P143 Incidence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in a cohort of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Poster session 2, September 22, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

 

Objectives

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a common complication of tuberculosis. Previous studies on CPA in TB had involved general TB patients with a majority not bacteriologically proven. Although, ruling out evidence of TB is critical in diagnostic algorithms for CPA, in rare cases, CPA may occur in patients with active TB. This prospective longitudinal study aimed to determine the incidence of CPA at three timepoints in a cohort of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients placed on anti-TB therapy in Ghana.

Methods

Consecutive patients in whom MTB was detected by molecular analysis (GeneXpert MTB) and subsequently placed on anti-TB treatment were enrolled. They were screened for CPA at baseline or the time of TB diagnosis (0-1 week), end of treatment (6-7 months), and post-treatment (12-13 months). Screening involved assessment of signs and symptoms, quality of life (QoL) using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, imaging investigations (chest radiograph and/or CT scan), and mycology testing (LDBio Aspergillus IgG & IgM ICT and culture). CPA cases were defined based on a diagnostic algorithm developed for resource-constrained settings. During follow-up timepoints, CT scan was done when Aspergillus serology changed from negative to positive. GeneXpert MTB or acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear results were obtained from laboratory records during follow-up timepoints.

Results

A total of 46 patients were enrolled at baseline, of whom 34 (74%) were resurveyed at the end of treatment. Only 13 patients have been screened post-treatment so far. There were 6 (13%) relapse cases. At baseline, Aspergillus serology was positive in 4 (8.7%) patients and later increased to 6 (17.6%) and now 3 (23.1%) at the end and post-treatment respectively. Specifically, 4 (8.7%), 2 (6.9%), and 1 (10.0%) patient(s) met the criteria for CPA at baseline, end of treatment, and post-treatment respectively. All four cases of CPA described at baseline occurred in relapse patients. Among these patients, the initial MTB load determined by GeneXpert MTB was either trace or very low and follow-up AFB smear and/or GeneXpert MTB were negative between 2 to 3 months. Among relapse patients, average years since the primary episode of TB was four in those with CPA versus nine in those without CPA. Persistent cough and hemoptysis were the common symptoms of CPA. All CPA patients had cavitation, irregular intraluminal lining of cavity, and all but one had pleural thickening and/or paracavitary fibrosis. Two CPA patients at baseline have been rescreened post-treatment, one still has features of CPA and one had died. Also, the two CPA patients at the end of treatment continue to have CPA features when rescreened. Quality of life score improved significantly at the end of treatment for TB without CPA (51.4-3.8) while for those with putative CPA co-infection the improvement was less (53.8-25.7).

Conclusion

CPA should be considered in patients with suspected TB relapse, a very low or trace GeneXpert MTB, and positive Aspergillus serology. These patients had a less satisfactory symptom improvement after TB treatment. Aspergillus serology testing at the beginning of TB relapse therapy may provide prognostic information.

Improving Awareness, Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Fungal Infections in Ghana: Establishment of the Ghana Medical Mycology Society

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) and medical mycology receive little attention in Ghana. However, the present evolution of biomarker assays for IFIs, offers an opportunity for an increased access to fungal laboratory testing in resource-limited settings, and probably make a case for availability of essential antifungal agents. Using surveys and personal communications, the state of medical mycology and IFI in Ghana were highlighted. Inadequate awareness and insufficient access to fungal diagnostics and therapeutics were identified as the key challenges, the establishment of the Ghana Medical Mycology Society was discussed, and recommendations were made to improve the status quo.

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana

The study examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections among hospitalized patients.

Design

Study design was a retrospective single-center review of hospital data.

Setting

The study was conducted at the COVID-19 Treatment Center of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Participants and study tools

A total of fifty patients with laboratory (rRT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 infection were involved in the study. A chart review of the medical records of the patients was conducted and the data obtained was documented using a data extraction form.

Results

The median age was 53 years and most (36% (18/50)) of the patients were at least 60 years of age. Eighty percent (40/50) of the patients were symptomatic, with cough and difficulty in breathing being the commonest presenting symptoms. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12.3 ± 7.3 days. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were the commonest co-morbidities occurring in 52% (26/50) and 42% (21/50) of patients respectively. Fifty percent of patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia as a complication. The mortality rate was 12% (6/50).

Conclusion

In this study, SARS-CoV2 infection affected older adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the common comorbidities. Patients with these comorbid conditions should be counselled by their clinicians to strictly observe the COVID-19 prevention protocols to reduce their risk of acquiring the infection. There is a need to pay critical and prompt attention to the management of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia particularly among people with diabetes to improve outcomes.

Funding

None declared.

Clinical and therapeutic outcomes of COVID-19 intensive care units (ICU) patients: a retrospective study in Ghana

The COVID-19 pandemic had caused significant morbidity and mortality, with over a million deaths recorded to date. Mortality recorded among severe-critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) has been significantly high, especially in most COVID-19 epicenters. Reports on the unique clinical characteristics and outcomes from the ICU admissions are on-going with isolated studies in Africa. This study was a retrospective single-centre study involving all polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of the department of medicine and therapeutics, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, over the period of 13^th April - 28^th June 2020. Twenty-two (22) patients in total fulfilled the inclusion criteria and are included in this report. Patients' socio-demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory parameters outcomes as well as treatment modalities employed were extracted from their respective medical records and analyzed using STATA version 14. Dyspnoea, fever and cough were most common associated symptoms. The mean duration of admission at the ICU was 4.1 ± 3.0 days with five deaths (22.7%). About 91% (20/22) had at least one comorbidity with hypertension as the most prevalent. The median oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO₂/FiO₂) level was significantly higher in persons with only COVID-19 pneumonia compared to those with complicated respiratory failure (p<0.001). Six (27.3%) out of the 22 patients had non-invasive ventilation, with only 1/22 (4.5%) receiving mechanical ventilation. Although non-significant, the mean duration of ICU stay was relatively shorter in patients who received therapeutic doses of anticoagulation (p=0.32). Duration of treatment with methylprednisolone was significantly associated with patient outcomes (p=0.04) and serum ferritin levels had a tendency to negatively affect outcome (p=0.06). Clearly there are still no specific targeted medications for COVID-19 treatment, except for empirically symptoms-guided treatments and management of mild to critically ill patients. Early use of systemic corticosteroids for severe to critically ill patients in the ICU using S/F ratio and CRP levels may improve outcomes.

Pneumonia in Ghana-a need to raise the profile

Despite the high mortality, pneumonia retains a relatively low profile among researchers, funders and policymakers. Here we reflect on the problems and priorities of pneumonia in Ghana, briefly review the evidence base and reflect upon in-person discussions between Southampton-based authors MGH and JB and academic, clinical and policy colleagues in Ghana. The discussions took place in Accra in August 2017.