A 69-year-old woman with hypertension had undergone total arch replacement with an open stent graft 7 years prior. She was referred to our hospital for evaluation after experiencing fever (>38 °C) and cough. Chest radiography revealed a prominent aortic arch, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated aortic arch enlargement and peri-graft fluid collection containing air. These findings indicated graft infection and prompted immediate intervention. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, a zoonotic pathogen associated with horses. Notably, the patient worked as a horse trainer. On hospital day 6, she developed severe hemoptysis due to an aortobronchial fistula caused by stent graft infection and underwent emergency re-replacement of the aortic arch. Intraoperative specimens also yielded the same pathogen. Consequently, she was treated with ampicillin, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Although rare, zoonotic pathogens can cause vascular graft infections.
{"title":"Zoonotic aortic graft infection by Streptococcus equi","authors":"Haruka Karaushi , Akihiro Yoshitake , Yuta Kanazawa , Noriyuki Watanabe , Mieko Tokano , Masafumi Seki , Kotaro Mitsutake","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A 69-year-old woman with hypertension had undergone total arch replacement with an open stent graft 7 years prior. She was referred to our hospital for evaluation after experiencing fever (>38 °C) and cough. Chest radiography revealed a prominent aortic arch, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated aortic arch enlargement and peri-graft fluid collection containing air. These findings indicated graft infection and prompted immediate intervention. Blood cultures grew <em>Streptococcus equi</em> subspecies <em>zooepidemicus</em>, a zoonotic pathogen associated with horses. Notably, the patient worked as a horse trainer. On hospital day 6, she developed severe hemoptysis due to an aortobronchial fistula caused by stent graft infection and underwent emergency re-replacement of the aortic arch. Intraoperative specimens also yielded the same pathogen. Consequently, she was treated with ampicillin, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Although rare, zoonotic pathogens can cause vascular graft infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102900"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a commensal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract, can cause invasive GBS (iGBS) infections, particularly in older adults with underlying comorbidities. We determined the relationship between mortality and host-related or virulence factors in older adults with iGBS infections.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 105 cases of iGBS infection treated between January 2016 and October 2023 at Tokyo Medical University Hospital and two affiliated hospitals. The association between patient outcomes and demographics, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, medical treatment, biomarkers, antimicrobial agents used at admission, and capsular type of GBS isolates was examined.
Results
The median age of the patients was 78 years (interquartile range, 64–85 years), and 89.5 % had underlying comorbidities, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and malignancies. Common clinical manifestations include skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and urosepsis. The overall mortality rate was 11.4 %. White blood cell (WBC) counts (breakpoint,10 × 103/μL) on admission were significantly lower in fatal cases (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 9.6), but no significant differences were observed for other biomarkers. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of 28-day survival was associated with WBC count (P < 0.001). The most common capsular type was Ib, followed by type V. Levofloxacin resistance was predominantly identified in type Ib. No significant association was found between capsular type and mortality rates.
Conclusion
Effective prevention of iGBS infections in older individuals requires large-scale surveillance, including environmental factors, and the development of comprehensive and multifaceted prevention strategies for high-risk older populations.
{"title":"Characteristics of invasive group B streptococcal infections in adults and older individuals in a super-aging society in Japan, 2016–2023","authors":"Hideaki Takahashi , Haruko Miyazaki , Yuki Watanabe , Daisuke Kawahata , Yutaka Nasu , Misako Takata , Hidemasa Nakaminami , Hidehiro Watanabe , Yuji Hirai , Kimiko Ubukata , Shigeki Nakamura","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Group B <em>Streptococcus</em> (GBS), a commensal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract, can cause invasive GBS (iGBS) infections, particularly in older adults with underlying comorbidities. We determined the relationship between mortality and host-related or virulence factors in older adults with iGBS infections.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We retrospectively analyzed 105 cases of iGBS infection treated between January 2016 and October 2023 at Tokyo Medical University Hospital and two affiliated hospitals. The association between patient outcomes and demographics, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, medical treatment, biomarkers, antimicrobial agents used at admission, and capsular type of GBS isolates was examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The median age of the patients was 78 years (interquartile range, 64–85 years), and 89.5 % had underlying comorbidities, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and malignancies. Common clinical manifestations include skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and urosepsis. The overall mortality rate was 11.4 %. White blood cell (WBC) counts (breakpoint,10 × 10<sup>3</sup>/μL) on admission were significantly lower in fatal cases (<em>P</em> < 0.001; odds ratio, 9.6), but no significant differences were observed for other biomarkers. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of 28-day survival was associated with WBC count (<em>P</em> < 0.001). The most common capsular type was Ib, followed by type V. Levofloxacin resistance was predominantly identified in type Ib. No significant association was found between capsular type and mortality rates.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Effective prevention of iGBS infections in older individuals requires large-scale surveillance, including environmental factors, and the development of comprehensive and multifaceted prevention strategies for high-risk older populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102897"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cefiderocol, a novel β-lactam antibiotic, exhibits potent activity against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). While its clinical efficacy has been reported for infections caused by KPC-type CPE and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, evidence regarding its effectiveness against IMP-type CPE remains primarily derived from in vitro studies, with limited clinical data available. This is the first pediatric case successfully treated with cefiderocol for IMP-type CPE bacteremia. He was a 6-year-old boy with inherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol deficiency and acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. He developed bacteremia that blood culture multiplex PCR identified Klebsiella pneumoniae with IMP gene. The combination therapy of cefiderocol 60mg/kg/dose every 8 hours and gentamicin 5mg/kg/dose once daily sterilized blood culture, and subsequent monotherapy with cefiderocol was continued for a total of 14 days. Additional molecular test in the strain detected IMP-1 carbapenemase, SHV extended spectrum β-lactamase and EBC-type AmpC β-lactamase. Cefiderocol was susceptible at minimum inhibitory concentration 0.5μg/mL. Further study is needed for cefiderocol treatment for IMP-type CPE infection in children.
{"title":"The first pediatric case successfully treated with cefiderocol for IMP-type carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales bacteremia","authors":"Haruna Mori , Yuto Otsubo , Meiwa Shibata , Kyogo Suzuki , Yuho Horikoshi","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cefiderocol, a novel β-lactam antibiotic, exhibits potent activity against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). While its clinical efficacy has been reported for infections caused by KPC-type CPE and <em>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</em>, evidence regarding its effectiveness against IMP-type CPE remains primarily derived from in vitro studies, with limited clinical data available. This is the first pediatric case successfully treated with cefiderocol for IMP-type CPE bacteremia. He was a 6-year-old boy with inherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol deficiency and acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. He developed bacteremia that blood culture multiplex PCR identified <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> with IMP gene. The combination therapy of cefiderocol 60mg/kg/dose every 8 hours and gentamicin 5mg/kg/dose once daily sterilized blood culture, and subsequent monotherapy with cefiderocol was continued for a total of 14 days. Additional molecular test in the strain detected IMP-1 carbapenemase, SHV extended spectrum β-lactamase and EBC-type AmpC β-lactamase. Cefiderocol was susceptible at minimum inhibitory concentration 0.5μg/mL. Further study is needed for cefiderocol treatment for IMP-type CPE infection in children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102899"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prospective audit and feedback (PAF) is a key component of antimicrobial stewardship (AS) programs and has been shown to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the optimal timing of PAF intervention remains unclear.
This quasi-experimental, single-center study investigated the impact of changing PAF timing from day 3 to day 7 after initiating empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics. Monthly days of therapy (DOT) for carbapenems (CAR), piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP/TAZ), and cefepime (PEF) were extracted from 2016 to 2024. Annual susceptibility rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the time from blood culture submission to susceptibility results were also evaluated. Interrupted time series analysis assessed changes in DOT, while other data were descriptively analyzed.
DOT for CAR and PIP/TAZ decreased significantly post-intervention (CAR: −0.68, P < 0.001; PIP/TAZ: −0.29, P = 0.031), despite no significant change in trend slopes. PEF showed no significant changes. Susceptibility rates of P. aeruginosa remained stable. Notably, 28.3 % of blood culture results exceeded 4 days to report, and 95 % were available by day 7.
As causality cannot be inferred from this observational design, the mechanism underlying the observed reduction in DOT remains uncertain. Nevertheless, adjusting PAF timing may be feasible in settings with limited stewardship resources. Further studies are needed to determine the most effective timing of PAF interventions and to assess generalizability to other institutions.
前瞻性审核和反馈（PAF）是抗菌药物管理（AS）计划的关键组成部分，已被证明可以减少广谱抗生素的使用。然而，PAF干预的最佳时机仍不清楚。这项准实验、单中心研究调查了在使用经验性广谱抗生素后第3天至第7天改变PAF时间的影响。提取2016 - 2024年碳青霉烯类药物（CAR）、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦（PIP/TAZ）和头孢吡肟（CEF）的月治疗天数（DOT）。同时对铜绿假单胞菌的年敏感性和血培养提交至药敏结果的时间进行了评价。中断时间序列分析评估DOT的变化，而其他数据进行描述性分析。干预后，尽管趋势斜率没有显著变化，但CAR和PIP/TAZ的DOT显著下降（CAR: -0.68, P < 0.001; PIP/TAZ: -0.29, P = 0.031）。CEF无明显变化。铜绿假单胞菌的敏感率保持稳定。值得注意的是，28.3%的血培养结果超过4天报告，95%的血培养结果在第7天报告。由于因果关系不能从这种观察设计中推断出来，因此观察到的DOT减少的机制仍然不确定。然而，在管理资源有限的情况下，调整PAF时间可能是可行的。需要进一步的研究来确定PAF干预的最有效时机，并评估对其他机构的推广。
{"title":"Impact of timing in prospective audit and feedback on broad-spectrum antibiotic use: a comparison between third-day and seventh-day interventions","authors":"Hisako Machida , Yoshiki Kusama , Daisuke Onozuka , Atsuko Sunada , Satoshi Kutsuna","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102896","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102896","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prospective audit and feedback (PAF) is a key component of antimicrobial stewardship (AS) programs and has been shown to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the optimal timing of PAF intervention remains unclear.</div><div>This quasi-experimental, single-center study investigated the impact of changing PAF timing from day 3 to day 7 after initiating empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics. Monthly days of therapy (DOT) for carbapenems (CAR), piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP/TAZ), and cefepime (PEF) were extracted from 2016 to 2024. Annual susceptibility rates of <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> and the time from blood culture submission to susceptibility results were also evaluated. Interrupted time series analysis assessed changes in DOT, while other data were descriptively analyzed.</div><div>DOT for CAR and PIP/TAZ decreased significantly post-intervention (CAR: −0.68, P < 0.001; PIP/TAZ: −0.29, P = 0.031), despite no significant change in trend slopes. PEF showed no significant changes. Susceptibility rates of <em>P. aeruginosa</em> remained stable. Notably, 28.3 % of blood culture results exceeded 4 days to report, and 95 % were available by day 7.</div><div>As causality cannot be inferred from this observational design, the mechanism underlying the observed reduction in DOT remains uncertain. Nevertheless, adjusting PAF timing may be feasible in settings with limited stewardship resources. Further studies are needed to determine the most effective timing of PAF interventions and to assess generalizability to other institutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102896"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145774669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We describe the first case of both a peritoneal abscess and a lumbar-peritoneal (LP) shunt infection related to Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum). An 85-year-old Japanese male with a history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a pulmonary vein isolation procedure for atrial fibrillation presented with urinary incontinence, gait disturbance, and cognitive decline. He was diagnosed with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and underwent LP shunt surgery. Postoperatively, he developed pneumonia followed by an intra-abdominal abscess and bacterial meningitis. C. striatum was isolated from both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and intraperitoneal abscess. Despite antibiotic treatment including vancomycin, he developed septic shock and ultimately resulted in his death.
The LP shunt likely facilitated the entry of C. striatum into the CSF, resulting in meningitis and subsequent abscess formation. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment including vancomycin, C. striatum infections can be resistant and lead to severe outcomes. This case highlights a new complication associated with C. striatum: bacterial meningitis and intraperitoneal abscesses via an LP shunt, expanding its clinical spectrum.
{"title":"Lumbar-peritoneal shunt-associated meningitis and peritoneal abscess due to Corynebacterium striatum: A case report and literature review","authors":"Akiho Maeda , Koji Hayashi , Rina Izumi , Yusuke Tsujigiwa , Yuka Nakaya , Yoshitomo Fukuoka , Kohei Ueda , Norichika Hashimoto","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102895","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102895","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We describe the first case of both a peritoneal abscess and a lumbar-peritoneal (LP) shunt infection related to <em>Corynebacterium striatum</em> (<em>C. striatum</em>). An 85-year-old Japanese male with a history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a pulmonary vein isolation procedure for atrial fibrillation presented with urinary incontinence, gait disturbance, and cognitive decline. He was diagnosed with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and underwent LP shunt surgery. Postoperatively, he developed pneumonia followed by an intra-abdominal abscess and bacterial meningitis. <em>C. striatum</em> was isolated from both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and intraperitoneal abscess. Despite antibiotic treatment including vancomycin, he developed septic shock and ultimately resulted in his death.</div><div>The LP shunt likely facilitated the entry of <em>C. striatum</em> into the CSF, resulting in meningitis and subsequent abscess formation. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment including vancomycin, <em>C. striatum</em> infections can be resistant and lead to severe outcomes. This case highlights a new complication associated with <em>C. striatum</em>: bacterial meningitis and intraperitoneal abscesses via an LP shunt, expanding its clinical spectrum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102895"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145756992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With a rapid recovery in international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, improving vaccination uptake among travelers is critical to preventing the cross-border spread of pathogens. We examined the associations between vaccine-related beliefs and vaccination behavior among Japanese travelers staying at a budget guesthouse in New Delhi, India.
Methods
Japanese travelers aged 16–75 years who stayed at a budget guesthouse in Paharganj, New Delhi were targeted (n = 1493). Cross-sectional surveys were conducted from December 14, 2022, to March 28, 2024, and from August 1 to October 7, 2024, using a web-based questionnaire. Vaccination behavior was defined as the primary outcome from whether individuals had gotten any vaccines for their travel. We examined the associations of four vaccine-related belief items (each on a 5-point scale for confidence, barriers, trust, and natural immunity) with vaccination behavior.
Results
In total (n = 853), 447 participants (52.4 %) had not received any vaccines for international travel. After adjusting for all potential confounders, 1-point increases in vaccine confidence and medical trust were positively associated with vaccination behavior, i.e., ORs (95 % CIs) of 1.60 (1.34, 1.92) and 1.52 (1.35, 1.73), respectively. In contrast, a 1-point increase in belief in natural immunity was negatively associated with vaccination behavior.
Conclusions
Addressing vaccine confidence, medical trust, and beliefs in natural immunity would be beneficial to promoting travel vaccinations among Japanese travelers staying at a budget guesthouse in New Delhi, India.
{"title":"Vaccine-related beliefs and preventive behavior among Japanese travelers staying at a budget guesthouse in New Delhi, India: travel vaccinations after the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Michiyo Yamakawa , Yuko Tanaka , Akiko Tokinobu , Toshihide Tsuda","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102894","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102894","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>With a rapid recovery in international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, improving vaccination uptake among travelers is critical to preventing the cross-border spread of pathogens. We examined the associations between vaccine-related beliefs and vaccination behavior among Japanese travelers staying at a budget guesthouse in New Delhi, India.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Japanese travelers aged 16–75 years who stayed at a budget guesthouse in Paharganj, New Delhi were targeted (n = 1493). Cross-sectional surveys were conducted from December 14, 2022, to March 28, 2024, and from August 1 to October 7, 2024, using a web-based questionnaire. Vaccination behavior was defined as the primary outcome from whether individuals had gotten any vaccines for their travel. We examined the associations of four vaccine-related belief items (each on a 5-point scale for confidence, barriers, trust, and natural immunity) with vaccination behavior.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total (n = 853), 447 participants (52.4 %) had not received any vaccines for international travel. After adjusting for all potential confounders, 1-point increases in vaccine confidence and medical trust were positively associated with vaccination behavior, i.e., ORs (95 % CIs) of 1.60 (1.34, 1.92) and 1.52 (1.35, 1.73), respectively. In contrast, a 1-point increase in belief in natural immunity was negatively associated with vaccination behavior.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Addressing vaccine confidence, medical trust, and beliefs in natural immunity would be beneficial to promoting travel vaccinations among Japanese travelers staying at a budget guesthouse in New Delhi, India.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102894"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145756974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Xpert MTB/RIF assay can simultaneously detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin resistance (RR), though the culture-positive Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) broth is not a specified sample type. In clinical settings the assay is sometimes used as an ancillary test to identify MTB and RR in MGIT broth samples, however, limited information is available on the reactivity of the probes to non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) species. The aim of this study was to assess the results of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay using MGIT broth samples positive for NTM. Of 65 NTM samples tested, 48 (74 %) showed probe signals. Probe reactivity and cycle threshold value differed according to the Mycobacterium species. Ten of 11 (91 %) of Mycobacterium intracellulare samples showed positive Probe A signals, and 23 of 29 (79 %) Mycobacterium avium samples showed positive Probe C signals. Additionally, a sample with M. avium and M. intracellulare co-infection tested false-positive for RR MTB. The proportion of NTM samples that tested positive was higher than that reported previously. These findings could help prevent misinterpretation of Xpert MTB/RIF results.
{"title":"Xpert MTB/RIF probe reactivity to non-tuberculosis mycobacteria cultured in MGIT broth samples","authors":"Tatsuya Hioki , Yoshikazu Mutoh , Takumi Umemura , Yoshimi Ishihara , Masayoshi Ajioka , Akiko Takaki , Kinuyo Chikamatsu , Satoshi Mitarai","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102891","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102891","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Xpert MTB/RIF assay can simultaneously detect <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> (MTB) and rifampicin resistance (RR), though the culture-positive Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) broth is not a specified sample type. In clinical settings the assay is sometimes used as an ancillary test to identify MTB and RR in MGIT broth samples, however, limited information is available on the reactivity of the probes to non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) species. The aim of this study was to assess the results of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay using MGIT broth samples positive for NTM. Of 65 NTM samples tested, 48 (74 %) showed probe signals. Probe reactivity and cycle threshold value differed according to the <em>Mycobacterium</em> species. Ten of 11 (91 %) of <em>Mycobacterium intracellulare</em> samples showed positive Probe A signals, and 23 of 29 (79 %) <em>Mycobacterium avium</em> samples showed positive Probe C signals. Additionally, a sample with <em>M</em>. <em>avium</em> and <em>M</em>. <em>intracellulare</em> co-infection tested false-positive for RR MTB. The proportion of NTM samples that tested positive was higher than that reported previously. These findings could help prevent misinterpretation of Xpert MTB/RIF results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102891"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102892
Yusuke Okubo , Risa Honjo , Shinya Tsuzuki
Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of pediatric lower respiratory tract infections worldwide, leading to substantial morbidity, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. Maternal RSV vaccination has recently been introduced in several countries, yet in Japan its uptake remains unclear, particularly given the high out-of-pocket costs and potential socioeconomic disparities.
Methods
We conducted a nationwide survey of women who had given birth between July 2024 and August 2025. The questionnaire assessed maternal RSV vaccination status, its affordability, and related attitudes including the 5C model for vaccine hesitancy together with demographic characteristics. Vaccination coverage was estimated, and factors associated with uptake were analyzed using multivariable modified Poisson regression.
Results
Among 1279 respondents, 11.6 % had received maternal RSV vaccination. Coverage showed a clear income gradient within education strata. Uptake was lower in areas outside Kanto and among multiparous participants, and higher among those with infertility treatment, and vaccination with influenza or diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus during pregnancy. In 5C domains, confidence and collective responsibility aligned with higher uptake, whereas calculation aligned with lower uptake. Among vaccinated people, 87.2 % rated the cost as expensive. Among unvaccinated people, leading barriers were lack of awareness of benefit (28.9 %) and the vaccine itself (27.3 %); 77.5 % would accept vaccination only if no out-of-pocket payment were required.
Conclusions
Maternal RSV vaccination coverage in Japan was low and showed socioeconomic and regional disparities in uptake; limited awareness and high out-of-pocket payment were major barriers. Reducing out-of-pocket payments and standardizing provider recommendations could raise coverage and mitigate inequities.
{"title":"Coverage and determinants of maternal RSV vaccination in Japan: A nationwide survey","authors":"Yusuke Okubo , Risa Honjo , Shinya Tsuzuki","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102892","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102892","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of pediatric lower respiratory tract infections worldwide, leading to substantial morbidity, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. Maternal RSV vaccination has recently been introduced in several countries, yet in Japan its uptake remains unclear, particularly given the high out-of-pocket costs and potential socioeconomic disparities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a nationwide survey of women who had given birth between July 2024 and August 2025. The questionnaire assessed maternal RSV vaccination status, its affordability, and related attitudes including the 5C model for vaccine hesitancy together with demographic characteristics. Vaccination coverage was estimated, and factors associated with uptake were analyzed using multivariable modified Poisson regression.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 1279 respondents, 11.6 % had received maternal RSV vaccination. Coverage showed a clear income gradient within education strata. Uptake was lower in areas outside Kanto and among multiparous participants, and higher among those with infertility treatment, and vaccination with influenza or diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus during pregnancy. In 5C domains, confidence and collective responsibility aligned with higher uptake, whereas calculation aligned with lower uptake. Among vaccinated people, 87.2 % rated the cost as expensive. Among unvaccinated people, leading barriers were lack of awareness of benefit (28.9 %) and the vaccine itself (27.3 %); 77.5 % would accept vaccination only if no out-of-pocket payment were required.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Maternal RSV vaccination coverage in Japan was low and showed socioeconomic and regional disparities in uptake; limited awareness and high out-of-pocket payment were major barriers. Reducing out-of-pocket payments and standardizing provider recommendations could raise coverage and mitigate inequities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102892"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Understanding factors influencing vaccine-induced immunity in adolescents is important for optimizing COVID-19 vaccination strategies. Allergic diseases have been hypothesized to alter immune responses through Th2-dominant inflammation, but data regarding their impact on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine antibody production remain limited in real-world adolescent populations. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after mRNA vaccination in a general population of 16- to 17-year-olds.
Methods
This study analyzed data from 233 participants in the T-CHILD Study, a Japanese general birth cohort, who received their 17-year medical checkup between July 2021 and October 2023. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 or serological evidence of prior infection (positive for both S- and N-antibodies) were excluded. Associations between SARS-CoV-2 S-antibody titers and vaccination history, allergic diseases, and other variables were examined.
Results
Multivariate analysis revealed that only a higher number of vaccine doses was independently associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers. No significant associations were found between antibody titers and vaccine type, the interval since the last vaccination, allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), or food allergy, or with total serum IgE levels.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that adolescents with mild allergic diseases can mount sufficient immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccination in this population. (230 words)
{"title":"Does having allergic diseases affect SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses to mRNA vaccination in adolescents?","authors":"Mayako Saito-Abe , Kiwako Yamamoto-Hanada , Tatsuki Fukuie , Kensuke Shoji , Yukihiro Ohya","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102893","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102893","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Understanding factors influencing vaccine-induced immunity in adolescents is important for optimizing COVID-19 vaccination strategies. Allergic diseases have been hypothesized to alter immune responses through Th2-dominant inflammation, but data regarding their impact on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine antibody production remain limited in real-world adolescent populations. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after mRNA vaccination in a general population of 16- to 17-year-olds.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study analyzed data from 233 participants in the T-CHILD Study, a Japanese general birth cohort, who received their 17-year medical checkup between July 2021 and October 2023. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 or serological evidence of prior infection (positive for both S- and N-antibodies) were excluded. Associations between SARS-CoV-2 S-antibody titers and vaccination history, allergic diseases, and other variables were examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Multivariate analysis revealed that only a higher number of vaccine doses was independently associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers. No significant associations were found between antibody titers and vaccine type, the interval since the last vaccination, allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), or food allergy, or with total serum IgE levels.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings suggest that adolescents with mild allergic diseases can mount sufficient immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccination in this population. (230 words)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102893"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145751757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Measuring vaccination's impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) is fundamental for cost-effectiveness analyses and health technology assessments, yet pediatric data remain limited. This study measured HRQL impact from reactogenicity symptoms following inactivated influenza vaccination in Japanese children.
Methods
This prospective study used proxy-reported EuroQol-5 dimension youth (EQ-5D-Y) questionnaires to evaluate HRQL daily from pre-vaccination to 7 d post-vaccination per dose in children aged 4–15 years during the 2024–2025 influenza season. Quality-adjusted life day (QALD) loss per dose for the EQ-5D-Y was calculated to quantify the impact of reactogenicity after receiving the inactivated influenza vaccine. The severity of reactogenicity symptoms was classified using the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) grading scale (grades 0–4).
Results
Overall, 218 children received 381 doses of inactivated influenza vaccination. QALD loss (positive score indicates worse post-vaccination states) was −0.032 (first dose) and 0.012 (second dose). The mean QALD loss for first dose recipients was −0.038 (grade 0–1 AEFI) and −0.009 (grade 2–4 AEFI); second dose values were −0.004 (grade 0–1) and 0.085 (grade 2–4).
Conclusion
QALD loss within 1 week post-vaccination (either first or second dose) was negligible, confirming inactivated influenza vaccine safety in this population.
{"title":"Change of pediatric quality of life following inactivated influenza vaccination using EuroQol-5 dimensions-youth","authors":"Rika Suzuki, Takahiro Mori, Soshi Hachisuka, Tenshin Okubo, Naohiro Yamamoto, Hiroki Nishikawa, Masayuki Onaka, Sayaka Yoshida, Taito Kitano","doi":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102890","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiac.2025.102890","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Measuring vaccination's impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) is fundamental for cost-effectiveness analyses and health technology assessments, yet pediatric data remain limited. This study measured HRQL impact from reactogenicity symptoms following inactivated influenza vaccination in Japanese children.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This prospective study used proxy-reported EuroQol-5 dimension youth (EQ-5D-Y) questionnaires to evaluate HRQL daily from pre-vaccination to 7 d post-vaccination per dose in children aged 4–15 years during the 2024–2025 influenza season. Quality-adjusted life day (QALD) loss per dose for the EQ-5D-Y was calculated to quantify the impact of reactogenicity after receiving the inactivated influenza vaccine. The severity of reactogenicity symptoms was classified using the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) grading scale (grades 0–4).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, 218 children received 381 doses of inactivated influenza vaccination. QALD loss (positive score indicates worse post-vaccination states) was −0.032 (first dose) and 0.012 (second dose). The mean QALD loss for first dose recipients was −0.038 (grade 0–1 AEFI) and −0.009 (grade 2–4 AEFI); second dose values were −0.004 (grade 0–1) and 0.085 (grade 2–4).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>QALD loss within 1 week post-vaccination (either first or second dose) was negligible, confirming inactivated influenza vaccine safety in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16103,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy","volume":"32 1","pages":"Article 102890"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145742289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号