Automated healthcare-associated infection surveillance using an artificial intelligence algorithm.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most common adverse events in hospitals. We used artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for infection surveillance in a cohort study. The model correctly detected 67 out of 73 patients with HAIs. The final model used a multilayer perceptron neural network achieving an area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 90.27%; specificity of 78.86%; sensitivity of 88.57%. Respiratory infections had the best results (AUROC ≥93.47%). The AI algorithm could identify most HAIs. AI is a feasible method for HAI surveillance, has the potential to save time, promote accurate hospital-wide surveillance, and improve infection prevention performance.

A role for fruit structure in seed survival and germination of Swartzia langsdorffii Raddi beyond dispersal.

Diaspore structure has been hypothesised to play a role in seed viability and/or germination of recalcitrant seeds, especially for Swartzia langsdorffii. Thus, this work aims to (i) investigate the in situ contribution of pericarp and aril on seed viability and germination, and (ii) identify morphoanatomical traits of S. langsdorffii diaspores that allow its desiccation-sensitive seeds to remain viable. The role of the pericarp and aril in seed survival and germination was investigated by placing the whole fruit, whole seeds (arillate seed) and bare seeds (without aril) in soil in the forest understorey, assessing germination, emergence, dead, firm and predated seeds, and water content of pericarps, arils and seeds. Correlation analysis was performed between environmental variables and physiological parameters. Histochemical features of diaspores were also investigated. Pericarp water content fell after several months, while the aril maintained its water content. Seeds did not lose water even without the presence of the pericarp and aril. However, presence of the pericarp promoted seed water content, viability and germination long after dispersal. The embryo had a thickened outer periclinal cell wall. Pericarp and aril are not essential to prevent water loss in seeds, but do help to retain seed moisture, favouring viability maintenance and promoting germination during the rainy season. Morphoanatomical features of seeds are suggested as main factors that reduce water loss. Survival of these desiccation-sensitive seeds upon dispersal during the dry season appears to be facilitated by multiple diaspore features that prevent viability loss.

Monte Carlo simulation of the basic features of the GE Millennium MG single photon emission computed tomography gamma camera.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and validate the simulation of the basic features of GE Millennium MG gamma camera using the GATE Monte Carlo platform. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Crystal size and thickness, parallel-hole collimation and a realistic energy acquisition window were simulated in the GATE platform. GATE results were compared to experimental data in the following imaging conditions: a point source of (99m)Tc at different positions during static imaging and tomographic acquisitions using two different energy windows. The accuracy between the events expected and detected by simulation was obtained with the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. Comparisons were made regarding the measurement of sensitivity and spatial resolution, static and tomographic. Simulated and experimental spatial resolutions for tomographic data were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test to assess simulation accuracy for this parameter. RESULTS: There was good agreement between simulated and experimental data. The number of decays expected when compared with the number of decays registered, showed small deviation (≤ 0.007%). The sensitivity comparisons between static acquisitions for different distances from source to collimator (1, 5, 10, 20, 30 cm) with energy windows of 126-154 keV and 130-158 keV showed differences of 4.4%, 5.5%, 4.2%, 5.5%, 4.5% and 5.4%, 6.3%, 6.3%, 5.8%, 5.3%, respectively. For the tomographic acquisitions, the mean differences were 7.5% and 9.8% for the energy window 126-154 keV and 130-158 keV. Comparison of simulated and experimental spatial resolutions for tomographic data showed no statistically significant differences with 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate simulation of the system basic features using GATE Monte Carlo simulation platform was achieved and validated.

Risk factors for death among patients in French Guiana: 1996-2005.

Risk factors for death in an HIV-infected cohort in French Guiana were studied in 1374 patients between 1996 and 2005. Of these patients, 48.5% were male and 76% were immigrants. Covariates were measured at the time of consultation. There were 223 deaths. Addictions [adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-30.6; P<0.001], age>60 years (HR=1.5; 95% CI 0.9-2.5; P=0.13), male gender (HR=1.5; 95% CI 1.03-2.5; P=0.03) and CD4 count<50 cells/microL (HR=9.1; 95% CI 5.1-16.3; P<0.001) were independently associated with death. These results suggest that strategies promoting early diagnosis and better follow-up of addicted patients would have a significant impact on mortality.

Distinct pathotypes of O113 Escherichia coli strains isolated from humans and animals in Brazil.

Two distinct diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes, enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, were observed in association with O113 strains isolated from human and nonhuman sources in Brazil, respectively. The O113 strains from human diarrhea belonged to a diversity of serotypes, and nine (53%) of them harbored virulence traits of typical EAEC.

Virulence markers and serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, isolated from cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and serotypes and virulence markers of the STEC isolates from beef and dairy cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Faecal samples from beef cattle were collected at slaughterhouses. The isolates were submitted to colony hybridization assay with specific DNA probes for stx1, stx2 and eae genes, and serotyped for the identification of O and H antigens. Thirty-nine per cent of beef cattle surveyed harboured at least one STEC strain. Among the distinct serotypes identified, 10 were shared by both beef and dairy cattle. Most of the strains isolated harboured stx2. Genotypic and phenotypic profiles allowed the identification of 34 and 31 STEC strains, isolated from beef and dairy cattle, respectively. Serotypes O10:H14, O15:H21, O96:H21, O119:H4, O124:H11, O128:H21, O137:H-, O141:H19, O159:H42, O160:H2 and O177:H11, identified in this study, have not been previously reported as STEC isolated from cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Cattle are an important reservoir of STEC strains associated with human diseases in South America. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Determining the prevalence, genotypic profile and serotypes of STEC strains isolated from cattle enables the prediction of possible risk for public health.

[Dermatologic manifestations associated with immune reconstitution syndrome in HIV+ patients starting HAART: a retrospective study in French Guiana]. / Manifestations dermatologiques associées au syndrome de restauration immunitaire du patient VIH+ débutant un traitement antirétroviral: etude rétrospective en Guyane française.

Immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) is an unusual inflammatory reaction to an opportunistic infection in an HIV-positive patient. This syndrome occurs when immunity is restored in the first months of an effective highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). First, we described all patients with a cutaneous form of IRIS. Then, between 1992 and 2004 we conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing Herpes Zoster and Herpes Simplex infections among untreated patients, patients treated by HAART for < or = six months, and patients treated for > six months. We observed three cases of atypical leprosy and three original observations: two of these were fistulisation of lymph node histoplasmosis and tuberculosis, the third one reports the recurrence of a treated cutaneous leishmaniasis. Multivariate analysis showed that, after controlling for age, sex and CD4 counts, patients receiving HAART for < or = six months were more likely to develop Herpes Zoster or herpes simplex infections (p < 0.005). Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zoster infections are the two most frequent dermatological manifestations in our tropical setting. Although mycobacterial infections are more rarely observed than in visceral IRIS, the increased incidence of leprosy may be quite significant when the availability of HAART spreads to developing countries.

Serotypes and virulence markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from dairy cattle in São Paulo State, Brazil.

In order to determine the occurrence, serotypes and virulence markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, 153 fecal samples of cattle randomly selected from six dairy farms in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were examined for Shiga toxin (Stx) production by the Vero cell assay. Feces were directly streaked onto MacConkey Sorbitol Agar and incubated at 37 degrees C overnight. Sorbitol-negative colonies (maximum 20) and up to 10 sorbitol-positive colonies from each plate were subcultured onto presumptive diagnostic medium IAL. Sorbitol-negative isolates were screened with O157 antiserum for identification of O157:H7 E. coli. Isolates presenting cytotoxic activity were submitted to colony hybridization assays with specific DNA probes for stx1, stx2, eae, Ehly and astA genes. The isolation rate of STEC ranged from 3.8 to 84.6% depending on the farm analysed. STEC was identified in 25.5% of the animals, and most of them (64.1%) carried a single STEC serotype. A total of 202 STEC isolates were recovered from the animals, and except for the 2 O157:H7 isolates all the others expressed cytotoxic activity. The great majority of the STEC isolates carried both stx1 and stx2 genes (114/202, 56.4%) or stx2 (82/202, 40.6%); and whereas the Ehly sequence occurred in most of them (88%) eae was only observed in O157:H7 and O111:HNM isolates. Serotypes O113:H21, O178:H19 and O79:H14 were the most frequent STEC serotypes identified and widely distributed among animals from different farms, while others such as O77:H18, O88:H25 and O98:H17 occurred only in particular farms. This is the first report on the occurrence of STEC in dairy cattle in Sao Paulo State, and the results point to substantial differences in rate of isolation, serotypes and genetic profile of STEC that has been previously described among beef cattle in our community. Moreover, to our knowledge O79:H14 and O98:H17 represent new STEC serotypes, while O178:H19 has only been recently reported in Spain.

Virulence properties and characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1976 through 1999.

Twenty-nine Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains were identified in a collection of 2,607 isolates from patients with diarrhea in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1976 to 1999. The STEC strains belonged mainly to serotypes O111:HNM (HNM, nonmotile) (13 of 29 [44.8%]), O111:H8 (7 of 29 [24%]), and O26:H11 (4 of 29 [13.8%]); stx(1) eae (26 of 29 [89.6%]), in combination with either enterohemorrhagic E. coli hlyA (11 of 26 [42%]) or astA (24 of 26 [92.3%]), prevailed. The O111 STEC strains were distinguished by their inability to decarboxylate lysine. The predominance of STEC O111 and O26 since the late 1970s and the identification of STEC serotypes O55:H19, O93:H19, and O118:H16 in association with human infections in Brazil are described for the first time.

Metabolism of phenylpropionic acid in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli belonging to serogroup O111 and its application for diagnosis.

We evaluated a biochemical assay based on the ability to metabolise beta-phenylpropionic acid (PPA) as a diagnostic aid in the identification of typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains. A total of 1061 E. coli strains of serogroups O55, O111, and O119 were initially characterised regarding their H types (serotypes) and the presence of EPEC DNA sequences, eae, EAF, and bfpA. In case of the serogroup O111 strains, 84.6% carried the typical EPEC markers, and the great majority of those (98.1%) were PPA-positive. In contrast, only 0.9% of the serogroups O55 and O119 strains carrying the typical EPEC markers (53.6% and 75.4%, respectively) were PPA-positive. We conclude that the PPA test is a useful method to detect typical EPEC strains only among strains of the O111 serogroup.

Cardiac rhabdomyomas presenting in neonates.

UNLABELLED: Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac neoplasm in neonates. Spontaneous regression of such tumors is common, particularly with smaller lesions, followed by resolution of symptoms. Because most of the tumoral masses regress spontaneously, treatment should primarily be symptomatic, while surgical removal is required only in life-threatening situations. Tuberous sclerosis is found in half of the patients with rhabdomyomas. AIM: The aim of our work was to analyze the cases of rhabdomyoma with neonatal presentation in our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the hospital records (cardiovascular examination, radiologic and echocardiographic findings, association with tuberous sclerosis, treatment and follow-up) of all neonates admitted, during the last 12 years, with the diagnosis of rhabdomyoma. RESULTS: Six patients were found. All diagnoses were established during the first month of life. One third of our population had associated tuberous sclerosis. In three cases the tumors were multiple and the preferential location was the left ventricle. In only one case was surgical removal indicated because of the presence of life-threatening symptoms but the infant's parents refused consent for the procedure. All the children had regression of the tumoral masses. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of rhabdomyomas is one of spontaneous regression with surgical excision being recommended only in the presence of life-threatening symptoms.

[Onchocerciasis and epilepsy. Epidemiological survey in Mali]. / Onchocercose et épilepsie. Enquête épidémiologique au Mali.

A door-to-door survey was conducted in 18 villages in Mali with a total of 5,243 inhabitants classified according to the endemicity of onchocerciasis. Each epileptic was matched with two controls. The survey protocol included the following steps in cases and controls: census taking, socioeconomic data, screening for epilepsy, clinical examination, laboratory testing to detect parasites in stools and urine, and snip-test. The crude prevalence of epilepsy was 13.35 per 1,000 (n = 70). Epidemiological study provided a number of valuable demographic insights concerning age at onset, type of seizure activity during seizure and personal and family medical history. A transverse study showed that the prevalence of epilepsy was not significantly higher (p = 9.09) in zones of high endemicity of onchocerciasis (16.1 per 1000) than in zones of low endemicity (10.8 per 1000). Case-control findings showed evidence of onchocerciasis in 22.4 p. 100 of epileptics and 21.7 p. 100 of controls (odds ratio = 1.02 IC 95 p. 100: 0.4-2.19, not significant). Various risk factors including genetic factors and low socio-economic status could explain the trend toward a higher incidence of epilepsy as well as higher morbidity rates in zones of high endemicity of onchocerciasis.

Biotyping, serotyping and ribotyping as epidemiological tools in the evaluation of Acinetobacter baumannii dissemination in hospital units, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

Dissemination of Acinetobacter baumannii strains in different units of a hospital in Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil was evaluated over a period of two years. By using biotyping, serotyping and ribotyping, 27 distinct clones were differentiated among 76 strains isolated between 1993-94, from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients. Two clones, 2:O4:A (biotype:serotype:ribotype) and 2:O29:A accounted for the majority of strains widely disseminated in the units during 1993. The introduction in the hospital setting, of a new clone, 6:O13:B, at the end of 1993 and its predominance through 1994 is discussed. Among 15 strains isolated from neonates, 6 (40%) belonged to the same clone, 2:O4:A. Interestingly, this clone was almost all recovered in neonatal intensive care unit, nursery and in pediatric unit. All strains were susceptible to imipenem and polymyxcin B. Multiresistant strains (up to 12 antimicrobial agents) accounted for 66.7% and 84.8% of the strains isolated in 1993 and in 1994, respectively.

Molecular characterization of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, an antifungal target in Cryptococcus neoformans.

The Cryptococcus neoformans PMA1 gene, encoding a plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, was isolated from a genomic DNA library of serotype A strain ATCC 6352. An open reading frame of 3,380 nucleotides contains six introns and encodes a predicted protein consisting of 998 amino acids with a molecular mass of approximately 108 kDa. Plasma membranes were isolated, and the H(+)-ATPase was shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be slightly larger than the S. cerevisiae H(+)-ATPase, consistent with its predicted molecular mass. The plasma membrane-bound enzyme exhibited a pH 6.5 optimum for ATP hydrolysis, K(m) and V(max) values of 0.5 mM and 3.1 micromol mg(-1) min(-1), respectively, and an apparent K(i) for vanadate inhibition of 1.6 microM. ATP hydrolysis in plasma membranes and medium acidification by whole cells were inhibited by ebselen, a nonspecific H(+)-ATPase antagonist which was also fungicidal. The predicted C. neoformans protein is 35% identical to proton pumps of both pathogenic and nonpathogenic fungi but exhibits more than 50% identity to PMA1 genes from plants. Collectively, this study provides the basis for establishing the Cryptococcus H(+)-ATPase as a viable target for antifungal drug discovery.

Importance of lipoprotein metabolism parameters in the clinical and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease that is clinically and angiographically significant is associated to important biochemical parameters with direct interference in lipoprotein and apoprotein metabolism. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the importance of several lipoprotein metabolic parameters in the clinical and angiographic severity of chronic coronary artery disease. In a population with the diagnosis of ischemic coronary artery disease, we assessed the degree of angiographic (single- versus multivessel disease) and clinical (C.C.S. I-IV classification) severities. In each patient, we determined the value of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, HDL 2 and 3, apoprotein AI and B, lipoprotein (a), anti-phospholipid antibodies and C reactive protein. Our results showed that some parameters were significant in the comparison between a normal group and the global coronary artery disease population, such as the value of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, HDL 2, apoprotein AI and B lipoprotein (a) and anti-phospholipid antibodies. In the distinction of coronary artery disease subgroups, in relation to C.C.S. < or = 2 and > or = 3 classes, some factors could be discriminated, such as HDL cholesterol, HDL 2, total cholesterol/HDL, lipoprotein (a), anti-phospholipid antibodies and C reactive protein. In the distinction between classes C.C.S. < or = 2 and AMI, the levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, HDL 2, total cholesterol/HDL, lipoprotein (a) and anti-phospholipid antibodies were significant. In the division between single vessel versus multivessel coronary artery disease we found significant values of HDL cholesterol, HDL 2, total cholesterol/HDL, apoprotein AI, lipoprotein (a), anti-phospholipid antibodies and C reactive protein. In conclusion, our present study endorses the clinical role of lipids and plasma lipoproteins in the determination of several cardiovascular risk factors, but introduction of new parameters such as lipoprotein (a) and the anti-phospholipid antibodies can be very useful for a better and global understanding of the pathophysiological processes and distinction of higher risk subgroups for extension and degree of severity of ischemic coronary artery disease.

Molecular epidemiology of a nosocomial outbreak due to Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter agglomerans in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

A total of 73 isolates (57 Enterobacter cloacae and 16 Enterobacter agglomerans), recovered during an outbreak of bacteremia in the Campinas area, São Paulo, Brazil, were studied. Of these isolates, 61 were from parenteral nutrition solutions, 9 from blood cultures, 2 from a sealed bottle of parenteral nutrition solution, and one was of unknown origin. Of the 57 E. cloacae isolates, 54 were biotype 26, two were biotype 66 and one was non-typable. Of 39 E. cloacae isolates submitted to ribotyping, 87.2% showed the same banding pattern after cleavage with EcoRI and BamHI. No important differences were observed in the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among E. cloacae isolates exhibiting the same biotype, serotype and ribotype. All E. agglomerans isolates, irrespective of their origin, showed same patterns when cleaved with EcoRI and BamHI. The results of this investigation suggest an intrinsic contamination of parenteral nutrition solutions and incriminate these products as a vehicle of infection in this outbreak.

[Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery (Sling): a case report and review of the literature]. / Origem anómala da artéria pulmonar esquerda (Sling): caso clínico e revisão da literatura.

Anomalous left pulmonary artery (vascular sling) is a congenital anomaly in which the vascular structure arises either from the posterior surface of the right pulmonary artery, or from the main pulmonary artery and courses to the left lung between the posterior surface of the trachea and the anterior surface of the esophagus. It may cause compression on the tracheobronchial tree. It is a rare condition leading to death in the first months of life, if it is not corrected. Its diagnosis is quite difficult because it usually presents non specific symptoms frequently associated to diffuse tracheal stenosis. The authors present a clinical case of a newborn with trisomy 21 who had a left pulmonary artery sling associated to tracheal stenosis and congenital heart disease (complete atrioventricular septal defect). They review the literature, particular in what concerns embryopathogenesis, the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis and the surgery which must be performed as soon as possible.

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction complicating the treatment of chronic Q fever endocarditis: elevated TNFalpha and IL-6 serum levels.

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (J-HR) is an acute febrile reaction which may complicate the initiation of an effective treatment against infections due to intracellular micro-organisms. We report a case of J-HR complicating treatment of chronic Q fever endocarditis with demonstration of elevated serum cytokine concentrations.

[Acute pericarditis in childhood. The 9-year experience of a tertiary referral center]. / Pericardite aguda na criança. Experiencia de 9 anos de um centro de referencia terciário.

Sixteen children, aged 7 months to 12 years, with acute pericarditis, admitted between 1985 and 1993 to a tertiary referral centre were analyzed retrospectively for their presentation, etiology, work-up, management and prognosis. It was found that most of the presenting signs were not specific and were often related to associated diseases such as respiratory tract infections. In 50% of the cases a cause was not found, the others had viral infections (12.5%), tuberculosis (12.5%), Haemophilus influenzae infection (6.25%), Toxocara canis infection (6.25%) and collagen diseases (12.5%). In eight cases non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs associated with steroids were given, 7 patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 1 steroids. The mean follow-up time was 3 years (1 to 5). Six patients had one or more relapses. Five of the 6 patients with relapses were in the group which received steroids. The two patients with tuberculosis underwent pericardiectomy. One child died due to complex heart disease and the remaining 15 were cured. It was concluded that in pericarditis an extensive work-up may not reveal the major etiologies and that long term prognosis is good.