Noroviral diarrhea in solid organ transplant recipients: An analysis of interventions and outcomes.

Introduction: Noroviral infection can lead to chronic diarrhea in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with significant morbidity and mortality. Existing literature has described a wide spectrum of illness and has not come to a consensus on the optimal management of this condition.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of all adult SOT recipients between 1/1/2018 and 12/31/2020 who were diagnosed with their first episode of noroviral diarrhea (NVD).

A consensus conference to define the utility of advanced infectious disease diagnostics in solid organ transplant recipients.

The last decade has seen an explosion of advanced assays for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, yet evidence-based recommendations to inform their optimal use in the care of transplant recipients are lacking. A consensus conference sponsored by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) was convened on December 7, 2021, to define the utility of novel infectious disease diagnostics in organ transplant recipients. The conference represented a collaborative effort by experts in transplant infectious diseases, diagnostic stewardship, and clinical microbiology from centers across North America to evaluate current uses, unmet needs, and future directions for assays in 5 categories including (1) multiplex molecular assays, (2) rapid antimicrobial resistance detection methods, (3) pathogen-specific T-cell reactivity assays, (4) next-generation sequencing assays, and (5) mass spectrometry-based assays.

A strategy for prevention of fungal infections in lung transplantation: Role of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan and fungal culture.

Background: The optimal strategy for prevention of invasive fungal infections in lung transplant recipients remains undetermined. We studied strategies based on bronchoalveolar lavage fungal culture and galactomannan for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients.

Methods: Consecutive lung transplant recipients were evaluated during the period January 2010 to September 2014.

Pentraxin 3 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of lung transplant recipients with invasive aspergillosis.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis is the most common invasive fungal infection in lung transplant recipients. The use of galactomannan testing in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid has improved diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis; however, false-positive results can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. The use of proinflammatory markers such as pentraxin 3 (PTX3) may help differentiate between Aspergillus colonization and disease.

(1,3) β-D-Glucan in Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Lung Transplant Recipients for the Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

(1,3) β-D-Glucan (BDG) is present in the cell wall of most fungi. Its detection in serum has been useful in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, assaying for BDG did not perform well in the serum of lung transplant recipients.

Trichosporon loubieri Fungemia in a 39-Year-Old Caucasian Woman With B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

We report a case of Trichosporon loubieri (T. loubieri) fungemia with likely liver involvement in a 39-year-old Caucasian patient with relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. This is the fifth published case of T.

Surveillance of patients identified with fungal mold at a public academic medical center.

Background: This study describes the epidemiology of patients with fungal mold infection or colonization at a large academic medical center during a period of ongoing construction of a new hospital building.

Methods: This is an observational retrospective cohort study performed at a public academic hospital. We performed focused medical record review of all patients with fungal mold isolated on microbiologic culture over a 3-year period from May 2009 through April 2012.

Anti-Aspergillus Prophylaxis in Lung Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aspergillus is the most common cause of invasive fungal infection in lung transplant recipients. Most transplant centers employ routine antifungal prophylaxis to prevent the development of invasive aspergillosis (IA). We identified 22 studies from the literature to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis, in order to assess the development of IA and Aspergillus colonization with and without antifungal prophylaxis.

Interpretation of positive molecular tests of common viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Many central nervous system infections are historically difficult to diagnose. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the diagnosis of these infections because of their high sensitivity despite the lack of data on clinical usefulness. We conducted a retrospective study that included patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PCR for herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, JC virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) between January 2009 and December 2011.

Mold infections in lung transplant recipients.

Fungal infections continue to produce morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients despite the widespread use of antifungal prophylaxis. There has been a decline in Candida infections but Aspergillus species predominate. Other mold pathogens including Fusarium, Scedosporium, and Zygomycetes also cause infections in lung transplant recipients.

Antimicrobial stewardship at transition of care from hospital to community.

Mandatory infectious disease consultation for parenteral antimicrobials at hospital discharge resulted in avoiding postdischarge parenteral antimicrobials in 28% of patients. No emergency department visit or rehospitalization within 30 days for these patients was a consequence of parenteral antimicrobial avoidance. Antimicrobial stewardship at transition of care is effective in reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use.

Contribution of infectious disease consultation toward the care of inpatients being considered for community-based parenteral anti-infective therapy.

Background: In the acute care setting in a multidisciplinary healthcare environment, the contribution of infectious disease (ID) specialists to overall patient care is difficult to measure. This study attempts to quantify the contribution of ID specialists when consulted for an activity specific to ID practice, community-based parenteral anti-infective therapy (CoPAT).

Methods: In February 2010, an electronic form for requesting ID consultations was introduced in the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system at the Cleveland Clinic.

Heart Disease in Patients with HIV/AIDS-An Emerging Clinical Problem.

HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immuno deficiency syndrome) is a growing global problem, in terms of its incidence and mortality. Patients with HIV/AIDS are living much longer with HAART (Highly active antiretroviral therapy) therapy so much so that HIV/AIDS has now become a part of the chronic disease burden, like hypertension and diabetes. Patients with HIV/AIDS and symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical practice; Cardiologists are more frequently encountering this problem.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis following acute kidney injury and exposure to gadolinium.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a scleroderma-like systemic fibrosing condition of unknown etiology described in patients with renal insufficiency. Gadolinium exposure has been strongly associated with the development of NSF though the mechanism of such injury is not known. There are only few reported cases of NSF in the setting of acute renal failure and fewer reported cases where skin lesions developed after kidney function had returned to normal.