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Background Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin commonly used for skin and soft tissue infections, abdominal and orthopedic surgery prophylaxis, and methicillin-sensitive staph aureus. Cephalosporins as a whole are known potential inducers of hemolytic anemia; however, mechanism of action is primarily autoimmune, and compared to other drugs, cefazolin is the least common. Methods A rare case report of cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia “CIHA” and a systematic review of CIHA articles in English literature. Two authors performed review of publications and articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A systematic search of the literature yielded 768 entries with five case reports on cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia. Case presentation/results An 80-year-old female with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus “MSSA” endocarditis. The patient was started on intravenous “IV” cefazolin that that resulted in hemolytic anemia and eosinophilia. Switching to vancomycin improved hemoglobin level and resolved eosinophilia. Four cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia case reports and one population-based article with a case reported were analyzed with respect to direct antiglobulin test “DAT” (also known as the direct Coombs test) results, prior penicillin sensitivity, and acute anemia causes exclusion. Conclusions CIHA is a rare cause of clinically significant anemia. The diagnosis of drug-induced anemia is one of exclusion. It is important to consider DAT results and prior penicillin sensitivity when evaluating a patient for cefazolin-induced hemolytic anemia. However, the frequency of cefazolin use and resultant anemia necessitates early recognition of hemolytic anemia and prompt discontinuation of cefazolin, especially with long-term use.

Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection affecting 613.9 million people annually, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. The reported seroprevalence in the United States is 4% with most of the cases reported in immigrants. Human T-lympho-tropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, immunosuppressant use - particularly steroid use, alcoholism, and malnutrition have been associated with an increased risk of strongyloidiasis. Recently, cases of strongyloidiasis hyperinfection syndrome have been described in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated with steroids as well.This brief review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prevention of strongyloidiasis including some facts about the infection in pregnancy, transplant recipients, and COVID-19 patients. We conducted an online search using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases.Strongyloidiasis can be asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms. Strongyloides stercoralis is known to cause autoinfection. In immunocompromised individuals, it can present with severe symptoms, hyperinfection, or disseminated disease. Reported mortality in cases of disseminated Strongyloidiasis is 87.1%. Serology and detection of larvae in stool by direct microscopy are the most commonly used methods to diagnose strongyloidiasis. The drug of choice for the treatment is ivermectin. However, the use of ivermectin in human pregnancy is not well studied, and its teratogenic risks are unknown. Proactive screening of strongyloidiasis is necessary in immunocompromised individuals to prevent severe disease.

Background People with human immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk of developing AIDS-defining malignancies including Burkitt lymphoma. Survival outcomes in HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma remain worse than non-HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma, despite widespread implementation of antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day and 90-day readmission in the US after index hospitalization for Burkitt lymphoma. Methods Data were abstracted from the 2010–2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database; hospitalizations included patients with a primary BL diagnosis and were stratified by comorbid HIV. The primary outcome was all-cause readmission (30-day and 90-day). Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. Between-HIV differences were evaluated via logistic and log-normal regression; multivariable models adjusted for comorbid kidney disease, hypertension, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and sepsis. Results Overall, there were 8,453 hospitalizations for BL and 6.0% carried an HIV diagnosis. Of BL hospitalizations, 68.4% were readmitted within 30-days post index BL hospitalization and 6.8% carried a HIV diagnosis. HIV-associated BL was associated with 43% higher adjusted odds of 30-day readmission (aOR 95% CI: 4% higher to 97% higher, p = 0.026). For 90-day readmission, 76.0% of BL patients were readmitted and 7.0% carried a HIV diagnosis. HIV-associated BL was not statistically associated with all-cause 90-day readmission (aOR 1.46, aOR 95% CI: 0% higher to 115% higher, p = 0.053). Conclusions HIV-positive status is associated with an increased risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for Burkitt lymphoma.

We describe the risk factors for the development, timing, and severity of doxycycline induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) in two case reports and a review of prior published cases, to better understand DIAP. Clinicians must maintain a high level of suspicion for DIAP in patients presenting with acute pancreatitis, while on doxycycline therapy. The latency and severity of DIAP are variable, making diagnosis challenging. Treatment includes bowel rest, hydration, and discontinuation of doxycycline.

ECMO is becoming widely used as a life-saving measure for critically ill patients. However, there is limited data on pharmacokinetics and the dosing of beta-lactam antibiotics in ECMO. In this study, we evaluated the serum concentrations of cefepime in patients on ECMO to determine the impact of ECMO circuitry and to guide therapeutic dosing. Methods: Patients 19 years or older admitted to the ICU, treated with ECMO and beta-lactam antibiotics for presumed or documented infection, were enrolled. Three blood samples (peak, midpoint, trough) were obtained before ECMO (pre-ECMO) and during ECMO (intra-ECMO) at a steady state. Results: Eight patients met inclusion criteria; six received cefepime. All patients were male. Average ± SD age was 45.8 ± 14.7. Four patients received ECMO for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and one each for Pneumocystis pneumonia and influenza A infection. Mean ± SD APACHE II and SOFA scores prior to ECMO were 24.6 ± 7.1 and 11.0 ± 3.9, respectively. All but one of the patients received venovenous (VV) ECMO. Cefepime 1 g every 6 h intravenously over 2 min was administered to all patients before and during ECMO. Cefepime concentrations were fit to non-compartment analysis (NCA) and area under the serum concentration–time curve averaged ± SE 211.9 ± 29.6 pre-ECMO and 329.6 ± 32.3 mg*h/L intra-ECMO, p = 0.023. No patients displayed signs of cefepime neurotoxicity. Patients received ECMO for 43.1± 30 days. All patients expired. Cefepime dosed at 1 g every 6 h intravenously appears to achieve therapeutic levels for critically ill patients on ECMO.