Human gut microbiota-reactive DP8a regulatory T cells prevent acute graft-versus-host disease in a CD73-dependent manner.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a life-threatening complication frequently occurring following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Since gut microbiota and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are believed to play roles in GvHD prevention, we investigated whether DP8a Tregs, which we have previously described to harbor a TCR-specificity for the gut commensal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, could protect against GvHD, thereby linking microbiota and its effect on GvHD. We observed a decrease in CD73+ DP8α Treg frequency in allo-HSCT patients at 1-month post-transplantation, which was associated with aGvHD development at 1-month post-transplantation, as compared to aGvHD-free patients, without being correlated to hematological disease's relapse. Importantly, CD73 activity was shown to be critical for DP8αTreg suppressive function. Moreover, the frequency of host-reactive DP8α Tregs was also lower in aGvHD patients, as compared to aGvHD-free patients, which could embody a protective mechanism responsible for the maintenance of these cell subset in GvHD-free patients. We also showed that human DP8α Tregs protected mice against xeno-GvHD through limiting deleterious inflammation and preserving gut integrity. Altogether, these results demonstrated that human DP8α Tregs mediate aGvHD prevention in a CD73-dependent manner, likely through host-reactivity, advocating for the use of these cells for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to preclude aGvHD-related inflammation.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led one-to-one education programme in addition to standard care in children with atopic dermatitis: a multicentre randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is recommended for children with atopic dermatitis (AD), but no consensus has been reached on the optimal tailoring of delivery. While repeated multidisciplinary group education sessions have shown effectiveness, the benefits of one-on-one educational interventions led by nurses for children with AD have not yet been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits of additional, well-structured, 1-h nurse-led individual TPE interventions in children with AD and their families compared with standard care alone. METHODS: Children with moderate-to-severe AD and their parents were randomized to receive a 1-h nurse-led education session in addition to standard care vs. standard care alone. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD) from baseline to week 24 (lower AUC values represent better long-term control of the disease). RESULTS: In our study, 176 patients were randomized across 11 centres, and 153 were included in the full analysis set. The mean (SD) age was 4.47 (4.57) years. By week 24, there were no significant differences in the AUCs of the SCORAD between the two groups (P = 0.3). Secondary outcomes including patient-reported severity and quality of life [AUCs of the patient-oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD) and Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDLQI), Children's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (CDLQI) and Family Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (FDLQI)] were not significantly different between the two groups. The only significant change observed in the intervention group, when compared with the one receiving standard care, was a decrease in topical steroid phobia, as assessed by the topical corticosteroid phobia (TOPICOP) score. Prespecified subgroup analyses showed that disease severity in the intervention group was significantly lower throughout the study, compared with the standard-care group when participants had moderate AD at baseline (n = 47); while participants with severe AD at baseline (n = 106) did not show benefit from the intervention. Participants showed no additional benefit from the intervention regardless of age group. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not show any additional effectiveness, in long-term severity control, of a 1-h nurse-led TPE intervention in children with AD treated with standard care, compared with those treated with standard care alone. However, it should be noted that the intervention reduced the fear of using topical steroids and may be beneficial for patients in the subgroup with moderate AD.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic relapsing disease that affects 7­15% of children worldwide. Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is recommended for children with AD, but no agreement has been reached on the best way to tailor delivery. While repeated multidisciplinary group education sessions in a hospital setting have been found effective, this type of intervention requires a lot of resources and is time-consuming. To assess the benefits of TPE in children with AD, researchers in France carried out this study with children with moderate-to-severe AD, to compare a 1-hour nurse-led education session in addition to standard care vs. standard care alone. The main aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of a TPE intervention over a period of 6 months, using a measurement tool called the SCORAD (SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index). We found no additional benefits in terms of long-term severity control and quality of life at 6 months of a 1-hour nurse-led education intervention in children with AD treated with standard care. However, it should be noted that the intervention reduced the fear of using topical steroids and may be beneficial for people in the moderate AD subgroup.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy as predictive biomarker of clinical and endoscopic efficacy of vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis: The DETECT study.

AIMS: In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), no biomarker is available to help the physician to choose the most suitable biotherapy. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of identification of α4ß7- and TNF-expressing cells, to predict the response to vedolizumab using confocal laser endoscopy (CLE). METHODS: Patients with moderate-to-severe UC, naïve of biotherapy, received vedolizumab. Clinical evaluation was performed at each infusion. Endoscopic evaluation was performed before inclusion and at week 22. Fresh colonic biopsies were stained using FITC-labelled vedolizumab and Alexa fluor-labelled adalimumab and ex vivo dual-band CLE images were acquired. Blood samples were collected to measure trough concentrations of vedolizumab and to determine absolute counts of T and B cells subpopulations, NK cells and monocytes. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled in the study and received at least one dose of vedolizumab. Clinical remission and endoscopic improvement were observed in 58% of whom 5 patients (45%) had an endoscopic subscore of 0. In terms of clinical response and remission, endoscopic improvement and histologic response, FITC-conjugated vedolizumab staining tended to be higher in responder patients compared to non-responders at week 22. A threshold value of 6 positive FITC-vedolizumab staining areas detected by CLE seemed informative to discriminate the responders and non-responders. The results were similar in terms of clinical remission and endoscopic improvement with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 85% (p = 0.05). Trough concentrations and blood immune cells were not associated with responses to vedolizumab. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrate that dual-band CLE is feasible to detect α4ß7- and TNF-expressing cells. Positive α4ß7 staining seems to be associated with clinical and endoscopic remission in UC patients treated by anti-α4ß7-integrin, subject to validation by larger-scale studies. Clinical-trial.gov: NCT02878083.

Iron and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Autoimmune Gastritis and Helicobacter pylori Gastritis: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are common in patients with atrophic gastritis, but there are limited data on the prevalence of these deficiencies in different types of atrophic gastritis. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective study assessed micronutrient concentrations in histologically confirmed autoimmune gastritis (AIG, n = 45), Helicobacter pylori-related non-autoimmune gastritis (NAIG, n = 109), and control patients (n = 201). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors influencing those deficiencies. RESULTS: The median vitamin B12 concentration was significantly lower in AIG (367.5 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 235.5, 524.5) than in NAIG (445.0 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 355.0, 565.0, p = 0.001) and control patients (391.0 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 323.5, 488.7, p = 0.001). Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 13.3%, 1.5%, and 2.8% of AIG, NAIG, and control patients, respectively. Similarly, the median ferritin concentration was significantly lower in AIG (39.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 15.4, 98.3 ng/mL) than in NAIG (80.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 43.6, 133.9, p = 0.04) and control patients (66.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 33.4, 119.8, p = 0.007). Iron deficiency and iron deficiency adjusted to CRP were present in 28.9% and 33.3% of AIG, 12.8% and 16.5% of NAIG, and 12.9% and 18.4% of controls, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that AIG patients had a higher risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency (OR: 11.52 [2.85-57.64, p = 0.001]) and iron deficiency (OR: 2.92 [1.32-6.30, p = 0.007]) compared to control patients. Factors like age, sex, and H. pylori status did not affect the occurrence of vitamin B12 or iron deficiency. CONCLUSION: Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are more commonly observed in patients with AIG than in those with NAIG or control patients. Therefore, it is essential to screen for both iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies in AIG patients and include the treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in the management of atrophic gastritis patients.

Effect of Swine Glyco-humanized Polyclonal Neutralizing Antibody on Survival and Respiratory Failure in Patients Hospitalized With Severe COVID-19: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of XAV-19, an antispike glyco-humanized swine polyclonal neutralizing antibody in patients hospitalized with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This phase 2b clinical trial enrolled adult patients from 34 hospitals in France. Eligible patients had a confirmed diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 within 14 days of onset of symptoms that required hospitalization for low-flow oxygen therapy (<6 L/min of oxygen). Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single intravenous infusion of 2 mg/kg of XAV-19 or placebo. The primary end point was the occurrence of death or severe respiratory failure between baseline and day 15. Results: Between January 12, 2021, and April 16, 2021, 398 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to XAV-19 or placebo. The modified intention-to-treat population comprised 388 participants who received full perfusion of XAV-19 (199 patients) or placebo (189 patients). The mean (SD) age was 59.8 (12.4) years, 249 (64.2%) individuals were men, and the median time (interquartile range) from symptom onset to enrollment was 9 (7-10) days. There was no statistically significant decrease in the cumulative incidence of death or severe respiratory failure through day 15 in the XAV-19 group vs the placebo group (53/199 [26.6%] vs 48/189 [25.4%]; adjusted risk difference, 0.6%; 95% CI, -6% to 7%; hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.64-1.66; P = .90). In the safety population, adverse events were reported in 75.4% of 199 patients in the XAV-19 group and in 76.3% of 190 patients in the placebo group through D29. Conclusions: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring low-flow oxygen therapy, treatment with a single intravenous dose of XAV-19, compared with placebo, did not show a significant difference in terms of disease progression at day 15.

Long-term benefits of a therapeutic make-up consultation for patients with various facial dermatoses.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic make-up has previously been proven to be efficacious in improving the quality of life of patients with facial dermatoses, but its efficacy has only been assessed in the short term (less than one month). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether the effect of therapeutic make-up on patients' quality of life persists in the longer term, i.e., after one year. MATERIALS & METHODS: This study included 53 patients who benefited from a therapeutic make-up consultation in the context of various facial dermatoses (pigmentation disorders, scars, acne, rosacea, eczema, adverse events of chemotherapy, etc.). Patients were asked to complete a quality-of-life questionnaire to obtain the Skindex score at baseline, and one month (M1) and one year (M12) after the first consultation. The difference in scores between baseline and M12 was calculated and Student's t-test was used to assess the significance of the values. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant difference (p<0.001) with an improvement in quality-of-life score by more than 10% between baseline and M12, for all the dimensions of the score (Emotion, Symptoms and Functioning). Based on the subgroup analysis, this score particularly improved for patients suffering with acne or rosacea (p=0.009) and scars (p=0.43), as well as for younger patients (<30 years old) (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate a persistent long-term effect of therapeutic make-up on the quality of life of patients with facial dermatoses.

Atrophic Gastritis and Autoimmunity: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study.

Despite a global decrease, gastric cancer (GC) incidence appears to be increasing recently in young, particularly female, patients. The causal mechanism for this "new" type of GC is unknown, but a role for autoimmunity is suggested. A cascade of gastric precancerous lesions, beginning with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), precedes GC. To test the possible existence of autoimmunity in patients with CAG, we aimed to analyze the prevalence of several autoantibodies in patients with CAG as compared to control patients. Sera of 355 patients included in our previous prospective, multicenter study were tested for 19 autoantibodies (anti-nuclear antibodies, ANA, anti-parietal cell antibody, APCA, anti-intrinsic factor antibody, AIFA, and 16 myositis-associated antibodies). The results were compared between CAG patients (n = 154), including autoimmune gastritis patients (AIG, n = 45), non-autoimmune gastritis patients (NAIG, n = 109), and control patients (n = 201). ANA positivity was significantly higher in AIG than in NAIG or control patients (46.7%, 29%, and 27%, respectively, p = 0.04). Female gender was positively associated with ANA positivity (OR 0.51 (0.31-0.81), p = 0.005), while age and H. pylori infection status were not. Myositis-associated antibodies were found in 8.9% of AIG, 5.5% of NAIG, and 4.4% of control patients, without significant differences among the groups (p = 0.8). Higher APCA and AIFA positivity was confirmed in AIG, and was not associated with H. pylori infection, age, or gender in the multivariate analysis. ANA antibodies are significantly more prevalent in AIG than in control patients, but the clinical significance of this finding remains to be established. H. pylori infection does not affect autoantibody seropositivity (ANA, APCA, AIFA). The positivity of myositis-associated antibodies is not increased in patients with CAG as compared to control patients. Overall, our results do not support an overrepresentation of common autoantibodies in patients with CAG.

Serum pepsinogens can help to discriminate between H. pylori-induced and auto-immune atrophic gastritis: Results from a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Serum pepsinogen (PG) testing is recommended by the European guidelines for diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). However, wide variations in diagnostic performances are observed, due to the differences in the extent of gastric atrophy, and possibly in its origin (Helicobacter pylori-, autoimmune (AIG)). AIM: To analyze the diagnostic performances of PGs testing according to these different parameters, using enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLEIA). METHODS: Serum samples from patients having undergone gastroscopy with biopsies in five French centers were collected prospectively. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and Area Under Curve were analyzed according to the extent and origin of CAG. RESULTS: Overall, 344 patients (156 males [45%]; mean age 58.8 [±14.2] years) were included, among whom 44 had AIG. Diagnostic performances of PG I for the detection of corpus CAG were excellent, with Se and Sp of 92.7% and 99.1% for ELISA and 90.5% and 98.2% for CLEIA, respectively. For AIG, corresponding values were 97.7% and 97.4% for ELISA, and 95.6% and 97.1% for CLEIA. In multivariate analysis, PG levels were associated with the auto-immune origin (p<0.001) but not with the extent of the atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: Pepsinogens are highly efficient for the diagnosis of corpus-limited CAG and allow to discriminate AIG from H. pylori-induced gastritis.

Extent of the protection afforded by histo-blood group polymorphism against rotavirus gastroenteritis in metropolitan France and French Guiana.

Human rotaviruses attach to histo-blood group antigens glycans and null alleles of the ABO, FUT2 and FUT3 genes seem to confer diminished risk of gastroenteritis. Yet, the true extent of this protection remains poorly quantified. Here, we conducted a prospective study to evaluate the risk of consulting at the hospital in non-vaccinated pediatric patients according to the ABO, FUT2 (secretor) and FUT3 (Lewis) polymorphisms, in Metropolitan France and French Guiana. At both locations, P genotypes were largely dominated by P [8]-3, with P [6] cases exclusively found in French Guiana. The FUT2 null (nonsecretor) and FUT3 null (Lewis negative) phenotypes conferred near full protection against severe gastroenteritis due to P [8]-3 strains (OR 0.03, 95% CI [0.00-0.21] and 0.1, 95% CI [0.01-0.43], respectively in Metropolitan France; OR 0.08, 95% CI [0.01-0.52] and 0.14, 95%CI [0.01-0.99], respectively in French Guiana). Blood group O also appeared protective in Metropolitan France (OR 0.38, 95% CI [0.23-0.62]), but not in French Guiana. The discrepancy between the two locations was explained by a recruitment at the hospital of less severe cases in French Guiana than in Metropolitan France. Considering the frequencies of the null ABO, Secretor and Lewis phenotypes, the data indicate that in a Western European population, 34% (95% CI [29%; 39%]) of infants are genetically protected against rotavirus gastroenteritis of sufficient severity to lead to hospital visit.

Inter and intra-observer agreement of arterial wall contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in giant cell arteritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze inter- and intra-observer agreement for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for monitoring disease activity in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) in the wall of axillary arteries, and common carotid arteries. Methods: Giant cell arteritis patients have CEUS of axillary arteries and common carotid. These images were rated by seven vascular medicine physicians from four hospitals who were experienced in duplex ultrasonography of GCA patients. Two weeks later, observers again rated the same images. GCA patients were recruited in from December 2019 to February 2021. An analysis of the contrast of the ultrasound images with a gradation in three classes (grade 0, 1, and 2) was performed. Grade 0 corresponds to no contrast, grade 1 to moderate wall contrast and grade 2 to intense contrast. A new analysis in 2 classes: positive or negative wall contrast; was then performed on new series of images. Results: Sixty arterial segments were evaluated in 30 patients. For the three-class scale, intra-rater agreement was substantial: κ 0.70; inter-rater agreement was fair: κ from 0.22 to 0.27. Thirty-four videos had a wall thickness of less than 2 mm and 26 videos had a wall thickness greater than 2 mm. For walls with a thickness lower than 2 mm: intra-rater agreement was substantial: κ 0.69; inter-rater agreement was fair: κ 0.35. For walls with a thickness of 2 mm or more: intra-rater agreement was substantial: κ 0.53; inter-rater agreement was fair: κ 0.25. For analysis of parietal contrast uptake in two classes: inter-rater agreement was fair to moderate: κ from 0.35 to 0.41; and for walls with a thickness of 2 mm or more: inter-rater agreement was fair to substantial κ from 0.22 to 0.63. Conclusion: The visual analysis of contrast uptake in the wall of the axillary and common carotid arteries showed good intra-rater agreement in GCA patients. The inter-rater agreement was low, especially when contrast was analyzed in three classes. The inter-rater agreement for the analysis in two classes was also low. The inter-rater agreement was higher in two-class analysis for walls of 2 mm thickness or more.

Difference in Pap test uptake between women who have sex with women and other women in France: A comparative survey of 2032 women.

The elimination of cervical cancer has been a priority of the World Health Organization since 2018. The number of these cancers induced by the human papillomavirus (HPV) could be drastically reduced through vaccination and regularly screening by Pap tests. Guidelines for cervical cancer screening apply to all women, including those who have sexual relations with women (WSW), as HPV can be transmitted during sex between two women. As far as we know, our study is the first that compare the Pap test rate between WSW and other women in France. We developed an 18-item questionnaire available on the internet for 15 days and finally analyzed the responses of 2032 women. Based on their responses about their self-definition of their sexual orientation and their sexual behavior, we classified them into three groups of women: exclusive WSW, mixed WSW, and non-WSW. For each question, we tested the statistical differences in responses between these three groups. Our study shows in a large sample representative of the French population that exclusive WSW undergo Pap tests significantly less often than either mixed WSW or non-WSW. Among the exclusive WSW, 28.9 % had never had a Pap test, compared with 9 % of the mixed WSW and 3.1 % of non-WSW (p < 0,001). The responses to our questionnaire contribute to an understanding of this disparity and thus help to envision solutions for better care of all women, regardless of their sexual orientation; this point is crucial for prevention of cervical cancer.

Potential Impact of Rapid Multiplex PCR on Antimicrobial Therapy Guidance for Ventilated Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients, A Prospective Observational Clinical and Economic Study.

Objectives: To investigate the potential impact of the syndromic multiplex FilmArray® Pneumonia plus Panel (FAPP) on the antimicrobial treatment guidance of patients with ventilated hospital-acquired pneumonia (VHAP). Methods: Respiratory fluids from 100 adult patients with VHAP, receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in three intensive care units from one French university hospital, were tested prospectively using FAPP. Conventional cultures were performed in parallel as routine practice. Clinicians were left blinded to the FAPP results. Antimicrobial therapies based on FAPP results were simulated by independent blinded experts according to a predefined algorithm and compared to 1) those prescribed in practice according to local guidelines (real-life), and 2) those that complied with the international ERS/ESICM/ESCMID/ALAT recommendations. The primary endpoint was the number of days of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Secondary endpoints were the rates of microbiological treatment failure and cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: The predicted median duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics was 0 [0-1.25] day in the FAPP-based simulation, versus 2 [0-6] days in real-life (p<0.0001) and 2 [2-3.25] days in the recommendations-based simulation (p<0.0001). Treatment failure was predicted in 3% of cases with FAPP results versus observed in 11% in real-life (p=0.08) and 6% with recommendations-based simulation (p=0.37). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 1 121 € [-7021; 6794] to avoid one day of non-optimized antimicrobial therapy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that using FAPP in patients with VHAP has the potential to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy without increasing the risk of microbial treatment failure.

Feasibility of Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Active Fully Embodied Virtual Reality for Visual Height Intolerance: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) are individually increasingly used in psychiatric research. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of combining tDCS and wireless 360° full immersive active and embodied VRET to reduce height-induced anxiety. METHODS: We carried out a pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled study associating VRET (two 20 min sessions with a 48 h interval, during which, participants had to cross a plank at rising heights in a building in construction) with online tDCS (targeting the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) in 28 participants. The primary outcomes were the sense of presence level and the tolerability. The secondary outcomes were the anxiety level (Subjective Unit of Discomfort) and the salivary cortisol concentration. RESULTS: We confirmed the feasibility of the association between tDCS and fully embodied VRET associated with a good sense of presence without noticeable adverse effects. In both groups, a significant reduction in the fear of height was observed after two sessions, with only a small effect size of add-on tDCS (0.1) according to the SUD. The variations of cortisol concentration differed in the tDCS and sham groups. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the feasibility of the association between wireless online tDCS and active, fully embodied VRET. The optimal tDCS paradigm remains to be determined in this context to increase effect size and then adequately power future clinical studies assessing synergies between both techniques.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of XAV-19, a Swine Glyco-humanized Polyclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, for COVID-19-Related Moderate Pneumonia: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIa Study.

We assessed the pharmacokinetics and safety of XAV-19, a swine glyco-humanized polyclonal antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related moderate pneumonia. The objective was to evaluate the optimal dose and safety of XAV-19 during this first administration to patients with COVID-19-related moderate pneumonia. In this phase IIa trial, adults with COVID-19-related moderate pneumonia with a duration of ≤10 days were randomized to receive an infusion of XAV-19 at 0.5 mg/kg of body weight at day 1 and day 5 (group 1), 2 mg/kg at day 1 and day 5 (group 2), or 2 mg/kg at day 1 (group 3) or placebo. Eighteen patients (n = 7 for group 1, n = 1 for group 2, n = 5 for group 3, and n = 5 for placebo) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar across groups; median XAV-19 serum concentrations (ranges) at the time of the maximum serum concentration of the drug (Cmax) and at day 8 were 9.1 (5.2 to 18.1) and 6.4 (2.8 to 11.9) µg/ml, 71.5 and 47.2 µg/ml, and 50.4 (29.1 to 55.0) and 20.3 (12.0 to 22.7) µg/ml for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = 0.012). The median terminal half-life (range) was estimated at 11.4 (5.5 to 13.9) days for 2 mg/kg of XAV-19 at day 1. Serum XAV-19 concentrations were above the target concentration of 10 µg/ml (2-fold the in vitro 100% inhibitory concentration [IC100]) from the end of perfusion to more than 8 days for XAV-19 at 2 mg/kg at day 1. No hypersensitivity or infusion-related reactions were reported during treatment, and there were no discontinuations for adverse events and no serious adverse events related to the study drug. A single intravenous dose of 2 mg/kg of XAV-19 demonstrated high serum concentrations, predictive of potent durable neutralizing activity with good tolerability. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04453384.).

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of XAV-19 in patients with COVID-19-induced moderate pneumonia: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2 (2a and 2b) trial.

BACKGROUND: Early inhibition of entry and replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a very promising therapeutic approach. Polyclonal neutralizing antibodies offers many advantages such as providing immediate immunity, consequently blunting an early pro-inflammatory pathogenic endogenous antibody response and lack of drug-drug interactions. By providing immediate immunity and inhibiting entry into cells, neutralizing antibody treatment is of interest for patient with COVID-19-induced moderate pneumonia. Convalescent plasma to treat infected patients is therefore a relevant therapeutic option currently under assessment (CORIMUNO-PLASM NCT04324047). However, the difficulties of collecting plasma on the long term are not adapted to a broad use across all populations. New polyclonal humanized anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies (XAV-19) developed by Xenothera and administered intravenous. XAV-19 is a heterologous swine glyco-humanized polyclonal antibody (GH-pAb) raised against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, blocking infection of ACE-2-positive human cells with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies have been performed in preclinical models including primates. A first human study with another fully representative GH-pAb from Xenothera is ongoing in recipients of a kidney graft. These studies indicated that 5 consecutive administrations of GH-pAbs can be safely performed in humans. The objectives of this 2-step phase 2 randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study are to define the safety and the optimal XAV-19 dose to administrate to patients with SARS-CoV-2 induced moderate pneumonia, and to assess the clinical benefits of a selected dose of XAV-19 in this population. DISCUSSION: This study will determine the clinical benefits of XAV-19 when administered to patients with SARS-CoV-2-induced moderate pneumonia. As a prerequisite, a first step of the study will define the safety and the dose of XAV-19 to be used. Such treatment might become a new therapeutic option to provide an effective treatment for COVID-19 patients (possibly in combination with anti-viral and immunotherapies). Further studies could later evaluate such passive immunotherapy as a potential post-exposure prophylaxis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04453384 , registered on 1 July 2020, and EUDRACT 2020-002574-27, registered 6 June 2020.

Implementation of French Recommendations for the Prevention and the Treatment of Hospital-acquired Pneumonia: A Cluster-randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: We determined whether an audit on the adherence to guidelines for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) can improve the outcomes of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: This study was conducted at 35 ICUs in 30 hospitals. We included consecutive, adult patients hospitalized in ICUs for 3 days or more. After a 3-month baseline period followed by the dissemination of recommendations, an audit on the compliance to recommendations (audit period) was followed by a 3-month cluster-randomized trial. We randomly assigned ICUs to either receive audit and feedback (intervention group) or participate in a national registry (control group). The primary outcome was the duration of ICU stay. RESULTS: Among 1856 patients enrolled, 602, 669, and 585 were recruited in the baseline, audit, and intervention periods, respectively. The composite measures of compliance were 47% (interquartile range [IQR], 38-56%) in the intervention group and 42% (IQR, 25-53%) in the control group (P = .001). As compared to the baseline period, the ICU lengths of stay were reduced by 3.2 days in the intervention period (P = .07) and by 2.8 days in the control period (P = .02). The durations of ICU stay were 7 days (IQR, 5-14 days) in the control group and 9 days (IQR, 5-20 days) in the intervention group (P = .10). After adjustment for unbalanced baseline characteristics, the hazard ratio for being discharged alive from the ICU in the control group was 1.17 (95% confidence interval, .69-2.01; P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: The publication of French guidelines for HAP was associated with a reduction of the ICU length of stay. However, the realization of an audit to improve their application did not further improve outcomes. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT03348579.

Phages versus Antibiotics To Treat Infected Diabetic Wounds in a Mouse Model: a Microbiological and Microbiotic Evaluation.

Diabetes is marked by a range of complications, including chronic infections that can lead to limb amputation. The treatment of infected wounds is disrupted by arteriopathies that reduce tissue perfusion as well as by the critical development of bacterial resistance. We evaluated the impact of a local application of bacteriophages compared to that of a per os administration of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus wound infection. We found that phage treatment resulted in improved clinical healing and a reduction in local bacterial load at 7 and 14 days postinfection. Unlike antibiotics, phage therapy did not deplete the intestinal microbiota of treated animals. Amoxicillin resulted in a reduction of alpha and beta diversities of the murine microbiota and disturbed architecture even 7 days after the end of treatment, whereas phage treatment did not impinge on the microbiota.IMPORTANCE The management of diabetic foot infections is frequently a dead end for surgeons and infectious disease specialists. When the pathogen to be treated is not resistant to conventional antibiotics, the latter tend to unbalance the intestinal microbiota, which is linked to multiple pathologies. A local treatment with bacteriophages, in addition to being as much or even more effective than antibiotics from a clinical and microbiological point of view, makes it possible to respect the patient's microbiota. These results suggest that the use of this therapeutic alternative is a major avenue and that the introduction of recommendations for their use is now necessary.

Evaluation of the FilmArray® Pneumonia Plus Panel for Rapid Diagnosis of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

The FilmArray® Pneumonia plus Panel (FAPP) is a new multiplex molecular test for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which can rapidly detect 18 bacteria, 9 viruses, and 7 resistance genes. We aimed to compare the diagnosis performance of FAPP with conventional testing in 100 intensive care unit (ICU) patients who required mechanical ventilation, with clinically suspected HAP. A total of 237 samples [76 bronchoalveolar lavages (BALDS) and 82 endotracheal aspirates (ETADS) obtained at HAP diagnosis, and 79 ETA obtained during follow-up (ETATT)], were analyzed independently by routine microbiology testing and FAPP. 58 patients had paired BALDS and ETADS. The positivity thresholds of semi-quantified bacteria were 103-104 CFUs/mL or 104 copies/mL for BAL, and 105 CFUs/mL or copies/mL for ETA. Respiratory commensals (H. influenzae, S. aureus, E. coli, S. pneumoniae) were the most common pathogens. Discordant results for bacterial identification were observed in 33/76 (43.4%) BALDS and 36/82 (43.9%) ETADS, and in most cases, FAPP identified one supplemental bacteria (23/33 BALDS and 21/36 ETADS). An absence of growth, or polybacterial cultures, explained almost equally the majority of the non-detections in culture. No linear relationship was observed between bin and CFUs/mL variables. Concordant results between paired BALDS and ETADS were obtained in 46/58 (79.3%) patients with FAPP. One of the 17 resistance genes detected with FAPP (mecA/C and MREJ) was not confirmed by conventional testing. Overall, FAPP enhanced the positivity rate of diagnostic testing, with increased recognition of coinfections. Implementing this strategy may allow clinicians to make more timely and informed decisions.

Modeling the risk of fluoroquinolone resistance in non-severe community-onset pyelonephritis.

Estimating whether the individual probability of being infected by a fluoroquinolone resistant isolate is higher than 10% may help to choose the empirical treatment of pyelonephritis. We aimed to model the risk of fluoroquinolone resistance in women with community-onset pyelonephritis. Women with non-severe community-onset pyelonephritis were prospectively recruited in 4 French emergency departments of 2 districts. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated through multivariate logistic regression. Among 190 patients, 19 (10%) were infected by a fluoroquinolone resistant isolate. Fluoroquinolone resistance was more frequent in district #2 (17%) than in district #1 (3%). Independent risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance were district (adjusted OR, 7.0 (2.2-31.9)), and in the 6 previous months, urinary tract infection (UTI, aOR, 3.9 (1.3-11.5)) and vesical catheterization (aOR, 4.7 (0.5-33.3)). A specific model was derived to identify district #2 patients with a low (10% or lower) probability of being infected by a fluoroquinolone resistant isolate. Independent risk factors were residency in long-term care facility (aOR, 3.3 (0.7-13.5)), and in the 6 previous months, UTI (adjusted OR, 3.1 (0.9-10.7)) and home nursing care (aOR, 3.4 (0.6-17.0)). For 63 (67%) patients, the predicted probability of fluoroquinolone resistance was 0.10; among these patients, 6 (10%) actually had a fluoroquinolone resistant isolate. Locally derived predictive models may be used to identify patients with a low probability of fluoroquinolone resistance and guide the empirical antimicrobial therapy of non-severe community-onset pyelonephritis.

Trends and prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility in urinary bacteria isolated in European emergency departments: the EuroUTI 2010-2016 Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess recent trends in susceptibility to antibiotics among urinary isolates isolated in European emergency departments (EDs) and to identify isolates with a high (90% or more) predicted probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included urine cultures obtained from adult patients between 2010 and 2016 in 24 European EDs. Temporal trends were assessed using time-series analysis and multivariate logistic models. Multivariate logistic models were also used to predict susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or 3GCs from patient age and sex, year, month and ED. RESULTS: We included 88242 isolates. Time-series analysis found a significant increase in susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and no significant trend for susceptibility to 3GCs. Adjusting for patient age and sex, ED and organism, multivariate models showed that susceptibility to 3GCs decreased from 2014 to 2016, while susceptibility to fluoroquinolones increased in 2015 and 2016. Among isolates from 2016, multivariate models predicted high probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones in 11% of isolates (positive predictive value 91%) and a high probability of susceptibility to 3GCs in 35% of isolates (positive predictive value 94%). CONCLUSIONS: Susceptibility of ED urinary isolates to fluoroquinolones increased from 2014, while susceptibility to 3GCs decreased from 2015. Predictive models identified isolates with a high probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or 3GCs. The ability of such models to guide the empirical treatment of pyelonephritis in the ED remains to be determined.