Shorter antibiotic courses in the immunocompromised: the impossible dream?

BACKGROUND: A growing number of studies have demonstrated similar outcomes with shorter courses of antibiotics for bacterial infections. Immunocompromised patients are frequently excluded from these studies despite anticipated benefits associated with shortening antibiotic courses (including lower risks of antibiotic toxicity, Clostridioides difficile infection, drug-resistant pathogens, and microbiome alterations). OBJECTIVES: To critically review the literature that assesses shorter antibiotic courses in immunocompromised patients, specifically among solid organ transplant recipients and neutropenic fever (NF) syndromes among patients on antineoplastic chemotherapy and undergoing haematopoietic cell transplant. SOURCES: References were identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and clinical guidelines documents. CONTENT: Among organ transplant recipients, the majority of studies assessing outcomes associated with shorter antibiotic courses have been retrospective but have demonstrated similar rates of clinically relevant endpoints. Patients with high- and low-risk NF have been well-studied, including enrolment in randomized studies, albeit with heterogeneous patient populations and outcomes assessed. Clinical improvement-guided adoption of shorter courses has been associated with fewer antibiotic days and similar rates of fever recurrence and mortality. IMPLICATIONS: Similar to studies demonstrating efficacy in immunocompetent patients, shorter antibiotic courses should be considered for immunocompromised hosts with presumed bacterial infections. Organ recipients and patients with NF syndromes should be prioritized for study in randomized controlled clinical trials assessing shorter course therapy.

Delay in the diagnosis of measles complicated by pneumonitis and appendicitis in a returning traveller.

A 40-year-old British man presented to the emergency department for the second time in 10 days following a 2-week holiday in Thailand with malaise, bilateral conjunctivitis and a morbilliform rash. He had previously seen his general practitioner and ophthalmology and was diagnosed with conjunctivitis. We confirmed measles following RNA detection on a mouth swab. Four days after admission he developed abdominal pain and a CT abdomen demonstrated acute appendicitis with large appendicoliths. A perforated appendix was identified intraoperatively. Measles RNA was detected in the resected appendix. Preoperatively he developed hypoxia with right upper lobe changes seen on a CT pulmonary angiogram. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed in theatre isolated measles RNA at high level, consistent with measles pneumonitis. He required ventilatory support in the intensive care unit and was also treated with intravenous antibiotics. He made a complete recovery.