{"title":"A special invitation to authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.10.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 19","pages":"Page 178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196439922000630/pdfft?md5=529cf306308dca64e749bc34b1a919d3&pid=1-s2.0-S0196439922000630-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"137275043","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":"It's Bordetella, It's Alcaligenes… No, It's Achromobacter! Identification, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Clinical Significance of an Understudied Gram-Negative Rod","authors":"Emily A. Snavely Ph.D., D(ABMM) , Mimi Precit Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP)CM","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Gram-negative non-fermentative bacilli, such as <span><em>Achromobacter</em></span><span> spp., can be opportunistic pathogens in nosocomial settings. Widely found in nature, </span><em>Achromobacter</em><span> spp. cause a broad spectrum of diseases and are best known as emerging opportunistic pathogens in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Importantly, </span><em>Achromobacter</em> infections represent a diagnostic and clinical challenge. First, clinical laboratories cannot routinely identify <em>Achromobacter</em> isolates reliably to the species level outside of creating and curating a custom mass spectrometry database or using <em>Achromobacter</em>-specific genotypic molecular methods. Additionally, <em>Achromobacter</em><span> spp. infections are often difficult to treat owing to numerous intrinsic, and to a lesser extent acquired, antimicrobial resistance<span><span> mechanisms. Treatment decisions are further complicated by discordance between CLSI and </span>EUCAST breakpoints for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of </span></span><em>Achromobacter</em> isolates, and collaboration to harmonize these is necessary. Further studies are also needed to define the clinical spectrum of disease and pathogenic potential of many <em>Achromobacter</em> species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 19","pages":"Pages 169-177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46914518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Strongyloides: a Minireview and Update","authors":"Momar Ndao , Dilhan J. Perera , Kamran Kadkhoda","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>Strongyloidiasis, typically caused by </span><span><em>Strongyloides stercoralis</em><em>,</em></span><span> is a neglected tropical disease that affects 30 to 100 million people worldwide. Despite the commonly asymptomatic nature of the infection, </span><em>S. stercoralis</em><span> infection of immunocompromised individuals can be lethal. Infected but asymptomatic immunocompetent individuals can develop hyperinfection or disseminated infection if they experience any significant change in their immune status, and recently, cases have been described following the use of corticosteroids to treat COVID-19-related pneumonia. Definitive diagnosis is established via stool examination<span> for rhabditiform larvae; however, contemporary methods, including serologic and molecular testing, are increasingly used as adjunct tests. Importantly, exposed individuals and those expected to become immunosuppressed should be screened and pre-emptively treated before starting immunosuppressive agents to avoid cases of dissemination and hyperinfection.</span></span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 18","pages":"Pages 161-167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45439219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A special invitation to authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.09.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 18","pages":"Page 168"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196439922000563/pdfft?md5=a68e2fe7eeffbc32144218fc175ade18&pid=1-s2.0-S0196439922000563-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72228604","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":"Blood Culture Optimization: Practical Tips","authors":"Reem M. Azem , Eric M. Ransom","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>Sepsis is a serious medical condition that continues to be a leading cause of hospital admission and mortality worldwide. Blood cultures play a crucial role in identifying the source of sepsis and thus directing appropriate treatment for improved patient outcomes. Blood culture data are not only utilized for patient treatment but also have utility for infection control and epidemiological purposes. An important challenge facing blood culture results and interpretation is contamination, which can have negative effects on patient care and health care costs, including in the </span>clinical microbiology laboratory. This article reviews the process of blood culture collection, from the decision to collect blood cultures to processing, testing, and reporting. Strategies for blood culture optimization are discussed, along with data to support practices that can lead to improved patient care, diagnostic stewardship, and fiscal responsibility.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 17","pages":"Pages 151-160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41987703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integration of Histopathology and Clinical Microbiology in the Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: Focus on Mycoses","authors":"Cristina Costales M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>Identification and interpretation of microorganisms on histopathology is a skill set critical for both anatomic </span>pathologists and clinical microbiologists. Microorganisms, and fungi in particular, develop structural properties differently within tissue than on an </span>agar plate<span>. For proper diagnoses the interpreter must be familiar with both phenotypes. Here, we review the specifics of fungal growth in tissue, including organism morphology, host reaction, and limitations for accurate histology identification.</span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 16","pages":"Pages 139-149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44822837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A special invitation to authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 16","pages":"Page 150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196439922000502/pdfft?md5=80977d7be236a6555280ba6cd688a9e8&pid=1-s2.0-S0196439922000502-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72267702","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}
Diane C. Halstead Ph.D., M.S., MASCP, DABMM, FAAM, FCPP
{"title":"Can Multidisciplinary Sepsis Teams Help Solve a Global Concern? A Review of the Literature","authors":"Diane C. Halstead Ph.D., M.S., MASCP, DABMM, FAAM, FCPP","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>The aims of this reviews are to provide a background on sepsis and to discuss the role of multidisciplinary sepsis teams for those who may not provide direct patient care but play an important role in supporting those that manage patients with sepsis. Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Considered a medical emergency, prompt laboratory results and administration of appropriate antibiotics are critical. Numerous sepsis guidelines have been published, including the use of standardized bundles that can result in reduced mortality and better patient outcomes. Key to successful outcomes are early recognition and appropriate therapy, which is guided by multidisciplinary sepsis intervention teams; rapid laboratory testing, including Gram stains; </span>molecular mass spectrometry; and clinical and electronic early warning surveillance systems that offer a systematic machine learning application to analyze patients’ medical data and send an alert to providers in real time to allow earlier intervention.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 15","pages":"Pages 131-137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43289240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A special invitation to authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 15","pages":"Page 138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196439922000460/pdfft?md5=145310831953c865a8110cfade39b480&pid=1-s2.0-S0196439922000460-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90034425","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":"A special invitation to authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.07.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2022.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"44 14","pages":"Page 130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196439922000423/pdfft?md5=d3d14fd67e7896807415620926169f61&pid=1-s2.0-S0196439922000423-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"137386973","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}