Article
Cell Biology
Qiwen Dong, Huaiying Lin, Marie-Maude Allen, Julian R. Garneau, Jonathan K. Sia, Rita C. Smith, Fidel Haro, Tracy McMillen, Rosemary L. Pope, Carolyn Metcalfe, Victoria Burgo, Che Woodson, Nicholas Dylla, Claire Kohout, Anitha Sundararajan, Evan S. Snitkin, Vincent B. Young, Louis-Charles Fortier, Mini Kamboj, Eric G. Pamer
Summary: Clostridioides difficile strains of different virulence levels contribute to varying severity of colitis. This study found that a natural deletion in the cdtR gene attenuates virulence in epidemic ST1 C. difficile isolates without affecting colonization. Distinguishing strains based on the presence of cdtR may improve the specificity of diagnostic tests for C. difficile colitis.
Article
Immunology
Jen-Chieh Lee, Yuan -Pin Hung, Bo -Yang Tsai, Pei -Jane Tsai, Wen -Chien Ko
Summary: Severe CDIs in the ICU were not rare in this study. The ileus group tended to have more severe presentation, with severe and fulminant CDIs accounting for 65.2% and an ICU mortality rate of 39.1%. Clinicians should be aware of abdominal symptoms and signs other than diarrhea, such as ileus, for timely diagnosis and management of CDI.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ibrahim A. Al-Zahrani
Summary: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is a global threat to many healthcare settings. Excessive use of antimicrobials, lack of optimal antibiotic policies, and suboptimal infection control practices have fueled the development of this health issue. Prudent use of antimicrobials and simple infection control measures can significantly reduce infection rates.
SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abdulhakeem Althaqafi, Adeeb Munshi, Bayan Baghlaf, Enas Munshi, Manar Malakah, Hassan Almarhabi, Maher Alharbi, Asim Alsaedi
Summary: This study analyzed the prevalence and risk factors of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at a tertiary health care center in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. The study also examined the duration of exposure to each risk factor prior to CDI development, categorized CDI as severe and non-severe based on white blood cell count, and analyzed various complications of the infection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Peng An Khun, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: This review provides an overview of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in southeast Asia, including its prevalence, detection methods, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and the potential significance of a One Health approach. CDI is a common cause of hospital-acquired gastroenteritis worldwide, with higher rates observed in high-income countries. Lack of knowledge and awareness about CDI, along with antimicrobial abuse and inadequate education on appropriate usage, contribute to its evolution. Underreporting of CDI rates and misuse of antimicrobial agents pose a significant threat in regions like Indochina, while C. difficile RT 017 strain is endemic in southeast Asia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa Lang, Katrin Gunka, Jan Rudolf Ortlepp, Ortrud Zimmermann, Uwe Gross
Summary: Nosocomial infections with Clostridioides difficile have emerged as a serious health threat. This study aimed to identify risk factors for C. difficile infection beyond the well-known factors. It found that regular consumption of proton pump inhibitors, low vegetable intake, and the use of the diuretic agent torasemid were additional risk factors for CDI.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dokyun Kim, Young Ah Kim, Jung Lim Kim, Yoon Soo Park, Seok Hoon Jeong, Heejung Kim
Summary: The study revealed a high rate of rifaximin non-susceptibility among C. difficile isolates in South Korea, with most resistant strains belonging to ribotypes 018 or 017. Previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis and prior rifaximin treatment were associated with the occurrence of rifaximin-non-susceptible CDI.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Alexis Hess, Saskya Byerly, Emily Lenart, Cory Evans, Andrew Kerwin, Dina Filiberto
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors of Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) in general surgery patients. Patients who underwent general surgery operations were analyzed, and it was found that older age, emergent operation, increased time to operation, infections at surgical sites, deep organ space infections, steroid use, metastatic cancer, smoking, and decreased body mass index (BMI) were independent predictors of CDI.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tebelay Dilnessa, Alem Getaneh, Workagegnehu Hailu, Feleke Moges, Baye Gelaw
Summary: A high prevalence of C. difficile was observed among hospitalized patients, emphasizing the need for attention and prevention. The resistance of C. difficile to metronidazole and vancomycin was lower compared to other antibiotics.
Article
Pediatrics
Esther K. Liu, Janae Preece, Kristina D. Suson
Summary: CDI is rare following pediatric urologic procedures, but when they occur, they are associated with longer lengths of stay, increased readmission rates, and an increased rate of non-CDI complications.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC UROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Papanin Putsathit, Stacey Hong, Narelle George, Christine Hemphill, Peter G. Huntington, Tony M. Korman, Despina Kotsanas, Monica Lahra, Rodney McDougall, Andrew McGlinchey, Casey Moore, Graeme R. Nimmo, Louise Prendergast, Jennifer Robson, Lynette Waring, Michael C. Wehrhahn, Gerhard F. Weldhagen, Richard M. Wilson, Thomas Riley, Daniel R. Knight
Summary: The study found that the majority of C. difficile isolated in Australia showed susceptibility to the recommended antimicrobials for treating CDI, with low resistance to carbapenems and fluoroquinolones, and rare multidrug resistance. However, resistance to clindamycin was common, with one fluoroquinolone-resistant ribotype 027 strain detected.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yuan-Pin Hung, Jen-Chieh Lee, Bo-Yang Tsai, Jia-Ling Wu, Hsiao-Chieh Liu, Hsiu-Chuan Liu, Hsiao-Ju Lin, Pei-Jane Tsai, Wen-Chien Ko
Summary: The risk factors of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) vary among hospitalized patients with different lengths of hospital stay. Malignancy, prior cephalosporin, and proton pump inhibitor therapy are independent risk factors for CDAD. Intervention strategies for preventing CDAD may need to be tailored based on the duration of hospital stay.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Cosmos L. T. Guo, Thomas N. Y. Kwong, Joyce W. Y. Mak, Lin Zhang, Grace C. Y. Lui, Grace L. H. Wong, Margaret Ip, Jun Yu, Joseph J. Y. Sung, William K. K. Wu, Sunny H. Wong
Summary: A territorywide survey in Hong Kong found a significant number of CDI cases among hospitalized patients, with the majority being healthcare-associated. While the incidence of CDI increased over the years, it plateaued in 2018 and 2019, with a decrease in 30-day mortality rates and constant 60-day recurrence rates. The study also showed a strong correlation between CDI incidence trend and overall antimicrobial drug use, which has decreased due to an antibiotic stewardship program initiated in 2017.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Tim Du, Kelly B. Choi, Anada Silva, George R. Golding, Linda Pelude, Romeo Hizon, Ghada N. Al-Rawahi, James Brooks, Blanda Chow, Jun C. Collet, Jeannette L. Comeau, Ian Davis, Gerald A. Evans, Charles Frenette, Guanghong Han, Jennie Johnstone, Pamela Kibsey, Kevin C. Katz, Joanne M. Langley, Bonita E. Lee, Yves Longtin, Dominik Mertz, Jessica Minion, Michelle Science, Jocelyn A. Srigley, Paula Stagg, Kathryn N. Suh, Nisha Thampi, Alice Wong, Susy S. Hota
Summary: We investigated the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of healthcare-associated and community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in adult patients in Canadian hospitals. Our study found higher mortality rate associated with healthcare-associated CDI, and a decrease in both healthcare-associated and community-associated CDI rates from 2015 to 2019. Certain ribotypes were more commonly associated with CDI-related deaths.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Nasim Ahmed, Yen-Hong Kuo, Robyn K. Guinto, Jordan Purewal
Summary: The study aimed to identify risk factors and develop a risk scoring system for mortality in patients undergoing colectomy for Clostridium difficile colitis. A logistic regression model was developed, revealing older age, ventilator dependency, septic shock, and history of steroid use as significant factors for 30-day mortality. The risk scoring system showed a strong correlation between scores and predicted mortality rates.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA AND EMERGENCY SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christopher E. Kandel, Andra Banete, Maureen Taylor, Andrea Llanes, Janine McCready, Gloria Crowl, Matthew Young, Angel X. Li, Emily Chien, Winfield Yim, Lily Yip, Robert Kozak, Allison J. McGeer, Samira Mubareka, Jeff E. Powis
Summary: There was no difference in viral shedding between outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta (delta) variant who received 2 vaccine doses at 7 days after symptom onset and those who did not receive the vaccine, with SARS-CoV-2 cultured from 2 (7%) of 28 and 1 (4%) of 26 outpatients, respectively.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ahmed Vanker, Lara de Waal, Allison McGeer, Matthew Morgan
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Matthew P. Muller, Sharmistha Mishra, Allison McGeer, Samir Patel, Jonathan Gubbay, Maan Hasso, Adrienne K. Chan, Robert Kozak, Jerome A. Leis, Darrell S. Tan
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Julie A. Bettinger, Michael A. Irvine, Hennady P. Shulha, Louis Valiquette, Matthew P. Muller, Otto G. Vanderkooi, James D. Kellner, Karina A. Top, Manish Sadarangani, Allison McGeer, Jennifer E. Isenor, Kimberly Marty, Phyumar Soe, Gaston De Serres
Summary: This study examined the short-term safety of COVID-19 vaccines in adults with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It found that adults with moderate or severe previous infection were more likely to experience health events after each vaccine dose, while the risk associated with previous infection was attenuated after subsequent doses.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Selina Casalino, Erika Frangione, Monica Chung, Georgia MacDonald, Sunakshi Chowdhary, Chloe Mighton, Hanna Faghfoury, Yvonne Bombard, Lisa Strug, Trevor J. Pugh, Jared Simpson, Saranya Arnoldo, Navneet Aujla, Erin Bearss, Alexandra Binnie, Bjug Borgundvaag, Howard Chertkow, Marc Clausen, Marc Dagher, Luke Devine, David Di Iorio, Steven Marc Friedman, Chun Yiu Jordan Fung, Anne-Claude Gingras, Lee W. Goneau, Deepanjali Kaushik, Zeeshan Khan, Elisa Lapadula, Tiffany Lu, Tony Mazzulli, Allison McGeer, Shelley L. McLeod, Gregory Morgan, David Richardson, Harpreet Singh, Seth Stern, Ahmed Taher, Iris Wong, Natasha Zarei, Elena Greenfeld, Limin Hao, Matthew Lebo, William Lane, Abdul Noor, Jennifer Taher, Jordan Lerner-Ellis
Summary: Rapid advancements in genome sequencing technology have improved our understanding of the relationship between genes and human disease. This study collected blood samples from COVID-19 patients and performed genome sequencing to analyze the data. The researchers developed a comprehensive report that includes information on disease risks, genetic variants, and ancestry. They emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and offer counseling and referrals for clinically significant findings.
Article
Immunology
Jacqui van Warmerdam, Aaron Campigotto, Ari Bitnun, Georgina MacDougall, Melanie Kirby-Allen, Blake Papsin, Allison McGeer, Upton Allen, Shaun K. Morris
Summary: Despite the availability of pneumococcal vaccines, children with high-risk conditions are still susceptible to invasive pneumococcal disease. Insufficient vaccination is the main factor contributing to the occurrence of the disease.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Correction
Microbiology
Bradley Pickering, Oliver Lung, Finlay Maguire, Peter Kruczkiewicz, Jonathon D. Kotwa, Tore Buchanan, Marianne Gagnier, Jennifer L. Guthrie, Claire M. Jardine, Alex Marchand-Austin, Ariane Masse, Heather McClinchey, Kuganya Nirmalarajah, Patryk Aftanas, Juliette Blais-Savoie, Hsien-Yao Chee, Emily Chien, Winfield Yim, Andra Banete, Bryan D. Griffin, Lily Yip, Melissa Goolia, Matthew Suderman, Mathieu Pinette, Greg Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Josip Rudar, Oksana Vernygora, Elizabeth Adey, Michelle Nebroski, Guillaume Goyette, Andres Finzi, Genevieve Laroche, Ardeshir Ariana, Brett Vahkal, Marceline Cote, Allison J. McGeer, Larissa Nituch, Samira Mubareka, Jeff Bowman
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hannah Chung, Michael A. Campitelli, Sarah A. Buchan, Aaron Campigotto, Branson Chen, Natasha S. Crowcroft, Vinita Dubey, Jonathan B. Gubbay, Timothy Karnauchow, Kevin Katz, Allison J. McGeer, J. Dayre McNally, Samira Mubareka, Michelle Murti, David C. Richardson, Laura C. Rosella, Kevin L. Schwartz, Marek Smieja, George Zahariadis, Jeffrey C. Kwong
Summary: The effectiveness of influenza vaccine against laboratory-confirmed influenza was similar between statin users and nonusers. However, statin users had a higher risk of influenza infection compared to nonusers, regardless of vaccination status. This study suggests that statin use may affect the effectiveness of influenza vaccine and increase the risk of influenza infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dylan C. Kain, Sandra Isabel, Mariana Abdulnoor, Karel Boissinot, Richard De Borja, Amanda Filkin, Bernard Lam, Jason Li, Ilinca Lungu, Liz McCreight, Allison McGeer, Tony Mazzulli, Aimee Paterson, Philip Zuzarte, Felicia Vincelli, Cassandra Bergwerff, Ramzi Fattouh, Jared T. Simpson, Jennie Johnstone
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a severe SARS-CoV-2 outbreak occurred in a hospital in Toronto, Canada, from November 2020 to January 2021. The outbreak involved 8 patients and 10 staff and resulted in 3 patient deaths. Investigation revealed that patients cared for in geriatric chairs at the nursing station were at high risk for both acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it is important to consider the risk of informal patient care settings and prioritize room-based care during high-risk periods or outbreaks.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Ryan O'Reilly, Hong Lu, Jeffrey C. C. Kwong, Allison McGeer, Teresa To, Beate Sander
Summary: The present study aimed to determine the short- and long-term healthcare costs associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from the healthcare payer perspective in Ontario, Canada. Through a retrospective population-based matched cohort study, it was found that CAP is associated with significantly increased acute and long-term healthcare costs compared to unexposed subjects. This study highlights the burden of CAP in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and will inform strategic healthcare planning for future interventions and healthcare programs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alexia L. M. Royer, Andrew A. Umansky, Marie-Maude Allen, Julian R. Garneau, Maicol Ospina-Bedoya, Joseph A. Kirk, Gregory Govoni, Robert P. Fagan, Olga Soutourina, Louis-Charles Fortier
Summary: Therapeutic bacteriophages are being considered as alternatives to treat Clostridioides difficile infections. The surface layer protein A (SlpA) is identified as a common receptor used by many phages, which is a significant discovery for the rational design of therapeutic phage cocktails.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Natalia Konstantelos, Andrea M. Burden, Angela M. Cheung, Sandra Kim, Paul Grootendorst, Suzanne M. Cadarette
Summary: This study aimed to compare fracture rates estimated using different definitions and found that coding decisions have a significant impact on fracture outcome definitions. The study highlights the importance and impact of coding decisions on fracture outcome identification and emphasizes the need for further research to inform best practice in fracture outcome identification.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kuganya Nirmalarajah, Winfield Yim, Patryk Aftanas, Angel X. Li, Altynay Shigayeva, Lily Yip, Zoe Zhong, Allison J. Mcgeer, Finlay Maguire, Samira Mubareka, Robert Kozak
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Remdesivir (RDV) treatment on intra-host SARS-CoV-2 diversity and low-frequency mutations in moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The results showed minimal intra-host variability and few low-frequency variants in patients receiving short courses of RDV, suggesting little selective pressure.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taki Aissou, Jessica Jann, Nathalie Faucheux, Louis-Charles Fortier, Nadi Braidy, Jocelyn Veilleux
Summary: A new method was developed to spray a uniform composite coating of copper nanoparticles and graphene nanoflakes onto a metal substrate using an inductively-coupled radio frequency plasma torch. The resulting coatings exhibited microstructural uniformity, strong coating splats cohesion, and good retention and dispersion of graphene nanoflakes within the copper matrix. Moreover, the copper-graphene composite coatings showed strong antibacterial properties, achieving a 99% reduction of Escherichia coli bacteria within 1 hour.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Sharon Sukhdeo, Matthew Muller, Allison McGeer, Jerome A. Leis, Adrienne Chan, Jonathan B. Gubbay, Samir Patel, Saman Khan, Stephen Perusini, Xinliu Angel Li, Robert Kozak, Sharmistha Mishra, Darrell H. S. Tan, Christopher Kandel
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)