Ruling Out Bacillus anthracis

Optimization of methods for ruling out Bacillus anthracis leads to increased yields, faster turnaround times, and a lighter workload. We used 72 environmental non–B. anthracis bacilli to validate methods for ruling out B. anthracis. Most effective were horse blood agar, motility testing after a 2-h incubation in trypticase soy broth, and screening with a B. anthracis–selective agar

Real-world effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir as treatments for COVID-19 in patients at high risk

Background Using a retrospective cohort study design, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were highly vulnerable. Methods The impact of each drug was determined via comparisons with age-matched control groups of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 who did not receive oral antiviral therapy. Results Administration of molnupiravir significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; P < .001) and death (OR, 0.31; P < .001) among these patients based on data adjusted for age, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status, and time elapsed since the most recent vaccination. The reductions in risk were most profound among elderly patients (≥75 years old) and among those with high levels of drug adherence. Administration of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir also resulted in significant reductions in the risk of hospitalization (OR, 0.31; P < .001) and death (OR, 0.28; P < .001). Similar to molnupiravir, the impact of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was more substantial among elderly patients and in those with high levels of drug adherence. Conclusions Collectively, these real-world findings suggest that although the risks of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 have been reduced, antivirals can provide additional benefits to members of highly vulnerable patient populations

Double organ transplantation in cardiac amyloidosis

BackgroundCardiac amyloidosis, particularly primary or AL amyloidosis, is the most common infiltrative cardiomyopathy and is associated with a poor prognosis. The outcome of cardiac transplantation is generally poor, and almost half of patients die while waiting for the procedure to be done.PatientWe report here the remarkable case of a 63-year-old man with heart failure caused by AL amyloidosis. After a long course, which included rapid deterioration of preexisting heart failure, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, biventricular assist device support, heart transplantation, renal failure, kidney transplantation and finally a life-threatening H1N1 virus pneumonia, the patient managed not only to survive but also to return fully to his previous demanding duties and lifestyle.DiscussionEarly use of left ventricular or biventricular mechanical circulatory support may be beneficial as a bridge to transplantation in patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis

Landslides Triggered by Medicane Ianos in Greece, September 2020: Rapid Satellite Mapping and Field Survey

Medicanes, a type of strong hurricanes/cyclones occurring in the Mediterranean, can be the source of major geohazard events in Mediterranean coastal and inland areas. Medicane Ianos that hit Greece during 17&ndash;19 September 2020 caused widespread damage, with numerous landsides and floods being the most prominent. Following the landfall of Medicane Ianos, a series of field surveys were launched together with rapid response through satellite imagery. We focused on two of the areas most affected by Medicane Ianos, Cephalonia island and Karditsa, Thessaly, both in Greece. A rapid landslide inventory for the Karditsa region was prepared using Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, the first of its kind for a severe weather event in Greece. The mountainous area of Karditsa region in western Thessaly experienced the unprecedented number of 1696 landslides, mapped through satellite imagery and examined in the field. Cephalonia Island experienced a smaller number of landsides but damaging debris flows and severe structural damages. The rapid landside inventory was then compared to new methods of automated landslide mapping through change detection of satellite imagery