Melioidosis in Hong Kong.

Melioidosis, although endemic in many parts of Southeast Asia, has not been systematically studied in Hong Kong, which is a predominantly urban area located in the subtropics. This review describes the early outbreaks of melioidosis in captive animals in Hong Kong in the 1970s, as well as the early reports of human clinical cases in the 1980s. A review of all hospitalized human cases of culture-confirmed melioidosis in the last twenty years showed an increasing trend in the incidence of the disease, with significant mortality observed. The lack of awareness of this disease among local physicians, the delay in laboratory diagnosis and the lack of epidemiological surveillance are among the greatest challenges of managing melioidosis in the territory.

High Prevalence and Frequent Acquisition of Clostridium difficile Ribotype 002 Among Nursing Home Residents in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVETo determine the incidence and risk factors associated with Clostridium difficile colonization among residents of nursing homes and to identify the ribotypes of circulating C. difficile strains.DESIGNA prospective cohort study with a follow-up duration of 22 months.SETTINGNursing homes.PARTICIPANTSOf the 375 residents in 8 nursing homes, 300 residents (80.0%) participated in the study. A further prospective study of 4 nursing homes involving 141 residents with a minimum of 90 days of follow-up was also performed.METHODSBaseline and 90-day stool cultures were obtained; additional stool cultures were obtained for residents who had been discharged from hospitals. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping and slpA typing were performed for all C. difficile strains isolated.RESULTSToxigenic C. difficile was isolated in 30 residents (10%) at baseline, and 9 residents (7.3%) had acquired toxigenic C. difficile in the nursing homes. The presence of nasogastric tube was an independent risk factor (adjusted odds ratio, 8.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-62.53; P=.034) for C. difficile colonization. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of median carriage duration was 13 weeks. The C. difficile ribotypes most commonly identified were 002 (40.8%), 014 (16.9%), 029 (9.9%), and 053 (8.5%).CONCLUSIONSThe high incidence of C. difficile colonization and the overrepresentation of C. difficile ribotype 002 confirmed the contribution of nursing home residents to C. difficile transmission across the continuum of care. An infection control program is needed in long-term care.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;782-787.

Disease Burden, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection in Hong Kong.

We aimed to describe disease burden, characteristics, and outcomes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infection (BSI) in Hong Kong. A retrospective, observational study was conducted in 26 Hong Kong public hospitals between January 2010 and December 2012. The primary outcome measures were 30-day mortality rate and infection-related hospital cost. Of 1133 patients reviewed, 727 (64.17%) were male, 1075 (94.88%) had health care-associated community-onset and 44 (3.88%) had hospital-onset MRSA infection. The mean age of patients was 76 (SD = 15) years, including 172 (15.18%) aged 20 to 59 years and 961 (84.8%) aged ≥60 years. The annual incidence rates in age groups of 20 to 59 years and ≥60 years were 0.96 to 1.148 per 100 000 and 22.7 to 24.8 per 100 000, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 367 (32.39%). Older patients (>79 years), chronic lung disease, and prior hospitalization were associated with increased mortality. The mean cost was US$10 565 (SD = 11 649; US$1 = HK$7.8). MRSA BSI was a significant burden in Hong Kong.

Anti-inflammatory effects of adjunctive macrolide treatment in adults hospitalized with influenza: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: - Macrolides can ameliorate inflammation in respiratory diseases, providing clinical benefits. Data in influenza is lacking. METHOD: - A randomized, open-label, multicenter trial among adults hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed influenza was conducted. Study treatments of oseltamivir and azithromycin (500 mg/day), or oseltamivir alone, both for 5 days, were allocated at 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was plasma cytokine/chemokine concentration change over time (Day 0-10); secondary outcomes were viral load and symptom score changes. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used to analyze longitudinal data. RESULTS: - Fifty patients were randomized to the oseltamivir-azithromycin or oseltamivir groups, with comparable baseline characteristics (age, 57 ± 18 years; A/H3N2, 70%), complications (72%), and viral load. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (GEE: ß -0.037, 95%CI-0.067,-0.007, P = 0.016; reduction from baseline -83.4% vs -59.5%), CXCL8/IL-8 (ß -0.018, 95%CI-0.037,0.000, P = 0.056; -80.5% vs -58.0%), IL-17 (ß -0.064, 95%CI-0.117,-0.012, P = 0.015; -74.0% vs -34.3%), CXCL9/MIG (ß -0.010, 95%CI-0.020,0.000, P = 0.043; -71.3% vs -56.0%), sTNFR-1, IL-18, and CRP declined faster in the oseltamivir-azithromycin group. There was a trend toward faster symptom resolution (ß -0.463, 95%CI-1.297,0.371). Viral RNA decline (P = 0.777) and culture-negativity rates were unaffected. Additional ex vivo studies confirmed reduced induction of IL-6 (P = 0.017) and CXCL8/IL-8 (P = 0.005) with azithromycin. CONCLUSION: - We found significant anti-inflammatory effects with adjunctive macrolide treatment in adults with severe influenza infections. Virus control was unimpaired. Clinical benefits of a macrolide-containing regimen deserve further study. [ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01779570].

Brief Report: Progression of Atherosclerosis in HIV-Infected Individuals-Prospective Data From an Asian Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The magnitude and risk factors of progression of atherosclerosis in Asian HIV-infected individuals were unknown. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the rate of progression of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected individuals, and (2) metabolic and inflammatory parameters that may predict atherosclerosis progression in HIV-infected individuals in an Asian cohort. SETTING: A prospective, longitudinal study was performed among adults attending an HIV Metabolic clinic in Hong Kong. METHODS: Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was measured at baseline and 24 months. Body composition, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers [including homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol particle size, high-sensitive C reactive protein, adiponectin] associated with cIMT change were analyzed; their predictive performances were estimated using receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-one HIV-infected individuals (mean ± SD age 49.8 ± 11.4 years, 89% men, 97% Chinese, diabetes 39%, hypertension 30%, and dyslipidemia 85%) were recruited. Annual rate of change of cIMT was +0.0075 (0.0000-0.0163) mm/yr, and 19% developed new plaque at 24 months. Two patients died during the study period, 1 because of sudden cardiac death. Using receiver operating characteristic analyses, combination of lower limb fat percentage, LDL cholesterol subclass pattern B, and lower adiponectin level, but not Framingham score, predicted greater cIMT progression in HIV-infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Asian HIV-infected individuals had atherosclerosis progression. Limb fat percentage, LDL cholesterol particle size, and adiponectin level may identify at-risk Asian HIV-infected individuals for early intervention.

HMGB1/RAGE Signaling and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Responses in Non-HIV Adults with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the pathogenic roles of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) / Receptor-for-Advanced-Glycation-End-products (RAGE) signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted among non-HIV adults newly-diagnosed with active PTB at two acute-care hospitals (n = 80); age-and-sex matched asymptomatic individuals (tested for latent TB) were used for comparison (n = 45). Plasma concentrations of 8 cytokines/chemokines, HMGB1, soluble-RAGE, and transmembrane-RAGE expressed on monocytes/dendritic cells, were measured. Gene expression (mRNA) of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 was quantified. Patients' PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant-HMGB1 and MTB-antigen (lipoarabinomannan) for cytokine induction ex vivo. RESULTS: In active PTB, plasma IL-8/CXCL8 [median(IQR), 6.0(3.6-15.1) vs 3.6(3.6-3.6) pg/ml, P<0.001] and IL-6 were elevated, which significantly correlated with mycobacterial load, extent of lung consolidation (rs +0.509, P<0.001), severity-score (rs +0.317, P = 0.004), and fever and hospitalization durations (rs +0.407, P<0.001). IL-18 and sTNFR1 also increased. Plasma IL-8/CXCL8 (adjusted OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.02-1.23 per unit increase, P = 0.021) and HMGB1 (adjusted OR 1.42 per unit increase, 95%CI 1.08-1.87, P = 0.012) concentrations were independent predictors for respiratory failure, as well as for ICU admission/death. Gene expression of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 were upregulated (1.2-2.8 fold). Transmembrane-RAGE was increased, whereas the decoy soluble-RAGE was significantly depleted. RAGE and HMGB1 gene expressions positively correlated with cytokine levels (IL-8/CXCL8, IL-6, sTNFR1) and clinico-/radiographical severity (e.g. extent of consolidation rs +0.240, P = 0.034). Ex vivo, recombinant-HMGB1 potentiated cytokine release (e.g. TNF-α) when combined with lipoarabinomannan. CONCLUSION: In patients with active PTB, HMGB1/RAGE signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines may play important roles in pathogenesis and disease manifestations. Our clinico-immunological data can provide basis for the development of new strategies for disease monitoring, management and control.

High morbidity and mortality of Clostridium difficile infection and its associations with ribotype 002 in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to study the disease burden, risk factors and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Hong Kong. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, case-control study in three acute-care hospitals in Hong Kong. Adult inpatients who developed CDI diarrhoea confirmed by PCR (n = 139) were compared with the non-CDI controls (n = 114). Ribotyping of isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed. RESULTS: The estimated crude annual incidence of CDI was 23-33/100,000 population, and 133-207/100,000 population among those aged ≥65 years. The mean age of CDI patients was 71.5. Nursing home care, recent hospitalization, antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-7.1) and proton-pump inhibitors use (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9) were risk factors. Severe CDI occurred in 41.7%. Overall mortality was 16.5% (among severe CDI, 26.5%). The commonest ribotypes were 002 (22.8%), 014 (14.1%), 012 and 046; ribotype 027 was absent. Ribotype 002 was associated with fluoroquinolone resistance and higher mortality (47.6% vs. 12.7%; adjusted HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show high morbidity and mortality of CDI in the older adults, and identify ribotype 002 as a possible virulent strain causing serious infections in this cohort.

Ad Hoc Influenza Vaccination During Years of Significant Antigenic Drift in a Tropical City With 2 Seasonal Peaks: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Health Care Practitioners.

We evaluated the acceptability of an additional ad hoc influenza vaccination among the health care professionals following seasons with significant antigenic drift.Self-administered, anonymous surveys were performed by hard copy questionnaires in public hospitals, and by an on-line platform available to all healthcare professionals, from April 1st to May 31st, 2015. A total of 1290 healthcare professionals completed the questionnaires, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals working in both the public and private systems.Only 31.8% of participating respondents expressed an intention to receive the additional vaccine, despite that the majority of them agreed or strongly agreed that it would bring benefit to the community (88.9%), save lives (86.7%), reduce medical expenses (76.3%), satisfy public expectation (82.8%), and increase awareness of vaccination (86.1%). However, a significant proportion expressed concern that the vaccine could disturb the normal immunization schedule (45.5%); felt uncertain what to do in the next vaccination round (66.0%); perceived that the summer peak might not occur (48.2%); and believed that the summer peak might not be of the same virus (83.5%). Furthermore, 27.8% of all respondents expected that the additional vaccination could weaken the efficacy of previous vaccinations; 51.3% was concerned about side effects; and 61.3% estimated that there would be a low uptake rate. If the supply of vaccine was limited, higher priority groups were considered to include the elderly aged ≥65 years with chronic medical conditions (89.2%), the elderly living in residential care homes (87.4%), and long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled (80.7%). The strongest factors associated with accepting the additional vaccine included immunization with influenza vaccines in the past 3 years, higher perceived risk of contracting influenza, and higher perceived severity of the disease impact.The acceptability to an additional ad hoc influenza vaccination was low among healthcare professionals. This could have a negative impact on such additional vaccination campaigns since healthcare professionals are a key driver for vaccine acceptance. The discordance in perceived risk and acceptance of vaccination regarding self versus public deserves further evaluation.

Comparison of the characteristics of elderly influenza patients in two consecutive seasons.

The seasonality of influenza infections can be affected by virus subtypes, climate, and social networking in populations. While these factors are well known, their relative influences in specific age groups have not been fully investigated. During 2010-2011, patients aged 65 years and above with influenza virus infections were recruited from a regional hospital in Hong Kong. They were either residents of homes for the elderly (n=60) or living with their family (n=75). Two seasons were distinguished, the summer season of 2010 dominated by H3N2 and the winter season of 2011 dominated by H1N1. The patients' clinical presentations and patterns of inter-personal connectivity were assessed. Overall, more elderly people living with their family were diagnosed with H1N1 compared to those in the homes for the elderly, and the former had visited a more diverse range of places 1 week prior to diagnosis. A higher proportion of patients living with family presented with lower respiratory tract symptoms, but these patients were less likely to have pre-existing chronic diseases. The results suggest that elderly patients infected during an influenza season could vary by virus subtype, which in turn is dependent on exposure locations and the pattern of social connectivity.

Prevalence, prediction, and clonality of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage at admission to medical units in Hong Kong, China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization at the time of admission to acute medical units and to develop a cost-effective screening strategy. METHODS: Nasal and groin screening cultures were performed for patients at admission to 15 acute medical units in all 7 catchment regions in Hong Kong. All MRSA isolates were subjected to spa typing. RESULTS: The overall carriage rate of MRSA was 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.5-15.1). MRSA history within the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.60 [95% CI, 3.28-6.44]), old age home residence (adjusted OR, 3.32 [95% CI, 2.78-3.98]), and bed-bound state (adjusted OR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.75-2.74]) were risk factors selected as MRSA screening criteria that provided reasonable sensitivity (67.4%) and specificity (81.8%), with an affordable burden (25.2%). spa typing showed that 89.5% (848/948) of the isolates were clustered into the 4 spa clonal complexes (CCs): spa CC1081, spa CC032, spa CC002, and spa CC4677. Patients colonized with MRSA spa types t1081 (OR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.49-2.09]) and t4677 (OR, 3.09 [95% CI, 1.54-6.02]) were more likely to be old age home residents. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA carriage at admission to acute medical units was prevalent in Hong Kong. Our results suggest that targeted screening is a pragmatic approach to increase the detection of the MRSA reservoir. Molecular typing suggests that old age homes are epicenters in amplifying the MRSA burden in acute hospitals. Enhancement of infection control measures in old age homes is important for the control of MRSA in hospitals.

Comparisons of oseltamivir-resistant (H275Y) and concurrent oseltamivir-susceptible seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus infections in hospitalized adults, 2008-2009.

In an observational cohort study, we found that adults hospitalized for oseltamivir-resistant (H275Y) seasonal H1N1 influenza (n = 46) were older than those infected with oseltamivir-susceptible strains (n = 31) [74(IQR 59-83) versus 64(IQR 48-76) years; P = 0·045], and most had major comorbidities (78% versus 65%). Disease severity and clinical outcomes were comparable between the two groups: radiographic pneumonia 40-42%, supplemental oxygen use 47-48%, critical illness 11-13%, median duration of hospitalization 5-6 days, death rate 6-9%. Failure to receive effective antiviral therapy was associated with progression to critical illness (23% versus 0%, P = 0·016) and death (20% versus 0%, P = 0·033) in hospitalized patients with seasonal H1N1 influenza.

Cytokine response patterns in severe pandemic 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza among hospitalized adults.

BACKGROUND: Studying cytokine/chemokine responses in severe influenza infections caused by different virus subtypes may improve understanding on pathogenesis. METHODS: Adults hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed seasonal and pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza were studied. Plasma concentrations of 13 cytokines/chemokines were measured at presentation and then serially, using cytometric-bead-array with flow-cytometry and ELISA. PBMCs from influenza patients were studied for cytokine/chemokine expression using ex-vivo culture (Whole Blood Assay,±PHA/LPS stimulation). Clinical variables were prospectively recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: 63 pH1N1 and 53 seasonal influenza patients were studied. pH1N1 patients were younger (mean±S.D. 42.8±19.2 vs 70.5±16.7 years), and fewer had comorbidities. Respiratory/cardiovascular complications were common in both groups (71.4% vs 81.1%), although severe pneumonia with hypoxemia (54.0% vs 28.3%) and ICU admissions (25.4% vs 1.9%) were more frequent with pH1N1. Hyperactivation of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1 and sTNFR-1 was found in pH1N1 pneumonia (2-15 times normal) and in complicated seasonal influenza, but not in milder pH1N1 infections. The adaptive-immunity (Th1/Th17)-related CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9/MIG and IL-17A however, were markedly suppressed in severe pH1N1 pneumonia (2-27 times lower than seasonal influenza; P-values<0.01). This pattern was further confirmed with serial measurements. Hypercytokinemia tended to be sustained in pH1N1 pneumonia, associated with a slower viral clearance [PCR-negativity: day 3-4, 55% vs 85%; day 6-7, 67% vs 100%]. Elevated proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, predicted ICU admission (adjusted OR 12.6, 95%CI 2.6-61.5, per log(10)unit increase; P = 0.002), and correlated with fever, tachypnoea, deoxygenation, and length-of-stay (Spearman's rho, P-values<0.01) in influenza infections. PBMCs in seasonal influenza patients were activated and expressed cytokines ex vivo (e.g. IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9/MIG); their 'responsiveness' to stimuli was shown to change dynamically during the illness course. CONCLUSIONS: A hyperactivated proinflammatory, but suppressed adaptive-immunity (Th1/Th17)-related cytokine response pattern was found in severe pH1N1 pneumonia, different from seasonal influenza. Cytokine/immune-dysregulation may be important in its pathogenesis.

Complications and outcomes of pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in hospitalized adults: how do they differ from those in seasonal influenza?

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether pandemic 2009 influenza A (pH1N1) infection caused more significant disease among hospitalized adults than seasonal influenza. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted in adults hospitalized with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed pH1N1 infection in 2 acute-care general hospitals from June 2009 to May 2010 (n = 382). Complications and outcomes were described and compared with those in a seasonal influenza cohort (2007-2008, same hospitals; n = 754). RESULTS: Hospitalized patients with pH1N1 influenza were younger than those with seasonal influenza (mean age ± standard deviation, 47 ± 20 vs 70 ± 19 years) and fewer had comorbid conditions (48% vs 64%). The rate of positive immunofluorescence assay results was low (54% vs 84%), and antiviral use was frequent (96% vs 52%). Most patients in both cohorts developed complicated illnesses (67.8% vs 77.1%), but patients with pH1N1 influenza had higher rates of extrapulmonary complications (23% vs 16%; P = .004) and intensive care unit admission and/or death (patient age <35 years, 2.3% vs 0%; 35-65 years, 12.4% vs 3.2%; >65 years, 13.5% vs 8.5%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-3.62; P = .005). Patients who received antiviral treatment within 96 h after onset had better survival (log-rank test, P < .001). However, without timely treatment, the mortality risk was higher with pH1N1 infection (9.0% vs 5.8% for seasonal influenza; adjusted OR, 6.85; 95% CI, 1.64-28.65; P = .008]. Bacterial superinfection worsened outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Adults hospitalized for pH1N1 influenza had significant complications and mortality despite being younger than patients with seasonal influenza. Antiviral treatment within 96 h may improve survival.

Viral clearance and inflammatory response patterns in adults hospitalized for pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the virological and inflammatory responses of severe pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus pneumonia during antiviral treatment. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, we recruited consecutive adults hospitalized with confirmed pandemic 2009 H1N1 infection during a 16-week period. Nasopharyngeal aspirate and non-respiratory samples (blood, stool and urine) were collected at presentation, and serial nasopharyngeal flocked swabs (NPFS) and tracheal aspirates (TA) were collected after initiating oseltamivir treatment for quantitative viral RNA assay, using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Serial plasma samples were collected for cytokine/chemokine assay using cytometric bead array. Patients with severe pneumonia (lung infiltrates and hypoxaemia) were compared to those with milder illnesses. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were studied (mean age 43 ±20 years); 28 (42%) developed severe pneumonia, of whom 10 (15%) required intubation. Severe pneumonia was associated with older age, dyspnoea, delayed presentation >2 days from onset, extrapulmonary virus detection (13-28%) and higher viral concentration despite late-presentation (multiple linear regression, ß=0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.15-1.74; P=0.02). Patients with severe pneumonia exhibited slow viral clearance with oseltamivir treatment, particularly in the lower respiratory tract (median [interquartile range] durations of RNA positivity after antiviral initiation were NPFS 6.0 days [3.0-8.0], TA 11.0 days [7.8-14.3] versus milder illness group NPFS of 2.0 days [1.0-3.0] days; P<0.01). High viral load in lower respiratory tract despite upper-tract RNA negativity and viral rebound after stopping treatment were noted in some patients. H275Y mutation was absent. High plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, CXCL-8 (IL-8), CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 were observed, which correlated with the extent and progression of pneumonia in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In severe 2009 H1N1 pneumonia, viral clearance is slow with treatment, particularly in the lower respiratory tract. A more sustained antiviral regime appears warranted.

Surveillance of febrile patients in a district and evaluation of their spatiotemporal associations: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Fever is an undifferentiated clinical feature that may enhance the sensitivity of syndromic surveillance systems. By studying the spatiotemporal associations of febrile patients, it may allow early detection of case clustering that indicates imminent threat of infectious disease outbreaks in the community. METHODS: We captured consecutive emergency department visits that led to hospitalization in a district hospital in Hong Kong during the period of 12 Sep 2005 to 14 Oct 2005. We recorded demographic data, provisional diagnoses, temperature on presentation and residential location for each patient-episode, and geocoded the residential addresses. We applied Geographical Information System technology to study the geographical distribution these cases, and their associations within a 50-m buffer zone spatially. A case cluster was defined by three or more spatially associated febrile patients within each three consecutive days. RESULTS: One thousand and sixty six patient-episodes were eligible for analysis; 42% of them had fever (>37 degrees C; oral temperature) on presentation. Two hundred and four patient-episodes (19.1%) came from residential care homes for elderly (RCHE). We detected a total of 40 case clusters during the study period. Clustered cases were of older age; 57 (33.3%) were residents of RCHE. We found a median of 3 patients (range: 3 - 8) and time span of 3 days (range: 2 - 8 days) in each cluster. Twenty five clusters had 2 or more patients living in the same building block; 18 of them were from RCHE. CONCLUSIONS: It is technically feasible to perform surveillance on febrile patients and studying their spatiotemporal associations. The information is potentially useful for early detection of impending infectious disease threats.

Viral loads and duration of viral shedding in adult patients hospitalized with influenza.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to characterize viral loads and factors affecting viral clearance in persons with severe influenza. METHODS: This was a 1-year prospective, observational study involving consecutive adults hospitalized with influenza. Nasal and throat swabs were collected at presentation, then daily until 1 week after symptom onset. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to determine viral RNA concentration and virus isolation were performed. Viral RNA concentration was analyzed using multiple linear or logistic regressions or mixed-effect models. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven inpatients with influenza A (H3N2) infection were studied (mean age+/-standard deviation, 72+/-16 years). Viral RNA concentration at presentation positively correlated with symptom scores and was significantly higher than that among time-matched outpatients (control subjects). Patients with major comorbidities had high viral RNA concentration even when presenting>2 days after symptom onset (mean+/-standard deviation, 5.06+/-1.85 vs 3.62+/-2.13 log10 copies/mL; P=.005; beta, +0.86 [95% confidence interval, +0.03 to +1.68]). Viral RNA concentration demonstrated a nonlinear decrease with time; 26% of oseltamivir-treated and 57% of untreated patients had RNA detected at 1 week after symptom onset. Oseltamivir started on or before symptom day 4 was independently associated with an accelerated decrease in viral RNA concentration (mean beta [standard error], -1.19 [0.43] and -0.68 [0.33] log10 copies/mL for patients treated on day 1 and days 2-3, respectively; P<.05) and viral RNA clearance at 1 week (odds ratio, 0.10 [95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.35] and 0.30 [0.10-0.90] for patients treated on day 1-2 and day 3-4, respectively). Conversely, major comorbidities and systemic corticosteroid use for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations were associated with slower viral clearance. Viral RNA clearance was associated with a shorter hospital stay (7.0 vs 13.5 days; P=.001). CONCLUSION: Patients hospitalized with severe influenza have more active and prolonged viral replication. Weakened host defenses slow viral clearance, whereas antivirals started within the first 4 days of illness enhance viral clearance.

Risk factors associated with life-threatening rickettsial infections.

We retrospectively analyzed 92 cases of severe rickettsial infections in patients (median age = 49 years, 57% male, 37.0% with scrub typhus) in Hong Kong. Immunofluorescence assay was used for diagnostic confirmation. Identification of > or = 1 diagnostic sign (exposure history, rash, or eschar) was possible in 94.6% of the cases. Multivariate analysis suggested that pulmonary infiltrates (odds ratio [OR] = 25.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.9-160.9, P = 0.001) and leukocytosis (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0-1.5 per unit increase, P = 0.033) were independent predictors of admission to an intensive care unit (14.1%). Delayed administration of doxycycline was independently associated with major organ dysfunction (23.9%; oxygen desaturation, renal failure, severe jaundice, encephalopathy, cardiac failure) (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.5 per day delay, P = 0.046; adjusted for age and rickettsia biogroup) and prolonged hospitalization > 10 days (25%) (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9 per day delay, P = 0.014). Treatment with fluoroquinolone/clarithromycin did not correlate with clinical outcomes (P > 0.05). Early empirical doxycycline therapy should be considered if clinico-epidemiologic signs of rickettsial infections are present.

Factors associated with early hospital discharge of adult influenza patients.

BACKGROUND: Understanding factors affecting length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients with severe influenza may improve their management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on laboratory-confirmed, adult influenza patients hospitalized in 2004 and 2005 was conducted. For all influenza cases during that period, immunofluorescence assay on nasopharyngeal aspirate was used for rapid diagnosis, and oseltamivir (75 mg twice daily for 5 days) prescribed if the patient presented within 2 days of symptom onset. Independent factors associated with time to discharge were identified using Cox proportional hazards models. An adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) >1 signifies a higher chance of early discharge. Viral shedding and influenza vaccination history were studied during one 'flu' season. RESULTS: A total of 356 patients (influenza A 93.5%) were studied. The majority of patients were old (70.2 +/- 8.4 years), had > or = 1 comorbid illness (69.1%) and developed respiratory or cardiovascular complications (69.4%). Oseltamivir initiated within 2 days of illness was associated with shorter total LOS (Kaplan-Meier estimated median 4 versus 6 days [-33%]; aHR for discharge 1.54, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 1.23-1.92, P < 0.0001). Older age (> or = 70 years), comorbidities and complications were associated with prolonged LOS. Prolonged viral RNA detection >day 4 of illness (23 out of 99 consecutive patients) was also independently associated with longer LOS (aHR 0.36 [95% CI 0.19-0.71], P = 0.003), whereas influenza vaccination within 6 months was associated with shorter LOS (aHR 2.14 [95% CI 1.18-3.85], P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Our analyses suggest that timely oseltamivir treatment is independently associated with shorter LOS in patients hospitalized for severe influenza. Efforts to ensure early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are warranted.