Role of Antifungal Susceptibility Tests in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe increased prevalence of antifungal drug resistance associated with common vaginal pathogenC. albicans as well as non-albicans Candida species is now widespread in association with refractory and breakthrough vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Recent FindingsPhysicians currently empirically select antifungal agents without knowledge and access to antifungal susceptibility tests (ASTs). Few clinical laboratories provide this essential service, and clinicians treating VVC lack experience in interpreting minimal inhibitory testing (MICs), and breakpoint values for vaginal yeast pathogens are often not ...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 1, 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 - March 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Role of Antifungal Susceptibility Tests in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe increased prevalence of antifungal drug resistance associated with common vaginal pathogenC. albicans as well as non-albicans Candida species is now widespread in association with refractory and breakthrough vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Recent FindingsPhysicians currently empirically select antifungal agents without knowledge and access to antifungal susceptibility tests (ASTs). Few clinical laboratories provide this essential service, and clinicians treating VVC lack experience in interpreting minimal inhibitory testing (MICs), and breakpoint values for vaginal yeast pathogens are often not ...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 22, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

When Should Oral Vancomycin Prophylaxis be Used to Prevent C. difficile Infection?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIt is unclear if oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) should be used to reduce the risk ofClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during systemic antibiotic exposure, and which patients benefit most from this approach. This review seeks to evaluate currently available literature on the utility of OVP, discuss clinical controversies, and suggest when OVP may be considered.Recent FindingsTo date, 12 unique studies have been published evaluating the utility of OVP for primary and secondary prevention of CDI, with only one of these studies being conducted prospectively. Most studies demonstrate clinical ...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 6, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Does Bacterial Vaginosis Contribute to Urinary Tract Infection?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAntibiotic-sparing therapies to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are needed. Interest surrounds the question of whether bacterial vaginosis (BV) enhances susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, and, whether, by extension, the vaginal microbiota could serve as a therapeutic target for UTI prevention. In this review, we outline research on the relationship between BV and the vaginal microbiota, associations between BV and UTI risk, plausible mechanisms, future directions, and finally clinical take home messages for providers.Recent FindingsAn optimal vaginal micro...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Role of Obesity in Recurrent Vulvovaginal Symptoms and Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo highlight recent literature that discusses the association of overweight and obesity with vaginal dysbiosis and symptomatic vulvovaginitis among non-pregnant women.Recent FindingsLiterature search on vaginitis showed varying results regarding associations between obesity, vaginal dysbiosis, yeast vulvovaginitis, and vulvar disorders. There was no convincing relationship between obesity and vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, majority of the results in vaginal dysbiosis do show important associations with obesity.SummaryLactobacillus, especiallyL. crispatus andL. iners, play an important role in t...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - January 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Bacterial Vaginosis in Postmenopausal Women
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection worldwide, but most research has been conducted in premenopausal women. After menopause, endogenous estrogen production decreases, often leading to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), characterized by vulvovaginal dryness and irritation. The estrogen-deficient postmenopausal state results in an elevated vaginal pH and depletion of vaginal lactobacilli. Use of traditional BV diagnostics (Amsel criteria, Nugent score) is difficult in post-menopausal women, especially those not on estrogen replacement therapy, as these methods we...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - January 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Role of Obesity in Recurrent Vulvovaginal Symptoms and Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo highlight recent literature that discusses the association of overweight and obesity with vaginal dysbiosis and symptomatic vulvovaginitis among non-pregnant women.Recent FindingsLiterature search on vaginitis showed varying results regarding associations between obesity, vaginal dysbiosis, yeast vulvovaginitis, and vulvar disorders. There was no convincing relationship between obesity and vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, majority of the results in vaginal dysbiosis do show important associations with obesity.SummaryLactobacillus, especiallyL. crispatus andL. iners, play an important role in t...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - December 27, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Bacterial Vaginosis in Postmenopausal Women
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection worldwide, but most research has been conducted in premenopausal women. After menopause, endogenous estrogen production decreases, often leading to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), characterized by vulvovaginal dryness and irritation. The estrogen-deficient postmenopausal state results in an elevated vaginal pH and depletion of vaginal lactobacilli. Use of traditional BV diagnostics (Amsel criteria, Nugent score) is difficult in post-menopausal women, especially those not on estrogen replacement therapy, as these methods we...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - December 15, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Correction to: Nosocomial Extracardiac Infections After Cardiac Surgery
(Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports)
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - December 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Chikungunya: An Emerging Public Health Concern
Abstract Purpose of ReviewThe worldwide spread of chikungunya over the past two decades calls for greater knowledge and awareness of the virus, its route of transmission, methods of diagnosis, and the use of available treatment and prevention measures.Recent FindingsChikungunya virus infection, anAedes mosquito-borne febrile disease, has spread from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Americas and from the tropics and subtropics to temperate regions. International travel is a pivotal influence in the emergence of chikungunya as a global public health threat, as evidenced by a growing number of published reports on travel-...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - November 17, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Correction to: Les mis érables: A Parallel Between Antimicrobial Resistance and COVID‑19 in Underdeveloped and Developing Countries
(Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports)
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - November 7, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research