Efficacy of Bezlotoxumab in Participants Receiving Metronidazole, Vancomycin, or Fidaxomicin for Treatment of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Infection

Efficacy of Bezlotoxumab in Participants Receiving Metronidazole, Vancomycin, or Fidaxomicin for Treatment of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Infection
Erik R Dubberke, Dale N Gerding, Ciarán P Kelly, Kevin W Garey, Galia Rahav …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa157,

Bezlotoxumab reduces rCDI vs placebo in participants receiving metronidazole and vancomycin, with a similar effect size in participants receiving fidaxomicin.

Olfactory Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: Observational Cohort Study and Systematic Review

Olfactory Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: Observational Cohort Study and Systematic Review
Tom Wai-Hin Chung, Siddharth Sridhar, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Kwok-Hung Chan, Hang-Long Li …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa199,

COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction is common (67%, 12/18 patients). Recovery can be slow (>3 weeks). Sinusitis and olfactory cleft obstruction were absent in most patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of nasal biopsy specimens demonstrated infiltrative CD68+ macrophages expressing SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the stroma.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Neuroinfectious Disease Inquiries Within the Emerging Infections Network: A 22-Year Retrospective Study

Prevalence and Characteristics of Neuroinfectious Disease Inquiries Within the Emerging Infections Network: A 22-Year Retrospective Study
Elizabeth Matthews, Luisa A Diaz-Arias, Susan E Beekmann, Philip Polgreen, Greer Waldrop …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa163,

This is an analysis of the Emerging Infection Network’s listserv focused on clinical inquiries involving neuroinfectious diseases. The goal was to identify recurring themes and questions to help guide neuroinfectious disease-related education and research.

A Narrative Review of Early Oral Stepdown Therapy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Yay or Nay?

A Narrative Review of Early Oral Stepdown Therapy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Yay or Nay?
Michael Dagher, Vance G Fowler, Jr., Patty W Wright, Milner B Staub
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa151,

The role of oral antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a subject of debate. We summarize key arguments both for and against their use and evaluate available evidence for the efficacy of specific oral antibiotic regimens.

Hospital Associated Respiratory Virus Infection in Children and Adults: It Does Not Just Occur During Cold and Flu Season

Hospital Associated Respiratory Virus Infection in Children and Adults: It Does Not Just Occur During Cold and Flu Season
Joshua G Petrie, Adam S Lauring, Emily T Martin, Keith S Kaye
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa200,

Hospital-associated respiratory virus infections (HARVI) are an underappreciated source of morbidity and mortality. We examined HARVI incidence in a cohort of hospitalized patients. HARVIs were identified in patients of all ages, both during and outside of the influenza season.

Safety of Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Compared to Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Adults

Safety of Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Compared to Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Adults: An Observational Study
John Hansen, Kristin Goddard, Julius Timbol, Lea Zhang, Ned Lewis …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa179,

HIV Testing in Adults Presenting With Central Nervous System Infections

HIV Testing in Adults Presenting With Central Nervous System Infections
Bert Ma, Karen J Vigil, Rodrigo Hasbun
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa217,

Even though HIV testing should be done in all adults presenting with a CNS infection, testing remains ~50% and did not improve after the recommendation for universal testing by the CDC in 2006.

A Cluster of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infections Indicating Person-to-Person Transmission Among Casual Contacts From Social Gatherings: An Outbreak Case-Contact Investigation

A Cluster of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infections Indicating Person-to-Person Transmission Among Casual Contacts From Social Gatherings: An Outbreak Case-Contact Investigation
Ye Shen, Wenjie Xu, Changwei Li, Andreas Handel, Leonardo Martinez …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa231,

Transmission efficiency among close contacts was higher than among casual contacts; however, transmission from second-generation cases may help spread the virus during the incubation period.

Cefiderocol for Extensively Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections: Real-world Experience From a Case Series and Review of the Literature

Cefiderocol for Extensively Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections: Real-world Experience From a Case Series and Review of the Literature
Sandra Zingg, G Jacopo Nicoletti, Sabine Kuster, Milena Junker, Andreas Widmer …
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2020, ofaa185,

Cefiderocol is a new siderophore cephalosporin with activity against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Data on its clinical efficacy are limited to complicated urinary tract infections. We present a series of 3 patients successfully treated with cefiderocol for complicated health care–associated infections and review published case reports.