Incidence and Outcomes Associated With Clostridium difficile Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance: An understanding of the incidence and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in the United States can inform investments in prevention and treatment interventions. Objective: To quantify the incidence of CDI and its associated hospital length of stay (LOS) in the United States using a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Data Sources: MEDLINE via Ovid, Cochrane Library Databases via Wiley, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Complete via EBSCO Information Services, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies published in the United States between 2000 and 2019 that evaluated CDI and its associated LOS. Study Selection: Incidence data were collected only from multicenter studies that had at least 5 sites. The LOS studies were included only if they assessed postinfection LOS or used methods accounting for time to infection using a multistate model or compared propensity score-matched patients with CDI with control patients without CDI. Long-term-care facility studies were excluded. Of the 119 full-text articles, 86 studies (72.3%) met the selection criteria. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent reviewers performed the data abstraction and quality assessment. Incidence data were pooled only when the denominators used the same units (eg, patient-days). These data were pooled by summing the number of hospital-onset CDI incident cases and the denominators across studies. Random-effects models were used to obtain pooled mean differences. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value. Data analysis was performed in February 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of CDI and CDI-associated hospital LOS in the United States. Results: When the 13 studies that evaluated incidence data in patient-days due to hospital-onset CDI were pooled, the CDI incidence rate was 8.3 cases per 10 000 patient-days. Among propensity score-matched studies (16 of 20 studies), the CDI-associated mean difference in LOS (in days) between patients with and without CDI varied from 3.0 days (95% CI, 1.44-4.63 days) to 21.6 days (95% CI, 19.29-23.90 days). Conclusions and Relevance: Pooled estimates from currently available literature suggest that CDI is associated with a large burden on the health care system. However, these estimates should be interpreted with caution because higher-quality studies should be completed to guide future evaluations of CDI prevention and treatment interventions

Minimal breast milk transfer of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody used in neurological conditions.

ObjectiveTo determine the transfer of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody widely used for neurologic conditions, into mature breast milk.MethodsBreast milk samples were collected from 9 women with MS who received rituximab 500 or 1,000 mg intravenous once or twice while breastfeeding from November 2017 to April 2019. Serial breast milk samples were collected before infusion and at 8 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, and 18-21 days after rituximab infusion in 4 patients. Five additional patients provided 1-2 samples at various times after rituximab infusion.ResultsThe median average rituximab concentration in mature breast milk was low at 0.063 μg/mL (range 0.046-0.097) in the 4 patients with serial breast milk collection, with an estimated median absolute infant dose of 0.0094 mg/kg/d and a relative infant dose (RID) of 0.08% (range 0.06%-0.10%). Most patients had a maximum concentration at 1-7 days after infusion. The maximum concentration occurred in a woman with a single breast milk sample and was 0.29 μg/mL at 11 days postinfusion, which corresponds with an estimated RID of 0.33%. Rituximab concentration in milk was virtually undetectable by 90 days postinfusion.ConclusionsWe determined minimal transfer of rituximab into mature breast milk. The RID for rituximab was less than 0.4% and well below theoretically acceptable levels of less than 10%. Low oral bioavailability would probably also limit the absorption of rituximab by the newborn. In women with serious autoimmune neurologic conditions, monoclonal antibody therapy may afford an acceptable benefit to risk ratio, supporting both maternal treatment and breastfeeding

Anaerobes and bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: virulence factors contributing to vaginal colonisation

The aetiology and pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is unclear but it appears to be associated with factors that disrupt the normal acidity of the vagina thus altering the equilibrium between the normal vaginal microbiota. BV has serious implications for female morbidity, including reports of pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and infertility. This paper reviewed new available information regarding possible factors contributing to the establishment of the BV vaginal biofilm, examined the proposed role of anaerobic microbial species recently detected by new culture-independent methods and discusses developments related to the effects of BV on human pregnancy. The literature search included Pubmed (NLM), LISTA (EBSCO), and Web of Science. Because of the complexity and diversity of population groups, diagnosis and methodology used, no meta-analysis was performed. Several anaerobic microbial species previously missed in the laboratory diagnosis of BV have been revealed while taking cognisance of newly proposed theories of infection, thereby improving our understanding and knowledge of the complex aetiology and pathogenesis of BV and its perceived role in adverse pregnancy outcomes.National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)Web of Scienc

Chapter Five. Systematic review results by biomarker classifications

5.1 Markers of Absorption and Permeability Overview 5.2 Markers of Absorption 5.3 Markers of Permeability 5.4 Markers of Digestion 5.5 Markers of Intestinal Inflammation and Intestinal Immune Activation 5.6 Markers of Systemic Inflammation and Systemic Immune Activation 5.7 Markers of Microbial Drivers 5.8 Markers of Nonspecific Intestinal Injury 5.9 Markers of Extra-Small Intestinal Function 5.10 Relationships Between Markers of EED, Including Histopathology 5.11 Relationships between EED Biomarkers and Growth or Other Outcomes of Interesthttps://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/tropicalenteropathybook/1006/thumbnail.jp

Dietary-based gut flora modulation against Clostridium difficile onset

Clostridium difficile infection is a frequent complication of antibiotic therapy in hospitalised patients, which today is attracting more attention than ever and has led to its classification as a 'superbug'. Disruption of the composition of the intestinal microflora following antibiotic treatment is an important prerequisite for overgrowth of C. difficile and the subsequent development of an infection. Treatment options for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and C. difficile-induced colitis include administration of specific antibiotics (e.g. vancomycin), which often leads to high relapse rates. More importantly, both the rate and severity of C. difficile-associated diseases are increasing, with new epidemic strains of C. difficile often implicated. For the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and C. difficile infection, several probiotic bacteria such as selected strains of lactobacilli (especially Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG), Bifidobacterium longum, and Enterococcus faecium and the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii have been used. Controlled trials indicate a benefit of S. boulardii and L. rhamnosus GG as therapeutic agents when used as adjuncts to antibiotics. However, the need for more well designed controlled trials with probiotics is explicit

Lecture notes by internal diseases

ВНУТРЕННИЕ БОЛЕЗНИУЧЕБНЫЕ ПОСОБИЯКурс лекций по внутренним болезням на английском языке предназначен для студентов факультетов подготовки иностранных граждан по специальности "Лечебное дело"

Puerperal Group A Streptococcal sepsis: a case report

Group A Streptococcal (GAS) sepsis in puerperium is one of the recognised causes of maternal mortality. Though the onset is often insidious, it can progress rapidly to a life-threatening invasive infection, toxin-mediated shock, and end-organ failure, even before clinical signs become apparent. We report a case of puerperal GAS sepsis that was successfully managed. 24-years-old para 1 was readmitted to the intensive care unit requiring non-invasive ventilation on postnatal day 6 with clinical and biochemical features of sepsis. Blood culture, episiotomy wound swab, and high vaginal swab grew GAS. Broad-spectrum antibiotics initiated. She developed ascites that progressively increased and needed therapeutic paracentesis. She was discharged after four weeks of hospitalization. Early identification and prompt treatment are the keys to prevent severe morbidity and maternal mortality

U S. medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 2010 : adapted from the World Health Organization Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 4th edition

"CDC created U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010, from guidance developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and finalized the recommendations after consultation with a group of health professionals who met in Atlanta, Georgia, during February 2009. This guidance comprises recommendations for the use of specific contraceptive methods by women and men who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. The majority of the U.S. guidance does not differ from the WHO guidance and covers >60 characteristics or medical conditions. However, some WHO recommendations were modified for use in the United States, including recommendations about contraceptive use for women with venous thromboembolism, valvular heart disease, ovarian cancer, and uterine fibroids and for postpartum and breastfeeding women. Recommendations were added to the U.S. guidance for women with rheumatoid arthritis, history of bariatric surgery, peripartum cardiomyopathy, endometrial hyperplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, and solid organ transplantation. The recommendations in this document are intended to assist health-care providers when they counsel women, men, and couples about contraceptive method choice. Although these recommendations are meant to serve as a source of clinical guidance, health-care providers should always consider the individual clinical circumstances of each person seeking family planning services." - P. 1.Prevention of unintended pregnancy among women at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or infected with HIV is critically important. One strategy for preventing unintended pregnancies in this population is improving access to a broad range of effective contraceptive methods. In 2010, CDC published U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010 (US MEC), providing evidence-based guidance for the safe use of contraceptive methods among women with certain characteristics or medical conditions, including women who are at high risk for HIV infection or are HIV infected. Recently, CDC assessed the evidence regarding hormonal contraceptive use and the risk for HIV acquisition, transmission, and disease progression. This report summarizes that assessment and the resulting updated guidance. These updated recommendations affirm the previous guidance, which stated that 1) the use of hormonal contraceptives, including combined hormonal contraceptives, progestin-only pills, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), and implants, is safe for women at high risk for HIV infection or infected with HIV (US MEC category 1), and 2) all women who use contraceptive methods other than condoms should be counseled regarding the use of condoms and the risk for sexually transmitted infections. However, a clarification is added to the recommendation for women at high risk for HIV infection who use progestin-only injectables to acknowledge the inconclusive nature of the body of evidence regarding the association between progestin-only injectable use and HIV acquisition. The clarification also notes the importance of condom use and other HIV preventive measures, expansion of the variety of contraceptive methods available (i.e., contraceptive method mix), and the need for further research on these issues.Introduction -- Methods -- How to use this document -- Keeping guidance up to date -- Appendix A. Summary of changes from WHO MEC to U.S. MEC -- Appendix B. Combined hormonal contraceptives -- Appendix C. Progestin-only contraceptives -- Appendix D. Emergency contraceptive pills -- Appendix E. Intrauterine Ddevices -- Appendix F. Copper IUDs for emergency contraception -- Appendix G. Barrier methods -- Appendix H. Fertility awareness-based methods -- Appendix I. Lactational amenorrhea method -- Appendix J. Coitus Interruptus (withdrawal) -- Appendix K. Sterilization -- Appendix L. Summary of hormonal contraceptives and IUDs -- Appendix M. Potential drug interactions: hormonal contraceptives and antiretroviral drugs -- Abbreviations and acronyms -- Participants.SupersededPrevention and ControlChronic Diseas