The Utility of Interferon-γ Release Assays in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Patients With Cancer.

Background: Patients with cancer are at elevated risk for tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. Diagnosis of latent TB infection and TB disease remains challenging in this patient population despite the advent of interferon-γ release assays (IGRA).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with cancer who had IGRA testing (QuantiFERON-TB [QFT-TB] or T-SPOT.

Active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection at a comprehensive cancer center, 2006-2014.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain significant in cancer patients. We evaluated clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with active Mtb infection at our institution who had cancer or suspicion of cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively examined medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection diagnosed between 2006 and 2014.

Epidemiology and burden of invasive fungal infections in the countries of the Arab League.

The burden of invasive fungal infections is alarming worldwide. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature and evaluate the knowledge gap pertaining to studies on invasive fungal infections in the countries of the Arab League. Few countries from this region have published reports.

Pulmonary Impairment after Respiratory Viral Infections Is Associated with High Mortality in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients.

Pulmonary impairment predicts increased mortality in many settings, and respiratory viral infection (RVI) causes considerable morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients (allo-HCT). We hypothesized that pulmonary impairment after RVI, defined as a decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 second values by ≥10%, may identify allo-HCT recipients at high risk for mortality. We studied all allo-HCT recipients at our institution who had RVI with respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, or influenza from 2004 to 2013 and had pre-RVI and post-RVI pulmonary function tests.

Risk factors for mortality after respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in adults with hematologic malignancies.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is associated with high mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies (HM). We sought to determine whether allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) recipients would be at higher risk for 60-day mortality.

Methods: We examined a retrospective cohort of adults with HM with or without HCT treated for RSV LRTI (n = 154) at our institution from 1996-2013.

Burden of human metapneumovirus infections in patients with cancer: Risk factors and outcomes.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URIs and LRIs, respectively) in healthy and immunocompromised patients; however, its clinical burden in patients with cancer remains unknown.

Methods: In a retrospective study of all laboratory-confirmed hMPV infections treated at the authors' institution between April 2012 and May 2015, clinical characteristics, risk factors for progression to an LRI, treatment, and outcomes in patients with cancer were determined.

Results: In total, 181 hMPV infections were identified in 90 patients (50%) with hematologic malignancies (HMs), in 57 (31%) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients, and in 34 patients (19%) with solid tumors.

Outcomes of Influenza Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Application of an Immunodeficiency Scoring Index.

Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients have lower immune response to influenza vaccination and are susceptible to lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and death. We determined clinical characteristics and outcomes of laboratory-confirmed influenza, including 2014/H3N2 infection, in 146 HCT recipients. An immunodeficiency scoring index (ISI) was applied to identify patients at high risk for LRI and death.

Oritavancin for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: an evidence-based review.

The emergence of resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics such as vancomycin and teicoplanin among Gram-positive bacteria has spurred the search for second-generation drugs of this class. Oritavancin, a promising novel, second-generation, semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide, is distinguished by two mechanisms of action: inhibition of cell wall synthesis and disruption of the cell membrane. This dual mechanism of action has increased the activity of oritavancin against vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria compared to other glycopeptides.

Combination therapy for Gram-negative bacteria: what is the evidence?

The treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is challenging given the limited options for effective therapy. Combination therapy has garnered great interest recently, with the goals of ensuring appropriate therapy with at least one active agent, and achieving synergistic activity among the anti-microbials used. In this review, we evaluate the data supporting the use of combination therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter species and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.