Initial Antibiotic Therapy Research Articles

Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis: some experiences at the Heart Institute, Ho Chi Minh City

Objective: To determine the factors associated with in-hospital mortality and the appropriate timing of operation in patients with infective endocarditis undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Cross-sectional study in patients admitted to the Heart Institute from 01/01/2021 to 31/12/2023 who had a diagnosis of infective endocarditis and had undergone cardiac surgery within the same hospital admission. Results: 128 patients (87 men, age: 44,8 ± 15,8 years) were enrolled. Streptococcus (37,5%) and Enterococcus (12,5%) were the most frequent pathogen agents. Aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement or repair were the main procedures. In-hospital mortality was 6.3%. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality included the presence of a prosthetic valve or pulmonary artery graft, abscess and/or fistula, and severe heart failure necessitating urgent operation. Preoperative duration of antibiotic therapy >21 days vs ≤21 days, and >14 days vs ≤14 days had no influence on in-hospital mortality. There was no infective endocarditis relapse. While waiting for cardiac surgery, the cumulative incidence of embolic events rose markedly beginning from the 3rd week after antibiotic therapy initiation. Conclusions: Factors associated with in-hospital mortality should be taken into account in the preoperative risk assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis who have indication for cardiac surgery and favorable response to antibiotic therapy should be operated after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment.

7246 Cardiac Paraganglioma: A Rare Entity

Abstract Disclosure: L. Javed: None. L. Jonea: None. Cardiac paragangliomas are an exceptionally uncommon subset of neuroendocrine neoplasms. We present a case of a patient presenting with this condition. 70-year-old woman with pertinent past medical history of chronic veinous insufficiency complicated by recurrent abscesses of her right leg since venaseal procedure. The patient had positive IgG lambda on immunofixation that raised concerns for MGUS. Therefore, a F-18 FDG PET-CT scan was performed for further evaluation. PET-CT revealed a hypermetabolic mass in the upper inner right thigh and the right atrium (SUV 17.6) raising concern for septic thrombi. She was admitted in the hospital for initiation of antibiotic therapy. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed a 4.5 cm x 4.0 cm mass in the right atrioventricular (AV) groove region, extending over the root of the main pulmonary artery. Following discharge, despite completing six weeks of IV antibiotic therapy a CT scan on a subsequent clinic visit revealed the same mass as seen on TEE. CT imaging raised suspicion of neuroendocrine tumor. This led to referral to the endocrinology department. Laboratory results showed elevated normetanephrine and dopamine levels increasing likelihood of paraganglioma. Lab Results: 24 hr urine normetaneprhine :7197(N ≤ 376 mcg), 24 hr urinary dopamine :879 (N ≤400 mcg), 24 urinary metanephrine: 84 (N ≤96 mcg) & 24 hr urinary epinephrine <3 (N ≤20 mcg). Her home systolic blood pressure readings varied between 120’s & 170’s. She was initiated on Prazosin 1 mg daily in addition to the existing antihypertensive medications of nebivilol, amlodipine & furosemide. Few months later, this patient successfully underwent cardiac mass resection. Histologic findings of the resected mass were consistent with paraganglioma. Post-surgery, anti-hypertensive medications were discontinued, and blood pressure normalized to systolic readings in the 90s to 120s and diastolic readings in the 60s to 80s. Repeat biochemical tests indicated a normalization of normetanephrine & dopamine levels, validating the success of the resection. This case features an extremely rare entity cardiac paraganglioma that had an atypical clinical manifestation of being asymptomatic. Timely diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for patient outcomes. Surgical intervention, although fundamental, bears significant risks, necessitating meticulous preoperative management to mitigate potential complications. The medical approach focuses on averting perioperative complications such as hypertensive crisis, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. This is achieved by administering alpha and beta adrenoceptor blockers for a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled surgery. Regular follow up is also essential due to the unpredictable malignant potential of these tumors. Presentation: 6/3/2024

From flank pain to splenic abscess: a complex case of infective endocarditis with literature review

BackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by inflammation of the heart endocardium and valves, commonly caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Complications such as embolic phenomena and organ abscesses can arise, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention.Case presentationWe report the case of a 20-year-old female with a history of cerebral and splenic infarctions due to IE. The patient presented with left-sided flank pain, urinary burning, and fever. Examination revealed mitral and aortic valve involvement, splenomegaly, and neurological deficits. Despite initial antibiotic therapy, the patient developed a splenic abscess and drug-induced neutropenia. She required aortic valve replacement and was successfully managed with a multidisciplinary approach.ConclusionMultidisciplinary management, including timely surgical intervention and advanced imaging, is essential for favorable outcomes in IE patients. This case underscores the importance of early detection and tailored treatment strategies in managing severe complications associated with IE.

Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis in a pediatric patient with down syndrome

BackgroundIsolated pulmonary valve endocarditis (IPE) accounts for less than 2% of all infective endocarditis patients. It is commonly associated with several predisposing factors, including intravenous drug use (IVDU) and congenital heart disease. The most common causative pathogens of IPE are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans. We report a Down’s syndrome patient with IPE and with no standard risk factors caused by the rare pathogen Acinetobacter spp. This led to respiratory failure and systemic infection due to septic pulmonary emboli. Early elective surgery was decided upon as the patient was no longer responding to medical therapy, and his clinical condition was worsening over time.Case presentationA 15-year-old male with Down syndrome and no underlying heart defect presented with a 3-month history of episodic fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed large vegetation on the pulmonary valve leaflet, another mobile mass at the pulmonary artery bifurcation, and severe pulmonary regurgitation. Serial blood cultures isolated Acinetobacter spp. Despite initial antibiotic therapy, the patient continued to have sepsis, unresolved vegetations, and developed life-threatening complications and respiratory distress, which convinced us to perform a pulmonary valve replacement surgery with a homograft. After surgery, the patient recovered and was discharged on the ninth postoperative day (POD).ConclusionThis report highlights IPE’s diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, alongside the importance of a comprehensive cardiopulmonary workup in patients with unexplained fever, sepsis, and pulmonary symptoms, even without typical risk factors. Based on the patient’s aggravating condition despite medical treatment, early surgical intervention and pulmonary valve replacement were deemed crucial. However, there still needs to be a definitive guideline on when and how surgery should be performed in patients with complicated IPE, especially in pediatric patients.

Initial empirical antibiotic therapy in kidney transplant recipients with pyelonephritis: A global survey of current practice and opinions across 19 countries on six continents.

Despite the burden of pyelonephritis after kidney transplantation, there is no consensus on initial empirical antibiotic management. We surveyed clinicians throughout the world on their practice and opinions about the initial empirical therapy of post-transplant pyelonephritis, using clinical vignettes. A panel of experts from 19 countries on six continents designed this survey, and invited 2145 clinicians to participate. A total of 721 clinicians completed the survey (response rate: 34%). In the hypothetical case of a kidney transplant recipient admitted with pyelonephritis but not requiring intensive care, most respondents reported initiating either a 3rd-generation cephalosporin (37%) or piperacillin-tazobactam (21%) monotherapy. Several patient-level factors dictated the selection of broader-spectrum antibiotics, including having a recent urine culture showing growth of a resistant organism (85% for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing organisms, 90% for carbapenemase-producing organisms, and 94% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Respondents attributed high importance to the appropriateness of empirical therapy, which 87% judged important to prevent mortality. Significant practice and opinion variations were observed between and within countries. High-quality studies are needed to guide the empirical management of post-transplant pyelonephritis. In particular, whether prior urine culture results should systematically be reviewed and considered remains to be determined. Studies are also needed to clarify the relationship between the appropriateness of initial empirical therapy and outcomes of post-transplant pyelonephritis.

The Susceptibility of Escherichia Coli to Antibiotic Treatment for Pediatric Patients With Febrile Urinary Tract Infections in the Bratislava Region.

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common types of bacterial infections in childhood. Normally, empiric antibiotic therapy is given based on local antimicrobial susceptibility. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate bacterial resistance and clinical responses to antibiotics in childhood febrile urinary tract infections (fUTIs) in the Bratislava region of Slovakia. A total of 182 children with a fUTI were enrolled in our retrospective study. 84,07% of these fUTIs were caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). According to microbial antibiotic susceptibility tests, the most effective antibiotic agents were third-generation cephalosporins (susceptibility was observed in 92,16% (n=141) of the cases), followed by aminopenicillins with betalactamase inhibitor (susceptibility was observed in 84,97% (n=130) of the cases) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (susceptibility was observed in 79,74% (n=122) of the cases). In contrast, E. coli was susceptible to second-generation cephalosporins in just 3,92% (n=6). Patients treated with third-generation cephalosporins achieved a clinical response to therapy almost in all of the cases (95,7% (n=66)), whereas second-generation cephalosporins were associated with a clinical response to therapy in only 55,9% (n=33) of the cases. Third-generation cephalosporins and aminopenicillins with a betalactamase inhibitor appear to be the most suitable initial antibiotic therapies in pediatric patients with fUTIs. Following current guidelines alongside the regular assessment of regional microbial antibiotic susceptibilities should provide the best treatment management for children with fUTIs.

Serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as indices of early sepsis and mortality in North Indian pediatric burn injuries: a prospective evaluation and literature review.

Delays in diagnosing sepsis in children afflicted with thermal injuries can result in high morbidity and mortality. Our study evaluated the role of the biomarkers Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as predictors of early sepsis and mortality, respectively, in this group of patients. This was a prospective evaluation of 90 pediatric burn cases treated at a tertiary care burn center in Northern India. Patients, aged 1-16 years, presenting within 24 hours of being burned, with >10% body surface area of burn injury were included in the study. Levels of PCT and CRP were measured on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Patients were followed until discharge, 30th post-burn day, or death, whichever occurred first. Sepsis was clinically present in 49 of 90 (54.4%) cases with a median 30% total body surface area (TBSA) of burns. Mortality was seen in 31 of 90 (34.4%) cases with a median of 35% TBSA burns. High PCT and CRP were seen in the sepsis group, particularly on days 3, 5, and 7. PCT was also significantly higher in the mortality group (days 1 and 3). While PCT was a good early predictor of sepsis and mortality in children with burns, CRP was reliable as a predictor of sepsis only. Both markers, however, can serve as adjuncts to culture sensitivity reports for diagnosing early onset sepsis and initiation of antibiotic therapy in appropriate patients.

Performance and impact of rapid multiplex PCR on diagnosis and treatment of ventilated hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales rectal carriage

BackgroundAntimicrobial stewardship (AMS) for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or ventilated hospital-acquired pneumonia (vHAP) in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) carriers is challenging. BioFire® FilmArray® Pneumonia plus Panel (mPCR) can detect bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, including blaCTX-M, the most common ESBL-encoding gene.MethodsThis monocentric, prospective study was conducted on a group of ESBL-E carriers from March 2020 to August 2022. The primary objective was to evaluate the concordance between the results of mPCR and conventional culture performed on respiratory samples of ESBL-E carriers to investigate suspected VAP/vHAP. The secondary objective was to appraise the impact of performing or not mPCR on initial antibiotic therapy adequacy in ESBL-E carriers with confirmed VAP/vHAP.ResultsOver the study period, 294 patients with ESBL-E carriage were admitted to the ICU, of who 168 (57%) were mechanically ventilated. (i) Diagnostic performance of mPCR was evaluated in suspected 41 episodes of VAP/vHAP: blaCTX-M gene was detected in 15/41 (37%) episodes, where 9/15 (60%) were confirmed ESBL-E-induced pneumonia. The culture and blaCTX-M were concordant in 35/41 (85%) episodes, and in all episodes where blaCTX-M was negative (n = 26), the culture never detected ESBL-E. (ii) The impact of mPCR on initial antibiotic therapy adequacy was assessed in 95 episodes of confirmed VAP/vHAP (22 episodes were tested with mPCR and 73 without); 47 (49%) episodes were ESBL-E-induced, and 24 (25%) were carbapenem-resistant bacteria-induced. The use of mPCR was significantly associated with higher prescription of adequate empirical antibiotic therapy in the multivariable logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 7.5 (2.1–35.9), p = 0.004), propensity-weighting (aOR of 5.9 (1.6–22.1), p = 0.008), and matching-cohort models (aOR of 5.8 (1.5–22.1), p = 0.01).ConclusionmPCR blaCTX-M showed an excellent diagnostic value to rule out the diagnosis of ESBL-E related pneumonia in ESBL-E carriers with suspected VAP/vHAP. In addition, in patients with confirmed VAP/vHAP, a mPCR-based antibiotic therapy was associated with an increased prescription of adequate empirical antibiotic therapy. Performing mPCR on respiratory samples seems to be a promising tool in ESBL-E carriers with suspected vHAP/VAP. However, if mPCR is used in very low pre-test clinical probability of pneumonia, due to the high sensitivity and the rate of overdiagnosed pneumonia, the risk of overconsumption of carbapenem may prevail. Further studies are warranted.

Is It Safe to Treat Stable Patients with Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections with High-Resistant-Rate Antibiotics?

In most areas of the world, urine bacteria have high resistance rates to third-generation cephalosporins, and it is unclear if it is safe to treat stable patients with bacteremic urinary tract infections (UTI) with those antibiotics. There are recommendations that empiric therapy for a suspected UTI should include only antibiotics with resistance rates less than 10%. In this historical observational single center study, we selected 180 stable internal medicine patients hospitalized between January 2019 and December 2021, with identical bacteria isolated from blood and urine cultures. Charts were reviewed to determine if deaths and readmissions up to 30 days after discharge were due to bacterial resistance to initial antibiotic therapy (BRIAT). The patient's median age was 82 years (1st-3rd quartiles, 73-87 years). A total of 54.4% were female. There were 125 patients treated with ceftriaxone. A total of 38 (30.3%) had BRIAT. Four patients died, but none were because of a delay in appropriate treatment. The median days of hospitalization for all patients was 7 days, and 9 days versus 6 days in those with and without BRIAT. There were no re-hospitalizations for a UTI in patients with BRIAT. We conclude that, despite high resistance rates, empiric ceftriaxone in stable hospitalized patients with a bacteremic UTI is safe. There was no urosepsis-related mortality during the hospitalization or on follow-up. The treatment of all patients with wider-spectrum antibiotics might have decreased the median hospital stay by only one day. The potential effect would be even lower if all patients with a suspected systemic UTI were treated with wide-spectrum antibiotics, because some patients do not have an infection of the urinary tract. A reassessment of the recommendation that empiric therapy for a suspected systemic urinary tract infection should include only wider-spectrum antibiotics is warranted.

Bone and Joint Infections in Children With Sickle Cell Disease in French Guiana: A 13-Year Retrospective Multicenter Review.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder with a high infectious morbidity and mortality and a heterogeneous distribution in France. One of the challenges is to differentiate a bone and joint infection (BJI) from a vaso-occlusive crisis. This challenge is particularly prevalent in French Guiana, an overseas territory with the highest incidence of SCD in France. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of BJI in children with SCD in French Guiana. This was a retrospective multicentric descriptive study of SCD patients living in French Guiana aged under 18 and diagnosed with a BJI between 2010 and 2022. These BJI were divided into 2 groups: those with microbiological documentation (d-BJI) and those without microbiological identification (ud-BJI). A total of 53 episodes of BJI in 42 patients (mean age 7.2 years) were reported. Clinical symptoms on arrival were comparable between the d-BJI and ud-BJI groups. Patients in the d-BJI group had longer average hospital stays (40.4 days vs. 16.8 days, P = 0.01) and Salmonella spp. were the most identified bacteria (n = 8/13). White blood cell count was greater in the d-BJI group (30.3 G/L vs. 18.G/L, P = 0.01) and a collection was more frequently identified on imaging (11/13 vs. 16/40, P = 0.01) in this group. Initial in-hospital antibiotic therapy was longer in the d-BJI group (17.2 days vs. 12.8, P = 0.02), as were infection-related complications (9/13 vs. 12/40 P = 0.01). BJI in children with SCD is not sufficiently microbiologically documented. Progress must be made to improve the documentation of BJI.

Impact of multidrug resistance on outcomes in hematologic cancer patients with bacterial bloodstream infections

Despite the improved outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies, infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose a new threat to these patients. We retrospectively reviewed the patients with hematological cancer and bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) at a tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2022 to assess the impact of MDROs on outcomes. Among 328 BSIs, 81 (24.7%) were caused by MDROs. MDRO rates increased from 10.3% (2003–2007) to 39.7% (2018–2022) (P < 0.001). The 30-day mortality rate was 25.0%, which was significantly higher in MDRO-infected patients than in non-MDRO-infected patients (48.1 vs. 17.4%; P < 0.001). The observed trend was more pronounced in patients with newly diagnosed diseases and relapsed/refractory disease but less prominent in patients in complete remission. Among MDROs, carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria exhibited the highest mortality, followed by vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for 30-day mortality as age ≥ 65 years, newly diagnosed disease, relapsed/refractory disease, MDROs, polymicrobial infection, CRP ≥ 20 mg/L, and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. In conclusion, MDROs contribute to adverse outcomes in patients with hematological cancer and bacterial BSIs, with effects varying based on the underlying disease status and causative pathogens. Appropriate initial antibiotic therapy may improve patient outcomes.

Case Report: Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Réunion Island due to Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is a well-known nosocomial pathogen that has emerged as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in tropical regions. Few global epidemiological studies of CAP-Ab have been published to date, and no data are available on this disease in France. We conducted a retrospective chart review of severe cases of CAP-Ab admitted to intensive care units in Réunion University Hospital between October 2014 and October 2022. Eight severe CAP-Ab cases were reviewed. Median patient age was 56.5 years. Sex ratio (male-to-female) was 3:1. Six cases (75.0%) occurred during the rainy season. Chronic alcohol use and smoking were found in 75.0% and 87.5% of cases, respectively. All patients presented in septic shock and with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Seven patients (87.5%) presented in cardiogenic shock, and renal replacement therapy was required for six patients (75.0%). Five cases (62.5%) presented with bacteremic pneumonia. The mortality rate was 62.5%. The median time from hospital admission to death was 3 days. All patients received inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were all susceptible to ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and imipenem. Six isolates (75%) were also susceptible to ticarcillin, piperacillin, and cotrimoxazole. Severe CAP-Ab has a fulminant course and high mortality. A typical case is a middle-aged man with smoking and chronic alcohol use living in a tropical region and developing severe CAP during the rainy season. This clinical presentation should prompt administration of antibiotic therapy targeting Ab.

Assessment of change in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria causing orthopaedic infections by sequential sampling: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundManagement of Orthopaedic wound infections often depend on isolation of bacteria species (spp.) and its subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). However, the susceptibility to antibiotics may change over time in the same bacterial spp. particularly after initiation of antibiotic therapy. Repeating AST through sequential sampling can be used for the early detection of changes in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. However, the recommendations about the optimal frequency of repeat AST for same bacterial spp. isolates from same patient to detect the changes in susceptibility patterns are still not established. Furthermore, no prospective research is available to address the crucial issue. Thus, we aimed this study to evaluate the need of repeat AST through sequential samples from the same site. MethodsAST was performed on same bacterial spp. isolates from three sequential samples using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Considering day 1 as control/baseline, changes in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was interpreted on two sequential instances (on day 3 and day5). Changes were categorized into favorable & unfavorable and major & minor change categories. ResultsThe overall change in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was 28 % on instance 1(on day3) and 36.1 % at instance 2 (on day 5). Susceptible to resistance phenotypic change was 14.9 % at instance 1 and 9.2 % at instance 2.A higher percentage change per case in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was observed at instance 2. Predominant changes were towards the direction of favorable antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. ConclusionThe risk of change in antimicrobial susceptibility potential was over 10 % at both the instances. Furthermore, it was higher at instance 2 i.e., at day5, therefore a repeat sequential antimicrobial susceptibility testing would be recommended at later instance.

Breaking the Reflex: Impact in Hospital-Acquired Infection Incidence for Clostridioides difficile Infection

Background: Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) do not distinguish between colonization and Clostridioides difficile (C.diff) associated diarrhea. On April 5th 2023 our laboratory introduced a new C. diff testing methodology. Previously, if a C. diff screen result was negative for toxin and positive for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), a second confirmatory test was conducted with NAAT. This confirmatory test was removed from our testing algorithm. NAAT testing may be ordered ad hoc when clinically relevant diarrhea persists, and alternative etiologies have been excluded. We wanted to evaluate the impact of change with testing methods. Method: Retrospective review of all inpatient hospital-acquired C.diff infections reported to NHSN database from Ascension Michigan Market which comprises 14 acute care hospitals from June 2019 to August 2023. Data for C diff was analyzed every quarter. The risk adjustments used to calculate the Standardized Infection Ratios (SIRs) for C. diff infections was set at 0.48 based on CDC mean SIR established for acute care hospitals in 2022. Results: A total of 14 acute care hospitals were included from which 866 C.diff cases were reported during this period. Overall, the SIR dropped from 0.59 from June-August 2019 to 0.32 reported from March-May 2023; 45.7 % decrease. The maximum reduction in SIR was seen post intervention at 0.21 from June-August 2023 which was 78.3% below the benchmark of 0.48. (Figure) Conclusions: Strategies to optimize current laboratory tests are critical to differentiate C. diff infection from colonization. The current strategy by changing the testing method led to substantial reduction in C-diff. Diagnostic stewardship studies should ideally include outcome measures targeted to post-intervention patients to determine clinical relevance and patient safety. Optimizing test utilization remains a critical component of quality healthcare delivery. Future NHSN updated surveillance definition will require incorporating clinical decision-making into the metric; that is including a combination of any positive C-diff test plus initiation of antibiotic therapy for C-diff.Disclosure: Reese Cosimi: Advisory Board - Abbvie

Principles of antibiotic therapy in surgical practice. What should a practitioner not forget about?

The rational use of antimicrobial drugs in surgery includes the correct choice of drug, its timely administration, minimizing the duration of therapy and switching to oral forms, regular monitoring and use of microbiological research data. These principles help reduce the risk of infections, minimize side effects, and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. This article reviews basic information about the principles of rational initiation of antibiotic therapy, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, the rational choice of an antibacterial drug, the dose of the antibiotic, the mode of administration, and the optimal therapy duration.

Repeated doxycycline treatment among patients with neuroborreliosis: a nationwide, population-based, registry-based, matched cohort study

Objectives To investigate receipt of antibiotics among patients with neuroborreliosis after initial antibiotic treatment, likely attributable to posttreatment symptoms. Methods We performed a nationwide, matched, population-based cohort study in Denmark (2009-2021). We included all Danish patients with neuroborreliosis, i.e. a positive Borrelia burgdorferi intrathecal antibody index test and a cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count ≥10 × 106/l, and initially treated with doxycycline. To form a comparison cohort, we randomly extracted individuals from the general population matched 1:10 to patients with neuroborreliosis on date of birth and sex. The main outcome was receipt of doxycycline, and the secondary outcome was receipt of phenoxymethylpenicillin. We calculated short-term (<1 year) and long-term (≥1 year) hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results We included 463 patients with neuroborreliosis and 2,315 comparison cohort members. Compared with the comparison cohort members, patients with neuroborreliosis initially treated with doxycycline had increased receipt of additional doxycycline within 1 year (HR: 38.6, 95%CI: 17.5–85.0) and ≥1 years (HR: 3.5, 95%CI: 1.9–6.3). Compared with comparison cohort members, patients with neuroborreliosis had no increased receipt of phenoxymethylpenicillin (<1 year HR 1.0, 95%CI: 0.7–1.3; ≥1 years HR 1.2, 95%CI: 0.9–1.5). Conclusions After initial antibiotic treatment, patients with neuroborreliosis have increased receipt of doxycycline particularly within one year after initial antibiotic therapy but also subsequently. The lack of increased receipt of phenoxymethylpenicillin suggests that the receipt of doxycycline was not merely due to differences in healthcare-seeking behaviour, increased risk of early Lyme borreliosis due to exposure, or differences in antibacterial usage in general.

"Syphilitic Hepatitis": A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Features, Diagnostic Approaches, and Management Considerations.

Syphilitic hepatitis is a very rare presentation of syphilis infection, characterized by inflammation of the liver due to the invasion of hepatic tissue by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This review article provides an in-depth analysis of the existing body of information pertaining to syphilitic hepatitis. The article primarily concentrates on key aspects such as the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approaches associated with this condition. Despite its rarity, awareness of syphilitic hepatitis is vital for accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention. The clinical presentations frequently exhibit similarities with many liver illnesses, hence presenting difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, stomach pain, and jaundice. Diagnostic procedures encompass the use of serological assays, including rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS), in conjunction with imaging modalities to evaluate hepatic engagement. The primary therapeutic approach is the prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy, with a particular emphasis on penicillin, to eradicate the causative bacterial infection and facilitate the restoration of liver function. Failure to swiftly manage this condition may result in substantial morbidity. In summary, syphilitic hepatitis is a very uncommon but medically relevant manifestation of syphilis infection. The significance of increased clinical suspicion, precise diagnostic techniques, and prompt antibiotic administration is emphasized in this review since these are crucial in reducing the potentially severe outcomes associated with this illness.

Clinical characteristics and analysis of prognostic factors in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan

BackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of patients with MRSA-IE in Japan and identify the factors associated with prognosis. MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE caused by MRSA, between January 2015 and April 2019. ResultsA total of 65 patients from 19 centers were included, with a mean age of 67 years and 26 % were female. Fifty percent of the patients with IE were had nosocomial infections and 25 % had prosthetic valve involvement. The most common comorbidities were hemodialysis (20 %) and diabetes (20 %). Congestive heart failure was present in 86 % of patients (NYHA class I, II: 48 %; III, IV: 38 %). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 29 % and 46 %, respectively. Multi-organ failure was the primary cause of death, accounting for 43 % of all causes of death. Prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality were age, disseminated intravascular coagulation, daptomycin and/or linezolid as initial antibiotic therapy, and surgery. Surgical treatment was associated with a lower mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.026; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.002–0.382; p = 0.008 for 30-day mortality and OR, 0.130; 95 % CI; 0.029–0.584; p = 0.008 for in-hospital mortality). ConclusionMortality due to MRSA-IE remains high. Surgical treatment is a significant prognostic predictor of MRSA-IE.

High mortality associated with inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy in hematological malignancies with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections

Bloodstream infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae are a significant challenge in managing hematological malignancies. This study aims to characterize the epidemiology of Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections specifically in patients with hematological malignancies, delineate the patterns of initial antibiotic therapy, assess the prevalence of resistant strains, identify risk factors for these resistant strains, and evaluate factors influencing patient outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted at a single center from January 2017 to December 2020, focusing on 182 patients with hematological malignancies who developed Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections. We compared the 30-day mortality rates between patients receiving appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic treatments, including the effectiveness of both single-drug and combination therapies. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariate logistic and Cox regression were used to identify factors influencing mortality risk. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 30.2% for all patients. The 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 77.2% and 8.8% in patients who received inappropriate initial treatment and appropriate initial treatment (p < 0.001). Inappropriate initial treatment significantly influenced mortality and was a key predictor of 30-day mortality, along with septic shock and previous intensive care unit (ICU) stays. Patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infections exhibited more severe clinical symptoms compared to the CSKP group. The study demonstrates a significant association between empirical carbapenem administration and the escalating prevalence of CRKP and multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae (MDR-KP) infections. Furthermore, the study identified inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy, septic shock, and ICU admission as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality.

Characteristics and outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers treated with surgical debridement and standardized wound care.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant clinical challenge, often leading to amputations and hospitalisation. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of DFUs treated with surgical debridement and standardised wound care. This descriptive cross-sectional study focused on diabetic patients with appropriate vascular conditions, as determined by an Ankle Brachial Index >0.9. Based on their infection status, participants were admitted to Poursina Hospital in Rasht, Iran, and subjected to initial supportive measures, antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. The study incorporated primary treatment with wet bandages, silver spray and fibrinolysin ointment. Statistical analysis employed SPSS 22 software. Most patients were male (54.7%) and under 60 years old (50.7%). Overweight status was prevalent in 69.3% of diabetic ulcer patients, amongst whom 48% underwent wrist debridement. The 64% and 36% of the cases had grade III and grade II Texas index. Moreover, 96% of patients exhibited signs of infection and were classified as Stage Texas B. Reoperation was necessary for 34.7% of patients. The mean hospital stay was 8.5 ± 7.55 days, and the average recovery time was 15.2 ± 15.19 days. Out of 75 patients, 10 were unable to return to limb function due to disability. In this study, around one-third of patients required secondary repair with grafts and flaps. A small number of them were unable to recover because of underlying disability, and the mean recovery time in other cases was 24 days. Future studies should follow up with patients for longer periods to assess long-term therapeutic outcomes and quality of life.