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The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of continuous midazolam and diazepam infusion for the control of refractory status epilepticus. An open-label, randomized control study was undertaken at the Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Service of a multidisciplinary teaching and referral hospital. Subjects included 40 children, 2 to 12 years of age, with refractory status epilepticus (motor seizures uncontrolled after two doses of diazepam, 0.3 mg/kg per dose, and phenytoin infusion, 20 mg/kg). Either continuous midazolam (n = 21) or diazepam infusion (n = 19) in incremental doses was administered. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of children in each group with successful control of refractory status epilepticus. The secondary outcome measure was the time to control seizure activity, recurrence of seizure after initial control, if any, the frequency of hypotension, and the need for ventilation. The two groups were similar in age (mean +/- SD = 4.9 +/- 43.6 months) and etiology. Twenty-three (57.5%) patients had acute central nervous system infection. Refractory status epilepticus was controlled in 18 (86%) and 17 (89%) patients in the midazolam and diazepam groups, respectively (P = not significant). The median time to seizure control was 16 minutes in both groups, but in the midazolam group, seizures recurred in more children (57% versus 16% in diazepam group; P < .05). The maximum dose (mean +/- SD) of midazolam and diazepam required was 5.3 +/- 2.6 microg/kg/min and 0.04 +/- 0.02 mg/kg/min, respectively. About half of the patients needed mechanical ventilation and 40% had hypotension in both groups, but the mortality was higher in the midazolam group (38%) as compared to the diazepam group (10.5%, P < .1 > .05). Continuous midazolam and diazepam infusions were equally effective for control of refractory status epilepticus. However, midazolam was associated with more seizure recurrence and higher mortality in refractory status epilepticus predominantly caused by central nervous system infections.

The Hines VA CDI severity score index appeared to display the strongest correlation for predicting more severe forms of CDI.

Calprotectin is a complex of two anionic proteins found in abundance in the cytosol of neutrophils, certain macrophages, and oral epithelial keratinocytes. Bacteria of the genus Capnocytophaga are pathogens of periodontal origin which can cause systemic infection in neutropenic subjects. Recently, it has been observed that Capnocytophaga may be internalized by neutrophils within the cytosol rather than within a membrane-delimited phagosome. The purpose of this study was to test the in vitro antibacterial effect of the cytosolic complex, calprotectin, against Capnocytophaga sputigena. Calprotectin was purified from the cytosol of human neutrophils by gel filtration and anion exchange FPLC, and it exerted potent in vitro antimicrobial effects against C. sputigena. Net bacteriostatic activity was exerted up to 18 h, after which bactericidal effects were observed. Both net bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity occurred at concentrations above 20 micrograms/mL and exhibited identical dose-response characteristics. Particle counts increased in the presence of calprotectin, despite net bacteriostasis as assessed by changes in colony-forming units (CFU). Dose-response characteristics and direct particle counts suggested that net bacteriostatic effects were the result of balanced cell division and death, rather than suspension of cell division. We conclude that calprotectin can be a significant contributor to host defense against infection by Capnocytophaga.

OBJECTIVE Antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is prevalent but often in contrast to published guidelines. We evaluated risk factors for treatment of ASB. DESIGN Retrospective observational study SETTING A tertiary academic hospital, county hospital, and community hospital PATIENTS Hospitalized adults with bacteriuria METHODS Patients without documented symptoms of urinary tract infection per Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) criteria were classified as ASB. We examined ASB treatment risk factors, broad-spectrum antibiotic usage, and quantified diagnostic concordance between IDSA and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. RESULTS Among 300 patients with bacteriuria, ASB was present in 71% by IDSA criteria. By NHSN criteria, 71% of patients had ASB; within-patient diagnostic concordance with IDSA was moderate (kappa = 0.52). After excluding those given antibiotics for non-urinary indications, antibiotics were given to 38% (62/164) with ASB. Factors significantly associated with ASB treatment were elevated urine white cell count (65 versus 24 white blood cells per high-powered field, p<0.01), hospital identity (Hospital C vs. A, OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.80, p=0.01), presence of leukocyte esterase (OR 5.48, 95% CI 2.35–12.79, p<0.01), presence of nitrites (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.11–5.41, p=0.03), and E. coli on culture (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.7, p=0.01). Of patients treated for ASB, broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 84%. CONCLUSIONS ASB treatment was prevalent across diverse inpatient settings and contributed to broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Associating abnormal urinalysis results with the need for antibiotic treatment, regardless of symptoms, may drive unnecessary antibiotic use and provides an opportunity for antibiotic stewardship interventions.

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The SOT IPA rate decreased after intervals 1 and 2, although the hospitalwide IPA rate remained stable during the study period. Post-earthquake hospital demolition and construction occurring after interval 2 was not associated with an increase in the rate of IPA at our institution.