Circulating desmosine as a biomarker of azithromycin treatment response: a post hoc analysis of the COLUMBUS randomised controlled trial.

Circulating desmosine is not reduced by treatment with azithromycin in COPD but elevated desmosine may identify a patient group with a greater treatment response http://ow.ly/vN6N30mhBA1.

[Late diagnosis of HIV positive patients in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: risk factors and missed opportunities]. / Late diagnose van hiv-patiënten in Rotterdam: risicofactoren en gemiste kansen.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of patients in whom the diagnosis 'HIV infection' was made late, which factors are associated with an increased risk of a late HIV diagnosis, and if there are opportunities for an earlier diagnosis. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHOD: We included all HIV positive patients who were treated at the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam in the period January 1996-March 2012. We divided these patients into two groups: patients with a timely diagnosis and patients with a late diagnosis (CD4+ T cell count < 350/mm3). We performed a structured interview in patients who were diagnosed in the period January 2009-March 2012. To determine possible risk factors for a late diagnosis we used univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A late diagnosis 'HIV infection' was made in 59% of the 2256 patients. Independent patient characteristics associated with a late diagnosis were heterosexual transmission (odds ratio (OR): 1.87; 95% CI: 1.44-2.43; p < 0.001), age > 50 years (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.28-2.34; p < 0.001), and a Sub-Saharan African (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.02-2.71; p = 0.043) or Asian origin (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.20-4.43; p = 0.012). The interviews showed that more than 75% of patients with a late HIV diagnosis were already known with a risk factor for HIV, according to the STD practice guideline from the Dutch College of General Practitioners. CONCLUSION: In the past 15 years, 59% of HIV positive patients in Rotterdam presented late. This mainly concerned patients older than 50 years and immigrants originating from HIV endemic areas. It is important to prevent a late diagnosis, as this can lead to poorer response to combination antiretroviral therapy and higher mortality.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward malaria risk and prevention among frequent business travelers of a major oil and gas company.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant morbidity and mortality among business travelers due to malaria, very little has been published on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward malaria risk. The aim of this study was to assess KAP among frequent international business travelers (FBT) and to identify recommendations for improving malaria prevention that could be applied to the wider FBT community in occupational health. METHODS: A retrospective web-based survey was conducted in 2005 among self-registered FBT of an oil and gas company based in the Netherlands. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 328 of the 608 self-registered FBT (54%). Fifty-four percent of respondents had visited a high-risk area for malaria. Most respondents (96%) were experienced travelers; the majority (71%) sought health advice before their trip and made use of a company health resource. Fever was recognized as a malaria symptom by all FBT; travel to high-risk malaria areas was correctly identified by 96%, and 99% of these travelers adhered to use of adequate personal protective measures. The proportion of travelers carrying appropriate anti-malaria drug regimen was positively associated with receiving company advice among FBT traveling to high-risk destinations (RR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.21-3.67), but not for those traveling to low- or no-risk destinations. Only 8% (14) of those going to a high-risk area were not carrying malaria prophylaxis. One in five of FBT traveling to no-risk areas were unnecessarily carrying malaria prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of KAP results were excellent. We postulate that a company culture with a strong focus on health, safety, security, and environment can positively contribute to high KAP scores. Notwithstanding the excellent findings, this study also provides a cautionary tale for company health functions against overprescribing of malaria prophylaxis. It demonstrates the need for constant review and audit of adherence to quality criteria.