Drs. David Andes and Isabel Spriet join Dr. Jeannette Bouchard to discuss all of the top questions our audience had on fluconazole dosing. Who needs a load? How much fluconazole is too much fluconazole? And what did one of our experts do when they were asked about dosing fluconazole in a dolphin? Listen in to find out!

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References:

1. Fluconazole PK Variability in Critically Ill: DOI 10.3390/microorganisms9102068
2. DALI Antifungal Follow-up: DOI 10.1186/s13054-015-0758-3

In this special LIVE podcast episode, Drs. Zahra Kassamali Escobar (@zkepharmD) and Jamie Wagner (@jamiewagner) present the latest and greatest in ID literature from MAD-ID 2025 (@MAD_ID_ASP) in Orlando, FL. They cover everything from ground-breaking randomized controlled trials and updates to the treatment of resistant gram-negatives to exciting pipeline agents. If you’re behind on what has been published recently in ID, this episode is for you!

Google Drive to Slides from Live Session: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HdPEJUA2EXk0xL3JKJfuV9-HdGjgRnSD/view?usp=drivesdk

How to Obtain BCIDP Recertification Credit for this Episode: Visit sidp.org/BCIDP for more information

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Drs. Amy Crockett (@amyhcrockett), Ben Ereshefsky (@brainofbpharm), and Pamela Bailey (@pamipenem) join Dr. Julie Ann Justo (@julie_justo) to discuss new treatment strategies for management of intraamniotic infections, also known as chorioamnionitis. They discuss whether it is time to move away from the combination of ampicillin, gentamicin, and/or clindamycin, alternative antibiotic regimens to consider, and stewardship strategies to approach this practice change at a local level.

References:

1. Basic stats/epi on chorioamnionitis: Romero R, et al. Clinical chorioamnionitis at term I: microbiology of the amniotic cavity using cultivation and molecular techniques. J Perinat Med. 2015 Jan;43(1):19-36. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2014-0249. PMID: 25720095.
2. ACOG 2017 Guideline for IAI: Committee Opinion No. 712: Intrapartum Management of Intraamniotic Infection. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e95-e101. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002236. PMID: 28742677.
3. ACOG 2024 Update on clinical criteria for IAI: ACOG Clinical Practice Update: Update on Criteria for Suspected Diagnosis of Intraamniotic Infection. Obstetrics & Gynecology 144(1):p e17-e19, July 2024. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005593
4. Helpful review with more recent microorganisms : Jung E, et al. Clinical chorioamnionitis at term: definition, pathogenesis, microbiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Mar;230(3S):S807-S840. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.002. PMID: 38233317.
5. Cochrane Review: Chapman E, et al. Antibiotic regimens for management of intra-amniotic infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Dec 19;2014(12):CD010976. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010976.pub2. PMID: 25526426.
6. Helpful recent review on intrapartum infections: Bailey, P, et al_._ Out with the Old, In with the New: A Review of the Treatment of Intrapartum Infections. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2024;26:107–113 doi: 10.1007/s11908-024-00838-8.
7. Role of genital mycoplasmas in IAI: Romero R, et al. Evidence that intra-amniotic infections are often the result of an ascending invasion - a molecular microbiological study. J Perinat Med. 2019 Nov 26;47(9):915-931. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0297. PMID: 31693497.
8. Regimens without enterococcal coverage with similar clinical outcomes: Blanco JD, et al. Randomized comparison of ceftazidime versus clindamycin-tobramycin in the treatment of obstetrical and gynecological infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983 Oct;24(4):500-4. doi: 10.1128/AAC.24.4.500. PMID: 6360038.
9. Bookstaver PB, et al. A review of antibiotic use in pregnancy. Pharmacotherapy. 2015 Nov;35(11):1052-62. doi: 10.1002/phar.1649. PMID: 26598097.
10. Updated review in pregnancy, includes data on frequency of antibiotic use in pregnancy: Nguyen J, et al. A review of antibiotic safety in pregnancy-2025 update. Pharmacotherapy. 2025 Apr;45(4):227-237. doi: 10.1002/phar.70010. Epub 2025 Mar 19. PMID: 40105039.
11. Locksmith GJ, et al. High compared with standard gentamicin dosing for chorioamnionitis: a comparison of maternal and fetal serum drug levels. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Mar;105(3):473-9. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000151106.87930.1a. PMID: 15738010.
12. Clindamycin CDI Risk: Miller AC, et al. Comparison of Different Antibiotics and the Risk for Community-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Case-Control Study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 5;10(8):ofad413. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofad413. PMID: 37622034.
13. Impact of penicillin allergy on clindamycin use & cites 47% clindamycin resistance per CDC among GBS: Snider JB, et al. Antibiotic choice for Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis in mothers with reported penicillin allergy and associated newborn outcomes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023 May 30;23(1):400. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05697-0. PMID: 37254067.
14. Clindamycin anaerobic coverage data: Hastey CJ, et al. Changes in the antibiotic susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria from 2007-2009 to 2010-2012 based on the CLSI methodology. Anaerobe. 2016 Dec;42:27-30. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.07.003. PMID: 27427465.
15. Older PK study of ampicillin & gentamicin for chorioamnionitis: Gilstrap LC 3rd, Bawdon RE, Burris J. Antibiotic concentration in maternal blood, cord blood, and placental membranes in chorioamnionitis. Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Jul;72(1):124-5. PMID: 3380500.
16. Paper putting out the call for modernization of OB/Gyn antibiotic regimens: Pek Z, Heil E, Wilson E. Getting With the Times: A Review of Peripartum Infections and Proposed Modernized Treatment Regimens. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Sep 5;9(9):ofac460. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac460. PMID: 36168554.
17. Vanderbilt University Medical Center experience with modernizing OB/Gyn infection regimens: Smiley C, et al. Implementing Updated Intraamniotic Infection Guidelines at a Large Academic Medical Center. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024 Sep 5;11(9):ofae475. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofae475. PMID: 39252868.
18. Prisma Health/University of South Carolina experience with modernizing OB/Gyn infection regimens: Bailey P, et al. Cefoxitin for Intra-amniotic Infections and Endometritis: A Retrospective Comparison to Traditional Antimicrobial Therapy Regimens Within a Healthcare System. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 19;79(1):247-254. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae042. PMID: 38297884.

Breakpoints joins forces with CMI Communications’ Communicable podcast to discuss the highly anticipated SNAP trial updates presented at ESCMID Global 2025. Hosts Drs. Erin McCreary and Angela Huttner interview SNAP trial investigators, Drs. Joshua Davis and Steven Tong, on results from penicillin-susceptible and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus domains.

Conflict of Interest for DSMC Members: Conflicts of interest were evaluated when choosing individuals to serve on the SNAP DSMC. Aside from being compensated for their duties on the committee, DSMC members have no ongoing financial relationship that relate to the trial and are not involved in the conduct of the trial in any role other than that of a DSMC member. DSMC members have no intellectual conflict of interest or bias and reviewed SNAP data in a fully objective manner. Each DSMC candidate was well vetted.

Dr. Jeannette Bouchard is joined by experts Dr. Romney Humphries, Emily Fox, and Matt Miller to discuss the hot topic of blood culture stewardship and the details of how these experts persevered through the recent blood culture bottle shortage that caused chaos throughout health care institutions at the end of 2024! This medical education was provided by an education grant from bioMerieux.

References:

1. Fabre BCx Stewardship Article doi: 10.1128/JCM.01005-21
2. ED Bcx Stewardship doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.04.198
3. CT Surgery Stewardship doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivaf005
4. Every Crisis is an Opportunity doi:  10.1093/ofid/ofae479
5. Fun IV Coconut Water from I Feel Nerdy section: https://dr-martins.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2000_the-intravenous-use-of-coconut-water.pdf

Drs. Pier Giorgio Cojutti and Navaneeth Narayanan join Dr. Megan Klatt to break down what you need to know about amoxicillin/clavulanate dosing. Tune in to learn more about the PK/PD of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, how we landed on certain ratios for the treatment of common infections, strategies to optimize dosing for serious infections, and more!

References:

1. Oral amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid: properties, indications and usage. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020 Jul;26(7):871-879. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.11.028. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31811919.
2. New formulations of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid: a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic review. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2005;44(11):1097-115. doi: 10.2165/00003088-200544110-00001. PMID: 16231964.
3. Non-linear absorption pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin: consequences for dosing regimens and clinical breakpoints. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2016 Oct;71(10):2909-17. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkw226. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27330071.
4. Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infection: a review of the continuing development of an innovative antimicrobial agent. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004 Jan:53 Suppl 1:i3-20. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkh050. PMID: 14726431.
5. Is the standard dose of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid sufficient? BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2014 Jul 21:15:38. doi: 10.1186/2050-6511-15-38. PMID: 25047044.
6. MIC of amoxicillin/clavulanate according to CLSI and EUCAST: discrepancies and clinical impact in patients with bloodstream infections due to Enterobacteriaceae. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2017 May 1;72(5):1478-1487. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkw562. PMID: 28093484.
7. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Breakpoints Against Enterobacterales: Rationale for Revision by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 16;79(2):516-523. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae201. PMID: 38626241.
8. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Breakpoints Against Haemophilus influenzae: Rationale for Revision by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 24;80(2):481-482. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae246. PMID: 38709848.
9. No evidence of difference in mortality with amoxicillin versus co-amoxiclav for hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. J Infect. 2024 Jun;88(6):106161. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106161. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38663754.
10. Population pharmacokinetics and dosing simulations of amoxicillin in obese adults receiving co-amoxiclav. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020 Dec 1;75(12):3611-3618. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkaa368. PMID: 32888018.
11. Comprehensive guidance for antibiotic dosing in obese adults: 2022 update. Pharmacotherapy. 2023 Mar;43(3):226-246. doi: 10.1002/phar.2769. Epub 2023 Feb 18. PMID: 36703246.

Dr. Brent Richards joins Dr. Erin McCreary to discuss the growing capability for artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in the healthcare industry. What is AI and machine learning, how can these tools enhance patient care, and what can we expect in the future from this space? 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/

Drs. Amy Mathers and Julie Ann Justo join Dr. Erin McCreary to talk all things Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a water-loving organism and frequent colonizer. Hear from the experts on why this organism is so difficult to treat, which agents have in vitro activity, and how to optimize antimicrobial regimens, including the use of combination therapy, in the setting of true infections. This medical education was provided by an unrestricted grant from Shionogi.

References:

1. Infectious Diseases Society of America 2024 Guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 7:ciae403. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae403. PMID: 39108079.
2. Clinical challenges treating Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections: an update. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2022 May 5;4(3):dlac040. doi: 10.1093/jacamr/dlac040. PMID: 35529051.
3. Alterations of the Oral Microbiome and Cumulative Carbapenem Exposure Are Associated With Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Infection in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Chemotherapy. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 May 4;72(9):1507-1513. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa778. PMID: 32544947.
4. An Overview of the Treatment of Less Common Non–Lactose-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacteria. Pharmacotherapy. 2020 Sep;40(9):936-951. doi: 10.1002/phar.2447. PMID: 32687670.

Drs. Henry “Chip” Chambers and Warren Rose join Dr. Megan Klatt to tackle rifampin dosing for gram-positive infections. In this episode, they break down rifampin synergy studies and discuss what is the optimal dosing of rifampin for challenging gram-positive bacterial cases, in particular Staphylococcus aureus infections with or without retained hardware/devices. 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/

References:

1. Deconstructing the Dogma: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of Adjunctive Gentamicin and Rifampin in Staphylococcal Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Oct 31;9(11):ofac583. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac583. PMID: 36408468.
2. Effectiveness of adjunctive rifampicin for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2023 Oct 3;78(10):2419-2427. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkad214. PMID: 37583062.
3. Adjunctive Rifampin Following Debridement and Implant Retention for Staphylococcal Prosthetic Joint Infection: Is it Effective if not Combined With a Fluoroquinolone? Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Oct 31;9(12):ofac582. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac582. PMID: 36504699.

Drs. Nico Cortes-Penfield (@Cortes-Penfield), Kerry LaPlante (@Kerry_LaPlante), Jessica Seidelman (@JessieLSeidel) join Dr. Julie Ann Justo (@julie_justo) to discuss the pesky slime that is biofilm in periprosthetic joint infections. They review biofilm composition & development, have an honest discussion about whether antibiotics can ever really eradicate it, and provide updates on the promising non-pharmacologic strategies on the horizon (bacteriophages, electromagnetism, & more).

Learn more about the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists: https://sidp.org/About X: @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

References

1. Nixing the Nidus: Managing Retained Sources in Prosthetic Joint Infections. Breakpoints Podcast Episode #67. Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.
2. Dosing Consult: Rifampin Part 1. Breakpoints Podcast Episode #104. Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.
3. Review on Staphylococcal biofilm development: Schilcher K, Horswill AR. 2020 Aug 12;84(3):e00026-19. doi: 10.1128/MMBR.00026-19. PMID: 32792334.
4. Antibiotics can fail to kill biofilm cells even if they penetrate the biofilm: Singh R, et al. Pathog Dis. 2016 Aug;74(6):ftw056. doi: 10.1093/femspd/ftw056. Epub 2016 Jul 7. PMID: 27402781.
5. Subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations can promote biofilm formation: Schilcher K, et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2016 Sep 23;60(10):5957-67. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00463-16. PMID: 27458233.
6. Clinical and genetic risk factors for biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus: Luther MK, et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Apr 26;62(5):e02252-17. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02252-17. PMID: 29530854.
7. Meta-analysis showing poor clinical outcomes with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR): Kunutsor SK, et al. J Infect. 2018 Dec;77(6):479-488. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2018.08.017. PMID: 30205122.
8. Thieme L, et al. MBEC versus MBIC: the lack of differentiation between biofilm reducing and inhibitory effects as a current problem in biofilm methodology. Biol Proced Online 21, 18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12575-019-0106-0.
9. Ongoing trial investigating use of MBEC in the treatment of PJIs: Tillander JAN, et al. BMJ Open. 2022 Sep 15;12(9):e058168. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058168. PMID: 36109038.
10. Maale, G. Complete eradication of biofilm using low frequency electromagnetic force (EMF) and antibiotics at MIC. 34th Annual Meeting Musculoskeletal Infection Society. 2024 Aug. Abstract 1232 (see full program).
11. Meta-analysis on bacteriophages for biofilm: Kovacs CJ, et al. Mil Med. 2024 May 18;189(5-6):e1294-e1302. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usad385. PMID: 37847552.
12. Berking BB, et al. Biofilm disruption from within: light-activated molecular drill-functionalized polymersomes bridge the gap between membrane damage and quorum sensing-mediated cell death. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2024 Sep 9;10(9):5881-5891. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c01177. PMID: 39176452.
13. Aboelnaga N, et al. Deciphering the dynamics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: from molecular signaling to nanotherapeutic advances. Cell Commun Signal. 2024 Mar 22;22(1):188. doi: 10.1186/s12964-024-01511-2. PMID: 38519959.
14. Conway J, et al. Phase 1 study of the pharmacokinetics and clinical proof-of-concept activity of a biofilm-disrupting human monoclonal antibody in patients with chronic prosthetic joint infection of the knee or hip. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024 Aug 7;68(8):e0065524. doi: 10.1128/aac.00655-24. PMID: 39012102.
15. Mulpur P, et al. Efficacy of intrawound vancomycin in prevention of periprosthetic joint infection after primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Jun;39(6):1569-1576. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.01.003. PMID: 38749600.
16. Dong Y, et al. Synergy of ultrasound microbubbles and vancomycin against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2013 Apr;68(4):816-26. doi: 10.1093/jac/dks490. PMID: 23248238.
17. Miltenberg B, et al. Intraosseous Regional Administration of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review. J Arthroplasty. 2023 Apr;38(4):769-774. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2022.10.023. PMID: 36280158.
18. Viswanathan VK, et al. Intraosseous regional antibiotic prophylaxis in total joint arthroplasty (TJA): Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2024 Oct 3;57:102553. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2024.102553. PMID: 39435324.
19. SOLARIO trial: Dudareva M, et al. The European Bone and Joint Infection Society Meeting, 2024 Sept.
20. SOLARIO trial press release from BoneSupportTM. 2024 Oct 3.
21. Fehring TK, et al. Does treatment at a specialized prosthetic joint infection center improve the rate of reimplantation. J Arthroplasty. 2023 Jun;38(6S):S314-7. PMID 37004968.
22. ROADMAP trial website. 2024.