ABSTRACT
We present a retrospective study on the treatment outcomes of severely immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19. The study analyzed data from 14 patients who received a combination of tixegavimab/cilgavimab and antiviral medications. Response was evaluated based on symptom improvement, PCR cycle-threshold values, and C-reactive protein levels. Eleven patients achieved complete clinical and virological resolution, while three showed partial responses. The study suggests a potential association between non-response and tixegavimab/cilgavimab neutralization. The findings underscore the need for tailored treatment approaches and further research on optimal strategies for managing persistent COVID-19, as well as the development of antivirals and variant-specific monoclonal antibodies.
Subject(s)
Adenosine Monophosphate/analogs & derivatives , Alanine/analogs & derivatives , COVID-19 , Ritonavir , Humans , Ritonavir/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Immunocompromised Host , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Accelerate PhenoTest® BC system (AXDX) is a novel assay for rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). We report an evaluation of its impact on treatment of patients with Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) with a high risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). METHODS: A prospective single-center evaluation before and after implementation of AXDX in addition to standard-of-care (SOC) microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Patients with GNB reported during laboratory working hours and prespecified risk factors for AMR were included. The primary outcome was an ASP-oriented beneficial antimicrobial change, defined as either an escalation of an inappropriate empiric treatment or de-escalation of a broad-spectrum treatment of a susceptible organism. Main secondary outcomes were time to an appropriate treatment, antimicrobial treatment duration, length of stay (LOS) and mortality. RESULTS: Included were 46 and 57 patients in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. The median time to an AST-oriented beneficial change was 29.2 h vs. 49.6 h, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the time to appropriate treatment, LOS or mortality. Antimicrobial treatment duration was longer during the intervention period (10 vs. 8 days, p = 0.007). AXDX failed to correctly identify pathogens in all 6 cases of polymicrobial bacteremia. In two cases patient care was potentially compromised due to inappropriate de-escalation. CONCLUSIONS: AXDX implementation resulted in a 20.4-hour shorter time to an ASP-oriented beneficial antimicrobial change. This should be weighed against the higher costs, the lack of other proven clinical benefits and the potential harm from mis-identification of polymicrobial bacteremias.
