An Open Label Randomized Controlled Trial of Ivermectin Plus Favipiravir-Based Standard of Care versus Favipiravir-Based Standard of Care for Treatment of Moderate COVID-19 in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: The role of ivermectin in the treatment of moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is controversial. We performed an open label randomized controlled trial to evaluate the role of ivermectin plus favipiravir-based standard of care versus favipiravir-based standard of care for the treatment of moderate COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open-label randomized control trial was performed at Thammasat Field Hospital and Thammasat University Hospital from October 1st, 2021 to May 31st, 2022. Patients with moderate COVID-19 infections were randomized to the intervention (ivermectin plus favipiravir-based standard of care) or control group (favipiravir-based standard of care alone). Patients were followed up to 21 days. The primary outcome was the improvement in World Health Organization (WHO) category ordinal scale by 2 points. Secondary outcomes included duration of illness, development of severe COVID-19, and adverse reactions. RESULTS: There were 157 patients in the intervention and 160 patients in the control group. Characteristics, underlying diseases, and risk factors for severe COVID-19 were comparable in both groups. Improvement in the WHO-category ordinal scale by 2 points was achieved in 98.7% of the intervention group and in 99.4% of the control group (relative risk [RR]: 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.044-5.430). The median illness duration was 5.0 days (range, 3 - 28 days) in intervention group versus 5.2 days (range, 3 - 28 days) in control group (P = 0.630). Severe COVID-19 that required intensive care occurred in 2 patients (1.3%) in the intervention group and 1 patient (0.6%) in the control group (RR: 2.052; 95% CI: 0.184 - 22.857). No significant difference in serious drug adverse events was seen. CONCLUSION: In this study ivermectin plus standard of care was not associated with improvement in the WHO-category ordinal scale, reduced illness duration, or development of severe COVID-19 in moderately ill COVID-19 patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: TCTR20220427005.

Longitudinal analysis of risk factors associated with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hemodialysis patients and healthcare personnel in outpatient hemodialysis centers

In this prospective, longitudinal study, we examined the risk factors for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among a cohort of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and healthcare personnel (HCPs) over a 6-month period. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HD patients and HCPs was consistently associated with a household member having SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The role of procalcitonin and Clinical Pulmonary for Infection Score (CPIS) score to reduce inappropriate antibiotics use among moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: A quasi-experimental multicenter study.

In this quasi-experimental study, implementing a procalcitonin and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) successfully reduced inappropriate antibiotic use among severely-to-critically ill COVID-19 patients, multidrug-resistant organisms, and invasive fungal infections during the intervention period in 2 medical centers. However, this strategy did not improve inappropriate antibiotic use among mildly-to-moderately ill COVID-19 patients.

Longitudinal analysis of risk factors associated with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hemodialysis patients and healthcare personnel in outpatient hemodialysis centers.

In this prospective, longitudinal study, we examined the risk factors for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among a cohort of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and healthcare personnel (HCPs) over a 6-month period. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HD patients and HCPs was consistently associated with a household member having SARS-CoV-2 infection.

And the Patient Has a Catheter Why? Using Virtual Review to Assess the Use of Nurse Driven Catheter Removal Protocol

Nurse-driven protocols (NDPs) provide clinically approved methods for nursing to make autonomous care decisions. The objective of this project was to assess the impact of an Infection Prevention Specialist (IPS)-driven review process to determine the necessity of indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) and utilization of a hospital NDP for IUC removal by inpatient nurses. An IUC justification review process was implemented from August 2021 through November 2021 at a 1315-bed academic hospital. Monday through Friday a list of patients with an IUC in place > 2 days was generated, including IUC indication. Intensive care units (ICU), women & infants' units, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) units were excluded. The indication for the IUC was reviewed in accordance with the hospital NDP. For any discrepancies a survey was completed, and an email was sent to unit leadership with the NDP. Discrepancies include improper documentation/charting of the indication, physician order that superseded the NDP, or missing IUC indication. Responses were tracked and categorized. Data was analyzed in Excel using a two-proportion Z-test. IPS reviewed 1,887 IUCs during the study period (median 120 IUC/week;range 50-137). There were 672 (34.7%) discrepant with the NDP. The most common discrepancies were physician order (n=240, 35.7%), improperly documented hourly input and output (n=216, 32.1%) or lack of documented indication (n=117, 17.4%). Discrepant IUCs were more common in medicine, oncology, and surgery units. IUC removal was more common in cardiology (31.8%, p< 0.001), neurology (31.7%, p< 0.001), and surgery (29.7%, p< 0.001) than in medicine (10.8%). The same was true for cardiology (p< 0.01), neurology (p< 0.01), and surgery (p< 0.01) in comparison with oncology (15.7%). 34.7% of IUC in place >2 days were without proper justification. Only 44.9% of unit leadership followed NDP after prompting. Next steps include determining barriers to the nursing driven IUC removal process.

Strategies to limit invasive fungal infection in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit: The role of infection prevention for renovation and construction in resource-limited settings.

Hospital construction and renovation activities are the main cause of healthcare-associated fungal outbreaks. Infection control risk assessments (ICRAs) for renovation and construction decrease the risk of healthcare-associated fungal outbreaks, but they are typically not performed in developing countries. We reviewed an outbreak investigation to limit the construction-related fungal infections in a COVID-19 ICU in a resource-limited setting.

Predictors of humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in patients receiving maintenance dialysis.

Objective: Patients on dialysis are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and associated morbidity and mortality. We examined the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in a maintenance dialysis population. Design: Single-center cohort study. Setting and participants: Adult maintenance dialysis patients at 3 outpatient dialysis units of a large academic center. Methods: Participants were vaccinated with 2 doses of BNT162b2, 3 weeks apart. We assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (anti-S) ∼4-7 weeks after the second dose and evaluated risk factors associated with insufficient response. Definitions of antibody response are as follows: nonresponse (anti-S level, <50 AU/mL), low response (anti-S level, 50-839 AU/mL), and sufficient response (anti-S level, ≥840 AU/mL). Results: Among the 173 participants who received 2 vaccine doses, the median age was 60 years (range, 28-88), 53.2% were men, 85% were of Black race, 86% were on in-center hemodialysis and 14% were on peritoneal dialysis. Also, 7 participants (4%) had no response, 27 (15.6%) had a low response, and 139 (80.3%) had a sufficient antibody response. In multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with insufficient antibody response included end-stage renal disease comorbidity index score ≥5 and absence of prior hepatitis B vaccination response. Conclusions: Although most of our study participants seroconverted after 2 doses of BNT162b2, 20% of our cohort did not achieve sufficient humoral response. Our findings demonstrate the urgent need for a more effective vaccine strategy in this high-risk patient population and highlight the importance of ongoing preventative measures until protective immunity is achieved.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk Factors among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients and Health Care Personnel In Outpatient Hemodialysis Centers.

Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with community prevalence.Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with exposure to infected family members and personal infection prevention measures.

The feasibility of procalcitonin and CPIS score to reduce inappropriate antibiotics use among severe-critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia patients: A pilot study.

Antibiotics have been extensively used in COVID-19 patients without a clear indication. We conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility of procalcitonin along with the "Clinical Pulmonary for Infection Score" (CPIS) as a strategy to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. Using procalcitonin and CPIS score (PCT-CPIS) successfully reduced inappropriate antibiotics use among severe-critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia patients (45% vs 100%; P < .01). Compared to "non PCT-CPIS" group, "PCT-CPIS" group was associated with a reduction in the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms and invasive fungal infections (18.3% vs 36.7%; P = .03), shorter antibiotic duration (2 days vs 7 days; P < .01) and length of hospital stay (10 days vs 16 days; P < .01).

Factors associated with intensified infection prevention and vaccination practice among Thai health care personnel: A multicenter survey during COVID-19 pandemic.

Intensified infection prevention (IP) and health care personnel (HCP) vaccination programs could enhance HCP safety during COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-center survey regarding on intensified IP practices and vaccination uptake among HCP was performed. Working in the emergency medicine department was associated with wearing a double mask and face shield (P = .04). Despite having more confidence in care of COVID-19 patients, there was no significant improvement of intensified IP practices, COVID-19 and influenza vaccination programs among "high-risk" HCP.