Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Talbot EA[original query] |
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Ensuring Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation in New Hampshire: The First Eight Months toward a New Era.
Selembo TD , Talbot EA , Courtine CT , Daly ER , Hull TW , Durzy KJ . Vaccines (Basel) 2022 10 (9) The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been exacerbated by social vulnerabilities and racial disparities, resulting in disproportionate morbidity and mortality that require continued attention to strategies that ensure equitable vaccine allocation. The State of New Hampshire (NH) developed a transparent framework to guide COVID-19 vaccine allocation plans, of which one key component was the allocation of 10% of vaccine supply to disproportionately impacted and highly vulnerable populations, predominantly identified through a national vulnerability index. The process, operational approaches, ethical challenges, and unanticipated consequences resulted in many valuable lessons learned. Equitable allocation of this limited and critical pandemic countermeasure required public understanding and engagement, which was achieved through a publicly available framework that was flexible, resourced using public funds, and widely communicated. Broad partnerships were also critical to addressing disparities in the delivery of vaccine. The lessons learned and described here will facilitate more nimble and equitable jurisdictional responses in future public health emergencies. |
Community outbreak of legionellosis associated with an indoor hot tub, New Hampshire, 2018
Daly ER , Talbot EA , Smith JC , Ritter T , McCormic ZD , Fay K , Raphael BH , Kozak-Muiznieks NA , Levinson KJ , Bean CL , Wilson RT , Morse D , Scacheri A , Linxweiler J , Chan BP . J Environ Health 2022 84 (10) 16-25 Legionellosis is an infection acquired through inhalation of aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. In August 2018, public health officials in New Hampshire launched an investigation into a legionellosis outbreak. They identified 49 illnesses likely associated with the outbreak and implicated an improperly maintained hot tub at a hotel. The same strain of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was found in both the hot tub and in samples from two patients with Legionnaires disease. The indoor hot tub vented to the outdoors, which is how some patients with confirmed legionellosis likely acquired the infection despite not entering the hotel during the incubation period. This outbreak is notable for 1) likely illness acquisition through the exterior vent of the hot tub room and 2) use of whole genome sequencing to link environmental and patient specimens. Collaboration among public health and environmental officials, laboratorians, and building managers was essential to determining the source of the outbreak and preventing further illness. 2022, National Environmental Health Association. All rights reserved. |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis bloodstream infection prevalence, diagnosis, and mortality risk in seriously ill adults with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data
Barr DA , Lewis JM , Feasey N , Schutz C , Kerkhoff AD , Jacob ST , Andrews B , Kelly P , Lakhi S , Muchemwa L , Bacha HA , Hadad DJ , Bedell R , van Lettow M , Zachariah R , Crump JA , Alland D , Corbett EL , Gopinath K , Singh S , Griesel R , Maartens G , Mendelson M , Ward AM , Parry CM , Talbot EA , Munseri P , Dorman SE , Martinson N , Shah M , Cain K , Heilig CM , Varma JK , Gottberg AV , Sacks L , Wilson D , Squire SB , Lalloo DG , Davies G , Meintjes G . Lancet Infect Dis 2020 20 (6) 742-752 BACKGROUND: The clinical and epidemiological significance of HIV-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis bloodstream infection (BSI) is incompletely understood. We hypothesised that M tuberculosis BSI prevalence has been underestimated, that it independently predicts death, and that sputum Xpert MTB/RIF has suboptimal diagnostic yield for M tuberculosis BSI. METHODS: We did a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of studies performing routine mycobacterial blood culture in a prospectively defined patient population of people with HIV aged 13 years or older. Studies were identified through searching PubMed and Scopus up to Nov 10, 2018, without language or date restrictions and through manual review of reference lists. Risk of bias in the included studies was assessed with an adapted QUADAS-2 framework. IPD were requested for all identified studies and subject to harmonised inclusion criteria: age 13 years or older, HIV positivity, available CD4 cell count, a valid mycobacterial blood culture result (excluding patients with missing data from lost or contaminated blood cultures), and meeting WHO definitions for suspected tuberculosis (presence of screening symptom). Predicted probabilities of M tuberculosis BSI from mixed-effects modelling were used to estimate prevalence. Estimates of diagnostic yield of sputum testing with Xpert (or culture if Xpert was unavailable) and of urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) testing for M tuberculosis BSI were obtained by two-level random-effect meta-analysis. Estimates of mortality associated with M tuberculosis BSI were obtained by mixed-effect Cox proportional-hazard modelling and of effect of treatment delay on mortality by propensity-score analysis. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number 42016050022. FINDINGS: We identified 23 datasets for inclusion (20 published and three unpublished at time of search) and obtained IPD from 20, representing 96.2% of eligible IPD. Risk of bias for the included studies was assessed to be generally low except for on the patient selection domain, which was moderate in most studies. 5751 patients met harmonised IPD-level inclusion criteria. Technical factors such as number of blood cultures done, timing of blood cultures relative to blood sampling, and patient factors such as inpatient setting and CD4 cell count, explained significant heterogeneity between primary studies. The predicted probability of M tuberculosis BSI in hospital inpatients with HIV-associated tuberculosis, WHO danger signs, and a CD4 count of 76 cells per muL (the median for the cohort) was 45% (95% CI 38-52). The diagnostic yield of sputum in patients with M tuberculosis BSI was 77% (95% CI 63-87), increasing to 89% (80-94) when combined with urine LAM testing. Presence of M tuberculosis BSI compared with its absence in patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis increased risk of death before 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 2.05-3.08) but not after 30 days (1.25, 0.84-2.49). In a propensity-score matched cohort of participants with HIV-associated tuberculosis (n=630), mortality increased in patients with M tuberculosis BSI who had a delay in anti-tuberculosis treatment of longer than 4 days compared with those who had no delay (odds ratio 3.15, 95% CI 1.16-8.84). INTERPRETATION: In critically ill adults with HIV-tuberculosis, M tuberculosis BSI is a frequent manifestation of tuberculosis and predicts mortality within 30 days. Improved diagnostic yield in patients with M tuberculosis BSI could be achieved through combined use of sputum Xpert and urine LAM. Anti-tuberculosis treatment delay might increase the risk of mortality in these patients. FUNDING: This study was supported by Wellcome fellowships 109105Z/15/A and 105165/Z/14/A. |
Large Outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus Associated With Drug Diversion by a Healthcare Technician.
Alroy-Preis S , Daly ER , Adamski C , Dionne-Odom J , Talbot EA , Gao F , Cavallo SJ , Hansen K , Mahoney JC , Metcalf E , Loring C , Bean C , Drobeniuc J , Xia GL , Kamili S , Montero JT . Clin Infect Dis 2018 67 (6) 845-853 Background: In May 2012, the New Hampshire (NH) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) was notified of 4 persons with newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at hospital X. Initial investigation suggested a common link to the hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) because the infected persons included 3 CCL patients and a CCL technician. NH DPHS initiated an investigation to determine the source and control the outbreak. Methods: NH DPHS conducted site visits, case patient and employee interviews, medical record and medication use review, and employee and patient HCV testing using enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for HCV RNA, nonstructural 5B (NS5B) and hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) sequencing, and quasispecies analysis. Results: HCV HVR1 analysis of the first 4 cases confirmed a common source of infection. HCV testing identified 32 of 1074 CCL patients infected with the outbreak strain, including 3 patients coinfected with >1 HCV strain. The epidemiologic investigation revealed evidence of drug diversion by the HCV-infected technician, evidenced by gaps in controlled medication control, higher fentanyl use during procedures for confirmed cases, and building card key access records documenting the presence of the technician during days when transmission occurred. The employee's status as a traveling technician led to a multistate investigation, which identified additional cases at prior employment sites. Conclusions: This is the largest laboratory-confirmed drug diversion-associated HCV outbreak published to date. Recommendations to reduce drug diversion risk and to conduct outbreak investigations are provided. |
Possible Zika virus infection among pregnant women - United States and Territories, May 2016
Simeone RM , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Meaney-Delman D , Petersen EE , Galang RR , Oduyebo T , Rivera-Garcia B , Valencia-Prado M , Newsome KB , Perez-Padilla J , Williams TR , Biggerstaff M , Jamieson DJ , Honein MA , Ahmed F , Anesi S , Arnold KE , Barradas D , Barter D , Bertolli J , Bingham AM , Bollock J , Bosse T , Bradley KK , Brady D , Brown CM , Bryan K , Buchanan V , Bullard PD , Carrigan A , Clouse M , Cook S , Cooper M , Davidson S , DeBarr A , Dobbs T , Dunams T , Eason J , Eckert A , Eggers P , Ellington SR , Feldpausch A , Fredette CR , Gabel J , Glover M , Gosciminski M , Gay M , Haddock R , Hand S , Hardy J , Hartel ME , Hennenfent AK , Hills SL , House J , Igbinosa I , Im L , Jeff H , Khan S , Kightlinger L , Ko JY , Koirala S , Korhonen L , Krishnasamy V , Kurkjian K , Lampe M , Larson S , Lee EH , Lind L , Lindquist S , Long J , Macdonald J , MacFarquhar J , Mackie DP , Mark-Carew M , Martin B , Martinez-Quinones A , Matthews-Greer J , McGee SA , McLaughlin J , Mock V , Muna E , Oltean H , O'Mallan J , Pagano HP , Park SY , Peterson D , Polen KN , Porse CC , Rao CY , Ropri A , Rinsky J , Robinson S , Rosinger AY , Ruberto I , Schiffman E , Scott-Waldron C , Semple S , Sharp T , Short K , Signs K , Slavinski SA , Stevens T , Sweatlock J , Talbot EA , Tonzel J , Traxler R , Tubach S , Van Houten C , VinHatton E , Viray M , Virginie D , Warren MD , Waters C , White P , Williams T , Winters AI , Wood S , Zaganjor I . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 65 (20) 514-9 Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and brain abnormalities (1), and it is the first known mosquito-borne infection to cause congenital anomalies in humans. The establishment of a comprehensive surveillance system to monitor pregnant women with Zika virus infection will provide data to further elucidate the full range of potential outcomes for fetuses and infants of mothers with asymptomatic and symptomatic Zika virus infection during pregnancy. In February 2016, Zika virus disease and congenital Zika virus infections became nationally notifiable conditions in the United States (2). Cases in pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection who have either 1) symptomatic infection or 2) asymptomatic infection with diagnosed complications of pregnancy can be reported as cases of Zika virus disease to ArboNET* (2), CDC's national arboviral diseases surveillance system. Under existing interim guidelines from the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), asymptomatic Zika virus infections in pregnant women who do not have known pregnancy complications are not reportable. ArboNET does not currently include pregnancy surveillance information (e.g., gestational age or pregnancy exposures) or pregnancy outcomes. To understand the full impact of infection on the fetus and neonate, other systems are needed for reporting and active monitoring of pregnant women with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Thus, in collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments, CDC established two surveillance systems to monitor pregnancies and congenital outcomes among women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection(dagger) in the United States and territories: 1) the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry (USZPR),( section sign) which monitors pregnant women residing in U.S. states and all U.S. territories except Puerto Rico, and 2) the Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System (ZAPSS), which monitors pregnant women residing in Puerto Rico. As of May 12, 2016, the surveillance systems were monitoring 157 and 122 pregnant women with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection from participating U.S. states and territories, respectively. Tracking and monitoring clinical presentation of Zika virus infection, all prenatal testing, and adverse consequences of Zika virus infection during pregnancy are critical to better characterize the risk for congenital infection, the performance of prenatal diagnostic testing, and the spectrum of adverse congenital outcomes. These data will improve clinical guidance, inform counseling messages for pregnant women, and facilitate planning for clinical and public health services for affected families. |
Adapting and implementing a community program to improve retention in care among patients with HIV in southern Haiti: "Group of 6"
Naslund JA , Dionne-Odom J , Junior Destine C , Jogerst KM , Renold Senecharles R , Jean Louis M , Desir J , Neptune Ledan Y , Beausejour JR , Charles R , Werbel A , Talbot EA , Joseph P , Pape JW , Wright PF . AIDS Res Treat 2014 2014 137545 OBJECTIVE: In Mozambique, a patient-led Community ART Group model developed by Medecins Sans Frontieres improved retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among persons with HIV. We describe the adaptation and implementation of this model within the HIV clinic located in the largest public hospital in Haiti's Southern Department. METHODS: Our adapted model was named Group of 6. Hospital staff enabled stable patients with HIV receiving ART to form community groups with 4-6 members to facilitate monthly ART distribution, track progress and adherence, and provide support. Implementation outcomes included recruitment success, participant retention, group completion of monthly monitoring forms, and satisfaction surveys. RESULTS: Over one year, 80 patients from nine communities enrolled into 15 groups. Six participants left to receive HIV care elsewhere, two moved away, and one died of a non-HIV condition. Group members successfully completed monthly ART distribution and returned 85.6% of the monthly monitoring forms. Members reported that Group of 6 made their HIV management easier and hospital staff reported that it reduced their workload. CONCLUSIONS: We report successful adaptation and implementation of a validated community HIV-care model in Southern Haiti. Group of 6 can reduce barriers to ART adherence, and will be integrated as a routine care option. |
Does Tdap vaccination interfere with serodiagnosis of pertussis infection?
Pawloski LC , Kirkland KB , Baughman AL , Martin MD , Talbot EA , Messonnier NE , Tondella ML . Clin Vaccine Immunol 2012 19 (6) 875-80 BACKGROUND: An IgG anti-pertussis toxin (PT) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was analytically validated for diagnosis of pertussis, using the cut-off of 94 ELISA Units (EU)/mL. Little was known about the performance of this ELISA for diagnosis in adults recently vaccinated with tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), which contains PT. The goal of this study was to determine when the assay can be used following Tdap vaccination. METHODS: A cohort of 102 asymptomatic health care personnel (HCP) vaccinated with Tdap (Adacel, Sanofi Pasteur) were aged 19 to 79 years (median 47 years) at vaccination. For each HCP, specimens were available for evaluation at 2-10 time points (pre-vaccination to 24 months post-vaccination), and geometric mean concentrations (GMC) for the cohort were calculated at each time point. Among 97 HCP who responded to vaccination, a mixed model analysis with prediction and tolerance intervals was performed to estimate the time at which serodiagnosis can be used following vaccination. RESULTS: The GMC was 8, 21, and 9 EU/mL at pre-vaccination, four, and 12 months post-vaccination, respectively. Eight of 102 (8%) HCP reached antibody titers ≥ 94 EU/mL during their peak response but none had these titers by six months post-vaccination. Calculated prediction and tolerance intervals were < 94 EU/mL by 45 and 75 days post-vaccination, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tdap vaccination six months prior to testing did not confound result interpretation. This seroassay remains a valuable diagnostic tool for adult pertussis. |
Specificity of the tuberculin skin test and the T-SPOT.TB assay among students in a low-tuberculosis incidence setting
Talbot EA , Harland D , Wieland-Alter W , Burrer S , Adams LV . J Am Coll Health 2012 60 (1) 94-6 OBJECTIVE: Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are an important tool for detecting latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Insufficient data exist about IGRA specificity in college health centers, most of which screen students for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST). PARTICIPANTS: Students at a low-TB incidence college health center. METHODS: TST and T-SPOT.TB were performed on prospectively recruited students. TB exposure risk was assessed using a questionnaire: Those at low risk were assumed to not have LTBI in order to calculate test specificity. RESULTS: Of 184 students enrolled, 143 had results available for both TST and T-SPOT.TB. Agreement of the tests was 97% (kappa statistic 0.717; 95% confidence interval, 0.399-1.00). Among 124 low-risk students, specificity for TST and T-SPOT.TB were 98.4% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: T-SPOT.TB specificity was high among low-risk students. Additional studies such as cost-effectiveness analyses using T-SPOT.TB as a single or confirmatory test to TST are needed to contribute to LTBI screening policy decisions. |
6-month versus 36-month isoniazid preventive treatment for tuberculosis in adults with HIV infection in Botswana: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Samandari T , Agizew TB , Nyirenda S , Tedla Z , Sibanda T , Shang N , Mosimaneotsile B , Motsamai OI , Bozeman L , Davis MK , Talbot EA , Moeti TL , Moffat HJ , Kilmarx PH , Castro KG , Wells CD . Lancet 2011 377 (9777) 1588-98 BACKGROUND: In accordance with WHO guidelines, people with HIV infection in Botswana receive daily isoniazid preventive therapy against tuberculosis without obtaining a tuberculin skin test, but duration of prophylaxis is restricted to 6 months. We aimed to assess effectiveness of extended isoniazid therapy. METHODS: In our randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we enrolled adults infected with HIV aged 18 years or older at government HIV-care clinics in Botswana. Exclusion criteria included current illness such as cough and an abnormal chest radiograph without antecedent tuberculosis or pneumonia. Eligible individuals were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive 6 months' open-label isoniazid followed by 30 months' masked placebo (control group) or 6 months' open-label isoniazid followed by 30 months' masked isoniazid (continued isoniazid group) on the basis of a computer-generated randomisation list with permuted blocks of ten at each clinic. Antiretroviral therapy was provided if participants had CD4-positive lymphocyte counts of fewer than 200 cells per muL. We used Cox regression analysis and the log-rank test to compare incident tuberculosis in the groups. Cox regression models were used to estimate the effect of antiretroviral therapy. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00164281. FINDINGS: Between Nov 26, 2004, and July 3, 2009, we recorded 34 (3.4%) cases of incident tuberculosis in 989 participants allocated to the control group and 20 (2.0%) in 1006 allocated to the continued isoniazid group (incidence 1.26% per year vs 0.72%; hazard ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.99, p=0.047). Tuberculosis incidence in those individuals receiving placebo escalated approximately 200 days after completion of open-label isoniazid. Participants who were tuberculin skin test positive (ie, ≥5 mm induration) at enrolment received a substantial benefit from continued isoniazid treatment (0.26, 0.09-0.80, p=0.02), whereas participants who were tuberculin skin test-negative received no significant benefit (0.75, 0.38-1.46, p=0.40). By study completion, 946 (47%) of 1995 participants had initiated antiretroviral therapy. Tuberculosis incidence was reduced by 50% in those receiving 360 days of antiretroviral therapy compared with participants receiving no antiretroviral therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.97). Severe adverse events and death were much the same in the control and continued isoniazid groups. INTERPRETATION: In a tuberculosis-endemic setting, 36 months' isoniazid prophylaxis was more effective for prevention of tuberculosis than was 6-month prophylaxis in individuals with HIV infection, and chiefly benefited those who were tuberculin skin test positive. FUNDING: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Agency for International Development. |
Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a risk factor for norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities in northern New England: December 2006 to March 2007
Blaney DD , Daly ER , Kirkland KB , Tongren JE , Tassler Kelso P , Talbot EA . Am J Infect Control 2011 39 (4) 296-301 BACKGROUND: During December 2006 to March 2007, a substantial increase in norovirus illnesses was noted in northern New England. We sought to identify institutional risk factors for norovirus outbreaks in northern New England long-term care facilities (LTCFs). METHODS: State health departments in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont distributed surveys to infection preventionists at all LTCFs in their respective states. We collected information regarding facility attributes, routine staff use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) versus soap and water, facility cleaning practices, and occurrence of any acute gastroenteritis outbreaks during December 2006 to March 2007. Norovirus confirmation was conducted in public health laboratories. Data were analyzed with univariate and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Of 160 facilities, 91 (60%) provided survey responses, with 61 facilities reporting 73 outbreaks; 29 were confirmed norovirus. Facilities reporting that staff were equally or more likely to use ABHS than soap and water for routine hand hygiene had higher odds of an outbreak than facilities with staff less likely to use ABHS (adjusted odds ratio, 6.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.44-33.99). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that preferential use of ABHS over soap and water for routine hand hygiene might be associated with increased risk of norovirus outbreaks in LTCFs. |
The safety of immunizing with tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) less than 2 years following previous tetanus vaccination: Experience during a mass vaccination campaign of healthcare personnel during a respiratory illness outbreak
Talbot EA , Brown KH , Kirkland KB , Baughman AL , Halperin SA , Broder KR . Vaccine 2010 28 (50) 8001-7 BACKGROUND: Tdap is recommended for health care personnel (HCP) aged <65 years who received tetanus diphtheria or tetanus toxoid immunization (Td/TT) ≥2 years earlier. During a medical center Tdap vaccination campaign, we assessed the safety of use of a Td/TT to Tdap interval <2 years in HCP. We also describe reactogenicity in HCP who were aged ≥65 years or pregnant. METHODS: HCP vaccinated with Tdap were surveyed to assess time since last Td/TT (≥2 years vs. <2 years), age, pregnancy status, and injection site adverse events (AEs) during the 2 weeks after Tdap. AE rates were calculated and compared by non-inferiority analysis using a predetermined margin of 10%. We searched clinic logbooks to assess for clinically important adverse events during the 2 months after Tdap. RESULTS: Of the 4524 vaccinated HCP, 2221 (49.1%) completed a safety survey which met criteria for analysis. Non-inferiority analysis found that rates of moderate and/or severe injection site AEs were not significantly greater in those vaccinated <2 years than in those vaccinated ≥2 years after previous Td/TT. Three serious adverse events were reported during the 2 months after vaccination, none in persons who were ≥65 years, pregnant or received Td/TT <2 years before. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add to the body of evidence that a short interval between Td/TT and a single dose of Tdap is safe. |
Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 25-2010. A 24-year-old woman with abdominal pain and shock
Klempner MS , Talbot EA , Lee SI , Zaki S , Ferraro MJ . N Engl J Med 2010 363 (8) 766-77 Dr. Franklin W. Huang (Medicine): A 24-year-old woman was transferred to this hospital because of abdominal pain, vomiting, ascites, and shock. | The patient had been well until 9 days before admission, when fatigue, fevers, headache, and diffuse body aches developed, followed by a productive cough and vague pain in the abdomen and lower back. Three days before admission, nausea and vomiting developed, and oral intake decreased. Late in the evening of the next day, she was admitted to another hospital. | On evaluation, she appeared tired and restless; the blood pressure was 98/58 mm Hg, the pulse 122 beats per minute, the temperature 36.7°C, and the respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute. The abdomen was distended and diffusely tender, with normal bowel sounds; the remainder of the examination was normal. A rapid test for influenza was negative; other laboratory-test results are shown in Table 1. Intravenous crystalloid fluids were administered. During the next 3 hours, her abdominal pain increased (she rated it as 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the most severe), with increased abdominal distention and tenderness; ketorolac tromethamine was administered. A nasogastric tube was inserted, after which the hypotension worsened. She was admitted to the intensive care unit at the other hospital. Specimens of blood were sent for culture, and a central venous catheter was inserted; intravenous fluids and ertapenem were administered. Results on transthoracic echocardiography were normal. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis after the administration of intravenous contrast material showed a large amount of ascites, no bowel dilatation, and concentric wall thickening of a long segment of the distal small bowel. Numerous slightly enlarged, avidly enhancing lymph nodes were present at the root of the small-bowel mesentery and in the retroperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed ascites (3 liters), which was drained; nodular, hemorrhagic lesions in the mesentery; and two areas of necrotic small bowel. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the mesenteric lesions, and the necrotic bowel and appendix were resected. Gram-positive rods, thought to be contaminants, grew after less than 15 hours of incubation from two of two blood-culture bottles containing blood obtained on admission. Cultures of the ascites remained sterile. |
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