Outcomes and clinical characteristics of the compassionate use of plitidepsin in COVID-19 patients with solid tumours, haematological malignancies or anti-CD20 antibody treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of plitidepsin antiviral treatment in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients with underlying haematological malignancies or solid tumours, particularly those who have undergone anti-CD20 therapies. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational study, involving 54 adults treated with plitidepsin on compassionate use as an antiviral drug. Our analysis compared outcomes between patients with solid tumours and those with haematological malignancies, and a cohort of cases treated or not with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Patients with a history of anti-CD20 therapies showed a prolonged time-to-negative RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to non-treated patients (33 d (28;75) vs 15 (11;25); p = .002). Similar results were observed in patients with solid tumours in comparison to those with haematological malignancies (13 (10;16) vs 26 (17;50); p < .001). No serious adverse events were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with haematological malignancies appear to be at a heightened risk for delayed SARS-CoV-2 clearance and subsequent clinical complications. These findings support plitidepsin as a well-tolerated treatment in this high-risk group. A phase II clinical trial (NCT05705167) is ongoing to evaluate plitidepsin as an antiviral drug in this population.KEY POINTSHaematological patients face an increased risk for severe COVID-19.Anti-CD20 therapies could increase fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients.Persistent viral replication is increased in immunocompromised patients.Plitidepsin does not lead to new serious adverse events in immunocompromised patients.

Integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance mediated by R263K plus E157Q in a patient with HIV infection treated with bictegravir/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: The in vivo selection of E157Q plus R263K has not been reported in patients treated with coformulated bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF). To the best of our knowledge, we hereby report the first case of high-grade INSTI resistance associated with the presence of these aminoacidic substitutions in a treatment-experienced HIV patient treated with BIC/FTC/TAF. METHODS: Clinical case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A heavily treatment-experienced patient was switched to BIC/FTC/TAF due to drug-drug interactions after being diagnosed with disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare disease. He had been treated before with raltegravir with poor adherence. No mutations in the integrase gene were detected 1 year after finishing treatment with raltegravir. Months after being switched to BIC/FTC/TAF, and again with poor adherence documented, virological failure (VF) was detected. The polymorphic substitution E157Q and the resistance mutation R263K in the integrase gene were detected, as well as M184V, among other mutations in the reverse transcriptase gene. The patient is currently being treated with dolutegravir q12h plus boosted darunavir along with directly observed treatment, and for the first time in 20 years, plasmatic viral load values are below 100 copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that the combination of E157Q and R263K plus M184V can be selected in vivo in a clinical scenario of poor adherence with BIC/FTC/TAF, although it is a very rare phenomenon. Previous VF with first-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) should be kept in mind when switching patients to second-generation INSTIs.

Clonal spread of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis in patients admitted to a referral hospital located in Burgos, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis (FRCP) is a matter of concern in Spain. OBJECTIVES: We here report a FRCP spread across a 777-bed referral hospital located in Burgos, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS/METHODS: In April 2021, an FRCP isolate (MIC = 64 mg/L, E-test®) from a hospitalised patient was detected. Up to June 2022, all C. parapsilosis isolates (n = 35) from hospitalised patients (n = 32) were stored and genotyped using microsatellite markers, and their antifungal susceptibilities were studied (EUCAST); FRCP isolates were molecularly characterised. RESULTS: We detected 26 FRCP isolates collected between 2021 (n = 8) and 2022 (n = 18); isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, echinocandins and ibrexafungerp. FRCP isolates were grouped into three genotypes: CP-707 and CP-708 involved isolates harbouring the Y132F + R398I ERG11p substitutions (n = 24) and were clonally related; the remaining CP-675 genotype involved isolates harbouring the G458S ERG11p substitution (n = 2). FRCP genotypes were genetically related to the FRCP genotypes found in Madrid and were unrelated to fluconazole-susceptible ones. Patients harbouring FRCP were mainly (n = 22/23) admitted to intensive care units. Most patients had received broad-spectrum antibiotics (n = 22/23), and/or antifungal therapy with azoles (n = 14/23) within the 30 days prior to FRCP isolation. Thirteen patients were colonised, 10 of whom were infected and presented candidaemia (n = 8/10), endovascular infection (n = 1/10) or complicated urinary infection (n = 1/10). Overall nonattributable 30-day mortality was 17% (n = 4/23). CONCLUSIONS: We report an outbreak caused by FRCP affecting patients admitted to the ICU of a referral hospital located in Burgos. Patients harbouring FRCP had a higher fluconazole use than those carrying susceptible isolates.

Elevated levels of serum CDCP1 in individuals recovering from severe COVID-19 disease.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 survivors report residual lung abnormalities after discharge from the hospital. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers in serum and induced sputum samples from patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. METHODS: Patients admitted to hospitals in Spain with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited for this study. SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were divided into groups with mild/moderate and severe disease according to the severity of their symptoms during hospitalization. Levels of 92 biomarkers were measured in serum and induced sputum samples. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (46.2% severe cases) were included in this study. The median number of days after the onset of symptoms was 104. A significant difference was observed in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), an indicator of lung function, whereby DLCO <80% was significantly lower in severe cases (p <0.001). Differences in inflammatory biomarkers were observed between patients with mild/moderate and severe disease. For some biomarkers, correlations in serum and induced sputum levels were detected. Independent predictors of severe disease were DLCO <80% and the serum CDCP1 value. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CDCP1 remain after hospital discharge and are associated with the severity of COVID-19. The possible prognostic implications warrant further investigation.

Dalbavancin for the Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections: A Narrative Review.

Dalbavancin (DAL) is a lipoglycopeptide with bactericidal activity against a very wide range of Gram-positive microorganisms. It also has unique pharmacokinetic properties, namely a prolonged half-life (around 181 h), which allows a convenient weekly dosing regimen, and good diffusion in bone tissue. These features have led to off-label use of dalbavancin in the setting of bone and joint infection, including prosthetic joint infections (PJI). In this narrative review, we go over the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of DAL, along with published in vitro and in vivo experimental models evaluating its activity against biofilm-embedded bacteria. We also examine published experience of osteoarticular infection with special attention to DAL and PJI.

Pulmonary long-term consequences of COVID-19 infections after hospital discharge.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors are reporting residual abnormalities after discharge from hospital. Limited information is available about this stage of recovery or the lingering effects of the virus on pulmonary function and inflammation. This study aimed to describe lung function in patients recovering from COVID-19 hospitalization and to identify biomarkers in serum and induced sputum samples from these patients. METHODS: Patients admitted to Spanish hospitals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection by a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were recruited for this study. Each hospital screened their lists of discharged patients at least 45 days after symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were divided into mild/moderate and severe disease groups according to the severity of their symptoms during hospitalization. Patients' epidemiological and medical histories, comorbidities, chronic treatments, and laboratory parameters were evaluated. Pulmonary function tests, the standardized 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and chest computed tomography (CT) were also performed. The levels of proteases, their inhibitors, and shed receptors were measured in serum and induced sputum samples. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with respiratory function tests were included in this study. The median number of days after the onset of symptoms was 104 (IQR 89.25, 126.75). COVID-19 was severe in 47% of patients (47/100). CT was normal in 48% of patients (48/100). Lung function was normal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≥80%, forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥80%, FEV1/FVC ≥0.7, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≥80% in 92% (92/100), 94% (94/100), 100% (100/100) and 48% (48/100) of patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that a DLCO <80% (OR 5.92; 95%CI 2.28-15.37; p < 0.0001) and a lower serum lactate dehydrogenase level (OR 0.98; 95%CI 0.97-0.99) were associated with the severe disease group of SARS-CoV-2 cases during hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: A diffusion deficit (DLCO <80%) was still present after hospital discharge and was associated with the most severe SARS-CoV-2 cases.

Clinical profile and predictors of in-hospital mortality among older patients hospitalised for COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by poor outcomes and mortality, particularly in older patients. METHODS: post hoc analysis of the international, multicentre, 'real-world' HOPE COVID-19 registry. All patients aged ≥65 years hospitalised for COVID-19 were selected. Epidemiological, clinical, analytical and outcome data were obtained. A comparative study between two age subgroups, 65-74 and ≥75 years, was performed. The primary endpoint was all cause in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: about, 1,520 patients aged ≥65 years (60.3% male, median age of 76 [IQR 71-83] years) were included. Comorbidities such as hypertension (69.2%), dyslipidaemia (48.6%), cardiovascular diseases (any chronic heart disease in 38.4% and cerebrovascular disease in 12.5%), and chronic lung disease (25.3%) were prevalent, and 49.6% were on ACEI/ARBs. Patients aged 75 years and older suffered more in-hospital complications (respiratory failure, heart failure, renal failure, sepsis) and a significantly higher mortality (18.4 vs. 48.2%, P < 0.001), but fewer admissions to intensive care units (11.2 vs. 4.8%). In the overall cohort, multivariable analysis demonstrated age ≥75 (OR 3.54), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.36), dementia (OR 8.06), peripheral oxygen saturation at admission <92% (OR 5.85), severe lymphopenia (<500/mm3) (OR 3.36) and qSOFA (Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score) >1 (OR 8.31) to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: patients aged ≥65 years hospitalised for COVID-19 had high rates of in-hospital complications and mortality, especially among patients 75 years or older. Age ≥75 years, dementia, peripheral oxygen saturation <92%, severe lymphopenia and qSOFA scale >1 were independent predictors of mortality in this population.

Weight gain in HIV-infected individuals using distinct antiretroviral drugs.

Following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy, most HIV-infected individuals experience significant weight gain. It was originally thought to result from reduced energy consumption associated with suppression of overt virus replication. However, recent evidence suggests that is not simply a back to normal phenomenon. Indeed, a differential influence on weight has been noticed for distinct antiretroviral drugs, some of which may produce abnormal body weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Treatment with integrase inhibitors in particular leads to significant increases in body mass index. By contrast, protease inhibitors might protect from undesirable weight gain. Ultimately, the development of overweight and obesity in an aging HIV population may increase the risk of cardiovascular events and should be prevented. In this scenario, the differential influence on weight gain using distinct antiretroviral agents might provide an opportunity for personalized medicine, adapting the most convenient drug regimen to each patient.

High dose subcutaneous Anakinra to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to cytokine storm syndrome among severely ill COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Severely ill COVID-19 patients may end in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. Some of them develop a systemic hyperinflammatory state produced by the massive release of inflammatory agents, known as cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). Inhibition of IL-1 by Anakinra (ANK) is a potential life-saving therapy for severe CSS cases. We propose a rationale for the use of subcutaneous ANK and review our initial experience in a small cohort of severe COVID-19 CSS patients. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients developing ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 <300) and exhibiting signs of hyperinflammation (ferritin >1000 ng/mL and/or d-dimers > 1.5 µg/mL, plus IL-6 < 40 mg/mL) that received ANK. For comparison, a propensity score matched historical cohort of patients treated with IL-6 inhibitor Tocilizumab (TCZ) was used. Patients had previously received combinations of azithromycin, hydroxy-chloroquine, and methyl-prednisolone. Laboratory findings, respiratory function and adverse effects were monitored. Resolution of ARDS within the first 7 days of treatment was considered a favorable outcome. RESULTS: Subcutaneous ANK (100 mg every 6 h) was given to 9 COVID-19 ARDS CSS patients (77.8% males). Median age was 62 years (range, 42 to 87). A TCZ cohort of 18 patients was selected by propensity score matching and treated with intravenous single dose of 600 mg for patients weighing >75 Kg, or 400 mg if < 75 Kg. Prior to treatment, median PaO2/FiO2 ratio of the ANK and TCZ cohorts were 193 and 249, respectively (p = 0.131). After 7 days of treatment, PaO2/FiO2 ratio improved in both groups to 279 (104-335) and 331 (140-476, p = 0.099) respectively. On day 7, there was significant reduction of ferritin (p = 0.046), CRP (p = 0.043), and IL-6 (p = 0.043) levels in the ANK cohort but only of CRP (p = 0.001) in the TCZ group. Favorable outcome was achieved in 55.6% and 88.9% of the ANK and TCZ cohorts, respectively (p = 0.281). Two patients that failed to respond to TCZ improved after ANK treatment. Aminotransferase levels significantly increased between day 1 and day 7 (p = 0.004) in the TCZ group. Mortality was the same in both groups (11%). There were not any opportunistic infection in the groups nor other adverse effects attributable to treatment. CONCLUSION: Overall, 55.6% of COVID-19 ARDS CSS patients treated with ANK exhibited favorable outcome, not inferior to a TCZ treated matched cohort. ANK may be a potential alternative to TCZ for patients with elevated aminotransferases, and may be useful in non-responders to TCZ.