Longitudinal Development of Antibody Responses in COVID-19 Patients of Different Severity with ELISA, Peptide, and Glycan Arrays: An Immunological Case Series

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). A better understanding of its immunogenicity can be important for the development of improved diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Here, we report the longitudinal analysis of three COVID-19 patients with moderate (#1) and mild disease (#2 and #3). Antibody serum responses were analyzed using spike glycoprotein enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), full-proteome peptide, and glycan microarrays. ELISA immunoglobulin A, G, and M (IgA, IgG, and IgM) signals increased over time for individuals #1 and #2, whereas #3 only showed no clear positive IgG and IgM result. In contrast, peptide microarrays showed increasing IgA/G signal intensity and epitope spread only in the moderate patient #1 over time, whereas early but transient IgA and stable IgG responses were observed in the two mild cases #2 and #3. Glycan arrays showed an interaction of antibodies to fragments of high-mannose and core N-glycans, present on the viral shield. In contrast to protein ELISA, microarrays allow for a deeper understanding of IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody responses to specific epitopes of the whole proteome and glycans of SARS-CoV-2 in parallel. In the future, this may help to better understand and to monitor vaccination programs and monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics.

Malaria in the Time of COVID-19: Do Not Miss the Real Cause of Illness

We report a case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a patient asymptomatically co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the current ongoing coronavirus pandemic, co-infections with unrelated life-threatening febrile conditions may pose a particular challenge to clinicians. The current situation increases the risk for cognitive biases in medical management.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and disease outcome of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza

While several studies have described the clinical course of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), direct comparisons with patients with seasonal influenza are scarce. We compared 166 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between February 27 and June 14, 2020, and 255 patients with seasonal influenza diagnosed during the 2017-18 season at the same hospital to describe common features and differences in clinical characteristics and course of disease. Patients with COVID-19 were younger (median age [IQR], 59 [45-71] vs 66 [52-77]; P < 0001) and had fewer comorbidities at baseline with a lower mean overall age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (mean [SD], 3.0 [2.6] vs 4.0 [2.7]; P < 0.001) than patients with seasonal influenza. COVID-19 patients had a longer duration of hospitalization (mean [SD], 25.9 days [26.6 days] vs 17.2 days [21.0 days]; P = 0.002), a more frequent need for oxygen therapy (101 [60.8%] vs 103 [40.4%]; P < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (52 [31.3%] vs 32 [12.5%]; P < 0.001) and were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit (70 [42.2%] vs 51 [20.0%]; P < 0.001) than seasonal influenza patients. Among immunocompromised patients, those in the COVID-19 group had a higher hospital mortality compared to those in the seasonal influenza group (13 [33.3%] vs 8 [11.6%], P = 0.01). In conclusion, we show that COVID-19 patients were younger and had fewer baseline comorbidities than seasonal influenza patients but were at increased risk for severe illness. The high mortality observed in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients emphasizes the importance of protecting these patient groups from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and disease outcome of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza

While several studies have described the clinical course of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), direct comparisons with patients with seasonal influenza are scarce. We compared 166 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between February 27 and June 14, 2020, and 255 patients with seasonal influenza diagnosed during the 2017-18 season at the same hospital to describe common features and differences in clinical characteristics and course of disease. Patients with COVID-19 were younger (median age [IQR], 59 [45-71] vs 66 [52-77]; P < 0001) and had fewer comorbidities at baseline with a lower mean overall age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (mean [SD], 3.0 [2.6] vs 4.0 [2.7]; P < 0.001) than patients with seasonal influenza. COVID-19 patients had a longer duration of hospitalization (mean [SD], 25.9 days [26.6 days] vs 17.2 days [21.0 days]; P = 0.002), a more frequent need for oxygen therapy (101 [60.8%] vs 103 [40.4%]; P < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (52 [31.3%] vs 32 [12.5%]; P < 0.001) and were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit (70 [42.2%] vs 51 [20.0%]; P < 0.001) than seasonal influenza patients. Among immunocompromised patients, those in the COVID-19 group had a higher hospital mortality compared to those in the seasonal influenza group (13 [33.3%] vs 8 [11.6%], P = 0.01). In conclusion, we show that COVID-19 patients were younger and had fewer baseline comorbidities than seasonal influenza patients but were at increased risk for severe illness. The high mortality observed in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients emphasizes the importance of protecting these patient groups from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

561. Safety of Remdesivir vs Standard Care in Patients with Moderate Covid-19

Background

Remdesivir (RDV) has been shown to shorten recovery time and was well tolerated in patients with severe COVID-19. Here we report safety of RDV in patients with moderate COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted an open-label, phase 3 trial (NCT04252664) in hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, evidence of pulmonary infiltrates, and oxygen saturation >94% on room air. Patients were randomly assigned to receive RDV (5 or 10 days) or standard of care (SOC). RDV was dosed intravenously at 200 mg on day 1, 100 mg daily thereafter. Adverse events (AEs) and laboratory abnormalities were evaluated through the day 11 data cut; safety data through day 28 will be presented at the meeting.

Results

584 patients were randomized and treated (5d RDV: n=191; 10d RDV, n=193; SOC: n=200). Baseline characteristics were balanced among groups; median (range) age was 57y (12-95y), 39% were female and 19% Black, 39% had arterial hypertension, 15% hyperlipidemia, 11% asthma. Briefly, across both the 5d and 10d arms, RDV was well tolerated with a similar rate of Grade 3 or 4 AEs and fewer SAEs compared to SOC (Table). AEs more common with RDV vs SOC included nausea, headache, and hypokalemia. Overall, across the 3 arms, incidence of AEs leading to discontinuation and death were low and no clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters were observed. In addition, median changes in renal and liver function tests from baseline were not statistically significant between the RDV 5d and RDV 10d groups compared to the SOC only group at d14 (Table 1).

Table 1.

Conclusion

RDV given for 5d or 10d was well tolerated in patients with moderate COVID-19. No clinically significant safety signals were observed with RDV vs SOC.

Disclosures

Gerard J. Criner, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Regeneron (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Gerard J. Criner, MD, NO DISCLOSURE DATA Mi Young Ahn, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Gregory Huhn, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator)Janssen (Grant/Research Support)Proteus (Grant/Research Support)US National Institutes of Health (Grant/Research Support)Viiv Healthcare (Grant/Research Support) Aruna Subramanian, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Carlos Lumbreras, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Stefan Schmiedel, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Robert H. Hyland, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Vithika Suri, PhD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Huyen Cao, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Hongyuan Wang, PhD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Devi SenGupta, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Anand Chokkalingam, PhD, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Anu Osinusi, MD, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Diana M. Brainard, MD, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Yao-Shen Chen, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Yao-Shen Chen, MD, NO DISCLOSURE DATA Huldrych Günthard, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) D Jose Sanz-Moreno, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Judith A. Aberg, MD, Theratechnology (Consultant) Emanuele Nicastri, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Owen Tak-Yin Tsang, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Owen Tak-Yin Tsang, MD, NO DISCLOSURE DATA

Case Report: Acute Vision Loss in a Young Returning Traveler with Dengue Fever

Ocular complications are rare in patients with dengue fever, but may cause permanent loss of vision. We present the case of a 29-year-old German woman who developed severe acute vision loss because of dengue-associated maculopathy after traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia. Initially, the optical coherence tomography showed detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, a central shift in the retinal pigmentation and intraretinal cysts. The patient was hospitalized and treated with a short course of intravenous prednisolone. Vision improved, and the patient showed full recovery at 9 months after the onset. This case highlights the importance of awareness and adequate management for ocular involvement in patients with dengue fever, including travelers.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among hospital workers in a German tertiary care center: A sequential follow-up study

We sequentially assessed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in 1253 hospital workers including 1026 HCWs at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf at three time points during the early phase of the epidemic. By the end of the study in July 2020, the overall seroprevalence was 1.8% (n = 22), indicating the overall effectiveness of infection control interventions in mitigating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospital workers.

Frequent neurocognitive deficits after recovery from mild COVID-19

Neuropsychiatric complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) are increasingly appreciated. While most studies have focussed on severely affected individuals during acute infection, it remains unclear whether mild COVID-19 results in neurocognitive deficits in young patients. Here, we established a screening approach to detect cognitive deficiencies in post-COVID-19 patients. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 18 mostly young patients 20-105 days (median, 85 days) after recovery from mild to moderate disease who visited our outpatient clinic for post-COVID-19 care. Notably, 14 (78%) patients reported sustained mild cognitive deficits and performed worse in the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status screening test for mild cognitive impairment compared to 10 age-matched healthy controls. While short-term memory, attention and concentration were particularly affected by COVID-19, screening results did not correlate with hospitalization, treatment, viremia or acute inflammation. Additionally, Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status scores did not correlate with depressed mood or fatigue. In two severely affected patients, we excluded structural or other inflammatory causes by magnetic resonance imaging, serum and cerebrospinal fluid analyses. Together, our results demonstrate that sustained sub-clinical cognitive impairments might be a common complication after recovery from COVID-19 in young adults, regardless of clinical course that were unmasked by our diagnostic approach.

Sustained response after remdesivir and convalescent plasma therapy in a B-cell depleted patient with protracted COVID-19

We provide detailed clinical, virological and immunological data of a B-cell depleted patient treated with obinutuzumab for follicular lymphoma with protracted COVID-19 and viremia. A sustained response was achieved after two courses of remdesivir and subsequent convalescent plasma therapy. Immunocompromised patients might require combined and prolonged antiviral treatment regimens.

[Intensive care back up for infectious disease disasters]

BACKGROUND

Outbreaks of infectious diseases pose particular challenges for hospitals and intensive care units.

OBJECTIVES

Typical infectiological scenarios and their significance for modern intensive care medicine are presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selected pathogens/infectious diseases that have significantly strained the resources of intensive care units are described.

RESULTS

Intensive medical care is necessary in severe cases of many infectious diseases. In the context of epidemics/pandemics, many critically ill patients have to be admitted within a short time. Examples are the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the 2011 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak in northern Germany, the 2014/2015 Ebola fever outbreak and the 2020 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Multidisciplinary teams, protocol development, adequate staffing, and training are required to achieve optimal treatment outcomes, including prevention of healthcare worker infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Pandemics and epidemics are unique challenges for intensive care unit preparedness planning.

Autopsy Findings and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused more than 210 000 deaths worldwide. However, little is known about the causes of death and the virus's pathologic features.

OBJECTIVE

To validate and compare clinical findings with data from medical autopsy, virtual autopsy, and virologic tests.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Autopsies performed at a single academic medical center, as mandated by the German federal state of Hamburg for patients dying with a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

PATIENTS

The first 12 consecutive COVID-19-positive deaths.

MEASUREMENTS

Complete autopsy, including postmortem computed tomography and histopathologic and virologic analysis, was performed. Clinical data and medical course were evaluated.

RESULTS

Median patient age was 73 years (range, 52 to 87 years), 75% of patients were male, and death occurred in the hospital (n = 10) or outpatient sector (n = 2). Coronary heart disease and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most common comorbid conditions (50% and 25%, respectively). Autopsy revealed deep venous thrombosis in 7 of 12 patients (58%) in whom venous thromboembolism was not suspected before death; pulmonary embolism was the direct cause of death in 4 patients. Postmortem computed tomography revealed reticular infiltration of the lungs with severe bilateral, dense consolidation, whereas histomorphologically diffuse alveolar damage was seen in 8 patients. In all patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the lung at high concentrations; viremia in 6 of 10 and 5 of 12 patients demonstrated high viral RNA titers in the liver, kidney, or heart.

LIMITATION

Limited sample size.

CONCLUSION

The high incidence of thromboembolic events suggests an important role of COVID-19-induced coagulopathy. Further studies are needed to investigate the molecular mechanism and overall clinical incidence of COVID-19-related death, as well as possible therapeutic interventions to reduce it.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.

Safety and immunogenicity of a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector vaccine candidate for Middle East respiratory syndrome: an open-label, phase 1 trial

BACKGROUND

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a respiratory disease with a case fatality rate of up to 35%. Given its potential to cause a public health emergency and the absence of efficacious drugs or vaccines, MERS is one of the WHO priority diseases warranting urgent research and development of countermeasures. We aimed to assess safety and tolerability of an anti-MERS-CoV modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based vaccine candidate that expresses the MERS-CoV spike glycoprotein, MVA-MERS-S, in healthy adults.

METHODS

This open-label, phase 1 trial was done at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany). Participants were healthy men and women aged 18-55 years with no clinically significant health problems as determined during medical history and physical examination, a body-mass index of 18·5-30·0 kg/m2 and weight of more than 50 kg at screening, and a negative pregnancy test for women. A key exclusion criterion was a previous MVA vaccination. For the prime immunisation, participants received doses of 1 × 107 plaque-forming unit (PFU; low-dose group) or 1 × 108 PFU (high-dose group) MVA-MERS-S intramuscularly. A second identical dose was administered intramuscularly as a booster immunisation 28 days after first injection. As a control group for immunogenicity analyses, blood samples were drawn at identical study timepoints from six healthy adults, who did not receive any injections. The primary objectives of the study were safety and tolerability of the two dosage levels and reactogenicity after administration. Immunogenicity was assessed as a secondary endpoint by ELISA and neutralisation tests. T-cell immunity was evaluated by interferon-γ-linked enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot assay. All participants who were vaccinated at least once were included in the safety analysis. Immunogenicity was analysed in the participants who completed 6 months of follow-up. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03615911, and EudraCT, 2014-003195-23 FINDINGS: From Dec 17, 2017, to June 5, 2018, 26 participants (14 in the low-dose group and 12 in the high-dose group) were enrolled and received the first dose of the vaccine according to their group allocation. Of these, 23 participants (12 in the low-dose group and 11 in the high-dose group) received a second dose of MVA-MERS-S according to their group allocation after a 28-day interval and completed follow-up. Homologous prime-boost immunisation with MVA-MERS-S revealed a benign safety profile with only transient mild-to-moderate reactogenicity. Participants had no severe or serious adverse events. 67 vaccine-related adverse events were reported in ten (71%) of 14 participants in the low-dose group, and 111 were reported in ten (83%) of 12 participants in the high-dose group. Solicited local reactions were the most common adverse events: pain was observed in 17 (65%; seven in the low-dose group vs ten in the high-dose group) participants, swelling in ten (38%; two vs eight) participants, and induration in ten (38%; one vs nine) participants. Headaches (observed in seven participants in the low-dose group vs nine in the high-dose group) and fatigue or malaise (ten vs seven participants) were the most common solicited systemic adverse events. All adverse events resolved swiftly (within 1-3 days) and without sequelae. Following booster immunisation, nine (75%) of 12 participants in the low-dose group and 11 (100%) participants in the high-dose group showed seroconversion using a MERS-CoV S1 ELISA at any timepoint during the study. Binding antibody titres correlated with MERS-CoV-specific neutralising antibodies (Spearman's correlation r=0·86 [95% CI 0·6960-0·9427], p=0·0001). MERS-CoV spike-specific T-cell responses were detected in ten (83%) of 12 immunised participants in the low-dose group and ten (91%) of 11 immunised participants in the high-dose group.

INTERPRETATION

Vaccination with MVA-MERS-S had a favourable safety profile without serious or severe adverse events. Homologous prime-boost immunisation induced humoral and cell-mediated responses against MERS-CoV. A dose-effect relationship was demonstrated for reactogenicity, but not for vaccine-induced immune responses. The data presented here support further clinical testing of MVA-MERS-S in larger cohorts to advance MERS vaccine development.

FUNDING

German Center for Infection Research.

Relapsing cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient requiring TNF-α-inhibitor Infliximab for Takayasu-arteritis: Case report and review of the literature

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic infection that can manifest as visceral or cutaneous disease. Immunosuppression, mainly through TNF-α) inhibition, is a risk factor for complicated leishmaniasis that is becoming increasingly known. Here, we present a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in a patient who suffers from advanced Takayasu-Arteritis, requiring TNF-α inhibition with infliximab. The primary CL lesions in this 47-year-old, female patient were caused by Leishmaniapanamensis and occurred after a touristic trip to Panama on her right foot. The lesions first resolved under treatment with liposomal amphotericin B. However, ten months later, the patient returned with relapsing lesions requiring further treatment. We discuss the challenges and risks of leishmaniasis in patients with TNF-α inhibition and the rare phenomenon of relapsing CL and the management hereof. We review published cases of CL associated with TNF-α inhibition. A growing body of evidence now suggests that especially CL (and visceral leishmaniasis (VL)) can be associated with TNF-α inhibition. The host response to leishmaniasis is of the Th1-type and TNF-α and interferon-gamma expression are crucial for disease control. Inversely, TNF-α inhibition can lead to complicated and relapsing progression of leishmanial infection. Therefore, we propose that CL and VL should be considered in at-risk patients receiving immunosuppressants.

Wound infection with Vibrio harveyi following a traumatic leg amputation after a motorboat propeller injury in Mallorca, Spain: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Vibrio spp. are aquatic bacteria that are ubiquitous in warm estuarine and marine environments, of which 12 species are currently known to cause infections in humans. So far, only five human infections with V. harveyi have been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 26-year old patient was transferred to our center by inter-hospital air transfer from Mallorca, Spain. Seven days before, he had suffered a complete amputation injury of his left lower leg combined with an open, multi-fragment, distal femur fracture after he had been struck by the propeller of a passing motorboat while snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea. On admission he was febrile; laboratory studies showed markedly elevated inflammatory parameters and antibiotic treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam was initiated. Physical examination showed a tender and erythematous amputation stump, so surgical revision was performed and confirmed a putrid infection with necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and the muscles. Tissue cultures subsequently grew V. harveyi with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 mg/L for ampicillin, and antibiotic treatment was switched to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Throughout the following days, the patient repeatedly had to undergo surgical debridement but eventually the infection could be controlled, and he was discharged.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first human infection with V. harveyi acquired in Spain and the second infection acquired in the Mediterranean Sea. This case suggests that physicians and microbiologists should be aware of the possibility of wound infections caused by Vibrio spp. acquired in the ocean environment, especially during hot summer months. Since Vibrio spp. preferentially grow at water temperatures above 18 °C, global warming is responsible for an abundance of these bacteria in coastal waters. This will likely lead to a worldwide increase in reports of Vibrio-associated diseases in the future.

Immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients presenting with acute AIDS-defining events (toxoplasmosis, Pneumocystis jirovecii-pneumonia): a prospective, randomized, open-label multicenter study (IDEAL-study)

BACKGROUND

To evaluate clinical outcomes after either immediate or deferred initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients, presenting late with pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) or toxoplasma encephalitis (TE).

METHODS

Phase IV, multicenter, prospective, randomized open-label clinical trial. Patients were randomized into an immediate therapy arm (starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 7 days after initiation of OI treatment) versus a deferred arm (starting ART after completing the OI-therapy). All patients were followed for 24 weeks. The rates of clinical progression (death, new or relapsing opportunistic infections (OI) and other grade 4 clinical endpoints) were compared, using a combined primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were hospitalization rates after completion of OI treatment, incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), virologic and immunological outcome, adherence to proteinase-inhibitor based antiretroviral therapy (ART) protocol and quality of life.

RESULTS

61 patients (11 patients suffering TE, 50 with PCP) were enrolled. No differences between the two therapy groups in all examined primary and secondary endpoints could be identified: immunological and virologic outcome was similar in both groups, there was no significant difference in the incidence of IRIS (11 and 10 cases), furthermore 9 events (combined endpoint of death, new/relapsing OI and grade 4 events) occurred in each group.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study supports the notion that immediate initiation of ART with a ritonavir-boosted proteinase-inhibitor and two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is safe and has no negative effects on incidence of disease progression or IRIS, nor on immunological and virologic outcomes or on quality of life.

Detectable Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)-Specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Following VSV-Ebola Virus Vaccination in Humans

In response to the Ebola virus (EBOV) crisis of 2013–2016, a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)–based EBOV vaccine was clinically tested (NCT02283099). A single-dose regimen of VSV-EBOV revealed a safe and immunogenic profile and demonstrated clinical efficacy. While EBOV-specific immune responses to this candidate vaccine have previously been investigated, limited human data on immunity to the VSV vector are available. Within the scope of a phase 1 study, we performed a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of adaptive immune responses to internal VSV proteins following VSV-EBOV immunization. While no preexisting immunity to the vector was observed, more than one-third of subjects developed VSV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses and antibodies.

Safety and efficacy of elvitegravir, dolutegravir, and raltegravir in a real-world cohort of treatment-naïve and -experienced patients

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare safety, efficacy and rates and reasons of discontinuation of the 3 currently approved integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) elvitegravir (EVG), dolutegravir (DTG), and raltegravir (RAL) in HIV-infected treatment-naïve and -experienced patients in a real-world cohort. One hundred four treatment-naïve patients were prescribed an INSTI-based combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)-regimen (first-line group) and 219 patients were switched to an INSTI-based cART-regimen from another treatment regimen (switch group) at our institution between May 2007 and December 2014. Twelve months after initiation of treatment, 92% of patients in the first-line group (EVG: 96%, n = 22/23; DTG: 92%, n = 34/37; RAL: 90%, n = 28/31) and 88% of patients in the switch group (EVG: 94%, n = 32/34; DTG: 90%, n = 69/77; RAL: 85%, n = 67/79) showed full virological suppression (viral load <50 copies/mL). Side effects of any kind occurred in 12% (n = 12/104) of patients in the first-line group, and 10% (n = 21/219) of patients in the switch group. In the switch group neuropsychiatric side effects (depression, vertigo, and sleep disturbances) occurred more frequently in patients treated with DTG (11%, n = 10) compared to the 2 other INSTI-based cART-regimen (EVG: 2%, n = 1; RAL: 1%, n = 1). Side effects only rarely led to discontinuation of treatment (first-line-group: 2%, n = 2/104; switch-group: 1%, n = 3/219). In this real-world setting, INSTI-based ART-regimens were highly efficacious with no significant differences between any of the 3 INSTIs. Overall, side effects were only rarely observed and generally mild in all subgroups. In light of a slightly higher incidence of vertigo and sleep disturbances in patients switched to DTG, awareness of the potential onset of psychiatric symptoms is warranted during follow-up in those patients.

[Management of seasonal influenza in 2017/2018 at a German tertiary-care hospital]

BACKGROUND

There are only few structured reports on inpatient management of a seasonal influenza epidemic.

OBJECTIVES

A systematic description of a seasonal influenza patient population at a German university hospital to improve risk stratification and clinical care.

METHODS

In this monocentric, retrospective observational study of the 2017/2018 influenza season at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, patients with confirmed influenza infection were included.

RESULTS

Of all influenza swabs performed in the emergency department, 24% (n = 162/676) were positive. A total of 255 patients (median age 66 years) had an influenza infection (influenza A n = 79, influenza B n = 176); 27 (15.3%) were nosocomial infections. Of the 179 (70.2%) patients that were hospitalized, 51 (20%) received intensive medical care. Patients with subsequent need for intensive care had an elevated CRP level (69.5 mg/dl [SD 62.8] vs. 141.7 [SD 127.2] mg/dl) at the time of influenza diagnosis and more frequent infiltrates in X‑ray/CT of the thorax (n = 43 [33.6%] vs. n = 43 [84.3%]). Antiviral therapy with oseltamivir was administered for 74 (29.0%) patients and 11 (6.1%) patients were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Of the 23 (9.0%) patients who died, only four of them had been vaccinated (trivalent). Those four had an influenza B infection.

CONCLUSION

The structured use of diagnostic tests (influenza PCR, X‑ray/CT chest and CRP) and antiviral therapy (oseltamivir) as well as targeted management of admission, intensive care capacities, and an increase in vaccination rates are important for improving patient care and optimizing the use of resources during seasonal influenza epidemics.

Histology and Serum Cytokine Responses in an Imported Rickettsia slovaca Infection, Germany

Rickettsia slovaca, a spotted fever group rickettsial pathogen, causes a syndrome consisting of scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy following tick bite. We analyzed the histologic skin reaction in the eschar, showing a prominent eosinophilic infiltration, as well as the presence of B lymphocytes and CD4- and CD8-positive T cells. Examination of the serum cytokine responses over time demonstrated an initial proinflammatory cytokine elevation followed by normalization.

Dynamic changes of circulating miRNAs induced by the Ebola virus vaccine VSV-EBOV

VSV-EBOV is a replication-competent Ebola virus (EBOV) vaccine, which was tested in clinical trials as response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak 2013-2016. It is the most advanced EBOV candidate currently in the licensure process. The experimental vaccine was again administered as response to outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, underlying molecular mechanisms that convey protection remain incompletely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known key regulators that influence gene expression on a post-transcriptional level. The miRNA-mediated control has emerged as a critical regulatory principle in the immune system, which strongly influences the balance of innate and adaptive immune responses by modulation of signaling pathways critical for differentiation of immune cells. We investigated expression levels of circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) in plasma from healthy vaccinees, as they may reflect cellular dynamics following VSV-EBOV immunization and additionally may serve as potential biomarkers for vaccine efficacy. As part of the WHO-led VEBCON consortium, we investigated safety and immunogenicity of VSV-EBOV in a phase I trial. A comprehensive analysis of expression levels on c-miRNAs from plasma samples following VSV-EBOV immunization (day 0, 1, 3 post vaccination) was conducted using RT-qPCR assays. Potential biological relevance was assessed using in silico analyses. Additionally, we correlated dynamics of miRNA expressions with our previously reported data on vaccine-induced antibody and cytokine responses and finally evaluated the prognostic power by generating ROC curves. We identified four promising miRNAs (hsa-miR-146a, hsa-miR-126, hsa-miR-199a, hsa-miR-484), showing a strong association with adaptive immune responses, exhibited favourable prognostic performance and are implicated in immunology-related functions. Our results provide evidence that miRNAs may serve as useful biomarkers for prediction of vaccine-induced immunogenicity. Furthermore, our unique data set provides insight into molecular mechanisms that underlie VSV-EBOV-mediated protective immune responses, which may help to decipher VSV-EBOV immune signature and accelerate strategic vaccine design or personalized approaches.

Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Endemic Mycoses Causing Pulmonary Disease

Systemic endemic mycoses cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in certain regions of the world and the real impact on global health is not well understood. Diagnosis and management remain challenging, especially in low-prevalence settings, where disease awareness is lacking. The main challenges include the variability of clinical presentation, the fastidious and slow-growing nature of the fungal pathogens, the paucity of diagnostic tests, and the lack of options and toxicity of antifungal drugs. Coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis are restricted to the Americas only, and while histoplasmosis and blastomycosis also occur predominantly in the Americas, these mycoses have also been reported on other continents, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Talaromycosis is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions in South-East Asia and southern China. Systemic endemic mycoses causing pulmonary disease are usually acquired via the airborne route by inhalation of fungal spores. Infections can range from asymptomatic or mild with flu-like illnesses to severe pulmonary or disseminated diseases. Skin involvement is frequent in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, and talaromycosis and manifests as localized lesions or diffuse nodules in disseminated disease, but can also occur with other endemic mycoses. Culture and/or characteristic histopathology from clinical samples is the diagnostic standard for endemic mycoses. Immunological assays are often not available for the diagnosis of most endemic mycoses and molecular amplification methods for the detection of fungal nucleic acids are not standardized at present. The first-line treatment for mild to moderate histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, and talaromycosis is itraconazole. Severe illness is treated with amphotericin B. Patients with severe coccidioidomycosis should receive fluconazole. Treatment duration depends on the specific endemic mycosis, the severity of disease, and the immune status of the patient, ranging between 6 weeks and lifelong treatment.