Bacterial contamination and greenhouse gas emissions: A randomised study of reuse versus single-use of infusion-set components for intravenous anaesthesia.

Background: Reusing anaesthesia infusion-set components may reduce the climate impact from plastic waste and discarded medications. Infusion-set contents can be shielded from patient contact by single use of an infusion line fitted with dual antireflux valves, preventing retrograde entry of microorganisms, and eliminating the risk for patient-to-patient cross-contamination. However, infusion-set contamination from compromised aseptic handling could affect quality of care.

Duration from start of antibiotic exposure to onset of infection for different antibiotics in a non-outbreak setting.

Background: Antibiotic treatment is a well-known risk factor for infection (CDI). The time from start of antibiotic exposure to onset of CDI for different antibiotics is sparsely studied. CDI with onset in the community is often treatable without in-hospital care while CDI patients treated in hospital need isolation, resulting in higher costs and infection control measures.

outbreak detection: Evaluation by ribotyping and whole-genome sequencing of a surveillance algorithm based on ward-specific cutoffs.

Objective: We evaluated the performance of an early-warning algorithm, based on ward-specific incidence cutoffs for detecting transmission in hospitals. We also sought to determine the frequency of intrahospital transmission in our setting.

Design: Diagnostic performance of the algorithm was tested with confirmed transmission events as the comparison criterion.

Risk factors for recurrent healthcare-facility associated Clostridioides difficile infection in a Swedish setting.

Objective: The objectives were to determine the risk factors for recurrent healthcare facility-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HCF-CDI) in a high CDI incidence, low antibiotic use setting and to determine if length of cefotaxime exposure is a risk factor for recurrent HCF-CDI.

Methods: The risk factors for recurrent HCF-CDI were evaluated with a retrospective nested case control study based on chart reading. The risk factors were evaluated univariately and multivariately.

Results of PCR Analysis of Mpox Clinical Samples, Sweden, 2022.

We compared cycle thresholds from mpox skin lesions with other specimen sites and over time from onset of clinical signs among 104 patients in Sweden. Cycle thresholds differed by anatomic site. We identified 2 early mpox cases from anorectal swab specimens after skin samples were negative, indicating necessity of sampling multiple sites.

Clostridioides difficile incidence related to in-hospital cephalosporin use: a tale of two highly comparable hospitals.

Background: Antibiotic treatment is a well-known risk factor for healthcare facility-associated Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (HCF-CDI). Antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASPs) targeting high-risk antibiotics have been shown to decrease HCF-CDI incidence. HCF-CDI incidence is high in Nordic countries despite relatively low antibiotic use in hospital.

Systemic symptoms predict presence or development of severe sepsis and septic shock.

Background: Severe sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. As the time to adequate treatment is directly linked to outcome, early recognition is of critical importance. Early, accessible markers for severe sepsis are desirable.