The Impact of Carbapenem Resistance on Mortality in Patients With Klebsiella Pneumoniae Bloodstream Infection: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of 1952 Patients.

Introduction: Available evidence from observational studies and meta-analyses has highlighted an increased mortality in patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infections (BSI) compared with their carbapenem-susceptible (CSKP) counterparts, but the exact reasons for this outcome difference are still to be determined.

Methods: We updated the search of a previous meta-analysis through four databases up to April 2018. A two-stage individual-patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was conducted, building an adjusting model to account for age, comorbidities and activity of empirical and targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Trends of Mortality in Greece Prior to and During Its Current Financial Crisis (2009-2015).

Objectives: To study mortality changes in Greece prior to and during the financial crisis.

Study Design: Analysis of data by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (1955-2015).

Results: During the crisis, mortality increased from 9.

Clinical relevance of in vitro synergistic activity of antibiotics for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: A systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to investigate the outcomes of patients infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria following synergy-guided antibiotic combination therapy (SGACT).

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed. Published studies of any design reporting outcomes of patients with MDR Gram-negative bacteria treated with SGACT were included.

Resistance to fosfomycin: Mechanisms, Frequency and Clinical Consequences.

Fosfomycin has been used for the treatment of infections due to susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis through a unique mechanism of action at a step prior to that inhibited by β-lactams. Fosfomycin enters the bacterium through membrane channels/transporters and inhibits MurA, which initiates peptidoglycan (PG) biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

An update on adverse drug reactions related to β-lactam antibiotics.

Introduction: β-lactams have been consistently associated with the majority of drug-related adverse events. Generally, these are mild under proper dosing and judicious selection.

Areas Covered: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions are the most feared adverse events encountered after β-lactam administration.

Activity of TP-6076 against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates collected from inpatients in Greek hospitals.

TP-6076 is a synthetic fluorocycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. In this study, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from 13 Greek hospitals were tested for susceptibility to TP-6076 and comparator antibiotics. Broth microdilution plates were used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).

Temporal Trends (1999-2015) in the Impact Factor of Biomedical Journals Published by US and EU Scientific Societies.

Objective: The impact factor has emerged as the most popular index of scientific journals' resonance. In this study we aimed to examine the impact factor trends of journals published by scientific bodies in the United States of America (USA) and Europe (EU).

Methods: We randomly chose 11 categories of Journal of Citation Reports and created three research classes: clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, and basic science.

Intravenous plus inhaled versus intravenous colistin monotherapy for lower respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate whether intravenous plus inhaled combination (IV/INHCC) compared to intravenous monotherapy (IVCM) was associated with patient outcomes and identify factors influencing study outcomes.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched till November 2016. Studies were included if they evaluated adult patients with lower respiratory tract infections due to MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacteria and reported comparative mortality data (adjusted and unadjusted) for patients receiving IV/INHCC versus IVCM.

Intravenous colistin combination antimicrobial treatment vs. monotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To evaluate whether intravenous colistin in combination with other antibiotics (IVCC) is associated with lower mortality compared with intravenous colistin monotherapy (IVCM), and to identify factors influencing study outcomes.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched up to November 2016. Studies were included if they evaluated adult patients with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) or extensively-drug-resistant Gram-negative infections, and reported comparative mortality data (adjusted and unadjusted) for patients receiving IVCC vs.

Prolonged versus short-term intravenous infusion of antipseudomonal β-lactams for patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Background: The findings of randomised controlled trials (RCT), observational studies, and meta-analyses vary regarding the effectiveness of prolonged β-lactam infusion. We aimed to identify the effectiveness of prolonged versus short-term infusion of antipseudomonal β-lactams in patients with sepsis.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare prolonged versus short-term intravenous infusion of antipseudomonal β-lactams in patients with sepsis.

The dilemma of monotherapy or combination therapy in community-acquired pneumonia.

Scope: To study the factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia treated with monotherapy or combination therapy.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched. Patients receiving macrolides, β-lactams and fluoroquinolones, as monotherapy or in combination, were included.

Resistance phenotypes and susceptibility of contemporary Serratia isolates in the university hospital of Crete, Greece.

Objective: To study changes in the susceptibility of Serratia spp. in Crete, Greece (2010-2015).

Methods: Non-duplicate isolates were examined using automated systems.

Inhaled colistin monotherapy for respiratory tract infections in adults without cystic fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Inhaled colistin is becoming increasingly popular against respiratory tract infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria because it may overcome the problems associated with intravenous (IV) administration.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of inhaled colistin as monotherapy (without concomitant IV administration of colistin) in the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by MDR or colistin-only susceptible Gram-negative bacteria.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were searched.

In vitro susceptibility and resistance phenotypes in contemporary Enterobacter isolates in a university hospital in Crete, Greece.

Aim: To study the evolution in the susceptibility of Enterobacter spp. in Crete, Greece from 2010 to 2015.

Methods: Non-duplicate isolates were studied using automated systems.

Activity of cefiderocol (S-649266) against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria collected from inpatients in Greek hospitals.

Background: Cefiderocol (S-649266), a siderophore cephalosporin, utilizes a novel mechanism of entry into the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria and is broadly stable to ESBLs and carbapenemases.

Methods: A collection of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical specimens in 18 Greek hospitals was tested for susceptibility to cefiderocol, meropenem, ceftazidime, cefepime, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, aztreonam, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, colistin and tigecycline. Broth microdilution plates were used to determine MICs.

In vitro susceptibility and resistance phenotypes in contemporary Citrobacter isolates in a University Hospital in Crete, Greece.

Background: Data on Citrobacter spp. susceptibility are scarce. We sought to study the evolution in the susceptibility of 385 Citrobacter spp.

Colistin loading dose: evaluation of the published pharmacokinetic and clinical data.

Colistin (polymyxin E) has been widely used since the beginning of the century as a last-option antibiotic for the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant and extensively-drug resistant bacterial infections. However, colistin dosing is troublesome because each batch of the drug contains a mixture of components and because it is administered as the inactive pro-drug colistimethate sodium (CMS), which has different pharmacokinetic (PK) properties from the active drug. Significant inter-individual and intra-individual variability in colistin plasma concentrations have been observed in all available studies.

Colistin versus polymyxin B for the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Colistin and polymyxin B (PMB) have different pharmacokinetic profiles and minor differences in antimicrobial activities that may result in discrepancies in mortality and nephrotoxicity. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched.

Impact of oseltamivir use on the reduction of complications in patients with influenza: a prospective study.

To evaluate the factors associated with oseltamivir prescription and to study the effectiveness of oseltamivir in reducing influenza-related complications. A prospective cohort study using the SOS Doctors (a network of physicians who perform house-call visits in Attica, Greece). Patients with confirmed or clinically suspected influenza were followed up to 14 days during the 2011-2012 influenza period.

Clostridium difficile infection following systemic antibiotic administration in randomised controlled trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Antibiotics have been the most important risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). However, only data from non-randomised studies have been reviewed. We sought to evaluate the risk for development of CDI associated with the major antibiotic classes by analysing data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Susceptibility of contemporary isolates to fosfomycin: a systematic review of the literature.

The aim of this review was to evaluate the susceptibility of contemporary Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to fosfomycin. PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched to identify studies published in print or electronically from January 2010 until June 2015. In total, 84 studies were selected.

Fosfomycin.

The treatment of bacterial infections suffers from two major problems: spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens and lack of development of new antibiotics active against such MDR and XDR bacteria. As a result, physicians have turned to older antibiotics, such as polymyxins, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Lately, due to development of resistance to these agents, fosfomycin has gained attention, as it has remained active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative MDR and XDR bacteria.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for Acinetobacter spp.: A review of current microbiological and clinical evidence.

Clinicians nowadays are confronted with an epidemic of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter infections and are forced to consider every treatment alternative, including older antibiotic agents, not conventionally used. This review aimed to evaluate the published evidence on the antimicrobial activity and clinical effectiveness of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) against Acinetobacter spp. Selected in vitro studies included antimicrobial surveillance reports, microbiological studies regarding the activity of TMP-SMX against MDR Acinetobacter isolates, and clinical studies published after the year 2000.