Temporal maturation of neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent individuals improves potency and breadth to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 slowly wane over time. Here, we examined how time affects antibody potency. To assess the impact of antibody maturation on durable neutralizing activity against original SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants of concern (VOCs), we analyzed receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG antibodies in convalescent plasma taken 1-10 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longitudinal evaluation of total RBD IgG and neutralizing antibody revealed declining total antibody titers but improved neutralization potency per antibody to original SARS-CoV-2, indicative of antibody response maturation. Neutralization assays with authentic viruses revealed that early antibodies capable of neutralizing original SARS-CoV-2 had limited reactivity toward B.1.351 (501Y.V2) and P.1 (501Y.V3) variants. Antibodies from late convalescents exhibited increased neutralization potency to VOCs, suggesting persistence of cross-neutralizing antibodies in plasma. Thus, maturation of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 potentiates cross-neutralizing ability to circulating variants, suggesting that declining antibody titers may not be indicative of declining protection.

Findings from a discontinued clinical trial of favipiravir in high-risk patients with early-onset COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Favipiravir terminates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication. Accordingly, early administration of favipiravir to SARS-CoV-2-infected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may be expected to suppress disease progression. METHODS: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to demonstrate efficacy of favipiravir in reducing disease progression in patients with mild COVID-19. The participants were unvaccinated patients with comorbidities and at risk of progression to severe disease. Patients were enrolled within 72 h of disease onset and randomized to receive either favipiravir (1800 mg/dose on Day 1 followed by 800 mg/dose) or matching placebo twice daily for 10 days. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients requiring oxygen therapy within 28 days of randomization. RESULTS: The trial was discontinued after enrolling 84 patients due to slower than anticipated enrollment caused by rapid uptake of SARS-CoV-2-vaccines and the emergence of the Omicron variant. Results from the 84 patients demonstrated no significant difference in all clinical outcomes. In post-hoc analyses, favipiravir treatment showed higher efficacy in patients within 48 h of onset. No deaths or severe adverse events were documented in the favipiravir group. Plasma concentrations of favipiravir from Day 2 onward were maintained above 40 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting clinical trials for pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 that rapidly accumulate mutations leading to altered disease characteristics carries significant risks unless it can be done in a short period. Therefore, it would be important to prepare the comprehensive clinical trial platform that can appropriately and promptly evaluate drugs even under a pandemic.

Icenticaftor, a CFTR Potentiator, in COPD: A Multicenter, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Rationale: CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) dysfunction is associated with mucus accumulation and worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. Objectives: The aim of this phase IIb dose-finding study was to compare a CFTR potentiator, icenticaftor (QBW251), with placebo in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis. Methods: Patients with COPD on triple therapy for at least three months were randomized to six treatment arms (icenticaftor 450, 300, 150, 75, or 25 mg or placebo twice daily [b.i.d.]) in a 24-week, multicenter, parallel-group, double-blind study. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in trough FEV1 after 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included change from baseline in trough FEV1 and Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms in COPD (E-RS) total and cough and sputum scores after 24 weeks. Multiple comparison procedure-modeling was conducted to characterize dose-response relationship. Rescue medication use, exacerbations, and change in serum fibrinogen concentration after 24 weeks were assessed in exploratory and post hoc analyses, respectively. Measurements and Main Results: Nine hundred seventy-four patients were randomized. After 12 weeks of icenticaftor treatment, no dose-response relationship for change from baseline in trough FEV1 was observed; however, it was observed for E-RS cough and sputum score. A dose-response relationship was observed after 24 weeks for trough FEV1, E-RS cough and sputum and total scores, rescue medication use, and fibrinogen. A dose of 300 mg b.i.d. was consistently the most effective. Improvements for 300 mg b.i.d. versus placebo were also seen in pairwise comparisons of these endpoints. All treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions: The primary endpoint was negative, as icenticaftor did not improve trough FEV1 over 12 weeks. Although the findings must be interpreted with caution, icenticaftor improved trough FEV1; reduced cough, sputum, and rescue medication use; and lowered fibrinogen concentrations at 24 weeks. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04072887).

One-year safety and tolerability of tezepelumab in Japanese patients with severe uncontrolled asthma: results of the NOZOMI study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term safety of tezepelumab in Japanese patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. METHODS: This phase III, 52-week, open-label, single-arm study (NOZOMI, NCT04048343) evaluated the safety/tolerability of subcutaneous (SC) tezepelumab 210 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) in Japanese patients aged 12-80 years with severe uncontrolled asthma using medium- to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and at least one additional asthma controller medication, with/without oral corticosteroids. Exploratory outcomes included efficacy (asthma exacerbations, lung function, and asthma control), pharmacokinetic parameters, and immunogenicity. RESULTS: Among 65 patients (median age 52 years), 39 (60%) experienced 94 adverse events (AEs; predominantly nasopharyngitis [13/65]) of mild (49.2%), moderate (7.7%), or severe (3.1%) intensity. Two patients had transient injection site erythema related to tezepelumab. Four patients reported serious AEs unrelated to tezepelumab and one AE led to treatment discontinuation. AEs of special interest were infrequent and generally mild/moderate. Apart from a decrease in blood eosinophils (an expected pharmacodynamic effect), no notable trends/clinically relevant changes in hematology, clinical chemistry, or urinalysis parameters were observed. Among exploratory outcomes, tezepelumab was associated with a low annualized asthma exacerbation rate over the study period (0.11/patient-year), improved lung function (mean [standard deviation] change from baseline of 0.075 [0.226] L in pre-dose/pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s), and better asthma control versus baseline (responder rate: 71.4% at Week 52). CONCLUSION: Tezepelumab 210 mg SC Q4W in Japanese patients with severe uncontrolled asthma showed safety/tolerability profiles similar to international data, with low exacerbation rates and improvements in lung function and asthma control.

Phase III study of bilayer sustained-release tramadol tablets in patients with cancer pain: a double-blind parallel-group, non-inferiority study with immediate-release tramadol capsules as an active comparator.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether twice-daily administration of a bilayer tablet formulation of tramadol (35% immediate-release [IR] and 65% sustained-release) is as effective as four-times-daily IR tramadol capsules for managing cancer pain. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-comparator, non-inferiority study enrolled opioid-naïve patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen (paracetamol) to manage cancer pain and self-reported pain (mean value over 3 days ≥ 25 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale [VAS]). Patients were randomized to either bilayer tablets or IR capsules for 14 days. The starting dose was 100 mg/day and could be escalated to 300 mg/day. The primary endpoint was the change in VAS (averaged over 3 days) for pain at rest from baseline to end of treatment/discontinuation. RESULTS: Overall, 251 patients were randomized. The baseline mean VAS at rest was 47.67 mm (range: 25.6-82.7 mm). In the full analysis set, the adjusted mean change in VAS was - 22.07 and - 19.08 mm in the bilayer tablet (n = 124) and IR capsule (n = 120) groups, respectively. The adjusted mean difference was - 2.99 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] - 7.96 to 1.99 mm). The upper 95% CI was less than the predefined non-inferiority margin of 7.5 mm. Other efficacy outcomes were similar in both groups. Adverse events were reported for 97/126 (77.0%) and 101/125 (80.8%) patients in the bilayer tablet and IR capsule groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Twice-daily administration of bilayer tramadol tablets was as effective as four-times-daily administration of IR capsules regarding the improvement in pain VAS, with comparable safety outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: JapicCTI-184143/jRCT2080224082 (October 5, 2018).

Randomised trial of the P2X3 receptor antagonist sivopixant for refractory chronic cough.

BACKGROUND: The purinoceptor subtype P2X3 has been shown to have significant involvement in the cough reflex; the heterotrimer version of the purinoceptor (P2X2/3) has been implicated in taste disturbance. The most advanced clinical candidate antagonist gefapixant has low selectivity among P2X3 receptors and induced taste disturbance, whereas newly developed sivopixant has high selectivity towards P2X3 versus P2X2/3. METHODS: In a phase 2a, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, multicentre study, adult patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough received oral sivopixant 150 mg or placebo once daily for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-3-week washout period, and then crossed over to placebo or sivopixant for 2 weeks. Efficacy and safety of sivopixant were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 31 randomised patients, 15 in the sivopixant-first group and 15 in the placebo-first group completed the study. After 2 weeks of treatment, the placebo-adjusted ratios of the average hourly number of coughs to baseline during daytime (primary end-point) and over 24 h (secondary end-point) were -31.6% (p=0.0546) and -30.9% (p=0.0386), respectively. Sivopixant also improved health-related quality of life. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 12.9% and 3.2% of patients during sivopixant and placebo administration, respectively. Mild taste disturbance occurred in two patients (6.5%) during sivopixant administration. CONCLUSIONS: Sivopixant reduced objective cough frequency and improved health-related quality of life, with a low incidence of taste disturbance, among patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough.

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of camostat mesilate in patients with COVID-19 (CANDLE study).

BACKGROUND: In vitro drug screening studies have indicated that camostat mesilate (FOY-305) may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection into human airway epithelial cells. This study was conducted to investigate whether camostat mesilate is an effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Patients were enrolled if they were admitted to a hospital within 5 days of onset of COVID-19 symptoms or within 5 days of a positive test for asymptomatic patients. Severe cases (e.g., those requiring oxygenation/ventilation) were excluded. Patients were enrolled, randomized, and allocated to each group using an interactive web response system. Randomization was performed using a minimization method with the factors medical institution, age, and underlying diseases (chronic respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity). The patients, investigators/subinvestigators, study coordinators, and other study personnel were blinded throughout the study. Patients were administered camostat mesilate (600 mg qid; four to eight times higher than the clinical doses in Japan) or placebo for up to 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to the first two consecutive negative tests for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: One-hundred fifty-five patients were randomized to receive camostat mesilate (n = 78) or placebo (n = 77). The median time to the first test was 11.0 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.0-12.0) in the camostat mesilate group and 11.0 days (95% CI: 10.0-13.0) in the placebo group. Conversion to negative viral status by day 14 was observed in 45 of 74 patients (60.8%) in the camostat mesilate group and 47 of 74 patients (63.5%) in the placebo group. The primary (Bayesian) and secondary (frequentist) analyses found no significant differences in the primary endpoint between the two groups. No additional safety concerns beyond those already known for camostat mesilate were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Camostat mesilate did not substantially reduce the time to viral clearance, based on upper airway viral loads, compared with placebo for treating patients with mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection with or without symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04657497. Japan Registry for Clinical Trials, jRCT2031200198.

Liquid biopsy for detecting epidermal growth factor receptor mutation among patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with afatinib: a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of liquid biopsy in detecting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations at diagnosis, disease progression, and intermediate stages. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, observational study included 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with afatinib, harboring a major EGFR mutation confirmed by tumor tissue biopsy. We collected blood samples for liquid biopsy at diagnosis, intermediate stage, and progressive disease. Tissue and liquid biopsies were examined using Cobas ® EGFR Mutation Test v2. RESULTS: Liquid biopsy detected EGFR mutations in 63.6% of the patients at diagnosis. The presence of metastasis in the extrathoracic, brain, and adrenal glands correlated positively with the detection of EGFR mutations. Patients with positive EGFR mutations at diagnosis had significantly shorter overall and progression-free survival than patients with negative EGFR mutations. Four of the 18 patients (22.2%) who reached progressive disease had positive EGFR T790M mutations. Three of 10 patients (30.0%) with progressive disease were positive and negative for T790M using tumor re-biopsy and liquid biopsy, respectively. The results of EGFR mutation by tissue re-biopsy were the same as those of liquid biopsy in the three patients who were positive for significant EGFR mutations but negative for the T790M mutation using liquid biopsy at progressing disease. Only two patients were positive for major EGFR mutations at intermediate levels. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid biopsy can be a prognostic factor in EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments at diagnosis. Tumor re-biopsy can be omitted in patients with positive EGFR mutations by liquid biopsy at PD.

A case of COVID-19 pneumonia successfully treated with favipiravir (Avigan) in which serum SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected by LAMP method was clinically useful.

A 49-year-old Japanese male was managed by mechanical ventilation due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Favipiravir as an antiviral therapy, and anti-inflammatory treatment were administered. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in serum by the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method on Day 9; favipiravir treatment was continued. On Day 13, negative serum RNA was confirmed, followed by mechanical ventilation was removed. On Day 23, LAMP negative was confirmed in nasopharynx, after that the patient discharged on Day 27. We could treat successfully for severe COVID-19 pneumonia based on the LAMP method. We consider this method will be useful in COVID-19 treatment.

[A Case of Pneumocystin a Patient with Pneumonia That Developed during Chemotherapy for Sigmoid Cancer].

A 63-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced sigmoid cancer of pT3, pN0, sM1c, sP3, fStage Ⅳ post-operation. After CAPOX plus Bmab as the first-line chemotherapy, he underwent IRIS plus Bmab as the second-line chemotherapy. After 1 course of IRIS plus Bmab, he was admitted to the hospital for fever, dyspnea, and general fatigue. The white blood cell count was 6.2×10 3/mL, and the C-reactive protein was elevated to 12.9 mg/dL. The PaO2 of the artery blood gas analysis in room air was 46.3 mmHg, suggesting respiratory failure. He was diagnosed with PCP based on the bilateral diffused ground-glass opacities on chest CT along with an elevated serum b-D-glucan. The treatment of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and steroid was then initiated. After the patient's clinical condition improved, he was discharged on day 27 post-admission.

Osimertinib in Japanese patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: AURA3 trial.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the first-line treatment for patients with EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most patients become resistant to these drugs, so their disease progresses. Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI that can inhibit the kinase even when the common resistance-conferring Thr790Met (T790M) mutation is present, is a promising therapeutic option for patients whose disease has progressed after first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. AURA3 was a randomized (2:1), open-label, phase III study comparing the efficacy of osimertinib (80 mg/d) with platinum-based therapy plus pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 ) in 419 patients with advanced NSCLC with the EGFR T790M mutation in whom disease had progressed after first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. This subanalysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of osimertinib specifically in 63 Japanese patients enrolled in AURA3. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS) based on investigator assessment. Improvement in PFS was clinically meaningful in the osimertinib group (n = 41) vs the platinum-pemetrexed group (n = 22; hazard ratio 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.56). The median PFS was 12.5 and 4.3 months in the osimertinib and platinum-pemetrexed groups, respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events determined to be related to treatment occurred in 5 patients (12.2%) treated with osimertinib and 12 patients (54.5%) treated with platinum-pemetrexed. The safety and efficacy results in this subanalysis are consistent with the results of the overall AURA3 study, and support the use of osimertinib in Japanese patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC whose disease has progressed following first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration no. NCT02151981.).

Regulatory role of heme oxygenase-1 in silica-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Silicosis, a progressive inflammatory lung disease attributed mainly to occupational exposure to silica dust, shows loss of lung function even after cessation of exposure. In addition to conventional evaluation methods such as chest X-ray, computed tomography, and spirometry, we identified heme oxygenase (HO)-1, an inducible antioxidant, as a potential biomarker to identify at-risk patients. We found that HO-1 was critical in attenuating the disease progression of silicosis; however, the key signaling pathway has not yet been elucidated. Here, we report the critical pathway after silica exposure, focusing on the role of silica-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and its attenuation, which is mediated by HO-1 induction, in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Normal bronchial epithelial cells and a macrophage cell line, as well as a murine silicosis model generated by intratracheal administration of 2.5 mg of crystalline silica, were used in this study. The pathways activated in response to silica exposure, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, were examined and compared with or without super-induction of HO-1. RESULTS: The murine silicosis model was first assessed for the evaluation of activated pathways after silica exposure, focusing on ROS-MAPK activation. In the murine model, increased expression of HO-1 in the lungs was observed after silica-instillation. Moreover, silica-medicated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the lungs was attenuated in response to silica-induced HO-1 upregulation. Activation of other MAPKs, such as p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathways, after silica exposure was not significantly different irrespective of HO-1 induction. Further in vitro studies showed that 1) silica-induced HO-1 was significantly attenuated by inhibiting ERK activation, and 2) carbon monoxide and bilirubin as final byproducts of HO-1 could inhibit ERK activation. Taken together, silica-induced HO-1 upregulation was mediated by ERK activation, and HO-1 further regulates ERK activation via its final byproducts, carbon monoxide and bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate the regulatory role of HO-1 in silicosis. This finding could contribute to the development of a treatment strategy of monitoring HO-1 levels as a marker of therapeutic intervention.

No Therapeutic Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Retreatment Despite T790M Disappearance: Case Report of 3 Cases.

BACKGROUND: T790M is a major cause of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance, but the clinical significance of T790M disappearance is unknown. CASE REPORT: We report 3 cases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma which did not respond to EGFR-TKI retreatment even with T790M disappearance. T790M mutations were detected in the pleural effusions after the tumors had acquired EGFR-TKI resistance. T790M mutations disappeared from cancer cells in the pleural effusion after a break from the treatment drug and cytotoxic agent administration. However, no therapeutic effect was obtained despite EGFR-TKI reinitiation. CONCLUSIONS: Responsiveness to EGFR-TKI might not be restored in some cases, although the disappearance of T790M mutations is confirmed.

Clarithromycin Suppresses Chloride Channel Accessory 1 and Inhibits Interleukin-13-Induced Goblet Cell Hyperplasia in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

Activation of the interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor leads to signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) activation and subsequent induction of SAM pointed domain containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF) and chloride channel accessory 1 (CLCA1), increasing secretion of the gel-forming mucin MUC5AC. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) also leads to MUC5AC production via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). We examined the effect of clarithromycin IL-13 signaling leading to production. Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were grown for 14 days at an air-liquid interface (ALI) with IL-13 and/or clarithromycin. Histochemical analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and MUC5AC immunostaining. MUC5AC, SPDEF, and CLCA1 mRNA expression were evaluated by real-time PCR. Western analysis was used to assess phosphorylation of STAT6 and ERK1/2. Clarithromycin decreased IL-13-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and MUC5AC mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Clarithromycin decreased IL-13-stimulated SPDEF and CLCA1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, and at 32 µg/ml CLCA1 was profoundly decreased (P < 0.001). Although clarithromycin had no effect on STAT6 phosphorylation induced by IL-13, it decreased constitutive phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (P < 0.05).

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus infections in Japanese adults in the Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza virus are responsible for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in adults. We assessed the clinical burden of RSV, hMPV and influenza virus infection among Japanese adults hospitalized with ARTIs. METHODS: The Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (HARTI) study was a multinational, prospective cohort study in adults with ARTIs across the 2017-2019 epidemic seasons. Enrolment in Japan began in Sept 2018 and ran until Oct 2019. The clinical diagnosis of ARTI and the decision to hospitalize the patient were made according to local standard of care practices. Viral testing was performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 173 adults hospitalized with ARTI during this period at the Japan sites, 7 (4.0%), 9 (5.2%), and 11 (6.4%) were positive for influenza virus, RSV, and hMPV, respectively. RSV season was observed from Oct 2018 to Jan 2019, followed by influenza from Dec 2018 to Apr 2019. hMPV was detected across both the RSV and influenza seasons. Two patients with RSV and 1 patient with hMPV required ICU admission whereas none with influenza. Use of antibiotics, bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids was high amongst patients with RSV and hMPV at 1, 2, and 3 months' post-discharge compared with patients with influenza, with few exceptions. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for a high degree of clinical suspicion for RSV and hMPV infection in adults hospitalized with ARTIs.

Surveillance of seasonal influenza viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan, 2018-2023, a single-center study.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic led to significant reductions in influenza detection worldwide, fueling debates on whether influenza truly ceased circulating in communities. The number of influenza cases decreased significantly in Japan, raising concerns about the potential risk of decreased immunity to influenza in the population. Our single-center study aimed to investigate influenza trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients of all ages who visited Tokyo Shinagawa Hospital between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023. Influenza and COVID-19 tests were conducted using Quick Navi-Flu2 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We analyzed data from before and during the COVID-19 epidemic, based on patient background, hospitalization, and deaths, collected from medical records. Results: A total of 12 577 influenza tests were conducted, with approximately 100 tests consistently performed each month even in the influenza off-season. Throughout the observation period, 962 positive cases were identified. However, no cases were observed for 27 months between March 2020 and November 2022. Influenza A cases were reobserved in December 2022, followed by influenza B cases in March 2023, similar to the influenza incidence reports from Tokyo. The positivity rate during the 2022-2023 winter season was lower than before the COVID-19 epidemic and decreased in elderly patients, with no hospitalizations or deaths observed. Conclusion: This single-center study provided actual trend data for influenza patients before and during COVID-19 outbreaks in Tokyo, which could offer insights into the potential impact and likelihood of influenza virus infection in Japan.

Nationwide survey in Japan of the causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis in departments of respiratory medicine at university hospitals and core hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The Guidelines for the Management of Cough and Sputum (2019) of the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) were the first internationally published guidelines for the management of sputum. However, the data used to determine the causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis in these guidelines were not obtained in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the clinical information of patients with bloody sputum or hemoptysis who visited the department of respiratory medicine at a university or core hospital in Japan. RESULTS: Included in the study were 556 patients (median age, 73 years; age range, 21-98 years; 302 males (54.3%)). The main causative diseases were bronchiectasis (102 patients (18.3%)), lung cancer (97 patients (17.4%)), and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease (89 patients (16%)). Sex and age differences were observed in the frequency of causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis. The most common cause was lung cancer in males (26%), bronchiectasis in females (29%), lung cancer in patients aged <65 years (19%), and bronchiectasis in those aged >65 years (20%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to investigate the causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis using data obtained in Japan. When investigating the causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis, it is important to take the sex and age of the patients into account.

Pulmonary function and chest CT abnormalities 3 months after discharge from COVID-19, 2020-2021: A nation-wide multicenter prospective cohort study from the Japanese respiratory society.

BACKGROUND: No comprehensive analysis of the pulmonary sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan based on respiratory function tests and chest computed tomography (CT) has been reported. We evaluated post-COVID-19 conditions, especially focusing on pulmonary sequelae assessed by pulmonary function tests and chest CT. METHODS: For this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 1069 patients who presented pneumonia at the time of admission in 55 hospitals from February 2020 to September 2021. Disease severity was classified as moderateⅠ, moderate II, and severe, defined primarily according to the degree of respiratory failure. The data on post-COVID-19 conditions over 12 months, pulmonary function, and chest CT findings at 3 months were evaluated in this study. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 severity on pulmonary sequelae, such as impaired diffusion capacity, restrictive pattern, and CT abnormalities, was also evaluated. RESULTS: The most frequently reported post-COVID-19 conditions at 3 months after COVID-19 were muscle weakness, dyspnea, and fatigue (48.4%, 29.0%, and 24.7%, respectively). The frequency of symptoms gradually decreased over subsequent months. In pulmonary function tests at 3 months, the incidence of impaired diffusion capacity and restrictive pattern increased depending on disease severity. There also were differences in the presence of chest CT abnormalities at the 3 months, which was markedly correlated with the severity. CONCLUSION: We reported a comprehensive analysis of post-COVID-19 condition, pulmonary function, and chest CT abnormalities in Japanese patients with COVID-19. The findings of this study will serve as valuable reference data for future post-COVID-19 condition research in Japan.