Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or “golden rules,” for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice

Comparative Molecular and Microbiologic Diagnosis of Vaginal Colonization by Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Women during Labor

Objective(s)Rapid tests for detection of Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococci (GBS) at the onset of labor are needed to permit early intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. This study aimed to evaluate the PCR assays targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rDNA) for detection of the GBS in comparison with a specific culture method. Materials and MethodsTwo swabs were used to obtain vaginal specimens from the 330 pregnant women attended delivery room at Hedayat hospital, Tehran, Iran. One swab was analyzed by direct plating onto selective GBS agar medium (ISLAM) and the other swab was used for a PCR assay, which amplified the 16S rDNA of S. agalactiae. Comparative study between the selective culture and the PCR assay was done among the 330 tested women.ResultsThe GBS colonization rate based on the culture results was 20.6% (68/330). Both culture and PCR methods were positive for 56 and negative for 253 women. The culture method was positive and PCR was negative in 12 women. The culture was negative and the PCR positive for 9 women. Sensitivity of the PCR assay was 82.3% and specificity was 96.5%. The positive predictive value was 86.15% and negative predictive value was 95.4%. ConclusionISLAM diagnostic procedure and PCR are rapid and reliable analyzing methods, which might be useful for accurate diagnosis of GBS colonization in pregnant women at the time of delivery

The level of Knowledge among Shahid Beheshti University students about genital herpes

Background and Objective: Genital herpes is increasing in Asia and the world. Based on other studies, knowledge has an important role in reducing high risk sexual behavior. In this study we evaluated knowledge among Shahid Beheshti University students as a sample of young and educated population of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study carried out on 409 of Shahid Beheshti University students in Tehran - Iran at Autumn 2004. Research material was questionnaire and data analyzed by SPSS-13, T-student, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis Tests. Results: Mean±SD of level of knowledge, nature and transmission of genital herpes was 26.5±26%, 23.7±24.2% and 30.56±36.8%, respectively. The level of knowledge about signs, treatment and prevention of disease was 18.8%, 16.4% and 46.2%, respectively. There was a significant relation between age, marital status and education with knowledge (P<0.05). The level of knowledge among engineering students was higher than humman sciences students (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on our study, most of participants had no enough knowledge about genital herpes. Most of participants were willing to know more about it as they obviously welcomed to our pamphlets. It seems that educations about genital herpes should be added to educational programs

Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of the endemic mycoses: an initiative of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology in cooperation with the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology

International audienceThe global burden of the endemic mycoses (blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, emergomycosis, histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, and talaromycosis) continues to rise yearly and these infectious diseases remain a leading cause of patient morbidity and mortality worldwide. Management of the associated pathogens requires a thorough understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic methods and performance characteristics in different patient populations, and treatment options unique to each infection. Guidance on the management of these infections has the potential to improve prognosis. The recommendations outlined in this Review are part of the &quot;One World, One Guideline&quot; initiative of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Experts from 23 countries contributed to the development of these guidelines. The aim of this Review is to provide an up-to-date consensus and practical guidance in clinical decision making, by engaging physicians and scientists involved in various aspects of clinical management

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings : the WARNING call to action

Abstract: Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or "golden rules," for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice