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The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has shown to be temporary, although may be more prolonged in vaccinated individuals with a history of natural infection. We aimed to study the residual humoral response and the correlation between anti-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) IgG levels and antibody neutralizing capacity in a population of health care workers (HCWs) after 9 months from COVID-19 vaccination. In this cross-sectional study, plasma samples were screened for anti-RBD IgG using a quantitative method. The neutralizing capacity for each sample was estimated by means of a surrogate virus neutralizing test (sVNT) and results expressed as the percentage of inhibition (%IH) of the interaction between RBD and the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Samples of 274 HCWs (227 SARS-CoV-2 naïve and 47 SARS-CoV-2 experienced) were tested. The median level of anti-RBD IgG was significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 experienced than in naïve HCWs: 2673.2 AU/mL versus 610.9 AU/mL, respectively (p <0.001). Samples of SARS-CoV-2 experienced subjects also showed higher neutralizing capacity as compared to naïve subjects: median %IH = 81.20% versus 38.55%, respectively; p <0.001. A quantitative correlation between anti-RBD Ab and inhibition activity levels was observed (Spearman's rho = 0.89, p <0.001): the optimal cut-off correlating with high neutralization was estimated to be 1236.1 AU/mL (sensitivity 96.8%, specificity 91.9%; AUC 0.979). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 hybrid immunity elicited by a combination of vaccination and infection confers higher anti-RBD IgG levels and higher neutralizing capacity than vaccination alone, likely providing better protection against COVID-19.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/prevención & control , Inmunidad Humoral , Vacuna BNT162 , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , Estudios Transversales , Pruebas de Neutralización , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes , Inmunoglobulina G , Anticuerpos Antivirales , VacunaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To compare differences in the probability of COVID-19-related death between native Italians and immigrants hospitalised with COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study of prospectively collected data was conducted at the ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, between 21 February and 31 November 2020. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of the patients' origin on the probability of COVID-19-related death. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1,179 COVID-19 patients: 921 Italians (78.1%) and 258 immigrants (21.9%) who came from Latin America (99, 38%), Asia (72, 28%), Africa (50, 19%) and central/eastern Europe (37, 14%). The Italians were significantly older than the immigrants (median age 70 years, interquartile range (IQR) 58-79 vs 51 years, IQR 41-60; p < 0.001), and more frequently had one or more co-morbidities (79.1% vs 53.9%; p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly greater among the Italians than the immigrants as a whole (26.6% vs 12.8%; p < 0.001), and significantly greater among the immigrants from Latin America than among those from Asia, Africa or central/eastern Europe (21% vs 8%, 6% and 8%; p = 0.016). Univariable analysis showed that the risk of COVID-19-related death was lower among the immigrants (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-0.63; p < 0.0001], but the risk of Latin American immigrants did not significantly differ from that of the Italians (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.47-1.15; p = 0.183). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable analysis showed that there was no difference in the risk of death between the immigrants and the Italians (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.04, 95% CI 0.70-1.55; p = 0.831), but being of Latin American origin was independently associated with an increased risk of death (aHR 1.95, 95% CI 1.17-3.23; p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality was lower among the immigrants hospitalised with COVID-19 than among their Italian counterparts, but this difference disappeared after adjusting for confounders. However, the increased risk of death among immigrants of Latin American origin suggests that COVID-19 information and prevention initiatives need to be strengthened in this sub-population.
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COVID-19 , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Anciano , Hospitales , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sistema de Registros , Estudios Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this single-centre prospective study was to evaluate the trend of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCWs working at the primary referral centre for infectious diseases and bioemergencies (eg, COVID-19) in Northern Italy and investigate the factors associated with seroconversion. METHODS: Six hundred and seventy-nine HCW volunteers were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies three times between 4 March and 27 May 2020 and completed a questionnaire covering COVID-19 exposure, symptoms and personal protective equipment (PPE) training and confidence at each time. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rose from 3/679 to 26/608 (adjusted prevalence: 0.5%, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.7% and 5.4%, 95% CI 3.6 to 7.9, respectively) between the first two time points and then stabilised, in line with the curve of the COVID-19 epidemic in Milan. From the first time point, 61.6% of the HCWs had received training in the use of PPE and 17 (61.5%) of those who proved to be seropositive reported symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Contacts with ill relatives or friends and self-reported symptoms were independently associated with an increased likelihood of seroconversion (p<0.0001 for both), whereas there was no significant association with professional exposure. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among the HCWs at our COVID-19 referral hospital was low at the time of the peak of the epidemic. The seroconversions were mainly attributable to extrahospital contacts, probably because the hospital readily adopted effective infection control measures. The relatively high number of asymptomatic seropositive HCWs highlights the need to promptly identify and isolate potentially infectious HCWs.
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BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia is frequently observed in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection although its underlying mechanism and relationship with the clinical outcome still need to be clarified. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated in patients with COVID-19 hospitalised at the Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital in Milan, the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia, its association with the severity of COVID-19, with the levels of C-reactive protein, d-dimer and interleukin-6 and with clinical outcome over a follow-up period of 30 days. Urinalysis was evaluated in a subgroup of patients. RESULTS: Serum albumin levels <30 g/L were found in 105/207 (50.7%) patients at hospital admission. Overall, the median albumin value was 29.5 g/L (IQR 25-32.8). A negative association was found between albumin levels and severity of COVID-19 (P < .0001) and death (P = .003). An inverse correlation was observed between albumin and both C-reactive protein and D-dimer at hospital admission (r = -.487 and r = -.479, respectively; P < .0001). Finally, a positive correlation was found between albumin levels and eGFR (r = .137; P = .049). Proteinuria was observed in 75% of patients with available data and it did not differ between patients with hypoalbuminemia and those with albumin ≥30 g/L (81% and 67%, respectively; P = .09). CONCLUSION: In patients with COVID-19, hypoalbuminemia is common and observed in quite an early stage of pulmonary disease. It is strictly associated with inflammation markers and clinical outcome. The common finding of proteinuria, even in the absence of creatinine increase, indicates protein loss as a possible biomarker of local and systemic inflammation worthwhile to evaluate disease severity in COVID-19.
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COVID-19 , Neumonía Viral , Proteinuria , SARS-CoV-2 , Albúmina Sérica , Anciano , COVID-19/sangre , COVID-19/complicaciones , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Proteinuria/complicaciones , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
SARS-CoV-2 is causing an increasing number of deaths worldwide because no effective treatment is currently available. Remdesivir has shown in vitro activity against coronaviruses and is a possible antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This prospective (compassionate), open-label study of remdesivir, which was conducted at Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy, between February 23 and March 20, 2020, involved patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia aged ≥18 years undergoing mechanical ventilation or with an oxygen saturation level of ≤94 % in air or a National Early Warning Score 2 of ≥4. The primary outcome was the change in clinical status based on a 7-category ordinal scale (1 = not hospitalised, resuming normal daily activities; 7 = deceased). The 35 patients enrolled from February 23 to March 20, 2020, included 18 in intensive care unit (ICU), and 17 in our infectious diseases ward (IDW). The 10-day course of remdesivir was completed by 22 patients (63 %) and discontinued by 13, of whom eight (22.8 %) discontinued because of adverse events. The median follow-up was 39 days (IQR 25-44). At day 28, 14 (82.3 %) patients from IDW were discharged, two were still hospitalized and one died (5.9 %), whereas in ICU 6 (33.3 %) were discharged, 8 (44.4 %) patients died, three (16.7 %) were still mechanically ventilated and one (5.6 %) was improved but still hospitalized. Hypertransaminasemia and acute kidney injury were the most frequent severe adverse events observed (42.8 % and 22.8 % of the cases, respectively). Our data suggest that remdesivir can benefit patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia hospitalised outside ICU where clinical outcome was better and adverse events are less frequently observed. Ongoing randomised controlled trials will clarify its real efficacy and safety, who to treat, and when.
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Adenosina Monofosfato/análogos & derivados , Alanina/análogos & derivados , Betacoronavirus , Ensayos de Uso Compasivo/estadística & datos numéricos , Infecciones por Coronavirus/tratamiento farmacológico , Hospitalización/estadística & datos numéricos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos/estadística & datos numéricos , Neumonía Viral/tratamiento farmacológico , Lesión Renal Aguda/inducido químicamente , Adenosina Monofosfato/efectos adversos , Adenosina Monofosfato/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Alanina/efectos adversos , Alanina/uso terapéutico , Antivirales/efectos adversos , Antivirales/uso terapéutico , COVID-19 , Infecciones por Coronavirus/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pandemias , Neumonía Viral/sangre , SARS-CoV-2 , Transaminasas/sangre , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Italy was the first European country hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and has the highest number of recorded COVID-19 deaths in Europe. This prospective cohort study of the correlates of the risk of death in COVID-19 patients was conducted at the Infectious Diseases and Intensive Care units of Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy. The clinical characteristics of all the COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the early days of the epidemic (21 February -19 March 2020) were recorded upon admission, and the time-dependent probability of death was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method (censored as of 20 April 2020). Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the factors independently associated with the risk of death. Forty-eight (20.6 %) of the 233 patients followed up for a median of 40 days (interquartile range 33-47) died during the follow-up. Most were males (69.1 %) and their median age was 61 years (IQR 50-72). The time-dependent probability of death was 19.7 % (95 % CI 14.6-24.9 %) 30 days after hospital admission. Age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.08, 95 % CI 1.48-2.92 per ten years more) and obesity (aHR 3.04, 95 % CI 1.42-6.49) were independently associated with an increased risk of death, which was also associated with critical disease (aHR 8.26, 95 % CI 1.41-48.29), C-reactive protein levels (aHR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.02-1.35 per 50 mg/L more) and creatinine kinase levels above 185 U/L (aHR 2.58, 95 % CI 1.37-4.87) upon admission. Case-fatality rate of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the early days of the Italian epidemic was about 20 %. Our study adds evidence to the notion that older age, obesity and more advanced illness are factors associated to an increased risk of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
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Betacoronavirus , Infecciones por Coronavirus/mortalidad , Hospitalización/estadística & datos numéricos , Neumonía Viral/mortalidad , Factores de Edad , Anciano , COVID-19 , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pandemias , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
Objectives: The recent introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) which can eliminate Hepatitis C virus (HCV) had revolutionized the treatment of HCV infections also in a complex clinical setting such as the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HCV elimination is also opportune due to the availability of more efficient immunosuppressive drugs, whose effect on the course of HCV infection is largely unknown.Methods: Consensus process was endorsed by the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) and the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT) to review the available evidence and produce practical, hospital-wide recommendations. The consensus panel consisted of 18 infectious diseases consultants, 20 rheumatologists and one clinical epidemiologist, who used the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine to assess the quality of the evidence and the strength of their recommendations.Results: A core-set of statements about management of patients with RA and infection by HCV have been developed to help clinicians in their clinical practice.Conclusions: A screening for HCV should be performed in all RA patients and it is mandatory before starting an immunosuppressive therapy. Finally, a DAA treatment should be considered in all HCV-infected patients.Significance and InnovationsHCV antibodies should be investigated at the time of diagnosis of RA and, in any case, before starting immunosuppressive therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).HCV eradication with DAA should be attempted as soon as possible, depending on patient conditions allowing a continuous oral treatment lasting 8-12 weeksConventional and biological DMARDs are allowed in patients with HCV infection, but they should be used cautiously in presence of advanced liver disease.
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Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Antirreumáticos/administración & dosificación , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Consenso , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Hepatitis C Crónica/complicaciones , Humanos , Inmunosupresores/administración & dosificación , Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , ItaliaRESUMEN
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is likely to be associated with an increased risk of kidney disease, due to the additional factors that may affect renal function in the HIV population. We aimed to evaluate renal toxicity in HIV/HBV and HBV mono-infected patients on long-term therapy with tenofovir (TDF) and to explore the association of polymorphisms in ATP-binding cassette (ABCC)2, ABCC4, ABCC10 with the development of renal dysfunction. From September 2006 to November 2014, 44 HIV/HBV co-infected and 34 HBV mono-infected patients were commenced on TDF. Data of renal safety were retrospectively collected and analyzed. ABCC2, ABCC4 and ABCC10 genotypes were identified by real-time PCR. Over 60 months of observation, there was a significant increase in mean creatinine levels from baseline (P<.01) that was not significantly different between the two study groups. Moreover, a significant decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was observed from baseline (P<.01), and it was significantly greater in HBV mono-infected than co-infected patients (P=.03). The distribution of ABCC2, ABCC4 and ABCC10 genotypes among a subgroup of 34 patients did not show significant association with eGFR decline <90 mL/min per 1.73 m2 . Although our findings showed a statistically significant decrease in eGFR with long-term use of TDF, its clinical impact seems to be modest. The role of genetic factors to identify patients at greater risk for developing tenofovir-induced renal toxicity needs to be further investigated.
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Antivirales/efectos adversos , Infecciones por VIH/fisiopatología , Hepatitis B/fisiopatología , Riñón/fisiopatología , Tenofovir/efectos adversos , Adulto , Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Antivirales/farmacocinética , Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Coinfección , Creatinina/sangre , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Femenino , Genotipo , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular/efectos de los fármacos , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular/genética , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por VIH/genética , Infecciones por VIH/virología , Hepatitis B/tratamiento farmacológico , Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B/virología , Humanos , Riñón/metabolismo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proteína 2 Asociada a Resistencia a Múltiples Medicamentos , Proteínas Asociadas a Resistencia a Múltiples Medicamentos/genética , Tenofovir/administración & dosificación , Tenofovir/farmacocinética , Tenofovir/uso terapéutico , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopaenia is the most frequent malaria-associated haematologic alteration observed with all five Plasmodium parasites causing disease in humans. Although not included in the World Health Organization criteria for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, severe thrombocytopaenia has been increasingly mentioned as an indicator of P. vivax malaria severity. CASE: Here, it is described a case of imported P. vivax malaria in a 37-year old man from Pakistan who presented with severe thrombocytopaenia (5 × 10(9)/L). He was admitted to the intensive care unit and initially treated with a 1-day course of intravenous quinine followed by oral chloroquine and primaquine. The patient's platelet count increased as early as 4 hours after treatment inception and the clinical course was favourable and uneventful. DISCUSSION: This case report, along with a review of published cases focusing on the relationship between thrombocytopaenia and severe P. vivax malaria, suggests that the prognostic role of severe thrombocytopaenia is ambiguous in absence of severe haemorraghic complications and its use as diagnostic criterion of malaria severity may lead to overestimation of severe P. vivax malaria cases. CONCLUSION: Due to the lack of high quality studies it is at present unclear if severe thrombocytopaenia in the setting of P. vivax malaria should be considered indicative of severe malaria.
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Malaria Vivax , Plasmodium vivax , Trombocitopenia , Adulto , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Pakistán/etnología , Quinina/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
The combination of ombitasvir, dasabuvir, and paritaprevir/ritonavir (considered as the 3D regimen) has proven to be associated with high sustained virologic response and optimal tolerability in hepatitis C virus-infected patients. Here, we describe an HIV-HCV-coinfected patient who experienced a grade 4 hyperbilirubinemia and a 2.5-fold increase in the atazanavir plasma trough concentrations few days after the start of 3D-based antiviral therapy who benefited from an atazanavir dose reduction guided by therapeutic drug monitoring.
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Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Sulfato de Atazanavir/efectos adversos , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Hepatitis C/tratamiento farmacológico , Hiperbilirrubinemia/inducido químicamente , 2-Naftilamina , Anilidas/administración & dosificación , Antivirales/efectos adversos , Sulfato de Atazanavir/administración & dosificación , Sulfato de Atazanavir/farmacocinética , Carbamatos/administración & dosificación , Coinfección , Ciclopropanos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Interacciones Farmacológicas , Monitoreo de Drogas/métodos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Infecciones por VIH/complicaciones , Inhibidores de la Proteasa del VIH/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de la Proteasa del VIH/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de la Proteasa del VIH/farmacocinética , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Humanos , Lactamas Macrocíclicas , Compuestos Macrocíclicos/administración & dosificación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prolina/análogos & derivados , Ritonavir/administración & dosificación , Sulfonamidas/administración & dosificación , Uracilo/administración & dosificación , Uracilo/análogos & derivados , ValinaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is the main protein involved in ribavirin cellular uptake. Polymorphisms at the SLC29A1 gene, encoding ENT1, may influence ribavirin-associated anaemia, which is observed at a higher incidence with telaprevir in combination with pegylated-IFNα and ribavirin than with pegylated-IFNα and ribavirin alone. In this study, we investigated the role of the rs760370 SLC29A1 variant in ribavirin-induced anaemia in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with telaprevir-based triple therapy. METHODS: Forty patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and starting anti-HCV therapy with telaprevir in combination with pegylated-IFN/ribavirin were prospectively evaluated for SNPs at the SLC29A1 gene and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) genes using a real-time PCR system. RESULTS: 40% of patients developed severe anaemia with a haemoglobin (Hb) decline ≥ 5 g/dL from the pretreatment value. The SLC29A1 rs760370 GG genotype was associated with the severity of Hb decrease as expressed by the median (IQR) Hb nadir change from baseline [-5.4 (-5.6; -5.0) g/dL in GG versus -4.2 (-5.1; -3.4) in AA/AG genotype; P=0.05] and by the Hb decrease ≥ 5 g/dL by week 12 (77.8% of GG carriers versus 24% of AA/AG; P<0.01). In multivariate analysis, older age (P=0.03), lower baseline Hb concentration (P=0.02) and SLC29A1 rs760370 GG (P=0.02) were associated with the development of severe anaemia during treatment, whereas no association was found with ITPA SNPs in our population receiving telaprevir-based therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving telaprevir-based therapy, SNP rs760370A>G at the SLC29A1 gene influences the severity of ribavirin-induced anaemia, possibly mirroring the erythrocyte uptake of ribavirin.
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Anemia/inducido químicamente , Anemia/epidemiología , Antivirales/efectos adversos , Tranportador Equilibrativo 1 de Nucleósido/genética , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Oligopéptidos/efectos adversos , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Quimioterapia Combinada/efectos adversos , Quimioterapia Combinada/métodos , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Genotipo , Técnicas de Genotipaje , Humanos , Interferón-alfa/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oligopéptidos/uso terapéutico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Estudios Prospectivos , Ribavirina/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a protein-losing enteropathy characterized by tortuous and dilated lymph channels of the small bowel. The main symptoms are bilateral lower limb edema, serosal effusions, and vitamin D malabsorption resulting in osteoporosis. We report here a case of long-lasting misdiagnosed PIL with a peculiar liver picture, characterized by a very high stiffness value at transient elastography, which decreased with clinical improvement. The complex interplay between lymphatic and hepatic circulatory system is discussed.
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Diagnóstico por Imagen de Elasticidad/métodos , Hígado/patología , Hígado/fisiopatología , Linfangiectasia Intestinal/patología , Linfangiectasia Intestinal/fisiopatología , Linfedema/patología , Linfedema/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Circulación Hepática/fisiología , Vasos Linfáticos/fisiología , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
The case of an HIV-positive patient who cleared formerly acute HBV infection and experienced HBV exacerbation before starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) followed by a severe elevation of liver enzymes one month after the introduction of ART is reported. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of a subgenotype A2 carrying at least seven different mutations within the S protein and high lopinavir plasma concentrations. Irrespectively of the many possible mechanisms of HBV reactivation in patients infected with HIV (escape mutants selection, host immune deficiency progression, antiretroviral-related immune reconstitution, glucocorticosteroids, chemotherapy), the message is that HIV patients should be monitored strictly not only by serological and virological assays to recognize early HBV reactivation, but also for drug over-exposure.
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Infecciones por VIH/complicaciones , Infecciones por VIH/inmunología , Virus de la Hepatitis B/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B Crónica/virología , Activación Viral , Recuento de Linfocito CD4 , Virus de la Hepatitis B/aislamiento & purificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/fisiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , RecurrenciaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Candida species represent the fourth leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSI) worldwide. However, candidaemia rates and species involved vary geographically. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the epidemiological pattern, risk factors for mortality and antifungal therapy of Candida BSI over a 5-year period (2008-2012) in a university hospital in northern Italy together with a review of the recent literature concerning candidaemia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study cross-linked with microbiology database was performed. RESULTS: A total of 89 Candida BSI were identified in 42 males (47 %) and 47 females (52.8 %). The median age was 69 years (interquartile range 55-78) with 61.8 % of patients being older than 65 years. Considering all hospitalized patients, the overall incidence rate of candidaemia increased significantly from 2008 to 2012 (from 0.4 to 1.68 episodes per 10,000 patient/days) (p = 0.0001) with a mean linear increase in 5 new cases per year. Candida albicans was the predominant species isolated (64 %) followed by C. glabrata (19.1 %). The latter species was observed with significantly higher frequency in Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Units (ICU). In-hospital crude mortality was 41.6 %. CONCLUSIONS: Candidaemia is an increasing BSI in our university hospital, in accordance with that observed in northern Italy, and it is still associated with high in-hospital crude mortality.
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Candida/clasificación , Candidemia/epidemiología , Candidemia/microbiología , Anciano , Candida/aislamiento & purificación , Candidemia/mortalidad , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Incidencia , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Análisis de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Fungal endocarditis (FE) is a "modern" disease that is considered an emerging cause of infective endocarditis (IE). The most frequently identified fungal pathogens are Candida spp., which are responsible for up to two-thirds of all cases; the remaining cases are due to Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma capsulatum or, more rarely, other yeasts and moulds. OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcome of FE diagnosed in a single tertiary centre and review the literature concerning FE. DESIGN AND SETTING: An 8-year retrospective review of the case records of patients attending a single Italian University Centre and diagnosed as having definite or probable IE as defined by the modified Duke criteria. RESULTS: Six patients were identified from 229 episodes of IE: five cases involved a prosthetic valve, and one a native valve of an intravenous drug user. Five cases were caused by Candida spp. (two by C. albicans, one each by C. lusitaniae, C. dubliniensis and C. glabrata) and one by Aspergillus flavus. Three patients were treated by means of surgery plus antifungal therapy; two received antifungal therapy alone. Three patients survived, but only the patient with Aspergillus endocarditis was followed up for a long time. CONCLUSIONS: FE is difficult to diagnose but generally associated with healthcare infections. The optimal treatment is poorly characterised, and international collaborative studies are urgently needed to evaluate newer antifungal agents.
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Endocarditis/epidemiología , Endocarditis/microbiología , Hongos/clasificación , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Micosis/epidemiología , Micosis/microbiología , Antifúngicos/uso terapéutico , Endocarditis/patología , Endocarditis/terapia , Humanos , Italia , Micosis/patología , Micosis/terapia , Prevalencia , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Operativos , Análisis de Supervivencia , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Leishmaniasis represents an emerging public health issue in Mediterranean countries. The incidence of this condition has progressively risen in Northern Italy due to the growing number of immunocompromised people and probably due to climate changes. We hereby describe a case of relapsing laryngeal leishmaniasis in a female immunocompetent patient, presenting as aspecific chronic laryngitis. She was affected by severe asthma treated by inhaled steroid therapy, likely responsible for the parasite's diffusion through a locus minori resistentiae. The aspecific clinical presentation led to a delayed diagnosis and the lack of guidelines for the treatment caused multiple relapses. Biopsies of laryngeal lesions in the follow-up were performed by operative flexible videolaryngoscopy, thus avoiding general anesthesia and reducing associated healthcare costs. The aim of this report is to underline the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that patients with this condition face and to present what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first application of prophylactic aerosolized pentamidine for relapsing laryngeal leishmaniasis.
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Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is a life-threatening bloodstream infection. Improved adherence to quality-of-care indicators (QCIs) can significantly enhance patient outcomes. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of a bundle of interventions on QCI adherence in adult patients with SAB. Additionally, a molecular rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) for S. aureus and methicillin resistance was introduced during weekdays. We compared pre-intervention (January-December 2022) and post-intervention (May 2023-April 2024) data on QCI adherence and time to appropriate treatment. A total of 56 and 40 SAB episodes were included in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. Full QCI adherence significantly increased from 28.6% to 67.5% in the post-intervention period (p < 0.001). The mRDT diagnosed SAB in eight cases (26.6%), but the time to achieve appropriate target therapy did not improve in the post-intervention period (54 h (IQR 30-74) vs. 72 h (IQR 51-83), p = 0.131). The thirty-day mortality rate was comparable between the two periods (17.9% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.476). This study demonstrates that a bundle of interventions can substantially improve adherence to SAB management QCIs.