Bundle care approach to reduce device associated infections in post-living-donor-liver transplantation in a tertiary care hospital, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Device-associated infections (DAIs) are a significant cause of morbidity following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We aimed to assess the impact of bundled care on reducing rates of device-associated infections. METHODS: We performed a before-and-after comparative study at a liver transplantation facility over a three-year period, spanning from January 2016 to December 2018. The study included a total of 57 patients who underwent LDLT. We investigated the implementation of a care bundle, which consists of multiple evidence-based procedures that are consistently performed as a unified unit. We divided our study into three phases and implemented a bundled care approach in the second phase. Rates of pneumonia related to ventilators [VAP], bloodstream infections associated with central line [CLABSI], and urinary tract infections associated with catheters [CAUTI] were assessed throughout the study period. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using the automated Vitek-2 system. The comparison between different phases was assessed using the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test for qualitative values and the Kruskal-Wallis H test for quantitative values with non-normal distribution. RESULTS: In the baseline phase, the VAP rates were 73.5, the CAUTI rates were 47.2, and the CLABSI rates were 7.4 per one thousand device days (PDD). During the bundle care phase, the rates decreased to 33.3, 18.18, and 4.78. In the follow-up phase, the rates further decreased to 35.7%, 16.8%, and 2.7% PDD. The prevalence of Klebsiella pneumonia (37.5%) and Methicillin resistance Staph aureus (37.5%) in VAP were noted. The primary causative agent of CAUTI was Candida albicans, accounting for 33.3% of cases, whereas Coagulase-negative Staph was the predominant organism responsible for CLABSI, with a prevalence of 40%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of utilizing the care bundle approach to reduce DAI in LDLT, especially in low socioeconomic countries with limited resources. By implementing a comprehensive set of evidence-based interventions, healthcare systems can effectively reduce the burden of DAI, enhance infection prevention strategies and improve patient outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Efficacy of combined Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with pneumonia: a multicenter Egyptian study.

BACKGROUND: Limited experimental and clinical evidence suggests a potential role for sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in treating COVID19. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of generic sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in treating COVID-19 patients with pneumonia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter prospective study involved 174 patients with COVID-19. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group A (96 patients) received sofosbuvir (400 mg)/daclatasvir (60 mg) for 14 days in combination with conventional therapy. Group B (78 patients) received conventional therapy alone. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were collected at baseline, after 7, 14, and 28 days of therapy. Primary endpoint was rate of clinical/virological cure. RESULTS: A lower mortality rate was observed in group (A) (14% vs 21%, P = 0.07). After 1 month of therapy, no differences were found in rates of ICU admission, oxygen therapy, or ventilation. Additionally, a statistically significant shorter duration of hospital stay (9% vs 12%, P < 0.01) and a faster achievement of PCR negativity at day 14 (84% versus 47%, P < 0.01) were noticed in group (A). CONCLUSION: Adding sofosbuvir/daclatasvir to conventional therapy of COVID-19 is promising. Their use is associated with shorter hospital stay, faster PCR negativity and may be reduced mortality.

Persistent hiccup: A rare presentation of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Hiccups are involuntary diaphragmatic muscle contractions with early glottis closure terminating inspiration. They are classified into two types: acute (<48 hours) and persistent (>48 hours). COVID-19 is the defining health crisis of our generation. Although there are common symptoms of the disease (e.g. fever, cough), several atypical presentations have appeared as the pandemic has evolved. Here, we present a patient with COVID-19 presenting with fever, sore throat, and persistent hiccups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 48-year-old man presented to the hospital with a seven-day history of persistent hiccups, fever, and sore throat. Physical examination was unremarkable and abdominal ultrasound showed gaseous abdominal distension. Laboratory values were remarkable for elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Computed tomography of the chest showed bilateral subpleural areas of ground-glass attenuation and crazy-paving pattern. A COVID-19 test was positive, and hydroxychloroquine, oseltamivir, baclofen, and symptomatic treatment were initiated. The hiccups improved, and the patient was discharged home after ten days. CONCLUSION: Physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion and be aware of atypical presentations of COVID-19.

Novel biomarkers of acute kidney injury following living donor liver transplantation.

Urinary biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and renalase were recently studied for their potential role in the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cirrhosis. Our study was conducted on 50 patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing living donor liver transplantation. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I contained 23 patients with AKI who had undergone liver transplantation and Group II included 27 non-AKI patients who had undergone liver transplantation. Serum renalase and NGAL levels were measured by ELISA; renalase was measured on day 1, day 7, and three months after liver transplantation. NGAL was measured on day 1 postliver transplantation. There was an improvement in liver function, kidney functions, hemoglobin level, platelet count, and C- reactive protein levels in patients at three months posttransplantation when compared to day 1, day 3, and day 7 (P < 0.01). Comparison of the renalase level at day 1, day 7, and three months showed that there was a highly significant decline at three months in the AKI group compared to the non-AKI group (P < 0.01). Regarding the NGAL level at day 1, there was no significant difference between the AKI and non-AKI groups (P > 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve for the renalase biomarker showed a borderline significant change between the AKI and non-AKI groups at day 1 [area under the curve (AUC): 0.54, P = 0.08], day 7 (AUC: 0.605, P = 0.08), and three months (AUC: 0.605, P = 0.08). However, the NGAL biomarker level was not significantly different between the AKI and non-AKI groups. Our study suggests that renalase showed a better predictive value and a higher accuracy in identifying postliver transplantation patients with AKI than NGAL.

Improvement of liver stiffness measurement, acoustic radiation force impulse measurements, and noninvasive fibrosis markers after direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus G4 recurrence post living donor liver transplantation: Egyptian cohort.

Progression of recurrent hepatitis C is accelerated in liver transplant (LT) recipients. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic regimen for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Rates of sustained virological response (SVR) have drastically improved since the introduction of DAAs. The aim is to elucidate the changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) as well as acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and fibrosis scores after DAA treatment in LT recipients with hepatitis C virus recurrence. A single-center, prospective study including 58 LT recipients with hepatitis C recurrence who received different sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens. Transient elastography and ARFI elastography values were recorded as well as fibrosis 4 score (FIB-4) and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index were calculated at baseline and SVR at week 24 (SVR24). The outcome was improvement in LSM and at least a 20% decrease in LSM at SVR24 compared with baseline. The sustained virological response was 98.1%. There was improvement of platelet counts, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, which in turn caused improvement in fibrosis scores at SVR24. LSM by TE and ARFI elastography decreased from the baseline median value of 6.3 kPa (interquartile range [IQR]; 4.6 to 8.8 kPa) and 1.28 m/s (IQR; 1.07 to 1.53 m/s) to an SVR24 median value of 6.2 kPa (IQR; 4.85 to 8.9 kPa) and 1.12 (IQR; 0.97 to 1.30 m/s), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline viral load was the only significant predictor of improvement in LS after DAA therapy at SVR24. Sofosbuvir-based treatment resulted in an early improvement in parameters of liver fibrosis in post-LT patients with hepatitis C recurrence.

Limitations of Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Egyptian Children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Egypt, the liver transplantation (LTx) program that became available since 2001 is a living donor program. We aimed to assess the obstacles to pediatric LTx. METHODS: Over a six-month-period, 41 pediatric patients were indicated for LTx; their ages ranged between 1.5 months to 17 years. Patients and potential donors were evaluated according to the program protocol. RESULTS: The obstacles for performing LTx were classified into recipient, donor and program obstacles or limitations. Each patient may have more than one limitation. Late presentation and co-morbid conditions were on the top of the recipient list of obstacles. Refusal of potential donors to donate was the commonest limitation on the donor side (33%). The commonest program limitations were young age and small size of the recipient. CONCLUSIONS: Limitations in recipient characteristics as well as donor shortage are still the main obstacles for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in our pediatric liver disease patients. Small weight and young age of potential LDLT candidates are the principle causes for delaying this life saving procedure. Increasing community awareness about living organ donation and nutritional support for end stage liver disease (ESLD) babies is pivotal, given our limitation to a living donor program.

Pneumatosis intestinalis following pediatric live-related liver transplant: a case report and successful conservative approach.

PI has been rarely reported following pediatric live-related liver transplantation. Such a disorder is characterized by accumulation of gas in the bowel wall. The cause of PI has not been yet established; however, it has been strongly linked with steroid therapy. In this report, we present a case of PI following pediatric live-related liver transplantation that has been successfully managed conservatively.