The prevention and treatment of infections, including antimicrobial therapy, emerging infectious diseases, hospital-acquired infections, tropical medicine, and vaccine development
17 papersThis case report describes a 70-year-old immunocompromised patient who developed a severe, disseminated Saprochaete capitata infection after initial micafungin prophylaxis failed. The infection led to hepatosplenic lesions and required a combination of antifungal therapies for successful treatment.
This single-center study investigated Corynebacterium striatum infections among cancer patients. It found that C. striatum caused diverse infections, often requiring prolonged treatment. There was also evidence suggesting the nosocomial spread of this multi-drug resistant bacteria within the hospital.
In a retrospective study using a large US hospital database, ceftolozane/tazobactam was associated with better outcomes than polymyxin-based treatments for pneumonia caused by multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, as a retrospective study using administrative data, it cannot prove cause-and-effect and has several limitations, including lack of detailed dosing information and limited susceptibility data.
This retrospective study found that treatment with hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with azithromycin was associated with reduced mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Independent predictors of mortality included age, chronic kidney disease, and disease severity upon admission.
This review examines existing clinical data on antibiotic treatments for infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria. Newer antibiotics like cefiderocol and aztreonam-avibactam appear promising, along with older options like colistin and fosfomycin, especially in combination therapies, but further research is crucial due to limited available data.
In a single-center trial, azelastine nasal spray was associated with a significantly reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy, vaccinated adults. The study found a lower incidence of infections and a longer time to infection in the azelastine group compared to the placebo group, although there are some limitations regarding sample size, generalizability, and potential unblinding due to taste. Several authors also disclosed financial ties to the manufacturer of the nasal spray.
This study found that recent rhinovirus infections are linked to a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced viral loads in those infected. Children experience more rhinovirus infections and express higher levels of certain antiviral genes, which may partially explain why they generally have milder COVID-19 cases. More research is needed to establish causality and understand the underlying mechanisms fully.
This review summarizes current knowledge on the microbiology, epidemiology, clinical features, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, treatment strategies, and infection control measures for Acinetobacter baumannii. It focuses on the increasing challenge posed by multidrug-resistant strains and the need for new therapeutic options. No original data are presented.
This large study of US veterans found that many post-COVID health issues can persist for up to two years, with a greater burden among those hospitalized during the initial infection. While risks for many problems decreased over time, a substantial number remained elevated, particularly for hospitalized individuals, highlighting the ongoing need for long-term care and support. This veteran cohort may not generalize to all populations.
This supplementary material summarizes recent clinical trials on Staphylococcus aureus infections, focusing on outcomes like mortality, bacteremia clearance, and adverse events. The information presented lacks full context and methodological details, limiting critical appraisal of the trials' quality.
In a cross-sectional study of multimorbid older adults, both SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, particularly with mRNA vaccines, were associated with distinct, long-lasting systemic alterations, including inflammation, coagulation changes, and potential organ stress. These changes were observed more than six months post-vaccination and highlight the need for further research into long-term effects, especially in vulnerable populations.
This cross-sectional study found a correlation between COVID-19 severity and increased DNA damage in patients four weeks after infection. Intubated ICU patients had the highest levels of DNA damage, potentially contributing to long COVID symptoms. However, a causal link cannot be established due to the study's observational nature.
This cluster-randomized trial in Kenya found that monthly ivermectin treatments reduced malaria cases in children by 26% compared to a control group receiving albendazole over six months. The study was conducted in an area with existing high bed net usage. While promising, the results should be interpreted cautiously given potential confounding factors like concurrent antimalarial treatment and uneven treatment coverage between groups.
This study used a human airway-on-a-chip to model viral infections and screen drugs, identifying amodiaquine as a potential COVID-19 treatment. This drug, and its metabolite, showed promising results in preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters, but further research is needed to fully evaluate its safety and effectiveness in humans due to potential side effects.
A novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, was identified as the causative agent of a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China. Genome sequencing revealed close similarity to bat coronaviruses, suggesting a zoonotic origin, and identified the same cell entry receptor (ACE2) as SARS-CoV.
This rapid online survey found that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the well-being, social connections, finances, and access to essential services of many MSM in the US. Younger MSM were disproportionately affected by economic hardship and service disruptions, raising concerns about potential increases in HIV/STI transmission due to interrupted prevention efforts.
This case study reports the development of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a 60-year-old diabetic patient with severe COVID-19 infection who received steroid treatment. While the study suggests a possible link between these factors, the limited sample size and study design prevent definitive conclusions and highlight the need for further research to understand the complex interplay between COVID-19, steroid use, and secondary fungal infections.