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Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at significant risk of hepatitis B (HB) virus (HBV) reactivation (HBVr). Despite the clinical significance of HBVr after solid organ transplantation, data on the risk factors for HBVr and vaccine effectiveness in SOT recipients with resolved HBV infection are limited. This study evaluated the risk factors for HBVr and the seroconversion rates after HBV vaccination in SOT recipients. Patients who had undergone solid organ transplantation and those with a resolved HBV infection were identified. We matched patients who experienced post-transplantation HBVr with those who did not. We also explored the characteristics and seroconversion rates of HBV-vaccinated patients following transplantation. In total, 1299 SOT recipients were identified as having a resolved HBV infection at the time of transplantation. Thirty-nine patients experienced HBVr. Pre-transplant HB surface antibodies (anti-HBs) positivity and allograft rejection within 3 months after transplantation were independently associated with HBVr. Among the 17 HBV-vaccinated patients, 14 (82.4%) received three or fewer vaccine doses, and 13 (76.5%) had seroconversion with positive anti-HBs results. Pre-transplant anti-HBs(-) status and allograft rejection were risk factors for HBVr in SOT recipients with a resolved HBV infection, and HBV vaccination after transplantation resulted in a high rate of anti-HBs seroconversion. HBV vaccination after transplantation should be considered to reduce the HBVr risk.
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266610.].
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Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) is less common than left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) and exhibits distinct epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics. Previous studies have focused primarily on RSIE in patients with intravenous drug use. We investigated the characteristics and risk factors for RSIE in an area where intravenous drug use is uncommon. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis between November 2005 and August 2017 were categorized into LSIE and RSIE groups. Of the 406 patients, 365 (89.9%) had LSIE and 41 (10.1%) had RSIE. The mortality rates were 31.7% in the RSIE group and 31.5% in the LSIE group (P = 0.860). Patients with RSIE had a higher prevalence of infection with Staphylococcus aureus (29.3% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.016), coagulase-negative staphylococci (17.1% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.022), and gram-negative bacilli other than HACEK (12.2% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.003). Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-0.99, P = 0.006), implanted cardiac devices (aOR 37.75, 95% CI 11.63-141.64, P ≤ 0.001), and central venous catheterization (aOR 4.25, 95% CI 1.14-15.55, P = 0.029) were independent risk factors for RSIE. Treatment strategies that consider the epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics of RSIE are warranted.
Subject(s)
Endocarditis , Humans , Male , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Female , Risk Factors , Retrospective Studies , Middle Aged , Aged , Endocarditis/epidemiology , Endocarditis/mortality , Endocarditis/microbiology , Adult , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/epidemiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/mortality , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Prevalence , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Even amid the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and infection control are still important tasks. After recognizing the carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) outbreak that occurred in the isolation room for COVID-19, we would like to introduce what infection control measures were implemented to eradicate it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All COVID-19 patients with CRAB in any specimen admitted to the COVID-19 isolation ward of the tertiary hospital in Korea from October to November 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS: During the outbreak, 23 patients with COVID-19 and CRAB infections were identified. The index case was an 85-year-old female referred from a long-term care facility. CRAB was identified in sputum culture in most patients (91.3%). The CRAB outbreak occurred mainly in the rooms around the index case. Environmental cultures on the floor, air inlet, air outlet, and window frame of the rooms were performed. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of CRAB from patients and the environment were identical; whole-genome sequencing analyses revealed isolated clonality. Infection control measures with enhanced environmental cleaning using 1,000 ppm sodium hypochlorite and phenolic compounds, enhanced hand hygiene, additional education, and mandatory additional gowning and gloving of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) were applied on 29 October. No CRAB infection cases occurred from 2 November for two weeks. CONCLUSION: In addition to applying PPE and COVID-19 precautions in COVID-19 isolation wards, adhering to strict contact precautions along with environmental control can help prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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BACKGROUND: The obesity paradox suggests that individuals with obesity may have a survival advantage against specific critical illnesses, including sepsis. However, whether this paradox occurs at younger ages remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether obesity could improve survival in younger adult patients with sepsis. METHODS: We used clinical data sourced from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Patients with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≥2 and suspected infection at the time of ICU admission were identified as having sepsis, following the Sepsis-3 definition. Individuals were classified into the obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and non-obesity (BMI <30 kg/m²) groups. Patients aged <50 and ≥50 years were categorized as younger adult patients and older patients, respectively. RESULTS: Of 73,181 patients in the MIMIC-IV ICU database, 18,120 satisfied the inclusion criteria: 2642 aged <50 years and 15,478 aged ≥50 years. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that obesity was not associated with an improved mortality rate among younger adult patients with sepsis (log-rank test: P = 0.197), while obesity exhibited a survival benefit in older patients with sepsis (log-rank test: P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the obesity and non-obesity groups (13.3% vs. 12.2%; P = 0.457) in the younger adult patients with sepsis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that BMI was not an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in younger adult patients with sepsis (underweight: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72, P = 0.076; overweight: aOR 0.88, P = 0.437; obesity: aOR 0.93, P = 0.677; and severe obesity: aOR 1.22, P = 0.580, with normal weight as the reference). CONCLUSION: Contrary to findings regarding older patients with sepsis, our findings suggest that the obesity paradox does not apply to younger adult patients with sepsis.
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INTRODUCTION: The incidence of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) infections is reported to be up to 18% in patients with biliary obstruction. Antibiotic prophylaxis may reduce the risk of infectious complications after ERCP; however, the clinical value of prophylactic antibiotics in ERCP remains controversial. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to investigate whether the use of prophylactic antibiotics would reduce infectious complications after ERCP in patients with biliary obstruction. We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a single dose of 1 g intravenous cefoxitin or normal saline as a placebo 30 minutes before undergoing ERCP. The primary outcome was the incidence of infectious complications after ERCP. RESULTS: We enrolled 378 patients, and 189 patients were assigned to each group. The risk of infectious complications after ERCP was 2.8% (5 of 176 patients) in the antibiotic prophylaxis group and 9.8% (17 of 173 patients) in the placebo group (risk ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.74, P = 0.0073). The incidence rates of bacteremia were 2.3% (4 of 176 patients) and 6.4% (11 of 173 patients), respectively (risk ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.12-1.04; P = 0.0599). The incidence rate of cholangitis was 1.7% (3 of 176 patients) in the antibiotic prophylaxis group and 6.4% (11 of 173 patients) in the placebo group (risk ratio, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.87; P = 0.0267). DISCUSSION: Antibiotic prophylaxis before ERCP in patients with biliary obstruction resulted in a significantly lower risk of infectious complications, especially cholangitis, than placebo ( ClinicalTrials.gov trial number NCT02958059).
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Cholangitis , Cholestasis , Humans , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/adverse effects , Antibiotic Prophylaxis/adverse effects , Cholestasis/prevention & control , Cholestasis/complications , Cholangitis/epidemiology , Cholangitis/etiology , Cholangitis/prevention & control , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with susceptibility to sepsis and poor outcomes. However, changes to the intestinal microbiota during sepsis and their value as biomarkers are unclear. In this study, we compared the intestinal microbiota of patients with sepsis and healthy controls. Methods: Stool was collected from patients with sepsis (subdivided according to mortality) and controls. Microbiome diversity and composition were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. The α-diversity of the intestinal microbiome was determined using operational taxonomic unit counts and the Chao1, Shannon, and ACE indices. Adjusted Cox regression analyses assessed 6-month mortality risk factors. Results: Fifty-nine patients (14 in-hospital deaths) and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Operational taxonomic unit counts and Chao1 and ACE indices were lower in the nonsurvivor than in the other groups. The controls showed a higher Shannon and lower Simpson index than did the sepsis group. The genus Blautia was more abundant in controls than in the sepsis group, and Faecalibacterium less abundant in the nonsurvivor than in the other groups. Regression analysis associated low Shannon index with 6-month mortality. Conclusions: Survivors of sepsis, nonsurvivors, and healthy controls have different gut microbiomes, and a low Shannon index is a risk factor for 6-month mortality.
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Microbiota , Sepsis , Shock, Septic , Humans , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/geneticsABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes chronic inflammation in affected individuals. Chronic inflammation may hinder immunological recovery. Treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is insufficient to reduce inflammation. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and acute infection. This study evaluated the usefulness of serum PTX3 levels in measuring inflammation levels, which may be associated with the probability of immune recovery in people living with HIV (PLH). In this single-center prospective study, we measured serum PTX3 levels in PLH treated with cART. Clinical information on HIV status, type of cART administered, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts at the initial diagnosis of HIV and at study enrollment was obtained from each participant. PLH were divided into good and poor responder groups according to their CD4+ T cell counts at enrollment. A total of 198 PLH were enrolled in this study. A total of 175 and 23 participants were assigned to the good and poor responder groups, respectively. The poor responder group exhibited higher PTX3 levels (0.53 ng/mL vs. 1.26 ng/mL, p = .032). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low body mass index [odds ratio (OR) = 0.8, p = .010], low initial CD4+ T cell counts at diagnosis (OR = 0.994, p = .001), and high PTX3 levels (OR = 1.545, p = .006) are clinical factors that were significantly associated with poor immune recovery in PLH. According to the Youden index, PTX3 levels >1.25 ng/mL are associated with poor immune recovery. PLH should be clinically, virologically, and immunologically evaluated. Serum PTX level is a useful inflammatory marker associated with immune recovery in PLH treated with cART.
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C-Reactive Protein , HIV Infections , Serum Amyloid P-Component , Humans , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Prospective Studies , Biomarkers , InflammationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the risk factors and frequency of metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors and frequency of metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events. DESIGN: This retrospective study contained two parts. First, we investigated metronidazole treatment-associated neurologic adverse events by performing a population-based cohort study using the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KAERS) database from January 2011 to December 2020. Second, we conducted a matched case-control study based on a retrospective cohort of patients treated with metronidazole between January 2006 and July 2021 at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. The data analysis was performed from August 2021 to April 2022. PARTICIPANTS: In the case-control study, case patients were defined as those diagnosed with metronidazole-associated encephalopathy or peripheral neuropathy during the study period with causal assessment based on the clinical diagnoses and findings from associated tests. In a ratio of 1:3, case patients were compared to a control group of patients prescribed metronidazole without neurologic adverse events matched for age and cumulative dose of metronidazole. MAIN MEASURES: Frequency and risk factors for metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events. KEY RESULTS: Overall, 2,309 cases of neurologic adverse events were reported to the KAERS from 2011 to 2020, and the number of reported neurological adverse events showed an increasing trend. Further, 92,838 patients were prescribed metronidazole during the study period at the Severance Hospital; 54 patients were diagnosed with metronidazole-associated encephalopathy or peripheral neuropathy, 40 with central and 28 with peripheral nervous system adverse events. Liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, intravenous administration, and lower body weight were identified as risk factors for these adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The number of reported metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events are increasing. Prolonged metronidazole treatment in patients with the aforementioned factors requires careful examination for neurological adverse events.
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PURPOSE: We aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of Campylobacter bacteraemia and identify the trends, risk factors for mortality, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns from clinical samples. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients confirmed to have Campylobacter bacteraemia from seven hospitals between January 2010 and June 2021. Data on demographics and underlying history, clinical manifestation, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were collected and analyzed. Annual cases of Campylobacter enteritis were extracted from a public database. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were included, and five species were isolated. Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 54 (50.0%) cases and 17 (16%) patients had no symptoms other than fever. In-hospital mortality occurred in 14 (13.0%) patients. C. jejuni bacteraemia was associated with lower mortality compared to non-C. jejuni bacteraemia. Underlying cancer and septic shock were the significant factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Quinolone resistance was high (59%), whereas only 4% of isolates exhibited macrolide resistance. There has been a significant increase in the number of Campylobacter enteritis cases, which was strongly correlated with the number of Campylobacter bacteraemia cases (Pearson's coefficient: 0.953; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The notably increasing incidence of Campylobacter bacteraemia and antibiotic resistance patterns can challenge the treatment, necessitating collective efforts of national surveillance and networks by many departments.
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BACKGROUND: Interest in complications and sequelae following Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing. Several articles have reported COVID-19-associated autoimmune diseases and the association between autoantibodies and the severity of COVID-19. Thromboembolic complications are frequent in patients with COVID-19, and the anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) is frequently detected. We conducted this study to investigate the prevalence, clinical significance, and persistence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and aPLs in COVID-19. METHODS: We enrolled patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with oxygen demand and admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea between July 2020 and March 2022. ANA and aPLs levels were assessed using an immunoassay kit. RESULTS: A total of 248 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, five patients were ANA-positive, and 41 were aPL-positive (IgM anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibody in seven patients, IgG aCL in seven patients, IgM anti-ß2Glycoprotein1 antibody (aß2-GPI) in 32 patients, and IgG aß2-GPI in one patient). Two of five ANA-positive patients, 13 of 32 IgM aß2-GPI-positive patients, 5 of 7 IgM aCL-positive patients, and 2 of 7 IgG aCL-positive patients were eligible for follow-up analysis, and 100%, 69.2%, 40%, and 50% of the patients remained autoantibody-positive, respectively. There were no differences in clinical outcomes between the autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative groups, except for the IgG aCL group showing a tendency for worse outcomes. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients with oxygen demand were autoantibody-positive, and autoantibodies persisted for several months after symptom onset. Whether these autoantibodies are related to long-term sequelae in COVID-19 patients requires further investigation.
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Autoantibodies , COVID-19 , Humans , Prevalence , Clinical Relevance , beta 2-Glycoprotein I , Immunoglobulin G , COVID-19/epidemiology , Antibodies, Anticardiolipin , Immunoglobulin M , OxygenABSTRACT
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but fatal opportunistic infection and mainly occurs in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. Despite the increasing number of patients receiving immunosuppressive treatments, studies on PML are still lacking due to its low prevalence and incidence. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with PML in two tertiary hospitals in South Korea from 1999 to 2021. Total of 47 PML patients were included. Of 27 patients (57.4%) were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Median last follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was higher in the non-HIV PML group than that in the HIV group (5 vs. 4, p = 0.020). Median survival duration was lower in the non-HIV group (184 vs. 1,564 days). The 1-year and overall mortality rates of PML patients were significantly higher in the non-HIV group than that in HIV group (60.0% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.019; 80.0% vs. 40.7%, p = 0.007). Initial mRS score (HR 1.685, p = 0.038) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV patients (HR 0.374, p = 0.013) had a significant effect on overall mortality. Our findings suggest that early detection of PML with low mRS score and early initiation of HAART in patients with HIV may improve prognosis.
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HIV Infections , Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal , Humans , HIV Infections/complications , Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Prognosis , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Immunosuppressive AgentsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical accuracy and utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of plasma microbial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a novel noninvasive method in diagnosing invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Adults with HM or COVID-19 and suspected IA were recruited. IA cases were retrospectively diagnosed according to EORTC/MSG definitions and ECMM/ISHAM criteria for HM and COVID-19 patients, respectively. The results of cfDNA WGS were compared with the conventional diagnosis. RESULTS: Microbial cfDNA WGS was performed 53 times from 41 participants (19 from HM, 16 from COVID-19, and 7 from the control group). In participants with HM, Aspergillus cfDNA was detected in 100% of proven IA and 91.7% of probable IA cases. In participants with COVID-19, 50.0% of probable IA were positive for Aspergillus in cfDNA WGS. Concordance between Aspergillus cfDNA detection and proven/probable IA conventional diagnosis was significantly higher in participants with HM than in those with COVID-19. IA diagnosed using EORTC/MGS definitions showed significantly high concordance between Aspergillus cfDNA detection and proven/probable IA. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus cfDNA detection strongly correlated with proven/probable IA diagnosed using EORTC/MSG definitions and could be used as an additional diagnostic tool for IA.
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Aspergillosis , COVID-19 , Hematologic Neoplasms , Invasive Fungal Infections , Adult , Humans , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19/diagnosis , Aspergillosis/diagnosis , Aspergillus/genetics , Invasive Fungal Infections/diagnosis , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , COVID-19 TestingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) significantly influences patient morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of mortality in adult patients with CRE bacteremia and elucidate the differences between carbapenemase-producing (CP)-CRE BSI and non-CP-CRE BSI. METHODS: This retrospective study included 147 patients who developed CRE BSI between January 2016 and January 2019 at a large tertiary care hospital in South Korea. The patient demographic characteristics and clinical and microbiological data including the Enterobacteriaceae species and carbapenemase type were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most commonly detected pathogen (80.3%), followed by Escherichia coli (15.0%). In total, 128 (87.1%) isolates were found to express carbapenemase, and most CP-CRE isolates harbored blaKPC. The 14-day and 30-day mortality rates for CRE BSI were 34.0% and 42.2%, respectively. Higher body mass index (odds ratio (OR), 1.123; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.012-1.246; p = 0.029), higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (OR, 1.206; 95% CI, 1.073-1.356; p = 0.002), and previous antibiotic use (OR, 0.163; 95% CI, 0.028-0.933; p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for the 14-day mortality. A high SOFA score (OR, 1.208; 95% CI; 1.081-0.349; p = 0.001) was the only independent risk factor for 30-day mortality. Carbapenemase production and appropriate antibiotic treatment were not associated with high 14- or 30-day mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from CRE BSI was related to the severity of the infection rather than to carbapenemase production or antibiotic treatment, showing that efforts to prevent CRE acquisition rather than treatment following CRE BSI detection would be more effective at reducing mortality.
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This study investigated the immunogenicity of, and reactogenicity to, the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine according to pre-existing adenovirus immunity. Individuals scheduled for COVID-19 vaccination were prospectively enrolled in a tertiary hospital with 2400 beds from March 2020 onwards. Pre-existing adenovirus immunity data was obtained before ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. A total of 68 adult patients administered two doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine were enrolled. Pre-existing adenovirus immunity was identified in 49 patients (72.1%), but not in the remaining 19 patients (27.9%). The geometric mean titer of S-specific IgG antibodies was statistically higher in individuals without pre-existing adenovirus immunity at several time points: before the second ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 dose (56.4 (36.6-125.0) vs. 51.0 (17.9-122.3), p = 0.024), 2-3 weeks after the second ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 dose (629.5 (451.5-926.5) vs. 555.0 (287.3-926.0), p = 0.049), and 3 months after the second ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 dose (274.5 (160.5-655.3) vs. 176.0 (94.3-255.3), p = 0.033). In the absence of pre-existing adenovirus immunity, systemic events were observed with higher frequency, especially chills (73.7% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.002). In conclusion, individuals without pre-existing adenovirus immunity showed a higher immune response to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination and a higher frequency of reactogenicity to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination was observed.
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BACKGROUND: During the novel coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, a considerable number of pneumothorax (PNX)/pneumomediastinum (PNM) associated with COVID-19 have been reported, and the incidence is higher in critically ill patients. Despite using a protective ventilation strategy, PNX/PNM still occurs in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). This matched case-control study aims to identify the risk factors and clinical characteristics of PNX/PNM in COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled adult patients with COVID-19, admitted to a critical care unit from March 1, 2020, to January 31, 2022. COVID-19 patients with PNX/PNM were compared, in a 1-2 ratio, to COVID-19 patients without PNX/PNM, matched for age, gender, and worst National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ordinal scale. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk factors for PNX/PNM in COVID-19. RESULTS: 427 patients with COVID-19 were admitted during the period, and 24 patients were diagnosed with PNX/PNM. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in the case group (22.8 kg/m2 and 24.7 kg/m2; P = 0.048). BMI was statistically significant risk factor for PNX/PNM in univariate conditional logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (OR), 0.85; confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.996; P = 0.044]. For patients on IMV support, univariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed the statistical significance of the duration from symptom onset to intubation (OR, 1.14; CI, 1.006-1.293; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMI tended to show a protective effect against PNX/PNM due to COVID-19 and delayed application of IMV might be a contributive factor for this complication.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mediastinal Emphysema , Pneumothorax , Adult , Humans , Case-Control Studies , Pneumothorax/epidemiology , Pneumothorax/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Mediastinal Emphysema/epidemiology , Mediastinal Emphysema/etiology , COVID-19/complicationsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the humoral response to and reactogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination according to the vaccine type and to analyze factors associated with immunogenicity in actively treated solid cancer patients (CPs). Materials and Methods: Prospective cohorts of CPs, undergoing anticancer treatment, and healthcare workers (HCWs) were established. The participants had no history of previous COVID-19 and received either mRNA-based or adenovirus vector-based (AdV) vaccines as the primary series. Blood samples were collected before the first vaccination and after 2 weeks for each dose vaccination. Spike-specific binding antibodies (bAbs) in all participants and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) wild-type, Delta, and Omicron variants in CPs were analyzed and presented as the geometric mean titer. RESULTS: Age-matched 20 HCWs and 118 CPs were included in the analysis. The bAb seroconversion rate and antibody concentrations after the first vaccination were significantly lower in CPs than in HCWs. After the third vaccination, antibody levels in CPs with a primary series of AdV were comparable to those in HCWs, but nAb titers against the Omicron variant did not quantitatively increase in CPs with AdV vaccine as the primary series. The incidence and severity of adverse reactions post-vaccination were similar between CPs and HCWs. CONCLUSION: CPs displayed delayed humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The booster dose elicited comparable bAb concentrations between CPs and HCWs, regardless of the primary vaccine type. Neutralization against the Omicron variant was not robustly elicited following the booster dose in some CPs, implying the need for additional interventions to protect them from COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neoplasms , Vaccines , Humans , Prospective Studies , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Neoplasms/therapy , AntibodiesABSTRACT
Appropriate postoperative antibiotic treatment in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) reduces the risks of recurrence and mortality. However, concerns about adverse drug reactions arise due to prolonged antibiotic usage. Therefore, we compared the recurrence and mortality rates according to the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy in patients with IE. From 2005 to 2017, we retrospectively reviewed 416 patients with IE treated at a tertiary hospital in South Korea; among these, 216 patients who underwent heart valve surgery and received appropriate antibiotics were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of usage of postoperative antibiotic therapy; the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy was more than two weeks in 156 patients (72.2%) and two weeks or less in 60 patients (27.8%). The primary endpoint was IE relapse. The secondary endpoints were 1-year IE recurrence, 1-year mortality, and postoperative complication rates. The median age was 53 (interquartile range: 38-62) years. The relapse rate of IE was 0.9% (2/216). There was no statistical difference in relapse (0.0% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.379), 1-year recurrence (1.7% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.829), or 1-year mortality (10.0% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.274) between patients with postoperative antibiotic administration of two weeks or less versus more than two weeks. The duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy did not affect the 1-year mortality rate (log-rank test, p = 0.393). In conclusion, there was no statistically significant difference in recurrence, mortality, or postoperative complications according to the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy.
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With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has declined. However, NTM diseases still occur in people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). We analysed the clinical and microbiological features of NTM diseases in PLWHA in South Korea. PLWHA who were diagnosed with NTM diseases between January 2000 and March 2021 were retrospectively enrolled from five different hospitals in South Korea. Data on baseline demographics, HIV status, CD4+ T cell counts, viral load, past and current cART regimens, isolated NTM species, results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests, treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected by reviewing medical records. A total of 34 cases of NTM in PLWHA were included. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary NTM diseases accounted for 58.8% (n = 20) and 41.2% (n = 14), respectively. The lymph node was the most common site of extrapulmonary NTM disease (64.3%). The age at the time of NTM disease diagnosis was younger in the extrapulmonary NTM group than in the pulmonary NTM group (37.0 vs. 49.0 years). Mean CD4+ T cell counts at the time of NTM disease diagnosis was 186.6 cells/µL (range: 1-1394). Nine patients (26.5%) had fully suppressed viral loads at the time of NTM disease diagnosis. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most common species found, followed by M. intracellulare and M. kansasii. MAC isolates were all susceptible to clarithromycin, but the rates of non-susceptibility to moxifloxacin, linezolid, ethambutol, and rifampin were 75%, 37.5%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. The average duration of treatment was 17 months and the mortality rate was 8.8%. NTM diseases may occur in PLWHA, even with completely suppressed viral loads. The identified clinical features of NTM diseases are essential for its clinical management in South Korea.