Travel in the Time of COVID: A Review of International Travel Health in a Global Pandemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review critically considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global travel and the practice of travel medicine, highlights key innovations that have facilitated the resumption of travel, and anticipates how travel medicine providers should prepare for the future of international travel.Recent FindingsSince asymptomatic transmission of the virus was first recognized in March 2020, extensive efforts have been made to characterize the pattern and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission aboard commercial aircraft, cruise ships, rail and bus transport, and in mass gatherings and quarantine facili...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 4, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
West Nile virus: another emerging arboviral risk for travelers?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWest Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitos of the genusCulex. Manifestations of WNV infection range from asymptomatic to devastating neuroinvasive disease leading to flaccid paralysis and death. This review examines WNV epidemiology and ecology, with an emphasis on travel-associated infection.Recent FindingsWNV is widespread, including North America and Europe, where its range has expanded in the past decade. Rising temperatures in temperate regions are predicted to lead to an increased abundance ofCulex mosquitoes and an increase in their ability to transmit WNV. Although the e...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 4, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
What ’s Old Is New: the Evolution of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctitis in Persons Living with HIV
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has re-emerged as a consequential anorectal sexually transmitted infection with high burden among persons living with HIV, especially men who have sex with men (MSM).Recent FindingsSurveillance programs are limited without widely available LGV-specific diagnostics, but LGV prevalence is becoming increasingly recognized as it spreads globally. The LGV epidemic remains high among MSM living with HIV and is now shifting to include more HIV-negative MSM. LGV testing of asymptomatic persons at high risk will increase case finding and potential for earlier intervention. Dox...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antifungal Resistance and the Role of New Therapeutic Agents
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAdvances in health care over time have led to an evolution in the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections. There is an increasing concern for antifungal resistance and emergence of less common fungal species for which optimal therapies are not well defined. The purpose of this review is to describe mechanisms of antifungal resistance and to evaluate the modern role of new and investigational antifungals.Recent FindingsIsavuconazole and ibrexafungerp represent the two newest antifungal agents. Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies has been published recently to help define their place in the...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - July 5, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Novel and Investigational HIV Therapies for Treatment and Prevention: Focus on Cabotegravir, Islatravir, and Lenacapavir
AbstractPurposeof ReviewTo present the data surrounding three novel agents for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.Recent FindingsTo date, non-inferiority in the efficacy of cabotegravir, islatravir, and lenacapavir has been seen in their respective ongoing clinical trials. Formulation specific adverse effects have been noted, especially injection site reactions; however, non-injection-related adverse effects remain minimal with very few leading to study discontinuation. Overall, participants who received long-acting injectable therapy for treatment or prevention have preferred it over oral antiretroviral therapy...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - July 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
What ’s Old Is New: the Evolution of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctitis in Persons Living with HIV
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has re-emerged as a consequential anorectal sexually transmitted infection with high burden among persons living with HIV, especially men who have sex with men (MSM).Recent FindingsSurveillance programs are limited without widely available LGV-specific diagnostics, but LGV prevalence is becoming increasingly recognized as it spreads globally. The LGV epidemic remains high among MSM living with HIV and is now shifting to include more HIV-negative MSM. LGV testing of asymptomatic persons at high risk will increase case finding and potential for earlier intervention. Dox...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - June 13, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Novel and Investigational HIV Therapies for Treatment and Prevention: Focus on Cabotegravir, Islatravir, and Lenacapavir
AbstractPurposeof ReviewTo present the data surrounding three novel agents for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.Recent FindingsTo date, non-inferiority in the efficacy of cabotegravir, islatravir, and lenacapavir has been seen in their respective ongoing clinical trials. Formulation specific adverse effects have been noted, especially injection site reactions; however, non-injection-related adverse effects remain minimal with very few leading to study discontinuation. Overall, participants who received long-acting injectable therapy for treatment or prevention have preferred it over oral antiretroviral therapy...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - May 23, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship in Solid Organ Transplant Patients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWithout effective antimicrobials, patients cannot undergo transplant surgery safely or sustain immunosuppressive therapy. This review examines the burden of antimicrobial resistance in solid organ transplant recipients and identifies opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship.Recent FindingsAntimicrobial resistance has been identified to be the leading cause of death globally. Multidrug-resistant pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. Methicillin-resistantS. aureus affects liver and lung recipients, causing bacteremia, pneumonia, and surgical si...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - May 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
COVID-19 Infection in Children: Diagnosis and Management
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDue to the rapidly changing landscape of COVID-19, the purpose of this review is to provide a concise and updated summary of pediatric COVID-19 diagnosis and management.Recent FindingsThe relative proportion of pediatric cases have significantly increased following the emergence of the Omicron variant (from < 2% in the early pandemic to 25% from 1/27 to 2/3/22). While children present with milder symptoms than adults, severe disease can still occur, particularly in children with comorbidities. There is a relative paucity of pediatric data in the management of COVID-19 and the majority of r...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - April 11, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Early Empirical Use of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in Sepsis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEarly antibiotic administration is the cornerstone of sepsis treatment guidelines and quality measures. We summarize recent key literature on sepsis definitions and screening, time-to-antibiotics and outcomes, and dosing considerations.Recent FindingsCurrent sepsis clinical criteria have limited utility for identifying patients who warrant urgent broad-spectrum antibiotics because they include a very heterogeneous population, including many patients later found to have non-infectious syndromes or mild transient illnesses. The best available evidence supports immediate antibiotic administration (wit...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Advances in Liver Transplantation for Persons with Human Immunodeficiency Infection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAdvanced liver disease is a leading cause of non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. As a result, persons with HIV are increasingly seeking liver transplantation.Recent FindingsWith the availability of direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C therapies, there has been a shift in the indications for liver transplantation in persons with HIV, with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease now the leading indication over hepatitis C infection. Additionally, liver transplant outcomes have improved in persons with HIV-hepatitis C co-infection persons with HIV. Prelimin...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 15, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Influential Papers that Shaped Paradigms and Changed Practice in Infection Prevention in the Last 60 Years: Then, Now, and Future Directions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAdvancements in infection prevention reduce morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. We recognize the authors and publications with substantial impact on health care epidemiology and clinical practice in the last 60 years.Recent FindingsSubstantial advancements in infection prevention include hand hygiene monitoring and feedback, prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections, the use of chlorhexidine patient bathing, transmission-based precautions and improved environmental cleaning. Advancements in technology, including whole genome sequencing and hand hygiene sensor badg...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - March 15, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
