Predictors Of Severe Infection Research Articles

Early infectious risk in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis according to remission-induction therapy

Objective Few comparative data exist on early infections secondary to remission-induction therapy (RIT) with rituximab (RTX) versus cyclophosphamide (CYC) in newly diagnosed anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients. We compared and analysed the rates and predictors of severe infection in such patients within the first 6 months following RIT. Method From the Caen University Hospital databases, we included all consecutive adults newly diagnosed with ANCA-positive granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis between January 2006 and December 2019. We compared rates of survival without severe infection and survival without infections of any severity within 6 months of RIT and used a multivariate Cox analysis to identify predictors of infection. Results We included 145 patients, 27 in the RTX and 118 in the CYC group. Patients in the RTX group more frequently had pneumococcal vaccination (p < 0.01) and creatinine < 150 µmol/L; other characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Overall, 37 severe infections and 65 infections of any severity were recorded. Rates of survival without severe infection were similar in both groups (p = 0.69), but survival without infections of any severity was lower in the RTX group (p = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, risk factors at diagnosis for severe infections included chronic urinary tract disease, dialysis, and absence of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis (p < 0.01 each). Conclusions Within 6 months of RIT, rates of survival without severe infection were similar in newly diagnosed ANCA-positive AAV patients treated with RTX or CYC, but survival rates without infections of any severity appeared to be lower with RTX treatment.

Clinical Predictors of Outcome in Adult Patients with Acute Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndrome and COVID-19 Infection: Report from the American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative (ASH RC) Data Hub

Clinical Predictors of Outcome in Adult Patients with Acute Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndrome and COVID-19 Infection: Report from the American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative (ASH RC) Data Hub

Incidence and predictors of severe infections in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a population-based cohort study.

To determine the incidence rate, predictors and outcome of severe infections in a population-based cohort of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The study included 325 cases of AAV (152 female) diagnosed from 1997 through 2016 from a defined geographic area in Sweden. All severe infection events (requiring hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antimicrobials) were identified. The Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) was used to evaluate disease activity, and organ damage was assessed using the vasculitis damage index (VDI). Patients were followed from time of AAV diagnosis to death or December 2017. A total of 129 (40%) patients suffered at least one severe infection. In 2307 person-years (PY) of follow-up, 210 severe infections were diagnosed. The incidence rate of severe infections was 9.1/100 PY and was highest during the first year following AAV diagnosis at 22.1/100 PY (P < 0.001). Pneumonia, sepsis and urinary tract infection were the most common infections. Opportunistic infections constituted only 6% of all severe infections. In Cox regression analysis age and BVAS at diagnosis were the only factors independently predicting severe infection [hazard ratio: 1.54 (P < 0.001) and 1.27 (P = 0.001), respectively]. Severe infection was associated with poorer prognosis with respect to median VDI score 12 months post-AAV diagnosis, renal survival and mortality. Severe infections were the cause of death in 32 patients (22% of all deaths). . Severe infection is a common problem in AAV, with the most important prognostic factors being older age and high disease activity at diagnosis. Severe infections are associated with permanent organ damage and high mortality.

A Potential Role of Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency in Severe SARS-CoV2 Infection

There is a dramatic need for extensive research into the predictors of severe infection with SARS-CoV2 and therapeutic options for infected people. People who suffer from severe illness and higher mortality display a pattern of having specific co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, hypertension) and are of higher age. Recent research has described methods of viral entry via receptors (ACE2, TMPRSS2) and the hyper-inflammatory state often associated with severe illness (increase in interleukins, increase in TNF-alpha). These discoveries have led to the research of currently available and developing therapies, that are helpful to patients. Deficiencies of specific vitamins and other endogenous molecules of the body should be examined to understand if a pattern exists among the people most severely affected. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble substance ubiquitously expressed throughout the body that is important for the generation of ATP and mediation of inflammatory disease. CoQ10 faces a decline with increasing age, genetic predispositions, and ingestion of exogenous compounds that could reduce the level of CoQ10. Deficiencies and subsequent supplementation with CoQ10 recently has displayed encouraging results for the improvement of a wide variety of diseases. This manuscript is significant as it points to a potential relationship of CoQ10 and the population suffering from severe illness of COVID-19, and further encourages the need for research into measuring the levels of CoQ10 and vitamins to understand if levels predict severe illness and mortality. This could offer new avenues into research in combating this pandemic and potentially future therapeutic options.

Гастроэнтерологические проявления COVID-19: первые обобщения

The aim of the work was to review current data on the damage to the gastrointestinal tract and liver in case of COVID-19 infection, its effect on the management of patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and chronic liver diseases during a pandemic. Gastroenterological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 occur in about a quarter of cases and are associated with a severe course of the disease. Liver damage is detected in more than a third (according to many data – in half) of patients and is a predictor of severe infection and an increased risk of death. The main objective of international recommendations is the prevention of COVID-19 disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver disease. Treatment with large doses of systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and the use of biological therapy increases the risk of severe COVID-19 in case of infection. Patients with liver cirrhosis and coronavirus infection have a high risk of fatal decompensation of the liver disease.

P0217NEUTROPHIL TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AT ADMISSION CAN ESTIMATE VASCULITIS ACTIVITY AND POOR PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Background and Aims Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a multisystemic disease. Despite the improvement in mortality rate since the introduction of immunosuppression, long-term prognosis is still uncertain not only because of the disease activity but also due to treatment associated adverse effects. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been demonstrated as an inflammatory marker in multiple settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic ability of the NLR in AAV patients. Method We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of all adult patients with AVV admitted to the Service of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation of Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte from January 2006 to December 2019. NLR was calculated at admission. The outcomes measured were severe infection at 3 months and one-year mortality. The prognostic ability of the NLR was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A cut-off value was defined as that with the highest validity. All variables underwent univariate analysis to determine statistically significant factors that may have outcomes. Only variables which significantly differed were used in the multivariate analysis using the logistic regression method. Results We registered 45 cases of AVV. The mean age at diagnosis was 67.5±12.1 years and 23 patients were male. The mean BVAS at presentation was 26.0±10.4. Twenty-nine patients were ANCA-MPO positive, 7 ANCA-PR3 positive and 9 were considered negative ANCA vasculitis. At admission, mean SCr was 6.7 ± 2.9mg/dL, ESR was 76.9 ± 33.8, hemoglobin was 9.5 ± 1.7g/dL, C-reactive protein was 13.2 ± 5.8mg/dL and NLR was 8.5 ± 6.8. Thirty-five patients were treated with cyclophosphamide, eight patients with rituximab for induction therapy. Twenty patients developed severe infection within the first three months after starting induction immunosuppression. In a multivariate analysis, older age (73.6±10.5 vs 62.6±11.3, p=0.002, adjusted OR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01 – 1.16], p= 0.035) and higher NLR (11.9±7.4 vs 5.9±5.0, p=0.002, adjusted OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.01 – 1.29], p= 0.035) were predictors of severe infection at 3 months. NLR ≥ 4.04 predicted severe infection at 3 months with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 52% and the AUROC curve was 0.0794 (95% CI 0.647 – 0.900). Nine patients died within the first year. Severe infection at 3 months was independently associated with mortality within the first year (OR 6.19 [95% CI 1.12 – 34.32], p= 0.037). Conclusion NLR at diagnosis was an independent predictor of severe sepsis within the first 3 months after immunosuppression start, and severe sepsis within the first three months was consequently correlated with one-year mortality. NLR is an easily calculated and low-cost laboratory inflammation biomarker and can prove useful in identifying AAV patients at risk of infection and poorer prognosis.

Oral candidiasis is a significant predictor of subsequent severe infections during immunosuppressive therapy in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

BackgroundSeveral studies have identified predictors of severe infections in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, the development of oral candidiasis (OC) as a predictor of subsequent severe infections has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the association between OC and subsequent severe infection requiring hospitalization during immunosuppressive therapy in AAV.MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort study included 71 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AAV from Aichi Medical University Hospital, Japan, starting immunosuppressive therapy between March 2013 and December 2018. The relationships between OC and subsequent severe infections were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for clinically relevant factors.ResultsDuring the follow-up period (median, 23 months; interquartile range, 11–51 months), 25 severe infectious episodes occurred in 19 patients (26.8%) and OC occurred in 17 patients (23.9%). A log-rank test showed that the OC group was significantly associated with severe infection (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models identified lower serum albumin (per 1 g/dl adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15–0.85; P = 0.018), use of methylprednisolone pulse (adjusted HR = 5.44, 95% CI: 1.54–20.0; P = 0.010), and OC (adjusted HR = 5.31, 95% CI: 1.86–15.8; P = 0.002) as significant predictors of severe infection. Furthermore, a significant effect modification of the use of methylprednisolone pulse on OC was observed (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOC is one of the predictors of subsequent severe infections. The results suggest the importance of prolonging infection surveillance, especially for patients who developed OC under strong immunosuppressive therapy.

Natural killer cell function predicts severe infection in kidney transplant recipients.

The aim of this study was to determine if natural killer cell number (CD3- /CD16± /CD56± ) and cytotoxic killing function predicts severity and frequency of infection in kidney transplant recipients. A cohort of 168 kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function underwent assessment of natural killer cell number and functional killing capacity immediately prior to entry into this prospective study. Participants were followed for 2 years for development of severe infection, defined as hospitalization for infection. Area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of natural killer cell number and function for predicting severe infection. Adjusted odds ratios were determined by logistic regression. Fifty-nine kidney transplant recipients (35%) developed severe infection and 7 (4%) died. Natural killer cell function was a better predictor of severe infection than natural killer cell number: AUROC 0.84 and 0.75, respectively (P=.018). Logistic regression demonstrated that after adjustment for age, transplant function, transplant duration, mycophenolate use, and increasing natural killer function (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.90; P<.0001) but not natural killer number (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-1.00; P=.051) remained significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of severe infection. Natural killer cell function predicts severe infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Clinical aspects and outcomes of 70 patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection: a single-center experience in Saudi Arabia

SummaryObjectivesTo report the experience with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection at a single center in Saudi Arabia.MethodsCases of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV occurring from October 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Information sources included medical files, infection control outbreak investigations, and the preventive medicine database of MERS-CoV-infected patients. Data were collected on clinical and epidemiological aspects and outcomes.ResultsSeventy consecutive patients were included. Patients were mostly of older age (median 62 years), male (46, 65.7%), and had healthcare acquisition of infection (39, 55.7%). Fever (43, 61.4%), dyspnea (42, 60%), and cough (38, 54.3%) were the most common symptoms. The majority developed pneumonia (63, 90%) and required intensive care (49, 70%). Infection commonly occurred in clusters. Independent risk factors for severe infection requiring intensive care included concomitant infections (odds ratio (OR) 14.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58–126.09; p = 0.018) and low albumin (OR 6.31, 95% CI 1.24–31.90; p = 0.026). Mortality was high (42, 60%), and age ≥65 years was associated with increased mortality (OR 4.39, 95% CI 2.13–9.05; p < 0.001).ConclusionsMERS-CoV can cause severe infection requiring intensive care and has a high mortality. Concomitant infections and low albumin were found to be predictors of severe infection, while age ≥65 years was the only predictor of increased mortality.

Cat Bite Infections of the Hand: Assessment of Morbidity and Predictors of Severe Infection

To assess the overall morbidity of cat bites to the hand and identify risk factors for hospitalization after such an injury. All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. We identified 193 patients in a 3-year period between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. Patient demographics, medical history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, and long-term follow-up data were collected. Univariate and multivariate statistical regression were used to analyze the data. Thirty percent (n= 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. The average length of stay for these patients was 3.2 days. Of the hospitalized patients, 67% (n=38) underwent irrigation and debridement, with 8 patients requiring more than 1 operation. Complications were common among these patients. Risk factors associated with hospitalization included smoking, immunocompromised state, and location of bite over a joint or tendon sheath. Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Time from bite to presentation, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values at presentation were not associated with hospitalization. Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. The treatment of such infections often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and operative treatment. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. Therapeutic III.

Predictive Factors of Infection in the First Year after Kidney Transplantation

BackgroundInfectious disease, a complication favored by immunosuppression, is the main cause of 1st-year mortality in solid organ transplantation. In renal transplant recipients (RTRs), urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common, and the microorganisms that are isolated depend on chronology. MethodsWe present an observational study comprising 129 RTRs from January 2010 to December 2011 who were followed during the 1st year after transplantation. We analyzed occurrence of infections, predisposing factors, timing, severity, site of infection, and microorganisms. ResultsThe patients had a total of 424 infectious episodes during the 1st year (3.29 episodes/patient/year). The predominant focus was the urinary tract, with at least 1 episode in 69.8% of patients. Bacteremia was recorded in 25.6% of patients and surgical wound infection in 20.9%. Cytomegalovirus infection or disease was diagnosed in 46.5%. Severe infections occurred in 30.2%. The predominant pathogen was E. coli. There was a significant correlation between hospital stay and the number of infections (P = .000; r = 0.407) and between body mass index and hospital stay (P = .001; r = 0.282). Severe infections were more frequent in diabetics, patients with a double-J stent, and those treated with basiliximab. Patients with cytomegalovirus replication had a higher number of infections (4.1 ± 1.2 vs 2.5 ± 5; P = .000) and significantly higher annual serum creatinine (1.65 ± 5.7 vs 1.31 ± 1.3 mg/dL; P = .003). ConclusionsThe prevalence of infections in the 1st year after kidney transplantation is very high, occurring mainly in the early period, in the urinary tract, and due to E. coli. Cytomegalovirus replication is associated with a higher number of infections and higher serum creatinine at 1 year. Body mass index is a predictor of early infection and of bacteremia in the post-transplantation period. Basiliximab induction and having a double-J stent were predictors of severe infections.

The effect of immunoglobulin VH gene mutation status and other prognostic factors on the incidence of major infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Infections are a major factor in the clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and account for 30% to 50% of all deaths. The pathogenesis of infections in CLL is related to hypo-gamma-globulinemia, T-cell immune dysfunction, and the immunosuppressive effect of treatment. The authors retrospectively assessed the correlations between new prognostic markers and types of infections encountered, the time taken to develop these infections, and infection-related mortality in 280 unselected patients with CLL. One hundred patients (36%) had at least 1 major infection (median, 2 major infections; range, 1-8 major infections) over a median follow-up of 67 months. Infections were the most common cause of death, accounting for 51% of all fatalities. Older age (P = .007), clinical Stage B or C disease (P < .001), unmutated immunoglobulin (Ig)VH gene status (P < .001), genetic abnormalities (P < .001), positive CD38 status (P < .001), and type of initial therapy were associated with a significantly shorter time to first infection. Equally, patient age (P < .001), disease stage (P < .001), CD38 expression (P < .001), IgVH mutation status (P < .001), and genetic abnormalities (P = .003) had a significant impact on infection-related mortality. Clinical stage at diagnosis, IgVH mutation status, and initial therapy were possible predictors of severe infections in patients with CLL. The current results may help to identify which patients with CLL are at particularly high risk of developing serious infections and, thus, should be considered for Ig or antibiotic prophylaxis.

Premature rupture of amniotic membranes and neonatal infection : predictive value of bacteriologic cultures from different sites.

Bacteriologic cultures were obtained from swabs of vagina and placental membranes, and pieces of placenta from 204 women with prolonged rupture of membranes. The frequency of positive isolation of bacteria increased with prolongation of the time between rupture of membranes and delivery. In 104 infants born to these mothers clinical studies and bacterial cultures of swabs from nose, umbilicus, gastric aspirate and blood were carried out, and correlated with cultures of swabs from vagina and placenta. In 80 per cent of cases identical organisms were isolated, from sites of neonatal infection, and vaginal swabs. Positive cultures from placental tissues showed the maximal correlation with mortality, while gastric aspirate proved to be a good predictor of severe infection in the newborn.