Clinical outcome of combination of vancomycin and ceftaroline versus vancomycin monotherapy for treatment of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection.

Background: The role of combination therapies for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is widely debated.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adults with MRSA bacteraemia treated between January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022. Patients receiving combination therapy with vancomycin and ceftaroline were matched in a 2:1 ratio with those on vancomycin monotherapy based on bacteraemia source and illness severity.

Morbidity and mortality of Serratia marcescens bacteraemia during the substance use epidemic.

Background: Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) is an Enterobacterales species present throughout the environment and causes a range of infections. Historically, S.

Uncomplicated Streptococcal Bacteremia: The Era of Oral Antibiotic Step-down Therapy?

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of adults with uncomplicated streptococcal bacteremia who received either oral (PO) step-down or continued intravenous (IV) therapy.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study, including adults admitted with Streptococcal bloodstream infection between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020. Only patients with uncomplicated Streptococcal bloodstream infections were included.

Limited Clinical Utility of Follow-up Blood Cultures in Patients With Streptococcal Bacteremia: An Opportunity for Blood Culture Stewardship.

Background: The value of positive follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in streptococcal bacteremia has not been well defined. Therefore, we explored the frequency of and risk factors for positive FUBC in a retrospective cohort of patients with streptococcal bacteremia.

Methods: Adults ≥18 years of age, admitted with at least 1 positive blood culture for spp between 2013 and 2018 followed by at least 1 FUBC, were potentially eligible.

Infective Endocarditis During the Infectious Diseases and Substance Use Disorder Syndemic: A Six-Year Case Series.

Treatment for infective endocarditis (IE) has not been extensively studied in the setting of rising injection drug use. There were 12 cases of IE at the Maine Medical Center between 2013 and 2018. The patient characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

Mortality, morbidity, and cardiac surgery in Injection Drug Use (IDU)-associated versus non-IDU infective endocarditis: The need to expand substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction services.

Background: The addiction crisis is widespread, and unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID) can lead to infective endocarditis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of adult patients with definite or possible infective endocarditis admitted to a tertiary care center in Portland, Maine was performed over three-year period. Our primary objective was to examine differences in demographics, health characteristics, and health service utilization between injection drug use (IDU)-associated infective endocarditis and non-IDU infective endocarditis.

The Addition of Intravenous Metronidazole to Oral Vancomycin is Associated With Improved Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Clostridium difficile Infection.

Background: The optimal therapy for critically ill patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is not known. We aimed to evaluate mortality among critically ill patients with CDI who received oral vancomycin (monotherapy) vs oral vancomycin with intravenous (IV) metronidazole (combination therapy).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective, observational, comparative study was performed.

Stability and compatibility of antimicrobial lock solutions.

Purpose: Published stability and compatibility data on a growing array of solutions used for antimicrobial lock therapy (ALT) are reviewed.

Summary: ALT involves the instillation of a highly concentrated antimicrobial, often in combination with an anticoagulant, into a central venous catheter (CVC) lumen; this technique is often used for prophylaxis after CVC insertion or as an adjunctive treatment in cases of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) if catheter removal is not feasible. Optimal selection of stable and compatible antimicrobials and additives can maximize catheter dwell times, streamline pharmacy compounding practices, and help ensure patient safety.

Update on raltegravir and the development of new integrase strand transfer inhibitors.

Raltegravir (RAL) is the first antiretroviral in the integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) class. The use of RAL has expanded since its approval in October 2007 for multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in adults. RAL is now a guideline-preferred treatment option for antiretroviral-naïve patients, indicated for treatment in adolescents, and is being studied as an integral part of nucleoside sparing regimens.

Role of raltegravir in HIV-1 management.

Objective: To review the literature concerning the role of raltegravir in the treatment of HIV-1 in antiretroviral (ARV)-experienced and ARV-naïve patients.

Data Sources: A PubMed search was conducted for published data through March 2012 using the search terms raltegravir, MK-0518, and integrase strand transfer inhibitor. An additional search of International Pharmaceutical Abstracts for unpublished data, including data from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, the International AIDS Society, and the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, was conducted using similar search terms.