Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Introduction: Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the infectious disease with the highest number of deaths worldwide. Several studies have shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and increases susceptibility to respiratory tract infections. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in hospitalized adults in general room with CAP. Materials and methods: An observational study was carried out in 207 hospitalized adults of both sex with CAP (>18 years) from Rosario city, Argentina (32° 52′ 18″S) between July 2015 and June 2016. Results: In total, 167 patients were included in the data analysis [59% women (57.4 ± 19.6 years), body mass index 27.2 ± 7.8 kg/m2]. In brief, 63% showed unilobar infiltrate and 37% were multilobar. The CURB‐65 index was 66.5% low risk, 16.0% intermediate risk and 17.5% high risk. According to Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) 53.5% had not comorbidity (CCI = 0) and 46.5% showed CCI ≥ 1. The 25OHD level was: 11.92 ± 7.6 ng/mL (51.5%: 30 ng/mL). Higher 25OHD were found in male (female: 10.8 ± 6.7 ng/mL, male: 13.5 ± 8.5 ng/mL, P = .02) and 25OHD correlated with age (r = –.17; P = .02). 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D was also correlated with CURB65 index (r = –.13; P = .049), CCI (r = –.20, P = .007) and with the 10 years of life expectative (%) (r = .19; P = .008). In addition, higher 25OHD were found with lower CCI (CCI 0 = 13.0 ± 8.2 ng/mL, CCI ≥ 1= 10.5 ± 6.7 ng/mL; P = .0093). Conclusions: Hospitalized adults with CAP have lower 25OHD levels and would be associated with the severity of CAP.Fil: Brance, María Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Laboratorio de Biología Ósea; ArgentinaFil: Miljevic, Julio Norberto. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Tizziani, Raquel. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Taberna, María E.. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Grossi, Georgina P.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Toni, Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Valentini, Elina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio de la Mujer; ArgentinaFil: Trepat, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio de la Mujer; ArgentinaFil: Zaccardi, Julia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Hospital Español de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Moro, Juan. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Hospital Español de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Finuci Curi, Baltasar. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Provincial de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Tamagnone, Norberto. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Provincial de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Mariano. Sanatorio Plaza de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Severini, Javier. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Chiarotti, Pablo Ignacio. Provincia de Santa Fe. Municipalidad de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Consiglio, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio Laprida de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Piñeski, Raúl. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio Laprida de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Ghelfi, Albertina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Escuela "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Kilstein, Jorge Guillermo. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Escuela "Eva Perón"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Street, Eduardo. Hospital Rosendo García de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Moretti, Dino. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio Delta de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Oliveto, Viviana. Sanatorio Nuestra Señora del Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Mariño, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Sanatorio Británico de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Manera, Jorge. Sanatorio Británico de Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Brun, Lucas Ricardo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Puerperal and intrapartum group A streptococcal infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the demographic and clinical variables characteristic of non-epidemic intrapartum or puerperal group A streptococcal (GAS) infection. METHODS: The records of 47 patients diagnosed with intrapartum or puerperal GAS infection over a 6 1/2 year period at Hadassah-University Hospital-Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem were reviewed. Data regarding 25,811 women, the general population of women that delivered during that period, were obtained from their computerized medical records. Frequency distributions, t-test, chi-square, and Spearman's Rank Correlation were used, as appropriate, to analyze and compare demographic and clinical variables associated with development of GAS infection, its clinical course and subsequent development of septic shock. RESULTS: Mean age of mothers with GAS infection was higher than that of our general pregnant population (30.4 versus 27.4 years, P = 0.0019), and a higher proportion of GAS infected patients (30% versus 12%, P < 0.005) experienced PROM. Thirty-one (66%) women had fever as their sole presenting symptom, eight (17%) had fever and abdominal pain, seven (15%) had fever and abnormal vaginal bleeding, and one patient (2%) presented with a rash. Three patients (6%) developed a septic shock. Two of these patients presented with symptoms more than 14 days after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the characteristics of non-epidemic intrapartum or puerperal GAS infection. Data from our study and review of the literature suggest that some patients who develop septic shock may present later in the puerperium than patients with an uncomplicated GAS infection

The effect of hospital biocide sodium dichloroisocyanurate on the viability and properties of Clostridium difficile spores

Clostridium difficile is the primary cause of healthcare associated diarrhoea globally and produces spores which are resistant to commonly used biocides and are able persist on contaminated surfaces for months. This study examined the effect of sublethal concentrations of the biocide sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) on the viability of spores produced by 21 clinical isolates of C. difficile representing a range of PCR ribotypes. Spores exposed to 500 ppm NaDCC for 10 minutes exhibited between a 4 – 6 log10 reduction in viability which was independent of spore PCR ribotype. The effect of sublethal concentrations of biocide on the surface properties of exosporium positive and negative clinical isolates was determined using a spore adhesion to hydrocarbon assay. These isolates differed markedly in their responses suggesting that exposure to biocide can have a profound effect on hydrophobicity and thus the ability of spores to adhere to surfaces. This raises the intriguing possibility that sublethal exposure to NaDCC could inadvertently promote the spread of the pathogen in healthcare facilities

Does age acquired immunity confer selective protection to common serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni?

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter infection is a major cause of bacterial gastrointestinal disease. Exposure to Campylobacter is known to produce an immune response in humans that can prevent future symptomatic infections. Further, studies of the general population have shown that seroprevalence to Campylobacter increases with age. METHODS: A large collection of serotyped Campylobacter isolates, obtained from human clinical faecal samples, were analysed by comparing the ratio of uncommon to common serotypes by different age groups, using χ(2 )tests. RESULTS: We have identified that older age groups, as well as having generally lower incidence, are significantly less likely to be infected by the more common serotypes. CONCLUSION: These results are indicative of acquired immunity, however, further studies are needed to rule out the confounding effects of the variations in exposure pathways experienced by different age groups

Sporadic Cryptosporidiosis, North Cumbria, England, 1996–2000

Risk factors for sporadic cryptosporidiosis were determined in 152 patients and 466 unmatched controls who resided in two local government districts in North Cumbria, North West England, from March 1, 1996, to February 29, 2000. Risk was associated with the usual daily volume of cold unboiled tap water drunk (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.14 to 1.71 per pint consumed per day [p = 0.001]) and short visits to farms (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.90, p = 0.04). Fifty-six (84%) of 67 fecal specimens from patients obtained from January 1, 1998, and February 29, 2000, were Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 2 (animal and human strain). Livestock fecal pollution of water sources appears to be the leading cause of human sporadic cryptosporidiosis in this population and shows the need for better protection of water catchments from livestock and improved drinking water treatment in this area of England

Fresh-cut carrot (cv. Nantes) quality as affected by abiotic stress (heat shock and UV-C irradiation) pre-treatments

Available at Sciverse ScienceDirectAbiotic stresses such as heat shock and UV-C irradiation can be used to induce synthesis of bioactive compounds and to prevent decay in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat shock and UV-C radiation stress treatments, applied in whole carrots, on the overall quality of fresh-cut carrot cv. Nantes during storage (5 C). Heat shock (HS, 100 C/45 s) and UV-C (0.78 0.36 kJ/m2) treated samples had higher phenolic content and exhibited reduced POD activities during storage when compared to control (Ctr) samples (200 mg/L free chlorine/1 min). All samples showed reduced carotenoid content considering raw material. Nonetheless, UV samples registered a three-fold increase in carotenoid content in subsequent storage. Fresh-cut carrot colour showed a continuous increase in whiteness index (WI) values during storage regardless of treatment without impairing visual quality. Respiratory metabolism was affected by both abiotic stress treatments since reduced O2/CO2 rates were found, more significant in HS samples. The decontamination effect was more expressive in HS samples, where a 2.5 Log10 cfu/g reduction in initial microbial load and reduced microbial growth were achieve

Unhealthy Snack Food and Beverage Consumption Is Associated with Lower Dietary Adequacy and Length-for-Age z-Scores among 12-23-Month-Olds in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of unhealthy snack foods and beverages (USFBs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is rising, with global awareness increasing about risks of overnutrition. However, little is known about the relation between USFB consumption and young children's diet/nutritional outcomes in contexts where nutrient density of complementary foods is often low. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the association of high USFB consumption, compared with low consumption, with nutrient intakes, dietary adequacy, iron status, and growth in young children in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 745 primary caregivers of children aged 12-23 mo. Food consumption was measured through quantitative 24-h recalls, and child anthropometric measurements and capillary blood samples were collected. Using adjusted linear/logistic regression models, nutrient intakes, dietary adequacy, length-for-age and weight-for-length z-scores (LAZ and WLZ, respectively), and iron status were compared between lowest and highest tertiles of consumption based on the contribution of USFBs to total energy intakes (TEIs). Mediation of the relation between USFB consumption and LAZ via lowered dietary adequacy was explored using structural equations modeling. RESULTS: On average, USFBs contributed 46.9% of TEI among the highest tertile of consumers, compared with 5.2% of TEI among the lowest. Compared with low-USFB consumers, high-USFB consumers had lower nutrient intakes and a greater proportion were at risk of inadequate intakes for 8 nutrients. Mean LAZ was nearly 0.3 SD lower among high-USFB consumers than low consumers (P = 0.003), with this relationship partially mediated through dietary adequacy. No associations were found with stunting prevalence or iron status. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was low. CONCLUSIONS: In this LMIC context, high USFB consumption among young children was associated with inadequate micronutrient intakes, which can contribute to poor growth outcomes. Addressing increased availability of USFBs in LMIC food systems should be a priority for policies and programs aiming to safeguard child nutrition

Viral Hepatitis

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65791/1/j.1365-4362.1981.tb00836.x.pd