Clinical correlates of circulating small dense low-density lipoproteins in acute infective endocarditis
ConclusionsLow circulating sdLDL levels in the acute phase of IE were significantly correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. These results suggest that the sdLDL level may serve as an important marker of disease severity in IE and may represent a link between vascular damage, embolic complications, and disease progression. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 19, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

A variant of KSHV-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome in elderly men of Mediterranean descent
We report here a KICS-like illness occurring in two elderly Greek men without HIV infection or other recognizable cause of immunosuppression. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 19, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Is antiviral treatment at the acute phase of COVID-19 effective for decreasing the risk of long-COVID? A systematic review
ConclusionAvailable evidence about the effect of medication treatment with antivirals during acute COVID-19 and reduced risk of developing long-COVID is conflicting. Heterogeneous evidence suggests that Remdesivir or Nirmaltrevir/Ritonavir could have a potential protective effect for long-COVID. A limited number of studies demonstrated a potential benefit of other medications such as Dexamethasone or Metformin, but more studies are needed. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 19, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Postpartum cryptococcosis in an HIV-negative patient
ConclusionWe would like to raise awareness about rare infections such as cryptococcosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, we were able to document a successful desensitisation to liposomal amphotericin B. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 19, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Social and clinical predictors of perianal colonisation by multidrug-resistant bacteria for geriatric patients in the internal medicine service
ConclusionPatients admitted to internal medicine services presented a high frequency of perianal colonisation by MDR bacteria. Social and clinical variables associated with bio-psycho-social susceptibility were associated with colonisation. Special surveillance is needed in internal medicine services to control the transmission. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 18, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Clinical phenotype and outcome of persistent SARS-CoV-2 replication in immunocompromised hosts: a retrospective observational study in the Omicron era
ConclusionOngoing SARS-CoV-2 replication in the lower respiratory tract is a relevant differential diagnosis in patients with severe immunosuppression and continuous cough, fever or dyspnoea even if nasopharyngeal swabs test negative for SARS-CoV-2. Especially in B cell-depleted patients, this may lead to inflammatory or fibrotic-like pulmonary changes, which are partially reversible after inhibition of viral replication. Antiviral therapy seems to be most effective in combination and over a prolonged period of time of  >  10 days.Trial registration numberDRKS 00027299. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 14, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Natural course of AIDS following HIV-2 infection
AbstractIn a 21-year-old female, AIDS following infection with HIV-2 was diagnosed alongside an HIV-associated high-grade B cell lymphoma. Treatment of HIV-2 with dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir resulted in viral suppression and slow recovery of CD4 cell counts. Treatment of lymphoma caused significant adverse effects but led to complete remission. The patient denied sexual activity and intravenous drug abuse. The patient had been born to an HIV-2-positive mother but appropriate perinatal testing based on national guidelines had remained negative. This case recapitulates the natural course of HIV-2 infection. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 12, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Preventable deaths involving sepsis in England and Wales, 2013 –2022: a systematic case series of coroners’ reports
ConclusionSepsis-related PFDs provide valuable insights into preventable causes of sepsis and identify important sources of improvement in sepsis care. Wider dissemination of findings is vital to learn from these reports. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 11, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1UK genotype
ConclusionThis study has shown for the first time that M1UK is present in Germany and might constitute a driving force in the observed surge of GAS infections. This observation mirrors developments in the UK and other countries and underscores the importance of WGS surveillance to understand the epidemiology of GAS. (Source: Infection)
Source: Infection - December 8, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

RSV vaccination strategies for high-risk patients 2023: a collaborative position paper by leading German medical societies and organizations
AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inflicts severe illness and courses of infections not only in neonates, infants, and young children, but also causes significant morbidity and mortality in older adults and in people with immunosuppression, hemato-oncologic disease, chronic lung disease, or cardiovascular disease. In June and August 2023, effective vaccines against RSV were approved for the first time by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the EU. The respective pivotal studies showed a very high efficacy of the vaccine in preventing severe RSV-associated respiratory infections. At this point, use of the respec...
Source: Infection - December 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research