Subject(s)
Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Inpatients , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Comorbidity , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross Infection/virology , Female , Humans , Influenza A virus , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Enterococcus spp. isolates (n = 286) collected from six surface water bodies in subtropical Brisbane, Australia, prior to and after storm events, were identified to species level and tested for the presence of seven clinically important virulence genes (VGs). Enterococcus faecalis (48%), Enterococcus faecium (14%), Enterococcus mundtii (13%), and Enterococcus casseliflavus (13%) were frequently detected at all sites. The frequency of E. faecium occurrence increased from 6% in the dry period to 18% after the wet period. The endocarditis antigen (efaA), gelatinase (gelE), collagen-binding protein (ace), and aggregation substance (asa1) were detected in 61%, 43%, 43%, and 23% of Enterococcus isolates, respectively. The chances of occurrence of ace, gelE, efaA, and asa1 genes in E. faecalis were found to be much higher compared to the other Enterococcus spp. The observed odds ratio of occurrence of ace and gelE genes in E. faecalis was much higher at 7.96 and 6.40 times, respectively. The hyl gene was 3.84 times more likely to be detected in E. casseliflavus. The presence of multiple VGs in most of the E. faecalis isolates underscores the importance of E. faecalis as a reservoir of VGs in the fresh water aquatic environment. Consequently, if contaminated surface water is to be used for production of potable and nonpotable water some degree of treatment depending upon intended use such as detention in basins prior to use or chlorination is required.
Subject(s)
Enterococcus/genetics , Enterococcus/pathogenicity , Fresh Water/microbiology , Virulence Factors/genetics , Virulence/genetics , Antigens, Bacterial/genetics , Australia , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Enterococcus/isolation & purification , Gelatinases/genetics , Rain , Water Pollutants/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Pneumothorax is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by an accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space. This may occur either spontaneously or as a result of disease or injury. The term "catamenial" is derived from the Greek meaning "monthly". Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare complication of endometriosis. A patient with a history of endometriosis presented to the accident and emergency department with increased abdominal pain, shortness of breath and wheeze. She was subsequently found to have a right-sided pneumothorax which was initially aspirated. However, the pneumothorax recurred and required chest drain insertion and admission to a medical ward. Further recovery was uneventful. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion of catamenial pneumothorax in patients with a history of endometriosis.