Utility of the Interferon-Gamma Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Spot Assay to Predict Risk of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Non-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISpot) responses after solid organ transplant (SOT) and their relationship with cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation have hardly been investigated. Adult kidney transplant (KT) recipients underwent measurement of IFN-γ-producing T cells using the ELISpot assay before and 1 month after transplantation. Data for CMV infection episodes were collected. Risk factors for post-transplant CMV infection, based on IFN-γ responses, were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 93 KT recipients were enrolled in the study and 84 evaluable participants remained at 1 month post KT. Thirty-three (39%) recipients developed subsequent CMV infection within 6 months post-transplant. At 1-month post-transplant, IFN-γ-producing T cells with <250 spot-forming units (SFUs)/2.5 × 105 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly associated with CMV infection (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-7.1, p = 0.007). On multivariable analysis, posttransplant IFN-γ-producing T cells with <250 SFUs/2.5 × 105 PBMCs remained independently associated with CMV infection (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-7.8, p = 0.019). Conclusions: KT recipients with low IFN-γ-producing T cells measured by the ELISpot assay are more likely to develop CMV infection after transplantation. Therefore, measurement of nonspecific cell-mediated immunity ELISpot responses could potentially stratify recipients at risk of CMV infection (Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20210216004).

Successful treatment of Rhodococcus lung abscess and empyema thoracis in a heart transplant recipient.

Rhodococcosis is an uncommon cause of pulmonary infection in thoracic organ transplant recipients. We describe a heart transplant recipient diagnosed with Rhodococcus equi left upper lung abscess with empyema thoracis complicated by bacteremia. The patient was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics, adequate surgical resection, and optimization of immunosuppressants.

Lung abscess and empyema in a heart transplant recipient from Thailand.

The case discussed involves a 69-year-old Thai woman who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 9 months before this event. She presented with fever without localizing signs or symptoms. However, her chest images revealed mass-like consolidation in the left upper lobe. Blood culture and lung tissue identified Rhodococcus equi. She was successfully treated with a combination of antimicrobial therapy, optimization of immunosuppressants, and surgical resection.

From Epidemiology of Community-Onset Bloodstream Infections to the Development of Empirical Antimicrobial Treatment-Decision Algorithm in a Region with High Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance.

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections have increased in community settings. Our objectives were to study the epidemiology of community-onset bloodstream infections (BSIs), identify risk factors for AMR-BSI and mortality-related factors, and develop the empirical antimicrobial treatment-decision algorithm. All adult, positive blood cultures at the emergency room and outpatient clinics were evaluated from 08/2021 to 04/2022. AMR was defined as the resistance of organisms to an antimicrobial to which they were previously sensitive. A total of 1151 positive blood cultures were identified. There were 450 initial episodes of bacterial BSI, and 114 BSIs (25%) were AMR-BSI. Non-susceptibility to ceftriaxone was detected in 40.9% of 195 E. coli isolates and 16.4% among 67 K. pneumoniae isolates. A treatment-decision algorithm was developed using the independent risk factors for AMR-BSI: presence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) within 90 days (aOR 3.63), prior antimicrobial exposure within 90 days (aOR 1.94), and urinary source (aOR 1.79). The positive and negative predictive values were 53.3% and 83.2%, respectively. The C-statistic was 0.73. Factors significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality were Pitt bacteremia score (aHR 1.39), solid malignancy (aHR 2.61), and urinary source (aHR 0.30). In conclusion, one-fourth of community-onset BSI were antimicrobial-resistant, and one-third of Enterobacteriaceae were non-susceptible to ceftriaxone. Treatment-decision algorithms may reduce overly broad antimicrobial treatment.