Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases 
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This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.An Overview of Surgical Site Infection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: the Role of Recent Guidelines, Limitations, and Possible Solutions
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe purpose of this manuscript is to review preventive strategies for surgical site infection (SSI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and how the recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations on SSI prevention, may be implemented on these settings, considering frequent limitations and possible solutions.Recent findingsSurgical site infection (SSI) is the most common postoperative complication and in LMIC is the first cause among healthcare-associated infections (HAI). SSIs are largely preventable if there is a standardiz...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 12, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Real Scenario in Infection Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: the Challenge of “Starting From Scratch”
AbstractPurpose of reviewInfection control and prevention (the routine use of infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and interventions in healthcare institutions) is fundamental to improving patient care outcome while ensuring the health and safety of healthcare workers, patients, and visitors.Healthcare facilities with an effective infection prevention and control (IPC) program have demonstrated a decrease in healthcare-associated infections, a common complication of interaction with healthcare, through adherence to IPC guidelines resulting in safer clinical care environments and impacting patient morbidit...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 4, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antifungal Stewardship in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of reviewAntifungal stewardship refers to coordinated interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antifungals by promoting the selection of the optimal antifungal drug regimen, dose, duration of therapy, and route of administration.Recent findingsThe high mortality associated with invasive fungal diseases (IFDs), combined with suboptimal diagnostic tools, has driven the overuse of antifungal drugs. High drug costs and the toxicities of antifungal agents are the principal rationale for antifungal stewardship, while antifungal resistance is an emerging but less prevalent issue.Summary...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 4, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Ivermectin for the Treatment of Soil-Transmitted Helmithiases
AbstractPurpose of reviewTo present ivermectin as a transformational tool for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as onchocerciasis and the drug of choice for the treatment of strongyloidiasis. Ivermectin is being re-discovered as a candidate drug for a variety of new indications among NTDs. In this review, new data are analyzed and put in context of current research interest as well as of the un-addressed issues for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections.Recent findingsThe addition of ivermectin to the benzimidazole drugs appears as the most promising solution for three key issues ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - July 2, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Tropical Diseases in HIV
This article reviews existing data on coinfections of the most common tropical diseases and HIV, as well as current strategies for their treatment and control. (Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 30, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Therapeutics for Dengue
AbstractPurpose of reviewDengue virus (DENV) infections are a global health emergency. Humans can experience multiple DENV infections, owing to the presence of four antigenically distinct DENV serotypes, DENV1 –4. DENV infection results in a spectrum of disease, ranging from mild and self-limiting to severe and life-threatening illness. Currently, one dengue vaccine is approved, although with modest efficacy, so dengue-directed therapeutics are still needed to minimize the disease burden. The current st andard-of-care treatment for dengue is only supportive but there is a pipeline of therapeutic treatments that are in de...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 26, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
A Review of Safety and Effectiveness of Intravenous and Intraventricular Tigecycline in Healthcare-Associated Acinetobacter baumannii Meningitis and Ventriculitis
ConclusionDespite the limited studies, IV and IVT tigecycline has been used successfully and safely for the treatment of healthcare-associatedA. baumannii meningitis and ventriculitis. However, large randomized controlled trials are necessary to clearly evaluate the safety and effectiveness of IV and IVT tigecycline in healthcare-associatedA. baumannii meningitis and ventriculitis. (Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - June 26, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Basic, Advanced, and Novel Metrics to Guide Antibiotic Use Assessments
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review illustrates relevant and current antibiotic use (AU) metrics and demonstrates their differences. The authors also highlight novel, increasingly complex AU metrics proposed for use in antibiotic stewardship research.Recent findingsMany common antibiotic use metrics (e.g., days of therapy, length of therapy) are well defined, widely generalizable, and commonly used by antimicrobial stewardship programs. Multiple measures are required to comprehensively capture real-world AU, though utilization metrics often lack important contextual information needed to inform antibiotic stewardship stra...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 27, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antibiotics in the Pipeline for Treatment of Infections due to Gram-Negative Organisms
AbstractPurpose of reviewWe systematically review the literature on antibiotics approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 2015 or that are in development through phase III trials for the treatment of infections due to gram-negative organisms.Recent findingsThe crisis of antimicrobial resistance creates a dire need for the development of novel antimicrobials with enhanced activity against resistant bacteria. Of the agents that are currently in the pipeline or recently approved, few are from new classes and most represent modifications of preexisting agents. There continues to be a lack of treatment options especial...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 7, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Key Considerations
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review establishes current evidence supporting antimicrobial stewardship programs for malignant hematology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. It describes best practices and identifies opportunities for research. It examines metrics relevant to the patient population, and new approaches to the management of high-risk febrile neutropenia.Recent findingsThere is an urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship programs to optimize antimicrobial use in malignant hematology and stem cell transplant patients. Audit and feedback is effective and safe. Febrile neutropenia is a key area to o...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 6, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Are We Overlooking the Use of Oral Ribavirin for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation?
ConclusionsOral RBV appears to be well tolerated, but its benefit in RSV infections remains unclear. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further evaluate its safety and efficacy at escalating doses in this patient population. (Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases)
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - May 1, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Beta-lactam Allergy Review: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs
AbstractPurpose of reviewBeta-lactam allergies, and specifically penicillin allergies, result in receipt of therapy that is not considered first line in many instances. Being labeled as allergic many times comes via subjective history from the patient. Carrying this label can cause a patient to receive broad-spectrum therapy with increased side effects and resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs can play a role in allergy evaluation and intervention based on resources. This review provides an update on beta-lactam allergies and emphasizes incorporation of evaluating these patients as a core tenant of antimicrobial s...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - April 30, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Present and Future State of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Rapid Diagnostic Testing: Can One Ideally Succeed Without the Other?
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe growth and development of rapid diagnostic technologies (RDTs) in infectious diseases (ID) have grown significantly over the past several years. The aim of these platforms is to identify causative pathogens more quickly and target antimicrobial therapy earlier, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Use of RDT specifically from blood specimens to optimize antimicrobial therapy and improve patient outcomes is a recommendation by the most recent antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) guidelines. In this review, we aim to highlight currently available FDA-approved RDTs for clinicians, data supporting the...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - April 30, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Do We Need Antifungal Stewardship?
AbstractPurpose of reviewInvasive fungal infections (IFIs) are recognized as a significant health problem worldwide. Inappropriate use of antifungals contributes to antifungal resistance and emerging fungi. There is an urgent clinical need to limit inappropriate antifungal usage through judicious antifungal stewardship (AFS).Recent findingsThe main goals of AFS are optimized care, de-escalation or withdrawal of antifungal therapy when appropriate, reduced costs, and reduced fungal resistance, with no negative impact in terms of morbidity or mortality. AFS should be tailored for each institution and health-care system, and ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - April 16, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Barriers to Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era
AbstractPurpose of reviewHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in the USA, accounting for more deaths than any other infectious disease. New infections have been on the rise in recent years because of increased parenteral transmission related to injection drug use and the opioid epidemic. Curative treatment for HCV is now available; however, many barriers to treatment still exist.Recent findingsDirect-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments have been available since 2011 in combination with interferon, and since 2014, as part of interferon-free regimens, and have greatly improved both safety and efficacy and m...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - April 12, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
