Kenneth Bender, PharmD, MA

This first of a 2-part report on new guideline from the European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ECMM) summarizes diagnostic considerations; with part 2 describing recommended treatments.

A machine learning assessment agrees with an evaluation based on factors identified by infectious diseases experts that IDSA guidelines for treating uncomplicated UTI, last issued in 2011, remain valid today.

An inoculum effect in methicillin-susceptible S aureus infective endocarditis is suspected factor in higher all-cause 30-day mortality with cephazolin treatment than with oxacillin.

Levofloxacin was associated with statistically significant reduction in tuberculosis developing in household contacts of persons with multidrug- resistant TB in a meta-analysis, but not in the constituent controlled trials.

Children with invasive candidiasis had successful outcome whether IV antifungal treatment was completed or converted to enteral to reduce risk of infusion site infections and costs.

Oral omadacyline or linezolid was equally efficacious to intravenous dosing for acute bacterial skin infections, and associated with less cost and risks.

Promptly vaccinating the "ring" of contacts and contacts-of-contacts along with standard infection control measures interrupted Ebola transmission in the DRC.

Selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta-adrenergic blockers among agents with potential to mitigate chronic wound infections.

Randomized controlled trial rates PCR-based molecular testing over traditional culture-sensitivity in guiding treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

Study finds optimal timing of annual COVID-19 booster depends on regional transmission patterns and if/when breakthrough infection has occurred.

Study finds antibiotic selection generally follows CAP guidelines but identifies determinants of frequently longer treatment durations.

Reactogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 with inactivated influenza vaccine was similar whether given at same time or separated by 1-2 weeks.

Women were found more likely than men to die following Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in both a national cohort study and a meta-analysis.

Investigators propose limiting initial use of antibiotics for group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children after finding placebo noninferior in reducing symptoms.

Forty percent of the dose of the PCV 13 vaccine, but not of the PCV 10 or lower dose, was found noninferior to full doses when immunizing infants in Kenya.

In the second installment of a 2-part series on this form of guided therapy, the lead investigator describes findings and the potential of biomarkers in antibiotic stewardship.

In part 1 of a 2-part story, an investigator discusses the use of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein guided protocols for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Mass distribution of azithromycin twice yearly to infants and children did not comply with WHO recommendation but reduced all-cause mortality.

Largest randomized trial of povidone iodine vs chlorhexidine gluconate could prompt WHO to recommend either over latter.

Individual antibiotics are ranked by risk for C difficile infection in an analysis of both randomized controlled trials and national adverse event reports.

4-way trial assesses non-prescription interventions, including 2 nasal sprays, for reducing seasonal respiratory illness and related antibiotic use.

Investigators found that 10 days of antibiotics is common for acute otitis media despite that 5 to 7 days is advised by US and international guidelines.

Proposed alternative to "unsustainable" wide use of broad spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis in surgeries confronts antimicrobial resistance.

A new study demonstrates that the continuous infusion of β-lactam antibiotics could offer better clinical outcomes in treating sepsis, despite the nuanced statistical results.

Meta-analysis revealing higher 90-day mortality with intermittent than continuous infusion of ß-lactams for sepsis prompts call for latter to be standard of care.

Purportedly higher sepsis mortality in safety-net hospitals reflects less a difference in acute care than opportunities to discharge to hospice.

Piperacillin-tazobactam was associated with higher mortality than cefepime for empiric treatment of sepsis among patients without indication of anaerobic infection.

Antimicrobial stewardship to reduce multidrug resistance and opportunistic Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) could also guide shorter treatment.

The INSPIRE trials find prompts within computerized provider ordering improves antibiotic utilization for pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

Incidence of hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection differed between hospitals that implemented the CDC prevention strategies and those that did not, but not necessarily because of the strategies.