Difference in the impact of coinfections and secondary infections on antibiotic use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between the Omicron-dominant period and the pre-Omicron period.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effect of coinfections and/or secondary infections on antibiotic use in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHOD: Days of therapy per 100 bed days (DOT) in a COVID-19 ward were compared between 2022 (Omicron period) and 2021 (pre-Omicron period). Antibiotics were categorized as antibiotics predominantly used for community-acquired infections (CAIs) and antibiotics predominantly used for health care-associated infections (HAIs). Bacterial and/or fungal infections which were proved or assumed on admission were defined as coinfections. Secondary infections were defined as infections that occurred following COVID-19. RESULTS: Patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron period were older and had more comorbidities. Coinfections were more common in the Omicron period than in the pre-Omicron period (44.4% [100/225] versus 0.8% [2/257], respectively, p < 0.001), and the mean DOT of antibiotics for CAIs was significantly increased in the Omicron period (from 3.60 to 17.84, p < 0.001). Secondary infection rate tended to be higher in the Omicron period (p = 0.097). Mean DOT of antibiotics for HAIs were appeared to be lower in the COVID-19 ward than in the general ward (pre-Omicron, 3.33 versus 6.37, respectively; Omicron, 3.84 versus 5.22, respectively). No multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms were isolated in the COVID-19 ward. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic use for CAIs was limited in the pre-Omicron period but increased in the Omicron period because of a high coinfection rate on admission. With the antimicrobial stewardship, excessive use of antibiotics for HAIs was avoided in the COVID-19 ward during both periods.

Influence of easing COVID-19 strategies following downgrading of the national infectious disease category on COVID-19 occurrence among hospitalized patients in Japan.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the influence of easing COVID-19 preventive measures following its downgrading to a common infectious disease on COVID-19 occurrence among hospitalized patients. METHODS: Nosocomial occurrence of COVID-19 was compared between periods with national infectious disease category 5 versus the preceding category 2 equivalent. Changes in the revised manual included a shorter duration of work restrictions for infected health care practitioners (HCPs); no work restriction for HCPs exposed to SARS-CoV-2 with a negative test on days 1, 3 and 5; discontinuation of universal pre-admission screening; and pre-emptive isolation of patients without screening. Wearing an N95 mask and face shield was required in procedure/care with moderate-to high-risk contact. RESULTS: Although the mean monthly number of infected HCPs increased from 8.1 to 12.7 in the category 5 period (p = 0.034) and that of pre-admission screening decreased to one-fourth, the COVID-19 incidence in hospitalized patients remained similar between the two study periods (1.60 ± 5.59/month versus 1.40 ± 2.63/month, p = 0.358). Clusters, defined as ≥3 COVID-19 patients on the ward, were experienced twice in the preceding period and only once in the category 5 period. The index cases causing nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission mostly involved rehabilitation therapists in the preceding period; five of six index cases were patients in the category 5 period. Following the expanded indication for N95 masks, neither SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients nor transmission from infected patients was observed in HCPs for 1 year. CONCLUSION: With sustained, enhanced standard precautions, easing prevention strategies could limit nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Clinical features of pasteurellosis without an animal bite or scratch in comparison with bite/scratch pasteurellosis.

Pasteurellosis is a common zoonotic infection that occurs after an animal bite or scratch (B/S). We compared the clinical features of six patients with non-B/S pasteurellosis with those of 14 patients with B/S infections. Pasteurella multocida was identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in all six non-B/S infections, whereas 13 of the 14 B/S infections were identified with diagnostic kits. The non-B/S infections were pneumonia (n = 3), skin and soft tissue infections (n = 2), and bacteremia (n = 1). Pneumonia occurred in two patients with underlying pulmonary disease, whereas ventilator-associated pneumonia developed in one patient with cerebral infarction. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from a blood specimen and nasal swab from a patient with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C) and diabetes. Cellulitis developed in one patient with diabetes and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, who had an open wound following a fall, and in one patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer. Three patients with non-B/S infections had no pet and no episode of recent animal contact. The rate of moderate-to-severe comorbidities was significantly higher in patients with non-B/S infections than in those with B/S infections (100% and 14.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, non-B/S infections can develop in patients with chronic pulmonary disease, invasive mechanical ventilation, or open wounds, or who are immunocompromised, irrespective of obvious animal exposure. In contrast to B/S infections, non-B/S pasteurellosis should be considered opportunistic.

Antimicrobial therapy and outcome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)-infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess data from patients with MRSA-IE across multiple facilities in Japan, with a specific focus on antimicrobial therapy and prognosis. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE attributed to MRSA, spanning the period from January 2015 to April 2019. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients from 19 centers were included, with a median age of 67 years. The overall mortality rate was 28.1% at 30 days, with an in-hospital mortality of 45.3%. The most frequently chosen initial anti-MRSA agents were glycopeptide in 67.2% of cases. Daptomycin and linezolid were selected as initial therapy in 23.4% and 17.2% of cases, respectively. Approximately 40% of all patients underwent medication changes due to difficulty in controlling infection or drug-related side effects. Significant prognostic factors by multivariable analysis were DIC for 30-day mortality and surgical treatment for 30-day and in-hospital mortality. For vancomycin as initial monotherapy, there was a trend toward a worse prognosis for 30-day and in-hospital mortality (OR, 6.29; 95%CI, 1.00-39.65; p = 0.050, OR, 3.61; 95%CI, 0.93-14.00; p = 0.064). Regarding the choice of initial antibiotic therapy, statistical analysis did not show significant differences in prognosis. CONCLUSION: Glycopeptide and daptomycin were the preferred antibiotics for the initial therapy of MRSA-IE. Antimicrobial regimens were changed for various reasons. Prognosis was not significantly affected by choice of antibiotic therapy (glycopeptide, daptomycin, linezolid), but further studies are needed to determine which antimicrobials are optimal as first-line agents.

Clinical characteristics and analysis of prognostic factors in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of patients with MRSA-IE in Japan and identify the factors associated with prognosis. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE caused by MRSA, between January 2015 and April 2019. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients from 19 centers were included, with a mean age of 67 years and 26 % were female. Fifty percent of the patients with IE were had nosocomial infections and 25 % had prosthetic valve involvement. The most common comorbidities were hemodialysis (20 %) and diabetes (20 %). Congestive heart failure was present in 86 % of patients (NYHA class I, II: 48 %; III, IV: 38 %). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 29 % and 46 %, respectively. Multi-organ failure was the primary cause of death, accounting for 43 % of all causes of death. Prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality were age, disseminated intravascular coagulation, daptomycin and/or linezolid as initial antibiotic therapy, and surgery. Surgical treatment was associated with a lower mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.026; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.002-0.382; p = 0.008 for 30-day mortality and OR, 0.130; 95 % CI; 0.029-0.584; p = 0.008 for in-hospital mortality). CONCLUSION: Mortality due to MRSA-IE remains high. Surgical treatment is a significant prognostic predictor of MRSA-IE.

Association between the hypokalaemia index based on area over the serum potassium concentration curve and occurrence of acute kidney injury in patients administered liposomal amphotericin B.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and hypokalaemia are common adverse events after treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB). OBJECTIVES: Because excess potassium (K) leakage occurs during renal tubular injury caused by L-AMB, measuring the decrease in rate of serum K concentration might be more useful to assess the renal impact of L-AMB than hypokalaemia identified from a one-point measurement. The effects of a decrease in K concentration and duration of hypokalaemia on AKI were investigated. METHODS: A ≥ 10% decrease in K concentration from the reference concentration within a 7-day timeframe was evaluated. The hypokalaemia index, which combines the duration of K concentration lower than the reference and a marked low K concentration, was calculated from the area over the concentration curve. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were included in the study. The incidences of AKI and decrease in K concentration were 36.0% and 63.9%, respectively. Of patients who developed both adverse events, a decrease in K concentration occurred first in 22 of 26 patients, followed by AKI 7 days later. Hypokalaemia did not increase AKI risk whereas a decrease in K concentration was an independent risk factor for AKI. The hypokalaemia index in patients with AKI was significantly higher than those without AKI (5.35 vs. 2.50 points, p = 0.002), and ≥3.45 points was a significant predictor for AKI. CONCLUSION: A ≥ 10% decrease in the K concentration was a significant factor for AKI in patients receiving L-AMB therapy. In such patients, dose reduction or alternative antifungals could be considered based on the hypokalaemia index.

Judicious ending of isolation based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold only for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring in-hospital therapy for longer than 20 days after symptom onset.

BACKGROUND: For patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring hospitalization, extending isolation is warranted. As a cautious protocol, ending isolation based on polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct) value was introduced for patients requiring therapy for >20 days after symptom onset. METHOD: We compared a Ct-based strategy using Smart Gene® between March 2022 and January 2023 with a preceding control period (March 2021 to February 2022) when two consecutive negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests using FilmArray® were required for ending isolation. Ct was evaluated on day 21, and ending isolation was permitted in patients with Ct ≥ 38. Although patients with Ct 35-37 were transferred to a non-COVID-19 ward, isolation was continued. RESULTS: The duration of stay on a COVID-19 ward in the Ct group was 9.7 days shorter than that in controls. The cumulative number of tests was 3.7 in controls and 1.2 in the Ct group. There was no nosocomial transmission after ending isolation in either group. The number of days from symptom onset to testing was 20.7 ± 2.1 in Ct group, and five patients had Ct < 35, nine Ct 35-37, and 71 Ct ≥ 38. No patients were moderately or severely immunocompromised. Steroid use was an independent risk factor for prolonged low Ct (odds ratio 9.40, 95% confidence interval 2.31-38.15, p = 0.002) CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of ending isolation based on Ct values could improve bed utilization without the risk of transmission among patients with COVID-19 requiring therapy for >20 days after symptom onset.

Optimal timing for therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole to prevent adverse effects in Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of voriconazole in Asians, who have higher rates of poor metabolisers than non-Asians, is unclear. This can cause unexpectedly high concentrations and delays in reaching steady-state levels. OBJECTIVES: To determine the appropriate timing of TDM in Japanese patients receiving voriconazole. PATIENTS/METHODS: Trough levels (Cmin ) were measured on days 3-5 (recommended timing, RT) and days 6-14 (delayed timing, DT) after starting voriconazole in patients receiving an appropriate dosage. Considering bioavailability, Cmin was only compared in patients receiving oral voriconazole. RESULTS: A total of 289 and 186 patients were included in the safety and pharmacokinetic analyses, respectively. There was a significant difference in Cmin measured no later than and after day 5 (3.59 ± 2.12 [RT] vs. 4.77 ± 3.88 µg/mL [DT], p = .023), whereas no significant difference was observed on cutoff day 6 (3.91 ± 2.60 vs. 4.40 ± 3.94 µg/mL, p = .465), suggesting that Cmin close to the steady-state was achieved after day 5. DT causes a delay in achieving the therapeutic range. The hepatotoxicity rates were 21.5% and 36.8% in the RT and DT groups, respectively (p = .004); DT was an independent risk factor for hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Although steady-state concentrations may not be achieved by day 5, early dose optimisation using RT can prevent hepatotoxicity in Japanese patients. TDM should be performed on days 3-5 to ensure safety. However, subsequent TDM may be necessary due to a possible further increase in Cmin .

Association between preoperative biologic use and surgical morbidity in patients with Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the influence of preoperative treatments with biologics on surgical morbidity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: We reviewed the surveillance data of patients with CD who underwent surgery between April 2018 and April 2021. The possible risk factors for morbidity were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 305 surgically treated patients were included. Anti-TNF alpha agents and ustekinumab were used in 92 and 27 patients, respectively, within 12 weeks before surgery. There were no cases of mortality. In total, 70/305 (23.0%) patients developed a complication, and 42/305 (13.8%) patients developed a surgical site infection (SSI) (17 incisional SSIs and 35 organ/space SSIs). Current smoking status (OR 3.44), emergent/urgent surgery (OR 6.85), and abdominoperineal resection (APR) (OR 14.93) were identified as risk factors for total complications. Penetrating disease (OR 14.55) was identified as a risk factor for incisional SSIs. Current smoking status (OR 7.09), an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score greater than 3 (OR 5.85), a postoperative blood sugar level over 155 mg/dL (OR 4.37), and APR (OR 207.95) were identified as risk factors for organ/space SSIs. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation between preoperative treatment with biologics and surgical mortality or morbidity was found. However, we should perform further analyses on a larger number of patients because the analyses may be limited by selection bias for treatment and several confounding factors.

Correction of thrombocytopenia caused by linezolid with scheduled sequential tedizolid use in patients with vertebral osteomyelitis by antibiotic resistant Gram-positive organisms.

INTRODUCTION: Because of thrombocytopenia, linezolid treatment tends to be stopped before the completion of therapy for complicated infections that require prolonged antimicrobial administration. In contrast, tedizolid shows a favorable hematologic profile. The primary end-point of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of switching treatment to tedizolid in patients who developed thrombocytopenia during linezolid therapy. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in patients with vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Treatment failure was defined as the reappearance of infection signs within 2 weeks after stopping tedizolid and discontinuation of tedizolid because of continued thrombocytopenia or other adverse effects. RESULTS: Eight patients with native VO (n = 3) and postoperative VO (n = 5) were included in the study. The causative organisms were MRSA in all patients except one. Platelet counts decreased from 35.2 ± 11.5 × 104/mm3 to 17.8 ± 6.2 × 104/mm3 during linezolid therapy and improved without washout period in all patients after switching to tedizolid on days 5-7 (28.6 ± 4.9 × 104/mm3, p = 0.002). Tedizolid therapy was completed and treatment failure was not observed in any patient. The duration of treatment was 20.0 ± 11.2 days for linezolid and 30.3 ± 9.5 days for tedizolid (total, 50.3 ± 10.7 days). One patient died because of underlying disease, and there was no recurrence in the remaining 7 patients (median follow-up 501 days). CONCLUSIONS: Switching therapy to tedizolid improved thrombocytopenia that occurred during linezolid therapy, and it enabled the completion of therapy for VO patients.

Enhanced loading dose of teicoplanin for three days is required to achieve a target trough concentration of 20 µg/mL in patients receiving continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration with a low flow rate.

INTRODUCTION: Because of its lower risk of renal toxicity than vancomycin, teicoplanin is the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in patients undergoing continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in whom renal function is expected to recover. The dosing regimen for achieving a trough concentration (Cmin) of ≥20 µg/mL remains unclear in patients on CVVHDF using the low flow rate adopted in Japan. METHODS: The study was conducted in patients undergoing CVVHDF with a flow rate of <20 mg/kg/h who were treated with teicoplanin. We adopted three loading dose regimens for the initial 3 days: the conventional regimen, a high-dose regimen (four doses of 10 mg/kg), and an enhanced regimen (four doses of 12 mg/kg). The initial Cmin was obtained at 72 h after the first dose. RESULTS: Overall, 60 patients were eligible for study inclusion. The proportion of patients achieving the Cmin target was significantly higher for the enhanced regimen than for the high-dose regimen (52.9% versus 8.3%, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, the enhanced regimen (odds ratio [OR] = 39.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.03-317.17) and hypoalbuminaemia (OR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01-0.44) were independent predictors of the achievement of Cmin ≥ 20 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: An enhanced teicoplanin regimen was proposed to treat complicated or invasive infections by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients receiving CVVHDF even with a low flow rate.

Efficacy of cell proliferation imaging with 4DST PET/CT for predicting the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer: a comparison study with FDG PET/CT.

PURPOSE: 4'-[Methyl-11C] thiothymidine (4DST) incorporates into DNA directly and is a PET tracer used for cell proliferation imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prediction of prognosis with pretreatment 4DST PET/CT compared to fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: In this prospective study, we analyzed 46 patients (68.2 ± 10.0 years old) with pathologically proven esophageal squamous cell cancer who underwent pretreatment 4DST and FDG PET/CT. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and total lesion proliferation (TLP) were measured for FDG and 4DST PET. The study endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients' clinical backgrounds, including age, histological type, clinical stage, and surgical treatment, were adjusted using the Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS: In the follow-up period (median 18.8 (interquartile range: 10.1-29.0) months), 26 and 19 patients showed disease progression and cancer-related death, respectively. After adjusting for clinical variables, only the 4DST parameters (SUVmax (p = 0.001) and TLP (p = 0.022)) were statistically significant for predicting PFS. FDG MTV (p = 0.031), 4DST SUVmax (p = 0.022), and TLP (p = 0.023) were statistically significant for predicting OS. Of the PET parameters, 4DST SUVmax yielded the highest adjusted hazard ratio for both PFS (4.88, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.83-12.97) and OS (4.19, 95% CI: 1.23-14.20). CONCLUSION: Higher accumulation of 4DST in the primary tumor may lead to shorter OS and PFS. 4DST PET/CT is useful for predicting prognosis and may outperform FDG PET/CT.

Change in antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from surgical site infections over the past decade in Japanese nation-wide surveillance study.

Inappropriate antimicrobial therapy for surgical site infections (SSIs) can lead to poor outcomes and an increased risk of antibiotic resistance. A nationwide survey was conducted in Japan from 2018 to 2019 to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from SSIs. The data were compared with those obtained in 2010 and 2014-2015 surveillance studies. Although the rate of detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli was increased from 9.5% in 2010 to 23% in 2014-2015, the incidence decreased to 8.7% in 2018-2019. Although high susceptibility rates were detected to piperacillin/tazobactam (TAZ), the geometric mean MICs were substantially higher than to meropenem (2.67 vs 0.08 µg/mL). By contrast, relatively low geometric mean MICs (0.397 µg/mL) were demonstrated for ceftolozane/TAZ. Although the MRSA incidence rate decreased from 72% in the first surveillance to 53% in the second, no further decrease was detected in 2018-2019. For the Bacteroides fragilis group species, low levels of susceptibility were observed for moxifloxacin (65.3%), cefoxitin (65.3%), and clindamycin (CLDM) (38.9%). In particular, low susceptibility against cefoxitin was demonstrated in non-fragilis Bacteroides, especially B. thetaiotaomicron. By contrast, low susceptibility rates against CLDM were demonstrated in both B. fragilis and non-fragilis Bacteroides species, and a steady decrease in susceptibility throughout was observed (59.3% in 2010, 46.9% in 2014-2015, and 38.9% in 2018-2019). In conclusion, Japanese surveillance data revealed no significant lowering of antibiotic susceptibility over the past decade in organisms commonly associated from SSIs, with the exception of the B. fragilis group.

Significance of 11C-PIB PET/CT in cardiac amyloidosis compared with 99mTc-aprotinin scintigraphy: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the significance of 11C-Pittsburgh B (PIB) PET/CT in patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis compared with 99mTc-aprotinin scintigraphy. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis were considered for enrolment in this prospective pilot study. Participants were scheduled to undergo a series of 11C-PIB PET/CT and 99mTc-aprotinin within a 2-month period. Finally, we evaluated nine cases who underwent both imaging modalities, and compared imaging results with clinical and pathological results and prognosis. RESULTS: Six of the 9 patients who underwent both imaging modalities were diagnosed with amyloidosis, of whom 3 patients were diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis from endomyocardial biopsy. These 3 patients with positive 11C-PIB uptake at the left ventricle wall showed worsening of cardiac function progressing in the short term or death caused by acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure. Six of 8 patients with positive uptake on 99mTc-aprotinin presented with amyloid deposition in the left ventricle wall, but symptoms remained stable if results of 11C-PIB were not positive. CONCLUSION: In a small sample of subjects, the present study showed that 11C-PIB accumulation in myocardium indicated cardiac amyloidosis with poor prognosis. Uptake of 11C-PIB may be related to progressive amyloid deposition to the heart and can predict patient prognosis.

Multicenter surveillance of the epidemiology of gram-negative bacteremia in Japan.

This study investigated the epidemiology of adult patients with bacteremia caused by seven major gram-negative bacteria during a year at four university hospitals in Japan. Of the 438 cases included, Escherichia coli (247 patients) was the most frequently isolated pathogen, followed by Klebsiella species (89 patients), Enterobacter species (31 patients), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29 patients), Bacteroides species (19 patients), Acinetobacter species (12 patients) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (11 patients). The overall, crude in-hospital mortality was 16.4%, ranging from 9.7% with Enterobacter species to 54.5% with S. maltophilia. Community- and hospital-acquired bacteremia accounted for 52.5% and 47.5%, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 93.0% of patients with community-acquired bacteremia, whereas non-fermenting bacteria were isolated from 21.6% of patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia. Of the 423 patients analyzed, 86.8% and 13.2% were monomicrobial and polymicrobial infections, respectively, and their in-hospital mortalities were 13.9% and 30.4%, respectively. Although carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were not detected, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) production was seen in 24.3% of E. coli and 6.7% of Klebsiella species, respectively. E. coli producing ESBL showed high resistance rates to fluoroquinolones (approximately 90%), in contrast to non-producing-E. coli (approximately 21%). The susceptibilities to carbapenems and fluoroquinolones were approximately 80% for P. aeruginosa, whereas all Acinetobacter species were susceptible to these antibiotics. Bacteroides species showed 100% susceptibility to piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems, but only 47.4% were susceptible to clindamycin. Further studies, as well as continued surveillance, are required to determine the appropriate therapeutic strategy for gram-negative bacteremia.

Sensitivity and specificity of different antibody tests for detecting varicella-zoster virus.

INTRODUCTION: Antibody tests for detecting varicella-zoster virus include the fluorescent-antibody-to-membrane-antigen (FAMA) assay, immune adherence hemagglutination assay (IAHA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and the glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA). Although FAMA and gpELISA are highly sensitive, FAMA is not available commercially. Therefore, this study was performed to compare potential high-sensitivity tests with commercially available tests. METHODS: Four antibody tests, FAMA, gpELISA, EIA, and IAHA, were performed using sera collected from 32 children aged 7 months-10 years. Using FAMA as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of gpELISA, EIA, and IAHA were assessed. Subsequently, using gpELISA as a reference, the positive agreement rate of EIA and IAHA was assessed. RESULTS: On a reference scale with FAMA set at 100%, the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody tests were as follows: gpELISA, 67% and 100%; EIA, 67% and 100%; and IAHA, 47% and 100%, respectively. The positive agreement rates of EIA and IAHA relative to gpELISA were 86% and 64%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: gpELISA had a lower positive rate than did FAMA, and showed comparable sensitivity to that of EIA.

Clinical efficacy of teicoplanin in the treatment of bloodstream infection caused by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Empirical combination therapy with ß-lactams and glycopeptides is recommended for patients with presumed staphylococcal bloodstream infection (BSI). While coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) remain susceptible to vancomycin, such isolates have become less susceptible to teicoplanin. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of teicoplanin in the treatment of BSI caused by methicillin-resistant CNS according to teicoplanin susceptibility. Inclusion criteria were patients with intravascular-catheter related BSIs caused by methicillin-resistant CNS (positive for two or more specimens); teicoplanin therapy; and at least one of the signs or symptoms caused by BSI. Antimicrobial resistance was defined as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥8 µg/mL. The primary efficacy endpoint was clinical success evaluated 2 weeks after the completion of teicoplanin therapy [test of cure (TOC)]. Resistant rate of CNS was 0% for vancomycin and 22.9% for teicoplanin, and geometric mean MICs were 1.31 µg/mL and 3.41 µg/mL, respectively (p < 0.001). The catheter was removed in all patients except one, and high early clinical response at 72 h after starting therapy was obtained irrespective of teicoplanin susceptibility. The clinical success rate at TOC was 60% in patients with BSIs caused by teicoplanin-resistant strains, while 90% in patients with BSIs caused by susceptible strains (p = 0.052). In multivariate analyses, teicoplanin resistance was significant factor for decreased clinical success at TOC (adjusted odds ratio 0.138, 95% confidence interval 0.020-0.961, p = 0.045). Because of the poor clinical efficacy of teicoplanin against teicoplanin-resistant CNS, combination therapy comprising vancomycin and ß-lactam antibiotics should be considered in presumed staphylococci BSI.

Effects of antifungal stewardship using therapeutic drug monitoring in voriconazole therapy on the prevention and control of hepatotoxicity and visual symptoms: A multicentre study conducted in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Hepatotoxicity and visual symptoms are common adverse effects (AEs) of voriconazole therapy. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the effects of treatment modification based on therapeutic drug monitoring on AEs in patients undergoing voriconazole therapy. METHODS: The target voriconazole trough concentration (Cmin ) was 1-5 µg/mL. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine Cmin cut-offs for AEs. RESULTS: A total of 401 patients were included. Among 108 patients with high initial Cmin , voriconazole was discontinued in 32 and the dose was reduced in 71. Among 44 patients with low initial Cmin , voriconazole was discontinued in 4 and the dose was increased in 19. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 6.0% of patients, after a median of 10 days. Visual symptoms were evident in 9.5% of patients after a median of 4 days. Initial Cmin was significantly associated with visual symptoms but not hepatotoxicity, which suggested the effect of treatment modification on hepatotoxicity. However, both hepatotoxicity and visual symptoms were significantly correlated with Cmin at the onset of AEs, and the Cmin cut-offs were 3.5 µg/mL for hepatotoxicity and 4.2 µg/mL for visual symptoms. Voriconazole was discontinued after the occurrence of AEs in 62.5% of patients with hepatotoxicity but only 26.3% of patients with visual symptoms. With dose adjustment, treatment was completed in 8/9 patients with hepatotoxicity and 27/28 patients with visual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A significant preventive effect was demonstrated on hepatotoxicity, but not on visual symptoms because of earlier occurrence. With treatment modification after the occurrence of AEs, most patients completed therapy.

Vancomycin loading dose is associated with increased early clinical response without attainment of initial target trough concentration at a steady state in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Vancomycin therapeutic guidelines suggest a loading dose of 25-30 mg/kg for seriously ill patients. However, high-quality data to guide the use of loading doses are lacking. We aimed to evaluate whether a loading dose (a) achieved a target trough concentration at steady state and (b) improved early clinical response. METHODS: Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 were included. A loading dose of 25 mg/kg vancomycin followed by 15 mg/kg twice daily was compared with traditional dosing. A Cmin sample was obtained before the fifth dose. An early clinical response 48-72 hours after the start of therapy and clinical success at end of therapy (EOT) was evaluated in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci or Enterococcus faecium. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in Cmin between the regimen with and without a loading dose (median: 10.4 and 10.2 µg/mL, P = .54). Proportions of patients achieving 10-20 and 15-20 µg/mL were 56.9% and 5.6%, respectively, in patients with a loading dose. Although there was no significant difference in success rate at EOT between groups, a loading dose was associated with increased early clinical response for all infections (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 4.588, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.373-15.330) and MRSA infections (OR: 12.065, 95% CI: 1.821-79.959). Study limitations included no Cmin measurements within 24 hours and the inclusion of less critically ill patients. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A loading dose of 25 mg/kg followed by 15 mg/kg twice daily did not achieve the optimal Cmin at steady state in patients with normal renal function. However, more early clinical responses were obtained with a loading dose compared with traditional dosing, possibly because of a prompt albeit temporary achievement of a more effective concentration.

Efficacy of Preoperative Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Patients With Crohn Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the efficacy of oral antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery for Crohn disease. BACKGROUND: Although oral antibiotic prophylaxis with mechanical bowel preparation has been recommended for colorectal surgery, the use of this approach remains somewhat controversial. Moreover, the efficacy of this approach for inflammatory bowel disease also remains unclear. METHODS: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial at the Hyogo College of Medicine. The study protocols were registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (000013369). In this study, 335 patients with Crohn disease who were scheduled to undergo intestinal resection with an open approach were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. The patients in group A received both preoperative oral antibiotics and intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis, and intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis alone was given to the patients in group B. All patients underwent preoperative mechanical bowel preparation with sodium picosulfate hydrate. The primary endpoint of this study was the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) according to an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Although the incidences of overall and organ/space SSI were not significantly different, the incidence of incisional SSI was significantly lower in group A (12/163; 7.4%) than in group B (27/162; 16.6%) (P = 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the absence of oral antibiotic prophylaxis was an independent risk factor for incisional SSI (odds ratio: 3.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-8.3; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Combined oral and intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients with Crohn disease contributed to the prevention of SSI.