A prospective international Aspergillus terreus survey: an EFISG, ISHAM and ECMM joint study.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective international multicentre surveillance study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and amphotericin B susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex infections. METHODS: A total of 370 cases from 21 countries were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of A. terreus species complex among the investigated patients with mould-positive cultures was 5.2% (370/7116). Amphotericin B MICs ranged from 0.125 to 32 mg/L, (median 8 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus terreus species complex infections cause a wide spectrum of aspergillosis and the majority of cryptic species display high amphotericin B MICs.

An evaluation of different steam disinfection protocols for cystic fibrosis nebulizers.

BACKGROUND: Contamination is a key element in cystic fibrosis. For this reason, nebulizer hygiene is an important, but complex and time-consuming task for cystic fibrosis patients. The aim of this study was to compare different steam disinfection and drying protocols. METHODS: One hundred nebulizer parts were inoculated with cystic fibrosis-related bacteria in high concentrations (Burkholderia multivorans 3.9 × 10(10)/ml, Staphylococcus aureus 8.9 × 10(8/)ml and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2.1 × 10(9)/ml). Tubes with Mycobacterium abscessus complex were additionally tested. Six steam disinfectors were compared. Different methods of drying were examined. RESULTS: All tested bacteria were efficiently killed by the different steam disinfectors tested. The risk of contamination depended on the method of drying. CONCLUSIONS: Steam disinfection is a safe disinfection method. It is better to leave the nebulizers wet after steam disinfection than to manipulate them by active drying, which seems to be a source of recontamination.

Hepatitis A IgG seropositivity and coronary atherosclerosis assessed by angiography.

BACKGROUND: Infectious agents, in particular intracellular pathogens that can establish long-term, persistent infection, may play an important role in atherogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that hepatitis A virus (HAV) could be associated with significant coronary artery disease. METHODS: The possible association between HAV infection and angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) was studied. Blood from 218 patients undergoing coronary angiography was tested for serum IgG antibodies to HAV. RESULTS: Of the 218 patients, 178 (81.7%) had anti-HAV IgG antibodies. CAD prevalence was 66.3% in HAV seropositive and 57.5% in HAV seronegative patients (P=0.385). In contrast, the number of infectious pathogens to which an individual has been exposed correlates with CAD. Four or more of the six seromarkers tested for particular infections (HAV, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, influenza type A and type B) were positive in 48.8% of patients with CAD and in 31.2% of patients in patients without CAD (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrated that HAV seropositivity is not a predictor of risk for CAD. HAV infection, therefore, seems not to be associated with CAD. The number of infectious agents to which an individual has been exposed ('infectious burden') correlates with CAD.

[Suppurative parotitis as a sequela of infection with Salmonella enteritidis]. / Abszedierende Parotitis als Folge einer Infektion mit Salmonella enteritidis.

Extraintestinal manifestations of Salmonella infection are rare events and occur primarily in immunocompromised hosts. We report on a 69-year old male patient hospitalized for absceding suppurative parotitis. From the swab taken on incision of the abscess, Salmonella enteritidis was cultivated. There was no preceding gastrointestinal infection in our patient. Risk factors in our patient included a poorly controlled non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic alcohol abuse, and advanced age. Quinolones are the therapy of choice in extraintestinal salmonellosis. On ciprofloxacin perorally, the patient showed rapid recovery.