Epidemiology and outcomes associated with enterococcal blood stream infection among liver and kidney transplant recipients.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) account for 18% of bacterial infections in the first year after solid organ transplantation (SOT). Enterococcus accounts for up to 20% of BSIs in this population, with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) posing a particular risk. This is a retrospective, case-control study of adult liver and kidney transplant recipients between 01/01/2016 and 06/30/2021 that characterizes the epidemiology and outcomes of enterococcal BSIs in liver and kidney transplantations at a single institution.

Single-Center Outcomes of Epstein-Barr Virus DNAemia in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Background: Immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation (SOT) increases the risk of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia, which may herald development of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Few studies have characterized the incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact of EBV DNAemia in adult SOT recipients (SOTR).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of adult (≥18 years) SOTR between 01 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 was conducted.

Urinary Tract Infections: Core Curriculum 2024.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most commonly encountered infections in clinical practice. Accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of UTIs will lead to better clinical care for many patients and limit unnecessary antibiotic use. Urinalysis and urine cultures are helpful tools in the diagnosis of UTIs; however, it is important to recognize their limitations.

Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab Decreases the Rate of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Tixagevimab/cilgavimab monoclonal antibodies were previously authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis for immunocompromised individuals. We aimed to determine if tixagevimab/cilgavimab could prevent breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in SOT recipients.

Co-infection with coronavirus disease 2019, previously undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus, pneumonia and cytomegalovirus pneumonitis, with possible immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Background: Case reports, case series and cohort studies have been published describing the clinical course and outcomes of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. However, the majority of the published work focuses on patients with well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Case Presentation: We present a case of a new diagnosis of HIV with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) made simultaneously to diagnosis of COVID-19, with co-infection with pneumonia (PJP) and possible cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis.

Casting a wider protective net: Anti-infective vaccine strategies for patients with hematologic malignancy and blood and marrow transplantation.

Patients who have hematologic malignancies are at high risk for infections but vaccinations may be effective prophylaxis. The increased infection risk derives from immune defects secondary to malignancy, the classic example being CLL, and chemotherapies and immunotherapy used to treat the malignancies. Therapy of hematologic malignancies is being revolutionized by introduction of novel targeted agents and immunomodulatory medications, improving the survival of patients.

Beyond the Superficial: Disseminated Infection in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Superficial dermatophyte infections are common in the general population and are readily treated with topical antifungals. Deeper invasion is rare, and dissemination to visceral organs is extremely uncommon. We describe a 66-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed disseminated infection while undergoing treatment for acute humoral rejection.

Systematic Hospital-Based Travel Screening to Assess Exposure to Zika Virus.

We queried hospital patients about international travel in the previous 30 days to assess potential importation of emerging infections. We used 12 months of deidentified data to analyze patient demographics, travel destinations, and diagnoses for exposure to Zika virus. Our approach could be used to analyze potential infectious disease exposures.

ACUTE MYOCARDITIS WITH CARDIOGENIC SHOCK AND MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE, FOLLOWED BY BILATERAL PANUVEITIS MASQUERADING AS ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS, DUE TO TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENT.

Purpose: To report a case of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient, who developed myocarditis with resulting cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure, followed by bilateral panuveitis masquerading as endogenous endophthalmitis.

Methods: Single case report with images.

Results: A 59-year-old man with a history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and associated scleromyxedema but otherwise immunocompetent was admitted to the intensive care unit for cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure due to presumed viral myocarditis.

Safe Living Following Solid Organ Transplantation.

Living safely after organ transplantation starts before transplant and continues after transplant. To minimize a solid organ transplant (SOT) recipient's risk for infection and risk for injury, it is important to plan for numerous potential exposures after transplant. These include potential exposure to others with viral or bacterial illness, potential exposure to food and water sources, participation in recreational activities, resuming sexual activity, living with pets, and opportunities for travel, especially internationally.

Safe Living Following Solid Organ Transplantation.

Living safely after organ transplantation starts before transplant and continues after transplant. To minimize a solid organ transplant (SOT) recipient's risk for infection and risk for injury, it is important to plan for numerous potential exposures after transplant. These include potential exposure to others with viral or bacterial illness, potential exposure to food and water sources, participation in recreational activities, resuming sexual activity, living with pets, and opportunities for travel, especially internationally.

Infectious Risks of Traveling Abroad.

A popular leisure activity, international travel can be associated with some infections. The most common travel-related illnesses appear to be gastrointestinal, dermatologic, respiratory, and systemic febrile syndromes. The pretravel medical consultation includes immunizations, malaria chemoprophylaxis, self-treatment for traveler's diarrhea, and advice on the prevention of a myriad of other infectious causes including dengue, chikungunya, rickettsiosis, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, and strongyloidiasis.

Legionella pneumophila infection presenting as headache, confusion and dysarthria in a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) positive patient: case report.

Background: Legionella pneumophila is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Central nervous system dysfunction is common, and diagnosis in the absence of pulmonary symptoms can be challenging. Here we describe an atypical clinical presentation of Legionella infection in a patient with HIV who was found to have an unusual neuroradiologic lesion that further served to obscure the diagnosis.

Human monoclonal antibody HCV1 effectively prevents and treats HCV infection in chimpanzees.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver transplantation and there is an urgent need to develop therapies to reduce rates of HCV infection of transplanted livers. Approved therapeutics for HCV are poorly tolerated and are of limited efficacy in this patient population. Human monoclonal antibody HCV1 recognizes a highly-conserved linear epitope of the HCV E2 envelope glycoprotein (amino acids 412-423) and neutralizes a broad range of HCV genotypes.

Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine vectors expressing influenza A nucleoprotein: preclinical evaluation and oral inoculation of volunteers.

Listeria monocytogenes vectors have shown promise for delivery of viral and tumor antigens in animals. We used two mutant vector strains deleted for actA/plcB (BMB72) and actA/inlB (BMB54), and engineered both strains to secrete a heterologous nucleoprotein antigen from the Influenza A virus. Strains were evaluated in vitro and in mice.

Treatment with monoclonal antibodies against Clostridium difficile toxins.

Background: New therapies are needed to manage the increasing incidence, severity, and high rate of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of two neutralizing, fully human monoclonal antibodies against C. difficile toxins A (CDA1) and B (CDB1).