METHODS: Twenty-six carbapenem-resistant strains and four susceptible strains were selected. The three methods mentioned above were evaluated as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). These tests are based on biochemical detection of the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring of a carbapenem-imipenem, followed by the colour change of a pH indicator.
RESULTS: Carba NP test was positive in 24 out of 26 isolates; the Modified Carba NP and Rapidec Carba NP tests were positive for all the isolates (26/26). All the carbapenemase non-producers (100%, 04/04) were negative.
CONCLUSION: Modified Carba NP is a more effortless and inexpensive alternative to the Carba NP test, allowing the detection of carbapenemase activity directly from bacterial cultures of Enterobacteriaceae. The test could be used in low-income countries with large reservoirs for carbapenemase producers and can be implemented in any laboratory worldwide.
METHODS: The study was conducted over a span of three years with a total of 8142, 8134, and 8114 blood culture samples processed for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol was determined using an agar dilution method. The MIC for ciprofloxacin was also confirmed by Epsilon-test (E -test) strips.
RESULTS: Of the total 302 Salmonella spp. isolated, 257 were Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (85.1%) and 45 (14.9%) were S. enterica serotype Paratyphi A. The majority of the isolates recovered were from the pediatric age group (54.6%) and males (60.6%). Complete susceptibility was observed to chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin over the last two years (2009 and 2010), with an increase in resistance to nalidixic acid (100%) and ciprofloxacin (13.6%).
CONCLUSION: In our study, we found augmentation of resistance to nalidixic acid and fluoroquinolones and complete sensitivity to ceftriaxone along with reemergence of chloramphenicol sensitivity for Salmonella isolates. This report emphasises the necessity of continuous surveillance of antibiograms of enteric fever isolates in an area.
DESIGN: Double-masked, 100-week, multicenter, active-controlled, randomized trials.
METHODS: Subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to brolucizumab 3mg/6mg or aflibercept 2mg in KESTREL (N=566) or 1:1 to brolucizumab 6mg or aflibercept 2mg in KITE (N=360). Brolucizumab groups received 5 loading doses every 6 weeks (q6w) followed by q12w dosing, with optional adjustment to q8w if disease activity was identified at pre-defined assessment visits; aflibercept groups received 5xq4w followed by fixed q8w dosing. The primary endpoint was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change from baseline at Week 52; secondary endpoints included the proportion of subjects maintained on q12w dosing, change in DRSS score and anatomical and safety outcomes.
RESULTS: At Week 52, brolucizumab 6mg was noninferior (NI margin 4 letters) to aflibercept in mean change in BCVA from baseline (KESTREL: +9.2 letters versus +10.5 letters; KITE: +10.6 letters versus +9.4 letters; p<0.001), more subjects achieved central subfield thickness (CSFT) <280µm and fewer had persisting subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid versus aflibercept, with >50% of brolucizumab 6mg subjects maintained on q12w dosing after loading. In KITE, brolucizumab 6mg showed superior improvements in change of CSFT from baseline over Week 40-Week 52 versus aflibercept (p=0.001). The incidence of ocular serious adverse events was 3.7% (brolucizumab 3mg), 1.1% (brolucizumab 6mg), 2.1% (aflibercept) in KESTREL; 2.2% (brolucizumab 6mg), 1.7% (aflibercept) in KITE.
CONCLUSION: Brolucizumab 6mg showed robust visual gains and anatomical improvements with an overall favorable benefit/risk profile in patients with DME.
METHODS: American Society of Clinical Oncology convened a multidisciplinary, multinational Expert Panel to produce recommendations reflecting four resource-tiered settings. A review of existing guidelines, formal consensus-based process, and modified ADAPTE process to adapt existing guidelines was conducted. Other experts participated in formal consensus.
RESULTS: This guideline update reflects changes in evidence since the previous update. Five existing guidelines were identified and reviewed, and adapted recommendations form the evidence base. Cost-effectiveness analyses provided indirect evidence to inform consensus, which resulted in ≥ 75% agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is recommended in all resource settings; visual inspection with acetic acid may be used in basic settings. Recommended age ranges and frequencies vary by the following setting: maximal: age 25-65 years, every 5 years; enhanced: age 30-65 years, if two consecutive negative tests at 5-year intervals, then every 10 years; limited: age 30-49 years, every 10 years; basic: age 30-49 years, one to three times per lifetime. For basic settings, visual assessment is used to determine treatment eligibility; in other settings, genotyping with cytology or cytology alone is used to determine treatment. For basic settings, treatment is recommended if abnormal triage results are obtained; in other settings, abnormal triage results followed by colposcopy is recommended. For basic settings, treatment options are thermal ablation or loop electrosurgical excision procedure; for other settings, loop electrosurgical excision procedure or ablation is recommended; with a 12-month follow-up in all settings. Women who are HIV-positive should be screened with HPV testing after diagnosis, twice as many times per lifetime as the general population. Screening is recommended at 6 weeks postpartum in basic settings; in other settings, screening is recommended at 6 months. In basic settings without mass screening, infrastructure for HPV testing, diagnosis, and treatment should be developed.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/resource-stratified-guidelines.
OBJECTIVE: To identify subgroups of COPD with distinct phenotypes, evaluate the distribution of phenotypes in four related regions and calculate the 1-year change in lung function and quality of life according to subgroup.
METHODS: Using clinical characteristics, we performed factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis in a cohort of 1676 COPD patients from 13 Asian cities. We compared the 1-year change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale score, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score and exacerbations according to subgroup derived from cluster analysis.
RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed that body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, SGRQ total score and FEV1 were principal factors. Using these four factors, cluster analysis identified three distinct subgroups with differing disease severity and symptoms. Among the three subgroups, patients in subgroup 2 (severe disease and more symptoms) had the most frequent exacerbations, most rapid FEV1 decline and greatest decline in SGRQ total score.
CONCLUSION: Three subgroups with differing severities and symptoms were identified in Asian COPD subjects.