ABSTRACT
Carbapenem administration is an important therapy for nosocomial infections due to MDRO, especially Acinetobacter baumannii. The global increase in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) that causes this pathogen has significantly threatened public health due to the lack of adequate treatment options due to the very few currently available antimicrobial agents that actively fight CRAB. Antimicrobial resistance is a major negative impact of inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing. Ineffective empiric treatment (initial antibiotic regimen not sensitive to identified pathogens based on in vitro sensitivity test results) is associated with a higher rate of deaths compared to effective empiric treatment. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between the suitability of empiric and definitive antibiotics and the clinical outcomes of patients with bacteremia due to CRAB treated in the inpatient ward of Dr. Soetomo Tertiary Referral Hospital, Surabaya. There were 227 isolates of bacteremia due to CRAB, consisting of 156 carbapenem-resistant A. baumanni and 71 carbapenem-sensitive A. baumannii. There were 88 isolates that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and all of them were resistant to ceftriaxone, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin. A total of 29.5% of the isolates were sensitive to cotrimoxazole, 3.4% of the isolates were sensitive to tigecycline, and 2.3% of the isolates were sensitive to amikacin, levofloxacin, and cefoperazone sulbactam. Adequate empirical antibiotics and definitive antibiotics (sensitive based on culture sensitivity test) amounted to 12.5% and 27.3%, respectively. There is no significant correlation between the suitability of empiric and definitive therapies with the patients' clinical outcomes (death and length of stay).Copyright © 2022 Phcogj.Com.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: It is important to know the risk factors for death in reducing mortality in patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with S. maltophilia infections. Material(s) and Method(s): Patients with S. maltophilia infections aged 18 years and older who were hospitalized in Haseki Research and Training between January 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, non-survivors and survivors, and the clinical features and laboratory parameters of the groups were compared. Mortality risk factors were analyzed by logistic and Cox regression analyses. Result(s): A total of 75 patients with S. maltophilia infections were included. The mortality rate was 38.6% (n= 29). Advanced age (OR= 1.05, 95% CI= 1.012-1.085, p= 0.009), COVID-19 pneumonia (OR= 9.52, 95% CI= 1.255-72.223, p= 0.029), and presence of central venous catheter (CVC) (OR= 18.25, 95% CI= 2.187-152.323, p= 0.007) were risk factors for death. Conclusion(s): Physicians should be aware of the potential risk of S. maltophilia infections for mortality, particularly in patients with predefined risk factors such as advanced age, the presence of CVC, and COVID-19. Performing CVC care in accordance with infection prevention and control measures and timely removal of CVC may be beneficial in reducing deaths due to S. maltophilia infection.Copyright © 2023 Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background Management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and evidence of disease activity during treatment with cladribine tablets represents a challenging point. Objectives To report a patient with highly active multiple sclerosis (HAMS) who has been early switched from cladribine to alemtuzumab owing to tumultuous clinical and radiological activity Methods A single retrospective case report. Results. Treatment with alemtuzumab has led to a complete suppression of disease activity without any evidence of infections or acquired autoimmune diseases. Conclusion Our report suggests that an early switch from cladribine to alemtuzumab, may be safe and efficacious in selected HAMS cases.Copyright © 2022 The Authors
ABSTRACT
Background: Complex mycotic aortic aneurysm (MAA) is a rare and life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate. Open surgical treatment has always been considered as gold standard. However, it carries a high mortality and morbidity rate. Endovascular repair is a feasible option with encouraging results, especially in frail patients. Due to the production lead time, Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair cannot be proposed in urgent cases. In those cases, an alternate solution could be the use of "Off the shelf" (OTS) fenestrated stent grafts. Objective(s): We aimed to assess the feasibility of OTS fenestrated stent grafts in the acute treatment of a MAA. Method(s): We present the case of a frail 74-year-old woman with an acute MAA undergoing a successful treatment by Zenith t-Branch Thoracoabdominal Endovascular Graft associated with antibiotic therapy. Result(s): Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) at 1-year follow up showed good result with total exclusion of the thoracic aneurysm and size reduction. No migration of the stent was found, and all branch vessels remained patent. Conclusion(s): OTS endovascular T-branch is a feasible option to treat acute MAA and could be considered in frail patient. Further studies are required to define the place of this strategy in the management of acute MAA.Copyright © 2022
ABSTRACT
Acute diarrheal disease accounts for 179 million outpatient visits annually in the United States. Diarrhea can be categorized as inflammatory or noninflammatory, and both types have infectious and noninfectious causes. Infectious noninflammatory diarrhea is often viral in etiology and is the most common presentation;however, bacterial causes are also common and may be related to travel or foodborne illness. History for patients with acute diarrhea should include onset and frequency of symptoms, stool character, a focused review of systems including fever and other symptoms, and evaluation of exposures and risk factors. The physical examination should include evaluation for signs of dehydration, sepsis, or potential surgical processes. Most episodes of acute diarrhea in countries with adequate food and water sanitation are uncomplicated and self-limited, requiring only an initial evaluation and supportive treatment. Additional diagnostic evaluation and management may be warranted when diarrhea is bloody or mucoid or when risk factors are present, including immunocompromise or recent hospitalization. Unless an outbreak is suspected, molecular studies are preferred over traditional stool cultures. In all cases, management begins with replacing water, electrolytes, and nutrients. Oral rehydration is preferred;however, signs of severe dehydration or sepsis warrant intravenous rehydration. Antidiarrheal agents can be symptomatic therapy for acute watery diarrhea and can help decrease inappropriate antibiotic use. Empiric antibiotics are rarely warranted, except in sepsis and some cases of travelers' or inflammatory diarrhea. Targeted antibiotic therapy may be appropriate following microbiologic stool assessment. Hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and food and water safety measures are integral to preventing infectious diarrheal illnesses.Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Family Physicians.
ABSTRACT
X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency associated with recurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) episodes. The clinical phenotypes of XIAP deficiency vary, ranging from splenomegaly to life-threatening inflammation. We report a case of XIAP deficiency with unusual late-onset HLH presentation likely triggered by a drug allergy. A previously healthy adolescent boy presented to the hospital with fever and rash seven days after starting antibiotics for a neck abscess. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated cytopenias, elevated liver enzymes, and increased inflammatory markers. Initially, antibiotics were discontinued due to concern for drug rash. He continued to deteriorate clinically and became hypotensive. Additional testing revealed decreased NK cell function, as well as elevated ferritin, triglycerides, and soluble IL-2 receptor. SLAM-Associated Protein (SAP) and XIAP evaluation by flow cytometry demonstrated decreased XIAP expression. Subsequently, genetic testing revealed a known pathogenic mutation in BIRC4 (c.421_422del), confirming the diagnosis of XIAP deficiency.Copyright © 2023