2023
A Diagnostic Approach to Fungal Pneumonia An Infectious Diseases Perspective
Azar M. A Diagnostic Approach to Fungal Pneumonia An Infectious Diseases Perspective. CHEST Journal 2023, 165: 559-572. PMID: 37813181, DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.10.005.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsFungal pneumoniaAppropriate diagnostic testingClinical syndromeDiagnostic testingLower respiratory tract infectionsNon-resolving pneumoniaRespiratory tract infectionsInfectious diseases perspectiveTract infectionsRadiographic patternsCommon causeEpidemiologic exposuresCorrect diagnosisRisk populationsPneumoniaDiagnostic approachHost factorsDisease perspectiveConstellation of factorsPatientsSyndromeInfectionEpidemiologyIncidenceDiagnosisDosing implications for liposomal amphotericin B in pregnancy
O'Grady N, McManus D, Briggs N, Azar M, Topal J, Davis M. Dosing implications for liposomal amphotericin B in pregnancy. Pharmacotherapy The Journal Of Human Pharmacology And Drug Therapy 2023, 43: 452-462. PMID: 36862037, DOI: 10.1002/phar.2784.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIdeal body weightLiposomal amphotericin BMucocutaneous leishmaniasisBody weightAmphotericin BInfectious Diseases SocietyTotal body weightPregnant patientsDiseases SocietyAmerica guidelinesPreferred agentPregnancyParasitic infectionsOpportunistic fungalAdverse effectsPatientsTreatmentLeishmaniasisLambsDaysUse of lambsGuidelinesRegimensWeightFetuses
2022
Real-world assessment of the clinical utility of whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of infection.
Medvedeva N, Radcliffe C, Malinis M, Chen M, Azar M. Real-world assessment of the clinical utility of whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of infection. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0277403. PMID: 36374789, PMCID: PMC9662742, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277403.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPET/CTClinical impactFDG PET/CTRetrospective chart reviewEmission tomography/Evaluation of infectionDiagnosis of infectionVariety of syndromesInfectious indicationsChart reviewCommon indicationTomography useUnknown etiologyEndovascular infectionTomography/Antimicrobial managementClinical indicationsReal-world assessmentInclusion criteriaClinical utilityPatientsTreatment managementUnknown originInfectionCT
2021
Changing trends in mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID‐19 during the course of the pandemic
Heldman MR, Kates OS, Safa K, Kotton CN, Georgia SJ, Steinbrink JM, Alexander BD, Hemmersbach‐Miller M, Blumberg EA, Multani A, Haydel B, La Hoz RM, Moni L, Condor Y, Flores S, Munoz CG, Guitierrez J, Diaz EI, Diaz D, Vianna R, Guerra G, Loebe M, Rakita RM, Malinis M, Azar MM, Hemmige V, McCort ME, Chaudhry ZS, Singh PP, Kramer K, Velioglu A, Yabu JM, Morillis JA, Mehta SA, Tanna SD, Ison MG, Derenge AC, van Duin D, Maximin A, Gilbert C, Goldman JD, Lease ED, Fisher CE, Limaye AP, Team T. Changing trends in mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID‐19 during the course of the pandemic. American Journal Of Transplantation 2021, 22: 279-288. PMID: 34514710, PMCID: PMC8653312, DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16840.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSolid organ transplant recipientsOrgan transplant recipientsTransplant recipientsCOVID-19IL-6/ILComorbidity-adjusted mortalityUse of corticosteroidsUse of hydroxychloroquineMultivariable logistic regressionBaseline comorbiditiesMulticenter registryImproved survivalReceptor inhibitorsGeneral populationMortality trendsMortalityLogistic regressionFurther studiesLater periodRecipientsCorticosteroidsComorbiditiesHydroxychloroquinePandemicPatientsIncreased Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Disease Using a Tissue-Based Laboratory-Developed Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay Compared to Standard Diagnostics.
Mackow NA, Abi-Raad R, Kerantzas CA, Hui P, Malinis M, Azar MM. Increased Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Disease Using a Tissue-Based Laboratory-Developed Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay Compared to Standard Diagnostics. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2021, 105: 1657-1661. PMID: 34544041, PMCID: PMC8641361, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0104.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedCulture TechniquesFemaleHumansLungLymph NodesMaleMiddle AgedMycobacterium tuberculosisPleuraReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionReference StandardsRetrospective StudiesSensitivity and SpecificitySputumTuberculosisTuberculosis, Lymph NodeTuberculosis, Multidrug-ResistantTuberculosis, PleuralTuberculosis, PulmonaryConceptsComposite reference standardMTB PCRAFB cultureMycobacterium tuberculosisPolymerase chain reactionAcid-fast bacilli smearMycobacterium tuberculosis diseasePositive AFB cultureChain reactionReal-time polymerase chain reactionStandard diagnosticsBacilli smearMTB casesTuberculosis diseaseClinical sensitivityLong turnaround timeXpertClinical performanceReference standardPCRVariable sensitivityTurnaround timeLymphPatientsTuberculosisIncidence and associated risk factors for invasive fungal infections and other serious infections in patients on ibrutinib
Holowka T, Cheung H, Malinis M, Gan G, Deng Y, Perreault S, Isufi I, Azar MM. Incidence and associated risk factors for invasive fungal infections and other serious infections in patients on ibrutinib. Journal Of Infection And Chemotherapy 2021, 27: 1700-1705. PMID: 34389223, DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.08.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInvasive fungal infectionsSerious infectionsRisk factorsHematologic malignanciesAdvanced ageMultivariate analysis risk factorsSmall molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitorsSingle tertiary care centerFungal infectionsConcurrent useCytotoxic agentsMolecule tyrosine kinase inhibitorsAnalysis risk factorsTertiary care centerTyrosine kinase inhibitorsElectronic medical recordsResult of infectionMost patientsClinical featuresInfected patientsMedical recordsCare centerImmune effectorsPatientsViral infectionEmerging Diagnostics for Transplant Infectious Diseases
Azar M, Gaston D, Malinis M. Emerging Diagnostics for Transplant Infectious Diseases. 2021, 1535-1576. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25869-6_69.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransplant infectious diseasesInfectious diseasesPolymerase chain reaction panelHematopoietic stem cell transplantationCommunity-acquired infectionsStem cell transplantationMultidrug-resistant organismsTest performance characteristicsTransplant patientsUncommon pathogenCell transplantationSerious infectionsPatient outcomesClinical impactDiagnostic modalitiesSolid organsMolecular testingClinical specimensPatientsDiseaseDiagnostic advantageInfectionResistance detectionDiagnostic methodsDiagnostic capabilitiesConcurrent Myotonic Dystrophy and Inflammatory Myopathy in a Patient with HIV/AIDS
Gupta A, Huttner A, Azar MM. Concurrent Myotonic Dystrophy and Inflammatory Myopathy in a Patient with HIV/AIDS. Case Reports In Infectious Diseases 2021, 2021: 9998415. PMID: 34104500, PMCID: PMC8159637, DOI: 10.1155/2021/9998415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV/AIDSHIV-associated polymyositisMyotonic dystrophyMiddle-aged malesAntiretroviral therapyComprehensive workupNeuromuscular complicationsInflammatory myopathiesExtensive workupLaboratory markersClinical historyPhysical examMultiple concurrent conditionsMuscle biopsyDisease processConcurrent conditionsMyopathyAIDSPatientsWorkupDystrophyMyalgiaPolymyositisMyositisComplicationsTo Test, Perchance to Diagnose: Practical Strategies for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing
Humphries RM, Azar MM, Caliendo AM, Chou A, Colgrove RC, Fabre V, Ginocchio CC, Hanson KE, Hayden MK, Pillai DR, Pollock NR, Lee FM. To Test, Perchance to Diagnose: Practical Strategies for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2021, 8: ofab095. PMID: 33880392, PMCID: PMC7989172, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2SARS-CoV-2 testingInfection prevention programsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicSyndrome coronavirus 2Infection control planSARS-CoV-2 virusDisease 2019 pandemicPersonal protective equipmentAsymptomatic patientsRisks of testingAsymptomatic individualsCoronavirus 2Testing strategiesPrevention programsProtective equipmentProfessional guidelinesMultifaceted approachPotential benefitsDifferent populationsPatientsTesting
2020
Diagnosis of oesophageal mucormycosis managed with medical therapy alone
Ringer M, Pischel L, Azar MM. Diagnosis of oesophageal mucormycosis managed with medical therapy alone. BMJ Case Reports 2020, 13: e236869. PMID: 33093060, PMCID: PMC7583061, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236869.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIdarubicin/cytarabineLiposomal amphotericin BAcute myeloid leukemiaFebrile neutropeniaInduction chemotherapyPosaconazole therapyClinical characteristicsMedical therapySurgical morbiditySurgical interventionAggressive infectionDevastating manifestationMyeloid leukemiaCT scanInvasive moldsMucormycosisLebanese menAmphotericin BPatientsDiagnosisTherapyReportOdynophagiaNeutropeniaThrombocytopeniaEmerging Diagnostics for Transplant Infectious Diseases
Azar M, Gaston D, Malinis M. Emerging Diagnostics for Transplant Infectious Diseases. 2020, 1-44. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-01751-4_69-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransplant infectious diseasesInfectious diseasesPolymerase chain reaction panelHematopoietic stem cell transplantationCommunity-acquired infectionsStem cell transplantationMultidrug-resistant organismsTest performance characteristicsTransplant patientsUncommon pathogenCell transplantationSerious infectionsPatient outcomesClinical impactDiagnostic modalitiesSolid organsMolecular testingClinical specimensPatientsDiseaseDiagnostic advantageInfectionResistance detectionDiagnostic methodsDiagnostic capabilitiesEmerging Microbiology Diagnostics for Transplant Infections: On the Cusp of a Paradigm Shift.
Azar MM, Gaston DC, Kotton CN, Malinis MF. Emerging Microbiology Diagnostics for Transplant Infections: On the Cusp of a Paradigm Shift. Transplantation 2020, 104: 1358-1384. PMID: 31972701, DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003123.BooksConceptsHematopoietic stem cell transplantationInfected transplant recipientsInfectious disease specialistsStem cell transplantationBlood culture specimensArray of pathogensTransplant recipientsTransplant cliniciansClinical outcomesDisease specialistsCell transplantationTransplant infectionsMagnetic resonance-based methodsMicrobiology diagnosticsSolid organsCulture specimensMolecular testingMolecular panelResistance determinantsInfectionOutcomesDiagnostic microbiologyResonance-based methodsPatientsTransplantationGomori Methenamine Silver Stain on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Is Poorly Sensitive for Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia in HIV-Negative Immunocompromised Patients and May Lead to Missed or Delayed Diagnoses
Azar MM, Slotkin R, Abi-Raad R, Liu Y, Grant MH, Malinis MF. Gomori Methenamine Silver Stain on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Is Poorly Sensitive for Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia in HIV-Negative Immunocompromised Patients and May Lead to Missed or Delayed Diagnoses. Archives Of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 2020, 144: 1003-1010. PMID: 31904277, DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2019-0394-oa.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV-negative immunocompromised patientsBronchoalveolar lavage fluidDiagnosis of PJPHIV-positive patientsImmunocompromised patientsLavage fluidGomori methenamine silver stainingPneumocystis jiroveci pneumoniaHIV-positive casesHuman immunodeficiency virusGomori methenamine silver stainMethenamine silver stainingMethenamine silver stainJiroveci pneumoniaBAL fluidHistorical gold standardRetrospective reviewImmunodeficiency virusPatientsLow burdenDiagnosisGMS stainGold standardPJPPneumonia
2018
1988. Development of a Laboratory Stewardship Algorithm for Anaplasma phagocytophilum Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing
Anahtar M, Pattanayak V, Branda J, Azar M, Coffey K, Eng G, Rudolf J, Baron J, Lewandrowski K, Turbett S. 1988. Development of a Laboratory Stewardship Algorithm for Anaplasma phagocytophilum Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2018, 5: s578-s578. PMCID: PMC6253421, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy210.1644.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWhite blood cellsPolymerase chain reactionClinical criteriaPCR testMedian white blood cellPolymerase chain reaction testingComplete blood count valuesBlood count valuesLow positivity ratePreferred diagnostic methodAnaplasma infectionMann-Whitney testChart reviewLaboratory abnormalitiesUnstable patientsClinical parametersPositivity ratePCR testingPLT countReaction testingTypical laboratory abnormalitiesPatientsNegative casesRoche Diagnostics
2017
Clinical and epidemiological characterization of histoplasmosis cases in a nonendemic area, Connecticut, United States
Azar MM, Zhang X, Assi R, Hage C, Wheat LJ, Malinis MF. Clinical and epidemiological characterization of histoplasmosis cases in a nonendemic area, Connecticut, United States. Medical Mycology 2017, 56: 896-899. PMID: 29228334, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusHistoplasmosis casesEpidemiology of histoplasmosisNon-endemic areasSymptom onsetAntigen testingMedian timeImmunodeficiency virusActive histoplasmosisNonendemic areasRetrospective analysisEndemic areasEpidemiological characterizationHistoplasmosisNew HavenDaysPatientsEpidemiologyDiagnosisCasesClinical Perspectives in the Diagnosis and Management of Histoplasmosis
Azar MM, Hage CA. Clinical Perspectives in the Diagnosis and Management of Histoplasmosis. Clinics In Chest Medicine 2017, 38: 403-415. PMID: 28797485, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2017.04.004.BooksConceptsAcute pulmonary histoplasmosisDrug of choiceManagement of histoplasmosisDisseminated presentationPulmonary histoplasmosisMild diseaseClinical spectrumDimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatumHistoplasmosisAmphotericin BFungus Histoplasma capsulatumClinical perspectiveDiseaseHistoplasma capsulatumMultipronged approachNumber of travelersDiagnosisPatientsTherapyItraconazoleSeverity
2016
Disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis following renal transplant with alemtuzumab induction
Baghban A, Azar MM, Bernardo RM, Malinis M. Disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis following renal transplant with alemtuzumab induction. BMJ Case Reports 2016, 2016: bcr2016217998. PMID: 27852682, PMCID: PMC5129162, DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-217998.Peer-Reviewed Case Reports and Technical NotesConceptsMycobacterium tuberculosisDisseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosisIsoniazid preventative therapyHigh-risk patientsSolid organ transplantsOngoing risk factorsAlemtuzumab inductionDisseminated tuberculosisInduction immunosuppressionPeritransplant periodRenal transplantRenal transplantationPulmonary tuberculosisTuberculosis infectionPreventative therapyRisk factorsOrgan transplantsTuberculosisPatientsTransplantAvailable literatureImmunosuppressionTransplantationUnique challengesTherapyDisseminated Histoplasmosis with Skin Lesions and Osteomyelitis in a Patient from the Philippines.
Azar MM, Malinis MF. Disseminated Histoplasmosis with Skin Lesions and Osteomyelitis in a Patient from the Philippines. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2016, 95: 70-4. PMID: 26976880, PMCID: PMC4944712, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0063.Peer-Reviewed Case Reports and Technical NotesConceptsBone involvementDisseminated histoplasmosisFoot woundsPapular rashProtean manifestationsFinal diagnosisUnusual manifestationSkin lesionsDimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatumHistoplasmosisFungus Histoplasma capsulatumHistoplasma capsulatumDiseaseManifestationsRashOsteomyelitisPatientsLesionsDiagnosisHistoplasmosis
Wheat LJ, Azar MM, Bahr NC, Spec A, Relich RF, Hage C. Histoplasmosis. Infectious Disease Clinics Of North America 2016, 30: 207-227. PMID: 26897068, DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2015.10.009.Books