Risk factors and outcome of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae bloodstream infections.

Enterobacter cloacae is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes serious infections, including bloodstream infections (BSIs). The clinical significance of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) production in E. cloacae is not well established. A multicentre, retrospective, cohort study was conducted to identify clinical characteristics of patients with E. cloacae BSI. ESBL production was confirmed by genotypic methods. A total of 159 patients with E. cloacae BSI were identified at three medical centres in north-eastern USA. Amongst them, 16 patients (10.1%) harboured ESBL-producing E. cloacae. Independent risk factors for ESBL production included admission from a nursing home, the presence of a gastrostomy tube and history of transplant. For the outcome analysis, 15 consecutive patients who had ESBL-producing E. cloacae BSI prior to the study were included. Amongst the 31 patients with ESBL-producing E. cloacae, 8, 9, 4 and 2 patients received a carbapenem, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and ciprofloxacin, respectively, as initial therapy. All patients who received a carbapenem (n=8) were alive at 28 days, whereas 7 (38.9%) of 18 patients who received a non-carbapenem antibiotic did not survive (P=0.06). Clinical failure at 96 h was observed in 2 (25.0%) of 8 patients who received a carbapenem and in 14 (77.8%) of 18 patients who received a non-carbapenem antibiotic (P=0.03). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed little clonality amongst the study isolates. The majority of isolates produced SHV-type ESBL, whereas two isolates produced CTX-M-type ESBL. Initial therapy with a carbapenem appears to be associated with improved clinical outcome in BSI due to ESBL-producing E. cloacae.

The benefits of steroids versus steroids plus antivirals for treatment of Bell's palsy: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether steroids plus antivirals provide a better degree of facial muscle recovery in patients with Bell's palsy than steroids alone. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies published in all languages from 1984 to January 2009. Additional studies were identified from cited references. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials that compared steroids with the combination of steroids and antivirals for the treatment of Bell's palsy were included in this study. At least one month of follow-up and a primary end point of at least partial facial muscle recovery, as defined by a House-Brackmann grade of at least 2 (complete palsy is designated a grade of 6) or an equivalent score on an alternative recognised scoring system, were required. Review methods Two authors independently reviewed studies for methodological quality, treatment regimens, duration of symptoms before treatment, length of follow-up, and outcomes. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Six trials were included, a total of 1145 patients; 574 patients received steroids alone and 571 patients received steroids and antivirals. The pooled odds ratio for facial muscle recovery showed no benefit of steroids plus antivirals compared with steroids alone (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 2.69; P=0.18). A one study removed analysis showed that the highest quality studies had the greatest effect on the lack of difference between study arms shown by the odds ratio. Subgroup analyses assessing causes of heterogeneity defined a priori (time from symptom onset to treatment, length of follow-up, and type of antiviral studied) showed no benefit of antivirals in addition to that provided by steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Antivirals did not provide an added benefit in achieving at least partial facial muscle recovery compared with steroids alone in patients with Bell's palsy. This study does not, therefore, support the routine use of antivirals in Bell's palsy. Future studies should use improved herpes virus diagnostics and newer antivirals to assess whether combination therapy benefits patients with more severe facial paralysis at study entry.