False positive malaria rapid diagnostic test in returning traveler with typhoid fever

Article deposited according to publisher policies: http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/copyright [July 16, 2014].YesFunding provided by the Open Access Authors Fund

Schistosoma and Strongyloides screening in migrants initiating HIV Care in Canada: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Following migration from Schistosoma and Strongyloides endemic to non-endemic regions, people remain at high risk for adverse sequelae from these chronic infections. HIV co-infected persons are particularly vulnerable to the serious and potentially fatal consequences of untreated helminth infection. While general screening guidelines exist for parasitic infection screening in immigrant populations, they remain silent on HIV positive populations. This study assessed the seroprevalence, epidemiology and laboratory characteristics of these two parasitic infections in a non-endemic setting in an immigrant/refugee HIV positive community. Methods Between February 2015 and 2018 individuals born outside of Canada receiving care at the centralized HIV clinic serving southern Alberta, Canada were screened by serology and direct stool analysis for schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis. Canadian born persons with travel-based exposure risk factors were also screened. Epidemiologic and laboratory values were analyzed using bivariate logistic regression. We assessed the screening utility of serology, direct stool analysis, eosinophilia and hematuria. Results 253 HIV positive participants were screened. The prevalence of positive serology for Schistosoma and Strongyloides was 19.9 and 4.4%, respectively. Age between 40 and 50 years (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.13–5.50), refugee status (3.55, 1.72–7.33), country of origin within Africa (6.15, 2.44–18.60), eosinophilia (3.56, 1.25–10.16) and CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (2.46, 1.02–5.92) were associated with positive Schistosoma serology. Eosinophilia (11.31, 2.03–58.94) was associated with positive Strongyloides serology. No Schistosoma or Strongyloides parasites were identified by direct stool microscopy. Eosinophilia had poor sensitivity for identification of positive serology. Hematuria was not associated with positive Schistosoma serology. Conclusion Positive Schistosoma and Strongyloides serology was common in this migrant HIV positive population receiving HIV care in Southern Alberta. This supports the value of routine parasitic screening as part of standard HIV care in non-endemic areas. Given the high morbidity and mortality in this relatively immunosuppressed population, especially for Strongyloides infection, screening should include both serologic and direct parasitological tests. Eosinophilia and hematuria should not be used for Schistosoma and Strongyloides serologic screening in HIV positive migrants in non-endemic settings

Severe facial necrosis in a type 1 diabetic patient secondary to mucormycosis masquerading as an internal maxillary artery occlusion: a case report

Abstract Background Mucormycosis is a group of rare but life threatening angioinvasive infections caused by fungi of the order Mucorales that often occurs in immunocompromised patients and individuals with poorly controlled diabetes. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis can mimic sinusitis but can rapidly progress to deeper disease and cause facial necrosis. Facial vascular thrombosis is a rare complication of mucormycosis and can confound diagnosis of the disease. Case presentation We report the case of a 25-year-old female with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus who initially presented with symptoms of sinusitis but rapidly progressed with signs of left-sided facial necrosis due to occlusion of the left internal maxillary artery. Early surgical debridement did not yield a microbiological diagnosis. Deeper surgical debridements ultimately revealed angioinvasive fungal disease consistent with mucormycosis. The patient recovered after repeated surgical intervention and aggressive parenteral antifungal therapy. Conclusion This case illustrates an atypical complication of mucormycosis, and emphasizes that a high index of suspicion in vulnerable patient populations aids in the diagnosis of this life-threatening infection

Population-Based Surveillance for Hypermucoviscosity Klebsiella pneumoniae Causing Community-Acquired Bacteremia in Calgary, Alberta

The characteristics of hypermucoviscosity isolates among Klebsiella pneumoniae causing community-acquired bacteremia were investigated. The hypermucoviscous phenotype was present in 8.2% of K pneumoniae isolates, and was associated with rmpA and the K2 serotype; liver abscesses were the most common clinical presentation. The present analysis represents the first population-based surveillance study of hypermucoviscosity among K pneumoniae causing bacteremia.Peer Reviewe

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia

Background: Although Klebsiella pneumoniae is the second most common cause of Gram-negative bloodstream infections, its epidemiology has not been defined in a nonselected population. We sought to describe the incidence of, risk factors for, and outcomes associated with K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Methods: Population-based surveillance for K. pneumoniae bacteremia was conducted in the Calgary Health Region (population 1.2 million) from 2000 to 2007. Results: A total of 640 episodes of K. pneumoniae bacteremia were identified for an overall annual population incidence of 7.1 per 100,000; 174 (27%) were nosocomial, 276 (43%) were healthcare-associated community onset, and 190 (30%) were community acquired. Elderly patients and men were at highest risk for K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Dialysis, solid-organ transplantation, chronic liver disease, and cancer were the most important risk factors for acquiring K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Rates of resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole increased significantly during 2000 to 2007. The case fatality rate was 20%, and the annual population mortality rate was 1.3 per 100,000. Increasing age, nosocomial acquisition, non-urinary and non-biliary focus of infection, and several comorbid illnesses were independently associated with an increased risk of death. Conclusion: This is the first population-based study to document the major burden of illness associated with K. pneumoniae bacteremia and identifies groups at increased risk of acquiring and dying of these infections.</p

Population-based surveillance for hypermucoviscosity Klebsiella pneumoniae causing community-acquired bacteremia in Calgary, Alberta

The characteristics of hypermucoviscosity isolates among Klebsiella pneumoniae causing community-acquired bacteremia were investigated. The hypermucoviscous phenotype was present in 8.2% of K pneumoniae isolates, and was associated with rmpA and the K2 serotype; liver abscesses were the most common clinical presentation. The present analysis represents the first population-based surveillance study of hypermucoviscosity among K pneumoniae causing bacteremia.</p