Outcomes of de novo belatacept-based immunosuppression regimen and avoidance of calcineurin inhibitors in recipients of kidney allografts at higher risk for underutilization.

To describe an experience using a protocol using de novo belatacept (DNB) based maintenance immunosuppression in the setting of lymphocyte depletion. A retrospective, observational study was performed on 37 kidney transplant recipients treated with the DNB protocol, which was defined as belatacept initiated within 7 days after a kidney transplant with steroids and mycophenolate with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction without concomitant calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). Patients who received a deceased donor kidney meeting one or more of the following criteria: anticipated cold ischemia time (CIT) greater than 24 h, donation after cardiac death, donor acute kidney injury, and a Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) >85% during the study period were included.

Pharmacy collected medication histories in an observation unit.

Background: Clear processes to facilitate medication reconciliation in a hospital setting are still undefined. The observation unit allows for a high patient turnover rate, where obtaining accurate medication histories is critical.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the ability of pharmacists and student pharmacists to identify discrepancies in medication histories obtained at triage in observation patients.

Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients with hematologic malignancies based on an institution-specific guideline.

A total of 26 adults with hematologic malignancies and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplant were treated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection based on an institutional guideline. Thirteen patients received aerosolized ribavirin, and 13 received aerosolized ribavirin and intravenous palivizumab. Two deaths, not attributed to RSV infection, occurred within 90 days of diagnosis.

Past, present, and future therapies for Clostridium difficile-associated disease.

Objective: To describe and examine the past, present, and potential future treatment options for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD).

Data Sources: A PubMed search, restricted to English-language articles concerning CDAD, was conducted (1965-October 2006) using the key words Clostridium difficile, diarrhea, vancomycin, metronidazole, immunoglobulin, and recurrence. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of cited articles and by visiting www.

Cefepime: a fourth-generation parenteral cephalosporin.

Objective: To review the chemistry, microbiology, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy, adverse effect profile, drug interactions, dosing, and administration of cefepime, a new fourth-generation parenteral cephalosporin.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search of the available literature, including clinical trials and reviews, was performed. Abstracts presented at recent scientific conferences and current publications were also reviewed.