Treatment with Zinc is Associated with Reduced In-Hospital Mortality Among COVID-19 Patients: A Multi-Center Cohort Study.

Background: Zinc impairs replication of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-1, and may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. However, to achieve adequate intracellular zinc levels, administration with an ionophore, which increases intracellular zinc levels, may be necessary. We evaluated the impact of zinc with an ionophore (Zn+ionophore) on COVID-19 in-hospital mortality rates.

Zinc sulfate in combination with a zinc ionophore may improve outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 has rapidly emerged as a pandemic infection that has caused significant mortality and economic losses. Potential therapies and prophylaxis against COVID-19 are urgently needed to combat this novel infection. As a result of evidence suggesting zinc sulphate may be efficacious against COVID-19, our hospitals began using zinc sulphate as add-on therapy to hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin.

Characteristics, Comorbidities, and Outcomes in a Multicenter Registry of Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may have numerous risk factors for acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and developing severe outcomes, but current data are conflicting.

Methods: Health-care providers enrolled consecutively, by nonrandom sampling, people living with HIV (PWH) with lab-confirmed COVID-19, diagnosed at their facilities between 1 April and 1 July 2020. Deidentified data were entered into an electronic Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) system.

Outcomes Among HIV-Positive Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preliminary data on SARS-CoV-2 infection suggest that some immunocompromised hosts experience worse outcomes. We performed a retrospective matched cohort study to characterize outcomes in HIV-positive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacteroides fragilis Bacteremia in a US Resident: An Emerging Challenge.

We describe a case of Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia associated with paraspinal and psoas abscesses in the United States. Resistance to b-lactam/b-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenems, and metronidazole was encountered despite having a recent travel history to India as the only possible risk factor for multidrug resistance. Microbiological cure was achieved with linezolid, moxifloxacin, and cefoxitin.

Evaluation of Treatment Courses When Vancomycin Is Given Every 8 Hours in Adult Patients.

Background: Several nomograms include recommendations to give intravenous (IV) vancomycin at 8-hour dosing intervals (Q8H). However, there is a lack of detailed data regarding this dosing recommendation.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 patients who received 107 treatment courses of vancomycin Q8H for at least 5 days was performed.

In vitro evaluation of antibiotic synergy for polymyxin B-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Since carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were first reported in North Carolina, these highly resistant organisms have been isolated with increasing frequency, especially in the New York City area. Polymyxin B is one of the few antimicrobials that retain reliable activity against these organisms. However, polymyxin B MICs are elevated against K.

Infection with panresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: a report of 2 cases and a brief review of the literature.

Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae have been reported with increasing frequency, thereby limiting the choice of effective antimicrobial agents available to clinicians. This has prompted the increased use of polymyxins and tigecycline, but resistance to these agents is already emerging. We report 2 cases of infection with panresistant K.

Does nasal colonization or mupirocin treatment affect recurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and skin structure infections?

Some patients with community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and skin structure infections have experienced frequent recurrences. We performed a retrospective study and determined that the presence of nasal colonization did not affect recurrence and nasal mupirocin treatment marginally decreased recurrence.

Identification of novel hsp65 RFLPs for Mycobacterium leprae.

Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by an acid-fast bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). The bacilli proliferate in macrophages infiltrating the skin and gain entry to the dermal nerves via the laminar surface of Schwann cells where they replicate.

Bartonella quintana endocarditis with positive serology for Coxiella burnetii.

Both Bartonella quintana and Coxiella burnetii are known to cause of blood culture negative endocarditis. In such case, the diagnosis is usually established by serology. A case of Bartonella quintana endocarditis is described where the serology was falsely positive for Coxiella burnetii.

Pyogenic liver abscess: recent trends in etiology and mortality.

Background: Pyogenic liver abscess, a potentially life-threatening disease, has undergone significant changes in epidemiology, management, and mortality over the past several decades.

Methods: We reviewed the data for patients admitted to Bellevue Hospital and New York University Downtown Hospital (New York, New York) over a 10-year period.

Results: Of 79 cases reviewed, 43% occurred in patients with underlying biliary disease.