Linezolid for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) account for a large proportion of hospital-acquired infections. Determining optimal treatment of VRE urinary tract infections (UTIs) is challenging. The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference in efficacy or safety exists between linezolid and non-linezolid treatments for VRE UTIs.

Improved prediction of Canada lynx distribution through regional model transferability and data efficiency.

The application of species distribution models (SDMs) to areas outside of where a model was created allows informed decisions across large spatial scales, yet transferability remains a challenge in ecological modeling. We examined how regional variation in animal-environment relationships influenced model transferability for Canada lynx (), with an additional conservation aim of modeling lynx habitat across the northwestern United States. Simultaneously, we explored the effect of sample size from GPS data on SDM model performance and transferability.

Reassessing the success of experts and nonexperts at correctly differentiating between closely related species from camera trap images: A reply to Gooliaff and Hodges.

We present a reply to a recent article in Ecology and Evolution ("Measuring agreement among experts in classifying camera images of similar species" by Gooliaff and Hodges) that demonstrated a lack of consistency in expert-based classification of images of similar-looking species. We disagree with several conclusions from the study, and show that with some training, and use of multiple images that is becoming standard practice in camera-trapping studies, even nonexperts can identify similar sympatric species with high consistency.

Impact of an infectious diseases advanced pharmacy practice experience on student knowledge.

Introduction: The goal of this assessment was to determine knowledge acquisition by pharmacy students during an infectious diseases (ID) advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE).

Methods: A 50-question knowledge-based examination was given to every student on a five-week ID APPE between July 1, 2013 and May 5, 2017. The examination was also given to control students (those who did not have an ID APPE) immediately prior to graduation.

Newest lipoglycopeptides for the management of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) are some of the most commonly encountered infections worldwide. Hospitalizations as a result of ABSSSIs are associated with high mortality. This article discusses the role of oritavancin and dalbavancin, the two newest lipoglycopeptides, in the context of the other available I.

Rethinking urinary antibiotic breakpoints: analysis of urinary antibiotic concentrations to treat multidrug resistant organisms.

Objective: The present study analyzed whether renally eliminated antibiotics achieve sufficient urinary concentrations based on their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles to effectively eradicate organisms deemed resistant by automated susceptibility testing.

Results: Lower median minimum inhibitory concentrations against enterobacteriaceae were noted for ceftriaxone, cefepime, and doripenem when comparing Etest to Vitek. All Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were susceptible to cefepime, ciprofloxacin, and doripenem with both susceptibility methods, but higher median minimum inhibitory concentrations were observed with Etest.

A Versatile Strategy for Characterization and Imaging of Drip Flow Microbial Biofilms.

The inherent architectural and chemical complexities of microbial biofilms mask our understanding of how these communities form, survive, propagate, and influence their surrounding environment. Here we describe a simple and versatile workflow for the cultivation and characterization of model flow-cell-based microbial ecosystems. A customized low-shear drip flow reactor was designed and employed to cultivate single and coculture flow-cell biofilms at the air-liquid interface of several metal surfaces.

Systematic review of professional liability when prescribing β-lactams for patients with a known penicillin allergy.

Objective: To describe medical negligence and malpractice cases in which a patient with a known penicillin allergy received a β-lactam and experienced an adverse reaction related to the β-lactam.

Data Sources: Lexis-Nexus, Westlaw, and Google Scholar were searched.

Study Selections: Medical negligence and malpractice cases were eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: the plaintiff had a known penicillin allergy, received a β-lactam, and experienced an adverse event.

Risk Factors for Failure in Complicated Intraabdominal Infections.

Objectives: Approximately 20% of patients with complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAIs) fail therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for clinical failure in patients with cIAIs.

Methods: codes for cIAIs were obtained to identify patients.

Impact of an antifungal stewardship intervention on optimization of candidemia management.

Background: Candidemia represents a leading cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections with significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have demonstrated that comprehensive care bundles improve candidemia management but are time-consuming.

Objective: To determine the impact of a one-time targeted candidemia intervention on time to initiation of adequate therapy compared to standard of care.

Time-Kill Analysis of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Efficacy Against Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains from Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Introduction: Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MP) strains in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are thought to initiate the chronic infection stage of CF and are associated with pulmonary function decline.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the susceptibility of MP strains to ceftolozane/tazobactam and the efficacy of ceftolozane/tazobactam against MP strains compared with those for standard-of-care antipseudomonal antibiotics.

Methods: Ten clinical isolates of MP from CF patients were tested for susceptibility with Etest and time-kill analysis with ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with ceftazidime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, tobramycin, and polymyxin B.

Shifts in antimicrobial consumption and infection rates before and during a piperacillin/tazobactam shortage.

Objectives: Anti-infective shortages represent a growing threat to optimum management of infected patients and alter the institutional selective pressure against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The objective of this analysis was to assess the impact of a shortage of piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) on overall antibacterial use and HAI rates at an academic institution.

Methods: Antimicrobial use and infection data were extracted from TheraDoc Clinical Surveillance Software (Premier, Inc.

Mechanisms of fosfomycin resistance in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter sp.

We report on fosfomycin susceptibility and mechanisms of resistance in clinical strains of bla-positive Enterobacter sp. (n = 19). A total of 14 strains (74%) were susceptible to fosfomycin; 8 strains (42%) were positive for fosA and no strains were positive for FosA3 or FosC2.

Managing acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: Focus on new lipoglycopeptides.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are some of the most commonly encountered infections worldwide. Hospitalizations as a result of ABSSSI are associated with high mortality. This article discusses the role of oritavancin and dalbavancin, two new lipoglycopeptides, in the context of the other I.

Comparison of susceptibility patterns using commercially available susceptibility testing methods performed on prevalent Candida spp.

The rising rates of invasive fungal infections caused by non-albicans Candida and the increasing emergence of antifungal resistance complicate the management of invasive candidiasis. Accurate and timely antifungal susceptibility testing is critical to targeting antifungal therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare commercially available susceptibility testing methods using prospectively collected Candida isolates.

Impact of piperacillin-tazobactam shortage on meropenem use: implications for antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Drug shortages pose a clear detriment to antimicrobial stewardship (AS) efforts. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of a piperacillin-tazobactam shortage on meropenem use, related costs, and associated changes in AS activity. A quasi-experimental quality improvement review compared adult patients receiving meropenem ≥72h three months pre-shortage and three months during the shortage.

Infectious and Non-infectious Etiologies of Cardiovascular Disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Background: Increasing rates of HIV have been observed in women, African Americans, and Hispanics, particularly those residing in rural areas of the United States. Although cardiovascular (CV) complications in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have significantly decreased following the introduction of antiretroviral therapy on a global scale, in many rural areas, residents face geographic, social, and cultural barriers that result in decreased access to care. Despite the advancements to combat the disease, many patients in these medically underserved areas are not linked to care, and fewer than half achieve viral suppression.

Therapeutic options for vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia.

Enterococcal infections are relatively common among hospitalized patients, likely because these organisms are commensals of human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. With widespread usage of glycopeptides in both humans and livestock, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) quickly emerged. Bloodstream infections caused by these isolates are of significant concern with limited bactericidal options for treatment.

Daptomycin-induced rhabdomyolysis and acute liver injury.

Daptomycin use is a known cause of rhabdomyolysis; its role in liver injury is less certain. We report a case of daptomycin-induced rhabdomyolysis with liver injury. This report indicates a role for liver function monitoring while receiving daptomycin, as well as the importance of promptly considering drug toxicities in acute and emergency care settings.

Cost-benefit and effectiveness analysis of rapid testing for MRSA carriage in a hospital setting.

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted comparing the polymerase chain reaction assay and traditional microbiological culture as screening tools for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients admitted to the pediatric and surgical intensive care units (PICU and SICU) at a 722 bed academic medical center. In addition, the cost benefits of identification of colonized MRSA patients were determined. The cost-effectiveness analysis employed actual hospital and laboratory costs, not patient costs.

Performance assessment of an opto-fluidic phantom mimicking porcine liver parenchyma.

An implantable, optical oxygenation and perfusion sensor to monitor liver transplants during the two-week period following the transplant procedure is currently being developed. In order to minimize the number of animal experiments required for this research, a phantom that mimics the optical, anatomical, and physiologic flow properties of liver parenchyma is being developed as well. In this work, the suitability of this phantom for liver parenchyma perfusion research was evaluated by direct comparison of phantom perfusion data with data collected from in vivo porcine studies, both using the same prototype perfusion sensor.

Artemether-lumefantrine: an option for malaria.

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Data Sources: English-language articles indexed in PubMed (1947-November 2011) were identified, using the search terms artemether-lumefantrine, artemether-lumefantrine AND malaria, Coartem, and Coartem AND malaria.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Available English-language articles were reviewed.