Cavitary pneumonia in an AIDS patient caused by an unusual Bordetella bronchiseptica variant producing reduced amounts of pertactin and other major antigens

Although Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect and colonize immunocompromised humans, its role as a primary pathogen in pneumonia and other respiratory processes affecting those patients remains controversial. A case of cavitary pneumonia caused by B. bronchiseptica in an AIDS patient is presented, and the basis of the seemingly enhanced pathogenic potential of this isolate (designated 814) is investigated. B. bronchiseptica was the only microorganism recovered from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and samples taken through the protected brush catheter. Unlike previous work reporting the involvement of B. bronchiseptica in cases of pneumonia, antibiotic treatment selected on the basis of in vitro antibacterial activity resulted in clearance of the infection and resolution of the pulmonary infiltrate. Although isolate 814 produced reduced amounts of several major antigens including at least one Bvg-activated factor (pertactin), the molecular basis of this deficiency was found to be BvgAS independent since the defect persisted after the bvgAS locus of isolate 814 was replaced with a wild-type bvgAS allele. Despite its prominent phenotype, isolate 814 displayed only a modest yet a significant deficiency in its ability to colonize the respiratory tracts of immunocompetent rats at an early time point. Interestingly, the antibody response elicited by isolate 814 in these animals was almost undetectable. We propose that isolate 814 may be more virulent in immunocompromised patients due, at least in part, to its innate ability to produce low amounts of immunogenic factors which may be required at only normal levels for the interaction of this pathogen with its immunocompetent natural hosts

Ferric carboxymaltose with or without erythropoietin for the prevention of red-cell transfusions in the perioperative period of osteoporotic hip fractures: a randomized contolled trial. The PAHFRAC-01 project

Background: Around one third to one half of patients with hip fractures require red-cell pack transfusion. The increasing incidence of hip fracture has also raised the need for this scarce resource. Additionally, red-cell pack transfusions are not without complications which may involve excessive morbidity and mortality. This makes it necessary to develop blood-saving strategies. Our objective was to assess safety, efficacy, and cost-effictveness of combined treatment of i.v. ferric carboxymaltose and erythropoietin (EPOFE arm) versus i.v. ferric carboxymaltose (FE arm) versus a placebo (PLACEBO arm) in reducing the percentage of patients who receive blood transfusions, as well as mortality in the perioperative period of hip fracture intervention. Methods/Design: Multicentric, phase III, randomized, controlled, double blinded, parallel groups clinical trial. Patients > 65 years admitted to hospital with a hip fracture will be eligible to participate. Patients will be treated with either a single dosage of i.v. ferric carboxymaltose of 1 g and subcutaneous erythropoietin (40.000 IU), or i.v. ferric carboxymaltose and subcutaneous placebo, or i.v. placebo and subcutaneous placebo. Follow-up will be performed until 60 days after discharge, assessing transfusion needs, morbidity, mortality, safety, costs, and health-related quality of life. Intention to treat, as well as per protocol, and incremental cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed. The number of recruited patients per arm is set at 102, a total of 306 patients. Discussion: We think that this trial will contribute to the knowledge about the safety and efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose with/without erythropoietin in preventing red-cell pack transfusions in patients with hip fracture. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01154491

Inter-Rater Variability in the Evaluation of Lung Ultrasound in Videos Acquired from COVID-19 Patients

12 páginas, 7 figuras, 1 tablaLung ultrasound (LUS) allows for the detection of a series of manifestations of COVID-19, such as B-lines and consolidations. The objective of this work was to study the inter-rater reliability (IRR) when detecting signs associated with COVID-19 in the LUS, as well as the performance of the test in a longitudinal or transverse orientation. Thirty-three physicians with advanced experience in LUS independently evaluated ultrasound videos previously acquired using the ULTRACOV system on 20 patients with confirmed COVID-19. For each patient, 24 videos of 3 s were acquired (using 12 positions with the probe in longitudinal and transverse orientations). The physicians had no information about the patients or other previous evaluations. The score assigned to each acquisition followed the convention applied in previous studies. A substantial IRR was found in the cases of normal LUS (κ = 0.74), with only a fair IRR for the presence of individual B-lines (κ = 0.36) and for confluent B-lines occupying 50% (κ = 0.50). No statistically significant differences between the longitudinal and transverse scans were found. The IRR for LUS of COVID-19 patients may benefit from more standardized clinical protocols.This research was partially funded by CDTI (Spanish acronym: Centre for Industrial Tech- nological Development), funding number COI-20201153. Partially supported by the Google Cloud Research Credits program with the funding number GCP19980904, by the project RTI2018-099118- A-I00 founded by MCIU/AEI/FEDER UE and by the European Commission–NextGenerationEU, through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global)

Time to Stop the Tragedy in Spanish Nursing Homes During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

SEMI‐COVID‐19 Network.-- This article also appears in: COVID-19 and Long-term Care, COVID-19 Collection.This letter comments on the article by Joseph Ouslander

Diagnostic value of a simplified Pfeiffer questionnaire for polypathological patients

Proyecto Profund.[ES]: Objetivos: Analizar la concordancia, sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN) de cada pregunta del cuestionario de Pfeiffer (SPMSQ) con respecto al cuestionario completo en pacientes pluripatológicos (PPP). Métodos: Estudio transversal multicéntrico. El SPMSQ se consideró patológico si se registraban 3 o más errores. Para cada pregunta y combinaciones de 2 preguntas se calcularon la concordancia (índice kappa), sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos con respecto al SPMSQ completo. Resultados: De los 1.632 pacientes pluripatológicos incluidos (edad media 77,9 ± 9,8 años, 53% varones), se realizó el SPMSQ a 1.434 (los restantes presentaban delirium) y resultó patológico en el 39%. Las preguntas «¿qué día es hoy?» y «reste de 3 en 3 desde 20» obtuvieron buena concordancia y VPN (85% y 89%, respectivamente); la combinación de ambas aumentó el VPN al 97%. La pregunta «¿cuándo nació?» alcanzó buena concordancia y el mayor VPP (93%). Conclusiones: La combinación de las preguntas «¿qué día es hoy?» y «reste de 3 en 3 desde 20» obtuvo un VPN elevado, y la relacionada con la fecha de nacimiento fue la que consiguió el mayor VPP.[EN] Objectives: To analyse the correlation, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each question on the Pfeiffer questionnaire (SPMSQ) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs). Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study. An SPMSQ score is considered pathological if 3 or more errors are recorded. For each question and combination of 2 questions, we calculated the correlation (kappa index), sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared with the full SPMSQ. Results: Of the 1632 PPPs included (mean age, 77.9 ± 9.8 years, 53% men), 1434 performed the SPMSQ (the remaining presented delirium); 39% of the PPPs were pathological. The question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” obtained good correlation and NPV (85 and 89%, respectively); the combination of both increased the NPV to 97%. The question “When were you born?’ achieved good correlation and greater PPV (93%). Conclusions: The combination of the question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” achieved a high NPV. The question related to the date of birth achieved the highest PPV

Simplification of the Barthel scale for screening for frailty and severe dependency in polypathological patients

Proyecto PROFUND.[ES] Objetivos: Analizar la sensibilidad (S), la especificidad (E) y los valores predictivos positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN) de cada dimensión del índice de Barthel (IB) con respecto al cuestionario completo en pacientes pluripatológicos (PPP). Métodos: Estudio transversal multicéntrico. Se consideraron dos puntos de corte del IB (≥ 90 puntos para el cribado de fragilidad y < 60 puntos para el diagnóstico de dependencia severa). Para cada dimensión y combinaciones de dos dimensiones se calcularon la S, la E, el VPP y el VPN con respecto al IB completo. Resultados: El IB medio de los 1.632 PPP incluidos (edad media de 77,9 ± 9,8 años, 53% varones) fue 69 ± 31 (< 90 en el 58,7% y < 60 en el 31,4% de pacientes). La dimensión «alimentación» obtuvo los mayores VPN para tener un IB ≥ 60 y ≥ 90 puntos (87% y 99,6%, respectivamente). Las dimensiones «deambular» y «subir y bajar escaleras» obtuvieron el mayor VPP para tener un IB ≥ 60 y ≥ 90 (99,2/99,5% y 81/92%, respectivamente; la combinación de ambas preguntas aumentó el VPP al 95 y al 99,6%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los PPP de ámbito hospitalario presentan con elevada frecuencia deterioro funcional. La dimensión referente a alimentarse obtuvo el mayor VPN, por lo que se puede utilizar para el diagnóstico de dependencia severa, mientras que la combinación de deambular y subir y bajar escaleras obtuvo el mayor VPP, pudiendo utilizarse para plantear el cribado de fragilidad de los PPP.[EN] Objectives: To analyse the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each measure of the Barthel index (BI) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs). Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study. We considered 2 cut-off points for the BI (≥ 90 points for screening frailty and < 60 points for diagnosing severe dependence). For each measure and combination of 2 measures, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV with respect to the full BI. Results: The mean BI of the 1,632 included PPPs (mean age, 77.9 ± 9.8 years; 53% men) was 69 ± 31 (< 90 for 58.7% and < 60 for 31.4% of the patients). The “feeding” measure achieved the highest NPV, for a BI ≥ 60 and ≥ 90 points (87% and 99.6%, respectively). The “walking” and “going up and down stairs” measures achieved the highest PPV, for a BI ≥ 60 and ≥ 90 (99.2%/99.5% and 81%/92%, respectively. The combination of the 2 measures increased the PPV to 95% and 99.6%, respectively. Conclusions: PPPs in hospital settings have a high rate of functional impairment. The measure for feeding achieved the highest NPV and can therefore be employed for diagnosing severe dependence. The combination of the measures for walking and going up and down stairs achieved the highest PPV and can therefore be employed to propose frailty screening for PPPs.Peer reviewe

Prognostic stratification and healthcare approach in patients with multiple pathologies

[ES] Los pacientes pluripatológicos constituyen una población prevalente y homogénea, caracterizada por su complejidad clínica, vulnerabilidad, consumo de recursos y mortalidad que requiere una asistencia integral y coordinada. Establecer un pronóstico certero en esta población resulta de utilidad para la toma de decisiones clínicas por parte de los profesionales, la planificación de las preferencias de pacientes y familiares, y el diseño de estrategias en el ámbito de la gestión sanitaria. También es importante para la investigación clínica, al facilitar la posible incorporación de estos pacientes a ensayos clínicos y otros estudios de intervención. Los índices PROFUND y PROFUNCTION son 2 instrumentos pronósticos que predicen de manera fidedigna el riesgo de fallecer o de sufrir un deterioro funcional, respectivamente. Para el abordaje asistencial de los pacientes pluripatológicos se propugna la construcción y ejecución de un plan de acción personalizado, consensuado y adaptado a la realidad del paciente. Este tendrá en cuenta el pronóstico, la evidencia y viabilidad de las intervenciones, así como la sinergia de las metas y estrategias del equipo sanitario con los valores y las preferencias de las personas para conseguir un modelo de salud centrado en apoyar la capacidad de las mismas para gestionar sus enfermedades. En este plan los principales ámbitos de intervención son: la promoción y prevención de la salud, la activación y autogestión del paciente y el cuidador, la red de apoyo social, la optimización farmacoterapéutica, la rehabilitación y medidas de preservación funcional y cognitiva, y la planificación anticipada de decisiones.[EN] Polypathological patients constitute a prevalent, fairly homogeneous population, which is characterised by high clinical complexity, substantial vulnerability and significant resource consumption, in addition to high mortality and the need for comprehensive, coordinated care. It is particularly important to establish a reliable prognosis in these patients. It is also extremely useful for professionals involved in the decision-making process for patients and their families in vital planning and their preferences, for strategic health planning in management fields, and for clinical research, by facilitating their incorporation into clinical trials and other intervention studies. Two prognostic instruments stand out in terms of suitability for polypathological patients: PROFUND and PROFUNCTION. The former faithfully stratifies the risk of dying at 12 months and four years and the latter, the risk of suffering a significant functional deterioration at 12 months. In terms of the healthcare approach in patients with multiple pathologies, creating and executing a consensual, personalised action plan that is adapted to the patient's reality is encouraged. The plan will consider the prognosis, and the evidence and viability of interventions; its ultimate aim will be to ensure the synergy and alignment of the health team's goals and strategies with peoples’ values and preferences, in order to achieve a more proactive health model focused on supporting patients in their ability to manage their illnesses. In the personalised action plan, the main areas of intervention are: health promotion and prevention; patient and caregiver activation and self-management; activation of a social support network and social support; optimisation of pharmacotherapy; rehabilitation, functional and cognitive preservation measures; and anticipated decision planning

Adaptation of the Palliative Prognostic Index in patients with advanced medical conditions

Los autores en representación de los investigadores del proyecto PALIAR.[Objetivo] Analizar el rendimiento del Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) en los pacientes con enfermedades médicas en estadio avanzado, y recalibrarlo para adaptarlo al perfil de estos pacientes. [Métodos] Estudio prospectivo observacional multicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes con una o más enfermedades médicas avanzadas. Se analizó la calibración (bondad de ajuste de Hosmer-Lemeshow) y el poder discriminativo (curva ROC y área bajo la curva [AUC]) del PPI en la predicción de la mortalidad a los 180 días. La recalibración se llevó a cabo analizando las puntuaciones en el PPI de cada cuartil ascendente de probabilidad de fallecer. Se comparó la precisión del PPI con la obtenida con el índice de Charlson. [Resultados] La mortalidad global de los 1.788 pacientes fue del 37,5%. La calibración en la predicción de mortalidad fue buena (bondad de ajuste con p = 0,21), oscilando la probabilidad pronosticada entre 0-0,25 en el primer cuartil de riesgo, y 0,48-0,8 en el último cuartil. El poder discriminativo fue aceptable (AUC = 0,69; p < 0,0001). En los grupos recalibrados, la mortalidad de los pacientes con 0/1-2/2,5-9,5 ≥ 10 puntos fue del 13, 23, 39 y 68%, respectivamente. La sensibilidad y el valor predictivo negativo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 0 fueron 96 y 87%, respectivamente; la especificidad y el valor predictivo positivo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 9,5 fueron del 95 y 68%. La calibración del índice de Charslon fue buena (p = 0,2), y el poder discriminativo subóptimo (AUC = 0,52; p = 0,06). [Conclusiones] El PPI en los pacientes con enfermedades médicas en estadio avanzado puede ser de utilidad para el pronóstico de supervivencia a 6 meses.[Objective] To analyze the accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) in patients with advanced medical diseases and to recalibrate it in order to adapt it to the profile of these patients. [Methods] Multicenter, prospective, observational study that included patients with one or more advanced medical diseases. Calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit) and discriminative power (ROC and area under the curve [AUC]) of PPI were analyzed in the prediction of mortality at 180 days. Recalibration was carried out by analyzing the scores on the PPI of each quartile upward of dying probability. Accuracy of PPI was compared with that obtained for the Charlson index. [Results] Overall mortality of the 1.788 patients was 37.5%. Calibration in the prediction of mortality was good (goodness of fit with P=.21), the prognostic probabilities ranging from 0-0,25 in the first quartile of risk and from 0,48-0,8 in the last quartile. Discriminative power was acceptable (AUC=69; P=.0001). In recalibrated groups, mortality of patients with 0/1-2/2.5-9.5/≥10 points was 13, 23, 39 and 68%, respectively. Sensitivity (S) and negative predicative value (NPF) of the cutoff point above 0 points were 96 and 87%, respectively; while specificity (sp) and positive predictive value (PPV) of the cutoff point above 9.5 points were 95 and 68%. Calibration of the Charlson index was good (P=.2), and its discriminative power (AUC=.52; P=.06) was suboptimal. [Conclusions] PPI can be a useful tool in predicting 6-month survival of patients with advanced medical conditions.Peer Reviewe