Search

OBJECTIVES: To provide an evaluation of predictors of 6-month mortality in incident Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia cases. METHODS: A retrospective population-based study of 541 adult residents of Olmsted County, MN with monomicrobial S. aureus bacteraemia from 1 January 2006 through 31 December 2020. Multivariable Cox regression was used to investigate risk factors of 6-month mortality. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 541 patients with S. aureus bacteraemia was 66.8 (54.4–78.5) years and 39.6% were female. The median (IQR) Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6 (3–9). Overall, 144 patients died during the six-month period following their initial episode (30-day and 6-month mortality = 16.5% and 26.7%, respectively). In a multivariable analysis, older age, ICU admission, and unknown source of infection were significant predictors of increased 6-month mortality. In contrast, having an infectious diseases (ID) consultation was associated with reduced mortality in the first 2 weeks of follow-up. Secondary analyses revealed an early benefit of ID consultation during the first 30 days of follow-up and that infective endocarditis was an additional predictor of 6-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this investigation represents the only US population-based study evaluating predictors of mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteraemia. The finding of a short-term survival benefit associated with early ID consultation may be due to more extensive diagnostic efforts.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can progress to cardiovascular complications which are linked to higher in-hospital mortality rates. Infective endocarditis (IE) can develop in patients with recent COVID-19 infections, however, characterization of IE following COVID-19 infection has been lacking. To better characterize this disease, we performed a systematic review with descriptive analysis of the clinical features and outcomes of these patients.Our search was conducted in 8 databases for all published reports of probable or definite IE in patients with a prior COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis. After ensuring an appropriate inclusion of the articles, we extracted data related to clinical characteristics, modified duke criteria, microbiology, outcomes, and procedures.Searches generated a total of 323 published reports, and 20 articles met our inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 52.2 ± 16.9 years and 76.2% were males. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 8 (38.1%) patients, Enterococcus faecalis in 3 patients (14.3%) and Streptococcus mitis/oralis in 2 (9.5%) patients. The mean time interval between COVID-19 and IE diagnoses was 16.7 ± 15 days. Six (28.6%) patients required critical care due to IE, 7 patients (33.3%) underwent IE-related cardiac surgery and 5 patients (23.8%) died during their IE hospitalization.Our systematic review provides a profile of clinical features and outcomes of patients with a prior COVID-19 infection diagnosis who subsequently developed IE. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that clinicians appreciate the possibility of IE as a unique complication of COVID-19 infection.

Objectives The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), which was originally thought to be a single species, represents a group of 24 distinct species that are often resistant to multiple antibiotics, and usually known to cause life-threatening pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Herein we describe a series of non-respiratory Bcc infections, the risk factors and epidemiologic factors, in addition to the clinical course. Patients and methods This is a retrospective chart review of 44 patients with documented B. cepacia infections isolated from sites other than the respiratory tract admitted between June 2005 and February 2020 to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), a tertiary referral hospital for Lebanon and the Middle East region. The epidemiological background of these patients, their underlying risk factors, the used antibiotic regimens, and the sensitivities of the B. cepacia specimens were collected. Results The majority of the Bcc infections (26/44, 59.1%) were hospital-acquired infections. The most common nationality of the patients was Iraqi (18/44, 40.9%), and the most common site of infection was bacteremia (17/44, 38.6%), followed by skin and soft tissues infections (16/44, 36.4%) and vertebral osteomyelitis (8/44, 18.2%). Most of the isolated B. cepacia were susceptible to ceftazidime, carbapenems, followed by TMP-SMX. Patients responded well to therapy with good overall outcome. Conclusions Bcc can cause infections outside the respiratory tract, mostly as hospital-acquired infections and in immunocompromised patients. Most patients were referred from countries inflicted by wars raising the possibility of a potential role of conflicts which need to be investigated in future studies. Directed therapy according to susceptibility results proved effective in most patients.

ObjectiveNon-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a syndrome characterised by cardiac valve vegetations and/or thickening due to non-infective mechanisms. Nowadays, a premortem diagnosis of NBTE is possible based on echocardiographic findings. Therefore, to better characterise this disease, we performed a contemporary review of the epidemiology, demographics, diagnosis and clinical outcomes of these patients.MethodsAdults with a diagnosis of NBTE seen within the Mayo Clinic Enterprise from December 2014 to December 2021 were included. NBTE diagnosis was identified by clinicians representing at least two specialties including cardiology, infectious diseases, rheumatology and oncology. Patients with positive blood cultures, infective endocarditis, culture-negative endocarditis and denial of research authorisation were excluded. All patients had a 1-year follow-up.ResultsForty-eight cases were identified; mean age was 60.0±13.8 years, 75% were female. The most prevalent comorbidities were malignancy (52.1%) and connective tissue disease (37.5%). Valvular abnormalities included 41 (85.4%) patients with vegetations, 43 (89.6%) patients with thickening and 26 (54.2%) with moderate to severe regurgitation. Thirty-eight (79.2%) patients had an embolic event (stroke in 26 (54.2%) patients) within 1 month of NBTE diagnosis and 16 (33.3%) patients died within 1 year of NBTE diagnosis. Metastatic tumours and lung cancer were associated with 1-year all-cause mortality (p=0.0017 and p=0.0004, respectively).ConclusionsNBTE was more prevalent in females and embolic complications were the most frequent clinical finding. Overall, patients with NBTE had a poor prognosis, particularly in those with lung cancer or metastatic tumours. Further studies in patients with NBTE are needed given its morbidity and mortality.

Background Staphylococcus aureus has high mortality rates, which is influenced by several factors related to the host-pathogen interaction. The current study aims to provide a contemporary evaluation of predictors of 6-month mortality rate in a population-based cohort of incident Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) cases. Methods Retrospective population-based study of 541 adult residents of Olmsted County, MN with monomicrobial SAB from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2020. The study’s primary outcome was 6-month mortality rate, and a survival analysis was prepared by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox regression was used to investigate risk factors associated with 6-month mortality. Results The median (IQR) age of 541 patients with SAB was 66.8 (54.4-78.5) years and 39.6% were female. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 2 (1-4). SAB cases were healthcare-associated in 49.2% and 56.2% were methicillin-susceptible. Twenty percent of SAB cases had an unknown infection source and 38.3% had complicated bacteremia. There were 7 relapses within the first 12 weeks of follow-up, corresponding to a cumulative incidence rate of 1.3%. There were no re-infections through the remainder of the 6-month follow-up, although there were 2 recurrences after 7 months. Eighty-nine (16.5%) patients died within 1 month of SAB diagnosis and 144 (26.7%) patients died during the 6-month follow-up period. In a multivariable analysis, older age, elevated CCI, unknown source of SAB, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were significant predictors of an increased 6-month mortality rate. In contrast, presence of diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with a decreased 6-month mortality rate; also, undergoing infectious diseases consultation was associated with reduced mortality in the first 2 weeks, but not for the remainder of the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion To our knowledge, the current investigation represents the only contemporary population-based study determining significant predictors of mortality in SAB patients, namely, older age, higher CCI, unknown source of SAB, and ICU admission. This study also described one of the lowest 30-day mortality rates reported over the past 2 decades. Figure 1.Survival and reinfection rates of patients with SAB over 6 months. Abbreviations: SAB, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Foot notes: The overall survival curve was derived by the Kaplan-Meier estimator, while the curve for reinfection was estimated by the cumulative incidence function taking into account the competing risk of death. Disclosures Larry M. Baddour, M.D., Boston Scientific: Advisor/Consultant|Botanix Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant|Roivant Sciences: Advisor/Consultant|UpToDate, Inc.: Royalty payments - authorship duties.

Purpose of review Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen incriminated in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) becoming the predominant cause and representing a significant burden to the healthcare system. The last updated Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines concerning MRSA infections and SSTIs management were published in 2011 and 2014, respectively. The UK updated guidelines for MRSA infection treatment were published in 2021. Older treatment options may be associated with toxicity and require frequent dosing. There is a paucity of recent reviews on the armamentarium of new agents for MRSA SSTIs treatment. Recent findings Since 2005, several new antibiotics received a fast-track approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SSTI treatment. These drugs include delafloxacin, omadacycline, tedizolid, ceftaroline, dalbavancin, oritavancin and telavancin. In this manuscript, we will review the data that led to these new drugs approval and discuss their advantages and disadvantages in MRSA SSTIs management. Summary MRSA is a major cause of SSTIs. Several novel therapies covering MRSA were FDA-approved for SSTIs. However, the current IDSA guidelines for MRSA infection and SSTIs as well as the recently published UK guidelines on MRSA treatment only consider these drugs as alternative choices or do not mention them at all.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common cancer involving the urinary system and the ninth most common cancer worldwide. Tobacco smoking is the most important environmental risk factor of BC. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been validated by genome-wide association studies as genetic risk factors for BC. However, the identification of DNA mismatch-repair genes, including MSH2 in Lynch syndrome and MUTYH in MUTYH-associated polyposis, raises the possibility of monogenic hereditary forms of BC. Moreover, other genetic mutations may play a key role in familial and hereditary transmissions of BC. Therefore, the aim of this review is to focus on the major hereditary syndromes involved in the development of BC and to report BC genetic susceptibilities established with genome-wide significance level.

To determine incidence trends ofA contemporary systematic review was conducted using Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1991+), Ovid Embase (1974+), Ovid Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) (1946+ including epub ahead of print, in-processother non-indexed citations), and Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index Expanded 1975+ and Emerging Sources Citation Index 2015+). Two authors (J.R.H. and J.A.Q.M.) independently reviewed all studies and included those that reported population-based incidence of SAB in patients aged 18 years and older.Twenty-six studies met inclusion criteria with the highest number (n=6) of studies conducted in Canada. The incidence of SAB ranged from 9.3 to 65 cases/100,000/year. The median age of patients with SAB ranged from 62 to 72 years and SAB cases were more commonly observed in men than in women. The most common infection sources were intravascular catheters and skin and soft tissue infections. SAB incidence trends demonstrated high variability for geographic regions and calendar years. Overall, there was no change in the incidence trend across all studies during the past two decades.Multiple factors, both pros, and cons are likely responsible for the overall stable SAB incidence in countries included in this systematic review. Some of these factors vary in geographic location and prompt additional investigations from countries not included in the current review so that a more global characterization is defined.

Background Population-based studies of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in the United States are limited. We provide a contemporary evaluation of SAB incidence in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 2006 to 2020. Methods This was a retrospective population-based study of all adult patients with SAB residing in Olmsted County from 1 January 2006 through 31 December 2020. Initial episodes of SAB were identified using the microbiology laboratory databases at both Olmsted Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Rochester. Results Overall, 541 incident SAB cases were identified with a median age of 66.8 (interquartile range, 54.4–78.5) years, and 60.4% were male. Among these cases, 298 (56.2%) were due to methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA) and 232 (43.8%) cases of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). The overall age- and sex-adjusted SAB incidence rate (IR) was 33.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.0–36.8) cases/100 000 person-years (PY). Males had a higher age-adjusted IR of 46.0 (95% CI, 41.0–51.0) cases/100 000 PY compared to females (IR, 24.4 [95% CI, 21.1–27.7] cases/100 000 PY). Age- and sex-adjusted SAB IRs due to MSSA and MRSA were 18.7 and 14.6 cases/100 000 PY, respectively, and the percentage of incident SAB cases due to MRSA fluctuated across the study period. There was no apparent temporal trend in SAB incidence over the study period (P = .093). Conclusions Our investigation represents the only contemporary population-based study in the United States. Despite the impression that SAB incidence may have increased based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data, our finding of no change in SAB incidence was somewhat unanticipated.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) has become a serious problem in the intensive care unit patients with an attributable mortality rate that can reach up to 51%. Multiple global surveillance studies have shown an increasing incidence of candidemia. Despite their limited sensitivity (21–71%), cultures remain the gold standard for the diagnosis of IC associated with candidemia. Many adjunct laboratory tests exist to support or rule out the diagnosis, each with its indications and limitations, including procalcitonin, 1,3-β-D-glucan, mannan and anti-mannan antibodies, and Candida albicans germ tube antibody. In addition, polymerase chain reaction-based methods could expedite species identification in positive blood cultures, helping in guiding early empirical antifungal therapy. The management of IC in critically ill patients can be classified into prophylactic, preemptive, empiric, and directed/targeted therapy of a documented infection. There is no consensus concerning the benefit of prophylactic therapy in critically ill patients. While early initiation of appropriate therapy in confirmed IC is an important determinant of survival, the selection of candidates and drug of choice for empirical systemic antifungal therapy is more controversial. The choice of antifungal agents is determined by many factors, including the host, the site of infection, the species of the isolated Candida, and its susceptibility profile. Echinocandins are considered initial first-line therapy agents. Due to the conflicting results of the various studies on the benefit of preemptive therapy for critically ill patients and the lack of robust evidence, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) omitted this category from its updated guidelines and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) and the Critically Ill Patients Study Group of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) do not recommend it.

Population-based studies ofThis was a retrospective population-based study of all adult patients with SAB residing in Olmsted County from 1 January 2006 through 31 December 2020. Initial episodes of SAB were identified using the microbiology laboratory databases at both Olmsted Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Rochester.Overall, 541 incident SAB cases were identified with a median age of 66.8 (interquartile range, 54.4-78.5) years, and 60.4% were male. Among these cases, 298 (56.2%) were due to methicillin-susceptibleOur investigation represents the only contemporary population-based study in the United States. Despite the impression that SAB incidence may have increased based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data, our finding of no change in SAB incidence was somewhat unanticipated.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer affecting the urinary tract. With the growing era of targeted therapies around the 2000s, many trials evaluated the efficacy of targeted therapy in advanced BC. However, no approval was given yet to any form of targeted therapy when it comes to BC. The aim of this paper was to report the most pivotal trials that evaluated different families of targeted therapy in the treatment of BC, according to their biomarkers (FGFR3, EGFR, HER2, VEGF and PI3K/AKT/mTOR). The ongoing trials testing targeted therapies in advanced BC were then summarized. Finally, the different immunotherapies approved for this disease and their potential combination with targeted therapy were addressed.

Objectives: Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) with resistant pathogens in patients with haematological malignancies are rising due to increased use of novel chemotherapeutic agents and prophylactic antibiotics. Our goal was to understand the epidemiology and resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens in patients with haematological malignancies to help tailor empirical antibiotics and to limit resistance. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review looking at bacterial BSI episodes between 2007–2017 in patients previously diagnosed with haematological malignancy at a tertiary-care centre in Lebanon. Results: Among 165 hospitalised patients with haematological malignancy and bacterial BSI over 10 years, Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) caused 65.0% of all episodes, with the most common pathogens being Escherichia coli (45.6%), 79.6% of which were ESBL-producers, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.5%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (4.0%). The majority of the organisms (61.0%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with ANC < 100 neutrophils/μL (OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.03–0.54) identified as an independent marker for increased multidrug resistance. The risk factors associated with increased mortality included recent use of amikacin (p

Available data suggests a high burden of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). To review the MRSA prevalence and molecular epidemiology in this region, we used PubMed search engine to identify relative articles published from January 2005 to December 2019. Great heterogeneity in reported rates was expectedly seen. Nasal MRSA colonization ranged from 0-32% in healthy volunteers but 4-73% in healthcare workers. Infective MRSA rates ranged between 6%-66% in Saudi Arabia, 12%-29% in United Arab of Emirates, 13%-21% in Qatar, 14%-37% in Oman, 20%-72% in Lebanon, 56% in Gaza, 32%-68% in Jordan, 34%-88% in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan, 47%-77% in Egypt, 19-86% in Algeria, and 18-40% in Tunisia. In the GCC, [PVL-] ST239-III, [PVL+] ST80-IV, [PVL+] ST30-IV, [PVL-] ST22-IV and its [PVL+] and [tst1+] variants, [PVL-] CC6-IV, [PVL-] CC5-IV, and [PVL-] ST5-II had a significant presence. In the Levant region, [PVL+] ST80-IV, [PVL+] ST30-IV, [PVL-] ST239-III, [PVL-] ST22-IV were prevalent in Lebanon, Jordan, and Gaza; [PVL-] ST22-IVa-t223 (“Gaza strain”) was prevalent in Gaza and Jordan; USA300, and USA800 were prevalent in Iraq. In North Africa, [PVL+] ST80-IV and [PVL-] ST239-III was commonly reported in Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. Finally, significant antimicrobial resistance was seen in the region with variation in patterns depending on location and clonal type. For a more accurate assessment of MRSA epidemiology and burden, the Arab countries need to implement national surveillance systems.

Mycobacterium ulcerans has been implicated in cutaneous manifestations in humans, causing persistent wounds called Buruli ulcer. However, it has not been associated with pulmonary infections in humans to date. Herein, we report a case of an immunocompetent adult man with no underlying medical problems presenting with dyspnoea and generalised malaise and diagnosed with M. ulcerans lung infection. The patient was prescribed clarithromycin 500 mg two times per day, rifampin 300 mg two tablets daily and moxifloxacin 400 mg daily for 6 months, with complete resolution of his symptoms.

Saprochaete clavata and Saprochaete capitata are emerging fungal pathogens that are responsible for life threatening infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly in the setting of profound neutropenia. They have been associated with multiple hospital outbreaks mainly in Europe. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, antifungal susceptibility and treatment of these organisms. The diagnosis of invasive Saprochaete disease is challenging and relies primarily on the isolation of the fungi from blood or tissue samples. Both species are frequently misidentified as they are identical macroscopically and microscopically. Internal transcribed spacer sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry are useful tools for the differentiation of these fungi to a species level. Saprochaete spp. are intrinsically resistant to echinocandins and highly resistant to fluconazole. Current literature suggests the use of an amphotericin B formulation with or without flucytosine for the initial treatment of these infections. Treatment with extended spectrum azoles might be promising based on in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration values and results from case reports and case series. Source control and recovery of the immune system are crucial for successful therapy.

Background Burkholderia cenocepacia has been described to cause mainly respiratory tract infections. We noticed an increased number of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), bloodstream infections (BSIs) and osteomyelitis over the past years at our medical center. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of 44 patients with documented B. cenocepacia infection at sites other than the respiratory tract diagnosed between 2005 and 2020 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary referral hospital for the Middle East region. Results The nationalities of our patients were Iraqi (40.9%), Lebanese (34.1%), and Syrian (20.5%). Twenty six of the infections (59.1%) were hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The most common infections were BSIs (17/44, 38.6%), then SSTIs as well as deep seated cysts and abscesses (16/44, 36.4%) and vertebral osteomyelitis (8/44, 18.2%). Half of the vertebral osteomyelitis were located in the lumbar, and 3 in the cervical region; 5 of these cases were native osteomyelitis. Sixteen patients (36.4%) had prior antibiotic intake within 30 days with ceftazidime, carbapenems and quinolones being the most common. All the patients received directed therapy for an average duration of 23.48 (+/- 37.779) days, and for 60 days for those with osteomyelitis. Combination regimens of 2 antibiotics (ceftazidime, quinolones, carbapenems, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)) were used in 10 patients, whereas 24 received a single antibiotic. Thirty three patients (75%) were admitted to the hospital, 20 (45.5%) of which had an indwelling catheter and 12 (27.3%) were in the intensive care unit. Thirty two patients (96.9%) were discharged home. Susceptibility testing revealed 84.1%, 54.5%, 63.2%, and 65.9% susceptibility to ceftazidime, tetracycline, TMP-SMX, and carbapenems respectively. Characteristics of patients Conclusion B. cenocepacia BSIs, SSTIs, abscesses, and osteomyelitis were noted to be more common at our medical center as HAIs particularly in Iraqi and Syrian patients, raising the concern that countries at war might be at increased risk for such infections. Our susceptibilities results were consistent with the literature. Although B. cenocepacia is a resistant bacteria, the majority of our patients were successfully treated. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

According to the latest data of the World Cancer Research Fund International (2012), Lebanon has the second highest age-standardized incidence rate of bladder cancer worldwide, both for "men" and "both-sexes" categories. This study was designed to assess bladder cancer knowledge among the Lebanese population. Between November 2017 and January 2018, a cross-sectional study was directed, including patients and visitors of one of the largest university hospitals in the capital Beirut. A face-to-face questionnaire evaluated knowledge regarding, among others, the most important risk factor for bladder cancer and the most frequent revealing symptom. This survey also obtained information regarding smoking habits. A total of 701 participants completed the survey. A total of 49.1% were younger than 50 years, 56.3% were male, 56.6% had a college degree and 54.4% were ever smokers. Two-hundred and thirty-two (33.1%) of the 701 surveyed individuals have never heard about bladder cancer. 157 (33.5%) of the 469 individuals who have heard about bladder cancer were unaware that bladder cancer is different from prostate cancer. Overall, 312 (44.5%) individuals have heard about bladder cancer and knew that it is different from prostate cancer. Of these 312 subjects, 94 (30.1%) knew that tobacco smoking was the most important risk factor for bladder cancer, 166 (53.2%) associated blood in the urine with the most frequent revealing symptom of this disease and 66 (21.2%) considered that bladder cancer is frequent in Lebanon compared to other cancers. This study suggests the lack of knowledge of the Lebanese population towards bladder cancer, including its association with tobacco.

Introduction Nexplanon is a 4 cm rod-shaped barium sulphate coated contraceptive implant with a usual subdermal insertion in the inner non-dominant upper arm. Complications proper to subdermal contraceptive implants are unusual and principally localized and minor, comprising infection at the site of implantation, hematoma, abnormal scar development, or local nerve and blood vessel injuries. Infrequently, contraceptive implant migration can happen, though habitually not far from the site of insertion. Pulmonary embolization of the device is remarkably rare and can present with symptoms such as chest pain or dyspnea. Patient concerns and diagnosis We report one of the rare cases of asymptomatic Nexplanon pulmonary embolism in a 26-year-old female. Interventions and outcomes An endovascular intervention successfully retrieved the device from the lateral segment right middle lobe pulmonary artery without any complications. Conclusion Several cases of contraceptive implant migration into the pulmonary artery have been reported to this day. Preventing this life-threatening complication is challenging, and yet, no clear guidelines have been established.