Evaluation of the impact of universal mupirocin decolonization in intensive care units on the utility of MRSA PCR nasal swab testing

✅ Just Accepted
🔗 https://bit.ly/4bWBN9b

My thesis work has been a wealth of experience in #hostmicrobe biology, #MicrobialGenetics, and @microbesinfo.bsky.social that I look forward to sharing later this week! Thank you to the #mentors, collegaues, and #collaborators that worked with me the last 4 years! DM/comment for Zoom info!

Burden of Injection Drug Use-Related Infection Hospitalizations in Tennessee, 2016–2023 In Tennessee, hospitalizations for injection-related infections disproportionately affected eastern Tennessee, and plateaued in 2018. Hospitalizations for

Burden of Injection Drug Use-Related Infection Hospitalizations in Tennessee, 2016–2023

✅ Just Accepted
🔗 https://bit.ly/4c6Fh7Z

Evaluation of the impact of universal mupirocin decolonization in intensive care units on the utility of MRSA PCR nasal swab testing - PubMed The NPV of MRSA PCR nasal swabs is not diminished after mupirocin decolonization. MRSA PCR testing within 7 days of initiation of decolonization is non-inferior to testing prior to decolonization.

Proud to see this published in @cidjournal.bsky.social & with an accompanying commentary! 

Nasal decolonization = IP tool
MRSA nares = Abx stewardship tool
but what happens when they intersect? 

Decolonization doesn’t limit usefulness of PCR testing within the first week!

The innate immune protein calprotectin ablates the bactericidal activity of β-lactam antibiotics - PubMed β-lactam antibiotics are among the most widely used treatments for bacterial infections, yet therapeutic failure is common even when no genetic resistance is detected. Understanding how host factors...

The innate immune protein calprotectin ablates the bactericidal activity of β-lactam antibiotics

What's Hot This Year in ID Clinical Science 2025

✅ Just Accepted
🔗 https://bit.ly/4t0iXEH

A host-directed adjuvant sensitizes intracellular bacterial persisters to antibiotics - Nature Microbiology The authors developed a screen to find compounds that modulate intracellular Staphylococcus aureus metabolism and discovered KL1, which sensitizes persisters to antibiotics by reversing host-induced tolerance.

Delighted to share our latest paper - A host-directed adjuvant sensitizes intracellular bacterial persisters to antibiotics. Excellently led by Dr. Kuan-Yi Lu. We think it's a great proof-of-concept that altering immune cell behavior can make antibiotics work better www.nature.com/articles/s41...

As far as I can tell it is not really possible in the US to check levels. I tried really, really hard one time for a patient to find a way to check levels with no success. If anyone knows otherwise, I would love to hear about it!

I feel seen

Can’t wait to see the discoveries that are going to come out of the Reyes Ruiz Lab! Such a great scientist and mentor!

Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Review This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

New review article on management of S. aureus bacteraemia: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

@jama.com @vancefowler.bsky.social #IDSky

Check out the gorgeous Figure which brings together elements of pathogenesis and management: (thread)

Such a wonderful day celebrating all that has been accomplished by the Skaar lab over the last 20 years! I feel very lucky and proud to be a part of such an incredible group of scientists!

Thanks @contagionlive.bsky.social for the opportunity to highlight some of the hot ID topics from 2024 that we covered in our recent review:

doi.org/10.1093/cid/...

Always great to be able to talk about all that is going on in ID!

2024 S aureus and MRSA Trials: Key Takeaways Jeffrey Freiberg, MD, PhD review of the SABATO trial on oral antibiotics for S aureus bacteremia and a comparison of mupirocin and iodine treatments for MRSA decolonization.

Part 3 w/ Dr. @jefffreiberg.bsky.social takeaways:

-SABATO Trial shows oral antibiotics can replace IV for certain S aureus cases.
-Mupirocin still tops iodine for MRSA decolonization, but rising resistance is a concern.
#IDsky #MEDsky

Listen here: www.contagionlive.com/view/2024-s-...

Antibiotic Resistance in the Context of UTI Treatment Developments Jeff Freiberg, MD, PhD review on key trials and challenges from 2024 in the fight against antibiotic resistance in complicated and uncomplictaed UTIs, including cefepime-taniborbactam and gepotidacin.

Part 2 w/ Dr. @jefffreiberg.bsky.social, he discussed some findings from 2024 on the rise of AMR in #UTIs. From trials of cefepime-taniborbactam to the potential of gepotidacin, some of the challenges and future of #UTI treatment. #IDsky #MEDsky

Listen here: www.contagionlive.com/view/antibio...

Emerging Threats and Key Knowledge From 2024 Trending Into 2025 Jeff Freiberg, MD, PhD, on the rising emerging infection concerns of dengue, mpox, measles, and H5N1 influenza in clinical practice.

In Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Freiberg from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, we dive into the rising concerns of emerging infections, including #dengue, #mpox, #measles, and #H5N1 influenza. #IDsky #MEDsky

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week: www.contagionlive.com/view/emergin...

Another year of incredible advances in ID! Our review hardly does justice to everything accomplished last year. Fortunate to have had the opportunity to write this review, but even more fortunate to be part of a field working so hard for the good of so many. ID is needed now as much as ever! #IDSky

Does anyone know of a lab that will run dalbavancin levels? #IDSky

Yes!
We plan to look at the (anticipated) actual cost savings related to decreased vancomycin use (drug costs, laboratory costs, and pharmacy services related to vancomycin administration) versus the cost of the additional PCR testing.

Swab Testing to Optimize Pneumonia treatment with empiric Vancomycin (STOP-Vanc): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial - Trials Background Vancomycin, an antibiotic with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is frequently included in empiric treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) despit...

The study protocol for STOP-Vanc, our RCT looking at the use of MRSA nares PCR testing in an ICU, is finally published!

We are hoping to be done with enrollment soon and excited to see what we learn from this study! #IDSky #MedSky

trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

Very interesting analysis of the opportunity cost of doing an MD-PhD.

At the end of the day the choice should be about the type of career you want to have. I have not regretted my choice to get an MD-PhD one bit because it has set me on the perfect path for what I want my career to be!

Bactericidal antibiotic treatment induces damaging inflammation via TLR9 sensing of bacterial DNA Nature Communications - The immunologic differences induced by bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibiotics remain unclear. Gross et al. show that, in contrast to static antibiotics, cidal...

Bactericidal antibiotics release bacterial DNA that activates TLR9, while static antibiotics do not. This can profoundly impact treatment outcome. Should clinicians consider this when choosing antibiotics to prescribe?

Amazing work by Julia Gross and collaboration with Iain Fraser!
rdcu.be/d1Phk

Fascinating study, very intriguing!

Hey Matt, thanks for creating this! I would love to added if there is room.

Image of staph papers Bluesky profile

Staph papers @staph-papers.bsky.social is now on Bluesky!