Public health impact of recombinant zoster vaccine for prevention of herpes zoster in US adults immunocompromised due to cancer

Individuals who are immunocompromised (IC) due to therapy or underlying disease are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ). This study evaluates the public health impact of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) relative to no HZ vaccination for the prevention of HZ among adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with selected cancers in the United States (US). A static Markov model was used to simulate three cohorts of individuals who are IC with cancer (time horizon of 30 years; one-year cycle length): hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, patients with breast cancer (BC; a solid tumor example), and patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL; a hematological malignancy example). Cohort sizes reflect the estimated annual incidence of each condition in the US population (19,671 HSCT recipients, 279,100 patients with BC, and 8,480 patients with HL). Vaccination with RZV resulted in 2,297; 38,068; and 848 fewer HZ cases for HSCT recipients, patients with BC, and patients with HL, respectively (each versus no vaccine). Vaccination with RZV also resulted in 422; 3,184; and 93 fewer postherpetic neuralgia cases for HSCT, BC, and HL, respectively. Analyses estimated the quality-adjusted life years gained to be 109, 506, and 17 for HSCT, BC, and HL, respectively. To prevent one HZ case, the number needed to vaccinate was 9, 8, and 10, for HSCT, BC, and HL, respectively. These results suggest RZV vaccination may be an effective option to significantly reduce HZ disease burden among patients diagnosed with selected cancers in the US.

Cost-Effectiveness of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine for the Prevention of Herpes Zoster in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients and Other Immunocompromised Adults in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Immunocompromised (IC) adults are at increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ) and HZ-related complications due to therapy or underlying disease. This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) versus no vaccine for the prevention of HZ in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and other IC adults aged ≥ 18 years in the United States (US).

METHODS

A static Markov model simulated cohorts of IC individuals using a 1-year cycle length and 30-year time horizon to estimate the cost effectiveness of RZV. Inputs were sourced from clinical trial results and publicly available sources/literature. Modeled populations included US adult HSCT recipients (base case), patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), patients with breast cancer, patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and renal transplant recipients. The model reported societal costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Sensitivity and threshold analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

In the base case of 19,671 US adult HSCT recipients, RZV resulted in total societal cost savings of US$0.1 million and 109 incremental QALYs versus no vaccine. RZV was a 'dominant strategy' versus no vaccine because vaccination resulted in cost savings with QALY gains. RZV was also cost saving in renal transplant recipients, and cost effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000 per QALY gained in patients with HIV, breast cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma, with ICERs of US$33,268, US$67,682, and US$95,972 per QALY gained, respectively, versus no vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Model results show RZV is potentially cost saving for the prevention of HZ in US adult HSCT recipients and US adults with selected immunocompromising conditions, and cost effective for others, supporting the use of RZV to prevent HZ and HZ-related complications in IC adults.

287. Procalcitonin and D-dimer levels at baseline, but not CRP, were informative of COVID-19 hospitalization outcomes

Background

The WHO estimates 512 million cases of COVID-19 and 6.2 million deaths globally as of May 4^th, 2022. In Michigan (MI), the first case was diagnosed March 10^th, 2020. We describe here outcomes of COVID-19 patients cared for in a large tertiary hospital in 2020 spanning two surges based on baseline lab values for C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PC), and D-Dimer (DD).

Methods

After IRB approval, adult patients diagnosed via PCR with COVID-19 during the two surges in 2020 and admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, an 1,131 beds tertiary care referral center in MI, were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were obtained from the EMR. ICD-10 classification diagnoses were utilized to identify comorbidities, and patient BMIs were based on the admission values in the EMR. Outcomes were defined as death during current admission, transfer to nursing home or other facility, or discharge home. Using a tree-based model and the combined levels of the three labs we defined a hierarchy of four lab levels, each progressively having increased risk of death. We then analyzed the outcome for the four levels, adjusting for time period (surge), age, sex, race, BMI and comorbidities. Data was analyzed using SAS statistical software version 9.4 (SAS Institute).

Results

A total of 2197 patients were identified from March through December 2020, of whom 1118 had CRP, PC and DD available at baseline. The mean age was 66.7 years (SD 16.1) for the cohort in first surge (March-June), and 66.4 (15.6) in the latter surge (July-December, Table1). More patients had a PC of >0.5 in the first surge (25.7%) than the second (13.2%). After adjusting for all other factors, the hierarchical lab levels are significantly associated with outcomes. Of note, baseline CRP value was not informative. Compared to the 2nd level (Table 2), the lowest level (PC < 0.1) has significantly lower odds of death [OR=0.37, 95% CI (0.19, 0.73)], while the highest level, (DD >1000 and PC ≥ 0.26) has significantly higher odds of death [OR=3.01, 95% CI (1.59, 5.72)].

Conclusion

Baseline PC and DD, but not CRP, were informative in determining risk of death and can assist clinicians determine possible outcomes during COVID-19 hospitalization.

Disclosures

Christopher F. Carpenter, MD, MHSA, Atox Bio: Advisor/Consultant|GSK: Advisor/Consultant|Iterum Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Takeda: Advisor/Consultant.

20. Cost-Effectiveness of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine for Vaccinating Immunocompromised Adults Against Herpes Zoster in the United States

Background

Individuals who are immunocompromised (IC) due to disease or therapy are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), with HZ cases in IC populations also resulting in increased health care resource use and costs as compared with the immunocompetent population. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) versus no vaccine for the prevention of HZ in IC adults aged ≥ 18 years in the United States (US).

Methods

A Markov model with a one-year cycle length was developed to follow a hypothetical cohort of one million IC individuals for a 30-year time horizon. The model estimates health and cost outcomes associated with RZV versus no vaccine. The base-case analysis considered hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients who were assumed to remain IC for five years post-transplant. Second-dose compliance was assumed to be 100%, with efficacy and waning inputs based on clinical trial data. Epidemiological, cost, and utility inputs were obtained from standard US sources and published literature. Costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were discounted at 3% per year. Sensitivity, threshold, and scenario analyses were conducted, including scenarios of four other IC conditions.

Results

In the modeled hypothetical cohort of one million HSCT recipients, RZV resulted in 116,790 fewer HZ cases and 21,446 fewer postherpetic neuralgia cases versus no vaccine, 5,545 fewer QALYs lost and a societal cost-savings of &5.4 million. The number needed to vaccinate to prevent one HZ case was estimated to be 9. HSCT population results were shown to be robust in sensitivity and threshold analyses. In scenario analyses, RZV was cost saving for renal transplant recipients. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for other IC populations were &33,268 per QALY gained for human immunodeficiency virus, &67,682 for breast cancer, and &95,972 for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Conclusion

Results suggest that RZV is a cost-effective option for vaccinating US IC adults for the prevention of HZ and associated complications.

Disclosures

Desmond Curran, PhD, The GSK group of companies (Employee, Shareholder) Ahmed Salem, MSc, The GSK group of companies (Employee) Stéphane Lorenc, NA, GSK group of companies (Consultant) Brandon Patterson, PharmD, PhD, GSK group of companies (Shareholder) Justin Carrico, BS, GSK group of companies (Consultant)RTI Health Solutions (Employee) Katherine A. Hicks, MS, BSPH, GSK group of companies (Consultant)RTI Health Solutions (Employee) Elizabeth M. La, PhD, The GSK group of companies (Employee, Shareholder) Sara Poston, PharmD, The GSK group of companies (Employee, Shareholder) Christopher F. Carpenter, MD, MHSA, GSK group of companies (Consultant)

Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of a Large Cohort of COVID-19 Outpatients in Michigan

Background

Most outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) do not initially demonstrate severe features requiring hospitalization. Understanding this population’s epidemiological and clinical characteristics to allow outcome anticipation is crucial in healthcare resource allocation.

Methods

Retrospective, multicenter (8 hospitals) study reporting on 821 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swabs and discharged home to self-isolate after evaluation in emergency departments (EDs) within Beaumont Health System in March, 2020. Outcomes were collected through April 14, 2020, with a minimum of 12 day follow-up and included subsequent ED visit, admission status, and mortality.

Results

Of the 821 patients, mean age was 49.3 years (SD 15.7), 46.8% were male and 55.1% were African-American. Cough was the most frequent symptom in 78.2% of patients with a median duration of 3 days (IQR 2–7), and other symptoms included fever 62.1%, rhinorrhea or nasal congestion 35.1% and dyspnea 31.2%. ACEI/ARBs usage was reported in 28.7% patients and 34.0% had diabetes mellitus. Return to the ED for re-evaluation was reported in 19.2% of patients from whom 54.4% were admitted. The patients eventually admitted to the hospital were older (mean age 54.4 vs 48.7 years, p=0.002), had higher BMI (35.4 kg/m² vs 31.9 kg/m², p=0.004), were more likely male (58.1% vs 45.4%, p=0.026), and more likely to have hypertension (52.3% vs 29.4%, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (74.4% vs 29.3%, p<0.001) or prediabetes (25.6% vs 8.4%, p<0.001), COPD (39.5% vs 5.4%, p<0.001), and OSA (36% vs 19%, p<0.001). The overall mortality rate was 1.3%.

Conclusion

We found that 80.8% of patients did not return to the ED for re-evaluation. Sending patients with COVID-19 home if they experience mild symptoms is a safe approach for most patients and might mitigate some of the financial and staffing pressures on healthcare systems.

458. Molecular SARS-CoV-2 Testing During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Experiences of a Hospital in Southeast Michigan, USA

Background

The novel Coronavirus SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak was complicated by the lack of diagnostic testing kits. In early March 2020, leadership at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Michigan (Beaumont) identified the need to develop high capacity testing modalities with appropriate sensitivity and specificity and rapid turnaround time. We describe the molecular diagnostic testing experience since initial rollout on March 16, 2020 at Beaumont, and results of repeat testing during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in MI.

Methods

Beaumont is an 1100 bed hospital in Southeast MI. In March, testing was initially performed with the EUA Luminex NxTAG CoV Extended Panel until March 28, 2020 when testing was converted to the EUA Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 for quicker turnaround times. Each assay was validated with a combination of patient samples and contrived specimens.

Results

During the initial week of testing there was > 20 % specimen positivity. As the prevalence grew the positivity rate reached 68% by the end of March (Figure 1). Many state and hospital initiatives were implemented during the outbreak, including social distancing and screening of asymptomatic patients to increase case-finding and prevent transmission. We also adopted a process for clinical review of symptomatic patients who initially tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by a group of infectious disease physicians (Figure 2). This process was expanded to include other trained clinicians who were redeployed from other departments in the hospital. Repeat testing was performed to allow consideration of discontinuation of isolation precautions. During the surge of community cases from March 16 to April 30, 2020, we identified patients with negative PCR tests who subsequently had repeat testing based on clinical evaluation, with 7.1% (39/551) returning positive for SARS- CoV2. Of the patients who expired due to COVID-19 during this period, 4.3% (9/206) initially tested negative before ultimately testing positive.

Figure 1 BH RO testing Epicurve

Figure 2: Screening tool for repeat COVID19 testing and precautions

Conclusion

Many state and hospital initiatives helped us flatten the curve for COVID-19. Our hospital testing experience indicate that repeat testing may be warranted for those patients with clinical features suggestive of COVID-19. We will further analyze these cases and clinical features that prompted repeat testing.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

954. Missed opportunities for HIV Screening in the Emergency Department

Background

There are 1.14 million people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, and only about 86% are diagnosed. HIV diagnosis is the first step to care and expanded testing is essential to reduce transmission. Individuals with undiagnosed HIV have a transmission rate 3.5 times higher than those aware of their infection. Individuals seeking testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a higher risk population for HIV infection. Despite revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to expand HIV testing in healthcare settings, testing remains low. A significant obstacle to expanded testing, especially in emergency departments (EDs), is concern about ensuring appropriate HIV test tracking and follow-up.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with symptoms of an STI between January 1, 2015 and July 8, 2019 at eight Beaumont Health EDs in Southeast Michigan. De-identified data was collected from the electronic health record (EHR) for patients aged 10 and older who had testing for one or more STIs including gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Patients were evaluated for concurrent HIV testing during the encounter, and patients known to be HIV infected were excluded.

Results

Of 32,640 encounters during which patients not known to be HIV infected were tested for STIs, only 68 (0.21%) included HIV antibody/antigen screening. Of those tested, only one (1.47%) returned reactive. The remaining 67 screenings returned non-reactive. Applying only 10% of this diagnosis rate to the total number of STI encounters suggests an opportunity to diagnose 47 additional individuals; applying 50% of this rate and the corresponding value is 239 individuals.

Conclusion

These results highlight the need for expanded HIV screening in EDs. Systematic HIV test tracking and follow-up removes this burden from ED providers and enables expanded HIV testing in these settings.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of an Adjuvanted Subunit Vaccine for the Prevention of Herpes Zoster and Post-herpetic Neuralgia

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) develops in up to 50% of unvaccinated individuals, accounting for >1 million cases annually in the United States. A live attenuated HZ vaccine (LAV) is Food and Drug Administration approved for those age 50 years or older, though Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations are only for those age 60 years or older. LAV efficacy is ~70% for persons 50-59 years of age, with lower efficacy in older adults. A new 2-dose adjuvanted subunit vaccine (SUV) has >95% efficacy in persons 50-69 years of age and remains ~90% efficacious in persons vaccinated at age 70 years.

Methods

To estimate the relative cost-effectiveness of SUV, LAV, and no vaccination (NoV) strategies, a Markov model was developed based on published data on vaccine efficacy, durability of protection, quality of life, resource utilization, costs, and disease epidemiology. The perspective was US societal, and the cycle length was 1 year with a lifelong time horizon. SUV efficacy was estimated to wane at the same rate as LAV. Outcomes evaluated included lifetime costs, discounted life expectancy, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Results

For individuals vaccinated at age 50 years, the ICER for LAV vs NoV was $118 535 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY); at age 60 years, the ICER dropped to $42 712/QALY. SUV was more expensive but had better ICERs than LAV. At age 50, the ICER was $91 156/QALY, and it dropped to $19 300/QALY at age 60.

Conclusions

Vaccination with SUV was more cost-effective than LAV in all age groups studied. Vaccination with SUV at age 50 years appears cost-effective, with an ICER <$100 000/QALY.

The Zika virus and pregnancy: evidence, management, and prevention

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively review the available evidence and existing consensus reports and guidelines regarding the pregnancy and reproductive implications of the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. A primary focus was to provide pertinent information to aid clinicians in the management of pregnancies at risk for, exposed to, or with confirmed ZIKV infection.

METHOD

An extensive literature review was performed using Pubmed. Practice guidelines and consensus reports were accessed from international, national, and professional organizations' websites. The clinical articles for ZIKV infection testing varied from case reports to small epidemiologic studies.

RESULTS

A ZIKV epidemic has been declared in several countries in the Americas. Fifty-two travel-associated ZIKV infection cases have been reported throughout the USA (as of February 10, 2016). The consequences of congenital fetal/newborn ZIKV infection could potentially have devastating consequences including miscarriage, fetal death, and major anomalies such as microcephaly, brain and brain-stem defects, and long-term neurologic sequelae. While not definitive, current evidence suggests the existence of nonvector-borne transmission through sexual activity with an infected male partner. For women at risk for sexual transmission, condom use is advised, especially during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

While ZIKV infection appears to be a mild disease in the general population the potential consequences to the fetus and newborn could be profound. Management guidelines are currently evolving and will be significantly impacted as new evidence develops. It is therefore imperative that obstetric health-care providers keep abreast of this rapidly evolving information landscape that has so far characterized this outbreak.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus precursor organism colonization among patients with chronic lower-extremity wounds in Southeastern Michigan

BACKGROUND

Of the 13 US vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) cases, 8 were identified in southeastern Michigan, primarily in patients with chronic lower-extremity wounds. VRSA infections develop when the vanA gene from vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) transfers to S. aureus. Inc18-like plasmids in VRE and pSK41-like plasmids in S. aureus appear to be important precursors to this transfer.

OBJECTIVE

Identify the prevalence of VRSA precursor organisms.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort with embedded case-control study.

PARTICIPANTS

Southeastern Michigan adults with chronic lower-extremity wounds.

METHODS

Adults presenting to 3 southeastern Michigan medical centers during the period February 15 through March 4, 2011, with chronic lower-extremity wounds had wound, nares, and perirectal swab specimens cultured for S. aureus and VRE, which were tested for pSK41-like and Inc18-like plasmids by polymerase chain reaction. We interviewed participants and reviewed clinical records. Risk factors for pSK41-positive S. aureus were assessed among all study participants (cohort analysis) and among only S. aureus-colonized participants (case-control analysis).

RESULTS

Of 179 participants with wound cultures, 26% were colonized with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, 27% were colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and 4% were colonized with VRE, although only 17% consented to perirectal culture. Six participants (3%) had pSK41-positive S. aureus, and none had Inc18-positive VRE. Having chronic wounds for over 2 years was associated with pSK41-positive S. aureus colonization in both analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonization with VRSA precursor organisms was rare. Having long-standing chronic wounds was a risk factor for pSK41-positive S. aureus colonization. Additional investigation into the prevalence of VRSA precursors among a larger cohort of patients is warranted.

Daptomycin: another novel agent for treating infections due to drug-resistant gram-positive pathogens

Daptomycin is a novel cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic that provides rapid bactericidal activity against gram-positive pathogens in vitro, including methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant S. aureus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, and ampicillin- and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved daptomycin for treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections. Its efficacy in the treatment of more-serious infections (e.g., staphylococcal bacteremia) is under investigation. As an intravenous agent that is administered once per day, it offers a convenient regimen for therapy that is continued after discharge, with a side effect profile that appears minimal and manageable. Spontaneous acquisition of resistance in vitro is rare, and hopefully this characteristic will extrapolate into the clinical setting. The rapid bactericidal activity, low potential for resistance, and promising safety profile associated with this agent will make it a useful addition to our growing armamentarium of antibiotics active against gram-positive pathogens.

The incidence of ehrlichial and rickettsial infection in patients with unexplained fever and recent history of tick bite in central North Carolina

We examined the clinical and laboratory findings of a consecutive series of patients from central North Carolina presenting with fever and a history of tick bite within the preceding 14 days. Evidence of a tick-transmitted pathogen was detected in 16 of 35 patients enrolled over a 2-year period. Nine patients were infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and 6 were infected with a spotted fever group rickettsia; 1 patient had evidence of coinfection with E. chaffeensis and a spotted fever group rickettsia. Four patients had detectable antibodies against the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent; however, only 2 had a 4-fold antibody titer rise without detectable antibodies against E. chaffeensis. The other 2 were thought to have cross-reacting antibodies to E. chaffeensis. We conclude that ehrlichial infections may be as common as spotted fever group rickettsial infections in febrile patients from central North Carolina with a recent history of tick bite.

Patterns of substance abuse in schizophrenia: nature and significance

Recent literature suggests that the increasingly prevalent problem of substance abuse may have important implications for the symptoms and course of schizophrenia. To further examine the impact of substance abuse on this disorder, the clinical and research charts of 67 schizophrenic patients admitted to the Schizophrenia Program of the University of Michigan between 1987 and 1990 were reviewed and data on symptomatology, history of substance use, age at onset and first hospitalization, and family psychiatric history were gleaned. This information was analyzed with respect to clinical, demographic, and outcome variables with the following findings: (i) female subjects abused substances at a much lower rate (20%) than male subjects (48%); (ii) substance-abusing patients with schizophrenia had lower pre- and post-treatment Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression scores, poorer post-discharge treatment compliance, and were younger at first hospitalization than were non-abusing patients; (iii) the most often abused substance was cannabis (28%) followed closely by alcohol (21%), with cocaine, hallucinogens, and stimulants all abused by significantly fewer patients; (iv) rates of family history of schizophrenia were similar in substance-abusing and non-substance-abusing schizophrenic patients. These data suggest that substance abuse may not be etiologically related to schizophrenia but influences the onset, course, and symptomatology of schizophrenia.