Screening sites for detection of carbapenemase-producers- a retrospective cohort study.

While screening the rectal site and urine may be appropriate for detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, respiratory samples, throat and wound swabs may increase the sensitivity of screening protocols when aiming to detect colonization with carbapenemase-producing non-fermenting bacteria. Our results support the need for tailoring screening recommendations according to the bacterial species targeted.

Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infections in Low-Risk Patients, Switzerland, 2023.

We report a cluster of infections with genetically related toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae linked to an outbreak among asylum seekers in Switzerland that subsequently affected patients without known exposure. This discovery highlights the importance of rapid, interdisciplinary outbreak investigations and regular vaccination status assessment, especially in elderly populations with waning immunity.

Secondary attack rate following on-site isolation of patients with suspected COVID-19 in multiple-bed rooms.

The implementation of isolation precautions for patients with suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pending test results is resource intensive. Due to the limited availability of single-bed rooms at our institution, we isolated patients with suspected COVID-19 together with patients without suspected COVID-19 on-site in multiple-bed rooms until SARS-CoV-2-test results were available. We evaluated the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to individuals sharing the room with patients isolated on-site.

Diphtheria in a Swiss Asylum Seeker Reception Centre: Outbreak Investigation and Evaluation of Testing and Vaccination Strategies.

To describe a suspected diphtheria outbreak in a Swiss asylum seeker reception centre, and to analyse its management response regarding testing and vaccination. We retrospectively analysed clinical, microbiology, and case management data of all asylum seekers tested for between 28th August and 31st December 2022 while residing at the centre. Results are reported descriptively.

Recombinant C1 inhibitor in the prevention of severe COVID-19: a randomized, open-label, multi-center phase IIa trial.

Background: Conestat alfa (ConA), a recombinant human C1 inhibitor, may prevent thromboinflammation.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label, multi-national clinical trial in which hospitalized adults at risk for progression to severe COVID-19 were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 3 days of ConA plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. Primary and secondary endpoints were day 7 disease severity on the WHO Ordinal Scale, time to clinical improvement within 14 days, and safety, respectively.