Infectious Disease Alert – October 1, 2023

Proton Pump Inhibitors: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Proton pump inhibitor use in infants is associated with a 34% increase in the risk of subsequent infection-related hospitalization. These medications should be used only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Bacteremia

This multicenter, observational study provides the first focused comparison of short vs. prolonged antibiotic courses for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales bloodstream infections, suggesting that short courses (eight to 10 days) have similar outcomes to prolonged courses.

Differential Time to Positivity Is a Useful Measure in Diagnosing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

A systematic review and meta-analysis found differential time to positivity (DTP) was a useful measurement in confirming or excluding central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, DTP was not as accurate for CLABSIs resulting from Staphylococcus aureus (lower sensitivity) or Candida spp. (lower specificity) compared to other organisms.

Novel Oral Amphotericin B Formulation Shows Promise for Cryptococcal Meningitis

A randomized, controlled trial by Boulware and colleagues demonstrated that a new oral lipid nanocrystal formulation of amphotericin had similar antifungal activity and survival rates but significantly less toxicity compared to intravenous amphotericin when used as induction therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

Cardiac Effects of Bedaquiline and Delamanid in Combination; Is Leprosy ‘Endemic’ in Florida?; Linezolid Dosing in Cardiac Surgery