Development of an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) to Aid Diagnosis of Histoplasmosis.

Establishing diagnosis of latent and active histoplasmosis is challenging. Interferon gamma-release assays (IGRAs) may provide evidence of latent and active infection. An enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay was developed using yeast cell lysate (YCL) antigen prepared from a representative North American Histoplasma capsulatum strain. Assay parameters were optimized by measuring responses in healthy volunteers with and without Histoplasma infection. Assay performance as an aid for diagnosing histoplasmosis was assessed in a prospective cohort of 88 people with suspected or confirmed infection, and 44 healthy controls enrolled in two centers in North America (2013 to 2018). Antigen specificity of IFN-γ release was demonstrated using ELISpot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antigen-evoked, single-cell mRNA expression by memory T cells was shown using flow cytometry. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was estimated at 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78.5% to 99.9%). At optimal cutoff, sensitivity was 77.2% (95% CI: 54.6% to 92.2%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI: 89.7% to 100%). Sixteen of 44 healthy volunteers (36.4%) from a region of hyperendemicity had positive responses, suggesting detection of previously unrecognized (latent) infection. The ELISpot assay is sensitive and specific as an aid to diagnose H. capsulatum infection and disease, supporting proof of concept and further development.

Outcomes of SOT Recipients With COVID-19 in Different Eras of COVID-19 Therapeutics.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have focused on newer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapies (remdesivir, dexamethasone, and convalescent plasma) in solid organ transplant recipients; concerns had been raised regarding possible adverse impact on allograft function or secondary infections. METHODS: We studied 77 solid organ transplant inpatients with COVID-19 during 2 therapeutic eras (Era 1: March-May 2020, 21 patients; and Era 2: June-November 2020, 56 patients) and 52 solid organ transplant outpatients. RESULTS: In Era 1, no patients received remdesivir or dexamethasone, and 4 of 21 (19.4%) received convalescent plasma, whereas in Era 2, remdesivir (24/56, 42.9%), dexamethasone (24/56, 42.9%), and convalescent plasma (40/56, 71.4%) were commonly used. Mortality was low across both eras, 4 of 77 (5.6%), and rejection occurred in only 2 of 77 (2.8%) inpatients; infections were similar in hypoxemic patients with or without dexamethasone. Preexisting graft dysfunction was associated with greater need for hospitalization, higher severity score, and lower survival. Acute kidney injury was present in 37.3% of inpatients; renal function improved more rapidly in patients who received remdesivir and convalescent plasma. Post-COVID-19 renal and liver function were comparable between eras, out to 90 d. CONCLUSIONS: Newer COVID-19 therapies did not appear to have a deleterious effect on allograft function, and infectious complications were comparable.

Safety and efficacy of intravenously administered cidofovir in adult haematopoietic cell transplant recipients: a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cidofovir for the treatment of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viral infections following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre cohort study including adult HCT recipients who received ≥1 dose of IV-administered cidofovir for any dsDNA viral infection from 2006 to 2019. The objectives were to describe the rate of and risk factors for nephrotoxicity and virological response by the end of treatment (EOT). RESULTS: We included 165 patients from nine centres. Cidofovir was administered at 5 mg/kg/week (N = 115; 69.7%), 1 mg/kg/week (18; 10.9%), 3 mg/kg/week (12; 7.3%) or 1 mg/kg three times/week (11; 6.7%). Cidofovir was administered for adenovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus infection in 75 (45.5%), 64 (38.8%) and 51 (30.9%) patients, respectively. Among 158 patients with renal function data at baseline and EOT, 40 (25.3%) developed nephrotoxicity. In multivariable analyses, age (OR 1.04; P = 0.05), weight (OR 1.05; P = 0.01), CMV infection (OR 3.6; P = 0.02), liposomal amphotericin B (OR 8.06; P = 0.05) and IV voriconazole/posaconazole (OR 13.0; P = 0.003) were predictors of nephrotoxicity. Creatinine concentration was significantly higher at EOT (1.16 ±â€Š0.95 mg/dL) compared with baseline (0.91 ±â€Š0.39 mg/dL; P < 0.001), but improved by 2 weeks (0.91 ±â€Š0.84 mg/dL; P = 0.007) and 4 weeks (0.96 ±â€Š0.89 mg/dL; P = 0.03) post-EOT. Median viral load significantly declined for patients with adenovirus DNAaemia by EOT (P < 0.0001) and for patients with CMV DNAaemia by EOT + 4 weeks (P = 0.003), but not for patients with BK virus DNAaemia. CONCLUSIONS: One in four HCT recipients treated with IV cidofovir developed largely reversible nephrotoxicity. Careful selection of patients and close follow-up of renal function may minimize toxicity.

Efficacy of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors to treat extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales bacteremia secondary to urinary tract infection in kidney transplant recipients (INCREMENT-SOT Project).

BACKGROUND: Whether active therapy with ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors (BLBLI) is as affective as carbapenems for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) bloodstream infection (BSI) secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 306 KTR admitted to 30 centers from January 2014 to October 2016. Therapeutic failure (lack of cure or clinical improvement and/or death from any cause) at days 7 and 30 from ESBL-E BSI onset was the primary and secondary study outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Therapeutic failure at days 7 and 30 occurred in 8.2% (25/306) and 13.4% (41/306) of patients. Hospital-acquired BSI (adjusted OR [aOR]: 4.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50-11.20) and Pitt score (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.21-1.77) were independently associated with therapeutic failure at day 7. Age-adjusted Charlson Index (aOR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.05-1.48), Pitt score (aOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.35-2.17), and lymphocyte count ≤500 cells/µL at presentation (aOR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.42-7.06) predicted therapeutic failure at day 30. Carbapenem monotherapy (68.6%, primarily meropenem) was the most frequent active therapy, followed by BLBLI monotherapy (10.8%, mostly piperacillin-tazobactam). Propensity score (PS)-adjusted models revealed no significant impact of the choice of active therapy (carbapenem-containing vs any other regimen, BLBLI- vs carbapenem-based monotherapy) within the first 72 hours on any of the study outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that active therapy based on BLBLI may be as effective as carbapenem-containing regimens for ESBL-E BSI secondary to UTI in the specific population of KTR. Potential residual confounding and unpowered sample size cannot be excluded (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02852902).

Outcomes of transplant recipients treated with cidofovir for resistant or refractory cytomegalovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of ganciclovir-resistant (GCV-R)/refractory cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in blood/marrow transplant (BMT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients remains suboptimal. Cidofovir (CDV), a nucleotide analogue with anti-CMV activity, is nephrotoxic and oculotoxic. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of SOT and BMT patients with GCV-R/refractory CMV treated with CDV between 1/1/2008 and 12/31/2017. DATA COLLECTED: baseline demographics, CMV serostatus, clinical and virologic presentations and outcomes, UL97 and UL54 genotype mutations, drug toxicities, and cause of death. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: 16 patients received CDV for treatment of CMV: six BMT and 10 SOT. Seven (47%) of the patients had high-risk donor/recipient serostatus: six (60%) SOT were D+/R-; one (16.7%) BMT was D-/R+. Median time to CMV DNAemia was 131 days post-transplant (IQR, 37.5-230.3). Proven tissue invasive disease was present in three patients (18.8%). Twelve (75%) had genotype testing; 10 (83.3%) of those had antiviral resistance mutations. While on CDV, six (37.5%) developed nephrotoxicity, and four (25%) developed uveitis (two had both uveitis and nephrotoxicity). Eight (50%) had failure to clear CMV DNAemia despite CDV treatment. Eight (50%) of the patients died; median time to death, after initiation of CDV, was 33.5 days [IQR22-988]. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of good therapeutic alternatives, CDV is used in GCV-R/refractory CMV infection. However, it is associated with a substantial risk of toxicity and failure to clear CMV DNAemia, highlighting the need for development of newer and less toxic therapies. The high mortality in this group of patients underscores the severity of illness in this population.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide for patients with HIV and haematological malignancies: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT) is a potentially life-saving treatment for individuals with HIV and haematological malignancies; challenges include identifying donors and maintaining antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objectives of our study were to investigate interventions to expand donor options and to prevent ART interruptions for patients with HIV in need of alloBMT. METHODS: This single-arm, interventional trial took place at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (Baltimore, MD, USA). Individuals with HIV who were at least 18 years of age and referred for alloBMT for a standard clinical indication were eligible. The only exclusion criterion was a history of documented resistance to enfuvirtide. We used post-transplant cyclophosphamide as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis to expand donor options and an optimised ART strategy of avoiding pharmacoenhancers and adding subcutaneous enfuvirtide during post-transplant cyclophosphamide and during oral medication intolerance. Our primary outcome was the proportion of participants who maintained ART through day 60 after alloBMT. We measured the HIV latent reservoir using a quantitative viral outgrowth assay. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01836068. FINDINGS: Between June 1, 2013, and August 27, 2015, nine patients who were referred for transplant provided consent. Two patients had relapsed malignancy before donor searches were initiated. Seven patients had suitable donors identified (two matched sibling, two matched unrelated, two haploidentical, and one single-antigen mismatched unrelated) and proceeded to alloBMT. All patients maintained ART through day 60 and required ART changes (median 1, range 1-3) in the first 90 days. One patient stopped ART and developed HIV rebound with grade 4 meningoencephalitis at day 146. Among six patients who underwent alloBMT and had longitudinal measurements available, the HIV latent reservoir was not detected post-alloBMT in four patients with more than 95% donor chimerism, consistent with a 2·06-2·54 log10 reduction in the HIV latent reservoir. In the two patients with less than 95% donor chimerism, the HIV latent reservoir remained stable. INTERPRETATION: By using post-transplant cyclophosphamide as GVHD prophylaxis, we successfully expanded alloBMT donor options for patients with HIV. Continuing ART with a regimen that includes enfuvirtide post-alloBMT was safe, but life-threatening viral rebound can occur with ART interruption. FUNDING: amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research), Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research, and National Cancer Institute.

Immune-related (IR)-pneumonitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: multidisciplinary recommendations for diagnosis and management.

Immune-related (IR)-pneumonitis is a rare and potentially fatal toxicity of anti-PD(L)1 immunotherapy. Expert guidelines for the diagnosis and management of IR-pneumonitis include multidisciplinary input from medical oncology, pulmonary medicine, infectious disease, and radiology specialists. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a recently recognized respiratory virus that is responsible for causing the COVID-19 global pandemic. Symptoms and imaging findings from IR-pneumonitis and COVID-19 pneumonia can be similar, and early COVID-19 viral testing may yield false negative results, complicating the diagnosis and management of both entities. Herein, we present a set of multidisciplinary consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of IR-pneumonitis in the setting of COVID-19 including: (1) isolation procedures, (2) recommended imaging and interpretation, (3) adaptations to invasive testing, (4) adaptations to the management of IR-pneumonitis, (5) immunosuppression for steroid-refractory IR-pneumonitis, and (6) management of suspected concurrent IR-pneumonitis and COVID-19 infection. There is an emerging need for the adaptation of expert guidelines for IR-pneumonitis in the setting of the global COVID-19 pandemic. We propose a multidisciplinary consensus on this topic, in this position paper.

Predictors of mortality in solid organ transplant recipients with bloodstream infections due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales: The impact of cytomegalovirus disease and lymphopenia.

Treatment of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales bloodstream infections in solid organ transplant recipients is challenging. The objective of this study was to develop a specific score to predict mortality in solid organ transplant recipients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales bloodstream infections. A multinational, retrospective (2004-2016) cohort study (INCREMENT-SOT, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02852902) was performed. The main outcome variable was 30-day all-cause mortality. The INCREMENT-SOT-CPE score was developed using logistic regression. The global cohort included 216 patients. The final logistic regression model included the following variables: INCREMENT-CPE mortality score ≥8 (8 points), no source control (3 points), inappropriate empirical therapy (2 points), cytomegalovirus disease (7 points), lymphopenia (4 points), and the interaction between INCREMENT-CPE score ≥8 and CMV disease (minus 7 points). This score showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.88) and classified patients into 3 strata: 0-7 (low mortality), 8-11 (high mortality), and 12-17 (very-high mortality). We performed a stratified analysis of the effect of monotherapy vs combination therapy among 165 patients who received appropriate therapy. Monotherapy was associated with higher mortality only in the very-high (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.82, 95% CI 1.13-7.06, P = .03) and high (HR 9.93, 95% CI 2.08-47.40, P = .004) mortality risk strata. A score-based algorithm is provided for therapy guidance.