patients enrolled and tested, 24 (16%) had evidence of acute flavivirus infection: 22 (15%) with JEV and two (1%) with dengue virus. Of the 22 Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases, 10 (46%) were aged ≤ 15 years. The median length of hospital stay was 13 days; one 13-year-old child died. Ten percent of encephalitis patients enrolled in Bangkok hospitals were found to have JEV infection compared to 28% of patients enrolled in hospitals in southern Thailand (p < 0.01). Four (40%) of the 10 children with JE were reported as being vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: JEV remains an important cause of encephalitis among hospitalized patients in Thailand. The high proportion of JE among encephalitis cases is concerning and additional public health prevention efforts or expanded vaccination may be needed.