Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers at a London NHS Trust.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have a theoretically increased risk of contracting severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) given their occupational exposure. We tested 2,167 HCWs in a London Acute Integrated Care Organisation for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in May and June 2020 to evaluate seroprevalence. We found a seropositivity rate of 31.6% among HCWs.

Correction: Randomized Controlled Trials to Define Viral Load Thresholds for Cytomegalovirus Pre-Emptive Therapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163722.].

Chronic lung disease in HIV-infected children established on antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected children. Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), children suffer chronic symptoms. We investigated symptom prevalence, lung function and exercise capacity among older children established on ART and an age-matched HIV-uninfected group. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in Zimbabwe of HIV-infected children aged 6-16 years receiving ART for over 6 months and HIV-uninfected children attending primary health clinics from the same area. METHODS: Standardized questionnaire, spirometry, incremental shuttle walk testing, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load and sputum culture for tuberculosis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 202 HIV-infected and 150 uninfected participants (median age 11.1 years in each group) were recruited. Median age at HIV diagnosis and ART initiation was 5.5 (interquartile range 2.8-7.5) and 6.1 (interquartile range 3.6-8.4) years, respectively. Median CD4 cell count was 726 cells/µl, and 79% had HIV viral load less than 400 copies/ml. Chronic respiratory symptoms were rare in HIV-uninfected children [n = 1 (0.7%)], but common in HIV-infected participants [51 (25%)], especially cough [30 (15%)] and dyspnoea [30 (15%)]. HIV-infected participants were more commonly previously treated for tuberculosis [76 (38%) vs 1 (0.7%), P < 0.001], had lower exercise capacity (mean incremental shuttle walk testing distance 771 vs 889 m, respectively, P < 0.001) and more frequently abnormal spirometry [43 (24.3%) vs 15 (11.5%), P = 0.003] compared with HIV-uninfected participants. HIV diagnosis at an older age was associated with lung function abnormality (P = 0.025). No participant tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: In children, despite ART, HIV is associated with significant respiratory symptoms and functional impairment. Understanding pathogenesis is key, as new treatment strategies are urgently required.

Randomized Controlled Trials to Define Viral Load Thresholds for Cytomegalovirus Pre-Emptive Therapy.

BACKGROUND: To help decide when to start and when to stop pre-emptive therapy for cytomegalovirus infection, we conducted two open-label randomized controlled trials in renal, liver and bone marrow transplant recipients in a single centre where pre-emptive therapy is indicated if viraemia exceeds 3000 genomes/ml (2520 IU/ml) of whole blood. METHODS: Patients with two consecutive viraemia episodes each below 3000 genomes/ml were randomized to continue monitoring or to immediate treatment (Part A). A separate group of patients with viral load greater than 3000 genomes/ml was randomized to stop pre-emptive therapy when two consecutive levels less than 200 genomes/ml (168 IU/ml) or less than 3000 genomes/ml were obtained (Part B). For both parts, the primary endpoint was the occurrence of a separate episode of viraemia requiring treatment because it was greater than 3000 genomes/ml. RESULTS: In Part A, the primary endpoint was not significantly different between the two arms; 18/32 (56%) in the monitor arm had viraemia greater than 3000 genomes/ml compared to 10/27 (37%) in the immediate treatment arm (p = 0.193). However, the time to developing an episode of viraemia greater than 3000 genomes/ml was significantly delayed among those randomized to immediate treatment (p = 0.022). In Part B, the primary endpoint was not significantly different between the two arms; 19/55 (35%) in the less than 200 genomes/ml arm subsequently had viraemia greater than 3000 genomes/ml compared to 23/51 (45%) among those randomized to stop treatment in the less than 3000 genomes/ml arm (p = 0.322). However, the duration of antiviral treatment was significantly shorter (p = 0.0012) in those randomized to stop treatment when viraemia was less than 3000 genomes/ml. DISCUSSION: The results illustrate that patients have continuing risks for CMV infection with limited time available for intervention. We see no need to alter current rules for stopping or starting pre-emptive therapy.

Uptake and yield of HIV testing and counselling among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years children and adolescents have emerged as a priority for HIV prevention and care services. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the acceptability, yield and prevalence of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) strategies in children and adolescents (5 to 19 years) in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and conference abstract databases. Studies reporting on HTC acceptability, yield and prevalence and published between January 2004 and September 2014 were included. Pooled proportions for these three outcomes were estimated using a random effects model. A quality assessment was conducted on included studies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 16,380 potential citations were identified, of which 21 studies (23 entries) were included. Most studies were conducted in Kenya (n=5) and Uganda (n=5) and judged to provide moderate (n=15) to low quality (n=7) evidence, with data not disaggregated by age. Seven studies reported on provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC), with the remainder reporting on family-centred (n=5), home-based (n=5), outreach (n=5) and school-linked HTC among primary schoolchildren (n=1). PITC among inpatients had the highest acceptability (86.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.5 to 100%), yield (12.2%; 95% CI: 6.1 to 18.3%) and prevalence (15.4%; 95% CI: 5.0 to 25.7%). Family-centred HTC had lower acceptance compared to home-based HTC (51.7%; 95% CI: 10.4 to 92.9% vs. 84.9%; 95% CI: 74.4 to 95.4%) yet higher prevalence (8.4%; 95% CI: 3.4 to 13.5% vs. 3.0%; 95% CI: 1.0 to 4.9%). School-linked HTC showed poor acceptance and low prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: While PITC may have high test acceptability priority should be given to evaluating strategies beyond healthcare settings (e.g. home-based HTC among families) to identify individuals earlier in their disease progression. Data on linkage to care and cost-effectiveness of HTC strategies are needed to strengthen policies.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in dialysis patients in a London district general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Patients on dialysis mount reduced immune responses compared with the general population. The Department of Health advises that these patients receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations at regular intervals-once yearly and every five years, respectively. This article investigates the uptake of these vaccinations in this patient population and seeks to examine factors that may influence vaccination status such as patient's language and presence of a general practitioner (GP) electronic vaccination reminder system. It also explores preferred site of vaccination for patients and GPs as these are primary care vaccinations yet patients have more frequent contact with their dialysis unit than their GP, blurring the boundaries between primary and specialized care. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients registered as dialysing at the North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (NMUH) in September 2011. Information was obtained through GP letters, GP and patient questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 154 patients, 133 were included in the data analysis. Nineteen per cent were up-to-date with both vaccinations and 67% with their influenza vaccination. Fifty per cent had received the influenza vaccination in the last two consecutive years. Thirty per cent were not up-to-date with either vaccination. There was no evidence of a difference in uptake in 2009 (P = 0.7564) and in 2010 (P = 0.7435) among those who could and could not speak English. Twenty-five per cent of GPs and 58.6% of patients preferred vaccination to occur in the dialysis unit. Unfortunately a high number of GPs did not provide information on whether they used an electronic vaccination reminder but the analysis from the information provided by the few respondents did not reveal any correlation between the presence of an electronic reminder and vaccination status. CONCLUSION: Most dialysis patients were not up-to-date with both vaccinations. They were, however, more up-to-date with their influenza than their pneumococcal vaccination. Non-English speakers did not appear to be disadvantaged. GP electronic reminder systems may have influenced influenza uptake but this study did not demonstrate a correlation and this is likely due to the lack of GP respondents; the effectiveness of electronic reminders merits further studies as a tool to improve vaccination rates in at-risk populations. Most patients visited their GP at least annually but preferred to receive their vaccinations at the hospital. Vaccinating in the dialysis unit and maintaining an electronic record accessible to GPs or generating a letter for GPs may help fill the vaccination gap in these patients. Overall, more evidence is required for the effectiveness of such vaccinations and their frequency, but in the meantime UK national guidelines were not being followed with a large proportion of patients remaining unvaccinated against influenza and in particular pneumococcal disease. This audit highlights the importance of local data collection, discussions around correlations influencing outcomes and publication of results to improve standards of care at a national level.

Risk of transmission of H1N1 influenza by solid organ transplantation in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Concern that pandemic H1N1 swine influenza could be transmitted by solid organ transplantation led to the publication of guidance advising screening of donors, restriction of use of organs under certain conditions, and prophylaxis of recipients. We have reviewed the outcomes for cases of solid organ graft recipients from H1N1 influenza-positive donors in the United Kingdom up to May 2010. METHODS: The Organ Donation and Transplantation Directorate supplied a list of five known H1N1 influenza-positive donors, one of whom died from active H1N1 infection. Transplanting teams were contacted to gain information on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen organs were grafted from the donors. None of the 13 recipients developed suspected or confirmed H1N1 influenza. There was variable use of antiviral chemoprophylaxis and screening of recipients for H1N1 influenza. CONCLUSIONS: No cases of transplant-related H1N1 influenza transmission were demonstrated in this series. It remains prudent that transplanting teams have a high index of suspicion for H1N1 influenza infection in donors and offer prophylaxis to and undertake active surveillance of recipients.

Liver transplant for adult hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: case report and literature review.

We report the case of a middle-aged man who died from multiorgan failure 3 weeks after orthotopic liver transplant for fulminant hepatic failure, associated with a rare, often fatal, hematologic condition that usually presents in childhood. We discuss the importance of its diagnosis, treatment, and implications for liver transplant.

Gonococcal peritonitis diagnosed post laparotomy in a 38-year-old woman: a case report.

A 38-year-old South African lady with a background history of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia and recent colposcopy presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Initial investigations were non-diagnostic and despite empirical antibiotic therapy the patient developed peritonism. Post-laprotomy the diagnosis of severe pelvic inflammatory disease and peritonitis secondary to infection with Neisseria Gonorrhoea was made.