Publications by authors named "Ching-Lung Lo"

A fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies conserved genes across diverse species, combined with the subsequent hybridization of amplicons using a specific oligonucleotide microarray, allowing for the rapid detection of pathogens at the species level. However, the performance of microarrays in diagnosing invasive mold infections (IMI) from infected tissue samples is rarely reported. During the 4-year study period, all biopsied tissue samples from patients with a suspected IMI sent for microarray assays were analyzed.

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Background: As limited antibiotic options are available for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infections (BSIs), the optimal treatment duration for CRKP BSIs is unclear. Our objective was to investigate whether short courses (6-10 days) are as effective as prolonged courses (≥11 days) of active antibiotic therapy for CRKP BSIs.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study comprising adults with monomicrobial CRKP BSI receiving a short or prolonged course of in vitro active therapy at a medical center was conducted between 2010 and 2021.

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Background: Candidemia is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of a diagnostic intervention and antifungal stewardship in adults with candidemia, including effectiveness in facilitating appropriate antifungals and improving patient outcomes.

Methods: A pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of the integrated workflow of rapid species identification and antifungal stewardship intervention provided by infectious disease specialists for adults with candidemia at a medical center in southern Taiwan from March 1st, 2014 to February 29th, 2016.

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Background: This study aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of MVC-COV1901, a recombinant COVID-19 protein vaccine, containing S-2P protein adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and aluminum hydroxide, for people living with HIV (PWH).

Methods: A total of 57 PWH of ≥20 years of age who are on stable antiretroviral therapy were compared with 882 HIV-negative participants. Participants received two doses of MVC-COV1901 28 days apart.

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The incidence of COVID-19-associated candidiasis (CAC) is increasing, resulting in a grave outcome among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The most alarming condition is the increasing incidence of multi-drug resistant Candida auris infections among patients with COVID-19 worldwide. The therapeutic strategy towards CAC caused by common Candida species, such as Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata, is similar to the pre-pandemic era.

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Background: Integration of antimicrobial stewardship intervention (ASI) with rapid organism identification has the potential for early customization of antimicrobial therapy and improved clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this combined approach on antimicrobial therapy-related outcomes in patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Materials And Methods: A pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of ASI with organism identification via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) among patients with BSIs.

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Antimicrobial drug resistance is one of the major threats to global health. It has made common infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat, and leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Infection rates due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are increasing globally.

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This prospective study aimed to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of different species. Clinical isolates of species between 2016 to 2018 were collected in a university hospital in southern Taiwan. The species was determined by or sequencing.

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Backgrounds: Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) are emerging worldwide. The optimal treatment for CRKP infections is challenging for clinicians because therapeutic agents are greatly limited.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study of CRKP monomicrobial bacteremia was conducted at a medical center between 2010 and 2016.

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The application of cefepime breakpoint for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bacteraemia has not been explored. Adult cases of monomicrobial bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by cefepime-susceptible [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤8 mg/L] K. pneumoniae isolates with carbapenem resistance between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed.

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Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) has been in a global pandemic currently and relating symptoms were reported variously around the world. We reported a previously healthy man of COVID-19 presenting with anosmia as the obvious symptom with relevant radiological findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

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A 46-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with 2-day fever and cough at seven days after returning from Macau. COVID-19 and pneumonia was diagnosed based on the positive real-time RT-PCR tests for oropharyngeal swab samples and the presence of anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG starting from the illness day 11 and post-exposure 18-21 days.

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Background/purpose: For extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae infections, carbapenems are recommended as first line therapy, and clinical data on the therapeutic efficacy of fluoroquinolones (FQs) is limited. This study compares the efficacy of FQs and carbapenems for bloodstream infections caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2010, adults with ESBL-producing E.

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