Active clinical trials for "Infections"

The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (feNO) in expired air is a reliable measure of airway inflammation. Some research experiments have demonstrated stimulation of nitric oxide production in respiratory epithelial cells infected with RSV. The principal aims are to determine if the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (feNO) is elevated in hospitalized pediatric patients with viral lower respiratory illness and to determine if there is a difference in feNO level between RSV and non-RSV infection. NO may play a role in the association between RSV, airway reactivity, and airway inflammation. This is a prospective, pilot study that will noninvasively measure feNO in children 0-4 years of age admitted to Winthrop University Hospital, as well as controls (children in the same age range without respiratory conditions and who are well enough to perform the test). Hospitalized children will be tested for RSV (enzyme immunoassay (EIA) & DFA) and via direct fluorescent antigen technique (DFA) for influenza A & B, parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus and adenovirus. Method of feNO measurement will utilize the offline options for preschool children & infants appropriate for age as described in the 2005 Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society & the European Respiratory Society when discussing tidal breathing techniques with uncontrolled flow rate Offline exhaled air can be collected via a mouthpiece or a face mask connected to a non-re-breathing valve that allows inspiration of NO-free air from an NO-inert reservoir to avoid contamination by ambient NO. Exhaled breath samples are collected into an NO-inert bag fitted with the expiratory port once a stable breathing pattern is present. The results of all 3 groups will be compared: control, RSV positive and RSV negative samples.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Childsmile programme (www.child-smile.org) with the additional maternal use of xylitol is more effective at reducing dental decay in children than a Childsmile program alone. The children will be compared in the two groups at age two, to determine how the interventions affected the early colonization of mutans streptococci, an important risk factor of tooth decay. At three and at five years the investigators will also examine the amount of tooth decay in these children. Using MIDAS (Scotland's national health service dental data) records, the investigators will follow the oral health of the children until the age of 5 years. Main hypothesis: The maternal consumption of xylitol reduces early childhood caries

In this two-year study, we will target two high risk groups, including MSM of HIV-infected and those of non-HIV-infected. We will avail the serodiagnosis to detect the potential amebic carriers in both groups; and use microscopy to detect protozoas other than amebiasis. Meanwhile we will also survey the patients' status of sexual transmitted diseases (STD). For the amebic carriers, we will apply specific antigen and molecular biologic method to follow up the duration of the persistence of fecal amebas. We try to clarify the dynamic change of amebic carriage.

This community-based clinical trial based in two districts of rural Maharashtra, India compares utilization of an intervention model of "fully-decentralized," or rural primary clinic-based, HIV testing and care services, with a control model of the Indian government's partially-decentralized HIV services, offering rural referral clinic testing and urban-based HIV care.

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Bloodstream infections are also costly and result in prolonged hospital stays. The duration of therapy necessary to clear blood stream infections is unknown and no study has systematically addressed this issue. However, the use of antimicrobials is not without consequence. These include financial cost, side-effects, promotion of superinfection (especially Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea), and the promotion of microbial resistance. This study hypothesizes that a procalcitonin (host biomarker) and endotoxin (microorganism biomarker) guided treatment plan could significantly decrease unnecessary exposure to antibiotics in patients with bloodstream infections.

RATIONALE: Gathering information about human papillomavirus infection of the mouth in young men may help doctors learn more about risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer. PURPOSE: This research study is assessing human papillomavirus infection of the mouth in young men and risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer.

The purpose of this study is to examine the postprandial (anytime after a meal) effect of different dietary fats on endothelial function in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men.

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in nursing home residents. MRSA is predominantly spread from patient-to-patient by health care workers. The use of gowns, gloves and hand washing prevents this spread; however, their use detracts from a patient-centered, home-like environment which is an important priority for nursing homes. The goal of this project is to determine when it is most important for health care workers to wear gowns and to wash their hands when caring for MRSA colonized Veterans in community living centers.

The pharmacokinetics of caspofungin are expected to be different in ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients. The investigators will determine caspofungin concentrations in 20 ICU patients, who will get caspofungin as standard care. Full PK curves will be taken on day 3 and a limited PK curve on day 7, trough levels will be taken daily.

The information collected will provide insight in to the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in a transplant compared to a non-transplant population. Data is needed regarding the date of admission, date of bloodstream infection and location of ward/ICU so trends in the emergence of resistance and antibiotic usage can be detected.