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The Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG), with funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, was created in June 2013. Its mission is to develop, prioritize, and implement a clinical research agenda that addresses the public health threat of antibacterial resistance. This article reports on the progress that the ARLG has made to date in fulfilling its mission. Since inception, the ARLG has received and reviewed >70 study proposals, initiated >30 studies, executed >300 agreements, included data from >7000 subjects, published >45 manuscripts, and provided opportunities for 26 mentees. Despite this substantial progress, there remains significant work to be accomplished. This article also describes the considerable challenges that lie ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Leadership and Operations Center (LOC) is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and implementing the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) scientific agenda by engaging thought leaders; soliciting research proposals; and developing the processes, tools, and infrastructure required to operationalize studies and create and sustain the ARLG network. These efforts are ongoing as new projects are developed and the network expands and grows to address the ever-changing priorities in antibacterial resistance. This article describes the innovations, accomplishments, and opportunities of the LOC since the inception of the ARLG in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin abscesses. Objective: To evaluate primary care pediatricians’ management of skin abscesses. Methods: A national mail survey of a random sample of 385 general pediatricians conducted from April to June 2010. Results: The response rate was 49%. Most respondents (72%) were aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommendations for the management of soft tissue infections. Only 10% reported that no one in their practice could perform incision and drainage an uncomplicated abscess. Approximately one third (34%) reported that it is too time consuming to do so. About half (55%) were interested in further training in abscess management. Conclusion: Although most primary care pediatric practices are prepared to manage uncomplicated abscesses, more than half were interested in further training in the management of this condition. A comprehensive training program of skin infections could not only improve abscess management but also decrease barriers related to such care. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Limited data exist on recent demographic and microbiological changes in infective endocarditis (IE) and the impact of these changes on patient survival. Methods: Data were collected from all patients with definite or possible IE at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, from 1993 to 1999. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify demographic and microbiological changes that occurred in patients with IE over the study period. The impact of these changes on survival was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: Among the 329 study patients, rates of hemodialysis dependence, immunosuppression, and Staphylococcus aureus infection increased during the study period (P=.04, P=.008, and P<.001, respectively), while rates of infection due to viridans group streptococci de- creased (P=.007). Hemodialysis was independently associated with S aureus infection (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.9). Patients with S aureus IE had a higher 1-year mortality rate (43.9% vs 32.5%; P=.04) that persisted after adjustment for other illness severity characteristics (hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.3). Conclusions: The demographic and microbiological characteristics of IE at our institution have changed over the past decade in ways that suggest a link between medical practice and IE characteristics. Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a dominant cause of IE, and is an independent predictor of mortality. These findings identify clinical settings that may warrant closer surveillance and more aggressive measures in the identification and prevention of endocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]