Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Adults With Chronic Medical Conditions.

BACKGROUND: In contrast with respiratory disease caused by influenza, information on the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among adults with chronic medical conditions (CMCs) is limited. METHODS: We linked population-based surveillance of acute respiratory illness hospitalizations to national administrative data to estimate seasonal RSV hospitalization rates among adults aged 18-80 years with the following preexisting CMCs: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes mellitus (DM), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Age- and ethnicity-adjusted rates stratified by age group were estimated. RESULTS: Among 883 999 adult residents aged 18-80 years, 281 RSV-positive hospitalizations were detected during 2012-2015 winter seasons. Across all ages, RSV hospitalization rates were significantly higher among adults with COPD, asthma, CHF, and CAD compared with those without each corresponding condition. RSV hospitalization rates were significantly higher among adults with ESRD aged 50-64 years and adults with DM aged 18-49 years and 65-80 years compared with adults in each age group without these conditions. No increased risk was seen for adults with CVA. The CMC with the highest risk of RSV hospitalization was CHF (incidence rate ratio [IRR] range, 4.6-36.5 across age strata) and COPD (IRR range, 9.6-9.7). Among RSV-positive adults, CHF and COPD were independently associated with increased length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with specific CMCs are at increased risk of RSV hospitalizations. Age affects this relationship for some CMCs. Such populations maybe relevant for future RSV prevention strategies.

Prolonged Bacteroides pyogenes infection in a patient with multiple lung abscesses.

Bacteroides pyogenes is naturally found in the oral microbiome of cats and dogs and hence exposure, especially bites from these animals, is a major risk factor for human infections. B pyogenes is known to cause infections that persist despite antibiotic treatment and can have serious clinical outcomes. We present a novel case of complex lung abscesses associated with B pyogenes infection. A 55 year old man presents with a 3-month history of productive cough, night sweats, and 5 kg weight loss. An initial chest radiograph revealed mass-like opacities in the right upper lobe (RUL), right middle lobe (RML), and left lower lobe (LLL). Over the next 4 years the patient underwent multiple investigations and antimicrobial treatments until resolution of the abscesses. We believe that metronidazole in combination with moxifloxacin was a key component in the clinical cure of this patient.

Criteria and definitions for the radiological and clinical diagnosis of bronchiectasis in adults for use in clinical trials: international consensus recommendations.

Bronchiectasis refers to both a clinical disease and a radiological appearance that has multiple causes and can be associated with a range of conditions. Disease heterogeneity and the absence of standardised definitions have hampered clinical trials of treatments for bronchiectasis and are important challenges in clinical practice. In view of the need for new therapies for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis to reduce the disease burden, we established an international taskforce of experts to develop recommendations and definitions for clinically significant bronchiectasis in adults to facilitate the standardisation of terminology for clinical trials. Systematic reviews were used to inform discussions, and Delphi processes were used to achieve expert consensus. We prioritised criteria for the radiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis and suggest recommendations on the use and central reading of chest CT scans to confirm the presence of bronchiectasis for clinical trials. Furthermore, we developed a set of consensus statements concerning the definitions of clinical bronchiectasis and its specific signs and symptoms, as well as definitions for chronic bacterial infection and sustained culture conversion. The diagnosis of clinically significant bronchiectasis requires both clinical and radiological criteria, and these expert recommendations and proposals should help to optimise patient recruitment into clinical trials and allow reliable comparisons of treatment effects among different interventions for bronchiectasis. Our consensus proposals should also provide a framework for future research to further refine definitions and establish definitive guidance on the diagnosis of bronchiectasis.

Recurrent hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in an adult with bronchiectasis.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is a well-documented complication of pulmonary malignancy and cystic fibrosis (CF). However, HPOA associated with exacerbations of non-CF bronchiectasis has only been reported once previously in an adolescent. We describe a case of an adult patient with bronchiectasis and HPOA, whose joint symptoms flared during pulmonary exacerbations and improved with treatment of each exacerbation.

The health and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus associated hospitalizations in adults.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of illness in adults; however, data on RSV disease and economic burden in this age group remain limited. We aimed to provide comprehensive estimates of RSV disease burden among adults aged ≥18 years. METHODS: During 2012-2015, population-based, active surveillance of acute respiratory infection (ARI) hospitalizations enabled estimation of the seasonal incidence of RSV hospitalizations and direct health costs in adults aged ≥18 years in Auckland, New Zealand. RESULTS: Of 4,600 ARI hospitalizations tested for RSV, 348 (7.6%) were RSV positive. The median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay for RSV positive patients was 4 (2-6) days. The seasonal incidence rate (IR) of RSV hospitalizations, corrected for non-testing, was 23.6 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 21.0-26.1) per 100,000 adults aged ≥18 years. Hospitalization risk increased with age with the highest incidence among adults aged ≥80 years (IR 190.8 per 100,000, 95% CI 137.6-244.0). Being of Maori or Pacific ethnicity or living in a neighborhood with low socioeconomic status (SES) were independently associated with increased RSV hospitalization rates. We estimate RSV-associated hospitalizations among adults aged ≥18 years to cost on average NZD $4,758 per event. CONCLUSIONS: RSV infection is associated with considerable disease and economic cost in adults. RSV disproportionally affects adult sub-groups defined by age, ethnicity, and neighborhood SES. An effective RSV vaccine or RSV treatment may offer benefits for older adults.

Pleural effusion in patients with pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that pulmonary embolism (PE) is an under-recognized cause of pleural effusion. This study aimed to (i) establish the incidence and clinical relevance of pleural effusion in patients with pulmonary emboli; and (ii) determine if there is a relationship between development of pleural effusions and the location of emboli and number of pulmonary arteries involved. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) performed over 12 months on adult patients with clinically suspected PE in a hospital which used CTPA as first-line imaging investigation for PE. RESULTS: Of 285 CTPA, 60 patients (21%) had evidence of pulmonary emboli (38 had both central and peripheral clots and 22 peripheral emboli only). Emboli were bilateral in 39 cases and unilateral in 21 cases. Pleural effusion was present in almost one half (n = 29, 48%) of the patients with pulmonary emboli. Patients with pulmonary emboli were more likely to have a pleural effusion (OR 2.2 (95% CI: 1.1-4.7), P < 0.05) than patients without PE; however, the effusions were generally very small. Most (86%) of the effusions were present on the same side as the emboli. The location of emboli and number of arteries involved did not predict the presence of pleural effusions. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural effusion is common in patients with pulmonary emboli demonstrated on CTPA. These effusions are small and seldom alter clinical management. Clinicians should therefore have a high threshold of suspicion in attributing large or contralateral pleural effusions to embolic diseases without excluding alternative diagnoses.

Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator and deoxyribonuclease for pleural infection. An effective and safe alternative to surgery.

RATIONALE: Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/deoxyribonuclease (DNase) therapy for pleural infection given at the time of diagnosis has been shown to significantly improve radiological outcomes. Published cases are limited to only a single randomized controlled trial and a few case reports. OBJECTIVES: Multinational observation series to evaluate the pragmatic "real-life" application of tPA/DNase treatment for pleural infection in a large cohort of unselected patients. METHODS: All patients from eight centers who received intrapleural tPA/DNase for pleural infection between January 2010 and September 2013 were included. Measured outcomes included treatment success at 30 days, volume of pleural fluid drained, improvement in radiographic pleural opacity and inflammatory markers, need for surgery, and adverse events. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 107 patients treated, the majority (92.3%) were successfully managed without the need for surgical intervention. No patients died as a result of pleural infection. Most patients (84%) received tPA/DNase more than 24 hours after failing to respond to initial conservative management with antibiotics and thoracostomy. tPA/DNase increased fluid drained from a median of 250 ml (interquartile range [IQR], 100-654) in the 24 hours preceding commencement of intrapleural therapy to 2,475 ml (IQR 1,800-3,585) in the 72 hours following treatment initiation (P < 0.05). We observed a corresponding clearance of pleural opacity on chest radiographs from a median of 35% (IQR 25-31) to 14% (7-28) of the hemithorax (P < 0.001), as well as significant reduction in C-reactive protein (P < 0.05). Pain necessitating escalation of analgesia occurred in 19.6% patients, and nonfatal bleeding occurred in 1.8%. CONCLUSIONS: This large series of patients who received intrapleural tPA/DNase therapy provides important evidence that the treatment is effective and safe, especially as a "rescue therapy" in patients who do not initially respond to antibiotics and thoracostomy drainage.

The training, experience, and confidence of junior doctors in performing pleural procedures.

AIM: Pleural procedures may cause patient discomfort and serious complications if performed inadequately. We surveyed junior doctors to provide information about training and experience. METHODS: We surveyed 493 junior doctors working in departments involved in pleural procedures in three teaching hospitals via postal questionnaires in 2002. RESULTS: The response rate was 66%. Formal training in the performance of pleural procedures was limited at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Theoretical training at postgraduate level in pleural aspiration, chest drain insertion, and closed pleural biopsies was reported by 34%, 40%, and 14% of respondents respectively. Practical training using animal or artificial models occurred infrequently. Pleural aspiration, chest drain insertion, and pleural biopsy had been performed at least once by 91%, 66%, and 41% of respondents respectively. Most doctors felt they needed more training in chest drain insertion and pleural biopsy. Confidence in performing procedures was related to the number of times the procedure had been performed but not to formal teaching. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive survey of the background training, experience and confidence levels of junior medical staff in performing pleural procedures. Training in pleural procedures was limited and our results suggest the need for better training programmes and supervision of junior doctors.

Effects of asthma and asthma therapies on bone mineral density.

With improvements in techniques for measuring bone mass, interest and concern have increased about the effects of asthma therapies, particularly corticosteroids, on bone mineral density. Whether asthma itself causes bone loss remains unclear. Studies evaluating the effect of asthma therapies on bone mineral density are often difficult to interpret because of methodologic problems. These studies show that oral corticosteroids are associated with a reduction in bone mineral density and an increased risk of fracture. Studies evaluating the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on bone mineral density provide conflicting data, but there is increasing evidence that inhaled corticosteroids may have an adverse effect on bone. However, the benefits of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma remain far greater than the risks. The data for the effects of other asthma therapies on bone mineral density are limited.

The impact of oral corticosteroid use on bone mineral density and vertebral fracture.

The use of oral corticosteroids is associated with an increased risk of fracture, but there is limited information on the relationship between corticosteroid dose, bone mineral density (BMD), and fracture. We examined this relationship in a community population (more than 50 years) taking oral corticosteroids for chronic lung disease. Details of corticosteroid use and lifestyle were obtained by questionnaire, general practice records, and patient interview. BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine and femur and vertebral fracture by morphometric X-ray absorptiometry. Of the 117 patients who participated (median age, 69), 48% were female. Fifty-eight percent had osteoporosis (a T score of less than -2.5), and 61% had a vertebral fracture. The presence of vertebral fracture was related to BMD at the femoral neck, with an odds ratio of 1.6 for a 1 SD reduction in BMD. The cumulative prednisolone dose ranged from 3.4 to 175 g and was strongly associated with vertebral fracture, with the odds ratio between the highest and lowest dose quartiles being 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.04, 18.8). The difference in femoral neck BMD between the same dose quartiles was only modest, however (0.5 SD; 95% confidence interval, 0.09, 0.94). In patients taking long-term oral corticosteroids for chronic lung disease, the relationship between vertebral fracture risk and BMD is similar to that seen in other populations. Cumulative prednisolone dose is strongly related to fracture risk, and this effect is independent of its more modest impact on BMD.