Secondary infections in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit: impact of gram-negative bacterial resistance

ABSTRACT Some studies have shown that secondary infections during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the high mortality. Our objective was to identify the frequency, types and etiology of bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and to evaluate the results of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and in-hospital mortality. It was a single-center study with a retrospective cohort of patients admitted consecutively to the ICU for more than 48 h between March and May 2020. Comparisons of groups with and without ICU- acquired infection were performed. A total of 191 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included and 57 patients had 97 secondary infectious events. The most frequent agents were Acinetobacter baumannii (28.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.4%); multi-drug resistance was present in 96% of A. baumannii and in 57% of K. pneumoniae. The most prevalent infection was ventilator-associated pneumonia in 57.9% of patients with bacterial infections, or 17.3% of all COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU, followed by tracheobronchitis (26.3%). Patients with secondary infections had a longer ICU stay (40.0 vs. 17 days; p < 0.001), as well as a longer duration of MV (24.0 vs 9.0 days; p= 0.003). There were 68 (35.6%) deaths overall, of which 27 (39.7%) patients had bacterial infections. Among the 123 survivors, 30 (24.4%) had a secondary infections (OR 2.041; 95% CI 1.080 - 3.859). A high incidence of secondary infections, mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria has been observed. Secondary infections were associated with longer ICU stay, MV use and higher mortality.

Functional capacity and rehabilitation strategies in Covid-19 patients: current knowledge and challenges

Abstract Covid-19 is a novel infectious disease whose spectrum of presentation ranges from absence of symptoms to widespread interstitial pneumonia associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), leading to significant mortality. Given the systemic pattern of Covid-19, there are many factors that can influence patient's functional capacity after acute infection and the identification of such factors can contribute to the development of specific rehabilitation strategies. Pulmonary impairment is the primary cause of hospitalization due to Covid-19, and can progress to SARS as well as increase length of hospitalization. Moreover, cardiac involvement is observed in approximately 30% of hospitalized patients, with an increased risk of acute myocarditis, myocardial injury, and heart failure, which may compromise functional capacity in the long-term. Thromboembolic complications have also been reported in some patients with Covid-19 and are associated with a poor prognosis. Musculoskeletal complications may result from long periods of hospitalization and immobility, and can include fatigue, muscle weakness and polyneuropathy. Studies that address the functional capacity of patients after Covid-19 infection are still scarce. However, based on knowledge from the multiple systemic complications associated with Covid-19, it is reasonable to suggest that most patients, especially those who underwent prolonged hospitalization, will need a multiprofessional rehabilitation program. Further studies are needed to evaluate the functional impact and the rehabilitation strategies for patients affected by Covid-19.

Massa Valvar Mitral em Paciente com Suspeita de Lúpus Sistêmico: Tumor, Endocardite ou Ambos? / Mitral Valve Mass in a Patient Suspected of Systemic Lupus: Tumor, Endocarditis or Both?

Resumo Apresentamos o relato de caso de uma paciente com mixoma valvar mitral infectado e uma revisão da literatura sobre o assunto. Uma mulher de 33 anos apresentou histórico de febre e dispneia com evolução de alguns dias. Na hospitalização, ela apresentava uma síndrome semelhante ao lúpus, com hemoculturas positivas para Haemophilus spp . O ecocardiograma revelou uma massa gigante envolvendo ambos os folhetos mitrais associada à regurgitação grave, necessitando de troca valvar mitral biológica. A microscopia revelou mixoma infectado e a paciente recebeu alta assintomática após o término da antibioticoterapia. Ela apresentou bons resultados no seguimento. Este é o sexto caso de mixoma valvar mitral infectado relatado na literatura e o terceiro caso de mixoma cardíaco infectado pelo grupo HACEK. Devido à alta incidência de eventos embólicos, a antibioticoterapia precoce aliada à pronta intervenção cirúrgica são decisivos para a redução da morbimortalidade. O tempo para o diagnóstico foi muito mais breve do que o geralmente relatado em casos de endocardite por HACEK. A troca valvar foi a intervenção mais comum e todos os pacientes em relatos de caso anteriores apresentaram bons resultados no seguimento.

Abstract We present a case report of a patient with an infected mitral valve myxoma and a literature review on the subject. A 33-year-old female presented with a history of fever and dyspnea evolving over a few days. On admission, she had a lupus-like syndrome with positive blood cultures for Haemophilus species . Echocardiogram revealed a giant mass involving both mitral leaflets causing severe regurgitation, requiring biological mitral valve replacement. Microscopy showed an infected myxoma and the patient was discharged asymptomatic upon completion of antibiotics. She did well on follow-up. This is the sixth case of an infected mitral valve myxoma reported in the literature and the third case of a cardiac myxoma infected by the HACEK group. Exceedingly high incidence of embolic events makes prompt imaging, antibiotic therapy and surgery crucial for better outcomes. Time to diagnosis was much briefer than usually reported in other cases of HACEK endocarditis. Valve replacement was the most common surgical procedure and all patients from previous reports did well on follow-up.

Incidence of Conduction Disorders and Requirements for Permanent Pacemaker After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a therapeutic option for high-risk or non-operable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Atrioventricular conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) are a common and clinically important complication. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of conduction disorders (CDs) after TAVI and the need for subsequent PPM implantation. To identify the predictors of postoperative PPM implantation. Methods: Retrospective study. All patients who underwent TAVI in a public hospital from December/2011 to June/2016 were included. Multivariate analysis was conducted to establish the predictor of permanent pacemaker implantation. Survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meyer method. Statistically significant variables were those with p value < 0.05. Results: 64 patients with AS underwent TAVI. Eleven patients were excluded. TAVI induced a new CD in 40 (77%) of the remaining 53 patients. The most common new CDs were 3rd degree AV block (32%) and left bundle branch block (30%). Sixteen patients (30,2%) underwent PPM implantation during the index hospitalization. On univariate analysis the risk factors for PPM implantation were CoreValve® use (OR: 1,76; P = 0,005), larger prosthesis implantation (P = 0,015), presence of a QRS ≥ 120 ms (OR: 5,62; P = 0,012), and 1st degree AV block (OR: 13; P = 0.008). On multivariate analysis the presence of 1st degree AV block predicted the need for PPM. Conclusion: TAVI induced CDs requiring PPM in 30% of the patients. The presence of 1st degree AV block predicted the need for PPM

Impacto da Hipertensão Pulmonar na Mortalidade Cirúrgica e na Sobrevida em Três Anos Pós-Cirurgia de Troca Valvar Aórtica / Impact of Pulmonary Hypertension on Surgical Mortality and 3-Year Survival After Aortic Valve Replacement

A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) grave contribui para significante morbidade e mortalidade, e podeaumentar o número de complicações e morte na cirurgia cardíaca. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da HP na mortalidade cirúrgica e na sobrevida em três anos, após cirurgia de troca valvar aórtica.Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva realizado com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de troca valvar aórtica, demaio de 2011 a dezembro de 2012, no Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, RJ. A população estudada foi estratificadaem dois grupos, de acordo com a pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar (PSAP) em: <45 mmHg e ≥45 mmHg. Foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado para a comparação entre os grupos; a mortalidade e cirúrgica foi estudada por regressão logística e a sobrevida pela curva de Kaplan-Meier e teste de log-rank; e a razão de risco pelo método de Cox. Resultados: Estudados 182 pacientes, 57,0% do sexo masculino, idade 61,0±13,0 anos, com hipertensão arterial sistêmica (72,0%), diabetes mellitus (22,0%), classe funcional pela New York Heart Association III/IV (61,1%), PSAP≥45mmHg (14,3%). A mortalidade geral foi 12,0%. A sobrevida foi maior no grupo com PSAP <45mmHg – 89,0%em um ano e 86,0% em três anos, comparado com o grupo com PSAP ≥45mmHg – 68,8% em um ano e 58,1%(35,1% a 75,4%) em três anos (p=0,0004). Conclusão: Pacientes com PSAP ≥45mmHg apresentaram maior mortalidade cirúrgica e pior sobrevida em três anos após cirurgia de troca valvar aórtica...

Background: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) contributes to significant morbidity and mortality and may increase the number of complications and death in heart surgery.Objective: To evaluate the impact of PH on surgical mortality and three-year survival after aortic valve replacement surgery. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery from May 2011 to December 2012 at Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, RJ. The study population was stratified into two groups according to the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP): <45mmHg and ≥45mmHg. The chi-square test was used for comparison between groups; surgical mortality was studied by logistic regression and survival by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test; the hazard ratio was examined using the Cox method. Results: The study included 182 patients, 57.0% were males aged 61.0±13.0 years, with systemic arterial hypertension (72.0%), diabetes mellitus (22.0%), functional class by the New York Heart Association III/IV (61.1%), SPAP ≥45mmHg (14.3%). Overallmortality rate was 12.0%. Survival rate was higher in the group with SPAP <45mmHg — 89.0% at one year and 86.0% at three year compared with the group with SPAP ≥45mmHg — 68.8% at one year and 58.1% (35.1% to 75.4%) at three years (p=0.0004). Conclusion: Patients with SPAP ≥45mmHg had higher surgical mortality and worse survival at three years after aortic valvereplacement surgery...

Healthcare-Associated Infective Endocarditis: a Case Series in a Referral Hospital from 2006 to 2011 / Endocardite Infecciosa Associada aos Cuidados de Saúde: Série de Casos em Hospital de Referência entre 2006 e 2011

Background: Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HCA-IE), a severe complication of medical care, shows a growing incidence in literature. Objective: To evaluate epidemiology, etiology, risk factors for acquisition, complications, surgical treatment, and outcome of HCA-IE. Methods: Observational prospective case series study (2006-2011) in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Results: Fifty-three patients with HCA-IE from a total of 151 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) were included. There were 26 (49%) males (mean age of 47 ± 18.7 years), 27 (51%) females (mean age of 42 ± 20.1 years). IE was acute in 37 (70%) cases and subacute in 16 (30%) cases. The mitral valve was affected in 19 (36%) patients and the aortic valve in 12 (36%); prosthetic valves were affected in 23 (43%) patients and native valves in 30 (57%). Deep intravenous access was used in 43 (81%) cases. Negative blood cultures were observed in 11 (21%) patients, Enterococcus faecalis in 10 (19%), Staphylococcus aureus in 9 (17%), and Candida sp. in 7 (13%). Fever was present in 49 (92%) patients, splenomegaly in 12 (23%), new regurgitation murmur in 31 (58%), and elevated C-reactive protein in 44/53 (83%). Echocardiograms showed major criteria in 46 (87%) patients, and 34 (64%) patients were submitted to cardiac surgery. Overall mortality was 17/53 (32%). Conclusion: In Brazil HCA-IE affected young subjects. Patients with prosthetic and native valves were affected in a similar proportion, and non-cardiac surgery was an infrequent predisposing factor, whereas intravenous access was a common one. S. aureus was significantly frequent in native valve HCA-IE, and overall mortality was high. .

Fundamento: A endocardite infecciosa associada aos cuidados de saúde (EI-ACS) é uma complicação grave associada aos cuidados médico-hospitalares, com uma incidência crescente na população. Objetivo: Avaliar a EI-ACS com relação à sua epidemiologia, etiologia, fatores de risco de aquisição, complicações, tratamento cirúrgico e quadro clínico. Métodos: Este estudo de caráter observacional e prospectivo avaliou uma série de casos reportados entre 2006 e 2011 em um hospital público no Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: Cinquenta e três pacientes com EI-ACS de um total de 151 casos de endocardite infecciosa (EI) foram incluídos no estudo, dos quais 26 (49%) eram do sexo masculino (idade média de 47 ± 18,7 anos), e 27 (51%) eram sexo feminino (idade média de 42 ± 20,1 anos). Quadros clínicos agudos de EI ocorreram em 37 casos (70%) e quadros subagudos em 16 casos (30%). A válvula mitral foi afetada em 19 casos (36%), e a valva aórtica em 12 casos (36%). As válvulas cardíacas protéticas foram afetadas em 23 casos (43%), e as válvulas cardíacas nativas em 30 casos (57%). O acesso venoso profundo foi usado em 43 pacientes (81%). Hemoculturas negativas foram observadas em amostras de 11 pacientes (21%). Nas hemoculturas positivas, Enterococcus faecalis foi identificado em 10 casos (19%), Staphylococcus aureus em 9 casos (17%) e Candida sp. em 7 casos (13%). Febre ocorreu em 49 pacientes (92%), esplenomegalia em 12 pacientes (23%), novo sopro de regurgitação valvar em 31 pacientes (58%) e proteína C reativa elevada em 44 pacientes (83%). O ecocardiograma apresentou critérios principais em 46 casos (87%). Trinta e quatro pacientes (64%) foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. A mortalidade ocorreu em 17 casos (32%). Conclusão: EI-ACS afeta ...

β-lactamase producing enterobacteria isolated from surveillance swabs of patients in a cardiac intensive care unit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

There is a high incidence of infections caused by betalactamase-producing Gram-negative microorganisms in Brazil. These organisms are of clinical and epidemiological importance, since their mobile genetic elements facilitate cross-infection. The present study was conducted in sentinel rectal swabs from patients admitted to a cardiac surgery hospital in Rio de Janeiro, from January through December 2007, in a consecutive manner. The aim of the study was to characterize the genotype and phenotype of these isolates from colonized patients. Biochemical tests, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, a confirmatory test for the expression of extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) production and polymerase chain reaction for the blaTEM, blaSHV, CTX-M1, Toho-1 and AmpC genes were performed at the University Hospital of Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli 9/41 (21.95 percent) and Klebsiella pneumoniae 14/41 (34.1 percent). In 24/41 (58 percent), the ESBL genotype was confirmed. The most prevalent genes in samples that expressed ESBL were blaTEM 13/24 (54 percent), AmpC 12/24 (50 percent), blaSHV 6/24 (25 percent), CTX-M1 7/24 (29 percent), and Toho-1 6/24 (25 percent). Of these, 14/24 (58 percent) presented more than one genotype for the tested primers. In nine (37 percent) samples other than E. coli, K. pneumoniae or Proteus spp., the phenotype for ESBL was found and confirmed by PCR. The most sensitive substrate in the approximation test in ESBL positive samples was ceftriaxone (83 percent). Fifty percent of the samples expressed AmpC were associated with other genes. Intermediate susceptibility to ertapenem was found in 2/41 (5 percent).

Soroprevalência de Bartonella spp, Coxiella burnetii, rickettsia do grupo da febre maculosa e hantavírus em indivíduos HIV positivos em Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro / Seroprevalence of Bartonella spp, Coxiella burnetii, spotted fever group rickettsia and hantavirus in HIV positive individuals in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro

Infecções por rickettsias e hantavírus são zoonoses emergentes e re-emergentes, destacando-se como importante problema de saúde pública. A prevalência dessas infecções entre indivíduos soropositivos para HIV é desconhecida em grande parte. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a soroprevalência de Bartonella spp, Coxiella burnetii, rickettsia do grupo da febre maculosa (RGFM) e hantavirus em pacientes HIV positivos, em Jacarepaguá, Município do Rio de Janeiro. Imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) para Bartonella, C. burnetii e RGFM foi utilizada. ELISA usando o antígeno Araraquara recombinante (N ARA) foi o teste para hantavírus. DNA foi extraído por kit comercial (Qiagen R). Foram incluídos 125 pacientes; com idade 37,1 (mais ou menos) 10,1 anos; sendo 61 do sexo masculino. Não havia usuários de droga injetáveis; 24/122 (20%) usava cocaína inalatória e 45/123 (37%) eram etilistas. Diagnóstico de soro-reatividade ao HIV fora feito 3,8 (mais ou menos) 2,6 anos antes, e 94/125 (75%) usavam anti-retrovirais. CD4 mais recente e mais baixo foram, respectivamente, 351 a 500 e 101 a 200 células/mm3. 47/125 (37,6%) dos pacientes moravam em casa com jardim ou quintal, e 32/125 (25,6por cento) residiam próximo a reserva florestal. 88 (70,4%) era assintomático com relação ao HIV. Quanto à exposição a animais e a vetores, 60/125 (48%) tinham contato com gatos, e 20(16%) tinham gatos como animais de estimação. Contato com cães foi relatado por 98 (78,4%) e com ratos ou camundongos, por 65 (52%). Contato com cavalos foi relatado por 22/124 (17,7por cento). Exposição a carrapatos, pulgas e piolhos foi relatada por 53 (42%), 42 (34%) e 34 (27%) respectivamente. Com relação a Bartonella spp, 52/125 (41,6%) dos pacientes apresentaram anticorpos. Daqueles que criavam gatos, foram soro-reativos 65% (13/20) vs. 34%(22/65) daqueles que não tinham qualquer...

Diuréticos-ainda uma opçäo como agente anti-hipertensivo inicial? / Diuretics-yet one option how antihypertensive agents initial?

Säo analisados aspects farmacológicos e clínicos dos diuréticos como drogas hipotensoras. O potencial pró-aterogênese e pró-arritmogênese dessas drogas é discutido, salientando-se a resistência à insulina, e a diminuiçäo da calemia, como causas prováveis desses efeitos. As repercussöes dos diuréticos sobre a qualidade de vida do hipertenso, bem como os efeitos colaterais a eles atribuídos, säo apresentadas, chamando-se atençäo para a disfunçäo sexual como queixa mais freqüente do uso prolongado da droga. Comparaçöes de custos do tratamento com diuréticos e outras drogas säo estabelecidas. O custo-efetividade do tratamento é posto em questäo, salientando-se que drogas mais modernas como os antagonistas de cálcio e inibidores de enzima de conversäo säo mais efetivas para o hipertenso quanto à prevençäo de "patologia de efeito" e seu bem estar. Os diuréticos säo utilizados como primeira escolha na terapêutica anti-hipertensiva do obeso hipertenso e säo alternativas para o controle da hipertensäo do negróide e do idoso. Ressalta-se a importância de se utilizar doses baixas, com vistas a reduzir efeitos colaterais e repercussöes sobre o perfil metabólico e lipídico