Attributable mortality of candidemia - Results from the ECMM Candida III multinational European Observational Cohort Study.

Introduction: Despite antifungal advancements, candidaemia still has a high mortality rate of up to 40%. The ECMM Candida III study in Europe investigated the changing epidemiology and outcomes of candidaemia for better understanding and management of these infections.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, participating hospitals enrolled the first ten consecutive adults with blood culture-proven candidemia.

Bacterial contamination of endoscopist and assistant face visors during gastrointestinal endoscopy: a pilot study.

Background And Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers' facial exposure to pathogens has been brought into focus. In this study, we aimed to determine the occurrence and degree of facial contamination to both endoscopists and their assistants during endoscopic procedures to help inform future safety measures.

Methods: Non-sterile visors worn by endoscopist, assistant and room control visors from 50 procedures were swabbed post procedure for culture.

Guideline adherence and survival of patients with candidaemia in Europe: results from the ECMM Candida III multinational European observational cohort study.

Background: The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) collected data on epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of patients with culture-proven candidaemia across Europe to assess how adherence to guideline recommendations is associated with outcomes.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, 64 participating hospitals located in 20 European countries, with the number of eligible hospitals per country determined by population size, included the first ten consecutive adults with culture-proven candidaemia after July 1, 2018, and entered data into the ECMM Candida Registry (FungiScope CandiReg). We assessed ECMM Quality of Clinical Candidaemia Management (EQUAL Candida) scores reflecting adherence to recommendations of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.

Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: Risk Factors for Adverse Clinical Outcome in Routine Clinical Practice.

We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcomes of pyogenic spondylodiscitis and to identify factors associated with an unfavourable clinical outcome (defined as death, permanent disability, spinal instability or persistent pain). In our tertiary centre, 91 cases were identified prospectively and a retrospective descriptive analysis of clinical records was performed prior to binary regression analysis of factors associated with an unfavourable outcome. A median 26 days elapsed from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis and 51% of patients had neurological impairment at presentation.

Pyogenic brain abscess and subdural empyema: presentation, management, and factors predicting outcome.

Purpose: To describe the presentation and management of bacterial brain abscess and subdural empyema in adults treated at two tertiary centers. In addition, to identify factors that may predict a poor clinical outcome.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of data obtained from clinical records was performed, followed by multivariate regression analysis of patient and treatment-related factors.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia-A Case Series of a Rare Keratitis Affecting Patients With Bandage Contact Lens.

Objectives: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen known to form biofilms on contact lens and case surfaces that may result in permanent visual loss in cases of microbial keratitis. Because of its multiple drug resistance and extremely low incidence, there is little consensus on treatment. We investigated the predisposing factors, management, and visual outcomes in a small case series of patients to better inform the management of this rarely reported keratitis.