Japanese Encephalitis: Emergence in Australia
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRecent changes in Japanese encephalitis (JE) distribution, including its emergence in mainland Australia, call for a review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this important disease.Recent FindingsClimate change, urbanisation and changes in vector ecology have driven changes in JE epidemiology including expansion to new areas. Residents of and travellers to endemic areas face potential exposure risks. Surveillance gaps and diagnostic challenges lead to under-appreciation of the true disease burden. Treatment is supportive, but modern vaccines are safe and efficacious.Summar...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - June 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Healthcare Personnel Hand Hygiene Compliance: Are We There Yet?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPoor hand hygiene is well documented as a factor in healthcare-associated infections and excellent rates of hand hygiene remains elusive.Recent FindingsThere is increased use of universal or increased gloving to minimize hand contamination, but its use does not replace hand hygiene opportunities. There is significant interest in electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems, but they are not without their unique issues. Behavioral psychology remains a significant factor in motivating hand hygiene behaviors; even in COVID-19, hand hygiene rates initially improved but trended down back to baseline while...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - May 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Management of Integrase Inhibitor-Associated Weight Gain: A Practical Clinical Approach
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to outline a practical clinical approach to monitoring and managing integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-associated weight gain, which may occur for persons with HIV following initiation or switch of antiretroviral therapy (ART).Recent FindingsNumerous studies have found that INSTIs, especially dolutegravir and bictegravir, are associated with greater likelihood of excess weight gain, as compared to other antiretrovirals; however, data to guide management are lacking and the benefits versus risks of a change to ART after such weight gain occurs require further i...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - May 8, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Tooth Extractions and Dental Implants, A Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe aim of this review was to summarize recent evidence regarding recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in healthy patients undergoing dental extractions or implant procedures to prevent post extraction surgical site infection or implant failure.Recent findingsMost studies identified in this review show little to no benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing surgical site infection following dental extractions including simple and surgical extractions on all teeth including third molars. The benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent implant failure may outweigh the risks associated...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - May 4, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Climate Change and Travel: Harmonizing to Abate Impact
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWith climate change being the single biggest health threat facing humanity, this review aims to identify the climate-sensitive health risks to the traveler and to recognize the role that travel plays in contributing to the detrimental effects of climate change. With this understanding, adaptations for transformational action can be made.Recent FindingsTravel and tourism, including transportation, food consumption, and accommodation, is responsible for a large percentage of the world ’s carbon emissions which is contributing to the climate change crisis at an alarming rate. Climate change is a hea...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - April 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Lactobacillus iners and Genital Health: Molecular Clues to an Enigmatic Vaginal Species
AbstractPurpose of ReviewVaginal lactobacilli are recognized as important drivers of genital health including protection against bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections.Lactobacillus iners is distinct fromL. crispatus,L. gasseri, andL. jensenii by its high global prevalence in vaginal microbiomes, relatively small genome, production of only L-lactic acid, and inconsistent associations with genital health outcomes. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role ofL. iners in the vaginal microbiome, highlight the importance of strain-level consideration for this species, and explain that w...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - April 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Clinical Appraisal of Cefiderocol in the Treatment of Non-fermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCefiderocol has a potential role in the treatment of infections caused by increasingly resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative organisms.Recent FindingsNon-fermenting Gram-negative organisms pose a unique threat to public health given their arsenal of inherent resistance mechanisms. High rates of intrinsic resistance to a wide array of agents, inducible adaptive resistance, and the ability to acquire resistance through horizontal transfer of resistance genes limit the utility of conventional antimicrobial treatment options against non-fermenting Gram-negative infections. Beta-lactams, one of the mos...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - April 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Postmenopausal Women
AbstractPurpose of ReviewVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide, but limited evidence-based data is available on postmenopausal women who develop this infection. As women transition through menopause, the effects of decreasing endogenous estrogen production on the vaginal environment have a significant impact on VVC infections in these women. In this review, we discuss the protective mechanism of menopause against VVC and risk factors for postmenopausal women in developing VVC, as well as the presentation and treatment of the infection in postmenopausal patients.Recent Finding...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - April 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Clinical Appraisal of Cefiderocol in the Treatment of Non-fermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCefiderocol has a potential role in the treatment of infections caused by increasingly resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative organisms.Recent FindingsNon-fermenting Gram-negative organisms pose a unique threat to public health given their arsenal of inherent resistance mechanisms. High rates of intrinsic resistance to a wide array of agents, inducible adaptive resistance, and the ability to acquire resistance through horizontal transfer of resistance genes limit the utility of conventional antimicrobial treatment options against non-fermenting Gram-negative infections. Beta-lactams, one of the mos...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 14, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Postmenopausal Women
AbstractPurpose of ReviewVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide, but limited evidence-based data is available on postmenopausal women who develop this infection. As women transition through menopause, the effects of decreasing endogenous estrogen production on the vaginal environment have a significant impact on VVC infections in these women. In this review, we discuss the protective mechanism of menopause against VVC and risk factors for postmenopausal women in developing VVC, as well as the presentation and treatment of the infection in postmenopausal patients.Recent Finding...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 9, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Lactobacillus iners and Genital Health: Molecular Clues to an Enigmatic Vaginal Species
AbstractPurpose of ReviewVaginal lactobacilli are recognized as important drivers of genital health including protection against bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections.Lactobacillus iners is distinct fromL. crispatus,L. gasseri, andL. jensenii by its high global prevalence in vaginal microbiomes, relatively small genome, production of only L-lactic acid, and inconsistent associations with genital health outcomes. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role ofL. iners in the vaginal microbiome, highlight the importance of strain-level consideration for this species, and explain that w...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
