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Biomedical subjects

Y Igra

Publications and source records attributed to Y Igra.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Pneumococcal bacteremia in hospitalized Israeli adults: epidemiology and resistance to penicillin. Israeli Adult Pneumococcal Bacteremia Group.

In April 1993 a national survey of pneumococcal bacteremia in hospitalized Israeli adults was started, and this survey covered 23 of the 24 Israeli medical centers. During the first 2 years, 603 episodes of pneumococcal bacteremia were recorded. The overall annual incidence of pneumococcal bacteremia in Israeli adults was 14.5 episodes per 100,000 inhabitants, and the overall mortality rate was 27.8%. Pneumonia was the source of bacteremia in 70.8% of cases, primary bacteremia was the source in 17.5%, meningitis was the source in 7.5%, and otitis media/sinusitis was the source in 4.2%. Of the 258 pneumococcal isolates for which an MIC was determined, 88.8% were susceptible to penicillin, 9.3% were partially resistant, and only 1.9% were highly resistant. Twenty-four serogroups were identified from 398 strains tested. The highest percentage of penicillin-resistant strains belonged to serogroups 23, 19, 9, 4, and 6. Although only 13 of these 24 serogroups correspond to the serotypes included in the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, they accounted for 94% of all isolates.

Adolescent↗

[Our experience with diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of poststernotomy sternal wound infections].

During 1984-1992 162 patients with post-sternotomy sternal wound infections were treated. Between 0.4-5% of these undergoing sternotomy suffer from this complication which carries a mortality of about 50% when treated by conventional, nonsurgical methods. 80% of our patients had undergone aortocoronary bypass surgery and 11% valve replacement. Major risk factors identified for postoperative infection were prolonged mechanical ventilation, prolonged extracorporeal bypass, smoking, diabetes, obesity and chronic lung disease. Of 152 patients who underwent surgery, 35 had recurrent infections, especially during the first years of the study. 10 were managed by conservative methods. Reconstruction of the chest wall was performed in 125, using pectoralis major flaps (74 cases), rectus abdominis muscle flaps (53), myocutaneous flaps (5) and omental flap (1). Our series demonstrates the importance of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach in evaluating and stabilizing these often critically ill patients. Computed tomography together with sinography have proven to be of major importance in diagnosing the location and extent of sternal wound infections. Strict adherence to antibiotic protocols, radical debridement of infected bone and soft tissues and subsequent reconstruction with muscle flaps has enabled us to reduce recurrent infection and improve morbidity and mortality rates.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Faulty sternotomy and complications after median sternotomy.

In 11 of 55 patients with complications of median sternotomy, a paramedian sternotomy has been detected by computed tomography or at reparative operation. The thin side of the sternum is easily broken by the closing wires, this being the cause of instability and probably dehiscence and consequent infection and osteomyelitis. Most of the 11 patients in this group had some other predisposing risk factors, such as obesity, prolonged aortic cross-clamp time, and prolonged respiratory assistance. We suggest that, if a paramedian sternotomy is diagnosed at the primary operation, special closure techniques should be undertaken. Each patient with early dehiscence of a median sternotomy should undergo a computed tomographic examination. If a paramedian sternotomy is proved, simple reclosure is inadvisable. Sternectomy and closure with muscle flaps are then indicated.

Humans↗