Cross-immunity against SARS-COV-2 variants of concern in naturally infected critically ill COVID-19 patients

Critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 display adaptive immunity, but it is unknown if they develop cross-reactivity to variants of concern (VOCs). We profiled cross-immunity against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in naturally infected, non-vaccinated, critically ill COVID-19 patients. Wave-1 patients (wild-type infection) were similar in demographics to Wave-3 patients (wild-type/alpha infection), but Wave-3 patients had higher illness severity. Wave-1 patients developed increasing neutralizing antibodies to all variants, as did patients during Wave-3. Wave-3 patients, when compared to Wave-1, developed more robust antibody responses, particularly for wild-type, alpha, beta and delta variants. Within Wave-3, neutralizing antibodies were significantly less to beta and gamma VOCs, as compared to wild-type, alpha and delta. Patients previously diagnosed with cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had significantly fewer neutralizing antibodies. Naturally infected ICU patients developed adaptive responses to all VOCs, with greater responses in those patients more likely to be infected with the alpha variant, versus wild-type.

Spectrum of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Brain in Patients of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Background and aims

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with high short-term mortality. There is a paucity of data about the spectrum of neuroimaging abnormalities in the brain in ACLF patients. The present study was aimed to study the prevalence of cerebral edema and other parenchymal changes in MR imaging of the brain in patients with ACLF.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, MR imaging was done in patients with ACLF (n = 41), and findings were compared with age and sex-matched patients with acute decompensation (AD) (n = 13) and those with cirrhosis but without any decompensation at recruitment (n = 21).

Results

Forty-one patients with ACLF (24.4% Grade 1 and Grade 2, 51.2% Grade 3) with 14 (34.1%) having cerebral failure were included in the study. T2-weighted (T2W) diffuse white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and focal WMHs were seen in 17 (41.4%) and 7 (17%) patients, respectively. T1W basal ganglia hyperintensities in 20 (48.7%), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in 6 (14.6%), and 2 (4.8%) patients had cerebral edema. In patients with AD, T2W diffuse WMHs were seen in 3 (23%), T2W focal WMHs in 3 (23%) patients. None of the patients with AD had cerebral edema or CMBs. In compensated cirrhosis patients, T2W diffuse WMHs were present in 7 (33.3%), T2W focal WMHs in 5 (23.8%), while 3 (14.2%) patients had CMBs. T1 weighted hyperintensities in basal ganglia were more common in AD [9 (69.2%)] and compensated cirrhosis [15 (71.4%)] as compared to ACLF patients [20 (48.7%)], P = 0.174. The survival time of 30 and 90 days for patients with diffuse T2W WMHs was significantly lesser than patients without T2W WMHs (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Cerebral edema is uncommon in ACLF patients, and T2-weighted diffuse white matter hyperintensities may be associated with worse outcomes. However, due to the limited scope of the present study, the same needs to be explored further in larger cohorts.

Vaccination in Chronic Liver Disease: An Update

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) with or without cirrhosis remain at risk of developing hepatic decompensation when infected with viral or bacterial pathogens. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends vaccination in CLD against hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza, pneumococcus, herpes zoster, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated vaccines are preferred over live attenuated ones, especially in transplant recipients where live vaccines are contraindicated. As the severity of the liver disease progresses, vaccine efficacy declines, and therefore, vaccines should be ideally administered early in the disease course for optimal immune response. Despite the strong recommendations, overall vaccination coverage in CLD remains poor; however, it is encouraging to note that in recent years coverage against influenza and pneumococcus has shown some improvement. Inadequate access to healthcare, lack of information on vaccine safety, poor financial reimbursement for healthcare providers, and vaccine misinformation are often responsible for low immunization rates. This review summarizes the impact of vaccine-preventable illness in those with CLD, updated vaccine guidelines, seroconversion rates in the vaccinated, and barriers faced by healthcare professionals in immunizing those with liver disease.

Elevated plasma ICAM1 levels predict 28-day mortality in cirrhotic patients with COVID-19 or bacterial sepsis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Endothelial injury and dysfunction play a detrimental role in the pathogenesis of infections. Endothelium-related molecules have been reported as potential diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers of infection. The prognostic value of these biomarkers in patients with cirrhosis and infections remains elusive.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the performance of key soluble endothelial injury biomarkers, including intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), and angiopoietin 1 and 2 (Ang1, 2) as mortality predictors in patients with cirrhosis and severe COVID-19 or bacterial sepsis.

RESULTS

A total of 66 hospitalized patients (admitted to the COVID-19 ward or liver intensive care unit [ICU]) were included. Twenty-two patients had COVID-19 alone, while 20 patients had cirrhosis plus COVID-19. Twenty-four patients had cirrhosis plus bacterial sepsis. Among patients with cirrhosis, the most common aetiology of liver disease was alcohol. ICAM1 was increased (p = 0.003) while VEGFR1 (p <0.0001) and Ang1 (p <0.0001) were reduced in patients with COVID-19 and cirrhosis, compared to patients with COVID-19 alone. Endothelial biomarker levels did not differ significantly between patients with cirrhosis and severe COVID-19 or bacterial sepsis in the ICU. In these patients, ICAM1 levels significantly and independently predicted mortality (hazard ratio 3.24; 95% CI 1.19-8.86) along with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, renal and coagulation failures. The AUC for ICAM1 was 0.74, MELD was 0.60 and combined ICAM1 and MELD was 0.70. ICAM1 also positively correlated with the composite organ failure scores recorded 3-5 days post ICU admission (CLIF-OF and SOFA) in this subgroup of patients.

CONCLUSION

The study indicates that in patients with cirrhosis, elevated plasma ICAM1 serves as an independent predictor of severe COVID-19- or sepsis-associated 28-day mortality.

LAY SUMMARY

Bacterial sepsis and COVID-19 lead to increased mortality in patients with cirrhosis. In this study, we demonstrate that high plasma levels of ICAM1, an endothelial injury biomarker, is one of the important factors predicting mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with severe COVID-19 or bacterial sepsis.

Acute liver failure secondary to yellow phosphorus rodenticide poisoning: Outcomes at a center with dedicated liver intensive care and transplant unit

Accidental or suicidal poisoning with yellow phosphorus or metal phosphides (YPMP) such as aluminum (AlP) zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) commonly cause acute liver failure (ALF) and cardiotoxicity. These are used as household, agricultural and industrial rodenticides and in production of ammunitions, firecrackers and fertilizers. In absence of a clinically available laboratory test for diagnosis or toxin measurement or an antidote, managing their poisoning is challenging even at a tertiary care center with a dedicated liver intensive care unit (LICU) and liver transplant facility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with YPMP related ALF were monitored using standardized clinical, hemodynamic, biochemical, metabolic, neurological, electrocardiography (ECG) and SOFA score and managed using uniform intensive care, treatment and transplant protocols in LICU. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical and biochemical parameters and scores were summarized and compared between 3 groups i.e. spontaneous survivors, transplanted patients and non-survivors. Predictors of spontaneous survival and the need for liver transplant are also evaluated.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with YPMP related ALF were about 32 years old (63.2% females) and presented to us at a median of 3 (0 - 10) days after poisoning. YPMP related cardiotoxicity was rapidly progressive and fatal whereas liver transplant was therapeutic for ALF. Spontaneous survivors had lower dose ingestion (<17.5 grams), absence of cardiotoxicity, < grade 3 HE, lactate < 5.8, SOFA score < 14.5, and increase in SOFA score by < 5.5. Patients with renal failure need for CVVHDF and KCC positivity on account of PT-INR > 6.5 had higher mortality risk. Patients undergoing liver transplant and with spontaneous recovery required longer ICU and hospital stay. At median follow-up of 3.4 (2.6 - 5.5) years, all spontaneous survivors and transplanted patients are well with normal liver function.

CONCLUSIONS

Early transfer to a specialized center, pre-emptive close monitoring, and intensive care and organ support with ventilation, CVVHDF, plasmapheresis and others may maximize their chances of spontaneous recovery, allow accurate prognostication and a timely liver transplant.

COVID-19 for the Cardiologist: Basic Virology, Epidemiology, Cardiac Manifestations, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has reached pandemic status. As it spreads across the world, it has overwhelmed health care systems, strangled the global economy, and led to a devastating loss of life. Widespread efforts from regulators, clinicians, and scientists are driving a rapid expansion of knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19. The authors review the most current data, with a focus on the basic understanding of the mechanism(s) of disease and translation to the clinical syndrome and potential therapeutics. The authors discuss the basic virology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, multiorgan consequences, and outcomes. With a focus on cardiovascular complications, they propose several mechanisms of injury. The virology and potential mechanism of injury form the basis for a discussion of potential disease-modifying therapies.

Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Recent Concepts

A proportion of patients hospitalized for an acute complication of cirrhosis are at high risk of short-term death. The term Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) is used to characterize these patients. Until recently there was no evidence-based definition of ACLF. In 2013 a definition has been proposed based on results of a large prospective observational European study, called "European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)-Chronic Liver Failure (CLIF) Consortium Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Cirrhosis (CANONIC)" study. Results of this study led to elaborate new concepts about ACLF. First, it was found that ACLF is a syndrome that is distinct from mere decompensated cirrhosis. It was also shown that ACLF is a dynamic syndrome which can improve or conversely worsen. Patients who worsen die rapidly from multiorgan failures. The CANONIC study also found that identifiable precipitating events (e.g., bacterial infection, active alcoholism) are found in only 50% of cases of ACLF indicating that these events are dispensable for defining ACLF. In addition precipitating events may be initiators of ACLF but do not drive the outcome. An important concept derived from the CANONIC study is that ACLF is associated with systemic inflammation even in patients who do not have identifiable precipitating events. Finally it was found that ACLF may develop in patients without prior episodes of decompensation or in those with recent decompensation (<3 months). Moreover these patients with "early" ACLF were more severe than patients who developed ACLF after a long of history of decompensated cirrhosis.

Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Recent Concepts

A proportion of patients hospitalized for an acute complication of cirrhosis are at high risk of short-term death. The term Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) is used to characterize these patients. Until recently there was no evidence-based definition of ACLF. In 2013 a definition has been proposed based on results of a large prospective observational European study, called "European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)-Chronic Liver Failure (CLIF) Consortium Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Cirrhosis (CANONIC)" study. Results of this study led to elaborate new concepts about ACLF. First, it was found that ACLF is a syndrome that is distinct from mere decompensated cirrhosis. It was also shown that ACLF is a dynamic syndrome which can improve or conversely worsen. Patients who worsen die rapidly from multiorgan failures. The CANONIC study also found that identifiable precipitating events (e.g., bacterial infection, active alcoholism) are found in only 50% of cases of ACLF indicating that these events are dispensable for defining ACLF. In addition precipitating events may be initiators of ACLF but do not drive the outcome. An important concept derived from the CANONIC study is that ACLF is associated with systemic inflammation even in patients who do not have identifiable precipitating events. Finally it was found that ACLF may develop in patients without prior episodes of decompensation or in those with recent decompensation (<3 months). Moreover these patients with "early" ACLF were more severe than patients who developed ACLF after a long of history of decompensated cirrhosis.

Model for End-stage Liver Disease

Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, initially developed to predict survival following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was subsequently found to be accurate predictor of mortality amongst patents with end-stage liver disease. Since 2002, MELD score using 3 objective variables (serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and institutional normalized ratio) has been used worldwide for listing and transplanting patients with end-stage liver disease allowing transplanting sicker patients first irrespective of the wait time on the list. MELD score has also been shown to be accurate predictor of survival amongst patients with alcoholic hepatitis, following variceal hemorrhage, infections in cirrhosis, after surgery in patients with cirrhosis including liver resection, trauma, and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Although, MELD score is closest to the ideal score, there are some limitations including its inaccuracy in predicting survival in 15-20% cases. Over the last decade, many efforts have been made to further improve and refine MELD score. Until, a better score is developed, liver allocation would continue based on the currently used MELD score.