Impact of Fluconazole Resistance on the Outcomes of Patients With Candida parapsilosis Bloodstream Infections: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background: This study assesses the impact of fluconazole resistance on 30-day all-cause mortality and 1-year recurrence in patients with Candida parapsilosis bloodstream infections (BSI).

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed at 3 hospitals in Italy and Spain between 2018 and 2022. Adult patients with positive blood cultures for C.

Pre-engraftment bloodstream infection after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant: 18-year trends in aetiology, resistance and mortality.

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are frequent complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). This study reports data on pre-engraftment BSI in years 2016-2021 and analyses changes in incidence, aetiology, resistance and mortality compared with two previous periods (2004-2009 and 2010-2015). In years 2004-2021, 1364 patients received HCT.

Target Attainment and Population Pharmacokinetics of Cefazolin in Patients with Invasive Infections: A Prospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to determine cefazolin target attainment in patients with invasive () infections and to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model. Adult patients with invasive infections treated with cefazolin bolus infusions were included. Unbound and total trough and mid-dose cefazolin concentrations were measured, and strain-specific MICs were determined.

The State-of-the-Art of Infections and the Causal Link with Health Settings: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background. A definition of healthcare-associated infections is essential also for the attribution of the restorative burden to healthcare facilities in case of harm and for clinical risk management strategies. Regarding infections, there remains several issues on the ecosystem and pathogenesis.

Mycoplasma hominis as Cause of Extragenital Infection in Patients with Hypogammaglobulinemia: Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review.

Mycoplasma hominis can be a part of human urogenital tract microbiome, and it is a frequent cause of urogenital infections. In rare cases, it can also cause extragenital infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this case series, we report two cases and provide a literature review of extragenital infections caused by M.

Prediction of candidemia with machine learning techniques: state of the art.

In this narrative review, we discuss studies assessing the use of machine learning (ML) models for the early diagnosis of candidemia, focusing on employed models and the related implications. There are currently few studies evaluating ML techniques for the early diagnosis of candidemia as a prediction task based on clinical and laboratory features. The use of ML tools holds promise to provide highly accurate and real-time support to clinicians for relevant therapeutic decisions at the bedside of patients with suspected candidemia.

A gain-of-function variant in SREBF1 causes generalized skin hyperpigmentation with congenital cataracts.

Background: Lipid metabolism has essential roles in skin barrier formation and the regulation of skin inflammation. Lipid homeostasis regulates skin melanogenesis, although the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is a key transcription factor essential for cellular lipid metabolism.

Management of intra-abdominal infections: recommendations by the Italian council for the optimization of antimicrobial use.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital settings, particularly if poorly managed. The cornerstones of effective IAIs management include early diagnosis, adequate source control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and early physiologic stabilization using intravenous fluids and vasopressor agents in critically ill patients. Adequate empiric antimicrobial therapy in patients with IAIs is of paramount importance because inappropriate antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor outcomes.

Opportunities to Enhance Diagnostic Testing and Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Qualitative Multinational Survey of Healthcare Professionals.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge. Global efforts to decrease AMR through antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives include education and optimising the use of diagnostic technologies and antibiotics. Despite this, economic and societal challenges hinder AMS efforts.

A holistic evaluation of patients with chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection enrolled in the Italian PITER-B and delta cohort.

Background And Aims: We aimed to characterize the epidemiologic and comorbidities profiles of patients with chronic Hepatitis D (CHD) followed in clinical practice in Italy and explored their interferon (IFN) eligibility.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the PITER cohort consisting of consecutive HBsAg-positive patients from 59 centers over the period 2019-2023. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression model.

NSAIDs for early management of acute respiratory infections.

Purpose Of Review: To review the rationale for and the potential clinical benefits of an early approach to viral acute respiratory infections with NSAIDs to switch off the inflammatory cascade before the inflammatory process becomes complicated.

Recent Findings: It has been shown that in COVID-19 as in other viral respiratory infections proinflammatory cytokines are produced, which are responsible of respiratory and systemic symptoms. There have been concerns that NSAIDs could increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or aggravate COVID-19.

Decompressive craniectomy plus best medical treatment versus best medical treatment alone for spontaneous severe deep supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: It is unknown whether decompressive craniectomy improves clinical outcome for people with spontaneous severe deep intracerebral haemorrhage. The SWITCH trial aimed to assess whether decompressive craniectomy plus best medical treatment in these patients improves outcome at 6 months compared to best medical treatment alone.

Methods: In this multicentre, randomised, open-label, assessor-blinded trial conducted in 42 stroke centres in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, adults (18-75 years) with a severe intracerebral haemorrhage involving the basal ganglia or thalamus were randomly assigned to receive either decompressive craniectomy plus best medical treatment or best medical treatment alone.

Cefepime-taniborbactam and CERTAIN-1: Can we treat carbapenem-resistant infections?

Wagenlehner and colleagues demonstrated non-inferiority and superiority with respect to a primary endpoint of composite success (microbiological plus clinical) of cefepime/taniborbactam vs. meropenem in treating complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis caused by carbapenem-susceptible gram-negative bacteria in adults. A major area of interest in real-world application of cefepime/taniborbactam is its potential role in treating carbapenem-resistant infections, which deserves further investigation.

Hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in critically ill cirrhotic patients: a post-hoc analysis of the EUROBACT-2 international cohort study.

Background: Hospital-acquired bloodstream infections are common in the intensive care unit (ICU) and have a high mortality rate. Patients with cirrhosis are especially susceptible to infections, yet there is a knowledge gap in the epidemiological distinctions in hospital-acquired bloodstream infections between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients in the ICU. It has been suggested that cirrhotic patients, present a trend towards more gram-positive infections, and especially enterococcal infections.

Weight Gain in Overweight and Obese People with HIV-The OBHIV Cohort.

Background: HIV and non-HIV-related factors have been related to weight gain (WG); however, their specific impact on people with HIV (PWH) who are overweight or obese remains unclear.

Methods: This is a single-center observational study enrolling PWH with a BMI > 25 kg/m. A generalized linear model was used to assess variables related to greater WG during 12 years of observation.

Oil and Organic Liquids Incorporation into Fresh Geopolymer Pastes Using Suitable Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants.

The direct incorporation of low viscosity organic liquids (OL) such as dodecane and tributylphosphate (TBP) into fresh geopolymers (GP) is difficult and generally leads to variable amounts of un-incorporated OL remaining outside the hardened geopolymer. Experimentally, it is observed that a regular torque increase during OL incorporation corresponds to a suitable dispersion of the OL in the form of fine micrometric droplets. This can be obtained for TBP and dodecane by adding a small quantity of quaternary ammoniums salts (QAs) such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).

The role of centre and country factors on process and outcome indicators in critically ill patients with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between centre/country-based factors and two important process and outcome indicators in patients with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSI).

Methods: We used data on HABSI from the prospective EUROBACT-2 study to evaluate the associations between centre/country factors on a process or an outcome indicator: adequacy of antimicrobial therapy within the first 24 h or 28-day mortality, respectively. Mixed logistical models with clustering by centre identified factors associated with both indicators.

Lower (1,3)-beta-d-glucan sensitivity and in vitro levels in Candida auris and Candida parapsilosis strains.

Objectives: The serum (1,3)-beta-d-glucan (BDG) assay gives quicker results and has higher sensitivity than blood cultures, therefore it is advised for early diagnosis of invasive candidemia and/or discontinuation of empirical therapy. Its sensitivity may depend on different factors. The aim of our study was to analyse the in vitro and in vivo BDG levels in clinical isolates of three species of Candida responsible for candidemia.

Antibiotic Strategies for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Despite advancements in health systems and intensive care unit (ICU) care, along with the introduction of novel antibiotics and microbiologic techniques, mortality rates in severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) patients have not shown significant improvement. Delayed admission to the ICU is a major risk factor for higher mortality. Apart from choosing the appropriate site of care, prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy significantly affects the prognosis of sCAP.

Impact of Comorbid Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Atrial Fibrillation on the Long-Term Outcome After Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are highly prevalent in patients with stroke and are recognized as independent risk factors for stroke. Little is known about the impact of comorbid SDB and AF on long-term outcomes after stroke.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 353 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks were analyzed.

Efficacy and Safety of Reparixin in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

Introduction: Polymorphonuclear cell influx into the interstitial and bronchoalveolar spaces is a cardinal feature of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), principally mediated by interleukin-8 (IL-8). We sought to determine whether reparixin, a novel IL-8 pathway inhibitor, could reduce disease progression in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: In this Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized 2:1 to receive oral reparixin 1200 mg three times daily or placebo for up to 21 days or until hospital discharge.