A group at UCD is researching the effects on electrical activity in their brain, which is related to learning, of a chemical found in high concentrations in Alzheimer’s disease patients. The group — led by Dr Caroline Herron, Senior Lecturer at UCD’s School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science — is investigating the effects of agents [...]

A targeted programme of preventive antiviral medication, combined with the use of hand sanitisers and surface contamination, was associated with containing the spread of the H1N1 virus in a summer camp setting, according to a new report. With rare exceptions, the H1N1 virus has retained sensitivity to the antiviral medication oseltamivir phosphate. The drug has [...]

Among infants and children hospitalised in Kenya with severe pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appears to be the predominant virus detected, according to a new study. In the study, doctors examined the viral causes of severe pneumonia among infants and children at a rural Kenyan district hospital using comprehensive and sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques. Participants [...]

In a tropical environment, influenza A(H1N1) appeared milder than seasonal flu, was less likely to cause fever and upset stomach and more likely to infect younger individuals, according to a new report. In 2009, a new rapid detection method was designed to detect genes from the new influenza A(H1N1) virus and was used during a [...]

Pregnant women who contract the H1N1 flu strain are at risk of developing obstetrical complications, including foetal distress, premature delivery, emergency Caesarean delivery and foetal death, according to a new report. It followed a study in which researchers analysed data from 18 patients admitted to two urban academic medical centres with a diagnosis of H1N1 [...]

A recent case has suggested that there may be a role for N-acetylcysteine in treating H1N1 pneumonia in clinical practice. In the case, a 48-year-old woman with H1N1 pneumonia was admitted to the intensive care unit where she was treated with oral oseltamivir and intravenous antibiotics. The next day, her oseltamivir dose was doubled and [...]

Irish and international perspectives in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura were recently discussed at a Dublin meeting Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease, is characterised by a decreased number of circulating platelets. First noted in the 17th century, ITP was not properly defined until 1951, having received many misnomers along the way, including [...]

Bathing trauma patients daily using cloths containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine may be associated with a decreased rate of colonisation and infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In a study, doctors followed 253 patients admitted to a trauma centre who were bathed at least once daily using a single-use cloth bath product not known to have [...]

Dr Brian O’Doherty looks at the treatment of bacterial infections in the primary care setting It is currently an opportune time to talk about the use of antibiotics, what with the increased instance of respiratory tract infections. Good clinical practice and other pressures, such as financial constraints, force us to consider our role in prescribing [...]

Pregnant women in Australia and New Zealand who had swine flu were 13 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with a critical illness, according to new research. The authors concluded that 11 per cent of mothers and 12 per cent of babies died as a result of being admitted to intensive care with [...]