Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christos Koutserimpas, Ifigeneia Chamakioti, Konstantinos Raptis, Kalliopi Alpantaki, Georgia Vrioni, George Samonis
Summary: This is a literature review of osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus spp., aiming to elucidate its epidemiology, therapeutic management, and outcome. Prolonged antifungal treatment combined with surgical debridement is found to be the preferred management for this severe infection, and identification of the responsible mold is crucial.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christos Koutserimpas, Symeon Naoum, Konstantinos Raptis, Georgia Vrioni, George Samonis, Kalliopi Alpantaki
Summary: Skeletal core and extremity infections caused by Coccidioides species are severe diseases. Based on the available data, a combination of prolonged proper antifungal treatment with surgical intervention seems to be the optimal current therapeutic approach.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Zhou, Zuying Zhou, Lin Zheng, Zipeng Gong, Yueting Li, Yang Jin, Yong Huang, Mingyan Chi
Summary: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections caused by various pathogens, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) being the most prevalent causative agent. UPEC has shown adaptive evolution in invading the urinary tract and surviving inside cells. Despite the success of antibiotic therapy, the increasing antimicrobial resistance and high recurrence rates pose challenges to its efficacy. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative treatment options, such as vaccines and medicinal plants, that target multiple pathogenic mechanisms of UPEC to combat antibiotic resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lloyd Walsh, Stephen A. Clark, Jeremy P. Derrick, Ray Borrow
Summary: Non-meningococcal and non-gonococcal Neisseria species can rarely cause invasive diseases, presenting serious symptoms and associated with specific risk factors. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for differential disease-causing abilities and manifestations among different species.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
G. Veeren, Ch Haripriya Reddy, S. Nandini, P. Vishnu Rao, V. Ramasubramanian, P. Senthur Nambi, Ram Gopalakrishnan
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical and microbiological characteristics of 36 culture-proven Aeromonas infections. The most common species isolated was A.hydrophila. Clinical presentations included skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, and central line associated bloodstream infections. Most of the isolates were sensitive to aminoglycosides.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Thayane da Encarnacao Sa-Guimaraes, Monica Ferreira Moreira
Summary: Zika virus, mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has significant health impacts and can also be sexually transmitted and persist in the male reproductive tract. It can be transmitted through mosquito reproductive systems and eggs, which may serve as reservoirs. Understanding the spread of Zika virus from the reproductive tract is crucial for research and prevention.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kanit Assawatheptawee, Pornpit Treebupachatsakul, Taradon Luangtongkum, Pannika R. Niumsup
Summary: This study found that being a farmer is an independent risk factor for MDRE-associated CA-UTIs, and the first report of mcr-9-positive Enterobacter cloacae from a Thai patient in the community.
Article
Microbiology
Carlo Zagaglia, Maria Grazia Ammendolia, Linda Maurizi, Mauro Nicoletti, Catia Longhi
Summary: Urinary tract infections caused by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli are common worldwide. They invade urothelial cells and form bacterial aggregates, leading to persistent infection. The increasing antibiotic resistance and number of multidrug resistant UPEC strains highlight the need for new treatment strategies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mingmei Du, Linjian Song, Yan Wang, Jijiang Suo, Yanling Bai, Yubin Xing, Lijun Xie, Bowei Liu, Lu Li, Yanping Luo, Yunxi Liu
Summary: An outbreak of B. cepacia urinary tract infection in 71 patients was caused by contaminated single-use anesthetic gel used during invasive urological diagnostic and treatments. The contamination was confirmed in samples from one used cystoscope and three anesthetic gels from the same batch.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
George L. Daikos, Clovis Arns da Cunha, Gian Maria Rossolini, Gregory G. Stone, Nathalie Baillon-Plot, Margaret Tawadrous, Paurus Irani
Summary: Ceftazidime-avibactam shows good in vitro activity against P. aeruginosa and has demonstrated similar clinical and microbiological outcomes to comparators in Phase 3 clinical trials. Limited real-world data also suggest favorable outcomes with ceftazidime-avibactam treatment in some patients with MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa infections, indicating its potentially important role in managing serious and complicated P. aeruginosa infections.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jens Strohaeker, Lisa Wiegand, Christian Beltzer, Alfred Koenigsrainer, Ruth Ladurner, Anke Meier
Summary: The study found that anaerobic bacteria are more common in patients with hepatic abscesses and gallbladder perforation, especially in the elderly with more comorbidities. Despite this, the overall outcomes for all patients were favorable and there was a low resistance rate to commonly used antibiotics.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shi Wenjie, An Jinxia, Tan He, Jia Mengran, Gao Hui
Summary: This study developed a low-temperature photothermal nanoplatform for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which showed excellent photothermal bactericidal effects. The nanoplatform achieved targeted action against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) through its high affinity, avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kayoko Hayakawa, Yasufumi Matsumura, Kohei Uemura, Shinya Tsuzuki, Aki Sakurai, Ryutaro Tanizaki, Koh Shinohara, Takehiro Hashimoto, Ryota Hase, Takashi Matono, Hideaki Kato, Momoko Mawatari, Hiroshi Hara, Yukihiro Hamada, Sho Saito, Norio Ohmagari, Yohei Doi
Summary: Cefmetazole showed clinical and bacteriological effectiveness comparable to meropenem against invasive urinary tract infection due to ESBLECs.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Aaron Kofman, Jeannette Guarner
Summary: Infections caused by Naegleria fowled, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia mandrillaris have various clinical manifestations in humans. These amoebae are widely present in water and soil worldwide. Naegleria fowleri causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), while Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Acanthamoeba spp. can also cause keratitis, and both Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris can cause skin and respiratory mucosa lesions. Clinical diagnosis of these infections can be difficult due to their rarity, and they can be misdiagnosed if not suspected. Microscopy is the key first step in diagnosis, but expertise in infectious disease pathology or clinical microbiology is required to distinguish the amoebae from macrophages or other infectious agents. Molecular methods can be helpful but are only available in referral centers. Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and antifungals, but even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate for neurological disease is extremely high.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Yun-cheng Li, An-da Shi, Kang-shuai Li
Summary: This article reports a case of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma primarily presented as jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma of the liver and hilar bile duct after surgery. The differential diagnosis of biliary cystadenoma and treatment selection are discussed.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shio-Shin Jean, Wen-Chien Ko, Min-Chi Lu, Wen-Sen Lee, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: In this study conducted in Taiwan in 2020, the in vitro activities of novel and comparator antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria were evaluated. The results showed that certain novel antibiotics demonstrated promising activity against drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, indicating their potential in clinical treatment.
EXPERT REVIEW OF ANTI-INFECTIVE THERAPY
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Lo Ching-Lung, Syue Ling-Shan, Ko Wen-Chien
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuan-Pin Hung, Jen-Chieh Lee, Chun-Wei Chiu, Ching-Chi Lee, Pei-Jane Tsai, I-Lin Hsu, Wen-Chien Ko
Summary: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is an effective and safe antiviral drug that inhibits the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. It shows promising antiviral effect against recent coronavirus mutants, but its effectiveness against future variants needs to be monitored.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Jia-Arng Lee, Shin-Hei Du, Tai-fen Lee, Yu-Shan Huang, Chun-Hsing Liao, Yu-Tsung Huang, Po-Ren Hsueh
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Yuag-Meng Liu, Wen-Chien Ko, Mao-Wang Ho, Yu-Lin Lee, Po-Ren Hsueh
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Jiaxin Yu, Hsiu-Hsien Lin, Kun-Hao Tseng, Ni Tien, Po-Ren Hsueh, Der-Yang Cho
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Virology
Chih-Cheng Lai, Chi-Kuei Hsu, Shun-Chung Hsueh, Muh-Yong Yen, Wen-Chien Ko, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: Following the emergence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a similar clinical scenario called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) has been observed. Although the prevalence of MIS-A is low and likely underdiagnosed, it can be associated with high mortality. MIS-A is a multisystem disease that affects the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, hematologic, and neurologic systems. The diagnosis of MIS-A requires clinical manifestations, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The appropriate treatment for MIS-A is still uncertain, but anti-inflammatory agents like intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids are commonly used. Further research is needed to determine the true prevalence, pathogenesis, and effective treatment for MIS-A.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Chih-Cheng Lai, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV-r) is an effective antiviral agent for treating nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients. However, there have been rare cases of virologic and symptomatic rebound after NMV-r treatment, which is a cause for concern. This review provides comprehensive information on the frequency, mechanism, outcomes, and management of COVID-19 rebound after NMV-r. The incidence of rebound was less than 2% and most cases had mild symptoms, with favorable clinical outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ahmad Rifai, Wan-Ching Wu, Yu-Wen Tang, Mei-Yun Lu, Pei-Jen Chiu, Carol Strong, Chung-Ying Lin, Po-Lin Chen, Wen-Chien Ko, Nai-Ying Ko
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs), and this study investigated the association between psychological distress and adverse events (AEs), as well as the determinants of protective behaviors in Taiwanese HCWs. The results showed that depression, distress, and anger were significantly associated with physical AEs, while suicidal thoughts were related to systemic AEs after COVID-19 vaccination. Older age and female gender were associated with more engagement in preventive behaviors, and suicidal thoughts were related to the occurrence of systemic AEs among HCWs. Doctors performed better at preventive behaviors compared to nurses and other HCWs, and HCWs experiencing anxiety and nervousness tended to avoid crowds.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Pin-Han Wu, Chih-Hao Chen, Wen-Hsin Hsih, Chia-Huei Chou, Chih-Yu Chi, Mao-Wang Ho, Yu-Tzu Lin, Hsiu-Hsien Lin, Kun-Hao Tseng, Po-Ren Hsueh
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Chin-Shiang Tsai, Jiun-Ling Wang, Nan-Yao Lee, Po-Lin Chen, Ying-Jun Lin, Huey-Pin Tsai, Shu-Li Su, Hsin-Hui Huang, Lin-Wen Mao, Han Siong Toh, Wen-Chien Ko
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ching-Chi Lee, Yuan-Pin Hung, Chih-Chia Hsieh, Ching-Yu Ho, Chiao-Ya Hsu, Cheng-Te Li, Wen-Chien Ko
Summary: This study aimed to develop scoring systems to predict short-term mortality and length of hospital stay in patients with bacteraemia. The study found that clinical variables that dynamically changed from day 0 to day 3 were crucial in predicting the outcomes.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ming-Ta Chuang, Mei-Tsz Su, Chen-Hsi Chou, Yu-Ling Liang, Hsing-Fen Tsai, Pei-Hsiu Yu, Meng-Hsing Wu, Wen-Chien Ko, Pei-Yin Tsai
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
I-Ru Chen, Guei-Jane Wang, Po-Ren Hsueh, Chia-Hui Chou, Long-Bin Jeng, Hui-Ju Lin, Huang-Jiun Liao, Ping-Chin Lai, Jan-Gowth Chang, Chiu-Ching Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the immune responses and safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in Taiwan. The results showed that the vaccines effectively protected aHUS patients from severe COVID-19 complications without significant safety concerns. Transplant aHUS patients had lower immune response titers, indicating a need for additional vaccine doses.
Article
Microbiology
Yu-Tsung Huang, Yao-Wen Kuo, Nan-Yao Lee, Ni Tien, Chun-Hsing Liao, Lee-Jene Teng, Wen-Chien Ko, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: Detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales is important for therapeutic decisions and infection control. The Xpert CARBA-R and NG-Test CARBA 5 assays showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting carbapenemases in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)