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Introduction This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from blood cultures in a tertiary-care hospital and the multiplex PCR assay's ability to detect resistance genes. Methods A total of 388 GNB isolates obtained from hospitalized patients between November 2019 and November 2021 were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by VITEK 2 system and broth microdilution method. Beta-lactamase-encoding genes were detected by multiplex PCR assays, BioFire-Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) panel (bioMerieux, France). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) were detected phenotypically with VITEK AST-GN71 card (bioMerieux, France). The isolates of GNB were classified into multidrug-resistant, extensively-drug-resistant, and pandrug-resistant categories, and their prevalence and distribution in different wards, including coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care units (ICU), were calculated. Results Results revealed that all isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were multidrug-resistant as well as 91.6% of Enterobacter cloacae, 80.6% of Proteus mirabilis, and 76.1% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively. In fermentative bacteria, blaOXA-48-like (58.1%), blaNDM (16.1%), blaKPC (9.7%) and blaVIM (6.5%) genes were detected. More than half of Enterobacter cloacae (58.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (53.7%) produced ESBLs. Among non-fermenters, the blaNDM gene was carried by 55% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 19.5% of Acinetobacter baumannii. In the COVID-19 ICU, Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common isolate (86.1%). Conclusions This study revealed high proportions of multidrug-resistant blood isolates and various underlying resistance genes in Gram-negative strains. The BCID2 panel seems to be helpful for the detection of the most prevalent resistance genes of fermentative bacteria.Copyright © GERMS 2022.
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Background: Since patients admitted to the intensive care unit have a compromised im-mune system and are more prone to infection than other patients, timely diagnosis and treatment of corneal ulcers among this group of patients can prevent vision loss. Therefore, it is necessary to treat eye infections and corneal ulcers promptly and economize prohibitive costs. Objective(s): Appropriate treatment with the most effective antibiotic before the answer is available to prevent corneal ulcer complications and blindness. Method(s): This study was conducted from November 2019 to November 2020 and after approval by the ethics committee of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences with the code of ethics: IR.UMSHA.REC.1398.716. First, the corneal secretions of 121 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Sina Hospital are prepared by an ophthalmologist (after anesthetizing the cornea with tetra-caine drops and sterile swabs) and culture in four growth mediums (blood agar, chocolate agar, thio-glycolate, and EMB). Microbial cultures are examined after 48 hours and a fungal culture is examined one week later. Disc diffusions are placed in positive microbial cultures. Antibiotic susceptibility or resistance of the antibiogram was recorded. Other demographic data, including patients' age and sex, are extracted from ICU files. Also, test results and patient identifications are recorded in a checklist designed for this purpose. Result(s): Of all the antibiotics used against common bacteria, vancomycin (84%), colistin (80.43%), cefazolin (80%), and levofloxacin (60%) had the highest sensitivity and gentamicin (93.75%), ceftazidime (86.42%) Erythromycin (85%) had the highest resistance against isolated bacteria. Conclusion(s): The data obtained from this study showed that the most common microorganisms in the age group under the age of 30 years were Acinetobacter Baumannii, in the group of 30-60 years old was Klebsiella pneumonia, and age group over 61 years old was Staphylococcus aureus, and the most sensitive antibiotics in the age group under 30 years were vancomycin and levofloxacin and the age group30-60 were colistin and vancomycin and in the age group over 61 years were vancomycin and cefazolin.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
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Burkholderia pseudomallei is soil saprophytic Gram-negative bacilli that cause a fatal disease called melioidosis. Melioidosis is capable of causing cutaneous infection and systemic infections in the respiratory tract, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urinary, skin and soft tissue, and musculoskeletal and central nervous systems. Here, we report rare forms of pulmonary, cerebral, and splenic abscess case series of melioidosis caused by B. pseudomallei. Imported cases have been reported among tourists, immigrants, and soldiers who returned from endemic areas. The acquisition of infection is through percutaneous, inhalation, and ingestion of contaminated water;person-to-person transmission is very rare. Melioidosis cases are primarily found in the rainfall season and are usually associated with risk factors such as diabetes, alcoholism, and chronic renal diseases. However, 20-26% of cases were not associated with predisposing conditions. The identification is based on colony morphology, Gram stain, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and other supportive automated and molecular assays when we suspect B. pseudomallei. There are two phases, the intensive and eradication phases, in managing melioidosis. In the intensive phase, ceftazidime for 2 weeks showed efficacy in almost 50% of cases, and the eradication phase treatment with co-trimoxazole and doxycycline or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 3-6 months showed an excellent response. The improper clinical diagnosis and management of B. pseudomallei can lead to complications. Hence, early diagnosis with microbiological approaches such as culture, biochemical reactions, or automated systems available and antimicrobial sensitivity testing will cure the patient quickly without mortality.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.
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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.
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Introduction It has long been felt that many contributions made by the ICU Pharmacy team, are not well showcased by the yearly regional network multi-speciality contributions audit. Themes specific to ICU are diluted amongst Trust and region wide data, and valuable learning for the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is subsequently overlooked. Objective(s): The aims of this project were to: * Develop and pilot a MicrosoftTM Access © database for the ICU pharmacy team to record significant contributions. * Enable the production of reports to the ICU Quality & Safety board, to raise awareness, disseminate concerns, and influence future quality improvement projects. * Provide examples to contribute to the training of the whole MDT. * Generate evidence of team effectiveness and encourage further investment. * Provide team members with a means to recall contributions, for revalidation, appraisal, prescribing re-affirmation and framework mapping. Method(s): * A database was built with a user-friendly data-entry form to prevent overwriting. Fields were agreed with peers who would be using the database. * The team were invited to voluntarily enter their contributions which they thought added value and provided useful learning. * The pilot phase ceased with the emergence of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, due to staffing pressures and surge planning. Result(s): * Between 12/07/2021 and 25/11/2021, a total of 211 contributions were recorded. * Pharmacists entered 88.6% and a single technician entered 11.4% of these. * Independent Prescribing was utilised in 52.13% of contributions, and deprescribing in 25.12%. * Figure 1 demonstrates the contributions by drug group * The top 5 drugs associated with contributions were: ? Dalteparin ? Vancomycin ? Voriconazole ? Meropenem ? Co-trimoxazole * Treatment optimisation was an outcome for 76.3% of all contributions. Figure 2 stratifies these by type. Contributions. * Drug suitability was a cause for intervention in 12.8% of all contributions, encompassing allergies, contraindications, cautions and interactions and routes. * Medicines reconciliation accounted for 17.54% of all contributions, which almost half were Technician led. Admission was the most common stage to intervene (81.08%), followed by transcription. * Of all contributions, 37.91% were classified as patient safety incidents. Reassuringly 76.25% of these were prevented by the Pharmacy team. Themes have been extracted from these incidents and are presented in Table 1. Conclusion(s): PROTECTED-UK1 demonstrated the value pharmacists contribute to the quality and safety of patient care on ICU. Studies of similar quality and scale including Pharmacy Technicians are lacking, but even in this pilot study, it is evident how important their input is. Independent prescribing is a fundamental and well utilised part of our ICU Pharmacist skillset, supporting the GPICS2 recommendation that ICU pharmacists should be encouraged to become prescribers. Compiling a team interventions database is a useful tool to highlight local priority areas for guideline development;training;and ensuring that appropriate decision support is built into electronic prescribing systems. To improve the usefulness of the data, further stratification of contributions according to the Eadon Criteria3 may be worthwhile, to expand its use as a medication safety thermometer for ICU.
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Lymphangitis carcinomatosa refers to pulmonary interstitial involvement by cancer and is a dreaded clinical finding in oncology because it is a late manifestation indicative of metastatic malignancy, from either a lung or a nonlung primary cancer, and is associated with poor prognosis. Its presentation is nonspecific, often with subacute dyspnoea and a nonproductive cough in a person with a known history of malignancy, but in some cases is the first manifestation of cancer. CT imaging can be suggestive, typically demonstrating thickening of the peribronchovascular interstitium, interlobular septa and fissures. However, a biopsy may be required to confirm the pathological diagnosis as these changes can also be due to concurrent disease such as heart failure, ILD, infection, radiation pneumonitis and drug reactions. Diagnosis allows symptomatic treatment, with personalised treatment directed towards the primary cancer most likely to provide a meaningful benefit. Future research should focus on prospective clinical trials to identify new interventions to improve both diagnosis and treatment of lymphangitis carcinomatosa.Copyright © ERS 2021.
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause severe nosocomial infections and sepsis, especially in immunocompromised comorbid patients. The purpose of the study was to assess the frequency, clinical course, and the possibility of antimicrobial therapy for bloodstream infections caused by P. aeruginosa in patients with COVID-19. Material and methods. A retrospective single-center uncontrolled study was performed from October 1, 2020 to September 31, 2021 on the basis of a temporary infectious diseases hospital for patients with COVID-19 at the City Clinical Hospital No. 52, Moscow. During the analyzed period, 16 047 patients were admitted to the infectious diseases hospital. The study included 46 patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by PCR RNA SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab (U 07.1) and/or computed tomography (CT) of the lungs (U 07.2). Statistical data processing was carried out using the BioStat, 2009 program (AnalystSoft, USA). Results and discussion. P. aeruginosa has been isolated from the blood of 0.29% of patients with COVID-19. In the structure of bacteremia, P. aeruginosa accounted for 6.1%. In 87% of cases, pathogens were isolated from the blood of patients in the ICU. Most strains are classified as XDR phenotypes - 74% and MDR - 21.7%. The sensitivity of hospital strains of P. aeruginosa was: to colistin - 97%, to amikacin - 39.1%, meropenem - 32.6%. All patients had concomitant diseases: cardiovascular (60%), oncological (27.5%), diabetes mellitus (20%), obesity (22.5%) and others. In 47.5% of cases (19/40), the cause of bloodstream infections was ventilator-associated pneumonia. The mortality rate among patients with COVID-19 with P. aeruginosa bacteremia is 80%. Conclusion. The wide distribution of multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa limits the number of therapeutic options. In severe bloodstream infections caused by P. aeruginosa XDR, combined antibiotic therapy regimens with the inclusion of polymyxin B are advisable.Copyright © 2022 Tomsk Polytechnic University, Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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Objective: To analyze the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in blood culture specimens of patients with bloodstream infections before and after COVID-19 (2018-2019 and 2020-2021), and to provide scientific basis and reference for rational treatment and effective control of bloodstream infections in the post-epidemic period. Methods: Blood culture specimens were collected from patients in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in the two years before and after the COVID-19 outbreak (2018-2021). The Automated Blood Culture Systems were used to perform blood culture on blood specimens sent for clinical inspection, and the Vitek MS automatic bacterial identification mass spectrometer was used for strain identification and the Vitek 2 automatic bacterial drug susceptibility analyzer was used for drug susceptibility testing and drug resistance analysis. Results: Blood culture specimens were performed on 28 736 patients with suspected bloodstream infection submitted for inspection from January 2018 to December 2019, and a total of 2 181 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected after removing duplicate strains, with a positive rate of 7.69%, including 1 046 strains of Gram-negative bacteria, accounting for 47.96%. From January 2020 to December 2021, blood culture specimens from 26 083 patients with suspected bloodstream infection were submitted for inspection, and a total of 2 111 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected after excluding duplicate strains, with a positive rate of 8.09%, including 1 000 strains of Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 47.37%. The drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae was relatively serious, and the sensitivity rate to ertapenem, polymyxin B and tigecycline was more than 90%. The main non-fermentative bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii was more than 50% sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin and polymyxin B. The sensitivity rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, piperacillin and meropenem were more than 50%. Conclusions: In the two years before and after COVID-19, there are many types of pathogenic bacteria in bloodstream infection, but the distribution do not differ significantly. The pathogens of bloodstream infection are mainly distributed in ICU, hepatobiliary research institute, and nephrology department. Among them, Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii are the main ones, and different pathogens showed great differences in drug resistance.
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Frequency of bacterial co-infections among patients with COVID-19 is not high, and over-prescribing of antibiotics may contribute the selection of resistant strains of enterobacteria and gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria. The aim of the study was to assess the local features of antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae and its genetic mechanisms against background of the COVID-19 infection pandemic. Material and methods. There was selected 37 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains isolated in 2016, 2017 and 2020 from hospitalized patients, including 15 strains, isolated from patients with COVID-19 infection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem and colistin were determined by broth microdilution method. Determination of MICs of eravacycline, ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/relebactam was performed using Sensititre diagnostic system on EUMDROXF plates. Susceptibility to 11 combinations of 2 antibiotics was detected by modified method of multiply combination bactericidal testing. For 4 K. pneumoniae strains high-throughput sequencing was performed, followed with the subsequent search for determinants of antibiotic resistance and virulence, assessment of plasmid profiles. Results. All strains were resistant to meropenem (MIC50 32 mg/l, MIC90 128 mg/l) and produced KPC and OXA-48 carbapenemases. Strains isolated in 2016-2017 were susceptible to colistin (MIC <=2 mg/l), in 2020 only 26.7% of the strains retained their susceptibility (MIC50 64 mg/l, MIC90 256 mg/l). Susceptibility to combinations of two antibiotics with colistin included reduced from 84.6-100% in 2016-2017 till 26.6-66.7% in 2020. The strains isolated in 2020 retained their susceptibility to ceftazidime/avibactam (MIC <=1 mg/l). 5 strains resistant to cefiderocol with a MIC 8 mg/l were identified. Strains 2564 and 3125 isolated in 2020 from sputum of patients with COVID-19 infection belonged to different sequence-types (ST12 and ST23) and contained the blaOXA-48 carbapenemase gene, additionally strain 2564 contained the blaKPC-27carbapenemase gene. Resistance to colistin was caused by inactivation of the mgrB genes due to insertion of IS1 and IS5-like transposons. Conclusion. The performed genetic studies demonstrate a diversity of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae leading to the formation of resistance including to antibiotics that haven't been used in Belarus till now.Copyright © 2021 Geotar Media Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.
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Introduction: Evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with ventilator- associated pneumonia (VAP) due to P. aeruginosa. The effectiveness of novel antipseudomonal antibiotics was reviewed. Method(s): Retrospective, single-center cohort analysis between April 2018 and June 2022. Data were obtained from the ENVIN-HELICS and electronic medical records. Demographic variables, underlying diseases and diagnosis to admission were registered. We considered each treatment appropriate according to Tamma PD et al. [1] criteria. We registered ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) and pneumonia (VAP) episodes together with the recurrency of the infection. Result(s): From 61 patients included, 77% were admitted for ARDS due to COVID-19. The mean APACHE-II was 14.3 +/- 6.6. 7 patients required ECMO and 4 required RRT. The median length of stay in the ICU was 52 (ICR 36-84) days. 91 respiratory infections were recorded: 60 VAP and 31 VAT. On the first episode, carbapenem-resistance to meropenem was 40%;rising up to 58% on the second one. 6 patients developed a third episode (VAT) with a 100% of carbapenem- resistance. 13 (14%) respiratory infections showed resistance to the novel beta-lactamase inhibitor cephalosporins (8 to ceftalozanetazobactam and 5 to ceftazidime-avibactam). No resistance to cefiderocol was detected. During ICU stay, 21 patients (34%) developed secondary bacteremia from other foci and 7 (11%) invasive mycoses. Overall mortality was 49.2%. On the univariate analysis we found statistical significant relationships between mortality and COVID-19 admission, SOFA >= 7 points on the first VAP or the development of secondary bacteremia (Table 1). Conclusion(s): COVID-19 admission, SOFA >= 7 points on the first VAP or other secondary bacteremia were associated with mortality. The 14.3% of respiratory infections were resistant to the new beta-lactamase inhibitor cephalosporins. No resistance to cefiderocol was detected.
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Antibiotics play an essential role in antimicrobial therapy. Among all the medications in children, the most commonly prescribed therapy is antibiotics and is currently the indispensable means to cure transmissible diseases. Several categories of antibiotics have been introduced into clinical practice to treat microbial infections. Reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics is a global need and priority. This article aims to provide better knowledge and understanding of the impact of the early use of antibiotics. This article highlights the proper use of antibiotics in chil-dren, detailing how early and inappropriate use of antibiotics affect the gut microbiome during normal body development and consequently affect the metabolism due to diabetes mellitus, obe-sity, and recurrence of infections, such as UTI. Several new antibiotics in their development stage, newly marketed antibiotics, and some recalled and withdrawn from the market are also briefly discussed in this article. This study will help future researchers in exploring the latest information about antibiotics used in paediatrics.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
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Objective. To assess level and the structure of systemic antibiotic consumption in Russia over the period 2017 to 2021. Materials and methods. Data were collected and analysed in compliance with the standard protocol of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe by the means of ATC/DDD methodology for J01 group - antibacterials for systemic use. Consumption was calculated for outpatients and inpatients separately as a number of DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID) for the main classes of antibiotics and the agents with the highest or the most diverse consumption levels for the given period of time, and was based on the data of wholesale purchases and public tenders. Results. Antibiotic consumption in Russia in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 was 16.6 DID, 14.3 DID, 14.8 DID, 19 DID, and 15.7 DID respectively. Penicillins, macrolides and lincosamides, and quinolones had the highest levels of consumption in outpatients. Prominent increase in outpatient consumption of antibacterials in 2020 was related to three agents: azithromycin, levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Cephalosporins (mainly III-V generations), quinolones and penicillins had the highest levels of consumption in inpatients. Hospital consumption of meropenem, tigecycline, and vancomycin increased and amikacin and ciprofloxacin decreased over the duration of the study. Conclusions. Levels of systemic antibiotic consumption in Russia for the period 2017 to 2019 were relatively low and consistent with the average means for European Union and European Economic Area countries. The steep increase in consumption in 2020 was probably due to the wide use of antibiotics for the management of COVID-19 patients. The results of the study can be of value for the development of targeted national antibiotic stewardship programs and awareness campaigns as well as for the analysis of trends of emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.Copyright © 2022, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.
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Antibody deficiencies constitute the majority of primary immunodeficiencies in adults. These patients have a well-established increased risk of bacterial infections but there is a lack of knowledge regarding the relative risks upon contracting COVID-19. In this monocentric study the disease course of COVID-19 in 1 patient with Good's syndrome and in 13 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is described. The severity of disease ranged from very mild to severe. Several patients required hospitalization and immunomodulatory treatment but all survived. Although viral infections are not a typical feature of humoral immunodeficiencies we recommend that vigilance is increased in the management of patients with Good's syndrome and CVID during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2021
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Background. The spread of extensive drug-resistance among gram-negative bacteria calls for the search for antimicrobics with new mechanisms of actions. The aim was to assess susceptibility of extensively drug-resistant K.pneumoniae strains to cefiderocol and other new inhibitor-protected beta-lactams, and to determine genetic mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Methods. This study included 30 extensively drug-resistant K.pneumoniae strains collected in 2016-2021 from 4 regions of Belarus. Carbapenemase genes were detected by real-time PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for cefiderocol and other new antibiotics were assessed by microdilution method using the Sensititre system. Whole genome sequencing was performed for 2 resistant and 3 cefiderocol-susceptible strains. Genome assemblies and annotation were performed using UGENE v. 37.0 software. Nucleotide sequences were translated using CLC Sequence Viewer v. 8.0 (QIAGEN) package. The PROVEAN software was used to assess amino asides substitutions and their influence on the functional activity of proteins. Results. KPC carbapenemase-producers were 4 strains, OXA-48 - 17, KPC+OXA-48 - 1, NDM - 7, OXA-48 + NDM - 1. All KPC-producers were susceptible to imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam. Resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam was noted in all NDM producers and OXA-48+NDM co-producer. The study has identified 9 cefiderocol-resistant strains. These were NDM and OXA-48-producers isolated from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection from 3 regions of Belarus. Resistant strains had functionally significant nonsynonymous substitutions in the genes of TonB-dependent receptors for catecholate siderophores FepA (F472V, P64S) and Fiu (T92S). Conclusion. The study has shown high efficacy of new inhibitor-protected carbapenems and cephalosporins against certain types of carbapenemase-producers. Strains with mutational resistance to cefiderocol, an antibiotic not previously used in Belarus, have been identified.Copyright © Team of Authors, 2022.
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Case report We present the case of a 63-year- old man with two consecutive admissions, due to COVID19 infection and subsequent bacterial superinfection. Three days after the second admission (04/28), and 43 days from the beginning of the infection an assessment by dermatology and allergology is then requested. The patient had generalized erythematous maculopapular rash in the trunk, back, groin and limbs. On the left side and back, pustular lesions not focused on follicles were also added, with a fever of 37.7degreeC. There were no oral and genital lesions. No psoriasis. The drugs used during the present and previous admissions were reviewed. Previous admission (04/04-22/ 20): Linezolid, ciprofloxacin, meropenem 04/13-22, piperacillin/tazobactam, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, ceftriaxone. Upon discharge amoxicillin/acid clavulanic. Present admission (04/25) Cutaneous reaction 04/28. 04/25: meropenem, paracetamol, enoxaparin, insulin, omeprazole, venlafaxine. 04/26: Darbepoetin, furosemide, mycophenolate in single dose. 04/27: Linezolid, macrogol, Clopidogrel, Magnesium, Calcitriol. Medical records: DM type 2, liver transplantation due to HCV cirrhosis, HCV recurrence, uninodular hepatocarcinoma, advanced CKD, secondary hyperparathyroidism, multiple neurological antecedents. We performed a detailed study. We hypothesized with a pharmagological/ drug reaction with several drugs possibly involved and our main suspicion was an allergic reaction to beta-lactams. Biopsy: Subcorneal pustules, basal spongiosis and presence in the superficial dermis of edema and an inflammatory infiltrate with abundant neutrophils. No fungi. Findings compatible with clinical diagnosis of generalized acute exanthematic pustulosis (PEGA). Immunohistochemical study Covid19. (Jimenez Diaz Foundation) Finely granular positivity in endothelium and more coarse in sweaty epithelium. Neutrophilic superficial inflammatory component with presumably spure staining. ACe-2 (positive external control) is not detected. The patient presents a EuroSCAR score of 9, sum of the clinic and the pathological anatomy, and therefore defined diagnosis. Clinical diagnosis: PEGA secondary to meropenem. Conclusion(s): We present the case of a PEGA by meropenem, not very often described in the literature. We highlight the importance of differential diagnosis with viral infections. Skin tests, especially epicutaneous tests, are key to the diagnosis. (Figure Presented).
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Background: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a life-threatening drug-induced condition presenting with skin rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, systemic involvement and hematological (eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytes) findings. Although DRESS syndrome is frequently associated with reactivation of herpesviruses, the link between DRESS and COVID-19 has not been systematically analyzed. Method(s): A systematic search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to identify all reported DRESS cases associated with COVID-19 published between January 2020 and January 2022 using the keywords "COVID-19" AND "DRESS syndrome" OR "drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms" OR "drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome" OR "eosinophilia" AND "SARS-CoV- 2" OR "coronavirus". The identified DRESS cases were evaluated using the Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (RegiSCAR) scoring system [Kardaun et al, 2007]. Result(s): We identified twelve published DRESS cases associated with COVID-19 (Table 1). Eleven patients presented with severe COVID-19 disease complicated by DRESS syndrome that developed several days after initial COVID-19 clinical presentation (ARDS n5;multiorgan failure n1;pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation, n4), one patient was asymptomatic. The culprit drugs included piperacillin-tazobactam (n4), hydroxychloroquine (n5), vancomycin (n2), ceftriaxone (n1), midazolam (n1), sulphasalazine (n1), azithromycin (n1), esomeprazole (n1), cefepime (n1), levofloxacin (n1), and meropenem (n1). The latency between the onset of treatment with culprit drug(s) and the onset of symptoms ranged from 9 to 42 days. All patients presented with widespread maculopapular rash, affecting > 50% of body surface area;five patients also had facial edema. Systemic involvement included liver (n8), renal abnormalities (n8), and heart involvement (n4). All patients had elevated body temperature (fever > = 38.5degreeC, n6) and blood eosinophilia, five patients had lymphadenopathy. Atypical lymphocytes were a rare laboratory finding (n2). Systemic corticosteroids were used in all patients;three patients received benralizumab for DRESS syndrome. Nine patients recovered, two patients died and the outcome was not reported in one case Conclusion(s): DRESS syndrome in COVID-19 patients is associated with multiple drugs, most notably with hydroxychloroquine and a variety of antibiotics. An early recognition may improve management of DRESS syndrome in COVID-19 patients.
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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
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The medical world has been seeking solutions in solving the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak since 2019. Amongst several alter-natives, hemoperfusion therapy has been reported to be beneficial for alleviating symptoms and reducing mortality in severely ill COVID-19 patients. Hemoperfusion is a process of filtering blood to eliminate toxins and inflammatory factors from the body. This case series aims to high-light the unexpected adverse clinical and labora-tory outcomes in the majority of COVID-19 patients treated with hemoperfusion in our hospi-tal. We included fifteen patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with moderate-to-se-vere COVID-19 between August and December 2020 and were all given two to four sessions of hemoperfusion using the MG150 cartridge. All ten men and five women showed no improve-ment in their neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), ferritin, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values after the hemoperfusion regiments, both survivors and non-survivors. In addition, eleven out of twelve patients with respiratory failure who were then intubated resulted in death. Based on our findings and previous evi-dence, we recommended only performing hemoperfusion for investigational instead of therapeutic purposes due to its poorly under-stood pathophysiology in COVID-19. We also recommended further research regarding the us-age of hemoperfusion in COVID-19 patients, es-pecially in the matter of determining the best time to start the therapy.Copyright © 2023, The Indonesian Foundation of Critical Care Medicine. All rights reserved.
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COVID- 19 was the most challenging public health problem worldwide for better part of 2 years (2019 - 2021). Although several of the medication have not demonstrated promising benefits in the majority of research, they are nonetheless utilized. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the hospital pharmaceutical care of COVID-19 patients by sex, age group, and with regards to oxygen consumption classifying and grouping them with comorbidities seen and auxiliary medication given . Hospital based retrospective observational study was conducted among 123 patients with antigen positive Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction confirmed COVID- 19 infection admitted in the ICU for 24 hours prior. As the age increased the chance for ICU admission also increased. The most affected age group was above 50 years of age. The total number of patients requiring oxygen was 100% in COVID- 19 ICU patients. Some of the most common comorbidities were heart disease (18%) followed by Diabetes Mellitus (15%) and Hypertension (15 %). Only 48 % of patients received antivirals. Remdesivir which was the mainstay antiviral was given (41%). Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination (Augmentin 625 mg) was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic (27%).The antipyretic of choice was paracetamol which was given to 100% of patients. Almost all patients (78%) were given enoxaparin sodium as the anticoagulant of choice. Regardless of equivocal results, multivitamins and supplements were recommended to all patients. All prescription guidelines as given by ICMR for COVID- 19 ICU patients were followed with the exception of the extensive antimicrobial use.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Recent years have been associated with the development of various sensor-based technologies in response to the undeniable need for the rapid and precise analysis of an immense variety of pharmaceuticals. In this regard, special attention has been paid to the design and fabrication of sensing platforms based on electrochemical detection methods as they can offer many advantages, such as portability, ease of use, relatively cheap instruments, and fast response times. Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) are among the most promising conductive electrodes due to their beneficial properties, including ease of electrode modification, facile surface renewability, low background currents, and the ability to modify with different analytes. However, their widespread use is affected by the lack of sufficient selectivity of CPEs. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) composed of tailor-made cavities for specific target molecules are appealing complementary additives that can overcome this limitation. Accordingly, adding MIP to the carbon paste matrix can contribute to the required selectivity of sensing platforms. This review aims to present a categorized report on the recent research and the outcomes in the combinatory fields of MIPs and CPEs for determining pharmaceuticals in complex and simple matrices. CPEs modified with MIPs of various pharmaceutical compounds, including analgesic drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, cardiovascular drugs, as well as therapeutic agents affecting the central nervous system (CNS), will be addressed in detail.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.