Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Adults Substantially Increases When Adding Sputum, Saliva, and Serology Testing to Nasopharyngeal Swab RT-PCR.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly all existing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) incidence estimates are based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of nasal or nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Adding testing of additional specimen types to NP swab RT-PCR increases RSV detection. However, prior studies only made pairwise comparisons and the synergistic effect of adding multiple specimen types has not been quantified. We compared RSV diagnosis by NP swab RT-PCR alone versus NP swab plus saliva, sputum, and serology. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study over two study periods (27 December 2021 to 1 April 2022 and 22 August 2022 to 11 November 2022) of patients aged ≥ 40 years hospitalized for acute respiratory illness (ARI) in Louisville, KY. NP swab, saliva, and sputum specimens were collected at enrollment and PCR tested (Luminex ARIES platform). Serology specimens were obtained at acute and convalescent timepoints (enrollment and 30-60-day visit). RSV detection rate was calculated for NP swab alone and for NP swab plus all other specimen type/test. RESULTS: Among 1766 patients enrolled, 100% had NP swab, 99% saliva, 34% sputum, and 21% paired serology specimens. RSV was diagnosed in 56 (3.2%) patients by NP swab alone, and in 109 (6.2%) patients by NP swab plus additional specimens, corresponding to a 1.95 times higher rate [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62, 2.34]. Limiting the comparison to the 150 subjects with all four specimen types available (i.e., NP swab, saliva, sputum, and serology), there was a 2.60-fold increase (95% CI 1.31, 5.17) compared to NP swab alone (3.3% versus 8.7%). Sensitivities by specimen type were: NP swab 51%, saliva 70%, sputum 72%, and serology 79%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of RSV in adults was several-fold greater when additional specimen types were added to NP swab, even with a relatively low percentage of subjects with sputum and serology results available. Hospitalized RSV ARI burden estimates in adults based solely on NP swab RT-PCR should be adjusted for underestimation.

Clinical outcomes of bronchiectasis in India: data from the EMBARC/Respiratory Research Network of India registry.

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for poor outcomes can help with risk stratification and targeting of treatment. Risk factors for mortality and exacerbations have been identified in bronchiectasis but have been almost exclusively studied in European and North American populations. This study investigated the risk factors for poor outcome in a large population of bronchiectasis patients enrolled in India. METHODS: The European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India (EMBARC-India) registry is a prospective observational study of adults with computed tomography-confirmed bronchiectasis enrolled at 31 sites across India. Baseline characteristics of patients were used to investigate associations with key clinical outcomes: mortality, severe exacerbations requiring hospital admission, overall exacerbation frequency and decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. RESULTS: 1018 patients with at least 12-month follow-up data were enrolled in the follow-up study. Frequent exacerbations (≥3 per year) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 3.23, 95% CI 1.39-7.50), severe exacerbations (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.92-3.83), future exacerbations (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 3.08, 95% CI 2.36-4.01) and lung function decline. Coexisting COPD, dyspnoea and current cigarette smoking were similarly associated with a worse outcome across all end-points studied. Additional predictors of mortality and severe exacerbations were increasing age and cardiovascular comorbidity. Infection with Gram-negative pathogens (predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae) was independently associated with increased mortality (HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.62-6.06), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was associated with severe exacerbations (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97) and overall exacerbation rate (IRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies risk factors for morbidity and mortality among bronchiectasis patients in India. Identification of these risk factors may support treatment approaches optimised to an Asian setting.

Evaluation of Sustained Minimal Residual Disease Negativity With Daratumumab-Combination Regimens in Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Analysis of POLLUX and CASTOR.

PURPOSE: In relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, daratumumab reduced the risk of progression or death by > 60% in POLLUX (daratumumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone [D-Rd]) and CASTOR (daratumumab/bortezomib/dexamethasone [D-Vd]). Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a sensitive measure of disease control. Sustained MRD negativity and outcomes were evaluated in these studies. METHODS: MRD was assessed via next-generation sequencing (10-5) at suspected complete response (CR), 3 and 6 months following confirmed CR (POLLUX), 6 and 12 months following the first dose (CASTOR), and every 12 months post-CR in both studies. Sustained MRD negativity (≥ 6 or ≥ 12 months) was evaluated in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and ≥ CR populations. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 54.8 months in POLLUX and 50.2 months in CASTOR. In the ITT population, MRD-negativity rates were 32.5% versus 6.7% for D-Rd versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) and 15.1% versus 1.6% for D-Vd versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd; both P < .0001). Higher MRD negativity rates were achieved in ≥ CR patients in POLLUX (D-Rd, 57.4%; Rd, 29.2%; P = .0001) and CASTOR (D-Vd, 52.8%; Vd, 17.4%; P = .0035). More patients in the ITT population achieved sustained MRD negativity ≥ 6 months with D-Rd versus Rd (20.3% v 2.1%; P < .0001) and D-Vd versus Vd (10.4% v 1.2%; P < .0001), and ≥ 12 months with D-Rd versus Rd (16.1% v 1.4%; P < .0001) and D-Vd versus Vd (6.8% v 0%). Similar results for sustained MRD negativity were observed among ≥ CR patients. More patients in the daratumumab-containing arms achieved MRD negativity and sustained MRD negativity, which were associated with prolonged progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: Daratumumab-based combinations induce higher rates of sustained MRD negativity versus standard of care, which are associated with durable remissions and prolonged clinical outcomes.

Daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory myeloma: a cytogenetic subgroup analysis of POLLUX.

High cytogenetic risk abnormalities confer poor outcomes in multiple myeloma patients. In POLLUX, daratumumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (D-Rd) demonstrated significant clinical benefit versus lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. We report an updated subgroup analysis of POLLUX based on cytogenetic risk. The cytogenetic risk was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization/karyotyping; patients with high cytogenetic risk had t(4;14), t(14;16), or del17p abnormalities. Minimal residual disease (MRD; 10-5) was assessed via the clonoSEQ® assay V2.0. 569 patients were randomized (D-Rd, n = 286; Rd, n = 283); 35 (12%) patients per group had high cytogenetic risk. After a median follow-up of 44.3 months, D-Rd prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus Rd in standard cytogenetic risk (median: not estimable vs 18.6 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.43; P < 0.0001) and high cytogenetic risk (median: 26.8 vs 8.3 months; HR, 0.34; P = 0.0035) patients. Responses with D-Rd were deep, including higher MRD negativity and sustained MRD-negativity rates versus Rd, regardless of cytogenetic risk. PFS on subsequent line of therapy was improved with D-Rd versus Rd in both cytogenetic risk subgroups. The safety profile of D-Rd by cytogenetic risk was consistent with the overall population. These findings demonstrate the improved efficacy of daratumumab plus standard of care versus standard of care in RRMM, regardless of cytogenetic risk.

Daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: extended follow-up of POLLUX, a randomized, open-label, phase 3 study.

In POLLUX, daratumumab (D) plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Rd) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 63% and increased the overall response rate (ORR) versus Rd in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Updated efficacy and safety after >3 years of follow-up are presented. Patients (N = 569) with ≥1 prior line received Rd (lenalidomide, 25 mg, on Days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle; dexamethasone, 40 mg, weekly) ± daratumumab at the approved dosing schedule. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by next-generation sequencing. After 44.3 months median follow-up, D-Rd prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat population (median 44.5 vs 17.5 months; HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.35-0.55; P < 0.0001) and in patient subgroups. D-Rd demonstrated higher ORR (92.9 vs 76.4%; P < 0.0001) and deeper responses, including complete response or better (56.6 vs 23.2%; P < 0.0001) and MRD negativity (10-5; 30.4 vs 5.3%; P < 0.0001). Median time to next therapy was prolonged with D-Rd (50.6 vs 23.1 months; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.31-0.50; P < 0.0001). Median PFS on subsequent line of therapy (PFS2) was not reached with D-Rd versus 31.7 months with Rd (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.68; P < 0.0001). No new safety concerns were reported. These data support using D-Rd in patients with RRMM after first relapse.

Bronchiectasis in India: results from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India Registry.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a common but neglected chronic lung disease. Most epidemiological data are limited to cohorts from Europe and the USA, with few data from low-income and middle-income countries. We therefore aimed to describe the characteristics, severity of disease, microbiology, and treatment of patients with bronchiectasis in India. METHODS: The Indian bronchiectasis registry is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Adult patients (≥18 years) with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled from 31 centres across India. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis or traction bronchiectasis associated with another respiratory disorder were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (recruitment) with follow-up visits taking place once per year. Comprehensive clinical data were collected through the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration registry platform. Underlying aetiology of bronchiectasis, as well as treatment and risk factors for bronchiectasis were analysed in the Indian bronchiectasis registry. Comparisons of demographics were made with published European and US registries, and quality of care was benchmarked against the 2017 European Respiratory Society guidelines. FINDINGS: From June 1, 2015, to Sept 1, 2017, 2195 patients were enrolled. Marked differences were observed between India, Europe, and the USA. Patients in India were younger (median age 56 years [IQR 41-66] vs the European and US registries; p<0·0001]) and more likely to be men (1249 [56·9%] of 2195). Previous tuberculosis (780 [35·5%] of 2195) was the most frequent underlying cause of bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in sputum culture (301 [13·7%]) in India. Risk factors for exacerbations included being of the male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1·17, 95% CI 1·03-1·32; p=0·015), P aeruginosa infection (1·29, 1·10-1·50; p=0·001), a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (1·20, 1·07-1·34; p=0·002), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (1·32, 1·25-1·39; p<0·0001), daily sputum production (1·16, 1·03-1·30; p=0·013), and radiological severity of disease (1·03, 1·01-1·04; p<0·0001). Low adherence to guideline-recommended care was observed; only 388 patients were tested for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 82 patients had been tested for immunoglobulins. INTERPRETATION: Patients with bronchiectasis in India have more severe disease and have distinct characteristics from those reported in other countries. This study provides a benchmark to improve quality of care for patients with bronchiectasis in India. FUNDING: EU/European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Innovative Medicines Initiative inhaled Antibiotics in Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis Consortium, European Respiratory Society, and the British Lung Foundation.

A clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the LEISH-F1+MPL-SE vaccine for use in the prevention of visceral leishmaniasis.

Healthy Indian adult volunteers, with or without a history of leishmaniasis, were evaluated for evidence of previous infection with Leishmania donovani based on the direct agglutination test (DAT). Three cohorts of 6 DAT-negative and 6 DAT-positive subjects were enrolled in an open-label, dose-escalating, uncontrolled clinical trial and received three injections of the LEISH-F1+MPL-SE vaccine (consisting of 5µg, 10µg, or 20µg recombinant Leishmania polyprotein LEISH-F1 antigen+25µg MPL®-SE adjuvant). The study injections were given subcutaneously on days 0, 28, and 56, and the subjects were followed through day 168 for safety and immunological endpoints. The vaccine was safe and well-tolerated in DAT-negative and DAT-positive subjects and induced T-cell production of IFN-γ and other cytokines in response to stimulation with the LEISH-F1 antigen. This clinical trial shows that the LEISH-F1+MPL-SE vaccine is safe and immunogenic in healthy subjects with and without history of previous infection with Leishmania donovani.