Active clinical trials for "Communicable Diseases"

Intravascular devices are an integral component of modern-day medical practice. Infection is one of the leading complications of intravascular catheters and is associated with an increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization and increased medical costs. Central venous catheters (CVCs) account for an estimated 90% of all catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). A host of risk factors for CVC-related infections have been documented. This includes most importantly, duration of catheterization. The duration of use of CVCs remains controversial and the length of time such devices can safely be left in situ has not been fully and objectively addressed in the critically ill patient. As a consequence, scheduled replacement remains widely practiced in many Intensive Care Units(ICUs). Over the past few years, antimicrobial impregnated catheters have been introduced in an attempt to limit catheter-related infection (CRI) and increase the time that CVCs can safely be left in place. Recent meta-analyses concluded that antimicrobial impregnated CVCs appear to be effective in reducing CRI. The topic however, remains extremely controversial with different viewpoints appearing in the literature recently. This was a prospective randomized double-blind study performed in the multidisciplinary ICU at Johannesburg Hospital over a four year period.The study entailed a comparison of standard triple-lumen versus antimicrobial impregnated CVCs on the rate of CRI. The aim was to determine whether the researchers could safely increase the duration of catheter insertion time from the standard practice of seven days to 14 days, to assess the influence of the antimicrobial impregnated catheter on the incidence of CRI, evaluate risk factors and elucidate the epidemiology of CRI.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy for the recovery of peripheral fat of lopinavir/ritonavir in monotherapy versus abacavir/lamivudine and lopinavir/ritonavir in subjects who developed lipoatrophy while receiving zidovudine plus lamivudine plus abacavir.

This is a multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a Fluzone revaccination in elderly adults aged ≥ 65 years. Primary Objective: To describe the safety profile for all subjects. Secondary Objective: To describe immunogenicity 28 days following revaccination with one of three Fluzone formulations.

This study is designed to test lot consistency of three different manufacturing lots and to generate safety and immunogenicity data of the investigational vaccine administered via the ID route. Primary Objective: To demonstrate lot consistency of the Fluzone ID manufacturing process. To provide information concerning the immune response of Fluzone ID. Secondary Objectives: Safety To describe the safety profile of subjects who receive of Fluzone ID.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of an investigational oral rinse in reducing uropathogens and treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

The aim of this trial is to verify, under controlled conditions, the reported efficacy of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific hyperimmune globulin administration to pregnant women suffering from primary HCMV infection for the prevention of intrauterine HCMV transmission.

This study will test the effectiveness of a program aimed at reducing behaviors that increase HIV risk among people with severe mental illnesses.

This pilot study in our medical intensive care unit will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an active surveillance program for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), compared to routine daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-impregnated cloths. Outcomes include rate of MRSA acquisition, and of other hospital-acquired infections (e.g., catheter-associated bloodstream infections).

This study is being conducted to investigate the potential benefits of using a special type of fluid that can be applied to the skin (Integuseal) in addition to standard surgical skin preparation in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THA) or total knee replacement (TKA). Integuseal is supposed to lock down the skin bacteria and reduce skin infection and other problems. This study will investigate whether Integuseal is effective in reducing persistent wound drainage when used in addition to standard surgical skin preparation for total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee replacement (TKA).

The purpose of this study is to determine if 30-day survival will be improved with addition of prednisone to standard tuberculosis (TB) therapy.