Impact of the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in a large French network of nursing homes: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nursing homes (NHs) have been particularly affected by COVID-19. The aim of this study is to estimate the burden of COVID-19 and to investigate factors associated with mortality during the first epidemic wave in a large French NHs network. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in September-October 2020. 290 NHs were asked to complete an online questionnaire covering the first epidemic wave on facilities and resident characteristics, number of suspected/confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and preventive/control measures taken at the facility level. Data were crosschecked using routinely collected administrative data on the facilities. The statistical unit of the study was the NH. Overall COVID-19 mortality rate was estimated. Factors associated with COVID-19 mortality were investigated using a multivariable multinomial logistic regression. The outcome was classified in 3 categories: "no COVID-19 death in a given NH", occurrence of an "episode of concern" (at least 10% of the residents died from COVID-19), occurrence of a "moderate episode" (deaths of COVID-19, less than 10% of the residents). RESULTS: Of the 192 (66%) participating NHs, 28 (15%) were classified as having an "episode of concern". In the multinomial logistic regression, moderate epidemic magnitude in the NHs county (adjusted OR = 9.3; 95%CI=[2.6-33.3]), high number of healthcare and housekeeping staff (aOR = 3.7 [1.2-11.4]) and presence of an Alzheimer's unit (aOR = 0.2 [0.07-0.7]) were significantly associated with an "episode of concern". CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between the occurrence of an "episode of concern" in a NH and some of its organizational characteristics and the epidemic magnitude in the area. These results can be used to improve the epidemic preparedness of NHs, particularly regarding the organization of NHs in small units with dedicated staff. Factors associated with COVID-19 mortality and preventive measures taken in nursing homes in France during the first epidemic wave.

A clone of the emergent Streptococcus pyogenes emm89 clade responsible for a large outbreak in a post-surgery oncology unit in France.

An outbreak of nosocomial infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS) occurred in a post-surgery oncology unit and concerned more than 60 patients and lasted 20 months despite enhanced infection control and prophylaxis measures. All GAS strains were characterized (emm genotype, toxin gene profile and pulse-field gel electrophoresis subtype). Selected strains were sequenced and phylogenetic relationship established. Capacity to form biofilm and interaction with human pulmonary epithelial cells and macrophages were determined. Twenty-six GAS strains responsible for invasive infections (II) and 57 for non-II or colonization were isolated from patients (n = 66) or healthcare workers (n = 13). Seventy strains shared the same molecular markers and 69 the same PFGE pattern; 56 were sequenced. They all belonged to the emerging emm89 clade 3; all but 1 were clonal. Whole genome sequencing identified 43 genetic profiles with sporadic mutations in regulatory genes and acquired mutations in 2 structural genes. Except for two regulatory gene mutants, all strains tested had the same biofilm formation capacity and displayed similar adherence and invasion of pulmonary epithelial cells and phagocytosis and survival in human macrophages. This large outbreak of GAS infection in a post-surgery oncology unit, a setting that contains highly susceptible patients, arose from a strain of the emergent emm89 clade. No relationship between punctual or acquired mutations, invasive status, and strain phenotypic characteristics was found. Noteworthy, the phenotypic characteristics of this clone account for its emergence and its remarkable capacity to elicit outbreaks.

Analysis of OXA-204 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae reveals possible endoscopy-associated transmission, France, 2012 to 2014.

OXA-48-like beta-lactamase producing bacteria are now endemic in several European and Mediterranean countries. Among this carbapenemase family, the OXA-48 and OXA-181 variants predominate, whereas other variants such as OXA-204 are rarely reported. Here, we report the molecular epidemiology of a collection of OXA-204-positive enterobacterial isolates (n = 29) recovered in France between October 2012 and May 2014. This study describes the first outbreak of OXA-204-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Europe, involving 12 isolates of an ST90 Escherichia coli clone and nine isolates of an ST147 Klebsiella pneumoniae clone. All isolates co-produced the cephalosporinase CMY-4, and 60% of them co-produced the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase CTX-M-15. The blaOXA-204 gene was located on a 150-kb IncA/C plasmid, isolated from various enterobacterial species in the same patient, indicating a high conjugative ability of this genetic vehicle.

[Epidemiology and prevention of health care associated infections]. / Épidémiologie et prévention des infections associées aux soins

Epidemiology and prevention of health care associated infections. Nosocomial infections (NI) are infections contracted in a healthcare facility. This definition has become unsuited to current care practices where initially the distinguishing criterion was the place of acquisition of infection (nosocomial versus community). It has therefore been updated in November 2007 and was integrated more broadly within healthcare associated infections. The prevalence of nosocomial infections (NI) in France is located in the lower limits of other countries in Europe around 5.3%. The most frequent infections are urinary tract infections, pneumonia, surgical site infection and bloodstream infection. These NI are favored by the presence of invasive devices or invasive procedures. Bacteria represent the most frequently microorganisms isolated in NI. The most commonly involved are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The major problem of these bacteria is the multidrug resistance (eg, S. aureus resistant to methicillin). NI prevention is based on greater respect for hygiene precautions. The NI remains a public health major concern both in terms of morbidity and mortality cost.

Épidémiologie et prévention des infections associées aux soins. Les infections nosocomiales sont des infections contractées dans un établissement de santé. Cette définition est devenue inadaptée aux pratiques de soins actuelles où initialement le critère discriminant était le lieu d'acquisition de l'infection (communautaire versus nosocomiale). Elle a donc été actualisée en novembre 2007 et a été intégrée de façon plus générale au sein des infections associées aux soins. Le taux de prévalence des infections nosocomiales en France se situe dans les limites basses des autres pays d'Europe, autour de 5,3 %. Les infections les plus fréquentes sont l'infection urinaire, la pneumopathie, l'infection du site opératoire et la bactériémie/ septicémie. Ces infections nosocomiales sont favorisées par la présence de dispositifs invasifs ou de procédures invasives. Les bactéries représentent trois quarts des micro-organismes isolés dans les infections nosocomiales. Les plus souvent en cause sont Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus et Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Certaines de ces bactéries posent le problème majeur de la multirésistance aux antibiotiques (par exemple : S. aureus résistant à la méticilline). La prévention des infections nosocomiales repose entre autres sur un meilleur respect des précautions d'hygiène. Les infections nosocomiales restent une préoccupation majeure en santé publique tant en termes de morbidité que de mortalité et de coût.

A prospective comparison of surgical and pathological outcomes obtained after robot-assisted or pure laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in moderate to complex renal tumours: results from a French multicentre collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare the surgical and pathological outcomes obtained with robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) or laparoscopic PN (LPN) for renal cell carcinoma in a multicentre cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2007 and 2011, 265 nephron-sparing surgeries were performed at six French urology departments. The patients underwent either RAPN (n = 220) or LPN (n = 45) procedures. The operative data included operative duration, warm ischaemia time (WIT) and estimated blood loss (EBL). The postoperative outcomes included length of stay (LOS), creatinine variation (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease group), Clavien complications and pathological results. The complexity of the renal tumour was classified using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system. Student's t-test and chi-squared tests were used to compare variables. RESULTS: The median follow-ups for the RAPN and LPN groups were 7 and 18 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Age and American Society of Anesthesiology score were significantly higher in the LPN group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.004, respectively). These variables were lower in the RAPN group: WIT [mean (sd) 20.4 (9.7) vs 24.3 (15.2) min; P = 0.03], operative duration [mean (sd) 168.1 (55.5) vs 199.7 (51.2) min; P < 0.001], operating room occupation time [mean (sd) 248.3 (66.7) vs 278.2 (71.3) min; P = 0.008], EBL [mean (sd) 244.8 (365.4) vs 268.3 (244.9) mL; P = 0.01], use of haemostatic agents [used in 78% of RAPNs and 100% of LPNs; P < 0.001] and LOS [mean (sd) 5.5 (4.3) vs 6.8 (3.2) days; P = 0.05). There were no significant differences between pre- and postoperative creatinine levels, pathology report or complication rates between the groups. The main limitation was due to the study's non-randomised design. CONCLUSION: RAPN is not inferior to pure LPN for perioperative outcomes (i.e. EBL, operative duration, WIT, LOS). Only a randomised study with a longer follow-up can now provide further insight into oncological outcomes.

Role of pelvic phased array magnetic resonance imaging in staging of prostate cancer specifically in patients diagnosed with clinically locally advanced tumours by digital rectal examination.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the prediction of extracapsular extension (ECE) in patients with clinical T3 (cT3) prostate cancer (PCa) compared to digital rectal examination (DRE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of data for patients treated by radical prostatectomy for cT3 PCa was performed. Patients who underwent MRI in the pre-operative work-up were included. The likelihoods of extracapsular extension (T3a) and seminal vesicle invasion (T3b) were scored on the basis of MR images. For data analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. RESULTS: Overall, 70 consecutive patients were included. Mean age was 63.8 (range 45-75) years, and the mean PSA level was 11.3 (range 2.9-26) ng/ml. Pathological analysis of the prostatic specimens confirmed 81.4% (n = 57) had pT3 disease. According to MRI, 57 (81.4%) patients were predicted correctly to have T3 disease. The overstaging (actual pT2) by either DRE or MRI or both was 18.6, 7 or 7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of MRI were 94.7, 69, 93 and 75%. The kappa index of concordance between pre-operative MRI stage and pathological stage was 0.68 (P < 0.00001). The performance of MRI for T3 staging was AUC 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-prostatectomy MRI adds significant incremental value to the assessment of patients with cT3 disease. Its ability to accurately predict and characterize pathological T3 status and its superiority to standard clinical variables (e.g. DRE) confirm its usefulness in pre-operative work-up.

Possible association of the Plasmodium falciparum T1526C resa2 gene mutation with severe malaria.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum exports proteins that remodel the erythrocyte membrane. One such protein, called Pf155/RESA (RESA1) contributes to parasite fitness, optimizing parasite survival during febrile episodes. Resa1 gene is a member of a small family comprising three highly related genes. Preliminary evidence led to a search for clues indicating the involvement of RESA2 protein in the pathophysiology of malaria. In the present study, cDNA sequence of resa2 gene was obtained from two different strains. The proportion of P. falciparum isolates having a non-stop T1526C mutation in resa2 gene was evaluated and the association of this genotype with severity of malaria was investigated. METHODS: Resa2 cDNAs of two different strains (a patient isolate and K1 culture adapted strain) was obtained by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing was performed to confirm its gene structure. The proportion of isolates having a T1526C mutation was evaluated using a PCR-RFLP methodology on groups of severe malaria and uncomplicated patients recruited in 1991-1994 in Senegal and in 2009 in Benin. RESULTS: A unique ORF with an internal translation stop was found in the patient isolate (Genbank access number : JN183870), while the K1 strain harboured the T1526C mutation (Genbank access number : JN183869) which affects the internal stop codon and restores a full length coding sequence. About 14% of isolates obtained from Senegal and Benin harboured mutant T1526C parasites. Some isolates had both wild and mutant resa alleles. The analysis excluding those mixed isolates showed that the resa2 T1526C mutation was found more frequently in severe malaria cases than in uncomplicated cases (p = 0.008). The association of the presence of the mutant allele and parasitaemia >4% was shown in multivariate analysis (p = 0.03) in the group of Beninese children. CONCLUSIONS: All T1526C mutant parasites theoretically have the ability to give rise to a full-length RESA2 protein. This study raises the hypothesis that the RESA2 protein could favour high-density infections. Other studies in various geographic settings and probably including more patients are now required to replicate these results and to answer the questions raised by these results.

Prospective comparison of short-term functional outcomes obtained after pure laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare short-term functional outcomes achieved by laparoscopic or robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical and operative data over 24 months for female patients who underwent either pure laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSCP) or robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALSCP). Clinical data included age, BMI and assessment of PFDI-20 score. Perioperative data included operative time and complications. Post-operative outcomes included hospital stay, length of catheterisation, pain and functional outcomes as assessed by clinical examination and PFDI-20 score assessment. RESULTS: Overall, 67 women with a median age of 65 were included: 47 in the LSCP arm and 20 in the RALSCP arm. RALSCP was superior in terms of blood loss (median 55mls vs. 280; P = 0.03) and strict operative time (median 125 min vs. 220; P < 0.0001), but this time advantage was nullified when comparing overall operating room time (215 min vs. 220). With a median follow-up of 16 months, the overall anatomic repair rate was 98.5%, and there was an improvement in overall PFDI-20 score before and after surgery (P = 0.001) but with no difference between the two surgical approaches. CONCLUSIONS: RALSCP allows for a safe and effective repair of pelvic organ prolapse in female patients. Whilst being equivalent to LSCP in terms of functional outcome, it is superior in terms of blood loss and strict operative time. These results are based on short-term assessment, and further studies of larger populations with longer follow-up and objective assessments of outcome are needed to make any definitive statement.

Persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen at six weeks after radical prostatectomy helps in early identification of patients who are likely to recur.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors of biochemical recurrence in patients who failed to achieve an undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data on 240 men who underwent RP as first-line treatment and who had a PSA assay available at 6 weeks after surgery. Persistent detectable PSA was defined as a PSA level ≥ 0.1 ng/ml at 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 83 men presented persistently elevated PSA after RP and 81 had a biochemical recurrence. Median follow-up was 44 months. In univariate analysis, these factors were associated with biochemical recurrence: preoperative PSA level (P < 0.0001), biopsy and pathologic Gleason score (P < 0.001), capsular involvement (P = 0.0001), positive surgical margins (P < 0.0001), pathological stage ≥ T3 (P = 0.0001), and detectable post-operative PSA ≥ 0.1 ng/ml (P = 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, only the detectable post-operative PSA level ≥ 0.1 ng/mL (P = 0.001), positive surgical margins (P = 0.002), and pathological stage ≥ T3 (P < 0.001) were significant. The individual, five-year, PSA-free survival rate for men with post-operative PSA <0.1 ng/ml and ≥ 0.1 ng/ml were 59 and 42%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients who failed to achieve an undetectable PSA after surgery had a subsequent biochemical recurrence in the outcome. A systematic PSA assay 6 weeks after RP could be useful to early identify patients who are likely to recur.

Severe imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria, France, 1996-2003.

Little is known about severe imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria in industrialized countries where the disease is not endemic because most studies have been case reports or have included <200 patients. To identify factors independently associated with the severity of P. falciparum, we conducted a retrospective study using surveillance data obtained from 21,888 P. falciparum patients in France during 1996-2003; 832 were classified as having severe malaria. The global case-fatality rate was 0.4% and the rate of severe malaria was ≈3.8%. Factors independently associated with severe imported P. falciparum malaria were older age, European origin, travel to eastern Africa, absence of chemoprophylaxis, initial visit to a general practitioner, time to diagnosis of 4 to 12 days, and diagnosis during the fall-winter season. Pretravel advice should take into account these factors and promote the use of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis for every traveler, with a particular focus on nonimmune travelers and elderly persons.

Is the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter with a large cuff in women with severe urinary incontinence associated with worse perioperative complications and functional outcomes than usual?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: As the subsequent risks of complications and explantation increase with the size of the cuff, we aimed to assess functional outcomes after the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) with a large cuff (≥8 cm) in women with severe urinary incontinence. METHODS: Fifty women underwent an AUS placement with a large cuff between 1984 and 2007. Forty-three (86%) had previously undergone anti-incontinence procedures. The AUS was implanted with an open surgical technique using a transverse abdominal approach. The cuff was placed around the bladder neck between the periurethral fascia and the vagina. Perioperative complications were reviewed. To assess the resolution of urinary incontinence, all patients were seen at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: The mean age was 59 ± 12.4 years (26-81). The mean BMI was 27.3 ± 5.1 (19-37). The mean pre-operative closure pressure was 19.1 ± 9.4 cmH(2)O (3-46). The mean hospital stay was 14.1 ± 5 days (5-28). The mean follow-up was 8 ± 5.6 years. Incontinence was completely resolved in 34 women (68%). The protective factors to avoid explantation were a number of gestations less than two (p = 0.04), a closure pressure higher than 19 cmH(2)O (p = 0.04) and a cuff size equivalent to 8 cm (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Specific anatomical conditions can sometimes lead to AUS implantation with a large cuff with encouraging outcomes. Thus, surgeons should not be reluctant to place a large cuff when the situation requires it.

Oncologic control obtained after radical prostatectomy in men with a pathological Gleason score ≥ 8: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oncologic control afforded by radical prostatectomy (RP) in high-risk prostate cancers with a Gleason score ≥ 8. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of prostate cancer patients who underwent RP between 1995 and 2005 for prostate cancer and who had a pathologic Gleason score ≥ 8. Biochemical recurrence was defined as a single rise in PSA levels over 0.2 ng/ml after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 64 patients were included and followed for a median time of 84.3 months. The mean age was 63 ± 5.2 years. The mean preoperative PSA was 11.9 ± 7.3 ng/ml (1.9-31), and 29 patients (46%) had a PSA > 10 ng/ml. The biopsy Gleason score was ≤ 7 for 49 patients (76.6%). After pathologic analysis, there were 25 (39%) stage pT2, 37 (58%) stage pT3, and 2 (3%) stage pT4 patients. Nine patients had lymph node involvement (14%). The surgical margins were positive in 25 patients (39%). In 51 patients, (80%) the Gleason score was underestimated by biopsies: 40 patients with a definitive score of Gleason 8 had a Gleason score of 6 or 7 on biopsies, while 11 patients with a Gleason score of 9 initially, had a Gleason score of 7 or 8. Twenty-seven patients underwent adjuvant treatment: external radiation therapy (n = 19), HRT (n = 3), or both (n = 5). During follow-up, 41 patients (64%) presented with a biochemical recurrence, and 11 (17%) died. The PSA-free survival rate at five year was 44%. CONCLUSION: RP remains a possible therapeutic option in certain cases of the high-risk cohort of patients with a Gleason score ≥ 8. However, patients should be warned that surgery might only be the first step of a multi-modal treatment approach. The modalities of adjuvant treatments and the right schedule to deliver it following RP still need to be defined.