Breakpoints

In this special LIVE podcast episode, Drs. Zahra Kassamali Escobar (@zkepharmD) and Jamie Wagner (@jamiewagner) present the latest and greatest in ID literature from MAD-ID 2025 (@MAD_ID_ASP) in Orlando, FL. They cover everything from ground-breaking randomized controlled trials and updates to the treatment of resistant gram-negatives to exciting pipeline agents. If you’re behind on what has been published recently in ID, this episode is for you! Google Drive to Slides from Live Session: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HdPEJUA2EXk0xL3JKJfuV9-HdGjgRnSD/view?usp=drivesdk How to Obtain BCIDP Recertification Credit for this Episode: Visit sidp.org/BCIDP for more information Breakpoints merchandise is available at https://sidp.toptierstores.com/ Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/. Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-7e7a98 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Breakpoints.

Drs. Amy Crockett (@amyhcrockett), Ben Ereshefsky (@brainofbpharm), and Pamela Bailey (@pamipenem) join Dr. Julie Ann Justo (@julie_justo) to discuss new treatment strategies for management of intraamniotic infections, also known as chorioamnionitis. They discuss whether it is time to move away from the combination of ampicillin, gentamicin, and/or clindamycin, alternative antibiotic regimens to consider, and stewardship strategies to approach this practice change at a local level. References: Basic stats/epi on chorioamnionitis: Romero R, et al. Clinical chorioamnionitis at term I: microbiology of the amniotic cavity using cultivation and molecular techniques. J Perinat Med. 2015 Jan;43(1):19-36. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2014-0249. PMID: 25720095. ACOG 2017 Guideline for IAI: Committee Opinion No. 712: Intrapartum Management of Intraamniotic Infection. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e95-e101. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002236. PMID: 28742677. ACOG 2024 Update on clinical criteria for IAI: ACOG Clinical Practice Update: Update on Criteria for Suspected Diagnosis of Intraamniotic Infection. Obstetrics & Gynecology 144(1):p e17-e19, July 2024. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005593 Helpful review with more recent microorganisms : Jung E, et al. Clinical chorioamnionitis at term: definition, pathogenesis, microbiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Mar;230(3S):S807-S840. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.002. PMID: 38233317. Cochrane Review: Chapman E, et al. Antibiotic regimens for management of intra-amniotic infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Dec 19;2014(12):CD010976. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010976.pub2. PMID: 25526426. Helpful recent review on intrapartum infections: Bailey, P, et al_._ Out with the Old, In with the New: A Review of the Treatment of Intrapartum Infections. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2024;26:107–113 doi: 10.1007/s11908-024-00838-8. Role of genital mycoplasmas in IAI: Romero R, et al. Evidence that intra-amniotic infections are often the result of an ascending invasion - a molecular microbiological study. J Perinat Med. 2019 Nov 26;47(9):915-931. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0297. PMID: 31693497. Regimens without enterococcal coverage with similar clinical outcomes: Blanco JD, et al. Randomized comparison of ceftazidime versus clindamycin-tobramycin in the treatment of obstetrical and gynecological infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983 Oct;24(4):500-4. doi: 10.1128/AAC.24.4.500. PMID: 6360038. Bookstaver PB, et al. A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy. Pharmacotherapy. 2015 Nov;35(11):1052-62. doi: 10.1002/phar.1649. PMID: 26598097. Updated review in pregnancy, includes data on frequency of antibiotic use in pregnancy: Nguyen J, et al. A review of antibiotic safety in pregnancy-2025 update. Pharmacotherapy. 2025 Apr;45(4):227-237. doi: 10.1002/phar.70010. Epub 2025 Mar 19. PMID: 40105039. Locksmith GJ, et al. High compared with standard gentamicin dosing for chorioamnionitis: a comparison of maternal and fetal serum drug levels. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Mar;105(3):473-9. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000151106.87930.1a. PMID: 15738010. Clindamycin CDI Risk: Miller AC, et al. Comparison of Different Antibiotics and the Risk for Community-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Case-Control Study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 5;10(8):ofad413. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofad413. PMID: 37622034. Impact of penicillin allergy on clindamycin use & cites 47% clindamycin resistance per CDC among GBS: Snider JB, et al. Antibiotic choice for Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis in mothers with reported penicillin allergy and associated newborn outcomes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023 May 30;23(1):400. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05697-0. PMID: 37254067. Clindamycin anaerobic coverage data: Hastey CJ, et al. Changes in the antibiotic susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria from 2007-2009 to 2010-2012 based on the CLSI methodology. Anaerobe. 2016 Dec;42:27-30. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.07.003. PMID: 27427465. Older PK study of ampicillin & gentamicin for chorioamnionitis: Gilstrap LC 3rd, Bawdon RE, Burris J. Antibiotic concentration in maternal blood, cord blood, and placental membranes in chorioamnionitis. Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Jul;72(1):124-5. PMID: 3380500. Paper putting out the call for modernization of OB/Gyn antibiotic regimens: Pek Z, Heil E, Wilson E. Getting With the Times: A Review of Peripartum Infections and Proposed Modernized Treatment Regimens. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Sep 5;9(9):ofac460. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac460. PMID: 36168554. Vanderbilt University Medical Center experience with modernizing OB/Gyn infection regimens: Smiley C, et al. Implementing Updated Intraamniotic Infection Guidelines at a Large Academic Medical Center. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024 Sep 5;11(9):ofae475. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofae475. PMID: 39252868. Prisma Health/University of South Carolina experience with modernizing OB/Gyn infection regimens: Bailey P, et al. Cefoxitin for Intra-amniotic Infections and Endometritis: A Retrospective Comparison to Traditional Antimicrobial Therapy Regimens Within a Healthcare System. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 19;79(1):247-254. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae042. PMID: 38297884.

In this engaging discussion, guests Steven Tong and Joshua Davis, both esteemed infectious diseases physicians, dive into the monumental SNAP trial addressing Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. They highlight the trial's innovative design, which allows for exploring multiple clinical questions simultaneously. Key findings reveal the potential superiority of kefazolin over flucloxacillin in mortality and kidney safety outcomes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of patient enrollment and the significance of Bayesian statistics in refining treatment options. Personal anecdotes from their travels add a relatable touch to the science.

Dr. Jeannette Bouchard is joined by experts Dr. Romney Humphries, Emily Fox, and Matt Miller to discuss the hot topic of blood culture stewardship and the details of how these experts persevered through the recent blood culture bottle shortage that caused chaos throughout health care institutions at the end of 2024! This medical education was provided by an education grant from bioMerieux. References: Fabre BCx Stewardship Article doi: 10.1128/JCM.01005-21 ED Bcx Stewardship doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.04.198 CT Surgery Stewardship doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivaf005 Every Crisis is an Opportunity doi:  10.1093/ofid/ofae479 Fun IV Coconut Water from I Feel Nerdy section: https://dr-martins.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2000_the-intravenous-use-of-coconut-water.pdf

Drs. Pier Giorgio Cojutti and Navaneeth Narayanan join Dr. Megan Klatt to break down what you need to know about amoxicillin/clavulanate dosing. Tune in to learn more about the PK/PD of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, how we landed on certain ratios for the treatment of common infections, strategies to optimize dosing for serious infections, and more! References: Oral amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid: properties, indications and usage. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020 Jul;26(7):871-879. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.11.028. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31811919. New formulations of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid: a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic review. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2005;44(11):1097-115. doi: 10.2165/00003088-200544110-00001. PMID: 16231964. Non-linear absorption pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin: consequences for dosing regimens and clinical breakpoints. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2016 Oct;71(10):2909-17. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkw226. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27330071. Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infection: a review of the continuing development of an innovative antimicrobial agent. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004 Jan:53 Suppl 1:i3-20. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkh050. PMID: 14726431. Is the standard dose of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid sufficient? BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2014 Jul 21:15:38. doi: 10.1186/2050-6511-15-38. PMID: 25047044. MIC of amoxicillin/clavulanate according to CLSI and EUCAST: discrepancies and clinical impact in patients with bloodstream infections due to Enterobacteriaceae. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2017 May 1;72(5):1478-1487. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkw562. PMID: 28093484. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Breakpoints Against Enterobacterales: Rationale for Revision by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 16;79(2):516-523. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae201. PMID: 38626241. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Breakpoints Against Haemophilus influenzae: Rationale for Revision by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 24;80(2):481-482. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae246. PMID: 38709848. No evidence of difference in mortality with amoxicillin versus co-amoxiclav for hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. J Infect. 2024 Jun;88(6):106161. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106161. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38663754. Population pharmacokinetics and dosing simulations of amoxicillin in obese adults receiving co-amoxiclav. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020 Dec 1;75(12):3611-3618. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkaa368. PMID: 32888018. Comprehensive guidance for antibiotic dosing in obese adults: 2022 update. Pharmacotherapy. 2023 Mar;43(3):226-246. doi: 10.1002/phar.2769. Epub 2023 Feb 18. PMID: 36703246.

Dr. Brent Richards joins Dr. Erin McCreary to discuss the growing capability for artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in the healthcare industry. What is AI and machine learning, how can these tools enhance patient care, and what can we expect in the future from this space?   Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/.   Visit our website! https://breakpoints-sidp.org/

Dr. Amy Mathers, a microbiology expert and IDSA guidance author, joins Dr. Julie Ann Justo, a clinical pharmacist specializing in infectious diseases, for an insightful discussion. They explore the challenges of treating Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a tricky pathogen known for its resistance. The conversation delves into effective combination therapies and the significance of updated treatment guidelines. They also examine pharmacokinetics, particularly the efficacy of tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, while emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches for vulnerable patient populations.

Drs. Henry “Chip” Chambers and Warren Rose join Dr. Megan Klatt to tackle rifampin dosing for gram-positive infections. In this episode, they break down rifampin synergy studies and discuss what is the optimal dosing of rifampin for challenging gram-positive bacterial cases, in particular Staphylococcus aureus infections with or without retained hardware/devices.   Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/ References: Deconstructing the Dogma: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of Adjunctive Gentamicin and Rifampin in Staphylococcal Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Oct 31;9(11):ofac583. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac583. PMID: 36408468. Effectiveness of adjunctive rifampicin for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2023 Oct 3;78(10):2419-2427. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkad214. PMID: 37583062. Adjunctive Rifampin Following Debridement and Implant Retention for Staphylococcal Prosthetic Joint Infection: Is it Effective if not Combined With a Fluoroquinolone? Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Oct 31;9(12):ofac582. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac582. PMID: 36504699.

Nico Cortes-Penfield, an expert in infectious diseases, Jessica Seidelman, a hospital epidemiologist, and Kerry LaPlante, a pioneering pharmacist, delve into the complexities of biofilms in prosthetic joint infections. They discuss the challenges in eradicating biofilms with antibiotics and explore innovative non-pharmacologic strategies like bacteriophages and electromagnetism. Their insights shed light on the need for tailored treatment approaches and the ongoing evolution of testing methods to combat these persistent infections effectively.

Dive into the latest breakthroughs in infectious disease research! Discover how AI is revolutionizing the detection of hospital-acquired infections and learn about groundbreaking HIV prevention strategies for young women. The conversation also covers innovative vaccination techniques, new antifungal therapies, and advancements in pediatric care. Plus, explore the exciting developments in EBV treatments post-transplant. It's a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about infectious diseases!