Antimicrobial Stewardship

New recommendations emphasize shorter, all-oral regimens for both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB.

Systematic reviews and localized studies reveal rising resistance rates in pediatric H pylori infections, highlighting the need for improved diagnostics and treatment approaches.

Data detailing antibiotic choice and duration derived from electronic health records improved appropriate therapy use for community-acquired pneumonia.

Exploring the challenges and strategies for combating MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, as discussed with Jason Pogue, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

As the year is ending, here are some of the bigger stories Contagion covered on this topic.

Jason M Pogue, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP discussed ceftolozane tazobactam’s effectiveness over ceftazidime avibactam, particularly in pneumonia patients, where it reduced the likelihood of recurrent infections.

Jose Alexander, MD, ABMM, ABAIM, FCCM, CIC, ASCP, BCMAS, and his team discovered the klebsiella pneumoniae variant, KPC-31, in a patient by sequencing the entire genome through a series of different diagnostics, which not only led to identifying the strain, but to a greater understanding of its antimicrobial susceptibility.

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

Resistance is expected to worsen significantly, but can a combination of both ground-level clinician stewardship actions as well as systemic reforms such as the Pasteur Act at least slow down the train?

Jason M Pogue, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP discusses the findings, pharmacokinetics, why ceftolozane-tazobactam may be the preferred choice for resistant infections, and more.

143 deaths and 592 cases confirmed in Kwango Province, with concerns about treatment access, drug resistance, and more.

Prenatal antibiotic use may increase the risk of asthma, food allergies, and obesity, underscoring the need for careful antibiotic stewardship during pregnancy.

P aeruginosa is found in 11.6% of diabetic foot infection cultures from hot, humid climates.

The MeMed Severity test can determine results within 15 minutes through a blood test and aims to offer treatment guidance with machine learning.

A small phase 2 study evaluated Debiopharm’s investigational antibiotic, afabicin, including its clinical response rate and safety profile of 2-3 weeks of treatment for staphylococcal bone and joint infections (BJI).

Amesh A. Adalja, MD, FIDSA outlined the importance of recognizing antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings, educating patients on responsible antibiotic use, and the need for new treatments and diagnostic tools.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, discusses her work on the Equity in Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts (EASE) framework, including progress for it, and how other institutions or providers can implement it.

With melting ice and the release of ancient viruses, there are concerns around the emergence of potentially unknown infectious diseases. Emily Jenkins PhD, DVM, BScHon, offers insights on “zombie viruses” and says polar bears might hold the key to understanding what lies ahead, and how a One Health approach may help in surveillance and prevention.

This bacteremia can present heterogeneously and be difficult to contain, especially in an older patient population. Daniel B. Chastain, PharmD, BCIDP, AAHIVP, FIDSA, reviews the data of this class of therapies and how it may be clinically beneficial in combination with other antimicrobials.

Along with the CDC, we highlight the One Health approach and advocate for effective infection control measures, such as vaccination and innovative technologies, to prevent the spread of resistant pathogens and combat AMR.

The BALANCE trial suggests that shorter treatment durations may reduce healthcare costs, antibiotic exposure, and antimicrobial resistance risk, providing an alternative for critically ill patients.

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

With up to 37.5% of children carrying this resistance mutation the findings suggest that current treatment protocols may be losing effectiveness.

The Fall 2024 Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grades demonstrate an ongoing downward trend in recent years of these challenging inpatient management issues.

Findings from the CAPELLA study reveal virologic suppression and a safety profile for multidrug-resistant HIV-1.