Bacterial and Viral Infection in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implication for Antimicrobial Management and Clinical Outcome.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit frequent acute exacerbations (AE). The objectives of this study were first to evaluate the prevalence of pathogens associated to these episodes by combining conventional bacteriology and multiplex viral and bacterial PCR assays in sputum specimens, and second to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) value and clinical outcome could be influenced by the type of microbial agent(s) recovered from these samples. A cohort of 84 Tunisian patients hospitalized at the emergency room for AECOPD was investigated prospectively for the semi-quantitative detection of bacteria by conventional culture (the threshold of positivity was of 107 CFU/ml) and for the detection of viral genome and DNA of atypical bacteria by quantitative PCR using two commercial multiplex respiratory kits (Seegene and Fast-track). The two kits exhibited very similar performances although the Seegene assay was a bit more sensitive. A large number and variety of pathogens were recovered from the sputum samples of these 84 patients, including 15 conventional bacteria, one Chlamydia pneumoniae and 63 respiratory viruses, the most prevalent being rhinoviruses (n = 33) and influenza viruses (n = 13). From complete results available for 74 patients, the presence of bacteria was significantly associated with risk of recurrence at 6 and 12 months post-infection. The combination of these different markers appears useful for delineating correctly the antimicrobial treatment and for initiating a long-term surveillance in those patients with high risk of recurrent exacerbation episodes. A prospective study is required for confirming the benefits of this strategy aimed at improving the stewardship of antibiotics.

Two-day versus seven-day course of levofloxacin in acute COPD exacerbation: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Duration of antibiotic treatment in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is most commonly based on expert opinion. Typical administration periods range from 5 to 7 days. A 2-day course with levofloxacin was not previously assessed. We performed a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of 2-day versus 7-day treatment with levofloxacin in patients with AECOPD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Patients with AECOPD were randomized to receive levofloxacin for 2 days and 5 days placebo (n = 155) or levofloxacin for 7 days (n = 155). All patients received a common dose of intravenous prednisone daily for 5 days. The primary outcome measure was cure rate, and secondary outcomes included need for additional antibiotics, ICU admission rate, re-exacerbation rate, death rate, and exacerbation-free interval (EFI) within 1-year follow-up. The study protocol has been prepared in accordance with the revised Helsinki Declaration for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects and Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. The study was approved by ethics committees of all participating centers prior to implementation (Monastir and Sousse Universities). RESULTS: 310 patients were randomized to receive 2-day course of levofloxacin (n = 155) or 7-day course (n = 155). Cure rate was 79.3% (n = 123) and 74.2% (n = 115), respectively, in 2-day and 7-day groups [OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.78-2.2 (p = 0.28)]. Need for additional antibiotics rate was 3.2% and 1.9% in the 2-day group and 7-day group, respectively; (p = 0.43). ICU admission rate was not significantly different between both groups. One-year re-exacerbation rate was 34.8% (n = 54) in 2-day group versus 29% (n = 45) in 7-day group (p = 0.19); the EFI was 121 days (interquartile range, 99-149) versus 110 days (interquartile range, 89-132) in 2-day and 7-day treatment groups, respectively; (p = 0.73). One-year death rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups, 5.2% versus 7.1% in the 2-day group and 7-day group, respectively; (p = 0.26). No difference in adverse effects was detected. CONCLUSION: Levofloxacin once daily for 2 days is not inferior to 7 days with respect to cure rate, need for additional antibiotics and hospital readmission in AECOPD. Our findings would improve patient compliance and reduce the incidence of bacterial resistance and adverse effects.

AGT M235t polymorphism and heart failure in a cohort of Tunisian population: diagnostic and prognostic value.

Activity of the renin-angiotensin Aldosterone system is increased in patients with heart failure (HF). The Angiotensinogen gene and specifically M235T polymorphism has been linked to susceptibility to hypertension, coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation. Its role in heart failure is not yet sufficiently demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between rs699 (M235T) polymorphism and heart failure in terms of diagnosis and prognosis. We included all patients over 20 years old consulting in the Emergency Department for acute dyspnea. According to the results of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP level), patients were divided into two groups: HF and non-HF group. DNA study was performed for all subjects and their genotypes were identified as TT, CT or CC. Mortality was followed for one year. We included 234 patients. We found the diagnosis of HF in 73 patients out of 160 (45%). Our results showed that the frequency of the T allele was higher in HF group patients than in non-HF group (69% vs. 33%, P<0.01). Patients carrying the TT and CT genotypes had a higher proportion of HF than those carrying the CC genotype (respectively 53% and 31% vs. 15%, P<0.01). According to multivariate analysis, TT genotype presented the highest risk of HF (OR=4.9 95% CI: 2.12-9.1) and the highest risk of death (OR=6.45 95% CI: 3.6-16.4) compared to the other two genotypes. The current study suggests that M235T polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of both HF and death.