Combination of mycological criteria: a better surrogate to identify COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients and evaluate prognosis?

Author(s):  
Sarah Dellière ◽  
Emmanuel Dudoignon ◽  
Sébastian Voicu ◽  
Magalie Collet ◽  
Sofiane Fodil ◽  
...  

Introduction: Diagnosis of COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis remains unclear especially in non-immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate seven mycological criteria and their combination in a large homogenous cohort of patients. Methods: All successive patients (n=176) hospitalized for COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and who clinically worsened despite appropriate standard of care were included over a one-year period. Direct examination, culture, Aspergillus qPCR ( Af -qPCR) and galactomannan was performed on all respiratory samples (n=350). Serum galactomannan, ß-D-glucan and plasma Af -qPCR were also assessed. Criteria were analyzed alone or in combination in relation to mortality rate. Results: Mortality was significantly different in patients with 0, ≤2 and ≥3 positive criteria (logrank test, p=0.04) with death rate of 43.1, 58.1 and 76.4% respectively. Direct examination, plasma qPCR and serum galactomannan were associated with a 100% mortality rate. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) galactomannan and positive respiratory sample culture were often found as isolated markers (28.1 and 34.1%) and poorly repeatable when a second sample was obtained. Aspergillus DNA was detected in 13.1% of samples (46/350) with significantly lower Cq when associated with at least one other criteria (30.2 vs 35.8) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Combination of markers and/or blood biomarkers and/or direct respiratory sample examination seems more likely to identify patients with CAPA. Af -qPCR may help identifying false positive results of BAL galactomannan testing and culture on respiratory samples while quantifying fungal burden accurately.

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Maksim Rykov ◽  
Ivan Turabov ◽  
Yuriy Punanov ◽  
Svetlana Safonova

Background: St. Petersburg is a city of federal importance with a large number of primary patients, identified annually. Objective: analysis of the main indicators characterizing medical care for children with cancer in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Methods: The operative reports for 2013-2017 of the Health Committee of the Government of St. Petersburg and the Health Committee of the Leningrad Region were analyzed. Results. In 2013-2017 in the Russian Federation, 18 090 primary patients were identified, 927 (5.1%) of them in the analyzed subjects: in St. Petersburg - 697 (75,2%), in the Leningrad Region - 230 (24,8%). For 5 years, the number of primary patients increased in St. Petersburg - by 36%, in the Leningrad Region - by 2,5%. The incidence increased in St. Petersburg by 18,1% (from 14,9 in 2013 to 17,6 in 2017 per 100 000 of children aged 0-17). The incidence in the Leningrad Region fell by 4.9% (from 14.4 in 2013 to 13.7 in 2017). Mortality in 2016-2017 in St. Petersburg increased by 50% (from 2 to 3), in the Leningrad Region - by 12,5% (from 2,4 to 2,7). The one-year mortality rate in St. Petersburg increased by 3,9% (from 2,5 to 6,4%). In the Leningrad Region, the one-year mortality rate decreased from 6,5% in 2016 to 0 in 2017. The number of pediatric oncological beds did not change in St. Petersburg (0,9 per 10,000 children aged 0-17 years) and the Leningrad Region (0). In St. Petersburg patients were not identified actively in 2016-2017; in the Leningrad Region their percentage decreased from 8,7 to 0. The number of oncologists increased in St. Petersburg from 0,09 to 0.12 (+33,3%), in the Leningrad Region - from 0 to 0,03. Conclusion: Morbidity in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region is significantly different, which indicates obvious defects in statistical data. Patients were not identified during routine preventive examinations which indicate a low oncologic alertness of district pediatric physicians. Delivery of medical care for children with cancer and the statistical data accumulation procedures should be improved.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Jacob P. Fisher ◽  
David C. Adamson

The standard of care (SOC) for high-grade gliomas (HGG) is maximally safe surgical resection, followed by concurrent radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) for 6 weeks, then adjuvant TMZ for 6 months. Before this SOC was established, glioblastoma (GBM) patients typically lived for less than one year after diagnosis, and no adjuvant chemotherapy had demonstrated significant survival benefits compared with radiation alone. In 2005, the Stupp et al. randomized controlled trial (RCT) on newly diagnosed GBM patients concluded that RT plus TMZ compared to RT alone significantly improved overall survival (OS) (14.6 vs. 12.1 months) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (PFS6) (53.9% vs. 36.4%). Outside of TMZ, there are four drugs and one device FDA-approved for the treatment of HGGs: lomustine, intravenous carmustine, carmustine wafer implants, bevacizumab (BVZ), and tumor treatment fields (TTFields). These treatments are now mainly used to treat recurrent HGGs and symptoms. TTFields is the only treatment that has been shown to improve OS (20.5 vs. 15.6 months) and PFS6 (56% vs. 37%) in comparison to the current SOC. TTFields is the newest addition to this list of FDA-approved treatments, but has not been universally accepted yet as part of SOC.


Vascular ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 170853812098112
Author(s):  
Cassra N Arbabi ◽  
Navyash Gupta ◽  
Ali Azizzadeh

Objectives Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the standard of care for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAA), and newer generation stent grafts have significant design improvements compared to earlier generation devices. Methods We report the first commercial use of the Medtronic Valiant Navion stent graft for treatment of an 85-year-old woman with a 5.8 cm DTAA and a highly tortuous thoracic aorta. Results A percutaneous TEVAR was performed using a two-piece combination of the Valiant Navion FreeFlo and CoveredSeal stent graft configurations for zones 2–5 coverage. The devices were successfully delievered through highly tortuous anatomy and deployed, excluding the entire length of the aneurysm with precise landing, excellent apposition and no evidence of endoleak. The patient tolerated the procedure well and has had no stent graft-related complications through one-year follow-up. Conclusions Design enhancements such as a lower profile delivery system, better conformability, and a shorter tapered tip are some of the improvements to this third-generation TEVAR device. Coupled with the multiple configuration options available, this gives physicians a better tool to treat thoracic aortic pathologies in patients with challenging anatomy. The early results are encouraging, and evaluation of long-term outcomes will continue.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Arroyo-Espliguero ◽  
M.C Viana-Llamas ◽  
A Silva-Obregon ◽  
A Estrella-Alonso ◽  
C Marian-Crespo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common features of frailty. Prevalence of frailty among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is higher in women than men. Purpose Assess gender-based differences in the impact of nutritional risk index (NRI) and frailty in one-year mortality rate among STEMI patients following primary angioplasty (PA). Methods Cohort of 321 consecutive patients (64 years [54–75]; 22.4% women) admitted to a general ICU after PA for STEMI. NRI was calculated as 1.519 × serum albumin (g/L) + 41.7 × (actual body weight [kg]/ideal weight [kg]). Vulnerable and moderate to severe NRI patients were those with Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)≥4 and NRI&lt;97.5, respectively. We used Kaplan-Meier survival model. Results Baseline and mortality variables of 4 groups (NRI-/CFS-; NRI+/CFS-; NRI+/CFS- and NRI+/CFS+) are depicted in the Table. Prevalence of malnutrition, frailty or both were significantly greater in women (34.3%, 10% y 21.4%, respectively) than in men (28.9%, 2.8% y 6.0%, respectively; P&lt;0.001). Women had greater mortality rate (20.8% vs. 5.2%: OR 4.78, 95% CI, 2.15–10.60, P&lt;0.001), mainly from cardiogenic shock (P=0.003). Combination of malnutrition and frailty significantly decreased cumulative one-year survival in women (46.7% vs. 73.3% in men, P&lt;0.001) Conclusion Among STEMI patients undergoing PA, the prevalence of malnutrition and frailty are significantly higher in women than in men. NRI and frailty had an independent and complementary prognostic impact in women with STEMI. Kaplan-Meier and Cox survival curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii287-iii287
Author(s):  
Chantel Cacciotti ◽  
Kevin Liu ◽  
Daphne Haas-Kogan ◽  
Katherine Warren

Abstract INTRODUCTION Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are a leading cause of brain tumor deaths in children. Current standard of care includes focal radiation therapy (RT). Despite clinical improvement in the majority of patients, the effect is temporary and median survival is less than one year. The use of reirradiation and possible benefit has been reported in progressive DIPG, yet standardized approaches are lacking. We conducted an internet-based survey to assess physicians’ practices in pediatric DIPG. METHODS A 14-question REDCap survey regarding re-irradiation practices was emailed to 396 physicians identified through an International Pediatric Neuro-Oncology and Radiation-Oncology database. RESULTS Response rate was 35% overall (radiation-oncologists, 28%; pediatric oncologists, 57%). Two participants were excluded (did not treat DIPG). Participants included radiation-oncologists (62%), pediatric oncologists (7%), and pediatric neuro-oncologists (29%). Most physicians (62%) treated 1–5 DIPG patients per year, with 10% treating &gt;10/year. Reirradiation was considered a treatment option in 88%. Progressive disease or worsening clinical status were the most common reasons to consider reirradiation. The majority (84%) considered reirradiation a minimum of 6 months following initial RT. Doses varied, with median total dose 24Gy (range 12–60); 2Gy/fraction (range 1–9). Concurrent use of systemic agents with reirradiation was considered in 46%, mainly with targeted agents (37%), biologics (34%), or immunotherapy (25%). One-time reirradiation was the most common practice (71%). Interestingly, 9% of respondents would not consider reirradiation. CONCLUSION Although, the vast majority of physicians agree with re-irradiation as a treatment option for DIPG the total doses varied, and further clinical trials are needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
pp. 1402-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Troxell ◽  
Thomas Long ◽  
Jason L. Hornick ◽  
Abiy B. Ambaye ◽  
Kristin C. Jensen

Context.— Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression in breast cancer is the current standard of care and directly determines therapy. In 2010 the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) published guidelines for ER and PgR predictive testing, encompassing preanalytic, analytic, postanalytic factors; antibody validation; and proficiency testing. Objective.— To compare the performance of different antibody reagents for ER and PgR immunohistochemical analysis by using CAP proficiency testing data. Design.— The CAP PM2 survey uses tissue microarrays of ten 2-mm cores per slide. We analyzed survey data from 80 ER and 80 PgR cores by antibody clone from more than 1200 laboratories. Results.— Laboratories used the ER antibodies SP1 (72%), 6F11 (17%), 1D5 (3%), and the PgR antibodies 1E2 (61%), 16 (12%), PgR-636 (13%), PgR-1294 (8%) in 2015. While 63 of 80 ER cores (79%) were scored similarly using each of the 3 antibodies, there were significant differences for others, with SP1 yielding more positive interpretations. Four cores were scored as ER negative by more than half of the laboratories using 1D5 or 6F11, while SP1 produced positive results in more than 70% of laboratories using that antibody. Despite the greater variety of PgR antibody reagents and greater PgR tumor heterogeneity, 61 of 80 cores (76%) were scored similarly across the 4 PgR antibodies. Conclusions.— Accurate ER and PgR testing in breast cancer is crucial for appropriate treatment. The CAP proficiency testing data demonstrate differences in staining results by ER clone, with SP1 yielding more positive results.


Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Shaver ◽  
Daniel S. Foy ◽  
Todd D. Carter

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe signalment, clinical signs, serologic test results, treatment, and outcome of dogs with Coccidioides osteomyelitis (COM) and to compare those findings with findings for dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA). ANIMALS 14 dogs with COM and 16 dogs with OSA. PROCEDURES Data were retrospectively gathered from electronic medical records. RESULTS Dogs with COM were younger and weighed less than dogs with OSA. Six dogs with COM had appendicular lesions, 5 had axial lesions, and 3 had both appendicular and axial lesions; 9 had monostotic disease, and 5 had polyostotic disease. Axial lesions and nonadjacent polyostotic disease were more common in dogs with COM than in dogs with OSA, but radiographic appearance was not different between the 2 groups. Median IgG titer at diagnosis of COM was 1:48 and was significantly decreased after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Percentage of dogs with COM that had clinical signs was significantly decreased after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. One year after initiation of treatment, 9 of 9 dogs were still receiving fluconazole and 8 of 9 dogs had positive results for serum IgG titer testing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dogs with COM typically had a rapid improvement in clinical signs after initiating treatment with fluconazole but required long-term antifungal treatment. Dogs with COM differed from dogs with OSA, but radiographic features had a great degree of overlap between groups, confounding the ability to make a diagnosis on the basis of diagnostic imaging alone.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Kassar ◽  
Ramy Samaha ◽  
Rany Aoun ◽  
Makram Khoury ◽  
Joseph Kattan

Positive results in the RENAISSANCE Trial will establish oligometastatic gastric cancer as a real independent entity where total surgical treatment will become the standard of care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-304
Author(s):  
Khalid A. Alsheikh ◽  
Firas M. Alsebayel ◽  
Faisal Abdulmohsen Alsudairy ◽  
Abdullah Alzahrani ◽  
Ali Alshehri ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among the elderly. The rate of hip fractures has been progressively increasing due to the continuing increase in average life expectancy. Surgical intervention is the mainstay of treatment, but with an increasing prevalence of comorbid conditions and decreased functional capacity in elderly patients, more patients are prone to postoperative complications. OBJECTIVES: Assess the value of surgical intervention for hip fractures among the elderly by quantifying the 1-year mortality rate and assessing factors associated with mortality. DESIGN: Medical record review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients 60 years of age or older who sustained a hip fracture between the period of 2008 to 2018 in a single tertiary healthcare center. Data was obtained from case files, using both electronic and paper files. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 1-year mortality rate for hip fracture, postoperative complications and factors associated with mortality. SAMPLE SIZE: 802 patients. RESULTS: The majority of patients underwent surgical intervention (93%). Intra- and postoperative complications were 3% and 16%, respectively. Four percent of the sample died within 30 days, and 11% died within one year. In a multivariate analysis, an increased risk of 1-year mortality was associated with neck of femur fractures and postoperative complications ( P =.034, <.001, respectively) CONCLUSION: The 1-year mortality risk in our study reinforces the importance of aggressive surgical intervention for hip fractures. LIMITATION: Single-centered study. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.


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