Evaluation of the MRSA/SA ELITe MGB Assay for the Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in Bone and Joint Infections.

Bone and joint infections represent a potentially devastating complication of prosthetic orthopedic joint replacement, thus requiring both rapid and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common pathogens involved in this pathology. Being able to assert its presence is the first step of efficient patient management. This monocenter study evaluated the MRSA/SA ELITe MGB assay for the molecular detection of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in bone and joint biopsy specimens and synovial fluids. This test, together with conventional techniques, including standard cultures and the 16S rRNA amplification assay, was performed on 208 successive perioperative samples collected prospectively for 1 year obtained from 129 patients. Using conventional techniques, we detected a microbial pathogen in 76 samples from 58 patients, 40 of which were identified as S. aureus. The limit of detection (LOD) of the MRSA/SA ELITe MGB assay was experimentally determined for bone and joint biopsy specimens and synovial fluids using negative samples spiked with S. aureus ATCC 43300. The sensitivities of S. aureus detection with the MRSA/SA ELITe MGB assay were 82.5% (33/40 samples) and 97.5% (39/40 samples) using the manufacturer's LOD and an experimentally determined LOD, respectively. Interestingly, using the osteoarticular specific LOD, 15 additional samples were determined to be positive for S. aureus DNA with the MRSA/SA ELITe MGB assay; in all cases, these samples were obtained from patients considered to be infected with S. aureus according to their clinical and microbiological records. The results were available within 24 h, which could help to expedite therapeutic decisions.

COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions and updated answers.

At the end of December 2019, China notified the World Health Organization about a viral pneumonia epidemic soon to be named COVID-19, of which the infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2, was rapidly identified. Less than one year later, published phase 3 clinical trials underlined the effectiveness of vaccines utilizing hitherto unusual technology consisting in injection of the messenger RNA (m-RNA) of a viral protein. In the meantime, numerous clinical trials had failed to identify a maximally effective antiviral treatment, and mass vaccination came to be considered as the strategy most likely to put an end to the pandemic. The objective of this text is to address and hopefully answer the questions being put forward by healthcare professionals on the different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as regards their development, their modes of action, their effectiveness, their limits, and their utilization in different situations; we are proposing a report on both today's state of knowledge, and the 14 February 2021 recommendations of the French health authorities.

COVID-19 outpatient management: Shorter time to recovery in Healthcare workers according to an electronic daily symptoms assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to compare the course of the disease between healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs suffering from covid-19 and eligible for outpatient management. METHODS: Single-center prospective cohort of outpatients with covid-19, diagnosed between the 10th March and the 2nd April, 2020 with a daily collection of symptoms by an on-line auto-questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were included (median age, 41 years [interquartile range, 19-78 years]; 74.2% female), of whom 132 (71%) were HCWs. The median follow-up after symptom onset was 14 (min 4-max 24) days. HCWs were significantly younger than non-HCWs (median age 40.3 years vs. 47.2 years [P<0.005]), and 81.8% were women. Four patients (2.2%) were hospitalized including one HCW. The median time to recovery was 9 days after symptom onset (95% CI 8-11) in the global population and respectively 8 (95% CI 8-9) and 13 (95% CI 11-15) days in HCWs and in non-HCWs (P<0.005). After adjusting for age, co-morbidities, and gender, the instantaneous risk ratio for symptom absence in HCWs was 1.76 compared with non-HCWs (95% CI [1.16-2.67], P=0.037). CONCLUSION: HCWs suffering from covid-19 had favorable outcomes and had a shorter time to recovery than non HCWs.

Intention to get vaccinations against COVID-19 in French healthcare workers during the first pandemic wave: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and identified as a priority target group for COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate in HCWs in France. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous survey from 26th March to 2nd July 2020. The primary endpoint was the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if a vaccine was available. RESULTS: Two-thousand and forty-seven HCWs answered the survey; women accounted for 74% of respondents. Among respondents, 1.554 (76.9%, 95% confidence interval 75.1-78.9) would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Older age, male gender, fear about COVID-19, individual perceived risk and flu vaccination during previous season were associated with hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Nurses and assistant nurses were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 than physicians. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with a decrease in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Flu vaccine rate was 57.3% during the previous season, and 54.6% of the respondents had the intention to get a flu vaccine during the next season. CONCLUSIONS: Intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 75% in HCWs with discrepancies between occupational categories. COVID-19 pandemic had no positive effect on flu vaccine acceptance rate.

SARS-CoV-2 infection: advocacy for training and social distancing in healthcare settings.

This article reports the observed rate of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in healthcare workers (HCWs) who worked on wards dedicated to care of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with HCWs who worked on non-COVID-19 wards. The infection rate was significantly higher among HCWs who worked on non-COVID-19 wards (odds ratio 2.3, P=0.005), illustrating the need to strengthen social distancing measures and training.

Patient decision aid in vaccination: a systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Decision-making for patients and their families in the field of vaccination is difficult, involving many multidimensional factors. The complexity of this process is directly responsible for the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. Decision aids are instruments that provide information on a specific subject, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of a decision in a personalized way, thus clarifying the patient's values. AREAS COVERED: A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was conducted to carry out an inventory of decision aids in the field of vaccination and assess their impact on vaccine coverage and decisional conflict. EXPERT OPINION: Decision aids reduce decision-making conflict and could be good tools to address the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. It seems essential to integrate health professionals and patients into the design of future decision aids. This would simplify the use of these tools during the consultation. However, their effect on vaccine coverage remains uncertain. Further studies seem necessary in order to conclude that vaccination coverage is effective.

Health students' knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviors before participation to the health promotion program.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate knowledge of health students (HS) enrolled in a health promotion program about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the frequency of risky behaviors. METHODS: HS answered two anonymous questionnaires, a mandatory one about knowledge of STIs and STI prevention and an optional one about behaviors. RESULTS: Two-hundred and sixteen HS answered the first questionnaire and 183 answered the second one. Eighty-three percent of HS had a good knowledge of HIV transmission, but half of them were aware of pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxes for HIV. The role of HPV infection in genital warts and anal cancer was respectively known by 33 (15.3%) and 10 (4.6%) HS. Thirty-six HS (19.7%) reported having unprotected sex in the previous 12 months. CONCLUSION: French HS had a poor knowledge of STIs and STI prevention, and risky behaviors. It is necessary to provide good training on STIs to HS.

Barriers and motivations for participation in preventive vaccine clinical trials: Experience of 5 clinical research sites.

Recruitment in preventive vaccine trials (PVT) is challenging due to common barriers to clinical research and lack of vaccine confidence. Identifying determinants of participation can help to improve recruitment. A prospective survey was conducted in 5 French clinical investigational sites. People asked to participate in a PVT were given a questionnaire whether they decided to participate or not in the trial. A total of 341 people answered the survey: 210 accepting and 131 declining to participate in a PVT. Acceptors were significantly younger (38.5 vs 54.9 years old), more likely to be involved in early phase trials, had a higher level of education (p < 0.005) and a significantly better general opinion concerning vaccines (92.3% versus 72.3%, p < 0.005) compared with those who declined. Factors associated with acceptance or refusal were evaluated in 224 people in the 4 sites where both groups were included. In a multivariate analysis, three factors: older age, having heard about PVT through multiple sources and financial incentives were significantly associated with refusal to participate in the PVT. A generally favourable opinion of vaccines was associated with acceptance. The main motivation for participation was altruism (93.2%) whereas fear of side effects was at the forefront of the barriers (36.6%). Information given by the physician was a key point for decision-making in 70.2% of those who accepted. In brief, vaccine hesitancy may decrease recruitment in PVTs; reinforcing altruism and quality of information given are key points in acceptance of participation in PVT.

Acute kidney injury in infective endocarditis: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high case fatality in infective endocarditis (IE), but epidemiological data on the frequency of AKI during IE is scarce. We aimed to describe the frequency and risk factors for AKI during the course of IE using Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes consensual criteria. METHODS: Using the French hospital discharge database (French acronym PMSI), we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 112 patients presenting with a first episode of probable or definite IE between January 2010 and May 2015. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients (68.8%) developed AKI. In univariate analysis, risk factors for AKI were cardiac surgery for IE (n=29, 37.7% vs. n=4, 1.4%, P<0.0005), cardiac failure (n=29, 36.7% vs. n=1, 2.9%, P<0.0005), diabetes mellitus (n=14, 18.2% vs. n=1, 0.9%, P=0.034), and prosthetic valve IEs (n=24, 31.2% vs. n=4, 11.4%). No differences were observed for gentamicin exposure (n=57, 64% vs. n=32, 86.5%, P=0.286). Prosthetic valve IE, cardiac failure, and vancomycin exposure were independently associated with AKI with respective odds ratio of 5.49 (95% CI 1.92-17.9), 4.37 (95% CI 4.37-465.7), and 1.084 (1.084-16.2). Mean length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients presenting with AKI than in controls (respectively 52.4±22.1 days vs. 39.6±12.6, P<0.005). CONCLUSION: AKI is very frequent during IE, particularly in patients with prosthetic valve IE, cardiac failure, and those receiving vancomycin.

Travel medicine consultation: An opportunity to improve coverage for routine vaccinations.

BACKGROUND: Travelers may be responsible for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases upon return. Travel physicians and family physicians may play a role in checking and updating vaccinations before traveling. Our aim was to evaluate the vaccine coverage for mandatory and recommended vaccination in travelers attending a travel medicine clinic (TMC). METHODS: Vaccine coverage was measured using the current French immunization schedule as reference for correct immunization, in travelers providing a vaccination certificate during the TMC visit (university hospital of Saint-Étienne), between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. RESULTS: In total, 2336 travelers came to the TMC during the study period. Among the 2019 study participants, only 1216 (60.3%) provided a vaccination certificate. Travelers who provided a vaccination certificate were significantly younger than travelers who did not (mean age: 34.8±17.8 vs. 46±18.4 years, P<0.005) and were less likely to be Hajj pilgrims. Vaccine coverage against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Poliomyelitis (Td/IPV vaccine) was 91.8%, 78.6% against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and 59.4% against Viral Hepatitis B (HBV). BCG vaccine coverage was 71.9%. Older travelers were less likely to be correctly vaccinated, except against HBV as vaccinated travelers were significantly older than unvaccinated travelers. CONCLUSION: Obtaining information about immunization in travelers is difficult. Coverage for routine vaccines should be improved in this population. Travel medicine consultations could be the opportunity to vaccinate against MMR, HBV, and Td/IPV.

Intracellular activity of antimicrobial compounds used for Staphylococcus aureus nasal decolonization.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is able to invade mammalian cells during infection and was recently observed inside nasal mucosa of healthy carriers. Objectives: To determine the intracellular activity of antimicrobial compounds used for decolonization procedures using a cell model mimicking S. aureus nasal epithelium invasion. Patients and methods: HaCaT cells and human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) recovered from nasal swabs of S. aureus carriers were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy to detect intracellular S. aureus cells. An HaCaT cell model, mimicking S. aureus internalization observed ex vivo in HNECs, was used to assess the intracellular activity against S. aureus of 21 antimicrobial compounds used for nasal decolonization, including mupirocin and chlorhexidine. Results: HaCaT cells and HNECs were found to internalize S. aureus with the same focal pattern. Most antimicrobial compounds tested on HaCaT cells were shown to have weak activity against intracellular S. aureus. Some systemic antimicrobials, including fusidic acid, clindamycin, linezolid, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin and levofloxacin, reduced S. aureus intracellular loads by 0.43-1.66 log cfu/106 cells compared with the control (P < 0.001). By contrast, mupirocin and chlorhexidine reduced the S. aureus intracellular load by 0.19 and 0.23 log cfu/106 cells, respectively. Conclusions: These data indicate that most of the antimicrobial compounds used for nasal decolonization, including mupirocin and chlorhexidine, exhibit weak activity against intracellular S. aureus using the HaCaT cell model. This work emphasizes the need to better understand the role of the S. aureus intracellular reservoir during nasal colonization in order to improve decolonization procedures.

Should we expand the indications for the DAIR (debridement, antibiotic therapy, and implant retention) procedure for Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections? A multicenter retrospective study.

To evaluate factors associated with failure in patients treated with DAIR (debridement, antibiotic therapy, and implant retention) for Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with stable PJI due to S. aureus treated with DAIR at six hospitals between 2010 and 2014. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to study factors associated with treatment failure at 2 years. Of 154 eligible patients, 137 were included (mean age 73 ± 13 years; male 56%). The estimated success rate according to the Kaplan-Meier method was 76.2 [95% CI 68-83] at 2 years of follow-up. In multivariate analysis, longer duration of treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 0.78 [0.69-0.88]; p < 0.001) and combination therapy including rifampin (HR 0.08 [0.018-0.36]; p = 0.001) were independently associated with success, whereas active smoking was independently associated with failure (HR 3.6 [1.09-11.84]; p = 0.036). When the analysis was restricted to patients with early infection onset (< 3 months), early acute infection was also predictive of a better prognosis (HR 0.25 [0.09-0.7]; p = 0.009). Failure was not associated with time from prosthesis insertion to debridement, nor with duration of symptoms > 3 weeks and type of prosthesis (hip or knee). These results remained unchanged when the 14 patients under immunosuppressive therapy were removed from analysis. These data suggest that DAIR can be performed even if infection and symptoms are delayed but reserved to patients who are able to follow rifampin-based combination therapy for a prolonged duration that should not be different for hip and knee PJI.

Brugada syndrome revealed by intestinal shigellosis in a patient from Benin at the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne.

This paper is about a Brugada syndrome (BS) of accidental discovery in a patient from Benin during an intestinal shigellosis episode in the infectiology department of university hospital of Saint-Etienne, France. Authors establish a link between these two diseases. After a literature's review, they underline that BS is under-diagnosed in Africa. Furthermore, they highlight socio-cultural characteristics of sudden deaths in West Africa including BS.

CKD-EPI equation: A suitable Glomerular Filtration Rate estimate for drug dosing in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate concordance between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates (Cockcroft and Gault, modification of diet in renal diseases, chronic kidney disease epidemiology study group equations) for drug dosing in HIV-infected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a monocentric study. GFR was measured using the gold standard method (plasma clearance of iohexol) in 230 HIV-infected patients. Concordance rate was evaluated between measured GFR (mGFR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) for different GFR categories (GFR>90 mL/min, GFR<90 mL/min, GFR>70 mL/min, and GFR<70 mL/min). MDRD and CKD-EPI were used with and without indexation to body surface area (BSA). RESULTS: Mean age was 48±10 years, mean mGFR was 101±26 mL/min. Concordance between mGFR and eGFR estimated with CG, CKD-EPI (indexed and not indexed to BSA), or MDRD equations (not indexed to BSA) was similar (73%, 73%, 74%, and 73% respectively) for a breakpoint value of 90 mL/min for GFR. At this value, the concordance rate between mGFR and MDRD indexed to BSA was significantly lower (65%, P<0.05). Using 70 mL/min of GFR as the breakpoint value, all equations had similar concordance rates with mGFR (with or without indexation to BSA). CONCLUSION: CKD-EPI equation has the same concordance with GFR and with CG when used for drug dosing.

International experts' practice in the antibiotic therapy of infective endocarditis is not following the guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: The management of infective endocarditis (IE) may differ from international guidelines, even in reference centres. This is probably because most recommendations are not based on hard evidence, so the consensus obtained for the guidelines does not represent actual practices. For this reason, we aimed to evaluate this question in the particular field of antibiotic therapy. METHODS: Thirteen international centres specialized in the management of IE were selected, according to their reputation, clinical results, original research publications and quotations. They were asked to detail their actual practice in terms of IE antibiotic treatment in various bacteriological and clinical situations. They were also asked to declare their IE-related in-hospital mortality for the year 2015. RESULTS: The global compliance with guidelines concerning antibiotic therapy was 58%, revealing the differences between theoretical 'consensus', local recommendations and actual practice. Some conflicts of interest were also probably expressed. The adherence to guidelines was 100% when the protocol was simple, and decreased with the seriousness of the situation (Staphylococus spp. 54%-62%) or in blood-culture-negative endocarditis (0%-15%) that requires adaptation to clinical and epidemiological data. CONCLUSION: Worldwide experts in IE management, although the majority of them were involved and co-signed the guidelines, do not follow international consensus guidelines on the particular point of the use of antibiotics.

Barriers and motivations to volunteers' participation in preventive vaccine trials: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The recruitment of volunteers in preventive vaccine trials (PVT) is a challenge, since vaccine hesitancy and debates on vaccines are combined to usual difficulties of enrollment in clinical trials. Areas covered: Current knowledge of the reasons leading to the volunteers' participation or non-participation in PVT mainly focuses on data from preventive HIV vaccine trials. A systematic PubMed search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify articles or reviews that reported barriers and motivations to participation in PVT regardless of the targeted disease or population. Expert commentary: In view of the barriers and motivations reviewed here, improvements in recruitment could be made through a better explanation of the prevented disease, of the expected individual and collective benefit and of all ethical protective principles associated to the trials. Use of decision aids as well as patient and public involvement may improve given information and may enhance comprehension of participants and their participation in PVT. Further prospective and interventional studies are needed to analyze if these leads may improve acceptation level in PVT.