Serum nitric oxide levels in patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute disease affecting multiple organ systems and is characterized by fever and haemorrhages. The pathogenesis of CCHF has not been well described. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of a number of different biological processes and can participate in antimicrobial defence. In this study, we measured the level of NO in the serum of patients with CCHF and healthy controls to define the possible role of NO in the control of infection. Sixty-two patients with CCHF and 31 controls were included in the study. NO levels in CCHF patients and the control group were found to be a mean of 40.49 microM (standard deviation (SD) 23.00) and 14.89 microM (SD 7.94), respectively. NO levels were significantly higher in CCHF patients with respect to controls (p < 0.001). NO levels in the patients with non-fatal CCHF and fatal CCHF were compared and found to be a mean of 43.57 microM (SD 22.70) and 26.23 microM (SD 19.43), respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.009). In conclusion, elevated levels of NO may play a protective role in CCHF.

Retrospective investigation of 9 years of data on needlestick and sharps injuries: Effect of a hospital infection control committee.

BACKGROUND: The risk of occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens to health care workers is primarily associated with needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs). However, most NSIs are not reported, and most health care workers are not aware of postexposure procedures. METHODS: Data for NSIs reported in our hospital between 2008 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 546 staff members reported NSIs. Of these, 376 (68.9%) were women. NSIs were more commonly reported by trainee nurses (243 [44.5%]), followed by nurses (121 [22.2%]), cleaning staff (108 [19.8%]), and doctors (49 [9%]). The rate of postexposure interventions was 13% in 2008 and 92.6% in 2016 (P < .0001; χ2 = 82.866). NSI rates also show that the number of applications with NSIs increased over the years. When occupational blood exposure was examined, the number of bloodborne pathogens was 50 (9.3%) cases of hepatitis B virus, 30 (5.6%) cases of hepatitis C virus, 3 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, 1 case of HIV, and 2 cases of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus coinfection. DISCUSSION: Over the years, the increase in both the appropriate intervention rate and the number of reports to the hospital infection control committee after NSIs shows that regular training regarding NSIs is effective. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital infection control committees may play a more active role in raising awareness in this regard and thus reducing the rate of unreported NSIs.

Tigecycline use in two cases with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis.

The treatment of post-surgical meningitis due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is a therapeutic dilemma. The cases of two patients with MDR A. baumannii meningitis secondary to surgical site infections, successfully treated with combination regimens including tigecycline, are presented.

Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever, precautions and ribavirin prophylaxis: a case report.

Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic disease, mostly transmitted by tick bites. It is clear that ignorance of the necessary precautions results in nosocomial infections in health care settings. Post exposure ribavirin prophylaxis is not well described. We report 2 cases of nosocomial CCHF infections.