Acute non-traumatic pancreatitis in a patient with pancreas divisum: a case report.

Pancreas divisum is a frequent congenital anatomical anomaly characterized by the failure of fusion of the ducts of Santorini and Wirsung during fetal development. Although the condition usually remains asymptomatic, it has been reported to be a predisposing factor of chronic and recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. We report a case of acute non-traumatic pancreatitis in a 54-year-old Caucasian male with pancreas divisum. Diagnosis was established based on the findings from magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The patient was managed conservatively and was discharged home having an uneventful clinical course after five days of hospitalization. Although the role of the pancreas in the induction of acute pancreatitis is still a matter of debate, physicians have to be aware about this prevalent pancreatic anatomic abnormality. Timely detection may help in the prevention of potential recurrent pancreatic reaction.

Schmidt's syndrome presenting as a generalised anxiety disorder: a case report.

Schmidt's syndrome or autoimmune polyglandurar syndrome type 2 represents an uncommon endocrine disorder composed by Addison's disease with autoimmune thyroid disease and/or type 1 diabetes mellitus. The syndrome usually affects women in the fourth decade of their lives. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with generalised anxiety, facing socio-economic problems. Her symptoms attributed to stress led to a late diagnosis. Physicians involved have to be aware about endocrine disorders of which first manifestations may have atypical components mimicking mental health problems.

Nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections: prevalence and risk factors in 14 Greek hospitals.

Nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections (NLRTIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features of NLRTIs in Greece, where knowledge about these infections is limited. Two point-prevalence studies of hospital-acquired infections were carried out in 14 Greek hospitals located throughout the country, one in 1999 and one in 2000. NLRTIs were diagnosed in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definitions. Among the 7,120 hospitalized patients registered during the two studies, 610 (8.6%) cases of hospital-acquired infections were identified, of which 200 (32.8%) were NLRTIs. Sixty-nine (34.5%) patients had pneumonia, and the remaining 131 (65.5%) patients had bronchitis. The greatest prevalence of NLRTI was found in the adult ICUs (30.4%). Male gender, age >65 years, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, an intravenous central line, and an indwelling urethral catheter were the main risk factors. There was no significant difference in the incidence of NLRTI among hospital-acquired infections between the 1999 study and the 2000 study. The causative microorganism was identified in 78 of 200 (39%) cases, and 103 strains were isolated. The majority of strains (67%) were gram-negative bacteria. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.3%), Acinetobacter spp. (19.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.6%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.7%). There was no difference between the two prevalence studies in the frequency of isolation of the microorganisms. NLRTI was the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients with hospital-acquired infections in Greek hospitals. Gram-negative microorganisms were the most frequently isolated pathogens.

Cefuroxime and cefuroxime axetil versus amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

In a large multinational study, the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of intravenous cefuroxime 750 mg t.i.d. followed by oral cefuroxime axetil 500 mg b.i.d. was compared to that of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (CA) administered as 1.2 g intravenously t.i.d. followed by 625 mg orally t.i.d. in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalised patients. A total of 512 patients were entered (256 in each treatment group). All were suffering from pneumonia or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis and required initial parenteral antibiotic therapy. Parenteral therapy lasted 48 to 72 h and was followed by five days of oral therapy. The clinical responses in the two treatment groups were very similar: 223 of 256 (87.1%) patients were cured or improved with cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil compared to 220 of 256 (85.9%) with amoxicillin/CA. Positive pre-treatment sputum samples were obtained from 44% of the patients. Clearance rates obtained were again similar: 72.8% with cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil and 70% with amoxicillin/CA. Ten percent of the isolates were beta-lactamase producers, similar numbers of which were cleared in both groups. Both regimens were generally well tolerated, with only 5% of patients treated with the cefuroxime regimen and 4.3% of patients treated with amoxicillin/CA experiencing drug-related adverse events. Cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil "follow-on" therapy produces clinical and bacteriological efficacy equivalent to that of amoxicillin/CA, with the advantage of twice daily oral administration.

Ceftazidime: therapeutic results in various infections and kinetic studies.

Forty-five patients with acute or recurrent pyelonephritis (32), lower respiratory infection (7) or various other serious infections (6), were treated with ceftazidime. Most infections were severe, often in the presence of aggravating factors, and had failed to respond to previous antibiotic therapy. Infecting organisms were Escherichia coli (23), other Enterobacteriaceae (5), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11), mixed flora including Ps. aeruginosa (3) and Staphylococcus albus (1). The organisms were often multiresistant. Dosage ranged from 1 to 6 g daily im or iv. All patients were clinically cured, except two who only improved. In 35 patients the organisms were eradicated, in two partially eradicated, and in six persisted or recurred. Most bacteriological failures were observed in patients infected with Ps. aeruginosa. Tolerance of the drug was excellent. A transient leucopenia was observed in one patient and transient high SGOT and LDH in another. After an intramuscular dose of 1 g im serum levels were 33 mg/l at 2 h, 137 mg/l at 6 h and 85 mg/l at 12 h. The average half-life was 2.6 h. Urinary levels were high and 79-92% of the dose was recovered from the urine after 12 h. After 3 days therapy with 1 and 2 g im 12-hourly, bone levels exceeded 10 and 15 mg/l, respectively. Ceftazidime was a safe and effective drug for the treatment of infection. A dose of 0.5 g 12-hourly is sufficient for urinary infections, but higher doses are needed in other infections, especially when due to Ps. aeruginosa.