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Brain calcification because of neurocysticercosis: a vast field to be explored
Purpose of review Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Endemic regions include Latin American countries, sub-Saharan Africa, and large regions of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and is a global health problem. Seizures are the most common manifestation and approximately 30% of adult-onset seizures in endemic regions are attributable to NCC. Calcifications because of neurocysticercosis is the most common finding on imaging in endemic regions and are important seizure foci contributing to the burden o...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - September 11, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: TROPICAL AND TRAVEL-ASSOCIATED DISEASES: Edited by Christina M. Coyle Source Type: research

Tropical and travel-associated diseases
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - September 11, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: TROPICAL AND TRAVEL-ASSOCIATED DISEASES: Edited by Christina M. Coyle Source Type: research

Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - September 11, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research

What is new with hand hygiene?
Purpose of review Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) challenge healthcare systems worldwide. As healthcare workers’ hands are considered the main vector for transmission of pathogens, effective hand hygiene is the single most important action to prevent HAIs. We sought to highlight new developments and advances in hand hygiene. Recent findings Hand hygiene compliance averages at 38%. A sustained increase of compliance with a subsequent decrease of HAIs may be achieved by national, systematic and rigorous education, and auditing programs. Periodically deployed self-operating hand hygiene surveillance systems cou...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: NOSOCOMIAL AND HEALTHCARE RELATED INFECTIONS: Edited by Trish M. Perl Source Type: research

Healthcare associated diarrhea, not Clostridioides difficile
Purpose of review The aim of this article is to review the epidemiology, cause, diagnostic evaluation, and management of healthcare-associated diarrhea (HCAD) with particular attention to current epidemiology and recent developments in diagnostics. Recent findings Multiplex polymerase chain reaction gastrointestinal panels allow rapid detection of a wide array of potential enteropathogens but the role, yield, and utility of these tests have not been systematically assessed in patients with HCAD. Recent epidemiologic studies reaffirm that HCAD is predominantly a noninfectious condition most often caused by medications ...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: NOSOCOMIAL AND HEALTHCARE RELATED INFECTIONS: Edited by Trish M. Perl Source Type: research

Beyond personal protective equipment: adjunctive methods for control of healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections
Purpose of review Prevention of nosocomial transmission of respiratory viruses is a priority in all healthcare settings and often achieved with the use of personal protective equipment. Several adjunctive infection prevention methods are in common use but their effectiveness in reducing healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections is unclear. In this review, recent advances regarding the effectiveness of several adjunctive infection prevention methods to reduce healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections are discussed. Recent findings Training and education on hand hygiene guidelines, mandatory influenza ...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: NOSOCOMIAL AND HEALTHCARE RELATED INFECTIONS: Edited by Trish M. Perl Source Type: research

Laboratory-developed test regulation and the immunocompromised patient: uncertainty ahead
Purpose of the review Laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) are essential for the clinical care of immunocompromised individuals. These patients often require specialized testing not available from commercial manufacturers and are therefore dependent on the laboratory to create, validate, and perform these assays. Recent paradigm-shifting legislation could alter the way that LDTs are operationalized and regulated. Recent findings On March 5th, 2020 the Verifying Accurate and Leading-Edge In-Vitro Clinical Tests Development Act (VALID) was introduced in the US Congress. This statute would overhaul existing regulatory frame...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: INFECTIONS OF THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST: Edited by Barbara D. Alexander and Rachel A. Miller Source Type: research

Bacteriophage therapy as a treatment option for transplant infections
Purpose of review Since initial description of the successful use of intravenous bacteriophage therapy in the United States in 2017, there is widespread interest in using bacteriophage therapy for multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Recent findings Recent published cases of bacteriophage therapy in transplant candidates and recipients are reviewed highlighting its safety and potential efficacy when used as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics for a variety of clinical indications. An overview of access to bacteriophage therapy in the United States is also provided. Summary The reviewed cases form the basis for ongo...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: INFECTIONS OF THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST: Edited by Barbara D. Alexander and Rachel A. Miller Source Type: research

Aspergillus fumigatus and pan-azole resistance: who should be concerned?
Purpose of review Although clinical outcomes in the treatment of aspergillosis have markedly improved with the availability of newer triazoles, the development of resistance to these antifungals, especially in Aspergillus fumigatus, is a growing concern. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on azole resistance mechanisms and their epidemiology in A. fumigatus, the clinical implications of azole resistance, and to discuss future treatment options against azole-resistant aspergillosis. Recent findings Resistance may develop through either patient or environmental azole exposure. Environmental exposure is t...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: INFECTIONS OF THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST: Edited by Barbara D. Alexander and Rachel A. Miller Source Type: research

Infections associated with the new ‘nibs and mabs’ and cellular therapies
Purpose of review In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable surge in the clinical development of effective biological and cellular therapies for the treatment of neoplastic and autoimmune disorders. The present review summarizes our understanding of the pathogen-specific infection risk associated with the use of such therapies. Recent findings A variety of biologics, in the form of either monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) or small molecule kinase inhibitors (Nibs), are continuously introduced in the clinic for the management of autoimmune and malignant diseases. In addition, cellular therapies such as the infusion of...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: INFECTIONS OF THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST: Edited by Barbara D. Alexander and Rachel A. Miller Source Type: research

Editorial: Infections of the immunocompromised host: a musing on the changing times
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: INFECTIONS OF THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST: Edited by Barbara D. Alexander and Rachel A. Miller Source Type: research

Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - July 30, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research

Central nervous system infections produced by varicella zoster virus
Purpose of review Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella, establishes latency, then reactivates to produce herpes zoster. VZV reactivation can also cause central nervous system (CNS) disease with or without rash. Herein, we review these CNS diseases, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Recent findings The most common CNS manifestation of VZV infection is vasculopathy that presents as headache, cognitive decline, and/or focal neurological deficits. VZV vasculopathy has also been associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy and moyamoya syndrome. Rarely, VZV will produce a meningitis, encephalitis, cerebelliti...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - May 1, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: CNS INFECTIONS: Edited by Adarsh Bhimraj Source Type: research

CNS infections in HIV
Purpose of review Central nervous system (CNS) infections associated with HIV remain significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings worldwide. In this review, we discuss several recent important scientific discoveries in the prevention, diagnosis, and management around two of the major causes of CNS opportunistic infections-tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis including immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) associated with cryptococcal meningitis. We also discuss the CNS as a possible viral reservoir, highlighting Cere...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - May 1, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: CNS INFECTIONS: Edited by Adarsh Bhimraj Source Type: research

Tuberculous meningitis: where to from here?
Purpose of review Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity yet is difficult to diagnose and treat. We reviewed original research published in the last 2 years, since 1 January 2018, which we considered to have a major impact in advancing diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the pathophysiology of TBM meningitis in children and adults. Recent findings Studies have sought to identify a high sensitivity diagnostic test for TBM, with new data on modified Ziehl--Neelsen staining, urinary and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipoarabinomannan and GeneXpert Ultra. Recent studies on CS...
Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases - May 1, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: CNS INFECTIONS: Edited by Adarsh Bhimraj Source Type: research