Appropriate timing of antibiotic initiation in patients with sepsis or septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evidence supporting antibiotic administration within 3 hours in sepsis without shock is limited. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether the timing of antibiotic initiation influences mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock. We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Korean Medical Database from inception to November, 2022, using the keywords "sepsis," "septic shock," "anti-bacterial agents," "time to treatment," and "time factors.

Immunoglobulin G dynamics and outcomes of hypogammaglobulinemia in liver transplant recipients.

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) is a common complication of liver transplantation (LT). However, the impact of underlying liver disease severity on post-LT immunoglobulin dynamics remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the differences in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels based on the pre-transplantation model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores.

Association between Albumin Administration and Pulmonary Complications in Patients with Septic Shock: An Analysis Using the MIMIC-IV Database.

Background: Albumin administration in patients with septic shock has shown potential benefits, but its association with the development of pulmonary complications remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of albumin administration on acute respiratory distress syndrome development in patients with septic shock.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database and included adult patients with septic shock.

Comparing the mortality of patients with sepsis using empirical piperacillin/tazobactam and cefepime: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Objectives: We compared the effectiveness of piperacillin/tazobactam and cefepime as empirical antibiotics for sepsis.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients diagnosed with sepsis, receiving either piperacillin/tazobactam or cefepime as empirical treatment. Relevant data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database.

Sexual Risk Compensation and Retention in PrEP Care in Korea: An HIV PrEP Demonstration Study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) is effective in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), however, its feasibility has not been evaluated in the Republic of Korea (Korea). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of PrEP in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Korea. This is the first demonstration study in Korea, in which PrEP medication, laboratory tests, and clinic visit fees were provided without charge to participants.

Prognostic factors for long-term mortality after surgery of left-sided infective endocarditis.

Background: Infective endocarditis has low prevalence but a high mortality rate. Left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) has a higher mortality rate than right-sided infective endocarditis. Surgical treatment is occasionally considered for LSIE; however, few data are available on the long-term prognostic factors for LSIE after surgical treatment.

Urine Leukocyte Counts for Differentiating Asymptomatic Bacteriuria From Urinary Tract Infection and Predicting Secondary Bacteremia.

Background: Differentiating between asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and urinary tract infection (UTI) is difficult in patients who have difficulty communicating their symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urine leukocytes in distinguishing between UTI and ASB, and the clinical outcomes of patients with UTI according to the degree of pyuria.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with positive urine cultures between July 2022 and June 2023 at two hospitals.

Predictors of bloodstream infection and its impact on mortality in septic arthritis: A 15-year review.

Background: Septic arthritis is frequently complicated by bloodstream infection (BSI), which can lead to metastatic infections and sepsis. In the current study, we aimed to identify risk factors for septic arthritis-related BSI and assess its impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review spanning 15 years (January 2009 to May 2023) was conducted on patients diagnosed with septic arthritis.

Antiretroviral Therapy during Long-term Surgical Care: 'Exploring Difficult Cases in HIV Clinics' of the Korean Society for AIDS Conference in 2023.

With advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), the average lifespan of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing, as is the number of older adults with HIV. Accordingly, the number of patients with HIV who undergo surgery or require critical care for various reasons is increasing. Since the prognosis of people with HIV depends on the continuous and effective maintenance of ART, there is a need to consider effectively maintaining ART in people with HIV in these conditions.

Immunogenicity and Predictive Factors Associated with Poor Response after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccination in Lung Transplant Patients.

Lung transplant patients are more likely to develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with the general population and should be vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, previous studies have reported reduced vaccination immunogenicity in lung transplantation patients. We aimed to investigate the serological response and associated factors after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population.

Hepatitis B Reactivation and Vaccination Effectiveness after Solid Organ Transplantation: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at significant risk of hepatitis B (HB) virus (HBV) reactivation (HBVr). Despite the clinical significance of HBVr after solid organ transplantation, data on the risk factors for HBVr and vaccine effectiveness in SOT recipients with resolved HBV infection are limited. This study evaluated the risk factors for HBVr and the seroconversion rates after HBV vaccination in SOT recipients.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for right-sided infective endocarditis in Korea: a 12-year retrospective cohort study.

Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) is less common than left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) and exhibits distinct epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics. Previous studies have focused primarily on RSIE in patients with intravenous drug use. We investigated the characteristics and risk factors for RSIE in an area where intravenous drug use is uncommon.

The obesity paradox in younger adult patients with sepsis: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: The obesity paradox suggests that individuals with obesity may have a survival advantage against specific critical illnesses, including sepsis. However, whether this paradox occurs at younger ages remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether obesity could improve survival in younger adult patients with sepsis.

DECIPHERING GUT MICROBIOTA IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE SEPSIS AND SEPTIC SHOCK.

Introduction: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with susceptibility to sepsis and poor outcomes. However, changes to the intestinal microbiota during sepsis and their value as biomarkers are unclear. In this study, we compared the intestinal microbiota of patients with sepsis and healthy controls.

Trends of age-related non-communicable diseases in people living with HIV and comparison with uninfected controls: A nationwide population-based study in South Korea.

Objectives: We aim to compare the trends of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and death among people living with HIV (PLWH) and uninfected controls in South Korea.

Methods: We identified PLWH from a nationwide database of all Korean citizens enrolled from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2016. A control cohort was randomly selected for PLWH by frequency matching for age and sex in a 20:1 ratio.

Clinical Characteristics and Causative Pathogens of Infective Arthritis and Risk Factors for Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of infective arthritis and to analyze risk factors for Gram-negative bacterial infections that cause infective arthritis.

Materials And Methods: Patients admitted between 2009 - 2018 with infective arthritis in a single-tertiary hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: A total of 181 patients were enrolled in this study.

A Modified Simple Scoring System Using the Red Blood Cell Distribution Width, Delta Neutrophil Index, and Mean Platelet Volume-to-Platelet Count to Predict 28-Day Mortality in Patients With Sepsis.

Background: Recently, a new scoring system was developed that uses the red blood cell distribution width (RDW), delta neutrophil index (DNI), and platelet count (PC) to predict mortality in patients with sepsis. We investigated whether a modified simple scoring system based on the RDW, DNI, and mean platelet volume-to-PC (MPV/PC) ratio could predict the mortality of patients with sepsis, and compared it to the previous scoring system.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 264 adults who had been treated for sepsis in an emergency department between January 2016 and February 2019.

Risk factors of community-onset extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteraemia in South Korea using national health insurance claims data.

Background: Although it is essential to know the particular causes of antibiotic-resistant infections in the community, there is lack of evidence regarding risk factors for community-onset extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) bacteraemia in South Korea. As such, this study aimed to identify risk factors for community-onset ESBL-KP bacteraemia.

Methods: From May 2016 to April 2017, patients with community-onset KP bloodstream infection (BSI) (n = 408) from six sentinel hospitals participating in the Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System in South Korea were included in this study.