Mediastinitis following coronary artery bypass surgery: a 3-year review

Article Abstract:

Mediastinitis, inflammation of the cavity between the lungs that contains the heart, is one of the most serious complications following myocardial revascularization, or coronary artery bypass surgery. The condition may be caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; an antibiotic-resistant bacteria), which produces symptoms of fever and chest pain. An unusual cluster of six cases of MRSA-related mediastinitis occurred following myocardial revascularization at a Michigan hospital in 1986. Subsequently, 20 cases of mediastinitis following coronary bypass surgery during a three-year period (1985 to 1987) were reviewed to determine the risk factors for this condition. It was found that one medical resident had contact with six cases, and all six shared a common strain of bacteria with the resident, MRSA. The remaining 14 cases of mediastinitis were caused by other strains of bacteria and were not treated by the resident. Investigation revealed that, in the six cases, other risk factors for transmission of MRSA were likely to have been a prolonged duration of surgery and a low preoperative level of albumin (a blood protein). In the remaining 14 cases, a low preoperative albumen level was also noted. These findings suggest that it is important to follow MRSA carriers (the resident, in this case) as a possible source of infection, and to recognize that a low preoperative albumin level may cause a patient to be more susceptible to mediastinitis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Staphylococcus aureus, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Inflammation, Coronary artery bypass, Carrier state (Communicable diseases), Mediastinum

---

Lack of effect of peroral acyclovir for the treatment of acute infectious mononucleosis

Article Abstract:

Acute infectious mononucleosis (IM), also called glandular fever and "mono", is caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This illness is characterized by fever, sore throat, hepatitis, and enlargement of the lymph nodes and spleen. In most cases, the IM lasts for three to six weeks. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that has been shown to be effective in treating infections caused by the herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and EBV. Therefore, a study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of acyclovir in treating 120 patients with IM. Sixty-two patients were treated with oral doses of acyclovir (five 600 milligram doses per day for 10 days) and 58 were given placebo. Treatment with acyclovir had little or no effect on improving patient recovery time, nor did it result in a significant improvement in liver function tests, lymph node, spleen and liver enlargement, or fever. In addition, acyclovir treatment did not significantly reduce the amount of virus present in the mouth and pharynx. No toxic effects were reported. The results of this study do not support the use of oral acyclovir for treating patients with IM. However, previous studies have reported that acyclovir, when given intravenously, is beneficial for treating patients with IM. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Drug therapy, Dosage and administration, Acyclovir, Mononucleosis, Infectious mononucleosis

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Herpes simplex virus type 2 meningoencephalitis resistant to acyclovir in a patient with AIDS. Capsaicin interferes with the centrifugal spread of virus in primary and recurrent genital herpes simplex infections
• Abstracts: Behavioral contributions to acquisition of gonorrhea in patients attending an inner city sexually transmitted disease clinic. part 2
• Abstracts: Persistent B19 parvovirus infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1): a treatable cause of anemia in AIDS
• Abstracts: Twelve hour overnight oesophageal pH monitoring in patients with reflux symptoms
• Abstracts: Renal vascular hypertension during pregnancy. Erythropoietin in preeclampsia

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.