Background: The value of follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) to document clearance of bacteremia due to gram-negative bacilli (GNB) has not been well-established. Although previous studies suggested the yield of FUBC for GNB bacteremia is low, it remains to be elucidated for whom FUBC may be beneficial and for whom unnecessary. The objective of the study [...]

Background: Hepcidin-25 is a liver-derived peptide hormone that regulates iron homeostasis in humans. Recent studies have suggested that it also plays a key role in host-pathogen interface. Iron is essential for the survival and growth of bacteria. When the bacteria infect macrophages, macrophages release a number of cytokines, including interleukin-6, which induce hepatic production of [...]

Background: Hepcidin-25 is a liver-derived key peptide hormone that regulates iron homeostasis in humans. Recent studies have suggested that hepcidin also play a key role in host-defense mechanism. Iron is essential for the survival and growth of bacteria. When the bacteria infect macrophages, macrophages release a number of cytokines including interleukin-6, which increase production of [...]

Background: With the rising prevalence of persons who inject drugs, we are increasingly confronted with the challenge of managing them in the hospital setting as they are at an increased risk of leaving the hospital prematurely. There is limited data on the factors associated with leaving against medical advice (AMA) in persons who inject drugs [...]

Background: Low serum concentrations of tetracycline antibiotics may raise concerns on their efficacy in patients with secondary bacteremia, especially in comorbid patients and in those with higher acuity of illness. Omadacycline (OMC), an aminomethylcycline antibiotic, showed non-inferiority to linezolid (LZD) in two acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) studies (Omadacycline in Acute Skin [...]

Background: The clinical evaluation of febrile neonates ≤ 60 days has been extensively debated in the age of doing less invasive testing to yield the same clinical outcomes with fewer complications. Rates of serious bacterial infections (SBI) in this population have been reported to be between 8.5% and 12%, and up to 20% in neonates [...]

Background: Blood cultures are frequently ordered in hospitalized patients, often to work up undifferentiated fever or leukocytosis. This leads to low rates of positive cultures and high burden of false positive results resulting in avoidable interventions and waste. A recent study in hospital medicine patients identified several predictors of blood stream infection (BSI), but the [...]

Background: Using evidence-based clinical pathways has been shown to improve mortality in patients with staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. However, little is known if these pathways can decrease antibiotic use as a means of antibiotic stewardship in patients with suspected contaminated blood cultures. Purpose: We aim to decrease antibiotic use in clinically stable patients with likely gram-positive [...]

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old man presented with one day of high fevers to 104°F, myalgias, and non-productive cough. His past medical history is significant for polycystic liver disease leading to liver transplant, and metastatic neuroendocrine tumor managed with intravenous somatostatin. Two weeks prior to admission, he began a taper of his immunosuppressive medication. On the [...]

Background: Blood stream infection is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Blood cultures are considered the gold standard for diagnosing bacteremia in sepsis patients. However, blood culture results may take at least 12 to 24 hours for a positive result and may even be complicated by contamination. Procalcitonin (PCT) a biomarker for bacterial infection is [...]