Can Chatbot Artificial Intelligence Replace Infectious Diseases Physicians in the Management of Bloodstream Infections? A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The development of chatbot artificial intelligence (AI) has raised major questions about their use in healthcare. We assessed the quality and safety of the management suggested by Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer 4 (ChatGPT-4) in real-life practice for patients with positive blood cultures. METHODS: Over a 4-week period in a tertiary care hospital, data from consecutive infectious diseases (ID) consultations for a first positive blood culture were prospectively provided to ChatGPT-4. Data were requested to propose a comprehensive management plan (suspected/confirmed diagnosis, workup, antibiotic therapy, source control, follow-up). We compared the management plan suggested by ChatGPT-4 with the plan suggested by ID consultants based on literature and guidelines. Comparisons were performed by 2 ID physicians not involved in patient management. RESULTS: Forty-four cases with a first episode of positive blood culture were included. ChatGPT-4 provided detailed and well-written responses in all cases. AI's diagnoses were identical to those of the consultant in 26 (59%) cases. Suggested diagnostic workups were satisfactory (ie, no missing important diagnostic tests) in 35 (80%) cases; empirical antimicrobial therapies were adequate in 28 (64%) cases and harmful in 1 (2%). Source control plans were inadequate in 4 (9%) cases. Definitive antibiotic therapies were optimal in 16 (36%) patients and harmful in 2 (5%). Overall, management plans were considered optimal in only 1 patient, as satisfactory in 17 (39%), and as harmful in 7 (16%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of ChatGPT-4 without consultant input remains hazardous when seeking expert medical advice in 2023, especially for severe IDs.

Prosthetic Joint Infections due to Candida Species: A Multicenter International Study.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Candida spp is a severe complication of arthroplasty. We investigated the outcomes of Candida PJI. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational multinational study including patients diagnosed with Candida-related PJI between 2010 and 2021. Treatment outcome was assessed at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients were analyzed. Median age was 73.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 64.0-79.0) years; 46.5% of patients were male and 10.8% were immunosuppressed. Main infection sites were hip (53.0%) and knee (43.1%), and 33.8% patients had fistulas. Surgical procedures included debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) (35.7%), 1-stage exchange (28.3%), and 2-stage exchange (29.0%). Candida spp identified were Candida albicans (55.8%), Candida parapsilosis (29.4%), Candida glabrata (7.8%), and Candida tropicalis (5.6%). Coinfection with bacteria was found in 51.3% of cases. The primary antifungal agents prescribed were azoles (75.8%) and echinocandins (30.9%), administered for a median of 92.0 (IQR, 54.5-181.3) days. Cure was observed in 156 of 269 (58.0%) cases. Treatment failure was associated with age >70 years (OR, 1.811 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.079-3.072]), and the use of DAIR (OR, 1.946 [95% CI: 1.157-3.285]). Candida parapsilosis infection was associated with better outcome (OR, 0.546 [95% CI: .305-.958]). Cure rates were significantly different between DAIR versus 1-stage exchange (46.9% vs 67.1%, P = .008) and DAIR versus 2-stage exchange (46.9% vs 69.2%, P = .003), but there was no difference comparing 1- to 2-stage exchanges (P = .777). CONCLUSIONS: Candida PJI prognosis seems poor, with high rate of failure, which does not appear to be linked to immunosuppression, use of azoles, or treatment duration.

Antimicrobial for 7 or 14 Days for Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Men: A Multicenter Noninferiority Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of antimicrobial therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men remains controversial. METHODS: To compare 7 days to 14 days of total antibiotic treatment for febrile UTIs in men, this multicenter randomized, double-blind. placebo-controlled noninferiority trial enrolled 282 men from 27 centers in France. Men were eligible if they had a febrile UTI and urine culture showing a single uropathogen. Participants were treated with ofloxacin or a third-generation cephalosporin at day 1, then randomized at day 3-4 to either continue ofloxacin for 14 days total treatment, or for 7 days followed by placebo until day 14. The primary endpoint was treatment success, defined as a negative urine culture and the absence of fever and of subsequent antibiotic treatment between the end of treatment and 6 weeks after day 1. Secondary endpoints included recurrent UTI within weeks 6 and 12 after day 1, rectal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales, and drug-related events. RESULTS: Two hundred forty participants were randomly assigned to receive antibiotic therapy for 7 days (115 participants) or 14 days (125 participants). In the intention-to-treat analysis, treatment success occurred in 64 participants (55.7%) in the 7-day group and in 97 participants (77.6%) in the 14-day group (risk difference, -21.9 [95% confidence interval, -33.3 to -10.1]), demonstrating inferiority. Adverse events during antibiotic therapy were reported in 4 participants in the 7-day arm and 7 in the 14-day arm. Rectal carriage of resistant Enterobacterales did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A treatment with ofloxacin for 7 days was inferior to 14 days for febrile UTI in men and should therefore not be recommended. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02424461; Eudra-CT: 2013-001647-32.

Defining standard and high dosages for ß-lactam agents administered by intermittent, prolonged or continuous infusion: a PK/PD simulation study.

BACKGROUND: The new definitions of antimicrobial susceptibility categories proposed by EUCAST in 2020 require the definition of standard and high dosages of antibiotic. For injectable ß-lactams, standard and high dosages have been proposed for short-infusion regimens only. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate dosages for ß-lactams administered by prolonged infusion (PI) and continuous infusion (CI). METHODS: Monte Carlo simulations were performed for seven injectable ß-lactams: aztreonam, cefepime, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, piperacillin and temocillin. Various dosage regimens based on short infusion, PI or CI were simulated in virtual patients. Pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and PTAs were obtained based on reference population PK models, as well as PK/pharmacodynamic targets and MIC breakpoints proposed by EUCAST. Alternative dosage regimens associated with PTA values similar to those of recommended dosages up to the breakpoints were considered acceptable. RESULTS: Adequate PTAs were confirmed for most EUCAST short-infusion dosage regimens. A total of 9 standard and 14 high dosages based on PI (3 to 4 h) or CI were identified as alternatives. For cefepime and aztreonam, only PI and CI regimens could achieve acceptable PTAs for infections caused by Pseudomonas spp.: 2 g q8h as PI of 4 h or 6 g/24 h CI for cefepime; 2 g q6h as PI of 3 h or 6 g/24 h CI for aztreonam. CONCLUSIONS: These alternative standard and high dosage regimens are expected to provide antibiotic exposure compatible with new EUCAST definitions of susceptibility categories and associated MIC breakpoints. However, further clinical evaluation is necessary.

Advances in antibacterial treatment of adults with high-risk febrile neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: High-risk febrile neutropenia (HR-FN) is a life-threatening complication in patients with haematological malignancies or receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Since the last international guidelines were published over 10 years ago, there have been major advances in the understanding and management of HR-FN, including on antibiotic pharmacokinetics and discontinuation/de-escalation strategies. OBJECTIVES: Summarizing major advances in the field of antibacterial therapy in patients with HR-FN: empirical therapy, pharmacokinetics of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship. SOURCES: Narrative review based on literature review from PubMed. We focused on studies published between 2010 and 2023 about the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials, management of antimicrobial administration, and discontinuation/de-escalation strategies. We did not address antimicrobial prophylaxis, viral or fungal infections. CONTENT: Several high-quality publications have highlighted important modifications of antibiotic pharmacokinetics in HR-FN, with standard dosages exposing patients to underdosing. These recent clinical and population pharmacokinetics studies help improve management protocols with optimized initial dosing and infusion rules for ß-lactams, vancomycin, daptomycin and amikacin; they highlight the potential benefits of therapeutic drug monitoring. A growing body of evidence also shows that antibiotic discontinuation/de-escalation strategies are beneficial for bacterial ecology and patients' outcome. We further discuss methods and limitations for implementation of such protocols in haematology. IMPLICATIONS: We highlight recent information about the management of antibacterial therapy in HR-FN that might be considered in updated guidelines for HR-FN management.

Surgical site infection after pelvic bone and soft tissue sarcoma resection: Risk factors, microbiology, and impact of extended postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic bone and/or soft tissue sarcoma removal surgeries are associated with a high rate of surgical site infection (SSI). The recommended antibiotic prophylaxis (ABP) duration is 24-48 h. We aimed to assess the impact of extended ABP (5 days) on the SSI rate and describe the microbiology of SSI in bone and/or soft tissue pelvic sarcomas. METHODS: We retrospectively included all consecutive patients who underwent pelvic bone and/or soft tissue sarcoma removal surgery between January 2010 and June 2020. RESULTS: We analyzed 146 patients with pelvic bone (45, 31%) or soft tissue (101, 69%). Sixty patients (41%) developed SSI. SSI occurred in 13/28 (46.4%) in the extended ABP group versus 47/118 (39.8%) in the standard group (p = 0.53). In multivariable analysis, risk factors for SSI were surgery duration (OR: 1.94 [1.41-2.92] per h), stay in postoperative ICU for more than 2 days (12.0 [2.8-61.3]), and shred or autologous skin flap (39.3 [5.8-409.5]). Extended ABP was not associated with SSI. SSI were mainly polymicrobial with Enterobacterales (57.4%) and Enterococcus (45%). CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: Pelvic bone and/or soft tissue sarcoma removal surgery is highly prone to postoperative infection. Extending the ABP to 5 days does not reduce the level of SSI.

Analysis of 15 cases from a monocentric cohort of 307 liver abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Out of the context of haematological patients, Candida sp. is rarely retrieved from pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the risk factors for occurrence, and clinical, microbiological characteristics, management and outcome of Candida pyogenic liver abscesses (C-PLA). PATIENTS/METHODS: We retrospectively analysed C-PLA cases and compared them to pyogenic liver abscesses exclusively due to bacteria (B-PLA) included in our monocentric database on liver abscesses. Unfavourable course was defined as the occurrence of a primary treatment failure (PTF), recurrence after an initial cure, or death within 3 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2018, 15 C-PLA and 292 B-PLA were included. All C-PLA had a biliary origin and were polymicrobial. All patients with C-PLA had at least one comorbidity at risk for Candida infection and 7 (53.3%) presented with sepsis requiring an admission in intensive care unit. Median duration of antifungal treatment was 42 days [24-55]. In multivariate analysis, compared with B-PLA, a medical history of malignancy (OR 4.16; 95%CI 1.15-18.72) or liver abscess (OR 7.39; 95%CI 2.10-26.62), and sepsis with severity criteria (OR 3.52; 95%CI 1.07-11.90) were independently associated with the occurrence of C-PLA. In multivariate analysis, C-PLA was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (HR 3.08; 95%CI 1.38-11.22). CONCLUSION: Candida liver abscesses in non-neutropenic is a rare and severe disease. The high rate of recurrence should lead to discuss a more intensive treatment.

Oral levofloxacin: population pharmacokinetics model and pharmacodynamics study in bone and joint infections.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at characterizing the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral levofloxacin in adult patients in order to optimize dosing scheme and explore the PK/pharmacodynamics (PD) of levofloxacin in bone and joint infections (BJIs). METHODS: From November 2015 to December 2019, all patients hospitalized in Cochin Hospital, treated with levofloxacin and who had at least one dosage for therapeutic drug monitoring were included. PK was described using non-linear mixed-effect modelling. In a subgroup of patients with BJIs, the association between PK, MIC for the isolated pathogen and clinical outcome was investigated. Monte Carlo simulations investigated dosing regimens to achieve the PK/PD target (AUC/MIC ratio >100). RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were included (199 measurements), including 32 treated for BJI. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination best described the data. Effects of estimated creatinine clearance (eCLCR) and age were significant on levofloxacin clearance. In BJI patients, no significant association was found between levofloxacin PK/microbiological parameters and either clinical outcome or adverse events. Based on our model, we proposed optimized oral levofloxacin dosing regimens according to renal function, to reach the PK/PD target AUC/MIC ratio >100 for three frequent causative pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce the need of determining the MIC and using therapeutic drug monitoring in complex infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

Large retrospective study analysing predictive factors of primary treatment failure, recurrence and death in pyogenic liver abscesses.

PURPOSE: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a severe disease, which unfavourable evolution remains frequent. Our objective was to assess predictive factors of unfavourable outcome in patients with PLA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in a French tertiary care centre. All patients admitted for PLA between 2010 and 2018 were included. Unfavourable course was defined as the occurrence of a primary treatment failure (PTF), recurrence of PLA after an initial cure, or death within 3 months after diagnosis. Hazard ratios (95% CI) were calculated with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: 302 patients were included among which 91 (30.1%) patients had an unfavourable outcome because of PTF, recurrence or death in 55 (18.2%), 28 (9.2%) and 32 (10.6%) patients, respectively. Hepatic metastases (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.04-4.15), a nosocomial infection (2.25; 1.14-4.42), portal thrombosis (2.12; 1.14-3.93), and the isolation of Enterococcus spp. (2.18; 1.22- 3.90) were independently associated with PTF. Ischemic cholangitis (6.30; 2.70-14.70) and the isolation of Streptococcus spp. (3.72; 1.36-10.16) were associated with the risk of recurrence. Charlson comorbidity index (HR 1.30 per one point; 95% CI 1.15-1.46; p < 0.001), portal thrombosis (3.53; 1.65-7.56) and the presence of multi-drug-resistant organisms (3.81; 1.73-8.40) were associated with mortality within 3 months following PLA diagnosis. PLA drainage was the only factor associated with a lower mortality (0.14; 0.06-0.34). CONCLUSION: Identification of specific risk factors may help to improve the management of PLA and to elaborate targeted recommendations according to patient's and disease's characteristics.

Comparing Dynamics and Determinants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmissions Among Healthcare Workers of Adult and Pediatric Settings in Central Paris.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have paid a heavy toll during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Routes of transmission remain to be fully understood. METHODS: This prospective study compared a 1500-bed adult and 600-bed pediatric setting of a tertiary-care university hospital located in central Paris. From 24 February until 10 April 2020, all symptomatic HCWs were screened for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on a nasopharyngeal swab. HCWs screened positive were questioned on their profession, symptoms, and occupational and nonoccupational exposures to SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Among 1344 HCWs tested, 373 were positive (28%) and 336 (90%) corresponding questionnaires were completed. Three hospitalizations and no deaths were reported. Most HCWs (70%) had patient-facing occupational activities (22% in COVID-19 dedicated units). The total number of HCW cases peaked on 23 March, then decreased slowly, concomitantly with a continuous increase of compliance to preventive measures (including universal medical masking and personal protective equipment [PPE] for direct care to COVID-19 patients). Attack rates were of 3.2% and 2.3% in the adult and pediatric settings, respectively (P = .0022). In the adult setting, HCWs more frequently reported exposure to COVID-19 patients without PPE (25% vs 15%, P = .046). Report of contacts with children attending out-of-home care facilities dramatically decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Universal masking, reinforcement of hand hygiene, and PPE with medical masks for patients' care allowed protection of HCWs and containment of the outbreak. Residual transmissions were related to persistent exposures with undiagnosed patients or colleagues and not to contacts with children attending out-of-home care facilities.

Combination of vancomycin plus piperacillin and risk of acute kidney injury: a worldwide pharmacovigilance database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Excess of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to the association of vancomycin plus piperacillin is debated. OBJECTIVES: To detect a signal for an increased risk of AKI with the vancomycin and piperacillin combination compared with other vancomycin-based regimens. METHODS: Using VigiBase, the WHO global database of individual case safety reports (ICSR) from 1997 to 2019, we conducted a disproportionality analysis comparing the reporting of AKI cases between different vancomycin-based regimens (vancomycin plus piperacillin, cefepime or meropenem). To take into account a possible notoriety bias, we secondarily restricted the study period to before 2014, the date of the first publication of AKI in patients receiving vancomycin plus piperacillin. Results are expressed using the reporting OR (ROR) and its 95% CI. RESULTS: From 1997 to 2019, 53 701 ICSR concerning vancomycin have been registered in the database, including 6016 reports of AKI (11.2%), among which 925 (15.4%) were reported with vancomycin/piperacillin, 339 (5.6%) with vancomycin/cefepime and 197 (3.7%) with vancomycin/meropenem. ROR (95% CI) for AKI was 2.6 (2.4-2.8) for vancomycin/piperacillin, 2.5 (2.2-2.9) for vancomycin/cefepime and 0.5 (0.4-0.6) for vancomycin/meropenem versus other vancomycin-containing regimens. After restriction of the study period to 1997-2013, the ROR for AKI remains significant only for vancomycin/piperacillin [ROR (95% CI) = 2.1 (1.8-2.4)]. CONCLUSIONS: We found a disproportionality in reports of AKI in patients receiving vancomycin plus piperacillin compared with vancomycin in other regimens. This suggests a drug-drug interaction between these two antibiotics resulting in an increased risk of AKI.

Plasma Concentrations and Safety of Lopinavir/Ritonavir in COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although the efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir has not been proven, it has been proposed as an off-label treatment for COVID-19. Previously, it has been reported that the plasma concentrations of lopinavir significantly increase in inflammatory settings. As COVID-19 may be associated with major inflammation, assessing the plasma concentrations and safety of lopinavir in COVID-19 patients is essential. METHODS: Real-world COVID-19 data based on a retrospective study. RESULTS: Among the 31 COVID-19 patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir between March 18, 2020 and April 1, 2020, higher lopinavir plasma concentrations were observed, which increased by 4.6-fold (interquartile range: 3.6-6.2), compared with the average plasma concentrations in HIV. Lopinavir concentrations in all except one patient were above the upper limit of the concentration range of HIV treatment. Approximately one to 5 patients prematurely stopped treatment mainly because of an ADR related to hepatic or gastrointestinal disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Lopinavir plasma concentrations in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were higher than expected, and they were associated with the occurrence of hepatic or gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions. However, a high plasma concentration may be required for in vivo antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by previous studies. Therefore, in the absence of adverse drug reaction, lopinavir dosage should not be reduced. Caution is essential because off-label use can be associated with a new drug safety profile.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae-related bacteremia in intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) bloodstream infections (BSI) have rarely been reported in critically ill patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of KP-BSI between January 2016 and December 2020 in an adult medical intensive care unit (ICU) of our tertiary care hospital. Hypervirulent phenotype was defined by the detection of both rmpA and iutA. RESULTS: Seventy patients diagnosed with K. pneumonia BSI were included, of whom 9 (13 %) had hvKP infection. Pneumonia accounted for 56 % of hvKP-BSI and for 28 % of those with cKP. Fifty-six percent of patients with hvKP-BSI were homeless, versus 2 % of those with cKP-BSI (p < 0.001). The 30-day mortality rate reached 44 % for hvKP-BSI and 34 % for cKP-BSI (p = 0.7) and did not appear related to the hypervirulent phenotype in multivariable analysis. DISCUSSION: We here evidenced a new clinical entity of hvKP-BSI associated with pulmonary infection in homeless patients, which exhibits high mortality.

Endogenous endophthalmitis: New insights from a 12-year cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis (EE), determine factors associated with outcome and propose a management plan for EE. METHODS: Retrospective case series in two tertiary referral centers from 2010 to 2022. RESULTS: Sixty-four eyes of 53 patients were included. Bilateral involvement occurred for 11/53 patients (21%). Ocular symptoms were the only first manifestation of the disease in 36/53 (68%) of cases; signs of sepsis were evident in 17/53 (32%). Imaging tests detected at least one extraocular focus of infection in 34/53 patients (64%), with contrast-enhanced thoraco-abdominopelvic computed tomography showing relevant findings in 28/50 (56%) of cases. EE was microbiologically confirmed in 43/53 patients (81%); the organisms involved were: Gram-positive bacteria (19/53, 36%), Gram-negative bacteria (13/53, 25%) and Candida sp. (11/53, 21%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common bacteria (10/32, 31%). Blood cultures were positive in 28/53 patients (53%) and eye samples in 11/41 eyes (27%). All patients were treated with systemic antimicrobial therapy, 39/64 eyes (61%) received anti-infective intravitreal injection(s) and 17/64 eyes (27%) underwent vitrectomy. Four patients (8%) died due to uncontrolled systemic infection. Final visual acuity (VA) was < 20/400 in 28/57 eyes (49%) and ocular structural loss (bulbar phthisis or enucleation/evisceration) was reported in 18/64 eyes (28%). In multivariate analysis, initial VA was the only parameter associated with visual and/or structural loss of the eye (OR = 24.44 (4.33-228.09) and 5.44 (1.33-26.18) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EE remains a severe infection with a poor ocular outcome. We propose a standard protocol to improve diagnosis and medical management.

Tuberculosis and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Anti-TNFα Treatment: Insights From a French Multicenter Study and Systematic Literature Review With Emphasis on Paradoxical Anti-TNFα Resumption.

Background: The advent of anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) has revolutionized the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, susceptibility to active tuberculosis (TB) is associated with this therapy and requires its discontinuation. The risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in this population is poorly understood, as is the safety of resuming anti-TNFα. Methods: This French retrospective study (2010-2022) included all TB cases in patients with IBD who were treated with anti-TNFα in 6 participating centers. A systematic literature review was performed on TB-IRIS and anti-TNFα exposure. Results: Thirty-six patients were included (median age, 35 years; IQR, 27-48). TB was disseminated in 86% and miliary in 53%. IRIS occurred in 47% after a median 45 days (IQR, 18-80). Most patients with TB-IRIS (93%) had disseminated TB. Miliary TB was associated with IRIS risk in univariate analysis (odds ratio, 7.33; 95% CI, 1.60-42.82; P = .015). Anti-TB treatment was longer in this population (median [IQR], 9 [9-12] vs 6 [6-9] months; P = .049). Anti-TNFα was resumed in 66% after a median 4 months (IQR, 3-10) for IBD activity (76%) or IRIS treatment (24%), with only 1 case of TB relapse. Fifty-two cases of TB-IRIS in patients treated with anti-TNFα were reported in the literature, complicating disseminating TB (85%) after a median 42 days (IQR, 21-90), with 70% requiring anti-inflammatory treatment. Forty cases of TB-IRIS or paradoxical reaction treated with anti-TNFα were also reported. IRIS was neurologic in 64%. Outcome was mostly favorable (93% recovery). Conclusions: TB with anti-TNFα treatment is often complicated by IRIS of varying severity. Restarting anti-TNFα is a safe and effective strategy.

Listeria monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in France: a nationwide observational study of 208 cases.

BACKGROUND: Listeriosis is a foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Three main forms of listeriosis are well characterised, but little is known about L monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We used data from the French national surveillance of listeriosis to perform a nationwide retrospective study. METHODS: All patients with L monocytogenes isolated by culture from a peritoneal fluid sample in France between April 1, 1993, and Dec 31, 2022, were included. Individuals for whom bacterial peritonitis was not confirmed and those who also had another type of invasive listeriosis were excluded. A standardised checklist was used to collect demographic, clinical, and biological data as well as antibiotic treatment and follow-up data. The primary outcome was to determine the characteristics of L monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We did descriptive analyses and assessed risk factors for 1-month mortality using an exploratory multivariable Cox model analysis. FINDINGS: Among the 8768 L monocytogenes cases reported, 208 (2%) were patients with L monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Mean age was 65 years (SD 13), 50 (24%) of 208 patients were female, and 158 (76%) were male (no data on race or ethnicity were available). 200 (98%) of 205 patients with L monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with available data had immunosuppressive comorbidities, including cirrhosis (148 [74%] of 201 with available data), ongoing alcoholism (58 [62%] of 94), and ongoing neoplasia (60 [31%] of 195). Causes of ascites included cirrhosis (146 [70%] of 208), ongoing neoplasia (26 [13%]), end-stage heart failure (13 [6%]), and peritoneal dialysis (11 [5%]). Among those with available data, presentation was pauci-symptomatic and non-specific; only 67 (50%) of 135 patients presented with fever, 49 (37%) of 132 with abdominal pain, and 27 (21%) of 129 with diarrhoea. 61 (29%) of 208 patients were dead at 1 month, 92 (44%) were dead at 3 months, and 109 (52%) were dead at 6 months after diagnosis. Ongoing neoplasia (hazard ratio 2·42 [95% CI 1·05-5·56]; p=0·039), septic shock (8·03 [2·66-24·02]; p=0·0021), and high blood leukocyte count (1·05 [1·00-1·09]; p=0·045) were independently associated with 1-month mortality. INTERPRETATION: Despite the non-specific and mild presentation of L monocytogenes-associated spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, the outcome is poor and similar to that of neurolisteriosis, and so identification of L monocytogenes in ascitic fluid samples requires urgent parenteral amoxicillin-based treatment to avoid a fatal outcome. FUNDING: Institut Pasteur, Inserm, and French Public Health Agency. TRANSLATION: For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.