Management, outcomes and predictors of mortality of Cryptococcus infection in patients without HIV: a multicentre study in 46 hospitals from Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Limited data exist regarding outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV with few studies having compared outcomes of Cryptococcus gattii, versus C. neoformans, infection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 46 Australian and New Zealand hospitals to determine the outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, and compared outcomes of C.

Current Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Cryptococcus Infection in Patients Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Multicenter Study in 46 Hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are increasingly recognized as being at risk for cryptococcosis. Knowledge of characteristics of cryptococcosis in these patients remains incomplete.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of cryptococcosis in 46 Australian and New Zealand hospitals to compare its frequency in patients with and without HIV and describe its characteristics in patients without HIV.

A vanA vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium ST80 outbreak resulting from a single importation event.

Background: A marked genotype shift among vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) from vanB to vanA in Australia between 2011 and 2015 is a well-known phenomenon. It is hypothesized that this was caused by multiple independent clones emerging simultaneously in different settings and/or regions.

Objectives: To gain insights into the circumstances surrounding the shift from vanB to vanA VREfm in one Australian hospital.

Risk factors for candidaemia: A prospective multi-centre case-control study.

Objectives: Candidaemia carries a mortality of up to 40% and may be related to increasing complexity of medical care. Here, we determined risk factors for the development of candidaemia.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multi-centre, case-control study over 12 months.

Infections in pregnancy.

Infections in pregnancy represent a challenging and often underappreciated area of concern for many specialists and general practitioners and can cause serious sequelae. Antenatal status should be highlighted on pathology request forms, as this serves to alert the laboratory of the need to store serum for an extended period. Prior antenatal specimens can be forwarded to other laboratories to enable testing in parallel with the more recent sample.

Viral exanthems.

Purpose Of Review: Determining the viral cause of a rash presents significant diagnostic challenges. We review contemporary literature on viral exanthems and suggest a structured approach to aid diagnosis.

Recent Findings: Strains responsible for, and the clinical presentation of, enteroviral infections have diverged from classic descriptions.