Plasma Metabonomics of Human Adenovirus-infected Patients with Pneumonia and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective Human adenovirus(HAdV)infection is common and can develop to serious conditions with high mortality,yet the mechanism of HAdV infection remains unclear.In the present study,the serum metabolite profiles of HAdV-7-infected patients with pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection(URTI)were explored.Methods In total,35 patients were enrolled in the study following an outbreak of HAdV-7 in the army,of whom 14 had pneumonia and 21 had URTI.Blood samples were collected at the acute stage and at the recovery stage and were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics.Results Over 90% of the differential metabolites identified between the pneumonia patients and URTI patients were lipids and lipid-like molecules,including glycerophospholipids,fatty acyls,and sphingolipids.The metabolic pathways that were significantly enriched were primarily the lipid metabolism pathways,including sphingolipid metabolism,glycerophospholipid metabolism,and linoleic acid metabolism.The sphingolipid metabolism was identified as a significantly differential pathway between the pneumonia patients and URTI patients and between the acute and recovery stages for the pneumonia patients,but not between the acute and recovery stages for the URTI patients.Ceramide and lactosylceramide,involved in sphingolipid metabolism,were significantly higher in the pneumonia patients than in the URTI patients with good discrimination abilities[area under curve(AUC)0.742 and 0.716,respectively;combination AUC 0.801].Conclusion Our results suggested that HAdV modulated lipid metabolism for both the patients with URTI and pneumonia,especially the sphingolipid metabolism involving ceramide and lactosylceramide,which might thus be a potential intervention target in the treatment of HAdV infection.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Vitamin C in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Background:The effectiveness of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infections was evaluated in a meta-analysis.Methods:A total 2,573 children with upper respiratory tract infections were included in the meta-analysis,1,280 of whom received vitamin C and 1,293 who received control medication.The analysis of findings related to the studies included was done through random or fixed effects model to determine whether vitamin C supplementation could stop and control upper respiratory tract infections in children using mean difference(MD)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).Results:On average,vitamin C-treated children had fewer upper respiratory tract infection bouts,their illness lasted shorter(MD-0.84;95%CI-1.47 to-0.20,P=0.009),and they were less contagious than the control.Conclusions:The number of episodes and illness duration of upper respiratory tract-infected pediatric subjects were considerably reduced in the intervention group(vitamin C)compared to the control.Due to the small sample size in four of 11 studies and the limited number of studies included for comparison,the outcomes should be carefully examined.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Risk Factors of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among ICU Patients in Guizhou,China During 2019-2022

Objective:This study aims to explore the prevalence,features,and risk factors of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs)in the intensive care unit(ICU)of a newly established hospital in Zunyi City.The goal is to devise strategies for preventing LRTIs in the ICU of new hospitals,thereby mitigating the incidence of nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients.Methods:A case-control study was conducted from March 2019 to December 2022 to investigate the incidence rate of LRTIs in the ICU of a newly constructed hospital in Zunyi City.Patients with LRTIs constituted the case group,while those without LRTIs constituted the control group,where a 1:1 matching principle was adhered to.A single-factor chi-square(χ2)test was employed to analyze the risk factors,with independent risk factors being explored using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 169 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated,comprising 66.28%gram-negative bacteria,17.75%gram-positive bacteria,and 15.97%fungi.The most prevalent pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii(43.20%),Candida albicans(10.65%),and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(8.88%).Of the 82 strains infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with LRTIs,81.7%were carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii,9.8%were multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and 6.1%were carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli.Identified risk factors included smoking history,total hospitalization days,ICU stay length,hypoproteinemia,indwelling gastric tube,intubation type,duration of mechanical ventilation,usage of antibacterial drugs,and administration of protein drugs(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that these factors were independent risk factors for nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:ICU patients in our hospital were mainly infected by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.To prevent LRTIs in patients,tailored preventive measures should be developed and the rational use of antibacterial drugs should be promoted.

Prescription practice of antihistamines for acute upper respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients in a local emergency department in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND: Currently there is very limited data in the literature assessing the prevalence of antihistamine prescription, and there is no local prevalence data about the prescription of antihistamine agents among primary practitioner and emergency physicians. The objectives are 1) to report the prevalence of antihistamine prescription for children less than 6 years old with acute upper respiratory infection and 2) to explore the associated factors for the prescription practice.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. All consecutive cases of paediatric patients aged 6 or below who presented to the emergency department during a study period of one week from April 1 to July 4, 2009 with diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infection were included. Totally 162 patients were included.RESULTS: Among the 162 cases, 141(87%) patients were prescribed one antihistamine of any group. Sixty(37%) patients were prescribed two or more antihistamines. In multivariate logistic regression model, age was found to be signi? cantly(P<0.001) associated with multiple antihistamine prescription(OR=1.042, 95%CI=1.02 to 1.06). Years of graduation of attending physician for more than 5 years was also a strong predictor of multiple antihistamine prescription(OR=4.654, 95%CI=2.20 to 9.84, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: In the local emergency department, patients' age and the years of graduation from medical school of the attending physician were predictors of multiple antihistamine prescription for acute upper respiratory infections for children aged less than 6.

Assessment of Prevalence Group A Streptococci (GAS) Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection among Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Background: Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is a prevalent infection across the world and is a major health concern linked to the crowding that occurs during the Hajj season. Objectives: To identify how prevalent Streptococcus pyogenes is among Umrah visitors and pilgrims by comparing its presence before and after the visitors perform Umrah and hajj. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on Umrah visitors/pilgrims, for which their throat swabs were taken for assessing the upper respiratory tract infection’s carriage rate, particularly of Group A streptococci (GAS), after they arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah rituals and befor their leaving. After collecting the swabs, they were inoculated on Columbia agar using 5% sheep blood and then incubated at 37&#730C. VITEK 2 systems were used to identify the isolates. Results: Of the 979/613 Umrah visitors/pilgrims involved, before performing Umrah, their Streptococcus pyogenes percentage was 0.2% and it increased to 0.7 after performing Umrah. Further, the Streptococcus pyogenes percentage before and after performing Hajj was 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. No statistical significance was found in the difference between the positive Streptococcus pyogenes found before and after performing Hajj and Umrah among Umrah visitors/pilgrims (p-value = 0.2). All bacterial isolates were found to be sensitive to Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone antibiotics (100%). Conclusion: The Streptococcus pyogeneshigh resistance to antibiotics combined with the lack of a vaccine poses a serious risk concerning the resulting infection spread and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring greater global surveillance of such epidemics.

Research Progress of Combined Detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in Early Diagnosis of Respiratory Tract Infection in Children

Objective: To investigate the application of WBC, CRP and SAA combined detection in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Methods: Collect the literature reports on the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children by the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in recent years, and follow up the relevant literature reports from the selection of “new three routine” laboratory items for rapid diagnosis in pediatric outpatient department and the application of the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Results: Many literature studies found that the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA has important clinical significance in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Conclusion: Through reviewing the relevant literature, we can understand the application of WBC, CRP and SAA combined detection in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. To provide more accurate and reliable laboratory data for the early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory tract infection in children in the future.

The Effect of Comfort Nursing on the Compliance and Efficacy of Treatment for Children with Acute Otitis Media Caused by Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical effect of comfort nursing on children with acute otitis media.Methods:62 children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection who visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected for this study.They were divided into a study group(n=31)and a control group(n=31).Children in the control group received basic care,while children in the study group received comfort nursing along with basic care.The hearing thresholds,body temperature,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of the two groups of children were compared.Results:After the nursing intervention,the hearing threshold and average body temperature of the children in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);the treatment compliance of the children in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05);the nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comfort nursing can improve the treatment effect,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of children with children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection.

Association Between Diurnal Temperature Range and Respiratory Tract Infections

Objective This study aimed to assess the association between emergency-room visits for respiratory tract infection （RTI） with diurnal temperature range （DTR）, a weather parameter closely associated with urbanization and global climate change. Methods We conducted a semiparametric time-series analysis to estimate the percentage increase in emergency-room visits for RTI associated with changes in DTR after adjustment for daily weather conditions （temperature and relative humidity） and outdoor air pollution. Results DTR was significantly associated with daily emergency-room visits for RTI. An increase of 1 ~C in the current-day （LO） and in the 2-day moving average （L01） DTR corresponded to a 0.94% [95% confidence interval （CI）, 0.34%-1.55%] and 2.08% （95% CI, 1.24%-2.93%） increase in emergency-room visits for RTI, respectively. Conclusion DTR was associated with increased risk of RTI. More studies are needed to understand the impact of DTR on respiratory health.

Respiratory Virus Multiplex RT-PCR Assay Sensitivities and Influence Factors in Hospitalized Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Multiplex RT-PCR assays have been widely used tools for detection and differentiation of a panel of respiratory viral pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the Qiagen ResPlex lI V2.0 kit and explored factors influencing its sensitivity. Nasopharyngeal swab （NPS） specimens were prospectively collected from pediatric inpatients with lower respiratory tract infections at the time of admission in the Shenzhen Children＇s Hospital from May 2009 to April 2010. Total nucleic acids were extracted using the EZ1 system （Qiagen, Germany） and 17 respiratory viruses and genotypes including influenza A virus （FluA）, FluB, parainfluenza virus 1 （PIV1）, PIV2, PIV3, PIV4, respiratory syncytial virus （RSV）, human metapneumovirus （hMPV）, rhinoviruses （RhV）, enteroviruses （EnV）, human bocaviruses （hBoV）, adenoviruses （AdV）, four coronaviruses （229E, OC43, NL63 and HKU1）, and FluA 2009 pandemic H1NI（H1NI-p） were detected and identified by the ResPlex II kit. In parallel, 16 real-time TaqMan quantitative RT-PCR assays were used to quantitatively detect each virus except for RhV. Influenza and parainfluenza viral cultures were also performed. Among the total 438 NPS specimens collected during the study period, one or more viral pathogens were detected in 274 （62.6%） and 201（45.9%） specimens by monoplex TaqMan RT-PCR and multiplex ResPlex, respectively. When results from monoplex PCR or cell culture were used as the reference standard, the multiplex PCR possessed specificities of 92.9-100.0%. The sensitivity of multiplex PCR for PIV3, hMPV, PIV1 and BoV were 73.1%, 70%, 66.7% and 55.6%, respectively, while low sensitivities （11.1%-40.0%） were observed for FluA, EnV, OC43, RSV and H1N1. Among the seven viruses/genotypes detected with higher frequencies, multiplex PCR sensitivities were correlated significantly with viral loads determined by the TaqMan RT-PCR in FluA, H 1N 1-p and RSV （p=0.011-0.000） The Qiagen ResPlex II multiplex RT-PCR kit possesses excellent specificity for simultaneous detection of 17 viral pathogens in NPS specimens in pediatric inpatients at the time of admission. The sensitivity of multiplex RT-PCR was influenced by viral loads, specimen process methods, primer and probe design and amplification condition.

Detection of Human Bocavirus in Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Lanzhou and Nanjing,China

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the prevalent characteristics of HBoV1 and its co-infection.Methods PCR was used to detect HBoV1-DNA（HBoV1） and other viruses.A multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore possibility of co-detected for related viruses.Results The positivity rates in Nanjing and Lanzhou were 9.38%（74/789） and 11.62%（161/1386）,respectively（P〉0.05）.The HBoV1 positive group was younger than negative group（P〈0.05）.Seasonal differences were noted,with a higher frequency of infection in December and July.HBoV1-positive children [72.34%（169/235）] were co-infected with other respiratory viruses.Multifactorial analysis showed no correlations between HBoV1 and the clinical classification,region,gender,age,or treatment as an outpatient or in a hospital.Correlations were identified between HBoV1 infections with ADV（OR=1.53,95% CI 1.03-2.28）,RSV（OR=0.71,95% CI 0.52-0.98）,and IFVA（OR=1.77,95% CI 1.00-3.13）.Conclusions Presence of HBoV1 in nasopharyngeal aspirates did not correlate with region or gender,although the prevalence of HBoV1 was higher in younger children.There were no correlations between HBoV1 and other variables,except for the season and ADV,RSV,or IFVA infections.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria in ICU patients with lower respiratory tract infection: A cross-sectional study

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of isolated organisms in patients with lower respiratory tract infections and the antibiotic susceptibilities at a tertiary care center. Methods: In this observational and cross-sectional analysis, 114 patients admitted in the intensive care unit were enrolled. The endotracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage were collected. The bacteria were isolated and identified, and finally, antimicrobial sensitive pattern of the isolated bacteria was examined. Results: The prevalence of infection was 72.72% in male patients and 27.28% in females. The predominant bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (37.50%) followed by Acinetobacter spp. (36.36%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.95%),Escherichia coli (6.81%), Proteus mirabilis (2.27%), atypical Escherichia coli (1.13%), Enterococcus spp. (1.13%),Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (1.13%),Staphylococcus aureus (1.13%),Proteus vulgaris (1.13%), Citrobacter freundii (1.13%), and Citrobacter koseri (1.13%). High resistance to cephalosporins (82.18%) was demonstrated in all Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteria showed susceptibility to colistin (88.75%) followed by tigecycline (83.11%), gentamycin (36.18%), and amikacin (49.23%). Conclusions: As the most frequent respiratory organisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. have increased resistance to cephalosporins and susceptibility to colistin followed by tigecycline.

Antibiotic prescribing patterns for upper respiratory tract infections in rural Western China

Objective To explore the prescribing patterns of outpatients receiving antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections(URTIs)in rural Western China and to identify the correlation in terms of doctors and patients characteristics.Methods Totally 7 678 prescriptions for URTIs were collected from 680 primary health village clinics of 40 counties across 10 provinces of Western China.Two outcome variables were used in the analysis:the occurrence of prescribing at least one antibiotic drug for an URTI and the occurrence of prescribing two or more antibiotics for an URTI.GEE logistic regression models were used to examine the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of the above two outcome variables.Results The percentage of prescribing at least one antibiotic for URTIs was 48.6% while the percentage of prescribing antibiotic combination(two or more antibiotics)was 4.6%.The two measurements of antibiotic utilization differed remarkably among the 10 provinces.Patients diagnosed with tonsillitis and faucitis had higher odds(OR=8.86 for tonsillitis and OR=4.64 for faucitis)of antibiotic prescription than patients with other diagnosis of URTIs.Patients with tonsillitis and faucitis also had higher odds(OR=3.82 for tonsillitis and OR=2.71 for faucitis)of multiple antibiotic prescription than those with other diagnosis of URTIs.The number of drugs per prescription and injection in prescriptions were also significant predictors of antibiotic and multiple antibiotic utilization for URTIs.Conclusion It is concluded that the percentage of antibiotic prescription for URTIs is higher in rural Western China than in most of other countries with available data and that prescriptions of antibiotics for URTIs are associated with residence regions of patients,URTI diagnosis and background information on drug prescription.

New Progress in the Cause Analysis and Nursing of Respiratory Tract Infection after Abdominal Surgery under General Anesthesia

This article provides a review of the causes of respiratory tract infection after abdominal surgery. These causes include general anesthesia, intubation factors, factors inherent to the patient, surgical factors, the injudicious use of antimicrobial agents, and the environmental factors of the ward. The perioperative management of the respiratory tract should be strengthened. Health education, respiratory function training, oral nursing intervention,atomization inhalation, and personalized expectoration methods should receive more attention to decrease the complications and promote the early rehabilitation of patients after abdominal surgery.

Human bocavirus infection in children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections:Does viral load affect disease course?

Objective:To examine the effects of human bocavirus type 1(HBoV1)on the course of lower respiratory tract infections in cases of monoinfection and coinfection,and the effects of HBoV1 viral load on the disease in children under six years old hospitalized with a diagnosis of HBoV1-associated lower respiratory tract infections.Methods:Children under six years of age,who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection due to HBoV1 between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022 were included in the study.Laboratory confirmation of the respiratory pathogens was performed using polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results:Fifty-four(16.4%)children with HBoV1 among 329 children whose PCR was positive with bacterial/viral agent in nasopharyngeal swab samples were included in the study.There were 28(51.9%)males and 26(48.1%)females with a median age 23.4 months[interquartile range(IQR):13.2,30.0 months](min-max:1 month-68 months).HBoV1 was detected as a monoinfecton in 26(48.1%)children,and as a coinfection with other respiratory agents in 28 children(51.9%).In multiple regression analysis,coinfection(P=0.032)was associated with the length of hospitalization(P<0.001;R^(2)=0.166).There was a negative correlation(r=−0.281,P=0.040)between cough and cycle threshold.Fever was found to be positively correlated with C-reactive protein(r=0.568,P<0.001)and procalcitonin(r=0.472;P=0.001).Conclusions:Although we found a higher HBoV1 viral load in children with more cough symptoms in our study,it had no effect on the severity of the disease,such as length of hospital stay and need for intensive care.Coinfection was found to affect the length of hospitalization.

Association between early viral lower respiratory tract infections and subsequent asthma development

BACKGROUND The association between hospitalization for human respiratory syncytial virus(HRSV)bronchiolitis in early childhood and subsequent asthma is well established.The long-term prognosis for non-bronchiolitis lower respiratory tract infections(LRTI)caused by viruses different from HRSV and rhinovirus,on the other hand,has received less interest.AIM To investigate the relationship between infant LRTI and later asthma and examine the influence of confounding factors.METHODS The PubMed and Global Index Medicus bibliographic databases were used to search for articles published up to October 2021 for this systematic review.We included cohort studies comparing the incidence of asthma between patients with and without LRTI at≤2 years regardless of the virus responsible.The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model.Sources of heterogeneity were assessed by stratified analyses.RESULTS This review included 15 articles(18 unique studies)that met the inclusion criteria.LRTIs at≤2 years were associated with an increased risk of subsequent asthma up to 20 years[odds ratio(OR)=5.0,95%CI:3.3-7.5],with doctor-diagnosed asthma(OR=5.3,95%CI:3.3-8.6),current asthma(OR=5.4,95%CI:2.7-10.6),and current medication for asthma(OR=1.2,95%CI:0.7-3.9).Our overall estimates were not affected by publication bias(P=0.671),but there was significant heterogeneity[I 2=58.8%(30.6-75.5)].Compared to studies with hospitalized controls without LRTI,those with ambulatory controls had a significantly higher strength of association between LRTIs and subsequent asthma.The strength of the association between LRTIs and later asthma varied significantly by country and age at the time of the interview.The sensitivity analyses including only studies with similar proportions of confounding factors(gender,age at LRTI development,age at interview,gestational age,birth weight,weight,height,smoking exposure,crowding,family history of atopy,and family history of asthma)between cases and controls did not alter the overall estimates.CONCLUSION Regardless of the causative virus and confounding factors,viral LRTIs in children<2 years are associated with an increased risk of developing a subsequent asthma.Parents and pediatricians should be informed of this risk.

Validation of a Risk-Based Biomarker-Enhanced Scoring System for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (OPTIMA I Basel)—An Observational Survey

Background: Despiteits recommendation in management guide lines for community acquired pneumonia (CAP), the CURB65 score is frequently not followed for disposition decisions in clinical routine. We therefore proposed an improved CURB65 A score, supplemented by proadre nome dull in (ProADM) levels for patients with CAP and other lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). In this study, we vali dated this risk based biomarker enhanced disposition in patients with LRTIs presenting to the emergency department of the University Hospital of Basel. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study of 85 patients presenting with LRTIs, site of care was decided by the physicians in charge according to their judgement. Retro spectively the CURB65 A score was calculated and a virtual disposition assigned. This was compared with the existing disposition in order to identify efficacy of the novel risk based biomarker enhanced disposition. Results: The novel disposition criteria considered 14 patients suitable for outpatient treatment compared to 11 in the current disposition (p = 0.5). It detected 7 patients to be best treated outside the hospital for nursing reasons, while the current disposition detected only 1 patient requiring geriatric care (p = 0.09). Further, it decreased regular hospitalizations considerably (32 vs. 64, p 0.001). Conclusions: The novel risk based biomarker enhanced disposition is an objective, safe and probably more efficient disposition system to identify outpatient treatment options than the current practice at the University Hospital of Basel.

A Survey of the Experience and Impact of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections on People in Six Countries in the 2011/2012 Common Cold and Flu Season

Introduction: Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) are the most common infectious diseases of humankind. While usually mild and self-limiting, they are characterized by a series of simultaneously occurring symptoms/ signs that are sufficiently disruptive to sufferers’ normal activities in which medication is frequently sought. While the literature has many examples of epidemiological studies on these infections, there are few reports on patient experience and impact. This study was designed to investigate these aspects of Common Cold/Flu across six countries. Methods: A minimum of 500 adults aged 18 and older were recruited in each of six countries (Brazil, China, Germany, India, Russia, and the US) using customary survey research sampling techniques. Single 30-minute (online) or 40-minute door-to-door quantitative questionnaires with c. 50 questions were completed with each participant by the global research firm Ipsos. Main Findings: Across countries, incidence and seasonality of infections reported to this study were consistent with published data. There appears to be a need for patient education on the causes and transmission routes of respiratory infections. Getting good quality sleep and being able to continue with daily activities as an infection resolves are significant drivers to therapy. The most common non-prescription therapies reported were multi-ingredient products in line with the simultaneously occurring multi-symptom nature of the condition(s). Conclusions: This study indicated that acute URTIs exert a significant deleterious effect on sufferers. Public health education, possibly best undertaken by Pharmacists has the potential to impact the extent of virus transmission by ensuring that people know the true cause of the infection, how it is transmitted and how best to combat this. The several simultaneously occurring symptoms encourage sufferers to seek multi-ingredient remedies to allow them to continue with normal activities as their infection resolves naturally.

Assessing the quality of the management skills required for lower respiratory tract infections in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. A severe form of atypical pneumonia, Q fever, has been found in Northern Tanzania. Assessment of the quality of health care for lower respiratory tract infection from the clinicians’ performance has rarely been performed. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using the qualitative and quantitative approaches for assessing clinicians and patient files from 11 health facilities of Kilimanjaro region. The facilities were of 4 different levels of public health care delivery and 1 private independent hospital. Results: Medications for LRTI were highly variable in 346 files and from attempts of treatment reported in 53 clinician’s interviews. No file showed attempts for assessing the severity of Pneumonia. Only 6 (11.1%) clinicians could mention causes of atypical pneumonia. Only 7 clinicians (13.0%) were aware of Q-fever and could mention the cause. The quality of clinical records for monitoring the progress was not the same in all levels of care and the difference in availability was statistically significant as level of mental state χ2 (4) = 139.4;P

Clinical Observation on 46 Cases of Infantile Repeated Respiratory Tract Infection Treated by Mild-Moxibustion over Acupoints on Back

Repeated respiratory tract infection is a frequently-occurring disease during childhood. At present, western medicine doctors generally adopt anti-infectives and immunomodulators to treat the disease, while traditional Chinese medicine doctors mainly administer decoction of Chinese herbs. The authors treated 46 cases of repeated respiratory tract infection from March 1990 to April 1996 by applying mild-moxibustion over points on the back with satisfactory therapeutic results. A report follows.Clinical Data All the 86 cases were outpatients in our hospital with duration of common cold for over 10 days and characterized by relapse of respiratory tract infection. There were over 7-time relapse of respiratory tract infection on each case within a year. Eighty-six cases were randomly divided into treatment group (46 cases) and control group (40 cases). Of the 46 cases in the treatment group, 22 were boys and 24 girls. 17 cases (36.9%) were 6 months to 4 years old, 18 (39.1%) 4 to 6 years, and 11 (23.9%) 6 to 12 years. Among the 40 cases in the control group, 19 cases were boys and 21 girls.

Impact of Training of Dispensers on Case Management of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections at Community Pharmacies in Pakistan

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of training of dispensers on the process of case management of ARI at community pharmacies in context to history taking and provision of advice working at community pharmacies in Islamabad, Pakistan. Method: A randomized, controlled, blinded intervention study was designed and implemented. Before the implementation of intervention, a baseline study was performed to assess the process of case management for ARI at community pharmacies. The study population included all community pharmacy outlets in Islamabad. After data collection, data was analyzed. The result of the study revealed that the overall process of disease management of ARI at community pharmacies in Pakistan is not satisfactory. Pharmacies of Islamabad which were visited in pre intervention phase (118) were divided into two geographical regions A (intervention) and B (control). From which thirty pharmacies were selected randomly from each region. The targeted group of the interventions was drug sellers. Keeping in view the results of the base line study an educational intervention was designed to improve the case management of ARI at community pharmacies in Pakistan. Results: No significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was seen in the process of history taking and advice provision in case of ARI management at community pharmacies between pre and post control groups. On the other hand significant difference in the process of history taking and provision of advice for ARI was observed in the intervention group before and after training. Conclusion: The study has highlighted that improvements in the current dispensing practices at community pharmacies are possible through appropriate educational interventions. The dispensers have the potential to provide fast and low cost healthcare to the masses in the country where the presence of doctors and qualified pharmacist is low;to date they are an untapped and underutilized source in the country.