Management, outcomes and predictors of mortality of Cryptococcus infection in patients without HIV: a multicentre study in 46 hospitals from Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Limited data exist regarding outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV with few studies having compared outcomes of Cryptococcus gattii, versus C. neoformans, infection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 46 Australian and New Zealand hospitals to determine the outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, and compared outcomes of C.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus Foodborne Illness Associated with Oysters, Australia, 2021-2022.

The bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus is ubiquitous in tropical and temperate waters throughout the world and causes infections in humans resulting from water exposure and from ingestion of contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, such as oysters. We describe a nationwide outbreak of enteric infections caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Australia during September 2021-January 2022. A total of 268 persons were linked with the outbreak, 97% of whom reported consuming Australia-grown oysters.

Human Neural Larva Migrans Caused by Ophidascaris robertsi Ascarid.

We describe a case in Australia of human neural larva migrans caused by the ascarid Ophidascaris robertsi, for which Australian carpet pythons are definitive hosts. We made the diagnosis after a live nematode was removed from the brain of a 64-year-old woman who was immunosuppressed for a hypereosinophilic syndrome diagnosed 12 months earlier.

Current Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Cryptococcus Infection in Patients Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Multicenter Study in 46 Hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are increasingly recognized as being at risk for cryptococcosis. Knowledge of characteristics of cryptococcosis in these patients remains incomplete.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of cryptococcosis in 46 Australian and New Zealand hospitals to compare its frequency in patients with and without HIV and describe its characteristics in patients without HIV.

Bacteraemia, antimicrobial susceptibility and treatment among Campylobacter-associated hospitalisations in the Australian Capital Territory: a review.

Background: Campylobacter spp. cause mostly self-limiting enterocolitis, although a significant proportion of cases require hospitalisation highlighting potential for severe disease. Among people admitted, blood culture specimens are frequently collected and antibiotic treatment is initiated.

Campylobacter-associated hospitalisations in an Australian provincial setting.

Background: Campylobacter spp. infections are a globally important cause of enterocolitis, causing substantial morbidity. Capturing accurate information on hospitalisations is challenging and limited population-level data exist to describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of hospitalised cases.

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance.

Candida glabrata can rapidly acquire mutations that result in drug resistance, especially to azoles and echinocandins. Identification of genetic mutations is essential, as resistance detected in vitro can often be correlated with clinical failure. We examined the feasibility of using whole genome sequencing (WGS) for genome-wide analysis of antifungal drug resistance in C.

Epidemiology of non-typhoid Salmonella infection in the Australian Capital Territory over a 10-year period.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS) infection in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), including factors associated with hospitalisation.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and observational study of culture-confirmed NTS infections using data collected from ACT public health, public pathology and hospital services in the period 2003-2012. Outcome measures include incidence and NTS serotype for total reported and hospitalised cases and focus of infection, complications and antibiotic susceptibility for hospitalised cases.

First case report of myopericarditis linked to Campylobacter coli enterocolitis.

Background: Campylobacter spp. are a common cause of mostly self-limiting enterocolitis. Although rare, pericarditis and myopericarditis have been increasingly documented as complications following campylobacteriosis.

Antifungal susceptibilities of non-Aspergillus filamentous fungi causing invasive infection in Australia: support for current antifungal guideline recommendations.

Antifungal susceptibilities of non-Aspergillus filamentous fungal pathogens cannot always be inferred from their identification. Here we determined, using the Sensititre(®) YeastOne(®) YO10 panel, the in vitro activities of nine antifungal agents against 52 clinical isolates of emergent non-Aspergillus moulds representing 17 fungal groups in Australia. Isolates comprised Mucorales (n = 14), Scedosporium/Lomentospora spp.

The changing epidemiology of group B streptococcus bloodstream infection: a multi-national population-based assessment.

Background: Population-based studies conducted in single regions or countries have identified significant changes in the epidemiology of invasive group B streptococcus (GBS) infection. However, no studies have concurrently compared the epidemiology of GBS infections among multiple different regions and countries over time. The study objectives were to define the contemporary incidence and determinants of GBS bloodstream infection (BSI) and assess temporal changes in a multi-national population.

Clinical impact of reducing routine blood culture incubation time from 7 to 5 days.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical impact of reducing the blood culture incubation protocol from 7 to 5 days.A laboratory data extraction identified positive blood cultures occurring after 5 or more days of incubation at Canberra Hospital, Australia between 1 January 2001 and 31 August 2011. Isolates were identified as clinically significant using a pre-existing prospective bacteraemia database.

Increasing incidence of Clostridium difficile infection, Australia, 2011-2012.

Objectives: To report the quarterly incidence of hospital-identified Clostridium difficile infection (HI-CDI) in Australia, and to estimate the burden ascribed to hospital-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) infections.

Design, Setting And Patients: Prospective surveillance of all cases of CDI diagnosed in hospital patients from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012 in 450 public hospitals in all Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory. All patients admitted to inpatient wards or units in acute public hospitals, including psychiatry, rehabilitation and aged care, were included, as well as those attending emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

Scedosporium apiospermum brain abscesses in an immunocompetent man with silicosis.

We report a case of Scedosporium apiosporum brain abscesses in an immunocompetent 69-year-old man with a history of silicosis. Delayed diagnosis and institution of antifungal therapy was associated with neurological impairment, with subsequent complications resulting in death, highlighting the need for early diagnostic aspiration of brain abscesses non-responsive to antibiotics. We propose that, in the absence of identifiable immunosuppression, silicosis may have been a contributing factor to the development of central nervous system infection.

Antibiotic stability in commercial peritoneal dialysis solutions: influence of formulation, storage and duration.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis is treated by administration of antibiotics mixed with the PD solution. Data on antibiotic stability for solutions in current use are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of cefepime, cephazolin and ampicillin in three commercial PD solutions.

Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia: a multi-national population-based assessment.

Objectives: Haemophilus influenzae is an important cause of invasive infection but contemporary data in non-selected populations is limited.

Methods: Population-based surveillance for Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia was conducted in seven regions in Australia, Canada, and Denmark during 2000-2008.

Results: The overall annual incidence rate was 1.

Salmonella enterica bacteraemia: a multi-national population-based cohort study.

Background: Salmonella enterica is an important emerging cause of invasive infections worldwide. However, population-based data are limited. The objective of this study was to define the occurrence of S.

Mycoplasma hominis-associated parapharyngeal abscess following acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in a previously immunocompetent adult.

Mycoplasma hominis most frequently causes diseases of the genitourinary tract. Extragenital infections are uncommon, with almost all occurring in immunosuppressed persons or those predisposed due to trauma or surgery. We present the case of a previously well man who developed an M.

Rationale for and protocol of a multi-national population-based bacteremia surveillance collaborative.

Background: Bloodstream infections are frequent causes of human illness and cause major morbidity and death. In order to best define the epidemiology of these infections and to track changes in occurrence, adverse outcome, and resistance rates over time, population based methodologies are optimal. However, few population-based surveillance systems exist worldwide, and because of differences in methodology inter-regional comparisons are limited.

Escherichia coli bacteraemia in Canberra: incidence and clinical features.

Objective: To determine the population incidence and clinical features of Escherichia coli bacteraemia in Canberra, Australia.

Design, Setting And Participants: Canberra (including the nearby local government areas of Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla) has a geographically isolated population of about 366 000 people. Its six hospitals also provide tertiary medical services for the surrounding region.

A cluster of nocardial brain abscesses.

Background: Nocardia species are aerobic Gram-positive bacteria that are ubiquitous in the environment. Infection usually occurs through inhalation or direct cutaneous inoculation of the organism. It has been reported that infection is more common in warm, dry climates.