Long-term Antibiotic Regimen Research Articles

613. Lessons learned from a Rhode Island academic out-patient Lyme and tick-borne disease clinic

BackgroundAlthough the prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) continues to increase, there remains significant confusion regarding treatment for Lyme and other TBDs. We conducted a chart review of all new patients that came to an academic center for Lyme and TBDs. We then initiated a quality improvement project for feedback from a small subset of patients with Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).MethodsCharts of patients visiting the clinic between March and November 2018 were reviewed. Data abstracted from the electronic health record included demographics, laboratory and clinical data. A small subset of patients who reported a history of Lyme and at least 6 months of symptoms after antibiotic treatment were enrolled in a phone survey to evaluate their experience with treatment for PTLDS.ResultsSymptoms most commonly seen in 218 new patients included fatigue (66.5%), joint pain (58.2%), cognitive difficulty (32.1%), headache (27.9%) and sleep disturbance (27.5%). 87% had already received tick-borne disease directed antibiotic treatment. Over half (60.5%) of patients report having symptoms for more than 6 months. More than half of patients (54.8%) who had more than 6 months of Lyme-related symptoms had positive serological testing. Common themes identified in the 16 phone surveys of patients with PTLDS conducted so far included significant frustration related to the dismissive attitudes from medical professionals (n=9/16), and many sought alternative or complementary therapies (n=11/16). Six patients reported receiving very long-term antibiotic regimens from other Lyme specialists. Many patients expressed satisfaction with the visit and medical advice even in the absence of curative therapy (n=9/16), although a significant number continued to seek care elsewhere (n=6/16).ConclusionMore than half of new patients reported symptoms lasting more than 6 months after targeted antibiotic therapy. Further research is needed to develop interventions for the common symptoms of fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulty and sleep disturbance. Treatments to improve sleep, diet, and physical activity and decrease inflammation among patients who suffer from PTLDS are needed.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Chronic Q Fever Infections in Israeli Children: A 25-year Nationwide Study.

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) with a worldwide distribution. Our aim was to assess the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatment regimens of chronic Q fever infections in Israeli children during the past 25 years. Cases were collected from the national Q fever reference laboratory database. Demographic, epidemiologic and clinical data were reviewed using a structured questionnaire sent to the referring physician. Cases were defined according to the new Dutch Consensus Guidelines. A total of 16 children originating from all regions of the country were found positive for chronic Q fever infections. The most common infection site was bone or joint (8/16, 50%), all in previously healthy children. Endovascular infections were found in 5 children (31%), all with an antecedent cardiac graft insertion. According to the new Consensus Guidelines, 9 children (56%) had a proven infection, 3 (19%) a probable infection and 4 (25%) a possible chronic Q fever infection. Almost all cases were treated with a long-term antibiotic regimen, often necessitating a change in medication because of persistent or rising titers. Although pediatric chronic Q fever infections are rare, incidence has been rising. The most common infection site was bone or joint. A high index of suspicion is necessary, even in cases of previously healthy children without a possible exposure history. Use of the relatively new diagnostic tools in combination with serologic methods is helpful in diagnosing proven cases. There is no consensus as to the selection or duration of antibiotic treatment.

The immune response in SAPHO syndrome: deficiency, hyper- responsiveness, or both?

The pathophysiology of SAPHO syndrome still remains to be determined. However, like in other forms of spondylarthritides, this rare condition seems to result from the combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. Surely, SAPHO syndrome cannot be simply regarded as the adult form of the 'caricatural' DIRA (deficiency in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) syndrome, although this purely genetic disease also causes multiple osteomyelitis and pustular rashes. An initial bacterial trigger, mainly represented by the cutaneous saprophyte Propionibacterium acnes, could take advantage of a selective deficiency of the innate immunity, implicating neutrophils. This could elicit thereafter a 'hyperimmune' reaction, as in other chronic inflammatory conditions like reactive arthritis, Crohn's disease or hidradenitis suppurativa. The reported efficacy of either longterm antibiotic regimens (especially with azithromycin) or immunomodulatory biologic agents targetting TNF-α or IL-1 supports the concept of a post- or para-infectious hyperresponsiveness disorder, with a convincing rationale for 'hybrid' therapies.

Capacitive Coupling Reduces Instrumentation-related Infection in Rabbit Spines: A Pilot Study

Postoperative spine infections cause considerable morbidity. Patients are subjected to long-term antibiotic regimens and may require further surgery. Delivery of electric current through instrumentation can detach biofilm, allowing better antibiotic penetration and assisting in eradicating infection. We asked (1) whether capacitive coupling treatment in combination with a single dose of antibiotics would reduce infection rates when compared with antibiotics alone in a rabbit spine infection model, (2) whether it would decrease the overall bacterial burden, and (3) whether there was a time-dependent response based on days treated with capacitive coupling. Thirty rabbits were subjected to a well-established spine infection model with a single dose of intravenously administered systemic ceftriaxone (20mg/kg of body weight) prophylaxis. Two noncontiguous rods were implanted inside dead space defects at L3 and L6 challenged with 10(6) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. Rabbits were randomly treated with a capacitive coupling or control device. Instrumentation and soft tissue bacterial growth were assessed after 7days. Sites treated with capacitive coupling showed a decrease in the incidence of positive culture: 36% versus 81% in the control group. We observed no difference in the soft tissue's infectious burden. Overall bacterial load was not decreased with capacitive coupling. Capacitive coupling in conjunction with antibiotics reduced the instrumentation-related infection rate compared with antibiotics alone. Capacitive coupling noninvasively delivers an alternating current that may detach biofilm from instrumentation. Treatment of infection may be successful without removal of instrumentation, allowing for improved stability and overall decreased morbidity.

A Current Review of Topical Benzoyl Peroxide: New Perspectives on Formulation and Utilization

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is the most widely used topical acne treatment, with significant antibacterial, antikeratolytic, and comedolytic activity. It has been shown to be extremely effective as monotherapy and in combination with antibiotics or retinoids for managing comedonal and inflammatory acne lesions. As numerous clinical studies have shown, the combination of BPO plus a topical antibiotic is not only more effective but also is often better tolerated than either agent alone. Unlike antibiotics, no bacterial resistance has been noted. Adding BPO to any long-term antibiotic regimen in acne is generally recommended to help reduce populations of drug-resistant variants. Although effective combinations of BPO and antibiotics or retinoids are used, BPO monotherapy can also be extremely effective in treating mild to moderate acne with no resistance issues.

58-Year-Old Man With Fever and Right Eye Pain

58-Year-Old Man With Fever and Right Eye Pain

Persistent urinary tract infections and reinfections in 100 dogs (1989-1999).

A retrospective study was performed of 100 dogs with persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or reinfections presenting to the North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1989 and 1999. Criteria for selection included > or = 2 positive urine cultures within a 6-month period. Signalment, presence of predisposing disorders, urinalysis and urine culture results, and treatment strategies were extracted from the medical records. Dogs were a median age of 7 years when the UTI was 1st diagnosed. Dogs younger than 3 and older than 10 years were at increased and decreased risks, respectively, for reinfections or persistent UTIs. Spayed females were more common in the UTI population. More than half of the dogs were asymptomatic for a UTI at 1st presentation. Urine sediment examinations identified hematuria, pyuria, and bacteriuria in 47, 72, and 85% of the samples, respectively. The most commonly isolated organisms were Escherichia coli and Streptococcus/Enterococcus spp.; multiple isolates also were common. Of the isolates, 29.5% were resistant to achievable serum concentrations of all antibiotics commonly prescribed for PO administration. Dogs with abnormal micturition were more likely to have infections by organisms resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Potentially predisposing disorders were identified in 71 dogs. A correction of these disorders was accomplished in 35% of these 71 dogs. Dogs given standard antibiotic therapy without addressing predisposing disorders experienced poor control of their UTIs; 74.5% of these dogs had an apparent disease-free interval (ADFI) of < 8 weeks. By comparison, dogs in which predisposing disorders were corrected or those that were treated with low-dose, long-term antibiotic regimens subjectively had better control.