A Risk Profile Using Simple Hematologic Parameters to Assess Benefits From Baricitinib in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial-2.

BACKGROUND: The ACTT risk profile, which was developed from ACTT-1 (Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial-1), demonstrated that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the high-risk quartile (characterized by low absolute lymphocyte count [ALC], high absolute neutrophil count [ANC], and low platelet count at baseline) benefited most from treatment with the antiviral remdesivir. It is unknown which patient characteristics are associated with benefit from treatment with the immunomodulator baricitinib. OBJECTIVE: To apply the ACTT risk profile to the ACTT-2 cohort to investigate potential baricitinib-related treatment effects by risk quartile. DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of ACTT-2, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04401579). SETTING: Sixty-seven trial sites in 8 countries. PARTICIPANTS: Adults hospitalized with COVID-19 (n = 999; 85% U.S. participants). INTERVENTION: Baricitinib+remdesivir versus placebo+remdesivir. MEASUREMENTS: Mortality, progression to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or death, and recovery, all within 28 days; ALC, ANC, and platelet count trajectories. RESULTS: In the high-risk quartile, baricitinib+remdesivir was associated with reduced risk for death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.38 [95% CI, 0.16 to 0.86]; P = 0.020), decreased progression to IMV or death (HR, 0.57 [CI, 0.35 to 0.93]; P = 0.024), and improved recovery rate (HR, 1.53 [CI, 1.16 to 2.02]; P = 0.002) compared with placebo+remdesivir. After 5 days, participants receiving baricitinib+remdesivir had significantly larger increases in ALC and significantly larger decreases in ANC compared with control participants, with the largest effects observed in the high-risk quartile. LIMITATION: Secondary analysis of data collected before circulation of current SARS-CoV-2 variants. CONCLUSION: The ACTT risk profile identifies a subgroup of hospitalized patients who benefit most from baricitinib treatment and captures a patient phenotype of treatment response to an immunomodulator and an antiviral. Changes in ALC and ANC trajectory suggest a mechanism whereby an immunomodulator limits severe COVID-19. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Challenging boundaries: Organ transplants from donors with Listeria central nervous system infections.

Pretransplant mortality rates in the US remain high and are connected to effective organ donation and utilization. Thus, there is a need to maximize the utilization of available donors. In some cases, this has been safely achieved using organs from donors with infectious complications. For example, several studies describe the use of organs from donors with bacterial meningitis due to pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenza, and Escherichia coli, with good outcomes. Listeria is an aerobic and facultatively anaerobic, nonspore-forming, Gram-positive rod that can affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Due to its virulence, ability to cause intracellular infection, and lack of clinical data, people dying with listeria may not be evaluated for organ donation, may not have organs recovered, or may have their organs recovered but not transplanted. Herein, we describe the outcomes of 7 solid organ transplant recipients who received organs from 2 donors with Listeria monocytogenes central nervous system infection.

Risk factors, management, and clinical outcomes of invasive Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections after lung transplantation.

Mollicute infections, caused by Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species, are serious complications after lung transplantation; however, understanding of the epidemiology and outcomes of these infections remains limited. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 1156 consecutive lung transplants performed from 2010-2019. We used log-binomial regression to identify risk factors for infection and analyzed clinical management and outcomes. In total, 27 (2.3%) recipients developed mollicute infection. Donor characteristics independently associated with recipient infection were age ≤40 years (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9), White race (PRR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.8), and purulent secretions on donor bronchoscopy (PRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.0). Median time to diagnosis was 16 days posttransplant (IQR: 11-26 days). Mollicute-infected recipients were significantly more likely to require prolonged ventilatory support (66.7% vs 21.4%), undergo dialysis (44.4% vs 6.3%), and remain hospitalized ≥30 days (70.4% vs 27.4%) after transplant. One-year posttransplant mortality in mollicute-infected recipients was 12/27 (44%), compared to 148/1129 (13%) in those without infection (P <.0001). Hyperammonemia syndrome occurred in 5/27 (19%) mollicute-infected recipients, of whom 3 (60%) died within 10 weeks posttransplant. This study highlights the morbidity and mortality associated with mollicute infection after lung transplantation and the need for better screening and management protocols.

Baricitinib plus Remdesivir for Hospitalized Adults with Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with dysregulated inflammation. The effects of combination treatment with baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, plus remdesivir are not known. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating baricitinib plus remdesivir in hospitalized adults with Covid-19. All the patients received remdesivir (≤10 days) and either baricitinib (≤14 days) or placebo (control). The primary outcome was the time to recovery. The key secondary outcome was clinical status at day 15. RESULTS: A total of 1033 patients underwent randomization (with 515 assigned to combination treatment and 518 to control). Patients receiving baricitinib had a median time to recovery of 7 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 6 to 8), as compared with 8 days (95% CI, 7 to 9) with control (rate ratio for recovery, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.32; P = 0.03), and a 30% higher odds of improvement in clinical status at day 15 (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.6). Patients receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation at enrollment had a time to recovery of 10 days with combination treatment and 18 days with control (rate ratio for recovery, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.08). The 28-day mortality was 5.1% in the combination group and 7.8% in the control group (hazard ratio for death, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.09). Serious adverse events were less frequent in the combination group than in the control group (16.0% vs. 21.0%; difference, -5.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -9.8 to -0.3; P = 0.03), as were new infections (5.9% vs. 11.2%; difference, -5.3 percentage points; 95% CI, -8.7 to -1.9; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Baricitinib plus remdesivir was superior to remdesivir alone in reducing recovery time and accelerating improvement in clinical status among patients with Covid-19, notably among those receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation. The combination was associated with fewer serious adverse events. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04401579.).

Donor-derived infections in the United States: Opportunities to learn from the Disease Transmission Advisory Committee's experience.

The Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC) of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network focuses on issues related to the transmission of disease through organ transplantation. Providing a review of potential cases of transmission, translating aggregate data into actionable education and guidance for the transplant community, and providing input for policy development, DTAC aims to improve the safety of organ transplantation through a reduction in donor-derived transmission events. Through its nearly 20-year history, DTAC has provided education, guidance, and policy, addressed numerous emerging infections, and continuously focused on the community's understanding of risk assessment related to donor-derived transmission. By updating the DTAC mission to both decrease transmission and safely expand the donor pool with additional guidance to safely use organs previously not considered for transplantation due to transmission concerns, the Committee's role will remain critical.

Management of infectious disease syndromes in thoracic organ transplants and mechanical circulatory device recipients: a Delphi panel.

PURPOSE: Antimicrobial misuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance in thoracic transplant (TTx) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) recipients. This study uses a modified Delphi method to define the expected appropriate antimicrobial prescribing for the common clinical scenarios encountered in TTx and MCS recipients. METHODS: An online questionnaire on managing 10 common infectious disease syndromes was submitted to a multidisciplinary Delphi panel of 25 experts from various disciplines. Consensus was predefined as 80% agreement for each question. Questions where consensus was not achieved were discussed during live virtual live sessions adapted by an independent process expert. RESULTS: An online survey of 62 questions related to 10 infectious disease syndromes was submitted to the Delphi panel. In the first round of the online questionnaire, consensus on antimicrobial management was reached by 6.5% (4/62). In Round 2 online live discussion, the remaining 58 questions were discussed among the Delphi Panel members using a virtual meeting platform. Consensus was reached among 62% (36/58) of questions. Agreement was not reached regarding the antimicrobial management of the following six clinical syndromes: (1) Burkholderia cepacia pneumonia (duration of therapy); (2) Mycobacterium abscessus (intra-operative antimicrobials); (3) invasive aspergillosis (treatment of culture-negative but positive BAL galactomannan) (duration of therapy); (4) respiratory syncytial virus (duration of antiviral therapy); (5) left ventricular assist device deep infection (initial empirical antimicrobial coverage) and (6) CMV (duration of secondary prophylaxis). CONCLUSION: This Delphi panel developed consensus-based recommendations for 10 infectious clinical syndromes seen in TTx and MCS recipients.

Epidemiology, management, and clinical outcomes of extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections in heart transplant and ventricular assist device recipients.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are emerging pathogens, yet data on the epidemiology and management of extrapulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria infections in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and ventricular assist device (VAD) recipients are scarce. We retrospectively reviewed records of OHT and VAD recipients who underwent cardiac surgery at our hospital and developed Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) infection from 2013 to 2016 during a hospital outbreak of MABC linked to heater-cooler units. We analyzed patient characteristics, medical and surgical management, and long-term outcomes. Ten OHT patients and 7 patients with VAD developed extrapulmonary M. abscessus subspecies abscessus infection. The median time from presumed inoculation during cardiac surgery to the first positive culture was 106 days in OHT and 29 days in VAD recipients. The most common sites of positive cultures were blood (n = 12), sternum/mediastinum (n = 8), and the VAD driveline exit site (n = 7). The 14 patients diagnosed when alive received combination antimicrobial therapy for a median of 21 weeks, developed 28 antibiotic-related adverse events, and underwent 27 surgeries. Only 8 (47%) patients survived longer than 12 weeks after diagnosis, including 2 patients with VAD who experienced long-term survival after an explantation of infected VADs and OHT. Despite aggressive medical and surgical management, OHT and VAD patients with MABC infection experienced substantial morbidity and mortality.

Antiviral Treatment Failures After Transplantation of Organs From Donors With Hepatitis C Infection: A Report of 4 Cases.

The transplantation of organs from donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection into uninfected recipients has expanded the available organ donor pool. With the advancement of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), high rates of cure among transplant recipients are possible. Although DAAs are highly effective, treatment failure can occur following an appropriate 12-week course of a pan-genotypic regimen. Here we describe 4 kidney transplant recipients of organs from donors with HCV infection (3 with genotype 3, 1 genotype 1a) in whom first-line DAA treatment with either glecaprevir-pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir-velpatasvir was unsuccessful, started 22-35 days after the day of transplantation. All ultimately achieved sustained virologic response with second- or third-line therapy. Post-treatment resistance-associated substitutions were tested and noted to be present in 2 cases. Additionally, antiviral levels were assessed in 2 cases and found to be therapeutic in each. This article explores possible reasons for treatment failure, including medication interactions, bariatric surgery, viral dynamics, and drug resistance.

"They paged me what?": A transplant infectious disease guide to donor calls.

Donor-derived infections in solid organ transplantation can be prevented by risk stratification of donors based on available information, and inquiries surrounding possible or diagnosed infection are common questions posed to transplant infectious disease subspecialists. This article outlines the five key steps in addressing a donor call from a transplant team in a systematic approach, focusing on donor and recipient-specific factors, transmissibility and treatment of possible infections, and the likelihood of a patient's future organ offers and mortality remaining on the waitlist. These principles are then applied to five donor call cases, in which we review the key takeaway points and supporting literature. These cases can be used as a resource for teaching with trainees.

When you need to dive in the deep end-Transplanting SARS-CoV-2 PCR+ recipients.

There is an ongoing need to understand whether transplantation during acute Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be performed safely, especially when urgent transplant is required. We collected retrospective data of all consecutive non-lung transplant recipients who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the day of planned deceased donor organ implantation. Data were collected from two large transplant centers from 01/01/2022 to 02/01/2023. Demographics, details regarding COVID-19 infection, waitlist priority, and details regarding transplantation were obtained. A descriptive analysis was performed. A total of 12 patients were identified: 7 renal, 4 liver, and 1 heart transplant recipient. All 12 patients were vaccinated for COVID-19. Ten were asymptomatic outpatients found positive on admission and transplanted immediately. Two were in-patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and were reactivated on the waitlist following 3 days of remdesivir when no progression to severe COVID-19 occurred. Most patients (10/12) received remdesivir posttransplant. No complications attributed to COVID-19 were noted nor were any secondary family or healthcare worker infections observed. All recipients were managed with special isolation precautions befitting their potentially infectious state. Standard induction therapy was used in all recipients. After a median follow up period of 143 days (interquartile range: 96-201 days), 3 episodes of rejection were documented, 2/7 renal recipients experienced delayed graft function, and 2/4 liver recipients required renal replacement therapy. Graft and patient survival were 100%. Transplantation can safely proceed in select, minimally symptomatic, non-lung recipients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR at the time of transplant.

Temporal Improvements in COVID-19 Outcomes for Hospitalized Adults: A Post Hoc Observational Study of Remdesivir Group Participants in the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 standard of care (SOC) evolved rapidly during 2020 and 2021, but its cumulative effect over time is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether recovery and mortality improved as SOC evolved, using data from ACTT (Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial). DESIGN: ACTT is a series of phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated COVID-19 therapeutics from February 2020 through May 2021. ACTT-1 compared remdesivir plus SOC to placebo plus SOC, and in ACTT-2 and ACTT-3, remdesivir plus SOC was the control group. This post hoc analysis compared recovery and mortality between these comparable sequential cohorts of patients who received remdesivir plus SOC, adjusting for baseline characteristics with propensity score weighting. The analysis was repeated for participants in ACTT-3 and ACTT-4 who received remdesivir plus dexamethasone plus SOC. Trends in SOC that could explain outcome improvements were analyzed. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04280705 [ACTT-1], NCT04401579 [ACTT-2], NCT04492475 [ACTT-3], and NCT04640168 [ACTT-4]). SETTING: 94 hospitals in 10 countries (86% U.S. participants). PARTICIPANTS: Adults hospitalized with COVID-19. INTERVENTION: SOC. MEASUREMENTS: 28-day mortality and recovery. RESULTS: Although outcomes were better in ACTT-2 than in ACTT-1, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were close to 1 (HR for recovery, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.17]; HR for mortality, 0.90 [CI, 0.56 to 1.40]). Comparable patients were less likely to be intubated in ACTT-2 than in ACTT-1 (odds ratio, 0.75 [CI, 0.53 to 0.97]), and hydroxychloroquine use decreased. Outcomes improved from ACTT-2 to ACTT-3 (HR for recovery, 1.43 [CI, 1.24 to 1.64]; HR for mortality, 0.45 [CI, 0.21 to 0.97]). Potential explanatory factors (SOC trends, case surges, and variant trends) were similar between ACTT-2 and ACTT-3, except for increased dexamethasone use (11% to 77%). Outcomes were similar in ACTT-3 and ACTT-4. Antibiotic use decreased gradually across all stages. LIMITATION: Unmeasured confounding. CONCLUSION: Changes in patient composition explained improved outcomes from ACTT-1 to ACTT-2 but not from ACTT-2 to ACTT-3, suggesting improved SOC. These results support excluding nonconcurrent controls from analysis of platform trials in rapidly changing therapeutic areas. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Abatacept, Cenicriviroc, or Infliximab for Treatment of Adults Hospitalized With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Immune dysregulation contributes to poorer outcomes in COVID-19. Objective: To investigate whether abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab provides benefit when added to standard care for COVID-19 pneumonia. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a master protocol to investigate immunomodulators added to standard care for treatment of participants hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. The results of 3 substudies are reported from 95 hospitals at 85 clinical research sites in the US and Latin America. Hospitalized patients 18 years or older with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 14 days and evidence of pulmonary involvement underwent randomization between October 2020 and December 2021. Interventions: Single infusion of abatacept (10 mg/kg; maximum dose, 1000 mg) or infliximab (5 mg/kg) or a 28-day oral course of cenicriviroc (300-mg loading dose followed by 150 mg twice per day). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time to recovery by day 28 evaluated using an 8-point ordinal scale (higher scores indicate better health). Recovery was defined as the first day the participant scored at least 6 on the ordinal scale. Results: Of the 1971 participants randomized across the 3 substudies, the mean (SD) age was 54.8 (14.6) years and 1218 (61.8%) were men. The primary end point of time to recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia was not significantly different for abatacept (recovery rate ratio [RRR], 1.12 [95% CI, 0.98-1.28]; P = .09), cenicriviroc (RRR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.86-1.18]; P = .94), or infliximab (RRR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.99-1.28]; P = .08) compared with placebo. All-cause 28-day mortality was 11.0% for abatacept vs 15.1% for placebo (odds ratio [OR], 0.62 [95% CI, 0.41-0.94]), 13.8% for cenicriviroc vs 11.9% for placebo (OR, 1.18 [95% CI 0.72-1.94]), and 10.1% for infliximab vs 14.5% for placebo (OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.90]). Safety outcomes were comparable between active treatment and placebo, including secondary infections, in all 3 substudies. Conclusions and Relevance: Time to recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia among hospitalized participants was not significantly different for abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab vs placebo. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04593940.

Remdesivir for the Prevention of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation or Death in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Post Hoc Analysis of the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial-1 Cohort Data.

This post hoc analysis of the Adaptive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Trial-1 (ACTT-1) shows a treatment effect of remdesivir (RDV) on progression to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or death. Additionally, we create a risk profile that better predicts progression than baseline oxygen requirement alone. The highest risk group derives the greatest treatment effect from RDV.

Infectious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Virus in Symptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outpatients: Host, Disease, and Viral Correlates.

BACKGROUND: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectious virus isolation in outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with viral RNA levels and symptom duration, little is known about the host, disease, and viral determinants of infectious virus detection. METHODS: COVID-19 adult outpatients were enrolled within 7 days of symptom onset. Clinical symptoms were recorded via patient diary. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected to quantitate SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and for infectious virus isolation in Vero E6-cells. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured in serum using a validated ELISA assay. RESULTS: Among 204 participants with mild-to-moderate symptomatic COVID-19, the median nasopharyngeal viral RNA was 6.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 4.7-7.6 log10 copies/mL), and 26% had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgM, IgG, and/or total Ig) at baseline. Infectious virus was recovered in 7% of participants with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared to 58% of participants without antibodies (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .04, .36; P = .00016). Infectious virus isolation was also associated with higher levels of viral RNA (mean RNA difference +2.6 log10, 95% CI: 2.2, 3.0; P < .0001) and fewer days since symptom onset (PR = 0.79, 95% CI: .71, .88 per day; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is strongly associated with clearance of infectious virus. Seropositivity and viral RNA levels are likely more reliable markers of infectious virus clearance than subjective measure of COVID-19 symptom duration. Virus-targeted treatment and prevention strategies should be administered as early as possible and ideally before seroconversion. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04405570.

National Landscape of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Deceased Organ Donors in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation from donors with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to recipients with HIV (HIV D+/R+) presents risks of donor-derived infections. Understanding clinical, immunologic, and virologic characteristics of HIV-positive donors is critical for safety. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of donors with HIV-positive and HIV false-positive (FP) test results within the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act in Action studies of HIV D+/R+ transplantation (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02602262, NCT03500315, and NCT03734393). We compared clinical characteristics in HIV-positive versus FP donors. We measured CD4 T cells, HIV viral load (VL), drug resistance mutations (DRMs), coreceptor tropism, and serum antiretroviral therapy (ART) detection, using mass spectrometry in HIV-positive donors. RESULTS: Between March 2016 and March 2020, 92 donors (58 HIV positive, 34 FP), representing 98.9% of all US HOPE donors during this period, donated 177 organs (131 kidneys and 46 livers). Each year the number of donors increased. The prevalence of hepatitis B (16% vs 0%), syphilis (16% vs 0%), and cytomegalovirus (CMV; 91% vs 58%) was higher in HIV-positive versus FP donors; the prevalences of hepatitis C viremia were similar (2% vs 6%). Most HIV-positive donors (71%) had a known HIV diagnosis, of whom 90% were prescribed ART and 68% had a VL <400 copies/mL. The median CD4 T-cell count (interquartile range) was 194/µL (77-331/µL), and the median CD4 T-cell percentage was 27.0% (16.8%-36.1%). Major HIV DRMs were detected in 42%, including nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (33%), integrase strand transfer inhibitors (4%), and multiclass (13%). Serum ART was detected in 46% and matched ART by history. CONCLUSION: The use of HIV-positive donor organs is increasing. HIV DRMs are common, yet resistance that would compromise integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based regimens is rare, which is reassuring regarding safety.

Antibodies, boosters, and optimizing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for transplantation: A call for more research.

Despite emerging data suggesting reduced antibody responses among solid organ transplant recipients following SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, critical unanswered questions remain. The clinical implications of the reduced humoral response need to be assessed through prospective studies. Studies are likewise needed to inform which vaccine dosing strategies result in improved immunity and if such approaches maximize protection against severe infection in the vulnerable transplant population.

Donor-derived tuberculosis among solid organ transplant recipients in the United States-2008 to 2018.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be transmitted via organ donation and result in severe outcomes. To better understand donor-derived tuberculosis (DDTB), all potential transmissions reported to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee between 2008 and 2018 were analyzed. Among 51 total reports, nine (17%) (9 donors/35 recipients) had ≥ 1 recipient with proven/probable disease transmission. Of these, eight were reported due to recipient disease, and one was reported due to a positive donor result. Proven/probable DDTB transmissions were reported in six lung and five nonlung recipients. The median time to diagnosis was 104 days posttransplant (range 0-165 days). Pulmonary TB, extrapulmonary TB, pulmonary plus extrapulmonary TB, and asymptomatic TB infection with positive interferon-gamma release assay were present in five, three, one, and two recipients, respectively. All recipients received treatment and survived except for one whose death was not attributed to TB. All donors associated with proven/probable DDTB had ≥ 1 TB risk factor. Six were born in a TB-endemic country, five had traveled to a TB-endemic country, three had been incarcerated, and three had latent TB infection. These cases highlight the importance of evaluating donors for TB based on risk factors. Early posttransplant TB in organ recipients of donors with TB risk factors requires prompt reporting to OPTN to identify other potential affected recipients and implement timely treatment interventions.

Invasive Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Infection After Cardiac Surgery: Epidemiology, Management, and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We recently mitigated a clonal outbreak of hospital-acquired Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), which included a large cluster of adult patients who developed invasive infection after exposure to heater-cooler units during cardiac surgery. Recent studies have detailed Mycobacterium chimaera infections acquired during cardiac surgery; however, little is known about the epidemiology and clinical courses of cardiac surgery patients with invasive MABC infection. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data on all patients who underwent cardiac surgery at our hospital and subsequently had positive cultures for MABC from 2013 through 2016. Patients with ventricular assist devices or heart transplants were excluded. We analyzed patient characteristics, antimicrobial therapy, surgical interventions, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Ten cardiac surgery patients developed invasive, extrapulmonary infection from M. abscessus subspecies abscessus in an outbreak setting. Median time from presumed inoculation in the operating room to first positive culture was 53 days (interquartile range [IQR], 38-139 days). Disseminated infection was common, and the most frequent culture-positive sites were mediastinum (n = 7) and blood (n = 7). Patients received a median of 24 weeks (IQR, 5-33 weeks) of combination antimicrobial therapy that included multiple intravenous agents. Six patients required antibiotic changes due to adverse events attributed to amikacin, linezolid, or tigecycline. Eight patients underwent surgical management, and 6 patients required multiple sternal debridements. Eight patients died within 2 years of diagnosis, including 4 deaths directly attributable to MABC infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite aggressive medical and surgical management, invasive MABC infection after cardiac surgery caused substantial morbidity and mortality. New treatment strategies are needed, and compliance with infection prevention guidelines remains critical.

DAS181 Treatment of Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Parainfluenza Virus Infection in Immunocompromised Patients: A Phase 2 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: There are no antiviral therapies for parainfluenza virus (PIV) infections. DAS181, a sialidase fusion protein, has demonstrated activity in in vitro and in animal models of PIV. METHODS: Adult immunocompromised patients diagnosed with PIV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) who required oxygen supplementation were randomized 2:1 to nebulized DAS181 (4.5 mg/day) or matching placebo for up to 10 days. Randomization was stratified by need for mechanical ventilation (MV) or supplemental oxygen (SO). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients reaching clinical stability survival (CSS) defined as returning to room air (RTRA), normalization of vital signs for at least 24 hours, and survival up to day 45 from enrollment. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were randomized to DAS181 (n = 74) or placebo (n = 37). CSS was achieved by 45.0% DAS181-treated patients in the SO stratum compared with 31.0% for placebo (P = .15), whereas patients on MV had no benefit from DAS181. The proportion of patients achieving RTRA was numerically higher for SO stratum DAS181 patients (51.7%) compared with placebo (34.5%) at day 28 (P = .17). In a post hoc analysis of solid organ transplant, hematopoietic cell transplantation within 1 year, or chemotherapy within 1 year, more SO stratum patients achieved RTRA on DAS181 (51.8%) compared with placebo (15.8%) by day 28 (P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: The primary endpoint was not met, but post hoc analysis of the RTRA component suggests DAS181 may have clinical activity in improving oxygenation in select severely immunocompromised patients with PIV LRTI who are not on mechanical ventilation. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01644877.

Ten years of donor-derived disease: A report of the disease transmission advisory committee.

Despite clinical and laboratory screening of potential donors for transmissible disease, unexpected transmission of disease from donor to recipient remains an inherent risk of organ transplantation. The Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC) was created to review and classify reports of potential disease transmission and use this information to inform national policy and improve patient safety. From January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017, the DTAC received 2185 reports; 335 (15%) were classified as a proven/probable donor transmission event. Infections were transmitted most commonly (67%), followed by malignancies (29%), and other disease processes (6%). Forty-six percent of recipients receiving organs from a donor that transmitted disease to at least 1 recipient developed a donor-derived disease (DDD). Sixty-seven percent of recipients developed symptoms of DDD within 30 days of transplantation, and all bacterial infections were recognized within 45 days. Graft loss or death occurred in about one third of recipients with DDD, with higher rates associated with malignancy transmission and parasitic and fungal diseases. Unexpected DDD was rare, occurring in 0.18% of all transplant recipients. These findings will help focus future efforts to recognize and prevent DDD.