Retreatment of Hepatitis C Infection With Direct-Acting Antivirals.

Background: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) results in sustained virologic response (SVR) in > 90% of patients. However, some patients required retreatment with newer DAA options. Treatment was selected after consultation with a clinical pharmacy specialist.

Pharmacotherapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia.

Objective: To review the evidence for pharmacologic agents available in the treatment of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia.

Data Sources: A search of PubMed (1975-July 2012) was conducted using a combination of the terms methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pneumonia, nosocomial, vancomycin, linezolid, telavancin, ceftaroline, tigecycline, and quinupristin/dalfopristin.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Randomized comparative clinical trials, meta-analyses, and review articles published in English were included.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients without gastrointestinal bleeding.

Objective: To review relevant studies for both primary and secondary antibiotic prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis without gastrointestinal bleeding.

Data Sources: A search of PubMed (1980-July 2010) was conducted using the terms prophylaxis, SBP, and antibiotics. A manual review of bibliographies was conducted for inclusion of relevant articles.

Population mobility, globalization, and antimicrobial drug resistance.

Population mobility is a main factor in globalization of public health threats and risks, specifically distribution of antimicrobial drug-resistant organisms. Drug resistance is a major risk in healthcare settings and is emerging as a problem in community-acquired infections. Traditional health policy approaches have focused on diseases of global public health significance such as tuberculosis, yellow fever, and cholera; however, new diseases and resistant organisms challenge existing approaches.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in acute necrotizing pancreatitis revisited.

Objective: To review studies of antibiotic prophylaxis in acute necrotizing pancreatitis published in the last decade and update recommendations.

Data Sources: A search of PubMed (1998-July 2009) was conducted using the terms necrotizing pancreatitis, antibiotics, prophylaxis, and treatment. Clinical studies, meta-analyses, and review articles published in English were included.

Recommendations for training and certification for pharmacists practicing, mentoring, and educating in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy.

Recently created guidelines for the development of institutional antimicrobial stewardship programs recommend that a pharmacist with infectious diseases training be included as a core member of the antimicrobial stewardship team. However, training and certification requirements for infectious diseases-trained clinical pharmacists have not been established. Although pharmacists have nurtured their interest in infectious diseases by self-directed learning or on-the-job experiences, this mode of training is not considered feasible or sufficient for reliable training of future clinical specialists in infectious diseases.

Manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis infection.

Objective: To summarize current literature on the manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis infection.

Data Sources: A search was conducted of PubMed (1970-August 2007). Search terms included Strongyloides stercoralis, hyperinfection, prevention, and treatment.

Probiotics for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: focus on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii.

Objective: To review the literature on the use of probiotics to treat or prevent recurrences of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) by replacing normal gastric flora.

Data Sources: PubMed (1970-March 2007) was searched using the terms probiotics, Clostridium difficile, colitis, diarrhea, prevention, and treatment.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Case reports, case series, and clinical trials describing the use of probiotics in the treatment or prevention of recurrences of CDAD as primary outcome were included.

Effectiveness and hepatotoxicity of statins in men seropositive for hepatitis C virus.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and hepatotoxicity of statins in patients who are seropositive for hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Design: Retrospective review of a registry of patients with HCV.

Setting: Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Antibiotic lock technique: a review of the literature.

Objective: To review the literature on the use of the antibiotic lock technique (ALT) as a treatment option for patients with highly needed catheters.

Data Sources: MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched (1980-August 2004). Search terms included antibiotic lock, catheter infection, and topical treatment.

Probable vancomycin-induced neutropenia.

Objective: To report a case of vancomycin-induced neutropenia and provide a review of the literature.

Case Summary: A 64-year-old white man was treated with intravenous vancomycin 1.5 g/day for finger osteomyelitis.

Valganciclovir: A new oral alternative for cytomegalovirus retinitis in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive individuals.

Oral valganciclovir recently was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. We performed MEDLINE (June 1998-May 2002) and AIDSLINE (June 1998-December 2000) searches of available information on valganciclovir, and the drug's prescribing information was used to identify relevant articles. Additional studies, case reports, reviews, and abstracts were identified from references in the reviewed literature.

Hyperlipidemia in HIV-positive patients receiving antiretrovirals.

Objective: To assess the frequency of lipid abnormalities and treatment outcomes for hyperlipidemia in HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy as outpatients at a Veterans Affairs HIV clinic.

Methods: All patients monitored for at least 3 months were reviewed. Data collected included age, most recent CD4+ cell count and viral load, ARV history, and all fasting cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values.