Article
Immunology
Gail L. Rodgers, Cynthia G. Whitney, Keith P. Klugman
Summary: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has successfully reduced the burden of disease and provided herd protection for those who cannot be vaccinated. While widely rolled out in poor countries, there are still many unvaccinated children in middle income countries. Solutions being considered include reducing doses and supporting more affordable vaccine sources.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sharon Einav, Marc Leone, Ignacio Martin-Loeches
Summary: Guidelines recommend early administration of antimicrobial therapy in sepsis and septic shock, based on observational studies suggesting improved outcomes. However, front-line physicians face pressure to quickly decide on antibiotic use in uncertain sepsis cases. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and this article discusses the situation of physicians criticized for unnecessary or delayed antibiotic use and offers options to assist bedside decision-making.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Moamen M. M. Elmassry, Jane A. A. Colmer-Hamood, Jonathan Kopel, Michael J. San J. Francisco, Abdul N. N. Hamood
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in CF and immunocompromised patients, and eradicating the bacteria is difficult due to its antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence factors. It is considered as one of the urgently needed targets for the development of novel antibiotics by the WHO.
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Marin H. Kollef, Andrew F. Shorr, Matteo Bassetti, Jean-Francois Timsit, Scott T. Micek, Andrew P. Michelson, Jose Garnacho-Montero
Summary: The timing of antibiotic administration is critical for survival in critically ill patients with severe infections, such as sepsis and septic shock. Delayed administration can lead to higher mortality rates, while the selection of appropriate antibiotics is also crucial for increasing survival.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Daisuke Furukawa, Christopher J. Graber
Summary: In a study of 1705 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in 38 Michigan hospitals, it was found that 56.6% received early empiric antibacterial therapy while only 3.5% had confirmed community-onset bacterial coinfections. Factors such as age, body mass index, severity of illness, and hospital type influenced the likelihood of receiving early antibacterial therapy. Variation in antibacterial use was observed across different hospitals.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Ali Sie, Mamadou Ouattara, Mamadou Bountogo, Clarisse Dah, Guillaume Compaore, Valentin Boudo, Elodie Lebas, Jessica Brogdon, Fanice Nyatigo, Benjamin F. Arnold, Thomas M. Lietman, Catherine E. Oldenburg
Summary: A study conducted in Nouna District, Burkina Faso, found that a high percentage of children under 5 years old visiting government-run primary healthcare facilities were prescribed antibiotics, with the majority being for pneumonia. Some prescriptions were given for diagnoses that did not necessitate antibiotics, such as malaria, nonbloody diarrhea, and cough without pneumonia.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Aklilu F. Haile, Rachel M. Woodfint, Eunsoo Kim, Marisa R. Joldrichsen, Nega Berhe, Wondwoossen A. Gebreyes, Prosper N. Boyaka
Summary: Antibiotic treatment affects the immune responses in mice, particularly the IgG1 and IgA responses to vaccines. Additionally, antibiotics alter the composition of the gut microbiota in mice.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Endrit Shahini, Francesco Pesce, Antonella Argentiero, Antonio Giovanni Solimando
Summary: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased severity of respiratory distress in COVID-19 infection, with potential effects on the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Vitamin D supplementation could help reduce infection risk and improve immune function.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ignacio Martin-Loeches, Adrian Ceccato, Marco Carbonara, Gianluigi li Bassi, Pierluigi di Natale, Stefano Nogas, Otavio Ranzani, Carla Speziale, Tarek Senussi, Francesco Idone, Anna Motos, Miquel Ferrer, Antoni Torres
Summary: This study revealed that persistent cardiovascular failure significantly impacts the outcomes of patients with ICU-acquired pneumonia (ICUAP), resulting in higher mortality rates. Persistent CVF may lead to treatment failures and bacterial superinfections, highlighting the importance of timely recognition to optimize patient management.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aisling R. Caffrey, Haley J. Appaneal, J. Xin Liao, Emily C. Piehl, Vrishali Lopes, Laura A. Puzniak
Summary: This study identified substantial treatment heterogeneity among patients with P. aeruginosa pneumonia, with a majority of patients having unique patterns of antibiotic drug and duration.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Willeke F. Westendorp, Claudia Dames, Paul J. Nederkoorn, Andreas Meisel
Summary: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. After stroke, the brain undergoes neuroinflammation which triggers a systemic immune suppression, making patients vulnerable to infections. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections are the most common infections in stroke patients, and they contribute to unfavorable outcomes and increased mortality. Preventive antibiotic therapy does not improve functional outcomes, highlighting the need for immunomodulatory approaches to prevent stroke-associated infections and improve long-term prognosis.
Review
Microbiology
Aaron D. Gingerich, Karen A. Norris, Jarrod J. Mousa
Summary: PCP caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii remains a life-threatening condition, with inadequate current treatments and high mortality rates for hospitalized patients. The development of vaccines for prevention is hindered by specific obstacles, including host range specificity and the inability to culture Pneumocystis spp. in vitro. Further research is needed to improve treatment and prevention strategies for PCP.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tat Ming Ng, Sean W. X. Ong, Audrey Y. X. Loo, Sock Hoon Tan, Hui Lin Tay, Min Yi Yap, David C. Lye, Tau Hong Lee, Barnaby E. Young
Summary: Antibiotic therapy did not improve clinical outcomes for COVID-19 pneumonia patients and more research is needed to diagnose bacterial co-infections in these patients, as indicated by an observational cohort study in Singapore hospitals from January to April 2020.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kenneth J. Smith, Angela R. Wateska, Mary Patricia Nowalk, Chyongchiou J. Lin, Lee H. Harrison, William Schaffner, Richard K. Zimmerman
Summary: The use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in nonimmunocompromised adults aged 65 years and older is controversial. Higher-valency conjugate vaccines (15-valent and 20-valent) are being developed, but their cost effectiveness in older adults remains uncertain, particularly when potential indirect effects from childhood vaccination are taken into consideration. The study analyzed the cost effectiveness of current U.S. recommendations and alternative strategies using existing and in-development pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, as well as a hypothetical 20-valent vaccine. The results suggest that in-development vaccines may not be economically feasible in older adults, especially when considering potential indirect effects from their use in children. Future research may focus on adult vaccines containing high-risk serotypes not included in childhood vaccines.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sonali D. Advani, Kenneth E. Schmader, Lona Mody
Summary: Antibiotics are a major cause of adverse drug events in older adults. Short-course antibiotic therapy has been found to be equally effective as traditional longer duration treatment for many types of infections. Antibiotic stewardship interventions, including deprescribing strategies, have shown a reduction in readmissions and mortality among older adults.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)
