This study aimed to obtain data describing the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of yeasts isolated from bloodstream infections (BSI) in the Czech Republic (CR). This study presents data from the first year of a national, long-term surveillance program. All microbiologically confirmed candidemia cases in patients hospitalized at 30 Czech centers in 2023 were evaluated. This study assessed BSI incidence per 100,000 inhabitants, species distribution, and antifungal susceptibilities (EUCAST E.Def 7.4 protocol) of strains.aff Whole-genome sequencing was performed on selected isolates with acquired resistance or non-wild-type phenotypes to determine the molecular mechanisms of resistance. In total, 433 isolates from 408 unique BSI episodes in 398 patients were recorded in 2023. Candida albicans was the most frequent species (40.6%), followed by Candida glabrata (24.5%), Candida parapsilosis (14.5%), and Candida tropicalis (5.5%). In pediatric patients, C. albicans (58.8%) was the most common, followed by C. parapsilosis (17.6%). Candida auris BSI was not detected in 2023. The highest rates of acquired fluconazole resistance were detected in C. parapsilosis (16.9%) and C. glabrata (15.4%). Most fluconazole-resistant (FLC-R) C. parapsilosis isolates carried Y132F mutation in ERG11 gene (14/15; 93.3%). One isolate of C. glabrata was resistant to echinocandins (1.3%), but remained susceptible to azoles, mutations in FKS1 (G14S) and FKS2 (S663P, T926P) were identified. This nationwide survey provides the first comprehensive yeast BSI surveillance data from the Czech Republic, which spans the entire country. CR follows trends observed in developed countries, with a decline in C. albicans and a rise in C. glabrata infections. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing FLC-R C. parapsilosis isolates carrying the Y132F ERG11 mutation in CR. These findings highlight several emerging challenges that reflect global trends: a shifting spectrum of Candida species from C. albicans to non-albicans species, and rising levels of acquired azole resistance. Therefore, continuous national monitoring is essential.
This international, multidisciplinary consensus report represents the first effort to systematically define and characterize fatty pancreas. A key outcome of this endeavor was the recommendation to adopt "fatty pancreas" as the standardized and inclusive term to describe all forms of fat accumulation in the pancreas. This terminological consensus provides a critical foundation for unified reporting and clinical communication. Another major contribution of the report is the consensus on diagnostic imaging findings, which was based on radiological and endoscopic modalities. The proposed criteria aim to enhance consistency in clinical assessment and support the development of standardized research protocols. In addition to establishing terminology and diagnostic frameworks, the report also synthesizes current knowledge across a wide range of relevant domains. These include the etiology and epidemiology of fatty pancreas, as well as its associations with alcohol consumption, smoking, acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and surgical outcomes. The potential links between fatty pancreas and neoplastic conditions such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and pancreatic cancer are also addressed, alongside the current understanding of its metabolic implications (beta-cell function and glucose homeostasis) and treatment strategies. Throughout the consensus process, a consistent theme emerged: the limited availability of high-quality, prospective clinical data. Therefore, many of the recommendations in this report are based on expert consensus rather than strong empirical evidence. As such, the statements require rigorous prospective validation before they can be adopted into routine clinical practice. This underscores a critical need for further research, particularly studies aimed at clarifying causal relationships, validating diagnostic tools, and determining the clinical relevance of fatty pancreas across diverse patient populations. This report serves as both a summary of our current understanding and a roadmap for future investigations, aiming to close existing knowledge gaps and guide evidence-based clinical practice in this emerging field.
The global rise of antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in fosfomycin (FOS), an old antibiotic with activity against multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales. However, resistance to FOS is increasing, driven by impaired drug uptake, target modification, and by fosA-encoded enzymatic inactivation. This study assessed the prevalence and molecular basis of FOS resistance among Enterobacterales collected in Czech tertiary care hospitals in 2024. A total of 211 preliminary FOS-resistant isolates were obtained from nine hospitals across the Czech Republic, predominantly Proteus mirabilis (n=149) and Escherichia coli (n=57). All isolates showed elevated FOS MICs, and the PPF test identified FosA activity in 34/211 isolates. Carbon-source growth testing demonstrated widespread impairment of GlpT and UhpT transporters (93.8% affecting both). PCR confirmed fosA genes in 14 isolates (9 P. mirabilis, 5 E. coli). WGS revealed fosA3 as the dominant variant (85.7%), followed by fosA4 (14.3%). P. mirabilis isolates primarily belonged to ST185 and ST135, forming two Czech-specific fosA3 clusters with limited relatedness to international genomes. FosA-producing E. coli displayed broader diversity (ST69, ST58, ST550, ST1308). FosA4 was detected exclusively in E. coli. Most fosA-positive strains co-harbored ESBL genes, predominantly blaCTX-M-65. SNP-based phylogenies indicated local clonal circulation of fosA3-positive P. mirabilis ST185, whereas E. coli isolates showed heterogeneous international linkages. Analysis of GlpT/UhpT/MurA identified numerous amino acid substitutions, though only a minority were predicted to affect protein function. This study documents the first broader emergence of plasmid-mediated FOS resistance in Czech Enterobacterales and underscores the importance of continuous genomic surveillance of fosA-mediated resistance.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:Treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) can be eventually complicated by avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN FH). Stages 1 and 2 of AVN FH can be treated conservatively, but stages 3 and 4 are indicated for surgery. In adults, total hip replacement (THR) is the preferred method. The goal of our study was to analyze the risk factors for AVN FH and functional results after THR. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This is a single-center retrospective observational longitudinal study. Patients with AVN FH after previous cHL treatment were included. Basic epidemiological data, time to AVN FH and THR, and complications of hemato-oncological treatment and THRs were recorded. Risk ratios, derived from 2×2 tables and from univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier graphs, were analyzed. Categorical data were evaluated using the Fisher exact test and quantitative data using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. Outcomes were measured using the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS). RESULTS:The mean incidence of AVN HF was 1.7 per year (95% CI 1.1-2.2). Patients with THRs tended to be older (p = 0.0424), the highest risk was ≥ 50 years. Mixed cellularity (MC) cHL had a higher risk of THR (log-rank test p = 0.0249) compared to nodular sclerosis (NS) cHL. Clinical stage IIB with massive mediastinal tumor was associated with the lowest risk of THR, p = 0.0348. The mean modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) was higher in NS compared to MC subtype (85.1 (82.7-87.6) vs. only 75.4 (66.6-84.2), p = 0.0311). Periarticular calcification grade 1 was diagnosed in 84.6% of patients (95% CI 54.6-98.1). Revision surgery with cup and stem replantation was performed in one patient. No infections or cases of deep venous thrombosis were recorded. CONCLUSIONS:THR is a causal treatment of symptomatic AVN FH following cHL treatment. Age ≥ 50 years, MC subtype cHL, and AVN FH stages 3 and 4 were associated with a higher risk of THR. The mean MHHS was fully comparable with THRs for other indications. Higher calcification rates had no impact on the clinical outcome.
