activity of ceftobiprole and comparator antibiotics against contemporary European isolates (2016-19).

Objectives: To evaluate the susceptibility to ceftobiprole of clinical bacterial isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Europe.

Methods: A total of 20 000 non-duplicate bacterial isolates were collected in 2016-19 from patients with documented infections at medical centres located in 17 countries in Europe. Bacterial identification was confirmed and susceptibility to ceftobiprole and comparator agents was tested using the EUCAST broth microdilution methodology and interpretive criteria by a central microbiology laboratory.

Tobacco smoking is an independent factor associated with retinal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional and retrospective study.

To analyze the influence of tobacco smoking on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical features and damage. Cross-sectional and retrospective, case-control study comparing SLE patients with and without tobacco exposure. Cumulative clinical data and comorbidities were collected, and severity (Katz index) and damage (SLICC/ACR damage index) (SDI) indices were calculated.

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Therapy With Synthetic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Literature Review.

Objective: 1) To systematically and critically review the evidence of combined therapy with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 2) To design practical recommendations on their use.

Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed with a sensitive bibliographic search strategy in Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. We selected randomized clinical trials that analyzed the efficacy and/or safety of 1) combined therapy of synthetic compared with sequential therapy of synthetic DMARD in early RA; and 2) combination of methotrexate+leflunomide or triple therapy with synthetic DMARD in established RA refractory to synthetic DMARD.

Clinical and immunogenetic factors associated with pneumonia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study.

Objective: To determine the incidence of pneumonia and associated factors in a single-center systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort.

Methods: We included all our SLE patients [1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria] with ≥ 1 pneumonia event, and 196 age and sex-matched SLE controls with no pneumonia events. Cumulative clinical data, weighted Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR damage index (wSLICC/ACR-DI), comorbidities, and risk factors for pneumonia were retrospectively collected.

Gender disparities in Puerto Ricans hospitalized with an initial acute myocardial infarction: A population-based perspective.

Objective: The published literature suggests differences in presenting symptoms for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), management, and outcomes according to gender and age. However, limited information exists on this topic among Hispanics.

Methods: In Puerto Rican patients hospitalized with an initial AMI, we examined differences in presenting symptoms, effective cardiac therapies, and in-hospital mortality as a function of gender and age groups.

Prescribing patterns and safety of mezclitas for respiratory illnesses.

Objective: To evaluate the prescribing patterns of compound mixtures of cough and cold liquid medications, known as mezclitas, which are prescribed to patients with respiratory illnesses in Puerto Rico. Secondary objectives include assessing the potential safety of these mixtures and patients' perception of them.

Methods: Using a cross sectional study approach, a convenience sample was obtained from five pharmacies in Puerto Rico, from October 2008 to October 2009.

Acute hepatitis A infection: a predisposing factor for severe leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a rare and potentially fatal infection that requires a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis of leptospirosis can be particularly difficult in context of coexistent viral hepatitis. We present a case of Weil's syndrome, in which a concurrent resolving Hepatitis A virus infection was concomitantly diagnosed.