West Nile Virus Outbreak in Israel 2024 Compared with Previous Seasons: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Since May 2024, Israel has been experiencing a large West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak. We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized cases to previous years and identify predictors of poor outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study.

Gender Disparities Among Award and Grant Recipients in Annual Infectious Disease Society Meetings.

Introduction: Gender inequity in medical academic forums persists despite attempts to ensure better gender equality. In this study, we aimed to assess the proportion of female award and grant winners in both the ESCMID global and IDWeek conferences.

Methods: Female award and grant winners in infectious diseases conferences (2009-2023) were evaluated.

Performance of ChatGPT-4o in the diagnostic workup of fever among returning travellers requiring hospitalization: a validation study.

Background: Febrile illness in returned travellers presents a diagnostic challenge in non-endemic settings. Chat generative pretrained transformer (ChatGPT) has the potential to assist in medical tasks, yet its diagnostic performance in clinical settings has rarely been evaluated. We conducted a validation assessment of ChatGPT-4o's performance in the workup of fever in returning travellers.

Risk Factors for Mortality Among Older Adults with Hospital-Acquired Bloodstream Infections in the Intensive Care Unit: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate risk factors for mortality among older adults (≥ 75 years) with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We included patients aged ≥ 75 years with HA-BSI in ICU from the EUROBACT-2 cohort (2019-2021). Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify predictors of 28-day mortality.

Persistence of Long COVID Symptoms Two Years After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background/objectives: Millions of individuals worldwide continue to experience symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and phenotype of multi-system symptoms attributed to Long COVID-including fatigue, pain, cognitive-emotional disturbances, headache, cardiopulmonary issues, and alterations in taste and smell-that have persisted for at least two years after acute infection, which we define as "persistent Long COVID". Additionally, the study aimed to identify clinical features and blood biomarkers associated with persistent Long COVID symptoms.

Shorter vs. standard-duration antibiotic therapy for nocardiosis: a multi-center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The prolonged treatment recommended for nocardiosis does not rely on strong evidence. Consequently, some clinicians opt shorter therapy in certain circumstances. We assessed the effectiveness of shorter therapy.

Prophylactic vs preemptive strategy for the prevention of CMV disease in solid organ transplant recipients: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Strategies for CMV prevention include universal prophylaxis or preemptive approach. We aimed to evaluate the optimal approach.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity among individuals recovering from mild to moderate COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

Impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) following COVID-19 has been consistently reported among individuals recovering from severe-critical infection. However, most long COVID cases follow non-severe COVID-19. We assessed DLCO among individuals with long COVID recovering from mild to moderate acute illness.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1 variant outbreak in a defined cohort: an epidemiological investigation incorporating longitudinal assessment of humoral response.

Background: We describe an epidemiological investigation of a SARS-CoV-2-XBB.1 outbreak among healthcare workers (HCWs) returning from a 5-days educational tour abroad.

Methods: We prospectively followed participants for symptoms and sampled blood for neutralization assays of four SARS-CoV-2 variants (wild type, XBB, EG.

Clinical impact of active screening cultures for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has emerged as a significant health care-associated infection carrying substantial mortality. We assessed the clinical impact of active screening cultures for CRAB.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis, aiming to answer 2 questions: (1) Does screening versus no screening improve clinical outcomes? (2) Does positive screening ("CRAB carrier") predict CRAB infections? We searched the literature until January 2024 for comparative studies reporting clinical outcomes (mortality, invasive CRAB infections).

Presentation, management, and outcomes of older compared to younger adults with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit: a multicenter cohort study.

Purpose: Older adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) usually have fair baseline functional capacity, yet their age and frailty may compromise their management. We compared the characteristics and management of older (≥ 75 years) versus younger adults hospitalized in ICU with hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (HA-BSI).

Methods: Nested cohort study within the EUROBACT-2 database, a multinational prospective cohort study including adults (≥ 18 years) hospitalized in the ICU during 2019-2021.

Humoral response superiority of the monovalent XBB.1.5 over the bivalent BA.1 and BA.5 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

JN.1, the dominating SARS-CoV-2 variant, is antigenically distinct from ancestral BA.1, BA.

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Levels as Predictors of XBB Variant Neutralization, Israel, 2022- and 2023.

Although a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-XBB.1.5 variant is available worldwide and recent infection is protective, the lack of recorded infection data highlights the need to assess variant-specific antibody neutralization levels.

One-year follow-up of COVID-19 recoverees with impaired pulmonary function: A prospective cohort study.

Decreased diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is the most prevalent pulmonary testing abnormality among COVID-19 recoverees. We prospectively followed 51 individuals with impaired DLCO at an average of ∼3 months following COVID-19 and re-examined them at one year. At follow-up, mean DLCO increased from 68.

Sink-traps are a major source for carbapenemase-producing transmission.

Objective: We studied the extent of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) sink contamination and transmission to patients in a nonoutbreak setting.

Methods: During 2017-2019, 592 patient-room sinks were sampled in 34 departments. Patient weekly rectal swab CPE surveillance was universally performed.

Immunogenicity and Safety of Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) Vaccine-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Prevention of mpox has become an important public health interest. We aimed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MVA versus no intervention, placebo, or another vaccine.

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients to Predict Active Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Studies.

Background: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies to assess the predictive value of both tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for active tuberculosis (TB) among solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients.

Methods: Medline, Embase, and the CENTRAL databases were searched from 1946 until June 30, 2022. Two independent assessors extracted data from studies.

Retracted publications in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology literature: an analysis using the retraction watch database.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the rate and characteristics of retracted articles in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology.

Methods: Using the Retraction Watch Database, we conducted a cross-sectional study for retracted publications categorized as 'Infectious Disease' or 'Microbiology' until June 30 2022. We included publications for which citation information was available through the Web of Science database.

Real-life experience with remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 among older adults: a multicentre retrospective study.

Introduction: The effect of remdesivir on COVID-19 mortality remains conflicting. Elderly individuals are at risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes. We aimed to assess the effect of remdesivir on COVID-19 mortality among elderly individuals, using real-world data.

Assessment of Exercise Capacity of Individuals with Long COVID: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Clinical investigations of long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are rarely translated to objective findings.

Objectives: To assess the functional capacity of individuals reported on deconditioning that hampered their return to their pre-COVID routine.

Methods: Assessment included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 30-second sit-to-stand test (30-STST).