Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This systematic review aimed to explore the recent trends in the epidemiology, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility of two emerging opportunistic pathogens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Elizabethkingia anophelis . RECENT FINDINGS: Since 2020, numerous outbreaks of S. maltophilia and E. anophelis have been reported worldwide. Most of these outbreaks have been associated with healthcare facilities, although one outbreak caused by E...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We provide an update on the recent literature on Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Distinguishing between colonization and infection remains challenging in cancer patients. Many patients with negative toxin analysis are still treated for CDI, and some meet criteria for severe cases. The incidence of CDI is high in cancer patients, especially those with haematological malignancies. Disruption of the gut microbiome due to antibiotic consumption, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the primary factor contributing to CDI development...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: HIV screening in pregnancy, universal suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and breastfeeding avoidance can almost completely prevent vertical transmission of HIV. Breastfeeding is associated with an additional risk of transmission, although this risk is extremely low with suppressive maternal ART. This minimal risk must be balanced with the benefits of breastfeeding for women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their infants. Guidance in high-income countries has evolved, moving towards supported breast feeding for women on suppressive ART...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Early detection and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anal dysplasia in some high-risk groups can help anal cancer prevention, but new tools to improve diagnostic and risk assessment are needed. Here, we aim to discuss the evidence on the role of the microbiome as a potential biomarker for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in people with HIV (PWH). RECENT FINDINGS: This review covers relevant studies on the links between the microbiome and HPV infection, cervical dysplasia/cancer, and anal HPV disease...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Large cohort studies have consistently shown the presence of heart failure is approximately doubled among persons with HIV (PWH). Early studies of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in HIV were primarily focused on atherosclerotic burden, and we now have a greater understanding of large vessel disease in HIV. More recent studies have begun to inform us about small vessel disease, or coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), in HIV. CMD is recognized to be an important risk factor for adverse events related to heart failure, associated with cardiovascular mortality, and often presents without overt atherosclerotic disease...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the current global burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and its implications for morbidity, health resources and economic costs. RECENT FINDINGS: New prophylactic therapies are on the horizon for RSV in the form of long-acting monoclonal antibodies suitable for healthy infants and maternal immunizations. SUMMARY: Despite being responsible for significant global infant morbidity and mortality, until recently there have been no effective therapeutics available for healthy infants to protect them from RSV...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ten percentage of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 report having gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) not only infects the pulmonary but also the GI tract. GI infections including that due to viral infection is known to cause postinfection disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI); hence, we wish to review the long-term GI consequences following COVID-19, particularly post-COVID-19 DGBI. RECENT FINDINGS: At least 12 cohort studies, four of which also included controls documented the occurrence of post-COVID-19 DGBI, particularly IBS following COVID-19...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The emergence of globally resistant enteric Shigella and nontyphoidal Salmonella strains (NTS) has limited the selection of effective drugs, which has become a major challenge for the treatment of infections. The purpose of this review is to provide the current opinion on the antimicrobial-resistant enteric Shigella and nontyphoidal Salmonella . RECENT FINDINGS: Enteric Shigella and NTS are resistant to almost all classes of antimicrobials in recent years...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis for which humans are dead end hosts. It is not only widely distributed in sheep rearing areas of low-income and middle-income countries but also has a significant presence in wealthy countries, for example, in Europe. It results in considerable morbidity, and its current management is far from optimal. Medical management is with a benzimidazole, with the addition of praziquantel under some circumstances. RECENT FINDINGS: Interest in mebendazole as an anticancer drug has stimulated research into new drug formulations to improve bioavailability and possibly reduce inter-individual variability in in-vivo drug levels, which may help its activity against cystic echinococcosis...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The human gut harbors a diverse community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiota. Extensive research in recent years has shed light on the profound influence of the gut microbiome on human health and disease. This review aims to explore the role of the gut microbiome in various clinical conditions and highlight the emerging therapeutic potential of targeting the gut microbiota for disease management. RECENT FINDINGS: Knowledge of the influence of gut microbiota on human physiology led to the development of various therapeutic possibilities such as fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), phage therapy, prebiotics, and probiotics...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of our review is to summarize specific clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The lung is the organ second most affected by cystic echinococcosis with approximately a quarter of cystic echinococcosis cysts. Most cysts are in the liver. Apart from the watch and wait approach for selected inactive cysts [cystic echinococcosis CE4, CE5], the well established WHO cystic echinococcosis cyst classification-based treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis cannot be applied to pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection frequently involving the liver. Treatment options, including surgery, are decided based on the staging of the disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Ultrasound is the cornerstone for diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of cystic echinococcosis. MRI can help to evaluate for cystobiliary complications and planning of the surgery. The two main surgical approaches for cystic echinococcosis include a radical approach, which entails a partial hepatectomy and total pericystectomy, and a conservative approach or endocystectomy...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim is to review recent literature for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts (cystic echinococcosis: CE) via different techniques such as PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration), standard catheterization, and modified catheterization technique (MoCaT). RECENT FINDINGS: PAIR is an established technique and considered to be safe and effective for CE1 and CE3a as it is associated with lower morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and shorter hospital stay as compared with surgery...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This work aims to provide an update of knowledge on the evolution of inactive cystic echinococcosis (CE) cysts (CE4-CE5) managed by 'watch-and-wait', by means of a scoping review of the literature published after the publication of the WHO-IWGE (Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis) Expert Consensus document in 2010. RECENT FINDINGS: A total of 31 articles were included. Population ultrasound-based studies showed that spontaneously inactivated CE cysts represent 50...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In 2010, the WHO-Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (IWGE) published an Expert Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of echinococcal infections. We provide an update on the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis through a scoping review of the literature published after the release of the WHO-IWGE document. RECENT FINDINGS: Ultrasound accurately and reliably depicts the pathognomonic signs of cystic echinococcosis (CE) stages compared with other imaging techniques...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the health disparities among minoritized children due to structural racism and socioeconomic inequalities. This review discusses how health disparities affect pediatric infections and how they can be addressed. RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to disparities in healthcare access due to poverty, geography, and English-language proficiency, implicit and explicit bias affects the healthcare quality and subsequent outcomes in children and adolescents with infections...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The endemic fungi are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in effected patients. The range of endemicity for these are expanding with infections observed outside of traditional locations. Enhanced diagnostic and treatment practices may significantly alter patient outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently completed clinical trials have focused on an assessment of improving efficacy while minimizing patient toxicity. Practice changing trials have been completed in histoplasmosis showing the utility of a single up-front liposomal amphotericin B dose followed by standard itraconazole dosing...

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review provides an overview of most recent evidence about pathogenesis traits and virulence factors contributing to successful colonization or infection by P. aeruginosa , A. baumannii , S. maltophilia and B. cepacia complex, among the most clinically relevant nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB). RECENT FINDINGS: The growing clinical importance of NFGNB as important opportunistic pathogens causing difficult-to-treat infections in a fragile patients' population in stressed by numerous studies...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Seasonal respiratory virus infections (RVIs) often progress to severe diseases in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. This review summarizes the current evidence on risk factors for the severity of RVIs in this high-risk population and provides clinical management. RECENT FINDINGS: The likelihood of the respiratory viral disease progression depends on the immune status of the host and the type of virus. Conventional host factors, such as the immunodeficiency scoring index and the severe immunodeficiency criteria, have been utilized to estimate the risk of progression to severe disease, including mortality...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to discuss the potential clinical significance of heteroresistance in non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, heteroresistance has been considered potentially responsible for clinical failure in Acinetobacter baumannii infections. This raised a scientific debate, still open, about the potential clinical significance of heteroresistance in non-fermenting GNB. SUMMARY: We reviewed the literature of last 20 years and found a limited number of studies evaluating the relationship between heteroresistance and clinical outcome in non-fermenting GNB...