Cryptococcal pneumonia and meningitis in a renal transplant recipient with a false negative serum cryptococcal antigen due to postzone phenomenon.

Cryptococcal infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. We present a patient who was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis and pulmonary disease in the setting of a history of renal transplantation. The diagnosis was made based on growth of in blood cultures and identification of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) using a lateral flow assay (LFA).

Patients' and Clinicians' Perceptions of Antibiotic Prescribing for Upper Respiratory Infections in the Acute Care Setting.

Reducing inappropriate prescribing is key to mitigating antibiotic resistance, particularly in acute care settings. Clinicians' prescribing decisions are influenced by their judgments and actual or perceived patient expectations. Fuzzy trace theory predicts that patients and clinicians base such decisions on categorical gist representations that reflect the bottom-line understanding of information about antibiotics.

A retrospective cross-sectional study of patients treated in US EDs and ambulatory care clinics with sexually transmitted infections from 2001 to 2010.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonly seen in the ambulatory health care settings such as emergency departments (EDs) and outpatient clinics. Our objective was to assess trends over time in the incidence and demographics of STIs seen in the ED and outpatient clinics compared with office-based clinics using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Methods: This study was conducted using 10 years of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data (2001-2010).

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Treatment of Patients Tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea After a Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction Test Versus Standard of Care Testing.

Background: We tested the effect of a rapid molecular test for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)/Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) diagnosis on clinical emergency department decision making compared with standard care. The new test presents an opportunity to improve antibiotic management and patient outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 70 consenting patients 18 years or older presenting to an urban emergency department with sexually transmitted infections complaints (vaginal/penile discharge, dysuria, vaginal/penile itching/pain, dyspareunia).

Treatment Failure Outcomes for Emergency Department Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are commonly evaluated in the emergency department (ED). Our objectives were to identify predictors of SSTI treatment failure within one week post-discharge in patients with cutaneous abscesses, as well as to identify predictors of recurrence within three months in that proportion of participants.

Methods: This was a sub-analysis of a parent study, conducted at two EDs, evaluating a new, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for Staphylococcus aureus in ED patients.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Use of Rapid Molecular Testing for Staphylococcus aureus for Patients With Cutaneous Abscesses in the Emergency Department With Standard of Care.

Objective: To determine whether real-time availability of rapid molecular results of Staphylococcus aureus would impact emergency department clinician antimicrobial selection for adults with cutaneous abscesses.

Design: We performed a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing a rapid molecular test with standard of care culture-based testing. Follow-up telephone calls were made at between 2 and 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months after discharge.