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Obesity has been described as a predisposing risk factor to severe forms of COVID-19, but conflicting results are emerging on its real impact on the mortality of COVID-19. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes and mortality among COVID-19 patients according to obesity, metabolic syndrome and adiposity distribution.We conducted a prospective observational study of all consecutive adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Udine Hospital, Italy, from January 2021 to February 2021. At admission, the study population was submitted to specific anthropometric, laboratory and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) measurements and divided into five groups according to: 1) BMIor30 kg/mA total of 195 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of patients was 71 years (IQR 61-80) and 64.6% (126) were male. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (55.9%) and MS (55.4%). Overall mortality was 19.5%. Abdominal adiposity, measured both with WC and with BIA, and SP were significantly associated with need for increased ventilator support (p = 0.013 for WC; p = 0.037, 0.027 and 0.009 for VAT; p = 0.004 and 0.036 for FMI; and p = 0.051 for SP), but not with ICU admission (WC p = 0.627, VAT p = 0.153, FMI p = 0.519 and SP p = 0.938), length of stay (WC p = 0.345, VAT p = 0.650, FMI p = 0.159 and SP p = 0.992) and mortality (WC p = 0.277, VAT p = 0.533, FMI p = 0.957 and SP p = 0.211). Obesity and MS did not discriminate for the intensity of ventilatory outcome (p = 0.142 and p = 0.198, respectively), ICU admission (p = 0.802 and p = 0.947, respectively), length of stay (p = 0.471 and p = 0.768, respectively) and mortality (p = 0.495 and p = 0.268, respectively). We did not find significant differences in inflammatory markers and secondary complications within the five groups.In patients admitted with COVID-19, increased WC, visceral abdominal fat and SP are associated with higher need for ventilatory support. However, obesity, MS, SP and abdominal adiposity are not sensitive predictive factors for mortality.

BackgroundPatients colonized with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are at higher risk of developing CRE infection after liver transplantation (LT), with associated high morbidity and mortality. Prediction model for CRE infection after LT among carriers could be useful to target preventive strategies.MethodsMultinational multicenter cohort study of consecutive adult patients underwent LT and colonized with CRE before or after LT, from January 2010 to December 2017. Risk factors for CRE infection were analyzed by univariate analysis and by Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, with death as competing event. A nomogram to predict 30- and 60-day CRE infection risk was created.ResultsA total of 840 LT recipients found to be colonized with CRE before (n = 203) or after (n = 637) LT were enrolled. CRE infection was diagnosed in 250 (29.7%) patients within 19 (interquartile range [IQR], 9–42) days after LT. Pre- and post-LT colonization, multisite post-LT colonization, prolonged mechanical ventilation, acute renal injury, and surgical reintervention were retained in the prediction model. Median 30- and 60-day predicted risk was 15% (IQR, 11–24) and 21% (IQR, 15–33), respectively. Discrimination and prediction accuracy for CRE infection was acceptable on derivation (area under the curve [AUC], 74.6; Brier index, 16.3) and bootstrapped validation dataset (AUC, 73.9; Brier index, 16.6). Decision-curve analysis suggested net benefit of model-directed intervention over default strategies (treat all, treat none) when CRE infection probability exceeded 10%. The risk prediction model is freely available as mobile application at https://idbologna.shinyapps.io/CREPostOLTPredictionModel/.ConclusionsOur clinical prediction tool could enable better targeting interventions for CRE infection after transplant.

Introduction. Influenza represents a matter of serious concern for clinicians, both for outpatient and in hospital setting. The 2017-18 epidemic represented the highest in terms of severity since 2003-04 worldwide. Overall, in Italy 764 cases was classified as “severe form”, with 173 influenza-attributed deaths . The majority of the fatal cases were recorded in the elderly and in patients with multiple comorbidities. However, some sporadic cases were also described in previously healthy people. We report a real-world experience about the management of cases of influenza admitted in a large teaching hospital in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region during the 2017-2018 influenza season. We also provide a practical guide for the management of hospitalized influenza cases. Methods. A retrospective observational analysis wasbconducted among all influenza cases requiring admission in our Center during the 2017-18 season. Results. Overall, 29 patients were admitted at the University Hospital of Udine during the 2017-18 season with a diagnosis of influenza. B virus was responsible for the majority of the cases. More than 65.5% of the subjects presented with a complication. We estimated that 41.4% of the admitted cases were affected by a “severe form”. All these cases required admission in Intensive Care Unit, 27.6% and 10.3% of them needing Oral-Tracheal Intubation and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, respectively. Fatality rate was 24.1%. Noteworthy, only 9 subjects of our cohort had received vaccination. On the basis of the experience acquired during the past season, we propose a practical guide to approach influenza cases in everyday hospital practice. Conclusion. The cornerstones of the management of all hospitalized influenza cases are the rapid identification and treatment of severe forms. Timely and strictly adherence to contact and respiratory precautions are also fundamental to reduce the risk of intra-hospital outbreaks. Despite the improvements of antiviral therapies and supportive measures, influenza-related morbidity and mortality remain high. According to our opinion, a universal vaccination program represents the only safe and effective method to fill the gap., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 60 No 3 (2019): 2019603

We aimed to assess the rate and predictive factors of bloodstream infection (BSI) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic cancer patients. We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including oncohematological neutropenic patients with BSI due to P. aeruginosa conducted across 34 centers in 12 countries from January 2006 to May 2018. A mixed logistic regression model was used to estimate a model to predict the multidrug resistance of the causative pathogens. of a total of 1,217 episodes of BSI due to P. aeruginosa, 309 episodes (25.4%) were caused by MDR strains. the rate of multidrug resistance increased significantly over the study period (P = 0.033). Predictors of MDR P. aeruginosa BSI were prior therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam (odds ratio [OR), 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29 to 5.30), prior antipseudomonal carbapenem use (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.87), fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.92 to 4.64), underlying hematological disease (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.44), and the presence of a urinary catheter (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.91), whereas older age (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 0.99) was found to be protective. Our prediction model achieves good discrimination and calibration, thereby identifying neutropenic patients at higher risk of BSI due to MDR P. aeruginosa. the application of this model using a web-based calculator may be a simple strategy to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from the early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage against MDR strains according to the local susceptibility patterns, thus avoiding the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients at a low risk of resistance development., ESGBIES study group; ESGICH study group; Spanish Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013-2016; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdireccion General de Redes y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases [REIPI RD16/0016/0001]; European Development Regional Fund A Way To Achieve Europe, Operative Program Intelligent Growth 2014-2020; Promex Stiftung fur die Forschung (Carigest SA); GileadGilead Sciences; PfizerPfizer, We thank the ESGBIES and the ESGICH study groups for supporting the study.; This study was supported by the Spanish Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013-2016 and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdireccion General de Redes y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (grant REIPI RD16/0016/0001), cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund A Way To Achieve Europe, Operative Program Intelligent Growth 2014-2020.; A.-S.B. received a grant from Promex Stiftung fur die Forschung (via Carigest SA) and funding from Gilead to attend the ECCMID Congress (2018). O.R.S. received speaker honoraria from MSD, Astellas, Novartis, and Pfizer. S.S.K. received speaker honoraria from Pfizer, MSD, Astellas. F.H. received speaker honoraria from MSD, and Pfizer and a research and educational grant from Pfizer. the rest of the authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Bloodstream infection (BSI) due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (ESBL-GNB) is increasing at an alarming pace worldwide. Although β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations have been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to these resistant organisms in the general population, their usefulness for the treatment of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in haematological patients with neutropaenia is yet to be elucidated. The aim of the BICAR study is to compare the efficacy of BLBLI combinations with that of carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to an ESBL-GNB in this population. Methods and analysis: A multinational, multicentre, observational retrospective study. Episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB occurring in haematological patients and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with neutropaenia from 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2015 will be analysed. The primary end point will be case-fatality rate within 30 days of onset of BSI. The secondary end points will be 7-day and 14-day case-fatality rates, microbiological failure, colonisation/infection by resistant bacteria, superinfection, intensive care unit admission and development of adverse events. Sample size: The number of expected episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in the participant centres will be 260 with a ratio of control to experimental participants of 2. Ethics and dissemination: The protocol of the study was approved at the first site by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. Approval will be also sought from all relevant RECs. Any formal presentation or publication of data from this study will be considered as a joint publication by the participating investigators and will follow the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The study has been endorsed by the European Study Group for Bloodstream Infection and Sepsis (ESGBIS) and the European Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH).

Contains fulltext : 206779.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the cumulative incidence of invasive candidiasis (IC) in intensive care units (ICUs) in Europe. METHODS: A multinational, multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 23 ICUs in 9 European countries, representing the first phase of the candidemia/intra-abdominal candidiasis in European ICU project (EUCANDICU). RESULTS: During the study period, 570 episodes of ICU-acquired IC were observed, with a cumulative incidence of 7.07 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions, with important between-center variability. Separated, non-mutually exclusive cumulative incidences of candidemia and IAC were 5.52 and 1.84 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions, respectively. Crude 30-day mortality was 42%. Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, p < 0.001), severe hepatic failure (OR 3.25, 95% 1.31-8.08, p 0.011), SOFA score at the onset of IC (OR 1.11 per point, 95% CI 1.04-1.17, p 0.001), and septic shock (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.24-3.63, p 0.006) were associated with increased 30-day mortality in a secondary, exploratory analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative incidence of IC in 23 European ICUs was 7.07 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions. Future in-depth analyses will allow explaining part of the observed between-center variability, with the ultimate aim of helping to improve local infection control and antifungal stewardship projects and interventions.

Summary Objectives bloodstream infections (BSI) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) have been increasingly observed among hospitalized patients. Methods prospective, observational study conducted among 12 large tertiary-care hospitals, across 7 Italian regions. From June 2017 to June 2018 all consecutive hospitalized patients with bacteremia due to MDR-AB were included and analyzed in the study. Results During the study period 281 episodes of BSI due to MDR-AB were observed: 98 (34.8%) episodes were classified as primary bacteremias, and 183 (65.2%) as secondary bacteremias; 177 (62.9%) of them were associated with septic shock. Overall, 14-day mortality was observed in 172 (61.2%) patients, while 30-day mortality in 207 (73.6%) patients. On multivariate analysis, previous surgery, continuous renal replacement therapy, inadequate source control of infection, and pneumonia were independently associated with higher risk of septic shock. Instead, septic shock and Charlson Comorbidity Index >3 were associated with 14-day mortality, while adequate source control of infection and combination therapy with survival. Finally, septic shock, previous surgery, and aminoglycoside-containing regimen were associated with 30-day mortality, while colistin-containing regimen with survival. Conclusions BSI caused by MDR-AB represents a difficult challenge for physicians, considering the high rates of septic shock and mortality associated with this infection.

Objectives To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome 6 months after the onset. Methods A bidirectional prospective study. Interviews investigated symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19 6 months after the disease onset of all consecutive adult inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19 attending Udine Hospital (Italy) from March to May 2020. IgG antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were also evaluated 6 months after the onset of symptoms, at the time of the interview. Results A total of 599 individuals were included (320 female, 53.4%; mean age 53 years, SD 15.8) and interviewed 187 days (22 SD) after onset. The prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome was 40.2% (241/599). The presence of IgG antibodies was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-COVID-19 syndrome (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.48–4.38, p 0.001) and median SARS-CoV-2 IgG titres were significantly higher in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome than in patients without symptoms (42.1, IQR 17.1–78.4 vs. 29.1, IQR 12.1–54.2 kAU/L, p 0.004). Female gender (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.05–2.27), a proportional increase in the number of symptoms at the onset of COVID-19 (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.59–2.05) and ICU admission OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.18–8.11) were all independent risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome. The same predictors also emerged in a subgroup of 231 patients with the serological follow-up available at the time of the interview alongside the proportional increase in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02, p 0.04). Discussion Prospective follow-up could be offered to specific subgroups of COVID-10 patients, to identify typical symptoms and persistently high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titres as a means of early detection of post-COVID-19 long-term sequelae.

Background A growing body of observational evidence supports the value of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) in managing infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Methods We retrospectively analyzed observational data on use and outcomes of CAZ-AVI therapy for infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase–producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with 30-day mortality. Results were adjusted for propensity score for receipt of CAZ-AVI combination regimens versus CAZ-AVI monotherapy. Results The cohort comprised 577 adults with bloodstream infections (n = 391) or nonbacteremic infections involving mainly the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, and intra-abdominal structures. All received treatment with CAZ-AVI alone (n = 165) or with ≥1 other active antimicrobials (n = 412). The all-cause mortality rate 30 days after infection onset was 25% (146/577). There was no significant difference in mortality between patients managed with CAZ-AVI alone and those treated with combination regimens (26.1% vs 25.0%, P = .79). In multivariate analysis, mortality was positively associated with presence at infection onset of septic shock (P = .002), neutropenia (P < .001), or an INCREMENT score ≥8 (P = .01); with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (P = .04); and with CAZ-AVI dose adjustment for renal function (P = .01). Mortality was negatively associated with CAZ-AVI administration by prolonged infusion (P = .006). All associations remained significant after propensity score adjustment. Conclusions CAZ-AVI is an important option for treating serious KPC-Kp infections, even when used alone. Further study is needed to explore the drug’s seemingly more limited efficacy in LRTIs and potential survival benefits of prolonging CAZ-AVI infusions to ≥3 hours.

Background Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a global issue and affect various patient populations. In recent years, resistant fungal isolates showing increased azole or echinocandin MICs have been reported, and their potential clinical impact has been investigated. Aims To provide an update on the epidemiology of resistance among fungi (e.g., Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Cryptococcus spp.) and to offer a critical appraisal of the relevant literature regarding the impact of MICs on clinical outcome in patients with IFI. Sources PubMed search with relevant keywords along with a personal collection of relevant publications. Content Although antifungal resistance has been associated with a poorer response to antifungal therapy in various studies, other factors such as comorbidities, septic shock and source of infection appear to be key determinants affecting the clinical outcome of patients with IFI. Implications Future international collaborative studies are required to tease out the relative contribution of in vitro antifungal resistance on patient outcomes, thus enabling the optimization of IFI management.

Objectives: To evaluate scoring systems that have been created to predict the risk of death post-surgery in infective endocarditis (IE). Design: Eight scores - (1) The Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) risk score for IE, (2) De Feo score, (3) PALSUSE score (prosthetic valve, age ≥70, large intracardiac destruction, Staphylococcus spp, urgent surgery, sex [female], EuroSCORE ≥10), (4) ANCLA score (anemia, New York Heart Association class IV, critical state, large intracardiac destruction, surgery of thoracic aorta), (5) Risk-Endocarditis Score (RISK-E), (6) score for heart valve or prosthesis IE (EndoSCORE), and (7,8) Association pour l'Étude et la Prévention de l'Endocadite Infectieuse (AEPEI) score I and II - were evaluated in 324 (mean age, 61.8 ± 14.6 years) consecutive patients having IE and undergoing cardiac operation (1999-2018, Regione Autonoma Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy). Results: There were 45 (13.9%) in-hospital deaths. Despite many differences on the number and the type of variables, all the investigated scores showed good goodness-of-fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p ≥.28). For five scores, accuracy of prediction (receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis) was good (ANCLA score) or fair (STS risk score for IE, PALSUSE score, AEPEI score I and II). When compared one-to-one (Hanley-McNeil method), accuracy of prediction of ANCLA score was higher than all of other risk scores except for AEPEI score I (p = .077). Conclusions: Five of eight scores that were evaluated in this study showed satisfactory performance in predicting in-hospital mortality following surgery for IE. The ANCLA score should be preferred.

Background: Ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) is a novel antibiotic with enhanced microbiological activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria, including MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Case report: Five months after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, a 49-year old man developed fever and blood culture was positive for MDR P. aeruginosa, susceptible only to aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin and colistin. A diagnosis of LVAD-related infection was made based on persistent bacteremia associated with moderate 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT uptake in the left ventricular apex. Disk diffusion testing for C/T was performed (MIC 2 μg/mL) and intravenous antibiotic therapy with C/T and amikacin was started, with clinical and microbiological response. Initial conservative management with 6 weeks of systemic antibiotic therapy was attempted, but the patient relapsed one month after antibiotic discontinuation. Priority for transplantation was given and after 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy (C/T + amikacin), LVAD removal and heart transplant were performed, with no infection relapse. Conclusions: We reported the first off-label use of C/T in the management of MDR P. aeruginosa LVAD infection as a bridge to heart transplant. C/T has shown potent anti-pseudomonal activity and good safety profile making this drug as a good candidate for suppressive strategy in intravascular device-associated bloodstream infections caused by MDR P. aeruginosa.

[Introduction] Bloodstream infection (BSI) due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (ESBL-GNB) is increasing at an alarming pace worldwide. Although β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations have been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to these resistant organisms in the general population, their usefulness for the treatment of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in haematological patients with neutropaenia is yet to be elucidated. The aim of the BICAR study is to compare the efficacy of BLBLI combinations with that of carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to an ESBL-GNB in this population., [Methods and analysis] A multinational, multicentre, observational retrospective study. Episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB occurring in haematological patients and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with neutropaenia from 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2015 will be analysed. The primary end point will be case-fatality rate within 30 days of onset of BSI. The secondary end points will be 7-day and 14-day case-fatality rates, microbiological failure, colonisation/infection by resistant bacteria, superinfection, intensive care unit admission and development of adverse events., [Sample size] The number of expected episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in the participant centres will be 260 with a ratio of control to experimental participants of 2., [Ethics and dissemination] The protocol of the study was approved at the first site by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. Approval will be also sought from all relevant RECs. Any formal presentation or publication of data from this study will be considered as a joint publication by the participating investigators and will follow the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The study has been endorsed by the European Study Group for Bloodstream Infection and Sepsis (ESGBIS) and the European Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH)., This study was supported by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III—co-financed by European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’ ERDF, Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015).