Infectious Disease Commons^™

Expansion Of A Rapid Reentry Program To Improve Viral Suppression And Retention In Hiv Care, Danielle L. Gilbert Do, Mph, Shafay Shams Md, John G. Phillips Md, Paula S. Seal Md, Mph

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Forum

No abstract provided.

From Knowledge To Action: Assessing The Influence Of Provider Education On Vaccine Importance, Tat W. Yau Md, Mph, Lauren E. Richey Md, Mph

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Forum

No abstract provided.

Post-Recovery Viral Shedding Shapes Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Inferences, Tin Phan, Samantha Brozak, Bruce Pell, Stanca M Ciupe, Ruian Ke, Ruy M Ribeiro, Anna Gitter, Kristina D Mena, Alan S Perelson, Yang Kuang, Fuqing Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The prolonged viral shedding from the gastrointestinal tract is well documented for numerous pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of prolonged viral shedding on epidemiological inferences using wastewater data is not yet fully understood.

Methods: To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon at the population level, we extended a wastewater-based modeling framework that integrates viral shedding dynamics, viral load data in wastewater, case report data, and an epidemic model.

Results: Our results indicate that as an outbreak progresses, the viral load from recovered individuals gradually becomes predominant, surpassing that from the infectious population. This phenomenon leads to a …

Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities In The Treatment Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections: The Role Of Pharmacists In Mitigating Barriers, Arin Wade, Danielle Egbujor, Anna Spalvieri, Owen Fox, Marisa Petrunich, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Kasie Landin

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and shaped by socioeconomic disparities. Social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, poverty, low health literacy, and environmental conditions, contribute to higher rates of resistant infections and poorer treatment outcomes in underserved populations. Barriers such as pharmacy deserts, self-medication, and inadequate stewardship infrastructure amplify these risks. Pharmacists, as accessible and highly trained healthcare professionals, play a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance by optimizing antibiotic use, delivering culturally competent education, and leading antimicrobial stewardship programs across settings. Community and clinical pharmacists are especially well positioned to bridge …

Viral Detection In Anterior Nasal Swabs Versus Nasopharyngeal Swabs In Children, Nicole Neeley, Abby Kietzman, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Dithi Banerjee, Jennifer Goldman, Jennifer Schuster

Research Days

Background: Respiratory viruses are a significant cause of pediatric illness and healthcare utilization. Diagnostic testing for respiratory viruses is generally performed using nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens obtained by trained staff, limiting testing to medical settings. Evaluating additional sampling methods in children that are easier to collect and can be performed outside of medical settings, such as anterior nasal swab (NS) specimens may expand access to diagnostic testing and aid public health surveillance.

Methods: Eligible children hospitalized at Children’s Mercy Hospital who had a standard of care NP specimen collected for respiratory viral testing were enrolled. Research NS specimens were obtained through …

A Retrospective Study Of Pulmonary Function Tests In Bronchiectasis: An Infectious Disease Of The Respiratory System, Vinod Mutkule, Mahesh Shinde, Vidya Bapmare, Sangramsingh Dixit, Atharva Sharma, Kshitij Sarwey, Yogeshwari Patil, Sanket Jethlia, Aayushi Dwivedi, Disha Pardeshi, Anmol Rai, Kunal Shah, Vidhi Kalwar

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Bronchiectasis, currently being recognized worldwide, is an abnormal dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles brought on by recurrent cycles of inflammation and airway infection. Impaired pulmonary function has a predictive significance in bronchiectasis. When treating patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory diseases, pulmonary function tests (PFT) are useful examinations. Very few studies have been done on PFTs in bronchiectasis. The main aim of this study is to study PFTs in bronchiectasis.

Method: This is a retrospective observational study done on 50 patients over two years at the tertiary care center. The previous records of patients were collected from the …

Reducing Antibiotic Duration For Pneumonia And Sinusitis In The Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Approach, Joshua Saucedo, Leslie Hueschen, Amanda Nedved, Marsha Dannenburg, Patricia Phillips, Jennifer Floyd, Alaina N. Burns, Rana El Feghaly

Research Days

Background: Our aim is to increase the percentage of children discharged home from the ED with a diagnosis of CAP or ABRS treated with an optimal antibiotic duration (3-5 days for CAP, 5-7 days for ABRS) from 13% to 70% by July 25.

Methods: Outcome metric is the percentage of patients receiving recommended antibiotic duration for CAP and ABRS. Process metrics include use of order set, "Quick Discharge” order set, and clinical pathway QR codes. Balancing metric is the number of return visits with the same diagnosis < 14 days. Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology was used. In Aug 23, our ASP disseminated a handbook that emphasized shorter durations. A new multidisciplinary team (infectious diseases, ED, and urgent care physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and pharmacy) formed in Dec 23. We utilized cause-and-effect analysis, driver diagram, and prioritization matrix, which helped identify other impactful interventions, including implementation of new internal CAP clinical pathway order set (April 24) and “Quick Discharge” order sets (May 24). Next, we surveyed prescriber comfort (June 24) with shorter duration identifying barriers and providing education, leading to posted evidence for lower duration treatment in practitioner workrooms and developing a new ABRS clinical pathway (Sept 24). Top prescribers providing optimal duration received email acknowledgement (Oct 24) and resident rotators received antibiotic handbook and CAP clinical pathway QR codes (Nov 24). New best treatment practices for ABRS were elucidated and disseminated through clinical pathway and internal article publishing to our hospital and associated clinics (Dec 24).

Results: We saw shifts in the outcome metric’s center line in Sept 23 …

A Modified Sir Model Used To Investigate The Relationship Between Congenital And Adult Syphilis, Kaleesta R. Waysman

Honors Thesis

A complex SIR model integrating the relationship between adult and congenital syphilis was developed. The goal of the project was to determine the specific population(s) or control strategies that should be enforced, altered, or removed to decrease the number of children experiencing clinical sequelae due to congenital syphilis. Early clinical sequelae include hydrops fetalis, preterm birth, central nervous system infection, hepatosplenomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis, hemolytic anemia, snuffles, osteochondritis, and lesions or rashes in the palms and soles. Late clinical sequelae include interstitial keratitis, hearing loss, Hutchinson teeth, saber shins, Clutton joints, mulberry molars, and saddle nose. After implementing real-world data into …

Stethoscope Hygiene And Its Relationship To Healthcare Acquired Infections: A Research Proposal, Thomas P. Baker

Aurora

Problem: Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) are an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent HAIs, stethoscope hygiene may be an underutilized practice that can further prevent HAIs.

Purpose: The purpose of the research proposal is to determine if patients are more at risk of acquiring a HAI from improperly sanitized stethoscopes in comparison to stethoscopes that are cleaned in accordance with best practice methods while being treated in a hospital.

Methods: This proposal is a mixed-methods study. A 30-minute educational seminar on the importance of stethoscope hygiene and evidence-based …

Influenza Talk Proposed Titles, Henry Arguinchona

Conferences

No abstract provided.

Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Resulting In Hepatotoxicity And Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation Following Initiation Of Levetiracetam, Zechariah Jung, Xavier Zonna, Samuel J. Wlasowicz, Conor Banta, Lawrence Canale, Joseph Bielecki

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

A 28-year-old male with a past medical history of alcohol abuse had new-onset seizures suspected to be caused by alcohol use. Twelve days after starting levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis, he began to develop a pruritic rash, darkening of his urine, periods of jaundice, and hot flashes that correlated with the timing of his levetiracetam dosing. He was subsequently found to have lymphocyte-predominant leukocytosis, elevated aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase. Following discontinuation of his levetiracetam, he was found to have positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology suggestive of reactivation. This case demonstrates levetiracetam as a rare cause of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) along …

Intractable Hiccups As The Presenting Symptom Of Relapsed Salmonella Bacteremia Complicated By Salmonella Endocarditis, Sahej Arora, Tripti Jain, Hafsa Jawaid, Nada Hafez, Binita Neupane

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Salmonella infections are generally acute diarrheal illnesses that uncommonly spread to deeper or endovascular tissues, with key symptoms being nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. We present a case of a 76-year male who presented chiefly with recurrent intractable hiccups after finishing two weeks of oral ciprofloxacin for a previous episode of Salmonella bacteremia. He was ultimately found to have an aortic root vegetation on transesophageal echocardiogram and focal adenomyomatosis on gallbladder ultrasound. He underwent cholecystectomy, aortic valve replacement and six weeks of antibiotic therapy with resolution of his hiccups. Our case demonstrates an atypical symptom of intractable hiccups …

Rapidly Developing Bilateral Loculated Streptococcus Pyogenes Empyema In An Immunocompetent Adult: A Case Report, Anish K Shrestha, Matthew Dwumah-Agyen, Boniface Mensah, Yvette Yeboah-Kordieh, Marcos A Wolff, Jennifer A Evans

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Streptococcus pyogenes is a rare cause of empyema, especially in immunocompetent individuals. The organism expresses various virulence factors leading to rapid progression of the disease. We report a case of rapidly progressing bilateral loculated empyema caused by streptococcus pyogenes in an immunocompetent host without additional risk factors.

A Budding Pancreatic Mass: A Review Of Disseminated Blastomycosis, Tina C. L. Phan, Chloe N. Hundman, Neena Thomas-Gosain, Christopher D. Jackson

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

A 67-year-old male patient presented with anorexia, weight loss, skin masses, and flank pain over the past three months. Imaging revealed a lung mass and a cystic lesion in the pancreatic head. After initial diagnostic work-up and clinical deterioration, broad based budding, seen on pathology, led to a diagnosis of disseminated blastomycosis. After receiving a 14-day course of liposomal amphotericin B followed by itraconazole, the patient showed significant clinical improvement. We reviewed all disseminated blastomycosis cases in the medical literature involving gastrointestinal organs. Although pancreatic involvement is rare, we suggest that it should be suspected in those with a rapidly …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Renal Dosing Refreshable Sidebar Report On Appropriateness Of Antimicrobial Dosing At A Large Acute Care Cancer Hospital, Emily Fox, Jovan Borjan, Nancy Vuong, Hannah Aune, Claire Marten, Joshua Hendrickson

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Appropriate antimicrobial dosing is vital in the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, though adherence to guideline recommended doses is often suboptimal.

Outcomes: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a renal dosing refreshable sidebar report, which displayed recommendations from a previously developed institutional antimicrobial dosing guide at the time of antimicrobial order entry. The primary outcome was adherence to daptomycin dosing guideline recommendations before and after implementation.

Methods: This was a pre- and post-quasi-experimental study at a 600-bed acute care cancer hospital. Adult patients (≥18 years old) that received daptomycin from February-April 2021 (pre-intervention phase) and …

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Cervical Abscess In A Pcv-Immunized Female With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinema: Exploring The Role Of Opsosonization Failure And Functional Hyposplenesim Beyond The Spectrum Of Malignant B-Cell Disorders, Tanya Amal, Paul Johnson, Ayesha Sharif, Usman Bin Hameed

Conference Presentation Abstracts

A 64-year-old female with recently diagnosed Waldenström's macroglobulinemia presented with pain and swelling in the neck. Three weeks prior, she had accidentally punctured her neck with her fingernail, leading to initial swelling. She visited the ER, but workup showed no acute infection. A contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed enlarged bilateral cervical lymph nodes. Over the next two weeks, the swelling became increasingly painful. On presentation, she had sharp, localized pain (10/10 intensity), tachycardia, and a 3x3 cm swelling on the right side of her neck, with redness, warmth, and tenderness. Laboratory results showed lymphocytic leukocytosis (WBC 31.5, lymphocyte 24.8%, neutrophil 6.1%). …

The Diagnostic Dilemma Of Multisystemic Vasculitides - A Case Report Of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis, Muhammed Hussain, Tabssum Chauhan, Hafsa Hassan, Marian Jamil, Cecilia Big, Rajiv John

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a small vessel vasculitis disorder that classically involves the upper and lower respiratory tract as well as the kidneys. However, its presentation is not limited to these organ systems as it can present with ocular, dermatological or cardiac involvement, thus creating a broad differential when evaluating patients. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges with infectious and inflammatory etiologies in a patient with systemic symptoms, concerning imaging and travel to a TB-endemic region. A 57-year-old female with a pertinent history of recurrent sinusitis, left otitis media, and prior sinus surgeries was evaluated for suspicion of possible …

Real-World Clinical Burden Of Patients Presenting With Vaginitis Symptoms In The United States, Justin Chen, Jenny Tse, Liucheng Shi, Mindy M. Cheng, Rebecca Lillis, Aimee M. Near

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: While vaginitis is a leading cause of primary care visits among women with a gynecologic-related diagnosis, there are limited contemporary data on the healthcare burden. This study describes the real-world healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms in the United States (US) at symptom presentation and over long-term follow-up. Methods: This retrospective study utilized IQVIA's Longitudinal Prescription (LRx) and Medical Claims (Dx) databases to capture patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2022. The date of the first diagnosis code for vaginitis or related symptoms was considered the first clinical presentation …

Covid 19 And Its Widespread Effects On Autoimmune Disease, Jessica Ngo, Michelle Jankowski, Matthew Sims, Dwayne Baxa

Conference Presentation Abstracts

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority groups and immunocompromised groups, including those with autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown that African American, Hispanic, and Asian American individuals have higher risk of COVID-19 positivity and ICU admissions. SARS-CoV-2 shares numerous similarities with autoimmune diseases in its symptomology and ability to dysregulate the immune response. This study seeks to investigate differences in COVID-related outcomes between patients with autoimmune diseases and the general population. Methods A multi-center retrospective study was conducted with data from the EPIC database at Corewell Health System in Michigan from December 2019 to November 2021. Variables collected included …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance And Antimicrobial Stewardship Among Healthcare Workers In Outpatient Medical Centers In Kenya: A Qualitative Study, Mary Kaniu, Wahu Gitakah, Rupali Jain, Ann Munyare, Rodney Adam, Aliza Monroe Wise

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Objective: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat with a projected 10 million deaths globally by 2050. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are coordinated efforts involving doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health providers is pivotal for implementing strategies to curb the spread of AMR. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding AMR and AMS among healthcare workers in Kenya.

Design: A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews

Setting: 12 private outpatient clinics in Kenya.

Participants: Healthcare workers including administrators and clinicians. …