Recurrent Polymicrobial Pathogens From Licking Syringe Plungers: A Case Report and Artificial-intelligence–augmented Scoping Review of Oropharyngeal Bacterial Infections Linked to Unsafe Injection Practices

The scoping review identified unexpected etiologies of oropharyngeal bacterial contamination, not limited to licking needles, illustrating the importance of gaining an in-depth, step-by-step understanding of how each patient with intravenous drug use injects to identify potential modes of infection. This case also provides an example of potential advancements in artificial intelligence to augment research by improving search strategies, such as MeSH terms and identifying articles.