Infectious Disease Reports最新文献

{"title":"Antimicrobial Effect of Gentamicin/Heparin and Gentamicin/Citrate Lock Solutions on <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Clinical Strains.","authors":"Daniel Salas-Treviño, Arantxa N Rodríguez-Rodríguez, María T Ramírez-Elizondo, Magaly Padilla-Orozco, Edeer I Montoya-Hinojosa, Paola Bocanegra-Ibarias, Samantha Flores-Treviño, Adrián Camacho-Ortiz","doi":"10.3390/idr17040098","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection (HD-CRBSIs) is a main cause of morbidity in hemodialysis. New preventive strategies have emerged, such as using lock solutions with antiseptic or antibiotic capacity. In this study, the antimicrobial effect was analyzed in vitro and with a catheter model of lock solutions of gentamicin (LSG), gentamicin/heparin (LSG/H), and gentamicin/citrate (LSG/C) in clinical and ATCC strains of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. <b>Methods:</b> The formation, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum inhibitory concentration of the biofilm and minimum biofilm eradication concentration of the lock solutions were determined. Additionally, colony-forming unit assays were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the lock solutions in a hemodialysis catheter inoculation model. <b>Results:</b> The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of planktonic cells of both <i>P. aeruginosa</i> and <i>S. aureus</i> for LSG/H and LSG/C was 4 µg/mL. In the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) tests, the LSG/H was less effective than LSG/C, requiring higher concentrations for inhibition, contrary to the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), where LSG/H was more effective. All lock solutions eradicated <i>P. aeruginosa</i> biofilms in the HD catheter model under standard conditions. Nevertheless, under modified conditions, the lock solutions were not as effective versus ATCC and clinical strains of <i>S. aureus</i>. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our analysis shows that the lock solutions studied managed to eradicate intraluminal mature <i>P. aeruginosa</i> in non-tunneled HD catheters under standard conditions. Biofilm inhibition and eradication were observed at low gentamicin concentrations, which could optimize the gentamicin concentration in lock solutions used in HD catheters.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386301/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scrofuloderma, an Old Acquaintance: A Case Report and Literature Review.","authors":"Heiler Lozada-Ramos, Jorge Enrique Daza-Arana","doi":"10.3390/idr17040096","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scrofuloderma, a cutaneous manifestation of tuberculosis, is a rare but clinically significant form of mycobacterial infection. It typically results from the local spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from an infected lymph node or bone area to the overlying skin. This disease is mainly characterized by chronic granulomatous inflammation, leading to skin ulcers and abscesses. Due to its nonspecific clinical presentation, scrofuloderma can mimic various dermatological conditions, making its diagnosis particularly challenging. This case report presents the clinical course of a patient who was positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with a diagnosis of scrofuloderma, managed at a tertiary healthcare center, with follow-up before and after treatment. A literature review was also made, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and utilizing appropriate diagnostic methods to ensure timely diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive Screening with the Italian International HIV Dementia Scale in People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study in the cART Era.","authors":"Maristella Belfiori, Francesco Salis, Sergio Angioni, Claudia Bonalumi, Diva Cabeccia, Camilla Onnis, Nicola Pirisi, Francesco Ortu, Paola Piano, Stefano Del Giacco, Antonella Mandas","doi":"10.3390/idr17040095","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) continue to be a significant concern, despite the advancements in prognosis achieved through Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART). Neuropsychological assessment, recommended by international guidelines for HANDs diagnosis, can be resource-intensive. Brief screening tools, like the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), are crucial in facilitating initial evaluations. This study aims to assess the Italian IHDS (IHDS-IT) and evaluate its sensitivity and specificity in detecting cognitive impairment in HIV patients. <b>Methods</b>: This cross-sectional study involved 294 patients aged ≥30 years, evaluated at the Immunology Unit of the University of Cagliari. Cognitive function was assessed using the MoCA and IHDS. Laboratory parameters, such as CD4 nadir, current CD4 count, and HIV-RNA levels, were also collected. Statistical analyses included Spearman's correlation, Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, and the Youden J statistic to identify the optimal IHDS-IT cut-off for cognitive impairment detection. <b>Results</b>: The IHDS and MoCA scores showed a moderate positive correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.411, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). ROC analysis identified an IHDS-IT cut-off of ≤9, yielding an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.76, sensitivity of 71.7%, and specificity of 67.2%. At this threshold, 73.1% of patients with MoCA scores below 23 also presented abnormal IHDS scores, highlighting the complementary utility of both cognitive assessment instruments. <b>Conclusions</b>: The IHDS-IT exhibited fair diagnostic accuracy for intercepting cognitive impairment, with a lower optimal cut-off than previously reported. The observed differences may reflect this study cohort's demographic and clinical characteristics, including advanced age and long-lasting HIV infection. Further, longitudinal studies are necessary to validate these findings and to confirm the proposed IHDS cut-off over extended periods.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386600/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biocide Tolerance, Biofilm Formation, and Efflux Pump Activity in Clinical Isolates of <i>Trichosporon asahii</i>.","authors":"Yasmim Passos Lima, Jamile de Paiva Macedo, Alessandra Barbosa Ferreira Machado, Cláudio Galuppo Diniz, Vania Lucia da Silva, Vanessa Cordeiro Dias","doi":"10.3390/idr17040097","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Trichosporon</i> spp. are opportunistic fungi, capable of causing infection, especially in critically ill individuals who often use broad-spectrum antibiotics, invasive devices, and have comorbidities. Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze individuals' clinical characteristics, evaluate tolerance to biocides, as well as biofilm formation and efflux pump activity in isolates of <i>Trichosporon asahii</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinical isolates of <i>T. asahii</i> collected between 2020 and 2023 from both hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals, of both sexes, regardless of age, were tested for tolerance to sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, benzalkonium chloride, and ethyl alcohol. Efflux pump activity was also assessed using ethidium bromide, and biofilm formation was measured with the Safranin test. Clinical parameters such as outcomes, source, and length of hospitalization were analyzed through electronic medical records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 37 clinical isolates of <i>T. asahii</i> were identified. Thirty-three (83.8%) isolates were from hospitalized individuals, with 81.82% collected in ICUs, an average hospital stay of 35 days, and a mortality rate of 51.6%. The tested strains displayed the largest mean inhibition zone for 2% sodium hypochlorite, indicating lower tolerance. A high level of efflux pump expression was detected among clinical isolates. Biofilm formation was detected in 25/67.5% of the isolates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the clinical relevance of <i>T. asahii</i>, particularly in critically ill individuals, and underscore the pathogen's ability to tolerate biocides, express efflux pumps, and form biofilms, all of which may contribute to its persistence and pathogenicity in hospital environments. Enhanced surveillance and effective microbial control measures are essential to mitigate the risks associated with <i>T. asahii</i> infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12385844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Microorganisms Causing Human Respiratory Infection Using One-Tube Multiplex PCR.","authors":"Isabela L Lima, Adriana F Neves, Robson J Oliveira-Júnior, Lorrayne C M G Honório, Vitória O Arruda, Juliana A São Julião, Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Vivian Alonso-Goulart","doi":"10.3390/idr17040093","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040093","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Due to the significant overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, a multiplex PCR-based platform was developed to simultaneously detect 22 respiratory pathogens. Target sequences were retrieved from the GenBank database and aligned using Clustal Omega 2.1 to identify conserved regions prioritized for primer design. Primers were designed using Primer Express^® 3.0.1 and evaluated in Primer Explorer to ensure specificity and minimize secondary structures. A multiplex strategy organized primers into three groups, each labeled with distinct fluorophores (FAM, VIC, or NED), allowing for detection by conventional PCR or capillary electrophoresis (CE). <b>Methods:</b> After reverse transcription for RNA targets, amplification was performed in a single-tube reaction. A total of 340 clinical samples-nasopharyngeal and saliva swabs-were collected from patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The automated analysis of electropherograms enabled precise pathogen identification. <b>Results:</b> Of the samples analyzed, 57.1% tested negative for all pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 was the most frequently detected pathogen (29%), followed by enterovirus (6.5%). Positive results were detected in both nasopharyngeal and saliva swabs, with SARS-CoV-2 predominating in saliva samples. <b>Conclusions:</b> This single-tube multiplex PCR-CE assay represents a cost-effective and robust approach for comprehensive respiratory pathogen detection. It enables rapid and simultaneous diagnosis, facilitating targeted treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12385970/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The First <i>Schaalia</i> (Formerly <i>Actinomyces</i>) <i>Canis</i>-Related Osteomyelitis Requiring Surgical Intervention.","authors":"Patrick Nugraha, Tzong-Yang Pan, Paul Di Giovine, Nigel Mann, William Murphy","doi":"10.3390/idr17040094","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Schaalia canis</i> is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium originally isolated from the mucosa and skin of dogs. While it is a part of the normal canine oral flora, it has rarely been implicated in human disease, with only one prior case of cellulitis reported following a dog bite. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We present the case of a 57-year-old immunocompetent man who developed osteomyelitis of the left index finger following a delayed presentation after a dog bite. Despite initial conservative management with empirical oral antibiotics, the infection progressed, eventually requiring surgical debridement and the terminalisation of the finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Cultures from intraoperative bone specimens yielded the growth of <i>Schaalia canis</i>, with no other pathogenic organisms identified on the extended culture. <b>Conclusions:</b> This is the first documented case of <i>Schaalia canis</i>-associated osteomyelitis in a human and the first to necessitate a surgical intervention, expanding the known clinical spectrum of this organism. This case underscores the risks of delayed intervention in polymicrobial animal bite wounds and highlights the emerging role of <i>Schaalia</i> species as opportunistic zoonotic pathogens, particularly in the setting of deep, refractory infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386227/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antifungal Agents in the 21st Century: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.","authors":"Francesco Branda, Nicola Petrosillo, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Marta Giovanetti, Andrea De Vito, Giordano Madeddu, Fabio Scarpa, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.3390/idr17040091","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a growing global health threat, particularly for immunocompromised populations, with mortality exceeding 1.5 million deaths annually. Despite their clinical and economic burden-costing billions in healthcare expenditures-fungal infections remain underprioritized in public health agendas. This review examines the current landscape of antifungal therapy, focusing on advances, challenges, and future directions. Key drug classes (polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and novel agents) are analyzed for their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications, alongside emerging resistance patterns in pathogens like <i>Candida auris</i> and azole-resistant <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>. The rise of resistance, driven by agricultural fungicide use and nosocomial transmission, underscores the need for innovative antifungals, rapid diagnostics, and stewardship programs. Promising developments include next-generation echinocandins (e.g., rezafungin), triterpenoids (ibrexafungerp), and orotomides (olorofim), which target resistant strains and offer improved safety profiles. The review also highlights the critical role of \"One Health\" strategies to mitigate environmental and clinical resistance. Future success hinges on multidisciplinary collaboration, enhanced surveillance, and accelerated drug development to address unmet needs in antifungal therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386373/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bedside Risk Scoring for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies.","authors":"Sare Merve Başağa, Ayşegül Ulu Kılıç, Zeynep Ture, Gökmen Zararsız, Serra İlayda Yerlitaş","doi":"10.3390/idr17040092","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>This study aimed to create a 'carbapenem resistance score' with the risk factors of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections (GNBIs) in patients with hematological malignancies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with carbapenem-resistant and susceptible GNBIs were included in this study and compared in terms of risk factors. Three models of \"carbapenem resistance risk scores\" were created with statistically significant variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 154 patients with hospital-acquired GNBIs, of whom 64 had carbapenem-resistant GNBIs and 90 had carbapenem-susceptible GNBIs. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified several statistically significant risk factors for carbapenem resistance, including transfer from another hospital or clinic (<i>p</i> = 0.038), prior use of antibiotics like fluoroquinolones (<i>p</i> = 0.009) and carbapenems (<i>p</i> = 0.001), a history of carbapenem-resistant infection in the last six months (<i>p</i> < 0.001), rectal <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> colonization (<i>p</i> < 0.001), hospitalization for ≥30 days (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and the presence of a urinary catheter (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Notably, the 14-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the carbapenem-resistant group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Based on these findings, three risk-scoring models were developed. Common factors in all three models were fluoroquinolone use in the last six months, rectal <i>K. pneumoniae</i> colonization, and the presence of a urinary catheter. The fourth variable was transfer from another hospital (Model 1), a history of carbapenem-resistant infection (Model 2), or hospitalization for ≥30 days (Model 3). All models demonstrated strong discriminative power (AUC for Model 1: 0.830, Model 2: 0.826, Model 3: 0.831). For all three models, a cutoff value of >2.5 was adopted as the threshold to identify patients at high risk for carbapenem resistance, a value which yielded high positive and negative predictive values.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study successfully developed three practical risk-scoring models to predict carbapenem resistance in patients with hematological malignancies using common clinical risk factors. A cutoff score of >2.5 proved to be a reliable threshold for identifying high-risk patients across all models, providing clinicians with a valuable tool to guide appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12385919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long COVID-19: A Concept Analysis.","authors":"Sujata Srikanth, Jessica R Boulos, Diana Ivankovic, Lucia Gonzales, Delphine Dean, Luigi Boccuto","doi":"10.3390/idr17040090","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: In late 2019, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic called the 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19). After the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, many individuals (up to 33%) complained of unexplained symptoms involving multiple organ systems and were diagnosed as having Long COVID-19 (LC-19). Currently, LC-19 is inadequately defined, requiring the formation of consistent diagnostic parameters to provide a foundation for ongoing and future studies of epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and therapy. LC-19 represents a significant burden on multiple levels. The reduced ability of workers to return to work or compromised work efficiency has led to consequences at national, economic, and societal levels by increasing dependence on community services. On a personal scale, the isolation and helplessness caused by the disease and its subsequent impact on the patient's mental health and quality of life are incalculable. <b>Methods</b>: In this paper, we used Walker and Avants' eight-step approach to perform a concept analysis of the term \"Long COVID-19\" and define its impact across these parameters. <b>Results</b>: Using this methodology, we provide an improved definition of LC-19 by connecting the clinical symptomology with previously under-addressed factors, such as mental, psychological, economic, and social effects. This definition of LC-19 features can help improve diagnostic procedures and help plan relevant healthcare services. <b>Conclusions</b>: LC-19 represents a complex and pressing public health challenge with diverse symptomology, an unpredictable timeline, and complex pathophysiology. This concept analysis serves as a tool for improving LC-19 definition, but it remains a dynamic disease with evolving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, requiring deeper investigation and understanding of its long-term effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12386072/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation and Adherence of a Custom Mobile Application for Anonymous Bidirectional Communication Among Nearly 4000 Participants: Insights from the Longitudinal RisCoin Study.","authors":"Ana Zhelyazkova, Sibylle Koletzko, Kristina Adorjan, Anna Schrimf, Stefanie Völk, Leandra Koletzko, Alexandra Fabry-Said, Andreas Osterman, Irina Badell, Marc Eden, Alexander Choukér, Marina Tuschen, Berthold Koletzko, Yuntao Hao, Luke Tu, Helga P Török, Sven P Wichert, Thu Giang Le Thi","doi":"10.3390/idr17040088","DOIUrl":"10.3390/idr17040088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: The longitudinal RisCoin study investigated risk factors for COVID-19 vaccination failure among healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at a University Hospital in Germany. Since the hospital served as the study sponsor and employer of the HCW, we implemented a custom mobile application. We aimed to evaluate the implementation, adherence, benefits, and limitations of this study's app. <b>Methods</b>: The app allowed secure data collection through questionnaires, disseminated serological results, and managed bidirectional communication. Access was double-pseudonymized and irreversibly anonymized six months after enrollment. Download frequency, login events, and questionnaire submissions between October 2021 and December 2022 were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with app adherence. <b>Results</b>: Of the 3979 participants with app access, 3622 (91%) used the app; out of these, 1016 (28%) were \"adherent users\" (≥12 submitted questionnaires). App adherence significantly increased with age. Among HCW, adherent users were more likely to be non-smokers (<i>p</i> < 0.001), working as administrators or nursing staff vs. physicians (<i>p</i> < 0.001), vaccinated against influenza (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and had not travelled abroad in the past year (<i>p</i> < 0.001). IBD patients exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (<i>p</i> = 0.0133) and those with adverse events following the second COVID-19 vaccination (<i>p</i> = 0.0171) were more likely adherent app users. Despite technical issues causing dropout or non-adherence, the app served as a secure solution for cohort management and longitudinal data collection. <b>Discussion:</b> App-based cohort management enabled continuous data acquisition and individualized care while providing flexibility and anonymity for the study team and participants. App usability, technical issues, and cohort characteristics need to be thoroughly considered prior to implementation to optimize usage and adherence in clinical research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12385493/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144952713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}