Role of IP-10 to predict clinical progression and response to IL-6 blockade with Sarilumab in early COVID-19 pneumonia. A subanalysis of the SARICOR clinical trial

Background

Clinical Trial of Sarilumab in Adults With COVID-19 (SARICOR) showed that patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and increased levels of interleukin (IL)-6 might benefit from blockade of IL6-pathway. However, the benefit from this intervention might not be uniform. In this subanalysis, we sought to determine if other immunoactivation markers, besides IL-6, could identify which subgroup of patients benefit the most of this intervention.

Methodology

The SARICOR trial was a phase II, open-label, multicentre, controlled (July 2020-March 2021) in which patients were randomized to receive usual care (UC) (control group); UC plus single dose of Sarilumab 200 mg (Sarilumab-200 group) or UC plus single dose of Sarilumab 400 mg (Sarilumab-400 group). Patients who had baseline serum samples for cytokine determination (IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, IP-10) were included in this secondary analysis. Progression to ARDS according to cytokine levels and treatment received was evaluated.

Results

101 (88%) of 115 patients enrolled in the SARICOR trial had serum samples (control group: n=33; Sarilumab-200: n=33; Sarilumab-400 n=35). Among all evaluated biomarkers, IP-10 showed the strongest association with treatment outcome. Patients with IP-10 ≥ 2500 pg/ml treated with Sarilumab-400 had a lower probability of progression (13%) compared to the control group (58%) (HR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04-0.90; p=0.04). Conversely, patients with IP-10 < 2500 pg/ml did not show these differences.

Conclusions

IP-10 may predict progression to ARDS in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and IL-6 levels > 40 pg/ml. Importantly, IP-10 value < 2500 pg/ml might discriminate those individuals who might not benefit of Sarilumab therapy besides high IL-6 levels.

Severe trauma patients and nursing practice-associated infections

AIMS

Our study examined factors influencing the development of healthcare-associated infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in southern Spain.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections are a frequent adverse event, significantly lengthening patient stays in the ICU. Nursing practice is a key factor in the infection control process.

DESIGN

A retrospective longitudinal study with two observation periods (admission and discharge) was performed in an ICU of a tertiary hospital.

METHODS

We analysed patient records for those admitted to this unit coded as CIE 800-959.9 from 2012 to 2016. Using binomial logistic regression analysis, we analysed factors associated with healthcare-associated infections.

RESULTS

We analysed 375 records (men: 78.1%; average age: 46.63 years). Of these, 9.2% patients acquired a healthcare-associated infection during their stay. Nursing practice-related factors significantly associated with the development of infection were the number of days connected to mechanical ventilation and the number of days in the ICU.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare-associated infections in patients with severe trauma admitted to the ICU are mainly associated with the management of invasive techniques. A multidisciplinary approach should focus on the review of action and care plans.

Scoring severity in trauma: comparison of prehospital scoring systems in trauma ICU patients

PURPOSE

We evaluated the predictive ability of mechanism, Glasgow coma scale, age and arterial pressure (MGAP), Glasgow coma scale, age and systolic blood pressure (GAP), and triage-revised trauma Score (T-RTS) scores in patients from the Spanish trauma ICU registry using the trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) as a reference standard.

METHODS

Patients admitted for traumatic disease in the participating ICU were included. Quantitative data were reported as median [interquartile range (IQR), categorical data as number (percentage)]. Comparisons between groups with quantitative variables and categorical variables were performed using Student's T Test and Chi Square Test, respectively. We performed receiving operating curves (ROC) and evaluated the area under the curve (AUC) with its 95 % confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values and accuracy were evaluated in all the scores. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The final sample included 1361 trauma ICU patients. Median age was 45 (30-61) years. 1092 patients (80.3 %) were male. Median ISS was 18 (13-26) and median T-RTS was 11 (10-12). Median GAP was 20 (15-22) and median MGAP 24 (20-27). Observed mortality was 17.7 % whilst predicted mortality using TRISS was 16.9 %. The AUC in the scores evaluated was: TRISS 0.897 (95 % CI 0.876-0.918), MGAP 0.860 (95 % CI 0.835-0.886), GAP 0.849 (95 % CI 0.823-0.876) and T-RTS 0.796 (95 % CI 0.762-0.830).

CONCLUSIONS

Both MGAP and GAP scores performed better than the T-RTS in the prediction of hospital mortality in Spanish trauma ICU patients. Since these are easy-to-perform scores, they should be incorporated in clinical practice as a triaging tool.

[Systemic capillary leak syndrome: hypoalbuminemia, hemoconcentration and shock. Presentation of a case]

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown etiology and often recurrent episodes characterized by increased capillary permeability that allows a leakage of fluid and proteins from the circulatory system to the interstitial space leading to shock and massive edema. The lack of recognition of this disease may be due to its unespecific signs and symptons of presentation, its rapid clinical progression and high mortality of the acute episodes. General physicians are usually the first to evaluate patients with this kind of disorder, either in the pre-hospital situation, hospital emergency units or even (in the milder cases) in the health centers. Its poor outcome and the improvement in the prognosis, if appropriate treatment is initiated, leads us to emphasize the importance of recognizing this pathology in order to start the appropriate intensive care and emergency treatment.

From vasospasm to early brain injury: new frontiers in subarachnoid haemorrhage research

INTRODUCTION

Delayed vasospasm has traditionally been considered the most important determinant of poor outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Consequently, most of the research and therapies are directed towards reducing the incidence of vasospasm (VSP). To date, however, clinical trials based on this strategy have not delivered a definitive treatment for preventing or reducing brain injury after SAH. This fact has caused a paradigm shift in research, which now focuses on early brain injury (EBI) occurring in the first 72 hours after SAH. It has also changed the idea of VSP's role in brain damage, and suggests the need for re-evaluating the pathophysiological process of SAH.

DEVELOPMENT

This review examines the current state of knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with EBI and summarises the diagnostic options currently available.

CONCLUSION

It seems that the research approach needs to be changed so that investigators will focus on prevention of EBI, reduction of secondary brain complications and ultimately, the optimisation neurological outcome.

[Arreflexic coma and MELAS syndrome]

MELAS is a progressive neurodegenerative and fatal disease characterized by mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes. It is the result of a mitochondrial DNA mutation. Although the incidence of MELAS is currently unknown, it is suspected that approximately 1 out of every 5,000 persons world-wide have some type of defect in mitochondrial DNA. Cardinal clinical features observed in more than 90% of the patients include severe headache that may be associated with stroke-like episodes, seizures and the onset of symptoms before the age of 40 years. Diagnosis is established through genetic test or by with muscle biopsies that reveal the presence of ragged-red fibers. Prognosis is poor, with death at an early age. In this article, we present the clinical case of a 31-year old women diagnosed of MELAS syndrome who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of our hospital with arreflexic coma.