Comparative Outcomes of Candida auris Bloodstream Infections: A Multicenter Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Candida auris and those with BSIs caused by other Candida spp. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was performed at 3 hospitals in Brooklyn, New York, between 2016 and 2020. The analysis included patients ≥18 years of age who had a positive blood culture for any Candida spp. and were treated empirically with an echinocandin. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were 14-day clinical failure, 90-day mortality rate, 60-day microbiologic recurrence, and in-hospital mortality rate. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were included in the final analysis, including 83 patients with candidemia caused by C. auris. After inverse propensity adjustment, C. auris BSI was not associated with increased 30-day (adjusted odds ratio, 1.014 [95% confidence interval, .563-1.828]); P = .96) or 90-day (0.863 [.478-1.558]; P = .62) mortality rates. A higher risk for microbiologic recurrence within 60 days of completion of antifungal therapy was observed in patients with C. auris candidemia (adjusted odds ratio, 4.461 [95% confidence interval, 1.033-19.263]; P = .045). CONCLUSIONS: C. auris BSIs are not associated with a higher mortality risk than BSIs caused by other Candida spp. The rate of microbiologic recurrence was higher in the C. auris group.

Impact of a Perioperative Prophylaxis Guideline on Post-Cardiothoracic Surgery Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: National practice guidelines do not provide clear recommendations on combination pharmacological regimens to reduce cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). OBJECTIVE: This study examines if there is a reduction in POAF rates after implementing a perioperative prophylaxis guideline that includes amiodarone, ß-blockers, and high-intensity statins. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on 400 adults (200 patients pre-guideline implementation and 200 patients post-guideline implementation) with a CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension, Age, Diabetes Mellitus, and Vascular Disease) score of at least 3 points after CTS. Data were collected on the incidence of POAF lasting more than 5 minutes and secondary outcomes, including the length of hospitalization, guideline adherence rate, adverse events, and timeliness of POAF treatment. RESULTS: Guideline implementation increased prophylactic amiodarone ( P < 0.0001), statin ( P = 0.029), and high-intensity statin ( P = 0.002) use without changing ß-blocker use (64.5% vs 67.0%, P = 0.673) and reduced POAF (39.5% vs 52.0%, P = 0.016) and ventricular tachycardia (15.5% vs 24.5%, P = 0.034) compared with preguideline rates. Length of hospitalization and other postoperative adverse events, including stroke and mortality, were not statistically different. Subgroup analyses of patients who were adherent to both the amiodarone and ß-blocker recommendations (28% of the total) or to all 3 recommended therapies (24% of the total) had significant decreases in POAF ( P = 0.001; P < 0.001), length of hospitalization ( P = 0.023; P = 0.049), length of intensive care unit stay ( P = 0.045; P = 0.040), and ventricular tachycardia ( P = 0.008; P = 0.017) compared with preguideline patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A perioperative guideline of amiodarone, ß-blockers, and high-intensity statins reduced POAF, but better benefits may result from enhanced adherence.

New Gram Positive Agents to Treat Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections.

The FDA guidance published in 2013 provided requirements for conducting ABSSSI trials. In 2014, dalbavancin, oritavancin, and tedizolid were introduced into the market after phase III noninferiority clinical trials against vancomycin (for the lipoglycopeptides) and linezolid (for tedizolid), demonstrating clinical efficacy for the treatment of ABSSSI. Great interest exists for these agents because of the postulated financial impact. Due to favorable pharmacokinetics which allow for less frequent medication administration and shorter treatment durations, these agents may prove to reduce hospital admissions and length of stay.