Breakpoints

Episode Notes Complicated UTIs just got a whole lot less complicated—or did they? Dr. Dana Bowers and Kyle Molina (@kcmolinaID) join Dr. Whitney Buckel to break down what’s new, what’s controversial, and what this means for your day‑to‑day antimicrobial decisions. Join us as we dig into the biggest updates, the evidence behind them, and the clinical pearls you won’t want to miss. References: Nelson Z, Aslan AT, Beahm NP, et al. Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatrics and Adults: A WikiGuidelines Group Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Nov 4;7(11):e2444495. Trautner BW, Cortes-Penfield NW, Gupta K, et al. Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI): Clinical Guidelines for Treatment and Management. Published July 17, 2025. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/complicated-urinary-tract-infections/ Kadry N, Natarajan M, Bein E, Kim P, Farley J. Discordant Clinical and Microbiological Outcomes Are Associated With Late Clinical Relapse in Clinical Trials for Complicated Urinary Tract Infections. Clin Infect Dis 2023;76(10:1768-1775. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/76/10/1768/6980780 USCAST Oral cephalosporin STIC against S. aureus and E. coli meeting recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HieaVFAC08s MacDougall C. A Cloudy Crystal Ball: Critically Assessing and Rethinking the Antibiogram. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;77(11):1501-1503. doi:10.1093/cid/ciad468 Koehl J, Spolsdoff D, Negaard B, et al. Cephalosporins for Outpatient Pyelonephritis in the Emergency Department: COPY-ED Study. Ann Emerg Med. 2025;85(3):240-248. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.10.013 Dunne MW, Aronin SI, Das AF, et al. Sulopenem for the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections Including Pyelonephritis: A Phase 3, Randomized Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;76(1):78-88. doi:10.1093/cid/ciac704 Learn more about the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists: https://sidp.org/About Instagram: @SIDPharm (https://www.instagram.com/sidpharm/) or @breakpointspodcast_sidp (https://www.instagram.com/breakpointspodcast_sidp/)https://www.instagram.com/breakpointspodcast_sidp/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidprx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidp/ SIDP welcomes pharmacists and non-pharmacist members with an interest in infectious diseases, learn how to join here: https://sidp.org/Become-a-Member Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/

In this third collaboration between SIDP’s Breakpoints and ESCMID’s Communicable podcasts, hosts Erin McCreary and Angela Huttner invite two veteran authors of guidelines and guidances, Pranita Tamma (Philadelphia, USA) and Benedikt Huttner (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) [1-3]. Together, they deconstruct the complex landscape of developing and implementing guidelines into digestible components: they discuss why different organizations develop guidelines and what need they hope to fulfil, the framework including the GRADE methodology under which guidelines are written, and major barriers in the uptake of guidelines. The conversation also details the distinction between guideline and guidance as well as the art and science behind formulating recommendations or suggestions, with a few anecdotal cases sprinkled in from the panel. References 1. WHO handbook for guideline development, 2nd Edition, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548960 2. The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062382 3. IDSA 2024 Guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Infections, https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/amr-guidance/ Learn more about the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists: https://sidp.org/About Twitter: @SIDPharm (https://twitter.com/SIDPharm) Instagram: @SIDPharm (https://www.instagram.com/sidpharm/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidprx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidp/ SIDP welcomes pharmacists and non-pharmacist members with an interest in infectious diseases, learn how to join here: https://sidp.org/Become-a-Member Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/

Drs. Ted Morton and Christine Lockowitz join Dr. Ryan Moenster to discuss all things amoxicillin, particularly in our pediatric patients. Our guests answer common questions, such as, what formulations should be used for certain infectious conditions and/or organisms and how to dose amoxicillin to maximize PK/PD optimization without inducing potential adverse events. It is a must-listen for all! This episode also qualifies for 1 hour of BCIDP credit! How to Obtain BCIDP Recertification Credit for this Episode: Visit sidp.org/BCIDP for more information. References: Bradley JS, Garonzik SM, Forrest A, Bhavnani SM. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation: selecting the best antimicrobial dose to treat an infection. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2010 Nov;29(11):1043-6. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181f42a53. PMID: 20975453. Craig WA. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters: rationale for antibacterial dosing of mice and men. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Jan;26(1):1-10; quiz 11-2. doi: 10.1086/516284. PMID: 9455502. Hakenbeck R, Grebe T, Zähner D, Stock JB. beta-lactam resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: penicillin-binding proteins and non-penicillin-binding proteins. Mol Microbiol. 1999 Aug;33(4):673-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01521.x. PMID: 10447877. Bax R. Development of a twice daily dosing regimen of amoxicillin/clavulanate. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2007 Dec;30 Suppl 2:S118-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2007.09.002. Epub 2007 Nov 5. PMID: 17983732. Bielicki JA, Stöhr W, Barratt S, Dunn D, Naufal N, Roland D, Sturgeon K, Finn A, Rodriguez-Ruiz JP, Malhotra-Kumar S, Powell C, Faust SN, Alcock AE, Hall D, Robinson G, Hawcutt DB, Lyttle MD, Gibb DM, Sharland M; PERUKI, GAPRUKI, and the CAP-IT Trial Group. Effect of Amoxicillin Dose and Treatment Duration on the Need for Antibiotic Re-treatment in Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: The CAP-IT Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021 Nov 2;326(17):1713-1724. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.17843. Erratum in: JAMA. 2021 Dec 7;326(21):2208. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.20219. PMID: 34726708; PMCID: PMC8564579.

Dr. George R. Thompson, a UC Davis specialist in invasive fungal infections, and Dr. Gregory Eschenauer, an infectious diseases pharmacy expert from Michigan, explore Blastomyces, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, and Cryptococcus. They cover epidemiology, diagnostics, clinical presentations, and nuanced antifungal therapy debates. Expect practical talk on testing limits, amphotericin strategies, itraconazole formulation and monitoring, and transplant prophylaxis controversies.

A rapid roundup of late‑breaking trials and stewardship controversies from IDWeek 2025. They survey new oral and IV antimicrobials, safety signals like ceftriaxone events, and evolving PK/PD data for oral step‑downs. The conversation spans antifungal and HIV cure advances, debates on vancomycin and bacteremia duration, and practical implications for outpatient use and formularies.

As promised, our host Dr, Ryan Moenster is back and breaking down the recently published ATS pneumonia guidelines — what’s pneu, what’s controversial, and what it means for your antimicrobial game! Dr. Whitney Hartlage (@whithartlage11) is back to join the conversation, plus fresh takes from Drs. Sharon Weissman and Sahil Angelo (@angelo_sahil). References: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Jul 18. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202507-1692ST. Online ahead of print. IDSA Sepsis Task Force. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) POSITION STATEMENT: Why IDSA Did Not Endorse the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines. Clin Infect Dis. 2018 May 2;66(10):1631-1635. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix997. PMID: 29182749; PMCID: PMC6927848.

Dr. Julie Ann Justo is joined by experts Drs. Krista Gens and Javier A. Villafuerte Gálvez as they dive deep into the gut microbiome and explore the latest therapeutic frontier for C. difficile infections.  From bacteria battles to breakthrough treatments, this one’s a must-listen! You can also review the helpful infographic on our website (https://breakpoints-sidp.org/infographics/). This podcast was supported by an unrestricted grant from Nestlé Health Science. References: Helpful review from one of our guest experts: Gens KD, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation and emerging treatments for Clostridium difficile infection. J Pharm Pract. 2013 Oct;26(5):498-505. doi: 10.1177/0897190013499527. PMID: 23966282. More modern review: Herbin SR, et al. Breaking the Cycle of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infections: A Narrative Review Exploring Current and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. J Pharm Pract. 2024 Dec;37(6):1361-1373. doi: 10.1177/08971900241248883. Epub 2024 May 13. PMID: 38739837. Review on designing microbiota based therapies (pre-print only): Ke S, et al. Rational Design of Live Biotherapeutic Products for the Prevention of Clostridioides difficile Infection. 2024 May 02. doi: 10.1101/2024.04.30.591969. [FDA Guidance regarding IND requirements for fecal microbiota transplant](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/enforcement-policy-regarding-investigational-new-drug-requirements-use-fecal-microbiota). 2022 Nov. OpenBiome webpage with resources for hospitals: How to Start an FMT Program. 2025. Peery AF, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on Fecal Microbiota-Based Therapies for Select Gastrointestinal Diseases. Gastroenterology. 2024 Mar;166(3):409-434. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.008. PMID: 38395525. Johnson S, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): 2021 Focused Update Guidelines on Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 7;73(5):755-757. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab718. PMID: 34492699. Henry Ford’s experience getting fecal microbiota products for patients: Abene S. Fecal Microbiota Capsules Improve CDI Access Through Specialty Pharmacy Integration. Contagion Live. 2025 Jul 11. An international view on CDI management: Mendo-Lopez R, et al. Best Practices in the Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Developing Nations. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 19;9(8):185. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9080185. PMID: 39195623. Review on investigational LBP agents: Monday L, et al. Microbiota-Based Live Biotherapeutic Products for Clostridioides Difficile Infection- The Devil is in the Details. Infect Drug Resist. 2024 Feb 15;17:623-639. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S419243. PMID: 38375101. More on quorum sensing: Falà AK, et al. Quorum sensing in human gut and food microbiomes: Significance and potential for therapeutic targeting. Front Microbiol. 2022 Nov 25;13:1002185. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1002185. PMID: 36504831. Economic impacts of CDI pts: Reilly J, et al. Economic impact of multiple recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in a community teaching hospital. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Sep 29:1-3. doi: 10.1017/ice.2025.10295. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41020576.

Dr. Ryan Shields, an expert in antibiotic management, Dr. Robert Bonomo, a physician-scientist studying drug resistance, and Dr. Maria Mojica, a microbiologist specializing in resistance mechanisms, discuss frightening gram-negative bacteria like Burkholderia and Elizabethkingia. They delve into the complexities of antibiotic resistance, revealing how these pathogens can impact vulnerable populations. Join them for a chilling exploration of infection risks, treatment challenges, and breakthroughs in combating these resilient bugs.

Joining Dr. Whitney Buckel are Erin Barreto, an Associate Professor at Mayo Clinic and expert in personalized beta-lactam therapy, and Jeffrey Lipman, an intensivist renowned for his work on antibiotic pharmacokinetics. They dive into cefepime dosing, discussing why traditional package insert guidelines fall short for critically ill patients. The experts advocate for higher dosing strategies, explore augmented renal clearance implications, and emphasize the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring for individualized patient care.

In our first episode released in both English and Spanish, Drs. Laila Woc-Colburn and Nicholás Ignacio Valdebenito Farías join Dr. José Pablo Díaz Madriz to discuss the role of the pharmacist in antimicrobial stewardship in Latin America. They discuss the need for growth of antimicrobial stewardship programs across Latin America, how pharmacists can expand their roles to support multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship teams, and much more!   Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/. Visit our website! https://breakpoints-sidp.org/ References: Ciapponi A, Bardach A, Sandoval MM, Palermo MC, Navarro E, Espinal C, Quirós R. Systematic review and meta-analysis of deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance, Latin America. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Nov;29(11):2335-44. doi:10.3201/eid2911.230753. PMID:37877573; PMCID:PMC10617342. Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. The burden of antimicrobial resistance in the Americas in 2019: a cross-country systematic analysis. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2023 Aug 8;25:100561. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2023.100561. Erratum in: Lancet Reg Health Am. 2023 Nov 10;28:100632. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2023.100632. PMID:37727594; PMCID:PMC10505822. Fabre V, Secaira C, Cosgrove SE, Lessa FC, Patel TS, Alvarez AA, Anchiraico LM, Del Carmen Bangher M, Barberis MF, Burokas MS, Castañeda X, Colque AM, De Ascencao G, Esquivel C, Ezcurra C, Falleroni LA, Frassone N, Garzón MI, Gomez C, Gonzalez JA, Hernandez D, Laplume D, Lemir CG, Maldonado Briones H, Melgar M, Mesplet F, Martinez G, Pertuz CM, Moreno C, Nemirovsky C, Nuccetelli Y, Palacio B, Sandoval N, Vergara H, Videla H, Villamandos S, Villareal O, Viteri A, Quiros R. Deep dive into gaps and barriers to implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals in Latin America. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Jul 5;77(Suppl 1):S53-S61. doi:10.1093/cid/ciad184. PMID:37406044; PMCID:PMC10321692. Charani E, Smith I, Skodvin B, Perozziello A, Lucet JC, Lescure FX, Birgand G, Poda A, Ahmad R, Singh S, Holmes AH. Investigating the cultural and contextual determinants of antimicrobial stewardship programmes across low-, middle- and high-income countries: a qualitative study. PLoS One. 2019 Jan 16;14(1):e0209847. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209847. PMID:30650099; PMCID:PMC6335060. Bavestrello L, Cabello Á, Casanova D. Impact of regulatory measures on antibiotic sales in Chile. Rev Med Chil. 2002 Nov;130(11):1265-72. doi:10.4067/S0034-98872002001100009. ISSN 0034-9887. Díaz-Madriz JP, et al. Impact of a pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship program in a private hospital in Costa Rica. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2020;44:e57. doi:10.26633/RPSP.2020.57. Díaz-Madriz JP, et al. Impact of a pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship program on the prescription of antibiotics by intensive care physicians in a Latin American hospital: a retrospective study. J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2022;5(11):1148-55. doi:10.1002/jac5.1708. Domínguez I, et al. Evaluación del consumo de antimicrobianos en 15 hospitales chilenos: resultados de un trabajo colaborativo, 2013. Rev Chil Infectol. 2016 Jun;33(3):307-12. doi:10.4067/S0716-10182016000300010. ISSN 0716-1018. Ministerio de Salud de Chile. Norma general técnica N°210 para la racionalización del uso de antimicrobianos en la atención clínica. Resolución Exenta N°1146, 2020. Disponible en: https://diprece.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/RES.-EXENTA-N%C2%B01146-Aprueba-Norma-Gral.-Te%CC%81cnica-N%C2%B00210-para-la-racionalizacio%CC%81n-del-uso-de-antimicrobianos-en-la-Atencio%CC%81n-Cli%CC%81nica_v2.pdf