Fidaxomicin monotherapy versus standard therapy combined with bezlotoxumab for treating patients with Clostridioides difficile infection at high risk of recurrence: a matched cohort study.

Background: Both fidaxomicin and bezlotoxumab (used in combination with an antibiotic against Clostridioides difficile) achieve reductions in recurrence rates of C. difficile infection (CDI). However, the two strategies have never been compared.

Real-World Experience with Bezlotoxumab for Prevention of Recurrence of Infection.

Bezlotoxumab is marketed for the prevention of recurrent infection (rCDI). Its high cost could be determining its prescription to a different population than that represented in clinical trials. The objective of the study was to verify the effectiveness and safety of bezlotoxumab in preventing rCDI and to investigate factors related to bezlotoxumab failure in the real world.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of aztreonam/avibactam for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections in hospitalized adults: results from the REJUVENATE study.

Objectives: To investigate pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety (primary objectives) and efficacy (secondary objective) of the investigational monobactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination aztreonam/avibactam in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI).

Methods: This Phase 2a open-label, multicentre study (NCT02655419; EudraCT 2015-002726-39) enrolled adults with cIAI into sequential cohorts for 5-14 days treatment. Cohort 1 patients received an aztreonam/avibactam loading dose of 500/137 mg (30 min infusion), followed by maintenance doses of 1500/410 mg (3 h infusions) q6h; Cohort 2 received 500/167 mg (30 min infusion), followed by 1500/500 mg (3 h infusions) q6h.

Long-Term Impact of an Educational Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Hospital-Acquired Candidemia and Multidrug-Resistant Bloodstream Infections: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

Background: The global crisis of bacterial resistance urges the scientific community to implement intervention programs in healthcare facilities to promote an appropriate use of antibiotics. However, the clinical benefits or the impact on resistance of these interventions has not been definitively proved.

Methods: We designed a quasi-experimental intervention study with an interrupted time-series analysis.

Viral load, CMV-specific T-cell immune response and cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients at higher risk for cytomegalovirus infection during preemptive therapy.

Despite advances in prevention, cytomegalovirus (CMV) recurrence is an important challenge in high-risk organ recipients. The present study prospectively evaluates the impact of CMV-specific T-cell immune response and secondary prophylaxis on the risk of recurrence in a cohort of CMV high-risk organ recipients and whether it is possible to determine a safe standardized viral load value below which CMV disease is unlikely. Thirty-nine recipients were included.

Studies on the antimicrobial activity of cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptides in colistin-resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Objectives: Acinetobacter baumannii has successfully developed resistance against all common antibiotics, including colistin, one of the last active drugs against this pathogen. We have tested whether the differences in lethal mechanism between polymyxin B and the cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide CA(1-8)M(1-18), shown previously with a colistin-susceptible strain, can be exploited as a new chemotherapeutic alternative against colistin-resistant clinical isolates. Furthermore, the effect of capsule on the bactericidal activity of cecropin A-melittin analogues (CAMs) was tested.

Activity of cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptides against colistin-resistant clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii: molecular basis for the differential mechanisms of action.

Acinetobacter baumannii has successfully developed resistance against all common antibiotics, including colistin (polymyxin E), the last universally active drug against this pathogen. The possible widespread distribution of colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains may create an alarming clinical situation.