Remdesivir and Mortality in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: The impact of remdesivir (RDV) on mortality rates in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is controversial, and the mortality effect in subgroups of baseline disease severity has been incompletely explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of RDV with mortality rates in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study we compared persons receiving RDV with those receiving best supportive care (BSC). Patients hospitalized between 28 February and 28 May 2020 with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were included with the development of COVID-19 pneumonia on chest radiography and hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen or oxygen saturation ≤94% with room air. The primary outcome was overall survival, assessed with time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regression and multivariable adjustment, including calendar time, baseline patient characteristics, corticosteroid use, and random effects for hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1138 patients were enrolled, including 286 who received RDV and 852 treated with BSC, 400 of whom received hydroxychloroquine. Corticosteroids were used in 20.4% of the cohort (12.6% in RDV and 23% in BSC). Comparing persons receiving RDV with those receiving BSC, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for death was 0.46 (.31-.69) in the univariate model (P < .001) and 0.60 (.40-.90) in the risk-adjusted model (P = .01). In the subgroup of persons with baseline use of low-flow oxygen, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for death in RDV compared with BSC was 0.63 (.39-1.00; P = .049). CONCLUSION: Treatment with RDV was associated with lower mortality rates than BSC. These findings remain the same in the subgroup with baseline use of low-flow oxygen.

Unintended pregnancy and its impact on childhood rotavirus immunization in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between unintended pregnancy and inadequate rotavirus immunization in Peruvian children. METHODS: Utilizing cross-sectional observational data from the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between unintended pregnancy and inadequate rotavirus immunization among children. RESULTS: Of 9 620 pregnancies in the five years preceding the survey, 5 396 of them (56.1%) were reported as unintended, of which 2 981 were mistimed (30.9%) and 2 415 (25.1%) were unwanted. A total of 5 187 children (54.9%; 95% CI = 53.8%-56.1%) were recorded to have inadequate rotavirus immunization. Maternal literacy status was found to be a significant effect modifier of the association between pregnancy intention and rotavirus immunization (P value = 0.006). Among children born to illiterate mothers, unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of inadequate rotavirus immunization (aOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2-4.4), as compared to children from intended pregnancies. Deficient rotavirus immunization was significantly predicted by inadequate polio, pneumococcal, and influenza vaccinations; having a television in the household; and less maternal education. In contrast, having received breast-feeding education was protective against inadequate rotavirus immunization. Among literate mothers, there was no association between pregnancy intention and rotavirus immunization. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that improving literacy among mothers could increase rotavirus vaccination uptake among children from unintended pregnancies.

Unintended pregnancy and its impact on childhood rotavirus immunization in Peru / Embarazo involuntario y su repercusión sobre la vacunación contra rotavirus de la niñez en Perú / Gravidez indesejada e repercussão na vacinação contra rotavírus em crianças no Peru

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the association between unintended pregnancy and inadequate rotavirus immunization in Peruvian children. Methods Utilizing cross-sectional observational data from the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between unintended pregnancy and inadequate rotavirus immunization among children. Results Of 9 620 pregnancies in the five years preceding the survey, 5 396 of them (56.1%) were reported as unintended, of which 2 981 were mistimed (30.9%) and 2 415 (25.1%) were unwanted. A total of 5 187 children (54.9%; 95% CI = 53.8%-56.1%) were recorded to have inadequate rotavirus immunization. Maternal literacy status was found to be a significant effect modifier of the association between pregnancy intention and rotavirus immunization (P value = 0.006). Among children born to illiterate mothers, unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of inadequate rotavirus immunization (aOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2-4.4), as compared to children from intended pregnancies. Deficient rotavirus immunization was significantly predicted by inadequate polio, pneumococcal, and influenza vaccinations; having a television in the household; and less maternal education. In contrast, having received breast-feeding education was protective against inadequate rotavirus immunization. Among literate mothers, there was no association between pregnancy intention and rotavirus immunization. Conclusion Our study provides evidence that improving literacy among mothers could increase rotavirus vaccination uptake among children from unintended pregnancies.

RESUMEN Objetivo Examinar la asociación entre el embarazo involuntario y la vacunación inadecuada contra rotavirus en niños peruanos. Métodos A partir de datos de observación transversales de la Encuesta de Demografía y Salud del 2012, se empleó el análisis de regresión logística para calcular las razones de posibilidades ajustadas (aOR) y los intervalos de confianza de 95% (IC) de la asociación entre el embarazo involuntario y la inmunización inadecuada contra rotavirus en los niños. Resultados De 9 620 embarazos en los cinco años anteriores a la encuesta, 5 396 (56,1%) se reconocieron como involuntarios, de los cuales 2 981 fueron inoportunos (30,9%) y 2 415 (25,1%) fueron no deseados. Se registraron 5 187 niños (54,9%; IC de 95% = 53,8%-56,1%) con inmunización contra rotavirus inadecuada. El alfabetismo materno resultó ser un importante modificador de efecto de la asociación entre la intencionalidad del embarazo y la vacunación antirrotavírica (valor de P = 0,006). En los hijos de las mujeres analfabetas, el embarazo involuntario se asoció significativamente con mayores probabilidades de inmunización inadecuada contra rotavirus (aOR = 2,6; IC de 95% = 1,2-4,4), en comparación con los nacidos de los embarazos voluntarios. Las vacunaciones antipoliomielítica, antineumocócica y antigripal inadecuadas, tener un televisor en el hogar y una menor escolaridad materna fueron factores predictivos significativos de una inmunización antirrotavírica deficiente. Por el contrario, haber recibido instrucción respecto a la lactancia materna fue un factor protector contra la inmunización antirrotavírica inadecuada. En las madres alfabetizadas, no hubo asociación alguna entre la intencionalidad del embarazo y la inmunización contra rotavirus. Conclusiones Nuestro estudio aporta evidencia que muestra que mejorar el alfabetismo en las madres podría aumentar la captación de la vacunación antirrotavírica en los niños nacidos de embarazos involuntarios.

RESUMO Objetivo Examinar a associação entre gravidez indesejada e falta de vacinação oportuna contra rotavírus em crianças peruanas. Métodos A partir de dados observacionais transversais obtidos na Pesquisa de Demografia e Saúde 2012, foi conduzida uma análise de regressão logística para estimar razões de chances ajustadas (OR aj) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) para a associação entre gravidez indesejada e falta de vacinação oportuna contra rotavírus em crianças. Resultados Dentre 9.620 gravidezes ocorridas nos cinco anos anteriores à pesquisa, 5.396 (56,1%) foram referidas como não intencionadas, das quais 2.981 foram não no momento certo (30,9%) e 2.415 (25,1%) indesejadas. Registrou-se falta de vacinação oportuna contra rotavírus em 5.187 crianças ao todo (54,9%; IC 95% = 53,8%-56.1%). Verificou-se que o nível de escolaridade materna é um importante modificador de efeito da associação entre intenção de engravidar e vacinação contra rotavírus (valor de P = 0,006). Nas crianças nascidas de mães sem escolaridade, observou-se uma associação significativa entre gravidez indesejada e maior chance de falta de vacinação oportuna contra rotavírus (OR aj = 2,6; IC 95% = 1,2-4,4) quando comparadas às crianças de gravidezes intencionadas. A falta de vacinação contra rotavírus prognosticou de modo significativo a falta de vacinação oportuna contra poliomielite, doença pneumocócica e gripe; possuir televisor no domicílio e menor nível de escolaridade materna. Em contraste, receber orientação sobre o aleitamento materno foi um fator protetor contra a falta de vacinação oportuna contra rotavírus. Entre as mães com escolaridade, não se verificou associação entre intenção de engravidar e vacinação contra rotavírus. Conclusão O estudo evidencia que melhorar o nível de escolaridade materna poderia contribuir para aumentar a vacinação contra rotavírus em crianças nascidas de gravidez indesejada.

Predictors of Clostridium difficile infection-related mortality among older adults.

BACKGROUND: Over 90% of annual deaths caused by Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) occur in persons aged ≥65 years. However, no large-scale studies have been conducted to investigate predictors of CDI-related mortality among older adults. METHODS: This case-control study included 540 CDI patients aged ≥60 years admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Detroit, Michigan, between January 2005 and December 2012. Cases were CDI patients who died within 30 days of CDI date. Controls were CDI patients who survived >30 days after CDI date. Cases were matched to controls on a 1:3 ratio based on age and hospital acquisition of CDI. RESULTS: One-hundred and thirty cases (25%) were compared with 405 controls (75%). Independent predictors of CDI-related mortality included admission from another acute hospital (odds ratio [OR], 8.25; P = .001) or a long-term care facility (OR, 13.12; P = .012), McCabe score ≥2 (OR, 12.19; P < .001), and high serum creatinine (≥1.7 mg/dL) (OR, 3.43; P = .021). The regression model was adjusted for the confounding effect of limited activity of daily living score, total number of antibiotic days prior to CDI, ileus on abdominal radiograph, low albumin (≤2.5 g/dL), elevated white blood cell count (>15 × 1,000/mm3), and admission to intensive care unit because of CDI. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of CDI-related mortality reported in this study could be applied to the development of a bedside scoring system for older adults with CDI.

Low correlation between self-report and medical record documentation of urinary tract infection symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Correlations between symptom documentation in medical records and patient self-report (SR) vary depending on the condition studied. Patient symptoms are particularly important in urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis, and this correlation for UTI symptoms is currently unknown. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study in hospitalized patients with Escherichia coli bacteriuria. Patients were interviewed within 24 hours of diagnosis for the SR of UTI symptoms. We reviewed medical records for UTI symptoms documented by admitting or treating inpatient physicians (IPs), nurses (RNs), and emergency physicians (EPs). The level of agreement between groups was assessed using Cohen κ coefficient. RESULTS: Out of 43 patients, 34 (79%) self-reported at least 1 of 6 primary symptoms. The most common self-reported symptoms were urinary frequency (53.5%); retention (41.9%); flank pain, suprapubic pain, and fatigue (37.2% each); and dysuria (30.2%). Correlation between SR and medical record documentation was slight to fair (κ, 0.06-0.4 between SR and IPs and 0.09-0.5 between SR and EDs). Positive agreement was highest for dysuria and frequency. CONCLUSION: Correlation between self-reported UTI symptoms and health care providers' documentation was low to fair. Because medical records are a vital source of information for clinicians and researchers and symptom assessment and documentation are vital in distinguishing UTI from asymptomatic bacteriuria, efforts must be made to improve documentation.

Hospital roommates and development of health care-onset Clostridium difficile infection.

There is potential for person-to-person transmission in Clostridium difficile outbreak settings. A limited number of studies have examined the role of hospital roommates in the development of nosocomial infections. This retrospective cohort study evaluated room cooccupancy and duration of exposure to roommates as predictors of health care-onset C difficile infection (CDI). Among roommates of patients with CDI, duration of room cooccupancy was significantly longer in those developing CDI.

A case of Apophysomyces trapeziformis necrotizing soft tissue infection.

Mucormycosis is a rare and devastating disease. Apophysomyces trapeziformis is an environmental mold that was recently implicated in several cases of cutaneous and soft tissue mucormycosis in victims of a tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Here, we report a case of Apophysomyces trapeziformis necrotizing soft tissue infection in a resident of Joplin 10 months after the disaster and without preceding trauma. Aspects of histological and microbiological diagnosis are also reviewed.