The risk factors for developing of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in nontuberculous mycobacteria patients and clinical characteristics and outcomes in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis patients coinfected with nontuberculous mycobacteria

Patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) have a poor prognosis and CPA occurs in patients with various underlying diseases. Recently, the number of patients with CPA complicated by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has increased. Additionally, complications of both diseases have several problems like drug interactions. Since the impact of NTM on the outcome of CPA is not well understood, we investigated the risk factors for developing CPA and the clinical characteristics of CPA patients with or without NTM. We retrospectively investigated the medical records of NTM and CPA patients who were admitted to Nagasaki University Hospital between April 2008 and September 2013. Comorbid diseases, causative microorganisms, radiological findings, and outcomes were evaluated. During the study period, 82 and 41 patients were diagnosed as having NTM and CPA, respectively. Nine patients were coinfected with NTM and CPA, and cavitary type NTM and steroid usage were independent risk factors of development of CPA. Mortality rates in the coinfection group were significantly higher than those of the NTM without CPA group (P = .003, log-rank test). The rate of treatment initiation in the co-infection group (33.3%) was significantly lower than in the CPA without NTM group (84.4%) (P = .006). However, there were no significant differences in cumulative survival rate between both groups (P = .760, log-rank test). Cavity formation and steroid usage were the independent risk factors for NTM patients to develop CPA within long observation period, and development of CPA made outcomes poor. It is important to diagnose the development of CPA early and initiate treatment for CPA.

A retrospective comparative study of recombinant human thrombomodulin and gabexate mesilate in sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation patients

The novel biological agent recombinant human thrombomodulin (rhTM) has been used clinically in Japan to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) since 2008. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of rhTM versus heparin therapy or non-rhTM therapy. We retrospectively evaluated and compared the efficacies of rhTM and gabexate mesilate (GM) in patients diagnosed with sepsis-induced DIC. From September 2010 to October 2012, patients with sepsis-induced DIC who were treated with rhTM (n = 13) or GM (n = 10) at Nagasaki Municipal Hospital were extracted. Patients receiving other anticoagulants in combination were excluded. Clinical information, laboratory data, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, and DIC scores were obtained from the medical records. Mortality at days 7 and 30 after DIC diagnosis and changes in laboratory data and SOFA scores from days 1-7 were evaluated. The groups' clinical characteristics did not differ, except for the relatively higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the rhTM group (P = 0.0508). The survival rates of the rhTM and GM groups on days 7 and 30 were 92.3%, 69.2% and 80%, 70%, respectively, both group indicated similar mortality. However, on day 7, the platelet counts, SOFA scores, and CRP levels significantly improved in the rhTM group; the platelet counts and SOFA scores did not improve significantly in the GM group. The platelet counts of the rhTM group significantly improved compared to the GM group (P = 0.004). Recombinant human thrombomodulin might be more effective for sepsis-induced DIC than GM.

Efficacy of combination therapy with oseltamivir phosphate and azithromycin for influenza: a multicenter, open-label, randomized study

Background

Macrolides have antibiotic and immunomodulatory activities, which may have a favorable effect on the clinical outcome of patients with infections, including influenza. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combination therapy with an anti-influenza agent, oseltamivir, and a single-dose formulation of azithromycin (AZM), which has been used for influenza-related secondary pneumonia, on influenza patients. The primary endpoint was a change in the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines. Secondary endpoints were the time required for resolution of influenza-related symptoms, incidence of complications, and adverse reactions.

Methods

Patients with seasonal influenza were enrolled in this multicenter, open-label, randomized study. Patients were stratified according to the presence of a high risk factor and were randomized to receive combination therapy with oseltamivir plus an extended-release formulation of AZM (combo-group) or oseltamivir monotherapy (mono-group).

Results

We enrolled 107 patients and randomized them into the mono-group (56 patients) or the combo-group (51 patients). All patients were diagnosed with influenza A infection, and none of the patients had comorbid pneumonia. Statistically significant differences were not observed in the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines between the 2 groups. The maximum temperature in the combo-group was lower than that in the mono-group on day 3 through day 5 (p = 0.048), particularly on day 4 (p = 0.037).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first prospective, randomized, clinical trial of oseltamivir and AZM combination therapy for influenza. Although the difference in inflammatory cytokine expression level was not statistically significant, combination therapy showed an early resolution of some symptoms.

Name of registry

University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN).

Trial Registration no

UMIN000005371

Paradoxical response to disseminated non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis treatment in a patient receiving tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor: a case report

Background

Biological agents such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors are known to cause mycobacterium infections. Here, we report a disseminated non-tuberculosis case caused by TNF-α inhibitor therapy and a probable paradoxical response to antimycobacterial therapy.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old man with relapsing polychondritis was refractory to glucocorticoid therapy; adalimumab was therefore administered in combination with oral glucocorticoids. Treatment with 40 mg of adalimumab led to rapid improvement of his clinical manifestations. The administration of tacrolimus (1 mg) was started as the dosage of oral glucocorticoids was tapered. However, the patient developed an intermittent high fever and productive cough 15 months after starting adalimumab treatment. A chest computed tomography scan revealed new granular shadows and multiple nodules in both lung fields with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and Mycobacterium intracellulare was isolated from 2 sputum samples; based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis. Tacrolimus treatment was discontinued and oral clarithromycin (800 mg/day), rifampicin (450 mg/day), and ethambutol (750 mg/day) treatment was initiated. However, his condition continued to deteriorate despite 4 months of treatment; moreover, paravertebral and subcutaneous abscesses developed and increased the size of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy and a subcutaneous abscess of the right posterior thigh indicated the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and the diagnosis of disseminated non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis was confirmed. Despite 9 months of antimycobacterial therapy, the mediastinal lymphadenopathy and paravertebral and subcutaneous abscesses had enlarged and additional subcutaneous abscesses had developed, although microscopic examinations and cultures of sputum and subcutaneous abscess samples yielded negative results. We considered this a paradoxical reaction similar to other reports in tuberculosis patients who had discontinued biological agent treatments, and increased the dose of oral glucocorticoids. The patient’s symptoms gradually improved with this increased dose and his lymph nodes and abscesses began to decrease in size.

Conclusions

Clinicians should consider the possibility of a paradoxical response when the clinical manifestations of non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis worsen in spite of antimycobacterial therapy or after discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. However, additional evidence is needed to verify our findings and to determine the optimal management strategies for such cases.

The effect of intravenous peramivir, compared with oral oseltamivir, on the outcome of post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia in mice

BACKGROUND

Pneumococcal pneumonia often occurs secondary to influenza infection and accounts for a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. Peramivir is a novel, intravenous neuraminidase inhibitor that exhibits potent antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses. We investigated the efficacy of peramivir for modulating the severity of secondary pneumococcal pneumonia.

METHODS

CBA/JNCrlj mice, infected with influenza virus and superinfected with Streptococcus pneumoniae, were treated with either intravenous peramivir (single or multiple doses of 60 mg/kg/day) or oral oseltamivir at doses of 10 or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses. The survival rate, viable bacterial count and virus titre in the lungs, as well as cytokine/chemokine concentration and histopathological findings were compared between both groups.

RESULTS

The median duration of survival of coinfected mice was significantly prolonged by treatment with multiple doses of peramivir, relative to mice treated with oseltamivir at either dose. Viable bacterial counts and virus titres in the lungs were significantly reduced by intravenous peramivir treatment compared with no treatment or oral oseltamivir treatment. The production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines was also significantly suppressed by multiple dosing of peramivir compared with oseltamivir. Increased survival appeared to be mediated by decreased inflammation, manifested as lower levels of inflammatory cells and proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs and less severe histopathological findings. The lungs of mice treated with multiple doses of peramivir showed mild inflammatory changes compared to oseltamivir.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that a multiple-dose regimen of intravenous peramivir was more efficacious than a single peramivir dose or multiple doses of oseltamivir for improving outcomes in pneumococcal pneumonia following influenza virus infection in mice.

Importance of functional assessment in the management of community-acquired and healthcare-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

In Japan, the number of elderly people who have difficulties performing the activities of daily living (ADLs) is increasing. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between ADL and the clinical characteristics of pneumonia.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 219 adult patients hospitalized due to pneumonia [151 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 68 patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)]. CAP, HCAP, and all the patients were stratified into two groups using a modified version of the Katz index of five ADLs as follows: independent in all ADLs or dependent in one to three ADLs (CAP-A, HCAP-A, and All-A groups) and dependent in four or five ADLs (CAP-B, HCAP-B, and All-B groups). Disease severity, microbiological findings, and mortality were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

As the ability to perform ADLs declined, A-DROP scores (the CAP severity measurement index) increased significantly in CAP (CAP-A: 1.1±1.1, CAP-B: 2.6±1.1), HCAP (HCAP-A: 2.0±1.0, HCAP-B: 2.8±1.0), and all patients (All-A: 1.3±1.1, All-B: 2.8±1.0). Thirty-day mortality was higher in the CAP-B (23.1%) and All-B (19.2%) groups than in the CAP-A (0.7%) and All-A (1.8%) groups, respectively. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed an ADL score ≥ four to be a significant predictor of 30-day mortality in CAP patients [hazard ratio (HR), 19.057; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.930-188.130] and in all patients (HR, 8.180; 95% CI, 1.998-33.494).

CONCLUSION

A functional assessment using a modified version of the Katz index is useful for the management of CAP and HCAP patients.

Concurrent subcutaneous candidal abscesses and pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and a history of corticosteroid therapy

A 50-year-old man with a history of long-term corticosteroid treatment following adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was admitted for an examination of an abnormal thoracic shadow. Cryptococcal serum antigens were positive, and the histopathology of a lung biopsy showed encapsulated yeast resembling Cryptococcus neoformans. On admission, the serum β-D-glucan level was approximately twice the cutoff value, several nodules were observed on both legs and magnetic resonance imaging revealed subcutaneous abscesses. Candida albicans was identified from needle aspirates, and the patient was successfully treated with fluconazole and flucytosine. We herein report the first case of concurrent C. albicans skin abscesses and pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Three cases of concurrent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans

Impaired cellular-mediated immunity is a known risk factor for both tuberculosis and cryptococcosis. However, pulmonary cryptococcosis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis is rare. We herein describe three cases of concurrent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans. All patients had underlying diseases; all three had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and other underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis, malignancy, and rheumatoid arthritis requiring long-term steroid use. We also review other relevant reports.

A fatal case of acute myocardial infarction following the improvement of influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009-related acute myocarditis

A 52-year-old Indian man was hospitalized due to dyspnea and a high fever caused by influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009. Elevated cardiac enzymes, a chest X-ray showing bilateral infiltrative shadows, cardiomegaly and pleural effusion and echocardiography indicating diffuse hypokinesis of the left ventricle suggested cardiac failure due to acute myocarditis. Owing to the administration of combined modality therapy, including steroids and intravenous γ-globulin, the patient's clinical symptoms of influenza completely resolved. However, he suddenly complained of epigastric pain due to acute myocardial infarction and died. This report is an educational case, the results of which suggest that greater attention should be paid to the potential for myocardial infarction even after an influenza virus infection is found to improve.

Clinical features, risk factors and treatment of fulminant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia: a review of the Japanese literature

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children and young adults. Although MP sometimes causes self-limiting pneumonia, severe and fulminant cases with hypoxia occur, but their clinical features have rarely been reported. This study aimed to reveal the clinical manifestations, risk factors, and treatment of fulminant MP pneumonia (MPP). Using PubMed and abstracts from the proceedings of several domestic Japanese academic societies, we reviewed the Japanese and English literature for cases of fulminant or severe MPP reported in Japan. All clinical information such as sex, age, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, clinical course, laboratory and radiological findings, and treatment was collected and analyzed. In total, 52 fulminant MPP cases were reported between September, 1979 and February, 2010. The dominant population of fulminant MPP was young adults without severe underlying diseases. Cough (97.3%), fever (100.0%), and dyspnea (83.3%) with diffuse abnormal findings in radiological examinations were noted. Antibiotics without anti-mycoplasmal activity were used in 32 cases (61.5%) as initial treatment prior to the onset of hypoxia. Anti-mycoplasmal drugs were appropriately used in 41 cases (78.8%) after onset of respiratory failure with steroids (23 cases, 45.1%) and effective. The majority of patients improved within 3-5 days after steroid administration. There were only 2 fatal cases. Although this small retrospective study did not reveal the apparent risk factors of fulminant MPP, initial inappropriate use of antibiotics may be a risk factor, and early administration of appropriate anti-mycoplasmal drugs with steroids as a cellular immune suppressor is required.

In vivo efficacy of biapenem with ME1071, a novel metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) inhibitor, in a murine model mimicking ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ME1071, a maleic acid derivative, is a novel, specific inhibitor of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). In vitro, ME1071 can potentiate the activity of carbapenems against MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To confirm the clinical efficacy of ME1071 in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by MBL-producing P. aeruginosa, a mouse model that mimics VAP by placement of a plastic tube in the bronchus was used. Biapenem (100 mg/kg) or ME1071 plus biapenem (each 100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally every 12 h beginning at 12 h after inoculation. Survival was evaluated over 7 days. At 30 h post infection, mice were sacrificed and the numbers of viable bacteria in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were compared. Histopathological analysis of lung specimens was also performed. The pharmacokinetics of ME1071 was analysed after initial treatment. The ME1071 plus biapenem combination group displayed significantly longer survival compared with the control and biapenem monotherapy groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the number of viable bacteria in the lungs was significantly lower in the combination group (P<0.05). Histopathological examination of lung specimens indicated that progression of lung inflammation was prevented in the combination group. Furthermore, total cell and neutrophil counts, as well as cytokine levels, in BALF were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the combination group. The percentage time above the MIC (%T>MIC) for biapenem without ME1071 was 0% in plasma; however, this value was elevated to 10.8% with ME1071. These results suggest that ME1071 is potent and effective for treatment of VAP caused by MBL-producing P. aeruginosa.