Fluoroquinolone treatment as a protective factor for 10-day mortality in Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia in cancer patients

To evaluate the prognostic factors in adult cancer patients with pneumococcal bacteremia, describe episode features and the phenotypic characteristics of the isolated strains. We evaluated the episodes in patients admitted to a cancer hospital between 2009 and 2015. The outcomes were defined as 48 h mortality and mortality within 10 days after the episode. The variables evaluated were: age, sex, ethnicity, ECOG, Karnofsky score, SOFA, cancer type, metastasis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, neutropenia, previous antibiotic therapy, community or healthcare-acquired infection, comorbidities, smoking, pneumococcal vaccination, infection site, presence of fever, polymicrobial infection, antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype and treatment. 165 episodes were detected in 161 patients. The mean age was 61.3 years; solid tumors were the most prevalent (75%). 48 h and 10-day mortality were 21% (34/161) and 43% (70/161) respectively. The 48 h mortality- associated risk factors were SOFA and polymicrobial bacteremia; 10-day mortality-associated risk factors were fever, neutropenia, ECOG 3/4, SOFA and fluoroquinolones as a protective factor. Pneumococcal bacteremia presented high mortality in cancer patients, with prognosis related to intrinsic host factors and infection episodes features. Fluoroquinolone treatment, a protective factor in 10-day mortality, has potential use for IPDs and severe community-acquired pneumonia in cancer patients.

Austrian Syndrome: a report of an exceptionally rare and deadly syndrome

Austrian Syndrome is the rare combination of a triad of endocarditis, meningitis, and pneumonia in the context of pneumococcal infection. Due to the involvement of several anatomical sites, the Austrian syndrome has a high mortality. Importantly, endocarditis is usually not considered during pneumococcal infection. We present a case of Austrian syndrome in a previously healthy 67-year-old woman. She featured with mental state alteration, respiratory failure, and shock, and was diagnosed with ceftriaxone-sensitive pneumococcal bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed vegetation of the mitral valve. Despite an improvement in her medical condition, she remained in a coma and died due to neurological complications. Even though the major cause of mortality in Austrian syndrome is cardiac involvement, meningitis is also linked with high morbidity and eventually death. We emphasize the relevance of an early diagnosis of the triad in order to decrease the very high mortality associated with this syndrome.

Bacteremia-Induced Cholestatic Jaundice as a Major Manifestation of Pneumococcal Infection in a Healthy Toddler

The development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has substantially decreased the incidence of invasive pneumococcal diseases. However, the incidence of bacteremia due to nonvaccine serotypes has increased. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms and complications of pneumococcal infection to expedite diagnosis. Herein, we report the case of a 22-month-old patient diagnosed with pneumococcal bacteremia who presented with cholestatic jaundice and fever without any other signs of systemic sepsis. The patient's condition improved soon after antibacterial therapy. Other causes of jaundice were possibly ruled out based on the screening test for viral hepatitis, and there were no abnormal findings on abdominal ultrasonography. Therefore, the present case suggests that cholestatic jaundice could be a manifestation of pneumococcal bacteremia.

Perform or perish: laboratory optimization to avoid false negative blood cultures in pneumococcal bacteremia

We present the laboratory operations influencing the culture yield of pneumococci and suggest an alternate solution to the problem. Blood cultures of 136 adults and 19 pediatric patients were analyzed in two phases. In phase I, the laboratory operated only during weekdays but in phase II the laboratory provided 24-h services on all days. In phase I, successful bacterial isolation leading to testing of antimicrobial susceptibility was possible only in 51% of cases, while a significant 49% had failed to grow in subcultures due to autolysis resulting from delayed processing time. These false negative blood cultures were further confirmed as Streptococcus pneumoniae by commercial antigen tests. In phase II, we did not observe any false-negative results due to prompt subculturing protocols (p < 0.001). We also found that taking blood cultures on two occasions increases the yield by 46% among adults.

1002. Epidemiology of Pneumococcal Bacteremia in a Large Tertiary Center

Background Streptococcus pneumoniae remains an important cause of bacteremia in the United States with high morbidity and mortality despite readily available treatment and vaccines. Increased incidence of bacteremia observed during 2017–2018 season. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients admitted with pneumococcal bacteremia over the last two winter seasons. Demographics, laboratory data, ICU stay, need for ventilation or pressor, comorbidities, and mortality were collected. Results Fifty-three patients enrolled. 62% admitted during 2017–2018. Sixty-six percent white, 60% male, mean BMI 27 (38% had normal BMI). Mean age was 55 years (1–93) (57% &gt; 61). Mean hospital length of stay was 7.8 days (1–30). More than 40% required ICU stay. The use of NPPV, vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation were 6%, 15%, and 17%, respectively. Most common presentation: dyspnea 30% and fever 18%. Smoking history (55%). Eighty percent of these patients had pneumonia. Resistance to penicillin 9% and intermediate susceptibility 6%. Resistance to erythromycin 44% and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 12% which increased during winter 2017 (52% and 12%) compared with winter 2016 (30% and 10%). Only 2% of patients with pneumonia had positive sputum culture for pneumococcus and 62% had positive serum pneumococcal antigen with bacteremia. Positive co-detection of bacterial or viral targets in sputum using Multiplex PCR did not correlate with mortality and hospital stay but they were more likely needed ICU stay, use of vasopressor and mechanical ventilation. 43% of empiric therapy was as recommended by IDSA guidelines. Comparing 2016 vs. 2017 seasons, mortality (15% vs. 6%), hospital stay (9 days vs. 7 days), use of NPPV (5% vs. 6%) mechanical ventilation (15% vs. 18%) and vasopressor (5% vs. 21%). No correlation between influenza infection and bacteremia. Overall 6-month mortality and re-admission rate was 9% and 2%, respectively. Mortality was higher in overweight patients (60% vs. 20%), non-smokers (40% vs. 20%), coronary artery disease (40%) and congestive heart failure (40%). Conclusion Pneumococcal bacteremia cause significant morbidity and mortality, we observed less mortality and hospital stay, but more use of NPPV, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor during 2017–2018 season which had widespread influenza like activity. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.