Dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus in patients and the hospital environment in a tertiary care hospital in the Netherlands.

Background: The dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus in patients and the hospital environment are relatively unknown. We studied these dynamics in a tertiary care hospital in the Netherlands.

Methods: Nasal samples were taken from adult patients at admission and discharge.

Levels of Fibrinogen Variants Are Altered in Severe COVID-19.

 Fibrinogen variants as a result of alternative messenger RNA splicing or protein degradation can affect fibrin(ogen) functions. The levels of these variants might be altered during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), potentially affecting disease severity or the thrombosis risk.  To investigate the levels of fibrinogen variants in plasma of patients with COVID-19.

Universal screening or a universal risk assessment combined with risk-based screening for multidrug-resistant microorganisms upon admission: Comparing strategies.

Objective: Timely identification of patients who carry multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) is needed to prevent nosocomial spread to other patients and to the hospital environment. We aimed to compare the yield of a universal screening strategy upon admission to the currently installed universal risk assessment combined with risk-based screening upon admission.

Methods: This observational study was conducted within a prospective cohort study.

The effect of 100% single-occupancy rooms on acquisition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and intra-hospital patient transfers: a prospective before-and-after study.

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) are a well-known cause of healthcare-associated infections. The implementation of single-occupancy rooms is believed to decrease the spread of ESBL-E. Additionally, implementation of single-occupancy rooms is expected to reduce the need for intra-hospital patient transfers.

Altered fibrin network structure and fibrinolysis in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19, not entirely explaining the increased risk of thrombosis.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with an increased incidence of thrombosis.

Objectives: By studying the fibrin network structure of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we aimed to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to this increased risk of thrombosis. This may contribute to optimal prevention and treatment of COVID-19 related thrombosis.

Interferon-α2 Auto-antibodies in Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19.

Purpose: To study the effect of interferon-α2 auto-antibodies (IFN-α2 Abs) on clinical and virological outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients and the risk of IFN-α2 Abs transfer during convalescent plasma treatment.

Methods: Sera from healthy controls, cases of COVID-19, and other respiratory illness were tested for IFN-α2 Abs by ELISA and a pseudo virus-based neutralization assay. The effects of disease severity, sex, and age on the risk of having neutralizing IFN-α2 Abs were determined.

in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Scoping Review.

Several reports have been published on findings in COVID-19 patients leading to a proposition of new disease entity COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. This scoping review is designed at clarifying the concepts on how the findings of spp. in COVID-19 patients were interpreted.

High Levels of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Persist in the Lower Respiratory Tract of Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Lower respiratory tract (LRT) disease induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can deteriorate to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Because the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is implicated in ARDS pathogenesis, we investigated the presence of NETs and correlates of pathogenesis in blood and LRT samples of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Plasma NET levels peaked early after intensive care unit admission and were correlated with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in sputum and levels of neutrophil-recruiting chemokines and inflammatory markers in plasma samples.

Predicting thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 ICU patients using machine learning.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a challenge for intensive care units (ICU) in part due to the failure to identify risks for patients early and the inability to render an accurate prognosis. Previous reports suggest a strong association between hypercoagulability and poor outcome. Factors related to hemostasis may, therefore, serve as tools to improve the management of COVID-19 patients.

Duration and key determinants of infectious virus shedding in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Key questions in COVID-19 are the duration and determinants of infectious virus shedding. Here, we report that infectious virus shedding is detected by virus cultures in 23 of the 129 patients (17.8%) hospitalized with COVID-19.

Frequency of Positive Tests in COVID-19 Patients in Comparison to Other Patients with Pulmonary Infections Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of positive tests in COVID-19 patients and investigate the association between COVID-19 and a positive test result. We compared the proportion of positive tests in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for >24 h with two control groups: patients with community-acquired pneumonia with (i) a PCR-confirmed influenza infection (considered a positive control since the link between influenza and invasive aspergillosis has been established) and (ii) pneumonia (in whom positive tests are mostly considered as colonization). During the study period, 92 COVID-19 patients (mean [standard deviation] age, 62 [14] years; 76.

An evaluation of COVID-19 serological assays informs future diagnostics and exposure assessment.

The world is entering a new era of the COVID-19 pandemic in which there is an increasing call for reliable antibody testing. To support decision making on the deployment of serology for either population screening or diagnostics, we present a detailed comparison of serological COVID-19 assays. We show that among the selected assays there is a wide diversity in assay performance in different scenarios and when correlated to virus neutralizing antibodies.

Phenotype and kinetics of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the causative agent of a global outbreak of respiratory tract disease (COVID-19). In some patients the infection results in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. High serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and an immune hyperresponsiveness referred to as a 'cytokine storm' have been associated with poor clinical outcome.

Risk indicators for acute kidney injury in cardiogenic shock.

Purpose: In critical illness, the relation between the macrocirculation, microcirculation and organ dysfunction, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), is complex. This study aimed at identifying predictors for AKI in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine adult cardiogenic shock patients, with an admission creatinine <200 μmol l, and whose microcirculation was measured within 48 h were enrolled.

Invasive mechanical ventilation as a risk factor for acute kidney injury in the critically ill: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is commonly regarded as a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in the critically ill. We investigated the strength of this association and whether settings of tidal volume (Vt) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) affect the risk for AKI.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using studies found by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and references in relevant reviews and articles.

Medical-grade honey kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria in vitro and eradicates skin colonization.

Background: Antibiotic resistance among microbes urgently necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Since ancient times, honey has been used successfully for treatment of infected wounds, because of its antibacterial activity. However, large variations in the in vitro antibacterial activity of various honeys have been reported and hamper its acceptance in modern medicine.