Propionibacterium acnes: infection beyond the skin

Propionibacterium acnes is a Gram-positive bacterium that forms part of the normal flora of the skin, oral cavity, large intestine, the conjunctiva and the external ear canal. Although primarily recognized for its role in acne, P. acnes is an opportunistic pathogen, causing a range of postoperative and device-related infections. These include infections of the bones and joints, mouth, eye and brain. Device-related infections include those of joint prostheses, shunts and prosthetic heart valves. P. acnes may play a role in other conditions, including inflammation of the prostate leading to cancer, SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome, sarcoidosis and sciatica. If an active role in these conditions is established there are major implications for diagnosis, treatment and protection. Genome sequencing of the organism has provided an insight into the pathogenic potential and virulence of P. acnes.     

论张仲景“客气”之意

张仲景书中的"客气"一词,一般被误解作"邪气"。笔者通过比较多条经文发现,"客气"并非张仲景理解的"邪气",而是指一种特殊的致病因素,是由于胃虚而浊气上逆所生的阳热之邪。由于这种情况并非"外来邪气",又非生理的"正气",因而张仲景创造"客气"一词,以解释这种特殊的病因。     

The role of trehalose in the global spread of epidemic Clostridium difficile

In a recent study, we reported on two distantly related, epidemic lineages of Clostridium difficile that have acquired independent mechanisms to metabolize low concentrations of trehalose. Here we provide further comment and evidence that a third epidemic lineage common in Asia and Europe, ribotype 017, has evolved this ability.     

Prevalence,outcome and risk factor associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India

Purpose: To determine the prevalence, genotype, risk factors and mortality in patients having vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VR E. faecalis) and Enterococcus faecium (VR E. faecium) infection or colonisation. Materials and Methods: A total of 1488 clinical isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium were tested for vancomycin resistance by phenotypic (disk diffusion, E-test and broth micro-dilution test) and genotypic polymerase chain reaction methods. Records of all 1488 patients who had E. faecalis or E. faecium infection or colonisation were reviewed for the identification of host, hospital and medication related risk factors associated with VR E. faecalis and VR E. faecium. Results: Of 1488 isolates, 118 (7.9%) were vancomycin-resistant and their distributions were as follows: E. faecalis =72 (61%) and E. faecium =46 (39%). All 118 vancomycin-resistant isolates were vanA genotype (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] to vancomycin ≥64 μg/ml and MIC to teicoplanin ≥32 μg/ml) and none of the isolates was vanB genotype. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ventilator support and hospital stay for ≥48 h as independent risk factors associated with VR E. faecalis and VR E. faecium infection or colonisation. Hospital stay ≥48 h was the only independent risk factor for mortality in patients infected with vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Conclusions: Strategies to limit the nosocomial infection especially in patients on ventilator support can reduce VRE incidence and related mortality.     

Heroin Use,Dependence, and Attitudes to Treatment in Non-Treatment-Seeking Heroin Users: A Pilot Study

Much research examining heroin users utilizes treatment samples; non-treatment-seeking heroin users are not well understood. It is unclear whether this group can avoid impaired control or negative sequelae commonly observed in treatment-seeking populations. During 2000 and 2001, we recruited 69 non-treatment-seeking heroin users with no treatment history. Heroin use, management strategies, treatment attitudes, and risk behaviors were assessed; the DSM-IV checklist and severity of dependence scale were completed. Study limitations and implications for heroin use and its treatment are discussed. This study was funded by Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.     

口腔颌面外科手术后感染的病原菌分布及感染因素分析

目的:探讨口腔颌面外科手术后感染的病原菌分布特点及感染的相关影响因素,为临床防治提供依据。方法:对口腔颌面外科手术后发生感染的113例病历进行回顾性调查,分别从细菌培养、患者一般情况、基础疾病、手术时间、用药情况用等方面进行统计,应用SPSS 17.0软件对数据进行分析。结果:共分离出116株病原菌,金黄色葡萄球菌和铜绿假单胞菌检出率较高,分别占29.3%(34株)、23.3%(27株)。34株金黄色葡萄球菌中检出耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)15株,检出率为44.1%。术后感染与患者的基础疾病、围手术期用药、麻醉方式、患者年龄、手术时间、术后用药时间等因素密切相关。结论:必须进一步采取有效的防治措施,减少口腔颌面外科手术后感染的发生。     

基于中医临床证候探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎在岭南地区的疫性特点

目的:通过分析广东省第二人民医院收治的新型冠状病毒肺炎(以下简称新冠肺炎)患者的临床资料,从中医临床证候探讨该病在岭南地区的疫性特点,更好地指导临床辨证治疗。方法:收集广东省第二人民医院收治的36例新冠肺炎患者的临床资料,其中输入病例20例,本地病例16例,分析全部病例、输入病例和本地病例的临床资料和证候特点。结果:新冠肺炎患者年龄分布较广,平均年龄45岁,以男性居多,55.56%的患者为外地输入病例,44.44%的患者为本地感染病例。全部病例证型以湿邪郁肺型和邪热壅肺型为主,分别占44.44%和38.89%;91.67%的患者呈现“湿”的病理特点,72.22%的患者呈现“热”的病理特点。其中输入病例证型以湿邪郁肺型为主,占65.00%,100%的患者呈现“湿”的病理特点,55.00%呈现“热”的病理特点;本地病例证型以邪热壅肺为主,占56.25%,93.75%的患者呈现“热”的病理特点,81.25%呈现“湿”的病理特点。结论:本次疫病在岭南地区的疫性属于以湿邪和热邪为主导的“湿热疫”,病机特点为湿热并重;输入性病例多表现为以湿邪为患的“湿疫”,有化热的趋势和倾向,病机特点为湿重于热;本地病例多表现为以热邪为主的“温热疫”,病机特点为热重于湿。此次新冠肺炎不同地区存在不同疫性的可能,辨证和治疗要遵守三因制宜的原则。     

Advances in multiplex nucleic acid diagnostics for blood-borne pathogens: promises and pitfalls - an update

Introduction: Multiplex nucleic acid diagnostics for blood-borne pathogens have moved closer to clinical application in the two years since we first reviewed this topic.

Areas covered: A new emphasis on detecting pathogens directly in a blood sample without culture, coupling PCR amplification to microfluidic devices and higher multiplexing in isothermal amplification are some of the advances. A wholly new approach of correlating host gene expression response with specific infectious agents opens another opportunity for multiplex detection. Established microarrays, which had been the highest multiplicity platform, are being displaced by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) having potentially no limit to the number of pathogens that it can identify. Greater accessibility of sequencing devices, standardization of bioinformatic analysis pathways and increased acceptance from regulatory authorities are driving this technology.

Expert commentary: The landscape of traditional diagnostics for detection of blood-borne pathogens has changed in the last 5 years. There is no doubt that NSG is recognized as a disruptive technology with a growing repertoire of tools, such as subtyping, resistome analysis, etc., available for clinical microbiology. Increasing acceptance indicates the dominating position of NGS as the future of multiplex molecular diagnostics for blood-borne pathogens.     

浅谈基层医院护理管理中的安全隐患与对策

目的 分析基层医院影响护理质量的因素,制定相应对策,防止护理差错事故的发生.方法 通过对护理安全隐患的分析,认为主要原因是职能科室和规章制度不健全,护理人员的职业倦怠,流动性大,业务水平低,护理记录不规范等.结果 采取健全科室和规章制度,加强责任心和业务技术的培训,合理调配人力资源,加强护理人员法制观念的教育等措施.提高了护理人员的整体水平,提高了病人的满意度,稳定了护理队伍.结论 通过有效的干预措施,促进了基层医院护理安全,全面提高了护理质量.