Mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19: a systematic review.

Introduction: The use of mechanical ventilation associated with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, the most common complication in critically ill COVID-19 patients, defines a high risk population that requires specific consideration of outcomes and treatment practices.Areas covered: This review evaluates existing information about mortality rates and effectiveness of antiviral, immune-modulating, and anticoagulation treatments in COVID-19 patients who received mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate and follow-up periods in patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged widely. Antivirals, including remdesivir and convalescent plasma, have shown no definitive mortality benefit in this population despite positive results in other COVID-19 patients. Dexamethasone was associated with an absolute reduction in 28-day mortality by 12.3% (95% CI, 6.3 to 17.6), after adjusting for age. Reduced mortality has been demonstrated with tocilizumab use alongside corticosteroids. Evidence is inconclusive for therapeutic anticoagulation, and further studies are needed to determine the comparative benefit of prophylactic anticoagulation.Expert opinion: Significant variation and high mortality rates in mechanically ventilated patients necessitate more standardized outcome measurements, increased consideration of risk factors to reduce intubation, and improved treatment practices. Anticoagulation and dexamethasone should be incorporated in the treatment of patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, while more rigorous studies are required for other potential treatments.

Impact of Influenza Infection Among Adult and Pediatric Populations With Hematologic Malignancy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Influenza is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, the impact of influenza on this population has not been previously evaluated in a systematic review. This study systematically reviewed and summarized the outcomes of influenza infection as to in-hospital influenza-related mortality, development of lower respiratory tract infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome, need for hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of literature using the PubMed and EMBASE databases for articles published from January 1989 through January 19, 2020, reporting laboratory-confirmed influenza in patients of any age with hematologic malignancies and HSCT. Time from transplantation was not included in the search criteria. The impact of antiviral therapy on influenza outcomes was not assessed due to heterogeneity in antiviral treatment provision across the studies. Patients with influenza-like illness, solid-tumor cancers, or nonmalignant hematologic diseases were excluded from the study. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the prevalences and 95% CIs of each outcome of interest. A subgroup analysis was carried out to assess possible sources of heterogeneity and to evaluate the potential impact of age on the influenza infection outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. FINDINGS: Data from 52 studies providing data on 1787 patients were included in this analysis. During seasonal epidemics, influenza-related in-hospital mortality was 16.60% (95% CI, 7.49%-27.7%), with a significantly higher death rate in adults compared to pediatric patients (19.55% [95% CI, 10.59%-29.97%] vs 0.96% [95% CI, 0%-6.77%]; P < 0.001). Complications from influenza, such as lower respiratory tract infection, developed in 35.44% of patients with hematologic malignancies and HSCT recipients, with a statistically significant difference between adults and children (46.14% vs 19.92%; P < 0.001). However, infection resulted in a higher hospital admission rate in pediatric patients compared to adults (61.62% vs 22.48%; P < 0.001). For the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, no statistically significant differences were found between adult and pediatric patients when comparing the rates of influenza-related in-hospital mortality, lower respiratory tract infection, and hospital admission. Similarly, no significant differences were noted in any of the outcomes of interest when comparing H1N1 pandemic with seasonal epidemics. IMPLICATIONS: Regardless of influenza season, patients, and especially adults, with underlying hematologic malignancies and HSCT recipients with influenza are at risk for severe outcomes including lower respiratory tract infection and in-hospital mortality.

Use of antibiotics is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Observational and experimental studies suggest that the use of antibiotics close to administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can have a negative effect on tumour response and patient survival, due to microbiome dysbiosis and the resultant suppression of host immune response against neoplastic cells. METHODS: A systematic search of PUBMED and EMBASE was undertaken for studies published between 1 January 2017 and 1 June 2020, evaluating the association between the use of antibiotics and clinical outcomes in patients with cancer treated with ICIs. A meta-analysis of the association between the use of antibiotics and clinical outcomes was also performed. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria (12,794 patients). Use of antibiotics was associated with shorter overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59-2.22; adjusted HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.55-2.25] and progression-free survival (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.36-1.70; adjusted HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.59-2.36), decreased response rate [odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.86] and more disease progression (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.27-3.14). The negative association between the use of antibiotics and progression-free survival was stronger in patients with renal cell carcinoma or melanoma compared with lung cancer. Only antibiotic administration >1 month prior to ICI initiation was associated with increased disease progression. Heterogeneity was substantial for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Recent use of antibiotics in patients with cancer treated with ICIs was associated with worse clinical outcomes. Such patients may benefit from dedicated antimicrobial stewardship programmes.

Fatal Mucormycosis and Aspergillosis in an Atypical Host: What Do We Know about Mixed Invasive Mold Infections?

Mixed invasive mold infections (MIMIs) are considered rare. We present a case of fatal aspergillosis and mucormycosis in an elderly host with history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and potential mold exposures. Notably, he had no classic risk factors for IMI other than high-dose corticosteroids, which may be an important risk factor for (M)IMI, based on the current and previous reports. There is an urgent need for studies on the "net state of immunosuppression," environmental exposure as risk factors for (M)IMIs, and noninvasive fungal diagnostics.

Prognostic Benefit of Surgical Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma Invading the Inferior Vena Cava.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 3 % of adult malignancies and 90-95 % of neoplasms arising from the kidney. One of the unique features of RCC is the tumor thrombus formation that migrates into the venous system including renal vein (RV) and inferior vena cava (IVC). Only 10 % of patients with RCC present with the classic triad of flank pain, hematuria and defined mass, while 25-30 % of affected patients are asymptomatic. Signs of para-neoplastic syndrome such as hypercalcemia, hypertension, anemia, cachexia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are often apparent. Extension of tumor thrombus into the venous system is depicted by radiological examinations, such as contrast enhanced Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and vena cavography. The level of the thrombus is mostly determined according to the Mayo classification. Despite recent research on the therapeutic strategies against advanced RCC, surgical resection appears the only potentially curative approach. Aggressive surgical management including nephrectomy with thrombectomy is currently the standard therapeutic approach for RCC patients with tumor thrombus extending to the RV or the IVC. Pre-surgical down-staging with the use of molecular targeted therapy has also been proposed. Alternative therapies, such as radio- and chemotherapy proved insufficient. The aim of this review is to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for RCC invading IVC with special reference to the extent of its histological spread. Review of recent world literature was accomplished to provide an update on the current concepts of surgical management of the disease.

Spondylodiscitis Associated with Major Abdominal Surgical Intervention: Challenging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modalities.

Post-operative spondylodiscitis (PS) is a relatively rare infectious disease, with incidence varying from 0.21-3.6% in association with all surgical procedures. The entity appears insidiously, with non-specific symptoms such as neck or back pain, fever, muscle contractures, limited range of spinal motion, sciatica and neurological symptoms. C-reactive protein (CRP) remains the most reliable laboratory finding, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be the most effective method for demonstrating the site of the infection. Treatment consists of immobilization along with antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this investigation was to analyse two isolated cases of PS presented in our institution. Into this retrospective survey were consecutively enrolled one patient with PS after complete common bile duct (CBD) obstruction and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Whipple operation along with one case of PS in a patient with vascular graft placement for therapeutic approach of an aortoenteric fistula as a consequence of an abdominal aorta pseudoaneurysm. PS is mainly associated with major surgical procedures and possesses a mortality rate of 11%. The most common etiological factor is Staphylococcus aureus but there is also evidence of gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, anaerobia bacteria, fungi, parasites and multi resistant microorganisms. Furthermore, there are many risk factors which contribute to this pathological situation such as advanced age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, steroid treatment, obesity, alcohol, malnutrition, concomitant infections, prolonged hospitalization and relevant serious co-morbidities. Also, the diagnosis is based on combination of clinical, haematological, microbiological and histopathologic findings.