Predictors of mortality from extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae bacteremia

ABSTRACTExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) bacteremia can have poor clinical outcomes. Thus, determining the predictors of mortality from ESBL-PE bacteremia is very important. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate studies to determine predictors associated with ESBL-PE bacteremia mortality. We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for all relevant publications from January 2000 to August 2022. The outcome measure was mortality rate. In this systematic review of 22 observational studies, 4607 patients with ESBL-PE bacteremia were evaluated, of whom 976 (21.2%) died. The meta-analysis showed that prior antimicrobial therapy (RR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.22–6.85), neutropenia (RR, 5.58; 95% CI, 2.03–15.35), nosocomial infection (RR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.22–4.95), rapidly fatal underlying disease (RR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.19–8.08), respiratory tract infection (RR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.33–3.36), Pitt bacteremia score (PBS) (per1) (RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18–1.53), PBS ≥ 4 (RR, 4.02; 95% CI, 2.77–5.85), severe sepsis (RR, 11.74; 95% CI, 4.68–29.43), and severe sepsis or septic shock (RR, 4.19; 95% CI, 2.83–6.18) were found to be mortality predictors. Moreover, urinary tract infection (RR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04–0.57) and appropriate empirical therapy (RR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18–0.82) were found to be a protective factor against mortality. Patients with ESBL-PE bacteremia who have the aforementioned require prudent management for improved outcomes. This research will lead to better management and improvement of clinical outcomes of patients with bacteremia caused by ESBL-PE

A cross-sectional, multicenter survey of the prevalence and risk factors for Long COVID

Abstract Long-term sequelae of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) constitute Long COVID. Although Long COVID has been reported globally, its risk factors and effects on quality of life (QOL) remain unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study using questionnaires and electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed or hospitalized at five facilities in Japan. Responses were obtained from 285 out of 1,150 patients. More than half of the participants reported Long COVID symptoms of varying severity 1 year after COVID-19. Common sequelae included fatigue, dyspnea, alopecia, concentration problems, memory problems, sleeplessness, and joint pain, which often significantly reduced their QOL. COVID-19 severity was strongly associated with sputum production, chest pain, dyspnea, sore throat, and diarrhea, but not with fatigue, dysgeusia, anosmia, alopecia, and sleeplessness. Fatigue, dysgeusia, anosmia, alopecia, and sleeplessness affected the QOL among participants with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 during the acute phase. Moreover, these sequelae persisted for prolonged periods