COVID-19 Outcomes in Lung Transplant Recipients Following Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis With Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab During the Omicron BA.5 Surge: A Single Center Analysis

Lung transplant (LTx) recipients are at high risk for COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Data regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tixagevimab-cilgavimab in this population are scarce. We therefore evaluated COVID-19 breakthrough infections and COVID-19 related complications after PrEP in a retrospective single-center study, including 264 LTx recipients who received PrEP between June 2022 and December 2022, when Omicron BA.5 was the dominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant. PrEP was indicated for fully vaccinated patients with poor seroconversion (anti-S <260 BAU/mL). COVID-19 breakthrough infection after PrEP occurred in 11.0% within the first 3 months, increasing to 17.4% within 6 months. Hospitalization rate rose from 27.6% to 52.9% (p = 0.046), while ICU admissions and COVID-19 mortality remained low, respectively occurring in 6.5% and 4.3% of patients with breakthrough infection within 6 months. COVID-19 breakthrough infection and associated hospitalization remained an important problem during the Omicron BA.5 surge in fully vaccinated LTx recipients with deficient seroconversion, despite PrEP with tixagevimab-cilgavimab. However, ICU admissions and COVID-19 mortality were low. Waning of neutralizing effects of PrEP and changing circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants may explain increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations over time after PrEP, highlighting the need for novel, long-term effective PrEP strategies in these high-risk patients.

Should treatment decisions in septic arthritis of the native hip joint be based on the route of infection?

Background: Surgical management of septic arthritis (SA) of the hip aims at treating the infection by either preserving, resecting or replacing the joint. In some cases, joint preservation should be attempted, whereas other cases would benefit from immediate joint resection or replacement. Prognostic factors have been proposed to guide decision-making. We hypothesized that most of these factors can be simplified to three subgroups based on the route of infection: contiguous spreading, direct inoculation or hematogenous seeding. Methods: A total of 41 patients have been treated surgically for SA of the native hip at our tertiary hospital during the last 16 years. Medical records were studied, and various patient and disease characteristics were collated. Results: Significant differences between (1) level of fitness, (2) condition of the hip joint, (3) micro-organisms and (4) chance of femoral head preservation were found for patients with SA of the native hip resulting from the three aforementioned subgroups. Femoral head resection was necessary at one point in 85 % of patients. Patients with hematogenous infections of undamaged hips had a reasonable chance (53 %) of avoiding joint resection or replacement. Hip arthroplasty was performed on 46.3 % of patients, with an infection rate of 10.5 %. Conclusion: Patients with SA of the native hip resulting from contiguous spreading, hematogenous seeding or direct inoculation differ significantly and should be considered distinct clinical entities. Route of infection is directly related to the chance of femoral head preservation and should, therefore, guide decision-making. Only patients with hematogenous infection to a previously healthy hip had the possibility of femoral head preservation.

FLUIDOT: A Modular Microfluidic Platform for Single-Cell Study and Retrieval, with Applications in Drug Tolerance Screening and Antibody Mining

Advancements in lab-on-a-chip technologies have revolutionized the single-cell analysis field. However, an accessible platform for in-depth screening and specific retrieval of single cells, which moreover enables studying diverse cell types and performing various downstream analyses, is still lacking. As a solution, FLUIDOT is introduced, a versatile microfluidic platform incorporating customizable microwells, optical tweezers and an interchangeable cell-retrieval system. Thanks to its smart microfluidic design, FLUIDOT is straightforward to fabricate and operate, rendering the technology widely accessible. The performance of FLUIDOT is validated and its versatility is subsequently demonstrated in two applications. First, drug tolerance in yeast cells is studied, resulting in the discovery of two treatment-tolerant populations. Second, B cells from convalescent COVID-19 patients are screened, leading to the discovery of highly affine, in vitro neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Owing to its performance, flexibility, and accessibility, it is foreseen that FLUIDOT will enable phenotypic and genotypic analysis of diverse cell samples and thus elucidate unexplored biological questions.

The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20): expected added value

OBJECTIVES

Currently existing pneumococcal vaccines have contributed to a major reduction in pneumococcal disease. However, there remains an unmet need for vaccine coverage of serotypes not included in PCV13 to further reduce the burden of disease. The objective of this review is to assess the potential impact of implementation of the investigational 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in the childhood and adult immunization programme in Belgium and Europe.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to identify publications and surveillance reports concerning the effectiveness and safety of pneumococcal vaccines, epidemiological data on pneumococcal disease or serotype distribution dynamics after introduction of systematic vaccination.

RESULTS

Serotypes included in PCV20 currently account for the majority of pneumococcal disease in Belgium and Europe. In Belgium, PCV20-serotypes accounted for 71.4% of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases across all age groups in 2019, of which 39.2% were caused by PCV20-non-PCV13-serotypes. In Europe, these seven serotypes accounted for 37,6% of IPD cases in 2018.  PCV20 has proven to be well tolerated in vaccine-naïve adults and elicits a substantial immune response against all serotypes included.

CONCLUSION

Due to serotype replacement following the introduction of PCV7 and PCV13, a considerable proportion of pneumococcal disease is currently caused by PCV20-serotypes. PCV20 has the potential of preventing more pneumococcal disease in children and the adult population at risk than the existing conjugate vaccines. The available evidence on safety and immunogenicity of PCV20 is promising, but further research is needed to provide data about vaccine effectiveness, immune response duration and replacement phenomenon after introduction of PCV20.

Anatomical barriers against SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion at vulnerable interfaces visualized in deceased COVID-19 patients

Can SARS-CoV-2 hitchhike on the olfactory projection and take a direct and short route from the nose into the brain? We reasoned that the neurotropic or neuroinvasive capacity of the virus, if it exists, should be most easily detectable in individuals who died in an acute phase of the infection. Here, we applied a postmortem bedside surgical procedure for the rapid procurement of tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid samples from deceased COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta, Omicron BA.1, or Omicron BA.2 variants. Confocal imaging of sections stained with fluorescence RNAscope and immunohistochemistry afforded the light-microscopic visualization of extracellular SARS-CoV-2 virions in tissues. We failed to find evidence for viral invasion of the parenchyma of the olfactory bulb and the frontal lobe of the brain. Instead, we identified anatomical barriers at vulnerable interfaces, exemplified by perineurial olfactory nerve fibroblasts enwrapping olfactory axon fascicles in the lamina propria of the olfactory mucosa.

Potent neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 human antibodies cure infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamster model

Treatment with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contributes to COVID-19 management. Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-2 variants escape several of these recently approved mAbs, highlighting the need for additional discovery and development. In a convalescent patient with COVID-19, we identified six mAbs, classified in four epitope groups, that potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 D614G, beta, gamma, and delta infection in vitro, with three mAbs neutralizing omicron as well. In hamsters, mAbs 3E6 and 3B8 potently cured infection with SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan, beta, and delta when administered post-viral infection at 5 mg/kg. Even at 0.2 mg/kg, 3B8 still reduced viral titers. Intramuscular delivery of DNA-encoded 3B8 resulted in in vivo mAb production of median serum levels up to 90 μg/mL, and protected hamsters against delta infection. Overall, our data mark 3B8 as a promising candidate against COVID-19, and highlight advances in both the identification and gene-based delivery of potent human mAbs.

A Novel Homozygous Stop Mutation in IL23R Causes Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease

PURPOSE

Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is caused by inborn errors of IFN-γ immunity. The most frequent genetic defects are found in IL12 or a subunit of its receptor. IL23R deficiency in MSMD has only been reported once, in two pediatric patients from the same kindred with isolated disseminated Bacille Calmette-Guérin disease. We evaluated the impact of a homozygous stop mutation in IL23R (R381X), identified by whole exome sequencing, in an adult patient with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease.

METHODS

We performed functional validation of the R381X mutation by evaluating IL23R expression and IL-23 signaling (STAT3 phosphorylation, IFN-γ production) in primary cells (PBMCs, EBV-B cells) and cell lines (HeLa) with or without back-complementation of wild-type IL23R.

RESULTS

We report on a 48-year-old male with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease. We identified and characterized a homozygous loss-of-function stop mutation underlying IL23R deficiency, resulting in near absent expression of membrane bound IL23R. IL23R deficiency was characterized by impaired IL-23-mediated IFN-γ secretion in CD4⁺, CD8⁺ T, and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and low frequencies of circulating Th17 (CD3⁺CD45RA^-CCR4⁺CXCR3^-RORγT⁺), Th1* (CD45RA^-CCR4^-CXCR3⁺RORγT⁺), and MAIT (CD3⁺CD8⁺Vα7.2⁺CD161⁺) cells. Although the patient did not have a history of recurrent fungal infections, impaired Th17 differentiation and blunted IL-23-mediated IL-17 secretion in PBMCs were observed.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that impaired IL-23 immunity caused by a homozygous R381X mutation in IL23R underlies MSMD, corroborating earlier findings with a homozygous p.C115Y IL23R mutation. Our report further supports a model of redundant contribution of IL-23- to IL-17-mediated anti-fungal immunity.1.

Thromboprophylaxis in COVID‐19: Weight and severity adjusted intensified dosing

Background

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Overall performance of a drug-drug interaction clinical decision support system: quantitative evaluation and end-user survey

BACKGROUND

Clinical decision support systems are implemented in many hospitals to prevent medication errors and associated harm. They are however associated with a high burden of false positive alerts and alert fatigue. The aim of this study was to evaluate a drug-drug interaction (DDI) clinical decision support system in terms of its performance, uptake and user satisfaction and to identify barriers and opportunities for improvement.

METHODS

A quantitative evaluation and end-user survey were performed in a large teaching hospital. First, very severe DDI alerts generated between 2019 and 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Data collection comprised alert burden, override rates, the number of alert overrides reviewed by pharmacists and the resulting pharmacist recommendations as well as their acceptance rate. Second, an e-survey was carried out among prescribers to assess satisfaction, usefulness and relevance of DDI alerts as well as reasons for overriding.

RESULTS

A total of 38,409 very severe DDI alerts were generated, of which 88.2% were overridden by the prescriber. In 3.2% of reviewed overrides, a recommendation by the pharmacist was provided, of which 79.2% was accepted. False positive alerts were caused by a too broad screening interval and lack of incorporation of patient-specific characteristics, such as QTc values. Co-prescribing of a non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant and a low molecular weight heparin accounted for 49.8% of alerts, of which 92.2% were overridden. In 88 (1.1%) of these overridden alerts, concurrent therapy was still present. Despite the high override rate, the e-survey revealed that the DDI clinical decision support system was found useful by prescribers.

CONCLUSIONS

Identified barriers were the lack of DDI-specific screening intervals and inclusion of patient-specific characteristics, both leading to a high number of false positive alerts and risk for alert fatigue. Despite these barriers, the added value of the DDI clinical decision support system was recognized by prescribers. Hence, integration of DDI-specific screening intervals and patient-specific characteristics is warranted to improve the performance of the DDI software.

A public health value-based healthcare paradigm for HIV

Background

HIV patients face considerable acute and chronic healthcare needs and battling the HIV epidemic remains of the utmost importance. By focusing on health outcomes in relation to the cost of care, value-based healthcare (VBHC) proposes a strategy to optimize quality of care and cost-efficiency. Its implementation may provide an answer to the increasing pressure to optimize spending in healthcare while improving patient outcomes. This paper describes a pragmatic value-based healthcare framework for HIV care.

Methods

A value-based HIV healthcare framework was developed during a series of roundtable discussions bringing together 16 clinical stakeholder representatives from the Belgian HIV reference centers and 2 VBHC specialists. Each round of discussions was focused on a central question translating a concept or idea to the next level of practical implementation: 1) how can VBHC principles be translated into value-based HIV care drivers; 2) how can these value-based HIV care divers be translated into value-based care objectives and activities; and 3) how can value-based HIV care objectives and activities be translated into value-based care indicators. Value drivers were linked to concrete objectives and activities using a logical framework approach. Finally, specific, measurable, and acceptable structure, process and outcomes indicators were defined to complement the framework.

Results

Our framework identifies 4 core value areas where HIV care would benefit most from improvements: Prevention, improvement of the cascade of care, providing patient-centered HIV care and sustaining a state-of-the-art HIV disease management context. These 4 core value areas were translated into 12 actionable core value objectives. For each objective, example activities were proposed. Indicators are suggested for each level of the framework (outcome indicators for value areas and objectives, process indicators for suggested activities).

Conclusions

This framework approach outlines how to define a patient- and public health centered value-based HIV care paradigm. It proposes how to translate core value drivers to practical objectives and activities and suggests defining indicators that can be used to track and improve the framework’s implementation in practice.

Visualizing in deceased COVID-19 patients how SARS-CoV-2 attacks the respiratory and olfactory mucosae but spares the olfactory bulb

Anosmia, the loss of smell, is a common and often the sole symptom of COVID-19. The onset of the sequence of pathobiological events leading to olfactory dysfunction remains obscure. Here, we have developed a postmortem bedside surgical procedure to harvest endoscopically samples of respiratory and olfactory mucosae and whole olfactory bulbs. Our cohort of 85 cases included COVID-19 patients who died a few days after infection with SARS-CoV-2, enabling us to catch the virus while it was still replicating. We found that sustentacular cells are the major target cell type in the olfactory mucosa. We failed to find evidence for infection of olfactory sensory neurons, and the parenchyma of the olfactory bulb is spared as well. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 does not appear to be a neurotropic virus. We postulate that transient insufficient support from sustentacular cells triggers transient olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19. Olfactory sensory neurons would become affected without getting infected.

Repolarization abnormalities on admission predict 1-year outcome in COVID-19 patients

Background

ECG abnormalities in COVID-19 have been widely reported, however data after discharge is limited. The aim was to describe ECG abnormalities on admission and following recovery of COVID-19, and their associated mortality.

Methods

All patients hospitalized in a tertiary care hospital between March 7th and July 1st 2020 with COVID-19 were included in a retrospective registry. The first ECG on admission was collected, together with an ECG after hospital discharge in the absence of acute pathology. Automated measures and clinical ECG interpretations were collected. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to predict 1-year all-cause mortality.

Results

In total 420 patients were included, of which 83 patients (19.8%) died during the 1-year follow-up period. Repolarization abnormalities were present in 189 patients (45.0%). The extent of repolarization abnormalities was an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality (HR per region 1.30, 95%CI 1.04–1.64) together with age (/year HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.04–1.08), heart rate (/bpm HR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01–1.03), neurological disorders (HR 2.41, 95%CI 1.47–3.93), active cancer (HR 2.75, 95%CI 1.57–4.82), CRP (per 10 mg/L HR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02–1.08) and eGFR (per 10 mg/L HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.83–0.98).

In 245 patients (68.1%) an ECG post discharge was available. New repolarization abnormalities were more frequent in patients who died after discharge (4.7% versus 41.7%, p < 0.001) and 8 (3.3%) had new ventricular conduction defects, none of whom died during follow-up.

Conclusions

The presence and extent of repolarization abnormalities predicted outcome in patients with COVID-19. New repolarization abnormalities after discharge were associated with post-discharge mortality.

Management of periprosthetic infection after reverse shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) remains a devastating complication after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Currently, scientific data related to the management of PSI are limited, and the optimal strategy and related clinical outcomes remain unclear. Guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America for the management of periprosthetic joint infection are mainly based on data from patients after hip and knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether these guidelines are also valid for patients with PSI after RSA. In addition, the functional outcome according to the surgical intervention was assessed.

METHODS

An RSA database was retrospectively reviewed to identify infections after primary and revision RSAs, diagnosed between 2004 and 2018. Data collected included age, sex, indication for RSA, causative pathogen, surgical and antimicrobial treatment, functional outcome, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients with a PSI were identified. Surgical treatment was subdivided into débridement and implant retention (DAIR) (n = 6, 17%); 1-stage revision (n = 1, 3%); 2-stage revision (n = 16, 44%); multiple-stage revision (>2 stages) (n = 7, 19%); definitive spacer implantation (n = 2, 6%); and resection arthroplasty (n = 4, 11%). The most common causative pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 11, 31%) and Cutibacterium acnes (n = 9, 25%). Recurrence was diagnosed in 4 patients (11%), all of whom were initially treated with a DAIR approach. The median follow-up period was 36 months (range, 24-132 months).

CONCLUSION

PSI is typically caused by low-virulence pathogens, which often are diagnosed with a delay, resulting in chronic infection at the time of surgery. Our results indicate that treatment of patients with chronic PSI with DAIR has a high recurrence rate. In addition, implant exchange (ie, 1- and 2-stage exchange) does not compromise the functional result as compared with implant retention. Thus, patients with chronic PSI should be treated with implant exchange. Future research should further clarify which surgical strategy (ie, 1-stage vs. 2-stage exchange) has a better outcome overall.

Tigecycline-induced life-threatening coagulopathy in a patient with a Mycobacterium abscess: a case report and step-by-step diagnostic approach

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is indicated in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated skin and skin and soft-tissue infections. We report the case of a 53-year old kidney transplant patient with a severe Mycobacterium abscess who developed life-threatening coagulopathy after initiation of tigecycline therapy. Further analysis revealed a severe hypofibrinogenemia. A few case reports previously described an association between tigecycline and prolongation of clotting time. Our case confirms an uncommon yet possibly life-threatening side-effect of tigecycline. Medical practitioners should be aware of this potential coagulopathy and we recommend routine monitoring of coagulation parameters in patients receiving tigecycline.

Immunogenicity and Safety of the 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients and Adults Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

BACKGROUND

The burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is high. Clinical trials on HPV vaccines in persons living with HIV and particularly in SOT recipients have been sparse to date, included low numbers of participants, and none of them assessed the 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine. We investigated the immunogenicity with respect to HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 and the safety of the 9vHPV vaccine in persons living with HIV and recipients of a kidney, lung, or heart transplant.

METHODS

This is a phase III investigator-initiated study in 100 persons living with HIV (age 18-45 years) and 171 SOT recipients (age 18-55 years). The 9vHPV vaccine was administered at day 1, month 2, and month 6. Primary outcome was seroconversion rates to the 9vHPV types at month 7. Secondary outcomes were geometric mean titers (GMTs) and frequency of adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

All HIV-infected participants seroconverted for all HPV types, but seroconversion ranged from 46% for HPV45 to 72% for HPV58 in SOT recipients. GMTs ranged from 180 to 2985 mMU/mL in HIV-positive participants and from 17 to 170 mMU/mL in SOT recipients, depending on the HPV type. Injection-site AEs occurred in 62% of participants but were mostly mild or moderate in intensity. None of the reported serious adverse events were deemed vaccine related. No patients died during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunogenicity of the 9vHPV vaccine is high in persons living with HIV but suboptimal in SOT recipients. The vaccine is safe and well tolerated in both groups.

Bacteriophage Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Infections: The Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Phage Task Force (The PHAGEFORCE Study Protocol)

In times where only a few novel antibiotics are to be expected, antimicrobial resistance remains an expanding global health threat. In case of chronic infections caused by therapy-resistant pathogens, physicians have limited therapeutic options, which are often associated with detrimental consequences for the patient. This has resulted in a renewed interest in alternative strategies, such as bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, there are still important hurdles that currently impede the more widespread implementation of phage therapy in clinical practice. First, the limited number of good-quality case series and clinical trials have failed to show the optimal application protocol in terms of route of administration, frequency of administration, treatment duration and phage titer. Second, there is limited information on the systemic effects of phage therapy. Finally, in the past, phage therapy has been applied intuitively in terms of the selection of phages and their combination as parts of phage cocktails. This has led to an enormous heterogeneity in previously published studies, resulting in a lack of reliable safety and efficacy data for phage therapy. We hereby present a study protocol that addresses these scientific hurdles using a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together the experience of clinical, pharmaceutical and molecular microbiology experts.

Itraconazole for COVID-19: preclinical studies and a proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The antifungal drug itraconazole exerts in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero and human Caco-2 cells. Preclinical and clinical studies are required to investigate if itraconazole is effective for the treatment and/or prevention of COVID-19.

METHODS

Due to the initial absence of preclinical models, the effect of itraconazole was explored in a clinical, proof-of-concept, open-label, single-center study, in which hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care with or without itraconazole. Primary outcome was the cumulative score of the clinical status until day 15 based on the 7-point ordinal scale of the World Health Organization. In parallel, itraconazole was evaluated in a newly established hamster model of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, as soon as the model was validated.

FINDINGS

In the hamster acute infection model, itraconazole did not reduce viral load in lungs, stools or ileum, despite adequate plasma and lung drug concentrations. In the transmission model, itraconazole failed to prevent viral transmission. The clinical trial was prematurely discontinued after evaluation of the preclinical studies and because an interim analysis showed no signal for a more favorable outcome with itraconazole: mean cumulative score of the clinical status 49 vs 47, ratio of geometric means 1.01 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.19) for itraconazole vs standard of care.

INTERPRETATION

Despite in vitro activity, itraconazole was not effective in a preclinical COVID-19 hamster model. This prompted the premature termination of the proof-of-concept clinical study.

FUNDING

KU Leuven, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Horizon 2020, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Impact of solid cancer on in-hospital mortality overall and among different subgroups of patients with COVID-19: a nationwide, population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Cancer seems to have an independent adverse prognostic effect on COVID-19-related mortality, but uncertainty exists regarding its effect across different patient subgroups. We report a population-based analysis of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 with prior or current solid cancer versus those without cancer.

METHODS

We analysed data of adult patients registered until 24 May 2020 in the Belgian nationwide database of Sciensano. The primary objective was in-hospital mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis among patients with solid cancer versus patients without cancer. Severe event occurrence, a composite of intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation and/or death, was a secondary objective. These endpoints were analysed across different patient subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between cancer and clinical characteristics (baseline analysis) and the effect of cancer on in-hospital mortality and on severe event occurrence, adjusting for clinical characteristics (in-hospital analysis).

RESULTS

A total of 13 594 patients (of whom 1187 with solid cancer (8.7%)) were evaluable for the baseline analysis and 10 486 (892 with solid cancer (8.5%)) for the in-hospital analysis. Patients with cancer were older and presented with less symptoms/signs and lung imaging alterations. The 30-day in-hospital mortality was higher in patients with solid cancer compared with patients without cancer (31.7% vs 20.0%, respectively; adjusted OR (aOR) 1.34; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.58). The aOR was 3.84 (95% CI 1.94 to 7.59) among younger patients (<60 years) and 2.27 (95% CI 1.41 to 3.64) among patients without other comorbidities. Severe event occurrence was similar in both groups (36.7% vs 28.8%; aOR 1.10; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.29).

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based analysis demonstrates that solid cancer is an independent adverse prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19. This adverse effect was more pronounced among younger patients and those without other comorbidities. Patients with solid cancer should be prioritised in vaccination campaigns and in tailored containment measurements.

Bacteriophage Application for Difficult-to-treat Musculoskeletal Infections: Development of a Standardized Multidisciplinary Treatment Protocol

Bacteriophage therapy has recently attracted increased interest, particularly in difficult-to-treat infections. Although it is not a novel concept, standardized treatment guidelines are currently lacking. We present the first steps towards the establishment of a "multidisciplinary phage task force" (MPTF) and a standardized treatment pathway, based on our experience of four patients with severe musculoskeletal infections. After review of their medical history and current clinical status, a multidisciplinary team found four patients with musculoskeletal infections eligible for bacteriophage therapy within the scope of Article 37 of the Declaration of Helsinki. Treatment protocols were set up in collaboration with phage scientists and specialists. Based on the isolated pathogens, phage cocktails were selected and applied intraoperatively. A draining system allowed postoperative administration for a maximum of 10 days, 3 times per day. All patients received concomitant antibiotics and their clinical status was followed daily during phage therapy. No severe side-effects related to the phage application protocol were noted. After a single course of phage therapy with concomitant antibiotics, no recurrence of infection with the causative strains occurred, with follow-up periods ranging from 8 to 16 months. This study presents the successful outcome of bacteriophage therapy using a standardized treatment pathway for patients with severe musculoskeletal infection. A multidisciplinary team approach in the form of an MPTF is paramount in this process.

Incidence and risk factors of fever in a contemporary cohort of HIV-patients with good access to antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

To study incidence and to determine risk factors of fever in a contemporary cohort of HIV-infected patients with access to antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

Prospective study in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in Belgium from 2009 to 2013.

RESULTS

759 patients were followed for a total of 2136 patient years. The incidence of fever was low, with an incidence rate of 0.103 (95% CI 0.078; 0.135) febrile episodes per patient per year for temperature 38.3 °C or higher measured by a health care provider. Gender, age, ethnicity, and calendar year of measurement were no significant risk factors for fever in univariable analysis, but recent HIV diagnosis, prior AIDS, nadir CD4 cell count, last CD4 cell count, and viral load were, as were use of antiretroviral therapy, recent start of antiretroviral therapy and recent switch of antiretroviral therapy. Recent stop of antiretroviral therapy was no significant risk factor. In multivariable analysis prior AIDS, last CD4 and viral load remained significant risk factors, but use of antiretroviral therapy not.

CONCLUSION

In this contemporary cohort, incidence of fever was low but CD4 cell count less than 200/mm³ remained associated with the highest incidence of fever.

Q fever: a contemporary case series from a Belgian hospital

OBJECTIVES

Q fever is a global zoonosis that can cause both acute and chronic infections in humans through aerogenic transmission. Although Q fever was discovered already 80 years ago, this infectious disease remains largely unknown. We studied a case series in a Belgian tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

A laboratory and file query at our department was performed to detect patients who were newly diagnosed with Q fever from 01 January 2005 to 01 October 2014.

RESULTS

In total, 10 acute Q fever and 5 chronic Q fever infections were identified. An aspecific flu-like illness was the prevailing manifestation of acute Q fever, while this was infective endocarditis in chronic Q fever cases. Noteworthy are the high percentage of myocarditis cases in the acute setting and one case of amyloidosis as a manifestation of chronic Q fever. No evolution from acute to chronic Q fever was noted; overall outcome for both acute and chronic Q fever was favourable with a 94% survival rate.

DISCUSSION

Q fever is an infectious disease characterised by a variable clinical presentation. Detection requires correct assessment of the clinical picture in combination with a laboratory confirmation. Treatment and follow-up are intended to avoid a negative outcome.

Clinical presentation, causes and outcome of febrile episodes in a prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients

BACKGROUND

Fever was frequently caused by opportunistic conditions in HIV-patients in the early years of the epidemic. Little is known about diagnostic spectrum and outcome of febrile episodes in patients with good access to antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

We prospectively studied clinical presentation, diagnosis and outcome of febrile episodes in a contemporary cohort of HIV-patients with good access to antiretroviral therapy. Fever was defined as temperature 38.3 °C or higher, measured by a health care provider.

RESULTS

We found 220 febrile episodes in 146 patients. In 25.9% of episodes the patient had a CD4 less than 200/mm³ and in 78.6% the patient was on antiretroviral therapy. There were multiple episodes in 44 patients. A diagnosis was established in 91.8%. Infection accounted for 82.3%, mainly respiratory tract infections, viral syndromes and abdominal infections. Malignancy, drug reactions and inflammatory conditions accounted together for less than 12% of episodes. Fifteen percent were attributed to opportunistic conditions. Episodes in patients with CD4 less than 200 were less likely to be caused by infection, but more likely to be caused by malignancy, drug reactions and opportunistic conditions. In 6.4% the patient died within six months after the onset of fever. Risk factors for death at six months in multivariable analysis were higher age and lower CD4.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-patients with access to antiretroviral therapy present with fever mostly due to conditions common in the general population. HIV-patients with low CD4 remain at risk for fever due to opportunistic conditions and death.

Characteristics, causes, and outcome of 54 episodes of bloodstream infections in a cohort of HIV patients

BACKGROUND

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk for bloodstream infections (BSIs). Published recent data on characteristics, etiology, and outcome of BSIs in HIV patients in high income countries are scarce.

METHODS

Blood cultures from 2001 to 2011 from adult HIV patients were retrieved. Blood cultures considered to be contamination based on isolates and clinical context were excluded. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of BSIs and patients were described, those of community-acquired and nosocomial episodes were compared, and risk factors for 6-month mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

We found 54 episodes of true BSI in 46 patients. Demographics were similar to those of the source cohort of all patients followed between 2001 and 2011. In 63% there was prior AIDS, in 91% a CD4 nadir below 200/mm(3), and in 72% a latest CD4 count < 200/mm(3). In 13% of patients BSI preceded a new HIV diagnosis within 1 week. Main causative microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (26%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20%), and Enterococcus spp. (13%). The most frequent diagnoses were pneumonia (28%) and catheter-related BSI (CRBSI) (28%); 56% of episodes were nosocomial. The 1-month mortality rate was 17%, with a cause of death apparently unrelated to the BSI in five of nine episodes. The 6-month mortality was 28%. Factors of co-morbidity or immunodeficiency other than HIV were significantly associated with 6-month mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

BSIs in HIV-infected patients occur predominantly in patients with advanced HIV infection. Community-acquired bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia and nosocomial staphylococcal CRBSIs are the main causes. Mortality following BSI is high, and seems to be driven by underlying complicated HIV infection.

Trends and predictors of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and clusters with TDR in a local Belgian HIV-1 epidemic

We aimed to study epidemic trends and predictors for transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in our region, its clinical impact and its association with transmission clusters. We included 778 patients from the AIDS Reference Center in Leuven (Belgium) diagnosed from 1998 to 2012. Resistance testing was performed using population-based sequencing and TDR was estimated using the WHO-2009 surveillance list. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian techniques. The cohort was predominantly Belgian (58.4%), men who have sex with men (MSM) (42.8%), and chronically infected (86.5%). The overall TDR prevalence was 9.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.7-11.9), 6.5% (CI: 5.0-8.5) for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), 2.2% (CI: 1.4-3.5) for non-NRTI (NNRTI), and 2.2% (CI: 1.4-3.5) for protease inhibitors. A significant parabolic trend of NNRTI-TDR was found (p = 0.019). Factors significantly associated with TDR in univariate analysis were male gender, Belgian origin, MSM, recent infection, transmission clusters and subtype B, while multivariate and Bayesian network analysis singled out subtype B as the most predictive factor of TDR. Subtype B was related with transmission clusters with TDR that included 42.6% of the TDR patients. Thanks to resistance testing, 83% of the patients with TDR who started therapy had undetectable viral load whereas half of the patients would likely have received a suboptimal therapy without this test. In conclusion, TDR remained stable and a NNRTI up-and-down trend was observed. While the presence of clusters with TDR is worrying, we could not identify an independent, non-sequence based predictor for TDR or transmission clusters with TDR that could help with guidelines or public health measures.

Tuberculosis infection following anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, despite negative screening

We present two patients with inflammatory bowel disease who, despite negative tuberculosis screening, developed a de novo tuberculosis infection after the start of anti tumor necrosis factor alpha treatment. We discuss current screening methods and their limitations, the approach after positive screening and the timing to resume anti-TNFα treatment after TB infection. We shortly mention the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), described in a few cases after the stop of anti-TNFalpha while treating the tuberculosis infection. We conclude with some remaining questions concerning tuberculosis in IBD patients.

RegaDB: community-driven data management and analysis for infectious diseases

Summary: RegaDB is a free and open source data management and analysis environment for infectious diseases. RegaDB allows clinicians to store, manage and analyse patient data, including viral genetic sequences. Moreover, RegaDB provides researchers with a mechanism to collect data in a uniform format and offers them a canvas to make newly developed bioinformatics tools available to clinicians and virologists through a user friendly interface.

Availability and implementation: Source code, binaries and documentation are available on http://rega.kuleuven.be/cev/regadb. RegaDB is written in the Java programming language, using a web-service-oriented architecture.

Contact:pieter.libin@rega.kuleuven.be

Adult-onset Still's disease: still a diagnosis of exclusion. A nested case-control study in patients with fever of unknown origin

OBJECTIVES

Several sets of criteria have been proposed to classify adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), those of Yamaguchi being the most commonly used. The Yamaguchi criteria demand the exclusion of other conditions. A clinical scale, recently proposed by Crispin et al., but not yet validated, would allow a positive diagnosis of AOSD in a majority of patients, without the need of thorough diagnostic procedures.

METHODS

From a database of 447 patients with classical fever of unknown origin (FUO), collected over a 10-year period (2000-2009) at a general internal medicine department of a university hospital, 22 patients with AOSD according to the Yamaguchi criteria were extracted and compared with 44 controls, matched to index year. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Yamaguchi criteria and of the clinical score were assessed.

RESULTS

Lower age, joint symptoms, rash, throat ache, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate were the principal characteristics supporting a diagnosis of AOSD in patients with FUO. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the Yamaguchi criteria were 95% or more. The clinical scale, while being specific (98%), lacked sensitivity (55%) and had lower accuracy (83%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with FUO, the Yamaguchi criteria are a time honored and reliable guide to a diagnosis of AOSD. The clinical scale may serve to rule in, rather than to rule out, AOSD. In many patients, Still's disease is still a diagnosis of exclusion.

A genotypic assay for the amplification and sequencing of integrase from diverse HIV-1 group M subtypes

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA approved the first integrase inhibitor for inclusion in treatment regimens of HIV-1 patients failing their current regimens with multi-drug resistant strains. However, treatment failure has been observed during integrase inhibitor-containing therapy. Several mutational pathways have been described with signature mutations at integrase positions 66, 92, 148 and 155. Therefore, a genotypic assay for the amplification and sequencing of HIV-1 integrase was developed. The assay displayed a detection limit of 10 HIV-1 III(B) RNA copies/ml plasma. As the HIV-1 pandemic is characterised by a large genetic diversity, the new assay was evaluated on a panel of 74 genetically divergent samples belonging to the following genetic forms A, B, C, D, F, G, J, CRF01-AE, CRF02-AG, CRFF03-AB, CRF12-BF and CRF13-cpx. Their viral load ranged from 178 until >500,000 RNA copies/ml. The amplification and sequencing was successful for 70 samples (a success rate of 95%). The four failures were most probably due to low viral load or poor quality of RNA and not to subtype issues. Some of the sequences obtained from integrase inhibitor-naïve patients displayed polymorphisms at integrase positions associated with resistance: 74IV, 138D, 151I, 157Q and 163AE. The relevance of these polymorphisms in the absence of the signature mutations remains unclear.

[Prevention of endocarditis: changes in the recommendations]

Guidelines for the prophylaxis of infective endocarditis have historically evolved and have been based on limited medical evidence. New data suggest that infectious endocarditis is much more likely to result from frequent exposure to random bacteremias associated with daily activities than from bacteremia caused by a dental, gastrointestinal (GI) or genitourinary (GU) tract procedure, that prophylaxis may prevent an exceedingly small number of cases of endocarditis in patients who undergo a dental, GI tract or GU tract procedure and that the risk of antibiotic-associated adverse events may exceed the benefit from prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Based on these data the 2007 guidelines of the American Heart Association radically limit the indications for endocarditis prophylaxis. In its new consensus guidelines, the UZ Leuven restricts candidates for endocarditis prophylaxis to patients with cardiac conditions with an increased risk for infectious endocarditis and the highest risk of an adverse outcome. Prophylaxis is indicated in these patients in case of dental procedures that involve manipulation of gingival tissue, periapical region or in case of perforation of the mucosa. Daily oral hygiene and regular evaluation and treatment by a dentist are essential in the prevention of infectious endocarditis. The publication of these guidelines intends to stimulate discussion in order to develop uniform Belgian guidelines.

No response to first-line tenofovir+lamivudine+efavirenz despite optimization according to baseline resistance testing: impact of resistant minority variants on efficacy of low genetic barrier drugs

BACKGROUND

Resistance testing has been implemented into clinical guidelines as it has shown some beneficial effect on subsequent therapy response.

CASE REPORT

Routine population-based genotypic resistance testing for a newly diagnosed HIV-1 patient revealed the presence of resistance mutations M41L, V179D and T215E within reverse transcriptase and no mutations within protease. Four weeks after initiation of the combination tenofovir+lamivudine+efavirenz, no response was observed despite good adherence to therapy and efavirenz drug levels in the therapeutic range. Retrospective single genome sequencing of the baseline sample revealed the presence of minority viral variants with additional mutations: a mutation conferring resistance to lamivudine (M184IV), a thymidine associated mutation (K219R) and mutations possibly associated with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase resistance (F227S, M230IV).

CONCLUSIONS

This case illustrates that undetected drug-resistant minority variants can reduce the efficacy of a normally very potent first-line regimen tenofovir+lamivudine+efavirenz. The presence of drug-resistance mutations at diagnosis should be considered as a warning sign against the use of low genetic barrier drugs in first-line regimens, even when these drugs are considered to be active according to routine resistance testing.

Validation of Primary CD4 Gating as an Affordable Strategy for Absolute CD4 Counting in Cambodia

OBJECTIVE

To validate primary CD4 gating in lysed whole blood for absolute CD4 counts in fresh and aged blood using an affordable compact volumetric commercial flow cytometer.

DESIGN

Comparison of CD4 counts between the FACSCount and the 2-parameter CyFlow SL Green.

METHODS

One hundred twenty fresh blood samples from patients likely to be infected with HIV were simultaneously run on a FACSCount at the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia and on a CyFlow SL Green at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope (SHCH), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Intra- and interrun precision was assessed using 2 blood samples. Stability of CD4 counting in blood stored up to 96 hours at room temperature was assessed using 27 blood samples.

RESULTS

CD4 counts on the CyFlow SL Green and on the FACSCount correlated well apart from a relative bias (R = 0.993, bias of -9.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -11.8% to -7.1%, limits of agreement: -32.5% to 13.6%). Intra- and interrun variability ranged from 3% to 5% and from 5% to 6%, respectively. CD4 counts on aged blood using the CyFlow SL Green showed an interassay variability of <10%.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary CD4 gating in lysed whole blood using the CyFlow SL Green is an affordable and precise method for CD4 counting. Because the fluorescence (FL) and light scatter signals have to be analyzed manually, however, intensive training of the technician and/or operator is imperative.

The Added Value of a CD4 Count to Identify Patients Eligible for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV-Positive Adults in Cambodia

In a retrospective study of 648 persons with HIV infection in Cambodia, we determined the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria to start antiretroviral treatment based on clinical criteria alone or based on a combination of clinical symptoms and the total lymphocyte count. As a reference test, we used the 2003 WHO criteria, including the CD4 count. The 2003 WHO clinical criteria had a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 57%, and an accuracy of 89% to identify patients who need highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In our clinic, with a predominance of patients with advanced disease, the 2003 WHO clinical criteria alone was a good predictor of those needing HAART. A total lymphocyte count as an extra criterion did not improve the accuracy. Nine percent of patients were wrongly identified to be in need of HAART. Among them, almost 50% had a CD4 count of more than 500 cells/muL, and 73% had weight loss of more than 10% as a stage-defining condition. Our data suggest that, in settings with limited access to CD4 count testing, it might be useful to target this test to patients in WHO stage 3 whose staging is based on weight loss alone, to avoid unnecessary treatment.

Use of semiautomatic treatment advice to improve compliance with Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for treatment of intravascular catheter-related infection: a before-after study

In a large university hospital, the rate of noncompliance with the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was 44% during 52 consecutively observed episodes of CRBSI. To decrease noncompliance, the physicians who provided care to the next 46 patients with CRBSI received standardized treatment advice by electronic mail. This simple and not labor-intensive intervention decreased guideline noncompliance from 44% to 15% (P<.01).