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Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021(PA) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. A variety of antibiotic classes are used in the treatment of PA infections, including beta-lactams (BLs)...
INTRODUCTION
(PA) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. A variety of antibiotic classes are used in the treatment of PA infections, including beta-lactams (BLs) and fluoroquinolones (FQs), given either together in combination therapy or alone in monotherapy. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BL agents versus FQ agents as active, definitive monotherapy in PA infections in adults.
METHODS
Comprehensive literature searches of the Medline and Scopus electronic databases, alongside hand searches of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were performed without a time restriction to identify studies published in English comparing BL and FQ agents given as monotherapy for PA infection in hospitalized adults for which mortality, bacteriological eradication, or clinical response was evaluated. One reviewer screened search results based on pre-defined selection criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed included studies for methodological quality using NIH assessment tools. Two fixed-effects meta-analyses were performed.
RESULTS
A total of 368 articles were screened, and six studies involving 338 total patients were included in the meta-analysis. Upon evaluation of methodological quality, two studies were rated good, three fair, and one poor. A meta-analysis of three studies demonstrates FQ monotherapy is associated with significantly improved survival compared to BL monotherapy for patients with PA bacteremia (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.27-10.44; = 0.02). A meta-analysis of three studies demonstrates FQ monotherapy is associated with equivalent bacteriological eradication compared to BL monotherapy for PA pneumonia or skin and soft tissue infection (RD, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.24; = 0.39).
CONCLUSION
The meta-analyses demonstrate FQ monotherapy significantly improves survival in PA bacteremia and is associated with similar rates of bacteriological eradication in pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection caused by PA compared to BL monotherapy. However, more research is needed to make meaningful clinical recommendations.
PubMed: 34943695
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121483 -
Cureus Jun 2023There has been increased use of cefepime due to concerns about the nephrotoxic effects of the combined use of vancomycin and Zosyn. However, cefepime is associated with... (Review)
Review
There has been increased use of cefepime due to concerns about the nephrotoxic effects of the combined use of vancomycin and Zosyn. However, cefepime is associated with neurotoxicity. We conducted a systematic review using online data to explore the trend of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity over the last 10 years. Forty-six articles met our inclusion criteria, including 73 cases of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity. We noticed a steady increase in the reports of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity, from one case in 2013 to 11 cases in 2022. Individuals aged 65 and older accounted for most cefepime-induced neurotoxicity cases (52%). The top three indications for cefepime administration included bone and joint infections (25%), urinary tract infections (22.7%), and pneumonia (22.7%). Most patients with renal impairment have never had a renal adjustment of their cefepime dosage (either 2 g 12 hours a day or 2 g eight hours a day). Most cases of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity occurred between days two and five (n=29, 71%), while most resolution occurred between days one and five (n=29, 85%). While cefepime continues to be a popularly used and effective antibiotic against gram-negative bacteria like , its dosage needs to be adjusted in patients with renal impairment to avoid neurotoxicity.
PubMed: 37503476
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40980 -
Cells Jun 2023Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neuroinflammatory disease with a complex pathophysiological background. A variety of diverse factors have been... (Review)
Review
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neuroinflammatory disease with a complex pathophysiological background. A variety of diverse factors have been attributed to the propagation of inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS, mainly genetic, immunological, and environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, infections, or hormonal disbalance. Recently, the importance of the gut-brain axis for the development of many neurological conditions, including stroke, movement disorders, and neuroinflammatory disorders, has been postulated. The purpose of our paper was to summarize current evidence confirming the role of the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of MS and related disorders, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO-SD). For this aim, we conducted a systematic review of the literature listed in the following databases: Medline, Pubmed, and Scopus, and were able to identify several studies demonstrating the involvement of the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of MS and NMO-SD. It seems that the most relevant bacteria for the pathophysiology of MS are those belonging to , , , , , , , and , while and have been demonstrated to play a role in the pathophysiology of NMO-SD. Following this line of evidence, there is also some preliminary data supporting the use of probiotics or other agents affecting the microbiome that could potentially have a beneficial effect on MS/NMO-SD symptoms and prognosis. The topic of the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of MS is therefore relevant since it could be used as a biomarker of disease development and progression as well as a potential disease-modifying therapy.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Neuromyelitis Optica; Vitamin D Deficiency; Inflammation
PubMed: 37443793
DOI: 10.3390/cells12131760 -
Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences Mar 2020The use of antibiotics is common, but its excessive or improper use leads to antibiotic resistance. Consequently, scientists have been interested in exploring... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of antibiotics is common, but its excessive or improper use leads to antibiotic resistance. Consequently, scientists have been interested in exploring traditional medicine to identify a new source of anti-bacterial agents. The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review to determine the anti-bacterial activity of Jamzad (SKJ) and Boiss (ZM) essential oils against in vitro.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search for studies published on SKJ and ZM was carried out. Various keywords ( shirazi thyme, thymol, carvacrol; Iran, antibacterial effect; traditional medicine, phytomedicine, herbal medicine) were used to search both international and Iranian databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, MEDLINE; PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Academic Search; Journal Storage, Magiran, Irandoc, Scientific Information Database (SID), and IranMedex). The selected articles were published during 2000-2017 and were written in English or Persian.
RESULTS
Seventeen articles were included in the review. The main ingredients of SKJ and ZM plants were carvacrol and thymol. The potential anti-bacterial activity of essential oils from these plants was confirmed. The carvacrol content, as the major active ingredient of SKJ was between 38.33-97.89%. The major ingredients of ZM were carvacrol (16.8-82.7%) followed by thymol (25.70-64.87%). The minimum inhibitory concentration () value of SKJ and ZM essential oils against bacterial strains was in the range of 0.31-450 and 2-8,000 μg/mL, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The present review study confirmed the anti-bacterial activity of SKJ and ZM, particularly against .
PubMed: 32210484
DOI: 10.30476/IJMS.2019.72570. -
Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... May 2023BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of public health concern worldwide.AimWe aimed to summarise the German AMR situation for clinicians and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of public health concern worldwide.AimWe aimed to summarise the German AMR situation for clinicians and microbiologists.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 60 published studies and data from the German (ARS). Primary outcomes were AMR proportions in bacterial isolates from infected patients in Germany (2016-2021) and the case fatality rates (2010-2021). Random and fixed (common) effect models were used to calculate pooled proportions and pooled case fatality odds ratios, respectively.ResultsThe pooled proportion of meticillin resistance in infections (MRSA) was 7.9% with a declining trend between 2014 and 2020 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.886-0.891; p < 0.0001), while vancomycin resistance in (VRE) bloodstream infections increased (OR = 1.18; (95% CI: 1.16-1.21); p < 0.0001) with a pooled proportion of 34.9%. Case fatality rates for MRSA and VRE were higher than for their susceptible strains (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.91-2.75 and 1.69; 95% CI: 1.22-2.33, respectively). Carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative pathogens (, , spp. and ) was low to moderate (< 9%), but resistance against third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones was moderate to high (5-25%). exhibited high resistance against carbapenems (17.0%; 95% CI: 11.9-22.8), third-generation cephalosporins (10.1%; 95% CI: 6.6-14.2) and fluoroquinolones (24.9%; 95% CI: 19.3-30.9). Statistical heterogeneity was high (I2 > 70%) across studies reporting resistance proportions.ConclusionContinuous efforts in AMR surveillance and infection prevention and control as well as antibiotic stewardship are needed to limit the spread of AMR in Germany.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Fluoroquinolones; Germany; Escherichia coli; Cephalosporins
PubMed: 37199987
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.20.2200672 -
International Journal of Microbiology 2020Studies have reported that the existence of CP bacteria in Africa, but, in general, comprehensive data about the molecular epidemiology of CP organisms are limited.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Studies have reported that the existence of CP bacteria in Africa, but, in general, comprehensive data about the molecular epidemiology of CP organisms are limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis expound the pooled prevalence of CP and CP clinical isolates in Africa. It also identified the diversity of carbapenemases or their encoding genes among the isolates in Africa. Lastly, the review observed the trends of these CP isolates in Africa.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was performed between July 2019 and October 2019 in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journal online. The included articles were published only in English. The screening was done by two authors independently. The data extracted on Excel spreadsheet were transferred to STATA 11 software for analysis.
RESULTS
From a total of 1,454 articles searched, 42 articles were eligible. Most of the studies were conducted in the North Africa region. But there was no report from Central Africa. The pooled prevalence of CP and CP among the clinical specimens in Africa was 21.36% and 56.97%, respectively. OXA-23 and VIM were the most prevailing carbapenemase among and respectively. The cumulative meta-analysis revealed a relative increment of the prevalence of CP over time in Africa but it showed a higher prevalence of CP isolates across years.
CONCLUSION
The review revealed a high pooled prevalence of CP clinical isolates in Africa which needs urgent action. Moreover, the emergence of concomitant carbapenemases, especially OXA-23 + NDM among CP , was also an alarming problem.
PubMed: 33204275
DOI: 10.1155/2020/9461901 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease May 2020is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium that belongs in the family Pseudomonadaceae and has been isolated from water and soil. Even though it is thought to... (Review)
Review
is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium that belongs in the family Pseudomonadaceae and has been isolated from water and soil. Even though it is thought to cause infections quite rarely in humans, it can cause severe infections even in immunocompetent individuals. The aim of this study was to systemically review all cases of human infection by in the literature and describe their epidemiology, microbiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, treatment and outcomes. Thus, a systematic review of PubMed for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological as well as treatment data and outcomes of infections was conducted. In total, 12 studies, containing data of 16 patients, were included. The commonest infections were infective endocarditis, central nervous system infections and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Fever was the main presenting symptom, while sepsis was evident in almost half the patients. was susceptible to most antibiotics tested. Mortality was low in all different infection types. Third or fourth generation cephalosporins and quinolones are the commonest agents used for treatment, irrespectively of the infection site.
PubMed: 32375225
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020071 -
Cureus Mar 2022The prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of bacterial infections in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are not well understood... (Review)
Review
The prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of bacterial infections in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are not well understood and have been raised as an important knowledge gap. Therefore, our study focused on the most common opportunistic infections/secondary infections/superinfections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Eligible studies were identified using PubMed/Medline since inception to June 25, 2021. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. Statistical analysis was conducted in Review Manager 5.4.1. A random-effect model was used when heterogeneity was seen to pool the studies, and the result was reported as inverse variance and the corresponding 95% confidence interval. We screened 701 articles comprising 22 cohort studies which were included for analysis. The pooled prevalence of opportunistic infections/secondary infections/superinfections was 16% in COVID-19 patients. The highest prevalence of secondary infections was observed among viruses at 33%, followed by bacteria at 16%, fungi at 6%, and 25% among the miscellaneous group/wrong outcome. Opportunistic infections are more prevalent in critically ill patients. The isolated pathogens included Epstein-Barr virus, , , , , and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Large-scale studies are required to better identify opportunistic/secondary/superinfections in COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 35505698
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23687 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Jun 2023Mounting evidence indicates that habitats such as wastewater and environmental waters are pathways for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and mobile... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review of Culture-Based Methods for Monitoring Antibiotic-Resistant Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas as Environmentally Relevant Pathogens in Wastewater and Surface Water.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Mounting evidence indicates that habitats such as wastewater and environmental waters are pathways for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and mobile antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). We identified antibiotic-resistant members of the genera Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas as key opportunistic pathogens that grow or persist in built (e.g., wastewater) or natural aquatic environments. Effective methods for monitoring these ARB in the environment are needed to understand their influence on dissemination of ARB and ARGs, but standard methods have not been developed. This systematic review considers peer-reviewed papers where the ARB above were cultured from wastewater or surface water, focusing on the accuracy of current methodologies.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent studies suggest that many clinically important ARGs were originally acquired from environmental microorganisms. Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas species are of interest because their ability to persist and grow in the environment provides opportunities to engage in horizontal gene transfer with other environmental bacteria. Pathogenic strains of these organisms resistant to multiple, clinically relevant drug classes have been identified as an urgent threat. However, culture methods for these bacteria were generally developed for clinical samples and are not well-vetted for environmental samples. The search criteria yielded 60 peer-reviewed articles over the past 20 years, which reported a wide variety of methods for isolation, confirmation, and antibiotic resistance assays. Based on a systematic comparison of the reported methods, we suggest a path forward for standardizing methodologies for monitoring antibiotic resistant strains of these bacteria in water environments.
Topics: Humans; Wastewater; Genes, Bacterial; Aeromonas; Pseudomonas; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36821031
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00393-9 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2017Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and lung damage. Antibiotics have adverse effects and long-term use might lead to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess continuous oral antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus versus no prophylaxis in people with cystic fibrosis, we tested these hypotheses. Prophylaxis:1. improves clinical status, lung function and survival;2. causes adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea, skin rash, candidiasis);3. leads to fewer isolates of common pathogens from respiratory secretions;4. leads to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and colonisation of the respiratory tract with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register, comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Companies manufacturing anti-staphylococcal antibiotics were contacted.Most recent search of the Group's Register: 29 September 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials of continuous oral prophylactic antibiotics (given for at least one year) compared to intermittent antibiotics given 'as required', in people with cystic fibrosis of any disease severity.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors assessed studies for eligibility and methodological quality and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included four studies, with a total of 401 randomised participants aged zero to seven years on enrolment; one study is ongoing. The two older included studies generally had a higher risk of bias across all domains, but in particular due to a lack of blinding and incomplete outcome data, than the two more recent studies. We only regarded the most recent study as being generally free of bias, although even here we were not certain of the effect of the per protocol analysis on the study results. Evidence was downgraded based on GRADE assessments and outcome results ranged from moderate to low quality. Downgrading decisions were due to limitations in study design (all outcomes); for imprecision (number of people needing additional antibiotics); and for inconsistency (weight z score).Fewer children receiving anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis had one or more isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (low quality evidence). There was no significant difference between groups in infant or conventional lung function (moderate quality evidence). We found no significant effect on nutrition (low quality evidence), hospital admissions, additional courses of antibiotics (low quality evidence) or adverse effects (moderate quality evidence). There was no significant difference in the number of isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa between groups (low quality evidence), though there was a trend towards a lower cumulative isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the prophylaxis group at two and three years and towards a higher rate from four to six years. As the studies reviewed lasted six years or less, conclusions cannot be drawn about the long-term effects of prophylaxis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis leads to fewer children having isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, when commenced early in infancy and continued up to six years of age. The clinical importance of this finding is uncertain. Further research may establish whether the trend towards more children with CF with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, after four to six years of prophylaxis, is a chance finding and whether choice of antibiotic or duration of treatment might influence this.
Topics: Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 28417451
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001912.pub4