Paul B. Cornia

2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections a

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds. Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.

Computer-based order entry decreases duration of indwelling urinary catheterization in hospitalized patients

Up to 25% of hospitalized patients will have an indwelling urinary catheter inserted (1). While most of these catheters are required for optimal patient care, about one in five is unnecessary (2). Catheter-related urinary tract infections are the leading cause of nosocomial infection. They account for up to 40% of hospital-acquired infections, with an incidence of 3% to 10% per day of indwelling catheterization (1,3–5). Bacteremia occurs in 1% to 4% of those who develop nosocomial bacteriuria (6). Most patients also find an indwelling urinary catheter to be uncomfortable and activity restricting (7). Given these potential morbidities, it is remarkable how infrequently the use of a urinary catheter is documented by a physician’s order in the medical record (8). The strongest predictor for catheter-associated bacteriuria is the duration of catheterization (3,4). Thus, methods to shorten this period should reduce the risk of nosocomial urinary tract infection, yet physicians are often unaware that their own hospitalized patients have a urinary catheter in place (9). Furthermore, these “forgotten” catheters were about twice as likely to be unnecessary as those remembered by the physician (9). Thus, a system that would remind physicians which of their patients had urinary catheters might shorten the duration of catheterization. One such approach involves using automatic reminders to physicians through computerized medical record systems (10 –15). At our Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center, nearly all patient records and orders are entered into a computer. We hypothesized that a computer-based order for inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, combined with computer-generated reminders to remove the catheter, would improve documentation of urinary catheters, alert physicians that the catheter was in place, and encourage discontinuing catheterization that was no longer required.

Does this coughing adolescent or adult patient have pertussis

CONTEXT Pertussis is often overlooked as a cause of chronic cough, especially in adolescents and adults. Several symptoms are classically thought to be suggestive of pertussis, but the diagnostic value of each of them is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the evidence regarding the diagnostic value of 3 classically described symptoms of pertussis: paroxysmal cough, posttussive emesis, and inspiratory whoop. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION, AND DATA EXTRACTION We searched MEDLINE (January 1966-April 2010), EMBASE (January 1969 to April 2010), and the bibliographies of pertinent articles to identify relevant English-language studies. Articles were selected that included children older than 5 years, adolescents, or adults and confirmed the diagnosis of pertussis among patients with cough illness (of any duration) with an a priori-defined accepted reference standard. Two authors independently extracted data from articles that met selection criteria and resolved any discrepancies by consensus. DATA SYNTHESIS Five prospective studies met inclusion criteria; 3 were used in the analysis. Presence of posttussive emesis (summary likelihood ratio [LR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-2.2) or inspiratory whoop (summary LR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6) increases the likelihood of pertussis. Absence of paroxysmal cough (summary LR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.27-1.0) or posttussive emesis (summary LR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77) reduced the likelihood. Absence of inspiratory whoop was less useful (summary LR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.93). No studies evaluated combinations of findings. CONCLUSIONS In a nonoutbreak setting, data to determine the diagnostic usefulness of symptoms classically associated with pertussis are limited and of relatively weak quality. The presence or absence of posttussive emesis or inspiratory whoop modestly change the likelihood of pertussis; therefore, clinicians must use their overall clinical impression to decide about additional testing or empirical treatment.

Executive Summary: 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds. Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.

2012 infectious diseases society of america clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds. Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.

The evaluation and treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections

Background: Skin and skin structure infections are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Fortunately, these infections usually produce only mild to moderate symptoms and signs. Some, however, are severe and may even be life-threatening. Objective: To review the approach to the evaluation and treatment of patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections and to discuss when to consider using either established antibiotics or recently licensed agents for treating these infections. Methods: In addition to a non-systematic literature review of complicated skin and skin structure infections and necrotizing fasciitis, we identified recent articles examining the microbiology and describing recently licensed antibiotics for treating these infections. Results/conclusions: Clinicians must learn to recognize the early symptoms and signs of severe skin and skin structure infections to ensure they select appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy and, when needed, obtain prompt surgical consultation. While the recent approvals of new agents for treating these infections are welcome, particularly in light of the continued emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, traditional antibiotic regimens remain appropriate for most cases.

Too Much of a Good Thing

A 54-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of edema in the lower legs and a 1-week history of upper abdominal pain. He also reported intermittent nausea, early satiety, and diarrhea but did not have fevers, chills, or vomiting.

Perioperative Beta-Blockers

Early studies of prophylactic perioperative beta-blockade (i.e., started prior to surgery to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes) suggested benefit and led to relatively widespread clinical use. However, a subsequent large randomized controlled clinical trial demonstrated harm and led to more conservative recommendations.

Male hormonal contraceptives: a potentially patentable and profitable product

Although women have traditionally shouldered the responsibility of contraception, up to one-third of couples worldwide employ a male form of contraception (e.g., vasectomy or condoms). Vasectomy should be considered irreversible and long-term use of condoms is associated with a relatively high failure rate (pregnancy). Because many women are unable to use hormonal contraception and men want more contraceptive options, there is a need for a safe, effective, reversible and well-tolerated male hormonal contraceptive agent. Two large multicentre, multinational trials sponsored by the World Health Organization in the 1990s showed that high-dosage exogenous testosterone provided contraceptive efficacy similar to currently available female oral contraceptives. However, the supraphysiological dosages of testosterone used resulted in androgen-related adverse effects such as weight gain and suppression of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Subsequent efforts have been directed at combining testosterone with other agents, such as progestogens or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, to decrease the dosage of testosterone (and thus androgen-related side effects) whilst achieving uniform azoospermia. In this article, the latest developments in male hormonal contraception supporting the feasibility of such an agent will be reviewed and suggestions for future directions of research and development will be offered.

Male hormonal contraception.

Although women have traditionally shouldered the responsibility of contraception, up to a third of couples worldwide employ a male form of contraception (e.g., condoms or vasectomy). Some women are unable to use hormonal contraception; vasectomy is best considered irreversible; and long-term use of condoms is associated with a relatively high failure rate (pregnancy). Thus, a need exists for a safe, effective, reversible, well-tolerated male hormonal contraceptive agent. Two large multi-centre, multi-national trials sponsored by the World Health Organization in the 1990s showed that high-dosage exogenous testosterone provided contraceptive efficacy similar to existing female oral contraceptives. However, the supraphysiological dosages of testosterone used resulted in androgen-related adverse effects such as weight gain and suppression of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Subsequent efforts have been directed at combining testosterone with other agents, such as progestogens or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, to decrease the dosage of testosterone (and thus androgen-related side effects) while achieving uniform azoospermia. This review discusses the latest developments in male hormonal contraception.