Infectious Disease Alert – March 1, 2023

A Rapid Molecular Test Improves Time to Appropriate Therapy and Mortality in Patients with CRE Bacteremia

A multicenter observational study of patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales bacteremia found that time to receipt of active antibiotic therapy and mortality were improved in those whose blood cultures underwent rapid molecular testing for the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase gene. The mortality rate was 10% with ceftazidime-avibactam compared to 31% with polymyxin monotherapy.

Nationwide Outbreak of Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections from Contaminated Eye Drops

An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection has been traced to use of contaminated artificial tears.

Fungal Meningitis After Epidural Injections — Again

An outbreak in Mexico of meningitis due to Fusarium solani has affected at least 79 patients who had received epidural injections; at least 35 have died.

Does COVID Vaccination Prevent Car Crashes?

In a large Canadian study, lack of COVID vaccination was associated with an increased incidence of being injured in a car crash.

Comparison of Postoperative Antibiotic Regimens for Complex Appendicitis: Is Two Days as Good as Five Days?

In a pragmatic, open-label, randomized trial conducted at 15 hospitals in the Netherlands, two days of postoperative intravenous antibiotics for complex appendicitis was found to be noninferior to five days in terms of infectious complications and mortality within 90 days.

Using Wastewater Surveillance to Monitor Mpox Outbreak

Researchers evaluated the use of wastewater surveillance to monitor the mpox outbreak in California.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

California Firefighters at Risk for Cocci; Hyperglycemia and Diabetes with INSTIs; Positive Sputum in Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis