Evaluation of the effects of ezetimibe on albuminuria and kidney fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ezetimibe on the urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and kidney parenchyma fat content (kidney-PF) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and early chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ezetimibe 10 mg once daily for 16 weeks in individuals with T2D and a UACR of 30 mg/g or higher was conducted. Kidney-PF was assessed with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Geometric mean changes from baseline were derived from linear regressions. RESULTS: A total of 49 participants were randomized to ezetimibe (n = 25) or placebo (n = 24). Overall, mean ± standard deviation age was 67 ± 7 years, body mass index was 31 ± 4 kg/m2 and the proportion of men was 84%. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 76 ± 22 mL/min/1.73m2 and median (first-third quartile) UACR was 95 (41-297) mg/g. Median kidney-PF was 1.0% (0.3%-2.1%). Compared with placebo, ezetimibe did not significantly reduce UACR (mean [95% confidence interval] change: -3% [-28%-31%]) or kidney-PF (mean change: -38% [-66%-14%]). In participants with baseline kidney-PF above the median, ezetimibe reduced kidney-PF significantly (mean change: -60% [-84%--3%]) compared with placebo, while the reduction in UACR was not significant (mean change: -28% [-54%-15%]). CONCLUSIONS: Ezetimibe did not reduce the UACR or kidney-PF on top of modern T2D management. However, kidney-PF was reduced with ezetimibe in participants with high baseline kidney-PF.

First cases of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 in Denmark, 2023.

We describe 10 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant BA.2.86 detected in Denmark, including molecular characteristics and results from wastewater surveillance that indicate that the variant is circulating in the country at a low level. This new variant with many spike gene mutations was classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization on 17 August 2023. Further global monitoring of COVID-19, BA.2.86 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants is highly warranted.

Serum Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 after BNT162b2 Booster Vaccination.

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2 sublineage is rapidly replacing earlier Omicron lineages, suggesting BA.2 has increased vaccine evasion properties. We measured neutralization titers of authentic BA.1 and BA.2 isolates in serum samples from persons who received the BNT162b2 booster vaccine. All samples neutralized BA.1 and BA.2 at equal median values.

Omicron BA.5 Neutralization among Vaccine-Boosted Persons with Prior Omicron BA.1/BA.2 Infections.

Worldwide, millions of persons have received multiple COVID-19 vaccinations and subsequently recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron breakthrough infections. In 2 small, matched cohorts (n = 12, n = 24) in Denmark, we found Omicron BA.1/BA.2 breakthrough infection after 3-dose BNT162b2 vaccination provided improved Omicron BA.5 neutralization over 3-dose vaccination alone.

Prolonged viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in two immunocompromised patients, a case report.

BACKGROUND: The duration of viable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding in immunocompromised patients is still unknown. This case report describes the duration of viable SARS-CoV-2 in two immunocompromised patients with completely different clinical courses and further addresses the immunological aspects. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Oropharyngeal swaps were collected continuously during hospitalization for two immunocompromised patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and sent for analysis to real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), viral culture assessed by plaque assay and full genome sequencing. Blood samples for flow cytometry and further immunological analysis were taken once during admission. One patient was without symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) whereas the other had severe respiratory symptoms requiring a stay at an intensive care unit (ICU) and treatment with remdesivir and dexamethasone. Despite their difference in clinical courses, they both continuously shed SARS-CoV-2 with high viral loads in culture. Both patients had undetectable anti SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels about 2 weeks after the first positive real time RT-PCR test of SARS-CoV-2, marked expansions of virus reactive CD8+ T cells but cellular markers indicative of attenuated humoral immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Our case illustrates the importance of distinguishing isolation guidelines for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 according to their immunological status. Furthermore, it demonstrates the need for immune markers relating to viral shedding in immunocompromised patients.

Stroke follow-up in primary care: a discourse study on the discharge summary as a tool for knowledge transfer and collaboration.

BACKGROUND: The acute treatment for stroke takes place in hospitals and in Norway follow-up of stroke survivors residing in the communities largely takes place in general practice. In order to provide continuous post stroke care, these two levels of care must collaborate, and information and knowledge must be transferred between them. The discharge summary, a written report from the hospital, is central to this communication. Norwegian national guidelines for treatment of stroke, issued in 2010, therefore give recommendations on the content of the discharge summaries. One ambition is to achieve collaboration and knowledge transfer, contributing to integration of the health care services. However, studies suggest that adherence to guidelines in general practice is weak, that collaboration within the health care services does not work the way the authorities intend, and that health care services are fragmented. This study aims to assess to what degree the discharge summaries adhere to the guideline recommendations on content and to what degree they are used as tools for knowledge transfer and collaboration between secondary and primary care. METHODS: The study was an analysis of 54 discharge summaries for home-dwelling stroke patients. The patients had been discharged from two Norwegian local hospitals in 2011 and 2012 and followed up in primary care. We examined whether content was according to guidelines' recommendations and performed a descriptive and interpretative discourse analysis, using tools adapted from an established integrated approach to discourse analysis.  RESULTS: We found a varying degree of adherence to the different advice for the contents of the discharge summaries. One tendency was clear: topics relevant here and now, i.e. at the hospital, were included, while topics most relevant for the later follow-up in primary care were to a larger degree omitted. In most discharge summaries, we did not find anything indicating that the doctors at the hospital made themselves available for collaboration with primary care after dischargeof the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The discharge summaries did not fulfill their potential to serve as tools for collaboration, knowledge transfer, and guideline implementation. Instead, they may contribute to sustain the gap between hospital medicine and general practice.

Stroke follow-up in primary care: a Norwegian modelling study on the implications of multimorbidity for guideline adherence.

BACKGROUND: Specialized acute treatment and high-quality follow-up is meant to reduce mortality and disability from stroke. While the acute treatment for stroke takes place in hospitals, the follow-up of stroke survivors largely takes place in general practice. National guidelines give recommendations for the follow-up. However, previous studies suggest that guidelines are not sufficiently adhered to. It has been suggested that this might be due to the complexity of general practice. A part of this complexity is constituted by patients' multimorbidity; the presence of two or more chronic conditions in the same person. In this study we investigated the extent of multimorbidity among stroke survivors residing in the communities. The aim was to assess the implications of multimorbidity for the follow-up of stroke in general practice. METHODS: The study was a cross sectional analysis of the prevalence of multimorbidity among stroke survivors in Mid-Norway. We included 51 patients, listed with general practitioners in 18 different clinics. The material consists of the general practitioners' medical records for these patients. The medical records for each patient were reviewed in a search for diagnoses corresponding to a predefined list of morbidities, resulting in a list of chronic conditions for each participant. These 51 lists were the basis for the subsequent analysis. In this analysis we modelled different hypothetical patients and assessed the implications of adhering to all clinical guidelines affecting their diseases. RESULT: All 51 patients met the criteria for multimorbidity. On average the patients had 4.7 (SD: 1.9) chronic conditions corresponding to the predefined list of morbidities. By modelling implications of guideline adherence for a patient with an average number of co-morbidities, we found that 10-11 annual consultations with the general practitioner were needed for the follow-up of the stable state of the chronic conditions. More consultations were needed for patients with more complex multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity had a clear impact on the basis for the follow-up of patients with stroke in general practice. Adhering to the guidelines for each condition is challenging, even for patients with few co-morbidities. For patients with complex multimorbidity, adhering to the guidelines is obviously unmanageable.

Stroke follow-up in primary care: a prospective cohort study on guideline adherence.

BACKGROUND: After a stroke, a person has an increased risk of recurrent strokes. Effective secondary prevention can provide significant gains in the form of reduced disability and mortality. While considerable efforts have been made to provide high quality acute treatment of stroke, there has been less focus on the follow-up in general practice after the stroke. One strategy for the implementation of high quality, evidence-based treatment is the development and distribution of clinical guidelines. However, from similar fields of practice, we know that guidelines are often not adhered to. The purpose of this study was to investigate to what degree patients who have suffered a stroke are followed up in general practice, if recommendations in the national guidelines are followed, and if patients achieve the treatment goals recommended in the guidelines. METHODS: The study included patients with cerebral infarction identified by the ICD-10 discharge diagnoses I63.0 trough I63.9 in two Norwegian local hospitals. In total 51 patients participated. They were listed with general practitioners in 18 different clinics. The material consists of the general practitioners' (GPs') medical records for these patients in the first year of follow-up; in total 381 consultations. RESULTS: Of the 381 consultations during the first year of follow-up, 71 (19%) had stroke as the main topic. The blood pressure (BP) target value < 140/90 mmHg was reached by 24 patients (47%). The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol target value < 2.0 mmol/L was reached by 14 (27%) of the 51 patients. In total six patients (12%) got advice on physical activity and three (6%) received dietary advice. No advice about alcohol consumption was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support earlier claims that the development and distribution of guidelines alone is not enough to implement a certain practice. Despite being a serious condition, stroke gets limited attention in the first year of follow-up in general practice. This can be explained by the complexity of general practice, where even a serious condition loses the competition for attention to other apparently equally important issues.

First clinical description of Eggerthia catenaformis bacteremia in a patient with dental abscess.

We present a case of Eggerthia catenaformis bacteremia originating from a dental abscess and imitating necrotizing fasciitis in a previously healthy adult. The isolates were easily identified by MALDI-TOF MS. The clinical course, surgical and antibiotic treatment as well as the successful outcome are reported.

Citizens Access to Health Information in National Portals in the Nordic Countries.

National eHealth portals for citizens are available in the five Nordic countries. This study describes and compares the Nordic citizen portals and identifies variations in content access and functionality. The findings suggest that availability of information and services depend on the organisation of the health system, the connection to national health information exchange platforms and incentives for providing data and services.

Culturing of SARS-CoV-2 from patient samples: Protocol for optimal virus recovery and assessment of infectious viral load.

Optimal sampling, preservation, and culturing of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19 patients are critical for successful recovery of virus isolates and to accurately estimate contagiousness of the patient. In this study, we investigated the influence of the type of sampling media, storage time, freezing conditions, sterile filtration, and combinations of these to determine the optimal pre-analytic conditions for virus recovery and estimation of infectious viral load in COVID-19 patients. Further, we investigated the viral shedding kinetics and mucosal antibody response in 38 COVID-19 hospitalized patients. We found Universal Transport Medium (Copan) to be the most optimal medium for preservation of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Our data showed that the probability of a positive viral culture was strongly correlated to Ct values, however some samples did not follow the general trend. We found a significant correlation between plaque forming units and levels of mucosal antibodies and found that high levels of mucosal antibodies correlated with reduced chance of isolating the virus. Our data reveals essential parameters to consider from specimen collection over storage to culturing technique for optimal chance of isolating SARS-CoV-2 and accurately estimating patient contagiousness.

Species differentiation of Bacteroides dorei from Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides ovatus from Bacteroides xylanisolvens - back to basics.

We present the results from 16S sequencing and phenotypic tests for differentiation of Bacteroides dorei from Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides ovatus from Bacteroides xylanisolvens, which was not possible with MALDI-TOF MS. Testing with ß-glucosidase could differentiate B. dorei from B. vulgatus and a negative catalase reaction could identify B. xylanisolvens.

User Satisfaction with Recently Deployed Electronic Health Records.

The high investments in deploying a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) make it necessary to understand its effect on usability (effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction). This paper describes the evaluation process related to user satisfaction over data gathered from three Northern Norway Health Trust hospitals. A questionnaire gathered responses about user satisfaction regarding the newly adopted EHR. A regression model reduces the number of satisfaction items from 15 to nine, where the result represents user EHR Features Satisfaction. The results show positive satisfaction with the newly introduced EHR, a result of proper EHR transition planning and the previous experience of the vendor with the hospitals involved.

Preconditions for Implementing a Nursing App to Improve Digital Maturity.

The aim of the paper is to conduct a formative evaluation and assess the implementation of a nursing app using the qualitative TPOM framework to outline how different socio-technical aspects of the process influence digital maturity. The research question is: what are the main socio-technical preconditions for improving digital maturity in a healthcare organization? We conducted 22 interviews and used the TPOM framework for analyzing the empirical data. Exploiting the potential of lightweight technology demands a mature healthcare organization motivated actors' extensive collaboration, and good coordination of the complex ICT infrastructures. The TPOM categories are used to show the digital maturity of the nursing app implementation in relation to technology, human factors, organization, and the wider macro environment.

The Knowledge of Implementation Strategies: Impact of the Installed Base.

This study uses three case studies to investigate how the installed base affects Electronic Health Records (EHR) implementation in European hospitals: i) transition from paper-based records to EHRs; ii) replacement of an existing EHR with a similar system; and iii) replacing existing EHR system with a radically different one. Using a meta-analysis approach, the study employs the theoretical framework of Information Infrastructure (II) to analyze user satisfaction and resistance. Results show that the existing infrastructure and time factor significantly impact EHR outcomes. Implementation strategies that build upon the current infrastructure and offer immediate user benefits yield higher satisfaction rates. The study highlights the importance of considering the installed base and adapting implementation strategies to maximize EHR system benefits.

Viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised patients.

OBJECTIVES: Immunocompromised patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to shed replicable virus for a prolonged period of time, and the duration of isolation can therefore be difficult to estimate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the viral load dynamic in non-hospitalized immunocompromised patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and treated with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or antivirals. METHODS: Oropharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR and viral culture were collected from 29 immunocompromised patients before treatment with mAbs or antivirals and at days 5 and 15 after treatment. Overall, 12 patients were infected with the subvariant Omicron BA.1, 12 with Omicron BA.2, two with the Delta variant and for three patients determination of the variant were inconclusive. RESULTS: Before treatment with mAbs or antivirals, 22 of 29 patients (76% [95% CI, 56-90]) shed replicative SARS-CoV-2. At day 5, 21 patients (72% [95% CI, 53-87]) still tested RT-PCR-positive, but for 14 patients (48% [95% CI, 29-67]) there were no replicative virus in culture. At day 15, 16 patients (55% [95% CI, 36-74%]) tested positive but only two patients (7% [95%CI, 1-23]) had replicative virus. DISCUSSION: Half of the patients in this cohort had no viable virus after 5 days and only two patients had replicative virus after 15 days. This could indicate that the current CDC recommendations of an isolation period of 20 days for immunocompromised patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 could be reduced, but larger studies are needed to estimate the isolation duration for immunocompromised patients.

BQ.1.1, XBB.1, and XBB.1.5 neutralization after bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster in patients with cancer.

Ehmsen et al. evaluate the neutralizing capacity to current SARS-CoV-2 variants in patients with cancer before and after receiving the BNT162b2 bivalent mRNA vaccine booster. Bivalent vaccine provides some protection against BQ.1.1 but fails to protect against XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 in patients with cancer.

Humoral antibody response following mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in solid organ transplant recipients; a status after a fifth and bivalent vaccine dose.

Background: In solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, the humoral response following COVID-19 vaccination is reduced, as a result of their immunosuppressed treatment. In this study, we investigated antibody concentrations after booster vaccinations until the fifth dose, the latter by monovalent or bivalent BA1 or BA4/5 vaccines. In addition, we evaluated the efficacy of vaccination by recording breakthrough infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Method: This prospective cohort study included 438 SOT recipients (>18 years) vaccinated with mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 from January 2021 until March 2023. Blood samples were drawn before and after each vaccination and tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD IgG antibodies with the lowest and highest cut-off at 7.1 and 5,680 BAU/mL, respectively. Vaccine information, breakthrough infections, and hospitalizations were collected from the medical records. Results: Most participants received BNT162b2 and 61.4% received five vaccine doses. The response proportion in SOT recipients increased from 86.7% after the fourth dose to 93.0% following the fifth dose. Antibody concentration decreased with 142.7 BAU/mL between the third and fourth dose (median 132 days, Quartile 1: 123, Quartile 3: 148) and 234.3 BAU/mL between the fourth and fifth (median 250 days, Quartile 1: 241, Quartile 3: 262) dose among those without breakthrough infection (p=0.34). When comparing the Omicron BA.1 or Omicron BA.4/BA.5 adapted vaccines, no significant differences in antibody concentration were found, but 20.0% of SOT recipients receiving a monovalent fifth vaccine dose had a breakthrough infection compared to 4.0% and 7.9% among those who received BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 adapted vaccines, respectively (p=0.04). Since January 2021, 240 (54.8%) participants had a breakthrough infection, and 22 were hospitalized, but no deaths were observed. Conclusions: The fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose raised antibody response to 93.0% of the study population. Additional booster doses, as well as bivalent vaccines, led to higher levels of antibody concentration in SOT recipients. We found a lower incidence of breakthrough infections among SOT recipients after receiving a bivalent vaccine as a fifth dose compared to those receiving a monovalent dose. Antibody concentrations did not wane when the time between doses was prolonged from four to eight months.