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Influenza Vaccination and Healthcare Personnel Compliance
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe reviewed the benefit of influenza vaccination in healthcare personnel (HCP), rates of vaccine coverage, and practices used to try to boost vaccine coverage among HCP.Recent FindingsInfluenza vaccination in HCP provides benefits to both HCP and patients, including reductions in patient morbidity and mortality and decreases in HCP absenteeism. Despite these benefits, influenza vaccine coverage among HCP still falls short of the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90%. As a result, healthcare institutions have used various practices to boost vaccination, including mandatory vaccine policies and requiring n...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - February 23, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

What Is New in Candida Infections? T2Candida, Antifungal Stewardship, and Candida auris
AbstractPurpose of reviewWe review T2Candida panel performance in diagnosing invasive candidiasis, potential roles of T2Candida, and other culture-independent tests in patient management and antifungal stewardship, and diagnosis and treatment of infections byCandida auris, which has emerged globally as a cause of nosocomial outbreaks.Recent findingsIn 2 multicenter trials, T2Candida was 90% sensitive and 98% specific for diagnosing candidemia directly from whole blood samples. A subsequent study demonstrated T2Candida sensitivity/specificity of 45%/96% for diagnosing deep-seated candidiasis. Other studies have shown that o...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - February 4, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Prophylaxis and Treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis: Who and How of Prophylaxis, Treatment, and New Therapies
AbstractPurpose of reviewTo discuss the approach to antifungal prophylaxis and treatment for invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and solid organ transplant recipients.Recent findingsPrimary prophylaxis againstAspergillus is recommended for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia receiving remission-induction chemotherapy. Posaconazole or voriconazole are appropriate antifungal agents. A new formulation of itraconazole (SUBA-itraconazole) is an alternative option. Breakthrough infections on isavuconazole prophylaxis have been recently repor...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - January 29, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Up-to-Date Infection Control Practices for Febrile Neutropenic Patients
AbstractPurpose of reviewNeutropenia and its related infections are still a significant challenge in the treatment of patients with onco-hematological diseases, impacting increased mortality and morbidity. In this review, we compiled up-to-date scientific evidence on infection control in neutropenic patients and discussed the potential role of new technologiesRecent findingsTraditional measures such as hand hygiene (HH), patient ’s skincare, central venous catheter care, environment protection, and contact isolation are the cornerstone of infection prevention in neutropenic patients while antibiotic prophylaxis is still ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - January 23, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Cryptococcal Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome: a Paradoxical Response to a Complex Organism
AbstractPurpose of reviewTo describe the host-pathogen factors that impact the management of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in immunosuppressed patients that lead to the development of cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS).Recent findingsThe pre-screening of HIV-infected patients in resource-poor countries with the lateral flow cryptococcal antigen assay could prevent C-IRIS. Delaying ART by 4  weeks is associated with improved survival and recommended by guidelines; this approach remains controversial in wealthier areas as there is limited data. A 5-flucytosine-based combination regimen and avoi...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - January 23, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Metabolic Syndrome in HIV/HCV Co-infected Patients
AbstractPurpose of reviewWe review the scope and burden of metabolic syndrome in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, risk factors, and potential mechanisms driving the increased cardio-metabolic risk in this population, and discuss relevant clinical considerations for management in the era of highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and curative anti-HCV direct-acting antivirals.Recent findingsHIV/HCV co-infected patients are at elevated risk of metabolic syndrome, attributed to (1) patient-specific factors, (2) viral-mediated effects, and (3) ART exposure. Risk factors for cardio-metabolic disorders are common in this popu...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - December 1, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

New Options in Antifungal Therapy: New Drugs, Inhaled Antifungals, and Management of Resistant Pathogens
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review aims to update the reader on recent information related to available antifungal pharmacotherapy and inform on agents that may be available for clinical use in the near future. Additionally, alternate drug delivery of existing agents, therapeutic drug monitoring, and management of resistant fungal pathogens will be discussed.Recent findingsRezafungin (a once-weekly echinocandin) and ibrexafungerp (an oral glucan synthase inhibitor) appear to be the investigational agents that are nearest to widespread use in clinical practice. Emerging information on isavuconazole (mean inhibitory concen...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - November 25, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Update on Adverse Effects of HIV Integrase Inhibitors
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe goal of this paper is to provide an up-to-date review of adverse events related to the class of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), which became the class of choice in few years. We sought answers specifically to issues pertaining to neuropsychiatric adverse events, as well as weight gain, which were the two most important categories of adverse events raised in recent studies based on real-life experience. The primary focus of this paper is on adults with a brief summary on pregnant women and children/adolescents.Recent findingsDolutegravir (DTG) bears the heaviest burden of neuropsy...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - November 15, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Evolution, Trends, and Potential Explanations of the Increase in the Incidence of Tuberculosis: the Case of Uruguay
AbstractPurpose of reviewA descriptive analysis of the trend of tuberculosis incidence in Uruguay between 1995 and 2018.Recent findingsIn 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) proposed The END TB Strategy; the Latin American countries that implemented these strategies at the first level of care have had successful outcomes in terms of the reduction in the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of the disease.SummaryUruguay is a striking case in the regional environment regarding tuberculosis epidemiology. The trend of tuberculosis had a turning point in 2006, which defines two clearly different periods. The first period cover...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - November 13, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Treatment of Non- Aspergillus Mold Infections: a Focus on Mucormycosis and Fusariosis
AbstractPurpose of reviewMucormycosis and fusariosis are associated with severe morbidity and high fatality rate. This review will discuss the challenges associated with the treatment of mucormycosis and fusariosis with a focus on recent data on antifungal susceptibility, novel therapeutic modalities, and combination therapy. Overall, the review aims to provide guidance to optimize management of these difficult-to-treat infections.Recent findingsIsavuconazole has comparable efficacy with liposomal amphotericin B for the treatment of mucormycosis. Treatment of fusariosis remains challenging, but voriconazole has been associ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - November 7, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Special Topics in the Care of Older People with HIV
AbstractPurpose of reviewAntiretroviral therapy has enabled many people with HIV to live long lives with their infection, but the literature suggests that long-term survivors are developing comorbidities and aging-related syndromes at earlier ages than their non-infected counterparts. In addition, there is evidence of sex-based differences in comorbidity risk.Recent findingsHow to best care for people aging with HIV is not known, but the tools of comprehensive geriatric assessment can identify people at risk for decline. Newer antiretroviral therapies offer promise of fewer side effects and drug interactions. We will also ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - November 7, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Bacterial Pyomyositis Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Diagnosis, Management, and Review of the Recent Literature
We present a case and provide a review of all the confirmed cases of pyomyositis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in the literature after the last published case series, from September 16, 2004 to February 1, 2019. The goal of this review is to examine recent trends in causative organisms, diagnostic modalities, and duration of therapy for patients with HIV and pyomyositis in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era.Recent findingsPyomyositis affects predominately the lower extremities and can have extra-muscular manifestations. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for diagnosis but computed t...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 28, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Opportunities to Overcome Implementation Challenges of Infection Prevention and Control in Low-Middle Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of reviewHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have posed a major challenge in patient care across the globe, more so in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Studies have shown that implementation of an effective infection prevention and control (IPC) program reduces incidence of HAI to a large extent. However, implementation of such a program in low-resource setting has many challenges. Research have shown that gaps exist due to absence of political will, trained manpower, and alternate healthcare priorities.Recent findingsWith progress in science of healthcare...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 26, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Diagnosis and Treatment of Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms —an Update
AbstractPurpose of reviewCarbapenem-producing organisms (CPO) have become important clinical pathogens in nosocomial infections causing increases in hospital stay, mortality, and costs. We sought to summarize recent findings related to the commonly encountered types of carbapenemases and their detection and review recent findings related to therapeutic options.Recent findingsMany new rapid and reliable methods of identifying carbapenem resistance have become available, underscoring the necessity to have the laboratory capacity for phenotypic and/or genotypic detection of carbapenemases to facilitate optimal therapy accordi...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 22, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

HIV-2 Infection: Latest Advances
AbstractHIV-2, despite being less common than HIV-1, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. As more data are published on HIV-2 infection, it is clear that despite lower viral loads and higher CD4 cell counts than those seen in HIV-1, it is important to treat these patients with antiretroviral therapy to prevent progression of disease and early mortality.Purpose of reviewTo summarize the background characteristics of HIV-2, diagnostic and treatment considerations, and recent updates in treatment of HIV-2.Recent findingsProspective cohort studies of people with HIV-2 infection have shown that they have a signific...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 18, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research