Microbial perils of the tropics: A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an immigrant from South America.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an important cause of nonhealing lesions in those recently immigrated to the United States from endemic areas. The lesions can present with various characteristics such as ulcerations, macules, or papules, and may be painful or painless. Several diagnostic modalities, including polymerase chain reaction testing, should be performed to identify the causative Leishmania species which is important in determining appropriate treatment. We describe a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania panamensis in a patient who recently traveled through South and Central America.

Reengineering the patient's environment: Establishment of a "Red Box" to improve communications with patients on isolation precautions.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients on isolation precautions are reported to have less frequent health care provider (HCP) visits owing to time required to don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE). Thus, placement on isolation precautions leads to negative patient perception and affects their care. METHODS: A "Red Box" that extended 3 feet beyond the door was marked in 50 patient rooms of a tertiary care hospital and used for patient communication by HCPs without PPE. HCP and patient perceptions of the Red Box were studied via a survey and personal interviews. Compliance was also observed by "secret shoppers." Rates of health care-associated infections (HAIs) were monitored. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period, HCPs reported improved patient communication, utilization of time, and increased interactions. HCPs used the Red Box to communicate with patients 76% of the time. In 92% of the cases, HCPs remembered not to use PPE while in the Red Box and were observed 80% of the time using PPE when venturing beyond the Red Box. Patients reported improved frequency of HCP contact and satisfaction. HAIs in these units did not show any increase compared with those in prior years. CONCLUSIONS: HCP interaction and communication with patients on isolation precautions improved with the reengineering of the patient environment in the form of the Red Box. HAI rates did not increase with this intervention.

Antimicrobial Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, and otitis media. S. pneumoniae has developed increased resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review of prevalence, mechanisms, and clinical implications in S. pneumoniae resistance. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: Since S. pneumoniae resistance to penicillin was first reported with subsequent development of resistance to other classes of drugs, selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment is challenging. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed (English language) for citations to antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae published before March 1, 2016. RESULTS: We present a review of S. pneumoniae resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). There has been a steady decline in susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to commonly used beta-lactams. Phenotypic expression of penicillin resistance occurs as a result of a genetic structural modification in penicillin-binding proteins. Between 20% and 40% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to macrolides. Macrolide resistance mechanisms include ribosomal target site alteration, alteration in antibiotic transport, and modification of the antibiotic. Approximately 22% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to clindamycin. Similar to macrolide resistance, clindamycin involves a target site alteration. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance is low, although increasing. S. pneumoniae resistance to fluoroquinolones occurs by accumulated mutations within the bacterial genome, increased efflux, or acquisition of plasmid-encoded genes. S. pneumoniae resistance has also increased for the tetracyclines. The primary mechanism is mediated by 2 genes that confer ribosomal protection. The prevalence of TMP-SMX resistance is around 35%. As with fluoroquinolones, resistance to TMP-SMX is secondary to mutations in the bacterial genome. CONCLUSIONS: Effective treatment of resistant S. pneumoniae is a growing concern. New classes of drugs, newer formulations of older drugs, combination antibiotic therapy, nonantibiotic modalities, better oversight of antibiotic usage, and enhanced preventive measures hold promise.