Interest in the combination of antimicrobial therapy for orthopaedic device-related infections due to Enterococcus spp.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of orthopaedic device-related infections (ODRIs) due to Enterococcus spp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in a French tertiary university hospital. Patients with prosthetic joint- or osteosynthesis-associated infections caused by enterococci from 2013 to 2020 were included. Patients who died within 5 days after surgery; who were in palliative care; or who had osteosynthesis of the hand, foot or vertebra were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included, with 24 in the arthroplasty group and 12 in the osteosynthesis material group. Most infections were polymicrobial (63.9%, n = 23). Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) was performed in 30.6% (n = 11), withdrawal of material in 16.7% (n = 6), one-stage exchange in 30.6% (n = 11) and two-stage exchange in 22.2% of cases (n = 8). The antibiotic regimen was amoxicillin in 41.6% (n = 15), rifampicin in 27.8% (n = 10), linezolid in 25% (n = 9) and/or fluoroquinolones in 30.6% (n = 11). Clinical success at 1 year was 67% (18/27). The only variable statistically associated with a decreased risk of clinical failure was a duration of antibiotic therapy of 12 weeks (p = 0.04). Patients with a lower body mass index and age tended to decrease the risk of clinical failure (p = 0.05 and 0.06 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The management of enterococcal ODRIs is complex, and ODRI patients are at high risk for relapse. In our small study, a better outcome was not demonstrated for patients with combination therapy and rifampicin use. Further studies are needed to improve the medico-surgical strategy for treating these infections.

Medicosurgical management of deep wound infections after thoracolumbar instrumentation: risk factors of poor outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) after thoracolumbar osteosynthesis is a common complication. Its management relies on surgical revision and antibiotic therapy, but treatment failure is not uncommon. The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of SSI management failure and its risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients hospitalized from 2011 to 2019 at the University Hospital of Caen was carried out. The infection rate and the time to onset of failure were assessed over a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Treatment failure was defined as the occurrence of a new intervention in the spine in the year following the end of antibiotic therapy, the establishment of long-term suppressive antibiotic therapy, or death from any cause within 1 year of the end of antibiotic therapy. We compared the treatment failure group with the treatment success group to determine risk factors for treatment failure. RESULTS: A total of 2881 patients underwent surgery during the study period, and 92 developed an SSI, corresponding to an SSI rate of 3.19%. Thirty-six percent of the patients with an SSI presented treatment failure. The median time to failure was 31 days. On multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus was identified as a risk factor for treatment failure, whereas prolonged postoperative drainage for 4 to 5 days was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The number of failures was significant, and failure occurred mainly during the early phase. To decrease the risk of treatment failure, prolonged duration of postoperative drainage seems to be helpful. Additionally, as diabetes is a risk factor for treatment failure, good control of glycemia in these patients might impact their outcomes.

Impact of aging on phenotype and prognosis in IgA vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is a small-vessel vasculitis most frequently benign in children while more severe in adults. We aimed to study the impact of age on presentation and outcome of adult IgAV. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study including 260 IgAV patients. Patients were divided into four quartiles according to the age at IgAV diagnosis: <36, 36 ≤ age < 52; 52 ≤ age < 63 and ≥63 years. Comparison of presentation and outcome were performed according to age of disease onset. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 50.1 (18) years and 63% were male. IgAV diagnosed in the lowest quartile of age was associated with more frequent joint (P < 0.0001) and gastrointestinal involvement (P = 0.001). In contrast, the oldest patients had more severe purpura with necrotic lesions (P = 0.001) and more frequent renal involvement (P < 0.0001), with more frequent haematuria, renal failure, higher urine protein excretion and more frequent tubulointerstitial lesions. Patients were treated similarly in all groups of age, and clinical response and relapse rates were similar between groups. In the 127 treated patients with follow-up data for >6 months, clinical response and relapse rates were similar between the four groups. Median follow-up was of 17.2 months (9.1-38.3 months). Renal failure at the end of follow-up was significantly more frequent in the highest quartile of age (P = 0.02), but the occurrence of end-stage renal disease was similar in all groups. Last, overall and IgAV-related deaths were associated with increase in age. CONCLUSION: Aging negatively impacts the severity and outcome of IgAV in adults. Younger patients have more frequent joint and gastrointestinal involvement, while old patients display more frequent severe purpura and glomerulonephritis.

Gastrointestinal involvement in adult IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura): updated picture from a French multicentre and retrospective series of 260 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical presentation, treatments and prognosis of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in adult IgA vasculitis (IgAV). METHODS: Data from 260 adults with IgAV included in a French multicentre retrospective survey were analysed. Presentation and outcomes of patients with (GI+) and without (GI-) GI involvement were compared. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven (53%) patients had GI involvement. Initial manifestations were abdominal pain in 99%, intestinal bleeding in 31%, diarrhoea in 26% and acute surgical abdomen in only 4%. Abdominal imaging revealed thickening of intestinal wall in 61%, and endoscopies revealed abnormalities in 87%, mostly mucosal ulcerations. GI+ vs GI- patients were younger (46 ± 18 vs 54 ± 18 years; P = 0.0004), had more constitutional symptoms (43% vs 23%; P = 0.0005) and joint involvement (72 vs 50%; P = 0.0002), and higher CRP levels (3.7 vs 1.9 mg/dl; P = 0.001). Clinical response and relapse rates were comparable between groups, and all causes mortality (2 vs 4%) and IgAV-related mortality (1% vs 2%) as well. GI-related deaths were due to intestinal perforation and mesenteric ischaemia. CONCLUSION: GI involvement is frequent in adult IgAV. GI involvement is frequent in adult IgAV. Mortality is not uncommon but does not seem to be specifically related to GI. Immunosuppressants should not be preferred as first-line therapy for GI+ patients but may be required in case of acute surgical abdomen.

Vaccination perception and coverage among healthcare students in France in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers has been increasing especially in France while they are the cornerstone of vaccination programs. Greater understanding of healthcare students (HCS) vaccine knowledge, attitudes and beliefs is necessary to provide an adequate vaccination education to better equip them to promote vaccination in their future careers. The aim of this study was to assess vaccination perception (VP) (perception of benefits and risks of vaccines) and its impact on vaccination coverage (VC) for mandatory and recommended vaccines among HCS. METHODS: A standardized, anonymous self-reporting electronic questionnaire was prospectively sent to HCS (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, midwifery, physiotherapy students and 1st year of health sciences students) of Normandy University in France between 18/03/2019 and 8/04/2019. VP was evaluated with questions regarding vaccination hesitancy, safety of vaccine and the benefit/risk balance of vaccination. Global VC (GVC) was defined as being vaccinated according to the mandatory and/or recommended vaccination schedule by national French law in 2018. RESULTS: 542 HCS took part in this survey. VC was high for mandatory (diphtheriae, poliomyelitis, tetanus 93.5%, hepatitis B virus 88.6%) and even most of recommended vaccinations (measles 95%, pertussis 88.2%). Global VC (40.4%) was not statistically different between HCS except for 1st year health sciences students who were less vaccinated (25.6%). Regarding VP, 97.8% of HCS thought that vaccine are effective. When vaccine safety and level of vaccine hesitancy were assessed (on a 0-10 scale, 0: not safe or not hesitant and 10: completely safe and strongly hesitant for vaccine), 91% of respondents stated that vaccine safety is ≥7 and in 80% the vaccine hesitancy was < 3. There was no difference among student categories. 80.6% of HCS recommended all vaccines but only 52% agreed that flu vaccination should be mandatory for HCS. In the multivariate analysis, being a 1st year health care sciences student was associated with a lower GVC (OR 95% CI = 2 [1.2-3.3], p = 0.004) than being a medical student. CONCLUSION: HCS perceived vaccine as effective and secure. Despite the good perception of vaccines, less than half HCS are well vaccinated.

Interest of immunodeficiency screening in adult after admission in medical intensive care unit for severe infection, a retrospective and a prospective study: the Intensive Care Unit and Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency (ICUSPID) study.

BACKGROUND: Primary immunodeficiency (PID) in adults is rare and mostly revealed by infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adults without predisposing factors who were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for infection were screened for PID. RESULTS: Six PID cases were diagnosed, mostly revealed by encapsulated bacterial infections. CONCLUSION: Investigation of PID after ICU discharge should be considered to improve early detection.

Impact of vaccination on the presence and severity of symptoms in hospitalized patients with an infection of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the SARS-CoV-2 (subvariant BA.1).

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants raised questions about the extent to which vaccines designed in 2020 have remained effective. We aimed to assess whether vaccine status was associated with the severity of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. METHODS: We conducted an international, multi-centric, retrospective study in 14 centres (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, and Turkey). We collected data on patients hospitalized for ≥24 hours between 1 December 2021 and 3 March 2022 with PCR-confirmed infection at a time of exclusive Omicron circulation and hospitalization related or not related to the infection. Patients who had received prophylaxis by monoclonal antibodies were excluded. Patients were considered fully vaccinated if they had received at least two injections of either mRNA and/or ChAdOx1-S or one injection of Ad26.CoV2-S vaccines. RESULTS: Among 1215 patients (median age, 73.0 years; interquartile range, 57.0-84.0; 51.3% men), 746 (61.4%) were fully vaccinated. In multivariate analysis, being vaccinated was associated with lower 28-day mortality (Odds Ratio [95% Confidence Interval] (OR [95CI]) = 0.50 [0.32-0.77]), intensive care unit admission (OR [95CI] = 0.40 [0.26-0.62]), and oxygen requirement (OR [95CI] = 0.34 [0.25-0.46]), independent of age and comorbidities. When co-analysing these patients with Omicron infection with 948 patients with Delta infection from a study we recently conducted, Omicron infection was associated with lower 28-day mortality (OR [95CI] = 0.53 [0.37-0.76]), intensive care unit admission (OR [95CI] = 0.19 [0.12-0.28]), and oxygen requirements (OR [95CI] = 0.50 [0.38-0.67]), independent of age, comorbidities, and vaccination status. DISCUSSION: Originally designed vaccines have remained effective on the severity of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection. Omicron is associated with a lower risk of severe forms, independent of vaccination and patient characteristics.

Reactogenicity among health care workers following a BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 second dose after priming with a ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 vaccine.

OBJECTIVES: In March 2021, French authorities recommended a heterologous second dose of the mRNA vaccine for persons aged <55 years, with administration 9 to 12 weeks after the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. This recommendation was despite a lack of data on the reactogenicity and safety of the regimen. Since then, several studies have shown an acceptable short-term safety profile of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BNT162b2 heterologous vaccination, although some transient increased reactogenicity has been described. METHODS: We performed a single-centre prospective observational cohort study among health care workers (HCWs) at a tertiary care hospital to assess the reactogenicity of the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines administered as a second dose in participants primed with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. RESULTS: Among 1184 HCWs, 356 (30%) agreed to participate. Of the participants, 32.3% were male, and the mean age was 35 years (standard deviation: 10.1 years). Of the participants, 229 received BNT162b2 and 127 received mRNA-1273. A systemic reaction was observed in 130 of 229 (56.8%) and 100 of 127 (78.7%) HCWs, respectively. Injection site reactions were generally limited (grade 1 or 2 in 163 of 229 (97.6%) and 90 of 127 (85.7 %) HCWs, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex, and HCW role, receiving the mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with higher reactogenicity with more grade 3 side effects (adjusted OR (aOR): 3.34; 95% CI, 1.91-5.85), more systemic symptoms (aOR: 2.82; 95% CI, 1.69-4.7), and not being able to work (aOR: 8.35; 95% CI, 3.78-18.44) compared with receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. DISCUSSION: Among patients receiving the mRNA1273 vaccine as a second dose, our study confirms good tolerance of the heterologous schedule with a higher risk of short-term side effects in comparison with patients receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Mycobacterium genavense Infections in Immunocompromised Patients Without HIV: Case Series of Solid Organ Transplant Patients and Literature Review.

Background: Mycobacterium genavense infection is rare and can occur in immunocompromised patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: We describe 2 cases of M genavense infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, and we performed a literature review of immunocompromised patients without HIV. Results: Fifty-two cases are reported. Predisposing factors were receipt of SOT (40.4%) and autoimmune disease (36.5%). Infection was disseminated in 86.5% of cases. Organs involved were lymph nodes (72.3%), gastrointestinal tract (56.5%), lung (35.5%), and bone marrow (28.8%). Most patients were treated with at least 3 antimycobacterial agents (98%), with a clinical cure achieved in 54.9%. In multivariate analysis, lack for cure was associated with age of the time infection (odds ratio [OR], 15.81 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.92-152.93]; P = .011) and positive bone marrow culture (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.01-1.12]; P = .042). Conclusions: Mycobacterium genavense infection is a rare and generally disseminated disease with a poor prognosis. Optimal treatment regimen and its duration remain to be defined.

Tolerance of BNT162b2 mRNA COVI-19 vaccine in patients with a medical history of COVID-19 disease: A case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies evaluating BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine safety excluded subjects with a previous history of COVID-19 infection. The aim of our study was to focus on the tolerance of this vaccine this population. METHODS: An anonymous self-reporting survey related to safety and tolerance of vaccine was completed by subjects 21 to 28 days after the first vaccine dose in two vaccination centers. RESULTS: Subjects with prior COVID-19 disease history (n = 61) had higher systemic reactions than subjects without any previous history (n = 1987) (45.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.01). Asthenia, headache and fever were significantly more frequent in COVID-19 + group than negative group (25.6% vs 15.2% p = 0.045, 19.7% vs 9.3% p = 0.01, 6.5% vs 0.9% p = 0.003 respectively). Grade of severity was higher in COVID-19 + than in COVID-19 - group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms a higher risk of side effects in patients with preexisting SARS-CoV-2 disease but with a good overall tolerance.

High mortality in peritonitis due to Mycobacterium avium complex: retrospective study and systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is often disseminated and mainly involves lymph nodes, spleen, liver or bone marrow. Peritonitis due to MAC infection (PMAC) is a very uncommon manifestation. METHODS: In this report, after describing the case of the only PMAC infection in our 10-year retrospective study, which occurred in an AIDS patient who was non-adherent to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we performed a systematic literature review of documented bacteriological PMAC. RESULTS: Including our patient, 51 cases of PMAC have been reported. Patients were most often male (sex ratio 2.14), with a median age of 41 years (2.8-72) and an immunodeficiency in all cases, most often AIDS (57%), cirrhosis (20%) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (18%). Ascites was more often chylous (54%) than exudative (46%) and, in this case, lymphocytic (60%), with an inconstantly positive acid-fast bacilli smear (54%). Non-disseminated PMAC patients were more likely to have peritoneal dialysis (39% versus 6.5%, p < .01) or cancer with immunosuppressive therapy (39% versus 0%, p < .0001), while AIDS was the leading underlying disease in disseminated-PMAC patients (83% versus 11%, p < .001). Mortality was high (50%), with no difference between disseminated and non-disseminated PMAC. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the need to be aware of an atypical presentation of PMAC infection, which is associated with a high rate of mortality even for non-disseminated infection.

Isolated Cerebral Alveolar Echinococcosis.

Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is rare and mostly associated with liver involvement. We report an exceptional case of a 62-year-old man with a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia harboring a primary cerebral AE mimicking neurocysticercosis with >100 cerebral lesions and without liver involvement.

Thoracic splenosis mimicking a pleuropneumonia: A case report.

RATIONALE: Splenosis is the development of one or more heterotopic splenic tissue autoimplants following rupture of the spleen and remains mostly asymptomatic. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of a 50-year old post-traumatic splenectomized man admitted for a left side community acquired pneumonia resistant to antibiotics. DIAGNOSES: The diagnosis of intrathoracic ectopic spleen was suspected because of the history of spleen trauma with diaphragm rupture and the absence of Howell-Jolly bodies. INTERVENTIONS: Technetium (Tc)-m colloid scintigraphy SPECT, fused with CT scan showed an intense radionuclide uptake on hyper vascularized masses without any additional pathologic uptake and confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic splenosis. OUTCOMES: Despite any lifelong penicillin prophylaxis, he had no history of infections eight years after the diagnosis. LESSONS: Physician must be aware of this differential diagnosis and of its consequences. Depending on its size and location, it may lead to incorrect diagnosis (tumor, empyema, abscess ...), treatment and invasive procedures while the diagnosis of splenosis only relies upon imaging studies associated with functionnal study of the uptake of particles or cells.

Characteristics and Management of IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein) in Adults: Data From 260 Patients Included in a French Multicenter Retrospective Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Data on adult IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein) (IgAV) are scarce. This survey was designed to better define the clinical spectrum of IgAV and efficacy of treatments in a French patient population. METHODS: Data on clinical characteristics, histologic features, and treatment response from 260 patients with IgAV included in a French multicenter retrospective survey were analyzed. Efficacy data were compared using different statistical models. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the patients with IgAV at diagnosis was 50.1 ± 18 years, and 63% of patients were male. Baseline manifestations included purpura (100%), arthralgias/arthritis/myalgia (61%), glomerulonephritis (70%), and/or gastrointestinal involvement (53%). Thirty percent of patients showed renal failure at baseline. In univariate analysis, the response to therapy was 80% (64 of 80) in patients treated with corticosteroids (CS) alone, compared to 77% (23 of 30) in patients treated with CS plus cyclophosphamide (CYC) and 59% (10 of 17) in patients treated with colchicine (P = 0.17). Multivariable analysis showed that treatment with CS or CS plus CYC was more effective than colchicine in achieving a response. Efficacy differences were demonstrated using different statistical models: in the multivariable logistic regression model, odds ratio (OR) 3.68, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.10-12.33 (P = 0.03); in the inverse probability weighting on propensity score model, OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.28-10.99 (P = 0.02). The efficacy of CS plus CYC as compared to CS alone was discordant according to the analytic method used. Analysis with the multivariable logistic regression model did not demonstrate a difference between CS plus CYC and CS alone (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.29-2.67; P = 0.82). In contrast, inverse probability weighting on propensity score showed that CS plus CYC was more effective than CS alone (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.20; P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: This series constitutes the largest series of adults with IgAV reported in the literature so far. It provides data on clinical and histologic presentation and therapeutic efficacy, suggesting that CS alone appears to be a reasonable first-line therapy in patients with IgAV, while the benefit of adding CYC to CS remains uncertain.

Is it relevant to screen young women hospitalized in psychiatric department for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE)?: A prospective study of 100 psychiatric inpatients.

On the basis that diagnosis of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is sometimes difficult and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can present with isolated psychiatric symptoms, we initiated a survey in a psychiatric department to screen for NPSLE in young female inpatients.We prospectively studied consecutive young female patients referred to the department of psychiatry. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and antiextractable soluble nuclear antigens (ENA) in the serum of patients were screened. In case of positive anti-DNA or anti-ENA, the patient was referred to the department of internal medicine.One hundred patients were enrolled, mean age 33.1 ±â€Š8.4 years. Most patients presented underlying psychiatric disorders: depression (46%), schizophrenia (13%), anxiety disorder (6%), and personality disorder (10%). A quarter of the cohort did not display underlying psychiatric disorders before hospitalization. Positive ANA ≥1:160 were found in 32 of the 100 patients tested (32%). No patients presented anti-DNA antibodies. One patient had positive anti-sjogrën's syndrome related antigen A (SSA), but did not present any features of SLE or Sjögren syndrome.Thus, systematic screening of SLE is not relevant in young women hospitalized in psychiatric department. However, clinicians should keep in mind that SLE can present with pure psychiatric symptoms.

[Interest of an intensive chemotherapy for intravascular large B cell lymphoma]. / Intérêt d'une polychimiothérapie dans le lymphome B intravasculaire.

We describe three cases of intravascular lymphoma B with different clinical presentation: one case of a cutaneous variant and two cases with surrenal and cutaneous localisation. All patients are in complete remission after chemotherapy alone or after chemotherapy and autologous stem cells transplantation. The review of the literature as well as our cases specify the interest of an aggressive chemotherapy with autologous of peripheral stem cells if it was possible.