Host test based on tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, interferon gamma-induced protein-10 and C-reactive protein for differentiating bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections in adults: diagnostic accuracy study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of a test (called BV), integrating the blood levels of three immune proteins into a score, to differentiate bacterial from viral infection among adults with suspected lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). METHODS: Prospective diagnostic accuracy study, enrolling febrile adults >18 years with LRTI signs or symptoms for less than 7 days presenting to several hospitals' emergency departments in Israel. The main exclusion criterion was immunodeficiency. Reference standard diagnosis (bacterial/viral/indeterminate) was based on three experts independently reviewing comprehensive patient data including follow-up data. BV generated three results: viral infection or other nonbacterial condition (0 ≤ score < 35), equivocal (35 ≤ score ≤ 65) and bacterial infection including co-infection (65 < score ≤ 100). BV performance was assessed against the reference standard with indeterminate reference standard and equivocal BV cases removed. RESULTS: Of 490 enrolled patients, 415 met eligibility criteria (median age 56 years, interquartile range 35). The reference standard classified 104 patients as bacterial, 210 as viral and 101 as indeterminate. BV was equivocal in 9.6% (30/314). Excluding indeterminate reference standard diagnoses and equivocal BV results, BV's sensitivity for bacterial infection was 98.1% (101/103; 95% confidence interval 95.4-100), specificity 88.4% (160/181; 83.7-93.1) and negative predictive value 98.8% (160/162; 97.1-100). DISCUSSION: BV exhibited high diagnostic performance for febrile adults with suspected LRTI among patients with reference standard diagnoses of bacterial or viral LRTI.

Use of Medical Cannabis by Patients With Cancer: Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice.

CONTEXT: Demand for medical cannabis (MC) is growing among Israeli patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES: The study sought to assess factors contributing to the demand for MC among patients with cancer. METHODS: Patients applying for a permit to receive MC at a pain and palliative clinic of a university-affiliated cancer center in Israel in 2020-2021 were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing attitudes, knowledge, and expectations regarding MC use. Findings were compared between first-time and repeat applicants. Repeat applicants were asked to report their indications for requesting MC, patterns of use, and treatment effect. RESULTS: The cohort included 146 patients: 63 first-time applicants and 83 repeat applicants. First-time applicants were more likely to consult sources other than their oncologist for MC-related information (P < 0.01) and expressed more concern about addiction (P < 0.001) and side effects (P < 0.05). They often erroneously assumed the treatment was subsidized (P < 0.001). Repeat applicants were younger (P < 0.05) and included more smokers (P < 0.05) and recreational cannabis users (P < 0.05); 56.6% were cancer survivors and 78% used high-potency MC. Most patients believed to some degree that MC is more effective than conventional medications for symptom control, and over half thought that MC helps to cure cancer. CONCLUSION: Misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of MC for symptom management and treatment may explain the motivation of patients with cancer to apply for a permit. There seems to be an association of young age, cigarette smoking, and recreational cannabis use with ongoing use of MC among cancer survivors.

Epidemiology, microbiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of candidemia in internal medicine wards-a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics of internal medicine ward (IMW) patients with candidemia are unclear. The aim of this study was to define the clinical characteristics of candidemic IMW patients and to study the incidence, species distribution, and outcomes of these patients compared to surgical and intensive care unit (ICU) candidemic patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of candidemic patients in IMWs, general surgery wards, and an ICU at Beilinson Hospital during the period 2007-2014 was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with candidemia were identified in six IMWs, two general surgery wards, and one ICU in the hospital. Candida albicans was the leading causative agent (41.1%). Higher proportions of Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis isolates were observed in the IMW patients. IMW patients were significantly older, with poorer functional capacity, and had more frequently been exposed to antibiotic therapy within 90 days, in particular ß-lactam-ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations and cephalosporins. At onset of candidemia, a significantly lower number of IMW patients were mechanically ventilated (p<0.01); these patients did not have central line catheters comparable to ICU and surgical patients (p<0.001). They were less likely to receive adequate antifungal therapy within 48h, and this was the only significant predictor of survival in these patients (p=0.028): hazard ratio 3.7 (95% confidence interval 1.14-12.5) for therapy delayed to >48h. CONCLUSIONS: IMW candidemic patients account for a substantial proportion of candidemia cases and have unique characteristics and high mortality rates.