Population-Based Analysis of the Risk of Mycobacterial Infections Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

In this population-based study, we examined the risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors among people with cancer. Using a nested case-control design, we identified 184 cases and 714 matched controls; there was no significant association on conditional logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio, 0.51 [95% confidence interval, .

Safety of Triple-Dose Rifampin in Tuberculosis Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is growing interest in using high-dose rifampin for tuberculosis treatment. Recent studies suggest that triple-dose rifampin (TDR; ≥30 mg/kg/day) may be unsafe. We updated a systematic review to investigate the safety and efficacy of TDR.

Treatment of the Less Common Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease caused by the less common nontuberculous mycobacteria have distinct features depending on the species. Diagnostic evaluation follows the established criteria for all nontuberculous mycobacteria, but with certain qualifications given species-specific and regional differences in pathogenicity. Clinicians should first institute nonpharmacologic management and evaluate clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic factors in the decision regarding antimycobacterial therapy.

External Validation of the BACES Score in Canadian Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Background: The clinical course of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) can be variable and difficult to predict. Recently, the BACES score was developed as a tool to predict all-cause mortality in patients with NTM-PD. This score is calculated based on five patient characteristics (BMI, age, cavity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and sex), and higher scores portend worse prognosis.

The Other Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Clinical Aspects of Lung Disease Caused by Less Common Slowly Growing Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Species.

Slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) comprise a diverse group of environmental organisms, many of which are important human pathogens. The most common and well-known member of this group is Mycobacterium avium, the leading cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) globally. This review focuses on the less common, but notable, species of slowly growing NTM with respect to lung disease.

High-dose rifamycins in the treatment of TB: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is growing interest in using high-dose rifamycin (HDR) regimens in TB treatment, but the safety and efficacy of HDR regimens remain uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing HDR to standard-dose rifamycin (SDR) regimens.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and clinicaltrials.

Long-term macrolide therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population-based time series analysis.

Background: Macrolides are recommended as an adjunctive treatment for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience recurrent exacerbations. The objective of this study was to examine temporal trends in the provision of long-term macrolide therapy, specifically before and after publication of the landmark MACRO trial in August 2011 showing efficacy of macrolides for this indication.

Methods: We performed an interrupted time series analysis using population-level health administrative data.

Assessing the utilization and impact of a newly established outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe and effective alternative to hospitalization for many patients with infectious disease. The objective of this study was to describe the experience with a newly established formal OPAT program at a Canadian academic centre.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients referred to the OPAT clinic between July 2016 and June 2017 and a contemporary cohort of patients who received home parenteral therapy without clinic referral.

Patient Characteristics and Outcomes of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy: A Retrospective Study.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe and effective alternative to hospitalization for many patients with infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to describe the OPAT experience at a Canadian tertiary academic centre in the absence of a formal OPAT program. This was achieved through a retrospective chart review of OPAT patients discharged from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre within a one-year period.

A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Biologic Agents in the First Line Setting for Advanced Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Epithelial growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRis) and bevacizumab (BEV) are used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have directly compared their relative efficacy on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of first-line RCTs comparing (1) EGFRis vs.

Chemoradiotherapy regimens for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (CRT-A) is often the regimen of choice in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Many alternative regimens have been reported in the literature, however, it is unknown how effective these regimens are compared to each other due to the lack of direct comparisons. Our objective was to perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) to determine the relative survival benefits of these treatments for locoregionally advanced NPC.

Self resistance to the atypical cationic antimicrobial peptide edeine of Brevibacillus brevis Vm4 by the N-acetyltransferase EdeQ.

Edeines are atypical cationic peptides produced by Brevibacillus brevis Vm4 with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. These linear nonribosomal peptides bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and block t-RNA binding to the P-site. To identify the mechanism of high-level self-resistance in the producing organism, the B.

The comprehensive antibiotic resistance database.

The field of antibiotic drug discovery and the monitoring of new antibiotic resistance elements have yet to fully exploit the power of the genome revolution. Despite the fact that the first genomes sequenced of free living organisms were those of bacteria, there have been few specialized bioinformatic tools developed to mine the growing amount of genomic data associated with pathogens. In particular, there are few tools to study the genetics and genomics of antibiotic resistance and how it impacts bacterial populations, ecology, and the clinic.