Fludrocortisone Plus Hydrocortisone Versus Hydrocortisone Alone as Adjunctive Therapy in Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Trials evaluating hydrocortisone (HC) for septic shock are conflicting with all finding decreased time to shock reversal but few with mortality difference. Those with improved mortality included fludrocortisone (FC), but it is unknown if FC affected the outcome or is coincidental as there are no comparative data.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of FC + HC versus HC alone as adjunctive therapy in septic shock.

Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis Based on Corticosteroid Duration in Intensive Care Patients.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a potential complication in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Corticosteroids are standard of care for hospitalized COVID-19 patients but carry an increased risk of secondary infections including CAPA. The objective of this study was to evaluate if duration of corticosteroid therapy ≤10 days versus >10 days affects the risk of developing CAPA.

An Updated Review of Clostridium difficile Treatment in Pediatrics.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to have clinical and economic impact across all health care settings. Pediatrics accounts for a small percentage of worldwide infection; however, screening and diagnosis are confounded by asymptomatic colonization in young infants. Metronidazole and oral vancomycin have historically been the agents used to manage CDI in both pediatrics and adults.

Rituximab for Treatment of Refractory Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in a Pediatric Patient.

Anti--methyl d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a devastating disease that is increasingly being identified in both children and adults with psychosis, language disturbances, behavioral changes, and motor deficits. Currently no consensus guidelines exist for the optimal management of patients with this disease, although intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy is often considered first-line pharmacotherapy. We present a case of an otherwise healthy 4 year-old-child who presented with seizures, loss of age-appropriate language skills, and behavioral changes, in whom anti-NMDAR was subsequently diagnosed.

Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Diabetic Foot Infections in a Large Academic Hospital: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Introduction: Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States. Antimicrobials active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are recommended in patients with associated risk factors; however, limited data exist to support these recommendations. Due to the changing epidemiology of MRSA, and the consequences of unnecessary antibiotic therapy, guidance regarding the necessity of empirical MRSA coverage in DFIs is needed.

Monotherapy with minocycline or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections.

Objectives: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative bacillus intermittently isolated from hospitalized patients. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is considered the treatment of choice for S. maltophilia infections, though limited by toxicities.

Retrospective cohort study evaluating the incidence of diabetic foot infections among hospitalized adults with diabetes in the United States from 1996-2010.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has increased over the last 2 decades; however, the national incidence of diabetic foot infections (DFIs) in the United States is unknown. We sought to determine national trends in DFIs among hospitalized adults in the United States over 15 years.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of the U.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia and endocarditis treated with cefazolin and rifampin.

Purpose: This case report describes the treatment of a rare infection caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis with cefazolin and rifampin.

Summary: A 48-year-old man with significant comorbidities was admitted to our institution with complaints of malaise, shortness of breath, and vague persistent pain. He was diagnosed with S.

Simeprevir and sofosbuvir for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Purpose: Chronic hepatitis C infection affects a large proportion of the world's population and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The standard of care for treatment of hepatitis C infection has been peginterferon and ribavirin, with or without a first-generation protease inhibitor. In late 2013 and early 2014, sofosbuvir and simeprevir obtained regulatory approval, offering the first possibility for all-oral treatment regimens.

Safety and tolerability of high-dose weekly liposomal amphotericin B antifungal prophylaxis.

Children with hematologic malignancies are at an increased risk of invasive fungal infections and a greater risk has been seen with exposure to building construction. Prophylaxis with high-dose (IV) liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) 10 mg/kg once weekly was initiated in our high risk children based on previous pharmacokinetic studies. This treatment regimen was associated with a 26% incidence of adverse infusion reactions.

Retrospective analysis of resected primary colorectal cancer revealed no correlation between node harvest and node involvement.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between lymph nodes harvest (LNH) and lymph nodes involvement (LNI).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was done from January 2002 - August 2008 (6.5 years).

A multicenter study of the pharmacokinetics of lisinopril in pediatric patients with hypertension.

The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of lisinopril were obtained in 46 children aged 6 months to 15 years. A lisinopril suspension (0.15 mg/kg per day) was administered to patients <6 years of age; the remaining children received lisinopril tablets, the daily dose being adjusted according to body weight, i.