Initial empirical antibiotic therapy in kidney transplant recipients with pyelonephritis: A global survey of current practice and opinions across 19 countries on six continents

BACKGROUND: Despite the burden of pyelonephritis after kidney transplantation, there is no consensus on initial empirical antibiotic management.METHODS: We surveyed clinicians throughout the world on their practice and opinions about the initial empirical therapy of post-transplant pyelonephritis, using clinical vignettes. A panel of experts from 19 countries on six continents designed this survey, and invited 2145 clinicians to participate.RESULTS: A total of 721 clinicians completed the survey (response rate: 34%). In the hypothetical case of a kidney transplant recipient admitted with pyelonephritis but not requiring intensive care, most respondents reported initiating either a 3rd-generation cephalosporin (37%) or piperacillin-tazobactam (21%) monotherapy. Several patient-level factors dictated the selection of broader-spectrum antibiotics, including having a recent urine culture showing growth of a resistant organism (85% for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing organisms, 90% for carbapenemase-producing organisms, and 94% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Respondents attributed high importance to the appropriateness of empirical therapy, which 87% judged important to prevent mortality. Significant practice and opinion variations were observed between and within countries.CONCLUSION: High-quality studies are needed to guide the empirical management of post-transplant pyelonephritis. In particular, whether prior urine culture results should systematically be reviewed and considered remains to be determined. Studies are also needed to clarify the relationship between the appropriateness of initial empirical therapy and outcomes of post-transplant pyelonephritis.</p

High Burden of Non-Influenza Viruses in Influenza-Like Illness in the Early Weeks of H1N1v Epidemic in France

BACKGROUND: Influenza-like illness (ILI) may be caused by a variety of pathogens. Clinical observations are of little help to recognise myxovirus infection and implement appropriate prevention measures. The limited use of molecular tools underestimates the role of other common pathogens. OBJECTIVES: During the early weeks of the 2009-2010 flu pandemic, a clinical and virological survey was conducted in adult and paediatric patients with ILI referred to two French University hospitals in Paris and Tours. Aims were to investigate the different pathogens involved in ILI and describe the associated symptoms. METHODS: H1N1v pandemic influenza diagnosis was performed with real time RT-PCR assay. Other viral aetiologies were investigated by the molecular multiplex assay RespiFinder19®. Clinical data were collected prospectively by physicians using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: From week 35 to 44, endonasal swabs were collected in 413 patients. Overall, 68 samples (16.5%) were positive for H1N1v. In 13 of them, other respiratory pathogens were also detected. Among H1N1v negative samples, 213 (61.9%) were positive for various respiratory agents, 190 in single infections and 23 in mixed infections. The most prevalent viruses in H1N1v negative single infections were rhinovirus (62.6%), followed by parainfluenza viruses (24.2%) and adenovirus (5.3%). 70.6% of H1N1v cases were identified in patients under 40 years and none after 65 years. There was no difference between clinical symptoms observed in patients infected with H1N1v or with other pathogens. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the high frequency of non-influenza viruses involved in ILI during the pre-epidemic period of a flu alert and the lack of specific clinical signs associated with influenza infections. Rapid diagnostic screening of a large panel of respiratory pathogens may be critical to define and survey the epidemic situation and to provide critical information for patient management

Safety and efficacy of fumagillin for the treatment of intestinal microsporidiosis. A French prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Intestinal microsporidiosis due to Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a cause of chronic diarrhoea in immunocompromised patients. Fumagillin has been approved in France for its treatment. Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of fumagillin in a real-life setting. Methods As required by the French Medicine Agency, all patients receiving fumagillin were enrolled in a prospective study to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Stool examination with identification of E. bieneusi by PCR was performed at baseline, end of treatment and monthly thereafter for 6 months. Safety was monitored up to 6 months and full blood counts were monitored up to 42 days after treatment initiation. The primary endpoint was safety. Parasite clearance and relapses were secondary endpoints. Results From 2007 to 2018, 166 patients received fumagillin, including 6 children. Patients were transplant recipients (84%), HIV-infected patients (13%) or had another cause of immunosuppression (5%). Serious adverse events were reported in 41 patients (25%), mainly thrombocytopenia (15%) and neutropenia (5%), with two haemorrhagic events leading to one death. Severe thrombocytopenia (&amp;lt;50 G/L) developed in 50 patients (29.6%), neutropenia (&amp;lt;1 G/L) in 20 patients (11.8%) and severe anaemia (&amp;lt;8 g/dL) in 21 patients (12.4%). At the end of treatment, 94% of patients with available stool examination (n = 132) had no spores detected. Among 99 patients with available follow-up after the end of treatment, three parasite relapses were documented. Conclusions E. bieneusi microsporidiosis was mainly diagnosed in transplant recipients. Fumagillin was associated with haematological toxicity but showed high efficacy with a low relapse rate. </jats:sec