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 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Integrase Inhibitors Use for HIV Infection in Pregnancy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere are important unmet needs regarding HIV infection, particularly in vulnerable population, such as pregnant women and the safety and efficacy of antiretrovirals to them and their newborn. HIV integrase inhibitor agents are among the preferred antiretrovirals in most guidelines worldwide. The purpose of this review is to evaluate their safety and efficacy in that specific population.Recent FindingsAn increased importance it is being paid to this issue. However, only recently and just a few studies have been conducted trying to evaluate and compare these drugs with other agents such as efavirenz...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 16, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Preventing Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections: Barriers, Controversies, and Best Practices
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe summarize the barriers and controversies with current best practices for HD catheter BSI reduction and propose risk mitigation strategies.Recent FindingsMost hemodialysis (HD) patients receive treatment through a central venous catheter. HD catheters result in a high risk of bloodstream infections (BSI) in comparison to other forms of HD access, notably when adherence to risk reduction interventions is lacking.SummaryProvider-specific considerations include adherence to best-practice standards in the face of interconnected barriers such as work stresses, education gaps, and organizational/framew...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 16, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Mechanical Circulatory Support Infections in Heart Transplant Candidates
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe landscape of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and associated infections is evolving in the era of the new United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart allocation system. Multidrug-resistant infections, atypical pathogens, and use of novel therapeutics in these patients need greater recognition.Recent FindingsThe new UNOS heart allocation system has resulted in more patients bridged to transplant with temporary MCS and fewer transplants among patients with long-term MCS like left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and corresponding shorter wait times for transplant. Newer LVADs with continuo...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - February 14, 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 - February 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Integrase Inhibitors Use for HIV Infection in Pregnancy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere are important unmet needs regarding HIV infection, particularly in vulnerable population, such as pregnant women and the safety and efficacy of antiretrovirals to them and their newborn. HIV integrase inhibitor agents are among the preferred antiretrovirals in most guidelines worldwide. The purpose of this review is to evaluate their safety and efficacy in that specific population.Recent FindingsAn increased importance it is being paid to this issue. However, only recently and just a few studies have been conducted trying to evaluate and compare these drugs with other agents such as efavirenz...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - January 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Preventing Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections: Barriers, Controversies, and Best Practices
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe summarize the barriers and controversies with current best practices for HD catheter BSI reduction and propose risk mitigation strategies.Recent FindingsMost hemodialysis (HD) patients receive treatment through a central venous catheter. HD catheters result in a high risk of bloodstream infections (BSI) in comparison to other forms of HD access, notably when adherence to risk reduction interventions is lacking.SummaryProvider-specific considerations include adherence to best-practice standards in the face of interconnected barriers such as work stresses, education gaps, and organizational/framew...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - January 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Mechanical Circulatory Support Infections in Heart Transplant Candidates
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe landscape of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and associated infections is evolving in the era of the new United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart allocation system. Multidrug-resistant infections, atypical pathogens, and use of novel therapeutics in these patients need greater recognition.Recent FindingsThe new UNOS heart allocation system has resulted in more patients bridged to transplant with temporary MCS and fewer transplants among patients with long-term MCS like left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and corresponding shorter wait times for transplant. Newer LVADs with continuo...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - January 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Therapeutic Options for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Where Are We Now?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRapidly evolving treatment paradigms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) introduce challenges for clinicians to keep up with the pace of published literature and to critically appraise the voluminous data produced. This review summarizes the clinical evidence from key studies examining the place of therapy of recommended drugs and management strategies for COVID-19.Recent FindingsThe global magnitude and duration of the pandemic have resulted in a flurry of interventional treatment trials evaluating both novel and repurposed drugs targeting various aspects of the viral life cycle. Additionally, ...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - December 11, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Encountered During Wartime —Part 1: Experiences and Lessons Learned From Armed Conflict in the Modern Era
AbstractPurpose of ReviewArmed conflicts occur globally, with some regions experiencing heightened instability for many years. A better understanding of the infectious disease impact on children in armed conflict will allow aid organizations to anticipate and mitigate the most serious problems.Recent FindingsArmed conflicts are estimated to have caused approximately 30 million civilian deaths during the past 27 years, with two-thirds occurring in women and children. Children are extremely vulnerable to the mass population displacements, experiencing a combined loss of safety, nutrition, shelter, hygiene, and health care....
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - December 9, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Encountered During Wartime Part II: Infectious Diseases Complications in the Individual Pediatric Patient
Purpose of ReviewChildren in many regions face the daily threat of injury from armed conflict. The direct effects of combat trauma have led to many morbidities in survivors, including a variety of infectious complications. Contemporary experiences from recent military operations have advanced combat casualty care and concurrently informed the care of civilian combat trauma. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data to correlate the impact armed conflict has on the specific risks for infection in pediatric casualties. We review modern literature and apply data from adult casualties to pediatric combat trauma features to form m...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - November 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Hematologic Parameters of Acute Dengue Fever Versus Other Febrile Illnesses in Ambulatory Returned Travelers
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPoint-of-care dengue diagnostics are unavailable in most settings; thus, diagnosis is clinical until more definitive microbiological testing — such as serology — is resulted. Thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia are common hallmarks of dengue fever; however, neutropenia is a prominent, yet less frequently reported trend. We aimed to identify hematological patterns that can assist frontline clinicians with diagnostic certainty of dengue. Dengue patients presenting to our unit via the Emergency Department were compared to those presenting with other febrile illness (OFI) diagnoses. Patient demographi...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - November 11, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
