Effectiveness of ceftazidime-avibactam versus ceftolozane-tazobactam for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in the USA (CACTUS): a multicentre, retrospective, observational study.

Background: Ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are preferred treatment options for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections; however, real-world comparative effectiveness studies are scarce. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between the agents might affect clinical response rates. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam for treatment of invasive multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections.

Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children and Adults - Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2010-2023.

Problem/condition: Seasonal influenza accounts for 9.3 million-41 million illnesses, 100,000-710,000 hospitalizations, and 4,900-51,000 deaths annually in the United States. Since 2003, the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) has been conducting population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States, including weekly rate estimations and descriptions of clinical characteristics and outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Extrapolating Sentinel Surveillance Information to Estimate National COVID Hospital Admission Rates: A Bayesian Modeling Approach.

The COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET) was established in March 2020 to monitor trends in hospitalizations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-NET is a geographically diverse population-based surveillance system for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalizations with a combined catchment area covering approximately 10% of the US population. Data collected in COVID-NET includes monthly counts of hospitalizations for persons with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who reside within the defined catchment area.

COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥18 Years - COVID-NET, 12 States, October 2023-April 2024.

Among adults, COVID-19 hospitalization rates increase with age. Data from the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network were analyzed to estimate population-based COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates during October 2023-April 2024 and identify demographic and clinical characteristics of adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with COVID-19. Adults aged ≥65 years accounted for 70% of all adult COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, and their COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates were higher than those among younger adult age groups.

Molecular and Epidemiological Investigation of Fluconazole-resistant -Georgia, United States, 2021.

Background: Reports of fluconazole-resistant bloodstream infections are increasing. We describe a cluster of fluconazole-resistant bloodstream infections identified in 2021 on routine surveillance by the Georgia Emerging Infections Program in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze bloodstream infections isolates.

Evaluating indwelling devices and other risk factors for mortality in invasive Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections in Georgia, 2012-2019.

Objective: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections are a public health threat due to the risk of transmission between patients and high associated mortality. We sought to identify risk factors for mortality in patients with invasive CRE infections and to specifically evaluate whether there was an association between indwelling medical devices and 90-day mortality.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study of patients infected with CRE in the eight-county metropolitan Atlanta area between 2012 and 2019.

The role of the hospital bed in hospital-onset : A retrospective study with mediation analysis.

Objective: To determine whether residing in a hospital bed that previously held an occupant with increases the risk of hospital-onset infection (HO-CDI).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used a real-time location system to track the movement of hospital beds in 2 academic hospitals from April 2018 to August 2019. We abstracted patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results from the medical record.

Otosyphilis.

Otosyphilis can be challenging to diagnose, but, if left unrecognized, it may cause irreversible damage. An immunologic interplay between syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) makes coinfection likely and may predispose people with HIV to neurosyphilis. In this study, we present a case of a man in his 50s with hearing loss and vertigo diagnosed with otosyphilis as well as a new diagnosis of HIV.

The impact of COVID-19 on multidrug-resistant organisms causing healthcare-associated infections: a narrative review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed healthcare across the world. With this change came an increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a concerning concurrent proliferation of MDR organisms (MDROs). In this narrative review, we describe the impact of COVID-19 on HAIs and MDROs, describe potential causes of these changes, and discuss future directions to combat the observed rise in rates of HAIs and MDRO infections.

Evaluation of clinicians' knowledge and use of minimum inhibitory concentration values.

Routinely reporting minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to clinicians remains controversial. We surveyed clinicians to assess their knowledge and usage of MIC in clinical scenarios. The majority of respondents used MIC values to select antibiotic therapy, with a tendency to use those antibiotics with lower MICs, regardless of clinical appropriateness.

Factors Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in heart failure and is associated with higher mortality rates. The mechanism behind cognitive impairment in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has not been established.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between abnormal cardiac hemodynamics and cognitive impairment in individuals with HFpEF.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Adults: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, and 70%-80% are catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). About 25% of hospitalized patients have an indwelling urinary catheter placed during their hospital stay, and therefore, are at risk for CAUTIs, which have been associated with worse patient outcomes. Additionally, hospitals face a significant financial impact since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services incentive program penalizes hospitals with higher than expected CAUTIs.

Heart Failure and Cognitive Impairment in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background: Previous studies suggest that heart failure (HF) is an independent risk factor for cognitive decline. A better understanding of the relationship between HF, cognitive status, and cognitive decline in a community-based sample may help clinicians understand disease risk.

Objective: To examine whether persons with HF have a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and whether persons developing HF have more rapid cognitive decline.

A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Risky Sexual Behavior and Decrease Sexually Transmitted Infections in Latinas Living in the United States.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of behavioral interventions in reducing risky sexual behavior and incident sexually transmitted infections (STI) among Latina women living in the United States. Studies were found by systematically searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychInfo databases without language restriction. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts of articles to find randomized control trials testing the effects of behavioral interventions aimed at changing risky sexual behavior among Latinas.