Corticosteroids and superinfections in COVID-19 patients on invasive mechanical ventilation

Efficacy and Safety of Corticosteroid Therapy for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized, Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we aimed to assess the effect of corticosteroids on all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with CAP.

METHODS

For this meta-analysis and meta-regression, we conducted a systematic search of trials that evaluated the effect of corticosteroid therapy in patients hospitalized with CAP through March 2023. We included randomized, controlled trials, comparing adjunctive corticosteroid therapy with the standard of care alone for treatment of patients hospitalized with CAP and reporting all-cause mortality. We excluded retrospective analyses, observational data, and trial protocols. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days after hospital admission. The safety analysis included the frequency of adverse events and steroid-associated adverse events.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 35 713 citations, of which 15 studies and 3367 patients were eligible for the final analysis. The all-cause mortality at 30 days was significantly lower in the corticosteroid group (104 of 1690, 6.15%) than in the control group (152 of 1677, 9.06%; risk ratio [RR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], .53 to .85; P = .001; I2 = 0%). In 9 studies (2549 patients) that reported the occurrence of adverse events, corticosteroid therapy was not associated with an increased risk of developing any adverse event compared with standard care (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, .65 to 1.24; P = .5; I2 = 88%).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjunctive systemic corticosteroid therapy in patients hospitalized with CAP was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality by day 30. The benefits were more pronounced in patients with severe pneumonia.

Relationship between steroid use and superinfections in SARS-CoV-2 patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The use of steroids has been proposed as a pharmacological approach to treat the SARS-CoV-2 infection to improve outcomes. However, there are doubts about safety against the development of superinfections and their worse outcomes. Objective: To establish the relative frequency of superinfection associated with using steroids in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis using PRISMA standards in 5 databases (PubMed/Scopus/Cochrane/EMBASE/Google Scholar). The search was carried out between February 2020 and May 2023. The search terms were 'steroids' or 'superinfection' 'and' followed by 'SARS-CoV-2' or 'COVID-19'. Results: We found 77 studies, but only 10 with 3539 patients were included in the systematic review. All patients developed severe disease. The documented OR for superinfection through the meta-analysis was 1.437 (95% IC 0.869-2.378) with a p-value of 0.158 without showing a risk attributed to steroids and the development of superinfections. In the Funnel-plot analysis, no publication biases were found. Conclusion: No relationship was found between using steroids and superinfection in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

The impact of immunosuppressive therapy on secondary infections and antimicrobial use in COVID-19 inpatients: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive therapies have become a cornerstone of the management of severe COVID-19. The impact of these therapies on secondary infections and antimicrobial prescribing remains unclear. We sought to assess antimicrobial use and the incidence of bacterial and fungal infections in patients with severe COVID-19, and to explore their associations with receipt of immunosuppressive therapies.

METHODS

Our retrospective cohort study included 715 hospitalised, adult patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to St George's Hospital, London, UK, during the first UK pandemic wave (1st March-10th June 2020). Co-infections (occurring within 48 h of admission) and secondary infections (≥ 48 h) were defined as a positive microbiological culture with supporting clinical, radiological or laboratory data to suggest true infection. Cox regression models with time-dependent covariates were used to explore the association between immunosuppressant use and secondary infection.

RESULTS

Microbiologically confirmed co-infection occurred in 4.2% (n = 30) and secondary infection in 9.3% (n = 66) of the cohort (n = 715) and were associated with in-hospital mortality (48% vs 35%, OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1-2.7, p = 0.01). Respiratory (n = 41, 39%) and bloodstream infections (n = 38, 36%) predominated, with primarily Gram-negative pathogens. 606 (84.7%) patients received an antimicrobial, amounting to 742 days of therapy per 1000 patient-days (DOTs). In multivariable models, receipt of high-dose steroids (≥ 30 mg prednisolone or equivalent) or tocilizumab was significantly associated with increased antimicrobial consumption (+ 5.5 DOTs, 95%CI 3.4-7.7 days) but not secondary infection (HR 0.56, 95%CI 0.26-1.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Bacterial and fungal infections in severe COVID-19 were uncommon. Receipt of steroids or tocilizumab was independently associated with antimicrobial consumption despite its lack of association with secondary infection. These findings should galvanise efforts to promote antimicrobial stewardship in patients with COVID-19.

Effect of glucocorticoids on the development of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: A meta-analysis of 21 studies and 5174 patients

COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) remains a high mortality mycotic infection throughout the pandemic, and glucocorticoids (GC) may be its root cause. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of systemic GC treatment on the development of CAPA. We systematically searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase databases to collect eligible studies published until 31 December 2022. The pooled outcome of CAPA development was calculated as the log odds ratio (LOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random effect model. A total of 21 studies with 5174 patients were included. Of these, 20 studies with 4675 patients consisting of 2565 treated with GC but without other immunomodulators (GC group) and 2110 treated without GC or other immunomodulators (controls) were analysed. The pooled LOR of CAPA development was higher for the GC group than for the controls (0.54; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.86; p < .01). In the subgroups, the pooled LOR was higher for high-dose GC (0.90; 95% CI: 0.17, 1.62: p = .01) and dexamethasone (0.71; 95% CI: 0.35, 1.07; p < .01) but had no significant difference for low-dose GC (0.41; 95% CI: -0.07, 0.89; p = .09), and non-dexamethasone GC (0.21; 95% CI: -0.36, 0.79; p = .47), treated patients versus controls. GC treatment increases the risk of CAPA development, and this risk is particularly associated with the use of high-dose GC or dexamethasone treatment.

Distinct temporal trajectories and risk factors for Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background

The understanding of Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) can be improved by longitudinal assessment of symptoms encompassing the acute illness period. To gain insight into the various disease trajectories of PASC, we assessed symptom evolution and clinical factors associated with the development of PASC over 3 months, starting with the acute illness period.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study to identify parameters associated with PASC. We performed cluster and case control analyses of clinical data, including symptomatology collected over 3 months following infection.

Results

We identified three phenotypic clusters associated with PASC that could be characterized as remittent, persistent, or incident based on the 3-month change in symptom number compared to study entry: remittent (median; min, max: -4; -17, 3), persistent (-2; -14, 7), or incident (4.5; -5, 17) (p = 0.041 remittent vs. persistent, p < 0.001 remittent vs. incident, p < 0.001 persistent vs. incident). Despite younger age and lower hospitalization rates, the incident phenotype had a greater number of symptoms (15; 8, 24) and a higher proportion of participants with PASC (63.2%) than the persistent (6; 2, 9 and 52.2%) or remittent clusters (1; 0, 6 and 18.7%). Systemic corticosteroid administration during acute infection was also associated with PASC at 3 months [OR (95% CI): 2.23 (1.14, 4.36)].

Conclusion

An incident disease phenotype characterized by symptoms that were absent during acute illness and the observed association with high dose steroids during acute illness have potential critical implications for preventing PASC.

Remdesivir or Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Therapy for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hematological Patients and Cell Therapy Recipients

BACKGROUND

Scarce data exist that analyze the outcomes of hematological patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron variant period who received treatment with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.

METHODS

This study aims to address this issue by using a retrospective observational registry, created by the Spanish Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group, spanning from 27 December 2021 to 30 April 2023.

RESULTS

This study included 466 patients, 243 (52%) who were treated with remdesivir and 223 (48%) with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was primarily used for mild cases, resulting in a lower COVID-19-related mortality rate (1.3%), while remdesivir was preferred for moderate to severe cases (40%), exhibiting a higher mortality rate (9%). A multivariate analysis in the remdesivir cohort showed that male gender (odds ratio (OR) 0.35, p = 0.042) correlated with a lower mortality risk, while corticosteroid use (OR 9.4, p < 0.001) and co-infection (OR 2.8, p = 0.047) were linked to a higher mortality risk. Prolonged virus shedding was common, with 52% of patients shedding the virus for more than 25 days. In patients treated with remdesivir, factors associated with prolonged shedding included B-cell malignancy as well as underlying disease, severe disease, a later onset of and shorter duration of remdesivir treatment and a higher baseline viral load. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir demonstrated a comparable safety profile to remdesivir, despite a higher risk of drug interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir proved to be a safe and effective option for treating mild cases in the outpatient setting, while remdesivir was preferred for severe cases, where corticosteroids and co-infection significantly predicted worse outcomes. Despite antiviral therapy, prolonged shedding remains a matter of concern.

COVID-19 associated bacterial infections in intensive care unit: a case control study

We described the secondary bacterial infections (SBI) among COVID-19 patients in comparison with non-COVID-19 patients. We performed a retrospective case-control study between January 01, 2020 and April 01, 2022. Including the adult patients, who stayed ≥ 72 h in intensive care unit (ICU). In total 405 patients were included, 135 had (33.3%) COVID-19, with similar age and gender. The length of stay in ICU was not different (11.4 vs 8.2, p = 0.109), however mean intubation days were higher among COVID-19 cases (6.5 vs 3.8, p = 0.005), SBI were more common among COVID-19 cases (34% vs 10.7%, p < 0.001). Among the patients with pneumonia, the rate of gram-positive bacteria was higher in COVID-19 group than the control group (39% vs 5%, p = 0.006). The predictors for SBI were having COVID-19 (OR: 2.3, Cl 1.25-4.32, p = 0.008), days of intubation (OR: 1.05, Cl 1.01-1.10, p = 0.004), and being male (OR: 2, Cl 1.12-3.58, p = 0.018). The predictors of mortality were COVID-19 (OR: 2.38, Cl 1.28-4.42, p = 0.006), days of intubation (OR: 1.06, Cl 1.03-1.09, p < 0.001), active hematologic malignancy (OR: 3.1, Cl: 1.33-7.28, p = 0.09), active solid tumors (OR: 2.44, Cl 1.21-4.91, p = 0.012), and coronary artery diseases (OR: 1.8, Cl 1.01-3.52, p = 0.045). The most common SBI in COVID-19 patients were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. No carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales related infections were detected in COVID-19 patients.

Corticosteroids in COVID-19: pros and cons

The wide and rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unanticipated burden on the global healthcare sector. This necessitated a swift response from the international community to reach a solution. Efforts were made in parallel to develop preventative and therapeutic modalities. Since then, drug repurposing has blossomed as a potentially rapid resolution and has included various agents with anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Corticosteroids, being potent anti-inflammatory agents, have been placed under extensive investigation. Various trials have recorded the beneficial outcome of corticosteroids in decreasing the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19. With the high pace of escalating events, the quality and study design of clinical trials are varied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of corticosteroids in COVID-19 disease. It inspects the molecular, pharmacologic, and clinical proof behind this theory.

Dexamethasone attenuates interferon-related cytokine hyperresponsiveness in COVID-19 patients

Background

Dexamethasone improves the survival of COVID-19 patients in need of supplemental oxygen therapy. Although its broad immunosuppressive effects are well-described, the immunological mechanisms modulated by dexamethasone in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 remain to be elucidated.

Objective

We combined functional immunological assays and an omics-based approach to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of dexamethasone in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients eligible for dexamethasone therapy were recruited from the general care ward between February and July, 2021. Whole blood transcriptomic and targeted plasma proteomic analyses were performed before and after starting dexamethasone treatment. PBMCs were isolated from healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients and stimulated with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo in the presence or absence of dexamethasone and transcriptome and cytokine responses were assessed.

Results

Dexamethasone efficiently inhibited SARS-CoV-2-induced in vitro expression of chemokines and cytokines in PBMCs at the transcriptional and protein level. Dexamethasone treatment in COVID-19 patients resulted in down-regulation of genes related to type I and II interferon (IFN) signaling in whole blood immune cells. In addition, dexamethasone attenuated circulating concentrations of secreted interferon-stimulating gene 15 (ISG15) and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines correlating with disease severity and lethal outcomes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif ligand 8 (CXCL8), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10). In PBMCs from COVID-19 patients that were stimulated ex vivo with multiple pathogens or Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, dexamethasone efficiently inhibited cytokine responses.

Conclusion

We describe the anti-inflammatory impact of dexamethasone on the pathways contributing to cytokine hyperresponsiveness observed in severe manifestations of COVID-19, including type I/II IFN signaling. Dexamethasone could have adverse effects in COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms by inhibiting IFN responses in early stages of the disease, whereas it exhibits beneficial effects in patients with severe clinical phenotypes by efficiently diminishing cytokine hyperresponsiveness.

Superinfections in COVID-19 patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

BACKGROUND

The risk of superinfections and associations with mortality among patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is poorly elucidated.

METHOD

We identified all patients with COVID-19 treated with VV-ECMO >24 h at Rigshospitalet, Denmark from March 2020 to December 2021. Data were obtained by review of medical files. Associations between superinfections and mortality were assessed by logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex and age.

RESULTS

Fifty patients, median age 53 years (interquartile range [IQR] 45-59), 66% male, were included. Median time on VV-ECMO was 14.5 days (IQR 6.3-23.5), 42% were discharged from hospital alive. Bacteremia, ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), invasive candidiasis, pulmonary aspergillosis, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were detected in 38%, 42%, 12%, 12%, 14%, and 20% of patients, respectively. No patients with pulmonary aspergillosis survived. CMV was associated with increased risk of death, odds ratio 12.6 (95% confidence interval 1.9-257, p = .05), whereas we found no associations between other superinfections and risk of death.

CONCLUSION

Bacteremia and VAP are common but does not seem to affect mortality, whereas pulmonary aspergillosis and CMV are associated with poor prognosis among COVID-19 patients treated with VV-ECMO.

Orbital Apex Syndrome caused by invasive aspergillosis in patient with post-Covid-19 infection - A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Orbital Apex Syndrome (OAS) are characterized by multiple symptoms, such as impaired eye movement, periorbital pain, and visual disturbance. AS symptoms may be caused by inflammation, infection, neoplasm, or a vascular lesion, potentially involving a variety of nerves, such as the optic, oculomotor, trochlear or abducens, or the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. However, OAS caused by invasive aspergillosis in post-COVID patient is a very rare phenomenon.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 43-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension who had recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection developed blurred vision on the left eye field, followed by impaired vision on left eye field for 2 months then retro-orbital pain for a further 3 months. The blurring of vision and headache developed soon after recovering from COVID-19 and was progressive in left eye field. He denied any symptoms of diplopia, scalp tenderness, weight loss, or jaw claudication. The patient was treated with IV methylprednisolone for 3 days with as diagnosis of optic neuritis, followed by a course of oral corticosteroid therapy (prednisolone, starting at 60 mg for 2 days and then tapered for 1 month), which produced transient relief of symptoms that recurred when prednisone was discontinued. Then repeat MRI was perform with no evidence of lesion; treated again in a line of optic neuritis and symptoms relief transiently. After reoccurrence of symptoms repeat MRI was perform which showed a heterogeneously enhancing intermediate signal intensity lesion in the left orbital apex. The lesion was encasing and compressing the left optic nerve, without abnormal signal intensity or contrast enhancement within the left optic nerve either proximal or distal to the lesion. The lesion was contiguous with focal asymmetric enhancement in the left cavernous sinus. No inflammatory changes were seen in the orbital fat.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

OAS due to invasive fungal infection is uncommon and most often caused by Mucorales spp., or Aspergillus, particularly in those with immunocompromising conditions or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. In OAS due to Aspergillosis urgent treatment is necessary to avoid complications such as complete vision loss and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

OASs, represent a heterogenous group of disorders that results from a number of etiologies. OAS in a background of COVID-19 pandemic can be due to invasive Aspergillus infection as in our patient without any systemic illness and lead to miss diagnosis and delay in proper treatment.

Impact of Dexamethasone on the Pathogen Profile of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

BACKGROUND

Even though several therapeutic options are available, COVID-19 is still lacking a specific treatment regimen. One potential option is dexamethasone, which has been established since the early beginnings of the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine its effects on the microbiological findings in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

A multi-center, retrospective study was conducted, in which all the adult patients who had a laboratory-confirmed (PCR) SARS-CoV-2 infection and were treated on intensive care units in one of twenty hospitals of the German Helios network between February 2020-March 2021 were included. Two cohorts were formed: patients who received dexamethasone and those who did not, followed by two subgroups according to the application of oxygen: invasive vs. non-invasive.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 1.776 patients, 1070 of whom received dexamethasone, and 517 (48.3%) patients with dexamethasone were mechanically ventilated, compared to 350 (49.6%) without dexamethasone. Ventilated patients with dexamethasone were more likely to have any pathogen detection than those without (p < 0.026; OR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.04-1.91). A significantly higher risk for the respiratory detection of Klebsiella spp. (p = 0.016; OR = 1.68 95% CI 1.10-2.57) and for Enterobacterales (p = 0.008; OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.12-2.19) was found for the dexamethasone cohort. Invasive ventilation was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (p < 0.01; OR = 6.39; 95% CI 4.71-8.66). This risk increased significantly in patients aged 80 years or older by 3.3-fold (p < 0.01; OR = 3.3; 95% CI 2.02-5.37) when receiving dexamethasone.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the decision to treat COVID-19 patients with dexamethasone should be a matter of careful consideration as it involves risks and bacterial shifts.

COVID-19 Management Strategies in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Solid organ transplant recipients are at high risk of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). If left untreated, it results in high rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death. Early diagnosis of COVID-19 is essential to ensure the early administration of therapeutics. Treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 with remdesivir, ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir, or an anti-spike neutralizing monoclonal antibody may prevent progression to severe and critical COVID-19. Among patients with severe and critical COVID-19, treatment with intravenous remdesivir and immunomodulation is recommended. This review article discusses strategies in the management of solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19.

Managing the Next Wave of Influenza and/or SARS-CoV-2 in the ICU—Practical Recommendations from an Expert Group for CAPA/IAPA Patients

The aim of this study was to establish practical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of influenza-associated invasive aspergillosis (IAPA) based on the available evidence and experience acquired in the management of patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). The CAPA/IAPA expert group defined 14 areas in which recommendations would be made. To search for evidence, the PICO strategy was used for both CAPA and IAPA in PubMed, using MeSH terms in combination with free text. Based on the results, each expert developed recommendations for two to three areas that they presented to the rest of the group in various meetings in order to reach consensus. As results, the practical recommendations for the management of CAPA/IAPA patients have been grouped into 12 sections. These recommendations are presented for both entities in the following situations: when to suspect fungal infection; what diagnostic methods are useful to diagnose these two entities; what treatment is recommended; what to do in case of resistance; drug interactions or determination of antifungal levels; how to monitor treatment effectiveness; what action to take in the event of treatment failure; the implications of concomitant corticosteroid administration; indications for the combined use of antifungals; when to withdraw treatment; what to do in case of positive cultures for Aspergillus spp. in a patient with severe viral pneumonia or Aspergillus colonization; and how to position antifungal prophylaxis in these patients. Available evidence to support the practical management of CAPA/IAPA patients is very scarce. Accumulated experience acquired in the management of CAPA patients can be very useful for the management of IAPA patients. The expert group presents eminently practical recommendations for the management of CAPA/IAPA patients.

An overview on the treatments and prevention against COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to plague the world. While COVID-19 is asymptomatic in most individuals, it can cause symptoms like pneumonia, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), and death in others. Although humans are currently being vaccinated with several COVID-19 candidate vaccines in many countries, however, the world still is relying on hygiene measures, social distancing, and approved drugs.

RESULT

There are many potential therapeutic agents to pharmacologically fight COVID-19: antiviral molecules, recombinant soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, corticosteroids, interferon therapies, and herbal agents. By an understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 structure and its infection mechanisms, several vaccine candidates are under development and some are currently in various phases of clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

This review describes potential therapeutic agents, including antiviral agents, biologic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and herbal agents in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. In addition to reviewing the vaccine candidates that entered phases 4, 3, and 2/3 clinical trials, this review also discusses the various platforms that are used to develop the vaccine COVID-19.

The impact of bacterial superinfections on the outcome of critically ill patients with COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - a single-centre, observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Bacterial superinfections are common in severely ill COVID-19 patients and could be associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We assessed 29 critically ill patients treated in a university hospital's intensive care unit (ICU). Each patient required mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Fifteen patients who required venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support (ECMO group) were compared to a control group (CON group) of 14 individuals without ECMO. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of superinfection in both studied groups. Moreover, we evaluated mortality, length of stay in the ICU, positive culture results, antibiotics used during treatment, and the impact of immunomodulatory drugs on secondary infections.

RESULTS

We did not find a difference in the number of superinfections between the ECMO and CON groups (11 vs. 10, P = 1.0). The mortality rate was 67% in the ECMO group and 64% in the CON group ( P = 1.0). The patients in both groups had similar numbers of positive culture results and days in the ICU prior to the detection of a positive culture. Antibiotics were administered to ten patients in the ECMO and eight patients in the CON group. The mortality rate was 81% in patients with superinfection versus 25% in those without co-infection ( P = 0.009). We found a negative impact of urea concentration on mortality in our cohort, with an odds ratio of 0.942 (0.891-0.996, P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that bacterial superinfection in COVID-19 patients negatively impacted survival in the ICU. VV-ECMO support in COVID-19 patients does not seem to improve the outcomes of patients with severe ARDS.

A Clinical Case of Nosocomial Pneumonia as a Complication of COVID-19: How to Balance Benefits and Risks of Immunosuppressive Therapy?

We report a Russian case of a 61-year-old male patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection who developed nosocomial pneumonia complicated by lung abscess associated with multi-drug-resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, which could have been provoked due to the immunosuppressive therapy. We discuss the existing literature highlighting the issue of the prudent balance between benefits and risks when prescribing immunomodulators to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 due to the risk of difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Currently, there is evidence of a substantial positive effect of dexamethasone on the course of COVID-19 in patients requiring supplemental oxygen or anti-interleukin-6 drugs in individuals with prominent systemic inflammation. However, it seems that in real clinical practice, the proposed criteria for initiating treatment with immunomodulators are interpreted arbitrarily, and the doses of dexamethasone can significantly exceed those recommended.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NET) and SARS-CoV-2

NETosis is a type of neutrophil extinction that outcome in the liberation of extracellular chromatin and protein accumulation, which contains antiviral proteins, produced by an external pathogen. Neutrophils can show bipolar action in special circumstances. This event, along with other circumstances, involves COVID-19. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 by creating a pro-inflammatory and pre-coagulation state that leads to numerous organ losses. This form of host defense, which is promoted by neutrophils, is closely related to the known cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 patients. Hence, these two elements reveal possibly the treatment of the target for SARS-CoV-2 infections intense.

Relationship between corticosteroid use and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective multicenter study

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is common in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The aim of this ancillary analysis of the coVAPid multicenter observational retrospective study is to assess the relationship between adjuvant corticosteroid use and the incidence of VAP.

Methods

Planned ancillary analysis of a multicenter retrospective European cohort in 36 ICUs. Adult patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were consecutively included between February and May 2020. VAP diagnosis required strict definition with clinical, radiological and quantitative microbiological confirmation. We assessed the association of VAP with corticosteroid treatment using univariate and multivariate cause-specific Cox’s proportional hazard models with adjustment on pre-specified confounders.

Results

Among the 545 included patients, 191 (35%) received corticosteroids. The proportional hazard assumption for the effect of corticosteroids on the incidence of VAP could not be accepted, indicating that this effect varied during ICU stay. We found a non-significant lower risk of VAP for corticosteroid-treated patients during the first days in the ICU and an increased risk for longer ICU stay. By modeling the effect of corticosteroids with time-dependent coefficients, the association between corticosteroids and the incidence of VAP was not significant (overall effect p = 0.082), with time-dependent hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 0.47 (0.17–1.31) at day 2, 0.95 (0.63–1.42) at day 7, 1.48 (1.01–2.16) at day 14 and 1.94 (1.09–3.46) at day 21.

Conclusions

No significant association was found between adjuvant corticosteroid treatment and the incidence of VAP, although a time-varying effect of corticosteroids was identified along the 28-day follow-up.

Is Tocilizumab Plus Dexamethasone Associated with Superinfection in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients?

Background: Dexamethasone and tocilizumab are used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). We explored whether combination therapy increased the risk of superinfection compared to dexamethasone alone. Methods: This observational, retrospective study included critically ill COVID-19 adult patients admitted to our ICU because of respiratory failure. Patients received dexamethasone with (Group 1) or without (Group 2) tocilizumab. Data were collected from electronic medical files. Results: A total of 246 patients were included, of whom 150 received dexamethasone and tocilizumab, while 96 received dexamethasone alone. Acute respiratory distress syndrome was evident on admission in 226 patients, 56 of whom required mechanical ventilation (MV). Superinfections, mainly respiratory, were diagnosed in 59 patients, including 34/150 (23%) in Group 1 and 25/96 (26%) in Group 2 (p = 0.32). After multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a higher risk of superinfection included hematological malignancy (hazard ratio (HR): 2.47 (1.11–5.47), p = 0.03), MV (HR: 3.74 (1.92–7.26), p = 0.0001), and a higher SAPS-II score on admission (HR: 1.03 (1.01–1.06), p = 0.006). Conclusion: In critically ill COVID-19 patients, the addition of tocilizumab to dexamethasone was not associated with an increased risk of superinfection.

Microbiological monitoring of COVID-19 patients in the ICU: a prospective observational study

Objective. To study spectrum of pathogens and the time to colonization of respiratory samples in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 as well as to analyze incidence of nosocomial infections and structure of prescribed antibacterial drugs. Materials and Methods. The prospective observational study included patients aged 18 years and older with confirmed severe and critical COVID-19 from December 2021 to February 2022. During the first 48 hours and then every 2–3 days of hospitalization, a respiratory sample was collected: sputum, tracheal aspirate (if intubated), bronchoalveolar lavage (if bronchoscopy was performed) for microscopy and microbiological examination. Some patients were screened for invasive aspergillosis. Clinical and demographic data, comorbidities, pathogenetic therapy for COVID-19, antibiotic therapy, cases of probable/documented bacterial nosocomial infections, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and hospital treatment outcomes were recorded. Results. A total of 82 patients were included in this study. Patients with lung parenchyma involvement of more than 50% by computer tomography predominated; most of them (77%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to progression of respiratory failure, and 76% of patients had a lethal outcome. During the first 48 hours, a respiratory sample was obtained from 47 patients; the rest of the patients presented with non-productive cough. No growth of microorganisms was detected in 31 (36.8%) cases; clinically significant pathogens were detected in 16 (19.5%) patients. A subsequent analysis included data from 63 patients with a sufficient number of samples for dynamic observation were used. During the first 3 days of ICU stay, the most common bacterial pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae without acquired antibiotic resistance and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. From 3rd day and afterwards, an increase in the proportion of Acinetobacter baumannii, other non-fermenting bacteria, and carbapenemresistant Enterobacterales was noted. Among the pathogens causing lower respiratory tract infections, A. baumannii and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae were predominant pathogens and accounted for 76% of cases. Positive galactomannan test results were obtained in 4 cases. Conclusions. The study confirmed importance of bacterial nosocomial infections in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. In the case of the development of nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections, empirical antimicrobial therapy should take into account the predominance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteria and A. baumannii, as well as the possibility of invasive aspergillosis.