Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nosocomial infections are a serious public health problem. In recent years, bloodstream infections (BSI) has increased significantly in hospitals, accounting for high morbidity and mortality rates. These, mostly are caused by bacteria, which are detected by performing blood cultures. Currently, due to the frequency and severity of BSI in the hospital environment, it is necessary to evaluate the epidemiological importance data, improving the control and prevention of these infections. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the microorganisms related to BSI from patients admitted to the University Hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM) in the one-year period (2012-2013). We analyzed the epidemiological profile and sensitivity of positive blood cultures of patients admitted at HUSM from April 2012 to March 2013. During the study period, 1080 samples were positive, 69.3% caused by gram-positive organisms (GP), 22.9% by Gram-negative (GN) and 7.9% by fungus. The most common organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis (24%), followed by Staphylococcus hominis (6.8%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (6.8%) and Pseudmonas aeruginosa (6%). The isolates predominated in male patients (50.6%) and aged between 0-20 years, and the Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was the sector with the highest number of insulation, 24.3% (10.3%/14%). The evaluation of the sensitivity profile showed 100% sensitivity daptomycin, linezolid, tigecycline and vancomycin front of GP microorganisms, and a rate of 42.31% of Staphylococcus were characterized phenotypically as coagulase negative Staphylococcus resistant to methicillin (MRSCoN). Already, between the GN, all microorganisms in study showed 100% of resistance to ampicillin, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 100% of resistance to cephalothin and cefoxitin, and 1.57% of these isolates showed ESBL mechanism resistance. Impact assessment studies of BSI have significant impact in reducing mortality, especially in patients with weakened immune system, since that provide an immediate start of effective empirical antimicrobial therapy, also decreasing hospital costs. Through this study it was observed that there was a predominance of GP bacteria, and approximately 50% of the isolates were caused by Staphylococcus spp. and 42.31% of strains were resistant to methicillin. This fact should be reconsidered when the empirical antibiotic therapy institution, especially in patients admitted to critical care units. ICS impact assessment studies have significant impact on mortality, especially in patients with weakened immune system, since provide immediate onset of effective empiric antibiotic therapy. These infections should be investigated along the Hospital Infection Control Commission for further steps to be taken, reducing the incidence of ICS, hospital costs and also mortality rates. / Infecções hospitalares constituem um sério problema de saúde pública. Nos últimos anos, as infecções de corrente sanguínea (ICS) vem aumentando significativamente nos hospitais, sendo responsáveis por elevadas taxas de morbi-mortalidade. Estas, majoritariamente são ocasionadas por bactérias, as quais são detectadas pela realização de hemoculturas. Atualmente, devido a frequência e a gravidade das ICS no ambiente hospitalar, torna-se necessário a avaliação de dados de importância epidemiológica, melhorando o controle e prevenção destas infecções. Dessa forma, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os microrganismos relacionados à ICS, de pacientes admitidos no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM), no período de um ano (2012-2013). Foi realizada a avaliação do perfil epidemiológico e de sensibilidade das hemoculturas positivas dos pacientes admitidos no HUSM entre abril de 2012 a março de 2013. No período de estudo, 1080 amostras foram consideradas positivas, sendo 69,3% causadas por microrganismos gram-positivos (GP), 22,9% por gram-negativos (GN) e 7,9% fungos. O microrganismo mais frequente foi o Staphylococcus epidermidis (24%), seguido pelo Staphylococcus hominis (6,8%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (6,8%) e Pseudmonas aeruginosa (6%). Os isolamentos predominaram em pacientes do sexo masculino (50,6%) e na faixa etária compreendida entre 0-20 anos, sendo a Pediatria/Unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal, o setor com maior número de isolamentos, 24,3% (10,3%/14%). A avaliação do perfil de sensibilidade evidenciou 100% de sensibilidade a daptomicina, linezolida, tigeciclina e vancomicina frente aos microrganismos GP, sendo que uma taxa de 42,31% dos isolados do gênero Staphylococcus foram caracterizados fenotipicamente como Staphylococcus coagulase negativa resistentes à meticilina (MRSCoN). Já, entre os GN, todos os microrganismos em estudo apresentaram 100% de resistência frente a ampicilina, e a Pseudomonas aeruginosa 100% de resistência a cefalotina e cefoxitina, e 1,57% destes isolados apresentaram mecanismo de resistência ESBL. Através deste estudo foi possível observar que houve o predomínio de bactérias GP, sendo que aproximadamente 50% dos isolamentos foram causados por Staphylococcus spp. e 42,31% destas cepas foram resistentes a meticilina. Esse fato deve ser reconsiderado quando da instituição da antibioticoterapia empírica, principalmente nos pacientes admitidos em unidades críticas. Estudos de avaliação da incidência de ICS apresentam impacto significativo na mortalidade, principalmente dos pacientes com sistema imune debilitado, uma vez que propiciam o início imediato da efetiva terapia antimicrobiana empírica. Estas infecções devem ser investigadas juntamente da Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar para que novas medidas sejam adotadas, reduzindo a incidência das ICS, os custos hospitalares e também as taxas de mortalidade.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sutherlandia frutescens on the inflammatory response and T cell differentiation in vitro using cytokines as biomarkers. Whole blood cells containing various concentrations of Sutherlandia frutescens were stimulated in vitro with either Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Results show that Sutherlandia frutescens is not toxic at any of the concentrations tested. The addition of Sutherlandia frutescens at high concentrations to the stimulated whole blood cell cultures reflects a significant down regulation of Interleukin(IL) 6 and IL-10 compared to the control (P<0.05) hence suppressed the inflammatory and humoral immune response. Results obtained for Inteferon-gamma (IFN ) shows that Sutherlandia frutescens is donor specific as it reflects both up and down regulation in the release of IFN at the concentrations tested. The in vitro data generated by this study supports the use of Sutherlandia frutescens in the management of inflammatory conditions and allergies such as asthma. However the effects of Sutherlandia frutescens on cell mediated immunity was found to be donor specific. Further investigation of Sutherlandia frutescens on cellular immunity is advised. / South Africa

Direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing (dAST) is not a standardized method and there is no recommendations regarding the volume of blood culture media to be used. The aim of the study was to optimize the method of dAST by determining a volume of blood culture media in µL to be used and to test the reproducibility of the volume optimized method. The dASTs (n=160) were performed on blood culture bottles (n=40) inoculated with reference bacteria (n=4), using four test volumes (50 µL, 75 µL, 100 µL and 125 µL). The optimized method was implemented on frozen and fresh bacterial isolates (n=120) derived from blood cultures. Susceptibility tests according to EUCASTs method for disk diffusion was also performed. Deviations in SIR-categorical agreement was calculated. The optimal volume of blood culture media for dAST was 75 µL. All dASTs were approved for three out of four reference bacteria whereas for the fourth reference bacteria eight out of ten dASTs was approved. Testing the reproducibility, the optimized method showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100 %. No deviation in categorical agreement of SIR-categorization was observed. The result shows a possibility of implementing a standardized method for dAST regarding the volume of blood culture media. / Vid direktresistensbestämning används blododlingsmedium för tillverkning av bakteriesuspensioner. Metoden är inte standardiserad och det finns ingen rekommenderad volym blododlingsmedium som bör användas. Syftet med studien var att optimera metoden för direktresistensbestämning genom att bestämma en volym blododlingsmedium i µL som används för tillverkning av bakteriesuspensioner. Den optimerade metodens prestanda utvärderades därefter på kliniska patientisolat. Metoden optimerades genom att direktresistensbestämningar (n=160) utfördes baserat på fyra volymer (50 µL, 75 µL, 100 µL och 125 µL) blododlingsmedium (n=40), som var inokulerade med fyra olika referensstammar. Den optimerade metodens reproducerbarhet testades på frysta och färska patientisolat (n=120) genom jämförelse av SIR-kategorisering mellan direktresistensbestämning samt resistensbestämning enligt EUCASTs metod för diskdiffusion. Den optimala volymen blododlingsmedium med kända referensstammar fastställdes vara 75 µL då samtliga direktresistensbestämningar godkändes för tre av fyra referensstammar, för den fjärde referensstammen godkändes åtta av tio. Då metoden implementerades på kliniska patientisolat från positiva blododlingar var känsligheten och specificiteten 100 % avseende kategorisk överensstämmelse enligt SIR-systemet. Inga avvikelser avseende SIR-kategorisering observerades. Resultaten visar att det är möjligt att optimera metoden avseende volymen blododlingsmedium som används för direktresistensbestämning på blododlingsflaskor. Då den optimerade metodens känslighet och specificitet var 100 %, är det möjligt att implementera metoden i rutinarbetet.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge since infection with resistant organisms may cause death, can spread across the community, and increase health care costs at individual, community and government level as more expensive antimicrobials will have to be made available for the treatment of infections caused by resistant bacteria. This calls for urgent and consolidated efforts in order to effectively curb this growing crisis, to prevent the world from slipping back to the pre-antibiotic era. The World Health Organization made a call in 2011 advocating for strengthening of surveillance and laboratory capacity as one-way of detecting and monitoring trends and patterns of emerging AMR. Knowledge of AMR guides clinical decisions regarding choice of antimicrobial therapy, during an episode of bacteraemia and forms the basis of key strategies in containing the spread of resistant bacteria. The current study focused on Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), as they are common hospital acquired infections which are prone to developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. Aim: The aim of this project was to assess and utilize the laboratory information system (LIS) at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), as a tool for reporting AMR and monitoring resistance patterns and trends over time of clinical isolates of SA, KP and PA, cultured from the blood of patients admitted to seven tertiary public hospitals in three provinces in South Africa. Methods: A retrospective and prospective analysis was done on isolates of SA, KP, PA from blood specimens collected from patients with bacteraemia and submitted to diagnostic microbiology laboratories of the NHLS at seven tertiary public hospitals in three provinces in South Africa. These hospitals comprised the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CBH), Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH), Steve Biko Pretoria Academic Hospital (SBPAH), Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Tygerberg Hospital (TH) and the Universitas Hospital of the Free State (UH). For retrospective analysis, data submitted during the period July 2005 to December 2009 were used and for prospective analysis, data relating to AMR in SA, KP, PA, collected by the Group for Enteric, Respiratory and Meningeal disease Surveillance in South Africa, (GERMS-SA) from July 2010 to June 2011 were used. AMR in these three pathogens to commonly used antimicrobial drugs was systematically investigated. Multivariate logistic regressions models were used to assess factors associated with AMR. In addition, a systematic review of research done to date on AMR in bacterial pathogens commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections was conducted in order to understand the existing antimicrobial surveillance systems and baseline resistance patterns in South Africa. Results: A total of 9969 isolates were reported from the retrospective dataset. These were 3942 (39.5%) SA, 4466 (44.8%) KP and 1561 (15.7%) PA. From the prospective dataset, a total of 3026 isolates were reported, 1494 (49.4%) SA and 1532 (50.6%) KP isolates respectively. The proportion of invasive bacteraemia was higher in the <5 year old children. Nearly all strains of SA in South Africa were resistant to penicillin, and >30% up to as high as 80% were resistant to methicillin-related drugs among~560 invasive SA isolates over the two year period. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates significantly differed between hospitals (p=<0.001). The proportion of MRSA isolates in relation to methicillin-susceptible strains showed a declining trend from 22.2% in 2005 to 10.5% in 2009 (p=0.042). Emerging resistance was observed for vancomycin: 1 isolate was identified in 2006 and 9 isolates between July 2010-June 2011, and all except 1 were from Gauteng hospitals. The study found increasing rates of carbapenem-resisant KP of 0.4% in 2005 to 4.0% in 2011 for imipenem. The mean rate of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL-KP) producing KP was 74.2%, with the lowest rate of 62.4% in SBPAH and the highest rate of 81.3% in UH, showing a significant geographical variation in rates of resistance (p=0.021). PA showed a tendency for multi-drug resistance with resistance rates of >20% to extended spectrum cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides respectively. Emerging resistance in PA isolates was observed to colistin, showing a resistance rate of 1.9% over the 5 years period. In the multivariate model, age <5 years, male gender, and hospital location were factors significantly associated with MRSA, while ESBL-KP was significantly associated with age <5 years and hospital location. Concluding remarks: The study has clearly demonstrated that AMR is relatively common in South Africa among children <5 years. Enhancement of continued surveillance of nosocomial infections through use of routine laboratory data should be reinforced as this will facilitate effective interpretation and mapping of trends and patterns of AMR. Therefore, the LIS as a tool for gathering such data should be strengthened to provide reliable AMR data for improved understanding of the extent of the AMR, and present evidence on which future policies and practices aimed at containing AMR could be based. Key words: Laboratory information system, Trends, Patterns, Antimicrobial resistance, Bacterial pathogens, Nosocomial infections, Surveillance, Bacteraemia, Blood culture.

Bacterial bloodstream infections represent a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Diagnostic tools, providing rapid species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing have a great impact on disease progression and treatment optimization. Typically, antimicrobial susceptibility testing involves a time-consuming process, and faster methods are likely to contribute in clinical settings. This study aimed to assess the reliability of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (RAST) with a 16-20-hour incubation period for implementation in a clinical microbiology laboratory. This method was conducted alongside the standardized disk diffusion method from EUCAST, encompassing all bacterial species compatible with 16-20-hour RAST. The method was executed 80 times, and over 450 readings were performed. It confirms EUCAST's method validation, affirming 16-20-hour RAST as a swift and precise method for blood bacterial resistance determination. All inhibition zones were readable, with 89% of antibiotics tested falling within 1 mm of the set target value. Notable deficiencies were observed in antibiotic-species combinations, such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin against E. coli, and erythromycin against S. pneumoniae. Accurate interpretation of inhibition zones demands precise reading practices as some zones were ambiguous. The study also underscores the importance of overnight cultures in antimicrobial susceptibility testing via standardized disk diffusion, accentuating 16-20-hour RAST's pivotal role in potentially accelerating resistance determination by up to a day. Given its commendable performance, 16-20-hour RAST is ready to be incorporated into the standard procedures at clinical microbiology laboratories, as demonstrated by its successful adoption at Unilabs, Skövde.

A Brucella canis é a bactéria responsável pela brucelose nos cães, pode ser transmitida para os seres humanos, ocasionalmente resultando em doença grave, com impacto na saúde pública. A brucelose canina desencadeia inúmeras perdas econômicas em canis comerciais, com a ocorrência de abortamentos, morte embrionária, natimortos e nascimento de filhotes debilitados. O diagnóstico sorológico é rotineiramente realizado, contudo a hemocultura é o teste \"padrão-ouro\". A técnica de reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) pode ser aplicada no diagnóstico direto como alternativa à hemocultura, pela rapidez, alta especificidade e sensibilidade do teste, mas apresenta alto custo com infraestrutura e equipamentos. A amplificação isotérmica mediada por loop (LAMP) constitui outra alternativa para amplificação do DNA em um curto período de tempo, com simplicidade e menor custo. O projeto avaliou comparativamente o desempenho dos testes moleculares de PCR e LAMP com primers direcionados à sequência de inserção IS711 de Brucella spp. em 98 amostras de sangue total, obtidas de 57 cães. Os 57 cães foram divididos em três grupos: infectados por B. canis (cães positivos na hemocultura) não infectados por B. canis (negativos na hemocultura e sem evidências clínicas e epidemiológicas de brucelose) e suspeitos de brucelose (cães negativos na hemocultura, mas com suspeita clínica e/ou epidemiológica da infecção). A sensibilidade e especificidade diagnóstica das reações de LAMP e PCR foram calculadas, utilizando-se os grupos de cães infectados e não infectados, respectivamente. O desempenho dos testes foi analisado, utilizando-se as 98 amostras, comparadas duas a duas, pelos testes estatísticos de Coeficiente Kappa e McNemar. A proporção de amostras positivas foi de 43,87% (43/98) na hemocultura, 46,93% (46/98) na PCR e 16,33% (16/98) na LAMP. A concordância entre a hemocultura e a PCR foi ótima, enquanto que a concordância entre a LAMP e a hemocultura e entre a LAMP e a PCR foi sofrível. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi de 100% (18/18) na PCR e 44,44% (8/18) na LAMP, enquanto que a especificidade diagnóstica foi de 96% (20/21) na PCR e 100% (21/21) na LAMP. O desempenho da reação de LAMP foi insatisfatório para o diagnóstico da brucelose nos cães, em razão dos baixos valores de sensibilidade do teste. A PCR, por outro lado, apresentou desempenho similar à hemocultura, o que a torna uma alternativa para uso no diagnóstico da brucelose canina. / Brucella canis is the etiological agent responsible for brucellosis in dogs and can be transmitted to human beings, occasionally resulting in severe disease, and leading to impacts on public health. Canine brucellosis triggers numerous economic losses in commercial kennels, causing abortions, embryonic death, stillbirths and birth of debilitated puppies. Serological diagnosis is routinely performed, but blood culture is the gold standard test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to the direct diagnosis of infection in view of its speed and high specificity and sensitivity values, however it has high cost because of the laboratory infrastructure and equipments needed. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) may be an alternative to DNA amplification in a shorter period of time, with simplicity and low cost. This project evaluated the potential of the molecular tests of PCR and LAMP using primers targeting the insertion sequence IS711 of Brucella, using 98 whole blood samples of 57 dogs. The 57 dogs were divided into three groups: infected by B. canis (dogs with positive results in blood culture), non-infected by B. canis (dogs with negative results by blood culture and showing no clinical or epidemiological evidences of brucellosis) and dogs suspected of brucellosis (those with negative blood culture but with clinical and/or epidemiological evidences of infection). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of PCR and LAMP were calculated using the infected and non-infected groups, respectively. The performance of the three diagnostic tests was pair compared using the 98 samples using McNemar test and Kappa coefficient. The proportion of positive samples detected by blood culture, PCR and LAMP was respectively 43.87% (43/98), 46.93% (46/98), and 16.33% (16/98). The concordance between blood culture and PCR was almost perfect, while the concordance between LAMP and blood culture and between LAMP and PCR was fair. The diagnostic sensitivity of PCR and LAMP was, respectively, 100% (18/18) and 44.44% (8/18), while the diagnostic specificity of the tests was 96% (20/21) and 100% (21/21), respectively. LAMP performance was not satisfactory for canine brucellosis diagnosis because of the low sensitivity of the test. PCR showed similar performance when compared to blood culture, which makes it a good alternative for use for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis.

A Brucella canis é a bactéria responsável pela brucelose nos cães, pode ser transmitida para os seres humanos, ocasionalmente resultando em doença grave, com impacto na saúde pública. A brucelose canina desencadeia inúmeras perdas econômicas em canis comerciais, com a ocorrência de abortamentos, morte embrionária, natimortos e nascimento de filhotes debilitados. O diagnóstico sorológico é rotineiramente realizado, contudo a hemocultura é o teste \"padrão-ouro\". A técnica de reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) pode ser aplicada no diagnóstico direto como alternativa à hemocultura, pela rapidez, alta especificidade e sensibilidade do teste, mas apresenta alto custo com infraestrutura e equipamentos. A amplificação isotérmica mediada por loop (LAMP) constitui outra alternativa para amplificação do DNA em um curto período de tempo, com simplicidade e menor custo. O projeto avaliou comparativamente o desempenho dos testes moleculares de PCR e LAMP com primers direcionados à sequência de inserção IS711 de Brucella spp. em 98 amostras de sangue total, obtidas de 57 cães. Os 57 cães foram divididos em três grupos: infectados por B. canis (cães positivos na hemocultura) não infectados por B. canis (negativos na hemocultura e sem evidências clínicas e epidemiológicas de brucelose) e suspeitos de brucelose (cães negativos na hemocultura, mas com suspeita clínica e/ou epidemiológica da infecção). A sensibilidade e especificidade diagnóstica das reações de LAMP e PCR foram calculadas, utilizando-se os grupos de cães infectados e não infectados, respectivamente. O desempenho dos testes foi analisado, utilizando-se as 98 amostras, comparadas duas a duas, pelos testes estatísticos de Coeficiente Kappa e McNemar. A proporção de amostras positivas foi de 43,87% (43/98) na hemocultura, 46,93% (46/98) na PCR e 16,33% (16/98) na LAMP. A concordância entre a hemocultura e a PCR foi ótima, enquanto que a concordância entre a LAMP e a hemocultura e entre a LAMP e a PCR foi sofrível. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi de 100% (18/18) na PCR e 44,44% (8/18) na LAMP, enquanto que a especificidade diagnóstica foi de 96% (20/21) na PCR e 100% (21/21) na LAMP. O desempenho da reação de LAMP foi insatisfatório para o diagnóstico da brucelose nos cães, em razão dos baixos valores de sensibilidade do teste. A PCR, por outro lado, apresentou desempenho similar à hemocultura, o que a torna uma alternativa para uso no diagnóstico da brucelose canina. / Brucella canis is the etiological agent responsible for brucellosis in dogs and can be transmitted to human beings, occasionally resulting in severe disease, and leading to impacts on public health. Canine brucellosis triggers numerous economic losses in commercial kennels, causing abortions, embryonic death, stillbirths and birth of debilitated puppies. Serological diagnosis is routinely performed, but blood culture is the gold standard test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to the direct diagnosis of infection in view of its speed and high specificity and sensitivity values, however it has high cost because of the laboratory infrastructure and equipments needed. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) may be an alternative to DNA amplification in a shorter period of time, with simplicity and low cost. This project evaluated the potential of the molecular tests of PCR and LAMP using primers targeting the insertion sequence IS711 of Brucella, using 98 whole blood samples of 57 dogs. The 57 dogs were divided into three groups: infected by B. canis (dogs with positive results in blood culture), non-infected by B. canis (dogs with negative results by blood culture and showing no clinical or epidemiological evidences of brucellosis) and dogs suspected of brucellosis (those with negative blood culture but with clinical and/or epidemiological evidences of infection). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of PCR and LAMP were calculated using the infected and non-infected groups, respectively. The performance of the three diagnostic tests was pair compared using the 98 samples using McNemar test and Kappa coefficient. The proportion of positive samples detected by blood culture, PCR and LAMP was respectively 43.87% (43/98), 46.93% (46/98), and 16.33% (16/98). The concordance between blood culture and PCR was almost perfect, while the concordance between LAMP and blood culture and between LAMP and PCR was fair. The diagnostic sensitivity of PCR and LAMP was, respectively, 100% (18/18) and 44.44% (8/18), while the diagnostic specificity of the tests was 96% (20/21) and 100% (21/21), respectively. LAMP performance was not satisfactory for canine brucellosis diagnosis because of the low sensitivity of the test. PCR showed similar performance when compared to blood culture, which makes it a good alternative for use for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis.

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Occurrence of bacteraemia and fungemia is a serious condition with high mortality and the incidence is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to survey the occurrence of bacteria and fungi in blood cultures from adult patients domiciled in the county of Gävleborg during one year and also to calculate the incidence and mortality in the same geographical area.</p><p><strong>Method</strong></p><p>This is a descriptive epidemiologic study, based on all episodes of blood cultures analyzed at the Microbiology laboratory, Gävle hospital during 2005. Patients from 20 years of age, domiciled in the county of Gävleborg at the date of drawing the blood culture, where included in the study. Criteria of exclusion were negative blood cultures and cultures which were classified as contaminants.</p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>Altogether there were 4 564 blood cultures analyzed, resulting in 524 (11 %) positive cultures for further study. There were 442 patients (48 % women) involved in 499 episodes with confirmed bacteraemia or fungemia. Gram positive bacteria represented 52 %, gram negative 45 % and fungi 3 %. The most frequently isolated bacterium was <em>Escherichia coli </em>followed by <em>Staphylococcus aureus. </em>In women, <em>Escherichia coli </em>was the most common bacterium, and there was a significant difference between the genders (<em>p= </em>0.004). In men, <em>Staphylococcus </em><em>aureus </em>was the dominant species (<em>p= </em>0.027<em>)</em>. <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae </em>was more common in women (<em>p= </em>0.005). The incidence of bacteraemia and fungemia in the county of Gävleborg was 235/100 000 inhabitants above the age of 20 (women, 223/100 000 men, 247/100 000). The incidence increased with age and the mean age was 70.2 years. The mortality within 30 days after the last positive blood culture was 22 % (97 patients). <em>Escherichia coli </em>was the most common bacteria diagnosed among those who died. The mortality in fungemia was 66 %. There was no significant difference in incidence or mortality between the two provinces Gästrikland and Hälsingland. Patients with bacteraemia and fungemia were initially cared for at all medical care units at the three hospitals in the county.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p>The incidence of bacteraemia/fungemia in the county of Gävleborg was 235/100 000 inhabitants. The most common bacteria in patients with confirmed bacteraemia were <em>Escherichia coli </em>and <em>Staphylococcus aureus. </em>Increasing age was a contributing risk factor. Patients with fungemia had considerably higher mortality compared to patients with bacteraemia. There where no significant differences in mortality between the two provinces.</p> / <p><strong>Introduktion</strong></p><p>Fynd av bakterier, bakteriemi, och svampar, fungemi, i blodbanan är ett allvarligt tillstånd med hög mortalitet och incidensen ökar i världen. Syftet med denna studie var att kartlägga vilka bakterier och svampar som förekom i alla blododlingar tagna under ett år från vuxna patienter i Gävleborgs län, samt att analysera incidens och mortalitet för bakteriemi och fungemi i länet.</p><p><strong>Metod</strong></p><p>Det är en deskriptiv epidemiologisk studie som utgår från analyserade blododlingar under år 2005 vid Enheten för Klinisk Mikrobiologi Laboratoriemedicin vid Gävle sjukhus. Till studien inkluderades personer från 20 års ålder som var mantalsskrivna i Gävleborgs län det datum som blododlingen utfördes. Exklusionskriterierna var negativa odlingssvar och svar som bedömdes som kontamination.</p><p><strong>Resultat</strong></p><p>Totalt analyserades 4 564 blododlingar, av vilka 524 (11 %) var positiva och bearbetades i denna studie. Det blev 442 patienter (48 % kvinnor) med 499 episoder av säkerställd bakteriemi eller fungemi. De grampositiva bakterierna stod för 52 %, gramnegativa bakterier 45 % och svampar 3 %. De enskilt vanligaste bakterierna var <em>Escherichia coli </em>och <em>Staphylococcus aureus. </em>För kvinnorna var <em>Escherichia coli </em>vanligast och det fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan könen (<em>p= </em>0,004 ), för männen var <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>vanligast (<em>p= </em>0,027<em>)</em>. <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae </em>visade högre förekomst bland kvinnorna än männen (<em>p= </em>0,005). Incidensen för bakteriemi och fungemi i Gävleborgs län var 235/100 000 invånare äldre än 20 år (kvinnor, 223/100 000 och män, 247/100 000). Incidensen ökade med åldern och medelåldern var 70,2 år. Mortaliteten inom 30 dagar efter utförd blododling var 22 % (97 patienter). <em>Escherichia coli </em>var vanligast hos de avlidna. För patienter med fungemi var mortaliteten 66 %. Det påvisades ingen signifikant skillnad beträffande incidens eller mortalitet mellan länets båda landskap Gästrikland och Hälsingland. Patienter med bakteriemi och fungemi vårdades initialt på samtliga vårdenheter på länets tre sjukhus.</p><p><strong>Konklusion</strong></p><p>Incidensen för bakteriemi/fungemi i Gävleborgs län var 235/100 000 invånare. De vanligaste fynden vid säkerställd bakteriemi var <em>Escherichia coli </em>och <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. Ökande ålder var en riskfaktor. Patienter med fungemi hade avsevärt högre mortalitet än de med bakteriemi. Ingen skillnad påvisades mellan de två landskapen beträffande mortalitet.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Medical BioSciences) / In the past three decades there has been a huge increase in the use of herbal medicine globally. The active principles of these herbal medicines are mostly unknown with supportive evidence for safety and efficacy very rare. SeptilinTM is a phytopharmaceutical formulation which is recommended for the treatment and management of various infections. It has been claimed to have immunomodulatory actions that potentiates the body's immune response. The immunomodulatory activity of SeptilinTM has not been well investigated via appropriate in vitro models. Therefore this study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro effects of SeptilinTM on biomarkers of specific immune pathways by using WBC. Stimulated and unstimulated WBC were incubated with the product. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to screen for IL-6, IL-10, and IFN? as biomarkers for inflammation, humoral immunity, and cell mediated immunity, respectively. Results show that the presence of SeptilinTM in LPS stimulated WBC has no effect on the release of IL-6 and IFN? production but stimulated IL-10 production. SeptilinTM in unstimulated WBC has no effect on the release of IL-10 and IFN? production but stimulatory effects on IL-6 production.

Syftet med studien var att jämföra hur väl transthorakal (TTE) och transesofageal ekokardiografi (TEE) kompletterar varandra vid diagnosticering av Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus) -endokardit (SAE). S. aureus är en av de ledande bakterierna inom vårdrelaterade infektioner. SAE blir vanligare, något forskare relaterar till att fler invasiva ingrepp görs. TTE är förstahandsalternativet för att besvara alternativt dementera frågeställningen och följs ofta av en TEE som bidrar till förbättrad bildkvalité och möjlighet att visualisera mindre strukturer. På Skaraborgs sjukhus i Skövde (SkaS) anses TEE-undersökningarna många gånger genomförs i onödan då få endokarditer hittas. Studien var jämförande med en kvantitativ ansats. Materialet har samlats in på kliniskt fysiologiskt laboratorium i Skövde. Det resulterade i elva deltagare. Båda könen inkluderades, patienter under 18 år exkluderades. Resultatet visade att fyra endokarditer diagnostiserades. Streptococcus Sanguinus var den bakterie som orsakade flest endokarditer medan S. aureus inte orsakade någon endokardit. Fem av elva patienter hade någon form av riskfaktor för endokardit. Fem av elva patienter blododlades positivt för S. aureus. Hygienen vid undersökningstillfällena, framförallt TEE är viktig då 80 % av vårdpersonalen kan vara bärare av S. aureus. TTE- och TEE-undersökningen kompletterar varandra. Kombinationen av undersökningarna gör resultatet tillförlitligt. TEE är därför av värde vid endokarditfrågeställning. / The purpose was to compare how transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) complement each other in the diagnosis of Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus)-Endocarditis (SAE). S. aureus is one of the leading bacteria in health-related infections. SAE becomes more common, which researchers associate with more invasive interventions. TTE is a first step to confirm or rule out endocarditis and often followed by TEE-examination. At Skaraborg Hospital in Skövde (SkaS), the TEE-survey is considered unnecessary many times when not finding enough endocarditis. The study was a comparative study with quantitative approach, where the material was collected at clinical physiological laboratory at SkaS, Skövde, which resulted in eleven participants. Both sexes were included, patients below 18 years were excluded. Results showed that four endocarditis was diagnosed. Streptococcus Sanguinus was the bacterium that caused most endocarditis while S. aureus did not cause endocarditis. Five of eleven patients had some form of risk factor for endocarditis. Five of eleven patients were positive for S. aureus. Hygiene at the examinations, especially TEE is important because 80 % of healthcare professionals could be carriers of S. aureus. The TTE and TEE survey complement each other. Carrying out the surveys together is what makes the diagnosis safe.