Background Analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) are essential in research on HIV cure. However, the heterogeneity of virological outcome measures used in different trials hinders the interpretation of the efficacy of different strategies. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of viral load (VL) evolution in 334 ATI episodes in chronic HIV-1-infected patients collected from 11 prospective studies. Quantitative (baseline VL, set point, delta set point, VL, and delta VL at given weeks after ATI, peak VL, delta peak VL, and area under the rebound curve) and temporal parameters (time to rebound [TtR], set point, peak, and certain absolute and relative VL thresholds) were described. Pairwise correlations between parameters were analyzed, and potential confounding factors (sex, age, time of known HIV infection, time on ART, and immunological interventions) were evaluated. Results The set point was lower than baseline VL (median delta set point, -0.26; P 1 log10 copies/mL in 13.9% of the cases. The median TtR was 2 weeks; no patients had an undetectable VL at week 12. selleck products The median time to set point was 8 weeks by week 12, 97.4% of the patients had reached the set point. TtR and baseline VL were correlated with most temporal and quantitative parameters. The variables independently associated with TtR were baseline VL and the use of immunological interventions. Conclusions TtR could be an optimal surrogate marker of response in HIV cure strategies. Our results underline the importance of taking into account baseline VL and other confounding factors in the design and interpretation of these studies. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.Background Timely identification of patients likely to harbor carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) can help health care facilities provide effective infection control and treatment. We evaluated whether a model utilizing prior health care information from a state hospital discharge database could predict a patient’s probability of CRE colonization at the time of hospital admission. Methods We performed a case-control study using the Illinois hospital discharge database. From a 2014-2015 patient cohort, we defined cases as index adult patient hospital encounters with a positive CRE culture collected within the first 3 days of hospitalization, as reported to the Illinois XDRO registry; controls were all patient admissions from the same hospital and month. We split the data into training (~60%) and validation (~40%) sets and developed a logistic regression model to estimate coefficients for predictors of interest. Results We identified 486 index cases and 340 005 controls. Independent risk factors for CRE at the time of admission were age, number of short-term acute care hospital (STACH) hospitalizations in the prior 365 days, mean STACH length of stay, number of long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) hospitalizations in the prior 365 days, mean LTACH length of stay, current admission to LTACH, and prior hospital admission with an infection diagnosis code. When applying the model to the validation data set, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84. Conclusions A prediction model utilizing prior health care exposure information could discriminate patients who were likely to harbor CRE at the time of hospital admission. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.Background With the increasing frequency and impact of Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks illustrated by recent epidemics, a good understanding of the extent of viral persistance or ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection in body fluids from survivors is urgently needed. Methods Ebola viral RNA shedding was studied with molecular assays in semen (n = 1368), urine (n = 1875), cervicovaginal fluid (n = 549), saliva (n = 900), breast milk (n = 168), and feces (n = 558) from EVD survivors in Guinea (PostEbogui cohort, n = 802) at a regular base period until 40 months after inclusion. Results Twenty-seven of 277 (9.8%) male survivors tested positive for Ebola RNA in at least 1 semen sample. The probability of remaining positive for Ebola RNA in semen was estimated at 93.02% and 60.12% after 3 and 6 months. Viral RNA in semen was more frequent in patients with eye pain (P = .036), joint pain (P = .047), and higher antibody levels to Ebola virus antigens (nucleoprotein [P = .001], glycoprotein [P = .05], and viral protein-40 [P = .05]). Ebola RNA was only rarely detected in the following body fluids from EVD survivors saliva (1 of 454), urine (2 of 593), breast milk (2 of 168), cervicovaginal secretions (0 of 273), and feces (0 of 330). Ribonucleic acid was detected in breast milk 1 month after delivery but 500 days after discharge of Ebola treatment unit (ETU) in 1 woman who became pregnant 7 months after discharge from the ETU. Conclusions The frequency and potential long-term presence of viral RNA in semen confirmed that systematic prevention measures in male survivors are required. Our observation in breast milk suggests that our knowledge on viral reservoir in immune-privileged sites and its impact are still incomplete. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.Background Acute upper respiratory tract infections are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits and often result in unnecessary antibiotic treatment. Methods We conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a rapid, multipathogen respiratory panel (RP) test vs usual care (control). Patients were eligible if they were ≥12 months old, had symptoms of upper respiratory infection or influenza-like illness, and were not on antibiotics. The primary outcome was antibiotic prescription; secondary outcomes included antiviral prescription, disposition, and length of stay (ClinicalTrials.gov# NCT02957136). Results Of 191 patients enrolled, 93 (49%) received RP testing; 98 (51%) received usual care. Fifty-three (57%) RP and 7 (7%) control patients had a virus detected and reported during the ED visit (P = .0001). Twenty (22%) RP patients and 33 (34%) usual care patients received antibiotics during the ED visit (-12%; 95% confidence interval, -25% to 0.4%; P = .06/0.08); 9 RP patients received antibiotics despite having a virus detected.