Naja atra bites cause severe soft tissue injury and are prone to wound infections. The pathogens of Naja atra bite-wound infections are highly variable in different geographical regions. Here, we report the first coinfection with Shewanella algae and Morganella morganii from a Naja atra bite wound with resistome analysis using whole genome sequencing.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent viral infection globally, transmitted primarily through sexual or intimate skin-to-skin contact. Certain HPV types can cause anogenital warts and has the potential to cause cervical cancer, other anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers. Adjuvanted, non-live, HPV recombinant vaccines, including the bivalent, quadrivalent, and 9-valent vaccines, are widely recommended for adolescents and young adults to prevent HPV infection and lower the incidence of HPV-related cancers. However, recommendations for adults aged 26 years or older have been lacking due to insufficient evidence until recently. The Working Group on Adult Immunization Practice of the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan (IDSTAIP working group) addressed this gap and drafted recommendations for HPV vaccination in adults using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. These recommendations were then reviewed and revised by expert panels and endorsed by eight national medical societies. This document is positioned as a guidance to provide recommendations for HPV vaccination in adults, considering gender, age, immune status, and prior HPV vaccination history. Safety evaluations, dosing schedules, and special considerations regarding the occupational exposure of healthcare providers, based on potential modes of HPV transmission, are provided. In summary, a 3-dose HPV vaccination schedule is recommended for all adults through age 45 years, regardless of sex, to prevent genital warts, anogenital cancers, as well as oropharyngeal infections and cancers. This guidance serves to assist healthcare providers in facilitating shared decision-making but does not supersede clinical judgment in assessing individual risk and making specific recommendations.

Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including pulmonary vasculopathy, increasing thrombotic risk. Screening and treating survivors are essential to reduce associated disabilities. We aim to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with post-COVID-19 condition and pulmonary embolism, as well as their health-related quality of life one year after COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients and Methods: In our study, we analyzed nine cases of post-COVID-19 condition and pulmonary embolism in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. Patient characteristics, including age, sex, symptoms, and outcomes, were recorded. One year post-diagnosis, patients underwent follow-up with lab tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments using the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) tool. Results: Post-COVID-19 condition with pulmonary embolism predominantly affects females. Common symptoms include breathlessness and chest pain, and a lung perfusion scan may be useful for diagnosis. The one-year follow-up of five patients mainly showed normal lab results and no active lung lesions. The mean EQ-5D score was 0.928 ± 0.119, and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) was 85.00 ± 11.18. Pain/discomfort was the most reported issue. Conclusion: This research reveals that post-COVID-19 condition with pulmonary embolism affects a significant number of women and those with preexisting conditions like cancer or diabetes. Symptoms overlap also complicates diagnosis. Although many lab results were normal, the elevated risk of pulmonary embolism persists. Lower utility scores and increased anxiety highlight the need for targeted interventions and mental health support. Our study underscores the importance of monitoring pulmonary embolism in patients after COVID-19 infection, given the significant impact on post-COVID-19 condition and overall health outcomes.

Background: Pulmonary mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals. Underlying malignancy is a recognized risk factor for pulmonary mucormycosis, yet its independent effect on patient outcomes remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of underlying malignancy on the clinical characteristics and 30-day mortality of pulmonary mucormycosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 163 adults with proven or probable pulmonary mucormycosis at a single center in Taiwan (2021– 2024). Clinical and laboratory variables were compared between groups. Predictors of 30-day all-cause mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression with purposeful variable selection, and proportional-hazards assumptions were verified using Schoenfeld residuals. Results: The overall 30-day mortality rate was 18.4% (30 of 163 patients). Kaplan–Meier analysis confirmed lower 30-day survival in malignancy patients (log-rank χ² = 27.08, df = 1, p < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, malignancy (aHR 3.65, 95% CI 1.40– 9.53), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio per 5 units (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05– 1.22), and alkaline phosphatase per 50 U/L (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00– 1.64) were independent predictors of early death. Clinically, patients with malignancy predominantly exhibited a cytopenic–immunosuppressed phenotype, whereas those without malignancy more frequently exhibited a metabolic–inflammatory profile characterized by chronic kidney disease or recent COVID-19. Conclusion: Underlying malignancy independently triples 30‑day mortality in pulmonary mucormycosis. Easily available laboratory markers—neutrophil‑to‑lymphocyte ratio and alkaline phosphatase—also stratify early risk, underscoring the need for phenotype-tailored and timely antifungal management strategies.

Seasonal influenza remains a major threat to healthcare facilities, where introduction of the virus can cause disproportionate morbidity and mortality among high-risk inpatients. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and practice-oriented guidance on the prevention of hospital-acquired influenza. We conducted a targeted literature search using PubMed, guideline repositories for English-language publications from 2000 to 2025, prioritizing systematic reviews, clinical trials, and authoritative guidelines. A multifaceted strategy is emphasized: annual vaccination of healthcare personnel and eligible patients; consistent implementation of standard and transmission-based precautions; attention to environmental cleaning and disinfection; and occupational-health policies that limit presenteeism and workplace exposure. Evidence demonstrates that higher healthcare personnel (HCP) vaccination coverage is associated with lower patient influenza rates and improved survival. Reliable hand hygiene, respiratory source control, early initiation of droplet precautions, and cohorting when single rooms are limited all contribute to interrupting in-facility transmission. Ensuring that ill HCP can remain off duty without penalty further reduces the likelihood of staff-to-patient spread. Collectively, these coordinated measures provide a protective framework and underscore the central role of clinicians and infection-prevention teams in sustaining influenza control within acute-care settings.

Background: Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) has long been established as a safe and cost-effective alternative to inpatient care in Western healthcare systems. In contrast, its implementation across Asia has historically been fragmented and unstructured. A landmark multinational survey in 2017 identified OPAT in Asia as a “missed opportunity,” citing the lack of systematic oversight, standardized protocols, and outcome monitoring systems. Methods: This narrative review examines the evolution of OPAT in Asia over the past decade, synthesizing evidence from regional studies, national policies, and implementation models. Results: The findings demonstrate a clear shift from ad hoc infusion practices toward structured, multidisciplinary OPAT programs in several healthcare systems. These systems increasingly integrate antimicrobial stewardship principles, dedicated care teams, and reimbursement mechanisms. In parallel, innovative models, including hospital-at-home services and elastomeric pump–based continuous infusion, have expanded treatment feasibility while enabling the use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics. Despite these advances, substantial heterogeneity persists. Key barriers include the absence of unified national guidelines, limited monitoring infrastructure, workforce constraints, and regulatory restrictions in certain settings. Resource-limited regions continue to face challenges related to financing, laboratory capacity, and digital health integration. Conclusions: Overall, OPAT in Asia is transitioning from an underrecognized and inconsistently delivered service to an increasingly structured component of infectious disease care. Future priorities include standardized governance, integration with antimicrobial stewardship programs, sustainable reimbursement, digital outcome monitoring, and region-specific evidence on antimicrobial stability and safety.