Reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Detected on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Samples in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: Preliminary Results from Two Italian Centers

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been described in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. In the present two-center retrospective experience, we primarily aimed to assess the cumulative risk of HSV-1 reactivation detected on bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) samples in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients with worsening respiratory function. The secondary objectives were the identification of predictors for HSV-1 reactivation and the assessment of its possible prognostic impact. Overall, 41 patients met the study inclusion criteria, and 12/41 patients developed HSV-1 reactivation (29%). No independent predictors of HSV-1 reactivation were identified in the present study. No association was found between HSV-1 reactivation and mortality. Eleven out of 12 patients with HSV-1 reactivation received antiviral therapy with intravenous acyclovir. In conclusion, HSV-1 reactivation is frequently detected in intubated patients with COVID-19. An antiviral treatment in COVID-19 patients with HSV-1 reactivation and worsening respiratory function might be considered

Incidence and prognosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients with covid-19: A multicenter study

The primary objective of this multicenter, observational, retrospective study was to assess the incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in intensive care units (ICU). The secondary objective was to assess predictors of 30-day case-fatality of VAP. From 15 February to 15 May 2020, 586 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the participating ICU. Of them, 171 developed VAP (29%) and were included in the study. The incidence rate of VAP was of 18 events per 1000 ventilator days (95% confidence intervals [CI] 16–21). Deep respiratory cultures were available and positive in 77/171 patients (45%). The most frequent organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27/77, 35%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18/77, 23%). The 30-day case-fatality of VAP was 46% (78/171). In multivariable analysis, septic shock at VAP onset (odds ratio [OR] 3.30, 95% CI 1.43–7.61, p = 0.005) and acute respiratory distress syndrome at VAP onset (OR 13.21, 95% CI 3.05–57.26, p < 0.001) were associated with fatality. In conclusion, VAP is frequent in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The related high fatality is likely the sum of the unfavorable prognostic impacts of the underlying viral and the superimposed bacterial diseases

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Kinetics of Immunoglobulins in Septic Shock Patients Treated With an IgM- and IgA-Enriched Intravenous Preparation: An Observational Study

Objective: To assess the variations of the blood levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) in septic shock patients treated with an Ig preparation enriched in IgM and IgA (eIg). Design: The blood levels of Ig in survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS) of a group of septic shock patients were measured before the initial administration (D0) and 1 (D1), 4 (D4), and 7 (D7) days thereafter. The SAPS II score, the capillary permeability, the primary site of infection, the antibiotic appropriateness, and the outcome at 28 days were also assessed. Results: In the interval D0–D7, the IgM increased significantly only in the S while remained stable in NS; the IgA significantly increased in both groups; the IgG did not vary significantly in both groups. At D4, the capillary permeability significantly decreased in S but not in NS. Conclusions: The kinetics of the different classes of Ig after eIg were different between S and NS. This could be related either to (a) different capillary permeability in the two groups or to (b) higher Ig consumption in NS. Further studies to confirm the benefits of eIg in the treatment of sepsis syndrome and to define the specific target population and the correct eIg dose are warranted

Comparison of noninvasive ventilation by sequential use of mask and helmet versus mask in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a preliminary study

Background:Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) using a face mask is the ventilatory mode of choice in selected patients experiencing acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A high incidence of intolerance limits the use of this approach. Objective: To evaluate the sequential use of mask and helmet during NPPV in patients with severe exacerbation of COPD in order to reduce the intolerance to these devices. Methods: Fifty-three patients ventilated for the first 2 h with NPPV by mask were studied. If gas exchange and clinical status improved, they were randomized to continue on NPPV by mask or helmet.Physiological parameters were measured at admission, after the first 2 h on NPPV by mask, 4 h after randomization and at discharge. Need for intubation, ventilatory assistance, length of stay (LOS) and complications were recorded. Results: After the first 2 h of NPPV, gas exchange and clinical parameters improved in 40 patients. Four hours after randomization, PaCO2 was lower in the mask group than in the helmet group. Nine patients in the mask group and 2 in the helmet group failed NPPV, 8 and 1, respectively, owing to intolerance. Time of noninvasive ventilation and LOS were lower in the mask than in the helmet group. Conclusions: In patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and undergoing NPPV, the sequential use of a mask and helmet diminished the incidence of failure. Under the present experimental conditions, the use of a helmet increased LOS and the duration of artificial ventilation

Assessment of left ventricular untwisting by speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with aortic regurgitation

Background: Left ventricular (LV) twist, as a result of counter-rotation of the apex and base during systole, and its subsequent untwisting during diastole represent important components of LV contractility and diastolic suction. Data regarding LV untwisting in AR patients are lacking. Purpose: To assess LV untwisting and its determinants in patients with significant chronic AR. Methods: We prospectively studied 35 patients withmoderate and severe chronic AR and 20 normal subjects. Exclusion criteria for AR patients were LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 6450%, significant coronary artery disease, any LV wall motion abnormality, more than mild associated valvular heart disease, non-sinus rhythm. Basal and apical LV rotation and LV torsion were quantified from two-dimensional greyscale LV parasternal short-axis images by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). LV untwisting was assessed by measuring peak untwisting velocity as the net difference in peak diastolic apical and basal rotation rates on the torsional velocity curve. Time to peak untwisting velocity (TTPUV) was normalized to diastolic duration. Analysis of left atrium (LA) strain and strain-rate parameters was performed on the same 4-chamber view in which LA volume was measured. Results: Age and gender of patients were similar in both groups. There was no difference in mean LVEF between groups (60\ub14% in AR group vs 62\ub13% in control group, p=0.15). Peak LV untwisting velocity was significantly reduced in the AR group compared with the control group (-117.7\ub135.0\ub0/s vs -143.1\ub147.6\ub0, p=0.028). Also, peak apical diastolic rotation rate was lower in the AR group (- 80.8\ub141.0\ub0/s vs -105.0\ub132.7\ub0/s p=0.028). TTPUV was similar in both groups (p=0.189). In AR patients, peak LV untwisting velocity correlated with peak apical diastolic rotation rate (r=0.75, p<0.001) but not with peak basal diastolic rotation rate (r=0.02, p=0.934). At univariate analysis, peak LV untwisting velocity correlated significantly with age (r=0.41, p=0.014), end-systolic LV volume (r=0.35, p=0.041), LV mass index (r=0.42, p=0.013), LA volume index (r=0.45, p=0.008), and peak early-diastolic LA strain rate (ESr) (r=0.51, p=0.004). At multivariable analysis LV mass index emerged as an independent determinant of peak LV untwisting velocity (p=0.044). Conclusions: LV untwisting is reduced in patients with significant AR and normal LVEF, and this is due to significantly decreased apical diastolic rotation rate. LV mass emerged as an independent determinant of LV untwisting velocity in these patients, suggesting that LV hypertrophy impacts on LV torsional dynamics in this setting

The characteristics of patients with bilateral absent evoked potentials after post-anoxic brain damage: a multicentric cohort study

Objectives: Patients with bilateral absence of cortical response (N20ABS) to somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) have poor neurological outcome after cardiac arrest (CA). However, SSEPs are not available in all centers. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of N20ABS. Methods: Retrospective analysis of institutional databases (2008–2015) in three ICUs including all adult admitted comatose patients undergoing SSEPs between 48 and 72 h after CA. We collected clinical (i.e. absence of pupillary reflexes, PLR, myoclonus and absent or posturing motor response and myoclonus on day 2–3), electroencephalographic (EEG; i.e. unreactive to painful stimuli; presence of a highly malignant patterns, such as burst-suppression or flat tracings) findings during the first 48 h, and the highest NSE levels on the first 3 days after CA. Unfavorable neurological outcome (UO) was assessed at 3 months using the Cerebral Performance Categories of 3–5. Results: We studied 532 patients with SSEPs, including 143 (27%) without N20ABS; UO was observed in 334 (63%) patients. Median time to SSEPs was 72 [48–72] h after CA. No patient with absent PLR and myoclonus during the ICU stay had N20 present; similar results were observed with the combination of absent PLR, myoclonus and any EEG pattern (i.e. unreactive or highly malignant). Similar results were observed in the subgroup of patients where NSE was available (n = 303). In a multivariate logistic regression, non-cardiac etiology of arrest, unreactive EEG to painful stimuli, absence of pupillary reflexes and posturing motor response, were independent predictors of N20ABS. When available, the highest NSE was also an independent predictor of N20ABS. Conclusions: Clinical and EEG findings predicting patients with N20ABS, confirm that N20ABS reflects a severe and permanent cerebral damage after CA

The combined use of tocilizumab and hemoadsorption in a patient with SARS-COV-2-19-associated pneumonia: A case report

The SARS-COV-2-19-associated respiratory involvement is caused by the massive release of inflammatory cytokines ultimately leading to interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In the absence of an effective antiviral treatment, a reasonable causal approach could be constituted by the neutralization of these substances. The authors describe the clinical course of a patient with SARSCOV- 2-19 interstitial pneumonia treated with the combination of an anti-interleukin 6 (IL-6) agent (tocilizumab) and hemoadsorption (HA). This combination was used to abate the surge of inflammatory mediators leading to the lung damage. Blood levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before the initiation of the treatment and in the following 3 days. At the end of the treatment, the values of IL-6 and CRP decreased from 1,040 to 415 pg/mL and from 229 to 59 mg/L, respectively. The gas exchanges and the chest imaging rapidly improved, and the patient was extubated 10 days later. The combination of tocilizumab and HA could be valuable in the treatment of SARS-COV-2-19-associated pneumonia and ARDS that are caused by the release of inflammatory mediators

Neck circumference as reliable predictor of mechanical ventilation support in adult inpatients with COVID-19: A multicentric prospective evaluation

Aims: COVID-19 is especially severe for elderly subjects with cardiometabolic and respiratory comorbidities. Neck circumference (NC) has been shown to be strongly related to cardiometabolic and respiratory illnesses even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). We performed a prospective study to investigate the potential of NC to predict the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in adult COVID-19 inpatients. Materials and Methods: We prospectively and consecutively enrolled COVID-19 adult patients admitted to dedicated medical wards of two Italian hospitals from 25 March to 7 April 2020. On admission, clinical, biochemical and anthropometric data, including BMI and NC were collected. As primary outcome measure, the maximum respiratory support received was evaluated. Follow-up time was 30 days from hospital admission. Results: We enrolled 132 subjects (55.0-75.8 years, 32% female). During the study period, 26 (19.7%) patients underwent IMV. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension and COPD, NC resulted independently and significantly associated with IMV risk (adjusted OR 1.260—per 1 cm increase 95% CI:1.120-1.417; P &lt;.001), with a stronger association in the subgroup with BMI ≤30 Kg/m2 (adjusted OR 1.526; 95% CI:1.243-1.874; P &lt;.001). NC showed a good discrimination power in predicting patients requiring IMV (AUC 0.783; 95% CI:0.684-0.882; P &lt;.001). In particular, NC &gt; 40.5 cm (&gt;37.5 for females and &gt;42.5 for males) showed a higher and earlier IMV risk compared to subjects with lower NC (Log-rank test: P &lt;.001). Conclusions: NC is an easy to measure parameter able to predict the need for IMV in adult COVID-19 inpatients

The Model for Early COvid-19 Recognition (MECOR) Score: A Proof-of-Concept for a Simple and Low-Cost Tool to Recognize a Possible Viral Etiology in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Patients during COVID-19 Outbreak

This study aims to assess the peripheral blood cell count “signature” of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to discriminate promptly between COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We designed a retrospective case-control study, enrolling 525 patients (283 COVID-19 and 242 with CAP). All patients had a fever and at least one of the following signs: cough, chest pain, or dyspnea. We excluded patients treated with immunosuppressants, steroids, or affected by diseases known to modify blood cell count. COVID-19 patients showed a significant reduction in white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils) and platelets. We studied these parameters univariately, combined the significant ones in a multivariate model (AUROC 0.86, Nagelkerke PSEUDO-R2 0.5, Hosmer–Lemeshow p-value 0.9) and examined its discriminative performance in an internally-randomized validation cohort (AUROC 0.84). The cut-off selected according to Youden’s Index (−0.13) showed a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 72% in the training cohort, and a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 73% in the validation cohort. In addition, we determined the probability of having COVID-19 pneumonia for each Model for possible Early COvid-19 Recognition (MECOR) Score value. In conclusion, our model could provide a simple, rapid, and cheap tool for prompt COVID-19 diagnostic triage in patients with CAP. The actual effectiveness should be evaluated in further, prospective studies also involving COVID-19 patients with negative nasopharyngeal swabs