A (Sub)field Guide to Quality Control in Hippocampal Subfield Segmentation on Highresolution T2-weighted MRI

Inquiries into properties of brain structure and function have progressed due to developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To sustain progress in investigating and quantifying neuroanatomical details in vivo, the reliability and validity of brain measurements are paramount. Quality control (QC) is a set of procedures for mitigating errors and ensuring the validity and reliability of brain measurements. Despite its importance, there is little guidance on best QC practices and reporting procedures. The study of hippocampal subfields in vivo is a critical case for QC because of their small size, inter-dependent boundary definitions, and common artifacts in the MRI data used for subfield measurements. We addressed this gap by surveying the broader scientific community studying hippocampal subfields on their views and approaches to QC. We received responses from 37 investigators spanning 10 countries, covering different career stages, and studying both healthy and pathological development and aging. In this sample, 81% of researchers considered QC to be very important or important, and 19% viewed it as fairly important. Despite this, only 46% of researchers reported on their QC processes in prior publications. In many instances, lack of reporting appeared due to ambiguous guidance on relevant details and guidance for reporting, rather than absence of QC. Here, we provide recommendations for correcting errors to maximize reliability and minimize bias. We also summarize threats to segmentation accuracy, review common QC methods, and make recommendations for best practices and reporting in publications. Implementing the recommended QC practices will collectively improve inferences to the larger population, as well as have implications for clinical practice and public health.

Assessing the barriers and enablers to the implementation of the diagnostic radiographer musculoskeletal X-ray reporting service within the NHS in England: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

The United Kingdom (UK) government's healthcare policy in the early 1990s paved the way adoption of the skills mix development and implementation of diagnostic radiographers' X-ray reporting service. Current clinical practice within the public UK healthcare system reflects the same pressures of increased demand in patient imaging and limited capacity of the reporting workforce (radiographers and radiologists) as in the 1990s. This study aimed to identify, define and assess the longitudinal macro, meso, and micro barriers and enablers to the implementation of the diagnostic radiographer musculoskeletal X-ray reporting service in the National Healthcare System (NHS) in England.

METHODS

Multiple independent databases were searched, including PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE; Embase; CINAHL, and Google Scholar, as well as journal databases (Scopus, Wiley), healthcare databases (NHS Evidence Database; Cochrane Library) and grey literature databases (OpenGrey, GreyNet International, and the British Library EthOS depository) and recorded in a PRISMA flow chart. A combination of keywords, Boolean logic, truncation, parentheses and wildcards with inclusion/exclusion criteria and a time frame of 1995-2022 was applied. The literature was assessed against Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal checklists. With meta-aggregation to synthesize each paper, and coded using NVivo, with context grouped into macro, meso, and micro-level sources and categorised into subgroups of enablers and barriers.

RESULTS

The wide and diverse range of data (n = 241 papers) identified barriers and enablers of implementation, which were categorised into measures of macro, meso, and micro levels, and thematic categories of context, culture, environment, and leadership.

CONCLUSION

The literature since 1995 has reframed the debates on implementation of the radiographer reporting role and has been instrumental in shaping clinical practice. There has been clear influence upon both meso (professional body) and macro-level (governmental/health service) policies and guidance, that have shaped change at micro-level NHS Trust organisations. There is evidence of a shift in culturally intrenched legacy perspectives within and between different meso-level professional bodies around skills mix acceptance and role boundaries. This has helped shape capacity building of the reporting workforce. All of which have contributed to conceptual understandings of the skills mix workforce within modern radiology services.

Fusarium Keratitis From a Comprehensive Eye Health Care Facility in South India: Molecular Characterization by MALDI-TOF Versus PCR Sequencing, Species Complex Distribution, and Clinical Correlation

PURPOSE

Fusarium keratitis possesses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Medically relevant Fusaria belong to various species complexes and show prominent differences in their antifungal susceptibility profile which may influence the clinical outcome. Rapid diagnostic methods are warranted for precise identification of species complexes for prompt initiation of correct antifungals. The aim of the study was to compare between matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and PCR sequencing for correct species-level identification and to analyze the clinical outcome among different Fusarium species complexes.

METHODS

Twenty-nine culture-proven Fusarium keratitis cases were included in this study. A phylogenetic tree was constructed after TEF1α gene sequencing and isolates were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS, followed by database expansion and identification. Clinical outcome and risk association among species complexes were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Maximum likelihood phylogeny categorized 68.9% isolates as Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), 17.2% as Fusarium dimerum species complex (FDSC), followed by 13.7% as Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). With extended database, MALDI-TOF MS could correctly speciate 96.5% (28/29) isolates. Previous antibiotic usage (P = 0.034) and preoperative antifungal treatment with natamycin, voriconazole, or ketoconazole (P = 0.025) were significantly higher in the FSSC group. The patients in the FFSC group had a significantly longer duration of symptoms at the time of clinical presentation to the clinic (15 days vs. 5 days, P = 0.030). Among 11 patients with a clinically poor outcome, 9 (31%) had FSSC infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients infected with the FSSC had more aggressive infection with poor prognosis. MALDI-TOF MS can serve as the best alternative method to conventional molecular identification with reduced turnaround time, which may help the ophthalmologists to consider the appropriate antifungals or early surgical intervention for improved outcome.

P005 Competitive fitness and trade-offs associated with azole resistance in Candida auris clinical isolates

 

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Objectives

Following the global emergence of Candida auris, this multidrug-resistant yeast has become a concern of serious threat to public health. The evolution of such multidrug-resistant pathogens depends on their relative fitness to their susceptible counterparts. Fitness cost, expressed in terms of reduced competitive ability of survival in the absence of drugs, plays a key role in the drug resistance dynamics. The objectives of the study were to investigate the oxidative stress response (OSR) in fluconazole-resistant C. auris and to compare its relative fitness with fluconazole-susceptible strains.

Methods

A total of 351 C. auris clinical isolates (61 flu-susceptible and 290 flu-resistant) were screened for stress tolerance by spot assay on yeast-peptone-dextrose (YPD) agar containing 5-50 mm H2O2 (with 5 mm increments) and results were rechecked on YPD broth. Expressions of Hog1, Cta1, Sod1, Mkc1, Cek1, Calcineurin1 genes were evaluated under oxidative stress by qPCR. Cellular catalase level was determined by colorimetric catalase assay kit (EnzyChrom, Bioassay systems). DHR-123 assay was performed to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species level (iROS) under H2O2 exposure. Adherence, biofilm formation and XTT [2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-%-Carboxanilide] cell viability were estimated under hyper-oxidative stress condition. C. auris were co-cultured with human neutrophils from healthy donors and the percentage of fungal killing was recorded. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were taken to check the cellular association under increasing H2O2 exposure.

Results

A total of 95.08% (58/61) flu-susceptible isolates were hyper-resistant to oxidative stress (30-50 mm) while 94.5% (274/290) flu-resistant isolates showed lower tolerance to oxidative stress (10-25 mm). Hog1 (P = .0012) and Cta1 (P = .01) transcript levels were highly elevated in flu-susceptible isolates when exposed to 10 mm of H2O2 while no significant difference was observed in resistant isolates. Flu-susceptible isolates exhibited a higher level of catalase (P = .002) compared with resistant isolates upon 10 mm H2O2 exposure. Owing to the reduced catalase activity, a higher iROS level was accumulated in resistant isolates. Flu-susceptible isolates formed higher biofilms at 37°C both under no-stress (control, P <.001) and hyper-oxidative condition (10 mm, P = .002). At 42°C, there was a significant reduction in biofilm among resistant isolates under 10 mm H2O2 compared to no-stress control (from mean OD 0.48 ± 0.26 to 0.23 ± 0.09) (P = .02). Susceptible isolates had better adherence capacity even at 42°C both under no-stress (control, P = .01) and under 15 mm H2O2 exposure (P <.001). Higher fungal killing was achieved in Flu-resistant isolates when co-cultured with human neutrophils (P = .014) compared to susceptible counterparts.

Conclusion

Collectively, these data revealed that in C. auris, resistance to fluconazole is accompanied by fitness trade-offs. Fluconazole-resistant C. auris strains have diminished ability to survive the diverse array of stresses that are encountered in a mammalian host and reduced virulence traits essential for invasive disease.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Environmental Factors Associated With Soil Prevalence of the Melioidosis Pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei: A Longitudinal Seasonal Study From South West India

Melioidosis is a seasonal infectious disease in tropical and subtropical areas caused by the soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. In many parts of the world, including South West India, most cases of human infections are reported during times of heavy rainfall, but the underlying causes of this phenomenon are not fully understood. India is among the countries with the highest predicted melioidosis burden globally, but there is very little information on the environmental distribution of B. pseudomallei and its determining factors. The present study aimed (i) to investigate the prevalence of B. pseudomallei in soil in South West India, (ii) determine geochemical factors associated with B. pseudomallei presence and (iii) look for potential seasonal patterns of B. pseudomallei soil abundance. Environmental samplings were performed in two regions during the monsoon and post-monsoon season and summer from July 2016 to November 2018. We applied direct quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) together with culture protocols to overcome the insufficient sensitivity of solely culture-based B. pseudomallei detection from soil. A total of 1,704 soil samples from 20 different agricultural sites were screened for the presence of B. pseudomallei. Direct qPCR detected B. pseudomallei in all 20 sites and in 30.2% (517/1,704) of all soil samples, whereas only two samples from two sites were culture-positive. B. pseudomallei DNA-positive samples were negatively associated with the concentration of iron, manganese and nitrogen in a binomial logistic regression model. The highest number of B. pseudomallei-positive samples (42.6%, p < 0.0001) and the highest B. pseudomallei loads in positive samples [median 4.45 × 103 genome equivalents (GE)/g, p < 0.0001] were observed during the monsoon season and eventually declined to 18.9% and a median of 1.47 × 103 GE/g in summer. In conclusion, our study from South West India shows a wide environmental distribution of B. pseudomallei, but also considerable differences in the abundance between sites and within single sites. Our results support the hypothesis that nutrient-depleted habitats promote the presence of B. pseudomallei. Most importantly, the highest B. pseudomallei abundance in soil is seen during the rainy season, when melioidosis cases occur.

Burkholderia pseudomallei in Environment of Adolescent Siblings with Melioidosis, Kerala, India, 2019

In 2019, Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from the backyard of 2 siblings with melioidosis in Kerala, India. This finding highlights the value of healthcare providers being aware of risk for melioidosis in febrile patients, of residents taking precautions when outside, and of increasing environmental surveillance for B. pseudomallei in this region.

POS0677 CONSISTENCY IN TIME TO RESPONSE WITH UPADACITINIB AS MONOTHERAPY OR COMBINATION THERAPY AND ACROSS PATIENT POPULATIONS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

Upadacitinib (UPA) has demonstrated efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) across various patient populations.1–4

Objectives

This post hoc analysis aimed to evaluate the consistency in time to achieving meaningful clinical response with UPA 15 mg + conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs in biologic (b) DMARD-inadequate responder (IR) versus csDMARD-IR patients with RA as well as with UPA 15 mg monotherapy versus UPA 15 mg + csDMARDs in csDMARD-IR patients.

Methods

Patients originally randomized to UPA 15 mg once daily from four Phase 3 trials were included in this analysis: SELECT-BEYOND1 and SELECT-CHOICE2 (UPA 15 mg + csDMARDs in bDMARD-IR patients), SELECT-NEXT3 (UPA 15 mg + csDMARDs in csDMARD-IR patients), and SELECT-MONOTHERAPY4 (UPA 15 mg monotherapy in methotrexate-IR patients). Time to response was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method for clinical outcomes over 24 weeks (26 weeks in SELECT-MONOTHERAPY). Clinical outcomes included achievement of 28-joint Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (DAS28[CRP]) ≤3.2; low disease activity (LDA) defined as Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤10 and Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤11; and 50% improvement in American College of Rheumatology (ACR) core components and morning stiffness (MS) duration/severity. Data presented were as observed.

Results

Overall, 905 patients were included (SELECT-BEYOND: n=164; SELECT-CHOICE: n=303; SELECT-NEXT: n=221; SELECT-MONOTHERAPY: n=217). csDMARD-IR patients had a mean disease duration of 7.3 (SELECT-NEXT) or 7.5 years (SELECT-MONOTHERAPY); bDMARD-IR patients had a mean disease duration of 12.4 years, with a more refractory population (≥3 prior bDMARDs) in SELECT-BEYOND (23%) than SELECT-CHOICE (10%). In general, the median time to DAS28(CRP) ≤3.2, CDAI LDA, 50% improvement in ACR core components, and 50% improvement in MS duration/severity were consistent across the studies in bDMARD-IR and csDMARD-IR patients. For SELECT-BEYOND, SELECT-CHOICE, SELECT-NEXT, and SELECT-MONOTHERAPY, the median (95% CI) time to achieve DAS28(CRP) ≤3.2 was 12 (12, 16), 12 (8, 12), 12 (8, 12), and 14 (8, 14) weeks, respectively (Figure 1), and the median time to achieve CDAI LDA was 20 (12, 24), 16 (12, 16), 16 (12, 16), and 20 (14, 20) weeks, respectively (Figure 2). A longer median (95% CI) time to achieve SDAI LDA was observed with UPA monotherapy (20 [14, 20] weeks) versus UPA + csDMARDs (12 [12, 16] weeks) in csDMARD-IR patients. Among bDMARD-IR patients, the median (95% CI) time to 50% improvement in pain was longer in SELECT-BEYOND versus SELECT-CHOICE (16 [12, 20] versus 8 [8, 12] weeks).

Conclusion

In diverse patient populations with RA, patients treated with UPA 15 mg, as monotherapy or with csDMARDs, generally demonstrated consistent time to achieving DAS28(CRP) ≤3.2, CDAI LDA, and 50% improvement in clinical outcomes.

References

[1]Genovese MC, et al. Lancet 2018;391:2513–24.

[2]Rubbert-Roth A, et al. N Engl J Med 2020;383:1511–21.

[3]Burmester GR, et al. Lancet 2018;391:2503–12.

[4]Smolen JS, et al. Lancet 2019;393:2303–11.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie funded this study; contributed to its design; participated in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Amy Wilson, MSc, of 2 the Nth (Cheshire, UK), and was funded by AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests

Andrea Rubbert-Roth Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi, Bernard Combe Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Gilead/Galapagos, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Chugai, and Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Gilead/Galapagos, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Chugai, and Sanofi, Zoltán Szekanecz Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gedeon Richter, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gedeon Richter, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Stephen Hall Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB; and research grants from AbbVie, Janssen, Merck, and UCB, Consultant of: Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB; and research grants from AbbVie, Janssen, Merck, and UCB, Boulos Haraoui Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Suzan Attar: None declared, Anna-Karin H Ekwall Consultant of: AbbVie and Pfizer, Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Orsolya Nagy Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Ricardo Xavier Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB

POS0643 SUSTAINABILITY OF RESPONSE BETWEEN UPADACITINIB AND ADALIMUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: RESULTS THROUGH 3 YEARS FROM THE SELECT-COMPARE TRIAL

Background

The primary treatment target for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is sustained clinical remission (REM) or low disease activity (LDA).1,2 A greater proportion of patients with RA and inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX) receiving the JAK inhibitor, upadacitinib (UPA), achieved REM/LDA compared with adalimumab (ADA), both with background MTX, through 26 weeks in the phase 3, SELECT-COMPARE trial.3

Objectives

We assessed sustainability of response over 3 years in UPA-treated patients with RA.

Methods

SELECT-COMPARE included a 26-week, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled period, a 48-week, double-blind active comparator-controlled period, and an ongoing long-term extension for up to 10 years. Patients on background MTX received UPA 15 mg once daily, PBO, or ADA 40 mg every other week. Patients who did not achieve at least 20% improvements in tender and swollen joint counts (Weeks 14-22) or LDA (CDAI ≤10 at Week 26) were rescued from UPA to ADA or PBO/ADA to UPA. This post hoc analysis evaluated clinical REM (CDAI ≤2.8; SDAI ≤3.3), LDA (CDAI ≤10; SDAI ≤11), and DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2 at first occurrence (prior to treatment switch [rescue]), as well as over 3 years following initial response in patients randomized to UPA or ADA. For those patients who achieved REM/LDA, Kaplan-Meier was used to define the time from when the response was first achieved to the earliest date at which the response was lost at two consecutive visits, discontinuation of study drug, or losing response at the time of rescue. The predictive ability of time to CDAI REM/LDA was assessed using Harrell’s concordance (c)-index (range: 0 [all predictions wrong] to 1.0 [perfect predictive ability]. Non-responder imputation was used for missing data.

Results

Through 3 years, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving UPA + MTX vs ADA + MTX achieved CDAI REM (47% vs 35%, P = 0.001) as well as CDAI LDA (70% vs 60%, P = 0.001). At 30 months after first occurrence of response, CDAI REM/LDA was sustained in 19%/42% of patients randomized to UPA and 10%/30% of patients randomized to ADA (Figure 1). Time to initial clinical response did not appear to be predictive of sustained disease control. The c-index for CDAI REM/LDA was 0.50/0.60 on UPA vs 0.49/0.56 on ADA. Through the last follow-up visit, 37%/58% of patients receiving UPA and 27%/48% on ADA remained in CDAI REM/LDA, respectively (Figure 2). Of patients who lost CDAI REM, 68% on UPA and 55% on ADA remained in LDA. Additionally, roughly similar proportions on UPA and ADA recaptured CDAI REM/LDA (UPA, 40%/17%; ADA, 48%/19%). Similar results were observed for REM/LDA based on SDAI and for DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2.

Conclusion

Among patients with inadequate response to MTX, a higher proportion receiving UPA + MTX achieved remission or LDA across disease activity measures vs ADA + MTX. UPA-treated patients demonstrated a consistently higher sustained response rate over 3 years compared to those receiving ADA. Furthermore, significant proportions of patients who lost response on either UPA or ADA were able to recapture remission or LDA.

References

[1]Smolen et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:685–99.

[2]Singh et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016;68:1–26.

[3]Fleischmann et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019;71:1788–1800.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie funded these studies and participated in the study design, research, analysis, data collection, interpretation of data, reviewing, and approval of the publication. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Matthew Eckwahl, PhD, of AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests

Peter Nash Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Gilead/Galapagos, Sanofi, Celgene, Novartis, Lilly, Janssen, UCB, Samsung, MSD, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Gilead/Galapagos, Sanofi, Celgene, Novartis, Lilly, Janssen, UCB, Samsung, MSD, Roche, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Gilead/Galapagos, Sanofi, Celgene, Novartis, Lilly, Janssen, UCB, Samsung, MSD, Roche, Arthur Kavanaugh Consultant of: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Maya H Buch Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingleheim, Eli Lilly, Merck-Serono, and Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingleheim, Eli Lilly, Merck-Serono, and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Gilead, and UCB, Bernard Combe Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celltrion, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Eli Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Roche Chugai, Louis Bessette Speakers bureau: Amgen, BMS, Janssen, Roche, UCB, AbbVie, Pfizer, Merck, Celgene, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz, Gilead, Fresenius Kabi, and Teva, Consultant of: Amgen, BMS, Janssen, Roche, UCB, AbbVie, Pfizer, Merck, Celgene, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz, Gilead, Fresenius Kabi, and Teva, Grant/research support from: Amgen, BMS, Janssen, Roche, UCB, AbbVie, Pfizer, Merck, Celgene, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz, Gilead, Fresenius Kabi, and Teva, In-Ho Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: Amgen, BMS, Janssen, Roche, UCB, AbbVie, Pfizer, Merck, Celgene, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz, Gilead, Fresenius Kabi, and Teva, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Jessica Suboticki Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Roy M. Fleischmann Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis and UCB

Surgical techniques used in the management of intra-arachnoid diverticula in dogs across four referral centres and their immediate outcome

OBJECTIVES

To report the surgical techniques being used to treat single focal spinal intra-arachnoid diverticula in dogs, their complications and immediate postoperative outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective multi-centre case series across four referral centres.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven dogs were included in the study. The most common type of surgery was durectomy (28 dogs) followed by marsupialisation (11 dogs), durotomy alone (seven dogs), shunt placement (six dogs) and stabilisation (five dogs). A higher proportion of intra-arachnoid shunt dogs became unable to walk in the immediate postoperative period (24 hours postsurgery) (4/6, 66%) compared to all dogs five of 57, 9% (2/7 durotomy alone, 3/28 durectomy alone). Of the nine dogs with immediate postoperative deterioration, seven had improved, walking without assistance, by 3 to 5 weeks postoperatively.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study does not identify an influence of surgical technique on short-term outcome. Dogs with a thoracolumbar intra-arachnoid diverticulum that undergo a shunt placement are likely to deteriorate neurologically in the immediate 24-hour postoperative period but appear to improve by 3 to 5 weeks after surgery. Further work is required to evaluate whether one surgical technique is superior for preventing or reducing long-term relapse.

Epidemiology of sepsis and risk factors for mortality in intensive care unit: a hospital based prospective study in South India

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed at elucidating the epidemiology of sepsis, with a special emphasis on identifying the common bacterial aetiology, proportion of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, and risk factors associated with 28-day mortality at a university hospital in South India.

METHODS

A prospective study was undertaken from January 2017 to March 2018. Adult patients with the diagnosis of sepsis requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care were recruited. Baseline clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data were recorded, and their association with 28-day mortality was assessed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

400 subjects with a qSOFA score ≥2 at the time of ICU admission were included in the study. The mean age was 55.7 ± 16.6 years, and 69% were males. The mean SOFA score at the time of admission was 9.9 ± 2.7. Bacterial aetiology of sepsis was established in 53.5% of cases and 24% were caused by MDR pathogens. Carbapenem resistance was observed in 37% of the Gram-negative isolates. Escherichia coli (34.1%) was the leading pathogen. Overall, the 28-day mortality in ICU was 40%. 38% died within 48 h of ICU admission. Hypertension and SOFA > 9, male gender, and baseline-creatinine values >2.4 mg/dl were risk factors for mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Male gender, hypertension, SOFA > 9, and increased creatinine were identified as the predictors for mortality. Infectious aetiology remained undetected in nearly half of the cases using routine microbiology culture methods. Mortality within the first 48 h of admission to ICU is high and prompts the need for increasing awareness about early sepsis diagnosis in community health care settings.

Hyponatremia in melioidosis: Analysis of 10-year data from a hospital-based registry

Introduction:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

OP0128 INTEGRATED LABORATORY ABNORMALITY PROFILES OF UPADACITINIB WITH UP TO 4.5 YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATED IN THE SELECT PHASE 3 PROGRAM

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor approved for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The safety and efficacy of UPA has been evaluated across a spectrum of patients (pts) with RA in the phase 3 SELECT clinical program.1,2

Objectives:

To describe long-term laboratory profiles (cutoff date: June 30, 2020) associated with exposure to UPA, adalimumab (ADA), and methotrexate (MTX) in pts with RA treated in the SELECT trials.

Methods:

Data were analyzed from 6 randomized controlled UPA RA trials.1,2 The proportions of pts experiencing potentially clinically significant laboratory changes at a single time point were summarized for the following groups: pooled UPA 15 mg once daily (QD; UPA15; 6 trials), pooled UPA 30 mg QD (UPA30; 4 trials), ADA 40 mg every other week (EOW; 1 trial), and MTX monotherapy (1 trial). Pts received UPA with/without background conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Treatment-emergent adverse events are reported as exposure-adjusted event rates (events/100 pt-years [E/100 PY]). Toxicity was graded per OMERACT criteria, or NCI CTCAE for creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine.

Results:

4413 pts received ≥1 dose of UPA (UPA15, n=3209; UPA30, n=1204). Exposures were comparable between treatment groups (Table). Proportions of pts with Grade (Gr) 3 and 4 decreases in hemoglobin were highest with UPA30 and MTX (Table). Rates of anemia, as reported by the investigator, were comparable between UPA15, ADA, and MTX groups (Figure); the frequency of UPA-treated pts who discontinued due to anemia was low in all arms. Gr 3 and 4 decreases in neutrophils and lymphocytes with UPA were dose-dependent and higher vs ADA or MTX. Discontinuations due to neutropenia and lymphopenia were rare (<0.1%). Transaminase elevations were more frequent with UPA and MTX vs ADA; however, the proportion of pts who discontinued due to increases in alanine (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were comparable between UPA15 and ADA, and numerically higher with UPA30 and MTX. CPK elevations were more frequent with UPA (Figure). Most events were asymptomatic, and the 1 case of rhabdomyolysis in the UPA30 group was unrelated to study drug (attributed to influenza).

Table 1.

Pts with potentially clinically significant laboratory changes

Variable, n (%)MTX monotherapy (n=314; 637.4 PY)ADA 40 mg EOW (n=579; 1051.8 PY)UPA 15 mg QD (n=3209; 7023.8 PY)UPA 30 mg QD (n=1204; 3091.6 PY)Mean (SD) exposure, weeks106 (67)95 (70)114 (64)134 (66)Median (range) exposure, weeks144 (1, 221)118 (2, 231)136 (0, 232)160 (0, 231)Hemoglobin, g/LGr 3 (70–<80 or decreased 21–<30)28a (9.0)24b (4.2)254d (7.9)169f (14.2)Gr 4 (<70 or decreased ≥30)16a (5.1)16b (2.8)101d (3.2)78f (6.5)Neutrophils, 109/LGr 3 (0.5–<1.0)3a (1.0)3b (0.5)40d (1.2)37g (3.1)Gr 4 (<0.5)1a (0.3)1b (0.2)10d (0.3)5g (0.4)Lymphocytes, 109/LGr 3 (0.5–<1.0)74a (23.7)53b (9.2)802d (25.1)423g (35.5)Gr 4 (<0.5)5a (1.6)3b (0.5)75d (2.3)47g (3.9)ALT, U/LGr 3 (3.0–8.0 × ULN)26a (8.3)13c (2.3)152e (4.8)71h (5.9)Gr 4 (>8.0 × ULN)5a (1.6)4c (0.7)26e (0.8)10h (0.8)AST, U/LGr 3 (3.0–8.0 × ULN)15a (4.8)9c (1.6)101e (3.2)36h (3.0)Gr 4 (>8.0 × ULN)1a (0.3)5c (0.9)18e (0.6)8h (0.7)CPK, U/LGr 3 (>5.0–10.0 × ULN)2a (0.6)3c (0.5)65e (2.0)36i (3.0)Gr 4 (>10.0 × ULN)0a (0)3c (0.5)27e (0.8)15i (1.3)Creatinine, μmol/LGr 3 (>3.0–6.0 × ULN)0a (0)1c (0.2)3e (<0.1)2j (0.2)Gr 4 (>6.0 × ULN)0a (0)4c (0.7)8e (0.3)1j (<0.1)

an=312. bn=576. cn=577. dn=3201. en=3199. fn=1193. gn=1192. hn=1195. in=1196. jn=1197

ULN, upper limit of normal

Conclusion:

This long-term analysis of UPA-treated pts with RA showed dose-dependent relationships for several laboratory abnormalities. Incidences of these with UPA15 were typically higher than with ADA but similar to MTX, except for increased CPK elevations. Treatment discontinuations due to laboratory abnormalities were infrequent and similar across all treatment groups.

References:

[1]Tanaka Y. Mod Rheumatol 2020;30:779–87; 2. Rubbert-Roth A, et al. N Engl J Med 2020;383:1511–21.

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie funded this study; contributed to its design; participated in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and participated in the writing, review, and approval of the abstract. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Russell Craddock, PhD, of 2 the Nth (Cheshire, UK), and was funded by AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests:

Christina Charles-Schoeman Consultant of: AbbVie, Gilead, Pfizer, and Sanofi/Regeneron, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Pfizer, Jon T Giles Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Nancy Lane Consultant of: Amgen, Mallinckrodt, Pfizer, and Roche, Ernest Choy Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biocon, Biogen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, R-Pharm, and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Bio-Cancer, Biogen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Daniel Furst Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Continuing Medical Education, and Novartis, Consultant of: Actelion, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corbus, Galapagos, Novartis, and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corbus, Galapagos, GSK, NIH, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, and Sanofi, Jiří Vencovský Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Gilead, and Octapharma, Anthony G Wilson: None declared, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Heidi Camp Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Nasser Khan Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jillian Yee Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Samuel Anyanwu Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB

POS0653 IMPACT OF UPADACITINIB OR ADALIMUMAB AS INITIAL THERAPY ON THE ACHIEVEMENT OF 48-WEEK TREATMENT GOALS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE: POST HOC ANALYSIS OF A PHASE 3 STUDY

Background:

In the randomized, double-blinded, Phase 3 SELECT-COMPARE study, upadacitinib (UPA) + MTX demonstrated greater clinical and functional responses vs adalimumab (ADA) + MTX in patients (pts) with RA and inadequate response to MTX.1,2 Pts with insufficient response to initial therapy were switched from UPA to ADA (and vice versa) according to treat-to-target (T2T) principles.

Objectives:

We analyzed 1-year treatment outcomes in SELECT-COMPARE according to initial randomization group, regardless of whether pts subsequently switched therapy.

Methods:

Pts initially randomized to UPA 15 mg once daily (QD) or ADA 40 mg every other week (EOW; both + MTX) for up to 48 weeks in SELECT-COMPARE were included in the analysis. As per the protocol-directed rescue strategy, pts experiencing <20% improvement in tender or swollen joint counts at Week 14, 18, or 22, or Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) >10 at Week 26, were switched from UPA to ADA or ADA to UPA in a blinded fashion. Efficacy outcomes included CDAI remission (≤2.8) and low disease activity (LDA; ≤10), DAS of 28 joints using CRP (DAS28[CRP]) <2.6 and ≤3.2, and a composite of “deep response” (CDAI remission, HAQ-Disability Index <0.5, and pain score <20). Data are presented and attributed to initial randomized group (UPA or ADA) regardless of any subsequent switch in therapy. Time-averaged response rates were calculated as area under the curve of response rate standardized by 48 weeks. The proportions of pts who maintained Week 26 responses through 6 months of follow-up are also reported.

Results:

This analysis included 651 pts initially randomized to UPA (of whom 245 switched to ADA) and 327 pts initially randomized to ADA (of whom 157 switched to UPA). Baseline characteristics including age, sex, and BMI were generally well balanced between randomized groups. At Week 48, similar proportions of pts initially randomized to UPA or ADA therapy achieved CDAI remission/LDA (27.6%/61.9% vs 24.8%/59.0%) and DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2 (45.0%/60.2% vs 43.7%/59.0%) (Figure 1). However, a small but significantly greater proportion of pts achieved a deep response with initial UPA vs initial ADA therapy (17.8% vs 12.8%; p<0.05). In addition, time-averaged response rates over 48 weeks were higher for initial UPA vs initial ADA therapy across efficacy outcomes. Similar trends were observed for other outcomes. Additionally, similar proportions of pts maintained Week 26 responses with initial UPA vs initial ADA therapy based on CDAI remission/LDA and DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2 during 6-month follow-up (Table 1).

Conclusion:

Using a stringent T2T approach to RA management, rates of LDA or remission at 1 year were similar, regardless of whether pts were initially randomized to UPA or ADA. However, initial UPA therapy led to more frequent deep responses and higher time-averaged response rates vs initial ADA therapy.

References:

[1]Fleischmann R, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019;71:1788–800.

[2]Fleischmann R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78:1454–62.

Table 1.

Proportion of patients maintaining Week 26 CDAI and DAS28(CRP) responses during 6-month follow-up by initial therapy with UPA or ADA in SELECT-COMPAREa-c

UPA 15 mg QDADA 40 mg EOWCDAI LDA (≤10)43.936.3CDAI Remission (≤2.8)35.022.7DAS28(CRP) ≤3.239.135.3DAS28(CRP) <2.630.530.1

aAs observed.

bBlinded rescue from UPA to ADA or ADA to UPA was permitted at Week 14, 18, and 22 for patients with <20% improvement in TJC or SJC and at Week 26 for patients with a CDAI <10. Data are presented and attributed to original randomized group (UPA or ADA) regardless of any subsequent switch in therapy.

cMaintaining response defined as never losing response at any visit during ~6 months (22–26 weeks) follow up after first achieving response before or at Week 26.

ADA, adalimumab; CDAI, Clinical Disease Activity Index; DAS28(CRP), DAS of 28 joints using CRP; EOW, every other week; QD, once daily; SJC, swollen joint count; TJC, tender joint count; UPA, upadacitinib.

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie funded this study and participated in the study design, research, analysis, data collection, interpretation of data, reviewing, and approval of the publication. All authors had access to relevant data and participated in the drafting, review, and approval of this publication. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing assistance was provided by Frances Smith, PhD, of 2 the Nth, which was funded by AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests:

Eduardo Mysler Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and Sandoz., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and Sandoz., Yoshiya Tanaka Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and YL Biologics, Consultant of: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and YL Biologics, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, and UCB., Arthur Kavanaugh Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB., Daniel Aletaha Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB., Peter C. Taylor Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Fresenius, Nordic Pharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB., Consultant of: AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Fresenius, Nordic Pharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Fresenius, Nordic Pharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB., In-Ho Song Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Ryan DeMasi Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Mira Ali Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Roy Fleischmann Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB.

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Epidemiology, resistance characteristics, virulence determinants, and treatment outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus bone and joint infections: a one-year prospective study at a tertiary care hospital in India

PURPOSE

The study was aimed to explore the differences between the Staphylococcus aureus osteosynthesis-associated infection (OAI) and non-implant related infections (NIRI) in terms of epidemiology, resistance characteristics, virulence determinants, treatment, risk factors, and outcome.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted from 2018 through 2019. The phenotypic and genotypic characterization of S. aureus, risk factors, treatment, and outcome were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were included. 50% had OAIs (70%) (p = .045). Overall, MRSA (OR 0.69; p = .020) and old age (OR 0.95; p = 0.035) were the important risk factors. Implanted patients presented with the features of chronic osteomyelitis (93.3%, p = 0.01). NIRI cases composed of only 66.7% of OM, and 55% of them were acute. OAI isolates were more frequently luk gene positives (50%) than isolates from the NIRI group (33.3%). Patients with OAI by luk positive isolates significantly had prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.043; OR-0.96, CI-0.91-1.0). Most of the NIRIs (60%) managed with antibiotics, but frequent surgical intervention (OR 10.68; p = .024) with prolonged systemic antibiotics (OR 1.07; p = .029) helped all OAIs to recover. Patients without implants were recovered in a higher number (83.3%).

CONCLUSION

Our study highlighted that the differences exist between the OAI and NIRI, specifically in terms of clinical features, distribution of luk genes, treatment approach, and outcome. Risk factors for both types of infection remained the same.

Rate of replenishment and microenvironment contribute to the sexually dimorphic phenotype and function of peritoneal macrophages

Macrophages reside in the body cavities where they maintain serosal homeostasis and provide immune surveillance. Peritoneal macrophages are implicated in the etiology of pathologies including peritonitis, endometriosis, and metastatic cancer; thus, understanding the factors that govern their behavior is vital. Using a combination of fate mapping techniques, we have investigated the impact of sex and age on murine peritoneal macrophage differentiation, turnover, and function. We demonstrate that the sexually dimorphic replenishment of peritoneal macrophages from the bone marrow, which is high in males and very low in females, is driven by changes in the local microenvironment that arise upon sexual maturation. Population and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed marked dimorphisms in gene expression between male and female peritoneal macrophages that was, in part, explained by differences in composition of these populations. By estimating the time of residency of different subsets within the cavity and assessing development of dimorphisms with age and in monocytopenic Ccr2 -/- mice, we demonstrate that key sex-dependent features of peritoneal macrophages are a function of the differential rate of replenishment from the bone marrow, whereas others are reliant on local microenvironment signals. We demonstrate that the dimorphic turnover of peritoneal macrophages contributes to differences in the ability to protect against pneumococcal peritonitis between the sexes. These data highlight the importance of considering both sex and age in susceptibility to inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Melioidosis in Gujarat: a neglected tropical disease

We report what we believe is the first case in Gujarat of melioidosis in a 67-year-old man. Awareness of this disease is limited, especially in areas supposed not to be endemic.

THU0197 SAFETY PROFILE OF UPADACITINIB UP TO 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

The safety and efficacy of upadacitinib (UPA), an oral JAK inhibitor, was evaluated in the phase 3 SELECT clinical program, which included 5 randomized, double-blind, controlled trials across a spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (pts)1-5.

Objectives:

To describe the long-term integrated safety profile of UPA relative to active comparators in pts with RA treated in the SELECT program up to a cut-off date of 30 June 2019.

Methods:

Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs: AE onset ≥first dose and ≤30 days after last dose) were summarized for the following: methotrexate (MTX, 1 trial, mean exposure 76 wks); adalimumab (ADA, 1 trial, mean exposure 69 wks); pooled UPA 15 mg (5 trials, mean exposure 90 wks); pooled UPA 30 mg (4 trials, mean exposure 100 wks). TEAEs are reported as exposure-adjusted event rates (EAERs; events/100 patient years [E/100PYs]).

Results:

3833 pts received ≥1 dose of UPA 15 mg [n=2629, 4565.8 PYs] or 30 mg [n=1204, 2309.7 PYs] QD, with no option to switch doses. More than half of pts received UPA for ≥96 wks (median: UPA 15, 101.9 wks; UPA 30: 111.7 wks). The EAERs of overall SAEs and AEs leading to discontinuation on UPA 15 mg were comparable to MTX and ADA; rates on UPA 30 mg were numerically higher than UPA 15 mg (Table). The most common AEs (≥5 E/100 PYs) reported with UPA 15 mg were upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infection (UTI), bronchitis, increased CPK, and increased ALT. For UPA 30 mg, the most common AEs reported were URTI, UTI, increased CPK, nasopharyngitis, bacterial bronchitis, and herpes zoster (HZ). Overall rates of serious infections and opportunistic infections were comparable between UPA 15 mg, MTX, and ADA groups but were higher on UPA 30 mg (Figure). Rates of HZ were higher in both UPA groups (30 mg higher than 15 mg) vs MTX and ADA. The majority of HZ cases were non-serious (96%) and involved a single dermatome (74%). Rates of VTE were comparable across treatment groups (0.3-0.5/100 PYs), as were rates of adjudicated MACE and malignancies (excluding NMSC). Rates of NMSC in UPA 15 mg and ADA were similar, with numerically higher rates on UPA 30 mg. SMR analysis demonstrated that the number of deaths in pts with RA exposed to UPA was not higher than what would be expected for the general population.

Conclusion:

Through long-term follow-up, the integrated safety profile of UPA remained consistent with previous analyses, with no new signals identified.

References:

[1]Burmester,et al.Lancet2018;391:2503-12.

[2]Genovese,et al.Lancet2018;391:2513-24.

[3]Smolen,et al.Lancet2019;393:2303-11.

[4]Fleischmann,et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2019;71:1788-1800.

[5]van Vollenhoven,et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2018;70(Suppl 10).

Table.

Overall TEAEs for UPA and Active Comparators (E/100 PYs [95% CI])

MTXn=314(456.0 PYs)ADA 40 mg eown=579(768.6 PYs)UPA 15 mg QDn=2629(4565.8 PYs)UPA 30 mg QDn=1204(2309.7 PYs)Any AE271.7 (256.8, 287.3)242.3 (231.4, 253.5)247.7 (243.2, 252.3)310.6 (303.5, 317.9)Any SAE12.7 (9.7, 16.4)14.6 (12.0, 17.5)12.9 (11.9, 14.0)19.8 (18.0, 21.7)Any AE leading to discontinuation7.7 (5.3, 10.7)8.2 (6.3, 10.5)6.3 (5.6, 7.1)10.0 (8.8, 11.4)Deathsa0.4 (0.1, 1.6)0.8 (0.3, 1.7)0.4 (0.2, 0.6)0.7 (0.4, 1.1)

aDeaths included non-treatment emergent deaths: ADA, 1; UPA 15 mg, 3; UPA 30 mg, 3.

Disclosure of Interests:

Stanley B. Cohen Grant/research support from: Amgen, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer and Sandoz, Consultant of: Amgen, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer and Sandoz, Ronald van Vollenhoven Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Arthrogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Biotest, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Medac, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Jeffrey R. Curtis Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Corrona, Crescendo, Janssen, Pfizer, Regeneron/Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Corrona, Crescendo, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi/Regeneron, and UCB, Leonard Calabrese Consultant of: AbbVie, GSK, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, Horizon, Crescendo, and Gilead, Speakers bureau: Sanofi, Horizon, Crescendo, Novartis, Genentech, Janssen, and AbbVie, Cristiano Zerbini Grant/research support from: Amgen, GSK, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier and Roche, Consultant of: Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Yoshiya Tanaka Grant/research support from: Asahi-kasei, Astellas, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Chugai, Takeda, Sanofi, Bristol-Myers, UCB, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Pfizer, and Ono, Consultant of: Abbvie, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Daiichi-Sankyo, Astellas, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, YL Biologics, Bristol-Myers, Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, Eisai, Janssen, Sanofi, UCB, and Teijin, Louis Bessette Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Casey Schlacher Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jianzhong Liu Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Jose Jeffrey Enejosa Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma

THU0211 RADIOGRAPHIC OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS RECEIVING UPADACITINIB AS MONOTHERAPY OR IN COMBINATION WITH METHOTREXATE: RESULTS AT 2 YEARS FROM THE SELECT-COMPARE AND SELECT-EARLY STUDIES

Background:

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), long-term prevention of structural joint damage is a key treatment goal.1In the SELECT-EARLY and SELECT-COMPARE trials, upadacitinib (UPA), an oral JAK inhibitor, inhibited the progression of structural joint damage at 6 months and 1 year when used either as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients (pts) with active RA.2

Objectives:

To describe the radiographic progression up to 2 years (96 wks) among pts with RA receiving UPA either as monotherapy or in combination with MTX.

Methods:

Both the SELECT-EARLY and SELECT-COMPARE phase 3, randomized controlled trials enrolled pts at high risk for progressive structural damage with baseline (BL) erosive joint damage and/or seropositivity.3,4In SELECT-EARLY, MTX-naïve pts (N=945) were randomized to UPA 15 mg or 30 mg once daily (QD) or MTX monotherapy. In SELECT-COMPARE, pts with an inadequate response to MTX (N=1629) were randomized to UPA 15 mg, placebo (PBO), or adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg every other wk, with all pts continuing background MTX; at wk 26, all pts receiving PBO were switched to UPA 15 mg, regardless of response. In both trials, mean changes from BL in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS), joint space narrowing, and joint erosion as well as the proportion of pts with no radiographic progression (change in mTSS ≤0) were evaluated based on X-rays taken at wks 24/26, 48, and 96 for those patients in whom wk 96 X-rays were available. Data are reported as observed (AO).

Results:

BL demographics have been reported previously.3,4In the SELECT-EARLY study, at wk 96 UPA monotherapy (15 mg and 30 mg doses) significantly inhibited radiographic progression compared with MTX as measured by mean change in mTSS and by the proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (Figures 1 and 2). When patients who were rescued (MTX added to UPA or UPA added to MTX) were removed from the analysis, changes in mTSS from baseline remained similar. By the same measures, in SELECT-COMPARE, the degree of inhibition of structural progression observed was comparable between UPA and ADA. Following the switch of all PBO patients to UPA, the rate of progression slowed and was comparable to that observed in pts receiving UPA from BL. Among pts from both studies that had no radiographic progression at wk 24/26, >90% remained without radiographic progression at wk 48 and 96.

Conclusion:

UPA was effective in inhibiting the progression of structural joint damage through 2 years both in MTX-naïve patients receiving UPA monotherapy and MTX-inadequate responder patients receiving UPA in combination with MTX.

References:

[1]Smolen, et al.Ann Rheum Dis2017;76(6):960-77.

[2]Peterfy, et al.Ann Rheum Dis2019;78(suppl 2):369-370.

[3]Fleischmann, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2019;71(11):1788-1800.

[4]Van Vollenhoven, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2018;70(suppl 10).

Disclosure of Interests: :

Charles Peterfy Consultant of: AbbVie, Acerta, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centrexion, Daiichi Sankyo, Five Prime Therapeutics, Genentech, Gilead, Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen, Lilly USA, MedImmune, Merck, Myriad, Novartis, Plexxikon, Pfizer, Sanofi, Salix Santarus, Samsung, Samumed, Setpoint, Sorrento, UCB, Vorso, Employee of: founder and CEO of Spire Sciences, which provides imaging services to multiple pharmaceutical companies, Speakers bureau: Amgen, Vibeke Strand Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celltrion, Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America, Crescendo Bioscience, Eli Lilly, Genentech/Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, UCB, Mark C. Genovese Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Company, EMD Merck Serono, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, Novartis, Pfizer Inc., RPharm, Sanofi Genzyme, Consultant of: Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Company, EMD Merck Serono, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, Novartis, RPharm, Sanofi Genzyme, Alan Friedman Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc, Employee of: AbbVie Inc, Jose Jeffrey Enejosa Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Stephen Hall Grant/research support from: Abbvie, UCB, Janssen, Merck, Eduardo Mysler Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, Sanofi, and Pfizer., Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, Sanofi, and Pfizer, Patrick Durez Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Yihan Li Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, In-Ho Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc.

SAT0145 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF UPADACITINIB MONOTHERAPY IN MTX-NAÏVE PATIENTS WITH EARLY ACTIVE RA RECEIVING TREATMENT WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF DIAGNOSIS: A POST-HOC ANALYSIS OF THE SELECT-EARLY

Background:

Early treatment of RA within the therapeutic window(0-3 months from symptom onset), has been associated with improved clinical outcomes and physical function. However, ≤42% of RA patients(pts) visit a rheumatologist within 90 days of symptom onset1,2.

Objectives:

To assess safety and efficacy of Upadacitinib(UPA), an oral, reversible, potent JAK-1 selective inhibitor3, in pts with moderate to severely active RA who were MTX-naïve or had an inadequate response to csDMARDs/bDMARDs4-6.

Methods:

In SELECT–EARLY, MTX-naïve pts with active RA and poor prognosis were randomized 1:1:1 to once-daily UPA monotherapy at 15 or 30 mg or weekly MTX (titrated up to 20 mg/week through Week 8). Efficacy (including ACR, DAS28(CRP), CDAI responses and change in mTSS) and safety outcomes from a post-hoc analysis of patients who received treatment within 90 days from diagnosis are reported here. The statistical significance defined asp<0.05was exploratory in nature.

Results:

A total of 270 pts commenced treatment within 90 days from RA diagnosis (median: 44 days [11, 89]). Pts in each arm were mostly female (70%), had moderately to severely active RA with mean DAS28(CRP) =5.9±1.02, had structural joint damage (mean mTSS =7.7±21.5) and were seropositive for both ACPA and RF at baseline (72%)4. At Week 24, compared to MTX, significantly greater proportions of pts receiving UPA 15 or 30 mg monotherapy achieved efficacy outcomes including ACR20, 50 and 70 responses, DAS28CRP<2.6, CDAI≤2.8 or Boolean remission. Improvements in physical function (HAQ-DI) and decrease in pain were also significantly greater in pts receiving UPA 15 and 30 mg vs MTX at Week 24. Treatment with UPA was also associated with a greater inhibition of structural joint damage compared with MTX (Figure 1). Safety outcomes were consistent with the full study and the integrated safety analysis (all phase 3 studies of UPA). Compared to MTX, higher frequencies of serious infections and herpes zoster were reported in both UPA groups. There were 2 deaths in total (UPA 30 mg: 1 due to cardiovascular death and 1 due to pneumonia and sepsis) (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

In RA pts, early initiation of treatment with UPA 15 mg and 30 mg monotherapy within 3 months from diagnosis was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in efficacy, including remission and inhibition of progression of structural joint damage compared to MTX. The safety profile was consistent with the overall study and the integrated phase 3 safety analysis7. UPA seems to be a promising treatment option for more patients to reach their treatment targets of remission or low disease activity when treated within 3 months of diagnosis.

References:

[1]Raza K et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(10):1822-5.

[2]Stack RJ et al. BMJ Open. 2019;9:e024361.

[3]Parmentier et al. BMC Rheumatol. 2018;2:23.

[4]van Vollenhoven R et al, Arth Rheumatol. 2018; 70 (s10) [Abs ACR2018].

[5]Burmester GR et al. Lancet 2018;391:2503-12.

[6]Genovese MC et al, Lancet 2018;391:2513-24.

[7]Cohen S et al, Ann Rheum Dis [Abs EULAR2019].

Disclosure of Interests:

Meliha C Kapetanovic: None declared, Maria Andersson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Alan Friedman Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc, Employee of: AbbVie Inc, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Daniel Aletaha Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Lilly, Medac, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi Genzyme, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme, UCB, Maya H Buch Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: Pfizer; AbbVie; Eli Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Sandoz; and Sanofi, Ulf Müller-Ladner Speakers bureau: Biogen, Janet Pope Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Roche, Seattle Genetics, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eicos Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Emerald, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB

Melioidosis In Suspected Recurrent Tuberculosis: A disease in disguise

INTRODUCTION

Melioidosis, caused by the soil saprophyte B. pseudomallei, is a 'neglected' infectious disease in many Asian countries. It remained undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in India for long due to a lack of awareness and facilities to diagnose the disease; however, it is slowly gaining the status of an emerging disease recently. The disease is well known as a great mimicker, as the presentations are very similar to many other tropical diseases, and more importantly, to tuberculosis .

METHODOLOGY

A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2016 - December 2018 to find the occurance of melioidosis  in patients with 'recurrent' tuberculosis infection in a tertiary health care hospital from southern India. All suspected cases of recurrent tuberculosis were simultaneously tested for the presence of B. pseudomallei, and basic demographics and clinical details were documented.

RESULT

Among 11,138 patients admitted with suspected tuberculosis infection, 586 (5.2%) patients were confirmed. There was recurrent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in 11/586 (1.8%) cases, and 7/586 (1.2%) had growth of B. pseudomallei in culture. Patients with melioidosis had either pulmonary involvement, or bone and joint infections and deep abscesses.  Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was the major risk factor.

CONCLUSION

The study foreshadows the need for prompt and accurate microbiological diagnosis along with a high index of suspicion from the clinicians in countries which are endemic for both melioidosis and tuberculosis, thus ameliorating the irrational anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Infectious diseases and antimicrobial prescribing: Online spaced education for junior doctors

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing may harm patients and drive antimicrobial resistance. Junior doctors' knowledge of infectious diseases and antimicrobial prescribing is inadequate. Online spaced case-based learning can improve knowledge.

OBJECTIVE

To develop infectious diseases and antimicrobial prescribing course content for online spaced education and assess its effectiveness and feasibility for junior doctors.

METHODS

Infectious diseases and antimicrobial course content was developed for an online spaced education platform (Qstream Inc., Burlington, MA). Junior doctors (postgraduate years 1-3) at two tertiary teaching hospitals in Sydney participated in the study. Course content was provided with Qstream at one hospital and at the other hospital via two face-to-face (FTF) tutorials from August to October 2017. Knowledge and self-confidence were compared before and after training within and between both cohorts.

RESULTS

Participation in the course was higher in the Qstream cohort with 48/127 (37.8%) completing the course compared with 44/110 (40%) attending one or both FTF sessions, of whom 22/110 (20%) attended both. Improvement in mean knowledge score from 69.7% to 81.5% in the Qstream cohort was significantly greater than the FTF cohort's minimal improvement from 67.6% to 67.9% (95% CI 2.79-20.33; P=0.01). In the Qstream cohort mean confidence rating (0-10) improvement from 5.14 to 6.55 was greater than the FTF group improvement from 5.37 to 5.85 (95% CI 0.132-1.171; P=0.02). Qstream feedback was very positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Online spaced education in infectious diseases and antimicrobial prescribing was feasible, acceptable and effective for junior doctors. It has potential to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and warrants further investigation.

Perform or perish: laboratory optimization to avoid false negative blood cultures in pneumococcal bacteremia

We present the laboratory operations influencing the culture yield of pneumococci and suggest an alternate solution to the problem. Blood cultures of 136 adults and 19 pediatric patients were analyzed in two phases. In phase I, the laboratory operated only during weekdays but in phase II the laboratory provided 24-h services on all days. In phase I, successful bacterial isolation leading to testing of antimicrobial susceptibility was possible only in 51% of cases, while a significant 49% had failed to grow in subcultures due to autolysis resulting from delayed processing time. These false negative blood cultures were further confirmed as Streptococcus pneumoniae by commercial antigen tests. In phase II, we did not observe any false-negative results due to prompt subculturing protocols (p < 0.001). We also found that taking blood cultures on two occasions increases the yield by 46% among adults.

Implications of environmental and pathogen-specific determinants on clinical presentations and disease outcome in melioidosis patients

BACKGROUND

Melioidosis is gaining recognition as an emerging infectious disease with diverse clinical manifestations and high-case fatality rates worldwide. However, the molecular epidemiology of the disease outside the endemic regions such as northeast part of Thailand and northern Australia remains unclear.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Clinical data and B. pseudomallei isolates obtained from 199 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis diagnosed during 2006-2016 in South India were used to elucidate the host and pathogen specific variable virulence determinants associated with clinical presentations and disease outcome. Further, we determined the temporal variations and the influence of ecological factors on B.pseudomallei Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) genotypes causing infections. Severe forms of the disease were observed amongst 169 (85%) patients. Renal dysfunction and infection due to B.pseudomallei harboring BimABm variant had significant associations with severe forms of the disease. Diabetes mellitus, septicemic melioidosis and infection due to LPSB genotype were independent risk factors for mortality. LPSB (74%) and LPSA (20.6%) were the prevalent genotypes causing infections. Both genotypes demonstrated temporal variations and had significant correlations with rainfall and humidity.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

Our study findings suggest that the pathogen specific virulence traits under the influence of ecological factors are the key drivers for geographical variations in the molecular epidemiology of melioidosis.

Fatal Cryptococcus gattii meningitis with negative cryptococcal antigen test in a HIV-non-infected patient

Cryptococcus gattii predominantly causes central nervous system and pulmonary infection in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with substantial morbidity. We report a case of rapidly fatal meningitis by C. gattii in an HIV-non-infected man with CD4 lymphopenia who tested negative for cryptococcal antigen. This case may serve as an alert to its wider occurrence and less explored risk factors.

Disseminated Nocardia asiatica infection in an immunocompromised individual: A rare entity needs careful vigilance

Nocardia asteroides complex and Nocardia brasiliensis are common etiological agents of disseminated nocardiosis among immunocompromised individuals. Here we reported an uncommon case of disseminated nocardiosis with the involvement of lung, brain, soft tissue & pancreas by a rarely isolated species Nocardia asiatica in a HIV infected individual. Diagnosis was initially misinterpreted as tuberculosis based on the clinical and radiological findings. The isolate was identified to the species level with a 16S rRNA gene analysis & in vitro susceptibility was done as resistance is not uncommon among them. Clinical cure & radiological regression of lesions was observed except for brain after treatment with meropenem, amikacin & cotrimoxazole.

Molecular analysis of clinical Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates from southwestern coastal region of India, using multi-locus sequence typing

Background

The Gram-negative soil dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is the etiological agent of melioidosis. The disease is endemic in most parts of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Over last few years, there has been an increase in number of melioidosis cases from India; however the disease epidemiology is less clearly understood. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) is a powerful genotypic method used to characterize the genetic diversity of B. Pseudomallei both within and across the geographic regions.

Methods

In this study, MLST analysis was performed on 64 B. pseudomallei clinical isolates. These isolates were obtained between 2008–2014 from southwestern coastal region of India. Broad population patterns of Indian B. pseudomallei isolates in context with isolates of Southeast Asia or global collection was determined using in silico phylogenetic tools.

Results

A total of 32 Sequence types (STs) were reported among these isolates of which 17 STs (53%) were found to be novel. ST1368 was found as group founder and the most predominant genotype (n = 11, 17%). Most of the B. pseudomallei isolates reported in this study (or other Indian isolates available in MLST database) clustered in one major group suggesting clonality in Indian isolates; however, there were a few outliers. When analyzed by measure of genetic differentiation (F_ST) and other phylogenetic tools (e.g. PHYLOViZ), Indian STs were found closer to Southeast Asian isolates than Australian isolates. The phylogenetic analysis further revealed that within Asian clade, Indian isolates grouped more closely with isolates from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Thailand.

Conclusions

Overall, the results of this study suggest that the Indian B. pseudomallei isolates are closely related with lesser heterogeneity among them and cluster in one major group suggesting clonality of the isolates. However, it appears that there are a few outliers which are distantly related to the majority of Indian STs. Phylogenetic analysis suggest that Indian isolates are closely related to isolates from Southeast Asia, particularly from South Asia.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram negative bacterium, is the causative agent of melioidosis. B. pseudomallei is a soil saprophyte and causes infections in humans by percutaneous inoculation, inhalation or ingestion. Melioidosis is a life threatening disease, which requires prolonged antibiotic treatment and is classically characterized by pneumonia, septicemia and multiple abscesses. Melioidosis is widely prevalent in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Of late it has been reported from tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. The predicted annual global burden of melioidosis is 165,000 cases. B. pseudomallei has been classified as a Category B threat agent by US Center for Disease Control. Melioidosis is an emerging disease in India that affects many regions. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in number of melioidosis cases, mainly from southwestern costal part of India. This study provides new insights into molecular epidemiology of melioidosis in India. By use of multi locus sequence typing (MLST), we show that Indian isolates are closely related and cluster in one major group suggesting clonality of the isolates. We further show that Indian isolates are more closely related to isolates from Asian countries particularly from South Asia.

Melioidosis: Reinfection going incognito as relapse

Melioidosis has recently gained importance as an emerging disease in India. Recurrent melioidosis has been reported from different parts of the world and can be due to relapse or reinfection. Distinction between relapse and reinfection is important for epidemiology, investigation and management. Here, we present the data regarding rate of recurrence and utility of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in differentiating relapse form reinfection amongst melioidosis patients from a tertiary care hospital in South India. Amongst the 31 patients who survived and underwent follow-up, 4 (13%) presented with recurrence. Three cases (75%) were identified as reinfection and one (25%) as relapse based on MLST. Re-exposure to environmental Burkholderia pseudomallei amongst patients with melioidosis in endemic areas is likely. In such a scenario, more often than not, recurrence of melioidosis can be attributed to reinfection.

Patterns of Failure Following Dose-escalated Chemoradiotherapy for Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Staged Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oesophagus

AIMS

To analyse outcomes and patterns of failure following dose-escalated definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for staging and treatment planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving definitive CRT to a dose of ≥56 Gy was conducted. Patient and tumour characteristics, treatment received and first sites of relapse were analysed.

RESULTS

Between 2003 and 2014, 72 patients were treated with CRT to a median dose of 60 Gy (range 56-66 Gy). The median age was 63 years; most (61%) were stage III/IVa. The median follow-up was 57 months. Three year in-field control, relapse-free survival and overall survival was 64% (95% confidence interval 50-75%), 38% (95% confidence interval 27-50%) and 42% (95% confidence interval 30-53%), respectively. Of the 41 failures prior to death or at last follow-up date, isolated locoregional relapse occurred in 16 patients (22%) with isolated in-field recurrence in 11 patients (15%). Distant failure as first site of relapse was present in 25 patients (35%). No in-field failures occurred in the 11 patients with cT1-2, N0-1 tumours. The median survival for cT4 tumours was 8 months, with five of eight patients developing local progression within the first 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Dose-escalated radiotherapy was associated with promising rates of in-field local control, with the exception of cT4 tumours. Distant failure remains a significant competing risk. Our data supports the need for current trials re-examining the role of dose escalation in the modern era.

Melioidosis in South Asia (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Afghanistan)

Despite the fact that South Asia is predicted to have the highest number of cases worldwide, melioidosis is a little-known entity in South Asian countries. It has never been heard of by the majority of doctors and has as yet failed to gain the attention of national Ministries of Health and country offices of the World Health Organization (WHO). Although a few centers are diagnosing increasing numbers of cases, and the mortality documented from these institutions is relatively high (nearly 20%), the true burden of the disease remains unknown. In India, most cases have been reported from southwestern coastal Karnataka and northeastern Tamil Nadu, although this probably simply reflects the presence of centers of excellence and researchers with an interest in the disease. As elsewhere, the majority of cases have type 2 diabetes mellitus and occupational exposure to the environment. Most present with community-acquired pneumonia and/or bacteremia, especially during heavy rainfall. The high seropositivity rate (29%) in Karnataka and isolation of B. pseudomallei from the environment in Tamil Nadu and Kerala confirm India as melioidosis-endemic, although the full extent of the distribution of the organism across the country is unknown. There are limited molecular epidemiological data, but, thus far, the majority of Indian isolates have appeared distinct from those from South East Asia and Australia. Among other South Asian countries, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are known to be melioidosis-endemic, but there are no cases that have conclusively proved to have been acquired in Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan or Pakistan. There are no surveillance systems in place for melioidosis in South Asian countries. However, over the past two years, researchers at the Center for Emerging and Tropical Diseases of Kasturba Medical College, University of Manipal, have established the Indian Melioidosis Research Forum (IMRF), held the first South Asian Melioidosis Congress, and have been working to connect researchers, microbiologists and physicians in India and elsewhere in South Asia to raise awareness through training initiatives, the media, workshops, and conferences, with the hope that more patients with melioidosis will be diagnosed and treated appropriately. However, much more work needs to be done before we will know the true burden and distribution of melioidosis across South Asia.

Melioidosis: the great mimicker presenting as spondylodiscitis

Melioidosis, a syndrome with protean clinical manifestations, is caused by Gram-negative soil saprophyte Burkholderiapseudomallei Among its diverse clinical presentations, the involvement of spine is a rare phenomenon and can mimic tuberculosis on presentation. A 65-year-old female with a known case of diabetes presented with fever with lower back pain. Blood culture grew Staphylococcus aureus, and as per sensitivity report, clindamycin and cefazolin were started. X-ray and MRI lumbosacral spine showed spondylodiscitis (likely Koch's). Decompression and biopsy were done, and a sample was sent for microbiological investigations that showed no growth of any significant pathogen; furthermore, all tests for tuberculosis diagnosis also remained negative. Active Melioidosis Detect Lateral Flow Assay was used on the tissue sample, which was positive for B. pseudomallei Capsular Polysaccharide (CPS) antigen; the case was confirmed by typethree secretion system 1 PCR for melioidosis. Antibiotics were changed to parenteral ceftazidime for 2 weeks followed by oral cotrimoxazole. A dedicated team of microbiologists and physicians is required to identify and treat the disease.

Psychiatric out-patients' views on talking about sex

Despite widespread acceptance that the sexual history is an important part of psychiatric assessment, concern continues to be raised that such questions are often neglected. It has been suggested that one reason for this is the belief of staff that patients do not want to discuss sexual matters. The response of 65 out-patients to a questionnaire concerning their attitudes and expectations to being asked questions about sex is reported. The majority of patients expected there to be some inquiry about sexual matters. While detailed enquiry was not anticipated, patients stated that most questions would not make them feel uncomfortable. This study does not support the view that patients are reluctant to give a sexual history.

Tribes and tribulations: interdisciplinary eHealth in providing services for people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Background

eHealth has potential for supporting interdisciplinary care in contemporary traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation practice, yet little is known about whether this potential is being realised, or what needs to be done to further support its implementation. The purpose of this study was to explore health professionals’ experiences of, and attitudes towards eHealth technologies to support interdisciplinary practice within rehabilitation for people after TBI.

Methods

A qualitative study using narrative analysis was conducted. One individual interview and three focus groups were conducted with health professionals (n = 17) working in TBI rehabilitation in public and private healthcare settings across regional and metropolitan New South Wales, Australia.

Results

Narrative analysis revealed that participants held largely favourable views about eHealth and its potential to support interdisciplinary practice in TBI rehabilitation. However, participants encountered various issues related to (a) the design of, and access to electronic medical records, (b) technology, (c) eHealth implementation, and (d) information and communication technology processes that disconnected them from the work they needed to accomplish. In response, health professionals attempted to make the most of unsatisfactory eHealth systems and processes, but were still mostly unsuccessful in optimising the quality, efficiency, and client-centredness of their work.

Conclusions

Attention to sources of disconnection experienced by health professionals, specifically design of, and access to electronic health records, eHealth resourcing, and policies and procedures related to eHealth and interdisciplinary practice are required if the potential of eHealth for supporting interdisciplinary practice is to be realised.