Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Reduces the Severity of COVID-19 in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HIV-positive patients on tenofovir hydroxyl fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine have a lower risk of COVID-19 and hospitalization than those given other treatments. Our aim was to analyze the severity of COVID-19 in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) on TDF or entecavir (ETV). METHODS: Spanish hospital databases (n = 28) including information regarding adult CHB patients on TDF or ETV for the period February 1st to November 30th 2020 were searched for COVID-19, defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction, and for severe COVID-19. RESULTS: Of 4736 patients, 117 had COVID-19 (2.5%), 67 on TDF and 50 on ETV. Compared to patients on TDF, those on ETV showed (p < 0.05) greater rates of obesity, diabetes, ischemic cardiopathy, and hypertension. COVID-19 incidence was similar in both groups (2.3 vs. 2.6%). Compared to TDF, patients on ETV more often (p < 0.01) had severe COVID-19 (36 vs. 6%), required intensive care unit (ICU) (10% vs. 0) or ventilatory support (20 vs. 3%), were hospitalized for longer (10.8 ± 19 vs. 3.1 ± 7 days) or died (10 vs. 1.5%, p = 0.08). In an IPTW propensity score analysis adjusted for age, sex, obesity, comorbidities, and fibrosis stage, TDF was associated with a sixfold reduction in severe COVID-19 risk (adjusted-IPTW-OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.04-0.67, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared to ETV, TDF seems to play a protective role in CHB patients with SARS-CoV-2 whereby the risk of severe COVID-19 is lowered.

The use of ertapenem for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in routine hospital practice: a matched cohort study / Uso de ertapenem en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en la práctica clínica diaria: estudio de cohortes pareadas

Background. The clinical response to ertapenem in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at the setting of routine hospital practice has been scarcely evaluated. Methods. We retrospectively compared CAP cases treated with ertapenem or with other standard antimicrobials (controls) at a tertiary 1,434-bed center from 2005 to 2014. Results. Out of 6,145 patients hospitalized with CAP, 64 (1%) ertapenem-treated and 128 controls were studied (PSI IV-V 72%, mean age 73 years.). A significant higher proportion of bedridden patients (41% vs. 21%), residence in nursing homes (19% vs. 7%), previous use of antibiotics (39% vs. 29%) and necrotizing (13% vs. 1%) or complicated (36% vs. 19%) pneumonia, was observed in the ertapenem vs. non-ertapenem patients. Initial treatment with ertapenem was independently associated with an earlier resolution of signs of infection. In patients aged 65 or older the independent risks factors for mortality were: PSI score (7.0, 95%CI 1.8-27.7), bedridden status (4.6, 95%CI 1.1-20.9) and Health Care Associated Pneumonia (HCAP) (4.6, 95%CI 1.3-16.5). First-line treatment with ertapenem was an independent protector factor in this subgroup of patients (0.1, 95%CI 0.1-0.7). Conclusions. Ertapenem showed a superior clinical response in frail elderly patients with complicated community- acquired pneumonia, and it may be considered as a firstline therapeutic regimen in this setting (AU)

Introducción. La respuesta clínica a ertapenem en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) en el contexto de la práctica clínica diaria ha sido evaluada de forma insuficiente. Material y Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, comparativo de pacientes con NAC tratados con ertapenem o con otros antimicrobianos en un hospital terciario de 1.434 camas en el período 2005-2014. Resultados. De los 6.145 pacientes hospitalizados con NAC, 64 (1%) tratados con ertapenem y 128 controles fueron incluidos en el estudio (PSI IV-V 72%, edad media 73 años). Se observó una proporción significativamente mayor de pacientes encamados (41% vs. 21%), institucionalizados (19% vs. 7%), con antibioterapia previa (39% vs. 29%) y con neumonías necrotizantes (13% vs. 1%) o complicadas (36% vs. 19%) en el grupo de ertapenem vs. no-ertapenem. El tratamiento inicial con ertapenem se asoció de forma independiente con una resolución más temprana de los signos de infección. En el subgrupo de pacientes con 65 años o más, los factores independientes de riesgo de mortalidad fueron: PSI score (7,0 IC95% 1,8-27,7), encamamiento (4,6 IC95% 1,1-20,9) y la Neumonía Asociada a Cuidados Sanitarios (NACS) (4,6 IC95% 1,3-16,5). El tratamiento en primera línea con ertapenem fue un factor protector independiente en este grupo de pacientes (0,1 IC95% 0,1-0,7). Conclusiones. El tratamiento con ertapenem se asoció a una respuesta clínica superior en el paciente anciano frágil con NAC complicada y se podría considerar como un régimen terapéutico de primera línea en este contexto (AU)

Analysis of Complete Remission in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Over a 32-Year Period.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by an unpredictable and fluctuating course. Although various methods have been developed to measure disease activity, there is still a lack of consensus about the optimal criteria for SLE remission. The principal aim of our study was to identify the number of lupus patients achieving a complete remission (implying that for 3 years there were no clinical or serologic features and no treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs) in a single cohort of patients followed for a period of up to 32 years. In addition, we have identified patients in clinical but not serologic remission (known as serologically active, clinically quiescent disease [SACQ]) and vice versa. We were particularly interested to determine the factors associated with complete remission. METHODS: Eligible patients were followed up in the University College Hospital Lupus cohort from January 1978 until December 2010 for a period of at least 3 years. Complete remission was defined as a period of at least 3 years with clinical inactivity (British Isles Lupus Assessment Group scores of C, D, or E only) and laboratory remission (no antibodies to double-stranded DNA and normal complement C3 levels), and being off-treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Antimalarial and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were allowed. RESULTS: Of 624 lupus patients at our hospital, a total of 532 patients met the strict inclusion criteria for the study. Of these 532 patients, 77 patients (14.5%) achieved complete remission for at least 3 years, and 23 (4.3%) achieved complete remission for a minimum period of 10 years. Ten of these 77 patients were subsequently lost to followup, and, interestingly, flares occurred subsequently in 15 of the 67 remaining patients (22.4%). Three patients relapsed after the tenth year of remission. Forty-five patients (8.5%) fulfilled the requirement for SACQ, and 66 patients (12.4%) achieved only serologic remission. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that 14.5% of lupus patients achieved a complete remission for 3 years. However, flares may continue to occur beyond 10 years of remission. Long-term followup of SLE is therefore mandatory.