ABSTRACT
We report on five SARS-CoV-2 congregate setting outbreaks at U.S. Operation Allies Welcome Safe Havens/military facilities. Outbreak data were collected, and attack rates were calculated for various populations. Even in vaccinated populations, there was rapid spread, illustrating the importance of institutional prevention and mitigation policies in congregate settings.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Health FacilitiesABSTRACT
We report a case of disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae infection in a patient with head and neck cancer on salvage chemotherapy, including the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor cetuximab. Mycobacterium chelonae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous infections in cancer patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications , Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/diagnosis , Mycobacterium chelonae/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Biopsy , Cetuximab , Female , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Microscopy , Middle Aged , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Skin/pathology , Skin Diseases, Bacterial/diagnosis , Skin Diseases, Bacterial/microbiologyABSTRACT
The effect of gentian violet against Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans biofilms formed on polymethylmethacrylate strips was evaluated using a dry weight assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The ability of gentian violet to inhibit Candida albicans germination was also assessed. Gentian violet activity against Candida biofilms was demonstrated by a reduction in dry weight, disruption of biofilm architecture, and reduced biofilm thickness. Additionally, gentian violet inhibited Candida germination in a concentration-dependent manner.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Candida albicans/drug effects , Candidiasis, Oral/microbiology , Gentian Violet/pharmacology , HIV Infections/microbiology , Candida albicans/isolation & purification , Candida albicans/physiology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Microscopy, ConfocalABSTRACT
Compared to other organs, skin is an uncommon site of tuberculosis involvement. In the era of HIV infection, increased intravenous drug abuse, and the use of immunosuppressive therapy for various systemic diseases, tuberculosis in all its forms, including skin tuberculosis, has re-emerged. We report two cases of primary cutaneous tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients and review the literature of all cases described since 1935.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Tuberculosis, Cutaneous/pathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolation & purification , Tuberculosis, Cutaneous/drug therapyABSTRACT
The use of inexpensive topical alternatives, e.g. oil of melaleuca (tea tree oil (TTO)), chlorhexidine (CHX), povidone iodine (PI) and gentian violet (GV), to treat oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has been proposed in resource-poor countries. However, pre-clinical studies comparing the antifungal activity of these agents are lacking. This study compared the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TTO, GV, PI, CHX and fluconazole (FLZ) against 91 clinical Candida strains using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methodology. Isolates were obtained from the oral cavity of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Among the topical agents examined, GV showed the most potent activity against all Candida isolates tested (MIC range, MIC for 50% of the organisms (MIC(50)) and MIC for 90% of the organisms (MIC(90)) of 0.03-0.25 microg/mL, 0.06 microg/mL and 0.1 2microg/mL, respectively). CHX was 64 times less active than GV (MIC range, MIC(50) and MIC(90) of 0.5-16 microg/mL, 4 microg/mL and 8 microg/mL, respectively). The lowest antifungal activity was seen for PI (MIC(90)=0.25%). Moreover, GV, unlike the other topical agents tested, was fungicidal (minimum fungicidal concentration=1 microg/mL) against Candida albicans isolates (n=83). In addition, GV showed activity against FLZ-resistant C. albicans (n=3). The combination of GV and FLZ was not antagonistic and there was no interaction between the two compounds. GV possesses potent antifungal activity against FLZ-susceptible and -resistant Candida strains and is not antagonistic when used in combination with FLZ. In vivo evaluation is warranted.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Candida/drug effects , Candidiasis, Oral/microbiology , HIV Infections/complications , Mouth/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/economics , Candida/isolation & purification , Drug Interactions , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Microbial ViabilityABSTRACT
Toxocariasis, a common helminthozoonosis with a worldwide prevalence, usually manifests as 'visceral larva migrans' (VLM). Among its wide range of clinical presentations, large vessel thrombosis has never been described before. We report a case of aortic thrombosis caused by Toxocara canis infection in a young male who was successfully treated with albendazole.
Subject(s)
Aortic Diseases/parasitology , Thrombosis/parasitology , Toxocara canis/isolation & purification , Toxocariasis/complications , Adult , Animals , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Lebanon is considered among the countries where the HIV epidemic is still in its early phase of spread. Little information is available on the magnitude of the problem due to the lack of an efficient surveillance system. In this review, we report on the epidemiology of HIV infection in Lebanon, based on limited data generated by the Lebanese National AIDS Control Program (NAP). By May 2005, a cumulative number of 813 cases had been diagnosed. The most prevalent mode of HIV transmission in Lebanon is heterosexual exposure accounting for around 50% of the cases. Two hundred ninety-six patients (36.4%) fulfilled the AIDS case definition. Despite the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) provided by the Ministry of Health, the disease burden of HIV infection remains unknown in this country.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Child , Child, Preschool , Epidemiologic Studies , Female , HIV Infections/transmission , Health Behavior , Heterosexuality , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Lebanon/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Women's HealthABSTRACT
Fungal infections of the urinary tract are increasing in incidence, mostly because of the increasing use of antibacterial agents and indwelling urinary catheters. This review will focus mainly on the spectrum of genitourinary infections caused by Candida spp., including asymptomatic candiduria, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and renal candidiasis. Special emphasis will be placed on the therapeutic approach to the various clinical entities. Other fungal infections, such as urinary aspergillosis and cryptococcosis will be discussed briefly.
