Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy Research Articles

Demographic and Laboratory Variables Associated with Amputations for Inpatients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

ObjectivesDiabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality which disproportionately impacts underserved populations. This study seeks to provide data regarding the rates and outcomes of amputation in patients admitted with DFU in our health system which cares for an ethnically diverse and underserved population. MethodsThis retrospective study examined the electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized with DFU at three hospitals in our health system between 06/01/2016 and 05/31/2021. ResultsAmong 650 patients admitted for DFU, 88% self-identified as non-White race. Male sex (OR 0.62), low BMI (OR 0.98), and history of smoking (OR 1.45) were significantly associated with amputation during the study period. Higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR 1.01), C-reactive protein (OR 1.05), white blood cells (OR 1.11), and low albumin (OR 0.41) were found to be significantly associated with amputation versus no amputation during admission. The amputation risk during the index admission for DFU was 44%. ConclusionOur study identified a high DFU-related amputation risk (44%) among adult patients who were mostly Black and/or Hispanic. The significant risks factors associated with DFU amputation included male sex, low BMI, smoking as well as high levels inflammation or low levels of albumin during admission. Many of these patients required multi-disciplinary care and intravenous antibiotic therapy, requiring a longer length of stay and a high rate of readmission.

Association Between Vegetation Size And Outcome In The POET Trial.

Step-down oral antibiotic therapy is associated with a non-inferior long-term outcome compared to continued intravenous antibiotic therapy in the treatment of left-sided infective endocarditis (IE). We aimed to analyze whether step-down oral therapy compared to continued intravenous antibiotic therapy is also associated with a non-inferior outcome in patients with large vegetations (vegetation length ≥ 10 mm) or among patients undergoing surgery before step-down oral therapy. We included patients without presence of aortic root abscess at diagnosis from the POET study. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to find associations between large vegetation, cardiac surgery, step-down oral therapy and the primary endpoint (composite of all-cause mortality, unplanned cardiac surgery, embolic event or relapse of positive blood cultures during follow-up). A total of 368 patients (age 68±12, 77% men) were included. Patients with large vegetations (n = 124) were more likely to undergo surgery compared to patients with small vegetations (n=244) (65% vs 20%, p<0.001). During a median 1406 days of follow-up, 146 patients reached the primary endpoint. Large vegetations were not associated with the primary endpoint (HR 0.74 [95% CI 0.47-1.18], p=0.21). Step-down oral therapy was non-inferior to continued intravenous antibiotic in all subgroups when stratified by the presence of a large vegetation at baseline and early cardiac surgery. Step-down oral therapy safe in the presence of a large vegetation at diagnosis and among patients undergoing early cardiac surgery.

Single-Stage Endoscopic Repair of Pediatric Basal Encephalocele: A Comprehensive Multimedia Case Report.

Basal encephaloceles are the result of a concomitant cranial and dural defect that allows for inferior displacement of cerebral tissue, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid into the paranasal sinuses and outside the cranial vault. This work illustrates a step-by-step surgical approach of a successful single-stage, endoscopic repair of a congenital basal encephalocele in a 10-year-old child, using a free mucosal middle turbinate graft that provided effective results without utilization of traditional open reconstructive techniques or vascularized flaps. A previously healthy 10-year-old male with a history of unilateral clear rhinorrhea was admitted as an inpatient because of an acute episode of nausea, vomiting, and confusion, accompanied by fever, diplopia, and bilateral abducens nerve palsies. Preoperative imaging revealed a 2-cm right-sided intranasal mass accompanied by a subcentimeter skull base defect spanning the lateral lamella. After completing a course of intravenous antibiotic therapy for 1 week after a negative lumbar puncture to ensure clearance of intracranial infection, the decision was made to proceed with definitive endoscopic skull base repair to obviate recurrent bacterial meningitis episodes and potential neurological complications. This study demonstrates technical feasibility of a single-stage endoscopic endonasal approach for pediatric basal encephalocele resection and repair which minimizes craniofacial morbidity associated with traditional open approaches and sinonasal morbidity associated with local pedicle-based flaps for small cranial base defects in this unique patient population.

Exploring patients' perspectives: a mixed methods study on Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) experiences.

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT), an alternative to inpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy, has shown benefits in international studies such as increased patient satisfaction. Because OPAT has been used only sporadically in Germany so far, no structured results on patients' experiences and concerns regarding OPAT have yet been available. This study therefore aims to explore the experiences of OPAT patients in a pilot region in Germany. This is an observational study in a German pilot region, including a survey of 58 patients on their experiences with OPAT, and in-depth interviews with 12 patients (explanatory-sequential mixed-methods design). Patients reported that they were satisfied with OPAT. That a hospital discharge was possible and anti-infective therapy could be continued in the home environment was rated as being particularly positive. In the beginning, many patients in the interviews were unsure about being able to administer the antibiotic therapy at home on their own. However, healthcare providers (doctors and pharmacy service provider staff) were able to allay these concerns. Patients appreciated regular contact with care providers. There were suggestions for improvement, particularly concerning the organization of the weekly check-up appointments and the provision of information about OPAT. Patients were generally satisfied with OPAT. However, the treatment structures in Germany still need to be expanded to ensure comprehensive and high-quality OPAT care. NCT04002453, https://www. gov/ , (registration date: 2019-06-21).

Meningococcal Disease Presenting with Acute Myopericarditis and Concurrent Acute Meningitis

Emergency department physicians uncommonly associate myopericarditis with bacterial infection and, even more rarely, encounter myopericarditis caused by meningococcal infection. This case report describes a 38-year-old man who presented with chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and cardiac biomarkers consistent with acute myopericarditis and rapidly developed central nervous system symptoms that were concerning for acute bacterial meningitis. The diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis infection was confirmed by blood cultures. Once identified, the patient made a full recovery following a course of intravenous antibiotic therapy. This case underscores the difficulty of diagnosing this rare, but potentially life-threatening, condition in the emergency department.

How should intravenous antibiotic therapy at home be organised?

How should intravenous antibiotic therapy at home be organised?

Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Geriatric Ankle Fracture Surgery with Closed-Incision Vacuum Therapy: A Pilot Study.

Ankle fractures are among the most common fractures in older adult patients that need surgical treatment. The risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) after ankle fracture surgery ranges between 0.5% and 30%; SSI incidence is higher among older adults. Further, SSIs have significant consequences for subjective functional outcomes and create a need for prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy and wound care. Accordingly, it is critical to determine risk factors for and establish optimal postoperative wound care to prevent SSIs. The aim of the pilot study was to examine the feasibility of closed-incision vacuum therapy (CIVT) to reduce rates of SSI in older adults. The authors performed a pilot study of a CIVT system in a population of 10 older adult patients after ankle fracture surgery. Nine patients experienced uncomplicated wound healing of the lateral incision. One patient (10%) developed an SSI after premature removal of the vacuum system because of technical failure. Six weeks postoperation, overall satisfaction with the CIVT was high; none of the participants complained of incapacitating discomfort or disruptive limitations in postsurgical recovery. The authors conclude that CIVT is a feasible, safe, and generally well-tolerated therapy to prevent SSIs in postoperative wound healing after open reduction and internal fixation in older adult patients after ankle fracture.

Comparison of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage and percutaneous drainage combined with minocycline sclerotherapy for symptomatic hepatic cysts: A retrospective study.

Simple hepatic cysts (SHC) are generally asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed using imaging studies. Asymptomatic SHC does not require treatment, but symptomatic SHC warrants treatment using different modalities, including intravenous antibiotic therapy, ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) with sclerotherapy, and surgery. The dissemination of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) intervention techniques has enabled the performance of puncture and drainage via the transgastrointestinal route for intra-abdominal abscesses. Despite the development of an EUS-guided drainage method for treating symptomatic SHC, only a few case reports using this method have been reported. This study retrospectively analyzed the safety and feasibility of EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic SHC as well as its clinical outcomes and compared it with combined therapy using PCD and minocycline sclerotherapy. The records of 10 consecutive patients with 11 symptomatic SHCs treated with either EUS-guided drainage or PCD combined with minocycline sclerotherapy at the Musashino Tokushukai Hospital from August 2019 to January 2024 were retrospectively examined. All cases in both groups achieved technical and clinical success, with no reported adverse events. The median reduction rates of the major cyst diameters in the EUS-guided drainage and PCD with sclerotherapy groups were 100% (interquartile range [IQR]: 94%-100%) and 67% (IQR: 48.5%-85%). The length of hospital stay was 7 and 22.5 days in the EUS-guided and PCD with sclerotherapy groups (P = .01). EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic SHC is a safe and effective therapeutic alternative to percutaneous drainage with sclerotherapy and surgery for treating symptomatic SHC.

[Endocarditis and ischemic stroke of rare cause].

A60-year-old male patient presented with ischemic-embolic stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed the cause to be aortic valve endocarditis with highly eccentric aortic valve regurgitation. The blood cultures taken several times remained sterile. The indication for surgical aortic valve replacement was made. Conventional microbiological work-up of the heart valve did not reveal any pathogens. The additional molecular genetic testing using eubacterial PCR ("polymerase chain reaction" [PCR]) finally demonstrated the presence of Tropheryma whipplei. Anumber of therapeutic options were available. The authors decided on intravenous antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone for 14days and follow-up therapy with oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 1year. The case illustrates the importance of additional molecular diagnostics beyond the conventional methods in blood culture-negative endocarditis to identify the pathogen and initiate appropriate therapy.

Absceso mamario neonatal

We present a 27-day-old girl with no significant medical history who attended pediatric consultation presenting with edema and hematoma in her right breast. The patient was admitted the next day following examination in ER due to the worsening of a starting breast abscess and was treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy. Due to the worsening of the condition and despite the intravenous antibiotic therapy, a surgical treatment was performed consisting in draining the abscess and washing the cavity. Finally, the problem was solved without any consequences.

Cost evaluation of continuation of therapy with dalbavancin compared to standard-of-care antibiotics alone in hospitalized persons who inject drugs with severe gram-positive infections.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk for severe gram-positive infections and may require prolonged hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. Dalbavancin (DBV) is a long-acting lipoglycopeptide that may reduce costs and provide effective treatment in this population. This was a retrospective review of PWID with severe gram-positive infections. Patients admitted from January 1, 2017, to November 1, 2019 (standard-of-care [SOC] group) and from November 15, 2019, to March 31, 2022 (DBV group) were included. The primary outcome was the total cost to the healthcare system. Secondary outcomes included hospital days saved and treatment failure. A total of 87 patients were included (37 in the DBV group and 50 in the SOC group). Patients were a median of 34 years old and were predominantly Caucasian (82%). Staphylococcus aureus (82%) was the most common organism, and bacteremia (71%) was the most common type of infection. Compared to the SOC group, the DBV group would have had a median of 14 additional days of hospitalization if they had stayed to complete their therapy (P = 0.014). The median total cost to the healthcare system was significantly lower in the DBV group than in the SOC group ($31,698.00 vs $45,093.50; P = 0.035). The rate of treatment failure was similar between the groups (32.4% in the DBV group vs 36% in the SOC group; P = 0.729). DBV is a cost-saving alternative to SOC IV antibiotics for severe gram-positive infections in PWID, with similar treatment outcomes. Larger prospective studies, including other patient populations, may demonstrate additional benefit.

Lemierre’s syndrome in pediatric population

Introduction: Lemierre’s syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal complication of upper respiratory tract infections, occurring mainly in young, previously healthy individuals. It is defined as postanginal septicaemia accompanied by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and formation of abscesses in distant organs. Characteristic symptoms include deterioration of patient’s condition on the 4th–7th day of the management of primary infection, with the recurrence of fever and unilateral swelling and painfulness of the neck. Aims: The analysis of pediatric cases of Lemierre’s syndrome as described in the literature over the last 30 years; presentation of own experience and clinical observations in pediatric patients receiving treatment for Lemierre’s syndrome. Material and methods: A search of the literature available through the PubMed platform was carried out using the query terms “Lemierre syndrome” and “children”. A total of 73 pediatric cases reported on in papers published in English literature within the time span of 1980 through 2023 were included in the analysis. Results: As shown by the analysis of the 73 pediatric cases of Lemierre’s syndrome, the most common causes of the disease were acute pharyngitis and acute otitis media. The presence of the bacterial species Fusobacterium necrophorum was established in the blood cultures of more than one half of the patient group. Distant complications were most frequently observed in the lungs while the most common locations of thrombosis included the internal jugular vein and the sigmoid sinus. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was delivered to all patients, many of whom required additional surgical intervention and/or anticoagulation treatment. Conclusions: In most cases, Lemierre’s syndrome is a complication of acute pharyngitis and acute otitis media. Despite the presence of severe distant organ complications and extensive thrombotic lesions within the venous vessels, complete recovery is achieved in most cases in the pediatric population. The treatment of Lemierre’s syndrome is based primarily on broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, with surgical interventions and/or anticoagulant therapy being also required in some cases. As of the present, no uniform guidelines have been established for the use of anticoagulant therapy, particularly in the pediatric population.

SPLUNC1 as a biomarker of pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundShort palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is an innate defence protein that acts as an anti-microbial agent and regulates airway surface liquid volume through inhibition of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). SPLUNC1 levels were found to be reduced in airway secretions of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). The potential of SPLUNC1 as a biomarker in children with CF is unknown. MethodsWe quantified SPLUNC1, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in sputum of CF children treated with either intravenous antibiotics or oral antibiotics for a pulmonary exacerbation (PEx)s, and in participants of a prospective cohort of CF children with preserved lung function on spirometry, followed over a period of two years. ResultsSputum SPLUNC1 levels were significantly lower before compared to after intravenous and oral antibiotic therapy for PEx. In the longitudinal cohort, SPLUNC1 levels were found to be decreased at PEx visits compared to both previous and subsequent stable visits. Higher SPLUNC1 levels at stable visits were associated with longer PEx-free time (hazard ratio 0.85, p=0.04). SPLUNC1 at PEx visits did not correlate with IL-8 or NE levels in sputum or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) but did correlate with the lung clearance index (LCI) (r=-0.53, p<0.001). ConclusionSPLUNC1 demonstrates promising clinometric properties as a biomarker of PEx in children with CF.

Un imprevisto tra capo e collo: la sindrome di Lemierre

A healthy 15-year-old boy was hospitalized due to the persistence of lateral cervical swelling associated with fever and worsening of headache. He underwent a neck and facial mass CT scan showing a thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein extended to the intracranial sinuses. The diagnosis of Lemierre syndrome (LS) was formalized with positive blood colture for Fusobacterium necrophorum. Intravenous antibiotic therapy associated with anticoagulant therapy was started with complete clinical recovery after 4 weeks of treatment. A close clinical-instrumental follow-up was set up. Lemierre syndrome is a thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, that in this case was extended to the intracranial sinuses. It is a rare condition, secondary to the extension of an infectious process starting from the oropharynx. The clinical picture is characterized by high fever, persistent pharyngitis followed by sepsis, pneumo-nia or atypical laterocervical pain. Fusobacterium necrophorum, a gram-negative anaerobe bacteriu,, is the responsible pathogen in most of the cases (&gt;90%). The antibiotic treatment is prolonged (at least 4-6 weeks); occasionally a parallel surgical approach is necessary. The start of anticoagulant thera-py for internal venous thrombosis associated with LS is still matter of debate.

Recurrent bacteremia and endocarditis due to Staphylococcus capitis in a patient with Bowen's disease: a case report.

This case report details the management of a 79-year-old male with recurrent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus capitis bacteremia and endocarditis. The patient's clinical journey encompassed multiple hospital admissions, with challenges in managing endocarditis, pacemaker replacements, and potential cutaneous sources of infection. The treatment regimen included intravenous antibiotic therapy during hospitalization and suppressive antibiotic treatment upon discharge, alongside a decolonization strategy for his scalp lesions.

Intra-Empyema Antibiotic Administration: A Case Report

Background: Untreated empyema has a great morbidity and is potentially lethal. The usual approach for treatment is intravenous antibiotics together with chest tube insertion or thoracoscopic/ surgical interventions.  &#x0D; Case presentation: The patient was a 32-year-old man with spinal muscular atrophy and severe intercostal muscular weakness presented with localized pleuritic chest pain and fever. The cause was diagnosed to be parapneumonic empyema.  In this case, invasive approaches would potentially exacerbated chest musculature weakness. Other non-invasive managements CT-guided needle drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy were tried and proved to be ineffective for the patient and the next invasive step would pose considerable risk to the patient. Intra-empyemic antibiotic administration through a small tube catheter was successfully effective without any recurrence. This method was non-invasive with no significant risk to the patient, had a low cost and was accepted by the patient. It was shown to be effective without any complication and saved the patient from performing an invasive procedure.&#x0D; Conclusion: This non-invasive approach may be used in those patients who are of high risk for invasive procedures. Also, potentially it may be used as one of the first line approaches before performing more invasive modalities.

Spontaneous abscess of the nasal septum in children: a 10-year series.

This paper reports a 10-year series of spontaneous nasal septal abscesses in immune-competent children, with suggestions for optimal management. A retrospective case note review was conducted of children undergoing an operation for incision and drainage of nasal septal abscesses between 2013 and 2023. Six children were identified via electronic hospital records during the 10-year review period, five with a spontaneous abscess. The children were aged 10-14 years. All were immunocompetent and none had active sinus infection. The most common presenting features were nasal swelling, facial swelling, headache, nasal congestion and fever. The most common bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus. All children received prompt surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy. Complications were seen in three children, with one child developing significant intracranial complications. To our knowledge, this is the first series of spontaneous nasal septal abscesses in immunocompetent children. The high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus suggests spread from the nasal mucosa or vestibule. Early recognition, computed tomography scanning, surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are the mainstays of treatment, to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Acute coalescent mastoiditis in a 16-month-old child due to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection

Rationale: Acute otitis media is a common disease in early childhood, and is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Acute mastoiditis is a complication of acute otitis media and can involve not only the mucoperiosteum of the middle ear but can also spread to the periosteum by destroying the mastoid bone (acute coalescent mastoiditis). In addition, the infection can extend through the surrounding bones or the emissary veins beyond the mastoid's air cells, leading to subperiosteal abscesses. Patient's Concern: A 16-month-old female patient was hospitalized due to the purulent discharge of the left ear and the symptoms of right mastoiditis (swelling and redness of the skin). Diagnosis: Bilateral acute coalescent mastoiditis caused by S. pneumoniae infection. The computer tomography revealed bilateral bone destruction of the mastoid and abscesses found behind the auricle on both sides. Interventions: The patient underwent intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment. Outcomes: The patient was discharged 14 days after hospitalization with an improved condition. Lessons: Improperly treated acute coalescent mastoiditis can lead to extracranial and intracranial complications, sometimes serious and even life-threatening. Complications are prevalent in children under 2 years, in whom the disease progresses more rapidly and severely. The vaccination with a 13-valent vaccine may not result in sufficient immunity against S. pneumoniae, a predominant pathogen in children affected by acute coalescent mastoiditis.

Spinal infection after vertebral augmentation: a covert complication with serious havoc.

Vertebral augmentation, including percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or kyphoplasty (PKP), is the current least invasive surgical option and has been widely used to treat the painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). However, the postoperative infections could be life-threatening, even though they rarely occur. Our studies aim to clarify the causation and outcomes of spinal infections following augmentation and meanwhile to identify the risk factors. A retrospective study was conducted on patients with OVCF who underwent PVP or PKP, and were subsequently admitted to our institution with postoperative spinal infection between January 2010 and December 2022. A total of 33 patients were finally included. The rate of spinal infection after augmentation in our single institute was 0.05% (2/3893). In addition to these 2 patients, the remaining 31 were referred from other hospitals. All 33 patients exhibited elevated inflammatory parameters, 14 patients presented with fever, and 9 patients experienced neurological deficits. Additionally, 29 patients had comorbidity and risk factors. Pathogens were identified in 26 patients, while only 7 patients were examined as culture negative. 27 patients underwent revision surgery and 6 patients only received conservative therapy. Anterior surgery was performed in 2 patients, while posterior surgery was performed in 20 patients. A combined anterior-posterior surgery was performed in 5 patients. At the final follow-up, 18 patients had unrestricted mobility, 10 patients required assistance from crutches or a walker for ambulation, 4 patients needed a wheelchair, and 1 patients died after revision surgery. Spinal infection after vertebral augmentation is rare, but it cannot be ignored. Surgeons should make every effort to detect the potential preoperative spondylitis or discitis. Once postoperative spinal infection is confirmed, a prompt intravenous antibiotic therapy is warranted. If medication therapy fails, revision surgery involving debridement and spinal reconstruction should be considered.

Severe Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis with Septic Pulmonary Embolism in a Teenager: Case Report

A 14-year-old boy with an uneventful past history suffered from one week of high-grade fever and progressive dyspnea. The patient developed necrotizing pneumonia with massive loculated pleural effusion and septic shock. Echocardiogram revealed a small perimembranous VSD with multiple vegetations at pulmonic valve and both pulmonary arteries. Intravenous antibiotic therapy, mechanical ventilatory support, chest tube placement, and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy were performed. He was clinically improved after eight weeks of antibiotic therapy. Keywords: Septic pulmonary embolism; Pulmonic valve endocarditis; Infective endocarditis