Evaluating Clinical Sequelae of the Carbapenem-Valproate Interaction: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Previous studies identified a rapid decrease in valproate serum concentrations when coadministered with a carbapenem; however, the specific consequences and subsequent therapy adjustments are not well described. We aimed to investigate the clinical and therapeutic implications of the carbapenem-valproate drug-drug interaction.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included data from 2 large academic medical centers during January 2017 to June 2022.

Baseline procalcitonin as a predictor of bacterial infection and clinical outcomes in COVID-19: A case-control study.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms including acute respiratory failure. Biomarkers that can predict outcomes in patients with COVID-19 can assist with patient management. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether procalcitonin (PCT) can predict clinical outcome and bacterial superinfection in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Remdesivir use and outcomes during the FDA COVID-19 emergency use authorization period.

Background: Remdesivir (RDV) was approved for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in May 2020 under US Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization (EUA). Clinical outcomes related to RDV use in hospitalized patients during the EUA period are not well described.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who received RDV under EUA.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of flucytosine in a cardiac transplant patient receiving continuous veno-venous hemofiltration and intermittent hemodialysis: A case report.

Invasive candidiasis is one of the common infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Guidelines recommend echinocandins or liposomal amphotericin with consideration of flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine; 5-FC) as synergistic therapy for treatment of select deep-seated Candida infections, including complex endovascular infections. Flucytosine undergoes extensive renal elimination; however, optimal dosing in patients with renal impairment, or those requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), is not well-established.

Assessment and Optimization of the Empiric Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in an Academic Emergency Department Observation Unit.

Background: Poor adherence to evidence-based guidelines and overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics has been noted in the emergency department (ED). There is limited evidence on guideline-congruent empiric therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and uropathogen susceptibilities in the ED observation unit (EDOU).

Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the prescribing patterns for the empiric treatment of UTI in the EDOU.

Recurrent Relatively Resistant Infection in 2 Immunocompromised Hosts Cleared With Prolonged Antibiotics and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation.

Two immunocompromised patients with relapsing gastrointestinal infection with relatively resistant were cured with prolonged ertapenem followed by encapsulated fecal transplant.

Therapeutic drug concentrations of isavuconazole following the administration of isavuconazonium sulfate capsules via gastro-jejunum tube: A case report.

Invasive fungal infections are a common complication in immunocompromised patients, such as organ transplant recipients. Isavuconazole is a broad-spectrum azole antifungal for the treatment of aspergillosis and mucormycosis. The package insert for isavuconazole recommends against opening the capsule for administration through enteral feeding tubes.

HCV Therapy Follow-up Fractionation (CTF2) by Intra-PBMC Nested RNA PCR Recognizes Early Virologic Response and Relapse.

Sustained virologic response is evaluated by single-step reverse transcription (SRT) PCR assay, which assesses hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance from plasma but not from tissues such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Persistence of HCV RNA in PBMCs beyond end of treatment (EOT) is associated with nonresponse. Our goal was to measure intra-PBMC HCV RNA levels during oral antiviral therapy according to the HCV therapy follow-up fractionation (CTF2) protocol.

Results of a local combination therapy antibiogram for isolates: is double worth the trouble?

Purpose: To determine the frequency at which fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides demonstrate activity against non-urinary, non-skin/skin structure isolates exhibiting decreased susceptibilities to one or more β-lactam agents.

Methods: β-lactam-non-susceptible isolates recovered from blood, bone, lower respiratory tract, pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, or peritoneal fluid cultures between October 2010 and October 2014 were reviewed from four community hospitals within a single health-system. Only the first isolate per patient was included for analysis.

Prospective evaluation of a continuous infusion vancomycin dosing nomogram in critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous haemofiltration.

Objectives: The most optimal method of attaining therapeutic vancomycin concentrations during continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH) remains unclear. Studies have shown continuous infusion vancomycin (CIV) achieves target concentrations more rapidly and consistently when compared with intermittent infusion. Positive correlations between CVVH intensity and vancomycin clearance (CLvanc) have been noted.

A Retrospective Analysis of Treatment and Clinical Outcomes among Patients with Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Isolates Possessing Detectable by a Commercial PCR Assay Compared to Patients with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Isolates.

-positive isolates phenotypically susceptible to cefoxitin (-methicillin-sensitive [MSSA]) have been identified. We describe the treatment and outcomes among patients with -MSSA bloodstream infections (BSI) and MRSA BSI matched 1:1 for age, BSI origin, and BSI type ( = 17 per group). Compared to MRSA BSI patients, -MSSA BSI patients more often experienced clinical failure (58.

Fecal microbiota transplantation and emerging treatments for Clostridium difficile infection.

Due to the increased incidence and recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection, health care providers are seeking new and alternative treatments to the standard antibiotic therapy. The objective of this article is to present a review on the background, microbiologic efficacy, clinical efficacy, and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation and to provide an overview of emerging treatment options currently under investigation. Emerging treatment options discussed include the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against toxins A and B, C difficile vaccination, and transplantation of nontoxigenic C difficile strains.

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes: nine-year experience at a level-one trauma center.

Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from adults hospitalized with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) were collected at Regions Hospital in St. Paul from 2002 through 2010. Of 200 sequential, nonduplicative isolates collected and serotyped, serotypes 3, 7F and 19A were found to be the most common.