Smoking and lower preexisting immunoglobulin G levels were strongly associated with M. pneumoniae respiratory infection. These findings emphasize the importance of immunity and cessation of smoking for the prevention of disease. The high attack rate emphasizes the extent of infection transmission among healthy persons living in close contact.

Our study demonstrates the possible ramifications of the combination of a virulent and highly infective S. pyogenes strain and poor living conditions, and it emphasizes the importance of early intervention in such conditions.

HypothesisThere may be an association between a neurovascular conflict (NVC) of the auditory nerve and unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).BackgroundCompression of cranial nerves by vascular structures can lead to significant symptomatology that may require surgical decompression. Notable examples are trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is part of the workup for SSNHL, and it may depict an NVC of the auditory nerve. Here we look into the association between this NVC and unilateral SSNHL.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on all consecutive patients with unilateral SSNHL who underwent an MRI scan in our medical center. The data collected included age, gender, side and severity of hearing loss, and accompanying complaints. Each MRI scan was reviewed by a neuroradiologist who was unaware of hearing loss laterality. The presence, side, extent, and location of a potential NVC involving the auditory nerve were determined, and a correlation between radiological findings and auditory parameters was sought.ResultsFifty‐four patients (male‐to‐female ratio 26:28, age range 25–80 years) were enrolled into the study. Fourteen of them (25.9%) had normal MRI findings. Twenty‐six patients had a unilateral NVC, and the pathology was ipsilateral to the side of hearing loss in only 12 of them (46.2%). Fourteen (25.9%) patients had MRI findings of bilateral NVCs. There was no significant correlation between the side of the SSNHL and any radiological findings (P = .314).ConclusionThe data presented herein support the conclusion that there is no association between CN8 NVC and unilateral SSNHL.Level of Evidence2b.

Septic olecranon bursitis (OB) is caused primarily by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) usually in association with occupations involving trauma to the elbows. An outbreak of septic OB was identified in an infantry platoon. The severity of the injury to the skin overlying the elbows was scored and compared to a parallel platoon of the same unit. All soldiers were tested for SA carriage and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on available isolates. Nine cases of septic OB were identified only in platoon A. The significant risk factor for septic OB was a moderately or severely injured elbow (RR = 3.86). SA was isolated from the anterior nares and elbows of 29/36 (80.6%) of the soldiers in the unit (platoons A + B); however, this did not account for the difference in morbidity between the two platoons. This is the first report of a cluster of septic OB in association with intense infantry training.

Objective: To examine the value of a subjective numerical rating scale (NRS) in the initial evaluation of patients suspected of suffering from unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) until a formal audiogram is available. Study Design: Prospective noncontrolled clinical study. Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients referred to the emergency department due to suspected unilateral SSNHL and with no other aural pathology by history or physical examination were enrolled. Patients were asked to characterize the severity of their hearing loss using an NRS of 1 (normal hearing) to 6 (complete deafness). SSNHL was defined as an SNHL of at least 30 dB over 3 consecutive frequencies that occurred in 3 days or less. A formal audiogram was obtained subsequently as soon as available. Results: Twenty-four patients were treated with steroids and met the audiometric criteria of SSNHL. All scored their NRS as 3 or more. None of the 7 patients whose NRS grades were ≤2.5 met the criteria for SSNHL. Two patients were treated with steroids although their hearing did not meet the audiometric criteria for SSNHL as the hearing loss was limited to 2 consecutive frequencies. The NRS score for both was <3. Conclusion: In addition to the patient's history and physical examination, a NRS can be a useful tool in the preliminary assessment of patients suspected of having SSNHL until audiometry becomes available. In the scale of 1-6, an NRS score of 3 or more reliably predicts the need to treat the patient with steroids according to the accepted criteria.