Acute encephalitis associated to a respiratory infection due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Objective

Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a common agent of respiratory infections. Severe acute neurological infections are very infrequently linked to this bacterium. We report such a case and give a rapid overview of published cases of acute encephalitis occurring after a respiratory infection due to C. pneumoniae.

Patient and methods

A 12-year-old child without any prior medical history was hospitalized for encephalitis associated to respiratory symptoms.

Results

C. pneumoniae DNA was identified by multiplex PCR assay in respiratory secretions and C. pneumoniae IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed in the serum. This bacterium was not detected in CSF, nor was any other pathogen. A macrolide treatment was prescribed for two weeks. The outcome was good without any sequels.

Conclusions

This observation correlates to the few similar cases reported in the medical literature. C. pneumoniae must be suggested in the etiological diagnosis of acute encephalitis, notably in a context of respiratory infection, when no more common cause can be identified.     

Social determinants of prescribed and non-prescribed medicine use

Background  

The aim of the present study was to describe the use of prescribed and non prescribed medicines in a non-institutionalised population older than 15 years of an urban area during the year 2000, in terms of age and gender, social class, employment status and type of Primary Health Care.     

Infection status and risk factors of HIV,HBV, HCV,and syphilis among drug users in Guangdong,China - a cross-sectional study

Background  

China has witnessed a remarkable increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. The study is to assess the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis and related risk factors among drug users in mandatory detoxification center Qingyuan, Guangdong, China.     

Equity in the use of antithrombotic drugs,beta-blockers and statins among Finnish coronary patients

Background  

Earlier studies have mainly reported the use of antithrombotic drugs, beta-blockers and statins among hospital patient populations or MI patients. This study aimed to describe the use of these drugs among middle-aged Finnish coronary patients and to identify patient groups in risk of being prescribed inadequate medication for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.     

Urogenital abnormalities in men exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero: a cohort study

Background  

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen widely prescribed to pregnant women during the 1940s-70s, has been shown to cause reproductive problems in the daughters. Studies of prenatally-exposed males have yielded conflicting results.     

Trends in thyroid hormone prescribing and consumption in the UK

Background  

Thyroid hormone replacement is one of the most commonly prescribed and cost effective treatments for a chronic disease. There have been recent changes in community prescribing policies in many areas of the UK that have changed patient access to necessary medications. This study aimed to provide a picture of thyroid hormone usage in the UK and to survey patient opinion about current community prescribing policies for levothyroxine.     

Attitudes and knowledge about naloxone and overdose prevention among detained drug users in Ningbo, China

Background  

To date there has been limited research on both the prevalence of overdose and drug user knowledge about overdose prevention and response methods in China. In addition, there has been no effort to integrate naloxone information and distribution into pre-release services for drug users detained in isolated compulsory detoxification facilities in China.     

Quality of life in colon cancer patients with skin side effects: preliminary results from a monocentric cross sectional study

Background  

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are widely prescribed anticancer drugs. Patients treated commonly develop dermatologic adverse drugs reactions, but rarely they are involved in systematic evaluation of their quality of life. This monocentric cross sectional study is carried out to assess quality of life in colon cancer patients experienced skin side effects due to anti epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors therapy.     

Underutilization of prescribed drugs use among first generation elderly immigrants in the Netherlands

Background  

In developed countries, health care utilization among immigrant groups differs where the dominant interpretation is unjustified overutilization due to lack of acculturation. We investigated utilization of prescribed drugs in native Dutch and various groups of immigrant elderly.     

Dig1 protects against cell death provoked by glyphosate-based herbicides in human liver cell lines

Background  

Worldwide used pesticides containing different adjuvants like Roundup formulations, which are glyphosate-based herbicides, can provoke some in vivo toxicity and in human cells. These pesticides are commonly found in the environment, surface waters and as food residues of Roundup tolerant genetically modified plants. In order to know their effects on cells from liver, a major detoxification organ, we have studied their mechanism of action and possible protection by precise medicinal plant extracts called Dig1.     

Compliance to recommendations for the management of curative treatment of Plasmodium vivax/ovale infections

Objectives

We assessed the compliance to recommendations for the routine management of Plasmodium vivax/ovale malaria, and analyzed the impact of discrepancies on the quality of care.

Patients and methods

We reviewed the cases of P. ovale and P. vivax malaria treated at the Besançon University Hospital, France (2008–2013).

Results

Chloroquine was prescribed in 44% of the 18 cases (4 due to P. ovale, 14 to P. vivax). Radical cure with primaquine was prescribed after the first bout of malaria for 6 patients. The primaquine dose prescribed was inferior to the recommended one for 4 patients. The mean delay between schizonticide treatment and primaquine cure was 43 days.

Conclusions

The delay before access to primaquine radical cure was the only parameter, likely to alter treatment effectiveness, but also difficult to shorten. Future national guidelines should take into account that not all patients have access to primaquine treatment immediately after schizonticide treatment.     

Unhappy doctors? A longitudinal study of life and job satisfaction among Norwegian doctors 1994 – 2002

Background  

General opinion is that doctors are increasingly dissatisfied with their job, but few longitudinal studies exist. This study has been conducted to investigate a possible decline in professional and personal satisfaction among doctors by the turn of the century.     

Neighborhood and weight-related health behaviors in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) Study

Background  

Previous studies have shown that neighborhood factors are associated with obesity, but few studies have evaluated the association with weight control behaviors. This study aims to conduct a multi-level analysis to examine the relationship between neighborhood SES and weight-related health behaviors.     

Hypertensive crisis associated with high dose soy isoflavone supplementation in a post-menopausal woman: a case report [ISRCTN98074661]

Background  

Isoflavones are gaining popularity as alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. However, few guidelines exist to inform the public as to an appropriate dose. This case involves a postmenopausal woman who experienced a hypertensive crisis while consuming a high-dose isoflavone supplement as part of a research protocol.     

Drugs and herbs given to prevent hepatotoxicity of tuberculosis therapy: systematic review of ingredients and evaluation studies

Background  

Drugs to protect the liver are frequently prescribed in some countries as part of treatment for tuberculosis. The biological rationale is not clear, they are expensive and may do harm. We conducted a systematic review to a) describe the ingredients of "liver protection drugs"; and b) compare the evidence base for the policy against international standards.     

Factors affecting awareness of emergency contraception among college students in Kathmandu, Nepal

Background  

In Nepal, Emergency Contraception (EC) could play a critical role in reducing unintended pregnancies, but very few people aware about it. This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness and factors influencing awareness of EC among college students.     

A comparison of opioid use between WCB recipients and other Manitobans for knee,shoulder, back and carpal tunnel release procedures

Background

This study's objectives were to evaluate whether WCB claimants with conditions requiring certain surgical procedures are more likely to be prescribed outpatient opioids than other Manitobans and whether those prescribed opioids are more likely to still be on opioid medications 6 months post procedure.

Methods

We compared 7,246 WCB claims for a number of surgical procedures to 65,032 similar procedures performed in other Manitobans. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between being a WCB claimant and being prescribed opioids, while controlling for type of surgical procedure and other potential confounders.

Results

WCB claimants were more likely than other Manitobans to be prescribed opioids (adjusted OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.30–1.47). Amongst those prescribed opioids, the odds of being still on opioids 6 months post‐procedure were not significantly elevated for WCB claimants (adjusted OR 1.09 95%CI 0.97–1.23).

Conclusions

WCB claimants are prescribed opioids more often than non‐claimants for similar procedures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:257–263, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Attempts to lose weight among overweight and non-overweight adolescents: a cross-national survey

Background  

Despite the global obesity epidemic, few studies have performed cross-national comparisons of adolescents' attempts to lose weight and weight control practices. This study aims to investigate matters mentioned above by weight status in Europe, Israel, and North America.     

Medication Use by Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Results of a Randomized Telephone Survey in Wichita,Kansas

Background  

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue, which substantially interferes with daily activities, and a characteristic symptom complex. Patients use a variety of prescribed and self-administered medications, vitamins, and supplements for relief of their symptoms. The objective of this study was to describe utilization of medications and supplements by persons with CFS and non-fatigued individuals representative of the general population of Wichita, Kansas.