Increasing incidence of syphilis: A case report of non-resolving papulosquamous rash and role of a biopsy in the prevention of delayed diagnosis.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is undergoing a resurgence in Canada and around the world. If not diagnosed correctly, syphilis can progress to its secondary and tertiary stages, affecting numerous organ systems. We present a case of a 41-year-old female who developed a papulosquamous rash, initially diagnosed as varicella with progression to a widespread and painful rash over 3 months.

Ceftolozane/Tazobactam treatment for patients with hospital-acquired and ventilatory-associated bacterial pneumonia in Canada in 2022-2024: results from the CLEAR registry.

Background: We report results from the national CLEAR (Canadian Leadership on Antimicrobial Real-Life Usage) registry on the usage of ceftolozane/tazobactam in Canada from 2022 to 2024.

Research Design And Methods: The authors reviewed the final data using the national ethics approved CLEAR study. Thereafter, the literature is surveyed regarding the usage of ceftolozane/tazobactam to treat patients with HABP and VABP via PubMed (up to May 2024).

Real-life experience with IV fosfomycin in Canada: Results from the Canadian LEadership on Antimicrobial Real-life usage (CLEAR) registry.

Objectives: Data on the use of intravenous (IV) fosfomycin in Canada are limited. Using data captured by the Canadian LEadership on Antimicrobial Real-life usage (CLEAR) registry, we report the use of IV fosfomycin in Canadian patients.

Methods: The CLEAR registry uses the web-based data management program, REDCap (https://rcsurvey.

Successful treatment of suspected early form of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a case report.

Background: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan , is the most common parasitic aetiology of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy in the Americas, causing significant morbidity and mortality. The clinical spectrum ranges from early asymptomatic disease to severe cardiac manifestations including dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, dysrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, thromboembolism, and sudden death.

Case Summary: We present a case of Chagas disease in a 75-year-old patient originally from El Salvador who presented to our Canadian tertiary centre with heart failure and atrial fibrillation/flutter.

COVID-19 in an immunocompromised host: persistent shedding of viable SARS-CoV-2 and emergence of multiple mutations: a case report.

This article reports a case of a 21-year-old woman with refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia who presented with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). She remained positive for SARS-CoV-2 by viral culture for 78 days and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 97 days. Sequencing of repeat samples over time demonstrated an increasing and dynamic repertoire of mutations.

Laboratory Exposures from an Unsuspected Case of Human Infection with Brucella canis.

We report a case of human infection with a Brucella canis isolate in an adult in Canada who was receiving a biologic immunomodulating medication. We detail subsequent investigations, which showed that 17 clinical microbiology staff had high-risk exposures to the isolate, 1 of whom had a positive result for B. canis.

Probiotic mixture of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 attenuates hippocampal apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

In recent years, the beneficial impact of targeted gut microbiota manipulation in various neurological disorders has become more evident. Therefore, probiotics have been considered as a promising approach to modulate brain gene expression and neuronal pathways even in some neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of probiotic biotherapy with combination of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 on the expression levels of proteins critical to neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats.

Spectrum of illness in migrants to Canada: sentinel surveillance through CanTravNet.

Background: Due to ongoing political instability and conflict in many parts of the world, migrants are increasingly seeking asylum and refuge in Canada.

Methods: We examined demographic and travel correlates of illnesses among migrants to Canada to establish a detailed epidemiologic framework of this population for Canadian practitioners. Data on ill-returned Canadian travellers presenting to a CanTravNet site between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were analyzed.

Predicting in-hospital mortality in pneumonia-associated septic shock patients using a classification and regression tree: a nested cohort study.

Background: Pneumonia complicated by septic shock is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Classification and regression tree methodology is an intuitive method for predicting clinical outcomes using binary splits. We aimed to improve the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with pneumonia and septic shock using decision tree analysis.

The Effects of Probiotic Formulation Pretreatment (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) on a Lipopolysaccharide Rat Model.

Objective: The role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), via the gut-brain axis has recently been demonstrated; hence, modification of the intestinal microbiota composition by probiotic biotherapy could be a therapeutic target for these conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) on inflammatory and memory processes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rats, one of the animal models used in peripherally induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (Control, LPS, Probiotic + LPS, and Probiotic).

Culture-Negative Septic Shock Compared With Culture-Positive Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of culture-negative septic shock in comparison with culture-positive septic shock.

Design: Retrospective nested cohort study.

Setting: ICUs of 28 academic and community hospitals in three countries between 1997 and 2010.

Surveillance report of Zika virus among Canadian travellers returning from the Americas.

Background: Widespread transmission of Zika virus in the Americas has occurred since late 2015. We examined demographic and travel-related characteristics of returned Canadian travellers with Zika infection acquired in the Americas to illuminate risk factors for acquisition and the clinical spectrum.

Methods: We analyzed demographic and travel-related data for returned Canadian travellers who presented to a CanTravNet site between October 2015 and September 2016 for care of Zika virus acquired in the Americas.

Longitudinal clinical findings and outcome among patients with Cryptococcus gattii infection in British Columbia.

Background: Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) infection emerged in British Columbia in 1999. A longitudinal, clinical description of patients has not been reported.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for Cg patients identified through surveillance (1999-2007).

Mycobacterium tuberculosis septic shock.

Background: Septic shock due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is an uncommon but well-recognized clinical syndrome. The objective of this study was to describe the unique clinical characteristics, epidemiologic risk factors, and covariates of survival of patients with MTB septic shock in comparison with other bacterial septic shock.

Methods: A retrospective nested cohort study was conducted of patients given a diagnosis of MTB septic shock derived from a trinational, 8,670-patient database of patients with septic shock between 1996 and 2007.

Vancomycin pharmacodynamics and survival in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-associated septic shock.

Given the lack of clinical data to guide optimal dosing of vancomycin in critically ill patients with life-threatening infections, the objective was to characterise vancomycin pharmacodynamics in MRSA-associated septic shock. Cases were extracted from an observational, multicentre study in Canadian Intensive Care Units and included 35 adult patients with MRSA-associated septic shock who received vancomycin and had a measured serum concentration within the first 72 h of therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess variables predictive of in-hospital mortality.

Early combination antibiotic therapy yields improved survival compared with monotherapy in septic shock: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Septic shock represents the major cause of infection-associated mortality in the intensive care unit. The possibility that combination antibiotic therapy of bacterial septic shock improves outcome is controversial. Current guidelines do not recommend combination therapy except for the express purpose of broadening coverage when resistant pathogens are a concern.