High Rates of Bacterial Pulmonary Co-Infections and Superinfections Identified by Multiplex PCR among Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The role of bacterial co-infection and superinfection among critically ill COVID-19 patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the rates and characteristics of pulmonary infections, and associated outcomes of ventilated patients in our facility.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of ventilated COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and March 2021 that underwent BioFire, FilmArray Pneumonia Panel, testing.

High rate of bacterial respiratory tract co-infections upon admission amongst moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.

Background: The role of bacterial and viral co-infection in the current COVID-19 pandemic remains elusive. The aim of this study was to describe the rates and features of co-infection on admission of COVID-19 patients, based on molecular and routine laboratory methods.

Methods: A retrospective study of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients undergoing Biofire, FilmArray Pneumonia Panel, bioMérieux, and routine cultures during the first 3 days from admission, between June 2019 and March 2021.

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Israel, 2010-2019.

In a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective study of patients hospitalized with spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Israel during 2010-2019, we identified 42 cases, of which 36 were autochthonous. The most prevalent species was the Rickettsia conorii Israeli tick typhus strain (n = 33, 79%); infection with this species necessitated intensive care for 52% of patients and was associated with a 30% fatality rate. A history of tick bite was rare, found for only 5% of patients; eschar was found in 12%; and leukocytosis was more common than leukopenia.

Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of acute Q fever in a cohort of hospitalized patients in a regional hospital, Israel, 2012-2018.

Introduction: Acute Q fever is endemic in Israel, yet the clinical and laboratory picture is poorly defined.

Methods: A retrospective study reviewing the medical records of acute Q fever patients, conducted in a single hospital in the Sharon district, Israel. Serum samples from suspected cases were preliminary tested by a qualitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Clinical Isolates during 7.5 Years in One Regional Hospital in Israel.

Background: The clonal repertoire of community-associated Methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) strains appear to differ between hospitals and geographic locations. We aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of MRSA infections in our regional hospital in Israel.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of MRSA isolates from hospitalized patients, which underwent typing between 2012 and 2019.

Screening asymptomatic households for Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngeal carriage as a part of in-hospital investigation of puerperal sepsis.

Background: Invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection in the peripartum setting is a rare but devastating disease occasionally occurring as a health care-associated infection (HAI). Current guidelines suggest enhanced surveillance and streptococcal isolate storage after a single case of iGAS, as well as a full epidemiological investigation that includes screening health care workers (HCWs) from several sites after 2 cases. Current guidelines do not recommend routine screening of household members of a patient with iGAS.

Characteristics of hospitalized adult patients with laboratory documented Influenza A, B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus - A single center retrospective observational study.

Introduction: The epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of hospitalized adult patients with Influenza A (FluA), Influenza B (FluB) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) have not been thoroughly compared. The aim of this study was to describe the differences between these viruses during 3 winter seasons.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted consisting of all the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnoses of FluA, FluB and RSV among adults during 2015-2018, in one regional hospital.

Disseminated "Haemophilus quentini" infection in a patient with multiple myeloma - a case report and review of the literature.

We describe a case report of a 56-year-old male with undiagnosed multiple myeloma who had severe sepsis associated with pneumonia, meningitis, polyarthritis, and osteomyelitis related to invasive "Haemophilus quentini" infection. The genus was misidentified as H. influenzae by the common bacterial identification systems including newly introduced syndromic PCR-based methods.

Streptococcus pyogenes bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome related to Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: a case report.

Background: We describe a patient with Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with Streptococcus pyogenes and with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. To the best of our knowledge this association has not been previously described.

Case Presentation: A 78 year-old Israeli man, who was born in Iraq but lived in Israel for 66 years, presented with multi-organ failure including acute kidney and hepatic injury, coagulopathy, and lactic acidosis.

Case Report: Typhoid Fever and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis Presenting Concomitantly in an Indian Immigrant.

We present a rare case of an Indian immigrant suffering from concomitant infection of and spotted fever group . We discuss the scarce reports of dual infections from the developing world and the related diagnostic challenges.

Cryptococcosis as a cause of nephrotic syndrome? A case report and review of the literature.

We present a case of a 74 years old male with cutaneous cryptococcosis of the right forearm. var was cultivated from the skin and from the bloodstream. He was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) 21 months prior to admission, which was steroid-dependent.

Two Cases of Israeli Spotted Fever with Purpura Fulminans, Sharon District, Israel.

We report a series of 5 case-patients who had Israeli spotted fever, of whom 2 had purpura fulminans and died. Four case-patients were given a diagnosis on the basis of PCR of skin biopsy specimens 3-4 days after treatment with doxycycline; 1 case-patient was given a diagnosis on the basis of seroconversion. Rickettsia spp.

Long-term outcomes of inappropriate antibiotic therapy for upper urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of different antimicrobial treatment options for upper urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with a first episode of febrile UTI and positive urine culture with ESBL-producing E. coli or K.

A prospective survey of colonization and infection in the intensive care unit.

Background: (PA) surveillance may improve empiric antimicrobial therapy, since colonizing strains frequently cause infections. This colonization may be 'endogenous' or 'exogenous', and the source determines infection control measures. We prospectively investigated the sources of PA, the clinical impact of PA colonization upon admission and the dynamics of colonization at different body sites throughout the intensive care unit stay.

Water faucets as a source of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and colonization in neonatal and adult intensive care unit patients.

We investigated the occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in our neonatal and adult intensive care units. Using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction, we showed spatial and temporal associations with clonal identity between patients' and adjacent faucets' clones. Both units' taps were highly colonized with P aeruginosa and with other waterborne bacteria.