BACKGROUND: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends prophylactic antibiotics before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We assessed the impact of this approach on the incidence of post-ERCP outcomes using nationwide data.
METHODS: Using 2015-2021 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data and relevant ICD-10 codes, we analyzed adult hospitalizations for PSC who underwent ERCP, with and without antibiotic prophylaxis. Hierarchical multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between prophylactic antibiotic use and post-ERCP complications including sepsis, acute cholangitis, and acute pancreatitis.
RESULTS: We analyzed 32,972 hospitalizations for PSC involving ERCP, with 12,891 admissions (39.1%) receiving antibiotics before ERCP (cases) and 20,081 (60.9%) serving as controls. Cases were older than controls (mean age: 64.2 ± 8.6 vs. 61.3 ± 6.1 years; P = 0.020). Compared with controls, hospitalizations with antibiotic prophylaxis had a higher male population (7,541 (58.5%) vs. 11,265 (56.1%); P < 0.001) and higher comorbidity burden (Charlson comorbidity index score of ≥2: 5,867 (45.5%) of cases vs. 8,996 (44.8%) of controls; P = 0.01). Incidence of post-ERCP septicemia was 19.1% (6,275) with 2,935 incidences (22.8%) among cases compared with 3,340 (16.6%) among controls. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not significantly improve the odds of septicemia (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77 - 1.09; P = 0.179). Approximately 2,271 (6.9%) cases of acute cholangitis and 5,625 (17.1%) cases of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis were recorded. After adjustments for multiple variables, no significant difference was observed in the odds of cholangitis (aOR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.45; P = 0.08). However, antibiotic prophylaxis was correlated with a statistically significant reduction in the odds ratio of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.57 - 0.66; P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in hospitalizations with PSC was correlated with a significant reduction in the odds of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not improve the odds of post-ERCP sepsis or cholangitis. Prophylactic use of antibiotics should be individualized, considering both their anti-infective benefits and potential impact on the biochemical markers of liver disease.

Aim: To determine the efficacy of manuka honey against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) clinical strains of Salmonella Typhi. Materials & methods: Clinical isolates were processed using the Bactec blood culture system, identification and antibiogram by Vitek 2 and antibiotic resistance genes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microbroth dilution assays evaluated the antibacterial activity of manuka honey. Results: MDR and XDR-S. Typhi was susceptible to azithromycin. These strains carried the H58, gyrA, gyrB, blaCTX-M-15 , and blaTEM-1 genes. At 100% honey, the zone of inhibition for MDR (15-23 mm) and XDR (15-24 mm) strains. 18/50 MDR and 14/50 XDR strains inhibited at 3.125 v/v% killed at 6.25 v/v% concentration respectively. Conclusion: Manuka honey could be an alternative option for treating S. Typhi infections.
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi. These bacteria are transmitted through contaminated water and food and cause fever, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea mainly in children under 5. There are around 9 million people get infected with S. Typhi, with an increased death of 1,10,000 annually. Bees that collect nectar from the blossoms of the Manuka tree in Australia and New Zealand produce a type of honey known as manuka honey. This honey is famous for its antibacterial activity, and potential health benefits. Therefore, we aimed to determine its antibacterial activity against S. Typhi. Our finding shows that the commonly available antibiotics did not kill S. Typhi because their DNA was drug-resistant. After applying the manuka honey, these bacteria were killed and given a clear zone ranging from 15–24mm on the agar plate. Further analysis revealed that at low concentrations of manuka honey, 3.1% and 6.25%, most of the S. Typhi stopped growing and killed, respectively. This study suggested that manuka honey, which is affordable and readily available, could be used as a treatment option to treat infections produced by these harmful bacteria after further analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among pediatric patients throughout the world. The varying microbiological pattern of sepsis warrants the need for researches on the causative organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. The epidemiology of neonatal and pediatric sepsis in Ethiopia is under-research. The objective of this study was to evaluate the burden of bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among children suspected of sepsis.
METHODS: An institutional-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 pediatric(age birth-15 years) patients suspected of sepsis at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized hospital from December 2020 to November 2021. Blood samples were collected aseptically and inoculated into Tryptone Soya Broth for culture. The organisms grown were identified by standard microbiological methods and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method recommended by Clinical laboratory and standard institute. Methicillin resistance was confirmed using Cefoxitin disk diffusion method. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software. A p-value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered statically significant.
RESULTS: Out of the total 370 study subjects, 21.6% (80/370) of them were culture positive. Of these, 43 (53.8%) and 37 (46.3%) were Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, respectively. The most prevalent Gram-positive bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 24; 30%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (n = 7; 8.8%). Among the Gram-negative bacterial isolates, the leading bacteria was Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 20; 25%) followed by Escherichia coli (n = 7; 8.8%). Clindamycin, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against Gram-positive bacterial isolates while Amikacin, Meropenem and Chloramphenicol were effective against Gram-negative pathogens. Methicillin resistance was detected in 45.8% of Staphylococcus aureus. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was observed in 76% of the bacterial isolates.
CONCLUSIONS: Gram positive bacteria were the predominant isolates among pediatric sepsis cases and most of the bacterial isolates showed MDR. Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were frequently isolated bacteria. The high prevalence of drug resistance warrants rational use of antibiotics and the need for regular antibiotic susceptibility surveillance studies.

The influence of non-opsonized and opsonized S. aureus 2879M and E. coli 321 strains on the total strength of interaction between the endothelial cell and neutrophil during the docking process was studied using in vitro model of experimental septicemia. We observed a decrease in the force and work of adhesion between receptors of neutrophils and endothelial cells under the influence of non-opsonized strains and further decrease in the affinity of single interactions between cells under the influence of opsonized S. aureus, which was compensated by an increase in the number of contacts, as well as an increase in the force of adhesion under the influence of opsonized E. coli compared to non-opsonized bacteria, which remained below the control level, while adhesion work reaches the control level. Thus, opsonization of S. aureus aggravates the \"immunological uncoupling\" between neutrophils and endothelial cells, while opsonization of E. coli reduces the pathological effect compared to non-opsonized bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal septicemia remains a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings, with both early-onset neonatal septicemia (EONS) and late-onset neonatal septicemia (LONS) presentations contributing to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the clinico-etiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of neonatal septicemia in a tertiary care setting in north India.
METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022, encompassing neonates admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with suspected neonatal septicemia, confirmed by positive blood cultures.
RESULTS: A total of 96 neonates were included, predominantly male (71.9%). Gram-negative bacteria constituted 61.6% of isolates, and the most common organism isolated was non-lactose fermenter group (38.4%) followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (33.4%). Non-lactose fermenter group bacteria were prominent in EONS cases (44.6%), while CoNS predominated in LONS cases (51.6%). Birthplace, birth weight, and perinatal score were significantly associated with both EONS and LONS. Linezolid exhibited high efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, while ciprofloxacin and meropenem demonstrated effectiveness against various gram-negative pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains exhibited resistance to all the antibiotics used in the study except for linezolid.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of tailored empirical therapy guided by local epidemiological data to optimize clinical outcomes and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.

UNASSIGNED: Around twenty percent of meningitis survivors experience after-effects. However, very little research on their psychological impact has been conducted. This report details a small explorative investigation into these psychological impacts.
UNASSIGNED: To explore the impact sequelae have on the meningitis survivors affected.
UNASSIGNED: Thematic analysis of one-hundred individual user\'s blog posts, self-reporting one or more sequelae after a diagnosis of meningitis.
UNASSIGNED: Blog posters\' experiences varied greatly. Common trends in experience were mapped onto three themes. \'Struggling to Adjust to the New Normal\' captures blog posters\' struggles in returning to their lives post-hospitalization. \'Navigating Possibilities for Positivity\' explores how blog posters either reported positive change due to their illness experience or felt a pressure, or inability, to do so. \'The Impact of Knowledge and Support\' overarching two sub-themes; \'Lack of Awareness Causing Further Suffering\' and \'Validation Leads to Narrative Shift\'. These sub-themes contrast differences in experience blog posters reported, with and without knowledge, of the cause of their symptoms and support in dealing with the resulting difficulties.
UNASSIGNED: Consistent and structured after-care would benefit patients experiencing sequelae. Suggestions of a possible format this could take are put forward. In addition, self-regulatory models of illness perception help explain some variations in blog posters experiences, with possible intervention plans based on these models also suggested. However, limitations, including the comparatively small and highly selected sample, mean that further research is necessary to validate the findings and assess their validity, widespread applicability, and financial feasibility.

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains are capable of causing various systemic infections in both humans and animals. In this study, we isolated and characterized 30 E. coli strains from the parenchymatic organs and brains of young (<3 months of age) camel calves which died in septicemia. Six of the strains showed hypermucoviscous phenotype. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, seven of the strains were potentially multidrug resistant, with two additional showing colistin resistance. Four strains showed mixed pathotypes, as they carried characteristic virulence genes for intestinal pathotypes of E. coli: three strains carried cnf1, encoding cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1, the key virulence gene of necrotoxigenic E. coli (NTEC), and one carried eae encoding intimin, the key virulence gene of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). An investigation of the integration sites of pathogenicity islands (PAIs) and the presence of prophage-related sequences showed that the strains carry diverse arrays of mobile genetic elements, which may contribute to their antimicrobial resistance and virulence patterns. Our work is the first to describe ExPEC strains from camels, and points to their veterinary pathogenic as well as zoonotic potential in this important domestic animal.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis remains a worldwide major cause of hospitalization, mortality, and morbidity. To enhance the identification of patients with suspected sepsis at high risk of mortality and adverse outcomes in the emergency department (ED), the use of mortality predictors is relevant. This study aims to establish whether quick sofa (qSOFA) and the severity criteria applied in patients with suspicion of sepsis in a monitored ED are in fact predictors of mortality.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study among adult patients with suspicion of sepsis at the ED of a tertiary care hospital in Brazil between January 1st, 2019 and December 31, 2020. All adult patients (ages 18 and over) with suspected sepsis that scored two or more points on qSOFA score or at least one point on the severity criteria score were included in the study.
RESULTS: The total of patients included in the study was 665 and the average age of the sample was 73 ± 19 years. The ratio of men to women was similar. Most patients exhibited qSOFA ≥ 2 (58.80%) and 356 patients (53.61%) scored one point in the severity criteria at admission. The overall mortality rate was 19.7% (131 patients) with 98 patients (14.74%) having positive blood cultures, mainly showing Escherichia coli as the most isolated bacteria. Neither scores of qSOFA nor the severity criteria were associated with mortality rates, but scoring any point on qSOFA was considered as an independent factor for intensive care unit (ICU) admission (qSOFA = 1 point, p = 0.02; qSOFA = 2 points, p = 0.03, and qSOFA = 3 points, p = 0.04). Positive blood cultures (RR, 1.63;95% CI, 1.10 to 2.41) and general administration of vasopressors at the ED (RR, 2.14;95% CI, 1.44 to 3.17) were associated with 30-day mortality. The administration of vasopressors at the ED (RR, 2.25; CI 95%, 1.58 to 3.21) was found to be a predictor of overall mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: Even though an association was found between qSOFA and ICU admission, there was no association of qSOFA or the severity criteria with mortality. Therefore, patients with a tendency toward greater severity could be identified and treated more quickly and effectively in the emergency department. Further studies are necessary to assess novel scores or biomarkers to predict mortality in sepsis patients admitted to the ED\'s initial care.

While mortality caused by sepsis remains an unsolved problem, studies showed conflicting results about effectiveness of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in patients suffering sepsis. For this reason, this current study provides an update of review clinical randomized trial studies until March 2024. The main object of this study is to determine effects of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies on mortality rate and hospitalization of patients suffering sepsis. Search of Scopus, Web of science, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane were performed and randomized controlled trials which conducted in patients with septic shock or bacterial sepsis were included. Two reviewers assessed all searched trials for eligibility according to already defined criteria and did data collection and analyses afterwards. Present study showed monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are a safe strategy with mild-to-moderate adverse effects. However, most studies indicate no significant change among inter-and intra-group comparison (p > 0.05) and further studies are needed, results showed an increase in survival rate, ventilator-and ICU-free days, resolve organ dysfunction, mediating inflammation related cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of major Gram-negative etiologies of septicemia and evaluate its performance.
METHODS: Multiplex PCR (mPCR) assays were developed targeting 11 bacterial strains. Species-specific primers were confirmed using known clinical isolates and standard strains. Gradient PCR was performed on each primer against its target bacterial gene to determine its optimal amplification condition. The minimum detectable DNA concentration of the two assays was evaluated by adjusting bacterial DNA concentration to 100 ng/μL and, tenfold serially diluting it up to 10 pg/μL with DNAse-free water. The diagnostic accuracy of mPCR assays was established by subjecting the assays to 60 clinical blood samples.
RESULTS: Two mPCR assays were developed. Optimal primer annealing temperature of 55 °C was established and utilized in the final amplification conditions. The assays detected all targeted bacteria, with a 100 pg minimum detectable DNA concentration. Pathogens were not detected directly from whole blood, but after 4 h and 8 h of incubation, 41% (5/12) and 100% (12/12) of the bacteria were detected in culture fluids, respectively. The assays also identified Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae co-infections and extra pathogens (1 E. coli and 2 K. pneumoniae) compared with culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the mPCR were 100.0% (71.7-100.0) and 98.0% (90.7-99.0), respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 1.00 (1.00-1.00).
CONCLUSIONS: The mPCR assays demonstrated substantial potential as a rapid tool for septicemia diagnosis alongside the traditional blood culture method. Notably, it was able to identify additional isolates, detect co-infections, and efficiently detect low bacterial DNA loads with high sensitivity, implying its value in enhancing efficiency of diagnosis of septicemia.