Diagnostic Value of Serum Biomarkers for Invasive Aspergillosis in Haematologic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological malignancies. Accurate diagnosis of IA is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and the impact of antifungal prophylaxis on biomarker sensitivity. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the diagnostic performance of three serum biomarkers: Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirClia Monotest® (VirClia), Wako ß-D-Glucan Test® (Wako BDG), and MycoGENIE Real-Time PCR® (MycoGENIE PCR). True positives were defined as patients with proven or probable IA (n = 14), with a positive Platelia Aspergillus Antigen® (Platelia) serving as a mycological criterion. True negatives were identified as patients with a positive Platelia assay but classified as non-probable IA (n = 10) and outpatients who consistently tested negative with the Platelia test throughout the study period (n = 20). RESULTS: Most patients diagnosed with proven or probable IA were acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome patients receiving mould-active antifungal prophylaxis or treatment (71%). VirClia demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) for detecting IA, with a specificity of 83%. Wako BDG and MycoGENIE PCR showed lower sensitivities for IA (57% and 64%, respectively). MycoGENIE PCR detected Aspergillus spp. and Mucorales in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis of IA remains challenging, especially in patients who have received mould-active antifungal treatment. VirClia showed comparable performance to Platelia, suggesting its potential for routine use. However, Wako BDG and MycoGENIE PCR results were less favourable in our study cohort. Nevertheless, MycoGENIE PCR detected two probable co-infections with Aspergillus spp. and Mucorales.

High-volume hemofiltration does not protect human kidney endothelial and tubular epithelial cells from septic plasma-induced injury.

High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) could remove from plasma inflammatory mediators involved in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). The IVOIRE trial did not show improvements of outcome and organ dysfunction using HVHF. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the biological effects of plasma of patients treated by HVHF or standard volume hemofiltration (SVHF). We evaluated leukocyte adhesion, apoptosis and functional alterations of endothelial cells (EC) and tubular epithelial cells (TEC). In vitro data were correlated with plasma levels of TNF-α, Fas-Ligand (FasL), CD40-Ligand (CD40L), von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and endothelial-derived microparticles. An experimental model of in vitro hemofiltration using LPS-activated blood was established to assess cytokine mass adsorption during HVHF or SVHF. Plasma concentrations of TNF-ɑ, FasL, CD40L and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were elevated at the start (d1h0) of both HVHF and SVHF, significantly decreased after 6 h (d1h6), remained stable after 12 h (d1h12) and then newly increased at 48 h (d3h0). Plasma levels of all these molecules were similar between HVHF- and SVHF-treated patients at all time points considered. In addition, the levels of endothelial microparticles remained always elevated, suggesting the presence of a persistent microvascular injury. Plasma from septic patients induced leukocyte adhesion on EC and TEC through up-regulation of adhesion receptors. Moreover, on EC, septic plasma induced a cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effect. On TEC, septic plasma exerted a direct pro-apoptotic effect via Fas up-regulation and caspase activation, loss of polarity, altered expression of megalin and tight junction molecules with an impaired ability to internalize albumin. The inhibition of plasma-induced cell injury was concomitant to the decrease of TNF-α, Fas-Ligand and CD40-Ligand levels. The protective effect of both HVHF and SVHF was time-limited, since a further increase of circulating mediators and plasma-induced cell injury was observed after 48 h (d3h0). No significant difference of EC/TEC damage were observed using HVHF- or SVHF-treated plasma. The in vitro hemofiltration model confirmed the absence of a significant modulation of cytokine adsorption between HVHF and SVHF. In comparison to SVHF, HVHF did not increase inflammatory cytokine clearance and did not reverse the detrimental effects of septic plasma-induced EC and TEC injury. Further studies using adsorptive membranes are needed to evaluate the potential role of high dose convective therapies in the limitation of the harmful activity of plasma soluble factors involved in SA-AKI.Trial registration IVOIRE randomized clinical trial; ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00241228) (18/10/2005).

Treatment Outcomes Among Patients With a Positive Candida Culture Close to Randomization Receiving Rezafungin or Caspofungin in the ReSTORE Study.

BACKGROUND: Rezafungin, a novel, once-weekly echinocandin for the treatment of candidemia and/or invasive candidiasis (IC) was noninferior to caspofungin for day 30 all-cause mortality (ACM) and day 14 global cure in the phase 3 ReSTORE trial (NCT03667690). We conducted preplanned subgroup analyses for patients with a positive culture close to randomization in ReSTORE. METHODS: ReSTORE was a multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized trial in patients aged ≥18 years with candidemia and/or IC treated with once-weekly intravenous rezafungin (400 mg/200 mg) or once-daily intravenous caspofungin (70 mg/50 mg). This analysis comprised patients with a positive blood culture drawn between 12 hours before and 72 hours after randomization or a positive culture from another normally sterile site sampled between 48 hours before and 72 hours after randomization. Efficacy endpoints included day 30 ACM, day 14 global cure rate, and day 5 and 14 mycological response. Adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: This analysis included 38 patients randomized to rezafungin and 46 to caspofungin. In the rezafungin and caspofungin groups, respectively, day 30 ACM was 26.3% and 21.7% (between-group difference [95% confidence interval], 4.6% [-13.7%, 23.5%]), day 14 global response was 55.3% and 50.0% (between-group difference, 5.3% [-16.1%, 26.0%]), and day 5 mycological eradication was 71.1% and 50.0% (between-group difference, 21.1% [-0.2%, 40.2%]). Safety was comparable between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the efficacy and safety of rezafungin compared with caspofungin for the treatment of candidemia and/or IC in patients with a positive culture close to randomization, with potential early treatment benefits for rezafungin.

Nivolumab-Induced Cytokine Release Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND CRS (cytokine release syndrome) is a massive activation of the inflammatory system characterized by a supra-physiological rate of inflammatory cytokines. The interleukin 6 cytokine plays a central role in CRS. The main clinical sign of CRS is fever, but CRS can lead to multiple organ failure in severe cases. CRS is usually described in sepsis, more recently in SARS COV-2 infection, and in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. However, it can also be associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which is infrequently described. ICI have growing indications and can lead to CRS by causing an uncontrolled activation of the immune system. There are currently no treatment guidelines for ICI-induced CRS. CASE REPORT We report a rare case of grade 3 CRS induced by nivolumab associated with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin for gastric cancer. The patient was 65-year-old man with an adenocarcinoma of the cardia. CRS developed during the tenth course of treatment and was characterized by fever, hypotension requiring vasopressors, hypoxemia, acute kidney injury, and thrombopenia. The patient was transferred quickly to the Intensive Care Unit. He was treated for suspected sepsis, but it was ruled out after multiple laboratory examinations. There was rapid resolution after infusion of hydrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS The use of ICIs is expanding. Nivolumab-induced CRS is rarely described but can be severe and lead to multiple organ dysfunction; therefore, intensive care practitioners should be informed about this adverse effect. More studies are needed to better understand this condition and establish treatment guidelines.

Interventions to improve appropriateness of laboratory testing in the intensive care unit: a narrative review.

Healthcare expenses are increasing, as is the utilization of laboratory resources. Despite this, between 20% and 40% of requested tests are deemed inappropriate. Improper use of laboratory resources leads to unwanted consequences such as hospital-acquired anemia, infections, increased costs, staff workload and patient stress and discomfort. The most unfavorable consequences result from unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments (overuse) and missed or delayed diagnoses (underuse). In this context, several interventions have been carried out to improve the appropriateness of laboratory testing. To date, there have been few published assessments of interventions specific to the intensive care unit. We reviewed the literature for interventions implemented in the ICU to improve the appropriateness of laboratory testing. We searched literature from 2008 to 2023 in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between April and June 2023. Five intervention categories were identified: education and guidance (E&G), audit and feedback, gatekeeping, computerized physician order entry (including reshaping of ordering panels), and multifaceted interventions (MFI). We included a sixth category exploring the potential role of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-based assisting tools in such interventions. E&G-based interventions and MFI are the most frequently used approaches. MFI is the most effective type of intervention, and shows the strongest persistence of effect over time. AI/ML-based tools may offer valuable assistance to the improvement of appropriate laboratory testing in the near future. Patient safety outcomes are not impaired by interventions to reduce inappropriate testing. The literature focuses mainly on reducing overuse of laboratory tests, with only one intervention mentioning underuse. We highlight an overall poor quality of methodological design and reporting and argue for standardization of intervention methods. Collaboration between clinicians and laboratory staff is key to improve appropriate laboratory utilization. This article offers practical guidance for optimizing the effectiveness of an intervention protocol designed to limit inappropriate use of laboratory resources.

Efficacy and safety of rezafungin and caspofungin in candidaemia and invasive candidiasis: pooled data from two prospective randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Rezafungin, a new US Food and Drug Administration-approved, long-acting echinocandin to treat candidaemia and invasive candidiasis, was efficacious with a similar safety profile to caspofungin in clinical trials. We conducted pooled analyses of the phase 2 STRIVE and phase 3 ReSTORE rezafungin trials. METHODS: ReSTORE was a multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised phase 3 trial conducted at 66 tertiary care centres in 15 countries. STRIVE was a multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised phase 2 trial conducted at 44 centres in 10 countries. Adults (≥18 years) with candidaemia or invasive candidiasis were treated with once-a-week intravenous rezafungin (400 mg and 200 mg) or once-a-day intravenous caspofungin (70 mg and 50 mg). Efficacy was evaluated in a pooled modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population. Primary efficacy endpoint was day 30 all-cause mortality (tested for non-inferiority with a pre-specified margin of 20%). Secondary efficacy endpoint was mycological response. Safety was also evaluated. The STRIVE and ReSTORE trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02734862 and NCT03667690, and both studies are complete. FINDINGS: ReSTORE was conducted from Oct 12, 2018, to Oct 11, 2021, and STRIVE from July 26, 2016, to April 18, 2019. The mITT population, pooling the data from the two trials, comprised 139 patients for rezafungin and 155 patients for caspofungin. Day 30 all-cause mortality rates were comparable between groups (19% [26 of 139] for the rezafungin group and 19% [30 of 155] for the caspofungin group) and the upper bound of the 95% CI for the weighted treatment difference was below 10% (-1·5% [95% CI -10·7 to 7·7]). Mycological eradication occurred by day 5 in 102 (73%) of 139 rezafungin patients and 100 (65%) of 155 caspofungin patients (weighted treatment difference 10·0% [95% CI -0·3 to 20·4]). Safety profiles were similar across groups. INTERPRETATION: Rezafungin was non-inferior to caspofungin for all-cause mortality, with a potential early treatment benefit, possibly reflecting rezafungin's front-loaded dosing regimen. These findings are of clinical importance in fighting active and aggressive infections and reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by candidaemia and invasive candidiasis. FUNDING: Melinta Therapeutics and Cidara Therapeutics.

Adsorptive Therapies in Sepsis and Inflammation: Description of the Various Adsorptive Techniques and their Failure to Improve Outcomes

ABSTRACT Blood purification as an adjunctive therapy has been studied for several decades. In this review, we will focus on the most recent studies, particularly on adsorption techniques. These include hemofilters with adsorptive membranes, both endotoxin-specific and non-specific. In addition, we will discuss sorbents that target endotoxins, as well as devices that non-selectively capture viruses and bacteria. For each technique, we will also explore the reasons why blood purification methods have thus far failed to improve survival. Conventionally, reasons for the lack of success in blood purification techniques have been attributed to the need for better patient stratification through bedside measurements of interleukins and endotoxins. The choice of assay is also crucial, with endotoxin activity assays being preferable to other forms of limulus amoebocyte lysate assays. Another critical factor is timing, as administering blood purification at the wrong moment can potentially harm the patient. Mechanistic studies are still lacking for most devices, leaving us to treat patients blindly, except in endotoxin cases. In the context of viruses, especially COVID-19, we require a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in viral replication, as this could significantly impact the efficacy of blood purification techniques. The failures highlighted for each device should be viewed as potential areas for improvement. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful that these techniques will eventually succeed and prove beneficial in the future.

Adsorptive therapies in sepsis and inflammation: description of the various adsorptive techniques and their failure to improve outcomes.

Blood purification as an adjunctive therapy has been studied for several decades. In this review, we will focus on the most recent studies, particularly on adsorption techniques. These include hemofilters with adsorptive membranes, both endotoxin-specific and non-specific. In addition, we will discuss sorbents that target endotoxins, as well as devices that non-selectively capture viruses and bacteria. For each technique, we will also explore the reasons why blood purification methods have thus far failed to improve survival. Conventionally, reasons for the lack of success in blood purification techniques have been attributed to the need for better patient stratification through bedside measurements of interleukins and endotoxins. The choice of assay is also crucial, with endotoxin activity assays being preferable to other forms of limulus amoebocyte lysate assays. Another critical factor is timing, as administering blood purification at the wrong moment can potentially harm the patient. Mechanistic studies are still lacking for most devices, leaving us to treat patients blindly, except in endotoxin cases. In the context of viruses, especially COVID-19, we require a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in viral replication, as this could significantly impact the efficacy of blood purification techniques. The failures highlighted for each device should be viewed as potential areas for improvement. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful that these techniques will eventually succeed and prove beneficial in the future.