Case Report: Middle lobe syndrome: a rare presentation in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

BackgroundAntineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of disorders characterized by necrotizing inflammation of small- and medium-sized blood vessels and the presence of circulating ANCA. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic ANCA-associated vasculitis, characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, neuropathy, palpable purpuras or petechiae, renal and cardiac involvement, sinusitis, asthma, and transient pulmonary infiltrates. Middle lobe syndrome (MLS) is defined as recurrent or chronic atelectasis of the right middle lobe of the lung, and it is a potential complication of asthma.Case presentationHerein, we describe a case of MLS in a 51-year-old woman, never-smoker, affected by EGPA, presenting exclusively with leukocytosis and elevated concentrations of acute-phase proteins, without any respiratory symptom, cough, or hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging documented complete atelectasis of the middle lobe, together with complete obstruction of lobar bronchial branch origin. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) revealed complete stenosis of the middle lobar bronchus origin, thus confirming the diagnosis of MLS, along with distal left main bronchus stenosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) did not detect any infection. Bronchial biopsies included plasma cells, neutrophil infiltrates, only isolated eosinophils, and no granulomas, providing the hypothesis of vasculitic acute involvement less likely. First-line agents directed towards optimizing pulmonary function (mucolytics, bronchodilators, and antibiotic course) were therefore employed. However, the patient did not respond to conservative treatment; hence, endoscopic management of airway obstruction was performed, with chest CT documenting resolution of middle lobe atelectasis.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed description of MLS in EGPA completely resolved through FOB. Identification of MLS in EGPA appears essential as prognosis, longitudinal management, and treatment options may differ from other pulmonary involvement in AAV patients

Prognostic Value of the Fibrosis-4 Index in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Infected Patients Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy with or without Hepatitis C Virus

Objective: To evaluate the Fibrosis (FIB)-4 index as a predictor of major liver-related events (LRE) and liver-related death (LRD) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 patients initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study. Setting: Italian HIV care centers participating to the ICONA Foundation cohort. Participants: Treatment-naive patients enrolled in ICONA were selected who: initiated cART, had hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology results, were HBsAg negative, had an available FIB-4 index at cART start and during follow up. Methods: Cox regression models were used to determine the association of FIB4 with the risk of major LRE (gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepato-renal syndrome or hepatocellular carcinoma) or LRD. Results: Three-thousand four-hundred seventy-five patients were enrolled: 73.3% were males, 27.2% HCV seropositive. At baseline (time of cART initiation) their median age was 39 years, had a median CD4+ T cell count of 260 cells/uL, and median HIV RNA 4.9 log copies/ mL, 65.9% had a FIB-4 < 1.45, 26.4% 1.45-3.25 and 7.7% > 3.25. Over a follow up of 18,662 person-years, 41 events were observed: 25 major LRE and 16 LRD (incidence rate, IR, 2.2 per 1,000 PYFU [95% confidence interval, CI 1.6-3.0]). IR was higher in HCV seropositives as compared to negatives (5.9 vs 0.5 per 1,000 PYFU). Higher baseline FIB-4 category as compared to < 1.45 (FIB-4 1.45-3.25: HR 3.55, 95% CI 1.09-11.58; FIB-4 > 3.25: HR 4.25, 1.21-14.92) and time-updated FIB-4 (FIB-4 1.45-3.25: HR 3.40, 1.02-11.40; FIB- 4> 3.25: HR 21.24, 6.75-66.84) were independently predictive of major LRE/LRD, after adjusting for HIV- and HCV-related variables, alcohol consumption and type of cART. Conclusions: The FIB-4 index at cART initiation, and its modification over time are risk factors for major LRE or LRD, independently of infection with HCV and could be used to monitor patients on cART

Malattie della pleura

none4In questo capitolo saranno descritte le principali patologie pleuriche dell'adultononeCIACCIA A; CARAMORI G; GUZZINATI I; PAPI ACiaccia, Adalberto; Caramori, Gaetano; Guzzinati, Ippolito; Papi, Albert

The Additional Value of Lower Respiratory Tract Sampling in the Diagnosis of COVID-19: A Real-Life Observational Study

Background: Since December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been causing cases of severe pneumonia in China and has spread all over the world, putting great pressure on health systems. Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) sensitivity is suboptimal. When the SARS-CoV-2 infection is suspected despite negative NPSs, other tests may help to rule out the infection. Objectives: To evaluate the yield of the lower respiratory tract (LRT) isolation of SARS-CoV-2. To evaluate the correlations between SARS-CoV-2 detection and clinical symptoms, and laboratory values and RSNA CT review scores in suspect patients after two negative NPSs. To assess the safety of bronchoscopy in this scenario. Method: A retrospective analysis of data from LRT sampling (blind nasotracheal aspiration or bronchial washing) for suspected COVID-19 after two negative NPS. Chest CT scans were reviewed by two radiologists using the RSNA imaging classification. Results: SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 14/99 patients (14.1%). A correlation was found between SARS-CoV2 detection on the LRT and the presence of a cough as well as with typical CT features. Typical CT resulted in 57.1% sensitivity, 80.8% accuracy and 92.3% NPV. Neither severe complications nor infections in the personnel were reported. Conclusions: In suspect cases after two negative swabs, CT scan revision can help to rule out COVID-19. In selected cases, with consistent CT features above all, LRT sampling can be of help in confirming COVID-19

Partial reversibility of airflow limitation and increased exhaled NO and sputum eosinophilia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We investigated the relationship between the reversibility of airflow limitation, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air, and the inflammatory cells in the sputum of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined nine normal healthy control subjects and 20 nonatopic patients with COPD. Ten patients had no reversibility of airflow limitation (increase in FEV1 of 200 ml after 200 \ub5g of inhaled salbutamol). Exhaled NO levels were higher in COPD patients with partial reversibility of airflow limitation than in those with no reversibility of airflow limitation (median 24 [interquartile range 15.3 to 32] ppb versus 8.9 [4.6 to 14.7] ppb; p < 0.01). Compared with healthy control subjects, only COPD patients with partial reversibility of airflow limitation had increased concentrations of sputum eosinophils. We conclude that, in patients with stable COPD, even a partial bronchodilator response to inhaled salbutamol is associated with increased exhaled NO and sputum eosinophilia, suggesting that these patients may have a different response to treatment than do those without reversible airflow limitation

Polmonite da ipersensibilità da antigeni aviari in un italiano adulto

Le polmoniti da ipersensibilità (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, HP) o alveoliti allergiche estrinseche (extrinsic allergic alveolitis, EAA), sono infiammazioni del parenchima polmonare sostenute da meccanismi immunopatologici che interessano gli alveoli ed i bronchioli terminali. Si sviluppano in seguito all’inalazione ripetuta, da parte di soggetti sensibilizzati, di antigeni (animali, batterici, fungini, vegetali o sintetici) di dimensioni (diametro <1-5 μm) in grado di raggiungere gli spazi alveolari (1). Il caso descritto, per le modalità della presentazione clinica, può essere classificato nelle forme croniche di HP

Association of Influenza Vaccination and Prognosis in Patients Testing Positive to SARS-CoV-2 Swab Test: A Large-Scale Italian Multi-Database Cohort Study

To investigate the association of the 2019-2020 influenza vaccine with prognosis of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2A, a large multi-database cohort study was conducted in four Italian regions (i.e., Lazio, Lombardy, Veneto, and Tuscany) and the Reggio Emilia province (Emilia-Romagna). More than 21 million adults were residing in the study area (42% of the population). We included 115,945 COVID-19 cases diagnosed during the first wave of the pandemic (February-May, 2020); 34.6% of these had been vaccinated against influenza. Three outcomes were considered: hospitalization, death, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission/death. The adjusted relative risk (RR) of being hospitalized in the vaccinated group when compared with the non-vaccinated group was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.86-0.88). This reduction in risk was not confirmed for death (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06), or for the combined outcome of ICU admission or death. In conclusion, our study, conducted on the vast majority of the population during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy, showed a 13% statistically significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization in some geographical areas and in the younger population. No impact of seasonal influenza vaccination on COVID-19 prognosis in terms of death and death or ICU admission was estimated

CD4/CD8 ratio normalisation and non-AIDS-related events in individuals with HIV who achieve viral load suppression with antiretroviral therapy: An observational cohort study

Background: In patients with HIV, immune reconstitution after antiretroviral therapy (ART) is often incomplete. We assessed the probability of patients reaching a CD4/CD8 ratio of 1 or more after the start of ART and its association with the onset of non-AIDS-defining events and death. Methods: We did an analysis of the ICONA cohort, which recruited treatment-naive patients with HIV in Italy. We included participants in the cohort who started ART, reached an undetectable viral load (≤80 copies per mL), and had a CD4/CD8 ratio of less than 0·8 at the time of an undetectable viral load. We defined ratio normalisation in patients as two consecutive values of 1 or more. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate the cumulative probability of ratio normalisation. We then used Poisson regression models to identify factors independently associated with normalisation and with progression to non-AIDS-defining events or death. Findings: We included 3236 participants, enrolled between Jan 22, 1997, and Feb 25, 2013. At the start of ART, median CD4/CD8 ratio in our population was 0·39 (IQR 0·26-0·55). 458 (14%) patients reached a CD4/CD8 ratio of 1 or more; the estimated probability of normalisation was 4·4% (95% CI 3·7-5·2) by 1 year from baseline, 11·5% (10·2-13·0) by 2 years, and 29·4% (26·7-32·4) by 5 years. Factors associated with normalisation were high pre-ART CD4 cell counts, a high CD4/CD8 ratio at baseline, and negative cytomegalovirus serological findings. The incidence rate of non-AIDS-defining events for patients with a CD4/CD8 ratio of less than 0·30 (4·2 per 100 patient-years, 95% CI 3·4-5·3) was double that for those with a ratio of 0·30-0·45 (2·3, 2·1-2·5) or more than 0·45 (2·2, 1·7-2·9). A ratio of less than 0·30 was independently associated with an increased risk of non-AIDS-defining events or death compared with one of more than 0·45. Interpretation: Few patients had normalised CD4/CD8 ratios, even though they had viral suppression. Low ratios were associated with increased risk of serious events and deaths. The CD4/CD8 ratio could be used by clinicians to identity patients at risk of non-AIDS-related events. Funding: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Janssen, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme, ViiV Italy

Discontinuation of initial antiretroviral therapy in clinical practice: Moving toward individualized therapy

125nofor the ICONA Foundation Study GroupreservedBackground: Study aim was to estimate the rate and identify predictors of discontinuation of first combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in recent years. Methods: Patients who initiated first cART between January 2008 and October 2014 were included. Discontinuation was defined as stop of at least 1 drug of the regimen, regardless of the reason. All causes of discontinuation were evaluated and 3 main endpoints were considered: toxicity, intolerance, and simplification. Predictors of discontinuation were examined separately for all 3 endpoints. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for the outcome discontinuation of ≥1 drug regardless of the reason. Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with treatment discontinuation because of the 3 reasons considered. Results: A total of 4052 patients were included. Main reason for stopping at least 1 drug were simplification (29%), intolerance (21%), toxicity (19%), other causes (18%), failure (8%), planned discontinuation (4%), and nonadherence (2%). In a multivariable Cox model, predictors of discontinuation for simplification were heterosexual transmission (P = 0.007), being immigrant (P = 0.017), higher nadir lymphocyte T CD4+cell (P = 0.011), and higher lymphocyte T CD8+cell count (P = 0.025); for discontinuation due to intolerance: the use of statins (P = 0.029), higher blood glucose levels (P = 0.050). About toxicity: higher blood glucose levels (P = 0.010) and the use of zidovudine/lamivudine as backbone (P = 0.044). Conclusions: In the late cART era, the main reason for stopping the initial regimen is simplification. This scenario reflects the changes in recommendations aimed to enhance adherence and quality of life, and minimize drug toxicity.mixedDi Biagio, A.; Cozzi-Lepri, A.; Prinapori, R.; Angarano, G.; Gori, A.; Quirino, T.; De Luca, A.; Costantini, A.; Mussini, C.; Rizzardini, G.; Castagna, A.; Antinori, A.; Monforte, A.D.; Moroni, M.; Andreoni, M.; D'Arminio Monforte, A.; Castelli, F.; Cauda, R.; Di Perri, G.; Galli, M.; Iardino, R.; Ippolito, G.; Lazzarin, A.; Perno, C.F.; Von Schloesser, F.; Viale, P.; Ceccherini-Silberstein, F.; Girardi, E.; Lo Caputo, S.; Puoti, M.; Ammassari, A.; Balotta, C.; Bandera, A.; Bonfanti, P.; Bonora, S.; Borderi, M.; Calcagno, A.; Calza, L.; Capobianchi, M.R.; Cingolani, A.; Cinque, P.; Caputo, N.; Gianotti, N.; Guaraldi, G.; Lapadula, G.; Lichtner, M.; Madeddu, G.; Maggiolo, F.; Marchetti, G.; Marcotullio, S.; Monno, L.; Quiros Roldan, E.; Rossotti, R.; Rusconi, S.; Santoro, M.; Saracino, A.; Zaccarelli, M.; Fanti, I.; Galli, L.; Lorenzini, P.; Rodano, A.; Shanyinde, M.; Tavelli, A.; Giacometti, A.; Mazzoccato, S.; Santoro, C.; Suardi, C.; Vanino, E.; Verucchi, G.; Minardi, C.; Abeli, C.; Manconi, P.E.; Piano, P.; Vecchiet, J.; Falasca, K.; Sighinolfi, L.; Segala, D.; Mazzotta, F.; Alessandrini, A.; Piscopo, R.; Mazzarello, G.; Mastroianni, C.; Belvisi, V.; Caramma, I.; Chiodera, A.; Castelli, A.P.; Ridolfo, A.L.; Piolini, R.; Salpietro, S.; Carenzi, L.; Moioli, M.C.; Tincati, C.; Puzzolante, C.; Abrescia, N.; Chirianni, A.; Borgia, G.; Guida, M.G.; Gargiulo, M.; Gentile, I.; Orlando, R.; Baldelli, F.; Francisci, D.; Parruti, G.; Ursini, T.; Magnani, G.; Ursitti, M.A.; Vullo, V.; D'Avino, A.; Gallo, L.; Nicastri, E.; Acinapura, R.; Capozzi, M.; Libertone, R.; Tebano, G.; Viviani, F.; Sasset, L.; Mura, M.S.; Caramello, P.; Orofino, G.C.; Rossetti, B.; Sciandra, M.; Bassetti, M.; Londero, A.; Pellizzer, G.; Manfrin, V.Di Biagio, A.; Cozzi-Lepri, A.; Prinapori, R.; Angarano, G.; Gori, A.; Quirino, T.; De Luca, A.; Costantini, A.; Mussini, C.; Rizzardini, G.; Castagna, A.; Antinori, A.; Monforte, A. D.; Moroni, M.; Andreoni, M.; D'Arminio Monforte, A.; Castelli, F.; Cauda, R.; Di Perri, G.; Galli, M.; Iardino, R.; Ippolito, G.; Lazzarin, A.; Perno, C. F.; Von Schloesser, F.; Viale, P.; Ceccherini-Silberstein, F.; Girardi, E.; Lo Caputo, S.; Puoti, M.; Ammassari, A.; Balotta, C.; Bandera, A.; Bonfanti, P.; Bonora, S.; Borderi, M.; Calcagno, A.; Calza, L.; Capobianchi, M. R.; Cingolani, A.; Cinque, P.; Caputo, N.; Gianotti, N.; Guaraldi, G.; Lapadula, G.; Lichtner, M.; Madeddu, G.; Maggiolo, F.; Marchetti, G.; Marcotullio, S.; Monno, L.; Quiros Roldan, E.; Rossotti, R.; Rusconi, S.; Santoro, M.; Saracino, A.; Zaccarelli, M.; Fanti, I.; Galli, L.; Lorenzini, P.; Rodano, A.; Shanyinde, M.; Tavelli, A.; Giacometti, A.; Mazzoccato, S.; Santoro, C.; Suardi, C.; Vanino, E.; Verucchi, G.; Minardi, C.; Abeli, C.; Manconi, P. E.; Piano, P.; Vecchiet, J.; Falasca, K.; Sighinolfi, L.; Segala, D.; Mazzotta, F.; Alessandrini, A.; Piscopo, R.; Mazzarello, G.; Mastroianni, C.; Belvisi, V.; Caramma, I.; Chiodera, A.; Castelli, A. P.; Ridolfo, A. L.; Piolini, R.; Salpietro, S.; Carenzi, L.; Moioli, M. C.; Tincati, C.; Puzzolante, C.; Abrescia, N.; Chirianni, A.; Borgia, G.; Guida, M. G.; Gargiulo, M.; Gentile, I.; Orlando, R.; Baldelli, F.; Francisci, D.; Parruti, G.; Ursini, T.; Magnani, G.; Ursitti, M. A.; Vullo, V.; D'Avino, A.; Gallo, L.; Nicastri, E.; Acinapura, R.; Capozzi, M.; Libertone, R.; Tebano, G.; Viviani, F.; Sasset, L.; Mura, M. S.; Caramello, P.; Orofino, G. C.; Rossetti, B.; Sciandra, M.; Bassetti, M.; Londero, A.; Pellizzer, G.; Manfrin, V