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.

Timeline: Key Stories and Topics in HIC This Century

The article presents the discussion on news related to various topics. Topics include Infection preventionists (IPs) urging to take a leadership role in the burgeoning national patient safety movement after the 1999 Institute of Medicine report;and MRSA killing more people annually than human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the US.

Adherence to Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Guidelines for Elective Surgeries across 825 United States Hospitals, 2019-2020.

BACKGROUND: There are limited U.S. data assessing adherence to surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines, particularly across a large, nationwide sample. Moreover, commonly prescribed inappropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens remain unknown, hindering improvement initiatives. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent elective craniotomy, hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal procedure, or hernia repair in 2019-2020 at hospitals in the PINC AI (Premier) Healthcare Database. We evaluated adherence of prophylaxis regimens, with respect to antimicrobial agents endorsed in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist guidelines, accounting for patient antibiotic allergy and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization status. We used multivariable logistic regression with random effects by hospital to evaluate associations between patient, procedural, and hospital characteristics and guideline adherence. RESULTS: Across 825 hospitals and 521,091 inpatient elective surgeries, 308,760 (59%) were adherent to prophylaxis guidelines. In adjusted analysis, adherence varied significantly by U.S. census division (adjusted OR [aOR] range: 0.61-1.61) and was significantly lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (aOR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.91-0.94, p < 0.001). The most common reason for nonadherence was unnecessary vancomycin use. In a post-hoc analysis, controlling for patient age, comorbidities, other nephrotoxic agent use, and patient and procedure characteristics, patients receiving cefazolin plus vancomycin had 19% higher odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to patients receiving cefazolin alone (aOR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.11-1.27, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines remains suboptimal, largely driven by unnecessary vancomycin use, which may increase the risk of AKI. Adherence decreased in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative pathogens: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data describing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance. This review evaluated the changes in the rate of multidrug resistant gram negative and gram positive bacteria during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to identify eligible studies. Studies that reported the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CPE) were selected. Studies published in English language from the start of COVID-19 pandemic to July 2022 were considered for inclusion. RESULTS: Thirty eligible studies were selected and most of them were from Italy (n = 8), Turkey (n = 3) and Brazil (n = 3). The results indicated changes in the rate of multidrug resistant bacteria, and the changes varied between the studies. Most studies (54.5%) reported increase in MRSA infection/colonization during the pandemic, and the increase ranged from 4.6 to 170.6%. Five studies (55.6%) reported a 6.8-65.1% increase in VRE infection/colonization during the pandemic. A 2.4-58.2% decrease in ESBL E. coli and a 1.8-13.3% reduction in ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed during the pandemic. For CRAB, most studies (58.3%) reported 1.5-621.6% increase in infection/colonization during the pandemic. Overall, studies showed increase in the rate of CRE infection/colonization during the pandemic. There was a reduction in carbapenem-resistant E. coli during COVID-19 pandemic, and an increase in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. Most studies (55.6%) showed 10.4 - 40.9% reduction in the rate of CRPA infection during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in the rate of multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative bacteria during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rate of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and CRPA has decrease during the pandemic. Both infection prevention and control strategies and antimicrobial stewardship should be strengthen to address the increasing rate of multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Massive empyema due to Lactococcus garvieae

Introduction Lactococcus garvieae, a zoonotic pathogen, may rarely infect humans through the consumption of fish. Documented manifestations of L. garvieae infection in humans include infective endocarditis, prosthetic joint infections, liver abscesses, peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, infective spondylodiscitis, acalculous cholecystitis, and urinary tract infection. Case report An 87-year-old female was hospitalized for coffee-ground emesis secondary to acute gastritis after eating cooked fish. One week after her discharge, she developed new-onset confusion and was returned to the hospital. Chest computed tomography revealed total consolidation of the left lung and a multiloculated left pleural effusion. The patient required intubation and direct admission to the intensive care unit. Pleural fluid and blood cultures grew L. garvieae, which was susceptible to ceftriaxone, penicillin, and vancomycin. Despite intensive antibiotic therapy and supportive care for thirteen days, the patient remained in irreversibl e shock, and the family opted for comfort care. Conclusions Heretofore unreported, this case demonstrates that L. garvieae can cause bronchopneumonia and empyema. Copyright © GERMS 2022.

Hafnia, a case of translocated septicemia

Case Report: Hafnia alvei, a member of the Enterococcus family, is a gram-negative anaerobe native to the gastrointestinal tract. While very rarely pathogenic, it has historically been associated with gastroenteritis, meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and nosocomial wound infections. Here we report a non-fatal case of Hafnia-septicemia following recent ERCP for Choledocholithiasis. Case Report: 73-year-old Caucasian male with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease Stage 5, diabetes mellitus and hypertension who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a chief complaint of chills and fevers as well as worsening dry hacking cough and intermittent shortness of breath. Of note, patient had presented to the ED the previous day with abdominal pain and nausea after undergoing ERCP for Choledocholithiasis from day prior. Computed tomography (CT) imaging from 1st ED visit showed no acute signs of pancreatitis, however patient was noted to have bibasilar opacities. Lipase was normal at 39. Other lab work was significant for leukocytosis to 11 000. Patient's abdominal pain and nausea resolved while in the ED, he also denied shortness of breath and was breathing comfortably on room air. He was discharged from the ED with 7-day course of Azithromycin for community acquired pneumonia. On return visit next day, patient reported new onset shortness of breath and fevers. Physical exam was remarkable for hypoxia requiring 2 liters nasal cannula, and tachycardia to 104. Patient tested negative for Covid -19. Patient admitted for acute hypoxic respiratory failure and sepsis secondary to presumed bacterial pneumonia. Patient was started on IV Vancomycin and Cefepime and required oxygen support for hypoxia. He showed marked improvement by day two of hospitalization and was weaned off oxygen. Admission Blood cultures were positive for gram negative rods after 24 hours and subsequently grew Hafnia that was pan sensitive except to Ampicillin + Sulbactam. Repeat blood cultureswere negative 24 hours later. Patient was deemed medically stable on day 3 of admission and discharged on PO Levofloxacin for 10-day course for Hafnia septicemia and pneumonia. Discussion(s): When considering the etiology of septicemia especially in the context of a recent gastrointestinal procedure, translocation of anaerobic bacteria should be on the differential. Hafnia alvei is a rare pathologic cause of septicemia with only a handful of reported cases upon literature review. Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

Trend in healthcare-associated infections due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus at a hospital in the era of COVID-19: More than hand hygiene is needed.

BACKGROUND: Variable control measures for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections were adopted among different hospitals and areas. We investigated the burden and patient characteristics of healthcare-associated VRE infections in 2018-2019 and 2020, when multiple preventive measures for COVID-19 were taken. METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, mask waring and hand hygiene were enforced in the study hospital. The incidence densities of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), including overall HAIs, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) HAIs, VRE HAIs, and VRE healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (HABSIs), consumption of broad-spectrum antibiotics and hygiene products, demographic characteristics and medical conditions of affected patients, were compared before and after the pandemic. RESULTS: The incidence density of both VRE HAIs and VRE HABSIs did not change statistically significantly, however, the highest in 2020 than that in 2018 and 2019. This was in spite of universal mask waring and increased consumption of 75% alcohol in 2020 and consistent implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program in three observed years. The increased prescriptions of broad-spectrum cephalosporins might partially explain the increase of VRE infection. CONCLUSION: Increased mask wearing and hand hygiene may not result in the decline in the development of VRE HAIs in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued monitoring of the dynamics of HAIs remains indispensable.

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR) Australian Enterococcal Surveillance Outcome Program (AESOP).

Abstract: From 1 January to 31 December 2021, forty-eight institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Enterococcal Surveillance Outcome Programme (AESOP). The aim of AESOP 2021 was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteraemia isolates in Australia that were antimicrobial resistant, and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the Enterococcus faecium isolates. Of the 1,297 unique episodes of enterococcal bacteraemia investigated, 94.4% were caused by either E. faecalis (54.1%) or E. faecium (40.3%). Ampicillin resistance was detected in one E. faecalis isolate and in 89.3% of E. faecium isolates. Vancomycin non-susceptibility was not detected in E. faecalis but was detected in 37.9% of E. faecium. Overall, 39.6% of E. faecium harboured the vanA and/or vanB genes. For the vanA/vanB positive E. faecium isolates, 35.8% harboured the vanA gene and 64.2% the vanB gene. Although the percentage of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium bacteraemia isolates was significantly lower than that reported in the 2020 AESOP report (presumably due to the COVID-19 elective surgery restrictions placed on hospitals), it remains substantially higher than that recorded in most European countries. Isolates of E. faecium consisted of 73 multi-locus sequence types (STs); 77.2% of isolates were classified into seven major STs each containing more than ten isolates. All major STs belonged to clonal cluster (CC) 17, a major hospital-adapted polyclonal E. faecium cluster. The major STs (ST17, ST1424, ST796, ST78, ST80, ST1421 and ST555) were found across most regions of Australia. The predominant ST was ST17 which was identified in all regions except the Northern Territory. Overall, 46.5% of isolates belonging to the seven major STs harboured the vanA or vanB gene. The AESOP 2021 has shown that enterococcal bacteraemia episodes in Australia are frequently caused by polyclonal ampicillin-resistant high-level gentamicin resistant vanA- or vanB-positive E. faecium which have limited treatment options.

Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia and Parapneumonic Effusion in a Male Patient with Diabetes: A Case Report

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are a primary health concern. They are commonly differentiated as hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections, based on their epidemiology, susceptibility findings, and molecular typing patterns. Therefore, appropriate contact precautions and isolation measures should be implemented. CA-MRSA mostly causes skin and soft-tissue infections, but the probability and incidence of it causing sepsis and invasive infections have increased dramatically in recent years. In this study, we report a case of CA-MRSA pneumonia with pan-pneumonic effusion in a 59-year-old male diabetic patient with preexisting comorbidities such as diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ST elevated myocardial infarction. The early reporting of the organism's identity and its antimicrobial susceptibility, as well as timely initiation of antibiotic therapy, aided in the successful management and cure of the patient.

Cutaneous Manifestations of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Case with Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Skin manifestations of COVID-19 have been reported sporadically. Staphylococcus aureus occurs after viral infection due to unregulated IFN-α. We designed this reported case to pay more attention to the rare skin manifestations following COVID-19. Case Report: The patient was a 12-month-old girl who presented with fever and skin rashes. Two days before admission, erythematous rashes spread around the mouth, nose, eyes, and trunk. Erythematous lesions begin to peel the next day. RT-PCR of the nasopharynx was positive for COVID-19. Treatment with vancomycin and clindamycin was started. The patient was discharged with complete recovery of skin lesions. Conclusion: One of the early manifestations of COVID-19 in children can be fever and rash. Clinical suspicion led to more attention to complications of bacterial superinfection such as staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

Severe Pulmonary Hemorrhage in a 3 Weeks Old Neonate with Covid-19 Infection

Aims To describe a case of 3 weeks old neonate presenting with severe pulmonary hemorrhage due to COVID-19 infection and its outcome. Methods We report an interesting case of pulmonary hemorrhage presenting at a young age of 3 weeks, in a previously healthy neonate who was infected with COVID-19 virus;Literature review and investigation results are included. This is a 3-week-old female, a product of full-term pregnancy and an uneventful perinatal course. She was admitted from the emergency department initially as a case of late neonatal sepsis, where a full septic workup was done. Her presenting complaints were low-grade fever and a blocked nose for one day. She was hemodynamically stable in the emergency department except for tachycardia secondary to fever, which improved once the fever was controlled. Her initial blood workup, including blood gas and CSF study, was reassuring (table 1a). Her COVID PCR was positive with a CT value of 17.77. She was treated with IV antibiotics and supportive management. Later that day, the patient developed cardiopulmonary arrest, CPR was initiated, and the patient was intubated. The patient was found to have pulmonary hemorrhage as evident by the fresh blood coming out of the endotracheal tube and the chest X-Ray findings of ground-glass opacities and dense consolidation (figure 1). After initial brief stabilization, the patient started deteriorating requiring escalation of respiratory support to HFOV. The patient continued to deteriorate and developed bilateral pneumothorax requiring bilateral chest tube insertion. After chest tube insertion, there was a mild transient improvement in oxygenation. The patient was put on the maximum ventilatory settings, but she kept having frequent desaturation, requiring frequent manual bag to tube ventilation. Later, she started developing progressive hypotension, that required support with maximum doses of inotropes. Her urine output started decreasing, for which frusemide were started with no response. Blood investigations showed severe DIC picture (table 1b and 1c). She was empirically covered with Meropenem and Vancomycin along with Remdesivir and Dexamethasone for COVID 19 pneumonia. Eventually, the child developed progressive desaturation, hypotension, and poor perfusion. Shortly after that, she developed cardiac arrest and was declared dead. Results The clinical picture of COVID 19 infection is more indistinct in children than in adults, with the most common symptoms being fever, cough, dyspnea, and malaise. In the few published cases of COVID-19 in the neonate, the presentation was that of late neonatal sepsis;interestingly, the lung involvement was not described as frequently as in older age groups. Pulmonary hemorrhage has been reported in adults but rarely in children. Some reports in adults suggested that patients with COVID infection had an increased inflammatory state that led to the development of vasculitis and pulmonary hemorrhage. Up to our knowledge, this is the youngest age at which a patient with COVID-19 infection developed pulmonary hemorrhage with no other underlying cause of it. Conclusion While many of the cases of COVID infection in children are mild, fatal complications like pulmonary hemorrhage can be present. Adding new challenges to the management of this viral infection.

A CASE OF EGGERTHELLA BACTEREMIA IN A PATIENT WITH COVID-19

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Co-Infections SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm INTRODUCTION: We present a case of Eggerthella bacteremia in a patient with COVID-19. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with chief complaint of cough, dyspnea, and malaise. After testing positive with a home COVID-19 test three days earlier, she continued to have worsening respiratory status and was brought in via ambulance. She was found to be tachycardic and hypoxic, requiring high-flow oxygen to maintain saturation in the emergency department. Chest X-ray showed bilateral patchy opacities consistent with multifocal COVID-19 pneumonia, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit for acute hypoxic respiratory failure. COVID-19 drug therapy was initiated, including baricitinib, remdesivir and decadron. Shortly after hospitalization, she began to endorse worsening abdominal pain. Physical exam elicited tenderness to palpation of her right lower quadrant. Abdominal CT scan showed distal ileum fluid collection concerning for possible bowel perforation. She underwent exploratory laparotomy which confirmed perforation, and a small bowel resection with anastomosis was performed. Blood cultures were positive for gram-positive bacilli, which were further identified as Eggerthella species. She required mechanical ventilation for worsening respiratory function post-surgery but remained unresponsive on the ventilator. The patient was administered vancomycin but continued to decline and eventually expired. DISCUSSION: Eggerthella is an anaerobic, gram-positive bacilli present in the gut microflora. Eggerthella infection has most often been reported in intra-abdominal infections. However, cases of bacteremia infection remain sparse. Most infections have been associated with other gastrointestinal processes including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and diverticulitis abscesses. Our case involved a patient with no significant gastrointestinal history admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia infection on baricitinib complicated by bowel perforation and bacteremia. Bowel perforation is a known risk factor of baricitinib use, and these risks should be discussed with the patient before beginning therapy. Overall mortality for Eggerthella species infection remains high, with some estimates as high as 31%. Much remains unknown about the impact on gut microbiome by SARS-CoV-2, however, early research suggests a higher rate of fungal co-infection in patients with COVID-19. As the literature on COVID-19 expands, more and more unusual pathogens such as Eggerthella may be found to contribute to the morbidity and mortality of patients being treated for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Unusual pathogens such as Eggerthella may complicate a patient's hospital course while undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Reference #1: Alejandra Ugarte-Torres, Mark R Gillrie, Thomas P Griener, Deirdre L Church, Eggerthella lenta Bloodstream Infections Are Associated With Increased Mortality Following Empiric Piperacillin-Tazobactam (TZP) Monotherapy: A Population-based Cohort Study, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 67, Issue 2, 15 July 2018. Reference #2: Gardiner BJ, Tai AY, Kotsanas D, et al. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Eggerthella lenta bacteremia. J Clin Microbiol. 2015. Reference #3: Lau SK, Woo PC, Fung AM, Chan K-M, Woo GK, Yuen K-Y. Anaerobic, non-sporulating, gram-positive bacilli bacteraemia characterized by 16s rrna gene sequencing. Journal of medical microbiology. 2004. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Kristin Davis No relevant relationships by Charles Peng

COMMON PRESENTATION WITH AN UNCOMMON ETIOLOGY: THYMOMA-ASSOCIATED AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS INDUCED BY COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINE

SESSION TITLE: Issues After COVID-19 Vaccination Case Posters SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Thymoma-associated autoimmune encephalitis (TAAE) is an understudied and overlooked diagnosis in patients presenting with abrupt altered mental status. Described as inflammation of brain tissue, autoimmune encephalitis is seen in 5-10 cases per 100,000 across all age groups per year. A rare subtype involves neuronal surface antibodies to alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPA-R) encephalitis is seen even less commonly. Given the "unicorn” nature of presenting cases and difficulty of diagnosis, prompt identification and treatment are critical as prolonged courses without treatment are irreversible and deadly. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old male with no past medical history presented 3 days after a Johnson & Johnson coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccine due to worsening acute altered mental status over the past week. He complained of episodes of fever & chills prior to this. The patient's wife reported abrupt changes in memory and personality. Upon admission, the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale of 4. The patient was intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit. Intravenous (IV) vancomycin, ceftriaxone and acyclovir was initiated for meningitis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head without contrast was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed enhancements of the right anterior and medial temporal lobe suggesting encephalitis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF) revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis showed an anterior mediastinal mass measured 1.8 x 2.3 cm (Figure 1). FilmArray Meningitis polymerase chain reaction was negative as well as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 and 2. Autoimmune encephalitis antibody was positive for Anti-AMPAR. Pulse dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin were initiated but failed. Rituximab was initiated and cardiothoracic surgery completed a thymectomy. DISCUSSION: TAAE is a rare disease, permanently debilitating, and deadly if unrecognized or treatment is delayed. Autoimmune encephalitis is an umbrella disease process seen in 0.00005% of patients per year. AMPA-R positive encephalitis is even less commonly seen with only 22 cases reported between the years 2009 and 2014 [1]. A rapidly progressive cognitive decline or psychiatric disorders are early features of this disease.Our patient had prodromal symptoms of fever and cognitive decline days after receiving his COVID-19 booster vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Post-vaccine encephalomyelitis has been described in other settings[2]. This patient was free of symptoms prior to the COVID-19 vaccine booster, and demonstrated altered mental status hours after receiving it. This furthers the possibility of an association of the COVID-19 booster vaccine, development of encephalitis, and in this case a thymoma. Despite this, conclusions can not be made on the account of one report, but introduces a new area of focus to study. Reference #1: Höftberger, R., van Sonderen, A., Leypoldt, F., Houghton, D., Geschwind, M., Gelfand, J., Paredes, M., Sabater, L., Saiz, A., Titulaer, M. J., Graus, F., & Dalmau, J. (2015). Encephalitis and AMPA receptor antibodies: Novel findings in a case series of 22 patients. Neurology, 84(24), 2403–2412. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000001682 Reference #2: Huynh, W., Cordato, D. J., Kehdi, E., Masters, L. T., & Dedousis, C. (2008). Post-vaccination encephalomyelitis: literature review and illustrative case. Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 15(12), 1315–1322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2008.05.002 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Matthew Frank No relevant relationships by Justin Ilagan No relevant relationships by Danielle Mahon No relevant relationships by Danielle Mahon No relevant relationships by Harshini Sahani No relevant relationships by Kameron Tavakolian No relevant relationship by Ndausung Udongwo

COVID-19 AS A CONFOUNDER IN A CASE OF HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS

SESSION TITLE: Pulmonary Involvement in Critical Care Case Posters SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 01:15 pm INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a condition in which the body's natural ability to end an immune or inflammatory response is defective1. COVID-19 also presents with severe inflammation, and like HLH, leads to significantly elevated ferritin2. We present a case that was initially thought to be COVID-19, but the patient was diagnosed with HLH in the setting of S. aureus endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation, mechanical mitral valve on warfarin, type II diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and recently diagnosed COVID-19 presented to the hospital with progressive dyspnea. In the emergency department, he was found to be hypoxemic and in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. He had a fever of 39.3°C and his initial laboratory workup revealed hemoglobin of 11.9 g/dL, leukocytes of 5,700, platelets of 83,000, AST 35 U/L, ALT 34 U/L, CRP of 31.89 mg/dL, and ferritin of 1994 ug/L. The patient was admitted and started on dexamethasone 6 mg daily. The following day, the patient's blood work revealed a significant worsening of AST and ALT to 7280 U/L and 3319 U/L, respectively. D-dimer increased to 11861 ng/mL (DDU) and ferritin to 36,470 ug/L. On the third day of admission, his clinical status declined acutely as he became significantly bradycardic, progressing to a cardiac arrest after which he required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation, and was transferred to the intensive care unit. A CT scan obtained revealed hepatomegaly of 22 cm and blood cultures were positive for S. aureus requiring vancomycin treatment. The patient was kept on dexamethasone due to concerns for HLH. Ferritin continued to worsen, reaching 50,749 ug/L. His sCD25 came back positive. Unfortunately, the patient expired on his fifth day of hospitalization after discussing with his family their goals for his care and switching his care to comfort only. DISCUSSION: HLH is a challenging condition since diagnosis is difficult and mortality is high. There are a few methods used to diagnose HLH. Usually, 5 of 8 criteria must be met, which was achieved with this patient. However, often the patient only fulfills 4 of 8 since many criteria are difficult to obtain such as bone marrow biopsy, sCD25, and CXCL9. A useful tool is the H-calculator3. Our patient scored a 180 indicating a 50-75% likelihood of HLH. Assessing the likelihood of disease is important since sCD25 and CXCL9 take time and if the patient is clinically deteriorating treatment should not be delayed. CONCLUSIONS: HLH is catastrophic and rare. Physicians should always have it as a differential diagnosis in patients with severe inflammatory states and elevated ferritins to avoid anchoring bias. If suspicion is high based on clinical evaluation and scores, treatment should not be delayed. Reference #1: Filipovich A, McClain K, Grom A. Histiocytic disorders: recent insights into pathophysiology and practical guidelines. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2010;16(1 Suppl):S82-S89. doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2009.11.014 Reference #2: Cheng L, Li H, Li L, et al. Ferritin in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Lab Anal. 2020;34(10):e23618. doi:10.1002/jcla.23618 Reference #3: Fardet L, Galicier L, Lambotte O, et al. Development and validation of the HScore, a score for the diagnosis of reactive hemophagocytic syndrome. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014;66(9):2613-2620. doi:10.1002/art.38690 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Areeka Memon No relevant relationships by Carissa Monterroso No relevant relationships by Carson Oprysko No relevant relationships by Eduardo Padrao No relevant relationships by Mouna Penmetsa

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

A CASE OF SARS-COV-2 ASSOCIATED WITH QUADRUPLE BACTERIAL COINFECTION

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Co-Infections SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with co-infecting pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Little has been reported about community acquired atypical bacterial co-infections with SARS-CoV-2. We present a case of a patient with recent COVID-19 pneumonia and diagnosis of Legionella and Mycoplasma pneumonia, in addition of E. coli and C. perfringens bacteremia, that emphasizes SARS-CoV-2 impact in human immunity and the need to consider community acquired infections. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old male with history of hypertension, alcohol use disorder, iron deficiency anemia, and recent COVID-19 pneumonia presented to the ED with shortness of breath, dark urine, and increased confusion. The patient was admitted to the hospital a week prior with COVID-19 pneumonia and acute kidney injury. He received dexamethasone, remdesivir, and IV fluids. After 8 days, he was discharged home. Upon evaluation, he was afebrile and normotensive, but tachycardic, 129/min, on 4 L of nasal cannula sating 100%. On exam, the patient was oriented only to person and had decreased breath sounds bilaterally. Labs revealed an elevated WBC, 15.3 K/mcL, with left shift, low Hgb, 7.8 g/dL, with low MCV, 61 fL, increased BUN/Cr, 56 mg/dL and 2.8 mg/dL, and an abnormal hepatic panel, AST 121 U/L, ALT 45 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 153 U/L. Ammonia, GGT, CPK and lactic acid were within normal range;but the D-dimer and procalcitonin were elevated, 4618 ng/mL and 25.12 ng/mL, respectively. A urinalysis showed gross pyuria, positive leukocyte esterase and mild proteinuria. CT head showed no acute abnormalities, but the chest X-Ray revealed a hazy opacity in the left mid and lower lung, followed by a CT chest that demonstrated peripheral and lower lobe ground glass opacities and a CT abdomen that showed right sided perinephric and periureteral stranding. Given increased risk for thromboembolism, a VQ scan was done being negative for pulmonary embolism. The patient was admitted with acute metabolic encephalopathy, acute kidney injury, transaminitis, pyelonephritis and concern for hospital acquired pneumonia. Vancomycin, cefepime and metronidazole were ordered. HIV screen was negative. COVID-19 PCR, Legionella urine antigen and Mycoplasma IgG and IgM serologies were positive. Blood cultures grew E. coli and C. perfringens. Infectious Disease and Gastroenterology were consulted. The patient was started on azithromycin and a colonoscopy was done showing only diverticulosis. After an extended hospital course, the patient was cleared for discharge, without oxygen needs, to a nursing home with appropriate follow up. DISCUSSION: Co-infection with bacteria causing atypical pneumonia and bacteremia should be considered in patients with recent or current SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt identification of co-existing pathogens can promote a safe and evidence-based approach to the treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2. Reference #1: Alhuofie S. (2021). An Elderly COVID-19 Patient with Community-Acquired Legionella and Mycoplasma Coinfections: A Rare Case Report. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 9(11), 1598. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9111598 Reference #2: Hoque, M. N., Akter, S., Mishu, I. D., Islam, M. R., Rahman, M. S., Akhter, M., Islam, I., Hasan, M. M., Rahaman, M. M., Sultana, M., Islam, T., & Hossain, M. A. (2021). Microbial co-infections in COVID-19: Associated microbiota and underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis. Microbial pathogenesis, 156, 104941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104941 Reference #3: Zhu, X., Ge, Y., Wu, T., Zhao, K., Chen, Y., Wu, B., Zhu, F., Zhu, B., & Cui, L. (2020). Co-infection with respiratory pathogens among COVID-2019 cases. Virus research, 285, 198005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198005 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Albert Chang No relevant relationships by Eric Chang No relevant relationships by KOMAL KAUR No relevant relationships by Katiria Pintor Jime ez

POST-COVID-19 EOSINOPHILIC PNEUMONIA

SESSION TITLE: Post-COVID-19 Infection Complications SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 01:15 pm INTRODUCTION: We present two cases of symptomatic post-COVID eosinophilic pneumonia responsive to steroids. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 73-year-old gentleman with underlying asymptomatic rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was admitted with COVID pneumonia for which he received tocilizumab, remdesivir, and 12 days of dexamethasone. His course was complicated by MRSA pneumonia and bacteremia, so was discharged on IV Vancomycin. Six days post discharge, he redeveloped respiratory distress. Labs showed a WBC 18,000 and proBNP 2828. A chest CT revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities, worsening right upper lung airspace disease and bilateral pleural effusions. Despite receiving Furosemide, Vancomycin, and Ceftazidime, he required high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNC). Bronchoscopy demonstrated thick right bronchial secretions. BAL fluid revealed 7% eosinophils and grew MRSA. Case 2: A 70-year-old gentleman with extensive smoking history, emphysema, psoriasis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and a recent hospitalization for COVID pneumonia was discharged on a steroid taper. He returned 23 days post discharge in respiratory distress requiring HFNC, 5 days after discontinuing steroids. The chest CT revealed worsening fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Intravenous Levofloxacin and Vancomycin resulted in no clinical improvement. Bronchoscopy showed inflamed bronchi with secretions and BAL analysis revealed 6% eosinophils. For both patients, BAL was negative for fungi and PJP and CTA ruled out PE. Both patients were started on Prednisone with a prolonged taper. They improved clinically with decreased oxygen requirements to 4L nasal cannula and dramatic decrease in subjective dyspnea within 48 hours of starting steroids. DISCUSSION: The differential diagnosis for the clinical deterioration and worsening radiographs in both patients includes bacterial/fungal superinfection, PE, post-COVID-ILD and eosinophilic pneumonia. For the first patient, his RA was inactive. His BAL was positive for MRSA but did not improve until steroids were initiated. Neither of the patients were stable for VATS biopsy. Eosinophilic pneumonia is defined as pulmonary infiltrates with peripheral blood eosinophilia =500/ml, BAL eosinophils > 5% or eosinophilic infiltration on lung biopsy [1]. Both of our patients had >5% BAL eosinophils. Potentially, prolonged COVID-ILD stimulates T-Helper-2 cells, causing the release of IL-4/5/13 with recruitment of eosinophils. Studies report post-COVID-ILD biopsies show organizing pneumonia and fibrosis but have not yet been associated with eosinophilia. In both patients, we observed eosinophilia on BAL. It can be hypothesized that a delayed inflammatory response mediated by eosinophils play a role. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary eosinophilic pneumonia is a complication of post-COVID-ILD and can be successfully managed with steroids. Reference #1: De Giacomi F, Vassallo R, Yi ES, Ryu JH. Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia. Causes, Diagnosis, and Management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Mar 15;197(6):728-736. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201710-1967CI. PMID: 29206477. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by farrukh ahmad No relevant relationships by Deborah Markowitz No relevant relationships by Dhiraj Shah No relevant relationships by Garima Singh No relevant relationships by Aakriti Soni

A CASE OF COVID-19-ASSOCIATED PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Case Report Posters 1 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 01:15 pm INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 patients requiring admission to an ICU have a higher risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) with a reported incidence of 19.6%-33.3%. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old male presented with progressively worsening dyspnea for one week. He has a past medical history of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and obesity. He was tested positive for COVID about two weeks prior. He did receive a single dose of Moderna vaccine. Initial chest x-ray(CXR) showed diffuse ground-glass opacities. He was initiated on Remdesivir and decadron, and later received a dose of tocilizumab. He was intubated on hospital day 3 for worsened hypoxemia. Repeat CXR suggested some improvement but a new left lower lobe airspace haziness. He also had new-onset leukocytosis with elevated procalcitonin level. He was started on cefepime for concern of superimposed hospital-acquired pneumonia. A second dose of tocilizumab was administered. No clinical improvement was seen, and additional workups were obtained. Serial CXRs revealed increasing diffuse airspace opacities concerning for ARDS. Tracheal aspirate culture grew coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Aspergillosis Fumigatus. Cefepime was changed to vancomycin, and voriconazole and caspofungin were added. Unfortunately, the patient's respiratory status worsened with increasing ventilation requirement. He also developed septic shock and acute renal failure requiring CVVH. He became even more hypotensive after CVVH initiation, and multiple vasopressors were required to maintain his hemodynamics. Unfortunately, he continued to deteriorate and he also developed profound respiratory acidosis. He died shortly afterwards after family decided to withdraw care. DISCUSSION: In this case, in addition to superimposed bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary aspergillosis likely also contributed to his clinical deterioration. The mechanism by which fungal infections develop in COVID-19 infection is not well-understood. Severe COVID-related immune dysregulation, ARDS, and high-dose steroids use are potential culprits for the increased risk of IPA. Tocilizumab, an IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody used in patients with severe COVID-19 infection, may also predispose the patient to IPA according to post-marketing data. The mortality rate from current case reports is as high as 64.7%. Diagnosis and treatment in such a scenario remain a challenge. Sputum culture, serum Beta-galactomannan, Beta-D glucan, and aspergillosis PCR have low sensitivity. Tissue biopsy and CT scan in critically ill patients are often not feasible. Voriconazole is usually considered the first-line treatment in IPA. CYP3A4-mediated drug interactions between azoles and antiviral agents require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that severe COVID-19 patients are at higher risk of IPA. The prognosis is poor. Early detection and treatment in clinically deteriorated patients are warranted. Reference #1: Borman, A.M., Palmer, M.D., Fraser, M., Patterson, Z., Mann, C., Oliver, D., Linton, C.J., Gough, M., Brown, P., Dzietczyk, A. and Hedley, M., 2020. COVID-19-associated invasive aspergillosis: data from the UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory. Journal of clinical microbiology, 59(1), pp.e02136-20. Reference #2: Lai CC, Yu WL. COVID-19 associated with pulmonary aspergillosis: A literature review. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2021;54(1):46-53. doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.09.004 Reference #3: Thompson Iii GR, Cornely OA, Pappas PG, et al. Invasive Aspergillosis as an Under-recognized Superinfection in COVID-19. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(7):ofaa242. Published 2020 Jun 19. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofaa242 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Jason Chang No relevant relationships by Jason Chang No relevant relationships by kaiqing Lin No relevant relationships by Guangchen Zou

IN VITRO TO IN VIVO: COMBATING MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT ENTEROBACTERIACAE IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Co-Infections SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Here we present a case of the successful treatment of a COVID-19 superinfection with Citrobacter freundii, which produced both a Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) as well as a New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase (NDM-1). CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old male without significant past medical history was admitted to the intensive care unit for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. His hospital course was complicated by progressive hypoxia requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Due to persistent fevers and increased respiratory secretions, he was placed on empiric antibiotic therapy including vancomycin, cefepime, and briefly meropenem. Blood cultures were periodically drawn and ultimately demonstrated no growth. However, a respiratory culture via bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for multidrug-resistant Citrobacter freundii. Susceptibilities showed high level of resistance to meropenem, Imipenem, Ceftazidime-Avibactam as well as Aztreonam. Molecular testing confirmed the presence of both KPC and NDM-1 β-lactamases. The patient was treated with a combination of Aztreonam 2g plus Ceftazidime-Avibactam 2.5g IV every eight hours via simultaneous infusion for fourteen days, resulting in clinical improvement and discharge to a rehabilitation facility. DISCUSSION: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria has been identified as a major clinical problem. The high rates and high mortality of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria complicating the course of COVID patients during the pandemic highlighted the importance of this issue. Among the Enterobacteriaceae, β-lactam resistance is primarily caused by enzymatic degradation by β-lactamases. Two carbapenemase subclasses are especially problematic: KPC and NDM-1. Horizontal gene transfer and clonal expansion have enabled KPC and NDM-1 to spread worldwide. However, coexistence of these two resistant mechanisms within the same pathogen has rarely been reported. Recently, high stability, non-inferior fitness, and transferability among patients of KPC-2-NDM-1-CRKPs have been documented, raising further concerns about the risk for further spread and increasing rates [1]. Therapeutic options are limited. We used a combination of Ceftazidime/Avibactam plus Aztreonam for treatment, based on limited in vitro studies demonstrating a synergistic effect and superior clearance rather than either antibiotic alone or administered in sequence [2,3]. CONCLUSIONS: Superinfections with carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria have increased in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to become more prevalent in our hospitals. Prompt recognition and appropriate therapeutic selection are paramount for treating these highly resistant organisms. Reference #1: Gao H, Liu Y, Wang R, Wang Q, Jin L, Wang H. The transferability and evolution of NDM-1 and KPC-2 co-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from clinical settings. EBioMedicine. 2020 Jan;51:102599. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.102599. Epub 2020 Jan 3. PMID: 31911273;PMCID: PMC6948161. Reference #2: Marshall S, Hujer AM, Rojas LJ, Papp-Wallace KM, Humphries RM, Spellberg B, Hujer KM, Marshall EK, Rudin SD, Perez F, Wilson BM, Wasserman RB, Chikowski L, Paterson DL, Vila AJ, van Duin D, Kreiswirth BN, Chambers HF, Fowler VG Jr, Jacobs MR, Pulse ME, Weiss WJ, Bonomo RA. Can Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Aztreonam Overcome β-Lactam Resistance Conferred by Metallo-β-Lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae? Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2017 Mar 24;61(4):e02243-16. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02243-16. PMID: 28167541;PMCID: PMC5365724. Reference #3: Lodise TP, Smith NM, O'Donnell N, et al. Determining the optimal dosing of a novel combination regimen of ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam against NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae using a hollow-fibre infection model. J Antimicrob Chemother 202 ;75(9): 2622-32 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by wisam daoud No relevant relationships by Christopher Walker No relevant relationships by Amanda Westbrook No relevant relationships by Nicola Zetola