31 cases of intracranial abscess seen over a period of 10 years showed a peak incidence in the second and third decades of life with a male preponderance. Tetralogy of Fallot and other congenital cyanotic heart diseases were the predominant associated factors (32%). The commonest site of infection was the frontal lobe. Gram-stained smears of pus proved to be extremely useful. The majority of the organisms (82%) were either microaerophilic or anaerobic bacteria with Streptococcus milleri being the most frequent isolate. With the exception of Corynebacterium species, all isolates were susceptible to penicillin or chloramphenicol, most being susceptible to both.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Septicaemic melioidosis: a review of 50 cases from Malaysia.

Fifty cases of septicaemic melioidosis were reviewed. There was a preponderance of disease among males (male:female ratio 3.2:1) and those aged over 30 years. The presenting clinical features were very varied and not pathognomonic, ranging from fever, cough and septicaemia to fulminant septicaemia and shock. Pulmonary involvement was recorded in 58% of the patients. Skin and soft tissue sepsis was seen in 24%, but many had signs and symptoms of multiorgan involvement. Associated underlying illness was identified in 76% of patients, diabetes mellitus being the commonest (38%), while 34% had more than one predisposing factor. The mortality of 65% in our series is a reflection of the less than satisfactory status of the diagnosis and therapy of septicaemic melioidosis. Only 24% of our patients received appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy. A high index of suspicion of melioidosis in endemic areas and the use of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy would be a step towards reducing the high mortality rate.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Campylobacter pylori infection: experience in a multiracial population.

Over a 15-month period, 399 patients with dyspepsia were investigated for the presence of Campylobacter pylori infection. Half of the patients (50.6%) had Campylobacter organisms in the antrum of the stomach. C. pylori was found in 96.1% of patients with histological changes of chronic active gastritis in the antrum. Of patients with duodenal and gastric ulcers, 87.8% and 87.5%, respectively, had Campylobacter organisms, as did 39.3% of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. C. pylori infection was most commonly found in Chinese and Indians. Although the prevalence of infection appeared to increase with age, there was an equal distribution amongst the sexes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Invasive meningococcal disease in the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) remains the leading worldwide cause of acute bacterial meningitis and fatal sepsis in healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 cases of N. meningitidis from patients with invasive meningococcal infections in University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur during the years 1987-2004 were reviewed together with details of age, sex, disease, risk factors treatment and outcome of these patients. RESULTS: Their ages ranged from 10 months to 64 years (median age 29.75 years). The male to female ratio was 1.42:1. Fever, neck stiffness, headache, vomiting and confusion were predominant symptoms. Upper respiratory tract viral infection and Hajj pilgrimage were directly associated with invasive meningococcal disease. Penicillin or ceftriaxone or both in some cases were administered as empirical therapy. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol and rifampicin. The case fatality ratio was 1:4. One Hajj pilgrim died despite having received polyvalent meningococcal vaccine. Amongst the survivors, two patients had neurological deficit, hearing loss and arthritis. CONCLUSION: Early antimicrobial therapy has been shown to reduce these adverse outcomes. Clinicians need to be alerted to the presence of the disease in the community and the disease should be made notifiable within 24 hours of detection both for early treatment of cases and to facilitate contact tracing, institution of prophylactic treatment and prevention of secondary cases.

Adolescent↗