Tailoring antimicrobials in febrile neutropenia: using faster diagnostic and communication tools to improve treatment in the era of extensively resistant pathogens

Febrile Neutropenia represents a medical emergency and the use of appropriate antimicrobial therapy is essential for a better outcome. Although being time-consuming, conventional cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility tests remain the golden standard practices for microbiology identification. Final reports are typically available within several days. Faster diagnostic tools, such as species identification trough Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) and molecular techniques might help to shorten time to diagnostic and also guide definitive therapy in this scenario. Here we present a case in which the use of a diagnostic molecular workflow combining MALDI-TOF and real-time PCR for relevant genes codifying antibiotic resistant integrated with instant communication report, led to a tailored and more appropriate treatment in a patient presenting with febrile neutropenia.     

40 Jahre Reproduktionsmedizin einschließlich präkonzeptioneller Adoption

Sofern eine reproduktionsmedizinische Behandlung nicht umhin kommt, fremde Keimzellen heranzuziehen um den gewünschten Erfolg zu erzielen, entsteht ein Problem, welches oft über dem Glück des Erfolgs vernachlässigt wird. Es handelt sich um eine zumindest teilweise Adoption, wenn sie auch präkonzeptionell erfolgte. Die Einführung des Begriffs würde es erleichtern, mit möglichen Fragen zur eigenen Identität der so gezeugten Kinder später umzugehen.     

Querschnittslähmung muss heilbar werden – das ambitionierte Ziel der Wings for Life Stiftung

A causal treatment for traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is the goal of the charitable Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, located in Salzburg. In order realize this ambitioned endeavour, since 2004 Wings for Life competitively funds selected scientific projects aiming at the neurobiological repair of the injured spinal cord.An international Medical/Scientific Board and independent Peer Review Panel composed of more than 200 renowned Scientists and Clinicians (Wings for Life-?Faculty“) specialized on Spinal Cord Injury support the Executive board selecting the most promising projects within a 2 step ?Peer Review“ procedure. To date, Wings for Life funds more than 55 research projects. The projects range from basic science (target finding), applied basic and preclinical research (target validation) to clinical trials.In collaboration with twelve respected, specialized ?non-governmental organisations“ (NGOs), Wings for Life forms the umbrella organisation ICCP (International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injury) a world-wide network which develops synergies for responsible and effective translational research in spinal cord injury.