This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of patients admitted to non-intensive care hospital wards due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) and to identify predictors of mortality to improve patient outcomes. This single-center retrospective study included hospitalized patients with SAB between 2016 and 2024. We retrieved clinical and microbiological data retrospectively from the electronic medical record system. The research comprised 356 patients with SAB. The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 7.3% (n = 26) and 9.8% (n = 35), respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.02–1.13; p = 0.002), CRP (HR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1-1.02 ; p = 0.04), and albumin (HR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.73-0.95; p = 0.008) as predictors for 30-day mortality. Pneumonia (HR = 15.03; 95% CI = 2.05–109.71; p = 0.008), leukemia (HR = 28.72; 95% CI = 1.56-525.92; p = 0.002), and sepsis (HR = 7.06; 95% CI = 1.02–48.53; p = 0.002) were identified as significant risk factors for mortality. Using the Cox regression analysis, age (HR: 1.05, CI:1.01–1.10, p = 0.01), leukemia (HR: 0.80, CI:0.71–0.90, p < 0.001), and low albumin level (HR: 11.76; CI:1.76–78.42, p = 0.01) were identified as independent risk factors affecting in-hospital mortality. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to predict the30-day mortality. The area under the ROC curve values were 0.619 (p = 0.044) for NLR, 0.692 (p = 0.001) for CRP, and 0.791 (p < 0.001) for albumin. The highest sensitivity and specificity at 30-day mortality were obtained from CRP and albumin, with a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 78.5% for albumin. Elevated NLR and CRP levels, along with decreased albumin levels, may predict poor clinical outcomes and could assist clinicians in optimizing the management of this bacterial infection. As a result, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatments are crucial in reducing mortality in SAB.

Introduction: Mpox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes the zoonotic infectious disease known as mpox. The disease can also spread from humans to humans. It can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin, or internal mucosal surfaces. Method: The number of mpox cases increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis and prompt management of mpox are critical in people living with HIV (PLHIV). In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among PLHIV followed at the outpatient clinic between 20 April–20 August 2023. A questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and anxiety levels of patients as well as their opinions about vaccination against mpox. The severity of symptoms in the past two weeks was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. A total of 203 PLHIV were interviewed for this survey study. Result: The mean age was 39.37±11.93. The majority of them were male (86.7%), and 41.4% were men who have sex with men (MSM). Only 21 of the surveyed participants (10.4%) had a “good knowledge” score about mpox. The mean knowledge score on human Mpox was 2.05 (min:0-max:8), and 107 (52.7%) had a score of 0. Conclusion: The future study should focus on continuous education, promoting awareness through programs and establishing measures to successfully overcome identified variables that contribute to mpox pandemic understanding and attitudes. Applying the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will help the management of mpox virus.

Objective: We aimed to define the clinical features and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Burkholderia cepacia complex infections and to determine the predictors for mortality. Materials and Methods: Our single-center retrospective study included patients with nosocomial B. cepacia complex infection between 2018 and 2022. We evaluated the predictors of 14-day and 28-day mortality by analyzing clinical and microbiological data. Results: A total of 87 patients were included. Most infections (79.3%) occurred in the intensive care units (ICUs). Among B. cepacia complex isolates, 74.7% were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 70.3% to levofloxacin, 50% to meropenem, and 23.4% to ceftazidime. The rates of 14-day mortality, 28-day mortality, and in-hospital mortality were 41.3% (n=36), 52.8% (n=46), and 64.3% (n=56), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (odds ratio [OR]=1.05, p=0.024), platelet count (OR=1.00, p=0.011), creatinine (OR=2.14, p=0.006), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (OR=1.02, p=0.028) as predictors for 14-day mortality. In addition to NLR (OR=1.07, p=0.014), platelet count (OR=1.00, p=0.039), creatinine (OR=2.05, p=0.008), and AST (OR=1.02, p=0.035), procalcitonin (OR=1.05, p=0.049) was also found as an independent predictor for 28-day mortality. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for predicting 14-day mortality, area under the ROC curve (AUC) values were 0.684 (p=0.003) in NLR, 0.719 (p<0.001) in platelet count, 0.673 (p=0.003) in procalcitonin, 0.743 (p<0.001) in creatinine, and 0.700 (p<0.001) in AST. In ROC curve analysis for predicting 28-day mortality, AUC values were 0.674 (p=0.002) in NLR, 0.651 (p=0.010) in platelet count, 0.638 (p=0.020) in procalcitonin, 0.730 (p<0.001) in creatinine, and 0.692 (p=0.001) in AST. Conclusion: Increasing antibiotic resistance and higher mortality rates justify that B. cepacia complex is a significant threat to hospitalized patients, especially in ICUs. Elevated levels of NLR, AST, creatinine, procalcitonin, and decreased platelet may predict poor clinical outcomes and could help clinicians in the management of this notorious bacterial pathogen. Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, antibiotic resistance, Burkholderia cepacia complex, mortality, predictors

Introduction: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is the only opportunistic human pathogen in the genus Stenotrophomonas. These bacteria can be isolated from healthcare settings, possibly resulting in bacterial colonization of medical devices, which cause nosocomial infections. S. maltophilia bacteremia results in high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of S. maltophilia bacteremia and its associated mortality risk factors. Methodology: This was a retrospective study conducted at the University of Medical Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) from December 2015 to December 2022. Medical records, demographic information, clinical conditions, laboratory data, antimicrobial susceptibility, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed for the period between December 2015 and December 2022. Results: Data from 87 patients (median age 61 years) with bacteremia were included in this study. The most common underlying conditions were diabetes mellitus (DM; 32.2%), hypertension (29.9%), and malignancies (19.5%). The most common sources of bacteremia were central venous catheters (CVCs; 44%), primary blood infection (32%), respiratory tract infection (20.7%), and wound site/abscess infection (2.3%). Seventy-eight percent of the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) when bacteremia was detected. The 28-day mortality rate was 55%. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the ICU (p < 0.001). Elevated values of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein, and the presence of CVC were significant risk factors for mortality in those with S. maltophilia bacteremia. Conclusions: S. maltophilia bacteremia should be carefully monitored in patients with CVCs. Timely removal of CVCs can result in decreased mortality.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection with high morbidity and mortality. Early risk identification is critical for enabling timely treatment and preventing adverse outcomes. Recently, several low-cost and accessible inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), have gained attention for their potential prognostic value in infectious diseases. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with definite IE between May 2014 and May 2024 at Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital. Clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, complications, and outcomes were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The predictive value of NLR, PNI, and SII for in-hospital mortality was assessed. Results: A total of 78 patients with IE were included, with an overall mortality rate of 52.5%. Non-survivors were significantly older (p = 0.001) and had higher rates of cardiac complications (p < 0.05). PNI values were significantly lower in non-survivors (p = 0.014). Undergoing cardiac surgery was associated with a lower mortality rate (p = 0.024). Conclusion: PNI, a simple, inexpensive, and readily available marker, may provide valuable prognostic information in patients with infective endocarditis. This index could help in early risk stratification and clinical decision.