Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Stroke in a National Cohort of Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a common complication of infective endocarditis (IE). Our aim was to describe the prevalence and prognostic impact of stroke in a national prospective cohort of IE. METHODS: Consecutive inclusion at 46 Spanish hospitals between 2008 and 2021. RESULTS: Out of 5667 IE cases, 1125 had acute stroke (19.8%): 811 ischemic strokes (618 cardioembolic strokes, 193 cardioembolic strokes with hemorrhagic transformation, 4 transient ischemic attacks, 3 lacunar infarctions), 125 intracranial hemorrhages, and 29 other neurological complications (cerebral abscesses, encephalitis, meningitis, seizures). Compared to patients without stroke, those with stroke had a similar mean age (69 years) but were more frequently female (68.2% vs. 63.7%, p=0.04) and had a higher incidence of intracardiac complications (35% vs 30%, p=0.01), surgical indication (69.9% vs 65.9%, p=0.001), in-hospital mortality (40.9% vs. 22.0%, p<0.001), and one-year mortality (46.2% vs 27.9%, p<0.001). The following variables were independently associated with stroke: mitral location (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-1.8, p<0.001), vascular phenomenon (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.4-3.6, p=0.0001), acute renal failure (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4, p=0.021), septic shock (OR 1.3, CI 1.1-1.6, p=0.007), sepsis (OR 1.3, CI 1.1-1.6, p=0.005), surgery indicated but not performed (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7, p<0.001), community-acquired IE (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1-1.4, p=0.017), and peripheral embolization (OR 1.6, CI 1.4-1.9, p <0.001). Stroke was an independent predictor of in-hospital (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.78-2.51, p<0.001) and one-year mortality (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.6-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of patients with IE have concomitant stroke. Stroke is associated with mortality.

Contemporary use of cefazolin for MSSA infective endocarditis: analysis of a national prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the real use of cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infective endocarditis (IE) in the Spanish National Endocarditis Database (GAMES) and to compare it with antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP). METHODS: Prospective cohort study with retrospective analysis of a cohort of MSSA IE treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Outcomes assessed were relapse; intra-hospital, overall, and endocarditis-related mortality; and adverse events. Risk of renal toxicity with each treatment was evaluated separately. RESULTS: We included 631 IE episodes caused by MSSA treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Antibiotic treatment was cloxacillin, cefazolin, or both in 537 (85%), 57 (9%), and 37 (6%) episodes, respectively. Patients treated with cefazolin had significantly higher rates of comorbidities (median Charlson Index 7, P <0.01) and previous renal failure (57.9%, P <0.01). Patients treated with cloxacillin presented higher rates of septic shock (25%, P = 0.033) and new-onset or worsening renal failure (47.3%, P = 0.024) with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality (38.5%, P = 0.017). One-year IE-related mortality and rate of relapses were similar between treatment groups. None of the treatments were identified as risk or protective factors. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cefazolin is a valuable option for the treatment of MSSA IE, without differences in 1-year mortality or relapses compared with cloxacillin, and might be considered equally effective.

Clinical impact of time to results from the microbiology laboratory in bloodstream infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (TIME-CPE STUDY).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of time to results (TTR) on the outcome of patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (CPE-BSI). METHODS: Times-series study conducted from January 2014 to December 2021, selecting patients with first CPE-BSI episodes. Periods of intervention were defined according to implementation of diagnostic bundle tests in the microbiology laboratory: pre-intervention (January 2014-December 2017) and post-intervention (January 2018-December 2021). TTR was defined as time elapsed from positivity time of the blood culture bottles to physicians' notification of CPE-BSI episodes, and was evaluated in patients who received inappropriate empirical and switched to appropriate targeted treatment (switch group). Analysis of a composite unfavourable outcome (mortality at Day 30 and/or persistent and/or recurrent bacteraemia) was performed for the total episodes and in the switch group. RESULTS: One hundred and nine episodes were analysed: 66 pre-intervention and 43 post-intervention. Compared with pre-intervention, patients in the post-intervention period were younger (68 versus 63 years, P = 0.04), had INCREMENT score > 7 (31.8% versus 53.5%, P = 0.02) and unfavourable outcome (37.9% versus 20.9%, P = 0.04). Proportion of TTR > 30 h was more frequent pre-intervention than post-intervention (61.7% versus 35.5%, P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis of the 109 episodes, source other than urinary or biliary (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.11-6.86) was associated with unfavourable outcome, while targeted appropriate treatment trended to being protective (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-1.00). Considering the switch group (n = 78), source other than urinary or biliary (OR 14.9, 95% CI 3.25-69.05) and TTR > 30 h (OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.29-17.22) were associated with unfavourable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased TTR in the post-intervention period was associated with the outcome in patients with CPE-BSI episodes.

Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Diagnostic Approach: Real-Life Experience in a Tertiary Centre.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in immunocompromised patients entails high mortality and requires adequate laboratory diagnosis. We compared the performance of a real time-PCR assay against the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in the routine of a large microbiology laboratory. Different respiratory samples from HIV and non-HIV-infected patients were included. The retrospective analysis used data from September 2015 to April 2018, which included all samples for which a P. jirovecii test was requested. A total of 299 respiratory samples were tested (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 181), tracheal aspirate (n = 53) and sputum (n = 65)). Forty-eight (16.1%) patients fulfilled the criteria for PJP. Five positive samples (10%) had only colonization. The PCR test was found to have a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%, 98%, 90% and 99%, compared to 27%, 100%, 100% and 87%, for the IFA, respectively. PJ-PCR sensitivity and specificity were >80% and >90% for all tested respiratory samples. Median cycle threshold values in definite PJP cases were 30 versus 37 in colonized cases (p < 0.05). Thus, the PCR assay is a robust and reliable test for the diagnosis PJP in all respiratory sample types. Ct values of ≥36 could help to exclude PJP diagnosis.

Nosocomial Infections in Adult Patients Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

The use of venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (ECMO) in patients admitted to cardiac intensive care units (CICU) has increased. Data regarding infections in this population are scarce. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the risk factors, outcome, and predictors of in-hospital mortality due to nosocomial infections in patients with ECMO admitted to a single coronary intensive care unit between July 2013 and March 2019 treated with VA-ECMO for >48 h. From 69 patients treated with VA-ECMO >48 h, (median age 58 years), 29 (42.0%) patients developed 34 episodes of infections with an infection rate of 0.92/1000 ECMO days. The most frequent were ventilator-associated pneumonia (57.6%), tracheobronchitis (9.1%), bloodstream infections (9.1%), skin and soft tissue infections (9.1%), and cytomegalovirus reactivation (9.1%). In-hospital mortality was 47.8%, but no association with nosocomial infections was found (p = 0.75). The number of days on ECMO (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.30, p = 0.029) and noninfectious complications were higher in the infected patients (OR: 3.8 95% CI = 1.05-14.1). A higher baseline creatinine value (OR: 8.2 95% CI = 1.12-60.2) and higher blood lactate level at 4 h after ECMO initiation (OR: 2.0 95% CI = 1.23-3.29) were significant and independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions: Nosocomial infections in medical patients treated with VA-ECMO are very frequent, mostly Gram-negative respiratory infections. Preventive measures could play an important role for these patients.

Real-world Use of Bezlotoxumab and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for the Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Background: We aimed to describe the frequency of use and effectiveness of bezlotoxumab (BZX) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in real-world practice. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in a university hospital in which adult patients treated with BZX or FMT from January 2018 to April 2021 were included. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of BZX and FMT in preventing early (within 8 weeks) and late (within 1 year) CDI recurrences (rCDI). A multivariate analysis of risk factors for early recurrence was performed. Results: Of 1377 consecutive CDI episodes, 117 (8.5%) received BZX or FMT, with full information available for 100 of the episodes: 51 received BZX, and 49 received FMT. BZX was used mostly in immunosuppressed patients (66.7%) and in first episodes or first recurrences in 70.6% of the cases. FMT was prescribed only in CDI recurrences. Despite the different conditions of the patients, there were no significant differences between BZX and FMT in preventing early rCDI (19.6% vs 24.5%; P = .55) or late rCDI (9.8% vs 18.4%; P = .31). In the multivariate analysis, risk factors for recurrence were presence of ≥2 previous rCDI episodes (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.03-8.63) and use of non-CDI antibiotics (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.24-9.57). Conclusions: BZX and FMT were infrequently used in real-world practice. Both treatments had similar effectiveness in preventing CDI recurrence despite their application to different populations.

Gastrointestinal tract Candida spp colonization shows mostly a monoclonal pattern: an intra-patient pilot study.

Gastrointestinal tract Candida genotypes may associate with isolates later causing infections. We genotyped Candida spp isolates (n = 200 individual colonies) from rectal swabs to assess whether gastrointestinal gut colonization is caused by a single genotype (monoclonal pattern) or a combination of them (polyclonal pattern). C. glabrata showed a sheer monoclonal pattern. C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis showed a monoclonal pattern involving the presence of either exclusively identical genotypes or a combination of clonally-related genotypes; in the latter case, a dominant genotype was always found. C. albicans showed mostly a polyclonal pattern involving a combination of dominant clonally-related genotypes and unrelated genotypes. LAY SUMMARY: We genotyped C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata isolates prospectively from rectal swabs to study the gastrointestinal colonization pattern in the patients. Gastrointestinal tract colonization is mostly monoclonal and commonly dominated by one genotype.

Bezlotoxumab in the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections: a real-life experience / Bezlotoxumab para el tratamiento de las infecciones por Clostridioides difficile:experiencia en vida real

Background. Following the approval of bezlotoxumabin 2017, studies evaluating its effectiveness in prevention ofClostridioides difficile infection under “real-life” conditions arescarce.Material and methods. We conducted a retrospectivestudy developed in a large tertiary care hospital describing theuse and outcomes of patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) treated with bezlotoxumab.Results. A total of 16 patients were include, all of whomhad an episode of CDI with high probability of recurrence and14 of them had some kind of immunosuppression. Bezlotoxumab was effective in the prevention of CDI recurrence in 11of the 14 cases in which follow up was possible, without significant side effects.Conclusions. Bezlotoxumab was well tolerated and theincidence of recurrent CDI in a high-risk population for recurrence was only 21.4%. (AU)

Antecedentes. Tras la aprobación de bezlotoxumab en2017, son escasos los estudios que evalúan su eficacia en laprevención de la infección por Clostridioides difficile en condiciones de vida real. Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo desarrollado en un hospital terciario describiendo el uso ylos resultados de los pacientes con infección por Clostridioidesdifficile (ICD) tratados con bezlotoxumab.Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 16 pacientes, todosellos con un episodio de ICD con alto riesgo de recurrencia y14 de ellos con algún tipo de inmunosupresión. El bezlotoxumab fue eficaz en la prevención de la recurrencia de la ICD en11 de los 14 casos en los que fue posible el seguimiento, sinefectos secundarios significativos.Conclusiones. El bezlotoxumab fue bien tolerado. La incidencia de ICD recurrente en una población de alto riesgo derecurrencia, fue sólo del 21,4%. (AU)

Real-Life Use of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam for the Treatment of Bloodstream Infection Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Neutropenic Hematologic Patients: a Matched Control Study (ZENITH Study).

We sought to assess the characteristics and outcomes of neutropenic hematologic patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bloodstream infection (BSI) treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T). We conducted a multicenter, international, matched-cohort study of PA BSI episodes in neutropenic hematologic patients who received C/T. Controls were patients with PA BSI treated with other antibiotics. Risk factors for overall 7-day and 30-day case fatality rates were analyzed. We compared 44 cases with 88 controls. Overall, 91% of episodes were caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. An endogenous source was the most frequent BSI origin (35.6%), followed by pneumonia (25.8%). There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between groups. C/T was given empirically in 11 patients and as definitive therapy in 41 patients. Treatment with C/T was associated with less need for mechanical ventilation (13.6% versus 33.3%; P = 0.021) and reduced 7-day (6.8% versus 34.1%; P = 0.001) and 30-day (22.7% versus 48.9%; P = 0.005) mortality. In the multivariate analysis, pneumonia, profound neutropenia, and persistent BSI were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality, whereas lower mortality was found among patients treated with C/T (adjusted OR [aOR] of 0.19; confidence interval [CI] 95% of 0.07 to 0.55; P = 0.002). Therapy with C/T was associated with less need for mechanical ventilation and reduced 7-day and 30-day case fatality rates compared to alternative agents in neutropenic hematologic patients with PA BSI. IMPORTANCE Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of difficult to treat infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in the general nonimmunocompromised population. However, the experience of this agent in immunosuppressed neutropenic patients is very limited. Our study is unique because it is focused on extremely immunosuppressed hematological patients with neutropenia and bloodstream infection (BSI) due to PA (mainly multidrug resistant [MDR]), a scenario which is often associated with very high mortality rates. In our study, we found that the use of C/T for the treatment of MDR PA BSI in hematological neutropenic patients was significantly associated with improved outcomes, and, in addition, it was found to be an independent risk factor associated with increased survival. To date, this is the largest series involving neutropenic hematologic patients with PA BSI treated with C/T.

First Report of an Invasive Infection by Cephalotrichum gorgonifer in a Neutropenic Patient with Hematological Malignancy under Chemotherapy.

The etiological agents of infrequent invasive fungal infections (IFI) are difficult to identify on the species level using classic morphological examination. We describe the first case of an IFI caused by Cephalotrichum gorgonifer in a neutropenic patient with a hematological malignancy and put it on the map as a new causative agent of IFI. Case report, microbiological findings and description of the etiological agent. A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. A CT scan confirmed the presence of lung infiltrates located at the right upper lobe. Histological examination of one of the nodules showed a large number of narrow septate hyphae with acute-angle branching and irregular round cell morphology; vessels walls appeared infiltrated, proving an angioinvasive pulmonary IFI. Sample culture resulted positive and molecular identification proved the presence of Cephalotrichum gorgonifer. Voriconazole was used for 12 months and the patient did not report any complications or side effects. Complete remission of lymphoma was achieved later by the time chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and radioimmunotherapy consolidation were completed. We recommend the inclusion of Cephalotrichum gorgonifer in the list of opportunistic pathogens causing mycoses in neutropenic hematological patients with suspected mould-related IFI.

Outcomes and Risk Factors of Septic Shock in Patients With Infective Endocarditis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the characteristics and impact of septic shock (SS) on the outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE). We aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with IE presenting with SS and to compare them to those of IE patients with sepsis (Se) and those with neither Se nor SS (no-Se-SS). METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 4864 IE patients from 35 Spanish centers (2008 to 2018). Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for SS and mortality. RESULTS: Septic shock and Se presented in 597 (12.3%) and 559 (11.5%) patients, respectively. Patients with SS were younger and presented significantly higher rates of diabetes, chronic renal and liver disease, transplantation, nosocomial acquisition, Staphylococcus aureus, IE complications, and in-hospital mortality (62.5%, 37.7% for Se and 18.2% for no-Se-SS, P < .001). Staphylococcus aureus (odds ratio [OR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-2.81; P < .001), Gram negative (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.25-3.91; P = .006), nosocomial acquisition (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.07-1.94; P = .015), persistent bacteremia (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.24-2.68; P = .002), acute renal failure (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 2.28-4.01; P < .001), central nervous system emboli (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.01; P = .013), and larger vegetation size (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; P. = 020) were associated with a higher risk of developing SS. Charlson score, heart failure, persistent bacteremia, acute renal failure, mechanical ventilation, worsening of liver disease, S aureus, and receiving aminoglycosides within the first 24 hours were associated with higher in-hospital mortality, whereas male sex, native valve IE, and cardiac surgery were associated with lower mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Septic shock is frequent and entails dismal prognosis. Early identification of patients at risk of developing SS and early assessment for cardiac surgery appear as key factors to improve outcomes.

Disseminated lomentosporiosis in a heart transplant recipient: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Lomentospora prolificans (formerly S prolificans) is a saprophyte fungi that causes opportunistic infections in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Resulting disseminated infections are difficult to treat and have a high mortality. Indications for antifungal prophylaxis after heart transplantation (HT) include CMV disease, reoperation, renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and high environmental exposure to Aspergillus spores. However, the risk of breakthrough infections, such as Lomentosporiosis, remains a cause of concern. METHODS: We report the clinical findings, microbiology, treatment and outcome of a disseminated Lomentosporiosis in a heart transplant recipient with ECMO and antifungal prophylaxis. RESULTS: A 25-year-old male with complex grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCHD) was admitted for HT. He presented severe post-surgical complications including acute kidney injury and right heart and respiratory failure requiring venoarterial-ECMO, continuous renal replacement therapy (CCRT) and later on (+14) a ventricular assist device (VAD). Ganciclovir, cotrimoxazole, and antifungal prophylaxis with anidulafungin at standard doses had been started on day + 3 post HT. The patient presented seizures (+4), pancytopenia with mild neutropenia (days + 6 to + 11), influenza B (+7), and bacteremic Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (+10). On days + 14 to + 16 Lomentospora prolificans was recovered from blood cultures, broncho aspirate, catheter tip, and skin biopsy. Despite treatment with L-AMB, voriconazole and terbinafine the patients died on day 17 after HT. Necropsy revealed disseminated infection with fungal invasion in central nervous system, heart, lung, cutaneous, and subcutaneous tissue. Broth microdilution tests demonstrated resistance to all antifungals. CONCLUSIONS: Lomentosporiosis is a rare complication that may emerge as a breakthrough invasive fungal infection in heart transplant recipients on ECMO despite antifungal prophylaxis.

Characteristics and Outcome of Acute Heart Failure in Infective Endocarditis: Focus on Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the impact of cardiogenic shock (CS) on endocarditis are lacking. METHODS: Prospectively collected cohort from 35 Spanish centers (2008-2018). Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for developing CS and predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Among 4856 endocarditis patients, 1652 (34%) had acute heart failure (AHF) and 244 (5%) CS. Compared with patients without AHF and AHF but no CS, patients with CS presented higher rates of surgery (40.5%, 52.5%, and 68%; P < .001) and in-hospital mortality (16.3%, 39.1%, and 52.5%). Compared with patients with septic shock, CS patients presented higher rates of surgery (42.5% vs 68%; P < .001) and lower rates of in-hospital and 1-year mortality (62.3% vs 52.5%, P = .008, and 65.3% vs 57.4%, P = .030). Severe aortic and mitral regurgitation (OR [95% CI], 2.47 [1.82-3.35] and 3.03 [2.26-4.07]; both P < .001), left-ventricle ejection fraction <60% (1.72; 1.22-2.40; P = .002), heart block (2.22; 1.41-3.47; P = .001), tachyarrhythmias (5.07; 3.13-8.19; P < .001), and acute kidney failure (2.29; 1.73-3.03; P < .001) were associated with higher likelihood of developing CS. Prosthetic endocarditis (2.03; 1.06 -3.88; P = .032), Staphylococcus aureus (3.10; 1.16 -8.30; P = .024), tachyarrhythmias (3.09; 1.50-10.13; P = .005), and not performing cardiac surgery (11.40; 4.83-26.90; P < .001) were associated with a higher risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: AHF is common among patients with endocarditis. CS is associated with high mortality and should be promptly identified and assessed for cardiac surgery.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in the COVID-19 era: An expected new entity.

OBJECTIVES: Information on the recently COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) entity is scarce. We describe eight CAPA patients, compare them to colonised ICU patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and review the published literature from Western countries. METHODS: Prospective study (March to May, 2020) that included all COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Modified AspICU and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria were used. RESULTS: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed in eight patients (3.3% of 239 ICU patients), mostly affected non-immunocompromised patients (75%) with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) receiving corticosteroids. Diagnosis was established after a median of 15 days under mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in two patients with positive Aspergillus fumigatus cultures and galactomannan (GM) index. Serum GM was positive in 4/8 (50%). Thoracic CT scan findings fulfilled EORTC/MSG criteria in one case. Isavuconazole was used in 4/8 cases. CAPA-related mortality was 100% (8/8). Compared with colonised patients, CAPA subjects were administered tocilizumab more often (100% vs. 40%, p = .04), underwent longer courses of antibacterial therapy (13 vs. 5 days, p = .008), and had a higher all-cause mortality (100% vs. 40%, p = .04). We reviewed 96 similar cases from recent publications: 59 probable CAPA (also putative according modified AspICU), 56 putative cases and 13 colonisations according AspICU algorithm; according EORTC/MSG six proven and two probable. Overall, mortality in the reviewed series was 56.3%. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis must be considered a serious and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with severe COVID-19 receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is insufficient for the diagnosis of active or cured COVID-19.

We assessed the performance of Abbott's SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and the PanbioTM COVID-19 IgG/IgM rapid test device for the diagnosis of either active or cured COVID-19. Three cohorts of patients were chosen. Cohort 1, patients (n = 65) who attended the emergency department on March 30, 2020 with clinical suspicion of active COVID-19 (n = 56 with proven/probable COVID-19). Cohort 2, hospital workers (n = 92) who had either been (n = 40) or not (n = 52) diagnosed with proven/probable COVID-19 and were asymptomatic at the time of the sampling. Cohort 3, patients (n = 38) cared at the hospital before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Detection of serum antibodies was done using Abbott´s SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and the PanbioTM COVID-19 IgG/IgM device. Both methods showed 98% agreement for IgG detection. No antibodies were detected in the 38 samples from hospitalized pre-COVID subjects. The diagnostic performance of IgGs detected by Abbott´s SARS-CoV-2 assay in Cohorts 1/2 was: sensitivity (60.7%/75%) and specificity (100%/84.6%). The diagnostic performance of IgM by PanbioTM COVID-19 in Cohorts 1/2 was: sensitivity (16%/17.5%) and specificity (100%/98.1%). We show that IgG detection alone is insufficient for the diagnosis of active or cured COVID-19. IgM detection has a limited diagnostic value.

Invasive Scedosporium and Lomentosora infections in the era of antifungal prophylaxis: A 20-year experience from a single centre in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Non-Aspergillus mould infections such as those caused by Scedosporium apiospermum or Lomentospora prolificans are an emerging threat. Few studies have monitored their long-term incidence. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features and incidence of patients with proven and probable infections. PATIENTS/METHODS: Patients admitted to Gregorio Marañón Hospital between 1998 and 2017 and from whom Scedosporium/Lomentospora was isolated were studied. Subjects were classified as having a probable/proven invasive fungal infection or colonization. Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates causing infection were performed, as well as a description of the patients and incidence of infection. RESULTS: One or more Scedosporium/Lomentospora isolates were identified in 67 patients. Sixteen (23.9%) patients had developed infection: 11 scedosporiosis and 5 lomentosporiosis. Stable incidence was observed throughout the study period. Most patients were immunosuppressed and the most common underlying diseases were haematologic malignancy (25%), solid organ transplantation (25%) and chronic corticoid therapy (25%). Breakthrough infection occurred in four patients, 2/11 (18.2%) cases of scedosporiosis and 2/5 (40%) of lomentosporiosis. Overall mortality was 54.5% (6/11) and 80% (4/5) in subjects with scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis, respectively. High MICs of amphotericin B and remarkable inter-species susceptibility variability to triazoles was observed for most isolates. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies, the incidence of scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis has not increased at our hospital over the years. The tendency to cause disseminated infection and a reduced susceptibility to most antifungal agents leads to high mortality.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antifungal Drugs: Another Tool to Improve Patient Outcome?

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine the relationship among adequate dose, serum concentration and clinical outcome in a non-selected group of hospitalized patients receiving antifungals. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study performed between March 2015 and June 2015. Dosage of antifungals was considered adequate according to the IDSA guidelines, whereas trough serum concentrations (determined with HPLC) were considered adequate as follows: fluconazole > 11 µg/ml, echinocandins > 1 µg/ml, voriconazole 1-5.5 µg/ml and posaconazole > 0.7 µg/ml. RESULTS: During the study period, 84 patients (65.4% male, 59.6 years) received antifungals for prophylaxis (40.4%), targeted (31.0%) and empirical therapy (28.6%). The most frequent drug was micafungin (28/84; 33.3%) followed by fluconazole (23/84; 27.4%), voriconazole (15/84; 17.9%), anidulafungin (8/84; 9.5%), posaconazole (7/84; 8.3%) and caspofungin (3/84; 3.6%). Considerable interindividual variability was observed for all antifungals with a large proportion of the patients (64.3%) not attaining adequate trough serum concentrations, despite receiving an adequate antifungal dose. Attaining the on-target serum antifungal level was significantly associated with a favorable clinical outcome (OR = 0.02; 95% CI 0.01-0.64; p = 0.03), whereas the administration of an adequate antifungal dosage was not. CONCLUSIONS: With the standard antifungal dosage, a considerable proportion of patients have low drug concentrations, which are associated with poor clinical outcome.

Etiology and Prognosis of Pneumonia in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Prospective Cohort of Hospitalized Cases.

BACKGROUND: Data on the incidence, etiology, and prognosis of non-ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospitalized patients with solid tumors are scarce. We aimed to study the characteristics of non-ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospitalized patients with solid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective noninterventional cohort study of pneumonia in patients hospitalized in an oncology ward in a tertiary teaching hospital. Pneumonia was defined according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. Patients were followed for 1 month after diagnosis or until discharge. Survivors were compared with nonsurvivors. RESULTS: A total of 132 episodes of pneumonia were diagnosed over 1 year (9.8% of admissions to the oncology ward). They were health care-related (67.4%) or hospital-acquired pneumonia (31.8%). Lung cancer was the most common malignancy. An etiology was established in 48/132 episodes (36.4%). Knowing the etiology led to changes in antimicrobial therapy in 58.3%. Subsequent intensive care unit admission was required in 10.6% and was linked to inappropriate empirical therapy. Ten-day mortality was 24.2% and was significantly associated with hypoxia (odds ratio [OR], 2.1). Thirty-day mortality was 46.2%. The independent risk factors for 30-day mortality were hypoxia (OR, 3.3), hospital acquisition (OR, 3.1), and a performance status >1 (OR, 2.6). Only 40% of patients who died within 30 days were terminally ill. CONCLUSION: Pneumonia is a highly prevalent condition in hospitalized patients with solid tumors, even with nonterminal disease. Etiology is diverse, and poor outcome is linked to inappropriate empirical therapy. Efforts to get the empirical therapy right and reach an etiological diagnosis to subsequently de-escalate are warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The present study shows that pneumonia is a prevalent infectious complication in patients admitted to oncology wards, with a very high mortality, even in non-terminally ill patients. Etiology is diverse, and etiological diagnosis is reached in fewer than 40% of cases in nonintubated patients. Intensive care unit admission, a marker of poor outcome, is associated with inappropriate empirical therapy. These results suggest that, to improve prognosis, a more precise and appropriate antimicrobial empirical therapy for pneumonia in patients with solid tumors is necessary, together with an effort to reach an etiological diagnosis to facilitate subsequent de-escalation.

Fast track SSTI management program based on a rapid molecular test (GeneXpert® MRSA/SA SSTI) and antimicrobial stewardship.

PURPOSE: This study examines the impacts of a skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) management program involving a rapid diagnostic algorithm (Gram stain plus real-time PCR, GeneXpert® MRSA/SA SSTI) performed directly on clinical samples plus antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) counseling of the responsible physician. METHODS: Participants were 155 consecutive adult inpatients with SSTI and good quality clinical samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory from April 2016 to January 2017. Results of the rapid test and AMS recommendations were phoned through to the responsible physician. The comparison group was a historical cohort. RESULTS: Most SSTI were surgical wound infections (41.3% vs 38.1% for the intervention and comparison groups respectively) followed by diabetic foot (14.2% and 18.1%), abscesses (13.5% both) and cellulitis (12.9% both). Isolated microorganisms were mostly Gram-negative bacilli (two-thirds), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (SA). The ratio methicillin-susceptible SA (MSSA) to methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) was 4:1. Improvements in the intervention cohort were: DOT (22.0 vs. 24.3 days, p = 0.007), treatment duration per SSTI episode (14.1 vs. 15.0 days, p = 0.072), treatment cost (433.1 vs. 533.3 €, p = 0.039), length of stay (18.6 vs 20.7 days, p = 0.031), related mortality (1 vs. 4 patients, p = 0.022) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) (4 vs. 8 patients, p = 0.050). In 48 cases (31.4%) in the intervention group, advice was given to improve empiric antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: This type of program could help adjust antibiotic treatment when inappropriate, reducing antibiotic use and costs, length of stay, CDI and related mortality.

Fluconazole resistance is not a predictor of poor outcome in patients with cryptococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus isolates with high MICs to fluconazole are increasingly reported, and a potential clinical impact has been advocated. However, there are different methods to evaluate fluconazole MICs and comparative analysis among such techniques and their comprehensive correlation with clinical outcome are not available. METHODS: Over a 13-year period (2000-2013), fluconazole MICs were determined for 62 cryptococcal isolates recovered from 22 patients with cryptococcosis using CLSI M27-A3, EUCAST, E test and Sensititre YeastOne, simultaneously. The relationship between the fluconazole MICs and the clinical outcome at week 10 was assessed in patients who received fluconazole as induction or maintenance therapy (n = 16). RESULTS: The percentage of cryptococcal strains with MIC values ≥16 µg/mL according to different methods was CLSI 1.6%, EUCAST 16.1%, E test 31.6% and Sensititre YeastOne 53.2%. Among the 16 patients treated with fluconazole, no correlation between clinical outcome and any MIC value obtained with either method was observed. The only variable independently associated with a poor outcome was having a disseminated disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is a weak correlation between fluconazole MICs against Cryptococcus spp. as determined by CLSI, EUCAST, E test and Sensititre YeastOne. Neither procedure could predict the clinical outcome of patients with cryptococcosis receiving fluconazole-based therapy. With present methods, fluconazole resistance in Cryptococcus may be clinically misleading.