Rate of Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome After mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2.

This study establishes rates of Guillain-Barré syndrome relapse among Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine receivers.

COVID-19 community care in Israel-a nationwide cohort study from a large health maintenance organization.

Background: Among the many medical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, management of the majority of patients in community outpatient settings is crucial. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes among confirmed COVID-19 cases who were managed at three settings: two outpatient settings and one inpatient.

Methods: A retrospective database cohort study was conducted in a large Israeli Health Maintenance Organization.

Doxycycline desensitization in chronic Q fever-A critical tool for the clinician.

We present the case of a 45 year old woman with acute Q fever pneumonia who progressed to the chronic phase of the disease despite azithromycin therapy. A trial of doxycycline was halted because of severe allergy and she was put on clarithromycin and later moxifloxacin. Failure of both drugs required desensitization to doxycycline with escalating doses.

A novel host-protein assay outperforms routine parameters for distinguishing between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections.

Bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to antibiotic overuse. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of a new assay that combines 3 host-biomarkers (TRAIL, IP-10, CRP) with parameters in routine use to distinguish bacterial from viral LRTIs. Study cohort included 184 potentially eligible pediatric and adult patients.

Clinical and Microbiological Outcomes of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Elderly Stroke Patients.

Background: The optimal approach to the evaluation of asymptomatic bacteruria in stroke patients is uncertain.

Objectives: To compare elderly patients after an acute stroke with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria for the development of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI).

Methods: We prospectively monitored patients over 65 years of age admitted to our rehabilitation hospital after an acute stroke, with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria, for the development of symptomatic UTIs.

[IMMUNIZATIONS IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOSTS--PRINCIPLES AND UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS].

The last decades have seen a marked increase in the number of immunocompromised patients. These patients are at higher risk for severe outcomes from infections, many of which are vaccine-preventable diseases. However, such complex cases raise several important issues of concern: 1.

Interferon-gamma-release assay prevents unnecessary tuberculosis therapy.

Background: The mass influx of immigrants from tuberculosis-endemic countries into Israel was followed by a considerable increase in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB). All contacts of active TB patients are obliged to be screened by tuberculin skin tests (TST) and, if found positive, prophylactic treatment is considered.

Objectives: To assess the utility of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-release assay with a prolonged follow-up in preventing unnecessary anti-TB therapy in individuals with suspected false positive results.

A novel host-proteome signature for distinguishing between acute bacterial and viral infections.

Bacterial and viral infections are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to inappropriate patient management and antibiotic misuse. Bacterial-induced host proteins such as procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6, are routinely used to support diagnosis of infection. However, their performance is negatively affected by inter-patient variability, including time from symptom onset, clinical syndrome, and pathogens.

Initial effects of the National PCV7 Childhood Immunization Program on adult invasive pneumococcal disease in Israel.

Background: PCV7 was introduced as universal childhood vaccination in Israel in July 2009 and PCV13 in November 2010. Here we report data on adult invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), two years post PCV7 implementation and before an expected effect of PCV13.

Methods: An ongoing nationwide active-surveillance (all 27 laboratories performing blood cultures in Israel), providing all blood & CSF S.

Leukemoid reaction: spectrum and prognosis of 173 adult patients.

Background: The prognosis of patients with leukemoid reaction (LR) depends mainly on their underlying illness. Our aim was to investigate the etiologies and prognosis of a mixed group of patients with LR.

Methods: We identified 173 patients who had ≥30.

Outbreak of tungiasis following a trip to Ethiopia.

Tungiasis is a skin disease caused by the ectoparasite sand flea Tunga penetrans. Although tungiasis is an important health problem in endemic areas, mainly South America and sub-Saharan Africa, it is reported uncommonly in travelers. We describe an outbreak of tungiasis in a group of travelers to Ethiopia.

Impact of a computerized integrated antibiotic authorization system.

Background: Overuse and abuse of antibiotics is a major cause of microbial resistance. Within the hospital setting such overuse necessitates real-time supervision by infectious diseases (ID) specialists.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of a recently introduced computerized antibiotic authorization system on the pharmacy budget.

Pregnancy course and outcome in women traveling to developing countries.

Background: The issue of travel to developing countries during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate, course, and outcome of pregnancies in women who traveled to developing countries while pregnant, or became pregnant during such travel.

Methods: Women visiting two major travel clinics in Israel for consultation within the years 2004 to 2009, who were pregnant or declared an intention of becoming pregnant during travel were contacted.

Antibiotic exposure as a risk factor for fluconazole-resistant Candida bloodstream infection.

Recent exposure to azoles is an important risk factor for infection with fluconazole-resistant Candida spp., but little is known about the role of antibacterial drug exposure in the emergence of drug-resistant Candida. We did a prospective nationwide surveillance study of candidemia in Israel and analyzed the propensity score-adjusted association between antifungal and antibacterial drug exposure and bloodstream infection with C.

When uncommon uncovers: mucosal tuberculosis in a medical tourist from Burundi.

Tuberculosis confined to the mucus membranes is a rare presentation in the era of effective chemotherapy. We describe a case of mucosal tuberculosis in a "medical tourist" from Burundi that went undiagnosed for 6 years. Starting as conjunctivitis, the disease has spread to involve the nose and larynx as well.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia upon hospital admission: risk factors for mortality and influence of inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an uncommon cause of bacteremia upon hospital admission (UHA) and the chosen empirical antimicrobial therapy may not cover it appropriately. In a multicenter prospective study conducted in Israel, we evaluated risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia UHA and determined the influence of delay in adequate empirical antimicrobial therapy on patients' outcome.

[Influence of knowledge and attitude on the uptake of influenza vaccine by healthcare workers].

Background: The compliance of healthcare workers (HCW) with the yearly influenza vaccination campaigns is suboptimal. The reasons behind this low compliance are poorly defined. Actually, nosocomiaL transmission of the virus may cause high morbidity and mortality, especially among the immunocompromised, and vaccines are offered free of charge, but nonetheless, vaccination rates are low.

Perichondritis of the auricle: analysis of 114 cases.

Background: Perichondritis of the auricle is a serious disease that may lead to residual deformity.

Objectives: To assess our experience with perichondritis in a large group of patients hospitalized with this entity.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 114 patients who were admitted with perichondritis during 1987-2004, including their demographic details, medical history, current illness, etiology, pathogens and treatments.

[Polymorphism at the MDR1 locus as a cause of mefloquine-induced psychosis].

The use of mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis has been hampered by the drug's adverse effects. Foremost among the latter are neuropsychiatric adverse effects such as dizziness, vivid dreams, epilepsy and psychosis. Recent evidence from studies in mice has implicated the lack of P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier as the cause of these adverse effects.

[Neurocysticercosis in Israel].

Background: Neurocysticercosis is the most common cause of adult onset seizures in developing countries. In recent years, with the rise in the number of immigrants to developed countries and travelers to endemic areas, neurocysticercosis is increasingly diagnosed in non-endemic countries.

Aims Of The Study: The authors describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of patients diagnosed with neurocysticercosis acquired in Israel or in immigrants to Israel from endemic countries.

National multicenter study of predictors and outcomes of bacteremia upon hospital admission caused by Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are pathogens that may lead to a spectrum of clinical syndromes. We aimed to identify predictors and outcomes of ESBL bacteremia upon hospital admission (UHA) in a nationwide prospective study. Thus, a multicenter prospective study was conducted in 10 Israeli hospitals.

Fusarium keratitis acquired during travel to Namibia.

Fungal infections in travelers are rare. Fusariosis has recently become an important infection of immunocompromised patients. Herein, we describe the case of an immunocompetent traveler who contracted Fusarium keratitis while in Africa.

The quality of drinking water stored in canteens of field soldiers as a potential source of enteric diseases.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) guidelines for drinking water require the use of water only from sources that have been inspected and authorized by a medical expert. This study aimed to compare canteen water quality of two military units (infantry and armoured corps), to search for sources of possible microbial contamination and to look for any impact on gastrointestinal symptoms. Statistical analysis revealed that canteens of armoured corp soldiers were significantly more contaminated compared to those of infantry soldiers.