A case report of an unusual non-mucinous papillary variant of CPAM type 1 with KRAS mutations

BACKGROUND: congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is the most frequent congenital lung disorder. CPAM type 1 is the most common subtype, typically having a cystic radiological and histological appearance. Mucinous clusters in CPAM type 1 have been identified as premalignant precursors for mucinous adenocarcinoma. These mucinous adenocarcinomas and the mucinous clusters in CPAM commonly harbor a specific KRAS mutation. CASE PRESENTATION: we present a case of a 6-weeks-old girl with CPAM type 1 where evaluation after lobectomy revealed a highly unusual complex non-mucinous papillary architecture in all cystic parts, in which both mucinous clusters and non-mucinous papillary areas harbored the known KRAS mutation. CONCLUSIONS: we found that a KRAS mutation thought to be premalignant in mucinous clusters only, was also present in the other cyst lining epithelial cells of this unusual non-mucinous papillary variant of CPAM type 1, warranting clinical follow-up because of uncertain malignant potential

Ciclesonide versus other inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma in children

Background Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone of asthma maintenance treatment in children. Particularly among parents, there is concern about the safety of ICS as studies in children have shown reduced growth. Small-particle-size ICS targeting the smaller airways have improved lung deposition and effective asthma control might be achieved at lower daily doses. Ciclesonide is a relatively new ICS. This small-particle ICS is a pro-drug that is converted in the airways to an active metabolite and therefore with potentially less local (throat infection) and systemic (reduced growth) side effects. It can be inhaled once daily, thereby possibly improving adherence. Objectives To assess the efficacy and adverse effects of ciclesonide compared to other ICS in the management of chronic asthma in children. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Register of trials with pre-defined terms. Additional searches of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE and Clinicalstudyresults. org were undertaken. Searches are up to date to 7 November 2012. Selection criteria Randomised controlled parallel or cross-over studies were eligible for the review. We included studies comparing ciclesonide with other corticosteroids both at nominally equivalent doses or lower doses of ciclesonide. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials. Main results Six studies were included in this review (3256 children, 4 to 17 years of age). Two studies were published as conference abstracts only. Ciclesonide was compared to budesonide and fluticasone. Ciclesonide compared to budesonide (dose ratio 1: 2): asthma symptoms and adverse effect were similar in both groups. Pooled results showed no significant difference in children who experience an exacerbation (risk ratio (RR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 6.43). Both studies reported that 24-hour urine cortisol levels showed a statistically significant decrease in the budesonide group compared to the ciclesonide group. Ciclesonide compared to fluticasone (dose ratio 1: 1): no significant differences were found for the outcome asthma symptoms. Pooled results showed no significant differences in number of patients with exacerbations (RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.58 to 3.21) and data from a study that could not be pooled in the meta-analysis reported similar numbers of patients with exacerbations in both groups. None of the studies found a difference in adverse effects. No significant difference was found for 24-hour urine cortisol levels between the groups (mean difference 0.54 nmol/mmol, 95% CI -5.92 to 7.00). Ciclesonide versus fluticasone (dose ratio 1: 2) was assessed in one study and showed similar results between the two corticosteroids for asthma symptoms. The number of children with exacerbations was significantly higher in the ciclesonide group (RR 3.57, 95% CI 1.35 to 9.47). No significant differences were found in adverse effects (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.14) and 24-hour urine cortisol levels (mean difference 1.15 nmol/mmol, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.23). The quality of evidence was judged 'low' for the outcomes asthma symptoms and adverse events and 'very low' for the outcome exacerbations for ciclesonide versus budesonide (dose ratio 1: 1). The quality of evidence was graded 'moderate' for the outcome asthma symptoms, 'very low' for the outcome exacerbations and 'low' for the outcome adverse events for ciclesonide versus fluticasone (dose ratio 1: 1). For ciclesonide versus fluticasone (dose ratio 1: 2) the quality was rated 'low' for the outcome asthma symptoms and 'very low' for exacerbations and adverse events (dose ratio 1: 2). Authors' conclusions An improvement in asthma symptoms, exacerbations and side effects of ciclesonide versus budesonide and fluticasone could be neither demonstrated nor refuted and the trade-off between benefits and harms of using ciclesonide instead of budesonide or fluticasone is unclear. The resource use or costs of different ICS should therefore also be considered in final decision making. Longer-term superiority trials are needed to identify the usefulness and safety of ciclesonide compared to other ICS. Additionally these studies should be powered for patient relevant outcomes (exacerbations, asthma symptoms, quality of life and side effects). There is a need for studies comparing ciclesonide once daily with other ICS twice daily to assess the advantages of ciclesonide being a pro-drug that can be administered once daily with possibly increased adherence leading to increased control of asthma and fewer side effects

Comparative in vitro evaluation of four corticosteroid metered dose inhalers:Consistency of delivered dose and particle size distribution

SummaryIntroductionRecent developments concerning pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the introduction of ciclesonide and the replacement of propellants. As the results of in vivo studies depend on pMDIperformance, it is necessary to evaluate pMDIs in vitro for delivered dose and particle size distributions under different conditions.MethodsFluticasone 125μg, budesonide 200μg, beclomethasone HFA100μg, and ciclesonide 160μg were compared for delivered dose and particle size using laser diffraction analysis with inspiratory flow rates of 10, 20 and 30l/s.ResultsThe volume median diameter of budesonide was 3.5μm, fluticasone 2.8μm, beclomethasone and ciclesonide both 1.9μm. The mouthpiece retention was up to 30% of the nominal dose for beclomethasone and ciclesonide, 11–19% for the other pMDIs. Lifespan, flow rate, and air humidity had no significant influence on particle size distribution. The delivered dose of beclomethasone, budesonide, and ciclesonide remained constant over the lifespan. The delivered dose of fluticasone 125 decreased from 106% to 63%; fluticasone 250 also decreased whereas fluticasone 50 remained constant.ConclusionsThere is a significant difference in median particle size distribution between the different ICS pMDIs. Air humidity and inspiratory flow rate have no significant influence on particle size distribution. Ciclesonide 160 and beclomethasone 100 deliver the largest fine particle fractions of 1.1–3.1μm. The changes in delivered dose during the lifespan for the fluticasone 125 and 250 may have implications for patient care

Eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients with inhalation of dry powder tobramycin

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the predominant pulmonary pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Tobramycin nebulization is used for the eradication of Pa infection. Nowadays, tobramycin dry powder inhalation (DPI) is available as well. This study reports the results of eradicating Pa with tobramycin DPI versus nebulization. METHODS: Adult CF patients with a Pa isolation between September 2010 and September 2017 from the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands, were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: In total 27 Pa isolations were recorded. In 13 of these, eradication was attempted with tobramycin, 7 with DPI and 6 with nebulization. DPI eradicated Pa successfully in six isolations (85.7%). Of these, one patient received additional oral ciprofloxacin and one received intravenous ceftazidime. Nebulization eradicated three Pa isolations (50.0%), in two of these, additional oral ciprofloxacin was given. CONCLUSION: Eradication rates of DPI tobramycin are comparable with those for nebulized tobramycin reported in the literature. This study suggests that DPI tobramycin is an alternative to nebulized tobramycin for eradication of Pa. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Medical Ethics Committee of the UMCG granted a waiver (METC2017-349), as they concluded that this study was not subject to the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section

Attributable mortality of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative infections in the Netherlands: a parallel matched cohort study

Abstract Objectives Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has been associated with increased mortality. This was demonstrated mostly for third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Enterobacterales bacteraemia in international studies. Yet, the burden of resistance specifically in the Netherlands and created by all types of Gram-negative infection has not been quantified. We therefore investigated the attributable mortality of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative infections in the Netherlands. Methods In eight hospitals, a sample of Gram-negative infections was identified between 2013 and 2016, and separated into resistant and susceptible infection cohorts. Both cohorts were matched 1:1 to non-infected control patients on hospital, length of stay at infection onset, and age. In this parallel matched cohort set-up, 30-day mortality was compared between infected and non-infected patients. The impact of resistance was then assessed by dividing the two separate risk ratios (RRs) for mortality attributable to Gram-negative infection. Results We identified 1,954 Gram-negative infections, of which 1,190 (61%) involved Escherichia coli, 210 (11%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 758 (39%) bacteraemia. Resistant Gram-negatives caused 243 infections (12%; 189 (78%) 3GC-R Enterobacterales, 9 (4%) multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa, no carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales). Subsequently, we matched 1,941 non-infected controls. After adjustment, point estimates for RRs comparing mortality between infections and controls were similarly higher than 1 in case of resistant infections and susceptible infections (1.42 (95% confidence interval 0.66-3.09) and 1.32 (1.06-1.65), respectively). By dividing these, the RR reflecting attributable mortality of resistance was calculated as 1.08 (0.48-2.41). Conclusions In the Netherlands, antibiotic resistance did not increase 30-day mortality in Gram-negative infections

Prerequisites for a dry powder inhaler for children with cystic fibrosis

Correct inhalation technique is essential for effective use of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), as their effectiveness largely depends on the patient's inhalation manoeuvre. Children are an especially challenging target population for DPI development due to the large variability in understanding and inspiratory capacities. We previously performed a study in which we determined the prerequisites for a paediatric DPI in a mostly healthy paediatric population, for which we used an empty test inhaler with variable internal airflow resistance and mouthpiece. In the current study we investigated what specifications are required for a DPI for children with cystic fibrosis (CF), for which we expanded on our previous findings. We recorded flow profiles of 35 children with CF (aged 4.7-14.7 years) at three airflow resistances (0.031-0.045 kPa0.5.min.L-1) from which various inspiratory parameters were computed. Obstructions in the mouth during inhalation were recorded with a sinuscope. All children were able to perform a correct inhalation manoeuvre, although video analysis showed that children did not place the inhaler correctly in the mouth in 17% of the cases. No effect was found of medium to high airflow resistance on total inhaled volume, which implies that the whole resistance range tested is suitable for children with CF aged 4-14 years. No effect could be established of either mouthpiece design or airflow resistance on the occurrence of obstructions in the mouth cavity. This study confirms our previous conclusion that the development of DPIs specifically for children is highly desired. Such a paediatric DPI should function well at 0.5 L inhaled volume and a peak inspiratory flow rate of 20 to 30 L/min, depending on the internal airflow resistance. This resistance can be increased up to 0.045 kPa0.5.min.L-1 (medium-high) to reduce oropharyngeal deposition. A higher resistance may be less favourable due to its compromising effect on PIF and thereby on the energy available for powder dispersion

Coronavirus Cell Entry Occurs through the Endo-/Lysosomal Pathway in a Proteolysis-Dependent Manner

Enveloped viruses need to fuse with a host cell membrane in order to deliver their genome into the host cell. While some viruses fuse with the plasma membrane, many viruses are endocytosed prior to fusion. Specific cues in the endosomal microenvironment induce conformational changes in the viral fusion proteins leading to viral and host membrane fusion. In the present study we investigated the entry of coronaviruses (CoVs). Using siRNA gene silencing, we found that proteins known to be important for late endosomal maturation and endosome-lysosome fusion profoundly promote infection of cells with mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV). Using recombinant MHVs expressing reporter genes as well as a novel, replication-independent fusion assay we confirmed the importance of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and demonstrated that trafficking of MHV to lysosomes is required for fusion and productive entry to occur. Nevertheless, MHV was shown to be less sensitive to perturbation of endosomal pH than vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza A virus, which fuse in early and late endosomes, respectively. Our results indicate that entry of MHV depends on proteolytic processing of its fusion protein S by lysosomal proteases. Fusion of MHV was severely inhibited by a pan-lysosomal protease inhibitor, while trafficking of MHV to lysosomes and processing by lysosomal proteases was no longer required when a furin cleavage site was introduced in the S protein immediately upstream of the fusion peptide. Also entry of feline CoV was shown to depend on trafficking to lysosomes and processing by lysosomal proteases. In contrast, MERS-CoV, which contains a minimal furin cleavage site just upstream of the fusion peptide, was negatively affected by inhibition of furin, but not of lysosomal proteases. We conclude that a proteolytic cleavage site in the CoV S protein directly upstream of the fusion peptide is an essential determinant of the intracellular site of fusion