Heart transplantation as salvage treatment of intractable infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: For infective endocarditis (IE) with extensive perivalvular lesions or end-stage cardiac failure, heart transplantation (HT) may be the last resort. METHODS: We retrospectively collected all cases of HT for IE within the International Collaboration on Endocarditis (ICE) network. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2021, 20 patients (5 women, 15 men), median age 50 years [interquartile range, 29-61], underwent HT for IE in Spain (n = 9), France (n = 6), Switzerland (n = 2), Colombia, Croatia, and USA (n = 1). IE affected prosthetic (n = 10), and native valves (n = 10), primarily aortic (n = 11) and mitral (n = 6). The main pathogens were oral streptococci (n = 8), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5), and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 2). The major complications included heart failure (n = 18), peri-annular abscess (n = 10), and prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 4). Eighteen patients had previous cardiac surgery for this episode of IE, and four were on circulatory support before HT (left ventricular assist-device and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, 2 patients each). The median time interval between first symptoms of IE and HT was 44.5 days [22-91.5]. The main post-HT complication was acute rejection (n = 6). Seven patients died (35%), four during the first month post-HT. Thirteen (81%) of the 16 patients discharged from the hospital survived with a median follow-up of 35.5 months [4-96.5] after HT, and no relapse of IE. CONCLUSIONS: IE is not an absolute contraindication for HT: Our case series and the literature review support that HT may be considered as a salvage treatment in highly-selected patients with intractable IE.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of infective endocarditis due to Abiotrophia and Granulicatella compared to Viridans group streptococci.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of Abiotrophia and Granulicatella infective endocarditis and compare them with Viridans group streptococci infective endocarditis. METHODS: All patients in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis (ICE) - prospective cohort study (PCS) and the ICE-PLUS cohort were included (n = 8112). Data from patients with definitive or possible IE due to Abiotrophia species, Granulicatella species and Viridans group streptococci was analyzed. A propensity score (PS) analysis comparing the ABI/GRA-IE and VGS-IE groups according to a 1:2 ratio was performed. RESULTS: Forty-eight (0.64%) cases of ABI/GRA-IE and 1,292 (17.2%) VGS-IE were included in the analysis. The median age of patients with ABI/GRA-IE was lower than VGS-IE (48.1 years vs. 57.9 years; p = 0.001). Clinical features and the rate of in-hospital surgery was similar between ABI/GRA-IE and VGS-IE (52.1% vs. 45.4%; p = 0.366). Unadjusted in-hospital death was lower in ABI/GRA-IE than VGS-IE (2.1% vs. 8.8%; p = 0.003), and cumulative six-month mortality was lower in ABI/GRA-IE than VGS-IE (2.1% vs. 11.9%; p<0.001). After PS analysis, in-hospital mortality was similar in both groups, but six-month mortality was lower in the ABI/GRA IE group (2.1% vs. 10.4%; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ABI/GRA-IE were younger, had similar clinical features and rates of surgery and better prognosis than VGS-IE.

Infective Endocarditis in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a common and serious complication in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD). OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate whether there are significant differences in complications, cardiac surgery, relapses, and mortality between IE cases in HD and non-HD patients. METHODS: Prospective cohort study (International Collaboration on Endocarditis databases, encompassing 7,715 IE episodes from 2000 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2012). Descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics, epidemiological and etiological features, complications and outcomes, and their comparison between HD and non-HD patients was performed. Risk factors for major embolic events, cardiac surgery, relapses, and in-hospital and 6-month mortality were investigated in HD-patients using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 6,691 patients were included and 553 (8.3%) received HD. North America had a higher HD-IE proportion than the other regions. The predominant microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (47.8%), followed by enterococci (15.4%). Both in-hospital and 6-month mortality were significantly higher in HD versus non-HD-IE patients (30.4% vs. 17% and 39.8% vs. 20.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). Cardiac surgery was less frequently performed among HD patients (30.6% vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001), whereas relapses were higher (9.4% vs. 2.7%; p < 0.001). Risk factors for 6-month mortality included Charlson score (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11 to 1.44; p = 0.001), CNS emboli and other emboli (HR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.84 to 5.27; p < 0.001; and HR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.93; p = 0.04, respectively), persistent bacteremia (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.88; p = 0.02), and acute onset heart failure (HR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.49 to 3.78; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HD-IE is a health care-associated infection chiefly caused by S. aureus, with increasing rates of enterococcal IE. Mortality and relapses are very high and significantly larger than in non-HD-IE patients, whereas cardiac surgery is less frequently performed.

Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis: Characteristics and Outcomes From a Large, Multinational Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) are an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis (IE). The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with BHS IE in a large multinational cohort and compare them with patients with viridans streptococcal IE. METHODS: The International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study (ICE-PCS) is a large multinational database that recruited patients with IE prospectively using a standardized data set. Sixty-four sites in 28 countries reported patients prospectively using a standard case report form developed by ICE collaborators. RESULTS: Among 1336 definite cases of streptococcal IE, 823 were caused by VGS and 147 by BHS. Patients with BHS IE had a lower prevalence of native valve (P < .005) and congenital heart disease predisposition (P = .002), but higher prevalence of implantable cardiac device predisposition (P < .005). Clinically, they were more likely to present acutely (P < .005) and with fever (P = .024). BHS IE was more likely to be complicated by stroke and other systemic emboli (P < .005). The overall in-hospital mortality of BHS IE was significantly higher than that of VGS IE (P = .001). In univariate analysis, variables associated with in-hospital mortality for BHS IE were age (odds ratio [OR], 1.044; P = .004), prosthetic valve IE (OR, 3.029; P = .022), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.513; P = .034), and stroke (OR, 3.198; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: BHS IE is characterized by an acute presentation and higher rate of stroke, systemic emboli, and in-hospital mortality than VGS IE. Implantable cardiac devices as a predisposing factor were more often found in BHS IE compared with VGS IE.

The Emperor's New Clothes: PRospective Observational Evaluation of the Association Between Initial VancomycIn Exposure and Failure Rates Among ADult HospitalizEd Patients With Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections (PROVIDE).

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is the most commonly administered antibiotic in hospitalized patients, but optimal exposure targets remain controversial. To clarify the therapeutic exposure range, this study evaluated the association between vancomycin exposure and outcomes in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter (n = 14), observational study of 265 hospitalized adults with MRSA bacteremia treated with vancomycin. The primary outcome was treatment failure (TF), defined as 30-day mortality or persistent bacteremia ≥7 days. Secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury (AKI). The study was powered to compare TF between patients who achieved or did not achieve day 2 area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) thresholds previously found to be associated with lower incidences of TF. The thresholds, analyzed separately as co-primary endpoints, were AUC/MIC by broth microdilution ≥650 and AUC/MIC by Etest ≥320. RESULTS: Treatment failure and AKI occurred in 18% and 26% of patients, respectively. Achievement of the prespecified day 2 AUC/MIC thresholds was not associated with less TF. Alternative day 2 AUC/MIC thresholds associated with lower TF risks were not identified. A relationship between the day 2 AUC and AKI was observed. Patients with day 2 AUC ≤515 experienced the best global outcomes (no TF and no AKI). CONCLUSIONS: Higher vancomycin exposures did not confer a lower TF risk but were associated with more AKI. The findings suggest that vancomycin dosing should be guided by the AUC and day 2 AUCs should be ≤515. As few patients had day 2 AUCs <400, further study is needed to define the lower bound of the therapeutic range.

Effect of Algorithm-Based Therapy vs Usual Care on Clinical Success and Serious Adverse Events in Patients with Staphylococcal Bacteremia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The appropriate duration of antibiotics for staphylococcal bacteremia is unknown. Objective: To test whether an algorithm that defines treatment duration for staphylococcal bacteremia vs standard of care provides noninferior efficacy without increasing severe adverse events. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized trial involving adults with staphylococcal bacteremia was conducted at 16 academic medical centers in the United States (n = 15) and Spain (n = 1) from April 2011 to March 2017. Patients were followed up for 42 days beyond end of therapy for those with Staphylococcus aureus and 28 days for those with coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia. Eligible patients were 18 years or older and had 1 or more blood cultures positive for S aureus or coagulase-negative staphylococci. Patients were excluded if they had known or suspected complicated infection at the time of randomization. Interventions: Patients were randomized to algorithm-based therapy (n = 255) or usual practice (n = 254). Diagnostic evaluation, antibiotic selection, and duration of therapy were predefined for the algorithm group, whereas clinicians caring for patients in the usual practice group had unrestricted choice of antibiotics, duration, and other aspects of clinical care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Coprimary outcomes were (1) clinical success, as determined by a blinded adjudication committee and tested for noninferiority within a 15% margin; and (2) serious adverse event rates in the intention-to-treat population, tested for superiority. The prespecified secondary outcome measure, tested for superiority, was antibiotic days among per-protocol patients with simple or uncomplicated bacteremia. Results: Among the 509 patients randomized (mean age, 56.6 [SD, 16.8] years; 226 [44.4%] women), 480 (94.3%) completed the trial. Clinical success was documented in 209 of 255 patients assigned to algorithm-based therapy and 207 of 254 randomized to usual practice (82.0% vs 81.5%; difference, 0.5% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -6.2% to ∞]). Serious adverse events were reported in 32.5% of algorithm-based therapy patients and 28.3% of usual practice patients (difference, 4.2% [95% CI, -3.8% to 12.2%]). Among per-protocol patients with simple or uncomplicated bacteremia, mean duration of therapy was 4.4 days for algorithm-based therapy vs 6.2 days for usual practice (difference, -1.8 days [95% CI, -3.1 to -0.6]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with staphylococcal bacteremia, the use of an algorithm to guide testing and treatment compared with usual care resulted in a noninferior rate of clinical success. Rates of serious adverse events were not significantly different, but interpretation is limited by wide confidence intervals. Further research is needed to assess the utility of the algorithm. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01191840.

Across state lines: Fulminant Babesia microti infection in a liver transplant recipient.

The potential for transmission of Babesia microti by blood transfusion is well recognized. Physicians may be unaware that products used for transfusion may be collected from geographically diverse regions. We describe a liver transplant recipient in South Carolina who likely acquired B. microti infection from a unit of blood collected in Minnesota.

Predictors of immune reconstitution syndrome in organ transplant recipients with cryptococcosis: implications for the management of immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors including how changes in immunosuppression influence the occurrence of immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with cryptococcosis have not been fully defined. METHODS: SOT recipients with cryptococcosis were identified and followed for 12 months. IRS was defined based on previously proposed criteria. RESULTS: Of 89 SOT recipients, 13 (14%) developed IRS. Central nervous system (CNS) disease (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.23; P = .03) and discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitor (AOR, 5.11; P = .02) were independently associated with IRS. Only 2.6% (1/13) of the patients without these risk factors developed IRS compared with 18.8% (6/32) with 1 risk factor, and 50% (6/12) with both risk factors (χ(2) for trend, P = .0001). Among patients with CNS disease, those with neuroimaging abnormalities (P = .03) were more likely to develop IRS, irrespective of serum or CSF cryptococcal antigen titers and fungemia. Graft rejection after cryptococcosis was observed in 15.4% (2/13) of the patients with IRS compared with 2.6% (2/76) of those without IRS (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: We determined variables that pose a risk for IRS and have shown that discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors was independently associated with 5-fold increased risk of IRS in transplant recipients with cryptococcosis.

Mediastinal mass and pericardial tamponade in a renal transplant recipient: A rare case of nocardia infection.

PATIENT: Female, 30 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Nocardiosis Symptoms: Cardiac tamponade • cough • dyspnea • hoarseness • mediastinal mass • pericardial effusion • short of breath MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Transplantology. OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Nocardia infections can complicate solid organ transplantation. The usual clinical presentations include pulmonary infiltrates with or without cavitation and subcutaneous and brain abscesses. We report an unusual case of nocardia infection in a kidney transplant recipient that presented as mediastinal mass and was associated with pericardial tamponade. CASE REPORT: A 30 year old African American renal transplant recipient presented with cough, hoarseness and shortness of breath nine months after kidney transplantation. She received basiliximab perioperatively and her maintenance immunosuppression included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large mediastinal mass with a large pericardial effusion. An echocardiogram revealed collapse of the right ventricle consistent with tamponade. We performed emergent pericardiocentesis to treat the tamponade. A mediastinoscopic biopsy of the mediastinal mass was done to establish a diagnosis. The mediastinal biopsy confirmed the growth of Nocardia. After 2 weeks of imipenem and 6 weeks of linezolid, there was marked radiographic improvement in the size of the mediastinal mass. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of a large mediastinal mass associated with pericardial tamponade from nocardia infection in a renal transplant recipient. An invasive approach may be necessary to obtain tissue diagnosis to direct treatment in these cases. Prompt and appropriate medical therapy leads to marked radiographic improvement.

HACEK infective endocarditis: characteristics and outcomes from a large, multi-national cohort.

The HACEK organisms (Haemophilus species, Aggregatibacter species, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella species) are rare causes of infective endocarditis (IE). The objective of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with HACEK endocarditis (HE) in a large multi-national cohort. Patients hospitalized with definite or possible infective endocarditis by the International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study in 64 hospitals from 28 countries were included and characteristics of HE patients compared with IE due to other pathogens. Of 5591 patients enrolled, 77 (1.4%) had HE. HE was associated with a younger age (47 vs. 61 years; p<0.001), a higher prevalence of immunologic/vascular manifestations (32% vs. 20%; p<0.008) and stroke (25% vs. 17% p = 0.05) but a lower prevalence of congestive heart failure (15% vs. 30%; p = 0.004), death in-hospital (4% vs. 18%; p = 0.001) or after 1 year follow-up (6% vs. 20%; p = 0.01) than IE due to other pathogens (n = 5514). On multivariable analysis, stroke was associated with mitral valve vegetations (OR 3.60; CI 1.34-9.65; p<0.01) and younger age (OR 0.62; CI 0.49-0.90; p<0.01). The overall outcome of HE was excellent with the in-hospital mortality (4%) significantly better than for non-HE (18%; p<0.001). Prosthetic valve endocarditis was more common in HE (35%) than non-HE (24%). The outcome of prosthetic valve and native valve HE was excellent whether treated medically or with surgery. Current treatment is very successful for the management of both native valve prosthetic valve HE but further studies are needed to determine why HE has a predilection for younger people and to cause stroke. The small number of patients and observational design limit inferences on treatment strategies. Self selection of study sites limits epidemiological inferences.

Detection of antibody against fungal glucosylceramide in immunocompromised patients: a potential new diagnostic approach for cryptococcosis.

We have developed an ELISA to determine the value of anti-glucosylceramide antibody for the prediction of disseminated cryptococcosis in immunocompromised subjects and performed a clinical prospective study at the Medical University of South Carolina. The study enrolled a total of 53 patients who were free of active fungal diseases at the time of enrollment but at risk of developing one because they were all immunocompromised, e.g., (1) patients positive for HIV and (2) patients post- or awaiting solid organ transplantation. Among 53 patients enrolled, two patients developed invasive cryptococcosis, and in both patients, IgM anti-GlcCer was detected in sera using the ELISA at least 6 weeks prior to the clinical presentation of the brain disease. These results were corroborated by a cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay, which was also positive in serum prior to the development of meningoencephalitis. However, a high number of positive results were also detected in patients with no evidence of cryptococcosis. This study highlights the potential utility of this new assay in early diagnostic testing algorithms for patients at risk for cryptococcosis, but further investigations are needed to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the glucosylceramide ELISA as a predictor of cryptococcosis.

Pulmonary nocardiosis: computed tomography features at diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To review the computed tomography (CT) imaging features of pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) at the time of initial presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients from 1991 to 2008 with PN were identified (n=105). Patients without CT scan available at initial presentation were excluded (n=52). For the remaining 53 patients, standardized radiographic features were recorded. The patients were grouped by predisposing condition. Analysis includes descriptive summary statistics as well as associations among radiographic findings, associated findings, and host characteristics. Parametric and nonparametric statistical methods were used. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 52 years (range, 6 to 82 y). Some form of immunosuppression was present in 83% of the cases. Preexisting structural abnormalities of the lung were uncommon (bronchiectasis, 7; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 3). Twenty (38%) patients had interstitial opacities. Airspace disease was seen in 34 (64%) cases. Thirty (57%) cases revealed discrete nodules, 25 patients had 1 to 6 nodules (mean, 2), and 5 patients had fewer than 6 nodules, with the mean size of the largest nodule being 1.67 cm. Masses were seen in 11 patients (21%), 9 of whom had concomitant nodules. Cavitary lesions, including nodules, masses, or airspace disease, occurred in 40% of the cohort. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was present in 8 (15%) patients. Fifteen patients (28%) had pleural effusions; the effusions were unilateral in 10 patients. Analysis of radiographic associations with patient groups found discrete nodules to be more often associated with immunosuppression compared with the nonimmunosuppressed group (66% vs. 11%; P=0.0067). CONCLUSION: The CT presentation of PN is heterogeneous. Airspace disease appeared most frequently (in 64% of the cases), and nodules were present in 57% of the cases. Nocardiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of immunosuppressed patients with new nodules or masses.

Impact of regional comorbidity on infective endocarditis in a southeastern United States medical center.

INTRODUCTION: Recent reports differ regarding microbiologic and epidemiologic characteristics of infectious endocarditis (IE). The authors studied cases presenting to our institution from 2001 to 2006, hypothesizing regional variation in patient populations and comorbidity (especially end-stage renal disease) significantly impact IE causative factors and presentation, which may account for conflicting reports in the literature. METHODS: Consecutive IE cases were prospectively identified and characterized. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus IE. Incidence of IE in populations on and not on hemodialysis (HD) was estimated, and relative frequency of IE in the population requiring HD was calculated. RESULTS: Of 160 cases, infection was community acquired in 48.8%, nonnosocomial healthcare-associated in 35.6% and nosocomial in 15%. S aureus caused infection in 47.5%. No contribution of referral bias to the predominance of S aureus infection was detected. Factors significantly associated with S aureus infection included symptom duration <1 month, HD and persistent bacteremia. Transthoracic echocardiography was less sensitive in detecting IE in community-acquired infection in comparison with nosocomial infection (P = 0.0383). Estimation of IE incidence in the population on HD relative to the population not on HD revealed a 129- to 174-fold increased incidence of IE in this population. S aureus caused IE in 76.2% of patients on HD. CONCLUSION: S aureus is the most frequent cause of IE at our Southeastern institution. Healthcare-associated acquisition, particularly HD, influenced this epidemiological trend. In populations with a high prevalence of HD, the epidemiology of IE may reflect the increased incidence of HD-associated IE caused by S aureus.

Geographic differences in disease expression of cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant recipients in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Whether there are geographic differences in clinical presentation of cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in the United States (US) is not known. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients comprised a cohort of 120 SOT recipients from US transplant centers who fulfilled the EORTC/MSG criteria for cryptococcal disease. RESULTS: Central nervous system, pulmonary, and cutaneous cryptococcal disease were observed in 51% (61/120), 64% (77/120), and 15% (18/120) of the patients, respectively. Cutaneous disease was documented in 9% (3/32) of the patients from South Atlantic region, 19% (6/32) from Mid Atlantic, 26% (6/23) from Southern, 7% (2/29) from Midwestern, and in 1 of 4 patients from the Northwestern region of the US. When controlled for age, immunosuppressive regimen, type of transplant, and renal failure at baseline, patients from the Southern compared with other regions of the US were significantly more likely to have cutaneous cryptococcal disease (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.1-14, P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Post-transplant cryptococcosis is more likely to present with cutaneous disease in the Southern region compared with other regions in the US. This predilection for cutaneous cryptococcosis could not be explained on the basis of differences in immunosuppression or the type of transplant. Whether our findings are related to strain-related variations in characteristics of the yeast or other transplant variables remains to be determined.

Unrecognized pretransplant and donor­derived cryptococcal disease in organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis occurring ≤30 days after transplantation is an unusual event, and its characteristics are not known. METHODS: Patients included 175 solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients with cryptococcosis in a multicenter cohort. Very early-onset and late-onset cryptococcosis were defined as disease occurring ≤30 days or >30 days after transplantation, respectively. RESULTS: Very early-onset disease developed in 9 (5%) of the 175 patients at a mean of 5.7 days after transplantation. Overall, 55.6% (5 of 9) of the patients with very early-onset disease versus 25.9% (43 of 166) of the patients with late-onset disease were liver transplant recipients (P = .05). Very early cases were more likely to present with disease at unusual locations, including transplanted allograft and surgical fossa/site infections (55.6% vs 7.2%; P < .001). Two very early cases with onset on day 1 after transplantation (in a liver transplant recipient with Cryptococcus isolated from the lung and a heart transplant recipient with fungemia) likely were the result of undetected pretransplant disease. An additional 5 cases involving the allograft or surgical sites were likely the result of donor‐acquired infection. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of SOT recipients with cryptococcosis present very early after transplantation with disease that appears to occur preferentially in liver transplant recipients and involves unusual sites, such as the transplanted organ or the surgical site. These patients may have unrecognized pretransplant or donor-derived cryptococcosis.

Can preemptive cytomegalovirus monitoring be as effective as universal prophylaxis when implemented as the standard of care in patients at moderate risk?

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and cost in solid organ transplant recipients. This study was conducted to measure both the clinical efficacy and the pharmacoeconomic impact of implementing, as standard of care, an abbreviated preemptive monitoring strategy compared with universal prophylaxis in a large teaching hospital. METHODS: This prospective observational study included only recipients at moderate risk for CMV infection, specifically recipients who were CMV seropositive before transplant. Recipients transplanted between February 2006 and December 2006 received prophylactic valganciclovir for 90 days after transplant, and those transplanted between January 2007 and December 2007 were enrolled in a preemptive monitoring strategy that included no anti-CMV prophylaxis but instead used serial CMV polymerase chain reactions in weeks 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 to monitor the development of CMV DNAemia. Costs were analyzed from a societal perspective. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were included in this study. Baseline and transplant demographics are well matched between groups. CMV syndrome occurred in three patients in each group, and one patient in the preemptive group developed CMV disease. Thirty-seven percent of patients in the preemptive group developed CMV DNAemia, 68% of these patients received antiviral therapy. Personnel and laboratory monitoring costs were significantly higher in the preemptive group, whereas medication cost was significantly higher in the prophylaxis group. CONCLUSIONS: Although outcomes and the overall cost of (1) universal prophylaxis and (2) preemptive monitoring are similar, universal prophylaxis places the cost burden on the patient whereas preemptive monitoring shifts the cost burden to the healthcare system.

Identifying predictors of central nervous system disease in solid organ transplant recipients with cryptococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is often deferred in patients with cryptococcal disease, particularly in the absence of neurologic manifestations. We sought to determine whether a subset of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with high likelihood of central nervous system (CNS) disease could be identified in whom CSF analysis must be performed. METHODS: Patients comprised a multicenter cohort of SOT recipients with cryptococcosis. RESULTS: Of 129 (88%) of 146 SOT recipients with cryptococcosis who underwent CSF analysis, 80 (62%) had CNS disease. In the overall study population, abnormal mental status, time to onset of cryptococcosis more than 24 months posttransplantation (late-onset disease), serum cryptococcal antigen titer more than 1:64, and fungemia were independently associated with an increased risk of CNS disease. Of patients with abnormal mental status, 95% had CNS cryptococcosis. When only patients with normal mental status were considered, three predictors (serum antigen titer >1:64, fungemia, and late-onset disease) independently identified patients with CNS cryptococcosis; the risk of CNS disease was 14% if none, 39% if one, and 94% if two of the aforementioned predictors existed (chi for trend P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CSF analysis should be strongly considered in SOT recipients with cryptococcosis who have late-onset disease, fungemia, or serum cryptococcal antigen titer more than 1:64 even in the presence of normal mental status.

Cutaneous cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant recipients.

Clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of cutaneous cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are not fully defined. In a prospective cohort comprising 146 SOT recipients with cryptococcosis, we describe the presentation, antifungal therapy, and outcome of cutaneous cryptococcal disease. Cutaneous cryptococcosis was documented in 26/146 (17.8%) of the patients and manifested as nodular/mass (34.8%), maculopapule (30.4%), ulcer/pustule/abscess (30.4%), and cellulitis (30.4%) with 65.2% of the skin lesions occurred in the lower extremities. Localized disease developed in 30.8% (8/26), and disseminated disease in 69.2% (18/26) with involvement of the central nervous system (88.9%, 16/18), lung (33.3%, 6/18), or fungemia (55.6%, 10/18). Fluconazole (37.5%) was employed most often for localized and lipid formulations of amphotericin B (61.1%) for disseminated disease. Overall mortality at 90 days was 15.4% (4/26) with 16.7% in disseminated and 12.5% in localized disease (P = 0.78). SOT recipients who died were more likely to have renal failure (75.0% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.028), longer time to onset of disease after transplantation (87.5 vs. 22.6 months, P = 0.023), and abnormal mental status (75% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.028) than those who survived. Cutaneous cryptococcosis represents disseminated disease in most SOT recipients and preferentially involves the extremities. Outcomes with appropriate management were comparable between SOT recipients with localized and disseminated cryptococcosis.

Lipid formulations of amphotericin B significantly improve outcome in solid organ transplant recipients with central nervous system cryptococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Whether outcome of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant recipients treated with lipid formulations of amphotericin B is different from the outcome of the condition treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) is not known. METHODS: We performed a multicenter study involving a cohort comprising consecutive solid organ transplant recipients with CNS cryptococcosis. RESULTS: Of 75 patients treated with polyenes as induction regimens, 55 (73.3%) received lipid formulations of amphotericin B and 20 (26.7%) received AmBd. Similar proportions of patients in both groups had renal failure at baseline (P = .94 ). Overall, mortality at 90 days was 10.9% in the group that received lipid formulations of amphotericin B and 40.0% in the group that received AmBd. In univariate analysis, nonreceipt of calcineurin inhibitors (P = .034), renal failure at baseline (P = .016), and fungemia (P = .003) were significantly associated with mortality. Compared with AmBd, lipid formulations of amphotericin B were associated with a lower mortality (P = .007). Mortality did not differ between patients receiving lipid formulations of amphotericin B with or without flucytosine (P = .349). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, renal failure at baseline (odds ratio [OR], 4.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-20.80; P = .047) and fungemia (OR, 10.66; 95% CI, 2.08-54.55; P = .004 ) were associated with an increased mortality, whereas lipid formulations of amphotericin B were associated with a lower mortality (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.57; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Lipid formulations of amphotericin B were independently associated with better outcome and may be considered as the first-line treatment for CNS cryptococcosis in these patients.