A Missed Opportunity? Exploring Changes in Influenza Vaccination Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data From 12 Countries Worldwide.

Background: Vaccination is a key measure in influenza control, yet global coverage rates remain low, although previous research reported an increase in influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCR) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess whether these changes were sustained over time by analyzing VCR trends from 2012 to 2023 in the countries included in the FluCov project.

Methods: Data on influenza VCR from 2012 to 2023 for different age and risk groups were extracted from national health organizations and international sources for countries included in the FluCov project.

Candida auris in Dutch hospitals: are we ready for it?

Background: Candida auris can cause nosocomial outbreaks and provides challenges concerning diagnosis, treatment, eradication and infection prevention. There are no Dutch standards or guidelines for C. auris, and current hospital practices are unknown.

The clinical usefulness of guideline-based strategies with and without the role of nonspecific symptoms to predict urinary tract infections in nursing homes: a decision curve analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of urinary tract infections (UTIs) guideline algorithms and the role of nonspecific symptoms to support clinical decision-making in nursing home residents.

Design: In a preplanned secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study including nursing home residents with a presumed UTI, 2 prediction models were used in a decision curve analysis (DCA): (1) guideline-based and (2) extended: nonspecific symptom(s) added to the guideline model. The stringent outcome definition for "true UTIs" included symptom improvement during adequate antimicrobial therapy, based on susceptibility test results.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Urine Dipsticks for Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis during Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent the most prevalent infections among pregnant women. Many pregnant women experience frequent voiding or lower abdominal pain during pregnancy due to physiologic changes. Due to the possible consequences of a UTI in pregnancy, pregnant women are more often tested for UTIs.

A reference standard for urinary tract infection research: a multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study.

The absence of a consensus-based reference standard for urinary tract infection (UTI) research adversely affects the internal and external validity of diagnostic and therapeutic studies. This omission hinders the accumulation of evidence for a disease that imposes a substantial burden on patients and society, particularly in an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance. We did a three-round Delphi study involving an international, multidisciplinary panel of UTI experts (n=46) and achieved a high degree of consensus (94%) on the final reference standard.

Changes in the Prevalence of Infection in Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

Background: During the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, strict mitigation measures and national lockdowns were implemented. Our objective was to investigate to what extent the prevalence of some infections in pregnancy was altered during different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This was a single centre retrospective cohort study conducted in the Netherlands on data collected from electronic patient files of pregnant women from January 2017 to February 2021.

Different Impacts of Cryopreservation in Endothelial and Epithelial Ovarian Cells.

The aim of our laboratory-based study was to investigate the extent of delayed-onset cell death after cryopreservation in endothelial and epithelial cell lines of ovarian origin. We found differences in percentages of vital cells directly after warming and after cultivation for 48 to 72 h. A granulosa cell line of endothelial origin (KGN) and an epithelial cell line (OvCar-3) were used.

Definitions of Urinary Tract Infection in Current Research: A Systematic Review.

Defining urinary tract infection (UTI) is complex, as numerous clinical and diagnostic parameters are involved. In this systematic review, we aimed to gain insight into how UTI is defined across current studies. We included 47 studies, published between January 2019 and May 2022, investigating therapeutic or prophylactic interventions in adult patients with UTI.

A case-control study about markers of stress in normal-/overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in controls.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to an elevated risk of psychological disorders, decreased quality of life and emotional distress. Serum cortisol as a potential stress marker has been found to be increased in women with PCOS. The aim of this study was to evaluate both saliva stress markers and subjective psychological distress in women with PCOS.

Association of the Estrogen Receptor 1 Polymorphisms rs2046210 and rs9383590 with the Risk, Age at Onset and Prognosis of Breast Cancer.

Estrogen receptor α (ERα), encoded by the gene, is a key prognostic and predictive biomarker firmly established in routine diagnostics and as a therapeutic target of breast cancer, and it has a central function in breast cancer biology. Genetic variants at 6q25.1, containing the gene, were found to be associated with breast cancer susceptibility.

Co-cultivation of human granulosa cells with ovarian cancer cells leads to a significant increase in progesterone production.

Purpose: In humans, granulosa cells (GCs) are part of the follicle and nourish the growing oocyte. GCs produce estrogen and, after ovulation, progesterone. They are embedded in a multicellular tissue structure of the ovary, which consists of a variety of different cell types that are essential for the physiological function of the ovary.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes: Insight in Sequence Types and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns.

Introduction: Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) largely contribute to antibiotic use in older adults. Understanding the genetic characteristics of is needed to identify patients at risk for recurrence. The aim of this study was to obtain a greater understanding of the genetics of rUTI in nursing home residents.

Diagnostic work-up of urinary tract infections in pregnancy: study protocol of a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Symptoms of urinary tract infections in pregnant women are often less specific, in contrast to non-pregnant women where typical clinical symptoms of a urinary tract infection are sufficient to diagnose urinary tract infections. Moreover, symptoms of a urinary tract infection can mimic pregnancy-related symptoms, or symptoms of a threatened preterm birth, such as contractions. In order to diagnose or rule out a urinary tract infection, additional diagnostic testing is required.

Susceptibility Testing by Volatile Organic Compound Detection Direct from Positive Blood Cultures: A Proof-of-Principle Laboratory Study.

Background: Bacteria produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during growth, which can be detected by colorimetric sensor arrays (CSAs). The SpecifAST system (Specific Diagnostics) employs this technique to enable antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) directly from blood cultures without prior subculture of isolates. The aim of this study was to compare the SpecifAST AST results and analysis time to the VITEK2 (bioMérieux) system.

Resident-Related Factors Influencing Antibiotic Treatment Decisions for Urinary Tract Infections in Dutch Nursing Homes.

The aim of this cohort study was to identify resident-related factors that influence antibiotic treatment decisions for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing home residents and to provide an overview of the appropriateness of antibiotic treatment decisions according to the updated Dutch guideline for UTIs in frail older adults. The PROGRESS study dataset, consisting of 298 suspected UTI episodes in Dutch nursing home residents, was used. The presence of dysuria was associated with the highest frequency of antibiotic prescription (87.

The Risk of Preterm Birth in Low Risk Pregnant Women with Urinary Tract Infections.

Objective: Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections during pregnancy. The association between symptomatic lower urinary tract infections during pregnancy and fetal and maternal complications such as preterm birth and low birthweight remains unclear. The aim of this research is to evaluate the association between urinary tract infections during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes, especially preterm birth.

Use of a Telemedicine Team to Improve Guideline-Based Antibiotic Prescribing.

Objectives: Assessing the impact of a virtual antibiotic team (VAT) on appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing behavior of older care physicians, regarding urinary tract (UTI), respiratory tract (RTI), and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF).

Design: Before-after trial; introduction of a VAT consisting of a clinical microbiologist, older care physician, and a pharmacist.

Setting And Participants: Eight LTCFs in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Risk Indicators for Urinary Tract Infections in Low Risk Pregnancy and the Subsequent Risk of Preterm Birth.

Symptomatic urinary tract infections are associated with preterm birth. However, data on risk indicators for urinary tract infections are limited and outdated. The research is a secondary analysis.

Deimplementation strategy to reduce overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria: a study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial.

Introduction: Antimicrobial treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is one of the most common unnecessary uses of antimicrobials. Earlier studies have shown that the prevalence of this inappropriate treatment ranges from 45% to 83%. Multifaceted interventions based on international guidelines and antimicrobial stewardship can decrease overtreatment of ASB.

Diapers as Promising Alternative Collection Method for Urine Specimens in Nursing Home Residents: A Noninferiority Study.

Objective: There is unmet need for an easy, noninvasive urine collection method to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing home residents suffering from urinary incontinence or cognitive impairments. UTIs are highly prevalent in nursing home residents, and urine specimen collection can be difficult. The objective of this study was to assess if urine specimens collected from super-absorbing incontinence pads (adult diapers) are a reliable collection method for UTI diagnosis.

Sensitivity of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin Measured by Point-of-Care Tests to Diagnose Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing home residents is complex, as specific urinary symptoms are often absent and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is prevalent. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), measured by point-of-care tests (PoCTs), to diagnose UTIs in this setting.

Methods: Elderly residents (≥65 years old) with a suspected UTI were recruited from psychogeriatric, somatic, or rehabilitation wards across 13 participating nursing homes.

"A false sense of confidence" The perceived role of inflammatory point-of-care testing in managing urinary tract infections in Dutch nursing homes: a qualitative study.

Background: Diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI) in nursing home residents is complex, due to frequent non-specific symptomatology and asymptomatic bacteriuria. The objective of this study was to explore health care professionals' perceptions of the proposed use of inflammatory marker Point-Of-Care Testing (POCT) in this respect.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative inquiry (2018-2019) alongside the multicenter PROGRESS study (NL6293), which assessed the sensitivity of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin POCT in UTI.