Systemic antibiotics for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in outpatients with non-hospitalised exacerbations of pre-existing lung diseases: a randomised clinical trial.

Background: The effect of dual systemic antibiotic therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with pre-existing lung disease is unknown. To assess whether dual systemic antibiotics against P. aeruginosa in outpatients with COPD, non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis, or asthma can improve outcomes.

Risk of heart failure among individuals tested for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies, and serum Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seropositive individuals; a nationwide population-based, registry-based matched cohort study.

Background: Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) sensu lato complex. Previous studies have suggested an association between Lyme borreliosis and heart failure, which have been suggested to be a possible manifestation of Lyme carditis. We aimed to investigate the risk of heart failure among individuals tested for serum Bb antibodies, and serum Bb seropositive individuals.

Inhaled corticosteroids and in outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, ICS are associated with an increased risk of adverse effects.We aimed to determine whether an association between a lower respiratory tract culture with and increasing ICS dosing in patients with COPD exists.

Risk of cardiac conduction disorders, and pacemaker implantations among individuals tested for serum Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, a nationwide, matched, population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the short- and long-term risks of atrioventricular block and other cardiac conduction disorders associated with being tested for Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) antibodies or Bb seropositivity as measures of confounding by indication and Bb infection, respectively.

Methods: We performed a nationwide population-based matched cohort study (Denmark, 1993-2021). We included 52 200 Bb-seropositive individuals (stratified as only Bb-IgM-seropositive [n = 26 103], only Bb-IgG-seropositive [n = 18 698], and Bb-IgM-and-IgG-seropositive [n = 7399]) and two age- and sex-matched comparison cohorts: 104 400 Bb-seronegative individuals and 261 000 population controls.

Characteristics and long-term prognosis of Danish residents with a positive intrathecal antibody index test for herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus compared with individuals with a positive cerebrospinal fluid PCR: a nationwide cohort study.

Objectives: We compared characteristics and outcomes of individuals who in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-intrathecal antibody index test ([AI]-positive) vs. individuals who were PCR-positive for HSV type 1 (HSV1), type 2 (HSV2), and for VZV.

Methods: Nationwide cohort study of all Danish residents with positive CSF-AI or -PCR for HSV or VZV (1995-2021).

Emulating a Target Trial of Shorter Compared to Longer Course of Antibiotic Therapy for Gram-Negative Bacteremia.

Background: Despite the availability of antimicrobial therapies, gram-negative bacteremia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality on a global level. Recent randomized controlled trials support shorter antibiotic treatment duration for individuals with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia. The target trial framework using the cloning approach utilizes real-world data but eliminates the issue of immortal time bias seen in observational studies by emulating the analysis of randomized trials with full adherence.

Risk of haematologic cancers among individuals tested for Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, and Borrelia burgdorferi seropositive individuals: a nationwide population-based matched cohort study.

Objectives: In a nationwide, matched cohort study, we aimed to investigate risks of haematologic cancers among individuals tested for Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) antibodies, and among serum Bb seropositive individuals.

Methods: We identified all Bb seropositive individuals in Denmark (1993-2020) (n = 52 200) and constructed two age- and sex-matched comparison cohorts: (a) Bb seronegative controls (n = 104 400) and (b) background population controls (n = 261 000). We calculated short-term OR (aOR) (<1 month of study inclusion), and long-term hazard ratios (aHR) (>1 month after study inclusion) adjusted for age and sex.

Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of lower respiratory tract infection with in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. is one of the most common bacterial causes of infectious exacerbation in COPD. Currently, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated if ICS increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infection with in patients with COPD.

Targeted AntiBiotics for Chronic pulmonary diseases (TARGET ABC): can targeted antibiotic therapy improve the prognosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and asthma? A multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is seen in chronic pulmonary disease and is associated with exacerbations and poor long-term prognosis. However, evidence-based guidelines for the management and treatment of P. aeruginosa infection in chronic, non-cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease are lacking.

The diagnostic value of serum Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies and seroconversion after Lyme neuroborreliosis, a nationwide observational study.

Objectives: Clinical guidelines disagree on the diagnostic usefulness of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) serum antibodies (serum-Bb) in investigation of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). We investigated the association between serum-Bb and Bb intrathecal antibody index (Bb-AI) and rates of seroconversion and seroreversion after LNB.

Methods: Danish residents who had a Bb-AI and corresponding serum-Bb measured between 1994 and 2020 were identified at all Danish departments of clinical microbiology.

Comparable Effectiveness of Cefuroxime and Piperacillin-Tazobactam as Empirical Therapy for Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

Our objective was to examine whether empirical antimicrobial therapy (EAT) against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (MS-SAB) with piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP), cefuroxime or combination therapy with one of these was differentially associated with 7-, 30-, and 90- day all-cause mortality or MS-SAB relapse. A multicenter retrospective cohort study of adults with MS-SAB from 2009 through 2018 was used, and 7-, 30-, 90-day mortality and relapse within 90 days were assessed and expressed as hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Matching of the two monotherapy groups was performed using propensity score matching.

Use of inhaled corticosteroids and risk of acquiring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly used to treat COPD and are associated with increased risk of pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess if accumulated use of ICS is associated with a dose-dependent risk of a positive airway culture with in patients with COPD.

Methods: We conducted a multiregional epidemiological cohort study including Danish COPD patients followed in outpatient clinics during 2010-2017.

Enterovirus Meningitis in Adults: A Prospective Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that enterovirus meningitis (EM) is a frequent and self-limiting condition, the epidemiology of EM in adults was examined.

Methods: Using a prospective, nationwide, population-based database, all adults with EM confirmed by PCR of the CSF from 2015 to 2019 were included. Unfavorable outcome was defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale scores of 1-4 at discharge.

Comparable Outcomes of Short-Course and Prolonged-Course Therapy in Selected Cases of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Pooled Cohort Study.

Background: The recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is a minimum of 14 days. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients receiving short-course (SC; 6-10 days), or prolonged-course (PC; 11-16 days) antibiotic therapy for low-risk methicillin-susceptible SAB (MS-SAB).

Methods: Adults with MS-SAB in 1995-2018 were included from 3 independent retrospective cohorts.

Characteristics of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at Hvidovre Hospital, March-April 2020.

Introduction: The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 occurred in Denmark on 27 February 2020. On 10 March, the first case of COVID-19 pneumonia was admitted to Hvidovre Hospital.

Methods: Retrospective case review of individuals 18 years or older who were admitted consecutively to Hvidovre Hospital from 10 March through 23 April 2020.

Antibiotic resistance patterns of Escherichia coli in migrants vs non-migrants: a study of 14 561 urine samples.

Background: To investigate the distribution of urine isolates and antibiotic resistance patterns in the predominant uropathogen Escherichia coli in migrant and non-migrant individuals.

Methods: We linked a cohort consisting of all migrants obtaining residence as refugees or family-reunited migrants in Denmark between January 1993 and December 2015 to hospital urine samples examined from January 2000 to December 2015 at the Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Hvidovre, Denmark. Samples from non-migrant individuals, Danish-born from Danish parents, were included as comparison.

Emergence of a vancomycin-variable Enterococcus faecium ST1421 strain containing a deletion in vanX.

Background: Primary screening for VRE with PCR directed against vanA allowed identification of vanA+ samples from which VRE could not be isolated when selective culture methods were used. From such a sample a vancomycin-susceptible, vanA+ Enterococcus faecium, Efm-V1511, was isolated, when vancomycin selection was not used during culture. Similar isolates with variable susceptibility to vancomycin were obtained in the following months.

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate as a marker to differentiate between community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis/encephalitis in adults: a Danish prospective observational cohort study.

Background: The ability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate to distinguish between acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) and aseptic meningitis/encephalitis (AME) is debated. We assessed the diagnostic value of CSF lactate to discriminate between ABM and AME.

Methods: We included 176 patients from a prospective adult cohort with neuroinfections.

National Automated Surveillance of Hospital-Acquired Bacteremia in Denmark Using a Computer Algorithm.

BACKGROUND In 2015, Denmark launched an automated surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections, the Hospital-Acquired Infections Database (HAIBA). OBJECTIVE To describe the algorithm used in HAIBA, to determine its concordance with point prevalence surveys (PPSs), and to present trends for hospital-acquired bacteremia SETTING Private and public hospitals in Denmark METHODS A hospital-acquired bacteremia case was defined as at least 1 positive blood culture with at least 1 pathogen (bacterium or fungus) taken between 48 hours after admission and 48 hours after discharge, using the Danish Microbiology Database and the Danish National Patient Registry. PPSs performed in 2012 and 2013 were used for comparison.

Impact of appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment on recurrence and mortality in patients with bacteraemia: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Data on the impact of empirical antibiotic treatment (EAT) on patient outcome in a population-based setting are sparse. We assessed the association between EAT and the risk of recurrence within one year, short-term- (2-30 days) and long-term (31-365 days) mortality in a Danish cohort of bacteraemia patients.

Methods: A cohort study including all patients hospitalized with incident bacteraemia during 2007-2008 in the Copenhagen City and County areas and the North Denmark Region.

Risk Factors of Endocarditis in Patients With Enterococcus faecalis Bacteremia: External Validation of the NOVA Score.

Background: The NOVA score is a recently developed diagnostic tool used to identify patients with increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE) among patients with Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia. We aimed to validate the NOVA score and to identify risk factors for IE.

Methods: From 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2013, we included 647 consecutive patients with E.

Seasonal Variation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae Bacteremia According to Acquisition and Patient Characteristics: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE Seasonal variation is a characteristic of many infectious diseases, but relatively little is known about determinants thereof. We studied the impact of place of acquisition and patient characteristics on seasonal variation of bacteremia caused by the 3 most common pathogens. DESIGN Seasonal variation analysis.