Use Of Prophylaxis Research Articles

Comparative evaluation of venous thromboembolic risk in urologic inpatients using different risk assessment models

Introductions: The process of determining thromboprophylaxis decisions in urologic surgery entails assessing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in comparison to the risk of bleeding. Risk assessment models (RAMs) have been created to systematically calculate an individual’s risk of VTE. In our study, we evaluated the risk of VTE in urologic inpatients using two RAMs specifically designed for urology by the European Association of Urology (EAU) and the American Urological Association (AUA), the Caprini score, and the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Methods: The study group consisted of 236 inpatients within the urology department. Data from medical records included information on various factors, such as age, gender, body mass index, personal and family history of the patients. The risk of VTE was determined using the RAMs provided by EAU and AUA, the Caprini score, and the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Results: Chemical prophylaxis was advised for 48 (35.3%) patients according to the EAU model, 47 patients (34.6%) according to the AUA model, 128 (94.1%) patients based on the Caprini score, and 80 (58.8%) patients according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Limitations of the study include a small sample size and lack of post-surgery venous thromboembolic events recording. Conclusions: The VTE RAMs developed by the EAU and AUA provide consistent recommendations for thromboembolism prophylaxis in urologic patients, while the Caprini model's strict adherence may lead to excessive prophylaxis recommendations. The EAU approach is user-friendly but urologists must judiciously weigh bleeding and VTE risks on an individual basis, ensuring optimal prophylaxis use.

Streptococcus agalactiae in neonatology: detection strategies

Background. Group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae, SGV) remains the main cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, despite a marked decrease due to the use of intranatal antibiotic prophylaxis. At the same time, delays in the detection and treatment of neonatal infections can cause serious consequences and, in some cases, the death of a newborn, on the other hand, unnecessary use of antibiotics also has harmful consequences (changes in the normal microbiota of a newborn, the development of antimicrobial resistance, etc.). At the same time, laboratories are constantly faced with the task of improving diagnostic approaches for the rapid and correct identification of newborns with infection.The purpose of the study. To analyze the effectiveness, efficiency and timing of the results of bacteriological examination in neonatal sepsis and meningitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae to determine the best diagnostic strategy.Material and methods. In the period from January to November 2024, the case histories of 10 newborns with positive hemoculture for Streptococcus agalactiae were analyzed. Blood samples were taken under aseptic conditions according to the standard protocol. The identification of microorganisms was carried out by 2 methods: 1 — by standard subcultivation on nutrient cups and 2 — directly from positive vials using MALDI-TOF MS technology on a Vitek MS analyzer (BioMerieux, France) using the in-house method.Results. The average time from the moment of sampling to placement in the hemocultivation device (A) was 13.1±7.4 hours, the average growth time of the microorganism, i.e., to a positive signal (B) was 6.7± 3.0, the average time for identification of the pathogen from a blood vial (C) was 20.2±13.1, the average sample turnover time in the laboratory (from the collection of the material to the issuance of the identification result to the clinician — D) was 42.0 ± 12.0 hours. When using the accelerated identification method directly from a positive vial, the average time C was 12.5 hours, D — 36.3 hours.Conclusions. The use of an accelerated technique for the cultural detection of OHS in hemocultures of newborn children allowed to reduce the time of identification of the pathogen in a positive blood culture by 17.5 hours from 30 hours to 12.5 (more than 2 times), and the total time from obtaining the biomaterial to making a decision by the attending physician was reduced by 14 hours (from 50 hours to 36), i.e. almost 1.5 times.

Efficacy and safety of posaconazole and liposomal amphotericin B use for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in a paediatric and young adult haemato-oncological population.

The prevention of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is crucial for paediatric haemato-oncological patients. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and side-effects of posaconazole and liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) as primary prophylaxis. This cohort study included patients aged 3 months to 21 years who received posaconazole or L-AmB (5 mg/kg twice weekly) as prophylaxis from January 2017 to March 2022 at the Hemato-oncological Pediatric Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy. Outcomes included adverse events and IFI diagnoses after the start of prophylaxis. Separate analyses were performed for patients with ALL and non-ALL diagnoses, and high-risk and low-risk groups. Cumulative incidence was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, with significant differences assessed using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox regression. Fifty-one patients received posaconazole, and 37 received L-AmB. Adverse events occurred in 26% of L-AmB patients and 5.6% of posaconazole patients. IFI breakthrough events were similar in both groups (four events each). In ALL patients, 41% experienced adverse events with L-AmB, compared to 5% with posaconazole. After 1 year, the probability of adverse events was lower in the posaconazole group (54% versus 65%, P < 0.001). Overall, posaconazole was associated with a 91% lower risk of adverse events (HR: 0.07, P < 0.001). Among high-risk patients, IFI breakthrough rates were similar between groups (P = 0.964). Posaconazole was associated with fewer adverse events than L-AmB, and both drugs showed similar efficacy in preventing IFI breakthroughs, making posaconazole a viable alternative for primary prophylaxis.

The Impacts of Substance Use and Depression on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use and Adherence Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults in the Keeping it LITE Cohort.

Substance use and depression are prevalent in sexual and gender minorities (SGM), but evidence about their impacts on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is mixed. We assessed these impacts in a US-based cohort of 3,330 young SGM who tested negative for HIV and completed baseline and semiannual assessments on substance use (cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin), depression, and PrEP use and adherence. We estimated prevalence differences (PDs) to compare baseline and 12-month PrEP use and adherence between participants with and without substance use and depression, separately and jointly. At baseline, 8% of participants reported substance use and depression, 7% reported substance use only, 38% reported depression only, and 47% reported neither. PrEP use was reported by 22%, with 78% reporting prior-day adherence. Compared to participants without depression or substance use, participants with substance use alone were more likely to report PrEP use at baseline (PD = 18.9; 95% CI: 7.6, 30.2) and 12 months (PD = 15.9, 95% CI: 5.1, 26.7), without adherence differences. Depression alone was associated with lower baseline PrEP use (PD=-3.6, 95% CI: -6.7, -0.4) and adherence (PD=-10.0, 95% CI: -18.4, -1.6), but associations attenuated over 12 months. Those with both substance use and depression (vs. neither) reported higher baseline PrEP use (PD = 6.5, 95% CI: -0.6, 13.5) and lower adherence (PD=-12.9, 95% CI: -26.2, 0.5), with associations weakening over 12 months. Substance use and depression had opposing relationships with PrEP use and adherence. In addition to its mental health benefits, depression treatment may improve PrEP uptake and adherence in young SGM.

Utilization of Anal Cytology Screening among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations in Pennsylvania.

Despite the risk of anal cancer in sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, anal cancer screening remains infrequent and inconsistent in these populations. The objective of this analysis was to identify factors associated with anal cancer screenings among SGM populations using the Andersen's behavioral model of health services use. Secondary analyses of two cross-sectional surveys from the 2020 (N = 1,125) and 2022 (N = 630) Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlates of anal cytology screening. Average age was 37.7 (SD = 13.3) and 39.7 (SD = 13.6) in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Approximately 16% to 18% reported living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A minority of respondents reported past year screening (14.0%, 2020 and 13.6%, 2022). Enabling and need-based factors consistently associated with screening included sexually transmitted infection treatment, living with HIV, preexposure prophylaxis use, and multiple sex partners. Robust factors associated with ever being screened were age and living with HIV. Anal cytology screening is being done in Pennsylvania at a small but not insignificant rate. In accordance with existing guidelines, SGM populations living with HIV were most likely to be screened, but still at a low rate. Predictive factors associated with screening in this study can inform future interventions to implement guideline-specific anal cancer prevention. Factors that reflect consistent connection to healthcare are associated with increased rates of screening via anal cytology testing, indicating there are opportunities to implement anal cancer screening as part of a larger, more comprehensive SGM-focused care pathway.

Achieving the state of Georgia 25% HIV incidence reduction target among men who have sex with men in Atlanta through expanded use of multimodal pre-exposure prophylaxis: A mathematical model

Achieving the state of Georgia 25% HIV incidence reduction target among men who have sex with men in Atlanta through expanded use of multimodal pre-exposure prophylaxis: A mathematical model

Experiences with Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Service Delivery and Use Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Routine Primary Care Settings, South Africa.

In South Africa, oral PrEP was included in national guidelines as part of a combination HIV prevention package for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in 2017. Understanding their experiences of accessing and using PrEP is necessary to evaluate and improve PrEP service delivery approaches. This descriptive study explored AGYW's knowledge and understanding of PrEP, their experiences and influences on PrEP access and use in real world settings in South Africa. We conducted 44 in-depth interviews with female PrEP users (15-24 years) enrolled in Project PrEP. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis using thematic analysis procedures. Participants reported positive experiences and overall satisfaction with accessing health services (i.e., youth-friendly clinic spaces, friendly and non-judgemental staff, privacy during consultations). Distance from the clinic, long queues, negative provider attitudes, and occasional stock-outs were key health service barriers to accessing PrEP. Individual motivating factors to continued PrEP use included creating daily pilltaking routines and the goal to remain HIV negative, while barriers included pill fatigue, frequent clinic visits, and side-effects. Positive relationships with partners and family facilitated disclosure of PrEP use, while stigma was identified as a community barrier to accessing PrEP services. Our study highlights AGYWs' experiences with PrEP access and use in a real-world setting. Facilitators and barriers identified in this study can be leveraged to strengthen efforts to support young women and ensure effective PrEP use. The findings also contribute to the development of appropriate service delivery.

The prevalence of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) use and HIV-PrEP-to-need ratio in nine Canadian provinces, 2018-2021.

Measuring trends in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) uptake is important to inform planning for prevention programs and policies. The HIV-PrEP-to-need ratio (PnR) is a construct used by public health organizations to explore disparities in the provision of HIV-PrEP across geographic areas and demographic categories (e.g., age, sex). This is a retrospective database review study using administrative pharmacy data, containing limited demographic information, from nine Canadian provinces. Annual estimates of persons taking HIV-PrEP and PnR were generated using data from the company IQVIA and the BC Centre for Excellence on HIV/AIDS. Data on new HIV diagnoses were obtained from the National HIV Surveillance System. The PnR was defined as the number of HIV-PrEP users divided by the number of new HIV diagnoses annually and is interpreted as the number of HIV-negative people using HIV-PrEP each year for every person newly diagnosed with HIV. In 2021, an estimated 23,644 individuals were prescribed HIV-PrEP, corresponding to an HIV-PrEP prevalence of 66.9 per 100,000 persons. This represents a 1.8-fold increase since 2018. The overall PnR was 16.8, meaning that for every person newly diagnosed with HIV, 17 HIV-negative individuals were taking HIV-PrEP. There were disparities between provinces (PnR range: 1.5/100,000-37.7/100,000) and between males and females (PnR 22.6 and 1.2, respectively). Females, individuals aged 0-19 years, and those in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island, had lower levels of HIV-PrEP use relative to epidemic need. In Canada, the use of HIV-PrEP increased from 2018 to 2021 and uptake varied by age, sex and province. HIV-PrEP-to-need ratio is a useful measure to assess uptake of HIV-PrEP as a prevention strategy and could be used to explore disparities in provision across provinces and available demographic categories. However, PnR could be improved with more information on key populations and other attributes, such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and residence of city/rural area.

HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Men Experiencing Incarceration in the United States: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective approach to preventing HIV acquisition and recommended for populations over-represented in carceral systems, given the overlap with populations disproportionately impacted by HIV. However, few studies have focused on PrEP initiation outcomes in a carceral setting to maximize public health impact. This study was conducted in a unified jail/prison system within the state of Rhode Island located in the United States. A prospective observational cohort of men initiating PrEP within a jail setting was enrolled in this trial. Men were referred by providers, staff, or after self-presenting for HIV preventive care, these individuals were offered enrollment in the study that involved evaluation for clinical PrEP eligibility, PrEP initiation while incarcerated, continuation upon community re-entry, and linkage to a community PrEP provider after release. A total of 100 men in the jail facility (eg, "intake") were enrolled in the cohort. Of the 100 men enrolled, 83% were determined to be PrEP eligible through standard clinical evaluation, 37% were prescribed PrEP, and 26% initiated PrEP while incarcerated. In total, 5% of enrolled individuals were linked successfully to PrEP care in the community. Our findings suggest preliminary feasibility and acceptability of initiating PrEP within a jail setting. There were significant challenges across the PrEP care continuum that can be used to inform future studies and practice.

Determinants of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among men who have sex with men (MSM) living in rural areas of the United States: A scoping review framed by the PrEP care continuum.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective intervention to prevent HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite its effectiveness, PrEP uptake and adherence among MSM in the United States remain suboptimal, particularly in rural areas. The present study presents a scoping review of the self-reported barriers and facilitators of PrEP use among MSM living in rural areas of the United States. Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines informed this review. Seven online databases were searched to identify papers published from 2012 to 2023 in English with keywords related the concepts of MSM, rural, and HIV PrEP. From an initial 340 articles, nine were selected. Awareness significantly impacts PrEP uptake in rural areas, with challenges including limited dissemination of information through mainstream channels and low perceived HIV risk among rural MSM. However, nonmainstream information sources can enhance PrEP awareness and use. Several barriers hinder rural residents from accessing PrEP, such as a lack of competent providers, geographic isolation, cost, and stigma. High PrEP care costs, lack of financial assistance for lab work, and limited telePrEP options are key challenges in retaining individuals in PrEP care. Suboptimal PrEP uptake in rural areas with high HIV burden remains a concern, hindered by limited information dissemination, low perceived HIV risk, geographic isolation, nonaffirming medical providers, and expensive PrEP care. Leveraging telePrEP, co-pay assistance, 340B drug pricing, and geospatial networking apps can enhance PrEP use. Multilevel interventions are crucial to combat the HIV epidemic in rural regions.

Factors driving decisions in the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a real-world study in the United States

Background: Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the United States (US) remains below target, despite reported high efficacy in prevention of HIV infection and being considered as a strategy for ending new HIV transmissions. Here, we sought to investigate drivers for PrEP use and barriers to increased uptake using real-world data. Methods: Data were drawn from the Adelphi PrEP Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of PrEP users and PrEP non-users at risk for HIV and their physicians in the US between August 2021 and March 2022. Physicians reported demographic data, clinical characteristics, and motivations for prescribing PrEP. PrEP users and non-users reported reasons for or against PrEP use, respectively. Bivariate analyses were performed to compare characteristics of users and non-users. Results: In total, 61 physicians reported data on 480 PrEP users and 121 non-users. Mean ± standard deviation of age of users and non-users was 35.3 ± 10.8 and 32.5 ± 10.8 years, respectively. Majority were male and men who have sex with men. Overall, 90.0% of users were taking PrEP daily and reported fear of contracting HIV (79.0%) and having at-risk behaviors as the main drivers of PrEP usage. About half of non-users (49.0%) were reported by physicians as choosing not to start PrEP due to not wanting long-term medication. PrEP stigma was a concern for both users (50.0%) and non-users (65.0%). More than half felt that remembering to take PrEP (57.0%) and the required level of monitoring (63.0%) were burdensome. Conclusions: Almost half of people at risk for HIV were not taking PrEP due to not wanting long-term daily medication and about half of current PrEP users were not completely adherent. The most common reason for suboptimal adherence was forgetting to take medication. This study highlighted drivers for PrEP uptake from physician, PrEP user, and non-user perspectives as well as the attributes needed in PrEP products to aid increased PrEP uptake.

Guideline Concordant Extended Pharmacologic Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Utilization After Colorectal Cancer Resection Is Low Regardless of Patient Factors or Hospital Characteristics.

Venous thromboembolism after colorectal cancer resection is common and highly morbid. Extended pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after cancer surgery lowers venous thromboembolism risk and is recommended by major professional societies. Adherence is low in contemporary local and regional studies. Assess patient and hospital factors associated with receipt of prophylaxis after colorectal cancer surgery in a national data set. Retrospective cohort study. Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results Medicare dataset. Patients over age 64 undergoing resection for colorectal cancer between 2016 and 2017. Primary outcome was receipt of prophylaxis within 7 days of discharge. Patient and hospital factors associated with receiving prophylaxis were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Secondary outcomes included 30- and 90-day venous thromboembolism. Of 23,527 patients, 4.7% received prophylaxis. Utilization increased from 2016 to 2017 (3.9% vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001). Patients treated at National Cancer Institute designated hospitals received prophylaxis more frequently than teaching, non-National Cancer Institute hospitals and non-teaching, non-National Cancer Institute hospitals (10.2% vs. 5.6% vs. 1.7%; p < 0.001). Patients receiving care at larger hospitals by bed size quartile were more likely to receive prophylaxis compared to those at smaller hospitals (9.0% vs. 4.0% vs. 3.4% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.01). On multivariable regression, National Cancer Institute status, larger bed size, White race (compared to other), rectal tumor location and more recent year of treatment were independently associated with prophylaxis utilization. Venous thromboembolism events at 30- and 90-days were 1.87% and 2.63%, respectively. Prophylaxis was associated with decreased 30-day venous thromboembolism (1.26% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.1211). Retrospective, large database study. Utilization of prophylaxis after colorectal cancer surgery remains limited even in large, specialized hospitals. Further work is needed to understand this departure from guideline concordant care. See Video Abstract.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in fracture below the knee with and without chemical thromboprophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Low rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been found in patients with isolated orthopaedic trauma below the knee. Many surgeons routinely provide chemical thromboprophylaxis in these injuries, however. This is not without inherent risks, and this remains a controversial topic in perioperative care in orthopaedic trauma. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to look at rates of VTE in patients with isolated orthopaedic fractures below the knee, grouped by whether they received chemical prophylaxis versus no chemical prophylaxis. A systematic review was performed comparing VTE with and without chemical thromboprophylaxis following isolated orthopaedic fracture below the knee. A chi-square analysis was then performed on data including patients who received chemical prophylaxis versus those who did not from all 25 included articles. The articles were grouped according to type of study, such as observational versus randomized controlled trial (RCT), and then further subdivided according to surgical intervention status, and whether routine screening for thromboembolism was utilized to diagnose. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the ROBINS-I criteria for cohort studies and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized controlled trials. A random effects pooled logistic regression and Fisher's exact tests were then performed. 222,188 patients were found from 25 articles. Chemical prophylaxis was given to 8,666 patients, and VTE was reported in 347 cases (4.0%). 213,522 patients did not receive chemical prophylaxis, and VTE was reported in 2,185 (1.02%) (χ2 (1, n = 222,188) = 656.8, p < .00001). Pooled logistic regression revealed that patients receiving prophylaxis were 0.5 times less likely to develop VTE. With a calculated population baseline risk of 1.5% for developing VTE, the number needed to treat (NNT) with chemical prophylaxis is 134 to prevent 1 VTE after fracture below the knee. In patients with isolated orthopaedic trauma below the knee, indiscriminate use of chemical VTE prophylaxis is not recommended due to the lack of significant benefit and high NNT. Level III.

Uptake of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Medicare Beneficiaries - United States, 2014-2021.

Previous studies have estimated preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among persons with commercial health insurance and Medicaid. However, data are lacking regarding PrEP use among those with Medicare. Using a previously developed algorithm, we estimated the number of Medicare beneficiaries (MBs) with fee-for-service (FFS) claims who were prescribed PrEP from 2014 to 2021. The analysis was stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. We also examined trends in PrEP prevalence by U.S. state and demographic characteristics during 2014-2021. The number of Medicare PrEP users increased 11-fold, from 388 in 2014 to 4,685 in 2021. MBs prescribed PrEP were predominantly younger men, White persons, residing in the South or West regions, living with a disability, and dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The prevalence of PrEP prescriptions among MBs increased 12-fold, from 9.7 per million in 2014 to to 120.0 per million in 2021. Black/African American persons had the highest prevalence of PrEP use, followed by Hispanic/Latino and White persons in 2021. The District of Columbia had the highest prevalence of PrEP use compared with other U.S. states in 2021. Significant increasing trends in PrEP use were observed across sex, age groups, and race/ethnicity. Disparities in PrEP uptake existed across MB demographic subgroups from 2014 to 2021. Public health interventions are needed to increase PrEP access and utilization, particularly among women, younger MBs, Black persons, and Hispanic persons, including those with Medicare. Strategies and policies to expand PrEP use are essential for optimal HIV prevention in the United States.

The impact of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on appropriate use of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BackgroundSurgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is an effective infection prevention strategy used to reduce postoperative surgical site infection. Inappropriate use of SAP is a concern in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) due to increased mortality risks, adverse reactions, re-admission rates and length of hospital stay. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) have been shown to be effective in improving the appropriate use of antibiotics including the use of SAP. The aim of this review was to evaluate the impact of ASP on the appropriate use of SAP and its implication on patient outcomes in LMICs.MethodThe protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO. Studies published between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2023 were searched electronically from Medline, Central Cochrane Library, web of science, CINAHL and APA PsychInfo databases. Studies were included if they assessed the impact of ASP interventions on SAP use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Studies were evaluated using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies–of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for non-randomized and before and after studies as well as the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) tool for randomized studies. Findings were summarized in tables.ResultsTwenty studies comprising of seventeen before-after studies, two interrupted time series, and one randomized controlled trial were included. Penicillins and cephalosporins were the most commonly used antibiotics for SAP. Most (50%) of the studies were conducted in Asia followed by Africa (45%). While 80% of the studies showed the impact of ASP on compliance to SAP guidelines, only 45% showed an impact on antibiotic utilization. Again, 50% and 60% showed an impact on reducing antibiotic costs and patient length of stay at hospitals respectively. Patient outcomes including rates of surgical site infections and mortality showed no significant change. The studies showed a high risk of bias mainly due to the choice of study designs.ConclusionASP interventions in LMICs are effective in improving SAP guideline adherence, antibiotic utilization and their cost. Deliberate effort must be made to improve on the quality of future interventional studies in these settings to guide practice and encourage other LMICs to conduct such studies to assess the influence of different geographical contexts on SAP use.

Comparative Analysis of Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis or Failure Initially Fused to Upper Versus Lower Thoracic Spine.

Background: Patients with proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) or failure (PJF) may demonstrate disparate outcomes and recovery when fused to the upper (UT) versus lower (LT) thoracic spine. Few studies have distinguished the reoperation and recovery abilities of patients with PJK or PJF when fused to the upper (UT) versus lower (LT) thoracic spine. Methods: Adult spine deformity patients ≥ 18 yrs with preoperative and 5-year (5Y) data fused to the sacrum/pelvis were included. The rates of PJK, PJK revision, and radiographic PJF were compared between patients with upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) in the upper thoracic spine (UT; T1-T7) and lower thoracic spine (LT; T8-L1). Mean differences were assessed via analyses of covariance, factoring in any differences between cohorts at baseline and any use of PJF prophylaxis. Backstep logistic regressions assessed predictors of achieving Smith et al.'s Best Clinical Outcomes (BCOs) and complications, controlling for similar covariates. Results: A total of 232 ASD patients were included (64.2 ± 10.2 years, 78% female); 36.3% were UT and 63.7% were LT. Postoperatively, the rates of PJK for UT were lower than LT at 1Y (34.6 vs. 50.4%, p = 0.024), 2Y (29.5 vs. 49.6% (p = 0.003), and 5Y (48.7 vs. 62.8%, p = 0.048), with comparable rates of PJF. In total, 4.0% of UT patients underwent subsequent reoperation, compared to 13.0% of LT patients (p = 0.025). A total of 6.0% of patients had recurrent PJK, and 3.9% had recurrent PJF (both p > 0.05). After reoperation, UT patients reported higher rates of improvement in the minimum clinically important difference for ODI by 2Y (p = 0.007) and last follow-up (p < 0.001). While adjusted regression revealed that, for UT patients, the minimization of construct extension was predictive of achieving BCOs by last follow-up (model p < 0.001), no such relationship was identified in LT patients. Conclusions: Patients initially fused to the lower thoracic spine demonstrate an increased incidence of PJK and lower rates of disability improvement, but are at a lessened risk of neurologic complications if reoperation is required.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in oral implant surgery in Germany: a cross-sectional study

PurposeProphylactic antibiotics are used in dental implants to reduce infection risk and implant failure, especially benefiting patients with risk factors. However, evidence suggests that using clindamycin or extending antibiotics postoperatively has an unfavorable risk–benefit ratio.MethodsThis national cross-sectional study analyzed antibiotic prophylaxis during implant insertion across Germany. Dentists from the German Society for Oral Implantology (DGOI) provided demographic information and data on the next 10 consecutive implant patients, including age, sex, risk factors, type of implantation, and antibiotic details.Results103 dentists participated, providing data on 1040 patients. Most dentists were male and aged 30–64. Patients were evenly split between genders, with an average age of 51 years. Antibiotics were administered in 87.6% of all cases, more frequently for patients undergoing bone augmentation (OR 7.01, p < 0.0001), immediate (OR 3.11, p = 0.002) or delayed (OR 5.30, p < 0.0001) implant insertion, and those with cardiovascular disease (OR 3.24, p = 0.009). 74.8% of implantologists tended to use antibiotic prophylaxis routinely, while the remaining implantologists decided on a case-by-case basis. Implantologists primarily used aminopenicillins for 63.8% of prescriptions and clindamycin for the remaining 35.6%. Additionally, 78.8% of patients with prophylaxis received postoperative, multi-day treatments.ConclusionsThe study reveals extensive antibiotic use for perioperative prophylaxis in implant surgery, often not justified by current recommendations, particularly concerning the choice of antibiotic (e.g., clindamycin) and duration (e.g., postoperative use). Specialized clinical guidelines and targeted training for dentists on antibiotic prophylaxis are needed.Graphical

Adaptation of antibiotics and antifungal strategy to preoperative biliary drainage to improve postoperative outcomes after pancreatic head resection.

Biliary contamination significantly correlates with major comorbidities during pancreatic head resection. Recently, a piperacillin-tazobactam prophylaxis demonstrated a lower rate of infectious complications (IC) and postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in this population. However, bacterial contamination is rare in patients without a preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) and probably could not benefit from this antibiotic. Furthermore, little is known about the role of biliary fungal contamination. All retrospective cases undergoing pancreatic head resection with intraoperative biliary sample were included. Postoperative outcomes of patients with a piperacillin-tazobactam-based treatment were compared to cases in which a narrow-spectrum antibiotic was administrated, stratified according to the use of a PBD. The same analysis was repeated for antifungal treatment administration. Among the 205 cases included, PBD was necessary in 127 patients (62%). Broad-spectrum treatment was associated with fewer overall and clinically relevant POPF (p=0.001 and p=0.004), overall morbidity (p=0.044), and overall IC (p=0.018), but only in the PBD group. Similarly, antifungal treatment was significantly associated with some specific IC only in the PBD group. At multivariable analysis, antifungal therapy in the whole cohort (p=0.029) and the use of a piperacillin-tazobactam (p=0.007) treatment in patients with a PBD were independently associated with a reduced risk of a clinically relevant POPF. A broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy reduces overall morbidity after pancreatic head resection, but only in cases with a history of PBD. Furthermore, the use of an antifungal prophylaxis or therapy should be further investigated in these patients because it may reduce the risk of some IC.

Invasive Fungal Disease in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in China: A Multicenter Epidemiological Study (CAESAR 2.0).

This study (China Assessment of Antifungal Therapy in Hematological Diseases, CAESAR 2.0) aimed to provide updated epidemiological data on invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This multicenter, real-world, observational study was conducted at 12 allo-HSCT centers in China between January 2021 and December 2021. Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent allo-HSCT with antifungal prophylaxis were included. IFD was diagnosed according to the 2019 criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG). Follow-up was completed by December 31, 2022. A total of 2015 patients were collected. mold-active antifungal prophylaxis was used in 76.08% of patients, which included mainly voriconazole (44.37%) and posaconazole (31.71%). The cumulative incidence of IFD (proven and probable) at 1 year after allo-HSCT was 6.3%. Pathogens were identified in 47.97% of IFD cases and mainly included Candida spp. (17.89%), Mucorales (13.01%), Aspergillus spp. (8.94%), and Pneumocystis jirovecii (6.5%). Multivariate analysis identified the following factors associated with IFD: disease at advanced stage (hazard ratio [HR]= 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58-4.12 P<0.001), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) engraftment (≤28 days) (HR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.15-0.92 P=0.032), platelet (PLT) engraftment (≤28 days) (HR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.27-0.62 P<0.001) and acute graft-versus-host disease grade III-IV (HR=2.97; 95% CI: 1.97-4.49 P<0.001). The IFD-attributable mortality rate was 48.28%. Despite the widespread use of mold-active prophylaxis, the risk of IFD after allo-HSCT remains high. The most common pathogens are Candida spp., Mucorales, Aspergillus spp., and Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Perspectives on the Use of Echinocandins in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population, especially low birth weight and critically ill neonates, is at risk of invasive Candida infections, which are associated with high mortality rates and unfavorable long-term outcomes. The timely initiation of an appropriate antifungal treatment has been demonstrated to enhance the prognosis. Factors that should be considered in the choice of an antifungal agent include the causative Candida strain, the presence and location of deep tissue infection, any previous use of antifungal prophylaxis, and the presence of implanted devices. Amphotericin B and fluconazole, the first-line drugs for neonatal candidiasis, are not always suitable due to several limitations in terms of efficacy and adverse effects. Therefore, alternative antifungals have been studied and used in neonates when conventional antifungals are ineffective or contraindicated. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the current literature regarding the use of echinocandins in the neonatal population. The three echinocandins, micafungin, caspofungin, and anidulafungin, share characteristics that make them useful for the treatment of neonatal candidiasis, including activity against a wide range of Candida strains and Candida biofilms and a favorable safety profile.