Trial of Vancomycin and Cefazolin as Surgical Prophylaxis in Arthroplasty.

Background: The addition of vancomycin to beta-lactam prophylaxis in arthroplasty may reduce surgical-site infections; however, the efficacy and safety are unclear.

Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, superiority, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned adult patients without known methicillin-resistant (MRSA) colonization who were undergoing arthroplasty to receive 1.5 g of vancomycin or normal saline placebo, in addition to cefazolin prophylaxis.

Infection: Clinical Practice and Health Outcomes in 6 Large Tertiary Hospitals in Eastern Australia.

Background: infection (CDI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in both healthcare and community settings. We aimed to define the predisposing factors, risks for severe disease, and mortality determinants of CDI in eastern Australia over a 1-year period.

Methods: This is an observational retrospective study of CDI in hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years in 6 tertiary institutions from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

Investigator-Driven Randomised Controlled Trial of Cefiderocol versus Standard Therapy for Healthcare-Associated and Hospital-Acquired Gram-negative Bloodstream Infection: Study protocol (the GAME CHANGER trial): study protocol for an open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative organisms due to the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), hyperproduction of AmpC enzymes, carbapenemases and other mechanisms of resistance are identified in common hospital- and healthcare-associated pathogens including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Cefiderocol is a novel siderophore cephalosporin antibiotic with a catechol moiety on the 3-position side chain. Cefiderocol has been shown to be potent in vitro against a broad range of Gram-negative organisms, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and multi-drug-resistant (MDR) P.

Meropenem Versus Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Definitive Treatment of Bloodstream Infections Caused by AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing spp, , , spp, or : A Pilot Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (MERINO-2).

Background: Carbapenems are recommended treatment for serious infections caused by AmpC-producing gram-negative bacteria but can select for carbapenem resistance. Piperacillin-tazobactam may be a suitable alternative.

Methods: We enrolled adult patients with bloodstream infection due to chromosomal AmpC producers in a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Effect of Piperacillin-Tazobactam vs Meropenem on 30-Day Mortality for Patients With E coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infection and Ceftriaxone Resistance: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases mediate resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (eg, ceftriaxone) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Significant infections caused by these strains are usually treated with carbapenems, potentially selecting for carbapenem resistance. Piperacillin-tazobactam may be an effective "carbapenem-sparing" option to treat extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers.

The Potential Role of Social Media Platforms in Community Awareness of Antibiotic Use in the Gulf Cooperation Council States: Luxury or Necessity?

The increasing emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious public health issue. Increasing the awareness of the general public about appropriate antibiotic use is a key factor for combating this issue. Several public media campaigns worldwide have been launched; however, such campaigns can be costly and the outcomes are variable and difficult to assess.

Reporting of pre-enrolment screening with randomized clinical trials: A small item that could impact a big difference.

Introduction: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), when conducted using ethical and transparent methods, become the ultimate standard for producing evidence-based knowledge in the field of medical research. We sought to determine the proportion of RCTs in which the number of screened patients is reported, and also to ascertain what predicted efficient screening (i.e.

Meropenem versus piperacillin-tazobactam for definitive treatment of bloodstream infections due to ceftriaxone non-susceptible Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp (the MERINO trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Klebsiella spp. frequently cause bloodstream infections. There has been a worldwide increase in resistance in these species to antibiotics such as third generation cephalosporins, largely driven by the acquisition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase or plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes.

Predictors of use of infection control precautions for multiresistant gram-negative bacilli in Australian hospitals: analysis of a national survey.

Introduction: Despite the global expansion of extended spectrum β-lactamase-harboring Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), only limited research on the infection control management of patients with these organisms is available.

Methods: We present a national survey of infection control practices amongst adult acute-care hospitals in Australia, for ESBL-E, CRE, and the emerging threat of patients with overseas health care contact.

Results: In total, 97 health services responded, representing 9% of all eligible hospitals.