Article
Immunology
Lauren Dutcher, Kathleen Degnan, Afia B. Adu-Gyamfi, Ebbing Lautenbach, Leigh Cressman, Michael Z. David, Valerie Cluzet, Julia E. Szymczak, David A. Pegues, Warren Bilker, Pam Tolomeo, Keith W. Hamilton
Summary: A provider-targeted intervention implemented in primary care practices can effectively reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections without affecting prescribing for infections that likely require antibiotics.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Sherry A. Dunbar, Christopher Gardner, Shubhagata Das
Summary: This article describes the application of two rapid, molecular bloodstream infection panels that can identify the most common pathogens and associated genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance, providing clinicians with faster information for treatment. Molecular testing methods reduce the turnaround time for diagnosing bloodstream pathogens to a few hours, helping to initiate timely and effective treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shena Y. C. Lim, Yvonne P. Zhou, Daphne Yii, De Zhi Chin, Kai Chee Hung, Lai Wei Lee, Jia Le Lim, Li Wen Loo, Narendran Koomanan, Nathalie Grace Chua, Yixin Liew, Benjamin P. Z. Cherng, Siew Yee Thien, Winnie H. L. Lee, Andrea L. H. Kwa, Shimin J. Chung
Summary: At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a concern for the misuse of antibiotics in the treatment of CA-ARI. This study demonstrates that modifying the stewardship approach and using a procalcitonin-guided strategy can effectively reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy and curb antibiotic misuse.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Faiza Morado, Darren W. Wong
Summary: Urinary tract infection is a common bacterial infection with challenges in diagnosis. To limit unnecessary testing and antibiotic use, various diagnostic stewardship initiatives involving multidisciplinary approaches and education of healthcare providers are effective in decreasing inappropriate testing and prescribing.
Article
Immunology
Karl Madaras-Kelly, Christopher Hostler, Mary Townsend, Emily M. Potter, Emily S. Spivak, Sarah K. Hall, Matthew Bidwell Goetz, McKenna Nevers, Jian Ying, Benjamin Haaland, Suzette A. Rovelsky, Benjamin Pontefract, Katherine Fleming-Dutra, Lauri A. Hicks, Matthew H. Samore
Summary: The implementation of core elements of outpatient antibiotic stewardship was associated with reduced antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections and a decrease in hospitalizations. Additionally, changes in diagnostic coding were observed.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Keshani Weragama, Poonam Mudgil, John Whitehall
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is driven by microbial pathogens developing resistance to antibiotics, particularly in pediatric patients presenting with respiratory symptoms in the emergency setting. Antimicrobial stewardship programs have shown effectiveness in reducing antibiotic prescription rates, increasing the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and shortening antibiotic therapy duration, especially when education-based interventions and rapid respiratory pathogen testing are utilized. Further studies are needed to determine if these reductions in antibiotic prescribing translate to improved clinical outcomes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ernestina Gambrah, Alex Owusu-Ofori, Eno Biney, Chris Oppong, Susan E. Coffin
Summary: The study aimed to characterize antibiotic usage in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in a Ghanaian Accident & Emergency ward, revealing high rates of improper usage.
Results showed that most patients with confirmed UTI had isolates that were not susceptible to antibiotics selected for empiric treatment, and only a small percentage of patients had their empiric regimen adjusted based on the sensitivity of the isolates.
It is suggested to establish hospital-wide guidelines to improve antibiotic utilization and patient outcomes by increasing the use of urine cultures and tailoring therapy in response to culture results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Cara L. Nys, Kristen Fischer, Jason Funaro, Christopher J. Shoff, Rebecca G. Theophanous, Catherine A. Staton, Jennifer Mando-Vandrick, Rachel Toler, Jenny Shroba, Nicholas A. Turner, Beiyu Liu, Hui-Jie Lee, Rebekah W. Moehring, Rebekah H. Wrenn
Summary: This multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship (AS) intervention involving the use of guidelines, education, and provider-specific feedback increased guideline-concordant antibiotic choices for treat-and-release patients in the emergency department (ED).
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Filippo Gavi, Barbara Fiori, Carlo Gandi, Marco Campetella, Riccardo Bientinesi, Filippo Marino, Daniele Fettucciari, Francesco Rossi, Stefano Moretto, Rita Murri, Francesco Pierconti, Marco Racioppi, Emilio Sacco
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in our urology department. However, the overall prevalence of AMR and multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) remains high compared to European AMR.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pathology
Lluis Moragues-Solanas, Riccardo Scotti, Justin O'Grady
Summary: Clinical metagenomics (CMg) offers a potential alternative to slow and insensitive microbiological culture for the diagnosis of nosocomial infections, particularly in distinguishing between BSI and LRTI. CMg approaches are more accurate in diagnosing LRTI due to higher pathogen numbers, while challenges remain for accurately diagnosing BSI. Advances in CMg for LRTI are likely to be implemented in hospitals within the next 2-5 years.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jense Wils, Veroniek Saegeman, Annette Schuermans
Summary: MRVP results can reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, guide appropriate antiviral therapy, and have added value in infection control measures. Factors that contribute to reduction in antibiotic therapy include active antimicrobial stewardship, low likelihood of bacterial infection, and quick turnaround time.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Allergy
Sophia Volpe, Joseph Irish, Sunny Palumbo, Eric Lee, Jacob Herbert, Ibrahim Ramadan, Eugene H. Chang
Summary: Viral infections are a common cause of upper respiratory infections and can lead to chronic rhinosinusitis. Viruses enter cells and replicate within them, while stimulating interferon-mediated immune responses. Studies suggest that viral infections may induce aberrant immune responses, resulting in loss of barrier function.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Johan Van Laethem, Stephanie Wuyts, Sven Van Laere, Silke Dirkx, Lucie Seyler, Rembert Mertens, Bart Ilsen, Patrick Lacor, Denis Pierard, Sabine D. Allard
Summary: Although bacterial co- and superinfections are rarely present in patients with COVID-19, overall antibiotic prescribing in admitted patients is high. This study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of antibiotic prescriptions in patients admitted to a COVID-19 ward in a Belgian university hospital, finding that the antibiotic consumption for a (presumed) bacterial respiratory tract co-/superinfection was low in the studied population with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The study emphasizes the importance of thoughtful antibiotic use and the crucial role of antibiotic stewardship programmes in countering unnecessary and inappropriate antibiotic use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Manuel E. Machado-Duque, Diego Arturo Garcia, Melissa Hiromi Emura-Velez, Andres Gaviria-Mendoza, Claudia Giraldo-Giraldo, Jorge E. Machado-Alba
Summary: This study assessed the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions for patients with viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and identified variables associated with the use of antibiotics for viral infections. The study found that antibiotics were frequently prescribed inappropriately for URTIs, highlighting the need for interventions to improve their use.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Biagio Santella, Enrica Serretiello, Anna De Filippis, Folliero Veronica, Domenico Iervolino, Federica Dell'Annunziata, Roberta Manente, Francesco Valitutti, Emanuela Santoro, Pasquale Pagliano, Massimiliano Galdiero, Giovanni Boccia, Gianluigi Franci
Summary: Lower respiratory tract infections are among the most common infections in humans, with higher rates observed in male patients and those between the ages of 40-59. Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the major bacterial isolates in this study. High rates of antimicrobial resistance pose a significant challenge.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Mahir Kapmaz, Derya Salim Uymaz, Gulin Ozcan, Tayfun Barlas, Gulen Guney-Esken, Mete Manici, Siran Keske, Mert Kuskucu, Fusun Can, Onder Ergonul
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Ebru Celik, Gulin Ozcan, Cansel Vatansever, Erxiati Paerhati, Mert A. Kuskucu, Ozlem Dogan, Sebile Guler Cekic, Onder Ergonul, Attila Gursoy, Ozlem Keskin, Fusun Can
Summary: The composition of vaginal microbiota is altered in pregnant women with COVID-19, characterized by increased alpha diversity, decreased Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, and increased Bacteroidota. Vaginal dysbiosis occurs in pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Siran Keske, Merve Akyol, Cem Tanriover, Batu Ozlusen, Rustu Emre Akcan, Ulas Guler, Bilgin Sait, Bahar Kacmaz, Mehmet Gonen, Onder Ergonul
Summary: This study found that tocilizumab reduces the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality in non-intubated severe COVID-19 cases compared to standard-of-care treatment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Aytac Seymen, Ezgi Gulten, Erol Ozgur, Bulend Ortac, Irem Akdemir, Gule Cinar, Elif Mukime Saricaoglu, Gulen Guney-Esken, Erman Akkus, Fusun Can, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Alpay Azap, Erkan Tuncay
Summary: DIAGNOVIR is a rapid antigen testing system based on immune-fluorescence analysis, which can provide results within a minute. It has a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 99.2% respectively, with 100% sensitivity among asymptomatic patients and the ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 within 5 days of symptom onset. Furthermore, DIAGNOVIR is not significantly affected by different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and has higher sensitivity and specificity, lower testing costs, and reduced turnaround time.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanwei Huang, Mingyang Liu, Mengchi Sun, Shijie Duan, Siwei Pan, Pengfei Liu, Zhenguo Cheng, Onder Ergonul, Fusun Can, Zhenning Wang, Zhiqing Pang, Funan Liu
Summary: Preventing the interaction between oncolytic adenoviruses (OVs) and key virus-protein corona components in the plasma can significantly prolong circulation time and improve tumor distribution, leading to enhanced antitumor efficacy. This finding provides a new perspective on intravenous delivery of OVs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Onder Ergonul, Siran Keske, Apolina Ksinzik, Mustafa Guldan, Lasin Ozbek, Alpay Azap, Serap Simsek-Yavuz, Fusun Can, Sibel Sakarya
Summary: Following the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria in February 2023, the lack of shelter, poor living conditions, inadequate access to clean water and healthcare services have increased the risk of infectious disease transmission. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, and vector-borne infections are the main challenges in the region. Interruptions in vaccine services and crowded living conditions in temporary shelters have also led to the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Sharing data on infectious disease control with the community and healthcare providers is crucial for intervention and outbreak preparedness.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Cigdem Erol, Zeynep Ece Kuloglu, Bircan Kayaaslan, Guelen Esken, Adalet Altunsoy, Tayfun Barlas, Guele Cinar, Imran Hasanoglu, Ebru Oruc, Said Incir, Alpay Azap, Guelten Korkmaz, Dilara Turan Goekce, Onur Elvan Kirimker, Ezgi Coskun Yeniguen, Erkan Oelcuecueoglu, Ebru Ayvazoglu Soy, Sueleyman Cetinkuenar, Oezlem Kurt Azap, Fuesun Can, Mehmet Haberal
Summary: This study evaluated the neutralizing antibodies and Anti-Spike IgG response against the Omicron variant in solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell recipients who received a third dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac following two doses of CoronaVac. The results showed that the antibody levels were significantly higher in transplant patients who received BNT compared to those who received CV. This study highlights the superiority of BNT responses against Omicron as a third dose among transplant recipients after two doses of CV.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nazli Atac, Kubra Onbasli, Irem Koc, Havva Yagci Acar, Fusun Can
Summary: In response to the urgent need for efficient treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, researchers designed a fimbriae targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) delivering ciprofloxacin to ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli. The nanoparticles were tagged with mannoside to target E. coli fimbriae, and showed high antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition against ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates. The targeted nanoparticles effectively increased the efficiency of ciprofloxacin to treat quinolone-resistant E. coli infections.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zeynep Ece Kuloglu, Zeynep Bengi Eren, Bedirhan Haykar, Cansel Vatansever, Tayfun Barlas, Mert Ahmet Kuskucu, Gulen Guney-Esken, Fusun Can
Summary: The Omicron variant is more contagious and can evade the immune response. Changes in behavior and waning immunity can lead to a large number of COVID-19 infections and potential hospitalizations. A study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Istanbul showed that mask use and vaccination are still the main effective methods for preventing the COVID-19 Omicron variant in indoor environments. Unvaccinated children are a significant source of air contamination and pose a risk for further transmission of COVID-19.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Siran Keske, Gulen Guney-Esken, Cansel Vatansever, Yesim Besli, Zeynep Ece Kuloglu, Zelis Nergiz, Tayfun Barlas, Ozgur Sencanli, Mert Ahmet Kuskucu, Erhan Palaoglu, Fusun Can, Onder Ergonul
Summary: This study aimed to determine the duration of viral shedding among healthcare workers (HCWs) with Omicron variant by using viral culture. The results showed that viral shedding of Omicron variant infection lasted for at least 10 days in patients, and 11% in symptom-free patients. Therefore, the decision to stop isolation should be reconsidered. Meanwhile, infected HCWs who provide care to high-risk patients for severe COVID-19 may extend their isolation for at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jale Boral, Fatihan Pinarlik, Guez Ekinci, Fuesun Can, Oender Ergoenuel
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the change in mortality rate and positivity of carbapenemase genes in Acinetobacter baumannii in Turkey. The findings showed an increase in carbapenem resistance rate, but no corresponding increase in mortality rate, possibly due to improved medical advancements or the fitness cost of bacteria upon prolonged antimicrobial exposure.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fatihan Pinarlik, Siran Keske, Izzet Rozanes, Onder Ergonul
Summary: This is a case of a 57-year-old female patient with symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Antibiotic therapy for liver abscess was ineffective. After liver abscess biopsy, the patient developed fever, itching, anemia, acute renal failure, hyperbilirubinemia, and eosinophilia. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and Fasciola hepatica antibodies were detected. Treatment with Triclabendazole led to improvement in symptoms and MRI findings.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zeynep Ece Kuloglu, Zeynep Gulce Talay, Ozgur Albayrak, Onder Ergonul, Fusun Can
Summary: This study investigated the changes in B cell subpopulations after homologous or heterologous COVID-19 boosters. The results showed that there was a significant increase in memory B cell expression one month after BNT162b2 and CoronaVac boosters. The expression of IgG-expressing memory B cells was significantly higher with BNT162b2 than with CoronaVac booster in one month. In addition, the ratio of effector B cells was significantly higher in the first month after CoronaVac booster compared to the BNT162b2 booster.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)