[Responsibilities of Weaning Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak - Recommendations for the Assignment of ICU Capacities in COVID-19 Patients as shown by the Berlin-Brandenburg POST-SAVE-Model]

Follow-up SARS-CoV-2 serological study of a health care worker cohort following COVID-19 booster vaccination

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that Omicron breakthrough infections can occur at higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels compared to previous variants. Estimating the magnitude of immunological protection induced from COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection remains important due to varying local pandemic dynamics and types of vaccination programmes, particularly among at-risk populations such as health care workers (HCWs). We analysed a follow-up SARS-CoV-2 serological survey of HCWs at a tertiary COVID-19 referral hospital in Germany following the onset of the Omicron variant.

METHODS

The serological survey was conducted in January 2022, one year after previous surveys in 2020 and the availability of COVID-19 boosters including BNT162b2, ChAdOx1-S, and mRNA-1273. HCWs voluntarily provided blood for serology and completed a comprehensive questionnaire. SARS-CoV-2 serological analyses were performed using an Immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody levels were reported according to HCW demographic and occupational characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection history, and multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate these associations.

RESULTS

In January 2022 (following the fourth COVID-19 wave in Germany including the onset of the Omicron variant), 1482/1517 (97.7%) HCWs tested SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, compared to 4.6% in December 2020 (second COVID-19 wave). Approximately 80% had received three COVID-19 vaccine doses and 15% reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 IgG geometric mean titres ranged from 335 (95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 258-434) among those vaccinated twice and without previous infection to 2204 (95% CI: 1919-2531) among those vaccinated three times and with previous infection. Heterologous COVID-19 vaccination combinations including a mRNA-1273 booster were significantly associated with the highest IgG antibody levels compared to other schemes. There was an 8-to 10-fold increase in IgG antibody levels among 31 HCWs who reported a SARS-CoV-2 infection in May 2020 to January 2022 after COVID-19 booster vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the importance of ongoing COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies in the context of variants such as Omicron and despite hybrid immunity from previous SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly for at-risk populations such as HCWs. Where feasible, effective types of booster vaccination, such as mRNA vaccines, and the appropriate timing of administration should be carefully considered.

Analyse des Weaningprozesses bei Intensivpatienten im Hinblick auf Dokumentation und Verlegung in weiterbehandelnde Einheiten

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Die Entwöhnung von Beatmungsgeräten wird nicht immer auf der primär behandelnden Intensivstation abgeschlossen. Die Weiterverlegung in andere Behandlungseinrichtungen stellt einen sensiblen Abschnitt in der Behandlung und Rehabilitation des Weaningpatienten dar. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Untersuchung des Überleitungsmanagements und des Interhospitaltransfers von Weaningpatienten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Dokumentationsqualität.

Methodik

Es erfolge eine retrospektive Datenanalyse eines Jahrs (2018) auf 2 Intensivstationen eines Universitätsklinikums. Eingeschlossen wurden alle beatmeten Patienten mit folgenden Tracerdiagnosen: COPD, Asthma, Polytrauma, Pneumonie, Sepsis, ARDS und Reanimation (Beatmung > 24 h).

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 750 Patienten in die Untersuchung eingeschlossen werden (Alter 64 [52, 8–76; Median, IQR]; 32 % weiblich). Davon waren 48 (6,4 %) Patienten zum Zeitpunkt der Verlegung nicht entwöhnt (v. a. Sepsis und ARDS). Die Routinedokumentation war bei den Abschnitten „Spontaneous Breathing Trial“, „Bewertung der Entwöhungsbereitschaft“ und „vermutete Entwöhnbarkeit“ ausreichend, um die Erfüllung der Parameter der S2k-Leitlinie „Prolongiertes Weaning“ adäquat zu beurteilen. Vorwiegend wurden diese Patienten mit Tracheostoma (76 %) in Rehabilitationskliniken (44 %) mittels spezialisierten Rettungsmitteln des arztbegleiteten Patiententransports verlegt (75 %).

Diskussion

Die Verlegung nicht entwöhnter Patienten nach initialem Intensivaufenthalt ist ein relevantes Thema für den Interhospitaltransfer. Die Routinedokumentation eines strukturierten Weaningprozesses ist in Kernelementen ausreichend, um den Weaningprozess lückenlos zu beschreiben. Dies ist für die Kontinuität in der Weiterbehandlung dieser Patienten von großer Bedeutung.

Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological investigation among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in Germany

Background

SARS-CoV-2 cases in Germany increased in early March 2020. By April 2020, cases among health care workers (HCW) were detected across departments at a tertiary care hospital in Berlin, prompting a longitudinal investigation to assess HCW SARS-CoV-2 serostatus with an improved testing strategy and associated risk factors.

Methods

In May/June and December 2020, HCWs voluntarily provided blood for serology and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) samples for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and completed a questionnaire. A four-tiered SARS-CoV-2 serological testing strategy including two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and biological neutralization test (NT) was used. ELISA-NT correlation was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Sociodemographic and occupational factors associated with seropositivity were assessed with multivariate logistic regression.

Results

In May/June, 18/1477 (1.2%) HCWs were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, followed by 56/1223 (4.6%) in December. Among those tested in both, all seropositive in May/June remained seropositive by ELISA and positive by NT after 6 months. ELISA ratios correlated well with NT titres in May/June (R = 0.79) but less so in December (R = 0.41). Those seropositive reporting a past SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR result increased from 44.4% in May/June to 85.7% in December. HCWs with higher occupational risk (based on profession and working site), nurses, males, and those self-reporting COVID-19-like symptoms had significantly higher odds of seropositivity.

Conclusions

This investigation provides insight into the burden of HCW infection in this local outbreak context and the antibody dynamics over time with an improved robust testing strategy. It also highlights the continued need for effective infection control measures particularly among HCWs with higher occupational risk.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07057-3.

Clinical and virological characteristics of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in a German tertiary care centre during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a prospective observational study

Purpose

Adequate patient allocation is pivotal for optimal resource management in strained healthcare systems, and requires detailed knowledge of clinical and virological disease trajectories. The purpose of this work was to identify risk factors associated with need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), to analyse viral kinetics in patients with and without IMV and to provide a comprehensive description of clinical course.

Methods

A cohort of 168 hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients enrolled in a prospective observational study at a large European tertiary care centre was analysed.

Results

Forty-four per cent (71/161) of patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Shorter duration of symptoms before admission (aOR 1.22 per day less, 95% CI 1.10–1.37, p < 0.01) and history of hypertension (aOR 5.55, 95% CI 2.00–16.82, p < 0.01) were associated with need for IMV. Patients on IMV had higher maximal concentrations, slower decline rates, and longer shedding of SARS-CoV-2 than non-IMV patients (33 days, IQR 26–46.75, vs 18 days, IQR 16–46.75, respectively, p < 0.01). Median duration of hospitalisation was 9 days (IQR 6–15.5) for non-IMV and 49.5 days (IQR 36.8–82.5) for IMV patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a short duration of symptoms before admission as a risk factor for severe disease that merits further investigation and different viral load kinetics in severely affected patients. Median duration of hospitalisation of IMV patients was longer than described for acute respiratory distress syndrome unrelated to COVID-19.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s15010-021-01594-w.

SARS-CoV-2 in severe COVID-19 induces a TGF-β-dominated chronic immune response that does not target itself

The pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 reflects an inefficient immune reaction to SARS-CoV-2. Here we analyze, at the single cell level, plasmablasts egressed into the blood to study the dynamics of adaptive immune response in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care. Before seroconversion in response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, peripheral plasmablasts display a type 1 interferon-induced gene expression signature; however, following seroconversion, plasmablasts lose this signature, express instead gene signatures induced by IL-21 and TGF-β, and produce mostly IgG1 and IgA1. In the sustained immune reaction from COVID-19 patients, plasmablasts shift to the expression of IgA2, thereby reflecting an instruction by TGF-β. Despite their continued presence in the blood, plasmablasts are not found in the lungs of deceased COVID-19 patients, nor does patient IgA2 binds to the dominant antigens of SARS-CoV-2. Our results thus suggest that, in severe COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 triggers a chronic immune reaction that is instructed by TGF-β, and is distracted from itself.

Preventing SARS-CoV-2 In-Hospital Infections in Cardiovascular Patients and Medical Staff: An Observational Study From the German Heart Center Berlin

Objective: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Preventing in-hospital infections is crucial to protect patients and hospital staff.

Methods: At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the German Heart Center initiated obligatory wearing of surgical face masks for patients and employees, SARS-CoV-2 screening for all patients, and symptom-based testing for employees. In addition, access restriction, closure of outpatient departments, and postponing non-urgent procedures were implemented with community-initiated regulations.

Results: During the observation period (03/16/2020–04/27/2020), 1,128 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed in 983 persons (1.1 tests/person; 589 in patients and 394 in hospital employees). Up to 60% of the clinical workforce was tested based on symptoms and risk (62.5% symptoms, 19.3% direct or indirect contact to known COVID-19, 4.5% returnee from risk area, 13.7% without specific reason). Patient testing for SARS-CoV-2 was obligatory (100% tested). The overall prevalence of positive tests during the observation period was 0.4% (n = 5 out of 1,128 tests performed). The incidence of new infections with SARS-CoV-2 was 0.5% (n = 5 out of 983 individuals; three healthcare workers, two patients). No nosocominal infections occurred, despite a mean number of 14.8 in-hospital contacts.

Conclusion: Comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 testing and surgical face masks for patients and hospital staff, in addition to others measures, are key factors for the early detection of COVID-19 and to prevent spreading in the vulnerable hospital population.

Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals Extend ICU Capacity for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented novel challenges for the entire health-care continuum, requiring transformative changes to hospital and post-acute care, including clinical, administrative, and physical modifications to current standards of operations. Innovative use and adaptation of long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) can safely and effectively care for patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A framework for the rapid changes, including increasing collaboration with external health-care organizations, creating new methods for enhanced communication, and modifying processes focused on patient safety and clinical outcomes, is described for a network of 94 LTACHs. When managed and modified correctly, LTACHs can play a vital role in managing the national health-care pandemic crisis.