Necrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infection after Gluteal Augmentation in a Perioperatively Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patient-Complications of the Post-Lockdown Era? A Case Report.

Introduction: Aesthetic surgery procedures are generally done in a relatively healthy population and carry a rather low risk compared to other surgical specialties. The incidence of complications in aesthetic surgery varies greatly depending on the type, wound cleanliness regarding the anatomical site, complexity of the surgery, patient's age, and comorbidities but is generally considered low. The overall incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in all aesthetic surgical procedures is around 1% in most of the literature while cases of necrotizing soft tissue infections are mostly found as individual reports. In contrast, treating COVID-19 patients is still challenging with many diverse outcomes. Surgical stress and general anesthesia are known mediators of cellular immunity impairment while studies regarding COVID-19 infection unquestionably have shown the deterioration of adaptive immunity by SARS-CoV-2. Adding COVID-19 to the modern surgical equation raises the question of immunocompetence in surgical patients. The main question of the modern post-lockdown world is: what could be expected in the postoperative period of perioperatively asymptomatic COVID-19 patients after aesthetic surgery? Case report: Here, we present a purulent, complicated, necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSTI) after gluteal augmentation most likely triggered by SARS-CoV-2-induced immunosuppression followed by progressive COVID-19 pneumonia in an otherwise healthy, young patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such adverse events in aesthetic surgery related to COVID-19. Conclusion: Aesthetic surgery in patients during the incubation period of COVID-19 or in asymptomatic patients could pose a significant risk for surgical complications, including severe systemic infections and implant loss as well as severe pulmonary and other COVID-19-associated complications.

The Epidemiology of Necrotizing Fasciitis at a Rural Level 1 Trauma Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 pathologies has been experienced worldwide. While people appropriately avoided social interactions, many also avoided essential medical care for acute and chronic conditions. This delay in seeking care has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in several conditions, including life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients that presented to the University of Vermont Medical Center for necrotizing fasciitis during the 1-year period following the declaration of a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. We subsequently compared this data with that of the previous 4 years. RESULTS: During the period of March 12, 2020 to March 12, 2021, there were 17 cases of newly diagnosed necrotizing fasciitis. Compared with an average per year of 8 cases over the previous 4 years, this represents a 113% percent increase in cases of necrotizing fasciitis during the study period (P = .071861). Out of the 17 cases, 4 patients died during their admission, producing a case-fatality rate of 23.5%. This represents a statistically significant increase from previous years (P = .003248), where the average case-fatality rate was 6.3%. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a substantial increase in cases of necrotizing fasciitis following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. A significant increase in the case-fatality rate was also observed. Given the growing body of literature describing the negative impact of the pandemic on non-COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, our study posits necrotizing fasciitis as one of many affected pathologies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Epidemiological.

Early infection risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with rituximab or belimumab from the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Biologics Register (BILAG-BR): a prospective longitudinal study

Background: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at an increased risk of infection relative to the general population. We aimed to describe the frequency and risk factors for serious infections in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE treated with rituximab, belimumab, and standard of care therapies in a large national observational cohort. Method(s): The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Biologics Register (BILAG-BR) is a UK-based prospective register of patients with SLE. Patients were recruited by their treating physician as part of their scheduled care from 64 centres across the UK by use of a standardised case report form. Inclusion criteria for the BILAG-BR included age older than 5 years, ability to provide informed consent, a diagnosis of SLE, and starting a new biological therapy within the last 12 months or a new standard of care drug within the last month. The primary outcome for this study was the rate of serious infections within the first 12 months of therapy. Serious infections were defined as those requiring intravenous antibiotic treatment, hospital admission, or resulting in morbidity or death. Infection and mortality data were collected from study centres and further mortality data were collected from the UK Office for National Statistics. The relationship between serious infection and drug type was analysed using a multiple-failure Cox proportional hazards model. Finding(s): Between July 1, 2010, and Feb 23, 2021, 1383 individuals were recruited to the BILAG-BR. 335 patients were excluded from this analysis. The remaining 1048 participants contributed 1002.7 person-years of follow-up and included 746 (71%) participants on rituximab, 119 (11%) participants on belimumab, and 183 (17%) participants on standard of care. The median age of the cohort was 39 years (IQR 30-50), 942 (90%) of 1048 patients were women and 106 (10%) were men. Of the patients with available ethnicity data, 514 (56%) of 911 were White, 169 (19%) were Asian, 161 (18%) were Black, and 67 (7%) were of multiple-mixed or other ethnic backgrounds. 118 serious infections occurred in 76 individuals during the 12-month study period, which included 92 serious infections in 58 individuals on rituximab, eight serious infections in five individuals receiving belimumab, and 18 serious infections in 13 individuals on standard of care. The overall crude incidence rate of serious infection was 117.7 (95% CI 98.3-141.0) per 1000 person-years. Compared with standard of care, the serious infection risk was similar in the rituximab (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.68 [0.60-4.68]) and belimumab groups (1.01 [0.21-4.80]). Across the whole cohort in multivariate analysis, serious infection risk was associated with prednisolone dose (>10 mg;2.38 [95%CI 1.47-3.84]), hypogammaglobulinaemia (<6 g/L;2.16 [1.38-3.37]), and multimorbidity (1.45 [1.17-1.80]). Additional concomitant immunosuppressive use appeared to be associated with a reduced risk (0.60 [0.41-0.90]). We found no significant safety signals regarding atypical infections. Six infection-related deaths occurred at a median of 121 days (IQR 60-151) days from cohort entry. Interpretation(s): In patients with moderate-to-severe SLE, rituximab, belimumab, and standard immunosuppressive therapy have similar serious infection risks. Key risk factors for serious infections included multimorbidity, hypogammaglobulinaemia, and increased glucocorticoid doses. When considering the risk of serious infection, we propose that immunosupppressives, rituximab, and belimumab should be prioritised as mainstay therapies to optimise SLE management and support proactive minimisation of glucocorticoid use. Funding(s): None.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license

Renaissance of Equine Antithymocyte Globulin in Renal Transplantation

Introduction: Anti Thymocyte Globulin(ATG) is very effective as an Induction and antirejection therapy (ART) agent in renal Transplantation. Equine ATG (eATG) has been used less compared to rabbit ATG(rATG) in tranplantation. Cost of eATG as induction agent is 200 USD, in comparison to rATG, which costs minimum 700 USD per dose (approximately four times more than eATG). Experience with eATG initially was not good because of drug reactions but over the years the molecule has evolved into a better drug and is the preferred drug over rATG in severe Aplastic Anemia without any reactions. Covid pandemic has affected the supply chain of rATG because of vaccine production leading to shortage of rATG. Hence eATG is the only available ATG. Method(s): We present our experience with eATG in a tertiary care nephrology centre for the last 95 renal transplants. Patients have been divided into two groups. Group A- contained HLA matched first degree relatives as renal donors and induction agent was injection Methylprednisolone (MP). Group B- Had Recipients of Deceased or Spousal donors and received eATG 10mg/kg as induction agent single dose. Monitoring of renal function and observation for complications including, infections was done. Blood lymphocyte count was monitored for intial 2 weeks to look for lymphocyte depletion as an indicator of eATG efficacy. Patients were followed upto 5 years post transplant (PTX) and assessment was done at 1,3 and 5 years for graft and patient survival. eATG usage as anti rejection therapy (ART) agent in acute T- cell-mediated rejection(TCMR) : All acute TCMRs (biopsy proved) were treated with eATG 10mg/kg body for 5 consecutive days followed by repeat biopsy and additional eATG therapy depending on patient response. Result(s): Induction Therapy: Table 1,2,3 Number of recipients in GrA were 41 and GrB were 54. Marked decrease in Lymphocyte count in Gr B indicated efficacy of eATG (p<0.05). In the first 90 days post transplant, Acute TCMR ( biopsy proved) was seen in 5(9.7 %) of GrA and 7(12.9 %) of GrB (p>0.05). In GrA 1(2.4%) patient had acute antibody mediated rejection (ABMR) but could not be treated with ART because of presence of active infection. In Gr B 1(1.8%) patient had histopathological features suggestive of ABMR but was C4D negative and patient responded to eATG alone. Infections were noticed in 9.7% (5/41) of GrA patients and 11.1% (6/54) of GrB patients in the first 180 days PTX (p>0.05). Urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections and soft tissue infections were commonly seen. Post ART oppurtunistic infections were not seen. Comparison of incidence of Acute rejection rates, graft survival, complications rate and patient survival rate show similar results in both the groups. We achieved good efficacy with eATG as induction and ART agent in biopsy proved acute TCMR. No adverse events and no malignancies were observed after eATG therapy. Conclusion(s): eATG can be used as induction and antirejecton therapy agent in TCMR in renal transplantation. eATG is economical compared to rATG. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in the COVID-19 Era

In the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize aerosol-generating procedures, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was utilized at our institution as an alternative to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE). This retrospective study evaluated the clinical utility of CMR for detecting IE among 14 patients growing typical microorganisms on blood cultures or meeting modified Duke Criteria. Seven cases were treated for IE. In 2 cases, CMR results were notable for possible leaflet vegetations and were clinically meaningful in guiding antibiotic therapy, obtaining further imaging, and/or pursuing surgical intervention. In 2 cases, vegetations were missed on CMR but detected on TEE. In 3 cases, CMR was non-diagnostic, but patients were treated empirically. There was no difference in antibiotic duration or outcomes over 1 year. CMR demonstrated mixed results in diagnosing valvular vegetations and guiding clinical decision-making. Further prospective controlled trials of CMR Vs TEE are warranted. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

A UNIQUE CASE: ACUTE EOSINOPHILIC PNEUMONIA SECONDARY TO DAPTOMYCIN: A COVID-19 PNEUMONIA MIMIC

SESSION TITLE: Drug-Induced Lung Injury Pathology Case Posters SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an atypical cause of acute hypoxic respiratory failure in adults, however if not identified can prove to be fatal. It can all be a COVID19 mimic during the pandemic. AEP has several causes, such as inhalational drugs, infections and various pharmaceuticals. Often, patients will have an acute respiratory syndrome for less than one-month, pulmonary infiltrates on chest computed tomography (CT) or radiography (CXR), in addition to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with more than 25% of eosinophils. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79 y/o man underwent an elective total knee replacement complicated by acute lower limb ischemia from an occluded bypass graft. He developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) joint and soft tissue infection of the lower extremity. He was prescribed a 6-week course of Daptomycin. He presented about 3 weeks into treatment with shortness of breath. He was initially diagnosed with acute on chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation and COVID negative. He was initially treated with diuretics. He developed acute renal failure requiring dialysis and acute hypoxic respiratory failure requiring intubation. CXR revealed bilateral lung infiltrates with BAL having 80% eosinophils, eosinophilia and urinalysis positive for eosinophils. Daptomycin was discontinued and he was started on systemic steroids for a two-week course. He was successfully extubated 5 days after diagnosis of AEP and was subsequently discharged to a rehabilitation facility on lifelong Doxycycline for MRSA prosthetic joint infection prophylaxis. DISCUSSION: AEP related to Daptomycin was first reported in 2007, in a patient that developed the condition after receiving treatment for endocarditis. Daptomycin caused an inflammatory reaction within the lungs, due to an accumulation of the drug within the pulmonary surfactant. Our case report patient met all components for AEP diagnosis, in addition to symptom onset being approximately 3 weeks into treatment. The ultimate treatment for AEP is to stop the reversible cause, if identifiable, along with glucocorticoids and symptomatic support. Prognosis for patients with AEP is excellent when diagnosis is prompt, and usually infiltrates are resolved within 1 month without long term adverse pulmonary effects. Our patient was discharged to an acute rehab facility without supplemental oxygen therapy and continues to improve from functional standpoint. This case a definite cause of AEP from Daptomycin presented as COVID19 pneumonia mimic. It highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis to prevent morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The differential in a patient with acute hypoxic respiratory failure is numerous, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. During these challenging times, it is important to think of atypical causes, such as AEP to improve the patient's clinical status. Reference #1: Allen JN, Pacht ER, Gadek JE, Davis WB. Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia as a Reversible Cause of Noninfectious Respiratory Failure. N Engl J Med. 1989;321:569-574 Reference #2: Hayes Jr. D, Anstead MI, Kuhn RJ. Eosinophilic pneumonia induced by daptomycin. J Infect. 2007;54(4):e211-213. Reference #3: Rachid M, Ahmad K, Saunders-Kurban M, Fatima A, Shah A, Nahhas A. Daptomycin-Induced Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia: Late Onset and Quick Recovery. Case Reports in Pulmonology. 2017. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Moses Bachan No relevant relationships by Zinobia Khan No relevant relationships by Kaitlyn Mehern

SEPTIC SHOCK SECONDARY TO FUSOBACTERIUM NECROPHORUM LIVER ABSCESSES AND QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH COVID-19 INFECTION IN A HEALTHY YOUNG FEMALE

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Case Report Posters 2 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Fusobacterium (FB) are anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli found in the normal flora of the oral, gastrointestinal, vaginal and upper respiratory tract mucosa. It can cause soft tissue infections and rarely causes bacteremia, yet Fusobacterium bacteremia is associated with high rate of ICU admission, extended hospitalization and significant mortality. Pyogenic liver abscess is a rare indolent disease and is mostly secondary to bacterial infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old female with no comorbidities presented with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, fatigue, heavy menstrual bleed, and high-grade fever. Symptoms started four days before the presentation. She reported a positive COVID-test two weeks earlier and a new IUD placement five weeks before presentation. She is sexually active with one male partner and does not use a contact barrier. On presentation, she was hypotensive, tachycardic, ill-looking with rapid shallow breathing, and fever of 100.7. EKG showed sinus tachycardia, CXR showed no pulmonary disease. Blood tests were significant for leukocytosis, elevated serum lactic acid, and elevated D-dimer. CTA chest was remarkable for two 2x3 cm liver cysts. Patient was admitted to the MICU and started on IV fluids Boluses, Norepinephrine drip, Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin. Gynecology was consulted and recommended against removing the IUD as patient had no signs of IUD infection. Patient continued to be critically sick. Gynecology team was recontacted and removed the IUD and was uninfected on culture. Antibiotics were switched to Vancomycin and Piperacillin-Tazobactam. MRI liver with contrast confirmed the diagnosis liver abscess. Patient received bedside US-guided aspiration, it was remarkable for 16 cc of frank pus. Patient showed significant improvement after procedure and was transferred to the medical floor within 24 hours. Blood culture grew F. Necrophorum and antibiotics were switched to Clindamycin. DISCUSSION: FB is part of the vaginal flora. Mucosal disruption during IUD placement can precipitate disseminated infection with liver abscesses and/or sepsis. Absence of signs of GU tract infection or a non-infective IUD doesn't rule out FB sepsis. Patient Presented five weeks after IUD placement which fits the indolent nature of pyogenic liver abscess. Four cases of F. Nucleatum bacteremia were reported recently in Belgium in COVID patients. One of the cases was healthy young female. Our similar scenario raises a question about a potential association between COVID and risk of floral septicemia. Our patient has F. necrophorum. CONCLUSIONS: Patient presenting with sepsis and liver cyst should be evaluated for liver abscess as appropriate. Recent procedures and mucosal instrumentation can precipitate liver abscess and should be considered if the timing suggest an indolent course. Further studies are needed to evaluate a potential link between COVID infection and FB bacteremia. Reference #1: Goldberg EA, Venkat-Ramani T, Hewit M, Bonilla HF. Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of patients with Fusobacterium bacteraemia. Epidemiol Infect. 2013 Feb;141(2):325-9. doi: 10.1017/S0950268812000660. Epub 2012 Apr 17. PMID: 22717143. Reference #2: Garcia-Carretero R. Bacteraemia and multiple liver abscesses due to Fusobacterium nucleatum in a patient with oropharyngeal malignancy. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jan 29;12(1):e228237. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228237. PMID: 30700472;PMCID: PMC6352811. Reference #3: Wolff L, Martiny D, Deyi VYM, Maillart E, Clevenbergh P, Dauby N. COVID-19-Associated Fusobacterium nucleatum Bacteremia, Belgium. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Mar;27(3):975-977. doi: 10.3201/eid2703.202284. Epub 2020 Dec 8. PMID: 33292922;PMCID: PMC7920680. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Zainab Abdulsada No relevant relationships by Ahmed Abomhya No relevant relationships by Richard Fremont

SHEWANELLA SEPTIC SHOCK COMPLICATING COVID-19 SURVIVORSHIP FOLLOWING EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION (ECMO) RECOVERY

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care in Chest Infections Case Report Posters 2 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 01:15 pm INTRODUCTION: Shewanella are gram-negative bacteria that inhabit salt and brackish watery environments, rarely causing skin and soft tissue infections. We report a case of septic shock, bacteremia, and empyema due to Shewanella in a COVID-ARDS survivor who previously received ECMO. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes, recent COVID-ARDS illness complicated with STEMI, leading to a VT/VF arrest requiring 21-days of VV-ECMO support presented three weeks after discharge due to worsening oxygen needs. The patient was hypotensive, febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, with SatO2 92% on HFNC> 50%FIO2. Labs showed leukocytosis, lactic acidosis, and acute kidney injury. Chest x-ray showed a loculated left pleural effusion. Broad spectrum antibiotics were started. Blood cultures grew Shewanella species in aerobic and anaerobic bottles. A CT of the chest is shown (Figure 1). Thoracentesis was performed with findings consistent with empyema (Table 1). The empyema was managed with pigtail catheters and TPAse-DNAse. Pleural fluid cultures had no growth. The patient improved and was discharged on 6-week course of IV ceftazidime. DISCUSSION: Shewanella is a rare cause of skin and soft tissue infections, following traumatic injuries in association with exposure to salt or brackish water. It has also been associated with pneumonia, in the setting of near drownings, in both fresh and saltwater. Individuals with underlying liver disease and immunocompromising conditions are at the highest risk of contracting the pathogen and manifesting illness. Shewanella algae and putrefaciens may manifest as deep ulcers with hemorrhagic bullae, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis (1). In addition, biliary tract infections and peritonitis can occur (2). Our patient had no epidemiologic risk factors for Shewanella infection. Although nosocomial transmission is possible, we are not aware of any previous reports of such exposure in association with this infection. Given negative pleural fluid culture with positive blood culture, we hypothesize our patient's empyema is due to Shewanella given no other apparent infectious etiology. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of pleural infection are culture negative. It is possible that antibiotic therapy started before fluid collection lowered the diagnostic yield of thoracentesis. The prevalence of bloodstream infections during ECMO ranges from 3 to 18%, with coagulase-negative staphylococcus as the most frequent cause, followed by Candida spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. (3) with no known reports of Shewanella per the ELSO registry. CONCLUSIONS: This case may confer possible healthcare-related acquirement of Shewanella. Our case adds awareness to clinicians about potential routes of inoculation, predisposing factors, and the wide clinical manifestations of Shewanellosis. Reference #1: Weiss TJ, Barranco-Trabi JJ, Brown A, Oommen TT, Mank V, Ryan C. Case Report: Shewanella Algae Pneumonia and Bacteremia in an Elderly Male Living at a Long-Term Care Facility. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021;106(1):60-61. Published 2021 Nov 15. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.21-0614 Reference #2: Savini V, Marrollo R, Nigro R, Fazii P. Chapter 6-Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Following Marine Injuries. In: The Microbiology of Skin, Soft Tissue, Bone and Joint Infections. Vol 2.;2017:93-103. Reference #3: S. Biffi et al. / International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 50 (2017) 9–16 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Akram Alkrekshi No relevant relationships by Robert Kalayjian No relevant relationships by Ismini Kourouni No relevant relationships by Srinivasa Potla No relevant relationships by Zahra Zia

INFECTIONS IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS :SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN SOUTH INDIA

Introduction: Infections occurring in the post transplant period are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Early infections (within the first month) are more likely to be due to nosocomially acquired pathogens, surgical issues, and donor-derived infections. Opportunistic pathogens occur after 6 months, reflects the greater impact of immunosuppressive therapies. Late infections may be secondary to opportunistic pathogens or conventional ones. Methods: It is a retrospective observational study.All hospitalised patients with infections were included between November 2019 to march 2022 excluding covid 19 infections.Infections were categorised based on time line of infection into less than one month, 1-6 months and more than 6 months and sub categorised based on type of organisms and source of infection.All baseline characteristics, labs, microbiological including serology, PCR and cultures, radiological findings and histopathological findings were noted.Complications including graft dysfunction and need for various supports such as O2, ionotropes, ventilator and dialysis and treatment details and in hospital patient outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: 53 patients admitted with infection in the given period were included in the study.Among them 88.67% were males and 11.33% females. In the study population 66.03 % underwent live related renal transplant and 33.97% underwent deceased donor transplantation. Mean age of the study population was 35.2 years. There were 118 events of infection identified during the study period.UTI was the most common post-transplant infection and occurred in 36.44 % of total events. There were 13 events of post-transplant infection in the first month. Most common infection in early post-transplant period was UTI, 53.84 % of events of UTI occurred followed by pneumonia in 23.07% of total events. E coli was isolated in 57.14 % of events There were 48 events of infections in the period of 1- 6 months.UTI was the most common infection (37.5 % of total events ) and E coli was the most common organism isolated(44.44 %). Pneumonia was the second commonly occurred event in 18.75 % of total events and Klebsiella was the most common isolated ( 55.56 % ).CMV disease was identified in 10.41% events, 40 % had tissue invasive CMV, 60% presented with cytopenia. There were 57 events of infections after 6 months, UTI was the most common infection(31.57% events) and E coli was the most common organism (44.00%).Pneumonia occurred in 19.29% followed by skin and soft tissue infection (13.94 %)herpes zoster ( 8.75% ) gastroenteritis(7.01%), BKVN (5.26%),oral candidiasis (3.50%)CMV disease (3.50%), tuberculosis(3.5%), meningitis (1.75%) and dengue(1.75%). 95.76% of infectious event was associated allograft dysfunction and 22.64 % of the study population had PTDM. In 15.25 % of events, patients had septic shock at presentation.Amongst them 44.44% had urosepsis, 33.33% had pneumonia, 22.22% had acute gastroenteritis. 18.86 % expired during hospital stay,amongst them 60 % had pneumonia and 30% had urosepsis and 10% had acute gastroenteritis. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusions: Patients who undergo renal transplantation are subjected to immunosuppression which increase the burden of infections in the post-transplant period.Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to prevent morbidity and mortality of renal transplant recipients No conflict of interest

CARDIOVASCULAR EVENT, VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLIZM, and INFECTION RISK with TOFACITINIB in RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS AGED ≥ 60 YEARS

Background: Tofacitinib is a targeted synthetic DMARD that selectively inhibits Janus kinase (JAK) and is approved for the treatment of RA by the FDA in 2012. In recent years, an important safety concern related to incidence of adverse events after treatment with tofacitinib has emerged. Objectives: To evaluate the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis), serious infections requiring hospitalization, and herpes zoster with tofacitinib in RA patients aged ≥ 60 years. Methods: HUR-BIO (Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry) is a single center biological and targeted synthetic DMARD registry since 2005. We analyzed RA patients aged ≥ 60 years receiving tofacitinib who had at least 1 control visit registered in the HURBIO database. Phone calls were made with these patients for the current health status information until the end of January 2022. The data of the patients who lost the follow-up in our clinic were obtained from the personal health record system of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health by patients' permission. The coprimary end points were adjudicated MACE, VTE, serious infections, and herpes zoster. These events were identi-fed using patients' medical records. Crude incidence rates were expressed in patients with frst events per 100 patient-years, with two-sided 95% confdence intervals. Results: A total of 132 RA patients (109, 82.6% female) aged ≥ 60 years received tofacitinib at a dose of 5 mg twice daily. The median (25-75% percentiles) age was 67 (63-73) years and median duration under tofacitinib was 18 (5-33) months. Approximately 70% of patients were biologically naive. During a median follow-up of 1. 5 years, the incidences of serious infection requiring hospitalization and herpes zoster were higher (5.5% [95%CI 3.12-9.86] and 3.4% [1.67-7.17], respectively) while there was no increase in the incidences of MACE and VTE. The causes for hospitalization were as follows: COVID-19 (n=4), pneumonia (n=3), soft-tissue infection (n=3), and GIS infection (n=1). Tw o of these patients deceased. Conclusion: Older patients with RA are at increased infection risk because of age and comorbid conditions. Although adverse events are reported with 10 mg tofacitinib twice daily, clinicians should be careful against the risk of infection at a dose of 5 mg twice daily, especially in elderly patients.

TOCILIZUMAB for GIANT CELL ARTERITIS: BASELINE and TWELVE MONTH AUDIT DATA from the UK BRISTOL and BATH MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEETING

Background: Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis involving large and medium-sized blood vessels. Treatment is with high dose glucocorticoids. Steroid-sparing agents and Tocilizumab (TCZ) are used for refractory or relapsing cases. NHS England requires all GCA patients to be discussed in a regional multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) prior to commencing TCZ. TCZ has only been permitted for a maximum of one year;this time limitation was extended during the Covid-19 pandemic (1). The monthly virtual Bristol and Bath regional MDT started in November 2018. Objectives: We aimed to review: 1) Baseline data on all patients referred to the Bristol and Bath TCZ for GCA MDT, including demographics, clinical presentation and previous steroid-sparing agents used and 2) 12 month follow up data including number of completions, adverse effects, and fares on treatment. Methods: The TCZ MDT referral proforma, adapted from the NHS England Blueteq approval form, was reviewed for all patients referred. 12 month follow up data was obtained from clinic letters. Results: Baseline data Thirty-eight cases were referred between November 2018 and September 2021. Of these, 31 were approved for TCZ usage;100% fulflled the criteria for either refractory (n=11) or relapsing (n=20) disease. Mean age was 74 years and 74.2% were female. Average disease duration was 161.5 days for the refractory and 827.3 days for the relapsing group. 77.4% had cranial GCA, 48.4% had large vessel involvement, 45.2% had visual symptoms and 25.8% had ischaemic visual loss. The positive investigations were PET-CT (48.4%), temporal artery ultrasound (41.9%) and temporal artery biopsy (32.3%). 64.5% had trialled a steroid-sparing agent at time of referral (61.3 % metho-trexate, 9.7% azathioprine, 6.5% lefunomide), 35.5% had received intravenous methylprednisolone and 58% were receiving greater than 40mg prednisolone at the time of referral. Glucocorticoid adverse effects of osteoporosis, weight gain, cataracts and hypertension were each seen in 19.4%;whilst diabetes, neuropsychiatric symptoms and sleep disturbance were each reported in 16.1%. Those with ocular involvement tended to be referred earlier than those without (478.2 days vs 648.1 days), were referred on higher doses of glucocorticoids (71.4% vs 47.1% on ≥ 40mg) and had less steroid-sparing agents prior to referral. Follow up data In December 2021, a follow-up audit revealed 14/31 patients had completed at least 12 months of tocilizumab;5 of these had had an extension under Covid-19 exceptional guidance (mean duration of 5.2 months). Of the remaining 17: 3 patients had stopped early (1 death, 1 moved away, 1 due to adverse effects of headache and gastro-intestinal side effects), 4 had not started tocilizumab and 10 had not completed 12 months of treatment at that point. Adverse events in the 14 patients at 12 months included: liver abnormalities (2/14;14.3%), neutropenia (2/14;14.3%), thrombocytopaenia (1/14;7.1%), soft tissue infections (3/14;21.4%), urinary tract infection (1/14;7.1%) and lipid derangement (4/14 28.6%). One case of GCA relapse occurred on TCZ (mild headache and raised infammatory markers settled on small increase in prednisolone). After 12 months, mean prednisolone dose was 3mg (range 0-15mg). Conclusion: All patients approved for Tocilizumab in the GCA MDT fulflled NHS England criteria for either relapsing or refractory disease. The majority of cases had cranial disease, but almost half had either ocular or large vessel involvement, refecting a severe spectrum of disease. Cases showed a high burden of glucocorticoid toxicity. Follow up data suggests that TCZ was effective in allowing glucocorticoid weaning and disease control, but with some adverse effects. Future work to follow up patients after stopping Tocilizumab would be informative, as the twelve month limitation on treatment is likely to be re-instated.

OUTCOMES during and after LONG-TERM TOCILIZUMAB TREATMENT in PATIENTS with GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background: Data on the long-term efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) for giant cell arteritis (GCA), including incidence and timing of disease relapse after TCZ discontinuation, is limited. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of GCA patients treated with TCZ in a real-world setting. Methods: Retrospective analysis of GCA patients treated with TCZ for >9 months at a single center between 2010-2021. Time to relapse and annualized relapse rate during and after TCZ treatment, prednisone use and safety were assessed. Relapse was defned as the re-appearance of clinical manifestations of GCA that required treatment intensifcation regardless of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The duration of TCZ treatment was determined as per the best clinical judgement of the treating rheumatologist. Results: A total of 57 GCA patients were followed for a mean (SD) period of 3.4 (1.7) years. Baseline characteristics and treatments received are shown in Table 1. Patients were maintained on their initial TCZ course for a mean (SD) period of 2.0 (1.3) years. The initial TCZ course lasted >12 months in 50 (88%) patients. During the initial TCZ course, 8 (14.0%) patients relapsed. Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimated relapse rates on TCZ were 10.5% and 14.9% at 12 and 18 months, respectively (Figure 1A). TCZ was discontinued due to long-term remission in 37 (64.9%) patients and after an adverse event in 6 (10.5%) patients. Of the 43 patients stopping TCZ due to remission or adverse event, 19 (44.2%) subsequently relapsed. KM estimated relapse rates after TCZ discontinuation were 30.4% and 44.0% at 12 and 18 months, respectively (Figure 1B). Overall, 12 patients received more than one TCZ course. The aggregation of all TCZ courses (mean 2.5 years) and all periods off TCZ following the initial TCZ treatment (mean 0.9 years) showed that 11 (19.3%) patients relapsed while on TCZ and 20 (35.1%) patients relapsed during time off TCZ. An analysis adjusting for age, sex, prednisone dose at initiation of frst TCZ course, and disease type (new onset vs. relapsing) at initiation of frst TCZ course showed an annualized relapse rate (95% CI) of 0.1 (0.0-0.2) during TCZ treatment and 0.4 (0.3-0.7) off TCZ (rate ratio 0.2, p<0.0001). By the end of follow up, 42 (73.7%) patients were able to wean off prednisone. During the study, 12 serious adverse events occurred in 11 (19.3%) patients. Among those 12 events, 3 (25%) were related or possibly related to TCZ exclusively (i.e., soft tissue infection, bacteremia, and COVID-19), 3 (25%) to prednisone exclusively (i.e., osteoporotic fracture, diabetic ketoacidosis and stroke), and 2 (16.7%) to either TCZ or prednisone (i.e., pneumonia and sepsis). Conclusion: Long-term TCZ treatment was efficacious in maintaining disease remission and sparing the use of prednisone in patients with GCA. Over 40% of patients stopping TCZ after long-term remission or adverse event relapsed following TCZ discontinuation.

Decreasing Ordering and Obtaining of Lowvalue Blood Cultures in a Large Community Children's Hospital

Blood cultures are often an important part of evaluation of febrile illnesses in children. There exists a plethora of evidence suggesting routinely obtaining blood cultures in certain clinical situations, namely uncomplicated pneumonia (CAP), urinary tract infection (UTI), skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and viral illnesses (URI), is low-value and adds little to the management plan, while increasing risk of repeat visits, prolonged hospital stay, prolonged antibiotic course, and other unnecessary testing due to false-positive results.We sought to implement a guideline for obtaining blood cultures in the pediatric emergency department and pediatric hospital medicine floor with the goal of decreasing the obtainment of low-value blood cultures by at least 50% over a 6-month period. Baseline data was collected from July 2019 to June 2020, which included the number of blood cultures obtained in the pediatric ED and floor, result of blood cultures with organism identification (if positive), and associated visit diagnoses, particularly CAP, UTI, SSTI, and URI. An evidencebased guideline identifying patients/diagnoses with indications for obtaining a blood culture in addition to those in which it is considered low-value was created and distributed to the pediatric ED and PHM providers. Data was reviewed in the postimplementation period from July 2020 to December 2020 on a monthly basis. Results were shared with provider groups monthly and individual providers as needed. Balancing measures of re-visit/-admission and admission to a higher level of care was also tracked. A total of 830 blood cultures were obtained during the baseline period, with 230 (27.4%) of those deemed low-value. Following implementation of the guideline, a total of 320 blood cultures were obtained, with 29 (9.1%) of these deemed low-value, a percentage decrease of 67% from the baseline state. Observed balancing measures were unchanged Implementation of a guideline identifying clinical diagnoses in which routine obtainment of blood cultures is low-value led to a sustained decrease in this practice, which may positively impact other clinical variables outlined above. Interpretation of changes in individual diagnosis groups was limited by seasonality as well as COVID-19 pandemic-related decreases in patient volumes from the baseline period. Further work involving targeted order sets for these diagnoses to aid sustainability of change and increased standardization of this and other aspects of care is ongoing.

Using Individual Clinician Feedback as Key Driver for Multiple Quality Improvement Initiatives at Large Pediatric Urgent Care Network

Purpose/Objectives: Quality improvement (QI) project implementation can be complex and effective interventions can be elusive, especially at large organizations with varied clinician practice. Our institution's large group of physicians and nurse practitioners work within a seven-site pediatric urgent care network in central Ohio. With several simultaneous QI projects we found trends showing varied compliance amongst clinicians that were present across initiatives. Prior studies have shown mixed results for individual clinician feedback as a primary intervention for quality improvement;we hypothesized that it would serve as a key driver in achieving and maintaining our project goals. Design/Methods: In September of 2020 we began emailing monthly individual physician feedback for four QI projects: acute otitis media (AOM) treatment duration, skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) treatment duration, RSV viral testing rate and viral panel testing rate. The email contained objectives for each project, gave individual performance in relation to goal, and showed ranking compared to peers. Clinician feedback was not punitive, and clinicians' rank was not shared with the larger group. The audits were reviewed for accuracy and populated monthly by QI analyst and physician QI lead. Additionally, group compliance shown as a percentage was presented bimonthly at clinician conferences. Using statistical process control charts, we were able to track progress for all projects concurrently. Results: When scorecards began, AOM and SSTI projects had already improved from baseline while RSV and viral panel testing projects were new. After scorecard initiation, the AOM project had a second baseline shift from 67% to 85% while the SSTI project was sustained at 85% and edged towards 90% (Figure 1). For our respiratory projects, the COVID 19 pandemic had diverging effects. The RSV season abruptly ended and testing dropped precipitously at our institution. As a steady increase in the prevalence of RSV returns, with the scorecard, we have not yet seen an increase in testing and are at less than 1 test per 1000 respiratory visits compared to the pre-pandemic 16 per 1000 respiratory visits (Figure 2). Conversely, for the more comprehensive viral panel testing, we saw a significant increase above the baseline with the pandemic, from 10 per 1000 respiratory visits up to 23 per 1000 respiratory visits. After initiation of the scorecard, we achieved the pre-pandemic goal of 5 per 1000 respiratory visits (Figure 2). Conclusion/Discussion: Our scorecard approach was able to show that getting consistent, reliable, and relevant clinician direct feedback can meaningfully improve clinical practice across varied QI initiatives at different stages of development and with different objectives.

ATYPICAL PRESENTATION OF LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE WITH DIVERTICULITIS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENT

CASE: A 69-year-old male smoker with stage 3b prostate cancer managed with abiraterone and prednisone, prior severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation, and history of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis presented with 3 days of anorexia, watery diarrhea, and left lower abdominal pain. Two weeks earlier he developed a mild dry cough without fever, dyspnea, or chest pain. There were no sick contacts or recent travel. He was afebrile, and initial routine chemistries and a complete blood count were unremarkable. An abdomino-pelvic CT revealed acute diverticulitis of the distal descending and sigmoid colon. A consolidation at the right lung base was also incidentally noted. Follow up imaging confirmed a multifocal pneumonia on chest Xray. Legionella antigen was detected in the urine. Metronidazole and levofloxacin were initiated with clinical improvement and the patient was discharged home to complete a 10-day course of antibiotics IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Legionella bacteria are gram negative organisms found widespread in soil and bodies of water including lakes, streams, and artificial reservoirs. Transmission is via inhalation of aerosols and a high innoculum is typically needed to cause infection. Host risk factors for infection include older age, impaired cellular immunity, smoking, male sex, and medical co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, renal, lung and cardiovascular disease. The two most commonly known syndromes associated with Legionella infection are Legionnaire's disease, a pneumonia occurring typically in the late summer or early autumn months (as in our patient), and Pontiac fever, an acute self- limited febrile illness. The mortality rate for hospitalized Legionnaire's is up to 10%. Extra-pulmonary manifestations are rare and can include skin and soft tissue infections, septic arthritis, endocarditis, myocarditis, peritonitis, pyelonephritis, meningitis, brain abscesses, and surgical site infections. The diagnosis of extra-pulmonary disease requires detection of Legionella at the affected site by culture or polymerase chain reaction. In the absence of a known local Legionella outbreak, our patient's age, sex, smoking status, and underlying immune suppression most likely increased his risk for this sporadic infection. We postulate that the acute diarrhea associated with Legionnaire's disease may have triggered inflammation of his diverticula or the acute diverticulitis was an extra-pulmonary manifestation. To our knowledge, we are the first to report a case of Legionnaire's disease presenting as acute diverticulitis. CONCLUSION: Legionnaire's is a typical disease with many atypical and extra-pulmonary presentations. We present a case of Legionnaire's disease masquerading as acute diverticulitis and urge timely consideration and testing for Legionella in at-risk patients presenting with predominantly GI symptoms and subtle or no respiratory complaints, as it can be life-saving.

Impact of order sentence implementation on outpatient antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infection and skin and soft tissue infection

Introduction: Due to the high volume of outpatient antibiotic prescribing, the Joint Commission now requires antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) expansion to ambulatory practice settings. Unfortunately, ASP resources in these settings are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the implementation of antibiotic order sentences alongside education would improve antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections (UTI) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Objectives: The primary objective was to compare the proportion of total guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing before (pre-ASP) vs after (post-ASP) implementing order sentences. Guideline concordance was defined as antibiotic selection, dosing, and duration in accordance with the health system's empiric guidelines. Secondary objectives included comparing patient-centered outcomes, such as infection-related revisits and Clostridiodes difficile infections between groups. Methods: This retrospective, quasi-experimental study evaluated adult patients treated for uncomplicated UTI or SSTI at an outpatient Family Medicine office between 1 February 2020 and 1 January 2021. The institution's stewardship team provided in-person education and set prescribing order sentence “favorites” for providers. Patients were excluded who were diagnosed with a complicated UTI, treated only with topical antibiotics, were pregnant, or received care via telephone encounter. Results: Two hundred sixty patients were included in this study (pre-ASP n = 139, post-ASP n = 121). Total antibiotic appropriateness improved significantly from 24.5% to 39.7% after implementation of order sentences and education (P =.008). Significant improvement was seen for appropriate drug selection (52.5% vs 66.9%, P =.018) and duration (47.5% vs 68.6%, P =.001). There were no differences observed in patient-centered outcomes between groups. Conclusion: Implementing stewardship-focused order sentences significantly improved outpatient antibiotic prescribing for UTI and SSTI. Tailoring antibiotic order sentences may be a useful tool for ASP expansion into the outpatient setting with limited resources to allocate to stewardship efforts.

Deep Vein Thrombosis, Septic Pulmonary Emboli and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Aureus Bacteremia Complicated by a Furuncle in a Child

Staphylococcal aureus infection in children is a major public health problem globally. It causes a varied spectrum of clinical disease including bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infection, pleuro-pulmaonry and osteo-articular infection. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a known complication of staphylococcal infection. We report a case series which included, 10-year old boy developed DVT, septic pulmonary emboli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) bacteremia following a furuculosis and 13 year old girl with thrombosis of internal and external jugular vein, cavernous sinus with pulmonary emboli and MRA bacteremia. Both patients are previously healthy showed complete recovery after aggressive appropriate antibiotics, anticoagulants and supportive care. The high index of suspicion of DVT in MRSA infection is needed, prompt diagnosis and aggressive appropriate therapies improve the outcomes and minimize the complications.

Community Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia in a Previously Healthy 12-Year-Old Male

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was better recognized to be a nosocomial pathogen found mainly in intensive care units and occurring especially in elderly persons. However, rare but potentially fatal cases of community-acquired MRSA infection have emerged. Risk factors such as infection of the skin or soft tissues, influenza virus infection, history of recent hospital admissions, or immunocompromised status were identified. The prevalence of MRSA in children especially those without risk factors is extremely low. Case: This is a case of a previously healthy 12-year-old male who presented with acute onset of high-grade fever and exertional dyspnea. Upon admission, the patient was in respiratory distress and hypotensive. The patient was managed as a case of severe sepsis with the following considerations: COVID-19 infection, severe pneumonia, tuberculosis, and malignancy. Although the clinical presentation and imaging findings were suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis infection, sputum and blood culture were positive for MRSA. The patient required admission to the intensive care unit and underwent close tube thoracotomy insertion and tube pericardiostomy due to the rapid spread of infection. The patient was also treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus, anti-tuberculosis medications were added to Vancomycin, with noted improvement thereafter. Discussion: This case highlights the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis of MRSA pneumonia leading to optimal patient outcome. With this, the rapid institution of appropriate antibiotics is crucial. However, clinical diagnosis is frequently difficult resulting in to delay of diagnosis.

Streptococcus pluranimalium associated with invasive wound infection post-visit to traditional healer: case report

This case study involves an unusual clinical case of a 46-year-old female of African descent, presenting to a tertiary hospital from her rural clinic with a one-day history of difficulty in breathing after a visit to her traditional healer. COVID-19 PCR was negative and retro viral disease (RVD) status unknown. No wound was noted, but likely present at time of presentation. After an emergency tracheostomy because of sudden deterioration due to airway obstruction, an acute progressive wound was noted with discolouration and epidermolysis of the overlying skin. The patient was admitted to ICU and demised on day three after presentation due to multiple organ failure secondary to overt sepsis due to multiple organisms, including the newly described pathogen Streptococcus pluranimalium, which was grown on blood cultures tests collected on admission and released post-mortem. This organism was possibly introduced through a small superficial wound induced by her traditional healer.