What's Hot This Year in Infectious Diseases Clinical Science.

The field of infectious diseases saw numerous exciting advances in 2023. Trials of new antibiotics and treatment regimens sought to address rising rates of antimicrobial resistance. Other studies focused on the most appropriate use of currently available treatments, balancing the dual goals of providing effective treatment and impactful antimicrobial stewardship. Improvements in disease prevention were made through trials of both new vaccines and new chemoprophylaxis approaches. Concerning trends this year included increasing rates of invasive group A streptococcal infections, medical tourism-associated cases of fungal meningitis, and the return of locally acquired malaria to the United States. This review covers some of these notable trials and clinical developments in infectious diseases in the past year.

Rapid implementation of blood culture stewardship: institutional response to an acute national blood culture bottle shortage.

We describe our approach to addressing a nation-wide supply issue for blood culture bottles. Aerobic blood culture bottles received from our distributor July 1-15, 2024 was <1% of typical usage. Through education and ordering restrictions blood culture designed to minimize risk, orders were reduced by 49% over a one-week period.

Cefepime vs Piperacillin-Tazobactam in Adults Hospitalized With Acute Infection: The ACORN Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam are commonly administered to hospitalized adults for empirical treatment of infection. Although piperacillin-tazobactam has been hypothesized to cause acute kidney injury and cefepime has been hypothesized to cause neurological dysfunction, their comparative safety has not been evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. Objective: To determine whether the choice between cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam affects the risks of acute kidney injury or neurological dysfunction. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Antibiotic Choice on Renal Outcomes (ACORN) randomized clinical trial compared cefepime vs piperacillin-tazobactam in adults for whom a clinician initiated an order for antipseudomonal antibiotics within 12 hours of presentation to the hospital in the emergency department or medical intensive care unit at an academic medical center in the US between November 10, 2021, and October 7, 2022. The final date of follow-up was November 4, 2022. Interventions: Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the highest stage of acute kidney injury or death by day 14, measured on a 5-level ordinal scale ranging from no acute kidney injury to death. The 2 secondary outcomes were the incidence of major adverse kidney events at day 14 and the number of days alive and free of delirium and coma within 14 days. Results: There were 2511 patients included in the primary analysis (median age, 58 years [IQR, 43-69 years]; 42.7% were female; 16.3% were Non-Hispanic Black; 5.4% were Hispanic; 94.7% were enrolled in the emergency department; and 77.2% were receiving vancomycin at enrollment). The highest stage of acute kidney injury or death was not significantly different between the cefepime group and the piperacillin-tazobactam group; there were 85 patients (n = 1214; 7.0%) in the cefepime group with stage 3 acute kidney injury and 92 (7.6%) who died vs 97 patients (n = 1297; 7.5%) in the piperacillin-tazobactam group with stage 3 acute kidney injury and 78 (6.0%) who died (odds ratio, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.80 to 1.13], P = .56). The incidence of major adverse kidney events at day 14 did not differ between groups (124 patients [10.2%] in the cefepime group vs 114 patients [8.8%] in the piperacillin-tazobactam group; absolute difference, 1.4% [95% CI, -1.0% to 3.8%]). Patients in the cefepime group experienced fewer days alive and free of delirium and coma within 14 days (mean [SD], 11.9 [4.6] days vs 12.2 [4.3] days in the piperacillin-tazobactam group; odds ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65 to 0.95]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among hospitalized adults in this randomized clinical trial, treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam did not increase the incidence of acute kidney injury or death. Treatment with cefepime resulted in more neurological dysfunction. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05094154.

Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Studies suggest that early intervention with monoclonal antibody (MAB) treatment directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may reduce the risk of emergency department visits or hospitalization for COVID-19, especially in high-risk patients. Herein, we describe our single-center experience of 93 SOT (50 kidney, 17 liver, 11 lung, nine heart, and six dual-organ) recipients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were treated with bamlanivimab or casirivimab-imdevimab per emergency use authorization guidelines. Median age of recipients was 55 [(Interquartile range) 44-63] years, and 41% were diabetic. Median time from transplant to MAB was 64 (IQR 24-122) months and median time from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms to the infusion was 6 (IQR 4-7) days. All patients had a minimum 30 days of study follow-up. The 30-day hospitalization rate for COVID-19-directed therapy was 8.7%. Infusion-related adverse events were rare and generally mild. Biopsy-proven organ rejection occurred in two patients, and there were no graft losses or deaths. A comparator group of 72 SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were eligible but did not receive MAB treatment had a higher 30-day hospitalization rate for COVID-19-directed therapy (15.3%), although this difference was not statistically significant, after adjustment for age (Odds Ratio 0.49 [95% Confidence Interval 0.18-1.32], p = 0.16). Our experience suggests that MAB treatment, with respect to the available MAB formulations and circulating viral variants present during our study period, may provide favorable outcomes for mild to moderate COVID-19 in SOT recipients.

Delayed Upper Aerodigestive Tract Perforation from Anterior Cervical Spine Hardware: Treatment and Swallowing Outcomes.

Delayed upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) perforation is a rare complication of anterior cervical spinal hardware. The purpose of this study was to investigate swallowing outcomes between treatment approaches for delayed UADT perforation. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with anterior cervical hardware and delayed UADT perforation who were treated at a single tertiary care center between 2000 and 2020. Of the twelve patients identified, most patients presented with dysphagia (n = 9, 75%) and/or neck pain (n = 7, 58%). Perforations generally occurred at the level of C6 (n = 6, 50%) and C7 (n = 4, 33%) and spanned only one spinal level (n = 8, 67%). The majority (n = 8, 67%) of patients were past or current cigarette users. Operative approaches included primary repair (n = 5, 42%) and rotational flap (n = 4, 33%); the rotational flap harvest sites included supraclavicular fasciocutaneous (n = 2), infrahyoid muscle (n = 1), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (n = 1). While most patients demonstrated penetration and/or aspiration on first post-operative swallow study (n = 6), this resolved completely within a median time of 31 days. There were no differences in swallowing outcomes between repair approaches. Patient smoking history appears to be a clear risk factor for the development of delayed UADT perforation from anterior cervical spine hardware. A variety of techniques can be used to repair these perforations, and there were no differences in swallowing outcomes between repair approaches.

Effect of Statin Coadministration on the Risk of Daptomycin-Associated Myopathy.

Background: Daptomycin-associated myopathy has been identified in 2%-14% of patients, and rhabdomyolysis is a known adverse effect. Although risk factors for daptomycin-associated myopathy are poorly defined, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) monitoring and temporary discontinuation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or "statins," has been recommended. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, matched case-control risk factor analysis in adult and pediatric patients from 2004 to 2015. Patients in whom myopathy (defined as CPK values above the upper limit of normal) developed during daptomycin treatment were matched 1:1 to no-myopathy controls with at least the same duration of therapy. Risk factors independently associated with myopathy were determined using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Secondary analysis was performed in patients with rhabdomyolysis, defined as CPK values ≥10 times the upper limit of normal. Results: Of 3042 patients reviewed, 128 (4.2%) were identified as having daptomycin-associated myopathy, 25 (0.8%) of whom had rhabdomyolysis; 121 (95%) of the 128 were adults, and the mean duration of therapy before CPK elevation was 16.7 days (range, 1-58 days). In multivariate analysis, deep abscess treatment (odds ratio, 2.80; P = .03), antihistamine coadministration (3.50; P = .03), and statin coadministration (2.60; P = .03) were independent risk factors for myopathy. Obesity (odds ratio, 3.28; P = .03) and statin coadministration (4.67; P = .03) were found to be independent risk factors for rhabdomyolysis, and older age was associated with reduced risk (0.97; P = .05). Conclusions: Statin coadministration with daptomycin was independently associated with myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. This is the first study to provide strong evidence supporting this association. During coadministration, we recommend twice-weekly CPK monitoring and consideration of withholding statins.

Improvement in Diagnosis of Histoplasma Meningitis by Combined Testing for Histoplasma Antigen and Immunoglobulin G and Immunoglobulin M Anti-Histoplasma Antibody in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is a life-threatening condition and represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain tissue is diagnostic; however, culture is insensitive and slow growth may result in significant treatment delay. We performed a retrospective multicenter study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a new anti-Histoplasma antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of IgG and IgM antibody in the CSF for diagnosis of CNS histoplasmosis, the primary objective of the study. The secondary objective was to determine the effect of improvements in the Histoplasma galactomannan antigen detection EIA on the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis. Methods: Residual CSF specimens from patients with Histoplasma meningitis and controls were tested for Histoplasma antigen and anti-Histoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody using assays developed at MiraVista Diagnostics. Results: A total of 50 cases and 157 controls were evaluated. Fifty percent of patients with CNS histoplasmosis were immunocompromised, 14% had other medical conditions, and 36% were healthy. Histoplasma antigen was detected in CSF in 78% of cases and the specificity was 97%. Anti-Histoplasma IgG or IgM antibody was detected in 82% of cases and the specificity was 93%. The sensitivity of detection of antibody by currently available serologic testing including immunodiffusion and complement fixation was 51% and the specificity was 96%. Testing for both CSF antigen and antibody by EIA was the most sensitive approach, detecting 98% of cases. Conclusions: Testing CSF for anti-Histoplasma IgG and IgM antibody complements antigen detection and improves the sensitivity for diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis.

Detection of (1,3)-ß-d-Glucan in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Histoplasma Meningitis.

The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is often difficult. Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (1,3)-ß-d-glucan (BDG) is available as a biological marker for the diagnosis of fungal meningitis, there are limited data on its use for the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis. We evaluated CSF BDG detection, using the Fungitell assay, in patients with CNS histoplasmosis and controls. A total of 47 cases and 153 controls were identified. The control group included 13 patients with a CNS fungal infection other than histoplasmosis. Forty-nine percent of patients with CNS histoplasmosis and 43.8% of controls were immunocompromised. The median CSF BDG level was 85 pg/ml for cases, compared to <31 pg/ml for all controls (P < 0.05) and 82 pg/ml for controls with other causes of fungal meningitis (P = 0.27). The sensitivity for detection of BDG in CSF was 53.2%, whereas the specificity was 86.9% versus all controls and 46% versus other CNS fungal infections. CSF BDG levels of ≥80 pg/ml are neither sensitive nor specific to support a diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Grand Rounds Attendance: Comparison of In-Person and Remote Conferences.

BACKGROUND: Many academic medical centers transitioned from in-person to remote conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the impact on faculty attendance is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate changes in attendance at medical grand rounds (MGR) following the transition from an in-person to remote format and as a function of the COVID-19 census at Vanderbilt Medical Center. METHODS: We obtained the faculty attendee characteristics from Department of Medicine records. Attendance was recorded using a SMS text message-based system. The daily COVID-19 census was recorded independently by hospital administration. The main attendance metric was the proportion of eligible faculty that attended each MGR. Comparisons were made for the entire cohort and for individual faculty. RESULTS: The observation period was from March 2019 to June 2021 and included 101 MGR conferences with more than 600 eligible faculty. Overall attendance was unchanged during the in-person and remote formats (12,536/25,808, 48.6% vs 16,727/32,680, 51.2%; P=.44) and did not change significantly during a surge in the COVID-19 census. Individual faculty members attendance rates varied widely. Absolute differences between formats were less than -20% or greater than 20% for one-third (160/476, 33.6%) of faculty. Pulmonary or critical care faculty attendance increased during the remote format compared to in person (1450/2616, 55.4% vs 1004/2045, 49.1%; P<.001). A cloud-based digital archive of MGR lectures was accessed by <1% of faculty per conference. CONCLUSIONS: Overall faculty attendance at MGR did not change following the transition to a remote format, regardless of the COVID-19 census, but individual attendance habits fluctuated in a bidirectional manner. Incentivizing the use of a digital archive may represent an opportunity to increase faculty consumption of MGR.

Prophylactic Antibiotic Choice and Deep Infection in Lower Extremity Endoprosthetic Reconstruction: Comparison of Cefazolin, Cefazolin-Vancomycin, and Alternative Regimens.

INTRODUCTION: Infection is a common mode of failure in lower extremity endoprostheses. The Prophylactic Antibiotic Regimens in Tumor Surgery trial reported that 5 days of cefazolin had no difference in surgical site infection compared with 24 hours of cefazolin. Our purpose was to evaluate infection rates of patients receiving perioperative cefazolin monotherapy, cefazolin-vancomycin dual therapy, or alternative antibiotic regimens. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was conducted on patients who received lower extremity endoprostheses from 2008 to 2021 with minimum 1-year follow-up. Three prophylactic antibiotic regimen groups were compared: cefazolin monotherapy, cefazolin-vancomycin dual therapy, and alternative regimens. The primary outcome was deep infection, defined by a sinus tract, positive culture, or clinical diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were revision surgery, microorganisms isolated, and superficial wound issues. RESULTS: The overall deep infection rate was 10% (30/294) at the median final follow-up of 3.0 years (IQR 1.7 to 5.4). The deep infection rates in the cefazolin, cefazolin-vancomycin, and alternative regimen groups were 8% (6/72), 10% (18/179), and 14% (6/43), respectively (P = 0.625). Patients not receiving cefazolin had an 18% deep infection rate (6/34) and 21% revision surgery rate (7/34) compared with a 9% deep infection rate (24/260) (P = 0.13) and 12% revision surgery rate (31/260) (P = 0.17) in patients receiving cefazolin. In those not receiving cefazolin, 88% (30/34) were due to a documented penicillin allergy, only two being anaphylaxis. All six patients in the alternative regimen group who developed deep infections did not receive cefazolin secondary to nonanaphylactic penicillin allergy. CONCLUSION: The addition of perioperative vancomycin to cefazolin in lower extremity endoprosthetic reconstructions was not associated with a lower deep infection rate. Patients who did not receive cefazolin trended toward higher rates of deep infection and revision surgery, although not statistically significant. The most common reason for not receiving cefazolin was a nonanaphylactic penicillin allergy, highlighting the continued practice of foregoing cefazolin unnecessarily.

Universal admission laboratory screening for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) asymptomatic infection across a large health system.

BACKGROUND: Admission laboratory screening for asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been utilized to mitigate healthcare-associated severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. An understanding of the impact of such testing across a variety of patient populations is needed. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification admission testing results for all asymptomatic patients across 4 distinct inpatient facilities between April 20, 2020, and June 14, 2021, were analyzed. Positivity rates and the number needed to test (NNT) to identify 1 asymptomatic infected patient were calculated. Admission results were compared to COVID-19 community incidence rates for the system's surrounding metropolitan service area. Using a national survey of hospital epidemiologists, a clinically meaningful NNT of 1:100 was identified. RESULTS: In total, 51,187 tests were collected (positivity rate, 1.8%). During periods of high transmission, the NNT met the clinically relevant threshold in all populations. The NNT approached or met the threshold for most locations during periods of lower transmission. For all transmission levels, the NNT for fully vaccinated patients did not meet the threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an asymptomatic patient admission testing program can provide clinically relevant data based on the NNT, even during periods of lower transmission and among different patient populations. Limiting admission testing to non-fully vaccinated patients during periods of lower transmission may be a strategy to address resource concerns around this practice. Although the impact of such testing on healthcare-associated COVID-19 among patients and healthcare workers could not be clearly determined, these data provide important information as facilities weigh the costs and benefits of such testing.

Protocol and statistical analysis plan for the Antibiotic Choice On ReNal outcomes (ACORN) randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics are time-critical in the management of sepsis. When infectious organisms are unknown, patients are treated with empiric antibiotics to include coverage for gram-negative organisms, such as antipseudomonal cephalosporins and penicillins. However, in observational studies, some antipseudomonal cephalosporins (eg, cefepime) are associated with neurologic dysfunction while the most common antipseudomonal penicillin (piperacillin-tazobactam) is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). No randomised control trials have compared these regimens. This manuscript describes the protocol and analysis plan for a trial designed to compare the effects of antipseudomonal cephalosporins and antipseudomonal penicillins among acutely ill patients receiving empiric antibiotics. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Antibiotic Choice On ReNal outcomes trial is a prospective, single-centre, non-blinded randomised trial being conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The trial will enrol 2500 acutely ill adults receiving gram-negative coverage for treatment of infection. Eligible patients are randomised 1:1 to receive cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam on first order entry of a broad-spectrum antibiotic covering gram-negative organisms. The primary outcome is the highest stage of AKI and death occurring between enrolment and 14 days after enrolment. This will be compared between patients randomised to cefepime and randomised to piperacillin-tazobactam using an unadjusted proportional odds regression model. The secondary outcomes are major adverse kidney events through day 14 and number of days alive and free of delirium and coma in 14 days after enrolment. Enrolment began on 10 November 2021 and is expected to be completed in December 2022. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial was approved by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center institutional review board (IRB#210591) with a waiver of informed consent. Results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05094154.

Acute kidney injury after placement of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer during revision total knee arthroplasty.

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 84 patients to determine the incidence and predictors of acute kidney injury after antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer (ACS) placement for infected total knee arthroplasties. Acute kidney injury was defined as a more than 50% rise in serum creatinine from a preoperative baseline to a level greater than 1.4 mg/dL within 90 days postoperatively. Total incidence was 17% (n = 14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10%-26%), and acute kidney injury was significantly associated with ACS tobramycin dose as both a dichotomous variable (>4.8 g; odds ratio, 5.87; 95% CI, 1.43-24.19; P = .01) and linear variable (odds ratio, 1.24 for every 1-g increase; 95% CI, 1.00-1.52; P = .049). Routine monitoring of serum creatinine and measurement of serum aminoglycoside levels in response to a threshold creatinine rise may be warranted after the placement of an aminoglycoside-containing ACS.

Blastomycosis of the central nervous system: a multicenter review of diagnosis and treatment in the modern era.

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement with Blastomyces dermatitidis is an uncommon and potentially fatal complication of blastomycosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with CNS blastomycosis at our institutions from 1990 through 2008 (13 proven, 5 probable, and 4 possible cases). RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging was used in most patients, alone or in addition to computed tomography. CNS blastomycosis manifested as epidural abscess (1 of 22), meningitis (7 of 22), intracranial mass lesions (10 of 22), and concomitant intracranial mass lesions and meningitis (4 of 22). All patients received amphotericin B deoxycholate or a lipid formulation of amphotericin B as part of their treatment regimens. Most patients received amphotericin B followed by a prolonged course of oral azole therapy (voriconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole). Four (18%) of 22 patients died during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these data, we recommend initial treatment with a lipid formulation of amphotericin B followed by a prolonged course of oral azole therapy, preferably voriconazole.

Diverticulitis in a young man with hyper-IgE syndrome.

Autosomal dominant hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES, or Job syndrome) is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophilia, recurrent skin and pulmonary infections, dermatitis, and connective tissue and skeletal abnormalities. A 26-year-old male with known HIES presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Imaging showed sigmoid diverticulitis without abscess or perforation. Conservative management with antibiotics failed, and he developed a peridiverticular abscess, which was percutaneously drained with plans for elective resection. He returned four days later with progression of his diverticulitis, requiring partial colectomy with primary anastomosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of diverticulitis in HIES. Diverticulitis is rare in younger individuals, raising the possibility that the connective tissue abnormalities of HIES patients may predispose them to colonic diverticula. Although the majority of complications are sinopulmonary and skin infections, diverticulitis should be considered in the differential of intra-abdominal processes in HIES.

A Narrative Review of Early Oral Stepdown Therapy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Yay or Nay?

Historically, intravenous (IV) antibiotics have been the cornerstone of treatment for uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). However, IV antibiotics are expensive, increase the rates of hospital readmission, and can be associated with catheter-related complications. As a result, the potential role of oral antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated SAB has become a subject of interest. This narrative review article aims to summarize key arguments for and against the use of oral antibiotics to complete treatment of uncomplicated SAB and evaluates the available evidence for specific oral regimens. We conclude that evidence suggests that oral step-down therapy can be an alternative for select patients who meet the criteria for uncomplicated SAB and will comply with medical treatment and outpatient follow-up. Of the currently studied regimens discussed in this article, linezolid has the most support, followed by fluoroquinolone plus rifampin.

Long-term Outcomes of Patients With Fungal Infections Associated With Contaminated Methylprednisolone Injections.

BACKGROUND: The largest health care-associated infection outbreak in the United States occurred during 2012-2013. Following injection of contaminated methylprednisolone, 753 patients developed infection with a dematiaceous mold, Exserohilum rostratum. The long-term outcomes of these infections have not been described. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study of 440 of a total of 753 patients with proven or probable Exserohilum infection evaluated clinical and radiographic findings, antifungal therapy and associated adverse effects, and outcomes at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after diagnosis. Patients were grouped into 4 disease categories: meningitis with/without stroke, spinal or paraspinal infections, meningitis/stroke plus spinal/paraspinal infections, and osteoarticular infections. RESULTS: Among the 440 patients, 223 (51%) had spinal/paraspinal infection, 82 (19%) meningitis/stroke, 123 (28%) both, and 12 (3%) osteoarticular infection. Of 82 patients with meningitis/stroke, 18 (22%) died; among those surviving, 87% were cured at 12 months. Only 7 (3%) of 223 patients with spinal/paraspinal infection died, but at 12 months, 68% had persistent or worsening pain and only 47% were cured. For the 123 patients with both meningitis/stroke and spinal/paraspinal infection, 10 (8%) died, pain persisted in 72%, and 52% were cured at 12 months. Only 37% of those with osteoarticular infection were cured at 12 months. Adverse events from antifungal therapy were noted at 6 weeks in 71% of patients on voriconazole and 81% on amphotericin B. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal infections related to contaminated methylprednisolone injections culminated in death in 8% of patients. Persistent pain and disability were seen at 12 months in most patients with spinal/paraspinal infections.