ABSTRACT
Background. COVID-19-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) and Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) represent a difficult diagnostic challenge to the clinician. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airway invasive procedures were limited due to fear of contamination, these diagnoses were even harder to make, as one of the most useful diagnosis tools, bronchoscopies, were postponed. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology and risks factors of Aspergillosis and CAPA in a Dominican tertiary health care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A retrospective, cross-sectional, case-series study was carried out were all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 - March 2022 in HGPS who had a galactomannan (GM) test were analyzed. Using E-records patients with positive galactomannan (GM) tests were identified, and the following variables were evaluated: demographics, laboratories, risk factors, comorbidities, CT scans and prognosis. Cases were classified as CAPA (Probable, possible or proven according to classification ECMM/ISHAM), or IPA. Results. Out of 77 patients who underwent a GM test, 10 had a positive result;40% of these were probable CAPA and 60% were IPA. 7 were co-infected with multidrug-resistant pathogens from which 71.4% died;overall median age was 56.9 years (minimum 29 - maximum 71), and only one patient was female. The overall mortality rate was 60% and 50% for the probable CAPA group. Most radiological findings from the probable CAPA group were classified as typical invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Major documented risk factors and comorbidities were lymphopenia, prolonged steroids use, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion. An increase in both CAPA and IPA screening is needed in patients who present risk factors such as mechanical ventilation, prolonged use of steroids, or renal replacement therapy. Screening for GM in bronchoalveolar lavage, mycologic cultures and histopathologic tests, are needed for an improvement in the diagnostic classification as well as the clinical outcome of these patients.
ABSTRACT
Background. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, has caused a global public health crisis. Reported mortality rates across the world vary by region, local population characteristics and healthcare systems. There is a paucity of data on COVID-19 in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Our objective is to describe the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the Dominican Republic (DR) Methods. We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19 from March to December 31, 2020, at a 295-bed tertiary teaching hospital in the DR. Clinical characteristics, demographics, comorbidities, management and outcomes were tabulated. Survival was categorized by age and comorbidities. Results. A total of 382 patients were admitted to the ICU. The median age was 64 (range 14-97) and 64.3% (246) were male. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were the most common risk factors (Table 1). Corticosteroids were used in 91.6% (350), tocilizumab in 63% (82), and remdesivir in 31.6% (31). Antibacterials were used in 99.2% (379) of patients in the ICU. All-cause mortality in the ICU was 35.3% (135). Mortality was higher in older age groups (Figure 1) and in patients with multiple coexisting comorbidities (Figure 2). Conclusion. Hypertension, obesity and diabetes were common in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the DR. Corticosteroids and tocilizumab were commonly used. Antibacterials were used in >99% of patients admitted to the ICU and may signal a target for future antimicrobial stewardship. Higher mortality rates were present in older age groups and those with multiple comorbidities. Risk of death increased drastically after age 40 and was comparative to those in advanced age groups. In patients with 4 comorbidities and above, mortality was more than three times higher.
ABSTRACT
Background. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, has caused a global public health crisis. COVID-19 causes lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and hypoxia. There is a paucity of data on bacterial and fungal coinfection rates in patients with COVID-19 at low and middle income countries (LMICs). Our objective is to describe the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the Dominican Republic (DR) Methods. We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 from March 14th to December 31st 2020, at a 296-bed tertiary care level and teaching Hospital in the Dominican Republic. Demographic and clinical information was collected and tabulated. Laboratory confirmed bacterial and fungal infections were defined as community acquired infections (CAI) if diagnosed within 48 hours of admission and hospital acquired infections (HAI) when beyond 48 hours. Microbiologic data was tabulated by source and attribution. Results. Our cohort had 382 COVID-19 patients. Median age was 64 and most were male (64.3%) and 119 (31.1%) were mechanically ventilated and 200 (52%) had central venous catheters. A total of 28 (7%) laboratory confirmed community acquired infections and 55 (14%) HAIs occurred. Community acquired infections included 13 (46%) bloodstream infections (BSIs), 11 (39%) urinary tract infections (UTI) and 6 (21%) LRTIs. HAIs included 39 (70%) BSIs, 11 (20%) UTIs and 6 (11%) ventilator associated pneumonias (VAP). Causal organisms of community and hospital acquired BSI and UTI are in Figure 1 and Figure 2 respecively. All-cause mortality was 35.3% (135/382) in our cohort, and 100% mortality (76) in those with coinfections. Conclusion. Community and hospital acquired infections were common and in the ICU and likely contributed to patient outcomes. More than two thirds of HAIs in the ICU were BSIs. Central venous catheter device utlization and maintenance may play a role in BSIs, along with immunosuppression from COVID-19 therapeutics and translocation from mucosal barrier injury. Mortality in patients with coinfections was higher than those without. Infection prevention strategies to reduce device utilization during COIVD-19 in LMICs may have an impact on HAIs.
ABSTRACT
Background. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, has caused a global public health crisis. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) caused by COVID-19 has led to an increase in hospitalizations. Disease severity and concerns for bacterial co-infections can increase antimicrobial pressure. Our aim is to define and compare the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial use (AU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Dominican Republic (DR) and the United States (US). Methods. We performed a retrospective review of AU and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns from 2019-20 at a hospital in the US (H-US) and the DR (H-DR). Our sites are community teaching hospitals with 151 beds in H-US and 295 beds in H-DR. After AU was tabulated, percent changes between 2019-20 were calculated. Resistance patterns for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing (ESBL) E coli, ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp), carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-PSAR) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) were tabulated and percent changes between 2019-20 were calculated. Results. AU increased by 10% in H-US and 25% in H-DR, with carbapenem use increasing by 268% and 144% respectively. Ceftriaxone use increased by 30% in H-US and 33% in H-DR. Azithromycin increased 54% in H-US and 338% in the H-DR. Resistance increased from 10% to 28% for ESBL-Kp and from 10% to 12% for ESBL E coli at H-US. CR-PSAR decreased from 20% to 12%, while cefepime and piperacillin resistance increased from 5% to 20% and 3% to 16% respectively (Figure 1). At H-DR, ESBL-Kp resistance decreased from 68% to 64% and increased from 58% to 59% for ESBL E coli. CR-PSAR and cefepime resistance increased from 5% to 19% and from 9% to 29% respectively (Figure 2). Conclusion. COVID-19 had a major impact on antimicrobial consumption and resistance in the US and DR. A greater impact was seen on ESBL rates in the US whilst a greater impact on carbapenem resistance was seen in the DR. The rise in carbapenem use in H-US reflected a rise in ESBL rates. In the DR, ESBL producing organisms were common prior to COVID-19 and carbapenem use was more widespread. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AU may accelerate AMR worldwide. The scale up of antimicrobial stewardship across the globe is urgently needed to curb AMR.
ABSTRACT
Background. COVID-19 was declared a global Public Health Emergency by the WHO in January 2020. Limited treatment options existed early in the pandemic. As COVID-19 spread across the globe and new therapeutics emerged, different interpretations of the literature grew, and major societies relayed conflictive recommendations. There is a paucity of data on COVID-19 management in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, we performed a nationwide survey of local treatment practices in the Dominican Republic (DR). Methods. We performed an anonymous survey of infectious diseases specialists in the DR and US. The survey collected hospital characteristics and COVID-19 management protocols during different quarters of 2020-21. Management was categorized by drug and disease severity based on supplemental oxygen requirements. A convenience sample in the US representing community and academic sites was surveyed for point comparison between the US and DR. Results. The survey was completed by physicians from a total of 11 sites located in 4 cities of the DR: Santo Domingo (3), Santiago (4), La Vega (2) and San Francisco (2). These cities were representative of all regions in the country. The survey included 7 (64%) hospitals with < 200 beds, 3 (27%) with 201-300 beds, and 1 (9%) with >400 beds. Seven (47%) were private, 2 (13%) public, and 6 (40%) were teaching hospitals. In the US, 2 academic hospitals with >400 beds and 2 community hospitals with < 200 beds in a major city were surveyed. Management of COVID-19 at sites in the DR and US throughout the pandemic is plotted in Figure 1. Remdesivir use by disease severity is plotted in Figure 2. Conclusion. Throughout the pandemic, as therapeutic options evolved, hospitals and physicians had to adapt to changing guidelines and availability of novel drugs. Variability between countries and sites emerged. The use of hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma waned more rapidly in the US. Dexamethasone was widely used at all sites. Tocilizumab and remdesivir were used more liberally in the DR. Antimicrobial stewardship limited these agents at US sites to more narrow therapeutic windows which could explain the discrepancies seen between the US and DR. Uncertainty of benefit in certain disease states, limited availability, and cost may also play a role.