Left ventricular assist device-associated driveline infections as a specific form of complicated skin and soft tissue infection/acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection - issues and therapeutic options.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review comments on the current guidelines for the treatment of wound infections under definition of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). However, wound infections around a catheter, such as driveline infections of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are not specifically listed under this definition in any of the existing guidelines. RECENT FINDINGS: Definitions and classification of LVAD infections may vary across countries, and the existing guidelines and recommendations may not be equally interpreted among physicians, making it unclear if these infections can be considered as ABSSSI. Consequently, the use of certain antibiotics that are approved for ABSSSI may be considered as 'off-label' for LVAD infections, leading to rejection of reimbursement applications in some countries, affecting treatment strategies, and hence, patients' outcomes. However, we believe driveline exit site infections related to LVAD can be included within the ABSSSI definition. SUMMARY: We argue that driveline infections meet the criteria for ABSSSI which would enlarge the 'on-label' antibiotic armamentarium for treating these severe infections, thereby improving the patients' quality of life.

In-depth profiling of COVID-19 risk factors and preventive measures in healthcare workers.

PURPOSE: To determine risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare workers (HCWs), characterize symptoms, and evaluate preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 spread in hospitals. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study conducted between May 27 and August 12, 2020, after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we obtained serological, epidemiological, occupational as well as COVID-19-related data at a quaternary care, multicenter hospital in Munich, Germany. RESULTS: 7554 HCWs participated, 2.2% of whom tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed increased COVID-19 risk for nurses (3.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 2.5-3.9%, p = 0.012), staff working on COVID-19 units (4.6% seropositivity, 95% CI 3.2-6.5%, p = 0.032), males (2.4% seropositivity, 95% CI 1.8-3.2%, p = 0.019), and HCWs reporting high-risk exposures to infected patients (5.5% seropositivity, 95% CI 4.0-7.5%, p = 0.0022) or outside of work (12.0% seropositivity, 95% CI 8.0-17.4%, p < 0.0001). Smoking was a protective factor (1.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 0.7-1.8% p = 0.00018) and the symptom taste disorder was strongly associated with COVID-19 (29.8% seropositivity, 95% CI 24.3-35.8%, p < 0.0001). An unbiased decision tree identified subgroups with different risk profiles. Working from home as a preventive measure did not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. A PCR-testing strategy focused on symptoms and high-risk exposures detected all larger COVID-19 outbreaks. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the identified COVID-19 risk factors and successful surveillance strategies are key to protecting HCWs against SARS-CoV-2, especially in settings with limited vaccination capacities or reduced vaccine efficacy.

Routine intraoperative microbiological smear testing in patients with reoperation after elective degenerative non-instrumented spine surgery-useful or negligible adjunct.

PURPOSE: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a rare but dreaded cause for recurrent symptomatology requiring reoperation after degenerative spine surgery. We here aim to elucidate if routine microbiological smear testing during reoperation might be a useful tool for subsequent patient management. METHODS: We investigated clinical, laboratory/imaging characteristics, and outcome of patients undergoing reoperation in the previously affected segment during follow-up after elective degenerative non-instrumented spine surgery. Microbiological cultures via multiple intraoperative smear tests of the superficial/deep wound layers were routinely performed and correlated with clinical/imaging/laboratory/surgical signs for SSI and outcome. RESULTS: From altogether 2552 patients with degenerative spine surgery in 2014-2019, a total of 62 patients (m:f = 1.6:1, median 69 years) underwent same-level reoperation due to recurrent symptomatology (mean ∆-time:17 ± 36 months) with a predominance of the lumbar spine (90%). In 9 patients with imaging/laboratory suspicious for SSI, microbiological culturing of intraoperative smear testing revealed conclusive pathogen growth in 89% (100% with additional PCR analysis); the predominant pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus with detection mainly in the deep wound layers. In contrast, in 53 patients without clinical/imaging/laboratory/intraoperative signs for SSI microbiological culturing showed minor pathogen growth in 15% displaying bacterial colonization/contamination of the surgical site. The predominant pathogens in this cohort were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes, and these patients had favorable outcomes when monitored with close surveillance without anti-infective treatment. CONCLUSION: Bacterial colonization/contamination occurs in 15% of patients without signs of infection undergoing same-level reoperation after degenerative spine surgery. These patients can be managed with close surveillance without antibiotic treatment.

Prospective Longitudinal Serosurvey of Healthcare Workers in the First Wave of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic in a Quaternary Care Hospital in Munich, Germany.

BACKGROUND: High infection rates among healthcare personnel in an uncontained pandemic can paralyze health systems due to staff shortages. Risk constellations and rates of seroconversion for healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are still largely unclear. METHODS: Healthcare personnel (n = 300) on different organizational units in the LMU Munich University Hospital were included and followed in this prospective longitudinal study from 24 March until 7 July 2020. Participants were monitored in intervals of 2 to 6 weeks using different antibody assays for serological testing and questionnaires to evaluate risk contacts. In a subgroup of infected participants, we obtained nasopharyngeal swabs to perform whole-genome sequencing for outbreak characterization. RESULTS: HCWs involved in patient care on dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards or on regular non-COVID-19 wards showed a higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion than staff in the emergency department and non-frontline personnel. The landscape of risk contacts in these units was dynamic, with a decrease in unprotected risk contacts in the emergency department and an increase on non-COVID-19 wards. Both intensity and number of risk contacts were associated with higher rates of seroconversion. On regular wards, staff infections tended to occur in clusters, while infections on COVID-19 wards were less frequent and apparently independent of each other. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for frontline HCWs was increased during the first pandemic wave in southern Germany. Stringent measures for infection control are essential to protect all patient-facing staff during the ongoing pandemic.

Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 followed by community and nosocomial spread, Germany, February to May 2020.

BackgroundIn the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, viral genomes are available at unprecedented speed, but spatio-temporal bias in genome sequence sampling precludes phylogeographical inference without additional contextual data.AimWe applied genomic epidemiology to trace SARS-CoV-2 spread on an international, national and local level, to illustrate how transmission chains can be resolved to the level of a single event and single person using integrated sequence data and spatio-temporal metadata.MethodsWe investigated 289 COVID-19 cases at a university hospital in Munich, Germany, between 29 February and 27 May 2020. Using the ARTIC protocol, we obtained near full-length viral genomes from 174 SARS-CoV-2-positive respiratory samples. Phylogenetic analyses using the Auspice software were employed in combination with anamnestic reporting of travel history, interpersonal interactions and perceived high-risk exposures among patients and healthcare workers to characterise cluster outbreaks and establish likely scenarios and timelines of transmission.ResultsWe identified multiple independent introductions in the Munich Metropolitan Region during the first weeks of the first pandemic wave, mainly by travellers returning from popular skiing areas in the Alps. In these early weeks, the rate of presumable hospital-acquired infections among patients and in particular healthcare workers was high (9.6% and 54%, respectively) and we illustrated how transmission chains can be dissected at high resolution combining virus sequences and spatio-temporal networks of human interactions.ConclusionsEarly spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe was catalysed by superspreading events and regional hotspots during the winter holiday season. Genomic epidemiology can be employed to trace viral spread and inform effective containment strategies.

A detailed report on the measures taken in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology in Munich at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The corona disease (COVID-19) is developing into one of the greatest challenges for healthcare professionals around the world. In this article, we report the detailed actions taken in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany, during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After a joint on-site inspection of the dental clinic with the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, existing clinical and hygiene protocols were adapted for COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: A comprehensive summary of the preparation of the facilities as well as pre- treatment, treatment and posttreatment protocols are described and arising problems are being discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of rigorous hygiene and treatment protocols as well as a sufficient supply of PPE for dental offices and hospitals is highlighted. The measures reported may be subject to change due to the dynamics of the pandemic. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The modes of transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (e.g., droplets, aerosols, and fomites) can pose a risk for dental healthcare professionals and patients alike. The presented measures may guide dental faculties and dental practices during the early stage of the COVID-19 crisis.

[Compatibility of Work and Family Life: Survey of Physicians in the Munich Metropolitan Area]. / Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Arztberuf ­ eine repräsentative Umfrage in München bei Ärztinnen und Ärzten unterschiedlicher Tätigkeitsbereiche.

AIM: Investigation of the compatibility of work and family life for physicians in the Munich metropolitan area. METHODS: Survey of a representative sample of 1,800 physicians using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Men were less satisfied (7% very satisfied vs. 21%) with compatibility between work and family life than women. The group least satisfied overall was hospital-based physicians (p=0.000, chi-square=122.75). Women rather than men cut back their career due to children, perceived their professional advancement as impaired, desisted from establishing private practice or quit hospital employment altogether. Respondents strove for flexible childcare and makeshift solution if the established service failed. Most did not have that at their disposal. Hospital-based physicians wished for predictable working hours, and would like to have a say in the structure of their schedule. For the majority this was not the case. While for 80% it would be important to participate in the definition of their working hours, this was only possible in 17%. 86% found the opportunity to work part-time important, but many doctors (more than 30%) did not have that option. The biggest help for office-based physicians would be an expedited procedure by the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) when applying for a proxy. The second most important would be the ability to hand over on-call duties. 36% of respondents felt that compatibility of work and family life was best achieved outside of patient care, during residency 42% believed this to be the case. Only 6% of physicians felt the best compatibility to be achieved in a hospital. Among the physician owners of practices, 34% considered their model to be the best way to reconcile both aspects of life. CONCLUSION: More flexible options for childcare and more influence on the definition of working hours are necessary in order to better reconcile work and family life. For office-based physicians it must be made easier to find a substitute. Currently, especially women consider children as hindering their careers. Hospitals are perceived as extremely unfavorable workplaces for achieving compatibility between work and family life.

Variability of linezolid concentrations after standard dosing in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Severe infections in intensive care patients show high morbidity and mortality rates. Linezolid is an antimicrobial drug frequently used in critically ill patients. Recent data indicates that there might be high variability of linezolid serum concentrations in intensive care patients receiving standard doses. This study was aimed to evaluate whether standard dosing of linezolid leads to therapeutic serum concentrations in critically ill patients. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 30 critically ill adult patients with suspected infections received standard dosing of 600 mg linezolid intravenously twice a day. Over 4 days, multiple serum samples were obtained from each patient, in order to determine the linezolid concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A high variability of serum linezolid concentrations was observed (range of area under the linezolid concentration time curve over 24 hours (AUC24) 50.1 to 453.9 mg/L, median 143.3 mg*h/L; range of trough concentrations (Cmin) < 0.13 to 14.49 mg/L, median 2.06 mg/L). Furthermore, potentially subtherapeutic linezolid concentrations over 24 hours and at single time points (defined according to the literature as AUC24 < 200 mg*h/L and Cmin < 2 mg/L) were observed for 63% and 50% of the patients, respectively. Finally, potentially toxic levels (defined as AUC24 > 400 mg*h/L and Cmin > 10 mg/L) were observed for 7 of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: A high variability of linezolid serum concentrations with a substantial percentage of potentially subtherapeutic levels was observed in intensive care patients. The findings suggest that therapeutic drug monitoring of linezolid might be helpful for adequate dosing of linezolid in critically ill patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01793012. Registered 24 January 2013.

Hand hygiene compliance in the intensive care unit: Hand hygiene and glove changes.

BACKGROUND: Hand disinfection (HD) is known to be the single most effective prevention measure to avoid nosocomial infections, but the compliance rate (CR) remains low. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HD opportunities and the CR during the treatment of critically ill patients. One special focus was on glove usage to determine whether gloves were substituted for HD. METHODS: This is a single-blinded direct observation of employees of an.ßintensive care unit. One specially educated observer recorded all hand hygiene indications over a period of 21 8-hour shifts as well as performed HD and study of glove use behavior. RESULTS: Over a period of 168.ßhours, 2,036 HDs should be performed during the care for 1 intensive care unit patient. In total, only 690 HDs occurred, resulting in a CR of 33.9%. With regard to the nurses, there was an HD opportunity around the clock every 6.ßminutes on average. About 17% of the total working time would have to be applied for 100% correct hand hygiene application. Donning or changing of gloves took place in 38.2% of all indications for HD. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that HD opportunities occur in high frequency during the treatment of critically ill patients. The compliance with HD remains too low, even when a 100% CR seems to be unachievable. Improvements should focus on aseptic procedures, combining the lowest CR with the highest procedural risk for the patient. The Healthcare Personal (HCP) uses gloves when an HD opportunity occurs. Implementing glove disinfection strategies in daily routine might help optimize patient care.

[Therapy of cystitis with nitroxoline-NitroxWin : Prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study and microbiological resistance surveillance]. / Therapie der Zystitis mit Nitroxolin ­ NitroxWin : Prospektive, multizentrische, nicht-interventionelle Studie und mikrobiologische Untersuchungen zur Resistenzsituation.

BACKGROUND: According to German AWMF S3 guideline nitroxoline is recommended as one of the first-choice antibiotics for treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (UC) in women. Under real-world conditions the clinical efficacy of nitroxoline should be checked in a noninterventional, prospective and multicenter study (NIS) and the prevalence of nitroxoline resistance in E. coli be monitored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients with UC treated with nitroxoline (recommended dosage 250 mg tid for 5 days) were included by urologists, general practitioners (GPs), and internists in family medicine throughout Germany from April-December 2022 and followed for 21-28 days. The diagnosis and course of therapy were judged by the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) questionnaire and laboratory investigations (leukocyturia etc). Separately, a nationwide resistance surveillance was performed during 2019-2020 in collaboration with 23 laboratories to collect urinary E. coli isolates and test their susceptibility to nitroxoline. RESULTS: Of the 316 patients with mean (SD) age of 57.2 (±20.4 [median 62.5]) years who were included in the NIS, 193/248 (86.3%) in the per-protocol group and in 193/263 (81.44%) in the intention-to-treat group were clinically successful. Furthermore, 96% of the patients rated the tolerability of nitroxoline as "very good" or "good". All 272 E. coli isolates tested were susceptible to nitroxoline. CONCLUSIONS: Nitroxoline showed very good clinical results in the NIS, and 100% of the tested E. coli urine isolates were susceptible to nitroxoline. Nitroxoline can still be recommended as one of the first-choice antibiotics for treatment of UC in women.

German guidelines on community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis in adults.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis has decreased during the last decades. However, outcome remains poor with a significant proportion of patients not surviving and up to 50% of survivors suffering from long-term sequelae. These guidelines were developed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN) under guidance of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF) to guide physicians through diagnostics and treatment of adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis. RECOMMENDATIONS: The most important recommendations are: (i) In patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis, we recommend that lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (with simultaneous collection of serum to determine the cerebrospinal fluid-serum glucose index and blood cultures) is obtained immediately after the clinical examination (in the absence of severely impaired consciousness, focal neurological deficits, and/or new epileptic seizures). (ii) Next, we recommend application of dexamethasone and empiric antibiotics intravenously. (iii) The recommended initial empiric antibiotic regimen consists of ampicillin and a group 3a cephalosporin (e.g., ceftriaxone). (iv) In patients with severely impaired consciousness, new onset focal neurological deficits (e.g. hemiparesis) and/or patients with newly occurring epileptic seizures, we recommend that dexamethasone and antibiotics are started immediately after the collection of blood; we further recommend that -if the imaging findings do not indicate otherwise -a lumbar CSF sample is taken directly after imaging. (v) Due to the frequent occurrence of intracranial and systemic complications, we suggest that patients with acute bacterial meningitis are treated at an intensive care unit in the initial phase of the disease. In the case of impaired consciousness, we suggest that this is done at an intensive care unit with experience in the treatment of patients with severe CNS diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The German S2k-guidelines give up to date recommendations for workup, diagnostics and treatment in adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis.

Ecological effects of selective oral decontamination on multidrug-resistance bacteria acquired in the intensive care unit: a case-control study over 5 years.

PURPOSE: This case-control study investigated the long-term evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) over a 5-year period associated with the use of selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) in the intensive care unit (ICU). In addition, effects on health care-associated infections and ICU mortality were analysed. METHODS: We investigated patients undergoing mechanical ventilation > 48 h in 11 adult ICUs located at 3 campuses of a university hospital. Administrative, clinical, and microbiological data which were routinely recorded electronically served as the basis. We analysed differences in the rates and incidence densities (ID, cases per 1000 patient-days) of MDRB associated with SOD use in all patients and stratified by patient origin (outpatient or inpatient). After propensity score matching, health-care infections and ICU mortality were compared. RESULTS: 5034 patients were eligible for the study. 1694 patients were not given SOD. There were no differences in the incidence density of MDRB when SOD was used, except for more vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (0.72/1000 days vs. 0.31/1000 days, p < 0.01), and fewer ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.22/1000 days vs. 0.56/1000 days, p < 0.01). After propensity score matching, SOD was associated with lower incidence rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and death in the ICU but not with ICU-acquired bacteremia or urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons of the ICU-acquired MDRB over a 5-year period revealed no differences in incidence density, except for lower rate of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and higher rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium with SOD. Incidence rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and death in the ICU were lower in patients receiving SOD.

'Sterility Testing of Blood Components and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products' (Munich, April 29, 2010) Organized by the DGTI Section 'Safety in Hemotherapy' - Meeting Report.

Neither screening method completely detects all clinically relevant bacterial contaminations. The effect of sampling time and volume as well as standardization of the assay applied has also to be taken into account. Therefore, minimizing the risk of contamination during manufacture by measures such as donor selection, skin disinfection, division, and processing within closed systems remains crucial. In this context new concepts in sterility testing, especially with instable advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), are needed as well as reassessment of pathogen inactivation techniques. At present hemovigilance data indicate that shortening the shelf life of platelet concentrates as introduced in Germany 2008 reduced the risk of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections to the same extent as bacterial screening as done in Canada or the Netherlands. The evolving methodological progress, e.g. by standardizing culture methods or enhancing detection systems, requires careful follow-up in parallel to hemovigilance data in order to ensure optimal bacterial safety in hemotherapy.

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Infections with multi-resistant Gram-negative rods - ESBL producers, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

This is the sixteenth chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. Infections due to multiresistant Gram-negative rods are challenging. In this chapter recommendations for targeted therapy for infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are given, based on the limited available evidence.

Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections: Sepsis.

This is the eleventh chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. Sepsis, defined as a life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a misregulated host response to an infection, is the third leading cause of death in Germany with a lethality rate of 30% to over 50%. An early, effective antimicrobial therapy is, next to infectious source control, the most important causal treatment option. It should be complemented by the mainly supportive measures of general intensive care therapy. Prior antimicrobial therapy, the patient's medical history (e.g. risk factors for multiresistant agents) and small-scale epidemiology are to be considered as part of the therapeutic and practical decisions. A modification of the often needed broad initial calculated combination therapy is desirable. In the future, prompt measurements of plasma concentrations of antiinfectives, especially for the sepsis patient with diverse and partly conflicting pathophysiological changes, will have great importance regarding efficacy, toxicity and resistance development. In order to apply those complex strategies in clinical routine, there is a requirement for a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between the intensive care unit, clinical infectiology, microbiology, and clinical pharmacology, ideally in the framework of a functional antimicrobial stewardship program.

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Microbiology.

This is the second chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. Preliminary microbiological findings regarding the patient and their immediate environment are crucial for the calculation of treatment with antibiotics in each case, as well as the resistance situation of the ward on which the patient is being cared for. If such data is not available, regional or supra-regional data can be used as a fallback. This chapter describes the methods of susceptibility testing, informs about the resistance situation in Germany and describes the main resistance mechanisms of bacterial pathogens against antibiotics. Further, the chapter informs about collateral damage of antibiotics as well as medical measures against increasing resistance.

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Introduction and antibiotics.

This is the first chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. This guideline is a revision of the recommendations published in 2010, taking into account recent substances and studies. As with previous revisions, the current situation of pathogen resistance and the results of new clinical trials are considered. The results are the present recommendations for parenteral calculated initial therapy of bacterial infections in adults. If several treatment options are mentioned, they are not always equivalent in their spectrum of microbiological activity. Therapeutic alternatives offer the opportunity to consider pathogen epidemiology, to avoid antibiotic intolerances or to escalate or de-escalate treatment in a manner suited to the situation. This article describes the different therapy options.

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Respiratory infections.

This is the fifth chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. It provides recommendations for the empirical and targeted antimicrobial treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, with a special emphasis on the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia.

SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in an asymptomatic cancer cohort - results and consequences for clinical routine.

BACKGROUND: Starting in December 2019, the current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) confronts the world with an unprecedented challenge. With no vaccine or drug being currently available to control the pandemic spread, prevention and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) testing becomes a crucial pillar of medical systems. Aim of the present study was to report on the first results of the measures taken in a large German Department of Radiation Oncology, including PCR testing of asymptomatic cancer patients. METHODS: Pandemic-adapted hygiene regulations and prevention measures for patients and staff were implemented. A visiting ban on both wards was implemented from the beginning and medical staff and patients were required to wear face masks at all times. The waiting rooms were rearranged to ensure distance between patients of at least 1.5 m. Clinical follow up was mainly done by telephone and all patients had to complete a questionnaire regarding symptoms and contacts with COVID-19 patients before entering our department. Educational documents were created for patients to raise awareness of symptoms and avoidance strategies for interactions with other people. Indications for therapy and fractionation schemes were adapted when possible. In a subsequent step, all new asymptomatic patients were tested via nasopharyngeal swab at our screening station shortly before their simulation CT. RESULTS: All these measures and implementations have been well accepted semiquantitatively measured by the consent received from patients and staff. Regarding the PCR testing, only 1 out of 139 asymptomatic patients of our cohort so far tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, reflecting a prevalence of 0.72% in this cancer patient population. Up to this point no staff members was tested positive. The start of the treatment for the PCR-positive patient was deferred for 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Due to the pandemic-adapted implementations, our department seems well prepared during this crisis. The initial screening helps to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in order to protect other patients and our staff from infection and the observed PCR prevalence is in line with comparable studies. A regular PCR testing (e.g. twice a week) of all patients and staff would in principle be desirable but is limited due to testing capacities at present.