Mortality predictors in patients with suspected sepsis in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis remains a worldwide major cause of hospitalization, mortality, and morbidity. To enhance the identification of patients with suspected sepsis at high risk of mortality and adverse outcomes in the emergency department (ED), the use of mortality predictors is relevant. This study aims to establish whether quick sofa (qSOFA) and the severity criteria applied in patients with suspicion of sepsis in a monitored ED are in fact predictors of mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study among adult patients with suspicion of sepsis at the ED of a tertiary care hospital in Brazil between January 1st, 2019 and December 31, 2020. All adult patients (ages 18 and over) with suspected sepsis that scored two or more points on qSOFA score or at least one point on the severity criteria score were included in the study. RESULTS: The total of patients included in the study was 665 and the average age of the sample was 73 ± 19 years. The ratio of men to women was similar. Most patients exhibited qSOFA ≥ 2 (58.80%) and 356 patients (53.61%) scored one point in the severity criteria at admission. The overall mortality rate was 19.7% (131 patients) with 98 patients (14.74%) having positive blood cultures, mainly showing Escherichia coli as the most isolated bacteria. Neither scores of qSOFA nor the severity criteria were associated with mortality rates, but scoring any point on qSOFA was considered as an independent factor for intensive care unit (ICU) admission (qSOFA = 1 point, p = 0.02; qSOFA = 2 points, p = 0.03, and qSOFA = 3 points, p = 0.04). Positive blood cultures (RR, 1.63;95% CI, 1.10 to 2.41) and general administration of vasopressors at the ED (RR, 2.14;95% CI, 1.44 to 3.17) were associated with 30-day mortality. The administration of vasopressors at the ED (RR, 2.25; CI 95%, 1.58 to 3.21) was found to be a predictor of overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Even though an association was found between qSOFA and ICU admission, there was no association of qSOFA or the severity criteria with mortality. Therefore, patients with a tendency toward greater severity could be identified and treated more quickly and effectively in the emergency department. Further studies are necessary to assess novel scores or biomarkers to predict mortality in sepsis patients admitted to the ED's initial care.

Rapid identification,fluconazole and micafungin susceptibility testing of Candida species from blood culture by a short incubation method.

This study aimed to develop and validate a rapid method for identification by MALDI-TOF system and determination of the susceptibility to Fluconazole and Micafungin by broth microdilution among Candidaspecies causing bloodstream infections. Subcultures from blood culture bottles were incubated for 5 hours (+/- 1h) and used to perform the tests, so that the turnaround time of rapid identification and susceptibility profile was about 5 and 24 hours, respectively. The rapid identification showed agreement of 92.05 %. Regarding the rapid broth microdilution for Fluconazole and Micafungin, the agreement was 97.06 % (p<0.001) and 100 % (p<0.001), and the Kappa coefficient was 0.91 (p<0.001) and 1.0 (p<0.001), respectively. To conclude, both rapid methods showed to be reproducible, inexpensive, easy to perform and time-saving. Thus, these methodologies could be useful to guide and adjust empirical antifungal therapy.

Rapid bacterial identification by MALDI-TOF MS directly from blood cultures and rapid susceptibility testing: A simple approach to reduce the turnaround time of blood cultures.

Antimicrobial treatment of patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) is time-sensitive. In an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, rapid detection and identification of bacteria with antimicrobial susceptibility are critical for targeted therapy early in the disease course. This study describes the performance of a rapid method for identifying and testing antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria performed directly from blood culture bottles in a routine microbiology laboratory. A total of 284, 120, and 24 samples were analyzed by rapid identification (Rid), rapid susceptibility testing (RAST), and rapid broth microdilution for polymyxin B (rMIC), respectively, and compared with standard methods. Our protocol was able to identify 93% of isolates at the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We obtained 100% agreement for RAST compared to the standard method and 96% agreement for rMIC. Our protocol has proven to be an excellent tool for rapid identification of Gram-negative bacilli causing BSIs. It can also be used in microbiology laboratory routine along with RAST and faster polymyxin microdilution, especially for carbapenemase-producing bacteria, allowing for rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective diagnosis.

Rapid bacterial identification by MALDI-TOF MS directly from blood cultures and rapid susceptibility testing: A simple approach to reduce the turnaround time of blood cultures

Abstract Antimicrobial treatment of patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) is time-sensitive. In an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, rapid detection and identification of bacteria with antimicrobial susceptibility are critical for targeted therapy early in the disease course. This study describes the performance of a rapid method for identifying and testing antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria performed directly from blood culture bottles in a routine microbiology laboratory. A total of 284, 120, and 24 samples were analyzed by rapid identification (Rid), rapid susceptibility testing (RAST), and rapid broth microdilution for polymyxin B (rMIC), respectively, and compared with standard methods. Our protocol was able to identify 93% of isolates at the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We obtained 100% agreement for RAST compared to the standard method and 96% agreement for rMIC. Our protocol has proven to be an excellent tool for rapid identification of Gram-negative bacilli causing BSIs. It can also be used in microbiology laboratory routine along with RAST and faster polymyxin microdilution, especially for carbapenemase-producing bacteria, allowing for rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective diagnosis.

Evaluation of Identification and Susceptibility for Candida Spp. Isolated Directly from Positive Blood Culture Bottles.

Determination of the susceptibility profile of isolates of Candida from blood culture bottles is extremely important for correctly guiding patient pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the results of analysis of Candida isolated directly from blood culture bottles by the VITEK MS MALDI-TOF identification system and the fluconazole disk diffusion assay with those of standard identification methods. Testing directly from the bottle allowed results 24 to 48 hours quicker than the standard method. There was a categorical agreement of 51.64% (47 of 91 samples) between the results of analysis directly from the bottle and analysis by the standard method. Regarding species identification, there was 96.15% agreement for Candida parapsilosis (25 of 26 samples). Categorical agreement between the rapid and standard disk diffusion methods was 95%, and the agreement between the rapid disk diffusion method and the broth microdilution method was 97%. Only minor errors in the rapid method were observed: 3 (5%) in the standard disk diffusion method and 2 (3%) in the broth microdilution method. Our study concluded that the rapid disk diffusion method for fluconazole is a fast, easy, reproducible, and consistent method. Its timely implementation for testing antifungal agents in the clinical microbiology laboratory can help reduce profile release times, thus helping to determine the most appropriate antifungal treatment.

Diversity of Fusarium species causing invasive and disseminated infections.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive fusariosis (IF) is considered an emerging fungal disease and an important problem worldwide that increasingly affects immunocompromised individuals. There is currently concern about establishing the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of the species Fusarium causing invasive fusariosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular profile and morphological characteristics of Fusarium species isolated from 21 patients with invasive fusariosis. Multilocus sequence typing was performed for molecular identification of the following genes: the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase gene (RPB2) and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α). The morphological features of different species were carefully described and revised by experienced mycologists. RESULTS: Morphological and molecular analyses revealed that the F. solani species complex (FSSC) and F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC) were the most common species isolated from patients with invasive fusariosis; FSSC-2 h (5), FSSC-1 (2) and FOSC-183 (2) were the most frequent haplotypes. The macroscopic characterization revealed great variation in the tonalities of the FSSC colonies and particularities amongst the species in relation to the macroconidia structures, while the FOSC was more homogeneous and presented shades from white to lilac. CONCLUSIONS: Our study characterized the diversity, haplotypes, and morphological aspects of Fusarium species and the haplotypes prevalent in patients with invasive fusariosis. FSSC and FSSC-2 h were the predominant species and haplotype, respectively. Although we have described interesting morphological aspects in Fusarium species, particularly haplotypes, their identification cannot rely on phenotypical aspects. Molecular biology techniques are necessary and should be introduced for routine use in mycology laboratories.

Immunogenicity and safety of the AS04-HPV-16/18 and HPV-6/11/16/18 human papillomavirus vaccines in asymptomatic young women living with HIV aged 15-25 years: A phase IV randomized comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at higher risk of acquisition and progression of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Evidence on effect of HPV vaccination in this population is limited. METHODS: This phase IV randomized controlled observer-blind study assessed immunogenicity and safety of two HPV vaccines (AS04-HPV-16/18 vs. 4vHPV) given in WLWH (stage 1) and HIV- females aged 15-25 years. Co-primary endpoints were to demonstrate, in WLWH subjects, non-inferiority (and if demonstrated, superiority) of AS04-HPV-16/18 vs. 4vHPV for HPV-16 and HPV-18 by pseudovirion-based neutralization assay (PBNA) at month 7 and safety. Non-inferiority criteria was lower limit (LL) of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the GMT ratio AS04-HPV-16/18/4vHPV above 0.5, in the according to protocol population. NCT01031069. FINDINGS: Among 873 subjects recruited between 26-Oct-2010 and 14-May-2015, 546 were randomized (1:1) and received at least one vaccine dose (total vaccinated cohort, TVC): 257 were WLWH (129 AS04-HPV-16/18; 128 4vHPV) and 289 were subjects without HIV (144 AS04-HPV-16/18; 145 4vHPV). Baseline CD4 cell count in WLWH was at least 350 cells/mm3.At month 7, AS04-HPV-16/18 showed immunological superiority to 4vHPV in WLWH. Neutralizing anti-HPV-16 and HPV-18 antibody GMTs were 2·74 (95% CI: 1·83; 4·11) and 7·44 (95% CI: 4·79; 11·54) fold higher in AS04-HPV-16/18 vs. 4vHPV (LL of the GMT ratio >1 in TVC, p<0·0001), respectively. Similar results were observed by ELISA up to month 24.Solicited local and general symptoms were in line with product labels. The number of reported serious adverse events (SAEs) was balanced throughout the study. INTERPRETATION: Both vaccines showed an acceptable safety profile in all subjects. Despite the absence of an immunological correlate of protection for HPV, differences in immune responses elicited by the vaccines especially for HPV-18 may translate into longer lasting or more robust protection against cervical cancer with the AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccine in WLWH.

Integrating Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing: A Simple and Rapid Approach to Reduce the Turnaround Time in the Management of Blood Cultures.

We evaluated a rapid bacterial identification (rID) and a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion (rAST) from positive blood culture to overcome the limitations of the conventional methods and reduce the turnaround time in bloodstream infection diagnostics. The study included hemocultures flagged as positive by bacT/ALERT®, identification by MALDI-TOF MS, and rAST. The results were compared to identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results by current standard methods, after 24 h incubation. For rAST categorical agreement (CA), very major errors (VME), major errors (ME), and minor errors (mE) were calculated. A total of 524 bacterial samples isolated from blood cultures were obtained, including 246 Gram-negative (GN) and 278 Gram-positive (GP) aerobes. The overall concordance of rID was 88.6%, and it was highest among GN (96%). A total of 2196 and 1476 antimicrobial agent comparisons were obtained for GN and GP, respectively. Evaluation of rAST, CA, VME, ME, and mE disclosed 97.7, 0.7, 0.5, and 1.1% for GN and 98.0, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.8% for GP, respectively. Meropenem CA, VME, and ME were 98.3, 0.5, and 0.5%, respectively; mE was not observed. Oxacillin CA, ME, and mE were 97.4, 1.6, and 0.6%, respectively; VME was not observed. Overall, kappa scores of the results of the comparisons demonstrated the high agreement between rAST and the standard method. Identification and AST of aerobic bacteria from positive blood cultures after a short period of incubation on solid blood agar is a fast and reliable method that may improve the management of bloodstream infections.

Epidemiological aspects and characterization of the resistance profile of Fusarium spp. in patients with invasive fusariosis.

Introduction. The remarkable intrinsic resistance of Fusarium species to most antifungal agents results in high mortality rates in the immunocompromised population.Aims. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, clinical features and antifungal susceptibility of Fusarium isolates in patients with invasive fusariosis.Methodology. A total of 27 patients admitted to a referral hospital from January 2008 to June 2017 were evaluated. Antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates was performed by broth microdilution according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results. Haematological malignancy was the predominant underlying condition, with an incidence of invasive fusariosis of 14.8 cases per 1000 patients with acute lymphoid leukaemia and 13.1 cases per 1000 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) was the most frequent agent group, followed by the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC). Voriconazole showed the best activity against Fusarium, followed by amphotericin B. Itraconazole showed high minimum inhibitory concentration values, indicating in vitro resistance. Clinical FSSC isolates were significantly (P<0.05) more resistant to amphotericin B and voriconazole than FOSC isolates.Conclusion. The present antifungal susceptibility profiles indicate a high incidence of fusariosis in patients with haematological malignancy. Species- and strain-specific differences in antifungal susceptibility exist within Fusarium in this setting.

Ciguatera fish poisoning in Brazilian traveler to Caribbean.

Ciguatera poisoning is the most common form of non-bacterial food-poisoning from fish worldwide. The incidence among Brazilians returning from high-risk regions is unclear because it is not a mandatory reportable disease. We describe a previously healthy 53-year-old Brazilian woman developed Ciguatera fish poisoning while traveling to Havana, Cuba. Physicians and health care professionals should advise travelers to avoid eating ciguatoxic fish species and potentially toxic fish species in the Caribbean islands. Despite the prognosis for most cases is good with a short duration of self-limited symptoms, early recognition of the identifying clinical features of ciguatera can result in improved patient care.

Fusarium solani keratitis: role of antifungal susceptibility testing and identification to the species level for proper management

ABSTRACT We report a patient with fungal keratitis caused by a multiresistant Fusarium solani in a tertiary care hospital located in southern Brazil. A 55-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma presented with keratitis in left eye. The patient has a complicated clinical course and failed to respond to local and systemic antifungal treatment, and required eye enucleation. Despite multiple topical, intraocular and systemic antifungal treatments, hyphal infiltration persisted in the corneal transplant causing continuous recurrences. The cultures of corneal biopsy scrapings were positive for Fusarium spp. The organism was identified to species level by multi-locus sequencing for translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α), and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2). In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of the isolate by the broth microdilution method, according to CLSI M38-A2, disclosed susceptibility to natamycin and resistance to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. Considering previous unsuccessful antifungal treatments due to multiple drug resistance, the eye was enucleated. Our case report illustrates that management of fungal keratitis remains a therapeutic challenge. Optimal treatment for F. solani infection has not yet been established and should include susceptibility testing for different antifungal agents.

Ciguatera fish poisoning in Brazilian traveler to Caribbean

ABSTRACT Ciguatera poisoning is the most common form of non-bacterial food-poisoning from fish worldwide. The incidence among Brazilians returning from high-risk regions is unclear because it is not a mandatory reportable disease. We describe a previously healthy 53-year-old Brazilian woman developed Ciguatera fish poisoning while traveling to Havana, Cuba. Physicians and health care professionals should advise travelers to avoid eating ciguatoxic fish species and potentially toxic fish species in the Caribbean islands. Despite the prognosis for most cases is good with a short duration of self-limited symptoms, early recognition of the identifying clinical features of ciguatera can result in improved patient care.

Fusarium solani keratitis: role of antifungal susceptibility testing and identification to the species level for proper management.

We report a patient with fungal keratitis caused by a multiresistant Fusarium solani in a tertiary care hospital located in southern Brazil. A 55-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma presented with keratitis in left eye. The patient has a complicated clinical course and failed to respond to local and systemic antifungal treatment, and required eye enucleation. Despite multiple topical, intraocular and systemic antifungal treatments, hyphal infiltration persisted in the corneal transplant causing continuous recurrences. The cultures of corneal biopsy scrapings were positive for Fusarium spp. The organism was identified to species level by multi-locus sequencing for translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α), and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2). In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of the isolate by the broth microdilution method, according to CLSI M38-A2, disclosed susceptibility to natamycin and resistance to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. Considering previous unsuccessful antifungal treatments due to multiple drug resistance, the eye was enucleated. Our case report illustrates that management of fungal keratitis remains a therapeutic challenge. Optimal treatment for F. solani infection has not yet been established and should include susceptibility testing for different antifungal agents.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on herpes zoster from hospital registries in South America. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of herpes zoster (HZ) in hospitalized patients.' METHODS: We searched for hospital-based records during the period from March 2000 to January 2017 in a 700-bed tertiary-care hospital located in southern Brazil. The medical records of all eligible patients were reviewed, and data regarding demographics, medical history, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were also evaluated for mortality. RESULTS: There were 801 records of herpes zoster according to the proposed criteria. Most patients with HZ presented a cutaneous clinical form of the disease with involvement of a single dermatome (n=589, 73.5%). Additional clinical characteristics included postherpetic neuralgia (22.1%), ophthalmic HZ (7.6%) and meningoencephalitis (2.7%). Most patients presented immunocompromised conditions (64.9%) including HIV, administration of immunosuppressive agents, and malignant neoplasms. During this period, there were 105 (13.1%) deaths, which were mostly unrelated to HZ. Five deaths were related to HZ meningoencephalitis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a high burden of HZ disease in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital in the HZ vaccination era. Awareness of the incidence and comorbidity factors associated with HZ in Latin American countries such as Brazil contribute for adoption and implementation of strategies for immunization in this area.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: There is little information on herpes zoster from hospital registries in South America. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of herpes zoster (HZ) in hospitalized patients.' Methods: We searched for hospital-based records during the period from March 2000 to January 2017 in a 700-bed tertiary-care hospital located in southern Brazil. The medical records of all eligible patients were reviewed, and data regarding demographics, medical history, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were also evaluated for mortality. Results: There were 801 records of herpes zoster according to the proposed criteria. Most patients with HZ presented a cutaneous clinical form of the disease with involvement of a single dermatome (n = 589, 73.5%). Additional clinical characteristics included postherpetic neuralgia (22.1%), ophthalmic HZ (7.6%) and meningoencephalitis (2.7%). Most patients presented immunocompromised conditions (64.9%) including HIV, administration of immunosuppressive agents, and malignant neoplasms. During this period, there were 105 (13.1%) deaths, which were mostly unrelated to HZ. Five deaths were related to HZ meningoencephalitis. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate a high burden of HZ disease in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital in the HZ vaccination era. Awareness of the incidence and comorbidity factors associated with HZ in Latin American countries such as Brazil contribute for adoption and implementation of strategies for immunization in this area.