Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers.

Background: In the post-pandemic phase, the value of annual SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in healthcare-workers is unclear. In this multicentre cohort study, we sought to determine the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status and other risk factors with the occurrence of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost due to influenza-like respiratory illness.

Methods: During a period of high SARS-CoV-2 community transmission (November 2023 to May 2024), we collected weekly data on symptoms and sick day leave and used negative binomial regression to identify risk factors for these outcomes among 1745 healthcare workers.

Economic evaluations of antibiotic stewardship programmes 2015-2024: a systematic review.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Antibiotic Stewardship Programmes in reducing antibiotic resistance and healthcare costs. However, the use of different methods to assess these costs, along with the uncertainty regarding which interventions are cost-effective, hampers the comparison of results and the formulation of clear recommendations. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the available evidence on economic evaluations of Antibiotic Stewardship Programmes and to assess their impact on healthcare costs.

Surgical Site Infections, Risk Factors, and Outcomes After Liver Transplant.

Importance: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common health care-associated infections. Surgical site infections can have harmful effects in liver transplant (LT) recipients.

Objective: To assess the incidence of SSI after LT and identify risk factors associated with SSIs and whether SSIs are associated with death and graft loss.

Burden of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae in healthcare workers and its course over a 30-month period-results from a prospective multicentre cohort.

Purpose: As healthcare workers (HCW) have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, its post-acute sequelae (PASC) in HCW can impact healthcare systems. We assessed the burden and course of PASC in HCW over a 30-month period.

Methods: In a prospective multicentre HCW cohort in Switzerland, PASC surveys were conducted in 03/2021, 09/2021, 06/2022, 04/2023, and 10/2023.

Association of institutional masking policies with healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in Swiss acute care hospitals during the BA.4/5 wave (CH-SUR study): a retrospective observational study.

Background: In the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, masking has been widely accepted in healthcare institutions to mitigate the risk of healthcare-associated infection. Evidence, however, is still scant and the role of masks in preventing healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 acquisition remains unclear.We investigated the association of variation in institutional mask policies with healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in acute care hospitals in Switzerland during the BA.

Povidone Iodine vs Chlorhexidine Gluconate in Alcohol for Preoperative Skin Antisepsis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Preoperative skin antisepsis is an established procedure to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). The choice of antiseptic agent, povidone iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate, remains debated.

Objective: To determine whether povidone iodine in alcohol is noninferior to chlorhexidine gluconate in alcohol to prevent SSIs after cardiac or abdominal surgery.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination is Not Associated With Involuntary Childlessness in Female Healthcare Workers: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: There is debate about the causes of the recent birth rate decline in high-income countries worldwide. During the pandemic, concern about the effects on reproductive health has caused vaccine hesitancy. We investigated the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection with involuntary childlessness.

SARS-CoV-2 immunity and reasons for non-vaccination among healthcare workers from eastern and northern Switzerland: results from a nested multicentre cross-sectional study.

Aims Of The Study: We aimed to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity elicited by previous infections and/or vaccination among healthcare workers, and to identify reasons why healthcare workers decided against vaccination.

Methods: This nested cross-sectional study included volunteer healthcare workers from 14 healthcare institutions in German-speaking Switzerland. In January 2021, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were available for healthcare workers.

Impact of COVID-19 disease on the male factor in reproductive medicine - how-to advise couples undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread concern about its potential impact on various aspects of human health.

Aims: This narrative review aims to summarise the current knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 on sperm quality and its effect on assisted reproductive technology.

Methods: In this narrative review, a literature search using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases was conducted to identify relevant original research articles published up to 29 January 2023.

Healthcare‑associated infections in intensive care unit patients with and without COVID-19: a single center prospective surveillance study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a global increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAI) among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Whether this increase is directly attributable to COVID-19 or whether the pandemic indirectly (via staff shortages or breaches in infection prevention measures) led to this increase, remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess HAI incidence and to identify independent risk factors for HAI in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ICU patients.

Effective infection prevention and control measures in long-term care facilities in non-outbreak and outbreak settings: a systematic literature review.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections in long-term care are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. While infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines are well-defined in the acute care setting, evidence of effectiveness for long-term care facilities (LTCF) is missing. We therefore performed a systematic literature review to examine the effect of IPC measures in the long-term care setting.

Clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection during the Omicron period in relation to baseline immune status and booster vaccination-A prospective multicentre cohort of health professionals (SURPRISE study).

The effects of different types of pre-existing immunity on the frequency of clinical symptoms caused by the SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection were prospectively assessed in healthcare workers during the Omicron period. Among 518 participants, hybrid immunity was associated with symptom reduction for dizziness, muscle or limb pain and headache as compared to vaccination only. Moreover, the frequencies of dizziness, cough and muscle or limb pain were lower in participants who had received a booster vaccine dose.

Timing of Cefuroxime Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Its Association With Surgical Site Infections.

Importance: World Health Organization guidelines recommend administering surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP), including cefuroxime, within 120 minutes prior to incision. However, data from clinical settings supporting this long interval is limited.

Objective: To assess whether earlier vs later timing of administration of cefuroxime SAP is associated with the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSI).

Post-Acute Sequelae After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection by Viral Variant and Vaccination Status: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Disentangling the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and vaccination on the occurrence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is crucial to estimate and reduce the burden of PASC.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis (May/June 2022) within a prospective multicenter healthcare worker (HCW) cohort in north-eastern Switzerland. HCWs were stratified by viral variant and vaccination status at time of their first positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab.

Burden of Severe Illness Associated With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza in Adults Aged 50-64 Years, 2010-2011 to 2016-2017.

Background: Understanding the burden of influenza is necessary to optimize recommendations for influenza vaccination. We describe the epidemiology of severe influenza in 50- to 64-year-old residents of metropolitan Toronto and Peel region, Canada, over 7 influenza seasons.

Methods: Prospective population-based surveillance for hospitalization associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza was conducted from September 2010 to August 2017.

Low secondary attack rate after prolonged exposure to sputum smear positive miliary tuberculosis in a neonatal unit.

Background: Several neonatal intensive care units (NICU) have reported exposure to sputum smear positive tuberculosis (TB). NICE guidelines give support regarding investigation and treatment intervention, but not for contact definitions. Data regarding the reliability of any interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) in infants as a screening test for TB infection is scarce.

Risk and symptoms of COVID-19 in health professionals according to baseline immune status and booster vaccination during the Delta and Omicron waves in Switzerland-A multicentre cohort study.

Background: Knowledge about protection conferred by previous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and/or vaccination against emerging viral variants allows clinicians, epidemiologists, and health authorities to predict and reduce the future Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) burden. We investigated the risk and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (re)infection and vaccine breakthrough infection during the Delta and Omicron waves, depending on baseline immune status and subsequent vaccinations.

Methods And Findings: In this prospective, multicentre cohort performed between August 2020 and March 2022, we recruited hospital employees from ten acute/nonacute healthcare networks in Eastern/Northern Switzerland.

It is complicated: Potential short- and long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on antimicrobial resistance-An expert review.

As of December 2021, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed millions of deaths and caused disruptions in health systems around the world. The short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was already a global threat before the pandemic, are manifold and complex. In this expert review, we summarize how COVID-19 might be affecting AMR in the short term (by influencing the key determinants antibiotic use, infection control practices and international/local mobility) and which additional factors might play a role in the long term.

Documentation of adherence to infection prevention best practice in patient records: a mixed-methods investigation.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections remain a preventable cause of patient harm in healthcare. Full documentation of adherence to evidence-based best practices for each patient can support monitoring and promotion of infection prevention measures. Thus, we reviewed the extent, nature, and determinants of the documentation of infection prevention (IP) standards in patients with HAI.