🎙️ Confessions of a Swabber

Superficial wound swabs are supposed to be useless. But are we taking that message too far?

When purulent drainage is present, a swab may sometimes provide a useful clue (if you can resist treating the culture).

🎧 New episode of The Host Response

#IDsky #meded

Micro-bladder model offers clues to stopping recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

The results indicate that phage therapy – using viruses to kill bacteria without harming people – could help to reduce recurrent infections

@microberamon.bsky.social @jennyrohn.bsky.social
#UTISky #UTI #IDSky

#MedCase - Influenza-associated myocarditis can present with a broad range of manifestations, from mild chest discomfort to fulminant cardiogenic shock.

A high index of suspicion is needed during influenza outbreaks.

👉️ buff.ly/Dn3lpSM

#CardioSky #IDSky

Measles in the UK: 89 cases in 90 days, 9 in the last 30. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #Measles #UnitedKingdom

So, I think there still is a safe way for cefepime in clinical practice:

✅ Limited to patients with normal renal function.
✅ As empirical treatment for non-severe cases.
✅ As targeted therapy for low-MIC isolates.

Extended-infusion and TDM would probably help in many cases!

🧵(5/5) #IDsky #AMSsky

We also have the efficacy question.

In my center we use EUCAST for susceptibility testing, whose MIC breakpoints are more restrictive than CLSI’s.

So, we use cefepime just for strains with lower MICs than our american colleagues, probably favoring PK/PD target achievement

🧵 (3/5) #IDsky #AMSsky

Neurotoxicity is definitely an issue for cefepime.

But I find it to be very rare among patients with normal renal function and no prior seizure-predisposing conditions.

This association was already established in previous metaanalyses 🧵(2/5)

academic.oup.com/jac/article/... #IDsky #AMSsky

I find cefepime very useful to diversify empiric antipseudomonal treatments among immunocompromised hosts, and as a carbapenem-sparing agent against ampC producers.

This recent metaanalysis made me wonder if I should stop using it… 🧵(1/5)

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #IDSky #AMSsky #IDOnc

Flu in Taiwan: 1,590 cases in the year to September. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #SeasonalInfluenza #Taiwan

Dengue fever: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #DengueFever #Australia

“These findings suggest that nirsevimab, which is used to provide short-term protection against RSV, also has a role in antimicrobial stewardship"

This research found reduced usage of antibiotics in after MAb for RSV.

via @gohealio.bsky.social #IDSky + #MedSky.

www.healio.com/news/pediatr...

Vibriosis: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #Vibriosis #UnitedStates

A PA teen became the state's fourth measles death in weeks, A 17% summer surge in rabies exposure calls, revisiting cefepime's mortality risk, examining ceftriaxone's safety, and reviewing Legionella pneumonia diagnostics. #IDsky #Medsky
www.contagionlive.com/view/this-we...

Measles: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #Measles #Mexico

#MedNews - Infants hospitalized with #pertussis have more severe outcomes with azithromycin than with clarithromycin.

Full story 👉️ buff.ly/adCP7jF

#IDSky

Seasonal influenza: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #SeasonalInfluenza #UnitedKingdom

Dengue fever: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #DengueFever #Bangladesh

Trump said "he'd be 'demanding' drug companies further split up vaccines into five doses given in six-month intervals, and claimed that doing so would reduce autism rates."

Sure, sounds totally evidence- and science-based.

Insanity.

#IDSky #vaccination #MMR #measles #publichealth

Seasonal influenza: reported surveillance counts. Read the counts with their dates and coverage notes.

Live map → enclai.net/map
#Epidemiology #GlobalHealth #IDsky #SeasonalInfluenza #Australia

Keeping vaccination coverage high means fewer people getting sick and better protection for those most vulnerable.

For reliable information about vaccination in Europe, in your language ➡️ vaccination-info.europa.eu/en

#Vaccination #PublicHealth #EVIP #IDsky #EpiSky #UnitedInProtection