{"title":"Clinical and Economic Outcomes Associated with Complicated Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Carbapenem-resistant <i>Enterobacterales</i> in Patients Admitted to a Referral Center in Lima, Peru.","authors":"Annel Rojas-Alvarado, Karim Dioses-Diaz, Roxana Sandoval-Ahumada, Giancarlo Pérez-Lazo","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0022","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect 150 million people annually, with increased incidence among individuals over 60 years of age. Complicated UTIs (cUTIs), frequently caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens such as <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, present therapeutic challenges due to host factors and anatomical abnormalities. Carbapenem-resistant <i>Enterobacterales</i> (CRE) infections are of particular concern as they are associated with higher mortality and healthcare costs. This study aimed to compare the clinical and economic outcomes of cUTIs caused by CRE and carbapenem-susceptible <i>Enterobacterales</i> (CSE) at a referral hospital in Lima, Peru.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included 200 patients with cUTI admitted to the emergency department. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with CRE-cUTI and those with CSE-cUTI. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographics, comorbidities, antimicrobial treatments, and clinical outcomes, with a primary focus on the 30-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and generalized linear models were used to assess mortality risk factors. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The final multivariate model was adjusted for three variables selected based on epidemiological relevance: carbapenem resistance, septic shock on admission, and Charlson comorbidity index. Hospitalization costs were calculated based on the hospital's fee schedule, whereas antibiotic costs were estimated by multiplying the unit cost of each antimicrobial by the total number of vials used for cUTI treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-one patients with CRE-cUTI and 179 with CSE-cUTI were enrolled. Third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were the most frequently used empirical antibiotics. Inappropriate empirical therapy was higher in the CRE group (76.2% <i>vs.</i> 51.4%, <i>P</i>=0.031). Among the CRE isolates, <i>bla</i><sub>NDM</sub>, <i>bla</i><sub>KPC</sub>, and <i>bla</i><sub>OXA-48</sub> were identified. The targeted therapies included amikacin and colistin. The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the CRE group than in the CSE group (38.1% <i>vs.</i> 11.7%, <i>P</i>=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that an increased Charlson comorbidity index (aRR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.30; <i>P</i><0.001), septic shock on admission (aRR 3.57, 95% CI, 1.85-6.88; <i>P</i><0.001), and CRE infection (aRR 2.19, 95% CI, 1.16-4.16; <i>P</i>=0.015) were significant predictors of mortality. Hospital stay costs were also higher in the CRE group ($4691.6 <i>vs.</i> $2920.9; <i>P</i>=0.032).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with cUTI caused by CRE experienced significantly higher 30-day mortality and hospital costs than those with cUTI caused by CSE. Effective prevention and management strategies a","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"340-348"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511740/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076571","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":"Response to Skin Abscesses by Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Cases to Raise Awareness.","authors":"Sudip Bhattacharya","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0037","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0037","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"440-441"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818220","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}
Tark Kim, Yoon-Kyoung Hong, Sunghee Park, Jongtak Jung, Oh-Hyun Cho, Hee Bong Shin, Tae Youn Choi, Young Jin Choi, Mi-Na Kim, Yong Pil Chong
{"title":"Genetic Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Carbapenem-Resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Isolates from a Multicenter Study in Korea.","authors":"Tark Kim, Yoon-Kyoung Hong, Sunghee Park, Jongtak Jung, Oh-Hyun Cho, Hee Bong Shin, Tae Youn Choi, Young Jin Choi, Mi-Na Kim, Yong Pil Chong","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0032","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Owing to concern that carbapenemase-producing strains among carbapenem-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (CRPA) isolates is on the rise, we investigated the genetic epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibilities of clinical CRPA isolates collected in four academic hospitals in Korea. Carbapenemase genes were detected in 46 of 63 CRPA isolates (73.0%) collected between 2021 and 2024, and <i>bla</i><sub>NDM</sub> ST773 was the most common genotype (27 isolates, 42.9%), followed by <i>bla</i><sub>NDM</sub> ST644 (9 isolates, 14.3%) and <i>bla</i><sub>IMP</sub> ST235 (7 isolates, 11.1%). Overall susceptibility to ceftazidime/avibactam was only 17.5%, and none of the carbapenemase-producing isolates were susceptible to it. All ST644 strains were also resistant to aztreonam.</p>","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"418-423"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511746/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818217","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}
Joon Young Song, Ki Tae Kwon, Wan Beom Park, Ji Yun Noh, Sun Hee Park, Eun Ju Choo, Min Joo Choi, Jun Yong Choi, Jung Yeon Heo, Won Suk Choi
{"title":"Pneumococcal Vaccination in Korean Adults: 2025 Recommendations by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases.","authors":"Joon Young Song, Ki Tae Kwon, Wan Beom Park, Ji Yun Noh, Sun Hee Park, Eun Ju Choo, Min Joo Choi, Jun Yong Choi, Jung Yeon Heo, Won Suk Choi","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0042","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) was approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in October 2024. Despite the ongoing national immunization programs that include pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for children and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for adults, the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia remains high among the elderly and high-risk adults. Serotypes 3 and 19A, both included in 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), continue to be the most prevalent serotypes, and infections caused by non-PCV13 serotypes have increased. Given the need to broaden serotype coverage and simplify vaccination strategies, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases recommends either a single dose of PCV20 or sequential vaccination with 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by PPSV23 for adults aged 65 years and older, and for high-risk adults aged 19-64 years. These recommendations are based on immunogenicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness data from recent clinical trials. Vaccine selection, dosing intervals, and schedules should be determined according to individual underlying medical conditions and previous vaccination history to optimize protection against pneumococcal disease in the adult population.</p>","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"335-339"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511744/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076536","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}
Vishnu Arvindran Chandra Mohan, Chuin-Hen Liew, Kah Kee Tan, Naveen Nair Gangadaran, Pon Ling Lau, Syaniza Shaharudin, Yasothai Chandran, Asuwani Maran, Farah Nuruliayana A Nazri, Hui Yi Lim, Xiang Lin Cheng, Muhammad Ihsan Roslan, Joanne Pereira, Nur Ainaa Najwa Razali, Marlindawati Mohd Ali, David Chun-Ern Ng
{"title":"Clinical Burden of Pediatric Influenza A and B in Malaysia: Outcomes and Resource Utilization in A Tropical Setting.","authors":"Vishnu Arvindran Chandra Mohan, Chuin-Hen Liew, Kah Kee Tan, Naveen Nair Gangadaran, Pon Ling Lau, Syaniza Shaharudin, Yasothai Chandran, Asuwani Maran, Farah Nuruliayana A Nazri, Hui Yi Lim, Xiang Lin Cheng, Muhammad Ihsan Roslan, Joanne Pereira, Nur Ainaa Najwa Razali, Marlindawati Mohd Ali, David Chun-Ern Ng","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0069","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Influenza is a leading cause of pediatric respiratory illness globally, yet comparative data on influenza A and B in tropical regions remain scarce. This study aimed to compare clinical features, healthcare utilization, and outcomes in children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza A and B.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of children aged ≤12 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza at a tertiary referral centre from May 2022 to December 2023. Influenza diagnosis was established using antigen-based detection via direct fluorescent antibody testing. Demographics, clinical features, laboratory results, interventions received, and patient outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 177 hospitalized children, 116 (65.5%) had influenza A and 61 (34.5%) had influenza B. Seizures were significantly more common in influenza A (27.6% <i>vs.</i> 3.3%, <i>P</i><0.001). Influenza B was associated with higher rates of diarrhea (31.1% <i>vs.</i> 14.7%, <i>P</i>=0.010) and signs of respiratory distress (tachypnea: 42.6% <i>vs.</i> 26.7%, <i>P</i>=0.031; chest recessions: 41.0% <i>vs.</i> 25.0%, <i>P</i>=0.028; adventitious breath sounds: 45.9% <i>vs.</i> 29.3%, <i>P</i>=0.028). Children with influenza B more frequently required non-invasive ventilation (13.1% <i>vs.</i> 3.4%, <i>P</i>=0.015), and intravenous fluids (70.5% <i>vs.</i> 55.2%, <i>P</i>=0.048). Median hospital stay was longer in influenza B (3 <i>vs.</i> 2 days, <i>P</i>=0.008).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Influenza A was more frequently associated with neurologic manifestations, whereas influenza B showed a higher prevalence of lower respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and required greater supportive care. These findings highlight the distinct clinical profiles of influenza A and B and their implications for healthcare resource utilization.</p>","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"402-411"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511758/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076555","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":"Albumin Continues to Engender Debate.","authors":"Dae Won Park","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0110","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0110","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"57 3","pages":"431-433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511749/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226427","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":"Response to Use of a Real-Time Locating System in Infection Control.","authors":"Sudip Bhattacharya","doi":"10.3947/ic.2024.0147","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2024.0147","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"436-437"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511752/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818221","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":"Migration and the Necessity of Real-Time Locating Systems in Infection Control.","authors":"Dalmacito A Cordero","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0023","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0023","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"438-439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511756/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818218","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":"Touch Me Not! Exploring the Devastating Stigma on People Living with HIV.","authors":"Dalmacito A Cordero","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0055","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0055","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"444-445"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818222","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}
Sun Heom Baik, Hyeeun Lee, Hyunjeong Kim, Hye Young Kim
{"title":"Post-marketing Surveillance of a Live Attenuated Herpes Zoster Vaccine (SKYZoster<sup>®</sup>) in Adults Aged ≥50 Years in Korea.","authors":"Sun Heom Baik, Hyeeun Lee, Hyunjeong Kim, Hye Young Kim","doi":"10.3947/ic.2025.0036","DOIUrl":"10.3947/ic.2025.0036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) results from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus following a primary infection with varicella (chickenpox) in earlier life. Vaccination against HZ has been effective in preventing the disease. SKYZoster, a live attenuated zoster vaccine developed in Korea, was first licensed in Korea on September 29, 2017, and subsequently approved in Thailand (May 20, 2020) and Malaysia (December 13, 2022). This post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study aimed to assess and evaluate the safety profile of SKYZoster in adults who received the vaccine during a 4-year period in Korea.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This PMS study was an open, non-comparative, multi-center study conducted from September 29, 2017, to September 28, 2021. Adults aged ≥50 years who were vaccinated with SKYZoster in Korea were enrolled in this study. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the first 42 days after vaccination were recorded and classified using the System Organ Class and Preferred Term using MedDRA 24.1.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 651 participants were included in the safety evaluation. Participants had a mean age of 62.15±8.59 years, with 55.30% of the participants being female and 1.69% (11 participants) had an allergy history. Overall, 121 AEs were reported in 76 participants (11.67%), including 51 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in 37 participants (5.68%). Most AEs (120/121; 99.17%) were mild in severity and no serious AEs were reported. The most frequently reported ADRs were injection site reactions including vaccination site pain (2.92%), erythema (1.08%), and pruritus (0.46%). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified that allergy history (<i>P</i>=0.0001), concomitant medication use (<i>P</i>=0.0179) and current medical history (<i>P</i>=0.0351) were significantly associated with an increased AE incidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Over a 4-year post-marketing safety evaluation period, SKYZoster exhibited an acceptable safety profile in routine clinical practice in Korea. The vaccine was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse event reported, reaffirming its role in preventing HZ in adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":51616,"journal":{"name":"Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"368-377"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12511741/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076530","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}