Attributable Mortality for Pediatric and Neonatal Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Greece

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most frequent pediatric hospital-acquired infections and significantly impact outcomes. The aim of this study was to estimate the attributable mortality for CLABSIs in pediatric and neonatal patients in Greece. A retrospective matched-cohort study was performed, in two tertiary pediatric hospitals. Inpatients with a central line in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs), hematology/oncology units, and a bone marrow transplantation unit between June 2012 and June 2015 were eligible. Patients with confirmed CLABSI were enrolled on the day of the event and were matched (1:1) to non-CLABSI patients by hospital, hospitalization unit, and length of stay prior to study enrollment (188 children enrolled, 94 CLABSIs). Attributable mortality was estimated. During the study period, 22 CLABSIs and nine non-CLABSIs died (23.4 vs. 9.6%, respectively, p = 0.011), leading to an attributable mortality of 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.4–24.3%). Children in PICUs were more likely to die, presenting an attributable mortality of 20.2% (95% CI = − 1.4–41.8%), without reaching, however, statistical significance. After multiple logistic regression, CLABSIs were four times more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] = 4.29, 95% CI = 1.28–14.36, p = 0.018). Survival analysis showed no difference in time to death after study enrollment between CLABSIs and non-CLABSIs (log-rank p = 0.137, overall median survival time = 7.8 months). Greek pediatric mortality rates are increased by the CLABSI occurrence, highlighting the importance of infection prevention strategies.

Hypochromic red cells as predictors of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis: an observational retrospective study

The percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HRC) estimates the availability of iron by evaluating the degree of hemoglobinization. We investigated whether %HRC was a predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We recruited 142 patients undergoing routine hemodialysis between 2017 and 2019. Delta hemoglobin level (ΔHb)1mo-baseline was calculated as the difference between the hemoglobin level at 1 month after study enrollment and that at the time of study enrollment. Development of anemia was defined as hemoglobin level ≤ 15% of baseline. The median %HRC was 3.1%. There was a significant negative correlation between (ΔHb)1mo- baseline and %HRC (r = − 0.63, P < 0.001). The incidence of anemia was significantly higher in patients with %HRC > 3.1% than in those with %HRC ≤ 3.1%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, %HRC was significantly related to the development of anemia (odds ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72–3.85, P < 0.001). The best cutoff value for %HRC to predict the development of anemia was 4.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.74 (95% CI, 54.7–79.1) and 97.50 (95% CI, 91.3– 99.7), respectively. %HRC is an independent predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. %HRC ≤ 4.3% is an early marker to consider changing the anemia treatment.

Local monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Two Large California Counties in 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to persist due to mutations resulting in newer, more infectious variants of concern. The initial government response to COVID-19 failed to engage the private sector. Engaging the private sector could have bolstered the national capacity to process diagnostic tests and track variants of concern for disease for public health surveillance. We aimed to leverage an ongoing private SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratory’s infrastructure to monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants in two large California counties.Methods: Study enrollment was offered to adults aged 18 years or older in Los Angeles County and Riverside County in California who recently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a cycle threshold value less than or equal to 30 cycles. Trained healthcare workers directly observed self-collection of oral fluid or anterior nares specimens within 5 days of study enrollment. Specimens were transported and stored at 8°C or cooler. RNA was extracted from samples. Samples underwent library preparation and were sequenced. Sequencing data were filtered by quality criteria. High-quality genomic data were analyzed to identify SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Participant and genomic data were analyzed using statistical tools and visualized with toolkits. The study was approved by Advarra Institutional Review Board (Pro00053729).Results: From May 27, 2021 to September 9, 2021, 503 participants were enrolled and underwent specimen collection. Of those enrolled, there were 238 (47.3%) females, 329 (63.6%) vaccinated, and 221 (43.9%) of Hispanic or Spanish origin. Of the cohort, 496 (98.6%) had symptoms at the time of collection. Among the 503 participants, 443 (88.1%) nasal specimens and 353 (70.2%) oral specimens yielded sequencing results. Over our study period, the prevalence of the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 decreased (initially 23.1% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0% to 0.49%] to 0% [95% CI: 0.0% to 0.0%]) as the prevalence of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 increased (initially 33.3% [95% CI: 0.0% to 100.0%] to 100.0% [95% CI: 100.0% to 100.0%]). A strain that carried mutations of both Delta and Mu was identified.Conclusion: We found that outpatient SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance could be conducted in private laboratory in a timely and accurate manner. The prevalence of different variants changed over time. A higher proportion of nasal specimens yielded results when compared to oral specimens. Timely outpatient SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance could be used for public health efforts to identify changes in SARS-CoV-2 strain epidemiology in local areas. Government agencies should engage private laboratories in the surveillance of diseases that threaten the public’s health to supplement national disease reporting networks.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV and syphilis co-infection in the African Cohort Study: a cross-sectional study

Background Each year, 5.6 million new syphilis cases are diagnosed globally. Guidelines for people living with HIV (PLWH) in low-income countries (LIC) recommend STI testing for symptomatic persons and those newly diagnosed with HIV; routine STI testing is less clear. Here we provide updated syphilis prevalence and identify co-infection risk factors in PLWH in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS) to understand these rates as they relate to syndromic treatment. Methods AFRICOS is a study enrolling PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals in four African countries. Participant study enrollment information was used to determine syphilis prevalence and co-infection risk factors. Inclusion criteria consisted of adults 18 years or older receiving care at a participating clinic as a long-term resident who consented to data and specimen collection. Exclusion criteria consisted of pregnancy and/or imprisonment. Screen-positive syphilis was defined as a reactive rapid plasma regain (RPR) upon study enrollment whereas confirmed syphilis included a reactive RPR followed by reactive treponemal test. Multivariate analyses was performed to determine HIV and syphilis co-infection risk factors. Results Between 2013 and March 1, 2020, 2939 PLWH enrolled and 2818 were included for analysis. Screen-positive and confirmed syphilis prevalence were 5.3% (151/2818) and 3.1% (87/2818), respectively. When the analysis was restricted to PLWH with an RPR titer of greater than, or equal to, 1:8, 11/87 (12.6%) participants were included. No PLWH and confirmed syphilis had documented genital ulcers. In the multivariate model, participants with confirmed syphilis co-infection were more likely to have none or some primary education [aOR 3.29 (1.60, 6.74)] and consume alcohol [aOR 1.87 (1.16, 3.03)] compared to those without syphilis. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) with suppressed viral load (VL) was protective in the unadjusted model but not adjusted multivariate model. Conclusions Our findings show that syphilis rates in sub-Saharan Africa remain elevated where diagnosis remains challenging, and that both lower education level and alcohol consumption are significantly associated with HIV/syphilis co-infection in AFRICOS. Based on our analysis, current STI guidelines targeting testing for African individuals with either new HIV diagnosis or syndromic symptoms may be inadequate, highlighting the need for increased testing and treatment strategies in resource-limited settings.

Improving hematology/oncology clinical research recruitment via universal prescreening: The VA Connecticut (VACT) Cancer Center experience.

79 Background: Patient-trial matching is a critical step in clinical research recruitment that requires extensive review of clinical data and trial requirements. Prescreening, defined as identifying potentially eligible patients using select eligibility criteria, may streamline the process and increase study enrollment. We describe the real-world experience of implementing a standardized, universal clinical research prescreening protocol within a VA cancer center and its impact on research enrollment. Methods: An IRB approved prescreening protocol was implemented at the VACT Cancer Center in March 2017. All patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of cancer are identified through tumor boards, oncology consults, and clinic lists. Research coordinators perform chart review and manually enter patient demographics, cancer type and stage, and treatment history into a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database. All clinical trials and their eligibility criteria are also entered into REDCap and updated regularly. REDCap generates real time lists of potential research studies for each patient based on his/her recorded data. The primary oncologist is alerted to a patient’s potential eligibility prior to upcoming clinic visits and thus can plan to discuss clinical research enrollment as appropriate. Results: From March 2017 to December 2020, a total of 2548 unique patients were prescreened into REDCAP. The mean age was 71.5 years, 97.5% were male, and 15.5% were African American. 32.57 % patients had genitourinary cancer, 17.15% had lung cancer, and 46.15% were undergoing malignancy workup. 1412 patients were potentially eligible after prescreening and 556 patients were ultimately enrolled in studies. The number of patients enrolled on therapeutic clinical trials increased after the implementation of the prescreening protocol (35 in 2017, 64 in 2018, 78 in 2019, and 55 in 2020 despite the COVID19 pandemic). Biorepository study enrollment increased from 8 in 2019 to 15 in 2020. The prescreening protocol also enabled 200 patients to be enrolled onto a lung nodule liquid biopsy study from 2017 to 2019. Our prescreening process captured 98.57% of lung cancer patients entered into the cancer registry during the same time period. Conclusions: Universal prescreening streamlined research recruitment operations and was associated with yearly increases in clinical research enrollment at a VA cancer center. Our protocol identified most new lung cancer patients, suggesting that, at least for this malignancy, potential study patients were not missed. The protocol was integral in our program becoming the top accruing VA site for NCI’s National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN) studies since 2019.

Hypochromic Red Cells as Predictors of Anemia in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: An Observation Retrospective Study

The percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HRC) estimates the availability of iron by evaluating the degree of hemoglobinization. We investigated whether %HRC was a predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We recruited 142 patients undergoing routine hemodialysis between 2017 and 2019. Delta hemoglobin level (ΔHb)1mo-baseline was calculated as the difference between the hemoglobin level at 1 month after study enrollment and that at study enrollment. Development of anemia was defined as hemoglobin level ≤15% of baseline. The median %HRC was 3.1%. There was a significant negative correlation between (ΔHb)1mo- baseline and %HRC (r = -0.63, P < 0.001). The incidence of anemia was significantly higher in patients with %HRC >3.1% than in those with %HRC ≤3.1%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, %HRC was significantly related to the development of anemia (odds ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72–3.85, P < 0.001). The best cutoff value for %HRC to predict the development of anemia was 4.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.74 (95% CI, 54.7–79.1) and 97.50 (95% CI, 91.3– 99.7), respectively. %HRC is an independent predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. %HRC ≤4.3% is an early marker to consider changing the anemia treatment.

Social determinants of health impacting adherence to diabetic retinopathy examinations

IntroductionThis study evaluates the association of multidimensional social determinants of health (SDoH) with non-adherence to diabetic retinopathy examinations.Research design and methodsThis was a post-hoc subgroup analysis of adults with diabetes in a prospective cohort study of enrollees in the Washington, DC Medicaid program. At study enrollment, participants were given a comprehensive SDoH survey based on the WHO SDoH model. Adherence to recommended dilated diabetic retinopathy examinations, as determined by qualifying Current Procedural Terminology codes in the insurance claims, was defined as having at least one eye examination in the 2-year period following study enrollment.ResultsOf the 8943 participants enrolled in the prospective study, 1492 (64% female, 91% non-Hispanic Black) were included in this post-hoc subgroup analysis. 47.7% (n=712) were adherent to the recommended biennial diabetic eye examinations. Not having a regular provider (eg, a primary care physician) and having poor housing conditions (eg, overcrowded, inadequate heating) were associated with decreased odds of adherence to diabetic eye examinations (0.45 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.64) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.94), respectively) in the multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, overall health status using the Chronic Disability Payment System, diabetes severity using the Diabetes Complications Severity Index, history of eye disease, and history of diabetic eye disease treatment.ConclusionsA multidimensional evaluation of SDoH revealed barriers that impact adherence to diabetic retinopathy examinations. Having poor housing conditions and not having a regular provider were associated with poor adherence. A brief SDoH assessment could be incorporated into routine clinical care to identify social risks and connect patients with the necessary resources to improve adherence to diabetic retinopathy examinations.

MO680INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS OF ICODEXTRIN PRESCRIPTION PRACTICE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH FLUID REMOVAL, BLOOD PRESSURE, PATIENT AND TECHNIQUE SURVIVAL*

Background and Aims Icodextrin is designed to maintain ultrafiltration during the long dwell, especially when there is a risk of increased fluid reabsorption (fast peritoneal solute transfer rate, PSTR), without the need for excessive use of high glucose. Randomized trials have demonstrated these benefits but are insufficiently powered to investigate a clear impact on survival. We aimed to establish international prescription practices and their relationship to clinical outcomes. Method The Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS) is an international prospective cohort study in collaboration with the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis. The current analysis was drawn from A/NZ, Canada, Japan, UK, and US in PDOPPS phases 1-2 (2014-2019). Patient demographics, comorbidities, lab measurements, clinic blood pressure, membrane function (both solute transport rate and ultrafiltration capacity), dialysis prescription details, urine and 24-hour ultrafiltration volumes were captured at study enrollment. Mortality and permanent transfer to HD (HDT) events were collected during study follow-up [median (IQR) = 1.1 yrs (0.6, 1.7)]. Linear and logistic models were used to analyze the association between icodextrin and blood pressure. Cox regression, stratified by country, was used to analyze the association of icodextrin with time from study enrollment to (a) death and (b) HDT, and adjusted for demographics, 13 comorbidities, transplant waitlisting, serum albumin, urine volume, facility size and % APD use, study phase, while accounting for facility clustering. Results Icodextrin was prescribed in 1,929 (35%) of 5,432 patients studied, but this proportion differed by country, being &gt;44% in all except the US, where it was 17%, and by facility within countries. Patients on icodextrin were more likely to have coronary artery disease and diabetes, have lower residual 24-hour urine volume and function, use less high glucose, have faster PSTR and reduced ultrafiltration capacity, and have been on PD longer (PD vintage: median 1.19, IQR 0.50-2.76). Despite this, patients using icodextrin achieved equivalent ultrafiltration to those using glucose at every level of residual urine volume (see figure). The low use of icodextrin in the US was more than compensated for by much greater use of high glucose and overall higher ultrafiltration volumes at each level of urine volume. Icodextrin use was not associated with blood pressure (effects: 0.90 mmHg, 95% CI: -0.68, 2.47), mortality (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.23) and HDT (HR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.23). Conclusion There are important national and facility differences in the prescription of icodextrin, with the US a clear outlier, with less icodextrin and more high glucose use, resulting in higher ultrafiltration volumes. These practices and the targeting of patients with less efficient membranes for fluid removal may mask any potential survival advantage associated with icodextrin.