Listeria monocytogenes Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients: Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors. A Multinational Retrospective Case-Control Study from the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Listeriosis is rare after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Little is known about listeriosis in this population. In this retrospective international case-control study, we evaluated 41 listeriosis episodes occurring between 2000 and 2021 in HCT recipients (111 transplant centers in 30 countries) and assessed risk factors for listeriosis by comparisons with matched controls.

Characteristics of endovascular pneumococcal infections; a decade of nationwide surveillance study.

In order to characterize pneumococcal endovascular infection in the post-vaccination era, a retrospective nationwide study based on the Israeli Adult IPD database was conducted. Between 2010 and 2019, 0.6% (23 cases) of IPD cases were of endovascular type, occurring mainly in males (72.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a patient with neuro pulmonary nocardiosis following hematopoietic cells transplantation (HCT).

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is increasingly reported in various HIV negative patients with immunosuppression, but the relationship with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is not well defined. We report a case of IRIS in a patient infected with pulmonary and CNS Nocardiosis following HCT due to primary myelofibrosis.

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Multiple Myeloma patients: A sizeable diagnosis in the era of novel anti-myeloma therapies.

Background: Advances in treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) patients entail a high risk for opportunistic infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).

Objectives: This study was conducted to describe the patient's profile, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and outcome of MM patients with IPA, in our large haemato-oncology centre.

Patients/methods: We retrospectively analysed patients with MM who underwent Broncho alveolar lavage for pneumonia at Rambam Hospital during a 13-year period from July 2005 to February 2018.

Clinical Spectrum, Diagnosis and Outcome of Rare Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Experience of 15-Year Period from a Single Tertiary Medical Center.

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients carry a high risk of rare (non-Aspergillus molds and non-Candida yeasts) invasive fungal infections (IFI).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated and described the patient profile, clinical manifestations, isolated species, treatment and outcome of patients with hematological malignancies diagnosed with these rare IFIs during 15 years in a large single hemato-oncology center.

Results: Eighty-seven patients with hematological malignancies treated in our center had at least one positive culture or molecular identification of a rare fungus.

Diagnostic role of polymerase chain reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients - A retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic role of PCR detection of Aspergillus DNA in the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a large cohort of patients suspected to have invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).

Methods: Consecutive immunocompromised patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL sampling and PCR detection of Aspergillus DNA for the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates were included in the study. Galactomannan (GM) antigen testing in BAL and serum and BAL fungal culture were also performed.

Baseline Chest Computed Tomography for Early Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Hemato-oncological Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has dire consequences in hemato-oncological patients. We report our experience with performing routine baseline chest computed tomography for early diagnosis of IPA. We found high rates of proven or probable IPA diagnosed on admission among patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Effect and Safety of Meropenem-Vaborbactam versus Best-Available Therapy in Patients with Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections: The TANGO II Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Treatment options for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are limited and CRE infections remain associated with high clinical failure and mortality rates, particularly in vulnerable patient populations. A Phase 3, multinational, open-label, randomized controlled trial (TANGO II) was conducted from 2014 to 2017 to evaluate the efficacy/safety of meropenem-vaborbactam monotherapy versus best available therapy (BAT) for CRE.

Methods: A total of 77 patients with confirmed/suspected CRE infection (bacteremia, hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, complicated intra-abdominal infection, complicated urinary tract infection/acute pyelonephritis) were randomized, and 47 with confirmed CRE infection formed the primary analysis population (microbiologic-CRE-modified intent-to-treat, mCRE-MITT).

Severe cytomegalovirus enterocolitis developing following daratumumab exposure in three patients with multiple myeloma.

Objectives: The risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with bortezomib-based induction regimens is increased following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). There is paucity of data regarding the risk of CMV infections in MM patients who did not receive bortezomib and ASCT.

Methods: We herein report three cases of heavily pretreated MM patients, receiving daratumumab-containing combination regimens, in whom ASCT had been performed long ago and who recently developed severe CMV-related gastrointestinal disease.

Isavuconazole for treatment of rare invasive fungal diseases.

Data regarding treatment of rare invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are scarce. We documented the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of uncommonly diagnosed IFDs. VITAL was a single-arm, international, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole (200 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours for 48 hours, then once daily).

Isavuconazole for treatment of invasive fungal diseases caused by more than one fungal species.

The optimal approach to treat invasive fungal disease (IFD) caused by more than one fungal species is unknown. We documented the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of IFDs caused by more than one fungal species. VITAL was a single-arm, international, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole (200 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours for 48 hours, then once daily) for treatment of rare IFDs.

Community-acquired respiratory infections are common in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Available data suggest that respiratory infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized due to acute leukemia and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). However, the precise incidence, risk factors, and severity of respiratory infection, mainly community-acquired, in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) are not fully determined. The current study aimed to investigate risk factors for respiratory infections and their clinical significance in patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM) in the first year of diagnosis.

[REDUCTION OF ANTIBIOTIC CONSUMPTION IN RAMBAM HEALTH CARE CAMPUS - THE ROLE OF AN ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM].

Introduction: Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are designed to optimize antibiotic use in hospitals. Antibiotic consumption is one of the measures assessing the effects of ASPs.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of an ASP on antibiotic consumption in our hospital and compare it to hospitals in Israel and worldwide.

Does molecular analysis increase the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in hemato-oncological patients?

Objectives: The identification of the specific pathogen responsible for a respiratory infection in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) would ensure relevant treatment and prevent toxicity associated with anti-infective therapy. This large-scale study aimed to explore the clinical impact of fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (FOB-BAL) in conjunction with molecular analysis on the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in hemato-oncological patients.

Methods: All consecutive patients with HM and pulmonary infiltrates, who underwent FOB-BAL between January 2008 and January 2013, were included in the analysis.

Campylobacter bacteraemia: 16 years of experience in a single centre.

Background: Campylobacter bacteraemia (CB) is rare and usually occurs in immune-compromised patients. In this study we examined the incidence and epidemiology of CB in one institution over 15.5 years.

Isavuconazole treatment for mucormycosis: a single-arm open-label trial and case-control analysis.

Background: Mucormycosis is an uncommon invasive fungal disease with high mortality and few treatment options. Isavuconazole is a triazole active in vitro and in animal models against moulds of the order Mucorales. We assessed the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of mucormycosis and compared its efficacy with amphotericin B in a matched case-control analysis.

Polymicrobial pulmonary infection in patients with hematological malignancies: prevalence, co-pathogens, course and outcome.

Purpose: The frequency and clinical significance of polymicrobial pneumonia in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to describe the prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with HM and polymicrobial pneumonia.

Methods: Over a 5 year period, 436 consecutive adult patients with HM and pulmonary infiltrates underwent diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage.

Isavuconazole versus voriconazole for primary treatment of invasive mould disease caused by Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi (SECURE): a phase 3, randomised-controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Isavuconazole is a novel triazole with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. The SECURE trial assessed efficacy and safety of isavuconazole versus voriconazole in patients with invasive mould disease.

Methods: This was a phase 3, double-blind, global multicentre, comparative-group study.

Mortality burden related to infection with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria among haematological cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) pose a clinical challenge. We attempted to estimate the mortality burden of CRGNB among haematological cancer patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Early impact of PCV7/PCV13 sequential introduction to the national pediatric immunization plan, on adult invasive pneumococcal disease: A nationwide surveillance study.

Background: PCV7 was introduced as a universal childhood vaccination in Israel on July 2009 and was gradually replaced by PCV13 from November 2010. We report data on adult invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), two years post PCV13 implementation.

Methods: An ongoing nationwide active surveillance (all 27 laboratories performing blood/CSF cultures nationwide), initiated in 2009, providing all blood/CSF Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from persons ≥18 years.

Association between viral load of varicella zoster virus in cerebrospinal fluid and the clinical course of central nervous system infection.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) like other alphaherpes viruses stays latent after its primary infection. During its reactivation, it can infect the central nervous system (CNS) causing a variety of clinical presentations. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of VZV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), it is now recognized in some series as the most common causative agent of viral CNS infection.

Eradication of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae gastrointestinal colonization with nonabsorbable oral antibiotic treatment: A prospective controlled trial.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are emerging. In attempt to eradicate CRE colonization, we conducted a semirandomized, prospective, controlled trial using oral nonabsorbable antibiotics.

Methods: Consecutive hospitalized CRE carriers were studied.

Group G streptococcal endocarditis-associated hemophagocytic syndrome.

We report the case of a 28-year-old previously healthy male who presented with a 1-week history of fever, headache, vomiting, and jaundice. Blood cultures were positive for group G streptococci and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated vegetations on the aortic valve, leading to a definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis. The combination of fever, splenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated ferritin level, low natural killer (NK) cell activity, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow aspirate confirmed the diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis).