High prevalence of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance and factors associated with time to virological failure and viral suppression in Taiwan.

Background: Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI)-based regimens have become the major first-line treatment for HIV-1-infected patients in Taiwan. Transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and several clinical characteristics are associated with time to virological failure or viral suppression; however, these have not been investigated in Taiwan.

Objectives: To determine the impact of several factors on treatment outcomes in HIV-1-infected patients in Taiwan.

Risk factors of tuberculosis after liver transplant in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious opportunistic infection in liver transplant (LT) recipients with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to clarify the frequency and risk factors for tuberculosis in LT recipients.

Methods: A total of 884 LT recipients were investigated retrospectively at China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Effect of antiretroviral therapy use and adherence on the risk of hyperlipidemia among HIV-infected patients, in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era.

HIV-infected patients exposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART) have an increased risk for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. We performed a longitudinal, comprehensive, and population-based study to investigate the cumulative effect of different types of ART regimens on hyperlipidemia risk in the Taiwanese HIV/ART cohort. A total of 13,370 HIV-infected patients (2,674 hyperlipidemia and 10,696 non-hyperlipidemia patients) were recruited after matching for age, gender, and the first diagnosis date of HIV infection by using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of hematogenous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, 12-year experience from a tertiary hospital in central Taiwan.

Background: In Taiwan, studies about hematogenous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (HPVO) are limited. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical presentations, treatment, and outcomes of patients with the diagnosis of HPVO.

Method: This 12.

Clinical features, antifungal susceptibility, and outcome of Candida guilliermondii fungemia: An experience in a tertiary hospital in mid-Taiwan.

Backgrounds: Candida guilliermondii is rarely isolated from clinical specimen. C. guilliermondii fungemia is seldom reported in the literature.

Prompt Oseltamivir Therapy Reduces Medical Care and Mortality for Patients With Influenza Infection: An Asian Population Cohort Study.

There are limited population-based studies on the progress of oseltamivir therapy for influenza infection.Using insurance claims data of 2005, 2009, and 2010, the authors established an "in-time" cohort and a "lag-time" cohort representing influenza patients taking the medicine within and not within 1 week to examine the treatment progress. Incident outpatient visit, emergency care and hospitalization, and fatality were compared between the 2 cohorts in the first week and the second week of follow-up periods, after the oseltamivir therapy.

National surveillance on vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Taiwan: emergence and widespread of ST414 and a Tn1546-like element with simultaneous insertion of IS1251-like and IS1678.

Cases of bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VRE-fm) increased significantly in Taiwan. The present multicenter surveillance study was performed to reveal the associated epidemiological characteristics.

Management and outcome of adults with skin and soft tissue infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary hospital in central Taiwan.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been increasingly causing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Only limited studies have made comparisons between incision and drainage (I&D) alone and I&D with adjunctive antibiotic therapy for treatment effects, and most of the studies were conducted before the emergence of MRSA. This study was to evaluate whether antibiotics provide added benefit to I&D alone for purulent MRSA SSTIs.

Nosocomial neonatal legionellosis associated with water in infant formula, Taiwan.

We report 2 cases of neonatal Legionella infection associated with aspiration of contaminated water used in hospitals to make infant formula. The molecular profiles of Legionella strains isolated from samples from the infants and from water dispensers were indistinguishable. Our report highlights the need to consider nosocomial legionellosis among neonates who have respiratory symptoms.

Ring finger protein 39 genetic variants associate with HIV-1 plasma viral loads and its replication in cell culture.

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) exploits host proteins to complete its life cycle. Genome-wide siRNA approaches suggested that host proteins affect HIV-1 replication. However, the results barely overlapped.

Isolated tuberculous liver abscess in an immunocompetent adult patient: A case report and literature review.

Tuberculous liver abscess is a rare disease entity even in endemic areas of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is usually accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis or enteric tuberculosis. Further, an isolated tuberculous liver abscess is extremely rare.

Correlation of virulence genes to clinical manifestations and outcome in patients with Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis bacteremia.

Background/purpose: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is increasingly recognized as a human pathogen responsible for invasive infection and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The pathogen possesses virulence genes that resemble those found in Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS).

Variants in ZNRD1 gene predict HIV-1/AIDS disease progression in a Han Chinese population in Taiwan.

Patients demonstrate notable variations in disease progression following human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to identify ZNRD1 and RNF39 genetic variants linked to AIDS progression. We conducted a genetic association study in HIV-1-infected Han Chinese patients residing in Taiwan.

Echinocandins in invasive candidiasis.

We summarise a recent meeting, sponsored by Pfizer Inc., where experts in Asia shared their clinical experience in managing IC. The echinocandins have demonstrated good activity against non-albicans infections and also azole-resistant strains, both preclinically and in recent clinical trials.

Anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies in adults with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are associated with HLA-DRB1*16:02 and HLA-DQB1*05:02 and the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus infection.

Adult patients with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (dNTM) infections usually have severe immune system defects. Recently, several studies have shown that anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies may play an important role in the pathogenicity of dNTM infections. A considerable proportion of reported cases of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies show either clinical or laboratory evidence of autoimmune disease.

Intraventricular antimicrobial therapy in postneurosurgical Gram-negative bacillary meningitis or ventriculitis: a hospital-based retrospective study.

Background: Postneurosurgical Gram-negative bacillary meningitis (GNBM) or ventriculitis is a serious issue. Intraventricular (IVT) therapy has been applied; however, its effectiveness remains controversial, and the adverse drug effects are considerable.

Methods: The demographic data, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes of patients with postneurosurgical GNBM or ventriculitis were recorded.

Report of a 63-case series of Candida empyema thoracis: 9-year experience of two medical centers in central Taiwan.

Background: Candida empyema thoracis is a serious complication of invasive candidiasis with high mortality. However, the treatment for Candida empyema remains controversial. We conducted a 9-year retrospective study to analyze the treatments and factors associated with the mortality of patients with Candida empyema thoracis in two medical centers in central Taiwan.

Impact of revised CLSI breakpoints for susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems among Enterobacteriaceae isolates in the Asia-Pacific region: results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART), 2002-2010.

This study examined the rates of susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems among Enterobacteriaceae isolates that had been obtained from patients with intraabdominal infections in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART). Susceptibility profiles obtained using 2009 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints were compared with those obtained using the 2011 CLSI breakpoints. From 2002 to 2010, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae together accounted for more than 60% of the 13714 Enterobacteriaceae isolates analyzed during the study period.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Gram-negative bacteria causing urinary tract infections in the Asia-Pacific region: 2009-2010 results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART).

In 2009, the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) was expanded to include surveillance of Gram-negative pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the Asia-Pacific region. A total of 1762 isolates were collected from 38 centers in 11 countries from patients with UTIs in 2009 and 2010. In vitro susceptibilities were determined by the broth microdilution method and susceptibility profiles were determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) interpretive criteria, as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in 2010 (M100-S20), in 2011 (M100-S21), and in 2012 (M100-S22).

Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections at five medical centers in Taiwan that continuously participated in the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) from 2006 to 2010.

The Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) is a worldwide surveillance program designed to longitudinally monitor the in vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against pathogens that cause intra-abdominal infections (IAIs). In this study, trends in antimicrobial resistance during the period 2006 to 2010 were analyzed at five tertiary-care hospitals in Taiwan. Enterobacteriaceae accounted for the majority (80.

Correlation between carbapenem consumption and resistance to carbapenems among Enterobacteriaceae isolates collected from patients with intra-abdominal infections at five medical centers in Taiwan, 2006-2010.

We investigated the trend in resistance to carbapenems among isolates of Enterobacteriaceae that had been collected from patients with intra-abdominal infections at five medical centers in Taiwan from 2006 to 2010 and evaluated the correlation between resistance to carbapenems and consumption of said agents as part of the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART). During the study period, the usage of ertapenem and that of total carbapenems (ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem) increased significantly from 6.13 to 13.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from patients with hepatobiliary infections in Taiwan: results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART), 2006-2010.

We investigated the trends in antimicrobial resistance among species of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from patients with hepatobiliary tract infections in Taiwan during the period 2006-2010 as part of the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART). During the study period, 1032 isolates of Gram-negative bacilli that had been collected from patients with hepatobiliary infections were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Enterobacteriaceae accounted for the majority (n = 874, 84.

In vitro susceptibilities of non-Enterobacteriaceae isolates from patients with intra-abdominal infections in the Asia-Pacific region from 2003 to 2010: results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART).

The Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) is an international surveillance study designed to monitor resistance trends among aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolated from intra-abdominal infections. During 2003-2010, a total of 20710 GNB isolates were collected at medical centers in China, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, and Taiwan. The susceptibility profiles of 2252 isolates of non-Enterobacteriaceae GNB were determined.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Taiwan from 2005 to 2008: further spread of CRF07_BC and emergence of CRF07_BC/subtype B dual infection.

Background: In 2004, HIV-1 infection among Taiwanese injection drug users (IDUs) started to surge. In 2007, a resurgence of HIV-1 epidemic among men having sex with men (MSM) occurred. We conducted a molecular epidemiological study of HIV-1 among different risk groups in Taiwan from 2005 to 2008.