Novel and emerging mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial pathogens
Article Abstract:
There are many different types of microorganisms that can cause nosocomial infections (i.e. infections acquired during hospitalization). Since nosocomial infections are estimated to occur in up to 5 percent of all patients who are hospitalized, the prevention of nosocomial infections is of primary importance. Over the last several decades, many different types of microorganisms that cause nosocomial infections have become resistant to treatment with antibiotic drugs, making infection more difficult to treat. A good example is Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of pneumonia in hospital patients. Several years ago, when these bacteria became resistant to treatment with methicillin, new drugs called quinolones were developed and used. Today, these bacteria are even resistant to treatment with quinolone drugs. Resistance to treatment with antibiotic drugs can occur in several different ways. One way is for the microorganism to begin making an enzyme that inactivates or destroys the drug. For example, microorganisms that make an enzyme called beta-lactamase are resistant to treatment with penicillin. Alterations or mutations in the DNA (genetic material) can allow microorganisms to become resistant to drug treatment. These altered or mutated genes can be passed from one microorganism to another. This allows antibiotic resistance to spread from one microorganism to another, and allows a single microorganism to become resistant to several different types of drugs. Effective surveillance programs are needed to control drug resistance in microorganisms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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Transmission of measles in medical settings - United States, 1985-1989
Article Abstract:
Measles accounts for only a small fraction of the infections or diseases that are acquired in hospitals or other types of care facilities. However, in 1989 there was a dramatic increase in the number of cases of measles. Between 1985 and 1989, a total of 34,323 cases of measles were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and more than half of these cases were reported in 1989 alone. Of these cases, 1,209 were reported to have been transmitted in medical care settings. This translates to 242 cases of measles per year acquired in medical care settings. Fifty percent of the people who contracted measles in medical care settings were less than four years of age, and 40 percent were over the age of 18. Sixty-six percent of the cases occurred in patients and 28 percent occurred in health care workers. Nurses and doctors accounted for almost 40 percent of the cases occurring in health care workers. In 91 percent of the cases, health care workers acquired measles from infected patients. Almost 30 percent of the health care workers who contracted measles were born before 1957, prior to the routine use of measles vaccination. The Immunization Practices Advisory Committee recommends that all health care employees who work with patients show proof of measles immunity or vaccination, and that patients with measles or those suspected of having measles be isolated from other patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
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