Preventing Severe COVID-19 with Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab in Hematological Patients Treated with Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies: An International Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Despite the declining public health emergency status, COVID-19 still poses significant risks, especially for immunocompromised individuals. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tixagevimab-cilgavimab (T-C) prophylaxis in preventing severe COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) treated with anti-CD20 therapy during the early Omicron variant phase of the pandemic.

Methods: The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Respiratory Viruses (ESGREV) conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 15 centers from 5 countries.

Adverse obstetric outcomes in cases of meconium-stained amniotic fluid complicated with intrapartum fever.

Purpose: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) often signifies colonization of the amniotic sac by microorganisms. This study investigated additional adverse obstetric outcomes associated with MSAF in deliveries complicated by maternal intrapartum fever (IF).

Methods: This retrospective study included all singleton pregnancies from 2014 to 2020, with intrapartum maternal fever ≥ 38 °C during a trial of labor.

An international multicenter study comparing COVID-19 omicron outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies treated with obinutuzumab versus rituximab.

Objectives: Hematological malignancy (HM) patients treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are at higher risk for severe COVID-19. A previous single-center study showed worse outcomes in patients treated with obinutuzumab compared to rituximab. We examined this hypothesis in a large international multicenter cohort.

Correlates of protection for booster doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2.

Vaccination, especially with multiple doses, provides substantial population-level protection against COVID-19, but emerging variants of concern (VOC) and waning immunity represent significant risks at the individual level. Here we identify correlates of protection (COP) in a multicenter prospective study following 607 healthy individuals who received three doses of the Pfizer-BNT162b2 vaccine approximately six months prior to enrollment. We compared 242 individuals who received a fourth dose to 365 who did not.

Bayesian network modeling of patterns of antibiotic cross-resistance by bacterial sample source.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major healthcare burden, aggravated when it extends to multiple drugs. While cross-resistance is well-studied experimentally, it is not the case in clinical settings, and especially not while considering confounding. Here, we estimated patterns of cross-resistance from clinical samples, while controlling for multiple clinical confounders and stratifying by sample sources.

Prediction of ciprofloxacin resistance in hospitalized patients using machine learning.

Background: Ciprofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic that has lost efficiency due to extensive resistance. We developed machine learning (ML) models that predict the probability of ciprofloxacin resistance in hospitalized patients.

Methods: Data were collected from electronic records of hospitalized patients with positive bacterial cultures, during 2016-2019.

Preventing nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs) by implementing hospitalwide, department-level, self-investigations: A NBSIs frontline ownership intervention.

Background: Nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs) are adverse complications of hospitalization. Most interventions focus on intensive care units. Data on interventions involving patients' personal care providers in hospitalwide settings are limited.

The development and validation of screening tools for semi-automated surveillance of surgical site infection following various surgeries.

Background: Surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) is essential for better prevention. We developed a screening method for SSIs in adults.

Methods: The training dataset included data from patients who underwent orthopedic surgeries ( = 1,090), colorectal surgeries ( = 817), and abdominal hysterectomies ( = 523) during 2015-2018.

The time-varying association between previous antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate how the time elapsed from previous antibiotic use is associated with antibiotic resistance.

Methods: Data comprised electronic medical records of all patients in an Israeli hospital who had a positive bacterial culture from 2016 to 2019. These included susceptibility testing results and clinical and demographic data.

Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Israel: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Highly variable estimates of COVID-19-associated fungal diseases (IFDs) have been reported. We aimed to determine the incidence of clinically important fungal diseases in hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the first year of the pandemic. We performed a multicenter survey of IFDs among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in 13 hospitals in Israel between February 2020 and May 2021.

Hospitalized Patients With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 During the Omicron Wave in Israel: Benefits of a Fourth Vaccine Dose.

Background: Waning immunity and an increased incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Omicron outbreak led the Israeli Ministry of Health to recommend a fourth vaccine dose for high-risk individuals. In this study, we assessed its effect for hospitalized patients with severe breakthrough COVID-19.

Methods: In this multicenter cohort study of hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 in Israel, from 15 to 31 January 2022, cases were divided according to the number of vaccinations received.

Hospitalised patients with breakthrough COVID-19 following vaccination during two distinct waves in Israel, January to August 2021: a multicentre comparative cohort study.

BackgroundChanging patterns of vaccine breakthrough can clarify vaccine effectiveness.AimTo compare breakthrough infections during a SARS-CoV-2 Delta wave vs unvaccinated inpatients, and an earlier Alpha wave.MethodsIn an observational multicentre cohort study in Israel, hospitalised COVID-19 patients were divided into three cohorts: breakthrough infections in Comirnaty-vaccinated patients (VD; Jun-Aug 2021) and unvaccinated cases during the Delta wave (ND) and breakthrough infections during an earlier Alpha wave (VA; Jan-Apr 2021).

The Effect of Macrolides on Mortality in Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia: A Retrospective, Nationwide Cohort Study, Israel, 2009-2017.

Background: Previous cohort studies of pneumonia patients reported lower mortality with advanced macrolides. Our aim was to characterize antibiotic treatment patterns and assess the role of quinolones or macrolides in empirical therapy.

Materials: An historical cohort, 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2017, included, through active surveillance, all culture-confirmed bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) among adults in Israel.

Estimating the impact of cefuroxime versus cefazolin and amoxicillin/clavulanate use on future collateral resistance: a retrospective comparison.

Background: Quantitative estimates of collateral resistance induced by antibiotic use are scarce.

Objectives: To estimate the effects of treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate or cefazolin, compared with cefuroxime, on future resistance to ceftazidime among hospitalized patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with positive bacterial cultures hospitalized in an Israeli hospital during 2016-19 was conducted.

Microbiome Characterization of Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Association With Clinical Outcomes: Traditional Cultures Versus Molecular Sequencing Methods.

Background: Infected diabetic foot ulcers (IDFU) are a major complication of diabetes mellitus. These potentially limb-threatening ulcers are challenging to treat due to impaired wound healing characterizing diabetic patients and the complex microbial environment of these ulcers.

Aim: To analyze the microbiome of IDFU in association with clinical outcomes.

Community antibiotic prescriptions during COVID-19 era: a population-based cohort study among adults.

Objectives: This study investigated the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and antibiotic prescription ratios and the determinants of antibiotic prescription in the community.

Methods: The study was based on a retrospective population cohort of adults in a community setting. Antibiotic prescription ratios from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 (COVID-19 period) were compared to similar months in previous years.

Epidemiology and Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance among Treatment-Naïve Individuals in Israel, 2010-2018.

Despite the low prevalence of HIV-1 in Israel, continuous waves of immigration may have impacted the local epidemic. We characterized all people diagnosed with HIV-1 in Israel in 2010-2018. The demographics and clinical data of all individuals ( = 3639) newly diagnosed with HIV-1 were retrieved.

Early effectiveness of BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare personnel in six Israeli hospitals (CoVEHPI).

Background: Methodologically rigorous studies on Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection are critically needed to inform national and global policy on Covid-19 vaccine use. In Israel, healthcare personnel (HCP) were initially prioritized for Covid-19 vaccination, creating an ideal setting to evaluate early real-world VE in a closely monitored population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study among HCP in 6 hospitals to estimate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Long term dual antiretroviral therapy: A real life retrospective countrywide Israeli study.

Aim: Combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) traditionally consists of three antiretroviral medications, while two-drug regimens (2DR), historically used infrequently, recently been suggested to be non-inferior to three-drug regimens, is emerging as a potential treatment option and is currently a recommended option for treatment initiation in many guidelines.

Purpose: Characterize the indications and clinical efficacy of 2DR use at a real-life setting in a nation-wide survey.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Israeli patients treated by 2DR until July 2019, included demographic, immunologic, virologic, genotypic and biochemical/metabolic parameters at diagnosis, ART initiation, 2DR initiation and following 24, 48, 96 and 144 weeks of 2DR treatment.

Risk factors for surgical site infections following open versus laparoscopic colectomies: a cohort study.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Evaluating risk factors for SSIs among patients undergoing laparoscopic and open colorectal resections can aid in selecting appropriate candidates for each modality.

Methods: A cohort of all consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal resections during 2008-2017 in a single center was analyzed.

Nosocomial outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a highly vaccinated population, Israel, July 2021.

A nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infected 42 patients, staff and family members; 39 were fully vaccinated. The attack rate was 10.6% (16/151) among exposed staff and reached 23.

BNT162b2 vaccine breakthrough: clinical characteristics of 152 fully vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Israel.

Objectives: The mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have shown high effectiveness in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19, hospitalization, severe disease and death. Nevertheless, a minority of vaccinated individuals might become infected and experience significant morbidity. Characteristics of vaccine breakthrough infections have not been studied.

Validation of a semiautomated system for surveillance of surgical site infection after cesarean section.

Surveillance of surgical site infection after cesarean section is challenging due to the high volume of these surgeries. A manual chart review of women undergoing cesarean section between January and June 2017 (675 charts, 40 infections) was compared to charts identified via an algorithm (141 charts, 39 infections). The algorithm achieved 97.