Comparative effectiveness of vancomycin and metronidazole on event-free survival after initial infection in patients with Clostridioides difficile-a German multicentre cohort study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the comparative effectiveness of vancomycin and metronidazole in a confirmatory analysis of event-free survival (EFS) after initial infection in patients with Clostridioides difficile from a German multicentre cohort study.

Methods: The IBIS multicentre cohort enrolled patients with an index episode of C. difficile infection between August 2017 and September 2020.

Unique Metabolomic and Lipidomic Profile in Serum From Patients With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Compared With Healthy Control Individuals.

Background: Accurate biomarkers for disease activity and progression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a prerequisite for individual disease characterization and personalized therapy. We show that metabolic profiling of serum from IBD patients is a promising approach to establish biomarkers. The aim of this work was to characterize metabolomic and lipidomic serum profiles of IBD patients in order to identify metabolic fingerprints unique to the disease.

Cultivation-based characterization of biliary microbiota in bile samples collected during routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiography: 10 years of experience at a tertiary center.

Introduction: Bile has long been considered sterile. Recent studies show that bacteria can frequently be detected in bile and certain bacterial species are associated with bile duct-associated liver disease.

Objectives: To detect bacterial species and antibiotic resistance in bile in bile duct-associated liver disease.

Prospective study of computer-aided detection of colorectal adenomas in hospitalized patients.

Background: Adenoma detection with polypectomy during total colonoscopy reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal cancer-associated mortality. The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an established quality indicator, which is associated with a decreased risk for interval cancer. An increase in ADR could be demonstrated for several artificially intelligent, real-time computer-aided detection (CADe) systems in selected patients.

[Fecal Microbiota Transfer (FMT) in Germany - Status and Perspective].

Introduction: Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) is a treatment to modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota. Its use in recurrent infection (rCDI) is established throughout Europe and recommended in national and international guidelines. In Germany, the FMT is codeable in the hospital reimbursement system.

[A systematic analysis of nosocomial outbreaks of nosocomial infections after gastrointestinal endoscopy].

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and colonoscopy (CLN) come with a potential risk of pathogen transmission. Unfortunately, up to now data on the causes and the distribution of pathogens is rather sparse.We performed a systematic review of the medical literature using the Worldwide Outbreak Database, the PubMed, and Embase.

Clinical effectiveness of bidirectional fecal microbiota transfer in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections.

Background: Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) has become a standard of care in the prevention of multiple recurrent Clostridioides difficile (rCDI) infection.

Aim: While primary cure rates range from 70-80% following a single treatment using monodirectional approaches, cure rates of combination treatment remain largely unknown.

Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, outcomes following simultaneous bidirectional FMT (bFMT) with combined endoscopic application into the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, compared to standard routes of application (endoscopy via upper or lower gastrointestinal tract and oral capsules; abbreviated UGIT, LGIT and CAP) on day 30 and 90 after FMT were assessed.

Microbiota-associated Risk Factors for Clostridioides difficile Acquisition in Hospitalized Patients: A Prospective, Multicentric Study.

Background: Asymptomatic C. difficile colonization is believed to predispose to subsequent C. difficile infection (CDI).

The impact of technical and clinical factors on fecal microbiota transfer outcomes for the treatment of recurrent infections in Germany.

Introduction: Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) is highly effective in the treatment and prevention of recurrent infection (rCDI) with cure rates of about 80% after a single treatment. Nevertheless, the reasons for failure in the remaining 20% remain largely elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate different potential clinical predictors of response to FMT in Germany.

Structured reporting of head and neck ultrasound examinations.

Background: Reports of head and neck ultrasound examinations are frequently written by hand as free texts. Naturally, quality and structure of free text reports is variable, depending on the examiner's individual level of experience. Aim of the present study was to compare the quality of free text reports (FTR) and structured reports (SR) of head and neck ultrasound examinations.

Tuberculosis Specific Interferon-Gamma Production in a Current Refugee Cohort in Western Europe.

Background: In 2015, a high number of refugees with largely unknown health statuses immigrated to Western Europe. To improve caretaking strategies, we assessed the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a refugee cohort.

Methods: Interferon-Gamma release assays (IGRA, Quantiferon) were performed in = 232 inhabitants of four German refugee centers in the summer of 2015.

BaiCD gene cluster abundance is negatively correlated with Clostridium difficile infection.

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Secondary bile acids were shown to confer resistance to colonization by C. difficile.

Automated low-flow ascites pump in a real-world setting: complications and outcomes.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the Alfapump, an automated low-flow pump system for the treatment of refractory ascites (RA) as an alternative for repeated large-volume paracentesis in patients with contraindication for placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or liver transplantation.

Materials And Methods: In 21 consecutive patients with RA and contraindication for a placement of a TIPS, the Alfapump was implanted at Hannover Medical School between December 2012 and May 2016. Repeated laboratory, clinical, and microbiology data were collected and analyzed to assess the outcome of patients with an Alfapump.

Modified gloves: A chance for the prevention of nosocomial infections.

Background: Non-sterile gloves primarily serve as a barrier protection for health care workers (HCWs). However, pathogens may often contaminate the skin of HCWs during glove removal; therefore, pathogens may be further transmitted and cause nosocomial infections.

Methods: A field study was conducted comparing contamination rates when using standard gloves or a new modified product equipped with an additional flap (doffing aid) for easier removal.

Real-world effect of ribavirin on quality of life in HCV-infected patients receiving interferon-free treatment.

Background & Aims: Ribavirin (RBV) is commonly used for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, RBV is associated with a reduced quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess the impact of RBV on QOL in a real-world setting.

Measles, Rubella and Varicella IgG Seroprevalence in a Large Refugee Cohort in Germany in 2015: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: The current extent of migration to the European continent is associated with exceptional humanitarian challenges. In 2015, Western Europe faced an enormous immigration of refugees with largely unknown protection status against communicable diseases. To adapt vaccination strategies, we aimed at assessing seroprevalences against three of the most relevant vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in a large representative cohort.

[Individualized treatment strategies for Clostridium difficile infections].

Upon hospitalization, up to 15.5% of patients are already colonized with a toxigenic Clostridium difficile strain (TCD). The rate of asymptomatic colonization is 0-3% in healthy adults and up to 20-40% in hospitalized patients.

Intestinal microbiota in patients with chronic hepatitis C with and without cirrhosis compared with healthy controls.

Background & Aims: The importance of the intestinal microbiota for the onset and clinical course of many diseases, including liver diseases like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, is increasingly recognized. However, the role of intestinal microbiota in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unclear.

Methods: In a cross-sectional approach, the intestinal microbiota of 95 patients chronically infected with HCV (n=57 without cirrhosis [NO-CIR]; n=38 with cirrhosis [CIR]) and 50 healthy controls (HC) without documented liver diseases was analysed.