Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) on Serum Concentrations of Cefepime.

ECMO is becoming widely used as a life-saving measure for critically ill patients. However, there is limited data on pharmacokinetics and the dosing of beta-lactam antibiotics in ECMO. In this study, we evaluated the serum concentrations of cefepime in patients on ECMO to determine the impact of ECMO circuitry and to guide therapeutic dosing.

Pneumonia in Patients Treated for Solid Organ Malignancy.

is a fungal pathogen that can present as an opportunistic cause of pneumonia and can occur in individuals with various causes of immunosuppression, including malignancy and treatments for malignancy that confer increased risk. Although the guidelines for use of prophylaxis in certain populations are clear, the rapid development of novel cancer therapies elicits the need to accurately assess the degree of immunosuppression conferred by these regimens and to determine if patients receiving these therapies warrant prophylaxis. We present 2 cases of pneumonia in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast treated with a dose-dense chemotherapy regimen consisting of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel.

Long-Term Survival Rates and Treatment Trends of Burkitt Lymphoma in Patients with HIV-A National Cancer Database (NCDB) Study.

Background: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) accounts for 10-35% of AIDS-defining lymphoma in people with HIV (PWH). Previous research consisting of smaller cohorts has shown decreased survival for HIV-associated BL. This study aims to compare overall mortality in BL patients with and without HIV, while investigating impact of treatment modalities in HIV-associated BL.

Incidence and Prognosis of Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause multisystem complications, with pulmonary involvement associated with the highest mortality. Pneumothorax (PT) and pneumomediastinum (PM) are uncommon complications of COVID-19 that have been reported to occur in the absence of trauma or mechanical ventilation. This study seeks to determine the incidence of these complications in patients with COVID-19 and evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes.

A comparison of clinical outcomes associated with dosing metronidazole every 8 hours versus every 12 hours: a systematic review and metaanalysis.

Background: Metronidazole treats obligate anaerobic bacterial and protozoal infections, with an elimination half-life of around 8 hours. The long elimination half-life, the favorable ratio of steady-state serum levels to minimum inhibitory concentration, and the presence of active metabolites have led to the consideration of metronidazole use at 12-hour dosage intervals. This systematic review aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of twice-daily and thrice-daily metronidazole dosing.

Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Humans: A Narrative Review of the Most Neglected Parasitic Disease.

Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection affecting 613.9 million people annually, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. The reported seroprevalence in the United States is 4% with most of the cases reported in immigrants.

Readmission rates in HIV-associated burkitt lymphoma patients in the USA: a nationwide readmission database (NRD) analysis.

Background: People with human immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk of developing AIDS-defining malignancies including Burkitt lymphoma. Survival outcomes in HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma remain worse than non-HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma, despite widespread implementation of antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day and 90-day readmission in the US after index hospitalization for Burkitt lymphoma.

Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis: A Clinical Review.

Mucormycosis is a devastating fungal infection that is usually seen in immunocompromised hosts. It is caused by fungi of the subphylum , order , with most cases caused by , , or species. It can involve any organ system and can disseminate in severe cases.

Assessment of the impact of centralized bioMérieux BACT/ALERT® VIRTUO® blood culture system (VIRTUO) implementation on outcomes in patients with gram-negative bacteremia.

Background: We evaluated pre- and postimplementation of Virtuo on outcome in patients with gram-negative bacteremia using a quasiexperimental time-in-motion design.

Methods: Becton Dickinson BACTEC™ 9000 series (Bactec) (2018) and Virtuo system (2020) were utilized in a decentralized and centralized process, respectively. Data collected in August-December in 2018 and 2020 were analyzed with SPSS (ver 28).

Diagnosis and Outcomes of Fungal Co-Infections in COVID-19 Infections: A Retrospective Study.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in a public health emergency with unique complications such as the development of fungal co-infections. The diagnosis of fungal infections can be challenging due to confounding imaging studies and difficulty obtaining histopathology. In this retrospective study, 173 patients with COVID-19 receiving antifungal therapy due to concern for fungal co-infection were evaluated.

Sex and Race Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B During COVID-19: A Single-Center Retrospective Review.

Background: The management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is complex and spans multiple medical specialties. As a result of this complexity, patients with CHB often do not receive adequate monitoring including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance with abdominal ultrasonography. Previous studies have identified multiple factors associated with decreased HCC surveillance.

Discharge disposition and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Objectives: By better understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 and assessing rehabilitation placement among the patients in our study, we hope to determine the predictors of rehabilitation needs in individuals suffering from the long-term sequelae of COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of adult patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test among multiple hospitals in a regional health system. The main outcomes measured were discharge disposition, total length of hospital stay, and overall all-cause mortality and readmission rates within 30 and 90 days of discharge.

Fatal Case of Pneumonia in a Patient With COVID-19.

is a rare, gram-negative rod that was initially regarded as a plant pathogen. However, has been reported as the primary pathogen causing pneumonia in organ transplant recipients and in patients with cystic fibrosis. We report a case of bacterial pneumonia caused by in a patient hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Doxycycline Induced Pancreatitis: An Uncommon Complication of a Common Drug.

We describe the risk factors for the development, timing, and severity of doxycycline induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) in two case reports and a review of prior published cases, to better understand DIAP. Clinicians must maintain a high level of suspicion for DIAP in patients presenting with acute pancreatitis, while on doxycycline therapy. The latency and severity of DIAP are variable, making diagnosis challenging.

COVID-19 Mortality and Therapeutics in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa during Early Pandemic.

Different pharmacotherapeutics have been introduced, and then stopped or continued, for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the risks associated with mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Data was concurrently or retrospectively captured on COVID-19 hospitalized patients from 6 regional hospitals within the health system.

Readmissions among People Living with HIV Admitted for Hypertensive Emergency.

Objectives: People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive emergency (HTNE), a complication of hypertension with potentially serious health implications, has high healthcare utilization. We attempted to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

Histoplasmosis presenting as colitis and blood dyscrasias in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 28-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus on hydroxychloroquine and steroid therapy presented with fever, dysentery, and thrombocytopenia. Marrow aspirate revealed yeast forms of histoplasmosis. She was treated with liposomal amphotericin B followed by itraconazole with resolution of symptoms and marrow recovery.

Role of procalcitonin as a predictor of clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between procalcitonin (PCT) levels and clinical outcomes including in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and hospital length of stay in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data of 223 patients who met inclusion criteria were analyzed. PCT measurements of 0.

Cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia: a case report and systematic review of literature.

Background: Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin commonly used for skin and soft tissue infections, abdominal and orthopedic surgery prophylaxis, and methicillin-sensitive staph aureus. Cephalosporins as a whole are known potential inducers of hemolytic anemia; however, mechanism of action is primarily autoimmune, and compared to other drugs, cefazolin is the least common.

Methods: A rare case report of cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia "CIHA" and a systematic review of CIHA articles in English literature.

Pharmacotherapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Purpose: To provide an updated review of the diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and summarize guideline recommendations for an interdisciplinary treatment approach.

Summary: A systemic approach was taken in which all articles in English in MEDLINE and PubMed were reviewed. The US National Library of Medicine's DailyMed database was used to assess drug package inserts.

Challenges in the Management of Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections in Patients With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt.

Gram-negative bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS) have worse clinical outcomes. The most common bacteria include , Citrobacter species, Enterobacter species, Serratia species, and . There are multiple risk factors for CNS infection after shunt insertion, including younger age, obstructive hydrocephalus, shunt revision surgery, and trauma.

: Beyond Gastroenteritis.

Introduction: has been found within the gastrointestinal flora. Due to its ubiquity, is usually considered a contaminant. However, it can cause serious infections in certain populations.