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Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... May 2024We review key concepts in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of individuals with neurosyphilis. We describe the epidemiology of syphilis in the United States,... (Review)
Review
We review key concepts in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of individuals with neurosyphilis. We describe the epidemiology of syphilis in the United States, highlight populations that are markedly affected by this infection, and attempt to estimate the burden of neurosyphilis. We describe the cardinal clinical features of early and late (tertiary) neurosyphilis and characterize the clinical significance of asymptomatic neurosyphilis in the antibiotic era. We review the indications for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination and the performance characteristics of different CSF assays including treponemal and lipoidal antibodies, white cell count, and protein concentration. Future biomarkers and the role of imaging are briefly considered. We review preferred and alternative treatments for neurosyphilis and evidence for their use, including evidence for the use of enhanced intramuscular benzathine penicillin G to supplement intravenous penicillin.
Topics: Humans; Neurosyphilis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Treponema pallidum; United States; Penicillin G Benzathine
PubMed: 37593890
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad437 -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy 2023is a commensal microorganism that can cause infections such as bacteremia. Incidence of ampicillin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible (EfARSV) bacteremia is on the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
is a commensal microorganism that can cause infections such as bacteremia. Incidence of ampicillin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible (EfARSV) bacteremia is on the rise, and the mortality rate is high. Despite much data, the most appropriate treatment remains a question.
AREAS COVERED
This article mostly reviews the relevant aspects of EfARSV bacteremia: microbiology, gastrointestinal tract colonization and invasion, antibiotic resistance, epidemiology, risk factors, mortality, and treatment, including pharmacologic components of employed agents and related clinical evidence. A literature search was conducted on PubMed on 31 July 2022, which was updated on 15 November 2022.
EXPERT OPINION
EfARSV bacteremia presents high mortality. However, it is uncertain whether mortality is attributable to or a marker of severity/comorbidities. Considering its antibiotic resistance pattern, EfARSV is considered a difficult-to-treat microorganism. Glycopeptides have been used to treat EfARSV, with linezolid and daptomycin serving as potential alternative agents. Yet, the use of daptomycin is controversial due to a higher risk of treatment failures. Clinical evidence on this issue is scarce, unfortunately, and subject to many limitations. Despite increased incidence and mortality, EfARSV bacteremia presents multiple aspects to be addressed in well-conducted studies.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Vancomycin; Daptomycin; Enterococcus faecium; Treatment Outcome; Bacteremia; Ampicillin; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 37294450
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2223977 -
JAMA Internal Medicine Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Penicillins; Drug Hypersensitivity; Clinical Decision-Making; Hypersensitivity; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Skin Tests
PubMed: 37338869
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1572 -
JAMA Sep 2023Acute sinusitis is one of the most common indications for antibiotic prescribing in children, with an estimated 4.9 million such prescriptions in the US annually.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
IMPORTANCE
Acute sinusitis is one of the most common indications for antibiotic prescribing in children, with an estimated 4.9 million such prescriptions in the US annually. Consensus does not exist regarding the optimal empirical antibiotic.
OBJECTIVE
To compare amoxicillin-clavulanate vs amoxicillin for the treatment of acute sinusitis in outpatient children.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cohort study of children and adolescents aged 17 years or younger with a new outpatient diagnosis of acute sinusitis and a same-day new prescription dispensation of amoxicillin-clavulanate or amoxicillin in a nationwide health care utilization database. Propensity score matching was used to mitigate confounding.
EXPOSURE
A new prescription dispensation of amoxicillin-clavulanate or amoxicillin.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Treatment failure, defined as an aggregate of a new antibiotic dispensation, emergency department or inpatient encounter for acute sinusitis, or inpatient encounter for a sinusitis complication, was assessed 1 to 14 days after cohort enrollment. Adverse events were evaluated, including gastrointestinal symptoms, hypersensitivity and skin reactions, acute kidney injury, and secondary infections.
RESULTS
The cohort included 320 141 patients. After propensity score matching, there were 198 942 patients (99 471 patients per group), including 100 340 (50.4%) who were female, 101 726 (51.1%) adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, 52 149 (26.2%) children aged 6 to 11 years, and 45 067 (22.7%) children aged 0 to 5 years. Treatment failure occurred in 1.7% overall; 0.01% had serious failure (an emergency department or inpatient encounter). There was no difference in the risk of treatment failure between the amoxicillin-clavulanate and amoxicillin groups (relative risk [RR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.92-1.05]). The risk of gastrointestinal symptoms (RR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.05-1.25]) and yeast infections (RR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.16-1.54]) was higher with amoxicillin-clavulanate. After patients were stratified by age, the risk of treatment failure after amoxicillin-clavulanate was an RR of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.86-1.12) for ages 0 to 5 years; RR was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.92-1.21) for 6 to 11 years; and RR was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.79-0.95) for 12 to 17 years. The age-stratified risk of adverse events after amoxicillin-clavulanate was an RR of 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10-1.37) for ages 0 to 5 years; RR was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.04-1.35) for 6 to 11 years; and RR was 1.04 (95% CI, 0.95-1.14) for 12 to 17 years.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In children with acute sinusitis who were treated as outpatients, there was no difference in the risk of treatment failure between those who received amoxicillin-clavulanate compared with amoxicillin, but amoxicillin-clavulanate was associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal symptoms and yeast infections. These findings may help inform decisions for empirical antibiotic selection in acute sinusitis.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Acute Disease; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cohort Studies; Mycoses; Sinusitis; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 37721610
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.15503 -
Advances in Applied Microbiology 2024Almost one century after the Sir Alexander Fleming's fortuitous discovery of penicillin and the identification of the fungal producer as Penicillium notatum, later... (Review)
Review
Almost one century after the Sir Alexander Fleming's fortuitous discovery of penicillin and the identification of the fungal producer as Penicillium notatum, later Penicillium chrysogenum (currently reidentified as Penicillium rubens), the molecular mechanisms behind the massive production of penicillin titers by industrial strains could be considered almost fully characterized. However, this filamentous fungus is not only circumscribed to penicillin, and instead, it seems to be full of surprises, thereby producing important metabolites and providing expanded biotechnological applications. This review, in addition to summarizing the classical role of P. chrysogenum as penicillin producer, highlights its ability to generate an array of additional bioactive secondary metabolites and enzymes, together with the use of this microorganism in relevant biotechnological processes, such as bioremediation, biocontrol, production of bioactive nanoparticles and compounds with pharmaceutical interest, revalorization of agricultural and food-derived wastes or the enhancement of food industrial processes and the agricultural production.
Topics: Penicillium chrysogenum; Penicillins; Biotechnology; Biodegradation, Environmental; Secondary Metabolism; Industrial Microbiology
PubMed: 38763527
DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2024.02.006 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Sep 2023Amoxicillin plus probenecid is an alternative to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G for treating syphilis in the United Kingdom. Low-dose amoxicillin is an... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Combination of Amoxicillin 3000 mg and Probenecid Versus 1500 mg Amoxicillin Monotherapy for Treating Syphilis in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled, Non-Inferiority Trial.
BACKGROUND
Amoxicillin plus probenecid is an alternative to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G for treating syphilis in the United Kingdom. Low-dose amoxicillin is an alternative treatment option used in Japan.
METHODS
We conducted an open-label, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial between 31 August 2018, and 3 February 2022, to compare 1500 mg low-dose amoxicillin monotherapy with the combination of 3000 mg amoxicillin and probenecid (non-inferiority margin 10%). Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis were eligible. The primary outcome was the cumulative serological cure rate within 12 months post-treatment, measured using the manual rapid plasma reagin card test. Secondary outcomes included safety assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 112 participants were randomized into 2 groups. Serological cure rates within 12 months were 90.6% and 94.4% with the low-dose amoxicillin and combination regimens, respectively. Serological cure rates for early syphilis within 12 months were 93.5% and 97.9% with the low-dose amoxicillin and combination regimens, respectively. Non-inferiority of low-dose amoxicillin compared with amoxicillin plus probenecid overall and for early syphilis was not confirmed. No significant side effects were detected.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate a high efficacy of amoxicillin-based regimens for treating syphilis in patients with HIV infection, and the non-inferiority of low-dose amoxicillin compared with amoxicillin plus probenecid was not seen. Therefore, amoxicillin monotherapy could be a good alternative to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G with fewer side effects. However, further studies comparing with benzathine penicillin G in different populations and with larger sample sizes are needed.
TRIALS REGISTRATION
(UMIN000033986).
Topics: Humans; Amoxicillin; Penicillin G Benzathine; Anti-Bacterial Agents; HIV Infections; HIV; Probenecid; Syphilis; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 37157863
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad278 -
Revue Medicale Suisse Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Disease Progression; Penicillins; Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 37791697
DOI: 10.53738/REVMED.2023.19.844.1810 -
Revue Medicale Suisse Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Drug Hypersensitivity; Penicillins; Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 37819186
DOI: 10.53738/REVMED.2023.19.845.1855 -
International Journal of Antimicrobial... Jul 2023The optimal treatment regimen for infections caused by wild-type AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales remains controversial. This study compared the outcomes of...
Effectiveness of third-generation cephalosporins or piperacillin compared with cefepime or carbapenems for severe infections caused by wild-type AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales: A multi-centre retrospective propensity-weighted study.
BACKGROUND
The optimal treatment regimen for infections caused by wild-type AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales remains controversial. This study compared the outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSI) and pneumonia according to the type of definitive antibiotic therapy: third-generation cephalosporin (3GC), piperacillin ± tazobactam, cefepime or carbapenem.
METHODS
All cases of BSI and pneumonia caused by wild-type AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales over 2 years in eight university hospitals were reviewed. Patients who received definitive therapy consisting of either a 3GC (3GC group), piperacillin ± tazobactam (piperacillin group), or cefepime or a carbapenem (reference group) were included in this study. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was treatment failure due to infection by emerging AmpC-overproducing strains. Propensity-score-based models were used to balance confounding factors between groups.
RESULTS
In total, 575 patients were included in this study: 302 (52%) with pneumonia and 273 (48%) with BSI. Half (n=271, 47%) received cefepime or a carbapenem as definitive therapy, 120 (21%) received a 3GC, and 184 (32%) received piperacillin ± tazobactam. Compared with the reference group, 30-day mortality was similar in the 3GC [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57-1.31)] and piperacillin (aHR 1.20, 95% CI 0.86-1.66) groups. The likelihood of treatment failure was higher in the 3GC (aHR 6.81, 95% CI 3.76-12.4) and piperacillin (aHR 3.13, 95% CI 1.69-5.80) groups. The results were similar when stratifying the analysis on pneumonia or BSI.
CONCLUSION
Treatment of included BSI or pneumonia caused by wild-type AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales with 3GC or piperacillin ± tazobactam was not associated with higher mortality, but was associated with increased risk of AmpC overproduction leading to treatment failure compared with cefepime or a carbapenem.
Topics: Humans; Cefepime; Piperacillin; Carbapenems; Retrospective Studies; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; Cephalosporins
PubMed: 37028731
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106809 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Nov 2023Piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ) is one of the most common antibiotics administered to hospitalized patients. Its broad activity against gram-negative, gram-positive, and...
Piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ) is one of the most common antibiotics administered to hospitalized patients. Its broad activity against gram-negative, gram-positive, and anaerobic pathogens; efficacy in clinical trials across diverse infection types and patient populations; and generally favorable toxicity profile make it a particularly appealing antibiotic agent. PTZ susceptibility interpretive criteria (ie, breakpoints) for the Enterobacterales were initially established in 1992, as the drug was undergoing approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. In the ensuing 30 years, changes in the molecular epidemiology of the Enterobacterales and its impact on PTZ susceptibility testing, mounting pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data generated from sophisticated techniques such as population pharmacokinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation, and disturbing safety signals in a large clinical trial prompted the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI) to review available evidence to determine the need for revision of the PTZ breakpoints for Enterobacterales. After an extensive literature review and formal voting process, the susceptibility criteria were revised in the 2022 CLSI M100 document to the following: ≤8/4 µg/mL (susceptible), 16/4 µg/mL (susceptible dose-dependent), and ≥32/4 µg/mL (resistant). Herein, we provide a brief overview of the CLSI process of antibiotic breakpoint revisions and elaborate on the available data that ultimately led to the decision to revise the PTZ breakpoints.
Topics: Humans; Laboratories, Clinical; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 36001445
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac688