Analysis of Repeat Hepatitis C Viremia After Sustained Virologic Response in a Large Cohort of U.S. Veterans.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects >1% of the U.S. population, higher among U.

: Three-year Mortality Following Prescription of Multidrug Antibiotic Treatment for Pulmonary Disease in United States Medicare Beneficiaries With Bronchiectasis.

Background/aims: Although increased mortality has been reported among people with pulmonary disease (MAC-PD), data are limited on survival associated with various antibiotic regimens used to treat MAC-PD. We conducted a comparative analysis of 3-year mortality in Medicare beneficiaries with bronchiectasis using various MAC-PD regimens.

Methods: We included Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with bronchiectasis (01/2006-12/2014).

Infections Following Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty: A Single-Center Experience.

We describe the epidemiology and incidence of infections following gender-affirming vaginoplasty. Urinary tract and surgical site infections were the most common infections with incidences of 17.5% and 5.

Assessing associations between individual-level social determinants of health and COVID-19 hospitalizations: Investigating racial/ethnic disparities among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the U.S. National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C).

Background: Leveraging the National COVID-19 Cohort Collaborative (N3C), a nationally sampled electronic health records repository, we explored associations between individual-level social determinants of health (SDoH) and COVID-19-related hospitalizations among racialized minority people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH), who have been historically adversely affected by SDoH.

Methods: We retrospectively studied PWH and people without HIV (PWoH) using N3C data from January 2020 to November 2023. We evaluated SDoH variables across three domains in the Healthy People 2030 framework: (1) healthcare access, (2) economic stability, and (3) social cohesion with our primary outcome, COVID-19-related hospitalization.

: Comparison of Vancomycin and Daptomycin Health Care Utilization and Cost in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy.

Vancomycin and daptomycin are frequently used in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). We analyze health care utilization and cost to the health care system for vancomycin vs daptomycin in the outpatient setting and find that vancomycin results in significantly higher health care utilization and similar cost per course compared with daptomycin in OPAT.

Dalba Got Back? Use of Dalbavancin for the Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis.

Data evaluating dalbavancin use for vertebral osteomyelitis remain limited. In our retrospective cohort, 29 of 34 (85.3%) patients completed their dalbavancin course.

Success of the US Veterans Health Administration's Hepatitis C Virus Care Continuum in the Direct-acting Antiviral Era.

Background: Estimated hepatitis C prevalence within the Veterans Health Administration is higher than the general population and is a risk factor for advanced liver disease and subsequent complications. We describe the hepatitis C care continuum within the Veterans Health Administration 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2022.

Methods: We included individuals in Veterans Health Administration care 2021-2022 who were eligible for direct-acting antiviral treatment 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2022.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease in the Immunocompromised Host.

The immunocompromised host is at an increased risk for pulmonary and extrapulmonary NTM infections. Where data are available in these specific populations, increased mortality is observed with NTM disease. Prior to starting therapy for NTM disease, providers should ensure diagnostic criteria are met as treatment is long and often associated with significant side effects and toxicities.

Epidemiology of Mycobacterium abscessus.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are highly abundant in soil, dust, and water sources, making human-pathogen contact frequent and recurrent. NTM represents over 200 species/subspecies; some are considered strict or opportunistic pathogens. Mycobacterium abscessus, often regarded as one of the most antibiotic-resistant mycobacteria, is the second most frequent NTM pulmonary disease pathogen.

Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Omadacycline for the Treatment of Infections.

Background: is a virulent human pathogen. Treatment is complex and often poorly tolerated with suboptimal rates of eradication, highlighting the need for improved therapeutics. This study reports clinical experience with omadacycline for treatment of infections at five large nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease clinics across the United States to better understand long-term safety and tolerability.

Multidrug Resistance of From Outpatient Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in a Large United States Integrated Healthcare Organization.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause significant disease and economic burden. Uncomplicated UTIs (uUTIs) occur in otherwise healthy individuals without underlying structural abnormalities, with uropathogenic (UPEC) accounting for 80% of cases. With recent transitions in healthcare toward virtual visits, data on multidrug resistance (MDR) (resistant to ≥3 antibiotic classes) by care setting are needed to inform empiric treatment decision making.

Incidence and risk factors for clinically confirmed secondary bacterial infections in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: The true incidence and risk factors for secondary bacterial infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains poorly understood. Knowledge of risk factors for secondary infections in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is necessary to optimally guide selective use of empiric antimicrobial therapy.

Design: Single-center retrospective cohort study of symptomatic inpatients admitted for COVID-19 from April 15, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

Screening for co-infections in patients with substance use disorders and severe bacterial infections.

Background: Patients with substance use disorders admitted for severe bacterial infection are in a prime position to be screened for important co-infections. However, data suggest that standard screening for co-infections in this population during hospital admission can vary in frequency and type of testing.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients to evaluate screening for co-infections during admission, followed by a case-control analysis to determine factors associated with lack of any screening.

Description and outcomes of patients with substance use disorder with serious bacterial infections who had a multidisciplinary care conference.

Background: Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and severe bacterial infections requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy represent a significant challenge to providers due to complexity of care coordination required to ensure safe and effective treatment. Our institution developed a patient-centered multidisciplinary discharge planning conference, OPTIONS-DC, to address this challenge.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review to evaluates parameters between patients who received an OPTIONS-DC and those who did not.

The challenge of antibiotic selection in prosthetic joint infections due to Corynebacterium striatum: a case report.

Background: Corynebacterium striatum is a gram-positive facultative anaerobe found in the environment and human flora that has historically been considered a contaminant. More recently, Corynebacterium striatum has been implicated in human infections, including respiratory infections, endocarditis, and bone and joint infections, particularly those involving hardware or implanted devices.

Case Presentation: A 65-year-old man presented for washout of his left total knee arthroplasty following a revision 20 days prior.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Diagnosis and Therapy.

Patients with bronchiectasis are at high risk for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease and suspicion should be high in the setting of worsening respiratory symptoms and disease progression on imaging. Meeting the case definition for NTM disease does not equal a decision to treat; risk and benefits of therapy should be discussed with patients. When treatment is initiated, a multidrug regimen should be used and selected based on susceptibility testing from a reliable laboratory.

Persistent bacteremia and psoas abscess caused by a lethal toxin-deficient Paeniclostridiumsordellii.

We present a case of persistent bacteremia and psoas abscess from Paeniclostridium sordellii without severe symptoms or the classically associated toxic shock syndrome. Further laboratory evaluation demonstrated that the Paeniclostridium sordellii isolate lacked the lethal toxin gene and there was no cytotoxicity to exposed Vero cells.

Long-Term Safety of Rituximab (Risks of Viral and Opportunistic Infections).

Purpose Of Review: We reviewed the current data on infections associated with rituximab use published over the last 5 years.

Recent Findings: New literature was available on rates of serious infections, Hepatitis B reactivation and screening, and infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Rates of infection varied by study and population, however, higher risk of infection in patients with underlying rheumatologic diseases was seen in those who required a therapy switch, had a smoking history, and those undergoing retreatment who had a serious infection with their first course of therapy.

COVID-19 pandemic management and the rheumatology patient.

We discuss the evidence behind mask use, including evidence for homemade masks, social distancing, and the local coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) epidemics in countries that initially employed more limited public health interventions. Given the absence of data for specific interventions in the rheumatic disease population, we reviewed the evidence available for the general population. The risk of poor outcomes with COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases is a potential concern given the immunosuppression associated with these conditions and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy, as well as advancing age and many of the comorbidities present in such patients.

Long-Term Outcomes in a Population-based Cohort with Respiratory Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolation.

Rationale: The natural history of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) respiratory infection in the general population is poorly understood.

Objectives: To describe the long-term clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic outcomes of patients with respiratory NTM isolates.

Methods: We previously identified a population-based cohort of patients with respiratory NTM isolation during 2005-2006 and categorized patients as cases or noncases using the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America pulmonary NTM disease criteria at that time.

Disseminated Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in HIV-Infected Patients, Oregon, USA, 2007-2012.

We determined disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria incidence in the HIV-infected population of Oregon, USA, during 2007-2012 by using statewide laboratory surveillance. We identified 37 disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria cases among 7,349 patients with median annual incidence of 110/100,000 HIV person-years and the highest incidence in those with CD4 counts <50 cells/mm (5,300/100,000 person-years).

"Serious skin & soft tissue infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drugs: a nested case-control study".

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) drugs are very effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but may increase the risk of serious bacterial infections. We assessed the association between the risk of serious skin and soft tissue infections (SSSTI) and the use of these agents in rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA).

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study among rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 from 2000-2008.