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In the 2023–2024 season, the influenza epidemic in South Korea peaked earlier than in recent years. In this study, we aimed to estimate the interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the influenza vaccination to prevent influenza during the early season. From November 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, we enrolled 2,632 subjects with influenza-like illness from eight hospitals participating in hospital-based influenza morbidity and mortality surveillance. A retrospective test-negative case-control study was conducted to estimate the VE. The results showed an adjusted VE of 22.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6 to 35.8) for the total population. The adjusted VE was 22.3% (95% CI, 6.1 to 35.7) for influenza A and 9.4% (95% CI, −51.3 to 45.7) for influenza A/H1N1. Full results of the analysis will be reported.
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Background@#Bivalent booster mRNA vaccines containing the omicron-variant strains have been introduced worldwide in the autumn of 2022. Nevertheless, the omicron subvariants evoked another large coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave in late 2022 and early 2023. @*Methods@#A retrospective, test-negative, case-control study was conducted to estimate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in 8 university hospitals between January and February 2023. The case and control groups were divided based on nasopharyngeal COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction results and matched based on age, sex, hospital, and date (week) of the test performed. The VE of the BA.1- or BA.4/BA.5-based mRNA vaccines were estimated. VE was calculated using the 1−adjusted odds ratio from multivariable logistic regression. @*Results@#In total, 949 patients and 947 controls were enrolled in this study. VE for the BA.4/ BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17, 61%). In subgroup analysis based on age and underlying medical conditions, BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was effective against old adults aged ≥ 65-years (VE, 55%; 95% CI, 23, 73%) and individuals with comorbidities (VE, 54%; 95% CI, 23, 73%). In comparison, the BA.1-based bivalent mRNA vaccine did not demonstrate statistically significant effectiveness (VE, 25%; 95% CI, −8, 49%). @*Conclusion@#The BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA booster vaccine provided significant protection against COVID-19 in the Korean adults, especially in the older adults aged ≥ 65 years and in individuals with underlying medical conditions.
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Background@#Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections and have a significant impact on morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Adherence to the recommended infection prevention practices can effectively reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of CAUTIs and the efficacy of prevention programs across hospitals of various sizes. @*Methods@#Intervention programs, including training, surveillance, and monitoring, were implemented. Data on the microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs, urinary catheter utilization ratio, rate of CAUTIs per 1,000 device days, and factors associated with the use of indwelling catheters were collected from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of CAUTIs and associated data were compared between university hospitals and small- and medium-sized hospitals. @*Results@#Thirty-two hospitals participated in the study, including 21 university hospitals and 11 small- and medium-sized hospitals. The microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs and their resistance rates did not differ between the two groups. In the first quarter of 2018, the incidence rate was 2.05 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.44 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. After implementing interventions, the rate gradually decreased in the first quarter of 2019, with 1.18 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 0.79 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. However, by the end of the study, the infection rate increased to 1.74 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.80 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. @*Conclusion@#We implemented interventions to prevent CAUTIs and evaluated their outcomes. The incidence of these infections decreased in the initial phases of the intervention when adequate support and personnel were present. The rate of these infections may be reduced by implementing active interventions such as consistent monitoring and adherence to guidelines for preventing infections.
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Background@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the death of thousands of patients worldwide. Although age is known to be a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients, critical illness or death is occurring even in the younger age group as the epidemic spreads. In early 2022, omicron became the dominant variant of the COVID-19 virus in South Korea, and the epidemic proceeded on a large scale. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine whether young adults (aged ≤ 50 years) with critical COVID-19 infection during the omicron period had different characteristics from older patients and to determine the risk factors for mortality in this specific age group. @*Methods@#We evaluated 213 critical adult patients (high flow nasal cannula or higher respiratory support) hospitalized for polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 in nine hospitals in South Korea between February 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022. Demographic characteristics, including body mass index (BMI) and vaccination status; underlying diseases; clinical features and laboratory findings; clinical course; treatment received; and outcomes were collected from electronic medical records (EMRs) and analyzed according to age and mortality. @*Results@#Overall, 71 critically ill patients aged ≤ 50 years were enrolled, and 142 critically ill patients aged over 50 years were selected through 1:2 matching based on the date of diagnosis. The most frequent underlying diseases among those aged ≤ 50 years were diabetes and hypertension, and all 14 patients who died had either a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 or an underlying disease. The total case fatality rate among severe patients (S-CFR) was 31.0%, and the S-CFR differed according to age and was higher than that during the delta period. The S-CFR was 19.7% for those aged ≤ 50 years, 36.6% for those aged > 50 years, and 38.1% for those aged ≥ 65 years. In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.084; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.043–1.127), initial low-density lipoprotein > 600 IU/L (OR, 4.782; 95% CI, 1.584–14.434), initial C-reactive protein > 8 mg/dL (OR, 2.940; 95% CI, 1.042–8.293), highest aspartate aminotransferase > 200 IU/L (OR, 12.931; 95% CI, 1.691–98.908), and mechanical ventilation implementation (OR, 3.671; 95% CI, 1.294–10.420) were significant independent predictors of mortality in critical COVID-19 patients during the omicron wave. A similar pattern was shown when analyzing the data by age group, but most had no statistical significance owing to the small number of deaths in the young critical group. Although the vaccination completion rate of all the patients (31.0%) was higher than that in the delta wave period (13.6%), it was still lower than that of the general population. Further, only 15 (21.1%) critically ill patients aged ≤ 50 years were fully vaccinated. Overall, the severity of hospitalized critical patients was significantly higher than that in the delta period, indicating that it was difficult to find common risk factors in the two periods only with a simple comparison. @*Conclusion@#Overall, the S-CFR of critically ill COVID-19 patients in the omicron period was higher than that in the delta period, especially in those aged ≤ 50 years. All of the patients who died had an underlying disease or obesity. In the same population, the vaccination rate was very low compared to that in the delta wave, indicating that non-vaccination significantly affected the progression to critical illness. Notably, there was a lack of prescription for Paxlovid for these patients although they satisfied the prescription criteria. Early diagnosis and active initial treatment was necessary, along with the proven methods of vaccination and personal hygiene. Further studies are needed to determine how each variant affects critically ill patients.
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Infection control is an essential factor for improving the quality of acute and long-term care facilities, including patient safety. Infection control should be implemented in all medical facility sectors, and participation of all healthcare workers is required. For efficient infection control, securing and maintaining professionals with sufficient experience and training to establish and implement infection control plans focusing the infection control unit is imperative. Moreover, there should be no shortage of infection control supplies, including consumables and disposables necessary for hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and isolation. The fee for infection prevention and control should be resourced as necessary funding to establish such infection control infrastructure. Moreover, re-evaluating whether the standard for the fee for infection prevention and control is appropriate, improving the current payment mode, and monitoring whether the fee used is executed as infection control costs are necessary.
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Background@#Numerous patients around the globe are dying from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While age is a known risk factor, risk analysis in the young generation is lacking. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and mortality risk factors in younger patients (≤ 50 years) with a critical case of COVID-19 in comparison with those among older patients (> 50 years) in Korea. @*Methods@#We analyzed the data of adult patients only in critical condition (requiring high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy or higher respiratory support) hospitalized with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 at 11 hospitals in Korea from July 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021 when the delta variant was a dominant strain. Patients’ electronic medical records were reviewed to identify clinical characteristics. @*Results@#During the study period, 448 patients were enrolled. One hundred and forty-two were aged 50 years or younger (the younger group), while 306 were above 50 years of age (the older group). The most common pre-existing conditions in the younger group were diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and 69.7% of the patients had a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m 2 .Of 142 younger patients, 31 of 142 patients (21.8%, 19 women) did not have these pre-existing conditions. The overall case fatality rate among severity cases was 21.0%, and it differed according to age: 5.6% (n = 8/142) in the younger group, 28.1% in the older group, and 38% in the ≥ 65 years group. Age (odds ratio [OR], 7.902; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.754–18.181), mechanical ventilation therapy (OR, 17.233; 95% CI, 8.439–35.192), highest creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL (OR, 17.631; 95% CI, 8.321–37.357), and combined blood stream infection (OR, 7.092;95% CI, 1.061–18.181) were identified as independent predictors of mortality in total patients.Similar patterns were observed in age-specific analyses, but most results were statistically insignificant in multivariate analysis due to the low number of deaths in the younger group.The full vaccination rate was very low among study population (13.6%), and only three patients were fully vaccinated, with none of the patients who died having been fully vaccinated in the younger group. Seven of eight patients who died had a pre-existing condition or were obese (BMI > 25 kg/m 2 ), and the one remaining patient died from a secondary infection. @*Conclusion@#About 22% of the patients in the young critical group did not have an underlying disease or obesity, but the rate of obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m2 ) was high, with a fatality rate of 5.6%. The full vaccination rate was extremely low compared to the general population of the same age group, showing that non-vaccination has a grave impact on the progression of COVID-19 to a critical condition. The findings of this study highlight the need for measures to prevent critical progression of COVID-19, such as vaccinations and targeting young adults especially having risk factors.
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Background@#Since the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) such as extensive and comprehensive hand hygiene, mask-wearing, and social distancing have been implemented globally. This study aimed to investigate changes in respiratory viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that occurred following the implementation of these NPIs. @*Methods@#From January 2018 to December 2021, influenza-like illness patient specimens and specimens from the Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System were analyzed at the Incheon Metropolitan City Institute of Public Health and Environment.Oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab samples from respiratory infection patients were transferred in a virus transport medium at 4°C. After RNA or DNA extraction, respiratory virus-specific genes for human influenza virus (IFV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (hRV), human coronavirus, human bocavirus, and human metapneumovirus were detected by individual real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. @*Results@#A total 3,334 samples were collected. After NPI was implemented, the detection of respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 decreased overall. The yearly detection rate of respiratory viruses was decreased from 69.5% (399/574) in 2018 and 73.3% (505/689) in 2019 to 19.8% (206/1,043) in 2020 and 34.9% (365/1,028) in 2021. The epidemic was more prominent in respiratory viruses such as IFV and RSV, which were considered dominant viruses, especially those with viral envelopes. Among viruses that were not considered dominant, hRV showed no clear change before and after NPI, while PIV showed a rapid increase compared to the existing dominant viruses between October–December 2021, after the increase in the number of gatherings started at the end of September and the “Relaxing COVID19 and mitigation policy,” which was implemented on November 1. @*Conclusion@#NPI seems to have influenced the isolation and transmission of respiratory viruses in South Korea. In the future, additional studies focusing on the isolation and transmission patterns of respiratory viruses following NPI are needed.
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Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy is associated with increased disease severity and an increased risk of perinatal complications. However, few studies of pregnant women with COVID-19 have been conducted in Korea. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical course and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 according to the severity. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included women aged 18 years of age or older who were hospitalized in the Gachon University Gil Medical Center with COVID-19 during pregnancy between July 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. COVID-19 severity was classified according to the “Criteria for severity classification by symptoms of COVID-19” presented by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Severe cases were defined as those who required oxygen treatment administered via a high-flow nasal cannula or invasive mechanical ventilation or should be applied extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or continuous renal replacement therapy. @*Results@#A total of 103 pregnant women were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the study period. Their mean age was 33 (± 4.14) years, and 4 (3.9%) had been vaccinated against COVID-19. At the time of diagnosis of COVID-19, 3 (2.9%), 33 (32.0%), and 67 (65.1%) patients were in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. The most common symptoms were cough (99 patients, 96.1%) and fever (85 patients, 82.5%). There was 1 (1.0%) asymptomatic patient. Forty patients (38.8%) required supplemental oxygen and 19 patients (18.4%) had severe disease. Of the 19 severe cases, 7 were in the 2nd trimester and 12 were in the 3rd trimester. Forty-one (39.8%) patients delivered, including two twin deliveries. Of the 41 cases of delivery, 14 were premature, 4 out of 21 (19.0%) in mild, 4 out of 12 (25.0%) in moderate, and 6 out of 8 (75.0%) in severe. Severe disease was associated with an increased rate of preterm birth (P = 0.012). Four of the 43 neonates (9.1%) received oxygen treatment. @*Conclusion@#Pregnant women with COVID-19 had a high rate of severe disease and a high preterm delivery rate, especially among those with severe disease.
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Background@#Remdesivir is widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but controversies regarding its efficacy still remain. @*Methods@#A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of remdesivir on clinical and virologic outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients from June to July 2020. Primary clinical endpoints included clinical recovery, additional mechanical ventilator (MV) support, and duration of oxygen or MV support. Viral load reduction by hospital day (HD) 15 was evaluated by calculating changes in cycle threshold (Ct) values. @*Results@#A total of 86 severe COVID-19 patients were evaluated including 48 remdesivirtreated patients. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Remdesivir was administered an average of 7.42 days from symptom onset. The proportions of clinical recovery of the remdesivir and supportive care group at HD 14 (56.3% and 39.5%) and HD 28 (87.5% and 78.9%) were not statistically different. The proportion of patients requiring MV support by HD 28 was significantly lower in the remdesivir group than in the supportive care group (22.9% vs. 44.7%, P = 0.032), and MV duration was significantly shorter in the remdesivir group (average, 1.97 vs. 5.37 days; P = 0.017). Analysis of upper respiratory tract specimens demonstrated that increases of Ct value from HD 1–5 to 11–15 were significantly greater in the remdesivir group than the supportive care group (average, 10.19 vs. 5.36; P = 0.007), and the slope of the Ct value increase was also significantly steeper in the remdesivir group (average, 5.10 vs. 2.68; P = 0.007). @*Conclusion@#The remdesivir group showed clinical and virologic benefit in terms of MV requirement and viral load reduction, supporting remdesivir treatment for severe COVID-19.
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Background@#Remdesivir is widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but controversies regarding its efficacy still remain. @*Methods@#A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of remdesivir on clinical and virologic outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients from June to July 2020. Primary clinical endpoints included clinical recovery, additional mechanical ventilator (MV) support, and duration of oxygen or MV support. Viral load reduction by hospital day (HD) 15 was evaluated by calculating changes in cycle threshold (Ct) values. @*Results@#A total of 86 severe COVID-19 patients were evaluated including 48 remdesivirtreated patients. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Remdesivir was administered an average of 7.42 days from symptom onset. The proportions of clinical recovery of the remdesivir and supportive care group at HD 14 (56.3% and 39.5%) and HD 28 (87.5% and 78.9%) were not statistically different. The proportion of patients requiring MV support by HD 28 was significantly lower in the remdesivir group than in the supportive care group (22.9% vs. 44.7%, P = 0.032), and MV duration was significantly shorter in the remdesivir group (average, 1.97 vs. 5.37 days; P = 0.017). Analysis of upper respiratory tract specimens demonstrated that increases of Ct value from HD 1–5 to 11–15 were significantly greater in the remdesivir group than the supportive care group (average, 10.19 vs. 5.36; P = 0.007), and the slope of the Ct value increase was also significantly steeper in the remdesivir group (average, 5.10 vs. 2.68; P = 0.007). @*Conclusion@#The remdesivir group showed clinical and virologic benefit in terms of MV requirement and viral load reduction, supporting remdesivir treatment for severe COVID-19.
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Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD) are vulnerable for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Korean College of Rheumatology recognized the urgent need to develop recommendations for rheumatologists and other physicians to manage patients with SRD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The working group was organized and was responsible for selecting key health questions, searching and reviewing the available literature, and formulating statements. The appropriateness of the statements was evaluated by voting panels using the modified Delphi method. Four general principles and thirteen individual recommendations were finalized through expert consensus based on the available evidence. The recommendations included preventive measures against COVID-19, medicinal treatment for stable or active SRD patients without COVID-19, medicinal treatment for SRD patients with COVID-19, and patient evaluation and monitoring. Medicinal treatments were categorized according to the status with respect to both COVID-19 and SRD. These recommendations should serve as a reference for individualized treatment for patients with SRD. As new evidence is emerging, an immediate update will be required.
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Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD) are vulnerable for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Korean College of Rheumatology recognized the urgent need to develop recommendations for rheumatologists and other physicians to manage patients with SRD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The working group was organized and was responsible for selecting key health questions, searching and reviewing the available literature, and formulating statements. The appropriateness of the statements was evaluated by voting panels using the modified Delphi method. Four general principles and thirteen individual recommendations were finalized through expert consensus based on the available evidence. The recommendations included preventive measures against COVID-19, medicinal treatment for stable or active SRD patients without COVID-19, medicinal treatment for SRD patients with COVID-19, and patient evaluation and monitoring. Medicinal treatments were categorized according to the status with respect to both COVID-19 and SRD. These recommendations should serve as a reference for individualized treatment for patients with SRD. As new evidence is emerging, an immediate update will be required.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely across the world since January 2020.There are many challenges when caring for patients with COVID-19, one of which is infection prevention and control. In particular, in cases where surgery must absolutely be performed, special infection control may be required in order to perform surgery without spreading infection within the hospital. We aim to present potentially useful recommendations for nondeferrable surgery for COVID-19 patients based on in vivo and in vitro research and clinical experiences from many countries.
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Background@#Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are emerging as a worldwide threat. Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are considered a reservoir for CPE and play a central role in transmission to acute care hospitals. We investigated the CPE positivity in patients exposed to CPE in LTCFs. Furthermore, we analyzed the CPE positivity rates in the environment exposed to CPE. @*Methods@#We collected rectal swab specimens from patients residing in LTCFs who were exposed to CPE. Environmental sampling was performed by infection control practitioners from sites classified as patient private space, common space in the patient room, common space other than patient rooms, and nursing station. Each sample was cultured on a Chrom KlebsiellaF pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) agar for CPE screening. The positive isolates were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction to identify the presence of bla KPC , bla VIM , bla IMP , bla OXA-48 , and bla NDM and determine CPE genotype. @*Results@#From 65 index cases, a total of 24 hospitals and 481 patients were enrolled; 414 patients who had resided in the same patient room as a patient with confirmed CPE and 67 patients who were newly admitted to that patient room. A total of 117 (24.3%) patients were positive for CPE among which 93 (22.5%, 93/414) were already admitted patients and 24 (35.8%, 24/67) were newly admitted patients. A total of 163 CPEs were detected and K. pneumoniae (n = 104, 63.8%) was the most common bacteria followed by Escherichia coli (n = 43, 26.4%) and Citrobacter koseri (n = 11, 6.7%). Environmental sampling was performed in 24 hospitals and 604 sites. A total of 12 sites (2.0%) were positive for CPE and sink in the nursing station (n = 6, 4.2%) was the most contaminated space. @*Conclusion@#CPE colonization rates in patients exposed to CPE in LTCFs were higher than those found in acute care hospitals. Proper infection control measures for detecting and reducing CPE colonization in patients residing in LTCFs are required. Newly admitted patients could also be carriers; therefore, infection control for newly admitted patients also needs to be thorough.
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After the Korean outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2015, a consensus emerged building facilities and making construction standard, which are related to infection control in hospitals and other medical institutions. To address this need, the Korean government announced a partial revision of the Medical Enforcement Decree on February 3, 2017. In this study, I consider reports regarding the construction of medical facilities for infection control and the experiences of various institutions with such construction programs and make further suggestions to complement the revision of the Medical Enforcement Decree.
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In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most difficult IRIS types to manage. We report an unusual case of MAC-associated IRIS. At first the patient was diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after he was admitted with pneumocystis pneumonia. After starting antiretroviral therapy he presented unmasked IRIS with MAC infection. Next, he was hospitalized with continuous loose stools and new-onset fever. Investigation included computed tomography (CT), which showed homogeneous enhancement and enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN), elevation of ferritin (>1,650 ng/mL) and lactate dehydrogenase (306 IU/L) levels, and F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scan, which showed increased FDG uptake. These findings were highly indicative of lymphoma. We performed laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric LN, and the biopsy culture grew MAC. So we made a diagnosis of MAC-associated. Therefore, IRIS must be considered as a possible diagnosis when AIDS patients develop new symptoms or exhibit exacerbations of existing symptoms. Furthermore the biopsies should be conducted.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Electrons , Ferritins , Fever , HIV , Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome , Iris , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Lymph Nodes , Lymphoma , Mycobacterium avium Complex , Mycobacterium avium , Mycobacterium , Pneumonia, PneumocystisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria has resulted in reconsideration of colistimethate sodium (CMS) as a last resort for treatment of such infections. However, acute kidney injury (AKI) may represent a major limiting adverse effect of use of CMS. Early AKI detection in CMS-treated patients can help prevent progression to acute failure and reduce the need of renal replacement therapy. We hypothesized that plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may be an early biomarker of AKI in CMS-treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥20 years who received intravenous CMS between March 2014 and November 2015. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary endpoint was the difference between the average time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine and empirically derived plasma NGAL levels. RESULTS: Among 109 CMS-treated patients, 23 patients (mean age, 61.3 ± 16.1 years; men, 65.2%) were evaluated. Thirteen (56.5%) patients fulfilled the AKI criteria. The mean time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine after CMS initiation was 78.15 ± 30.49 hours. AKI was detected approximately 22 hours earlier using plasma NGAL than when using serum creatinine as an indicator of AKI (P = 0.035). The baseline plasma NGAL level was 264.0 ± 167.3 ng/mL and 192.7 ± 65.3 ng/mL in patients with and without AKI, respectively (P = 0.218). The area under the curve for plasma NGAL level at 56 hours was 0.796 (95% confidence interval, 0.609–0.983; P = 0.017), with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.2% and 90.0%, respectively (cutoff value, 285 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: NGAL level was found to be a strong predictor of AKI. This study provides additional evidence of the utility of NGAL for AKI in patients with treated CMS. Plasma NGAL represent sensitive and specific predictive early biomarkers for AKI in patient treated CMS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acute Kidney Injury , Biomarkers , Cohort Studies , Creatinine , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Health Resorts , Kidney Diseases , Lipocalins , Neutrophils , Plasma , Prospective Studies , Renal Replacement Therapy , Sensitivity and Specificity , SodiumABSTRACT
In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most difficult IRIS types to manage. We report an unusual case of MAC-associated IRIS. At first the patient was diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after he was admitted with pneumocystis pneumonia. After starting antiretroviral therapy he presented unmasked IRIS with MAC infection. Next, he was hospitalized with continuous loose stools and new-onset fever. Investigation included computed tomography (CT), which showed homogeneous enhancement and enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN), elevation of ferritin (>1,650 ng/mL) and lactate dehydrogenase (306 IU/L) levels, and F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scan, which showed increased FDG uptake. These findings were highly indicative of lymphoma. We performed laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric LN, and the biopsy culture grew MAC. So we made a diagnosis of MAC-associated. Therefore, IRIS must be considered as a possible diagnosis when AIDS patients develop new symptoms or exhibit exacerbations of existing symptoms. Furthermore the biopsies should be conducted.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Electrons , Ferritins , Fever , HIV , Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome , Iris , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Lymph Nodes , Lymphoma , Mycobacterium avium Complex , Mycobacterium avium , Mycobacterium , Pneumonia, PneumocystisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria has resulted in reconsideration of colistimethate sodium (CMS) as a last resort for treatment of such infections. However, acute kidney injury (AKI) may represent a major limiting adverse effect of use of CMS. Early AKI detection in CMS-treated patients can help prevent progression to acute failure and reduce the need of renal replacement therapy. We hypothesized that plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may be an early biomarker of AKI in CMS-treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥20 years who received intravenous CMS between March 2014 and November 2015. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary endpoint was the difference between the average time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine and empirically derived plasma NGAL levels. RESULTS: Among 109 CMS-treated patients, 23 patients (mean age, 61.3 ± 16.1 years; men, 65.2%) were evaluated. Thirteen (56.5%) patients fulfilled the AKI criteria. The mean time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine after CMS initiation was 78.15 ± 30.49 hours. AKI was detected approximately 22 hours earlier using plasma NGAL than when using serum creatinine as an indicator of AKI (P = 0.035). The baseline plasma NGAL level was 264.0 ± 167.3 ng/mL and 192.7 ± 65.3 ng/mL in patients with and without AKI, respectively (P = 0.218). The area under the curve for plasma NGAL level at 56 hours was 0.796 (95% confidence interval, 0.609–0.983; P = 0.017), with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.2% and 90.0%, respectively (cutoff value, 285 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: NGAL level was found to be a strong predictor of AKI. This study provides additional evidence of the utility of NGAL for AKI in patients with treated CMS. Plasma NGAL represent sensitive and specific predictive early biomarkers for AKI in patient treated CMS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acute Kidney Injury , Biomarkers , Cohort Studies , Creatinine , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Health Resorts , Kidney Diseases , Lipocalins , Neutrophils , Plasma , Prospective Studies , Renal Replacement Therapy , Sensitivity and Specificity , SodiumABSTRACT
No abstract available.