Pneumococcal pneumonia in HIV-infected patients by antiretroviral therapy periods

Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in immunocompromised patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with immunocompromised patients (ICPs) at particular risk. Therefore, guidelines recommend pneumococcal vaccination for these patients. However, guidelines are scarcely underpinned with references to incidence studies of IPD in this population. This, potentially results in unawareness of the importance of vaccination and low vaccination rates. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the incidence of IPD in ICPs.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed and Embase to identify studies in English published before December 6th, 2017 that included terms related to 'incidence', 'rate', 'pneumococcal', 'pneumoniae', 'meningitis', 'septicemia', or 'bacteremia'. We focused on patients with HIV, transplantation and chronic inflammatory diseases.

RESULTS

We included 45 studies in the systematic review reporting an incidence or rate of IPD, defined as isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from a normally sterile site. Random effects meta-analysis of 38 studies showed a pooled IPD incidence of 331/100,000 person years in patients with HIV in the late-antiretroviral treatment era in non-African countries, and 318/100,000 in African countries; 696 and 812/100,000 in patients who underwent an autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation, respectively; 465/100,000 in patients with a solid organ transplantation; and 65/100,000 in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. In healthy control cohorts, the pooled incidence was 10/100,000.

DISCUSSION

ICPs are at increased risk of contracting IPD, especially those with HIV, and those who underwent transplantation. Based on our findings, we recommend pneumococcal vaccination in immunocompromised patients.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

ID: CRD42016048438.

Burden of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia in adults across Europe: A literature review

BACKGROUND

The burden of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) among adults in Europe is poorly defined.

METHODS

Structured searches of PubMed were conducted to identify the incidence of pneumococcal CAP among adults across Europe.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rates for CAP was 68-7000 per 100,000 and the incidence in hospitalised CAP cases of all causes was 16-3581 per 100,000. In general the incidence of CAP increased consistently with age. Available data indicated higher burdens of pneumococcal CAP caused in groups with more comorbidities. Most cases of pneumococcal CAP (30%-78%) were caused by serotypes covered by PCV13 vaccine; the incidence of PCV13-related pneumonia decreased after the introduction of childhood vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a high burden adult pneumococcal CAP in Europe despite use of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities. CAP surveillance presented wide variations across Europe. Pneumococcal CAP has to be monitored very carefully due to the possible effect of current vaccination strategies.

HIV-related pneumococcal disease prevention in adults

INTRODUCTION

HIV-infected persons are particularly susceptible to the development of severe pneumococcal disease, even in the setting of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), due to slow, incomplete recovery of anti-pneumococcal host defenses. This risk is increased by avoidable aspects of lifestyle, particularly smoking, which intensify immunosuppression. Clearly, more effective preventive measures are needed to counter this threat. Areas covered: This is a detailed review of the published literature focusing on currently available strategies for prevention of pneumococcal infection in HIV-infected patients, including cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, cART, pneumococcal vaccination, and smoking cessation strategies. This is preceded by a consideration of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, risk factors, and outcome of pneumococcal disease. Expert commentary: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients, although there is inconsistent data on the preventive efficacy against pneumococcal infections. Some recent studies have documented unchanged incidences of IPD in adult patients in the cART era. With regard to pneumococcal vaccination, routine acceptance of the efficacy of the PCV13/PPV23 sequential administration prime-boost strategy awaits the outcome of clinical trials in those with HIV infection. Smoking cessation, and discontinuation of excessive alcohol consumption and intravenous drug abuse, are priority strategies to prevent severe pneumococcal infection.

Association of COPD With Risk for Pulmonary Infections Requiring Hospitalization in HIV-Infected Veterans

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary infections remain more common in HIV-infected (HIV+) compared with uninfected individuals. The increase in chronic lung diseases among aging HIV+ individuals may contribute to this persistent risk. We sought to determine whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for different pulmonary infections requiring hospitalization among HIV+ patients.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 41,993 HIV+ Veterans in the nationwide Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort from 1996 to 2009. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, we identified baseline comorbid conditions, including COPD, and incident community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) requiring hospitalization within 2 years after baseline. We used multivariable Poisson regression to determine incidence rate ratios (IRRs) associated with COPD for each type of pulmonary infection, adjusting for comorbidities, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, smoking status, substance use, vaccinations, and calendar year at baseline.

RESULTS

Unadjusted incidence rates of CAP, TB, and PCP requiring hospitalization were significantly higher among persons with COPD compared to those without COPD (CAP: 53.9 vs. 19.4 per 1000 person-years; TB: 8.7 vs. 2.8; PCP: 15.5 vs. 9.2; P ≤ 0.001). In multivariable Poisson regression models, COPD was independently associated with increased risk of CAP, TB, and PCP (IRR: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64 to 2.30; IRR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.70 to 3.97; and IRR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

COPD is an independent risk factor for CAP, TB, and PCP requiring hospitalization among HIV+ individuals. As the HIV+ population ages, the growing burden of COPD may confer substantial risk for pulmonary infections.

Pneumococcal vaccination among HIV-infected adult patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy

HIV-infected patients remain at higher risk for pneumococcal disease than the general population despite immune reconstitution and suppression of HIV replication with combination antiretroviral therapy. Vaccination with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) composed of T-cell-independent antigens has been recommended to reduce the risk of pneumococcal disease in HIV-infected adults. However, given the heterogeneity of study design, execution and subjects enrolled, studies examining serological responses to PPV23 yielded conflicting results and observational studies of clinical effectiveness only provided moderate evidence to support the routine use of PPV23 in HIV-infected adults. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), with conjugation of the capsular polysaccharide to a protein carrier, is more immunogenic than PPV23 and has been demonstrated to protect against pneumococcal disease in HIV-infected children and recurrent invasive pneumococcal disease in HIV-infected adolescents and adults. Guidelines have recently been revised to recommend that HIV-infected patients aged 19 y or older receive one dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) followed by a booster vaccination with PPV23. In this paper, we review the studies using different vaccination strategies to improve immunogenicity among HIV-infected adult patients.

Risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia in adults in Europe: a literature review

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) causes considerable morbidity and mortality in adults, particularly in the elderly.

Methods

Structured searches of PubMed were conducted to identify up-to-date information on the incidence of CAP in adults in Europe, as well as data on lifestyle and medical risk factors for CAP.

Results

The overall annual incidence of CAP in adults ranged between 1.07 to 1.2 per 1000 person-years and 1.54 to 1.7 per 1000 population and increased with age (14 per 1000 person-years in adults aged ≥65 years). Incidence was also higher in men than in women and in patients with chronic respiratory disease or HIV infection. Lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of CAP included smoking, alcohol abuse, being underweight, having regular contact with children and poor dental hygiene. The presence of comorbid conditions, including chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, dementia, dysphagia, HIV or chronic renal or liver disease all increased the risk of CAP by twofold to fourfold.

Conclusion

A range of lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of CAP in European adults. Understanding of the types of individual at greatest risk of CAP can help to ensure that interventions to reduce the risk of infection and burden of disease are targeted appropriately.

Increased risk of death in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children with pneumococcal meningitis in South Africa, 2003-2005

BACKGROUND

Pneumococcal disease is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated risk factors for mortality in children with pneumococcal meningitis and other invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD).

METHODS

The study population included patients <15 years of age with laboratory-confirmed IPD and available outcome data between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 as reported to a national laboratory-based surveillance program. Meningitis was defined by having pneumococcus identified from cerebrospinal fluid culture, while other IPD included patients with pneumococci identified from other normally sterile site specimens. Risk factors for mortality were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2251 patients with IPD were reported from sentinel sites: 581 with laboratory-confirmed meningitis and 1670 with other IPD. The case-fatality ratio was 35% (205/581) among meningitis cases and 18% (300/1670) among other IPD cases (P < 0.001). Among individuals with available human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status data, HIV coinfection was less likely among patients with meningitis compared with other IPD (74% [244/328] vs. 82% [880/1067] P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, HIV-infected status (odds ratio [OR]: 5.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.32-12.29), Pitt bacteremia score ≥4 (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.21-7.83) and age group <1 year (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.21-5.51) were independent predictors of death among patients with meningitis. Among children with other IPD, malnutrition was an independent predictor of death while HIV infection was not independently associated with increased risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with a high case-fatality ratio among South African children and this is increased by HIV coinfection. Increasing access to antiretroviral therapy and a catch-up program for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine among HIV-infected and malnourished children could reduce this excess mortality.

Impact of macrolide therapy on mortality of HIV-infected patients with community-acquired pneumonia in a tertiary teaching hospital

BACKGROUND

Bacterial pneumonia is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of macrolide therapy in combination with a beta-lactam based empiric regimen for inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia and HIV.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients. Adult patients who had received treatment with ceftriaxone or ceftriaxone plus clarithromycin were included.

RESULTS

76 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among baseline characteristics analyzed, only respiratory rate showed significant difference: patients who had received clarithromycin were more likely to have a respiratory rate > 30/min than patients who received only ceftriaxone (64% versus 36%, p = 0.03). ICU admission was the only outcome that showed a significant difference, more frequent in the ceftriaxone plus clarithromycin group (45% versus 20%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This study does not support the addition of a macrolide to a beta-lactam based regimen in HIV-infected patients. This is probably related to the patients' immunodeficiency status, which impairs the immunomodulatory properties of the macrolides.

A 5-year longitudinal follow-up study of serological responses to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination among patients with HIV infection who received highly active antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

Long-term antibody responses to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) among HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are rarely investigated.

METHODS

Antibody responses to three pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides [Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS) 14, 19F and 23F] were assessed among 169 HIV-infected patients who received HAART and 23-valent PPV. Patients were stratified into four groups according to CD4 count at vaccination: group 1, CD4<100 cells/microL (n=35); group 2, CD4 100-199 cells/microL (n=36); group 3, CD4 200-349 cells/microL (n=34); and group 4, CD4>or=350 cells/microL (n=64). The proportion of patients who achieved increases in antibody titres of twofold or greater from baseline values (responders) was compared among the four groups of patients for five consecutive years after vaccination.

RESULTS

The proportion of responders to the three serotypes was significantly lower among patients in group 1 compared with those in the other three groups during yearly follow-up. Much faster loss of antibody responses was observed in group 1, although the rate of decline varied with the serotypes studied in the four groups. Compared with the nonresponders, more responders had CD4 counts >100 cells/microL at vaccination and achieved better virological suppression throughout the 5-year period, while the absolute increases of CD4 cell counts after HAART were not statistically significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite continued increases in CD4 cell counts after HAART, the proportion of HIV-infected patients who maintained antibody responses to PPV declined significantly over the 5-year follow-up period, especially among those who had CD4 counts <100 cells/microL at vaccination and who failed to achieve virological suppression.

Trends in mortality and antibiotic resistance among HIV-infected patients with invasive pneumococcal disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to describe trends and risk factors for mortality and changes in antibiotic resistance, serotypes and clones among HIV-infected patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).

METHODS

A prospective study of 199 episodes of IPD occurring in a cohort of 4011 HIV-infected patients was carried out. Predictors of mortality included clinical and microbiological data. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) for children was introduced in late 2001. Time periods were classified for mortality studies as pre- (1986-1996), early (1997-2001) and late (2002-2007) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, and for serotype studies as pre-PCV7 (1986-2001) and PCV7 (2002-2007) era.

RESULTS

Of 199 IPD episodes, 71 (36%) occurred in HIV-infected patients with associated comorbidities (mainly liver cirrhosis; 52 of 71), which increased in recent years. The incidence of IPD decreased from the pre-HAART era to the early HAART era and then remained stable in the late HAART era (24.1, 8.4 and 7.4 episodes per 1000 patient-years, respectively). Rates of 30-day mortality have risen over the three periods (8, 19 and 25%, respectively; P = 0.017). In multiple logistic regression analysis, predictors of mortality were shock at presentation [odds ratio (OR) 7.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.05-23.87] and associated comorbidities (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.53-11.92). In the PCV7 era, IPD caused by non-PCV7 serotypes increased, and resistance to betalactams decreased. The most frequent genotypes were Spain(9V)-ST156, Spain(23F)-ST81, ST88(19F), Sweden(1)-ST304 and Spain(6B)-ST90.

CONCLUSIONS

In the late HAART era, the incidence of IPD has not significantly decreased. Mortality from IPD has risen in association with an increase in comorbidities such as liver cirrhosis. New vaccination strategies are needed to diminish the burden of IPD in the HIV-infected population.