Overall Infectious Complications Related to Belatacept Conversion in Comparison to Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Belatacept has demonstrated effectiveness for preventing rejection in kidney transplant and has a favorable side effect profile. Studies assessing long-term infectious complications with belatacept compared to tacrolimus are limited. The purpose of this program evaluation was to determine the proportion of patients who developed an infection when converted to belatacept compared to those on tacrolimus.

Rectal screening for azole non-susceptible Candida species in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Introduction: Candidiasis is the most common invasive fungal infection in solid organ transplant recipients, and liver transplant (LT) recipients are at heightened risk. We hypothesized that pre-transplant screening for azole non-susceptible Candida (ANSC) allows for tailored antifungal prophylaxis to reduce the incidence of post-LT ANSC infection.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of adult (age ≥18 years) patients who underwent LT at Yale New Haven Hospital from April 2019 to March 2021.

Review and drug therapy implications of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Purpose: The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and medication-use implications of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, the most common enzyme deficiency in humans, are reviewed.

Summary: Originally identified as favism in patients who experienced hemolysis after ingestion of fava beans, G6PD deficiency results from an X-linked chromosomal mutation that leads to reduced activity of the enzyme responsible for the final step of the pentose phosphate pathway, through which reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate required for protection of cells from oxidative stress is produced. G6PD deficiency affects about 400 million people worldwide.

Impact of A Collaborative Strategy to Reduce the Inappropriate Use of Acid Suppressive Therapy in Non-Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Background: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is inappropriately prescribed in more than 30% of non-intensive care unit (ICU) patients, leading to unnecessary adverse events as well as increases in economic burden.

Objective: There was an increasing trend in the prophylactic use of acid suppressive therapy (AST) in non-critically ill patients at our institution, which prompted this initiative aimed at reducing the inappropriate use of AST in non-ICU patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective interventional study that consisted of formulation of a guideline, education to the hospitalist service, and intervention by clinical pharmacists.