Open forum infectious diseases
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Open Forum Infect Dis · Jun 2021
Impact of Susceptibility to Injectable Antibiotics on the Treatment Outcomes of Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Disease.
Current guidelines recommend a susceptibility-based regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus pulmonary disease (MAB-PD), but the evidence is weak. We aimed to investigate the association between treatment outcomes and in vitro drug susceptibility to injectable antibiotics in MAB-PD patients. ⋯ We did not find evidence supporting the use of susceptibility-based treatment with intravenous amikacin and beta-lactams in patients with MAB-PD. Further research is required.
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Open Forum Infect Dis · Jun 2021
Delayed Rise of Oral Fluid Antibodies, Elevated BMI, and Absence of Early Fever Correlate With Longer Time to SARS-CoV-2 RNA Clearance in a Longitudinally Sampled Cohort of COVID-19 Outpatients.
Sustained molecular detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the upper respiratory tract (URT) in mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common. We sought to identify host and immune determinants of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. ⋯ We demonstrate that delayed rise of oral fluid SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, elevated BMI, and absence of early fever are independently associated with delayed URT viral RNA clearance.
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Open Forum Infect Dis · Jun 2021
BNT162b2 Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Asymptomatic Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Virus: A Nationwide Historical Cohort Study.
There is strong evidence regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in preventing symptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is a relative paucity of data regarding its effectiveness in the prevention of asymptomatic infection. ⋯ In this study, vaccination with BNT162b2 reduced infection rates among individuals who underwent screening by frequent SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing. Using a cohort of frequently tested individuals reduced the indication bias for the PCR testing, which enabled estimation of infection rates.
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Open Forum Infect Dis · Mar 2021
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Workers Despite the Use of Surgical Masks and Physical Distancing-the Role of Airborne Transmission.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets. A key question in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is whether SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted via the airborne route as well. We report for the first time SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial infections despite using surgical masks and physical distancing. This report may provide possible evidence for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Open Forum Infect Dis · Feb 2021
ReviewEducation of Infectious Diseases Fellows During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities.
One of the many challenges that has befallen the Infectious Diseases and Graduate Medical Education communities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the maintenance of continued effective education and training of the future leaders of our field. With the remarkable speed and innovation that has characterized the responses to this pandemic, educators everywhere have adapted existing robust and safe learning environments to meet the needs of our learners. This paper will review distinct aspects of education and training of the Infectious Diseases fellows we believe the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most, including mentoring, didactics, and wellness. We anticipate that several strategies developed in this context and described herein will help to inform training and best practices during the pandemic and beyond.