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.

Buruli ulcer in Australia: Evidence for a new endemic focus at Batemans Bay, New South Wales.

We describe two locally acquired cases of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer) in the town of Batemans Bay on the east coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, 150 km north of Eden, the only other place in NSW where Buruli ulcer has likely been locally acquired. Genomic analysis showed that the bacterial isolates from the cases were identical but belonged to a phylogenetically distinct M. ulcerans clade that was most closely related to the isolate from the earlier case in Eden to the south.

Multidrug resistance in urinary E. coli higher in males compared to females.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common however the widespread use of antibiotics has led to a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) amongst uropathogens, rendering a significant proportion of infections resistant to first line treatment. AMR in UTIs may differentially affect men and women, younger and older patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate MDR (multi-drug resistance) and AMR in males and females in an Australian health district.

Candida tropicalis-A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization of a fungal priority pathogens list.

In response to the growing global burden of fungal infections with uncertain impact, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an Expert Group to identify priority fungal pathogens and establish the WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List for future research. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the features and global impact of invasive candidiasis caused by Candida tropicalis. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting on criteria of mortality, morbidity (defined as hospitalization and disability), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, diagnostics, treatability, and distribution/emergence from 2011 to 2021.

One Health Determinants of Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans in the Community: An Umbrella Review.

To date, the scientific literature on health variables for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been investigated throughout several systematic reviews, often with a focus on only one aspect of the One Health variables: human, animal, or environment. The aim of this umbrella review is to conduct a systematic synthesis of existing evidence on AMR in humans in the community from a One Health perspective. PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched on "antibiotic resistance" and "systematic review" from inception until 25 March 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022316431).

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.

Time-to-positivity in bloodstream infection for Candida species as a prognostic marker for mortality.

Time-to-positivity (TTP) may assist in predicting the outcome of candidaemia. We analysed a candidaemia dataset collected prospectively in Australia over 1 year (2014-2015). TTP was defined as the period from blood culture sampling to the blood culture flagging positive.

What's New in : From Bench to Bedside and Beyond.

species are a major cause of life-threatening infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. While most disease is caused by , , a genotypically and phenotypically distinct species, is responsible for 11-33% of global cases of cryptococcosis. Despite best treatment, infections are associated with early mortality rates of 10-25%.

Multi-year antimicrobial-resistance trends in urine Escherichia coli isolates from both community-based and hospital-based laboratories of an Australian local health district.

Objectives: Efforts to monitor and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are typically focused on the hospital-based laboratory setting. The aim of this study was to longitudinally examine and compare trends in AMR among urine Escherichia coli isolates from a private community-based laboratory and a public hospital-based laboratory in an Australian local health district.

Methods: A total of 108 262 urine E.

Whole Genome Sequencing Shows Genetic Diversity, as Well as Clonal Complex and Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Fluconazole Non-Susceptible Isolates of .

Resistance to azoles in Candida tropicalis is increasing and may be mediated by genetic characteristics. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), we examined the genetic diversity of 82 bloodstream C. tropicalis isolates from two countries and one ATCC strain in a global context.

Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of invasive candidiasis in haematology, oncology and intensive care settings, 2021.

Patients with haematological malignancies, haemopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and patients requiring admission to intensive care settings are at high risk for invasive candidiasis (IC). Over the past decade, there has been increased reporting of non-albicans species and fluconazole resistance in Australia. These guidelines provide updated evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of IC in adult and paediatric haematology, oncology and intensive care settings.

A vanA vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium ST80 outbreak resulting from a single importation event.

Background: A marked genotype shift among vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) from vanB to vanA in Australia between 2011 and 2015 is a well-known phenomenon. It is hypothesized that this was caused by multiple independent clones emerging simultaneously in different settings and/or regions.

Objectives: To gain insights into the circumstances surrounding the shift from vanB to vanA VREfm in one Australian hospital.

Diagnostic Challenges and Emerging Opportunities for the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory.

Purpose Of Review: This review summarises the epidemiology of infection and describes contemporary and emerging diagnostic methods for detection and identification of .

Recent Findings: A fifth clade has been described. Diagnostic accuracy has improved with development of selective/differential media for .

Risk factors for candidaemia: A prospective multi-centre case-control study.

Objectives: Candidaemia carries a mortality of up to 40% and may be related to increasing complexity of medical care. Here, we determined risk factors for the development of candidaemia.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multi-centre, case-control study over 12 months.

Preventing Early-Onset Group B Streptococcus neonatal infection and reducing antibiotic exposure using a rapid PCR test in term prelabour rupture of membranes.

Background: How best to target intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to minimise both Early-Onset Group B Streptococcus (EOGBS) neonatal infection and maternal/fetal antibiotic exposure is uncertain, with both routine-screening and risk-factor approaches available.

Aims: This retrospective cohort study was undertaken to examine the outcomes of a hybrid risk-and-screen approach to EOGBS prevention using GBS polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The target population was women with term prelabour rupture of membranes (TermPROM) having the risk factor of prolonged rupture of membranes (ROM) ≥18 h.

Cellulitis in older people over 75 years - are there differences?

Aim: To examine differences in risk factors, clinical features and outcomes of cellulitis between those 75 + years and those <75 years admitted to a metropolitan hospital.

Methods: A prospective study of patients with limb cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics conducted at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Australia from June 2014 to April 2015.

Results: Thirty one patients were 75 + years and 69 less than 75 years.

Out Of Hospital And In Hospital Management Of Cellulitis Requiring Intravenous Therapy.

Background: Cellulitis requiring intravenous therapy can be managed via out of hospital programs, but a high number of patients are still admitted to hospital.

Objective: We aimed to review the clinical features, management and outcomes of patients with cellulitis requiring intravenous therapy in a Hospital in the Home (HITH) program compared to patients who are admitted to hospital.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients with limb cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics was conducted at a metropolitan principal referral hospital.

Infections in pregnancy.

Infections in pregnancy represent a challenging and often underappreciated area of concern for many specialists and general practitioners and can cause serious sequelae. Antenatal status should be highlighted on pathology request forms, as this serves to alert the laboratory of the need to store serum for an extended period. Prior antenatal specimens can be forwarded to other laboratories to enable testing in parallel with the more recent sample.

Candidaemia and a risk predictive model for overall mortality: a prospective multicentre study.

Background: Candidaemia is associated with high mortality. Variables associated with mortality have been published previously, but not developed into a risk predictive model for mortality. We sought to describe the current epidemiology of candidaemia in Australia, analyse predictors of 30-day all-cause mortality, and develop and validate a mortality risk predictive model.

Contemporary management and clinical outcomes of mucormycosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case reports.

With the advent of newer antifungals, optimum treatment of mucormycosis remains to be fully elucidated. This study systematically evaluated the contemporary management and outcomes of mucormycosis. Mucormycosis cases in patients aged ≥18 years published between January 2000 and January 2017 were identified through Ovid MEDLINE and Embase.

A series of three cases of severe Clostridium difficile infection in Australia associated with a binary toxin producing clade 2 ribotype 251 strain.

Three patients with severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) caused by an unusual strain of C. difficile, PCR ribotype (RT) 251, were identified in New South Wales, Australia. All cases presented with severe diarrhoea, two had multiple recurrences and one died following a colectomy.

The epidemiology and clinical manifestations of mucormycosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case reports.

Background: The epidemiology of mucormycosis in the era of modern diagnostics is relatively under-explored.

Objectives: To examine the contemporary epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and causative pathogens of mucormycosis.

Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid EMBASE from January 2000 to January 2017.