Listeria monocytogenes Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients: Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors. A Multinational Retrospective Case-Control Study from the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Listeriosis is rare after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Little is known about listeriosis in this population. In this retrospective international case-control study, we evaluated 41 listeriosis episodes occurring between 2000 and 2021 in HCT recipients (111 transplant centers in 30 countries) and assessed risk factors for listeriosis by comparisons with matched controls. The 41 listeriosis episodes (all due to Listeria monocytogenes [LM]) occurred in 30 allogeneic (allo)-HCT recipients and 11 autologous (auto)-HCT recipients at a median of 6.2 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1.6 to 19.3 months) post-HCT. The estimated incidence was 49.8/100,000 allo-HCT recipients and 13.7/100,000 auto-HCT recipients. The most common manifestations in our cohort were fever (n = 39; 95%), headache (n = 9; 22%), diarrhea, and impaired consciousness (n = 8 each; 20%). Four patients (10%) presented with septic shock, and 19 of 38 (50%) were severely lymphocytopenic. Thirty-seven patients (90%) had LM bacteremia. Eleven patients (27%) had neurolisteriosis, of whom 4 presented with nonspecific signs and 5 had normal brain imaging findings. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed high protein and pleocytosis (mainly neutrophilic). Three-month mortality was 17% overall (n = 7), including 27% (n = 3 of 11) in patients with neurolisteriosis and 13% (n = 4 of 30) in those without neurolisteriosis. In the multivariate analysis comparing cases with 74 controls, non-first HCT (odds ratio [OR], 5.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 30.82; P = .038); and lymphocytopenia <500 cells/mm3 (OR, 7.54; 95% CI, 1.50 to 37.83; P = .014) were significantly associated with listeriosis. There were no statistically significant differences in background characteristics, immunosuppression, and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis between cases and controls. HCT recipients are at increased risk for listeriosis compared to the general population. Listeriosis cause severe disease with septic shock and mortality. Neurolisteriosis can present with nonspecific signs and normal imaging. Lymphocytopenia and non-first HCT are associated with an increased risk of listeriosis, and cotrimoxazole was not protective.

Clinical safety and efficacy of novel antifungal, fosmanogepix, for the treatment of candidaemia: results from a Phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Fosmanogepix is a first-in-class antifungal targeting the fungal enzyme Gwt1, with broad-spectrum activity against yeasts and moulds, including multidrug-resistant fungi, formulated for intravenous (IV) and oral administration. METHODS: This global, multicenter, non-comparative study evaluated the safety and efficacy of fosmanogepix for first-line treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic adults. Participants with candidaemia, defined as a positive blood culture for Candida spp. within 96 h prior to study entry, with ≤2 days of prior systemic antifungals, were eligible. Participants received fosmanogepix for 14 days: 1000 mg IV twice daily on Day 1, followed by maintenance 600 mg IV once daily, and optional switch to 700 mg orally once daily from Day 4. Eligible participants who received at least one dose of fosmanogepix and had confirmed diagnosis of candidaemia (<96 h of treatment start) composed the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population. Primary efficacy endpoint was treatment success at the end of study treatment (EOST) as determined by the Data Review Committee. Success was defined as clearance of Candida from blood cultures with no additional antifungal treatment and survival at the EOST. RESULTS: Treatment success was 80% (16/20, mITT; EOST) and Day 30 survival was 85% (17/20; 3 deaths unrelated to fosmanogepix). Ten of 21 (48%) were switched to oral fosmanogepix. Fosmanogepix was well tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events/discontinuations. Fosmanogepix had potent in vitro activity against baseline isolates of Candida spp. (MICrange: CLSI, 0.002-0.03 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this single-arm Phase 2 trial suggest that fosmanogepix may be a safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious treatment for non-neutropenic patients with candidaemia, including those with renal impairment.

Characteristics of endovascular pneumococcal infections; a decade of nationwide surveillance study.

In order to characterize pneumococcal endovascular infection in the post-vaccination era, a retrospective nationwide study based on the Israeli Adult IPD database was conducted. Between 2010 and 2019, 0.6% (23 cases) of IPD cases were of endovascular type, occurring mainly in males (72.3%) with underlying medical conditions (78.2%). Additional pneumococcal source (10 patients) and concomitant infections were not uncommon. Penicillin and ceftriaxone susceptibility rates were 65.2% and 91.3%, respectively; 60.9% of the isolates were not covered by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. 21.7% of patients died during hospitalization. In conclusion, pneumococcal endovascular infections still carry significant morbidity and mortality.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a patient with neuro pulmonary nocardiosis following hematopoietic cells transplantation (HCT).

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is increasingly reported in various HIV negative patients with immunosuppression, but the relationship with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is not well defined. We report a case of IRIS in a patient infected with pulmonary and CNS Nocardiosis following HCT due to primary myelofibrosis.

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Multiple Myeloma patients: A sizeable diagnosis in the era of novel anti-myeloma therapies.

BACKGROUND: Advances in treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) patients entail a high risk for opportunistic infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to describe the patient's profile, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and outcome of MM patients with IPA, in our large haemato-oncology centre. PATIENTS/METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients with MM who underwent Broncho alveolar lavage for pneumonia at Rambam Hospital during a 13-year period from July 2005 to February 2018. We focused on those with Aspergillus pneumonia. RESULTS: Of the 669 patients with multiple myeloma, mean age 62.6 (±7.6) years, forty-two patients (6.2%) were diagnosed with IPA. Among them, 60% had a probable diagnosis and 40% possible. Clinical presentation was similar for IPA and other pulmonary infections. Compared to those with other pulmonary infections, IPA was more commonly diagnosed in patients with long-standing disease (p = .00012) and among patients receiving 3 or more lines of myeloma therapies (p = .04). Thirty-day mortality rates following diagnostic bronchoscopy did not differ between IPA and non-IPA patients. (p = .85). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple myeloma patients had an increased risk for IPA, most notably in patients with 3 or more lines of anti-myeloma treatment and more advanced disease. This clearly emphasises the vigilance needed for IPA in these patients.

Clinical Spectrum, Diagnosis and Outcome of Rare Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Experience of 15-Year Period from a Single Tertiary Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hematological malignancies and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients carry a high risk of rare (non-Aspergillus molds and non-Candida yeasts) invasive fungal infections (IFI). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated and described the patient profile, clinical manifestations, isolated species, treatment and outcome of patients with hematological malignancies diagnosed with these rare IFIs during 15 years in a large single hemato-oncology center. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients with hematological malignancies treated in our center had at least one positive culture or molecular identification of a rare fungus. Ninety-three isolates were considered the etiological agents of the infection. The most common underlying hematological malignancy was acute myeloid leukemia, 36 patients (41.4%). Eighty patients (91%) received chemotherapy less than 30 days prior to IFI diagnosis. The most frequent site of infection was the respiratory tract: 34 patients (39%) had pulmonary and 19 patients (22%) had a sinusal or nasopharyngeal infections. Disseminated infection, defined as positive blood cultures or parallel infection in multiple organ systems, was documented in 20 patients (23%). The most common fungal species were Fusarium (35%) and Zygomycetes (25%). Coinfection with more than one fungus was noted in 20 patients (23%). Forty-seven of 87 patients (54%) in this study died within 90 days of IFI diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Rare IFIs in patients with hematological malignancy become increasingly frequent. Early identification with traditional and molecular methods is important in management of these patients.

Baseline Chest Computed Tomography for Early Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Hemato-oncological Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has dire consequences in hemato-oncological patients. We report our experience with performing routine baseline chest computed tomography for early diagnosis of IPA. We found high rates of proven or probable IPA diagnosed on admission among patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Diagnostic role of polymerase chain reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients - A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic role of PCR detection of Aspergillus DNA in the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a large cohort of patients suspected to have invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). METHODS: Consecutive immunocompromised patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL sampling and PCR detection of Aspergillus DNA for the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates were included in the study. Galactomannan (GM) antigen testing in BAL and serum and BAL fungal culture were also performed. Patients were classified as having IPA (proven/probable/possible) or no-IPA according to the EORTC/MSG diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: During 12 years (2005-2016), 1248 bronchoscopies were performed for 1072 patients. 77% had hematological malignancy, of them 40% had AML and 35.6% underwent HSCT. IPA was diagnosed in 531 patients (42.5%), 7-proven, 280-probable and 244-possible. PCR was positive in 266 cases, of them 213 had IPA, indicating a true positive rate of 80% (213/266) and a false positive rate of 20% (53/266). These results establish the diagnostic performance of PCR to have sensitivity of 40%, specificity of 93%, PPV- 80% and NPV-68%. Of 244 patients with possible IPA, 80 had positive PCR. Including PCR in the diagnostic criteria would move 80 cases from the possible group to the probable one. A combination of positive PCR and/or BAL-GM increases sensitivity to 74%, while positivity of both tests elevates PPV to 99.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion PCR for the detection of Aspergillus-DNA in BAL in the mycological criteria of the EORTC/MSG definitions increases the rate and the certainty of IPA diagnosis.

Effect and Safety of Meropenem-Vaborbactam versus Best-Available Therapy in Patients with Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections: The TANGO II Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment options for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are limited and CRE infections remain associated with high clinical failure and mortality rates, particularly in vulnerable patient populations. A Phase 3, multinational, open-label, randomized controlled trial (TANGO II) was conducted from 2014 to 2017 to evaluate the efficacy/safety of meropenem-vaborbactam monotherapy versus best available therapy (BAT) for CRE. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with confirmed/suspected CRE infection (bacteremia, hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, complicated intra-abdominal infection, complicated urinary tract infection/acute pyelonephritis) were randomized, and 47 with confirmed CRE infection formed the primary analysis population (microbiologic-CRE-modified intent-to-treat, mCRE-MITT). Eligible patients were randomized 2:1 to meropenem-vaborbactam (2 g/2 g over 3 h, q8h for 7-14 days) or BAT (mono/combination therapy with polymyxins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, tigecycline; or ceftazidime-avibactam alone). Efficacy endpoints included clinical cure, Day-28 all-cause mortality, microbiologic cure, and overall success (clinical cure + microbiologic eradication). Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Within the mCRE-MITT population, cure rates were 65.6% (21/32) and 33.3% (5/15) [95% confidence interval (CI) of difference, 3.3% to 61.3%; P = 0.03)] at End of Treatment and 59.4% (19/32) and 26.7% (4/15) (95% CI of difference, 4.6% to 60.8%; P = 0.02) at Test of Cure;.Day-28 all-cause mortality was 15.6% (5/32) and 33.3% (5/15) (95% CI of difference, - 44.7% to 9.3%) for meropenem-vaborbactam versus BAT, respectively. Treatment-related AEs and renal-related AEs were 24.0% (12/50) and 4.0% (2/50) for meropenem-vaborbactam versus 44.0% (11/25) and 24.0% (6/25) for BAT. Exploratory risk-benefit analyses of composite clinical failure or nephrotoxicity favored meropenem-vaborbactam versus BAT (31.3% [10/32] versus 80.0% [12/15]; 95% CI of difference, - 74.6% to - 22.9%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Monotherapy with meropenem-vaborbactam for CRE infection was associated with increased clinical cure, decreased mortality, and reduced nephrotoxicity compared with BAT. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02168946. FUNDING: The Medicines Company.

Severe cytomegalovirus enterocolitis developing following daratumumab exposure in three patients with multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: The risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with bortezomib-based induction regimens is increased following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). There is paucity of data regarding the risk of CMV infections in MM patients who did not receive bortezomib and ASCT. METHODS: We herein report three cases of heavily pretreated MM patients, receiving daratumumab-containing combination regimens, in whom ASCT had been performed long ago and who recently developed severe CMV-related gastrointestinal disease. RESULTS: All the three patients had a prolonged CMV disease course requiring a long-term antiviral treatment. All the patients suffered from CMV colitis. One patient had concurrent CMV duodenitis and another patient had a concurrent CMV retinitis. CONCLUSION: Novel myeloma treatments prolong patient survival and more patients with profound immunosuppression following multiple lines of therapies are seen in clinical practice. These patients may present with opportunistic infections that were rare in the past. Our findings suggest a possible association between daratumumab therapy (in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies) and severe CMV gastrointestinal disease. A longer follow-up is needed to explore long-term side effects of novel agents like daratumumab in newly diagnosed as well as heavily pretreated MM patients.

Isavuconazole for treatment of invasive fungal diseases caused by more than one fungal species.

The optimal approach to treat invasive fungal disease (IFD) caused by more than one fungal species is unknown. We documented the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of IFDs caused by more than one fungal species. VITAL was a single-arm, international, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole (200 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours for 48 hours, then once daily) for treatment of rare IFDs. The primary outcome was the overall response at Day 42; key secondary outcomes were overall responses at Day 84 and end of treatment (EOT), mortality at Days 42 and 84, and safety. This analysis includes patients with IFD caused by multiple fungal species. Fifteen patients were included in this analysis (including Aspergillus spp., n = 11; without Aspergillus spp., n = 4); median treatment duration was 97 days [range, 6-544] days). Overall treatment success was observed in 2/15 patients (13.3%) at Days 42 and 84, and 2/14 (14.3%) at EOT. All-cause mortality was 2/15 (13.3%) at Day 42 and 4/15 (26.7%) at Day 84. All patients had ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 12 patients (80.0%) had serious TEAEs; TEAEs led to discontinuation of isavuconazole in two patients (13.3%). Isavuconazole may be useful to treat some IFDs caused by multiple fungal species.

Isavuconazole for treatment of rare invasive fungal diseases.

Data regarding treatment of rare invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are scarce. We documented the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of uncommonly diagnosed IFDs. VITAL was a single-arm, international, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole (200 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours for 48 hours, then once daily). The primary outcome was overall response at Day 42; key secondary outcomes were overall responses at Day 84 and end of treatment (EOT), mortality at Days 42 and 84, and safety. This analysis includes patients with IFD caused by rare or unidentified pathogens. Twenty-six patients with IFDs caused by rare moulds (n = 17), non-Candida yeasts (n = 2), or unidentified moulds (n = 7) were enrolled (median treatment duration [range], 114.5 [1-496]) days. Overall treatment success was observed in 11/26 (42.3%), 10/26 (38.5%), and 15/26 (57.7%) patients at Days 42, 84, and EOT, respectively. All-cause mortality rates were 2/26 patients (7.7%) at Day 42 and 4/26 patients (15.4%) at Day 84; another two patients died after Day 84. All patients had ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 15 patients (57.7%) had serious TEAEs, and TEAEs led to discontinuation of isavuconazole in four patients (15.4%). Isavuconazole may be efficacious for treatment of a range of rare IFDs.

Community-acquired respiratory infections are common in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Available data suggest that respiratory infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized due to acute leukemia and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). However, the precise incidence, risk factors, and severity of respiratory infection, mainly community-acquired, in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) are not fully determined. The current study aimed to investigate risk factors for respiratory infections and their clinical significance in patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM) in the first year of diagnosis. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients diagnosed with NHL or MM and treated at the Rambam Hematology Inpatient and Outpatient Units between 01/2011 and 03/2012 were evaluated. Information regarding anticancer treatment, incidence and course of respiratory infections, and infection-related outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty episodes of respiratory infections were recorded in 103 (49%) of 211 (73-MM, 138-NHL) patients; 126 (79%) episodes were community-acquired, 47 (29%) of them required hospitalization. In univariate analysis, age < 60 years, MM diagnosis, and autologous SCT increased the respiratory infection risk (P = 0.058, 0.038, and 0.001, respectively). Ninety episodes (56% of all respiratory episodes) were examined for viral pathogens. Viral infections were documented in 25/90 (28%) episodes, 21 (84%) of them were community-acquired, requiring hospitalization in 5 (24%) cases. Anti-flu vaccination was performed in 119 (56%) patients. Two of the six patients diagnosed with influenza were vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory infections, including viral ones, are common in NHL and MM. Most infections are community-acquired and have a favorable outcome. Rapid identification of viral pathogens allows avoiding antibiotic overuse in this patient population.

[REDUCTION OF ANTIBIOTIC CONSUMPTION IN RAMBAM HEALTH CARE CAMPUS - THE ROLE OF AN ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM].

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are designed to optimize antibiotic use in hospitals. Antibiotic consumption is one of the measures assessing the effects of ASPs. AIMS: To evaluate the effect of an ASP on antibiotic consumption in our hospital and compare it to hospitals in Israel and worldwide. METHODS: Between October 2012 and March 2013 an ASP was implemented in Rambam Hospital. The program included educational activities, publication of local guidelines for empirical antibiotic treatment, structured infectious diseases consultations, pre-authorization antibiotic restrictions and stop orders. We compared antibacterial antibiotic consumption in defined daily doses (DDD)/100 hospital days (HD) between the periods before (1/2010-3/2013) and after (4/2013-9/2014) implementing the ASP. The study was conducted in the medical departments, hematology, the intensive care unit (ICU) and all pediatric wards. RESULTS: Total antibiotic consumption before implementing the ASP was 96±11.2 DDD/100 HD in medical departments, 186.4±42.8 in the ICU and 185.5±59 in hematology; all values were higher than the worldwide-reported averages for these departments. Following the ASP, total antibiotic consumption decreased by 12% (p=0.008) in the medical departments and by 26% (p=0.002) in hematology, mostly due to reductions in non-restricted antibiotics. No significant changes were observed overall in the ICU and in pediatric wards. There was a significant reduction in consumption of vancomycin and carbapenems in all settings, the latter was reduced to nearly half. Amikacin use quadrupled in the medical departments. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ASP lead to a reduction in non-restricted and restricted antibiotic consumption, especially carbapenems.

Does molecular analysis increase the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in hemato-oncological patients?

OBJECTIVES: The identification of the specific pathogen responsible for a respiratory infection in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) would ensure relevant treatment and prevent toxicity associated with anti-infective therapy. This large-scale study aimed to explore the clinical impact of fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (FOB-BAL) in conjunction with molecular analysis on the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in hemato-oncological patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients with HM and pulmonary infiltrates, who underwent FOB-BAL between January 2008 and January 2013, were included in the analysis. Clinical characteristics, FOB-BAL results, and treatment adjustments were recorded, and factors predicting a positive BAL were assessed. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-five FOB-BAL procedures were analyzed. BAL revealed a specific diagnosis in 219 (51.5%) patients, 208 of them with a pulmonary infection. Infectious etiological agents found were mainly Aspergillus spp (n=142), bacterial species (n=44), and Pneumocystis jirovecii (n=34). Multivariate analysis showed that a lymphoproliferative disease, ≥2 symptoms (dyspnea/cough/hemoptysis/pleuritic pain), and less than 4 days between symptom appearance and FOB-BAL, predicted a positive FOB-BAL result. BAL results prompted a treatment modification in 48% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: FOB-BAL in conjunction with molecular assays is efficient in the rapid detection of life-threatening infections, allowing for adjustment of anti-infective therapy, which may result in better outcomes and reduce treatment-related toxicity.

Campylobacter bacteraemia: 16 years of experience in a single centre.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter bacteraemia (CB) is rare and usually occurs in immune-compromised patients. In this study we examined the incidence and epidemiology of CB in one institution over 15.5 years. METHODS: The medical records of all the consecutive patients with CB admitted to our hospital from 2000 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics, microbiologic and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: During the study period, 65 patients with CB were identified. The majority of the patients were middle aged and immune-compromised. Campylobacter jejuni was the most commonly identified species (33/47, 70%). The main underlying conditions were haematological malignancies (43%) and chronic liver disease (14%). Fifty-seven percent of the patients were receiving immunosuppressive therapy at the time of bacteraemia. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (85%), diarrhoea (40%), abdominal pain (40%), and nausea and vomiting (40%). Of the isolates tested, 97% were susceptible to macrolides, and only 35% were susceptible to quinolones. Susceptibility to quinolones decreased over the years. Most patients did not receive adequate empiric antibiotic treatment (81.5%) and about 20% never received directed therapy. Mortality and relapse rates were low (5% each). There was no association between adequate empirical or definitive antibiotic therapy and adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: The main predisposing factor for Campylobacter bacteraemia in our cohort was immunosuppression. Prognosis was generally favourable regardless of appropriateness of antibiotic therapy.

Isavuconazole treatment for mucormycosis: a single-arm open-label trial and case-control analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is an uncommon invasive fungal disease with high mortality and few treatment options. Isavuconazole is a triazole active in vitro and in animal models against moulds of the order Mucorales. We assessed the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for treatment of mucormycosis and compared its efficacy with amphotericin B in a matched case-control analysis. METHODS: In a single-arm open-label trial (VITAL study), adult patients (≥18 years) with invasive fungal disease caused by rare fungi, including mucormycosis, were recruited from 34 centres worldwide. Patients were given isavuconazole 200 mg (as its intravenous or oral water-soluble prodrug, isavuconazonium sulfate) three times daily for six doses, followed by 200 mg/day until invasive fungal disease resolution, failure, or for 180 days or more. The primary endpoint was independent data review committee-determined overall response-ie, complete or partial response (treatment success) or stable or progressive disease (treatment failure)-according to prespecified criteria. Mucormycosis cases treated with isavuconazole as primary treatment were matched with controls from the FungiScope Registry, recruited from 17 centres worldwide, who received primary amphotericin B-based treatment, and were analysed for day-42 all-cause mortality. VITAL is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00634049. FungiScope is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01731353. FINDINGS: Within the VITAL study, from April 22, 2008, to June 21, 2013, 37 patients with mucormycosis received isavuconazole for a median of 84 days (IQR 19-179, range 2-882). By day 42, four patients (11%) had a partial response, 16 (43%) had stable invasive fungal disease, one (3%) had invasive fungal disease progression, three (8%) had missing assessments, and 13 (35%) had died. 35 patients (95%) had adverse events (28 [76%] serious). Day-42 crude all-cause mortality in seven (33%) of 21 primary-treatment isavuconazole cases was similar to 13 (39%) of 33 amphotericin B-treated matched controls (weighted all-cause mortality: 33% vs 41%; p=0·595). INTERPRETATION: Isavuconazole showed activity against mucormycosis with efficacy similar to amphotericin B. Isavuconazole can be used for treatment of mucormycosis and is well tolerated. FUNDING: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Basilea Pharmaceutica International.

Polymicrobial pulmonary infection in patients with hematological malignancies: prevalence, co-pathogens, course and outcome.

PURPOSE: The frequency and clinical significance of polymicrobial pneumonia in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to describe the prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with HM and polymicrobial pneumonia. METHODS: Over a 5 year period, 436 consecutive adult patients with HM and pulmonary infiltrates underwent diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. For 219 patients an infectious etiology was diagnosed, of them 45 (20.5 %) had polymicrobial etiology. Risk factors, clinical course and outcome of polymicrobial pulmonary infection in patients with HM were established. RESULTS: 45 patients with HM were identified with polymicrobial pulmonary infection, 39 of them with two pathogens, and 6 with three. The most common co-pathogen identified was Aspergillus sp. (87 %). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and graft versus host disease (GVHD) were predictors of polymicrobial infection. Compared to patients with monomicrobial pneumonia, patients with polymicrobialpulmonary infection had a more severe clinical course with more dyspnea (69 vs. 49 %, P = 0.016), hemoptysis (16 vs. 7 %, P = 0.065) and more required respiratory support (27 vs. 17 %, P = 0.125). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with polymicrobial pulmonary infection than in patients with monomicrobial pulmonary infection (49 vs. 19 %, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Polymicrobial pulmonary infection occurs quite frequently in patients with HM, especially in allogeneic HSCT recipients and in patients with GVHD. The clinical course of polymicrobial pulmonary infection is severe and mortality approaches 50 %. The clinician taking care of these patients should always look for additional copathogens in profoundly immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia.

Isavuconazole versus voriconazole for primary treatment of invasive mould disease caused by Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi (SECURE): a phase 3, randomised-controlled, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Isavuconazole is a novel triazole with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. The SECURE trial assessed efficacy and safety of isavuconazole versus voriconazole in patients with invasive mould disease. METHODS: This was a phase 3, double-blind, global multicentre, comparative-group study. Patients with suspected invasive mould disease were randomised in a 1:1 ratio using an interactive voice-web response system, stratified by geographical region, allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, and active malignant disease at baseline, to receive isavuconazonium sulfate 372 mg (prodrug; equivalent to 200 mg isavuconazole; intravenously three times a day on days 1 and 2, then either intravenously or orally once daily) or voriconazole (6 mg/kg intravenously twice daily on day 1, 4 mg/kg intravenously twice daily on day 2, then intravenously 4 mg/kg twice daily or orally 200 mg twice daily from day 3 onwards). We tested non-inferiority of the primary efficacy endpoint of all-cause mortality from first dose of study drug to day 42 in patients who received at least one dose of the study drug (intention-to-treat [ITT] population) using a 10% non-inferiority margin. Safety was assessed in patients who received the first dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00412893. FINDINGS: 527 adult patients were randomly assigned (258 received study medication per group) between March 7, 2007, and March 28, 2013. All-cause mortality from first dose of study drug to day 42 for the ITT population was 19% with isavuconazole (48 patients) and 20% with voriconazole (52 patients), with an adjusted treatment difference of -1·0% (95% CI -7·8 to 5·7). Because the upper bound of the 95% CI (5·7%) did not exceed 10%, non-inferiority was shown. Most patients (247 [96%] receiving isavuconazole and 255 [98%] receiving voriconazole) had treatment-emergent adverse events (p=0·122); the most common were gastrointestinal disorders (174 [68%] vs 180 [69%]) and infections and infestations (152 [59%] vs 158 [61%]). Proportions of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events by system organ class were similar overall. However, isavuconazole-treated patients had a lower frequency of hepatobiliary disorders (23 [9%] vs 42 [16%]; p=0·016), eye disorders (39 [15%] vs 69 [27%]; p=0·002), and skin or subcutaneous tissue disorders (86 [33%] vs 110 [42%]; p=0·037). Drug-related adverse events were reported in 109 (42%) patients receiving isavuconazole and 155 (60%) receiving voriconazole (p<0·001). INTERPRETATION: Isavuconazole was non-inferior to voriconazole for the primary treatment of suspected invasive mould disease. Isavuconazole was well tolerated compared with voriconazole, with fewer study-drug-related adverse events. Our results support the use of isavuconazole for the primary treatment of patients with invasive mould disease. FUNDING: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Basilea Pharmaceutica International.