Characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with other respiratory pathogens identified by rapid diagnostic test.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) significantly impact disease treatment strategy. In Japan, information on the use of RDTs for patients with COVID-19 is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the RDT implementation rate, pathogen detection rate, and clinical characteristics of patients positive for other pathogens by using COVIREGI-JP, a national registry of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A total of 42,309 COVID-19 patients were included. For immunochromatographic testing, influenza was the most common (n = 2881 [6.8%]), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 2129 [5%]) and group A streptococcus (GAS) (n = 372 [0.9%]). Urine antigen testing was performed for 5524 (13.1%) patients for S. pneumoniae and for 5326 patients (12.6%) for L. pneumophila. The completion rate of M. pneumonia loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing was low (n = 97 [0.2%]). FilmArray RP was performed in 372 (0.9%) patients; 1.2% (36/2881) of patients were positive for influenza, 0.9% (2/223) for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 9.6% (205/2129) for M. pneumoniae, and 7.3% (27/372) for GAS. The positivity rate for urine antigen testing was 3.3% (183/5524) for S. pneumoniae and 0.2% (13/5326) for L. pneumophila. The positivity rate for LAMP test was 5.2% (5/97) for M. pneumoniae. Five of 372 patients (1.3%) had positive FilmArray RP, with human enterovirus being the most frequently detected (1.3%, 5/372). The characteristics of patients with and without RDTs submission and positive and negative results differed for each pathogen. RDTs remain an important diagnostic tool in patients with COVID-19 in whom coinfection with other pathogens needs to be tested based on clinical evaluation.

Pre-transfusion testing for Ebola virus disease patients in serious communicable infectious diseases hospitals in Tokyo: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ebola virus disease (EVD) was endemic to Africa in 2014-2016. Supportive therapies have been shown to improve the outcome of EVD, and additional supportive therapy including blood transfusion therapy and external circulation could be needed in the event of a future global outbreak. However, pre-transfusion testing policies and guidelines have not yet been established in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of blood transfusion therapy for EVD patients at three designated hospitals for serious communicable diseases in Tokyo. In each hospital, we surveyed blood transfusion therapy policy, blood transfusion protocol, presence of a specialist in the department of transfusion medicine, facility capacity for pre-transfusion compatibility testing, and types of personal protective equipment available. RESULTS: One hospital had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy, one had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy only when the patient's ABO and RhD type is previously known, and the third had not created a policy. Two hospitals had a department of transfusion medicine. These two hospitals had a special testing unit for serious communicable diseases, while the other had a portable unit for testing. There were no major differences noted in available personal protective equipment. CONCLUSION: Policies and protocols differ among hospitals. The choice of blood transfusion policy and pre-transfusion testing is largely dependent on equipment and human resources. Further discussion is required to develop national guidelines for blood transfusion therapy in patients with serious communicable diseases, including countermeasures against complications and ethical issues related to the safety of patients and healthcare workers.

Antibody Response to Live Attenuated Vaccines in Adults in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy rendered with a single dose of live attenuated measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella containing vaccine. We inoculated healthcare workers (HCWs) with a single dose of vaccine to a disease lacking in antibody titer for those not meeting the criteria of our hospital (measles: <16.0 (IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA)), rubella: ≤1:32 (hemagglutination-inhibition), mumps: <4.0 (IgG EIA), and varicella: <4.0 (IgG EIA)). At 28-60 days after vaccination, the antibody titer was tested again. We included 48 HCWs. A total of 32, 15, 31, and 10 individuals were inoculated with a single dose of measles-containing, rubella-containing, mumps, or varicella vaccine, respectively, and showed significant antibody elevation (9.2 ± 12.3 to 27.6 ± 215.6, p<0.001; 8 ± 1.2 to 32 ± 65.5, p<0.001; 3.0 ± 1.0 to 13.1 ± 8.6, p<0.05; and 2.6 ± 1.3 to 11.8 ± 8.1, p<0.001, respectively). Major side effects were not observed. In a limited population, a single dose of live attenuated vaccine showed elevation of antibody titer without any severe adverse reactions. However, whether the post-vaccination response rate criteria of our university was fulfilled could not be determined owing to limited sample size.

Lemierre syndrome: a Japanese patient returning from Thailand.

After returning from Thailand, a 23-year-old Japanese man was admitted because of fever, sore throat, neck pain, and chest pain. Contrasted-enhanced CT scanning of his neck revealed an absence of flow through the right internal jugular vein representing thrombosis, and moreover, an increase in wall thickness of the right internal jugular vein and enhancement of the surrounding tissue representing thrombophlebitis. Lung abscesses were also identified by a chest CT scan. Fusobacterium nucleatum was cultured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. He was diagnosed with Lemierre syndrome, and a good result was obtained by the administration of antibiotics. Physicians are encouraged to be aware of this syndrome when they manage patients complaining of neck pain and fever.