bacteraemia and infective endocarditis - what are we missing?

Introduction: is an increasingly common cause of infective endocarditis, with a recent study by Dahl demonstrating a prevalence of 26% of IE when transoesophageal echo was routinely undertaken. Another study undertaken by Østergaard found that 16.7% of patients with bacteraemia developed endocarditis.

An outbreak of associated with the consumption of raw liver at an Eid al-Adha celebration in Wales (UK), July 2021.

In July 2021, Public Health Wales received two notifications of salmonella gastroenteritis. Both cases has attended the same barbecue to celebrate Eid al-Adha, two days earlier. Additional cases attending the same barbecue were found and an outbreak investigation was initiated.

First large-scale study of antimicrobial susceptibility data, and genetic resistance determinants, in Fusobacterium necrophorum highlighting the importance of continuing focused susceptibility trend surveillance.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore antimicrobial resistance gene determinant, and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility, data for Fusobacterium necrophorum from a collection of UK strains. Antimicrobial resistance genes detected in publicly available assembled whole genome sequences were investigated for comparison.

Methods: Three hundred and eighty five F.

Alcohol-related brain damage: A mixed-method evaluation of an online awareness-raising programme for frontline care and support practitioners.

Introduction: Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is an umbrella term referring to the neurocognitive impairments caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol use and the associated nutritional deficiencies. This study evaluated the outcomes of an online research-informed training program for ARBD which aimed to improve client outcomes by promoting support staff's awareness and confidence in working with clients who may have (or who are at risk of developing) the condition.

Methods: Staff working within a large non-governmental non-profit housing organisation (n = 883) enrolled in the training program.

Comparative incidence of early and late bloodstream and respiratory tract co-infection in patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia versus Influenza A or B pneumonia versus no viral pneumonia: wales multicentre ICU cohort study.

Objective: The aim is to characterise early and late respiratory and bloodstream co-infection in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with SARS-CoV-2-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) needing respiratory support in seven ICUs within Wales, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We compare the rate of positivity of different secondary pathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity in three different patient groups: patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia, Influenza A or B pneumonia, and patients without viral pneumonia.

Design: Multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study with rapid microbiology data from Public Health Wales, sharing of clinical and demographic data from seven participating ICUs.

Defining usual physiotherapy care in ambulant children with cerebral palsy in the United Kingdom: A mixed methods consensus study.

Background: Ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) undertake physiotherapy to improve balance and walking. However, there are no relevant clinical guidelines to standardize usual physiotherapy care in the United Kingdom. A consensus process can be used to define usual physiotherapy care for children with CP.

UK Bacteroides species surveillance survey: Change in antimicrobial resistance over 16 years (2000-2016).

Objectives: To assess the differences in antimicrobial susceptibility of UK Bacteroides species across two distinct cohorts from 2000 to 2016.

Methods: Strain identification was performed using matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using agar dilution, following CLSI guidelines (CLSI, 2012; 2017).

Incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) related to antibiotic prescribing by GP surgeries in Wales.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) causing significant morbidity and mortality. Welsh CDI rates are high in comparison with those in England and Scotland.

Objectives: This retrospective ecological study used aggregated disease surveillance data to understand the impact of total and high-risk Welsh GP antibiotic prescribing on total and stratified inpatient/non-inpatient CDI incidence.

How I do it…. How infection doctors approach the PJI MDT.

The management of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) requires discussion between experts working towards the aims and expectations of the patient. Each discipline typically does not offer a single-minded approach, but instead collectively weighs up the strengths and weaknesses of different management options. At a basic level, the infection specialist provides antimicrobial solutions based on laboratory results.

A National Strategy to Diagnose Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Invasive Fungal Disease in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Fungal coinfection is a recognized complication of respiratory virus infections, increasing morbidity and mortality, but can be readily treated if diagnosed early. An increasing number of small studies describing aspergillosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe respiratory distress are being reported, but comprehensive data are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and impact of invasive fungal disease in adult COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory distress.

Ceftriaxone treatment of spondylodiscitis and other serious infections with Cutibacterium acnes.

Objectives: To establish testing and treatment recommendations for a ceftriaxone once-daily dose regimen for systemic infections with Cutibacterium acnes.

Methods: A review of the literature and a retrospective evaluation of patients diagnosed with C. acnes spondylodiscitis and treated with ceftriaxone were performed.

Oral versus intravenous antibiotics for bone and joint infections: the OVIVA non-inferiority RCT.

Background: Management of bone and joint infection commonly includes 4-6 weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, but there is little evidence to suggest that oral (PO) therapy results in worse outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether or not PO antibiotics are non-inferior to IV antibiotics in treating bone and joint infection.

Design: Parallel-group, randomised (1 : 1), open-label, non-inferiority trial.

Oral versus Intravenous Antibiotics for Bone and Joint Infection.

Background: The management of complex orthopedic infections usually includes a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotic agents. We investigated whether oral antibiotic therapy is noninferior to intravenous antibiotic therapy for this indication.

Methods: We enrolled adults who were being treated for bone or joint infection at 26 U.

Modelling the use of Wolbachia to control dengue fever transmission.

Experiments and field trials have shown that the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia may be introduced into populations of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for dengue fever. In the absence of Wolbachia, a mosquito acquiring the dengue virus from an infected human enters an exposed (infected but not infectious) period before becoming infectious itself. A Wolbachia-infected mosquito that acquires dengue (i) may have a reduced lifespan, so that it is less likely to survive the exposed period and become infectious, and (ii) may have a reduced ability to transmit dengue, even if it has survived the exposed period.