The role of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in preventing opportunistic infections in systemic lupus erythematosus patients receiving low-level immunosuppressive treatment: an open-label, randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs), particularly Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) as primary prophylaxis against OIs and its adverse effects in SLE patients receiving low-level immunosuppressive treatment in a real-world setting.

Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial enrolled SLE patients receiving low-level immunosuppressive treatment at Ramathibodi Hospital between May 2021 and December 2022.

Impact of vitamin D supplementation on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia patients: a single-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Vitamin D supplementation for infectious diseases has been discussed, but its role in COVID-19 is unclear. Therefore, this study examined the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia patients who received vitamin D supplementation.

Methods: This prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a university hospital between July 2020 and March 2022.

Health related quality of life in anti interferon γ autoantibody associated immunodeficiency syndrome measured with EQ5D5L and SF36.

The anti-IFN-γ disease is a rare condition characterized by recurrent and persistent infections, potentially impacting the quality of life (QoL). However, comprehensive data on QoL in this population are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the QoL of Anti-IFN-γ patients compared to healthy control and explore potential differences in QoL between patients in the active and remission stages.

Vaginal microbiota affects urinary tract infection risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot cross-sectional study from Thailand.

Objective: The risk factors associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with SLE remain uncertain. We evaluated the vaginal microbiota pattern and its potential UTI-associated risk factors.

Methods: A pilot cross-sectional study of patients with SLE was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, during 2019-2020.

A Prospective Study of Cytomegalovirus-Specific Cell-Mediated Immune Monitoring and Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Receiving Immunosuppressants.

Background: The effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) on CMV infection in patients with autoimmune diseases receiving immunosuppressants have not been explored.

Methods: Patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were preemptively monitored for clinically significant CMV infection (CsCMVI; defined as plasma CMV DNA loads >3 log10 IU/mL). CMV-specific CMI was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (QuantiFERON-CMV [QF]) before as well as 1 and 3 months after intense immunosuppressive therapy.

Nationwide Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of Critically Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: Results of the Research University Network Thailand Study.

A large-scale surveillance is an important measure to monitor the regional spread of antimicrobial resistance. We prospectively studied the prevalence and molecular characteristics of clinically important Gram-negative bacilli, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii complex (ABC), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, from blood, respiratory tract, urine, and sterile sites at 47 hospitals across Thailand. Among 187,619 isolates, 93,810 isolates (50.

Genetic Risk Surveillance for Invasive Aspergillosis in Hematology Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: The association between genetic background and the risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA) has not been addressed in Thailand. We conducted genetic risk surveillance for IA among Thai hematologic patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study including moderate- to high-risk hematology patients at Ramathibodi Hospital.

Prospective Pilot Study of Cyclophosphamide as an Adjunct Treatment in Patients With Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency Associated With Anti-interferon-γ Autoantibodies.

Background: Adult-onset immunodeficiency associated with interferon-γ autoantibody (IGA) is an emerging disease. The majority of patients require both antimicrobial and immunosuppressive treatments. However, anti-CD20 therapy is not fully accessible in a resource-limited setting to date.

Clinicians' challenges in managing patients with invasive fungal diseases in seven Asian countries: An Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) Survey.

Background: Invasive fungal diseases (IFD) are a serious threat, but physicians in Asia lack access to many advanced diagnostics in mycology. It is likely that they face other impediments in the management of IFD. A gap analysis was performed to understand the challenges Asian physicians faced in medical mycology.

Absence of cutaneous involvement in disseminated infection in an AIDS patient: a case report and literature review.

Background: () is an important opportunistic pathogen found in human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals in Southeast Asia, Southern China, and Northeastern India. Patients with disseminated talaromycosis commonly develop multi-organ involvement including the skin. In this report, we describe the clinical presentation, investigation, management, and clinical outcome of an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient with newly diagnosed disseminated talaromycosis without skin involvement.

Absence of JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) viremia in early post-transplant JCPyV nephropathy: A case report.

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV)-associated nephropathy (JCPyVAN) occurs in <3% of PVAN cases after renal transplantation. We report the first confirmed case to our knowledge of JCPyVAN diagnosed by kidney biopsy in the early 6 months post transplant in Thailand. In this case report, recovery of renal allograft function was not observed after reduction of immunosuppressive agents and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin and cidofovir.

A case report of intravenous posaconazole in hepatic and renal impairment patient with invasive Aspergillus terreus infection: safety and role of therapeutic drug monitoring.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a fatal infectious complication among immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus terreus, the fourth common species can be difficult to treat due to a unique resistance pattern. To date, there has been no report on safety and dose adjustment when intravenous posaconazole is selected in hepatic and renal impairment patient.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF THE FIRST REPORTED VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS OUTBREAK AT A TERTIARY-CARE HOSPITAL IN BANGKOK, THAILAND.

This retrospective study described the first reported vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) outbreak from June 2013 through January 2014 at a tertiary-care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. After the index case was detected in an 18-bed medical intermediate care unit, a number of interventions was implemented, including targeted active surveillance for VRE, strict contact precautions, enhanced standard precautions, dedicated units for VRE cases, extensive cleaning of the environment and the restricted use of antibiotics. VRE isolates were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) testing.

Acute respiratory failure secondary to eosinophilic pneumonia following influenza vaccination in an elderly man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Acute respiratory failure with diffuse pulmonary opacities is an unusual manifestation following influenza vaccination. We report herein a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who developed fever with worsening of respiratory symptoms and severe hypoxemia requiring ventilatory support shortly after influenza vaccination. Bronchoalveolar lavage was compatible with acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

Geohelminths: public health significance.

The worldwide prevalence of geohelminths and their unique place in evolutionary biology have attracted research focus. These major soil-transmitted intestinal nematodes that cause human diseases are the nematode roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and the two hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), often collectively referred as geohelminths. Studies of geohelminthiasis in poorly nourished children in developing regions report that geohelminths contribute to stunted growth and cognitive impairment.

Potentially inappropriate treatment of urinary tract infections in two Rhode Island nursing homes.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the appropriateness of antibiotic initiation, selection, and duration of therapy among patients in nursing homes with results of a urinalysis showing urinary tract infection.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients of 2 nursing homes during a 6-month period (June 1-November 30, 2008). If a urinalysis had been ordered, the case was evaluated for the appropriateness of antibiotic initiation based on the McGeer criteria.