Incidence of bacterial meningitis in Asia using enhanced CSF testing: polymerase chain reaction, latex agglutination and culture

To enhance the detection of bacterial meningitis in an East Asian surveillance study, we employed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial culture, latex agglutination (LA) and polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) testing for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). The sensitivity and specificity of CSF PCR-EIA testing was compared to LA and culture. A meningitis case was defined by one positive result for any of the three tests. The sensitivity of H. influenzae CSF PCR-EIA, LA, and culture was 100%, 40% and 57.5% respectively; and for Sp CSF PCR-EIA, LA and culture, the sensitivity was 100%, 58.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Hib and Sp specificity was 100% by each method. CSF PCR-EIA was more sensitive than culture or LA for the detection of Hib and Sp meningitis cases increasing their incidence by 74% and 50% compared to culture respectively. CSF PCR-EIA should be included for the detection of bacterial meningitis in surveillance studies.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A Canadian perspective

The objectives of this study were to: a) assess the position of Canadian gynecological oncologists (GOC) toward intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy as primary treatment for ovarian cancer, b) initiate a process of communication among GOC, and c) assess the perception of barriers to implementing IP chemotherapy across Canada. An electronic practice survey was mailed to all GOC in January 2006. The response rate was 62%. GOC accept IP chemotherapy as the standard of care in the primary treatment of optimally debulked epithelial ovarian cancer. The majority of respondents were working on implementation strategies at their local institutions. The cost of administration and use of additional resources were identified as sources of moderate and high concerns, respectively. Moderate concerns were expressed with regard to the management of systemic and local toxicity, catheter complications, patients' acceptance, and quality of life. Catheter insertion issues were of low concern to most respondents. Previous experience with IP administration did not significantly impact the perceived level of concern. GOC support the use of IP chemotherapy for appropriate patients with ovarian cancer. This survey identifies important implementation challenges of IP therapy for Canada, and processes must be developed before successful delivery of IP chemotherapy can be realized. This survey serves to initiate a process of communication among GOC. A collaborative effort will be needed to facilitate this change in practice. Further study of the implementation process is warranted as more experience is gained with this modality of treatment.

Phase II multicenter open-label study of carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in uterine and cervical malignancies

The results of a multicenter phase II study investigating carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with recurrent/metastatic uterine and cervical malignancies (UCM) are presented here. Fifty-three subjects with measurable, untreated, advanced UCM were enrolled. Fifty-one were evaluable for response. Prior combined-modality treatment was permitted if a component of primary therapy. Patients received carboplatin AUC = 5 with PLD 35 mg/m(2) intravenously once every 4 weeks. Overall response rate was 33% (35% stable disease). Overall survival (OS) at six months was 86% (95% CI 76%-96%). Six-month progression-free survival (PFS) was 43% (95% CI 30%-57%). Median PFS was 22.9 weeks (range 16.0-35.3) and median OS was 49.1 weeks (range 41.4-75.1). The most frequent grade 3-4 nonhematological adverse events were: abdominal pain (n = 7), fatigue (4), vomiting (4), nausea (3), and shortness of breath (3). There was 1 report of grade 3 hand-foot syndrome and none of grade 4. Twelve patients had first infusion reactions with only 1 discontinuing treatment. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 26/230 cycles (11.3%). There were no treatment-related deaths. The combination of carboplatin and PLD is well tolerated with sufficient activity to justify additional evaluation in clinical trials and might be suited to the addition of a taxane.