Publications by authors named "B R Westley"

We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify bacterial infections in culture-negative pleural fluid specimens from Alaska Native children hospitalized with empyema. PCR identified ≥1 organism in 11 (79%) of 14 specimens. Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 was detected in 6 specimens; all 6 participants had received 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

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Background: Borealpox virus (BRPV, formerly known as Alaskapox virus) is a zoonotic member of the Orthopoxvirus genus first identified in a person in 2015. In the six patients with infection previously observed BRPV involved mild, self-limiting illness. We report the first fatal BRPV infection in an immunosuppressed patient.

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Article Synopsis
  • Fungemia, a serious bloodstream infection, is frequently seen in critically ill patients and is linked to high mortality rates, particularly with nonalbicans Candida species.
  • The article discusses a case involving a patient who suffered from fungemia after cardiothoracic surgery.
  • The organism found in this case was initially misidentified as Candida inconspicua but was later identified as a novel species called Pichia alaskaensis.
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We retrospectively evaluated antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions over a 63-month period. We compared acceptance rates for those interventions communicated telephonically versus those communicated with a temporary note left in the electronic medical record. Telephonic communication produced superior acceptance rates overall and when analyzed by intervention type and provider.

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Purpose: A case of vancomycin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) interference confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described.

Summary: Therapeutic drug monitoring is standard of practice in vancomycin dosing and monitoring in order to maximize the pharmacodynamic effects and minimize toxicity. After a 52-year-old woman received 5 doses of vancomycin, serum concentrations continued to rise for several days in the absence of ongoing vancomycin administration.

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