A Survey of Infection Prevention and Control Practices among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Centers.

This survey of the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Disease Community of Practice demonstrates variations in clinical practices among hematopoietic stem cell transplant centers on selected infection prevention and control practices. Our findings highlight a need and emphasize an opportunity to optimize patient care through standardization of practices in this vulnerable population.

Clinical manifestations and management of left ventricular assist device-associated infections.

Background: Infection is a serious complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. Published data regarding LVAD-associated infections (LVADIs) are limited by single-center experiences and use of nonstandardized definitions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 247 patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation from January 2005 to December 2011 at Mayo Clinic campuses in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida.

Risk stratification and targeted antifungal prophylaxis for prevention of aspergillosis and other invasive mold infections after liver transplantation.

Antifungal prophylaxis has been proposed for liver transplant recipients at increased risk for invasive mold infection. Risk factors for invasive mold infection after liver transplantation were selected to divide recipients into 3 groups: (1) high risk-transplantation on hemodialysis or delay of hospital discharge beyond day 7 after transplantation because of allograft or renal insufficiency; (2) intermediate risk-retransplantation or transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure; (3) low risk-absence of conditions in groups 1 and 2. During an intervention period (February 1999-April 2001), prophylactic administration of a lipid complex of amphotericin (Abelcet) at 5 mg/kg intravenously every 24 to 48 hours was recommended for high-risk recipients.

Delayed reimplantation arthroplasty for candidal prosthetic joint infection: a report of 4 cases and review of the literature.

Fungal prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is rare, with Candida species being the most frequently reported pathogen in the medical literature. The risk of relapse following delayed reimplantation arthroplasty for candidal PJI is unknown. We describe 4 new cases and summarize 6 previously reported cases of candidal PJI treated with delayed reimplantation arthroplasty.