Risk stacking of pneumococcal vaccination indications increases mortality in unvaccinated adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae infections

Phase 3 trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 6 months later, in at-risk adults 18-49 years of age (PNEU-DAY): A subgroup analysis by baseline risk factors

Immunocompetent adults with certain medical and behavioral factors are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease. In some countries, sequential vaccination with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for at-risk adults. This subgroup analysis from a phase 3 study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of sequential administration of either V114 (a 15-valent PCV containing serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F) or PCV13, followed 6 months later by PPSV23, in immunocompetent adults 18-49 years of age with pre-defined risk factors for pneumococcal disease. Safety and immunogenicity post-vaccination were analyzed by type and baseline number of risk factors for pneumococcal disease (1 and ≥2 risk factors). This analysis included 1,131 participants randomized 3:1 to receive either V114 or PCV13, followed by PPSV23. The majority (73.1%) of participants had at least one risk factor. Safety and tolerability profiles of V114 and PCV13 were similar across risk factor groups. V114 administered either alone or sequentially with PPSV23 6 months later was immunogenic for all 15 serotypes, including those not contained in PCV13, regardless of the number of baseline risk factors. V114 has the potential to broaden serotype coverage for at-risk adults.

Alcohol Abuse as a Silent Risk Factor for Purpura Fulminans and the Importance of Pneumococcal Vaccination

Purpura fulminans (PF) is a rare presentation of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and a life-threatening complication of septic shock. DIC can present with bleeding and thrombosis in acute settings, making its management exceptionally challenging. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, andHaemophilus influenzae. We report a case of a 47-year-old patient with a history of alcohol abuse and marijuana use with a bizarre presentation of copious diarrhea and altered mental status. The patient was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory failure and septic shock secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia complicated by DIC. Unfortunately, the patient's condition worsened with multiorgan failure and purpura fulminans, leading to extensive necrosis of all his extremities, with the involvement of his lips, nose, and genitals. Unfortunately, despite aggressive interventions, he continued to deteriorate and ultimately was transitioned to comfort care before he expired. In the literature, there is only one reported case of PF in an individual with alcohol abuse. However, the frequency and severity of pneumococcal infections in individuals with a history of alcohol abuse are much higher than in the general population. PF is a devastating complication of Streptococcus pneumoniae, with a mortality of 43%. We hope that this case will continue highlighting the importance of vaccinating patients with a history of alcohol abuse with the pneumococcal vaccine.

Missed Pneumococcal Vaccination Opportunities in Adults With Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in a Community Health System

Background

Adult vaccination programs are suboptimal.

Methods

Pneumococcal vaccination history, and healthcare contact were assessed in patients with invasive pneumococcal disease.

Results

Of the 229 cases, 14% were vaccinated. Observed mortality was 20.1%.

Conclusions

Numerous missed vaccination opportunities were identified.

Pneumococcal serotypes causing non-invasive pneumonia in adults from a South Indian tertiary care hospital and the impact of the newer conjugate vaccines

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults. Ageing, chronic conditions and comorbidities are important risk factors for pneumococcal pneumonia.

Purpose

There is lack of data on the pneumococcal serotypes causing non-invasive pneumonia in India. This study aims to determine the prevalent pneumococcal serotypes causing non-invasive pneumonia, the associated comorbidities, and the coverage of both the available pneumococcal vaccines in India and conjugate vaccines that are currently undergoing clinical trials.

Methods

A total of 280 subjects (aged >16 years) who had clinical symptoms correlating with radiological findings for non-invasive bacteremic pneumonia and microbiological evidence of S. pneumoniae between 2018 and 2020 were included. The clinical, demographic, radiological and microbiological findings were retrieved from the Hospital Information System (HIS).

Result

The common serotypes in order of prevalence were 19F, 9V, 23F, 6B, 11A, 13, 34, 10A, 19A and 6A. The predominant non-vaccine serotypes were 13, 34, 35B, 31 and 16F. The associated radiological findings were pneumonic consolidation and multi-lobar involvement. Other coinfected bacterial pathogens included H. influenzae, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.

Conclusion

The pneumococcal vaccines: PCV10/GSK, PCV10/SII, PCV13, PCV15, PCV20 and PPSV23 provide an overall serotype coverage of 36, 41, 47, 48, 61 and 69 %, respectively of S. pneumoniae causing non-invasive pneumonia in South India. Increasing catch-up vaccination using PCV10(SII) in pre-school children could have a more significant impact on reducing pneumococcal pneumonia in adults (>50 years) in terms of increased herd immunity at an affordable cost.

Immunogenicity, Safety, and Tolerability of V114, a 15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, in Immunocompetent Adults Aged 18–49 Years With or Without Risk Factors for Pneumococcal Disease: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial (PNEU-DAY)

Background

Adults with certain medical and behavioral factors are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease (PD). Sequential vaccination with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for at-risk adults in some countries.

Methods

This phase 3 trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of sequential administration of either V114 (a 15-valent PCV containing serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F) or PCV13, followed 6 months later by PPSV23, in immunocompetent adults aged 18–49 years with or without pre-defined risk factors for PD (NCT03547167). Overall, 1515 participants were randomized 3:1 to receive either V114 or PCV13, followed by PPSV23.

Results

Most common solicited adverse events (AEs) following administration of V114 or PCV13 as well as PPSV23 were injection-site pain and fatigue. The proportion of participants with AEs was comparable in both groups. V114 and PCV13 were immunogenic based on opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) geometric mean titers (GMTs) 30 days post-vaccination for all serotypes contained in each respective vaccine. OPA GMTs to the 2 unique serotypes in V114 were robust in the V114 group. PPSV23 was immunogenic for all 15 serotypes contained in V114 in both vaccination groups, including 22F and 33F.

Conclusions

V114 administered alone or sequentially with PPSV23 is well tolerated and immunogenic for all 15 serotypes, including those not contained in PCV13, in immunocompetent adults aged 18–49 years with or without certain medical or behavioral risk factors for PD.

The impact of comorbidities and their stacking on short- and long-term prognosis of patients over 50 with community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with regards to intensive care unit (ICU) admission, short- and long-term mortality is correlated with patient's comorbidities. For patients hospitalized for CAP, including P-CAP, we assessed the prognostic impact of comorbidities known as at-risk (AR) or high-risk (HR) of pneumococcal CAP (P-CAP), and of the number of combined comorbidities.

METHODS

Data on hospitalizations for CAP among the French 50+ population were extracted from the 2014 French Information Systems Medicalization Program (PMSI), an exhaustive national hospital discharge database maintained by the French Technical Agency of Information on Hospitalization (ATIH). Their admission diagnosis, comorbidities (nature, risk type and number), other characteristics, and their subsequent hospital stays within the year following their hospitalization for CAP were analyzed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between ICU transfer, short- and 1-year in-hospital mortality and all covariates.

RESULTS

From 182,858 patients, 149,555 patients aged ≥ 50 years (nonagenarians 17.8%) were hospitalized for CAP in 2014, including 8270 with P-CAP. Overall, 33.8% and 90.5% had ≥ 1 HR and ≥ 1 AR comorbidity, respectively. Cardiac diseases were the most frequent AR comorbidity (all CAP: 77.4%). Transfer in ICU occurred for 5.4% of CAP patients and 19.4% for P-CAP. Short-term and 1-year in-hospital mortality rates were 10.9% and 23% of CAP patients, respectively, significantly lower for P-CAP patients: 9.2% and 19.8% (HR 0.88 [95% CI 0.84-0.93], p < .0001). Both terms of mortality increased mostly with age, and with the number of comorbidities and combination of AR and HR comorbidities, in addition of specific comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only specific comorbidities, but also the number of combined comorbidities and the combination of AR and HR comorbidities may impact the outcome of hospitalized CAP and P-CAP patients.

Prävention durch Impfung pneumologisch vorerkrankter Erwachsener

Prioritär bei Patienten mit chronischer Lungenerkrankung ist derzeit die Impfung gegen SARS-CoV‑2 („severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2“), alle hierfür zugelassenen Impfstoffe hatten eine gute Wirksamkeit gegen schwere Infektionen. Für Patienten mit chronischen Lungenerkrankungen werden neben den Standardimpfungen im Erwachsenenalter auch die sog. Indikationsimpfungen durch die STIKO (Ständige Impfkommission am Robert Koch-Institut) empfohlen. Hierzu gehören die Impfungen gegen Pneumokokken und Influenza. Als Neuerungen werden demnächst Pneumokokkenkonjugatimpfstoffe mit mehr inkludierten Serotypen erwartet; gegen Influenza wird ein effektiverer Hochdosisimpfstoff für Personen ab 60 Jahren empfohlen. Zur nächsten fälligen Auffrischimpfung gegen Tetanus und Diphtherie sollte ein Kombinationsimpfstoff mit Pertussis verwendet werden. Als Indikationsimpfung ist die Herpes-Zoster-Impfung bereits ab dem 50. Lebensjahr empfohlen.

[Pneumococcal vaccination]

Pneumokokken sind der häufigste bakterielle Erreger der ambulant erworbenen Pneumonie und gehören weltweit zu den häufigsten impfpräventablen Todesursachen. Es gibt einen Polysaccharidimpfstoff, der die Kapselpolysaccharide von 23 der über 90 bekannten Serotypen enthält, einen guten Schutz vor invasiven Pneumokokkeninfektionen vermittelt, aber T‑Zellen nicht stimuliert und damit kein immunologisches Gedächtnis hinterlässt. Bei Immunsupprimierten hat er eine eingeschränkte Wirksamkeit. Zunächst für Kleinkinder und später auch für Erwachsene wurde ein 13-valenter Konjugatimpfstoff zugelassen, der weniger Serotypen erfasst, aber ein immunologisches Gedächtnis hinterlässt und eine mukosale Immunität, d. h. die Eradikation gesunder Pneumokokkenträger und damit Herdenprotektionseffekte, vermittelt. Die STIKO empfiehlt derzeit bei verschiedenen Komorbiditäten sowie als Standardimpfung ab 60 Jahre die Indikationsimpfung mit PPV23, ggf. mit Wiederholungsimpfung nach frühestens 6 Jahren. Patienten mit Immunsuppression, chronischem Nierenversagen oder chronischer Leberinsuffizienz sollten wegen der eingeschränkten Wirksamkeit von PPV23 sowie einem hohen Risiko für Infektionen eine sequenzielle Impfung (zuerst PCV13, gefolgt von PPV23 nach 6 bis 12 Monaten) erhalten.

Sequential administration of Prevnar 13™ and PNEUMOVAX™ 23 in healthy participants 50 years of age and older

In most countries worldwide, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have been included in the infant immunization program, resulting in a significant reduction in the burden of pneumococcal disease in children and adults. Shifting serotype distribution due to the indirect effect of infant vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) may continue to increase the gap between 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and PCV13 serotype coverage for older adults in the coming years. This clinical study (V110-029; NCT02225587) evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of sequential administration of PCV13 followed approximately 8 weeks later, or approximately 26 weeks later, by PPSV23 in healthy adults ≥50 years of age. Both dosing intervals were generally well tolerated as measured by the nature, frequency, and intensity of reported adverse events (AEs) in both vaccination groups. Serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) geometric mean titers (GMTs) measured 30 days following receipt of PPSV23 in either group and at Week 30 were generally comparable between the 2 groups for 6 serotypes unique to PPSV23 and 12 serotypes shared between PCV13 and PPSV23, regardless of the interval between receipt of PCV13 and PPSV23. In addition, administration of PPSV23 given either 8 weeks or 26 weeks following PCV13 did not negatively impact immune responses induced by PCV13. Furthermore, administration of PPSV23 given either 8 weeks or 26 weeks after PCV13 elicited serotype-specific OPA GMTs to serotypes unique to PPSV23, which could provide earlier protection against pneumococcal disease caused by these serotypes in comparison with the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended interval of at least 12 months.

Clinical and financial burden of hospitalised community-acquired pneumonia in patients with selected underlying comorbidities in England

Background

Hospitalised pneumonia may have long-term clinical and financial impact in adult patients with underlying comorbidities.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database to determine the clinical and financial burden over 3 years of hospitalised community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to England’s National Health Service (NHS). Subjects were adults with six underlying comorbidities (chronic heart disease (CHD); chronic kidney disease (CKD); chronic liver disease (CLD); chronic respiratory disease (CRD); diabetes mellitus (DM) and post bone marrow transplant (post-BMT)) with an inpatient admission in 2012/2013. Patients with CAP in 2013/2014 were followed for 3 years and compared with similarly aged, propensity score-matched adults with the same comorbidity without CAP.

Findings

The RR of hospital admissions increased after CAP, ranging from 1.08 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.12) for CKD to 1.38 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.40) for CRD. This increase was maintained for at least 2 years. Mean difference in hospital healthcare costs (£) was higher for CAP patients in 2013/2014; ranging from £1115 for DM to £8444 for BMT, and remained higher for 4/6 groups for 2 more years, ranging from £1907 (95% CI £1573 to £2240) for DM to £11 167 (95% CI £10 847 to £11 486) for CRD.) The OR for mortality was significantly higher for at least 3 years after CAP, ranging from 4.76 (95% CI 4.12 to 5.51, p<0.0001) for CLD to 7.50 (95%CI 4.71 to 11.92, p<0.0001) for BMT.

Interpretation

For patients with selected underlying comorbidities, healthcare utilisation, costs and mortality increase for at least 3 years after being hospitalised CAP.

Factors Associated With Severe Nonmeningitis Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Adults in France

Background

In France, pneumococcal vaccination in adults is recommended for risk groups (chronic conditions/immunosuppression). We conducted a study on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults to identify factors associated with disease severity and death.

Methods

We included IPD cases, excluding meningitis, from 25 acute care hospitals in 6 regions. We defined severe cases as those with shock or severe sepsis or intensive care unit admission/mechanical ventilation. We included deaths occurring within 30 days of hospitalization. Infectious disease specialists collected clinical/microbiological data on cases.

Results

During 2014–2017, 908 nonmeningitis IPD cases were diagnosed; 48% were severe, 84% had comorbidities, 21% died. Ninety percent of cases with comorbidities who previously sought health care were not vaccinated against pneumococcus. Compared with previously healthy cases, the risk of severe IPD increased from 20% (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–1.4) in cases with 1–2 chronic diseases to 30% (aRR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–7.0) in those with >2 chronic diseases. Among risk groups, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) serotypes and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) nonPCV13 serotypes were more likely to induce severe IPD compared with nonvaccine serotypes (aRR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3–1.9; aRR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.5, respectively).

Conclusions

We observed a cumulative effect of concurrent comorbidities on severe IPD. Vaccine serotypes were more likely to induce severe IPD among risk groups. The missed opportunities for vaccination underscore the need to enhance vaccination in risk groups.

Mortality and costs of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults: a cross-sectional study

Objective

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. The study’s main aim was to evaluate the in-hospital mortality and related costs of community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia in adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used medical records of adult patients with pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalized in a university hospital in Brazil from October 2009 to April 2017. All patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia were included. Risk factors, intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and direct and indirect costs were analyzed.

Results

In total, 186 patients were selected. The mean in-hospital mortality rate was 18% for adults aged < 65 years and 23% for the elderly (≥ 65 years). Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia affected 20% of patients in both groups, mainly through chronic respiratory disease (adjusted OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.23–7.65, p < 0.01). Over 7 years, annual total direct and indirect costs were USD 28,188 for adults < 65 years (USD 1,746 per capita) and USD 16,350 for the elderly (USD 2,119 per capita).

Conclusion

Pneumococcal pneumonia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among adults, significantly affecting direct and indirect costs. These results suggest the need for prevention strategies for all adults, especially for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Safety and immunogenicity of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine compared to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults ≥65 years of age previously vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

BACKGROUND

Pneumococcal disease remains a public health priority in adults. Previous studies have suggested that administration of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine within three years following receipt of PPV23 was associated with increased reactogenicity and reduced antibody titers in comparison to longer intervals. Safety and immunogenicity of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) was evaluated in adults ≥ 65 years of age with prior history of PPV23 vaccination (V114-007; NCT02573181).

METHODS

A total of 250 adults who received PPV23 at least 1 year prior to study entry received a single dose of either PCV15 or PCV13 (125/arm) and were followed for safety for 14 days postvaccination. Serotype-specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) geometric mean titers (GMTs) were measured immediately prior and 30 days postvaccination.

RESULTS

Safety profiles were comparable between PCV15 and PCV13 recipients. Following vaccination, serotype-specific antibody responses for the 13 shared serotypes were generally comparable between recipients of PCV15 and PCV13 for IgG GMCs, OPA GMTs, and geometric mean fold rises (GMFRs) and percentages of subjects with ≥ 4-fold-rise from baseline for both IgG and OPA. Recipients of PCV15 had numerically higher antibody responses than PCV13 for two serotypes unique to PCV15 (22F, 33F).

CONCLUSION

PCV15 was generally well tolerated and induced high levels of IgG and OPA antibodies to all 15 serotypes included in the vaccine when given as a single dose to adults ≥ 65 years of age previously vaccinated with PPV23.

Adult invasive pneumococcal disease in the Republic of Korea: Risk medical conditions and mortality stratified by age group

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to characterize the risk factors for mortality in adult patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) stratified by age groups, after implementation of the national immunization program of 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for those aged ≥65 years in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

METHODS

Clinical data and pneumococcal isolates from adult patients with IPD (≥18 years of age) were collected prospectively from 20 hospitals through the nationwide surveillance program from March 2013 to October 2015.

RESULTS

A total of 319 patients with IPD were enrolled. Median age was 69 years. Overall in-hospital mortality was 34.2%: 17.1% in those aged 18-49 years, 23.7% in those aged 50-64 years, 33.0% in those aged 65-74 years, and 51.0% in those aged ≥75 years (p<0.001). In particular, early death within 7days of hospitalization accounted for 60.6% (66/109). While old age (≥65 years), higher Pitt bacteremia score (≥4), and bacteremic pneumonia were independently associated with IPD mortality in all age groups, an additional mortality risk factor of immunocompromised status was identified for patients aged 50-64 years. PPSV23 serotypes accounted for 64.4% (122/189) of the pneumococcal isolates serotyped.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that vaccine-type IPD continues to place a substantial burden on older adults in the ROK, necessitating an effective vaccination strategy for those at higher risk.