In-hospital outcomes of healthcare-associated COVID-19 (Omicron) versus healthcare-associated influenza: a retrospective, nationwide cohort study in Switzerland.

Background: As COVID-19 is integrated into existing infectious disease control programs, it is important to understand the comparative clinical impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with symptomatic healthcare-associated COVID-19 or influenza reported to the nationwide, hospital-based surveillance system in Switzerland. Included patients were adults (≥18 years) hospitalized for ≥3 days in tertiary care and large regional hospitals.

Swiss COVID-19 hospital surveillance: an in-depth analysis of the factors associated with hospital readmission dynamics in community-acquired COVID-19 cases.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on hospitals worldwide. In such a context of tension in healthcare systems, efficiently allocating hospital resources is a crucial aspect of crisis management. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of readmitted patients and to determine risk factors for hospital readmission using data from the Swiss COVID-19 Hospital-Based Surveillance system (CH-SUR).

Increase in PVC-BSI during the second COVID-19 pandemic year: analysis of catheter and patient characteristics.

Background: Increasing nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. However, data describing peripheral venous catheter associated bloodstream infections (PVC-BSI) are limited.

Aims: To describe the epidemiology and risk factors for PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microbiology of catheter-associated bloodstream infection: differences according to catheter type.

Objectives: Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI) cause preventable morbidity. We compared the microbiological etiology of CABSI across different types of central and peripherally-inserted catheters.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively collected CABSI data in a 2100-bed hospital network in Switzerland between 2016 and 2022.

Association of institutional masking policies with healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in Swiss acute care hospitals during the BA.4/5 wave (CH-SUR study): a retrospective observational study.

Background: In the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, masking has been widely accepted in healthcare institutions to mitigate the risk of healthcare-associated infection. Evidence, however, is still scant and the role of masks in preventing healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 acquisition remains unclear.We investigated the association of variation in institutional mask policies with healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in acute care hospitals in Switzerland during the BA.

Catheter size and risk of short-term peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections: an observational study.

Objectives: Short-term peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (PVC-associated BSI) are disregarded in the literature because of their relatively low incidence. No data are available on the association between PVC diameter size and the risk of PVC-associated BSI.

Methods: Using a prospective database, we performed an observational study at the University of Geneva Hospitals from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, including all patients with a PVC.

Comparison of clinical outcomes over time of inpatients with healthcare-associated or community-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A multicenter, prospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes over time of inpatients with healthcare-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (HA-COVID-19) versus community-acquired COVID-19 (CA-COVID-19).

Design: We conducted a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study of inpatients with COVID-19.

Setting: The study was conducted across 16 acute-care hospitals in Switzerland.

The present and future of blood virome in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

Purpose Of Review: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT) is a highly effective therapy for a broad range of hematological diseases and its use is increasing worldwide. Despite advances in antiviral prophylaxis and treatment, viral infections are still one of the leading causes of post-HCT morbidity and mortality. In this patient population, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed a much larger diversity of viruses than previously suspected via the targeted screening approach.

Longitudinal Detection of Twenty DNA and RNA Viruses in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Plasma.

Metagenomics revealed novel and routinely overlooked viruses, representing sources of unrecognized infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We aim to describe DNA and RNA virus prevalence and kinetics in allo-HSCT recipients' plasma for one year post HSCT. We included 109 adult patients with first allo-HSCT from 1 March 2017 to 31 January 2019 in this observational cohort study.

Bacteremia Detection in Second or Subsequent Blood Cultures Among Hospitalized Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

This cohort study assesses the likelihood of detecting microbiological positivity or bacteremia in second or subsequent blood cultures among hospitalized patients while the first culture is still incubating after 24 hours.

Sustained Trichodysplasia Spinulosa Polyomavirus Viremia Illustrating a Primary Disseminated Infection in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Novel human polyomaviruses (HPyV) have been recently identified in solid organ transplant recipients. Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare disease associated with immunosuppression and induced by a polyomavirus (TSPyV). We report here a case of primary and disseminated TSPyV infection after kidney transplantation with extensive skin lesions, sustained viremia, and high viral loads in urine specimens, anal, nasal and throat swabs, assessed via specific real-time PCR for TSPyV during a follow-up period of 32 months after transplantation.

Clinical and Pharmacological Considerations for Concomitant Administration of Posaconazole and Isavuconazole with Letermovir.

We sought in this case-control retrospective study to compare posaconazole and isavuconazole (PCZ and IVC, respectively) plasma trough concentration () levels in high-risk allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients who received letermovir (LET) or not. PCZ/IVC levels were not found to be significantly different between cases and controls, as they were 1.31 mg/liter (median) (interquartile range [IQR], 0.

Unexpectedly High False-Positive Rates for Using a Meningoencephalitis Syndromic PCR Panel in Two Tertiary Centers.

False-positive results in the diagnostic of meningitis and encephalitis pose important challenges. This study aimed to determine false-positive rates for in cerebrospinal fluids evaluated by the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel. We conducted a retrospective study of all -positive FilmArray.

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What's new in infectious diseases in 2020 ? This year has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a review of the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 and its management in this article. The results of the Swiss project « PIRATE » indicate non-inferiority between CRP-guided antibiotic durations or fixed 7-day durations and 14-day durations for Gram-negative bacteremia. A Mongolian study did not show any benefit of vitamin D substitution in protecting children from tuberculosis.

Early experimental COVID-19 therapies: associations with length of hospital stay, mortality and related costs.

Aims Of The Study: Hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir have been used as experimental therapies to treat COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Randomised controlled trials have recently shown that there are no meaningful benefits of these two therapies in hospitalised patients. Uncertainty remains regarding the potential harmful impact of these therapies as very early treatments and their burden to the health care system.

Using mHealth to Increase the Reach of Local Guidance to Health Professionals as Part of an Institutional Response Plan to the COVID-19 Outbreak: Usage Analysis Study.

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic forced health jurisdictions worldwide to significantly restructure and reorganize their medical activities. In response to the rapidly evolving body of evidence, a solid communication strategy is needed to increase the reach of and adherence to locally drafted and validated guidance to aide medical staff with COVID-19-related clinical decisions.

Objective: We present a usage analysis of a dedicated mobile health (mHealth) platform as part of an institutional knowledge dissemination strategy of COVID-19-related guidance to all health care workers (HCWs) in a large academic hospital.

[Microbiota specificities among the elderly Summary of the 5th symposium « Feeding the Microbiota »].

The microbiota is a subject of particular interest and research. It is defined as all microorganisms present in tissues and on body surfaces. It sits at the interface with many systems, including the immune system, plays a role in the metabolism, immunity, or inflammation and is thought to be associated with some pathological mechanisms.

Torque Teno Virus as a Potential Biomarker for Complications and Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Impaired immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) contributes to increased risk of cancer relapse and infection resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, effective strategies to functionally assess the quality of immune reconstitution are still missing. Quantification of replication of the ubiquitous, non-pathogenic virus Torque Teno Virus (TTV) has been reported in small series as a test to functionally evaluate the quality of post-transplant immune reconstitution.

[Side effects of selected antibiotics, not to be missed !].

Antibiotics are among the most frequently used drugs in outpatients. Their side effects can lead to emergency room visits, hospital admissions and considerable economic costs. In this article, we will discuss some often-overlooked side effects of selected antibiotics used in outpatients.