1
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Heren JE, Lund BC, Alexander B, Livorsi DJ. Procalcitonin Monitoring and Antibiotic Duration in Presumed Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Across the Veterans Health Administration. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad520. [PMID: 37942465 PMCID: PMC10629903 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Randomized controlled trials have shown that procalcitonin-guided algorithms can reduce antibiotic duration for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). The goal of this study was to compare antibiotic duration for LRTIs with and without procalcitonin testing in real-life practice. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all acute care hospital admissions for presumed LRTIs between 1/2018 and 12/2021 at 81 Veterans Affairs facilities with on-site procalcitonin testing. The exposure was procalcitonin testing; the primary outcome was antibiotic duration. We used 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching to estimate the difference in outcome between procalcitonin-tested and nontested patients. Results A total of 35 610 patients with LRTIs were included (6015 [16.9%] with procalcitonin testing; 29 595 [83.1%] without testing). In tested patients, the median number of procalcitonin levels checked (interquartile range) was 2 (1-3). The mean antibiotic duration was 10.0 days in the procalcitonin group compared with 8.3 days in nontested patients (unadjusted difference, 1.7 days; P < .0001). After propensity score matching with 3903 pairs, antibiotic duration remained greater in the procalcitonin group (9.6 days vs 9.2 days; P < .0001). In a subgroup analysis of 2241 tested patients with a procalcitonin value at the standard threshold for antibiotic discontinuation, antibiotic duration was shorter in tested vs nontested patients, with a mean difference of 0.1 days (P < .01). Conclusions In this retrospective propensity-matched cohort of patients with presumed LRTIs across a geographically diverse group of hospitals, patients who underwent procalcitonin testing did not have a meaningful reduction in antibiotic duration compared with those who were not tested. Poor implementation of procalcitonin testing may have undermined its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie E Heren
- Center for Access & Delivery Research & Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Brian C Lund
- Center for Access & Delivery Research & Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Bruce Alexander
- Center for Access & Delivery Research & Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Daniel J Livorsi
- Center for Access & Delivery Research & Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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2
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Scott J, Deresinski S. Use of biomarkers to individualize antimicrobial therapy duration: a narrative review. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:160-164. [PMID: 36096429 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing the overuse of antimicrobials is imperative for the sake of minimizing antimicrobial-associated adverse effects, optimizing resource utilization, and curtailing the rise in multidrug-resistant organisms. Biomarkers reflect the host responses to infection and may assist with minimizing unnecessary antimicrobial usage. OBJECTIVES To review the literature pertaining to the performance of biomarkers specifically used to guide the duration of antimicrobial therapy (AMT). SOURCES Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses assessing biomarker-guided approaches to AMT decision-making and their impact on the duration of therapy were reviewed. CONTENT Several randomized controlled trials and real-world observational studies have shown that a procalcitonin (PCT)-guided strategy can help clinicians individualize the duration of AMT, particularly among non-critically ill patients hospitalized with suspected respiratory tract infections when using a PCT cut-off value of <0.25 μg/L and critically ill patients with respiratory tract infections or undifferentiated sepsis when using a PCT cut-off value of <0.5 μg/L or ≥80% decline in the peak level. C-reactive protein is a non-specific marker of inflammation that may also assist with an early discontinuation of AMT; however, data are limited. Haematological biomarkers are prone to variance between individuals and are often influenced by medications and non-infectious conditions, making them less reliable for the purposes of AMT decision-making. Novel biomarkers such as multi-protein signatures and host gene expression tests have shown promise as tools to better differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial infections; clinical studies are needed to determine whether they can be used to help optimize the duration of AMT. IMPLICATIONS Studies have demonstrated that a PCT-guided strategy, when utilized appropriately, can help guide clinicians to individualize and often reduce the duration of AMT, especially in patients hospitalized with respiratory tract infections and those admitted to the intensive care unit with suspected respiratory tract infections or sepsis. The impact of utilizing other biomarkers is less clear and requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Scott
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Stan Deresinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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3
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Kyriazopoulou E, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ. Antimicrobial Stewardship Using Biomarkers: Accumulating Evidence for the Critically Ill. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030367. [PMID: 35326830 PMCID: PMC8944654 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to summarize current progress in the management of critically ill, using biomarkers as guidance for antimicrobial treatment with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship. Accumulated evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies in adults for the biomarker-guided antimicrobial treatment of critically ill (mainly sepsis and COVID-19 patients) has been extensively searched and is provided. Procalcitonin (PCT) is the best studied biomarker; in the majority of randomized clinical trials an algorithm of discontinuation of antibiotics with decreasing PCT over serial measurements has been proven safe and effective to reduce length of antimicrobial treatment, antibiotic-associated adverse events and long-term infectious complications like infections by multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridioides difficile. Other biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and presepsin, are already being tested as guidance for shorter antimicrobial treatment, but more research is needed. Current evidence suggests that biomarkers, mainly procalcitonin, should be implemented in antimicrobial stewardship programs even in the COVID-19 era, when, although bacterial coinfection rate is low, antimicrobial overconsumption remains high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdoxia Kyriazopoulou
- 2nd Department of Critical Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-5831994
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4
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Li Y, Min L, Zhang X. Usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) levels in the differential diagnosis of acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal respiratory tract infections in children. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:386. [PMID: 34836530 PMCID: PMC8620633 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01756-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a lack of studies comparing PCT, CRP and WBC levels in the differential diagnosis of acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal respiratory tract infections. It is necessary to explore the correlation between above markers and different types of ARTI. Methods 108 children with confirmed bacterial infection were regarded as group A, 116 children with virus infection were regarded as group B, and 122 children with mycoplasmal infection were regarded as group C. The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC of the three groups were detected and compared. Results The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C (p < 0.05). The positive rate of combined detection of PCT, CRP and WBC was significant higher than that of single detection. There was no significant difference in PCT, CRP and WBC levels between the group of G+ bacterial infection and G− bacterial infection (p > 0.05). ROC curve results showed that the AUC of PCT, CRP and WBC for the diagnosis of bacterial respiratory infections were 0.65, 0.55, and 0.58, respectively. Conclusions PCT, CRP and WBC can be combined as effective indicators for the identification of acute bacterial or no-bacterial infections in children. The levels of PCT and CRP have higher differential diagnostic value than that of WBC in infection, and the combined examination of the three is more valuable in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215025, China
| | - Lanfang Min
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215025, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215025, China.
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5
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Teehan A, Burke C, Minson Q. Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Driven Procalcitonin Protocol for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Using a Clinical Decision Support System. Hosp Pharm 2021; 56:569-575. [PMID: 34720162 DOI: 10.1177/0018578720931450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Procalcitonin (PCT) may be an effective biomarker in the management of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) when combined with antimicrobial stewardship support. We assessed the impact of a PCT protocol with clinical pharmacy support for LRTI using a clinical decision support system (CDSS) for monitoring. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study conducted at a large, nonteaching hospital in Nashville, TN. All patients who met eligibility requirements and were initiated on the PCT protocol for a suspected LRTI between February and March 2018 were included and matched to historical control patients from 2016 to 2017 on a 1:1 basis based on antibiotics, indication, and time of year. Results: During this 2-month period, a total of 126 patients met eligibility requirements for inclusion in the PCT group and were matched to historical control patients. Patients in the PCT group received decreased median antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) compared to controls (11 vs 14, P = .004). There was no change in median length of stay (LOS) between groups. The acceptance rate for patient-specific antibiotic de-escalation recommendations from the clinical pharmacist was 62.5%. Conclusion: PCT protocols that utilize clinical pharmacist interpretation and a CDSS may be an effective intervention of the antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) for decreasing antibiotic DOT for LRTI.
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6
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DeSear KE, Thompson-Leduc P, Van Schooneveld TC, Kirson N, Chritton JJ, Ie S, Cheung HC, Ou S, Zimmer L, Schuetz P. Decreased antibiotic exposure using a procalcitonin protocol for respiratory infections and sepsis in US community hospitals (ProCommunity). Curr Med Res Opin 2021; 37:727-733. [PMID: 33617362 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1893675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antibiotic overuse leading to antimicrobial resistance is a global public health concern. Clinical trials have demonstrated that procalcitonin-based decision-making for antibiotic therapy can safely decrease inappropriate antibiotic use in patients with respiratory infections and sepsis, but real-world data are scarce. This study sought to assess the impact of a procalcitonin-based antibiotic stewardship program (protocol plus education) on antibiotic use in community hospitals. METHODS An observational, retrospective, matched cohort study was conducted. Eligible patients treated in hospitals with a procalcitonin-based protocol plus education (Procalcitonin cohort hospitals) were matched to patients admitted to facilities without procalcitonin testing (Control cohort hospitals) using a 1:2 ratio. The Control hospitals were facilities where procalcitonin testing was not available on site. Patient matching was based on: (1) age, (2) gender, (3) admission diagnosis code using groupings of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, (4) whether patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and (5) whether a blood culture test was performed. Procalcitonin cohort hospitals implemented a quality improvement initiative, where procalcitonin was available, used regularly, and clinicians (physicians and pharmacists) were educated on its use. RESULTS After adjustment, patients in the Procalcitonin cohort had 1.47 fewer antibiotic days (9.1 vs. 8.5 days, 95%CI: -2.72; -0.22, p = .021). There was no difference in length of stay or adverse clinical outcomes except for increase in acute kidney injury (odds ratio = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.01; 1.58, p = .038). CONCLUSIONS Patients with respiratory infections and sepsis in hospitals utilizing a procalcitonin-based protocol coupled with education received fewer days of antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sue Ie
- Community Health Systems PSC, LLC, Franklin, TN, USA
| | | | - Susan Ou
- Analysis Group, Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Philipp Schuetz
- Medical University Department, Kantonsspital Aarau and faculty at the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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7
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Gauzit R, Castan B, Bonnet E, Bru JP, Cohen R, Diamantis S, Faye A, Hitoto H, Issa N, Lebeaux D, Lesprit P, Maulin L, Poitrenaud D, Raymond J, Strady C, Varon E, Verdon R, Vuotto F, Welker Y, Stahl JP. Anti-infectious treatment duration: The SPILF and GPIP French guidelines and recommendations. Infect Dis Now 2021; 51:114-139. [PMID: 34158156 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Gauzit
- Infectiologie transversale, CHU Cochin, AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - B Castan
- Maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHG, 24000 Périgueux, France
| | - E Bonnet
- Équipe Mobile d'Infectiologie, Hôpital Joseph-Ducuing, Clinique Pasteur, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - J P Bru
- Maladies Infectieuses, CH Annecy-Genevois, 74374 Pringy, France
| | - R Cohen
- Unité petits nourrissons, CHI, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - S Diamantis
- Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, groupe hospitalier Sud Île-de-France, 77000 Melun, France
| | - A Faye
- Pédiatrie Générale et maladies infectieuses, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Université de Paris, AP-HP, 75019 Paris, France
| | - H Hitoto
- Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, CH, 72037 Le Mans, France
| | - N Issa
- Réanimation médicale et maladies infectieuses, Hôpital Saint-André, CHU, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - D Lebeaux
- Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; Microbiologie, Unité Mobile d'Infectiologie, HEGP, AP-HP, 75015 Paris, France
| | - P Lesprit
- Unité transversale d'hygiène et d'infectiologie, Service de Biologie Clinique, Hôpital Foch, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - L Maulin
- Maladies Infectieuses et tropicales, CHIAP, 13616 Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - D Poitrenaud
- Unité fonctionnelle d'Infectiologie Régionale, CH Ajaccio, 20303 Ajaccio, France
| | - J Raymond
- Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Bicêtre, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - C Strady
- Cabinet d'infectiologie, Groupe Courlancy, 51100 Reims, France
| | - E Varon
- Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale et Centre National de Référence des Pneumocoques, CHIC, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - R Verdon
- Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, CHU, 14033 Caen, France; Groupe de Recherche sur l'Adaptation Microbienne (GRAM 2.0), Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, GRAM 2.0, 14000 Caen, France
| | - F Vuotto
- Maladies Infectieuses, CHU, Hôpital Huriez, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Y Welker
- Maladies Infectieuses, CHI, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
| | - J P Stahl
- Infectiologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France
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8
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We highlight the recent advances in the guidelines for treating patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP). RECENT FINDINGS sCAP is a significant cause of hospital admissions. We performed an extensive review of the literature, covering studies from the last several years, to summarise the most important points in the diagnosis and treatment of patients hospitalised with sCAP. SUMMARY sCAP is associated with a high clinical burden. Therefore, deep knowledge is necessary for its management. In general, diagnosis, treatment and management are based on many published guidelines. However, the mortality rate is still unacceptably high, indicating the need for clear recommendations in the management of patients with sCAP. The choice of empirical antibiotic therapy for sCAP depends on multiple factors, such as national and local antimicrobial susceptibility data and the characteristics of the patients, including their risk factors for acquiring infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Currently, there are several published international guidelines. The aim of this review is to explore the areas that require further knowledge and new recommendations for current clinical practice.
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9
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O'Riordan F, Shiely F, Byrne S, O'Brien D, Palmer B, Dahly D, O'Connor TM, Curran D, Fleming A. An investigation of the effects of procalcitonin testing on antimicrobial prescribing in respiratory tract infections in an Irish university hospital setting: a feasibility study. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:3352-3361. [PMID: 31325313 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic uncertainty and a high prevalence of viral infections present unique challenges for antimicrobial prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Procalcitonin (PCT) has been shown to support prescribing decisions and reduce antimicrobial use safely in patients with RTIs, but recent study results have been variable. METHODS We conducted a feasibility study of the introduction of PCT testing in patients admitted to hospital with a lower RTI to determine if PCT testing is an effective and worthwhile intervention to introduce to support the existing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme and safely decrease antimicrobial prescribing in patients admitted with RTIs. RESULTS A total of 79 patients were randomized to the intervention PCT-guided treatment group and 40 patients to the standard care respiratory control group. The addition of PCT testing led to a significant decrease in duration of antimicrobial prescriptions (mean 6.8 versus 8.9 days, P = 0.012) and decreased length of hospital stay (median 7 versus 8 days, P = 0.009) between the PCT and respiratory control group. PCT did not demonstrate a significant reduction in antimicrobial consumption when measured as DDDs and days of therapy. CONCLUSIONS PCT testing had a positive effect on antimicrobial prescribing during this feasibility study. The successful implementation of PCT testing in a randomized controlled trial requires an ongoing comprehensive education programme, greater integration into the AMS programme and delivery of PCT results in a timely manner. This feasibility study has shown that a larger randomized controlled trial would be beneficial to further explore the positive aspects of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F O'Riordan
- Pharmacy Department, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland.,Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - F Shiely
- HRB Clinical Research Facility Cork, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland.,School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - S Byrne
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - D O'Brien
- Department of Microbiology, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland
| | - B Palmer
- HRB Clinical Research Facility Cork, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland.,School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - D Dahly
- HRB Clinical Research Facility Cork, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland.,School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - T M O'Connor
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland
| | - D Curran
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland
| | - A Fleming
- Pharmacy Department, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork, Ireland.,Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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10
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Bremmer DN, Moffa MA, Ma K, Bean HR, Snatchko J, Trienski TL, Watson C, Walsh TL. Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With a Low Procalcitonin Concentration: Impact of Antibiotic Therapy. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 68:725-730. [PMID: 29982350 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients admitted with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) often are prescribed antibiotics. Studies have shown that the use of procalcitonin (PCT) to guide the decision to initiate antibiotic therapy in AECOPD has resulted in less antibiotic use and similar outcomes compared with standard of care. We evaluated patients with AECOPD and low PCT concentrations to determine whether antibiotic therapy was associated with improved outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated adult patients admitted with AECOPD who had a peak PCT concentration <0.25 µg/mL. Patients were evaluated based on their antibiotic exposure: ≤24 hours vs >24 hours. We also evaluated outcomes based upon the duration of azithromycin therapy: ≤24 hours vs >24 hours. The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day readmissions. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and COPD-related 30-day readmissions. RESULTS One hundred sixty-one and 195 patients received ≤24 hours vs >24 hours of antibiotic therapy, respectively. The cohort with ≤24 hours of antibiotics had a shorter LOS (2.8 vs 3.7 days; P = .01). There were no differences in all-cause 30-day readmissions (15.5% vs 17.4%; P = .63) or COPD-related 30-day readmissions (11.2% vs 12.3%; P = .74). Additionally, patients receiving ≤24 hours of azithromycin had a shorter LOS (3.0 vs 3.8 days; P = .002) and there were no differences in all-cause 30-day readmissions (16.2% vs 17.1%; P = .82) or COPD-related 30-day readmissions (11.9% vs 11.6%; P = .94). CONCLUSIONS For adult patients hospitalized with nonsevere AECOPD and low PCT concentrations, antibiotic therapy beyond 24 hours did not improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Bremmer
- Department of Pharmacy, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Matthew A Moffa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Kiet Ma
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Holly R Bean
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Joseph Snatchko
- Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tamara L Trienski
- Department of Pharmacy, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Courtney Watson
- Center for Inclusion Health, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas L Walsh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
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11
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Wang Z, Huo B, Wu Q, Dong L, Fu H, Wang S, Zhang J. The role of procalcitonin in differential diagnosis between acute radiation pneumonitis and bacterial pneumonia in lung cancer patients receiving thoracic radiotherapy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2941. [PMID: 32076108 PMCID: PMC7031357 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60063-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Radiation Pneumonitis (ARP) is one of the most common dose-limiting toxicities of thoracic radiotherapy. The accurate diagnosis of ARP remains a challenge because of the lack of a rapid biomarker capable of differentiating ARP from bacterial pneumo (BP). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) in the differential diagnosis of ARP and BP. Lung cancer patients who had undergone thoracic radiotherapy within 6 months and were admitted to hospital for ARP or BP were retrospectively analyzed. The serum levels of PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBC) were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of PCT, CRP and WBC in the differential diagnosis of ARP and BP and determine the best cut-off values. One hundred eighteen patients were included. Among them, seventy-seven patients were diagnosed with ARP, and 41 patients were diagnosed with BP. The PCT concentrations for patients diagnosed with ARP group were significantly lower than those in the BP group (P < 0.001). There were no differences in CRP and WBC between the two groups. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for PCT, CRP and WBC were 0.745, 0.589 and 0.578, respectively. The best cutoff values of PCT, CRP and WBC were 0.47 μg/L, 54.5 mg/L and 9.9 × 109/L, respectively. Low serum PCT levels are associated with ARP. PCT is a useful biomarker to distinguish ARP from BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwu Wang
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China
| | - Bingjie Huo
- Department of traditional Chinese medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China
| | - Haoyu Fu
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Radiology, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China. .,Department of Endocrinology, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, P.R. China.
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12
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Newton JA, Robinson S, Ling CLL, Zimmer L, Kuper K, Trivedi KK. Impact of Procalcitonin Levels Combined with Active Intervention on Antimicrobial Stewardship in a Community Hospital. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz355. [PMID: 31400276 PMCID: PMC6824524 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procalcitonin (PCT) guidance alone or in conjunction with antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) has been shown to reduce antibiotic utilization and duration of therapy without adversely affecting patient outcomes. METHODS In a community hospital, we investigated the impact of PCT with ASP recommendations on length of stay (LOS), length of antimicrobial therapy (LOT) after ASP recommendation, and total LOT over a one-year period. Adult patients with at least one PCT value and concomitant ASP recommendations were included. Patients were grouped by provider ASP compliance and further stratified by normal versus elevated PCT values. No specific PCT algorithm was utilized. RESULTS A total of 857 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Physicians complied with 73.7% of ASP recommendations. There were no significant differences in LOS based on ASP compliance. Mean LOT after ASP recommendations and mean total LOT were significantly shorter (2.5 vs. 3.9 days, p<0.0001 and 5.1 vs. 6.6 days, p<0.0001, respectively) in the ASP complier group. When stratified by initial PCT levels, ASP compliers for patients with normal PCT levels had the shortest duration of therapy for all groups; among patients with elevated PCT levels, the duration of therapy was significantly shorter in the ASP compliant group (5.79 vs. 7.12 days, p<0.0111). When controlling for baseline differences in initial PCT levels, LOS was found to be marginally shorter in the ASP compliant group (p = 0.076). CONCLUSIONS PCT-guided ASP physician recommendations, when accepted by providers, led to reduction in antimicrobial LOT in a community hospital. This benefit was extended across patient groups irrespective of initial PCT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Newton
- Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Samantha Robinson
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
| | | | | | - Kristi Kuper
- Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence, Vizient, Inc., Irving, Texas
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Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Efficacy of Short-Course Antibiotic Treatments for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00635-18. [PMID: 29987137 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00635-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The duration of therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains undefined. We sought to investigate whether short-course antibiotic treatment for CAP is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in adult patients. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies comparing the effectiveness and safety between treatment regimens administered for ≤6 days and ≥7 days. We defined treatment for ≤6 days as short-course treatment and treatment for ≥7 days as long-course treatment. Twenty-one clinical trials (4,861 clinically evaluable patients) were included, and 19 out of 21 trials were randomized. Clinical cure was similar between the compared groups (4,069 patients, risk ratio [RR] = 0.99 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.97 to 1.01]), irrespective of patient setting (RR = 0.98 [95% CI, 0.96 to 1.00] for the outpatient setting and RR = 1.00 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.09] for the inpatient setting) or severity of pneumonia (RR = 1.05 [95% CI, 0.96 to 1.14]). Also, relapses were similar between the short- and long-course treatment groups (1,923 patients, RR = 0.67 [95% CI, 0.30 to 1.46]). Short-course treatment was associated with fewer serious adverse events (1,923 patients, RR = 0.73 [95% CI, 0.55 to 0.97]) and, importantly, resulted in lower mortality than long-course treatment (2,802 patients, RR = 0.52 [95% CI, 0.33 to 0.82]). In CAP, short-course antibiotic treatment (≤6 days) is as effective as and potentially superior to, in terms of mortality and serious adverse events, longer-course treatment.
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