Cryptococcal pericarditis in a heart transplant recipient

We present a case of Cryptococcus neoformans pericarditis in a cardiac transplant recipient. This article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of cryptococcosis specifically in transplant patients. While pericarditis is a rare manifestation of Cryptococcus infection, this case highlights that cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for solid organ transplant and immunocompromised patients presenting with pericardial effusions.

Epidemiology of Covid-19 in a Long-Term Care Facility in King County, Washington

BACKGROUND

Long-term care facilities are high-risk settings for severe outcomes from outbreaks of Covid-19, owing to both the advanced age and frequent chronic underlying health conditions of the residents and the movement of health care personnel among facilities in a region.

METHODS

After identification on February 28, 2020, of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in a skilled nursing facility in King County, Washington, Public Health-Seattle and King County, aided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, launched a case investigation, contact tracing, quarantine of exposed persons, isolation of confirmed and suspected cases, and on-site enhancement of infection prevention and control.

RESULTS

As of March 18, a total of 167 confirmed cases of Covid-19 affecting 101 residents, 50 health care personnel, and 16 visitors were found to be epidemiologically linked to the facility. Most cases among residents included respiratory illness consistent with Covid-19; however, in 7 residents no symptoms were documented. Hospitalization rates for facility residents, visitors, and staff were 54.5%, 50.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The case fatality rate for residents was 33.7% (34 of 101). As of March 18, a total of 30 long-term care facilities with at least one confirmed case of Covid-19 had been identified in King County.

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of rapidly escalating Covid-19 outbreaks, proactive steps by long-term care facilities to identify and exclude potentially infected staff and visitors, actively monitor for potentially infected patients, and implement appropriate infection prevention and control measures are needed to prevent the introduction of Covid-19.

COVID-19 in a Long-Term Care Facility - King County, Washington, February 27-March 9, 2020

On February 28, 2020, a case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was identified in a woman resident of a long-term care skilled nursing facility (facility A) in King County, Washington.* Epidemiologic investigation of facility A identified 129 cases of COVID-19 associated with facility A, including 81 of the residents, 34 staff members, and 14 visitors; 23 persons died. Limitations in effective infection control and prevention and staff members working in multiple facilities contributed to intra- and interfacility spread. COVID-19 can spread rapidly in long-term residential care facilities, and persons with chronic underlying medical conditions are at greater risk for COVID-19-associated severe disease and death. Long-term care facilities should take proactive steps to protect the health of residents and preserve the health care workforce by identifying and excluding potentially infected staff members and visitors, ensuring early recognition of potentially infected patients, and implementing appropriate infection control measures.

Use of Adjunctive Steroids and Incidence of Delayed Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Adults with Bacterial Meningitis

Background

Bacterial meningitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Adjunctive steroids decrease mortality in adults with meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniaebut its use has been recently linked to the development of delayed cerebral thrombosis (DCT). The purpose of our study was to determine the utilization of adjunctive steroids and its incidence.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter study involving 10 Houston area hospitals from 2008 to 2016. Data was gathered from 120 adults with culture proven community-acquired bacterial meningitis. An adverse clinical outcome was defined as a Glasgow outcome score of 1–4.

Results

There was a total of 120 patients enrolled; of which, 55% were male. Adjunctive intravenous steroids were administered in 82 (68%) patients with bacterial meningitis. The steroid median duration was 3.8 days. The average age of patients was 55.3 years (range 20–92). There was no difference in Charlson comorbidity score, immunosuppression, presence of sinusitis or otitis, fever, meningeal signs or symptoms, abnormal neurological findings, Gram stain or severity of illness, based on Aronin score (P > 0.05), between patients who received steroids and those that did not. Older patients, age >65, were less likely to receive adjunctive steroids (P = 0.028). The most common organism isolated was Streptococcus pneumoniae, which occurred in 46 (38%) patients. An adverse clinical outcome was seen in 46 (38%) patients with no difference between groups (P = 0.819). Delayed cerebral thrombosis was seen in a total of 9 (7.5%) patients with bacterial meningitis. Of these, 1 patient (2.6%) did not receive steroids and the remaining 8 (10.9%) patients received steroids (P = 0.158). Five cases of meningitis that were complicated by DCT were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 by Listeria monocytogenes, and 2 with Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusion

Adjunctive steroids are being used in the majority of adults with bacterial meningitis but it is possibly associated with DCT, a devastating complication

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.