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Case Report and Review of Management of HIV/HCV Coinfection After Treatment Failure
AbstractReason for reviewChronic hepatitis C affects approximately 1% of world population and remains the main cause of liver-related mortality and transplantation. In 2011, the first direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of hepatitis C. The use of these agents transformed the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, with both clinical trials and real-life treatment data reporting relatively high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), the absence of a detectable hepatitis C viral load 12 –24 weeks after treatment discontinuation. However, there remains a small ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 7, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Updates in the Pharmacologic Prophylaxis and Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis in the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe goal of this review was to provide an update on the prevention and treatment options for invasive candidiasis (IC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Recent findingsStudies have further validated the use of fluconazole for IC prophylaxis among high-risk patients in the NICU. It remains unclear if prophylaxis leads to resistance development and the ideal dosage regimen is still not clear. Recent studies have been published comparing caspofungin and micafungin to amphotericin B and illustrated similar efficacy outcomes in the NICU. Micafungin now h...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 16, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Global Travel and Antimicrobial Resistance: a Challenge for Stewardship
This study aims to discuss the global problem of antimicrobial resistance that has been amplified by international travel and explore stewardship considerations for providers when caring for travelers.Recent FindingsThere are a variety of environmental and societal factors that contribute to the ongoing development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Now more than ever, there are increasing rates of international travelers each year in the context of similarly rising rates of multi-drug-resistant organisms. With global travel, individuals are at risk for infection and colonization with these multi-drug-resistant organi...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - January 26, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

The Emerging Role of Telehealth in Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Systematic Review and Perspective
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this article is to critically evaluate the available literature on telehealth and antimicrobial stewardship.Recent FindingsThere is limited evidence regarding the role of telehealth within the discipline of antimicrobial stewardship. A review of the available literature suggests remote antimicrobial stewardship programs conducted via telehealth can decrease antimicrobial consumption. A direct comparison between traditional antimicrobial stewardship programs and remote antimicrobial stewardship programs is lacking.SummaryTelehealth is a promising tool for expanding antimicrobial stewa...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - December 28, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Management of the COVID-19-Infected Psychiatric Inpatients: Unique Infection Prevention Considerations and Evolving Strategies
AbstractReason for ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way healthcare services are provided and created challenges to the delivery of behavioral health in the inpatient setting. Here, we present our front-line experience of infection prevention for the psychiatric patient in the COVID era.Recent FindingsThere are unique challenges surrounding COVID-19 precautions within inpatient psychiatric settings. The challenges presented to psychiatric care by COVID-19 begin in the emergency department and follow the patient through the continuum of care once admitted to the facility. Unit infrastructure, patient population, ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - October 14, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Models for Assessing Severity of Illness in Patients with Bloodstream Infection: a Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo identify the severity of illness (SOI) models that have been utilized most often in studies of bloodstream infection (BSI) and analyze their development to determine the model that is most useful for measuring SOI.Recent FindingsIn 555 of 945 studies of BSI that utilized a SOI model, the Pitt bacteremia score (PBS) or APACHE model was used in 91% of the studies. Limitations of the PBS and APACHE model were identified in an analysis of the development of these models. There has also been concern about measuring SOI at the time of first identifying BSI because measurements at that time reflect the...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - October 2, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Care Outcomes in People Living with HIV and Cancer
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe evolving epidemiology of people living with HIV (PLWH) shows growing trends towards age-related conditions and diseases. As antiretroviral therapies (ART) have improved, AIDS-related cancers have declined but non-AIDS-related cancers are on the rise. Despite advances in HIV care, there continues to be significant health outcome disparities between PLWH with cancer compared to the general population. This literature review aims to highlight evidence on healthcare and biological risk factors, such as screening rates, age at diagnosis, stage at diagnosis, ART treatment, and cancer treatment that c...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - August 2, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

CMV Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Prevention and Treatment Strategies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). New strategies and methods for prevention and management of CMV infection are urgently needed. We aim to review the new developments in diagnostics, prevention, and management strategies of CMV infection in Allo-HSCT recipients.Recent FindingsThe approval of the novel anti-CMV drug letermovir in 2017 has led to an increase in the use of antiviral prophylaxis as a preferred approach for prevention in many centers. Real-world studies have shown efficacy similar ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 21, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Review of Intravesicular Cidofovir for BK Virus Hemorrhagic Cystitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBK virus (BKV) reactivation in immunosuppressed patients, specifically in patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, can result in hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). The mainstay of treatment to date has been a reduction of immunosuppression and symptom management; the utility of antiviral therapy has been uncertain. Several recent studies have reported the outcomes of intravesicular instillation of the antiviral agent cidofovir for treating this infection. This paper seeks to summarize the current literature on intravesicular cidofovir treatment for BKV-induced hemorrhagic cystitis ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 1, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: a Review of the Current Literature
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe approach to ongoing organ transplantation and management of COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) has evolved tremendously since the pandemic ’s beginning. We summarize the current literature surrounding the virology of SARS-CoV-2, epidemiology of COVID-19 in transplant recipients, review the clinical features and complications of COVID-19 in SOTR, and discuss the safety and efficacy of current therapies and candidate vaccines in this p opulation.Recent findingsDespite initial suspensions in organ transplantation during early 2020, routine donor testing and de-crowding of hospi...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Salvage Therapy for the Treatment of Mucormycosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe aim to discuss the evidence behind combination therapy as well as to describe the novel antifungals used in the treatment for mucormycosis.Recent FindingsIn patients with advanced or refractory invasive mucormycosis, limited data support the use of combination salvage therapy with a polyene backbone plus an echinocandin. Several new antifungal agents have also shown in vitro activity against Mucorales by acting through different mechanisms. VT1161 and VT-1598 are next-generation azoles, termed tetrazoles, that target the fungal cell membrane by inhibiting the CYP51 enzyme with minimal drug-drug ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 25, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Immunizations in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplantation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInfection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in both patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in recipients of a kidney transplant (KT). We review the current data in patients with CKD, on dialysis, and in KT recipients to provide further guidance for clinicians regarding vaccine optimization in this patient population.Recent FindingsThis patient population remains under-vaccinated and thus more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable illness. Despite diminished responses to immunization in this population, significant protection is generally achieved.SummaryVaccines are an important...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 17, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

A Practical Approach to Filtering Facepiece Respirator Decontamination and Reuse: Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
AbstractPurpose of reviewPrior outbreaks of respiratory viruses have demonstrated the need for adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, particularly filtering facepiece respirators (FFR). Due to shortfalls of PPE during the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, the need for FFR decontamination and reuse (FFR-DR) strategies is paramount. This paper aims to discuss primary decontamination strategies, with an in-depth analysis of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), arriving at the decontamination strategy utilized at the Nebraska Medical Center (NMC).MethodsReview of the primary literature in regard to FFR-D...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - April 6, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Antiretroviral Drug Treatment of Individuals that Used Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Before Diagnosis
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe antiretroviral drugs, tenofovir and emtricitabine used as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), are also used in treatment of HIV. Drug resistance due to PrEP can therefore jeopardize future treatment options. This review discusses treatment of individuals that used PrEP in whom viral mutations against tenofovir (K65R) or emtricitabine (M184I/V) are found.Recent findingsAlthough no studies systematically investigated the optimal treatment of individuals who used PrEP before diagnosis, there is anecdotal evidence that HIV including the K65R and/or M184I/V can be successfully treated using recommended ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - March 8, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Use of “Social Media”—an Option for Spreading Awareness in Infection Prevention
AbstractPurpose of reviewThere is a need for enhanced adoption of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in both healthcare settings and the entire community, more so during pandemics. The exponential increase in the use of social media (SM) has made it a powerful tool for creating awareness, education, training and community engagement on IPC. Here, we review how social media can be used effectively to implement strategies to combat public health issues especially vis- à-vis infection prevention and control.Recent findingsAccording to the World Health Organization, 10% of patients get an infection whilst receiv...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - January 23, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research