Clostridium difficile from food and surface samples in a Belgian nursing home: an unlikely source of contamination.

This study investigates the contamination of foods and surfaces with Clostridium difficile in a single nursing home. C. difficile PCR-ribotype 078 was found in one food sample and in none of the tested surfaces. These results indicate that food and surfaces are an unlikely source of C. difficile infection in this setting.

The rationale for and efficacy of surgical intervention for electrodiagnostic-negative cubital tunnel syndrome.

Because conservative management of McGowan grade 1 cubital tunnel syndrome (symptoms only) may be successful in a high percentage of patients, normal electrodiagnostic studies and the absence of intrinsic muscle weakness or decreased sensation or both may be viewed as contraindications to operative intervention. Because the results of surgery are known to be inferior once objective motor weakness and abnormal 2-point sensory discrimination (McGowan grades 2 and 3) develop, however, we advocate surgical intervention for patients with symptoms only, even when electrodiagnostic studies are normal. We enrolled 16 patients (18 elbows) with McGowan I cubital syndrome who underwent in situ ulnar nerve release and medial epicondylectomy. Paresthesias resolved in all cases, and both elbow range of motion and grip strength returned to normal in 17 of 18 elbows. The elbow flexion test resolved in all cases, and a Tinel's sign was present at final review in 5 elbows (28%). One patient required another operation to address a neuroma of a posterior branch of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, but additional morbidity was not identified after objective review and patient self-assessment.