Clinical Management of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever using Ribavirin and Favipiravir, Belgium, 2020.

We report a case of Argentine hemorrhagic fever diagnosed in a woman in Belgium who traveled from a disease-endemic area. Patient management included supportive care and combination therapy with ribavirin and favipiravir. Of 137 potential contacts, including friends, relatives, and healthcare and laboratory workers, none showed development of clinical symptoms of this disease.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gram-negative bacteria susceptibility patterns in respiratory samples of intensive care units in the Brussels Capital Region, 2010-2021.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on gram-negative bacteria nonsusceptibility to antibiotics is unclear. METHODS: Between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021, the respiratory samples of intensive care unit patients at 3 University Hospitals in Brussels were retrieved. Based on the nonsusceptibility to antimicrobial classes, drug-resistance patterns were defined as multi-drug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, and pan-drug-resistant. The study time frame was divided into 6 periods of 2 years each, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (last period: 2020-2021) was assessed. RESULTS: During the current study, 10,577 samples were identified from 5,889 patients. While a significant augmentation of multi-drug-resistant isolates was noticed once comparing 2 prepandemic periods (2012-2013 and 2014-2015), all 3 patterns of nonsusceptibility significantly increased, comparing the years before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2019 and 2020-2021). Globally, the greatest increase in antimicrobial nonsusceptibility, comparing the last 2 periods, was reported for piperacillin-tazobactam (from 28% to 38%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most isolated species, and the most involved in the appearance of resistance, with an augmentation of nonsusceptibility percentage to meropenem of 22% (from 25% to 47%), between the prepandemic and the pandemic periods. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increasing trends of antimicrobial resistance in respiratory samples of patients admitted to the intensive care units in university hospitals with well-implemented antibiotic stewardship programs.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Recurrent Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report.

Hypothermia-associated cardiac arrest (HACA) is a challenge for emergency physicians. Standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains the primary intervention for the treatment of HACA, but extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be needed as an adjunct to CPR. In this report, we present the case of an adult Asian patient who experienced two episodes of HACA at a two-year interval. In both episodes, the patient was treated with ECLS in addition to standard CPR. We discuss the fundamentals of HACA and how to safely and effectively incorporate ECLS into its management. No-flow time, age, comorbidities, and the cause of the cardiac arrest are criteria to consider when deciding on the duration of CPR and the intensity of the resources deployed. Hypothermia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest, justifying prolonged CPR. According to the Hypothermia Outcome Prediction after ECLS (HOPE) score, active rewarming through ECLS is recommended. However, a history of cardiac arrest is rare and might be considered a severe comorbidity contraindicating ECLS use. Nevertheless, the indication is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Pulmonary Functional Outcomes at 3 Months in Critical COVID-19 Survivors Hospitalized during the First, Second, and Third Pandemic Waves.

INTRODUCTION: Despite improved management of patients with COVID-19, we still ignore whether pharmacologic treatments and improved respiratory support have modified outcomes for intensive care unit (ICU) surviving patients of the three first consecutive waves (w) of the pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether developments in the management of ICU COVID-19 patients have positively impacted respiratory functional outcomes, quality of life (QoL), and chest CT scan patterns in ICU COVID-19 surviving patients at 3 months, according to pandemic waves. METHODS: We prospectively included all patients admitted to the ICU of two university hospitals with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) related to COVID-19. Data related to hospitalization (disease severity, complications), demographics, and medical history were collected. Patients were assessed 3 months post-ICU discharge using a 6 min walking distance test (6MWT), a pulmonary function test (PFT), a respiratory muscle strength (RMS) test, a chest CT scan, and a Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. RESULTS: We included 84 ARDS COVID-19 surviving patients. Disease severity, complications, demographics, and comorbidities were similar between groups, but there were more women in wave 3 (w3). Length of stay at the hospital was shorter during w3 vs. during wave 1 (w1) (23.4 ± 14.2 days vs. 34.7 ± 20.8 days, p = 0.0304). Fewer patients required mechanical ventilation (MV) during the second wave (w2) vs. during w1 (33.3% vs. 63.9%, p = 0.0038). Assessment at 3 months after ICU discharge revealed that PFTs and 6MWTs scores were worse for w3 > w2 > w1. QoL (SF-36) deteriorated (vitality and mental health) more for patients in w1 vs. in w3 (64.7 ± 16.3 vs. 49.2 ± 23.2, p = 0.0169). Mechanical ventilation was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) (w1,2,3, p < 0.0500) on linear/logistic regression analysis. The use of glucocorticoids, as well as tocilizumab, was associated with improvements in the number of affected segments in chest CT, FEV1, TLC, and DLCO (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: With better understanding and management of COVID-19, there was an improvement in PFT, 6MWT, and RMS in ICU survivors 3 months after ICU discharge, regardless of the pandemic wave during which they were hospitalized. However, immunomodulation and improved best practices for the management of COVID-19 do not appear to be sufficient to prevent significant morbidity in critically ill patients.

Tocilizumab-Induced Unexpected Increase of Several Inflammatory Cytokines in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: The Anti-Inflammatory Side of IL-6.

Early evidence during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic indicated high levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in patients with severe COVID-19. This led to the off-label use of tocilizumab (TCZ) during the first wave of the pandemic. While the monoclonal antibody blocks IL-6 pathway, its effect on other inflammatory cytokines remains poorly described. To better understand the effect of TCZ on the biological inflammatory profile, we monitored a large panel of inflammatory cytokines in critically ill COVID-19 patients receiving off-label TCZ. Twenty-three patients with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were included in the study, among which 15 patients received TCZ and 8 patients did not. Serum samples were collected for 8 days, before and following TCZ administration or hospital admission for the control group. Serum profile of 12 cytokines (IL-1ß, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12, -13, -17, -18, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and sIL-6R were assessed in these two groups. Although the increased IL-6 concentrations after TCZ infusion were expected, we observed an unexpected increase in IL-1ß, -2, -4, -10, -12p70, -18, and sIL-6R levels in the treated patients with maximal values reaching 2 to 4 days after TCZ. In contrast, no change in cytokine levels was observed in the control group. Our results suggested that some inflammatory pathways escape IL-6R blockade and even appeared amplified. This finding highlights an old observation of the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-6 as already suggested over 20 years ago. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT04346017.

Diversity of life-threatening complications due to Mediterranean spotted fever in returning travelers.

BACKGROUND: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a tick-borne infection caused by Rickettsia conorii conorii mainly endemic in the Mediterranean Basin. Although usually considered as a benign disease, severe forms of MSF have been sporadically reported. METHODS: We report on three patients who developed severe MSF complications after a stay in Morocco. Literature was reviewed to assess the frequency and pattern of MSF complications in the largest reported case series in endemic countries. RESULTS: Each of our three patients diagnosed with MSF presented with a different complicated course: one with meningoencephalitis, one with lung embolism and one with septic shock and multi organ failure. In published series, rate of complications (defined as severe organ involvement) ranged from 1% to 20%. However, study designs and settings were highly variable and did not allow for relevant comparisons. Meningoencephalitis and shock with multi organ failure were the most frequently observed complications. Mortality of severe course was up to 20% in some series. CONCLUSION: Severe organ involvement is not infrequent in patients with Mediterranean spotted fever and fatal outcome is regularly reported. Because presentations of complicated course may be extremely diverse, a high index of suspicion is required in febrile patients with potential exposure, in particular if skin rash and/or eschar are found. Early appropriate antibiotherapy is crucial to improve outcome.

Endogenous endophthalmitis complicating Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in Europe: case report.

PURPOSE: To report the first European case of endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae expressing MagA gene. METHODS: A 33-year-old diabetic patient was admitted for fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography and laboratory studies were performed. On day 4 after admission, patient complained of a painful and red right eye with decreased vision. A complete ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity assessment, slit lamp examination and fundus ophthalmoscopy was started. RESULTS: Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess was diagnosed and antibiotherapy initiated. Polymerase chain reaction revealed that the isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae was serotype K1 and positive for Mag A. Ophthalmological examination disclosed cells in the anterior chamber and an important vitritis. Fundus was barely visible. A diagnosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis complicating liver abscess was made. Intravitreal injection of antibiotics resulted in a preservation of visual acuity. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that rather than being confined to Taiwan, endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae expressing MagA gene, is becoming a global problem.