Models of Musculoskeletal Infection Care: The Importance of Multidisciplinary Collaboration.

Musculoskeletal infections are increasing in incidence and complexity. There is mounting evidence that formal models of multidisciplinary care improve patient outcomes in severe infection. In this study, we review different published models of multidisciplinary care for patients with musculoskeletal infection.

Fishy story: paradoxical reaction associated with .

Paradoxical reactions occur when an infection has acute worsening in response to antibiotic therapy. Here, we describe a patient with chronic cutaneous ulcerative lymphangitis that acutely worsened following initiation of antibiotic therapy. The infection was caused by , a species which has not previously been associated with paradoxical reaction in immunocompetent persons.

Multisite Study of the Management of Musculoskeletal Infection After Trauma: The MMUSKIT Study.

Background: The optimal duration and choice of antibiotic for fracture-related infection (FRI) is not well defined. This study aimed to determine whether antibiotic duration (≤6 vs >6 weeks) is associated with infection- and surgery-free survival. The secondary aim was to ascertain risk factors associated with surgery- and infection-free survival.

Can gas and infection coexist in the intervertebral disc? A retrospective analysis of percutaneously biopsied suspected discitis-osteomyelitis cases.

Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the correlation between intradiscal gas and infection in patients percutaneously biopsied for suspected discitis-osteomyelitis.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all CT-guided discitis-osteomyelitis biopsies performed between 2002 and 2022. Two independent trained musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated for presence of gas on CT and/or MRI within 1 week of the biopsy.

Executive Summary: Periprosthetic Joint Infection-Current Clinical Challenges.

Over the last several decades, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) has been increasing in incidence and is occurring in more complex patients. While there have been advances in both surgical and medical treatment strategies, there remain important gaps in our understanding. Here, we share our current approaches to the diagnosis and management of PJI, focusing on frequent clinical challenges and collaborative interdisciplinary care.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for School-Associated Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Importance: School-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission is described as uncommon, although the true transmission rate is unknown.

Objective: To identify the SARS-CoV-2 secondary attack rate (SAR) in schools and factors associated with transmission.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study examined the risk of school-based transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among kindergarten through grade 12 students and staff in 10 Massachusetts school districts during 2 periods: fall 2020/spring 2021 (F20/S21) and fall 2021 (F21).

Evaluation of Hepatitis C Treatment Outcomes Among Patients Enrolled in Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy-Boston, Massachusetts, 2016-2021.

In our Boston-based outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) program between 2016 and 2021, we found that a low proportion of patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) were prescribed HCV treatment by their OPAT provider and few achieved sustained virologic response. Clinicians should consider concurrent HCV treatment during OPAT.

Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Current Clinical Challenges.

Over the last several decades, periprosthetic joint infection has been increasing in incidence and is occurring in more complex patients. While there have been advances in both surgical and medical treatment strategies, there remain important gaps in our understanding. Here, we share our current approaches to the diagnosis and management of periprosthetic joint infection, focusing on frequent clinical challenges and collaborative interdisciplinary care.

Evaluation of "Test to Return" after COVID-19 Diagnosis in a Massachusetts Public School District.

Background: Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, students with COVID-19 may end isolation after 5 days if symptoms are improving; some individuals may still be contagious. Rapid antigen testing identifies possibly infectious virus. We report on a test-to-return (TTR) program in a Massachusetts school district to inform policy decisions about return to school after COVID-19.

External validation of a predictive algorithm for in-hospital and 90-day mortality after spinal epidural abscess.

Background Context: Mortality in patients with spinal epidural abscess (SEA) remains high. Accurate prediction of patient-specific prognosis in SEA can improve patient counseling as well as guide management decisions. There are no externally validated studies predicting short-term mortality in patients with SEA.

Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection in Patients Prescribed Suppressive Antibiotic Therapy Undergoing Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A 1:4 Case Control Matched Study.

Oral suppressive antibiotic therapy (SAT) has emerged as a potential means to increase rates of infection-free survival in many complex peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) cases after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the risk of PJI of a new primary TJA in patients on oral SAT. A retrospective matched cohort study from five hospitals in a 20-year period within a large hospital network was performed.

Rates and Outcomes of Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Persons Who Inject Drugs.

Background: The risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is higher in persons who inject drugs (PWID) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), though reported rates vary widely. This study was designed to assess outcomes of TJA in PWID and to describe factors associated with improved PJI outcomes among PWID.

Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was performed using a 1:4 match among those with and those without a history of injection drug use (IDU) undergoing TJA.

Predictors of reoperation after surgery for spinal epidural abscess.

Background Context: Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but severe condition with high rates of postoperative adverse events.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify independent prognostic factors for reoperation using two datasets: an institutional and national database.

Study Design/setting: Retrospective Review.

Outcomes of Concurrent Endocarditis and Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Retrospective Case Series of 16 Patients.

Introduction Concurrent diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with infectious endocarditis is a devastating clinical scenario infrequently documented in the literature. To date, no studies have fully described the orthopedic and infectious outcomes of patients with these concurrent diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to conduct a case series of patients with these diagnoses and document the orthopedic and infectious outcomes so that surgeons may effectively counsel patients regarding the gravity of the condition and the expected course of treatment.

First-generation oral antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Oral drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have received emergency use authorization for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients who are at high risk for clinical progression.

Objectives: To provide a clinical practice overview of first-generation oral antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2.

Sources: References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, bioRxiv, medRxiv, regulatory drug agencies, and pharmaceutical companies' websites up to 16 February 2022.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Total joint arthroplasty is an important therapeutic option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. However, joint replacements are susceptible to periprosthetic joint infection especially by staphylococci and other gram-positive organisms. Antibiotic prophylaxis, or systemic administration of antibiotics prior to primary arthroplasty, has been shown to reduce rates of surgical site infection and periprosthetic joint infection.

Creation of a Multidisciplinary Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) Team: Initial Patient Characteristics, Outcomes, and Future Directions.

Background: Consensus guidelines recommend multidisciplinary models to manage infective endocarditis, yet often do not address the unique challenges of treating people with drug use-associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE). Our center is among the first to convene a Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) team composed of specialists from Infectious Disease, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology, and Addiction Medicine.

Methods: The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, infectious characteristics, and clinical outcomes of the first cohort of patients cared for by the DUET team.

Antiplatelet therapy for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: Will it stick?

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) remains a clinically challenging infection despite extensive investigation. Repurposing medications approved for other indications is appealing as clinical safety profiles have already been established. Ticagrelor, a reversible adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist that prevents platelet aggregation, is indicated for patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

A Test-to-Stay Modified Quarantine Program for COVID-19 in Schools.

Background And Objectives: Mandatory quarantine upon exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in a substantial number of lost days of school. We hypothesized that implementation of a state-wide test-to-stay (TTS) program would allow more students to participate in in-person learning, and not cause additional clusters of COVID-19 cases due to in-school transmission.

Methods: For the 2020-2021 academic year, Massachusetts implemented an opt-in TTS program, in which students exposed to COVID-19 in school are tested each school day with a rapid antigen test.

Lessons Learned From Implementation of SARS-CoV-2 Screening in K-12 Public Schools in Massachusetts.

In-person learning provides substantial benefits for K-12 school students. Risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among educators, staff, students, and household members can be markedly reduced by mitigation measures including masking, ventilation, and hygiene. In addition to these measures, where community transmission is moderate to high, regular SARS-CoV-2 screening testing is recommended by recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for unvaccinated K-12 students and staff, and supported financially by CDC and Department of Health and Human Services initiatives.