Educational interventions alone and combined with port protector reduce the rate of central venous catheter infection and colonization in respiratory semi-intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Central Line-Associated BloodStream Infections (CLABSIs) are emerging challenge in Respiratory semi-Intensive Care Units (RICUs). We evaluated efficacy of educational interventions on rate of CLABSIs and effects of port protector as adjuvant tool. METHODS: Study lasted 18 months (9 months of observation and 9 of intervention). We enrolled patients with central venous catheter (CVC): 1) placed during hospitalization in RICU; 2) already placed without signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) within 48 h after the admission; 3) already placed without evidence of microbiologic contamination of blood cultures. During interventional period we randomized patients into two groups: 1) educational intervention (Group 1) and 2) educational intervention plus port protector (Group 2). We focused on CVC-related sepsis as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the rate of CVC colonization and CVC contamination. RESULTS: Eighty seven CVCs were included during observational period. CLABSIs rate was 8.4/1000 [10 sepsis (9 CLABSIs)]. We observed 17 CVC colonizations and 6 contaminations. Forty six CVCs were included during interventional period. CLABSIs rate was 1.4/1000. 21/46 CVCs were included into Group 2, in which no CLABSIs or contaminations were reported, while 2 CVC colonizations were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly shows that both kinds of interventions significantly reduce the rate of CLABSIs. In particular, the use of port protector combined to educational interventions gave zero CLABSIs rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03486093 [ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier], retrospectively registered.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Molecular Endotypes of Fibrosis Stratifying Existing and Emerging Therapies.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown causes. Current diagnostic criteria are based on radiological, clinical, and histopathological features but, unfortunately, still many patients remain undiagnosed. Two currently approved therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib, slow down disease progression but failed to block or revert it. On the other hand, many of the therapeutic agents tested in several clinical trials have not given satisfactory answers, probably due to the pathological heterogeneity of the disease. A growing number of studies show that IPF phenotype is the common clinical outcome of a variety of different pathophysiological mechanisms that identify disease subgroups characterised by specific genetic and molecular biomarkers (endotypes). The precision medicine approach is identifying and analysing the complex system of genetic, molecular, environmental, and behavioural variables underlying the development of the disease and the response to therapy. These molecular pathways are potential targets for novel agents and useful diagnostic, prognostic, and theragnostic biomarkers. We outline the status of knowledge in this field by discussing the complex pathogenetic pathways underlying different disease subgroups and assessing a stratification approach to novel therapeutic agents based on these endotypes.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Common Respiratory Pathogens of Chronic Bronchiectasis Patients: A Literature Review.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is a chronic disorder in which immune system dysregulation and impaired airway clearance cause mucus accumulation and consequent increased susceptibility to lung infections. The presence of pathogens in the lower respiratory tract causes a vicious circle resulting in impaired mucociliary function, bronchial inflammation, and progressive lung injury. In current guidelines, antibiotic therapy has a key role in bronchiectasis management to treat acute exacerbations and chronic infection and to eradicate bacterial colonization. Contrastingly, antimicrobial resistance, with the risk of multidrug-resistant pathogen development, causes nowadays great concern. The aim of this literature review was to assess the role of antibiotic therapy in bronchiectasis patient management and possible concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance based on current evidence. The authors of this review stress the need to expand research regarding bronchiectasis with the aim to assess measures to reduce the rate of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.

Influence of the Learning Effect on the Diagnostic Yield of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration of Mediastinal and Hilar Lymph Nodes.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is characterized by a learning effect. The aim of this retrospective study was to verify whether a learning curve similarly affected the yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS)-TBNA. To this end, we evaluated the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA during the first 3 years of activity. METHODS: EBUS-TBNA was performed by 2 operators with no previous experience in this technique. Cytologic samples were obtained from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes enlarged at a chest computed tomography scan and/or with increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake at computed tomography/positron emission tomography scan in patients with suspected lung cancer. The cytologic diagnosis of EBUS-TBNA samples has been compared with the final diagnosis obtained from further diagnostic procedures, surgery, or clinical-radiologic follow-up. RESULTS: From October 2012 to October 2015, we collected 408 EBUS-TBNA cytologic samples from 313 patients: 223 samples were positive for metastatic involvement and 185 were nonmetastatic. The latter included 137 true-negative and 48 false-negative results. The final diagnosis comprised 271 metastatic and 137 nonmetastatic lymph nodes. The overall sensitivity for cancer was 82% and diagnostic accuracy was 88%. Sensitivity and accuracy per year were as follows: first year, 78% and 82% in 90 nodal samples; second year, 83% and 89% in 144 nodal samples; third year, 85% and 91% in 174 nodal samples. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA can be considered as a reliable tool even if performed by operators without previous experience in this procedure, and the diagnostic yield continues to increase progressively over a long time.

Investigational drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: IPF is a specific form of chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause, characterized by progressive worsening in lung function and an unfavorable prognosis. Current concepts on IPF pathogenesis are based on a dysregulated wound healing response, leading to an over production of extracellular matrix. Based on recent research however, several other mechanisms are now proposed as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies. Areas covered: This review analyzes the current investigational strategies targeting extracellular matrix deposition, tyrosine-kinase antagonism, immune and autoimmune response, and cell-based therapy. A description of the pathogenic rationale implied in each novel therapeutic approach is summarized. Expert opinion: New IPF drugs are being evaluated in the context of phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Nevertheless, many drugs that have shown efficacy in preclinical studies, failed to exhibit the same positive effect when translated to humans. A possible explanation for these failures might be related to the known limitations of animal models of the disease. The recent development of 3D systems composed of cells from individual patients that recreate an ex-vivo model of IPF, could lead to significant improvements in disease pathogenesis and treatment. New drugs could be tested on more genuine models and clinicians could tailor therapy based on patient's response.