A cost minimisation analysis comparing oral linezolid and intravenous daptomycin administered via an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy programme in patients requiring prolonged antibiotic courses

This study is an economic analysis seeking to examine cost savings that may be accrued from usage of oral linezolid in place of OPAT IV daptomycin in patients requiring prolonged courses of IV or highly bioavailable oral antibiotic therapy. In order to do so we conducted a literature review to establish the scenarios in which the agents could be considered equivalent. We then, using a decision-tree model, conducted a cost analysis to establish differences in cost between the approaches. Under the model base-case, the total cost of treatment with OPAT daptomycin was €3,496.84 and the total cost of treatment with oral linezolid was €772.01. Therefore the oral linezolid strategy would be projected to save the Irish health service €2,724.83 per patient. These results were robust to one-way deterministic sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Our study suggests that significant savings could be safely accrued in the management of these patients

The presentation and diagnosis of the first known community transmitted case of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Ireland

Introduction: This case series describes the diagnosis of the first case of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Ireland. Cases: Case 1: A 25 year old male presented with dyspnoea, cough and high fevers for 4 days. He was commenced on broad spectrum antimicrobials and oxygen therapy. His respiratory function deteriorated in spite of these measures and he required mechanical ventilation. CT showed left upper lobe consolidation as well as multifocal ground-glass opacification. Case 2: A 43 year-old male presented with headache and was found incidentally to have pneumonia. He was recently diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy secondary to an adenoma with resultant pituitary insufficiency but MRI brain was stable. His respiratory function deteriorated in spite of antibiotics and he required mechanical ventilation. CT showed likely atypical infection with resultant ARDS. Outcome: Both underwent nasopharyngeal RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. Patient 2 was positive. Patient 1 was extubated and made a good recovery. Patient 2 was transferred to another centre for ECMO therapy. He died 27 days after transfer. Conclusion: Given the atypical presentations in generally otherwise young and healthy individuals, the decision was made outside of national guidance to perform testing for SARS-CoV-2. This diagnosis had far-reaching implications for the SARSCoV-2 pandemic within Ireland