meropenem and Aspergillosis

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Bacterial co-infections are associated with unfavourable outcomes in respiratory viral infections; however, microbiological and antibiotic data related to COVID-19 are sparse. Adequate use of antibiotics in line with antibiotic stewardship (ABS) principles is warranted during the pandemic. We performed a retrospective study of clinical and microbiological characteristics of 140 COVID-19 patients admitted between February and April 2020 to a German University hospital, with a focus on bacterial co-infections and antimicrobial therapy. The final date of follow-up was 6 May 2020. Clinical data of 140 COVID-19 patients were recorded: The median age was 63.5 (range 17-99) years; 64% were males. According to the implemented local ABS guidelines, the most commonly used antibiotic regimen was ampicillin/sulbactam (41.5%) with a median duration of 6 (range 1-13) days. Urinary antigen tests for Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus peumoniae were negative in all cases. In critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (n = 50), co-infections with Enterobacterales (34.0%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (18.0%) were detected. Blood cultures collected at admission showed a diagnostic yield of 4.2%. Bacterial and fungal co-infections are rare in COVID-19 patients and are mainly prevalent in critically ill patients. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of antimicrobial therapy on therapeutic outcome in COVID-19 patients to prevent antimicrobial overuse. ABS guidelines could help in optimising the management of COVID-19. Investigation of microbial patterns of infectious complications in critically ill COVID-19 patients is also required.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Aspergillosis; Azithromycin; Bacterial Infections; Cohort Studies; Coinfection; COVID-19; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Germany; Humans; Klebsiella Infections; Linezolid; Male; Meropenem; Middle Aged; Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Sulbactam; Vancomycin; Young Adult

Pseudallescheria boydii is a fungal organism known to affect immunocompromised patients. This organism is known to cause, in severe cases, invasive infection of various organs such as the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. We report an unusual case of pulmonary P. boydii pneumonia in an immunocompromised critically ill patient with a co-infection of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus with ARDS. This case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for superimposed fungal infections in patients who are critically ill and immunocompromised. Uncommon fungal pathogens should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure, especially if diagnostic markers such as galactomannan (from BAL and serum) or 1,3-beta-D-glucan are elevated. Further diagnostic interventions are warranted when insufficient clinical improvement is observed to prevent treatment failure and adverse outcomes.

Topics: Aged; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; beta-Glucans; Clarithromycin; Coinfection; Critical Illness; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Galactose; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Linezolid; Male; Mannans; Meropenem; Pneumonia; Pseudallescheria; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Thienamycins; Transplant Recipients; Voriconazole

We present a case report of young man with Type 1 diabetes who developed acute visual loss after initially presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis. The diagnosis of invasive paranasal sinusoidal aspergillosis was made following CT and biopsy. Although uncommon, visual loss is a recognised complication of disseminated aspergillosis and is more likely in immune-compromised patients and those with diabetes. Early investigation with appropriate sinus imaging and involvement of the Ear Nose and Throat team in recommended when patients with diabetes develop acute visual loss in the context of a non-specific infective illness.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Biopsy; Blindness; Caspofungin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diagnosis, Differential; Echinocandins; Emergency Service, Hospital; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Lipopeptides; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Meropenem; Middle Aged; Paranasal Sinuses; Thienamycins; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; United Kingdom

The incidence of fungal infections such as Aspergillosis is increasing among immunocompromised patients. Demand for diagnosis of mycotic diseases is steadily raising among clinicians and treatment of these patients represents a continually growing challenge. The authors present a case of a 53-year-old male patient with Aspergillus peritonitis. This case deserves attention because its extreme rarity in the medical literature and complex therapy of coinfections during the hospital stay which was difficult and relatively expensive. The importance of consultation and microbiological sampling is emphasized.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Clindamycin; Cross Infection; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Meropenem; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Subphrenic Abscess; Thienamycins