Ceftazidime-Avibactam Improves Outcomes in High-Risk Neutropenic Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Bacteremia.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam (CA) for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales bacteremia (KPC-PEB) in high-risk neutropenic patients. This is a prospective multicenter observational study in high-risk neutropenic patients with multi-drug resistant Enterobacterales bacteremia. They were compared according to the resistance mechanism and definitive treatment provided: KPC-CPE treated with CA (G1), KPC-CPE treated with other antibiotics (G2), and patients with ESBL-producing Enterobacterales bacteremia who received appropriate definitive therapy (G3). Thirty-day mortality was evaluated using a logistic regression model, and survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves. A total of 238 patients were included: 18 (G1), 52 (G2), and 168 (G3). Klebsiella spp. (60.9%) and Escherichia coli (26.4%) were the Enterobacterales most frequently isolated, and 71% of the bacteremias had a clinical source. The resistance profile between G1 and G2 was colistin 35.3% vs. 36.5%, amikacin 16.7% vs. 40.4%, and tigeclycline 11.1% vs. 19.2%. The antibiotics prescribed in combination with G2 were carbapenems, colistin, amikacin, fosfomycin, tigecycline, and fluoroquinolones. Seven-day clinical response in G1 vs. G2 vs. G3 was 94.4% vs. 42.3% vs. 82.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). Thirty-day overall mortality in G1 vs. G2 vs. G3 was 22.2% vs. 53.8% vs. 11.9%, respectively (p < 0.001), and infection-related mortality was 5.5% vs. 51.9% vs. 7.7% (p < 0.001). The independent risk factors for mortality were Pitt score > 4: OR 3.63, 95% CI, 1.18-11.14 (p = 0.025) and KPC-PEB treated with other antibiotics: OR 8.85, 95% CI, 2.58-30.33 (p = 0.001), while 7-day clinical response was a protective factor for survival: OR 0.02, 95% CI, 0.01-0.08 (p < 0.001). High-risk neutropenic patients with KPC-CPE treated with CA had an outcome similar to those treated for ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, with higher 7-day clinical response and lower overall and infection-related mortality than those treated with other antibiotics. In view of these data, CA may be considered the preferred therapeutic option for KPC-PEB in high-risk neutropenic patients.

Utilidad del lavado broncoalveolar para la detección microbiológica, y factores asociados, en receptores de trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage for microbiological detection and asssociated factors in hematopoietic stem cell transplant receivers: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las opacidades pulmonares en receptores de trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos (TPH) representan un desafío diagnóstico y son una causa de morbimortalidad. Existen grandes discrepancias con respecto a la sensibilidad diagnóstica del lavado broncoalveolar (LBA), sus complicaciones, y los factores asociados a la identificación microbiológica. OBJETIVO: Conocer la utilidad del estudio microbiológico del LBA en el diagnóstico, modificación de la conducta médica y estimar las complicaciones y mortalidad asociada al procedimiento, en receptores de TPH con opacidades pulmonares. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, en adultos receptores de TPH a los que se les realizó una broncoscopía con LBA por presentar opacidades pulmonares, en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre el 01/01/2011 y el 31/12/2020. RESULTADOS: De los 189 procedimientos analizados, en 79 se logró un hallazgo microbiológico (41,8%) y 122 permitieron modificar la conducta médica (64,6%). En 11 casos se observaron complicaciones graves dentro de las 12 horas (5,8%) de efectuado el LBA. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue de 16,8% (N = 21/125). El valor de neutrófilos en sangre previo al LBA (p = 0,037) y la presencia de nódulos pulmonares como lesión tomográfica predominante (p = 0,029) se asociaron independientemente al hallazgo microbiològico global. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestra investigación apoya la realización del LBA como herramienta diagnóstica en pacientes que reciben un TPH y presentan opacidades pulmonares.

BACKGROUND: Lung opacities are a cause of morbimortality in bone marrow transplant patients, and represent a diagnostic challenge. There are large discrepancies regarding the diagnostic sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), its complications, and the factors associated with microbiological detection. AIM: To know the usefulness of the microbiological study of BAL in the diagnosis, in the modification in medical behavior and to estimate the complications and associated mortality of this diagnostic procedure in patients transplanted with hematopoietic progenitor cells with pulmonary opacities. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in bone marrow transplant adult patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL due to lung opacities at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 01/01/2011 and 12/31/2020. RESULTS: Of the 189 BAL analyzed, 79 presented a microbiological detection (41.8%) and 122 allowed to modify the medical behavior (64.6%). Severe complications were observed within 12 hours after the procedure in11 cases (5.8%). In-hospital mortality was 16,8% (N = 21/125). The value of blood neutrophils prior to bronchoalveolar lavage (p = 0.037) and the presence of pulmonary nodules as the predominant tomographic lesion (p = 0.029) were independently associated with global microbiological detection. CONCLUSION: Our research supports the performance of BAL as a diagnostic tool in bone marrow transplant patients with lung opacities.

Development of a Clinical Score to Stratify the Risk for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Bacteremia in Patients with Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Identifying the risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) bacteremia in cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients would allow earlier initiation of an appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment. This is a prospective multicenter observational study in patients from 12 centers in Argentina, who presented with cancer or hematopoietic stem-cell transplant and developed Enterobacterales bacteremia. A multiple logistic regression model identified risk factors for CRE bacteremia, and a score was developed according to the regression coefficient. This was validated by the bootstrap resampling technique. Four hundred and forty-three patients with Enterobacterales bacteremia were included: 59 with CRE and 384 with carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacterales (CSE). The risk factors that were identified and the points assigned to each of them were: ≥10 days of hospitalization until bacteremia: OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.88-8.66 (2 points); previous antibiotics > 7 days: OR 4.65, 95% CI 2.29-9.46 (2 points); current colonization with KPC-carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales: 33.08, 95% CI 11.74-93.25 (5 points). With a cut-off of 7 points, a sensitivity of 35.59%, specificity of 98.43%, PPV of 77.7%, and NPV of 90.9% were obtained. The overall performance of the score was satisfactory (AUROC of 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.91). Finally, the post-test probability of CRE occurrence in patients with none of the risk factors was 1.9%, which would virtually rule out the presence of CRE bacteremia.

[Telemedicine as a follow-up ambulatory strategy for COVID patients at the Hospital Italiano de San Justo]. / Telemedicina como estrategia de seguimiento ambulatorio de pacientes COVID en el Hospital Italiano de San Justo.

Introduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have had to adapt to the growing demand for care. Telemedicine is a practical tool for outpatient monitoring of correctly selected patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study of a prospective cohort of patients under telemedicine follow-up at the Hospital Italiano de San Justo was carried out. Results: 47 days of follow-up were evaluated, a total of 1345 patients. Of these, 46.9% (n = 631) obtained a positive nasopharyngeal swab result with PCR technique and were registered in the telemedicine monitoring system, with 10.14% (n = 64) requiring a new clinical evaluation at the emergency center . Of these patients, 60.1% (n = 39) required hospitalization in a general ward (n = 39). Conclusion: It is essential to be able to generate other forms of helth care. The telemedicine system is an important tool to develop in situations of overload of the health system.

Introducción: Debido a la pandemia por COVID-19 los sistemas sanitarios han tenido que adaptarse a la demanda asistencial. La telemedicina es una herramienta práctica para poder realizar seguimiento ambulatorio de pacientes correctamente seleccionados. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes en seguimiento por telemedicina en el Hospital Italiano de San Justo. Resultados: Se evaluaron 47 días de seguimiento, un total de 1345 pacientes. De éstos 46,9% (n=631) obtuvieron un resultado de hisopado nasofaríngeo con técnica de PCR positivo y fueron ingresados al sistema de seguimiento por telemedicina. El 10,14% (n=64) requirió una reevaluación clínica en guardia externa. De estos pacientes el 60.1% (n=39) requirió internación en sala general (n=39). Conclusión: Es fundamental poder generar otras formas de cuidado de la salud. El sistema de telemedicina es una herramienta importante a desarrollar en situaciones de sobrecarga del sistema de salud.

[Risk factors for in-hospital mortality among adult patients infected with colistin-resistant carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: a retrospective cohort study]. / Factores predictores de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes adultos con infecciones por Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente a carbapenémicos y colistín: un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of colistin resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella represents a therapeutic challenge and a worldwide problem. AIM: To estimate the in-hospital mortality and identify the associated risk factors among patients with colistin-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) that present with a clinical infection. METHODS: We carried a retrospective cohort study, including adult patients infected with colistin-resistant KPC hospitalized at a tertiary teaching hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the year 2016. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used generalized lineal models to evaluate potential predictors of mortality. RESULTS: 18 patients that developed a colistin-resistant KPC clinical infection were identified and included in the final analysis. In-hospital mortality in this cohort was 38.9%. The presence of bacteremia, acute renal injury at the time of diagnosis and septic shock were associated with the main outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Infections due to colistin-resistant KPC among in-hospital patients was frequent and was associated with high mortality rate. In our cohort, both shock and acute kidney injury were associated with a higher likelihood of poor outcomes. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of these and others risk factors so as to aid in the early detection of high risk patients.

Factores predictores de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes adultos con infecciones por Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente a carbapenémicos y colistín: un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Risk factors for in-hospital mortality among adult patients infected with colistin-resistant carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: a retrospective cohort study

Resumen Introducción: La emergencia de Klebsiella productora de carbapenemasas resistente a colistín representa un desafío clínico y un problema emergente. Objetivo: Evaluar la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y sus potenciales factores de riesgo en pacientes internados con infecciones clínicas por Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de carbapenemasas (KPC) resistente a colistín. Material y Método: Realizamos un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, incluyendo pacientes adultos admitidos a un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en Buenos Aires, infectados por KPC resistente a colistín. El evento primario considerado fue la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Se utilizaron modelos generalizados lineales para evaluar potenciales predictores de dicho evento. Resultados: En total, se identificaron 18 pacientes hospitalizados que presentaron una infección clínica por esta bacteria durante el año 2016 y que fueron incluidos en el análisis final. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria en esta cohorte fue de 38,9%. La presencia de bacteriemia, la injuria renal aguda al momento del diagnóstico y la presencia de shock séptico se asociaron a la ocurrencia del evento primario. Conclusión: El desarrollo de infecciones clínicamente relevantes por KPC resistente a colistín en pacientes internados es frecuente y presenta una elevada mortalidad. En nuestra cohorte, la presencia de shock e injuria renal aguda al momento del diagnóstico se asociaron a un incrementado riesgo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Futuras investigaciones deberían corroborar estos hallazgos e investigar factores adicionales que permitan identificar tempranamente a aquellos pacientes que presentarán eventos desfavorables.

ABSTRACT Background: The emergence of colistin resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella represents a therapeutic challenge and a worldwide problem. Aim: To estimate the in-hospital mortality and identify the associated risk factors among patients with colistin-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) that present with a clinical infection. Methods: We carried a retrospective cohort study, including adult patients infected with colistin-resistant KPC hospitalized at a tertiary teaching hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the year 2016. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used generalized lineal models to evaluate potential predictors of mortality. Results: 18 patients that developed a colistin-resistant KPC clinical infection were identified and included in the final analysis. In-hospital mortality in this cohort was 38.9%. The presence of bacteremia, acute renal injury at the time of diagnosis and septic shock were associated with the main outcome. Conclusions: Infections due to colistin-resistant KPC among in-hospital patients was frequent and was associated with high mortality rate. In our cohort, both shock and acute kidney injury were associated with a higher likelihood of poor outcomes. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of these and others risk factors so as to aid in the early detection of high risk patients.

Trasplante de médula ósea alogénico en un paciente con fusariosis diseminada y leucemia mieloide aguda / Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in a patient with disseminated fusariosis and acute myeloid leukemia

La infección diseminada por Fusarium se ha convertido en un problema creciente en las personas con neoplasias hematológicas malignas, principalmente en pacientes con leucemias agudas; se describen cada vez más casos en aquellos sometidos a un trasplante de médula ósea. No existe un tratamiento óptimo establecido para la fusariosis diseminada. La mortalidad global comunicada de esta infección oscila entre el 50 y el 80%. Se presenta a continuación el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 29 años, con diagnóstico de leucemia mieloide aguda, que presenta como complicación una fusariosis diseminada, y logra sobrellevar un trasplante alogénico de médula ósea en el Hospital Italiano de San Justo (Argentina) de forma exitosa. (AU)

Disseminated fusariosis has become an increasing problem in people with hematopoietic neoplasms, mainly in patients affected by acute leukemias, and even more in those who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation. There is not an optimal treatment for disseminated fusariosis. The global mortality described in the literature is between 50% and 80%. We introduce a case of a 29 year old patient with diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia complicated with disseminated fusariosis, who copes with an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with a successful outcome in the "Hospital Italiano de San Justo" (Argentina). (AU)

Meningoencefalitis por cryptococcus neoformans en un paciente con lupus eritematoso sistémico tratado con rituximab y micofenolato mofetilo: [revisión] / Meningoencephalitis due to cryptococcus neoformans in systemic lupus erythematosus patient treated with rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil: [review]

Presentamos un paciente con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES) tratado previamente con Rituximab y Micofenolato Mofetilo que desarrolló una criptococosis meníngea. Los pacientes con LES presentan múltiples defectos en su sistema inmune (SI) que, sumados a los producidos por los tratamientos inmunosupresores, predisponen a infecciones, entre ellas, a las causadas por gérmenes oportunistas. La meningitis por criptococo es una rara y severa complicación en estos pacientes. Rituximab produce una serie de cambios en el SI actuando sobre los linfocitos B, mientras que micofenolato actúa tanto sobre las células T como B. Las alteraciones inmunológicas presentes en nuestro paciente serían producto de la sumatoria de efectos de ambas drogas que explicarían la infección por Criptococcus neoformans.

We presented a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient previously treated with rituximab and mycophenolate who developed cryptococcal meningitis. SLE patients have multiple defects in the immunity system in addition to the additive effects of immunosuppressive treatments, which predispose to opportunistic infections. Cryptococcal meningitis is a rare and severe complication in SLE patients. Rituximab produces a series of changes in the immune system by acting on B cells, while mycophenolate produces its actions by acting on T and B cells. The immunology system defects in our patient could be done because the additive effects of two drugs that could explain the Cryptococcus neoformans infection.