Infective endocarditis is a rare but life-threatening disease seen across the globe. Organisms from the oral cavity still represent a large proportion of pathogens seen in endocarditis and can be from either daily dental routines or invasive procedures. With the recent changes to antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis prior to dental procedures, the physician must have a heightened degree of suspicion when presented with a patient with undifferenced sepsis following dental procedures. The authors present a case of infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus gordonii after the drainage of a dental abscess.

Context Following the emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), researchers sought safe and effective treatment modalities. Remdesivir is currently being evaluated for clinical efficacy and safety in patients with COVID-19. Objective To describe the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients following treatment with remdesivir at a community hospital. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was conducted in August 2020 for all patients given remdesivir while hospitalized for severe COVID-19 between May 1 and August 19, 2020. A convenience sample of consecutive patients with treatment including remdesivir, antibiotics, convalescent plasma, dexamethasone, or a combination of multiple drugs was included in the analysis. Patients receiving remdesivir were administered a 5-day treatment course. Patients with a glomerular filtration rate of less than 30 mL/min, those with liver function tests 5 times the normal reference range, and those who were pregnant were excluded from treatment with remdesivir. Differences in between men and women were detected with χ2 and independent samples t tests. The degree to which presenting symptoms influenced patient outcomes was analyzed with a stepwise logistic regression. Results Among the 76 patients who received remdesivir, the mean (95% confidence interval, CI) age was 63 years (59.8–66.2). Thirty-six (47.4%) were men and 40 (52.6%) were women. Forty-nine (64.5%) were White and 27 (35.5%) were nonWhite. The majority of patients (54; 71.1%) had at least 1 comorbid condition, with hypertension being the most common (43; 56.6%). The mean (95% CI) length of stay for patients who received remdesivir was 10.09 days (8.6–11.6) and the mean (95% CI) duration of oxygen therapy was 9.42 days (8.0–10.8). A total of 14 (18.4%) patients given remdesivir were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with an mean (95% CI) length of stay of 9.29 days (5.6–13.0). Women administered remdesivir were more likely to be admitted to the ICU (11 [27.5%] vs 3 [8.3%]; P=.031). The mortality rate was 14 patients (18.4%), with no statistically significant difference observed between men (5; 13.9%) and women (9; 22.5%; P=.33). No significant difference was seen amongst sexes for duration of oxygen therapy (men, 8.0 days [6.2–9.8] vs women, 10.76 days [8.8–12.8]; P=.051) or length of stay (men, 8.61 days [6.7–10.5] vs women, 11.43 days [9.3–13.5]; P=.058). There was no statistically significant difference in pooled racial groups (White vs nonWhite) for in-hospital mortality, number admitted to the ICU, days spent in the ICU, duration of oxygen use, or length of stay. Conclusion Remdesivir may show clinical efficacy for the treatment of severe COVID-19 in a community setting. Although this was a small-scale study with limited patients, it represents a point of reference for the use of remdesivir at other community hospitals.

Introduction Pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Many clinicians empirically treat those at risk of developing MRSA pneumonia with vancomycin. Several studies have identified a high negative predictive value of the MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swab test in lower respiratory tract infections, suggesting it can be used to guide the de-escalation of empiric anti-MRSA therapy. Objective To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-driven MRSA PCR nasal swab protocol on the deescalation of empiric vancomycin in patients with pneumonia in a rural healthcare setting. Secondarily, to assess the rate of hospital length of stay, the rate of vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury, and in-hospital mortality after pharmacist-driven de-escalation of empiric vancomycin in patients with pneumonia.

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Introduction Monoclonal antibodies received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the outpatient treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). REGN-COV2, casirivimab and imdevimab, has been shown to decrease the viral load and healthcare visits of those with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are treated in the outpatient setting. Objective To determine 7- and 14-day emergency department (ED) and hospitalization rates of adult patients given REGN-COV2 for the outpatient treatment of COVID-19 at a community hospital. Methods A convenience sample of consecutive adult patients given REGN-COV2 from January 18, 2021 through March 31, 2021 for the outpatient treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. Abstracted data included patient demographics, allergic reactions, ED presentations and hospitalizations at 7 and 14 days, and in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 68 patients with a medain age of 69 years (IQR 57–75.5) and 58.3% being female were given REGEN-COV2 during the study period. No allergic reactions were noted during infusion. Of those infused, 18% (12/68) were infused in the ED and had a median length of stay of 477 min. Following infusion, 10% (7/68) of patients re-presented to the ED and 2% (1/68) were hospitalized for COVID-19 at 14 days. In those aged 65 years or greater, 12% (5/42) of patients re-presented to the ED following infusion. Of those who re-presented to the emergency department, the median age was 72.5 years and the median time from infusion to re-presentation was 2.0 days. No patients suffered in-hospital mortality during the study period. Conclusion There was a significant length of stay associated with REGN-COV2 infusion in the emergency department. Following REGN-COV2 infusion, few patients under the age of 65 re-presented to the emergency department at seven and 14 days. However, a large number of patients aged over 65 years re-presented to the ED following infusion.