Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
-
Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Dec 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyProcalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy in patients with fever in a general emergency department population: a multicentre non-inferiority randomized clinical trial (HiTEMP study).
Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics in emergency departments (EDs) results in antibiotic resistance. We determined whether procalcitonin (PCT) -guided therapy can be used to reduce antibiotic regimens in EDs by investigating efficacy, safety and accuracy. ⋯ PCT-guided therapy was non-inferior in terms of safety, but did not reduce prescription of antibiotic regimens in an ED population with fever. In this heterogeneous population, the accuracy of PCT in diagnosing bacterial infections was poor. TRIAL REGISTRATION IN NETHERLANDS TRIAL REGISTER: http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=4949.
-
Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Dec 2018
Towards precision medicine in sepsis: a position paper from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Our current understanding of the pathophysiology and management of sepsis is associated with a lack of progress in clinical trials, which partly reflects insufficient appreciation of the heterogeneity of this syndrome. Consequently, more patient-specific approaches to treatment should be explored. ⋯ A road map provides recommendations and future perspectives. RDTs and identifying drug-response phenotypes are clear challenges. The next step will be the implementation of precision medicine to sepsis management, based on theranostic methodology. This highly individualized approach will be essential for the design of novel clinical trials and improvement of care pathways.
-
Clin. Microbiol. Infect. · Dec 2018
Identifying a consensus sample type to test for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis and human papillomavirus.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global cause of acute illness. Early detection plays a crucial role in interrupting transmission and preventing complications. However, the accessibility of STI testing is curbed by the lack of an overall preferred sample type. By means of a prospective study in female sex workers (FSW), we compared the sensitivity of samples from different anatomical sites in detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium and human papillomavirus. Besides, we documented the prevalence of each STI in this high-risk population. ⋯ When testing for STIs, vaginal swabs are the sample of choice and first-void urine should be avoided. Designating (self-sampled) vaginal swabs as a consensus sample type enables harmonization of STI testing and extension of testing to large numbers of unscreened females.