Hypophosphatemia after high-dose iron repletion with ferric carboxymaltose and ferric derisomaltose-the randomized controlled HOMe aFers study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with iron deficiency anemia, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and ferric derisomaltose (FDI) allow high-dose iron repletion. While FCM is reported to induce hypophosphatemia, the frequency of hypophosphatemia after an equivalent dosage of FDI had not been assessed prospectively. METHODS: In the prospective, single-center, double-blind HOMe aFers study, 26 women with iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL plus either plasma ferritin ≤ 100 ng/mL or a plasma ferritin ≤ 300 ng/mL and transferrin saturation (TSAT) ≤ 30%) were randomized to a single intravenous infusion of 20 mg/kg body weight (up to a maximum of 1000 mg) FCM or FDI. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypophosphatemia (plasma phosphorus levels < 2.0 mg/dL at day 1, day 7 ± 2, and/or day 35 ± 2 after the infusion). In order to investigate potential skeletal and cardiovascular implications, we assessed changes in other components of mineral and bone metabolism, left ventricular function, and arrhythmias. RESULTS: Hypophosphatemia occurred more frequently in women treated with FCM (9 out of 12 [75%]) than in those treated with FDI (1 out of 13 [8%]; p = 0.001). Within 24 h after iron supplementation, women in the FCM group had significant higher plasma intact FGF23 (p < 0.001) and lower plasma 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D (p < 0.001). As an indicator of urinary phosphorus losses, urinary fractional phosphorus excretion was higher in the FCM group (p = 0.021 at day 7 ± 2 after iron supplementation). We did not observe differences in skeletal and cardiovascular markers, potentially because of the limited number of participants. CONCLUSIONS: While both FCM and FDI provide efficient iron repletion in participants with iron deficiency anemia, FCM induced hypophosphatemia more often than FDI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov NCT02905539. Registered on 8 September 2016. 2015-004808-36 (EudraCT Number) U1111-1176-4563 (WHO Universal Trial Number) DRKS00010766 (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien).

Safety and feasibility of electrical muscle stimulation in patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation or intensive chemotherapy.

Intensive chemotherapy, with or without following autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is often the only curative treatment option for patients with hematological malignancies and leave many survivors physically and psychologically impaired. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a proven tool to improve physical performance in seniors and patients with chronic diseases. We therefore investigated the safety and feasibility of EMS in 45 patients undergoing autologous HSCT (n = 13), allogeneic HSCT (n = 11) and intensive chemotherapy (n = 21). Furthermore, physical (assessed by 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and short physical performance battery (SPPB)) and psychological performance (assessed by multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) and the EORTC QOL-C30 questionnaire) were measured before chemotherapy (T1) and at discharge from hospital (T2). Four patients died due to septic shock, two withdrew consent before the start of EMS training and five stopped EMS training during the study because of chemotherapy-related complications, loss of motivation or loss of ability to use EMS autonomously. Thirty-four out of 45 (76%) patients used EMS throughout the study period and participated in physical and psychological tests at time points 1 and 2. EMS-related adverse events were hematoma (n = 1) and muscle pain (n = 2). No bleeding events > 1 according to the WHO bleeding scale occurred. Decline in 6MWD from T1 to T2 was 24 m. The SPPB score stayed the same with 11 points at T1 and T2. Most MFI subscales showed stable fatigue levels and quality of life (QoL) did not decrease significantly throughout therapy. EMS is feasible and safe in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Trial registration: NCT03467087.

Faecal calprotectin in HIV-infected, HAART-naïve Ugandan children.

OBJECTIVES: Calprotectin is a calcium- and zinc-binding protein and a marker in faeces of gastrointestinal inflammation. Reference values have been established in children older than 4 years. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of faecal calprotectin (FC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected, highly active antiretroviral therapy-naïve Ugandan children and compare it with the reference value. METHODS: We tested 193 HIV-infected children ages 0 to 12 years in a hospital-based survey for FC. A standardised interview with sociodemographic information and medical history was used to assess risk factors. A cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell percentage was prevalent in all of the children. RESULTS: The median FC concentrations decreased with increasing age, as in healthy children. The median concentration was 208 mg/kg in infants 0 to 1 year, 171 mg/kg among toddlers 1 to 4 years, and 62 mg/kg for children 4 to 12 years. Children with advanced disease and a low CD4 cell percentage had significantly higher FC concentrations than those with a high CD4 cell percentage. Children older than 4 years with diarrhoea had significantly higher FC concentrations compared with those without diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected children older than 4 years had a median FC concentration above the reference value, and gut inflammation in the children with elevated values is likely. Children with more advanced disease had increased FC concentrations regardless of age.

Bacterial aetiology and outcome in children with severe pneumonia in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the 'under-5s' and in Uganda accounts for 10-30% of childhood deaths. Antibiotic resistance is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To describe the bacterial aetiology, antimicrobial sensitivity and outcome of severe pneumonia among children aged 2-59 months admitted to the Acute Care Unit, Mulago Hospital, Uganda. METHODS: A total of 157 children aged 2-59 months with symptoms of severe pneumonia according to WHO guidelines were recruited over a 4-month period in 2005/2006. Blood and induced sputum were obtained for culture, and chest radiographs were undertaken. Children were clinically classified as having severe or very severe pneumonia and were followed up for a maximum of 7 days. RESULTS: Bacteraemia was detected in 15.9% of patients with Staphylococcus aureus (36%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (28%) were the organisms most commonly isolated. Bacteria were isolated from sputum in half of the children, the commonest organisms being Streptococcus pneumoniae (45.9%), Haemophilus influenzae (23.5%) and Klebsiella species (22.4%). Staphylococcus aureus had only 33.3% sensitivity to chloramphenicol and H. influenzae isolates were completely resistant. S. pneumoniae was sensitive to chloramphenicol in 87.4% of cases. The case fatality rate was 15.5%. Independent predictors of death were very severe pneumonia (OR 12.9, CI 2.5-65.8), hypoxaemia (SaO(2) <92%, OR 4.9, CI 1.2-19.5) and severe malnutrition (OR 16.5, CI 4.2-65.5). CONCLUSION: S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae are common bacterial causes of severe pneumonia. Chloramphenicol, the current first-line antibiotic for treating severe pneumonia in Ugandan children, is useful in pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae but other common bacteria show resistance. The presence of severe malnutrition, hypoxaemia and very severe pneumonia increase the risk of death and should be considered in case management protocols.

Bacteriuria among adult non-pregnant women attending Mulago hospital assessment centre in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women are a common problem in primary health care settings. Resistance of bacterial uropathogens to commonly used antibiotics is common in many places. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of UTI, associated uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS: A cross section study carried out at Mulago hospital outpatients' department. Midstream urine samples (MSU) were collected from 399 women, who gave informed consent and fulfilled other study criteria. Quantitative culture method, identification of uropathogens and antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique were applied to the isolates. RESULTS: Out of 399 MSU samples, 40 pure significant bacterial growths (≥10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/ml of urine) were isolated and these included Escherichia coli, 23 (57.5%), Staphylococcus aureus, 9 (22.5%), Enterococci spp, 6 (15%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 (5.0%). Overall, sensitivities were: nitrofurantoin (98.3%), cefuroxime (89.3%), and cotrimoxazole (20%) by all uropathogens isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Culture positive UTI among adult non-pregnant women are a common problem, occurring in 10% of the study population. Most bacterial uropathogens showed high sensitivity to nitrofurantoin but low sensitivity to SXT. RECOMMENDATIONS: Nitrofurantoin should be considered as drug of choice for empirical treatment of community acquired uncomplicated UTI in adult non-pregnant women.

Role of microscopic examination of stool specimens in the diagnosis of campylobacter infection from children with acute diarrhoea in Kampala, Uganda.

Campylobacter species are a frequent cause of enteritis and less often of extraintestinal infections in humans. The diagnosis of campylobacter infection depends mainly on culture which is difficult and expensive to be done as routine in most clinical microbiology laboratories in the developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of Gram-stain of the stool in diagnosis of campylobacter infection, using culture as the gold standard. A total of 226 stool specimens were obtained from children with acute diarrhoea, attending Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Stool smears were made and conventional Gram stain done using 0.3% carbol-fuschin as counter stain for 5 minutes. Mucous part of the stool was cultured in Charcoal Ceferaperazone Deoxycholate Agar and blood contained selective media. A total of 21 stool samples (9.3%) were positive by culture and 17 (7.5%) by Gram stain. Sensitivity and specificity of Gram stain in the diagnosis of campylobacter infection was 76% and 99.5%, respectively with positive predictive value of 94.1%. A total of 127 (56.2%) had white blood cells (WBC) in stool and there was strong association between WBC in stool and the presence of campylobacter infection (P=0.001). Gram stain is a good alternative in diagnosis of campylobacter infection in place where facilities for culture are limited.

Campylobacter spp among children with acute diarrhea attending Mulago hospital in Kampala--Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter infections occur worldwide. A recent study in Kampala, Uganda, found that 87% of broiler chickens had Campylobacter jejuni; these are potential source of human infection. Isolation rate in developing countries is between 5-35%. This study aimed at finding prevalence of children with campylobacter infection among children with acute diarrhea attending Mulago hospital. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to establish the proportion of children infected with Campylobacter spp among children with acute diarrhea at Mulago hospital. METHODS: A crossectional study from July to October 2005 was conducted involved 226 children with acute diarrhea. Serial sampling was done a total of 226 stool specimens were obtained and cultured on selective media. Identification was done using biochemical test and susceptibility using standard discs diffusion method. RESULTS: Campylobacter spp were isolated in 21 (9.3%) of 226 stool specimens analyzed. Campylobacter jejuni 17 (80.9%), Campylobacter lari 2 (9.5%), Campylobacter coli 1 (4.5%) and Campylobacter jejuni/coli 1(4.5%). All Campylobacter isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, and 20% had intermediate resistance to Ampicillin. CONCLUSION: Campylobacter spp are prevalent among children with acute diarrhea in Kampala- Uganda. A large multicenter study should be undertaken so that the extent of campylobacter infection in our setting can be established.

Relative prevalence of methicilline resistant Staphylococcus aureus and its susceptibility pattern in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.

Methicilline resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are becoming increasingly multiresistant, and have recently developed resistance to vancomycin, which has been used successfully to treat MRSA for many years. In-vitro determination of resistance patterns of S. aureus is critical in terms of administering suitable antimicrobial treatments. The objective of this study was to determine the relative prevalence of MRSA among S. aureus isolates from surgical site infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. One hundred eighty eight pus swabs were collected from patients with surgical site infections. Swabs were inoculated for culture at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University. S. aureus isolates were identified using standard procedures and tested for oxacillin resistance according to methods of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Out of the 188 specimens, 54 (28.7%) grew S. aureus. Seventeen (31.5%) of the S. aureus isolates were confirmed as MRSA by PCR. Resistance rates of MRSA were 88.2% for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 88.2% for erythromycin, 58.8% for gentamycin, 70.6% for ciprofloxacin, and 88.2% for chloramphenicol. All isolates were found to be sensitive to vancomycin and clindamycin though the D-test was found to be positive in 82.4% of the isolates. In our region, although methicillin resistance increased in S. aureus strains, because of the unavailability and the high cost of alternative antibiotics, gentamycin is still suggested as an alternative for treatment of S. aureus infections. These results however indicate that vancomycin seemed to be the only antimicrobial agent effective against MRSA and it could be the drug of choice in treating multidrug resistant MRSA infection.