Rethinking Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery for Patients with Beta-Lactam Allergies The Shifting Landscape of SSI Prevention For decades, the standard practice in orthopedic surgery has been to avoid cefazolin, a frist-generation cephalosporin, in patients reporting allergies to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin. This cautious approach, though, inadvertently increased the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs). … Read more
The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended several changes to the way the antibiotic azithromycin is used in the EU, including the removal of certain indications. The recommendations aim to optimize the use of the antibiotic and minimize the development of antimicrobial resistance, CHMP said. CHMP’s review and re-evaluation of … Read more
Many breastfeeding mothers experience menopause-like symptoms of the postpartum condition recently designated genitourinary syndrome of lactation (GSL) in a systematic review reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The term was proposed in 2024 after interdisciplinary discussions among obstetricians, gynecologists, and urologists and following recognition of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Though common, this lactation-associated syndrome … Read more
Key Takeaways A 30-year-old man presented to the hospital with acute shortness of breath and generalised urticaria. He had no known preexisting conditions or allergies. The patient reported that his symptoms began shortly after eating crabs and engaging in vigorous physical activity while dancing to K-pop. Further investigation revealed that he danced to fast-paced songs. … Read more
Editor’s Note:The Case Challenge series includes difficult-to-diagnose conditions, some of which are not frequently encountered by most clinicians, but are nonetheless important to accurately recognize. Test your diagnostic and treatment skills using the following patient scenario and corresponding questions. If you have a case that you would like to suggest for a future Case Challenge, … Read more
TOPLINE: Low-dose suppressive valacyclovir treatment of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) did not show significant benefits at 12 months but showed treatment superiority at 18 months and a reduction in the number of multiple episodes of keratitis or iritis at 12 and 18 months. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial across 95 sites in … Read more
TOPLINE: Most survey respondents were unaware of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and only 18% were satisfied with their current management. METHODOLOGY: Researchers developed a survey that was distributed via the HSconnect.org listserv between November and December 2023, collecting responses from participants aged ≥ 18 years with HS. A … Read more
Infection Concerns Candida infections are on the rise globally, ranging from mild mucosal infections, such as oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal candidiasis, to severe, life-threatening conditions, such as candidemia and invasive candidiasis. The increasing resistance to antifungals, particularly in strains such as Candida auris and fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis poses significant challenges. In response, the European Confederation for … Read more
A subtype of molecular bacterial vaginosis (BV) increases risk for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection among Black and Hispanic adolescents and young women, according to investigators. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence that the cervicovaginal microbiome (CVM) plays a central role in the natural history of CT infection and should be explored as … Read more
New guidelines from the American Society of Regional and Anesthesia (ASRA) Pain Medicine offer strategies for anesthesiologists and pain physicians to prevent infections that develop after surgery and other pain procedures. Surgical site infections (SSIs) — which by some estimates occur 500,000 times annually in the United States— increase hospital costs by more than $20,000 … Read more