A point-prevalence study of body mass indices in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in South Africa.

Background: Obesity is now well recognised as a risk factor for severe COVID-19, but the true prevalence of obesity in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 remains unclear because formal body mass indices (BMIs) are not routinely measured on admission. Objectives: To describe the true prevalence of obesity measured by the BMI, and associated comorbidities, in patients hospitalised with severe COVID-19, including people with HIV (PWH). Methods: We conducted a point-prevalence study of measured BMI in consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the medical COVID-19 wards in a tertiary academic hospital in Cape Town, South Africa (SA). Patients were enrolled over a 2-week period during the peak of the first COVID-19 wave in SA. Results: We were able to measure the BMI in 122 of the 146 patients admitted during the study period. The prevalence of HIV was 20% (n=24/122). Most of the participants were overweight or obese (n=104; 85%), and 84 (68.9%) met criteria for obesity. The mean (standard deviation) BMI was 33 (7.5), and 34.5 (9.1) in PWH. Of PWH, 83% (n=20/24) were overweight or obese and 75% (n=18) met criteria for obesity. Multimorbidity was present in 22 (92%) of PWH. Conclusion: We found that most patients, including PWH, met criteria for being overweight or obese. The high prevalence of obesity in PWH and severe COVID-19 reinforces the need for targeted management of non-communicable diseases, including obesity, in PWH. Study synopsis: What the study adds. We found that the true prevalence of obesity, including in people with HIV (PWH), measured with the formal body mass index in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 was much higher than reported previously.Multimorbidity was present in over half of all patients, and in 92% of PWH. Implications of the findings. Urgent public health measures are required to tackle the rise in obesity, including in low- and middle-income countries.HIV care must integrate management of non-communicable diseases, including obesity.The pathogenic mechanism of the link between obesity and severe COVID-19 needs further research.

An outbreak within an outbreak: The impact of Infection Prevention and Control strategies on hospital-acquired infections and the occurrence of multi-drug resistant organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic placed an unprecedented strain on intensive care units (ICUs) in South Africa. Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies were highlighted to minimise the risk to healthcare workers and for the protection of patients from contracting hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). During the third wave, our institution adopted a shift system to address severe burnout among ICU personnel. We noted an upstroke in the occurrence of HAIs, specifically carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii. OBJECTIVES: To report these outbreaks, compare the rate of CRE and A. baumannii infections with the first COVID-19 wave and to analyse its impact on patient outcomes. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed data from a prospectively collected registry involving all adult patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the dedicated COVID-19 ICU from May 2021 to September 2021. Information from the admission database, including the patients' demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results and length of ICU stay were extracted. RESULTS: Ninety patients were admitted with severe COVID-19 during the third wave. There was an outbreak of both CRE (the majority Klebsiella pneumoniae) and A. baumannii. Furthermore, 18 patients cultured the same CRE organism, and 25 patients cultured the environmental organism A. baumannii. The HAI rate was significantly higher compared with the first wave published data: 59/90 (65.6%) v. 73/363 (20.1%, p<0.01). Patients with any HAI had a longer mean stay in ICU (10.1 days v. 6.7 days (p<0.01) and a higher mortality of 48/59 (81%) v. 19/31 (61%) (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed a very significant rise in HAIs in the COVID-19 ICU during the third wave compared with the first, with almost three times as many patients developing HAIs. Unsurprisingly, it was associated with a longer mean stay in ICU and a higher mortality. The outbreak of both CRE and A. baumannii, and the fact that many patients cultured the same CRE organism and A. baumannii, strongly suggests that a critical breakdown in IPC measures had occurred.

Bleeding and thrombosis outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients on low-molecular-weight heparin and antiplatelet therapy.

BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of thromboembolic events in hospitalised COVID­19 patients has been demonstrated despite the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Antiplatelet therapy prior to admission and early in the disease course has been hypothesised to be protective against thrombosis. OBJECTIVES: To describe the bleeding and thrombosis outcomes in hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID­19 receiving LMWH, with and without concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Secondary objectives were to explore predictors of bleeding and thrombosis outcomes, and dosing practices of antiplatelet therapy and LMWH. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study of bleeding and thrombosis outcomes at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, during the first COVID­19 wave, in 808 hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID­19 receiving LMWH with and without concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed if predictors were deemed statistically and clinically significant. RESULTS: Patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy had similar bleeding outcomes compared with patients only receiving LMWH (odds ratio (OR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6 - 4.0). Patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy had increased odds of developing thrombosis compared with patients only receiving LMWH (OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.1 - 10.7). CONCLUSION: The bleeding risk in COVID­19 patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy was not significantly increased. A potentially higher risk of thrombosis in patients receiving LMWH and antiplatelet therapy was observed. However, this could reflect confounding by indication. Randomised studies are required to further evaluate the use of antiplatelet therapy to treat hospitalised patients with COVID­19.

Staging and operability of primary lung cancer in Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally and in South Africa. Historically, the majority of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are incurable at presentation. Objectives: To assess the tumour, nodes, metastasis (TNM) staging of lung cancer in a centre with access to both positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) using a structured diagnostic approach and to compare results with a historical cohort from 2009 from the same hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was performed using the registry of a high-volume tertiary hospital's weekly multidisciplinary thoracic oncology meeting (MDT). A structured diagnostic approach was used for staging purposes. All patients with a tissue diagnosis of primary lung cancer and adequate imaging (chest CT and/or PET-CT) who presented at the MDT during the period from 1 January - 31 December 2019 were included. Final staging and tissue diagnoses were documented and compared with a historical cohort from 2009 from the same institution. Results: Adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype (38.8%; n=116). Less than a tenth of patients (6.3%; n=16/254) with non-small cell lung cancer had potentially curable lung cancer (stage IA to IIIA) at presentation, significantly less than the 2009 cohort (14.5%; n=25/173; p=0.007). The most common procedure administered on patients was transthoracic needle aspiration (37.54%; n=112), followed by conventional bronchoscopic needle aspiration or biopsy (20.4%; n=61), and EBUS-TBNA (17.1%; n=51/299). After PET-CT, 19/30 cases were upstaged including 9/18 from potentially resectable to unresectable. Two of these cases were down-staged to potentially resectable following EBUS-TBNA. Conclusion: There was a significant decline in resectable and potentially curable lung cancer at presentation over a 10-year period. PET-CT and EBUS-TBNA improved the accuracy of non-small cell lung cancer staging among patients with resectable and potentially curable lung cancer but have exposed a higher stage profile.

Bleeding and thrombosis outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients on low-molecular-weight heparin and antiplatelet therapy

Background. An increased incidence of thromboembolic events in hospitalised COVID­19 patients has been demonstrated despite the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Antiplatelet therapy prior to admission and early in the disease course has been hypothesised to be protective against thrombosis.Objectives. To describe the bleeding and thrombosis outcomes in hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID­19 receiving LMWH, with and without concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Secondary objectives were to explore predictors of bleeding and thrombosis outcomes, and dosing practices of antiplatelet therapy and LMWH.Methods. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study of bleeding and thrombosis outcomes at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, during the first COVID­19 wave, in 808 hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID­19 receiving LMWH with and without concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed if predictors were deemed statistically and clinically significant.Results. Patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy had similar bleeding outcomes compared with patients only receiving LMWH (odds ratio (OR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6 - 4.0). Patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy had increased odds of developing thrombosis compared with patients only receiving LMWH (OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.1 - 10.7).Conclusion. The bleeding risk in COVID­19 patients receiving both LMWH and antiplatelet therapy was not significantly increased. A potentially higher risk of thrombosis in patients receiving LMWH and antiplatelet therapy was observed. However, this could reflect confounding by indication. Randomised studies are required to further evaluate the use of antiplatelet therapy to treat hospitalised patients with COVID­19.

Bacterial infection, antibiotic use and COVID-19: Lessons from the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently prescribed to patients with severe COVID-19, motivated by concern about bacterial coinfection. There is no evidence of benefit from such a strategy, while the dangers of inappropriate antibiotics are well described. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency, profile and related outcomes of infections by bacterial pathogens in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: This was a prospective, descriptive study in a dedicated COVID-19 ICU in Cape Town, South Africa, involving all adult patients admitted to the ICU with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia between 26 March and 31 August 2020. We collected data on patient comorbidities, laboratory results, antibiotic treatment, duration of admission and in-hospital outcome. RESULTS: We included 363 patients, who collectively had 1 199 blood cultures, 308 tracheal aspirates and 317 urine cultures performed. We found positive cultures for pathogens in 20 patients (5.5%) within the first 48 hours of ICU admission, while 73 additional patients (20.1%) had positive cultures later during their stay. The most frequently isolated pathogens at all sites were Acinetobacter baumannii (n=54), Klebsiella species (n=13) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=9). Length of ICU stay (p<0.001) and intubation (p<0.001) were associated with positive cultures on multivariate analysis. Disease severity (p=0.5), early antibiotic use (p=0.5), diabetes mellitus (p=0.1) and HIV (p=0.9) were not associated with positive cultures. Positive cultures, particularly for tracheal aspirates (p<0.05), were associated with longer ICU length of stay and mortality. Early empirical antibiotic use was not associated with mortality (odds ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval 0.95 - 6.81). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial coinfection was uncommon in patients at the time of admission to the ICU with severe COVID-19. Avoiding early empirical antibiotic therapy is therefore reasonable. Strategies to avoid coinfection and outbreaks in hospital, such as infection prevention and control, as well as the strict use of personal protective equipment, are important to improve outcomes.

High HIV prevalence in an early cohort of hospital admissions with COVID-19 in Cape Town, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: South Africa (SA) has a high prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis. Cape Town was the SA metropole most affected in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early observational data from Africa may provide valuable insight into what can be expected as the pandemic expands across the continent. OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence, clinical features, comorbidities and outcome of an early cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients admitted with COVID-19. METHODS: This was a descriptive observational study of an early cohort of adults with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted from 25 March to 11 May 2020. RESULTS: Of 116 patients (mean age 48 years, 61% female) admitted, 24 were HIV-positive (21%). The most common symptoms reported were cough (n=88; 73%), shortness of breath (n=78; 69%), fever (n=67; 59%), myalgia (n=29; 25%) and chest pain (n=22; 20%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=46; 41%), diabetes mellitus (n=43; 38%), obesity (n=32; 28%) and HIV (n=24; 21%). Mortality was associated with older age (mean (standard deviation) 55 (12) years v. 46 (14) years; p<0.01); the presence of hypertension or hypertension along with diabetes and/or obesity; lower partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio; and higher urea level, white cell count, neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin levels, and high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. The overall survival rate for all hospital admissions was 86/116 (73%). In this early cohort, survival was similar in patients with HIV (n=18; 75%) compared with those without HIV (n=67; 75%) (p=1). Of the 74 patients admitted to the wards, 63 (85%) survived, whereas 22 of 42 (52%) admitted to the intensive care unit survived. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HIV infection represented a large proportion of all COVID-19 admissions. The presentation and outcome of patients with HIV did not differ significantly from those of patients without HIV.

High HIV prevalence in an early cohort of hospital admissions with COVID-19 in Cape Town, South Africa

Background. South Africa (SA) has a high prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis. Cape Town was the SA metropole most affected in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early observational data from Africa may provide valuable insight into what can be expected as the pandemic expands across the continent.Objectives. To describe the prevalence, clinical features, comorbidities and outcome of an early cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients admitted with COVID-19.Methods. This was a descriptive observational study of an early cohort of adults with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted from 25 March to 11 May 2020.Results. Of 116 patients (mean age 48 years, 61% female) admitted, 24 were HIV-positive (21%). The most common symptoms reported were cough (n=88; 73%), shortness of breath (n=78; 69%), fever (n=67; 59%), myalgia (n=29; 25%) and chest pain (n=22; 20%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=46; 41%), diabetes mellitus (n=43; 38%), obesity (n=32; 28%) and HIV (n=24; 21%). Mortality was associated with older age (mean (standard deviation) 55 (12) years v. 46 (14) years; p<0.01); the presence of hypertension or hypertension along with diabetes and/or obesity; lower partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio; and higher urea level, white cell count, neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin levels, and high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. The overall survival rate for all hospital admissions was 86/116 (73%). In this early cohort, survival was similar in patients with HIV (n=18; 75%) compared with those without HIV (n=67; 75%) (p=1). Of the 74 patients admitted to the wards, 63 (85%) survived, whereas 22 of 42 (52%) admitted to the intensive care unit survived.Conclusions. Patients with HIV infection represented a large proportion of all COVID-19 admissions. The presentation and outcome of patients with HIV did not differ significantly from those of patients without HIV