Sequential Time to Positivity as a Prognostic Indicator in Bacteremia.

Background: We aimed to determine the factors associated with sequential blood culture time to positivity (STTP) and validate the previously defined time to positivity (TTP) ratio threshold of 1.5 in predicting adverse disease outcomes and mortality of bacteremia (SAB).

Methods: We conducted an observational study of adult patients with SAB.

The reported impact of non-communicable disease investment cases in 13 countries.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading health and development challenge worldwide. Since 2015, WHO and the United Nations Development Programme have provided support to governments to develop national NCD investment cases to describe the socioeconomic dimensions of NCDs. To assess the impact of the investment cases, semistructured interviews and a structured process for gathering written feedback were conducted between July and October 2022 with key informants in 13 countries who had developed a national NCD investment case between 2015 and 2020.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Association of Oxacillin MIC on Acute Treatment Outcomes with Cefazolin and Antistaphylococcal Penicillins in Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

Antistaphylococcal penicillins (ASP) and cefazolin are first-line treatment of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. Borderline oxacillin resistance (i.e.

Post-treatment outcomes of ceftriaxone versus antistaphylococcal penicillins or cefazolin for definitive therapy of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia is associated with poor outcomes. Ceftriaxone offers logistical advantages over other standard therapies, though in vitro studies have questioned its efficacy and clinical studies of ceftriaxone in MSSA bacteremia are conflicting.We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of adult patients who received ceftriaxone, cefazolin, or antistaphylococcal penicillins as definitive therapy for MSSA bacteremia from 2018 to 2019.

The skip phenomenon in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: clinical implications.

Serial blood cultures (BCs) are integral in managing Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) to determine complication risks and treatment response. Several studies recognized the skip phenomenon (SP)- the occurrence of intermittent negative BCs and recommend obtaining additional BCs to document clearance. We examined patients with SP to determine its clinical significance.

The utility of postoperative systemic antibiotic prophylaxis following cardiovascular implantable electronic device implantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is insufficient evidence regarding postoperative systemic antibiotic prophylaxis use for more than 24 h following cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) implantation and its impact on infection prevention. However, this strategy remains a common practice in many institutions.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis including studies that compared the outcomes of patients: (1) who received preoperative plus 24 h or more of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (intervention group); and (2) who received either preoperative only or preoperative plus less than 24 h of antibiotic prophylaxis (control group).

Incidence of Monomicrobial Bacteremia: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota-2006 to 2020.

Background: Population-based studies of bacteremia (SAB) in the United States are limited. We provide a contemporary evaluation of SAB incidence in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 2006 to 2020.

Methods: This was a retrospective population-based study of all adult patients with SAB residing in Olmsted County from 1 January 2006 through 31 December 2020.

Utility of Neuroimaging in the Management of Chronic and Acute Headache.

Imaging plays an important role in identifying the cause of the much less common secondary headaches. Such headaches may be caused by a variety of pathologic conditions which can be categorized as intracranial and extracranial. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension imaging findings include "empty sella," orbital changes, and dural venous sinus narrowing.

Contemporary experience of Abiotrophia, Granulicatella and Gemella bacteremia.

Background: Abiotrophia, Granulicatella, and Gemella are gastrointestinal microbiota, gram-positive cocci that behave like viridans group streptococci. Despite the low incidence of bacteremia from these organisms, they can lead to infective endocarditis (IE) and other clinical syndromes. Due to scant data, we aim to describe detailed clinical features, management, and outcomes of patients with bacteremia from these organisms.

Clinical Significance of in a Single Positive Blood Culture Bottle.

Clinical significance of a single positive blood culture bottle (SPBCB) with is unclear. We aimed to assess the significance of an SPBCB by looking at the associated outcomes. We performed a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with an SPBCB with using data collected from both electronic health records and the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Can Imaging Predict Hearing Outcomes in Children With Cochleovestibular Nerve Abnormalities?

Objectives/hypothesis: To identify the imaging characteristics associated with better hearing outcomes found in cochleovestibular nerve (CVN) abnormalities treated with hearing aids and/or cochlear implantation (CI).

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 69 ears with CVN abnormalities seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) treated at a tertiary referral academic center analyzing the clinical features, imaging characteristics, and hearing data.

Transient Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia Following Immunization with Heplisav-B.

Objective: To delineate the rate and duration of transient hepatitis B surface antigenemia following Heplisav-B vaccination.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all adult patients who received Heplisav-B vaccination at our institution from January 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020, and who had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing within 30 days following immunization. Patients with laboratory evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection or immunization were excluded.

bloodstream infection following CIED extraction.

A 78-year-old man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) presented with chills and malaise. His history was significant for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and complete heart block. He had undergone permanent pacemaker placement that was later upgraded to an ICD 5 years before his presentation.

Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Patients With Brain Abscess due to Species.

Background: Nocardial brain abscesses are rare, and published literature describing brain abscesses due to species is limited to individual case reports or small series. We report one of the largest contemporary retrospective studies describing risk factors, diagnostic evaluation, management, and outcomes of nocardial brain abscess.

Methods: Retrospective review of all adults with brain abscess due to culture-confirmed species at our institution between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2020.

Antistaphylococcal Penicillin vs Cefazolin for the Treatment of Methicillin-Susceptible Spinal Epidural Abscesses.

Cefazolin is commonly used as an alternative to antistaphylococcal penicillins (ASPs) in treating methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) infections; however, no study has compared these agents in MSSA spinal epidural abscess (SEA). We describe our experience in managing MSSA SEA and compare the clinical efficacy of cefazolin with ASPs. This retrospective multicenter study reviewed 79 adult patients diagnosed with SEA between January 2006 and July 2020 using data collected from electronic health records and clinical microbiology laboratory databases.

Unexpected Vancomycin Pharmacokinetic Profile Secondary to Macromolecular Complexing: A Case Series.

Background: The optimal dosing and monitoring of vancomycin has been largely debated for decades, with key guideline changes for recommended monitoring in 2009 and 2020. Current and past practices for pharmacokinetic dose optimization use serum drug assays to guide dose adjustment to effectively balance efficacy and the risks of toxicity. These assays detect both bound and unbound serum concentrations.

Outcomes of COVID-19 With the Mayo Clinic Model of Care and Research.

Objective: To report the Mayo Clinic experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related to patient outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, at any of the Mayo Clinic sites. We abstracted pertinent comorbid conditions such as age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index variables, and treatments received.

Preventing Child Drowning in the Philippines: The Need to Address the Determinants of Health.

Drowning is a public health issue in the Philippines, with children at significantly increased risk. Determinants of health (DoH) such as education, socio-economic status, ethnicity, and urbanization are factors that impact drowning risk. As drowning is a multisectoral issue, a national drowning prevention plan can drive collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Management and treatment of Aerococcus bacteremia and endocarditis.

Objectives: We describe our multicenter experience on diagnosis and management of Aerococcus bacteremia including the susceptibility profile of Aerococcus species and a suggested algorithm for clinicians.

Methods: Retrospective study of all patients with positive blood cultures for Aerococcus species from January 2005 to July 2020 in our institution with clinical data and susceptibility profile. Data were collected from both electronic health record and clinical microbiology laboratory database.

Mycobacterium septicum: a 6-Year Clinical Experience from a Tertiary Hospital and Reference Laboratory.

is a rarely identified nontuberculous mycobacterium capable of causing infections in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Only a few cases of infections have been reported, which makes recognizing corresponding clinical disease more challenging for clinicians. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles for this organism are not well described, and corresponding optimal therapeutic regimens have not been established.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Pathophysiology and Neuro-Imaging.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) represents a unique clinical entity with non-specific clinical symptoms and unique neuroradiological findings. This syndrome may present with a broad range of clinical symptoms from headache and visual disturbances to seizure and altered mentation. Typical imaging findings include posterior-circulation predominant vasogenic edema.

Common Data Elements in Head and Neck Radiology Reporting.

Radiologists must convert the complex information in head and neck imaging into text reports that can be understood and used by clinicians, patients, and fellow radiologists for patient care, research, and quality initiatives. Common data elements in reporting, through use of defined questions with constrained answers and terminology, allow radiologists to incorporate best practice standards and improve communication of information regardless of individual reporting style. Use of common data elements for head and neck reporting has the potential to improve outcomes, reduce errors, and transition data consumption not only for humans but future machine learning systems.

Virtual Read-Out: Radiology Education for the 21st Century During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Technologic advances have resulted in the expansion of web-based conferencing and education. While historically video-conferencing has been used for didactic educational sessions, we present its novel use in virtual radiology read-outs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge of key aspects of set-up, implementation, and possible pitfalls of video-conferencing technology in the application of virtual read-outs can help to improve the educational experience of radiology trainees and promote potential future distance learning and collaboration.