Efficacy and safety of antiviral plus anti-spike monoclonal antibody combination therapy vs. monotherapy for high-risk immunocompromised patients with mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV2 infection during the Omicron era: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Antivirals and monoclonal antibodies lower the risk of progression in immunocompromised patients. However, combination therapy with both types of agents has not been studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre, prospective, cohort study. All immunocompromised patients who received treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 from 1 January 2022 to 30 October 2022 were enrolled. The primary endpoint was COVID-19 progression at 90 days, defined as hospital admission or death due to COVID-19 and/or seronegative persistent COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 304 patients were included: 43 patients (14.1%) received sotrovimab plus a direct-acting antiviral, and 261 (85.9%) received monotherapy. Primary outcome occurred more frequently after monotherapy (4.6% vs. 0%, P=0.154). Among patients with anti-spike immunoglobulin G (anti-S IgG) titre <750 BAU/mL, COVID-19 progression was more common after monotherapy (23.9% vs. 0%, P=0.001), including more frequent COVID-related admission (15.2% vs. 0%, P=0.014) and seronegative persistent COVID-19 (10.9% vs. 0%, P=0.044). Combination therapy was associated with lower risk of progression (odds ratio [OR] 0.08, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.01-0.64). Anti-S IgG titre <750 BAU/mL and previous anti-CD20 were associated with higher risk of progression (OR 13.70, 95% CI 2.77-67.68; and OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.20-10.94, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In immunocompromised patients, combination therapy with sotrovimab plus an antiviral may be more effective than monotherapy for SARS-CoV2.

Is SARS-CoV-2 the only cause of long-COVID?

Around 10% of adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 that survive a first episode of COVID-19 appear to experience long-term clinical manifestations. The signs and symptoms of this post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) include fatigue, dyspnea, joint pain, myalgia, chest pain, cough, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, depression, anxiety, memory loss, concentration difficulties, and insomnia. These sequelae remind the constellation of clinical manifestations previously recognized as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This condition has been described following distinct infectious events, mostly acute viral illnesses. In this way, the pathophysiology of PACS might overlap with mechanisms involved in other post-infectious fatigue syndromes. The risk of PACS is more frequent in women than men. Additional host genetic factors could be involved. There is a dysregulation of multiple body organs and systems, involving the immune system, the coagulation cascade, endocrine organs, autonomic nervous system, microbiota-gut-brain axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, etc. Hypothetically, an abnormal response to certain infectious agents could trigger the development of postinfectious fatigue syndromes.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Profile of Candidemia and the Incidence of Fungemia Due to Fluconazole-Resistant Candida parapsilosis.

Severely ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of nosocomial infections. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of candidemia during the pre-pandemic period (January 2019−February 2020) compared to the pandemic period (March 2020−September 2021). Antifungal susceptibilities were assessed using the EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2 broth dilution method. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates (FRCP) were studied for sequencing of the ERG11 gene. The incidence of candidemia and C. parapsilosis bloodstream infection increased significantly in the pandemic period (p = 0.021). ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition and corticosteroids administration were more frequent in patients with candidemia who had been admitted due to COVID-19. Fifteen cases of FRCP fungemia were detected. The first case was recorded 10 months before the pandemic in a patient transferred from another hospital. The incidence of FRCP in patients admitted for COVID-19 was 1.34 and 0.16 in all other patients (p < 0.001). ICU admission, previous Candida spp. colonization, arterial catheter use, parenteral nutrition and renal function replacement therapy were more frequent in patients with candidemia due to FRCP. All FRCP isolates showed the Y132F mutation. In conclusion, the incidence of candidemia experienced an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic and FRCP fungemia was more frequent in patients admitted due to COVID-19.

Mortality by COVID-19 Before Vaccination - One Year Experience of Hospitalized Patients in Madrid.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the mortality and characteristics of deceased patients with COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: All admissions owing to COVID-19 at a tertiary hospital in Madrid were analyzed. Three waves were considered: March 2020 to June 2020, July 2020 to November 2020, and December 2020 to April 2021. RESULTS: A total of 3,676 patients were identified. Among inpatients, no differences regarding age, sex, length of admission, or mortality were found between the 3 waves (p >0.05). The overall mortality rate was 12.9%. Among deceased patients, the median age was 82 years and the median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6. Considering the main predictors for mortality by COVID-19 (age, sex, and concomitant comorbidities), only patients with previous lung disease were more prevalent in the third period (p <0.01). Finally, higher intensive care unit admission rates, a lower rate of patients coming from nursing homes, and a lower rate of patients with dementia were noted in the third period (p <0.05) among deceased patients. CONCLUSION: One year after the onset of the pandemic, the mortality rate of hospitalized patients and the profile of non-survivors have not changed significantly. In the absence of vaccine benefits, advanced age and multiple pathologies are uniform characteristics of non-survivors.

Epidemiología y clínica de las infecciones y colonizaciones causadas por enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas en un hospital de tercer nivel / Epidemiology and clinical of infections and colonizations caused by Enterobacterales producing carbapenemases in a tertiary hospital

OBJETIVOS: Describir la epidemiologia de las Enterobacterias portadoras de carbapenemasas (EPC) en un hospital de tercer nivel. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo, se incluyeron todos los pacientes con muestra positiva para EPC atendidos en hospitalización o en el servicio de Urgencias, entre el 1 Enero de 2014 y el 31 de Diciembre de 2016. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 272 pacientes (316 muestras): 155 (57%) varones. Media de edad de 70,4 años (IC 95% 68,2-72,7). Media del índice de Charlson 3,6 (IC95% 3,4-3,8). En el 63,2% la adquisición fue nosocomial, en el 35,3% fue asociada a cuidados sanitarios (ACS). Presentaron infección el 55,1%, siendo la más frecuente la infección del tracto urinario (ITU) (58,7%). Las especies más frecuentes fueron Klebsiella pneumoniae (62,7%) y Enterobacter cloacae (10,1%). Los tipos de carbapenemasa más frecuente fueron OXA-48 (53,8%) y VIM (43%). La adquisición nosocomial se asoció con el género masculino, trasplante, inmunosupresión, ingreso en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) o Servicio Quirúrgico, tratamiento antibiótico previo, Enterobacter, VIM, infecciones respiratorias e intraabdominales. La adquisición ACS se asoció con mayor edad y comorbilidad, procedencia de residencia, sondaje vesical, mayor número de procedimientos ambulatorios, ingreso hospitalario previo, K. pneumoniae y E. coli, OXA-48, coproducción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido, ITU y sepsis. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes que adquieren la EPC en residencias presentan frecuentemente infección. Los pacientes con adquisición nosocomial se colonizan por EPC en la UCI, en relación a procedimientos invasivos y trasplante. Esta población presenta mayor mortalidad por desarrollar infecciones respiratorias por EPC

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of Enterobacterales producing carbapenemases (EPC) in a tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study, all patients with a positive sample for EPC treated in hospitalization or in the Emergency Department were included, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients (316 samples) were included: 155 (57%) male. Mean age of 70.4 years (95% CI 68.2 -72.7). Mean Charlson index was 3.6 (95% CI 3.4-3.8). In 63.2% the acquisition was nosocomial, in 35.3% it was health-care associated (HA). 55.1% presented infection, the most frequent infection was urinary tract infection (UTI) (58.7%). The most frequent species were Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (10.1%). The most frequent types of carbapenemase were OXA-48 (53.8%) and VIM (43%). The nosocomial acquisition was associated with the male gender, transplantation, immunosuppression, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or surgical service, prior antibiotic treatment, Enterobacter, VIM, respiratory and intra-abdominal infections. The HA acquisition was associated with age and comorbidity, nursery home origin, bladder catheterization, greater number of outpatient procedures, previous hospital admission, K. pneumoniae and E. coli, OXA-48, coproduction of extended spectrum betalactamases, UTI and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who acquire EPC in nursery homes frequently have an infection. Patients with nosocomial acquisition are colonized by EPC in the ICU, in relation to invasive procedures and transplantation. This population has a higher mortality due to developing respiratory infections by EPC

Eosinofilia y dolor abdominal tras una neumonía grave por enfermedad por coronavirus 19 / Eosinophilia and abdominal pain after severe pneumonia due to COVID 19

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Mononucleosis infecciosa con manifestaciones clínicas inusuales / Infectious mononucleosis with unusual clinical manifestations

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Cervix tuberculosis simulating cancer / Tuberculosis de cérvix: simulando una neoplasia

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Meningitis por Listeria monocytogenes en adultos / Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in adults

Introducción. Listeria monocytogenes es la tercera causa en frecuencia de meningitis bacteriana comunitaria en adultos. Objetivos. Describir las características de la meningitis por Listeria (ML) en adultos y compararlas con las de la meningitis de otras etiologías (MnL). Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de una serie de casos hospitalaria, incluyendo pacientes con edad >= 14 años diagnosticados de ML en un hospital de referencia entre 1982 y 2011. Resultados. Se incluyen 16 casos de ML, el 12,1% de las meningitis comunitarias de etiología identificada. Los factores predisponentes fueron la edad (media: 65 frente a 52 años; p = 0,019) y la inmunodepresión/comorbilidad (62,5% frente a 3,4%; p < 0,001): tratamiento con corticoides (37,5%) y hepatopatía crónica (25%) fueron los más frecuentes. Se observaron las tríadas clásicas de la meningitis aguda bacteriana, clínica y de análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en el 50 y 75% de los casos, respectivamente. Los pacientes con ML presentaron en el LCR recuentos leucocitarios inferiores, menor porcentaje de neutrófilos, mayor frecuencia de pleocitosis linfocitaria y menor frecuencia de tinción de Gram positiva que aquellos con MnL. La tasa de mortalidad fue del 12,5%, similar a la de MnL. Conclusiones. La ML afecta fundamentalmente a pacientes inmunodeprimidos o con comorbilidad, y a pacientes de edad avanzada, aunque puede ocurrir en ausencia de factores de riesgo. Clínicamente no se diferencia de otras causas de meningitis, pero el estudio inicial del LCR puede sugerirla. Su tasa de mortalidad es similar a la de la meningitis de otras etiologías (AU)

Introduction. Listeria monocytogenes is the third most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults. Aims. To describe the characteristics of meningitis caused by Listeria (LM) in adults and to compare them with those of meningitis due to other causations (nLM). Patients and methods. A retrospective analysis of a series of hospital cases was conducted, including patients aged between >= 14 years diagnosed with LM in a referral hospital between 1982 and 2011. Results. The study involves 16 cases of LM, 12.1% of the cases of community-acquired meningitis with an identified aetiology. Predisposing factors were age (mean of 65 versus 52 years; p = 0.019) and immunosuppression/comorbidity (62.5% versus 3.4%; p < 0.001), treatment with corticoids (37.5%) and chronic liver disease (25%) being the most frequent. The classical triads of acute bacterial meningitis, clinical features and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were observed in 50 and 75% of the cases, respectively. Patients with LM presented lower leukocyte counts in CSF, a lower percentage of neutrophils, a greater frequency of lymphocytic pleocytosis and a lower frequency of Gram stain positive than those with nLM. The mortality rate was 12.5%, similar to that of patients with nLM. Conclusions. LM mainly affects patients who are immunosuppressed or with comorbidity, as well as elderly patients, although it may occur in the absence of risk factors. Clinically it does not differ from other causes of meningitis, but the initial CSF study may suggest it. Its mortality rate is similar to that of meningitis due to other aetiologies (AU)

[Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in adults]. / Meningitis por Listeria monocytogenes en adultos.

INTRODUCTION: Listeria monocytogenes is the third most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults. AIMS: To describe the characteristics of meningitis caused by Listeria (LM) in adults and to compare them with those of meningitis due to other causations (nLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a series of hospital cases was conducted, including patients aged between ≥ 14 years diagnosed with LM in a referral hospital between 1982 and 2011. RESULTS: The study involves 16 cases of LM, 12.1% of the cases of community-acquired meningitis with an identified aetiology. Predisposing factors were age (mean of 65 versus 52 years; p = 0.019) and immunosuppression/comorbidity (62.5% versus 3.4%; p < 0.001), treatment with corticoids (37.5%) and chronic liver disease (25%) being the most frequent. The classical triads of acute bacterial meningitis, clinical features and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were observed in 50 and 75% of the cases, respectively. Patients with LM presented lower leukocyte counts in CSF, a lower percentage of neutrophils, a greater frequency of lymphocytic pleocytosis and a lower frequency of Gram stain positive than those with nLM. The mortality rate was 12.5%, similar to that of patients with nLM. CONCLUSIONS: LM mainly affects patients who are immunosuppressed or with comorbidity, as well as elderly patients, although it may occur in the absence of risk factors. Clinically it does not differ from other causes of meningitis, but the initial CSF study may suggest it. Its mortality rate is similar to that of meningitis due to other aetiologies.