Association of HIV and HCV Infection With Carotid Artery Plaque Echomorphology in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are associated with increased risk of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque and stroke. We examined associations of HIV- and HCV-related factors with echomorphologic features of carotid artery plaque. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included participants from the MACS (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study)/WIHS (Women's Interagency HIV Study) Combined Cohort Study who underwent high-resolution B-mode carotid artery ultrasound. Plaques were characterized from 6 areas of the right carotid artery. Poisson regression controlling for demographic and cardiometabolic risk factors determined adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% CIs for associations of HIV- and HCV-related factors with echomorphologic features. RESULTS: Of 2655 participants (65% women, median age 44 [interquartile range, 37-50] years), 1845 (70%) were living with HIV, 600 (23%) were living with HCV, and 425 (16%) had carotid plaque. There were 191 plaques identified in 129 (11%) women with HIV, 51 plaques in 32 (7%) women without HIV, 248 plaques in 171 (28%) men with HIV, and 139 plaques in 93 (29%) men without HIV. Adjusted analyses showed that people with HIV and current CD4+ count <200 cells/µL had a significantly higher prevalence of predominantly echolucent plaque (aPR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.08-3.21]) than those without HIV. HCV infection alone (aPR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.08-3.19]) and HIV-HCV coinfection (aPR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.10-2.78]) were each associated with higher prevalence of predominantly echogenic plaque. HIV-HCV coinfection was also associated with higher prevalence of smooth surface plaque (aPR, 2.75 [95% CI, 1.03-7.32]) compared with people without HIV and HCV. CONCLUSIONS: HIV with poor immunologic control, as well as HCV infection, either alone or in the presence of HIV, were associated with different echomorphologic phenotypes of carotid artery plaque.

Spectrum of opportunistic fungal lung co-infections in COVID-19: What the radiologist needs to know.

Fungal lung co-infections associated with COVID-19 may occur in severely ill patients or those with underlying co-morbidities, and immunosuppression. The most common invasive fungal infections are caused by aspergillosis, mucormycosis, pneumocystis, cryptococcus, and candida. Radiologists integrate the clinical disease features with the CT pattern-based approach and play a crucial role in identifying these co-infections in COVID-19 to assist clinicians to make a confident diagnosis, initiate treatment and prevent complications.

Imaging of Pulmonary Superinfections and Co-Infections in COVID-19.

New challenges in imaging and management of COVID-19 pneumonia emerge as the pandemic continues across the globe. These arise not only due to the COVID-19 pneumonia but also related to various superinfections and co-infections. Limited use of bronchoscopic and other aerosol generating procedures to obtain representative lower respiratory samples from these patient groups for accurate identification of organism, increases the responsibility of radiologists in suggesting the most likely cause of secondary infection. Imaging features of many of these infections overlap with features of COVID-19 pneumonia. In this review, we highlight imaging findings that can aid in the diagnosis of superinfections and co-infections in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and also help in predicting the likely causative organism.

Clinical and radiological findings of adult hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2 and endemic human coronaviruses.

Endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are members of the family Coronaviridae. Comparing the findings of the infections caused by these viruses would help reveal the novel characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and provide insight into the unique pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoVs infection in adult hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study was performed at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea, between January 1, 2015, and July 31, 2020. A total of 109 consecutive patients who were over 18 years of age with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoVs were enrolled. Finally, 19 patients with SARS-CoV-2 CAP were compared to 40 patients with endemic HCoV CAP. Flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, myalgia, and prolonged fever were more common in SARS-CoV-2 CAP, whereas clinical findings suggestive of bacterial pneumonia such as dyspnea, leukocytosis with left shift, and increased C-reactive protein were more common in endemic HCoV CAP. Bilateral peripherally distributed ground-glass opacities (GGOs) were typical radiologic findings in SARS-CoV-2 CAP, whereas mixed patterns of GGOs, consolidations, micronodules, and pleural effusion were observed in endemic HCoV CAP. Coinfection was not observed in patients with SARS-CoV-2 CAP, but was observed in more than half of the patients with endemic HCoV CAP. There were distinctive differences in the clinical and radiologic findings between SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoV CAP. Further investigations are required to elucidate the mechanism underlying this difference. Follow-up observations are needed to determine if the presentation of SARS-CoV-2 CAP changes with repeated infection.

Co-infection of COVID-19 and influenza A in a hemodialysis patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus that was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. With the growing numbers of community spread cases worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Like influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be mainly transmitted by droplets and direct contact, and COVID-19 has a similar disease presentation to influenza. Here we present a case of influenza A and COVID-19 co-infection in a 60-year-old man with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old man with ESRD on hemodialysis presented for worsening cough, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. The patient first developed a mild fever (37.8 °C) during hemodialysis 3 days prior to presentation and has been experiencing worsening flu-like symptoms, including fever of up to 38.6 °C, non-productive cough, generalized abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and liquid green diarrhea. He lives alone at home with no known sick contacts and denies any recent travel or visits to healthcare facilities other than the local dialysis center. Rapid flu test was positive for influenza A. Procalcitonin was elevated at 5.21 ng/mL with a normal white blood cell (WBC) count. Computed tomography (CT) chest demonstrated multifocal areas of consolidation and extensive mediastinal and hilar adenopathy concerning for pneumonia. He was admitted to the biocontainment unit of Nebraska Medicine for concerns of possible COVID-19 and was started on oseltamivir for influenza and vancomycin/cefepime for the probable bacterial cause of his pneumonia and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen panel and Clostridioides difficile toxin assay were negative. On the second day of admission, initial nasopharyngeal swab came back positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The patient received supportive care and resumed bedside hemodialysis in strict isolation, and eventually fully recovered from COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: We presented a case of co-infection of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in a hemodialysis patient. The possibility of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection should not be overlooked even when other viruses including influenza can explain the clinical symptoms, especially in high-risk patients.

Panniculitis in a Woman With Opportunistic Pulmonary Coinfection by Pneumocystis jirovecii and Cryptococcus neoformans: 18F-FDG PET/CT Revealing the Infection and Assessing Treatment Response.

ABSTRACT: A 56-year-old woman, with history of psoriasis well controlled on ustekinumab, underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT to explore first onset of histologically proven skin panniculitis of unknown origin. PET/CT showed high uptake in panniculitis lesions in limbs and in a lung opacity suggestive of pneumonia. Based on PET/CT findings, a bronchoalveolar lavage revealed pulmonary coinfection by Pneumocystis jirovecii and Cryptococcus neoformans. Thus, hematogenous dissemination of infection was suspected as etiology of panniculitis. She was treated with fluconazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, leading to total resolution of skin lesions. Posttherapeutic PET/CT showed complete metabolic response of skin and pulmonary lesions.

Identifying predictors for bacterial and fungal coinfection on chest computed tomography in patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection with high mortality in individuals with decreased immunity. Pulmonary coinfections with PCP are associated with poor prognosis. The study aims to identify radiological predictors for pulmonary coinfections in patients with PCP and risk factors for mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective, five-year study was conducted in a medical center, enrolling patients diagnosed with PCP, who received a chest computed tomography (CT) scan. The radiological findings and medical records of all participants were reviewed carefully by 2 independent doctors. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed to identify radiological predictors for pulmonary coinfection and clinical risk factors for poor prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 101 participants were included, of which 39 were HIV-infected and 62 were non-HIV-infected. In multivariable analysis, radiologic predictors on chest CT for coinfection with bacteria pneumonia included lack of ground glass opacity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.03-19.77; p = 0.001) and presence of pleural effusion (aOR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.27-10.99; p = 0.017). Predictors for fungal pneumonia included diffuse consolidation (adjusted OR, 6.27; 95% CI, 1.72-22.86; p = 0.005) and presence of pleural effusion (adjusted OR, 5.26; 95% CI, 1.44-19.17; p = 0.012). A significantly higher in-hospital mortality was associated with older age, recent corticosteroid exposure, cytomegalovirus coinfection, and acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Early identification of pulmonary coinfections in PCP using radiological features on the CT scans, will enable appropriate treatment which is crucial to improve the prognosis.

Coinfection and Other Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 in Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly identified pathogen that mainly spreads by droplets. Most published studies have been focused on adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data concerning pediatric patients are limited. In this study, we aimed to determine epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of pediatric patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed data on pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, including basic information, epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiologic findings, treatment, outcome, and follow-up results. RESULTS: A total of 74 pediatric patients with COVID-19 were included in this study. Of the 68 case patients whose epidemiological data were complete, 65 (65 of 68; 95.59%) were household contacts of adults. Cough (32.43%) and fever (27.03%) were the predominant symptoms of 44 (59.46%) symptomatic patients at onset of the illness. Abnormalities in leukocyte count were found in 23 (31.08%) children, and 10 (13.51%) children presented with abnormal lymphocyte count. Of the 34 (45.95%) patients who had nucleic acid testing results for common respiratory pathogens, 19 (51.35%) showed coinfection with other pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2. Ten (13.51%) children had real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis for fecal specimens, and 8 of them showed prolonged existence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 presented with distinct epidemiological, clinical, and radiologic characteristics from adult patients. Nearly one-half of the infected children had coinfection with other common respiratory pathogens. It is not uncommon for pediatric patients to have prolonged fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the convalescent phase.

A horse and a zebra: an atypical clinical picture including Guillain-Barré syndrome, recurrent fever and mesenteric lymphadenopathy caused by two concomitant infections.

BACKGROUND: While Campylobacter jejuni represents the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections are very rarely diagnosed in adults. CASE: We report on a previously healthy patient who presented several times at our hospital with fever, Guillain-Barré syndrome, recurrent abdominal symptoms and distinct mesenteric lymphadenopathy, respectively. This complicated and diagnostically challenging course of disease was caused by a C. jejuni and Y. pseudotuberculosis coinfection. Antibiotic treatment with doxycycline was effective. CONCLUSION: Broad serology testing was crucial to discover that two concomitant infections were causing the symptoms. This case demonstrates that when a clinical picture is not fully explained by one known infection, another infection with the same underlying risk factor has to be considered, hence "a horse and a zebra".

Pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia caused by Nocardia asiatica in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus).

Nocardia asiatica causing pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia is reported for the first time in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (CM), diagnosed based on epidemiological, clinical, haematological, images, microbiological, histopathological, polymerase chain reaction and hsp65 gene sequencing findings. The immunosuppression of CM probably favoured the opportunistic behaviour of N. asiatica. Despite the therapeutic measures, the animal died, mainly due to respiratory distress. The association of methods to improve early diagnosis, therapy procedures and prognosis of canine nocardiosis is discussed, as well as the close relationship between pets and their owners, which may favour the transmission of pathogens such as Nocardia from pets-to-humans, which poses an emerging public health issue.

Development of a Staphylococcus aureus reporter strain with click beetle red luciferase for enhanced in vivo imaging of experimental bacteremia and mixed infections.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging has been used to monitor Staphylococcus aureus infections in preclinical models by employing bacterial reporter strains possessing a modified lux operon from Photorhabdus luminescens. However, the relatively short emission wavelength of lux (peak 490 nm) has limited tissue penetration. To overcome this limitation, the gene for the click beetle (Pyrophorus plagiophtalamus) red luciferase (luc) (with a longer >600 emission wavelength), was introduced singly and in combination with the lux operon into a methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain. After administration of the substrate D-luciferin, the luc bioluminescent signal was substantially greater than the lux signal in vitro. The luc signal had enhanced tissue penetration and improved anatomical co-registration with infected internal organs compared with the lux signal in a mouse model of S. aureus bacteremia with a sensitivity of approximately 3 × 104 CFU from the kidneys. Finally, in an in vivo mixed bacterial wound infection mouse model, S. aureus luc signals could be spectrally unmixed from Pseudomonas aeruginosa lux signals to noninvasively monitor the bacterial burden of both strains. Therefore, the S. aureus luc reporter may provide a technological advance for monitoring invasive organ dissemination during S. aureus bacteremia and for studying bacterial dynamics during mixed infections.

Aspergilosis, nocardiosis y esclerodermia, una asociación fatal e infrecuente / Aspergillosis, nocardiosis and scleroderma, a fatal and infrequent association

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Increased liver stiffness is associated with mortality in HIV/HCV coinfected subjects: The French nationwide ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The association between liver stiffness measurements (LSM) and mortality has not been fully described. In particular the effect of LSM on all-cause mortality taking sustained virological response (SVR) into account needs further study. METHODS: HIV/HCV participants in the French nation-wide, prospective, multicenter ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort, with ≥1 LSM by FibroScan (FS) and a detectable HCV RNA when the first valid FS was performed were included. Cox proportional hazards models with delayed entry were performed to determine factors associated with all-cause mortality. LSM and SVR were considered as time dependent covariates. RESULTS: 1,062 patients were included from 2005 to 2015 (69.8% men, median age 45.7 years (IQR 42.4-49.1)). 21.7% had baseline LSM >12.5 kPa. Median follow-up was 4.9 years (IQR 3.2-6.1). 727 (68.5%) were ever treated for HCV: 189 of them (26.0%) achieved SVR. 76 deaths were observed (26 liver-related, 10 HIV-related, 29 non-liver-non-HIV-related, 11 of unknown cause). At the age of 50, the mortality rate was 4.5% for patients with LSM ≤12.5 kPa and 10.8% for patients with LSM >12.5 kPa. LSM >12.5 kPa (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 3.35 [2.06; 5.45], p<0.0001), history of HCV treatment (aHR = 0.53 [0.32; 0.90], p = 0.01) and smoking (past (aHR = 5.69 [1.56; 20.78]) and current (3.22 [0.93; 11.09]) versus never, p = 0.01) were associated with all-cause mortality independently of SVR, age, sex, alcohol use and metabolic disorders. CONCLUSION: Any LSM >12.5 kPa was strongly associated with all-cause mortality independently of SVR and other important covariates. Our results suggest that close follow-up of these patients should remain a priority even after achieving SVR.

Comparison of clinical and imaging findings in cats with single and mixed lungworm infection.

OBJECTIVES: This study has compared clinical and imaging features in 52 cats naturally infected by respiratory nematodes Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior and Capillaria aerophila, and in both monospecific and mixed infections. METHODS: Medical records of cats with a lungworm disease were retrospectively reviewed. Cats with clinical examination findings, haematobiochemical analysis and thoracic radiography were included in the study and clinical and radiographic scores were assigned. For eight cats CT of the thorax was also available and analysed. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate the potential correlation between clinical and radiographic score, and to evaluate the effect of age, sex and infection on clinical and radiographic severity. RESULTS: Monospecific infections by A abstrusus (32/52), T brevior (6/52) and C aerophila (5/52) and coinfections by T brevior/ A abstrusus (7/52), T brevior/ C aerophila (1/52) and A abstrusus/ C aerophila (1/52) were diagnosed. Cats with mixed infections showed higher clinical scores compared with cats with monospecific parasitoses ( P <0.05), while no differences were observed for radiographic scores. No correlation between clinical and radiographic scores was found (rs = 0.50), and these scores were not affected by patient age or sex. CT, performed on cats infected with A abstrusus, T brevior or A abstrusus/T brevior, provided additional information in cats with mild radiographic signs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study indicates that clinical parameters may be more severe in mixed infections than in monospecific parasitoses. A significant correlation between clinical and radiographic score was not detected, while several subclinically infected cats showed radiographic changes. In cats with mild-to-moderate lung patterns, the ventrodorsal/dorsoventral projection showed lesions that are not visible in the lateral projections, especially in the caudal lobes.

Coinfección pulmonar por Aspergillus y citomegalovirus tras tratamiento corticoideo crónico / Coinfection pulmonary by Aspergillus and Citomegalovirus after chronic corticosteroid treatment

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente en tratamiento corticoideo crónico que desarrolla infección pulmonar por citomegalovirus y Aspergillus. Tras el ingreso la paciente presenta empeoramiento radiológico y clínico, por lo que ante la posibilidad de infecciones oportunistas dado el tratamiento previo con corticoides a dosis altas de forma prolongada se decide el inicio con antimicrobianos de amplio espectro, con cobertura para hongos, virus y bacterias. Posteriormente, la estabilización de la paciente permitió la realización de pruebas diagnósticas confirmando una coinfección por Aspergillus fumigatus y citomegalovirus, con lo que se pudo realizar un tratamiento dirigido tras el cual la paciente presenta recuperación completa tanto clínica como radiológica, sin complicaciones por toxicidades farmacológicas. Aunque algunos autores dudan sobre el uso de varios antimicrobianos de forma empírica debido a las posibles toxicidades, en situaciones urgentes sin diagnostico con sospecha de patología oportunista puede ser necesaria su cobertura

We present the clinical case of a patient in chronic corticosteroid treatment who develops lung infection with Cytomegalovirus and Aspergillus. After admission, the patient presented with radiological and clinical worsening, with the suspect of opportunistic infections because of previous prolonged treatment with high doses of corticosteroids, we decided to start with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, covering fungi, viruses and bacteria. Subsequently, the stabilization of the patient allowed the performing of diagnostic tests wich confirming a coinfection by Aspergillus fumigatus and Cytomegalovirus, making possible to carry out a directed treatment after which the patient presented complete recovery both clinical and radiological, without complications due to pharmacological toxicities. Although some authors doubt about the use of multiples antimicrobials drugs at the same time empirically due to the possible toxicities, in emergency without diagnosis and suspected opportunistic pathology their coverage may be necessary

Increased body fat percentage in patients with hepatitis B and C virus infection.

Accumulated evidence has suggested associations between glucose abnormalities and insulin resistance with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, few studies have reported the effect of hepatitis virus infections on body composition. Our aim was to explore the association of hepatitis virus infections with percent body fat (PBF) in a cross-sectional analysis. A total of 69226 subjects obtained from the health examinations at Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) from 2010 to 2016 were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into subgroups based on the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV. PBF was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). A multivariable linear regression model was applied to test the association of hepatitis virus infections with PBF and glycemic status. In male participants, hepatitis virus infections were closely associated with increased PBF, especially in those subjects with HCV/HBV coinfection. HCV/HBV coinfection was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose while HCV and HBV mono-infection were not. The impact of hepatitis virus infection on increased PBF was observed in general population with gender difference. A further study on the treatment of hepatitis virus infection might help prevent the development of obesity-related diseases.

Coinfection of Sarcina ventriculi and Candida in a patient of gastric outlet obstruction: An overloaded pyloric antrum.

Sarcina ventriculi is a rare gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria, associated with delayed gastric emptying. We report a case of a 45-year-old lady, who presented with features of gastric outlet obstruction, and coinfection of S. ventriculi and Candida was detected on examining gastric brushings and biopsy. S. ventriculi is identified by its peculiar configuration in the form of tetrads and octets. Coexistence of S. ventriculi with other organisms is highly unusual.

Detection of tuberculosis patterns in digital photographs of chest X-ray images using Deep Learning: feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of Deep Learning-based detection and classification of pathological patterns in a set of digital photographs of chest X-ray (CXR) images of tuberculosis (TB) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, patients with previously diagnosed TB were enrolled. Photographs of their CXRs were taken using a consumer-grade digital still camera. The images were stratified by pathological patterns into classes: cavity, consolidation, effusion, interstitial changes, miliary pattern or normal examination. Image analysis was performed with commercially available Deep Learning software in two steps. Pathological areas were first localised; detected areas were then classified. Detection was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, and classification using a confusion matrix. RESULTS: The study cohort was 138 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and TB co-infection (median age 34 years, IQR 28-40); 54 patients were female. Localisation of pathological areas was excellent (area under the ROC curve 0.82). The software could perfectly distinguish pleural effusions from intraparenchymal changes. The most frequent misclassifications were consolidations as cavitations, and miliary patterns as interstitial patterns (and vice versa). CONCLUSION: Deep Learning analysis of CXR photographs is a promising tool. Further efforts are needed to build larger, high-quality data sets to achieve better diagnostic performance.