Management of a major varicella zoster exposure in a pediatric oncology population.

Management of the exposure of pediatric oncology patients to varicella zoster virus (VZV) is controversial. We report the exposure of 56 patients to a single child with chicken pox at a pediatric cancer housing facility and describe our strategic approach for their management. We reviewed the immune and clinical status of 56 children with cancer receiving ongoing treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) who, while living at a pediatric cancer housing facility, were exposed to the index patient. The management of patients exposed included: (1) determination of immune status, (2) availability of vaccination history or VZV disease prophylaxis, (3) exposure status and subsequent isolation during the period of incubation, and (4) VZV disease prophylaxis. In addition to the 56 patients exposed to the index case, eight children with cancer treated at other facilities and 11 healthy siblings living in the facility were exposed. Of the 56 MSK patients, 21 were classified as immunosuppressed and received varicella zoster immune globulin (human), intravenous standard immune globulin, or acyclovir based on serostatus and immune function. The cohort was followed for 4 weeks after the exposure and no secondary infections were diagnosed. We performed a risk assessment and created a management plan to control and prevent further exposure and development of disease. No secondary cases developed. This strategic approach could serve as a model for the management of VZV exposure for other pediatric oncology centers.

Determinants of COVID-19 disease severity in patients with cancer.

As of 10 April 2020, New York State had 180,458 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 9,385 reported deaths. Patients with cancer comprised 8.4% of deceased individuals1. Population-based studies from China and Italy suggested a higher coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death rate in patients with cancer2,3, although there is a knowledge gap as to which aspects of cancer and its treatment confer risk of severe COVID-194. This information is critical to balance the competing safety considerations of reducing SARS-CoV-2 exposure and cancer treatment continuation. From 10 March to 7 April 2020, 423 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 were diagnosed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (from a total of 2,035 patients with cancer tested). Of these, 40% were hospitalized for COVID-19, 20% developed severe respiratory illness (including 9% who required mechanical ventilation) and 12% died within 30 d. Age older than 65 years and treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were predictors for hospitalization and severe disease, whereas receipt of chemotherapy and major surgery were not. Overall, COVID-19 in patients with cancer is marked by substantial rates of hospitalization and severe outcomes. The association observed between ICI and COVID-19 outcomes in our study will need further interrogation in tumor-specific cohorts.

Determinants of Severity in Cancer Patients with COVID-19 Illness.

New York State had 180,458 cases of SARS-CoV-2 and 9385 reported deaths as of April 10th, 2020. Patients with cancer comprised 8.4% of deceased individuals1. Population-based studies from China and Italy suggested a higher COVID-19 death rate in patients with cancer2,3, although there is a knowledge gap as to which aspects of cancer and its treatment confer risk of severe COVID-19 disease4. This information is critical to balance the competing safety considerations of reducing SARS-CoV-2 exposure and cancer treatment continuation. Since March 10th, 2020 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center performed diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic patients. Overall, 40% out of 423 patients with cancer were hospitalized for COVID-19 illness, 20% developed severe respiratory illness, including 9% that required mechanical ventilation, and 9% that died. On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years and treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) within 90 days were predictors for hospitalization and severe disease, while receipt of chemotherapy within 30 days and major surgery were not. Overall, COVID-19 illness is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and severe outcomes in patients with cancer. Association between ICI and COVID-19 outcomes will need interrogation in tumor-specific cohorts.

Lower Rate of Seropositivity to Measles Among Young Healthcare Personnel in New York City.

We examined the prevalence of measles antibody among 12 349 newly hired HCP between 2009 and 2019. Younger HCP were significantly more likely to have no immunity. Compared with a 92.2% seropositive rate among 1057 persons hired at age >50 years, only 84.4% of approximately 10 000 HCP aged <40 years had protective antibody.

Risk for Clostridiodes difficile Infection among Older Adults with Cancer.

To assess whether risk for Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is higher among older adults with cancer, we conducted a retrospective cohort study with a nested case-control analysis using population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data for 2011. Among 93,566 Medicare beneficiaries, incident CDI and odds for acquiring CDI were higher among patients with than without cancer. Specifically, risk was significantly higher for those who had liquid tumors and higher for those who had recently diagnosed solid tumors and distant metastasis. These findings were independent of prior healthcare-associated exposure. This population-based assessment can be used to identify targets for prevention of CDI.

Impact of Empiric Treatment for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus in Colonized Patients Early after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

In recent years, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization is being increasingly encountered in transplant recipients, and VRE has become one of the leading causes of bacteremia early after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Data are sparse on the effect of empiric VRE therapy for febrile, neutropenic allo-HSCT recipients colonized with VRE. All allo-HSCT recipients aged ≥18years who developed VRE bacteremia (VREB) between 2005 and 2014 were identified and categorized as to whether they received empiric or directed VRE therapy. There were 434 (33%) VRE-colonized and 872 (67%) non-VRE-colonized patients during the study period, and 172 of the 434 (40%) VRE-colonized patients received empiric therapy. There was no significant difference in incidence of VREB among colonized patients who did or did not receive empiric therapy (28 of 172 [16%] vs 55 of 262 [21%]; P = .22). There were 95 patients with VREB, of which the majority (83 of 95; 87%) was known to be VRE-colonized. Of the 95 VREB episodes, 29 (31%) were treated with empiric VRE therapy, whereas 66 (69%) were treated with directed therapy. No significant differences in clinical outcomes, including median duration of bacteremia (2 days vs 2 days; P = .39), recurrent VREB (3 of 29 [10%] vs 5 of 66 [8%]; P = .65), 30-day all-cause mortality (1 of 29 [3%] vs 4 of 66 [6%]; P = .62), or VRE-attributable mortality (1 of 29 [3%] vs 1 of 66 [2%]; P = .55), were observed between the empiric therapy and directed therapy groups. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed no significant difference in survival at 30days in allo-HSCT recipients with VREB who received empiric therapy and those who received directed therapy (97% vs 94%; P = .62). Based on our data, we recommend against empiric use of VRE-active agents for fever and neutropenia in VRE-colonized patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

Effectiveness of ultraviolet disinfection in reducing hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus on a bone marrow transplant unit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) environmental disinfection system on rates of hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) and Clostridium difficile. DESIGN: Using active surveillance and an interrupted time-series design, hospital-acquired acquisition of VRE and C. difficile on a bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit were examined before and after implementation of terminal disinfection with UV on all rooms regardless of isolation status of patients. The main outcomes were hospital-based acquisition measured through (1) active surveillance: admission, weekly, and discharge screening for VRE and toxigenic C. difficile (TCD) and (2) clinical surveillance: incidence of VRE and CDI on the unit. SETTING: Bone marrow transplant unit at a tertiary-care cancer center.ParticipantsStem cell transplant (SCT) recipients.InterventionTerminal disinfection of all rooms with UV regardless of isolation status of patients. RESULTS: During the 20-month study period, 579 patients had 704 admissions to the BMT unit, and 2,160 surveillance tests were performed. No change in level or trend in the incidence of VRE (trend incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.14; level IRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.37-1.18) or C. difficile (trend IRR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.89-1.31; level IRR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.13-2.11) was observed after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of UV disinfection to supplement routine terminal cleaning of rooms was not effective in reducing hospital-acquired VRE and C. difficile among SCT recipients.

Where Are They Now? Assessing if Persons Returned to HIV Care Following Loss to Follow-Up by Public Health Case Workers Were Engaged in Care in Follow-Up Years.

We examined care engagement and viral suppression (VS) over a 1- to 5-year period among persons re-engaged in HIV care using retrospective cohort study and longitudinal follow-up. The population comprised five cohorts of persons re-engaged in care from 2009 to 2013. We used surveillance data [CD4 T cell count or HIV viral load (VL) RNA] to measure four outcomes 1-5 years post-care engagement. Engagement-in-care indicated persons with laboratory reports in each follow-up year. Continuous engagement or sustained engagement, respectively, included persons with ≥1 or ≥2 (separated by 90 days) CD4 or VL reports in each follow-up year. VS indicated persons living with HIV (PLWH) re-engaged in care with VL ≤200 copies/mL in any follow-up year, and we measured re-engaged PLWH who subsequently became out of care (OOC) in each follow-up year. Overall, 84-86% PLWH were engaged in care in any follow-up year. The proportions of PLWH cohorts continuously engaged in care [86% (1 year), 77% (2 years), 72% (3 years), 67% (4 years), and 63% (5 years)] declined over time. Thirty-four percent of the PLWH who were re-engaged in care were subsequently OOC in the follow-up years. Most re-engaged PLWH became OOC in their first (40%) and second (30%) follow-up years. In follow-up years (1-5 years), fewer PLWH continuously engaged in care with ≥1 CD4 or VL reports in the registry had VS ≤200 copies/mL: 65%, 58%, 49%, 44%, and 42%, respectively. Encouragingly, higher proportions had VL ≤1500 copies/mL in follow-up years (1-5): (75%, 72%, 73%, 75%, and 70%), likely reflecting levels of HIV treatment. Our results support the use of surveillance data to identify and re-engage OOC PLWH in care. However, structures and programs are needed to support retention in care and reduce repeat OOC.

Risk of Surgical Site Infection (SSI) following Colorectal Resection Is Higher in Patients With Disseminated Cancer: An NCCN Member Cohort Study.

BACKGROUNDSurgical site infections (SSIs) following colorectal surgery (CRS) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Reduction in colorectal SSI rates is an important goal for surgical quality improvement.OBJECTIVETo examine rates of SSI in patients with and without cancer and to identify potential predictors of SSI risk following CRSDESIGNAmerican College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) data files for 2011-2013 from a sample of 12 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) member institutions were combined. Pooled SSI rates for colorectal procedures were calculated and risk was evaluated. The independent importance of potential risk factors was assessed using logistic regression.SETTINGMulticenter studyPARTICIPANTSOf 22 invited NCCN centers, 11 participated (50%). Colorectal procedures were selected by principal procedure current procedural technology (CPT) code. Cancer was defined by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes.MAIN OUTCOMEThe primary outcome of interest was 30-day SSI rate.RESULTSA total of 652 SSIs (11.06%) were reported among 5,893 CRSs. Risk of SSI was similar for patients with and without cancer. Among CRS patients with underlying cancer, disseminated cancer (SSI rate, 17.5%; odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-2.26; P=.001), ASA score ≥3 (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09-1.83; P=.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.06-2.53; P=.02), and longer duration of procedure were associated with development of SSI.CONCLUSIONSPatients with disseminated cancer are at a higher risk for developing SSI. ASA score >3, COPD, and longer duration of surgery predict SSI risk. Disseminated cancer should be further evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in generating risk-adjusted outcomes.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:555-562.

Artificial Differences in Clostridium difficile Infection Rates Associated with Disparity in Testing.

In 2015, Clostridium difficile testing rates among 30 US community, multispecialty, and cancer hospitals were 14.0, 16.3, and 33.9/1,000 patient-days, respectively. Pooled hospital onset rates were 0.56, 0.84, and 1.57/1,000 patient-days, respectively. Higher testing rates may artificially inflate reported rates of C. difficile infection. C. difficile surveillance should consider testing frequency.

Potential of real-time PCR threshold cycle (CT) to predict presence of free toxin and clinically relevant C. difficile infection (CDI) in patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a toxin-mediated disease. Oncology patients are at increased risk for developing CDI. Diagnosis of CDI by PCR has led to misclassification of some C. difficile carriers as CDI cases. We determined if an optimized C. difficile PCR cycle threshold value (CT) could reliably predict presence of free toxin, and in turn improve the utility of PCR in detecting clinically relevant CDI in oncology patients. METHODS: 183 consecutive patients positive for C. difficile by the Xpert C. difficile were additionally tested using the cell culture cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CYT) and enzyme immunoassays (EIA). CT values at diagnosis and relevant clinical information were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess predictive validity and to find optimal CT for CYT positive cases. Severity of CDI was assessed by blinded charts review. RESULTS: Using CYT as the reference, ROC-derived Youden cut-off CT of 28.0 predicted 77% cytotoxin positive cases, and 91% and 100% of severe and complicated CDI episodes respectively. The median CT values for non-severe, severe, and complicated CDI episodes were 28.0, 24.5 and 22.5 respectively (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Lower CT value of the Xpert C. difficile PCR was associated with the presence of toxin and increased CDI severity. CT values may be beneficial in interpreting positive C. difficile PCR results.

Implementation of Molecular Surveillance After a Cluster of Fatal Toxoplasmosis at 2 Neighboring Transplant Centers.

After a cluster of fatal toxoplasmosis among stem cell transplant recipients at 2 hospitals, surveillance with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (blood) was instituted. Rate of reactivation among seropositive recipients was 2.2 and 16%. Parasitemia was successfully managed with preemptive treatment. For seropositive recipients unable to take prophylaxis, toxoplasma PCR surveillance should be routinely performed.

Implementation and Operational Research: CD4 Count Monitoring Frequency and Risk of CD4 Count Dropping Below 200 Cells Per Cubic Millimeter Among Stable HIV-Infected Patients in New York City, 2007-2013.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence has begun to mount for diminishing the frequency of CD4 count testing. To determine whether these observations were applicable to an urban US population, we used New York City (NYC) surveillance data to explore CD4 testing among stable patients in NYC, 2007-2013. METHODS: We constructed a population-based retrospective open cohort analysis of NYC HIV surveillance data. HIV+ patients aged ≥ 13 years with stable viral suppression (≥ 1 viral load the previous year; all <400 copies per milliliter) and immune status (≥ 1 CD4 the previous year; all ≥ 200 cells per cubic millimeter) entered the cohort the following year beginning January 1, 2007. Each subsequent year, eligible patients not previously included entered the cohort on January 1. Outcomes were annual frequency of CD4 monitoring and probability of maintaining CD4 ≥ 200 cells per cubic millimeter. A multivariable Cox model identified factors associated with maintaining CD4 ≥ 200 cells per cubic millimeter. RESULTS: During 1.9 years of observation (median), 62,039 patients entered the cohort. The mean annual number of CD4 measurements among stable patients was 2.8 and varied little by year or characteristic. Two years after entering, 93.4% and 97.8% of those with initial CD4 350-499 and CD4 ≥ 500 cells per cubic millimeter, respectively, maintained CD4 ≥ 200 cells per cubic millimeter. Compared to those with initial CD4 ≥ 500 cells per cubic millimeter, those with CD4 200-349 cells per cubic millimeter and CD4 350-499 cells per cubic millimeter were more likely to have a CD4 <200 cells per cubic millimeter, controlling for sex, race, age, HIV risk group, and diagnosis year. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based US cohort with well-controlled HIV, the probability of maintaining CD4 ≥ 200 cells per cubic millimeter for ≥ 2 years was >90% among those with initial CD4 ≥ 350 cells per cubic millimeter, suggesting that limited CD4 monitoring in these patients is appropriate.

Transmission of Clostridium difficile During Hospitalization for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant.

OBJECTIVE To determine the role of unit-based transmission that accounts for cases of early Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) during hospitalization for allogeneic stem cell transplant. SETTING Stem cell transplant unit at a tertiary care cancer center. METHODS Serially collected stool from patients admitted for transplant was screened for toxigenic C. difficile through the hospital stay and genotyping was performed by multilocus sequence typing. In addition, isolates retrieved from cases of CDI that occurred in other patients hospitalized on the same unit were similarly characterized. Transmission links were established by time-space clustering of cases and carriers of shared toxigenic C. difficile strains. RESULTS During the 27-month period, 1,099 samples from 264 patients were screened, 69 of which had evidence of toxigenic C. difficile; 52 patients developed CDI and 17 were nonsymptomatic carriers. For the 52 cases, 41 had evidence of toxigenic C. difficile on the first study sample obtained within a week of admission, among which 22 were positive within the first 48 hours. A total of 24 sequence types were isolated from this group; 1 patient had infection with the NAP1 strain. A total of 11 patients had microbiologic evidence of acquisition; donor source could be established in half of these cases. CONCLUSIONS Most cases of CDI after stem cell transplant represent delayed onset disease in nonsymptomatic carriers. Transmission on stem cell transplant unit was confirmed in 19% of early CDI cases in our cohort with a probable donor source established in half of the cases.

Preoperative Chemoprophylaxis is Safe in Major Oncology Operations and Effective at Preventing Venous Thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding preoperative chemoprophylaxis to our institution's operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis policy as part of a physician-led quality improvement initiative. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing major cancer surgery between August 2013 and January 2014 were screened according to service-specific eligibility criteria and targeted to receive preoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis. Bleeding, transfusion, and VTE rates were compared with rates of historical controls who had not received preoperative chemoprophylaxis. RESULTS: The 2,058 eligible patients who underwent operation between August 2013 and January 2014 (post-intervention) were compared with a cohort of 4,960 patients operated on between January 2012 and June 2013, who did not receive preoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis (pre-intervention). In total, 71% of patients in the post-intervention group were screened for eligibility; 82% received preoperative anticoagulation. When compared with the pre-intervention group, the post-intervention group had significantly lower transfusion rates (pre- vs post-intervention, 17% vs 14%; difference 3.5%, 95% CI 1.7% to 5%, p = 0.0003) without significant difference in major bleeding (difference 0.3%, 95% CI -0.1% to 0.7%, p = 0.2). Rates of deep venous thrombosis (1.3% vs 0.2%; difference 1.1%, 95% CI 0.7% to 1.4%, p < 0.0001) and pulmonary embolus (1.0% vs 0.4%; difference 0.6%, 95% CI 0.2% to 1%, p = 0.017) were significantly lower in the post-intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing major cancer surgery, institution of a single dose of preoperative chemoprophylaxis, as part of a physician-led quality improvement initiative, did not increase bleeding or blood transfusions and was associated with a significant decrease in VTE rates.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Newly Diagnosed at Autopsy in New York City, 2008-2012.

Background. Studying the most extreme example of late diagnosis, new HIV diagnoses after death, may be instructive to HIV testing efforts. Using the results of routine HIV testing of autopsies performed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), we identified new HIV diagnoses after death in New York City (NYC) from 2008 to 2012. Methods. Population-based registries for HIV and deaths were linked to identify decedents not known to be HIV-infected before death. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to determine correlates of a new HIV diagnosis after death among all persons newly diagnosed with HIV and among all HIV-infected decedents receiving an OCME autopsy. Results. Of 264 893 deaths, 24 426 (9.2%) were autopsied by the NYC OCME. Of these, 1623 (6.6%) were infected with HIV, including 142 (8.8%) with a new HIV diagnosis at autopsy. This represents 0.8% (142 of 18 542) of all new HIV diagnoses during the 5-year period. Decedents newly diagnosed with HIV at OCME autopsy were predominantly male (73.9%), aged 13-64 years (85.9%), non-white (85.2%), unmarried (81.7%), less than college educated (83.8%), and residents of an impoverished neighborhood (62.0%). Of all HIV-infected OCME decedents aged ≥65 years (n = 71), 22.0% were diagnosed at autopsy. The strongest independent correlate of new HIV diagnosis at autopsy in both multivariable models was age ≥65 years. Conclusions. Human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses first made after death are rare, but, when observed, these diagnoses are more commonly found among persons ≥65 years, suggesting that despite highly visible efforts to promote HIV testing community-wide, timely diagnosis among older adults living in impoverished, high-prevalence neighborhoods may require additional strategies.

West Nile Virus Central Nervous System Infection in Patients Treated With Rituximab: Implications for Diagnosis and Prognosis, With a Review of Literature.

The spectrum of West Nile virus (WNV) infection continues to be elucidated. Many cases of WNV are asymptomatic; however, in immunocompromised patients, symptoms are more likely to be severe. We describe fatal WNV central nervous system disease in lymphoma patients who received rituximab, blunting the inflammatory response and complicating diagnosis.