Passive transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with platelet transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Although over 5000 platelet transfusions occur daily in the United States, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in platelet units is not commonly evaluated for. The effects of platelet transfusions with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remain largely unknown. We evaluated single-donor (apheresis) platelet units for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and determined if platelet transfusions passively transferred antibodies to seronegative recipients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis as part of a quality assurance initiative during February to March 2021 at a tertiary referral academic center in suburban New York. Platelet units and platelet recipients were evaluated for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the DiaSorin LIASON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay. There were 47 platelet recipients eligible for study inclusion. The primary outcome was the presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies in the recipient's blood after platelet transfusion. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received platelets with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies; 13 recipients had detection of SARS-COV-2 antibodies (56.5%), and 10 recipients did not. The median antibody titer in the platelet units given to the group with passive antibodies detected was significantly higher compared to the median antibody titer in the platelet units given to the group without antibodies detected (median [interquartile range]: 306 AU/ml [132, 400] vs. 96.1 AU/ml [30.6, 186], p = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a significant rate of passive transfer of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies through platelet transfusions. Considering the volume of daily platelet transfusions, this is something all clinicians should be aware of.

Intensive Home Care for COVID-19 to Reduce Admissions.

Hospitalization for COVID-19 has placed a significant financial and logistical burden on hospitals and health care systems. Limitations on visitation and isolation precautions have made hospitalization more isolating for patients in the time of COVID-19. Increasing the provision of healthcare delivered at home has the potential to decrease healthcare costs by providing care at home which may be preferred for many patients. We describe a series of 39 patients who were treated with intravenous remdesivir at home in addition to oxygen, dexamethasone, and anticoagulants. These patients were at high risk for decompensation due to COVID-19 and met accepted criteria for admission-need for supplemental oxygen and intravenous remdesivir. All patients had home lab monitoring and frequent telehealth visits. Over the study period 13 (33%) of patients were admitted for worsening COVID-19 and 5 (13%) died. Twenty-six patients avoided admission, and none experienced a severe adverse effect from in-home treatment. The expanded use of telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to increase the frequency of patient monitoring by physicians and the provision of care and monitoring usually restricted to hospitalized patients.

Antimicrobial Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, and otitis media. S. pneumoniae has developed increased resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review of prevalence, mechanisms, and clinical implications in S. pneumoniae resistance. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: Since S. pneumoniae resistance to penicillin was first reported with subsequent development of resistance to other classes of drugs, selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment is challenging. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed (English language) for citations to antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae published before March 1, 2016. RESULTS: We present a review of S. pneumoniae resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). There has been a steady decline in susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to commonly used beta-lactams. Phenotypic expression of penicillin resistance occurs as a result of a genetic structural modification in penicillin-binding proteins. Between 20% and 40% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to macrolides. Macrolide resistance mechanisms include ribosomal target site alteration, alteration in antibiotic transport, and modification of the antibiotic. Approximately 22% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to clindamycin. Similar to macrolide resistance, clindamycin involves a target site alteration. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance is low, although increasing. S. pneumoniae resistance to fluoroquinolones occurs by accumulated mutations within the bacterial genome, increased efflux, or acquisition of plasmid-encoded genes. S. pneumoniae resistance has also increased for the tetracyclines. The primary mechanism is mediated by 2 genes that confer ribosomal protection. The prevalence of TMP-SMX resistance is around 35%. As with fluoroquinolones, resistance to TMP-SMX is secondary to mutations in the bacterial genome. CONCLUSIONS: Effective treatment of resistant S. pneumoniae is a growing concern. New classes of drugs, newer formulations of older drugs, combination antibiotic therapy, nonantibiotic modalities, better oversight of antibiotic usage, and enhanced preventive measures hold promise.

Effectiveness of fecal-derived microbiota transfer using orally administered capsules for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a complication of antibiotic-induced injury to the gut microbiome, is a prevalent and dangerous cause of infectious diarrhea. Antimicrobial therapy for CDI is typically effective for acute symptoms, but up to one third of patients later experience recurrent CDI. Fecal-derived microbiota transplantation (FMT) can ameliorate the underlying dysbiosis and is highly effective for recurrent CDI. Traditional methods of FMT are limited by patient discomfort, risk and inefficient procedures. Many individuals with recurrent CDI have extensive comorbidities and advanced age. Widespread use of FMT requires strategies that are non-invasive, scalable and applicable across healthcare settings. METHODS: A method to facilitate microbiota transfer was developed. Fecal samples were collected and screened for potential pathogens. Bacteria were purified, concentrated, cryopreserved and formulated into multi-layered capsules. Capsules were administered to patients with recurrent CDI, who were then monitored for 90 days. RESULTS: Thirteen women and six men with recurrent CDI were provided with microbiota transfer with orally administered capsules. The procedure was well tolerated. Thirteen individuals responded to a single course. Four patients were cured after a second course. There were 2 failures. The cumulative clinical cure rate of 89% is similar to the rates achieved with reported fecal-derived transplantation procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent CDI represents a profound dysbiosis and a debilitating chronic disease. Stable cure can be achieved by restoring the gut microbiome with an effective, well-tolerated oral capsule treatment. This strategy of microbiota transfer can be widely applied and is particularly appropriate for frail patients.

The clinical impact of early detection of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales with PCR-based blood culture assays.

BACKGROUND: Starting January 4, 2021, our health system core microbiology laboratory changed blood culture identification (BCID) platforms to ePlex BCID from BioFire BCID1 with the additional capability to detect the blaCTX-M-Type gene of ESBL-producing organisms. Clinical outcomes of ESBL bloodstream infections (BSI) after implementing ePlex BCID were unknown. METHODS: Patients with ESBL BSI were compared pre and postimplementation of ePlex BCID in this 11-hospital retrospective analysis (BioFire BCID1 in 2019 vs ePlex BCID in 2021). The primary outcome was time from the Gram stain result to escalation to a carbapenem. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rate, length of stay (LOS), and the duration of antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: A total of 275 patients were analyzed. The median time of Gram stain result to escalation to carbapenem was reduced from 44.5 hours with BioFire BCID1 to 7.9 hours with ePlex BCID (P < .001). There were no significant differences in mortality, 30-day readmission, or LOS. The duration of antimicrobial therapy for ESBL BSI was lower in the ePlex BCID group (from 14.4 days to 12.7 days, P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Timely detection of the blaCTX-M-Type gene by BCID provides valuable information for the early initiation of appropriate and effective antimicrobial therapy. Although it was not associated with lower mortality, 30-day readmission, or LOS, it may have benefits such as decreasing antimicrobial exposure to patients.

Extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa panophthalmitis from contaminated artificial tears.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the common gram-negative organisms that cause severe invasive infections in different organ systems. P. aeruginosa has unique intrinsic mechanisms to develop antimicrobial resistance quickly, making it extremely difficult to treat. We report a case of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa panophthalmitis due to contaminated artificial tears. This report investigates the role of systemic and intravitreal antimicrobials, summarizes the resistance mechanisms of P. aeruginosa, and provides an overview on cefiderocol, a novel antimicrobial that targets multidrug-resistant (MDR) and XDR Gram-negative pathogens.

Bronchoscopy and endobronchial disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been significantly altered since the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, lung diseases are still common in these patients. This makes flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy a valuable diagnostic tool. Knowledge of the visual appearance of various diseases would be of utmost importance to the bronchoscopist. Timely recognition of the endobronchial appearance of these diseases can narrow the differential diagnosis and potentially mitigate an avoidable delay in the diagnosis.

Hospital-Acquired Bloodstream Infections in Patients Hospitalized With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection (Coronavirus Disease 2019): Association With Immunosuppressive Therapies.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapies proposed for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management may predispose to secondary infections. We evaluated the association of immunosuppressive therapies with bloodstream-infections (BSIs) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective, multicenter, cohort study of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 over a 5-month period. We obtained clinical, microbiologic and laboratory data from electronic medical records. Propensity-score-matching helped create balanced exposure groups. Demographic characteristics were compared across outcome groups (BSI/no BSI) using two-sample t-test and Chi-Square test for continuous and categorical variables respectively, while immunosuppressive therapy use was compared using McNemar's test. Conditional logistic regression helped assess the association between immunosuppressive therapies and BSIs. RESULTS: 13,007 patients were originally included, with propensity-score-matching producing a sample of 6,520 patients. 3.74% and 3.97% were diagnosed with clinically significant BSIs in the original and propensity-score-matched populations respectively. COVID-19 patients with BSIs had significantly longer hospitalizations, higher intensive care unit admission and mortality rates compared to those without BSIs. On univariable analysis, combinations of corticosteroids/anakinra [odds-ratio (OR) 2.00, 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) 1.05-3.80, P value.0342] and corticosteroids/tocilizumab [OR 2.13, 95% C.I. 1.16-3.94, P value .0155] were significantly associated with BSIs. On multivariable analysis (adjusting for confounders), combination corticosteroids/tocilizumab were significantly associated with any BSI [OR 1.97, 95% C.I. 1.04-3.73, P value.0386] and with bacterial BSIs [OR 2.13, 95% C.I. 1.12-4.05, p-value 0.0217]. CONCLUSIONS: Combination immunosuppressive therapies were significantly associated with BSI occurrence in COVID-19 patients; their use warrants increased BSI surveillance. Further studies are needed to establish their causative role.

Reengineering the patient's environment: Establishment of a "Red Box" to improve communications with patients on isolation precautions.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients on isolation precautions are reported to have less frequent health care provider (HCP) visits owing to time required to don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE). Thus, placement on isolation precautions leads to negative patient perception and affects their care. METHODS: A "Red Box" that extended 3 feet beyond the door was marked in 50 patient rooms of a tertiary care hospital and used for patient communication by HCPs without PPE. HCP and patient perceptions of the Red Box were studied via a survey and personal interviews. Compliance was also observed by "secret shoppers." Rates of health care-associated infections (HAIs) were monitored. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period, HCPs reported improved patient communication, utilization of time, and increased interactions. HCPs used the Red Box to communicate with patients 76% of the time. In 92% of the cases, HCPs remembered not to use PPE while in the Red Box and were observed 80% of the time using PPE when venturing beyond the Red Box. Patients reported improved frequency of HCP contact and satisfaction. HAIs in these units did not show any increase compared with those in prior years. CONCLUSIONS: HCP interaction and communication with patients on isolation precautions improved with the reengineering of the patient environment in the form of the Red Box. HAI rates did not increase with this intervention.

Can Procalcitonin Be Used as a Reliable Marker for Infectious Fever in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether procalcitonin (PCT) levels are different in infected versus noninfected febrile patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: This prospective observational study included 104 patients with ICH and fever >38.3°C admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. PCT was measured on day 1 (PCT 1) of fever and 48-72 hours later (PCT 2). Patients were determined to have an infection (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, or bacteremia) based on cultures, imaging, and clinical impression of treating clinicians. RESULTS: Analysis of variance indicated significant mean differences in patients with no, probable, and definite infection (F2,103 = 3.12, P = 0.048) between PCT 1 and PCT 2 (F2,72 = 4.64, P = 0.013). Patients with probable infection had the highest PCT 1 (mean = 0.47, SD = 0.93), and patients with definite infection had higher PCT 2 (mean = 0.62, SD = 0.85). Additional analyses of univariable mean differences showed mean PCT 1 that was significantly higher in the probable infection group compared with the no infection group. Mean PCT was significantly higher at both time points in the definite infection group compared with the no infection group. There were no significant differences between the probable and definite infection groups. CONCLUSIONS: PCT levels were higher in patients with ICH and infections and may be a useful marker to differentiate between infectious and noninfectious etiologies of fevers in these patients. Further studies, including randomized controlled trials, will help in establishing the utility of this marker in optimal management of febrile patients with ICH.

False-positive PET scan in a patient with lipoid pneumonia simulating lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Lipoid pneumonia usually presents with alveolar infiltrates or as a nonresolving process. We report a case of lipoid pneumonia that presented as a solitary pulmonary nodule and had a high standard uptake value on PET scan, thereby mimicking a malignant process. This case highlights the presence of false-positive PET imaging in a patient with lipoid pneumonia and Mycobacterium chelonae infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient was examined using CT scanning. The nodule was further investigated with a PET scan using F-18 FDG and the standard uptake value was determined. RESULTS: Histopathology following removal of the nodule confirmed the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia, and the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was reported as M. chelonae, a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM). CONCLUSION: Lipoid pneumonia can present as a PET-positive lung nodule and should be considered in the differential diagnosis and workup of a solitary pulmonary nodule.

Infections in alcoholic liver disease.

Alcoholic individuals are at increased risk of infection in general, in part because of immune defects. In addition, associated situations, such as depressed mental status, increase risk to specific syndromes such as lung abscess related to depressed consciousness and aspiration. Social factors related to hygiene and living situations are also linked to specific microorganisms, such as Mycobacteria tuberculosis, Bartonella quintana, Vibrio vulnificus, and Capnocytophaga canimorus..

An introduction to music and sound approaches for health professionals: overview of an undergraduate web-based nursing course.

Nursing educators have been constantly striving to develop a curriculum which enhances holistic patient care. In this article, a descriptive overview is given of a senior level, 3 credit, nursing course designed to provide nurses and other health professionals with a background in the uses of music and the importance of auditory environments for patient care and well-being. This course, which was developed by LeNavenec and Epstein, has been available via the internet since Spring 2003.