International prevalence and risk factors evaluation for drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent bacterial pathogen isolated in subjects with Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. Limited data are available regarding the current global burden and risk factors associated with drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) in CAP subjects. We assessed the multinational prevalence and risk factors for DRSP-CAP in a multinational point-prevalence study.

DESIGN

The prevalence of DRSP-CAP was assessed by identification of DRSP in blood or respiratory samples among adults hospitalized with CAP in 54 countries. Prevalence and risk factors were compared among subjects that had microbiological testing and antibiotic susceptibility data. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors independently associated with DRSP-CAP.

RESULTS

3,193 subjects were included in the study. The global prevalence of DRSP-CAP was 1.3% and continental prevalence rates were 7.0% in Africa, 1.2% in Asia, and 1.0% in South America, Europe, and North America, respectively. Macrolide resistance was most frequently identified in subjects with DRSP-CAP (0.6%) followed by penicillin resistance (0.5%). Subjects in Africa were more likely to have DRSP-CAP (OR: 7.6; 95%CI: 3.34-15.35, p<0.001) when compared to centres representing other continents.

CONCLUSIONS

This multinational point-prevalence study found a low global prevalence of DRSP-CAP that may impact guideline development and antimicrobial policies.

Lung ultrasound in the management of pneumocystis pneumonia: A case series

Despite the decline in HIV mortality and morbidity, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is still frequently seen, particularly in patients with a low CD4+ cell count. We present a case series where we analyzed the possible role of lung ultrasound (LUS) in the management of PJP in a real-life clinical setting. We describe the ultrasound findings from a consecutive series of six HIV patients hospitalized for PJP, all with a favorable outcome, and evaluated with LUS at admission in our ward and then repeated this once during the hospitalization. Multiple B lines indicating interstitial syndrome were detected at admission in all cases, with a bilateral asymmetric pattern mostly localized in middle and upper lobes. In the follow-up LUS, we noted a substantially improved pattern in all patients, observing a reduction of B lines which correlated with clinical amelioration. One patient at admission and three patients during the follow-up showed lung consolidations with hyperechoic spots inside, that might be typical of the disease. In conclusion, LUS could be a practical and noninvasive imaging tool for supporting diagnosis and treatment response of PJP.

Exogenous reinfection of tuberculosis in a low-burden area

PURPOSE

Recurrence of tuberculosis (TB) can be the consequence of relapse or exogenous reinfection. The study aimed to assess the factors associated with exogenous TB reinfection.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study based on the TB database, maintained at the Division of Infectious Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital (Milan, Italy). Time period: 1995-2010.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

(1) ≥2 episodes of culture-confirmed TB; (2) cure of the first episode of TB; (3) availability of one Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate for each episode. Genotyping of the M. tuberculosis strains to differentiate relapse and exogenous reinfection. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of risk factors on exogenous reinfections.

RESULT

Of the 4682 patients with TB, 83 were included. Of these, exogenous reinfection was diagnosed in 19 (23 %). It was independently associated with absence of multidrug resistance at the first episode [0, 10 (0.01-0.95), p = 0.045] and with prolonged interval between the first TB episode and its recurrence [7.38 (1.92-28.32) p = 0.004]. However, TB relapses occurred until 4 years after the first episode. The risk associated with being foreign born, extrapulmonary site of TB, and HIV infection was not statistically significant. In the relapse and re-infection cohort, one-third of the patients showed a worsened drug resistance profile during the recurrent TB episode.

CONCLUSIONS

Exogenous TB reinfections have been documented in low endemic areas, such as Italy. A causal association with HIV infection could not be confirmed. Relapses and exogenous reinfections shared an augmented risk of multidrug resistance development, frequently requiring the use of second-line anti-TB regimens.

Maraviroc as intensification strategy in HIV-1 positive patients with deficient immunological response: an Italian randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Immunological non-responders (INRs) lacked CD4 increase despite HIV-viremia suppression on HAART and had an increased risk of disease progression. We assessed immune reconstitution profile upon intensification with maraviroc in INRs.

METHODS

We designed a multi-centric, randomized, parallel, open label, phase 4 superiority trial. We enrolled 97 patients on HAART with CD4+<200/µL and/or CD4+ recovery ≤ 25% and HIV-RNA<50 cp/mL. Patients were randomized 1:1 to HAART+maraviroc or continued HAART. CD4+ and CD8+ CD45+RA/RO, Ki67 expression and plasma IL-7 were quantified at W0, W12 and W48.

RESULTS

By W48 both groups displayed a CD4 increase without a significant inter-group difference. A statistically significant change in CD8 favored patients in arm HAART+maraviroc versus HAART at W12 (p=.009) and W48 (p=.025). The CD4>200/µL and CD4>200/µL + CD4 gain ≥ 25% end-points were not satisfied at W12 (p=.24 and p=.619) nor at W48 (p=.076 and p=.236). Patients continuing HAART displayed no major changes in parameters of T-cell homeostasis and activation. Maraviroc-receiving patients experienced a significant rise in circulating IL-7 by W48 (p=.01), and a trend in temporary reduction in activated HLA-DR+CD38+CD4+ by W12 (p=.06) that was not maintained at W48.

CONCLUSIONS

Maraviroc intensification in INRs did not have a significant advantage in reconstituting CD4 T-cell pool, but did substantially expand CD8. It resulted in a low rate of treatment discontinuations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00884858 http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00884858.

The use of human fibrin glue and of the suture in polyglactin 910 in extraintracranial by-pass

At the Division of Neurosurgery of Fatebenefratelli-Oftalmico Hospital in Milano, 12 of the last 22 temporosylvian anastomosis have been performed employing sutures with separate points in mixed materials, partly nylon and partly Polyglactin 910 (reabsorbable) in order to avoid as much as possible the disadvantages of permanent sutures; in the other 10 consecutive cases reducing about 50% the points of suture and employing human fibrin glue as complement of the suture, in order to respect better the arterial wall and to reduce significantly the critical times of the operation (clampage). The Authors compared the clinical and instrumental results of the patients of this series with the ones of a previous series operated with traditional technique and pointed out a better success in the last operations (mixed materials and fibrin glue).