Browsing by Author "Alexander, Barbara D"

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    ItemOpen Access
    A Mycoses Study Group International Prospective Study of Phaeohyphomycosis: An Analysis of 99 Proven/Probable Cases.
    (Open forum infectious diseases, 2017-01) Revankar, Sanjay G; Baddley, John W; Chen, Sharon C-A; Kauffman, Carol A; Slavin, Monica; Vazquez, Jose A; Seas, Carlos; Morris, Michele I; Nguyen, M Hong; Shoham, Shmuel; Thompson, George R; Alexander, Barbara D; Simkins, Jacques; Ostrosky-Zeichner, Luis; Mullane, Kathleen; Alangaden, George; Andes, David R; Cornely, Oliver A; Wahlers, Kerstin; Lockhart, Shawn R; Pappas, Peter G

    Background

    Phaeohyphomycosis is infection caused by dematiaceous, or darkly pigmented, fungi. The spectrum of disease is broad, and optimal therapy remains poorly defined. The Mycoses Study Group established an international case registry of patients with proven/probable phaeohyphomycosis with the goal of improving the recognition and management of these infections.

    Methods

    Patients from 18 sites in 3 countries were enrolled from 2009-2015. Cases were categorized as local superficial, local deep (pulmonary, sinus, osteoarticular infections), and disseminated infections. End points were clinical response (partial and complete) and all-cause mortality at 30 days and end of follow-up.

    Results

    Of 99 patients, 32 had local superficial infection, 41 had local deep infection, and 26 had disseminated infection. The most common risk factors were corticosteroids, solid organ transplantation, malignancy, and diabetes. Cultures were positive in 98% of cases. All-cause mortality was 16% at 30 days and 33% at end of follow-up, and 18 of 26 (69%) with dissemination died. Itraconazole was most commonly used for local infections, and voriconazole was used for more severe infections, often in combination with terbinafine or amphotericin B.

    Conclusions

    Phaeohyphomycosis is an increasingly recognized infection. Culture remains the most frequently used diagnostic method. Triazoles are currently the drugs of choice, often combined with other agents. Further studies are needed to develop optimal therapies for disseminated infections.
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    A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Fidaxomicin for Prophylaxis of Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea in Adults Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
    (Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2019-01) Mullane, Kathleen M; Winston, Drew J; Nooka, Ajay; Morris, Michele I; Stiff, Patrick; Dugan, Michael J; Holland, Henry; Gregg, Kevin; Adachi, Javier A; Pergam, Steven A; Alexander, Barbara D; Dubberke, Erik R; Broyde, Natalya; Gorbach, Sherwood L; Sears, Pamela S

    Background

    Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is common during hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated fidaxomicin for prevention of CDAD in HSCT patients.

    Methods

    In this double-blind study, subjects undergoing HSCT with fluoroquinolone prophylaxis stratified by transplant type (autologous/allogeneic) were randomized to once-daily oral fidaxomicin (200 mg) or a matching placebo. Dosing began within 2 days of starting conditioning or fluoroquinolone prophylaxis and continued until 7 days after neutrophil engraftment or completion of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis/clinically-indicated antimicrobials for up to 40 days. The primary endpoint was CDAD incidence through 30 days after study medication. The primary endpoint analysis counted confirmed CDAD, receipt of CDAD-effective medications (for any indication), and missing CDAD assessment (for any reason, including death) as failures; this composite analysis is referred to as "prophylaxis failure" to distinguish from the pre-specified sensitivity analysis, which counted only confirmed CDAD (by toxin immunoassay or nucleic acid amplification test) as failure.

    Results

    Of 611 subjects enrolled, 600 were treated and analyzed. Prophylaxis failure was similar in fidaxomicin and placebo recipients (28.6% vs 30.8%; difference 2.2% [-5.1, 9.5], P = .278). However, most failures were due to non-CDAD events. Confirmed CDAD was lower in fidaxomicin vs placebo recipients (4.3% vs 10.7%; difference 6.4% [2.2, 10.6], P = .0014). Drug-related adverse events occurred in 15.0% of fidaxomicin recipients and 20.0% of placebo recipients.

    Conclusions

    While no difference was demonstrated between arms in the primary analysis, results of the sensitivity analysis demonstrated that fidaxomicin significantly reduced the incidence of CDAD in HSCT recipients.

    Clinical trials registration

    NCT01691248.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Bacteremia in solid organ transplant recipients as compared to immunocompetent patients: Acute phase cytokines and outcomes in a prospective, matched cohort study.
    (American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, 2021-06) Eichenberger, Emily M; Ruffin, Felicia; Dagher, Michael; Lerebours, Reginald; Jung, Sin-Ho; Sharma-Kuinkel, Batu; Macintyre, Andrew N; Thaden, Joshua T; Sinclair, Matthew; Hale, Lauren; Kohler, Celia; Palmer, Scott M; Alexander, Barbara D; Fowler, Vance G; Maskarinec, Stacey A
    We undertook a prospective, matched cohort study of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) and gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) to compare the characteristics, outcomes, and chemokine and cytokine response in transplant recipients to immunocompetent, nontransplant recipients. Fifty-five transplant recipients (GNB n = 29; SAB n = 26) and 225 nontransplant recipients (GNB n = 114; SAB n = 111) were included for clinical analysis. Transplant GNB had a significantly lower incidence of septic shock than nontransplant GNB (10.3% vs 30.7%, p = .03). Thirty-day mortality did not differ significantly between transplant and nontransplant recipients with GNB (10.3% vs 15.8%, p = .57) or SAB (0.0% vs 11.7%, p = .13). Next, transplant patients were matched 1:1 with nontransplant patients for the chemokine and cytokine analysis. Five cytokines and chemokines were significantly lower in transplant GNB vs nontransplant GNB: IL-2 (median [IQR]: 7.1 pg/ml [7.1, 7.1] vs 32.6 pg/ml [7.1, 88.0]; p = .001), MIP-1β (30.7 pg/ml [30.7, 30.7] vs 243.3 pg/ml [30.7, 344.4]; p = .001), IL-8 (32.0 pg/ml [5.6, 53.1] vs 59.1 pg/ml [39.2, 119.4]; p = .003), IL-15 (12.0 pg/ml [12.0, 12.0] vs 12.0 pg/ml [12.0, 126.7]; p = .03), and IFN-α (5.1 pg/mL [5.1, 5.1] vs 5.1 pg/ml [5.1, 26.3]; p = .04). Regulated upon Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) was higher in transplant SAB vs nontransplant SAB (mean [SD]: 750.2 pg/ml [194.6] vs 656.5 pg/ml [147.6]; p = .046).
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    ItemOpen Access
    Changing trends in mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the course of the pandemic.
    (American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, 2022-01) Heldman, Madeleine R; Kates, Olivia S; Safa, Kassem; Kotton, Camille N; Georgia, Sarah J; Steinbrink, Julie M; Alexander, Barbara D; Hemmersbach-Miller, Marion; Blumberg, Emily A; Multani, Ashrit; Haydel, Brandy; La Hoz, Ricardo M; Moni, Lisset; Condor, Yesabeli; Flores, Sandra; Munoz, Carlos G; Guitierrez, Juan; Diaz, Esther I; Diaz, Daniela; Vianna, Rodrigo; Guerra, Giselle; Loebe, Matthias; Rakita, Robert M; Malinis, Maricar; Azar, Marwan M; Hemmige, Vagish; McCort, Margaret E; Chaudhry, Zohra S; Singh, Pooja P; Hughes Kramer, Kailey; Velioglu, Arzu; Yabu, Julie M; Morillis, Jose A; Mehta, Sapna A; Tanna, Sajal D; Ison, Michael G; Derenge, Ariella C; van Duin, David; Maximin, Adrienne; Gilbert, Carlene; Goldman, Jason D; Lease, Erika D; Fisher, Cynthia E; Limaye, Ajit P; UW COVID-19 SOT Study Team
    Mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has declined over the course of the pandemic. Mortality trends specifically in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) are unknown. Using data from a multicenter registry of SOTR hospitalized for COVID-19, we compared 28-day mortality between early 2020 (March 1, 2020-June 19, 2020) and late 2020 (June 20, 2020-December 31, 2020). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess comorbidity-adjusted mortality. Time period of diagnosis was available for 1435/1616 (88.8%) SOTR and 971/1435 (67.7%) were hospitalized: 571/753 (75.8%) in early 2020 and 402/682 (58.9%) in late 2020 (p < .001). Crude 28-day mortality decreased between the early and late periods (112/571 [19.6%] vs. 55/402 [13.7%]) and remained lower in the late period even after adjusting for baseline comorbidities (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.98, p = .016). Between the early and late periods, the use of corticosteroids (≥6 mg dexamethasone/day) and remdesivir increased (62/571 [10.9%] vs. 243/402 [61.5%], p < .001 and 50/571 [8.8%] vs. 213/402 [52.2%], p < .001, respectively), and the use of hydroxychloroquine and IL-6/IL-6 receptor inhibitor decreased (329/571 [60.0%] vs. 4/492 [1.0%], p < .001 and 73/571 [12.8%] vs. 5/402 [1.2%], p < .001, respectively). Mortality among SOTR hospitalized for COVID-19 declined between early and late 2020, consistent with trends reported in the general population. The mechanism(s) underlying improved survival require further study.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Clinical and Genomic Characterization of Recurrent Enterococcal Bloodstream Infection in Patients With Acute Leukemia.
    (Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2018-06) Messina, Julia A; Sinha, Rohita; Starr, Kimberly; Arshad, Mehreen; Alexander, Barbara D; Chao, Nelson J; Sung, Anthony D
    Rates and risk factors for recurrent enterococcal bloodstream infection (R-EBSI) and whether the same genetic lineage causes index EBSI and R-EBSI are unknown in patients with acute leukemia (AL) receiving chemotherapy.Ninety-two AL patients with EBSI from 2010 to 2015 were included. Enterococcal bloodstream infection was defined by 31 positive blood cultures for Enterococcus faecium or Enterococcus faecalis and fever, hypotension, or chills. Clearance was defined by 31 negative cultures 324 hours after last positive culture and defervescence. Recurrent enterococcal bloodstream infection was defined by a positive blood culture for Enterococcus 324 hours after clearance. Categorical variables were reported as proportions and compared by the χ2 test. Continuous variables were summarized by median and interquartile range (IQR) and compared by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test. P values <.05 were considered significant. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on available paired BSI isolates from 7 patients.Twenty-four patients (26%) had 31 episodes of R-EBSI. Median time to R-EBSI (IQR) was 26 (13-50) days. Patients with R-EBSI had significantly longer durations of fever and metronidazole exposure during their index EBSI. Thirty-nine percent of E. faecium R-EBSI isolates became daptomycin-nonsusceptible Enterococcus (DNSE) following daptomycin therapy for index EBSI. Whole-genome sequencing analysis confirmed high probability of genetic relatedness of index EBSI and R-EBSI isolates for 4/7 patients.Recurrent enterococcal bloodstream infection and DNSE are common in patients with AL and tend to occur within the first 30 days of index EBSI. Duration of fever and metronidazole exposure may be useful in determining risk for R-EBSI. Whole-genome sequencing analysis demonstrates that the same strain causes both EBSI and R-EBSI in some patients.
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    Delayed mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID-19.
    (Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2022-02) Heldman, Madeleine R; Kates, Olivia S; Safa, Kassem; Kotton, Camille N; Multani, Ashrit; Georgia, Sarah J; Steinbrink, Julie M; Alexander, Barbara D; Blumberg, Emily A; Haydel, Brandy; Hemmige, Vagish; Hemmersbach-Miller, Marion; La Hoz, Ricardo M; Moni, Lisset; Condor, Yesabeli; Flores, Sandra; Munoz, Carlos G; Guitierrez, Juan; Diaz, Esther I; Diaz, Daniela; Vianna, Rodrigo; Guerra, Giselle; Loebe, Matthias; Yabu, Julie M; Kramer, Kailey Hughes; Tanna, Sajal D; Ison, Michael G; Rakita, Robert M; Malinis, Maricar; Azar, Marwan M; McCort, Margaret E; Singh, Pooja P; Velioglu, Arzu; Mehta, Sapna A; van Duin, David; Goldman, Jason D; Lease, Erika D; Wald, Anna; Limaye, Ajit P; Fisher, Cynthia E; UW Covid-19 SOT Study Team

    Introduction

    Most studies of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with COVID-19 focus on outcomes within one month of illness onset. Delayed mortality in SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 has not been fully examined.

    Methods

    We used data from a multicenter registry to calculate mortality by 90 days following initial SARS-CoV-2 detection in SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 and developed multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models to compare risk factors for death by days 28 and 90.

    Results

    Vital status at day 90 was available for 936 of 1117 (84%) SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19: 190 of 936 (20%) died by 28 days and an additional 56 of 246 deaths (23%) occurred between days 29 and 90. Factors associated with mortality by day 90 included: age > 65 years [aHR 1.8 (1.3-2.4), p =<0.001], lung transplant (vs. non-lung transplant) [aHR 1.5 (1.0-2.3), p=0.05], heart failure [aHR 1.9 (1.2-2.9), p=0.006], chronic lung disease [aHR 2.3 (1.5-3.6), p<0.001] and body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2 [aHR 1.5 (1.1-2.0), p=0.02]. These associations were similar for mortality by day 28. Compared to diagnosis during early 2020 (March 1-June 19, 2020), diagnosis during late 2020 (June 20-December 31, 2020) was associated with lower mortality by day 28 [aHR 0.7 (0.5-1.0, p=0.04] but not by day 90 [aHR 0.9 (0.7-1.3), p=0.61].

    Conclusions

    In SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19, >20% of deaths occurred between 28 and 90 days following SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Future investigations should consider extending follow-up duration to 90 days for more complete mortality assessment.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Diagnosis of Capnocytophaga canimorsus Sepsis by Whole-Genome Next-Generation Sequencing.
    (Open Forum Infect Dis, 2016-09) Abril, Maria K; Barnett, Adam S; Wegermann, Kara; Fountain, Eric; Strand, Andrew; Heyman, Benjamin M; Blough, Britton A; Swaminathan, Aparna C; Sharma-Kuinkel, Batu; Ruffin, Felicia; Alexander, Barbara D; McCall, Chad M; Costa, Sylvia F; Arcasoy, Murat O; Hong, David K; Blauwkamp, Timothy A; Kertesz, Michael; Fowler, Vance G; Kraft, Bryan D
    We report the case of a 60-year-old man with septic shock due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus that was diagnosed in 24 hours by a novel whole-genome next-generation sequencing assay. This technology shows great promise in identifying fastidious pathogens, and, if validated, it has profound implications for infectious disease diagnosis.
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    Factors associated with mortality in transplant patients with invasive aspergillosis.
    (Clin Infect Dis, 2010-06-15) Baddley, John W; Andes, David R; Marr, Kieren A; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P; Alexander, Barbara D; Kauffman, Carol A; Oster, Robert A; Anaissie, Elias J; Walsh, Thomas J; Schuster, Mindy G; Wingard, John R; Patterson, Thomas F; Ito, James I; Williams, O Dale; Chiller, Tom; Pappas, Peter G
    BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with mortality in transplant patients with IA. METHODS: Transplant patients from 23 US centers were enrolled from March 2001 to October 2005 as part of the Transplant Associated Infection Surveillance Network. IA cases were identified prospectively in this cohort through March 2006, and data were collected. Factors associated with 12-week all-cause mortality were determined by logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Six-hundred forty-two cases of proven or probable IA were evaluated, of which 317 (49.4%) died by the study endpoint. All-cause mortality was greater in HSCT patients (239 [57.5%] of 415) than in SOT patients (78 [34.4%] of 227; P<.001). Independent poor prognostic factors in HSCT patients were neutropenia, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, early-onset IA, proven IA, and methylprednisolone use. In contrast, white race was associated with decreased risk of death. Among SOT patients, hepatic insufficiency, malnutrition, and central nervous system disease were poor prognostic indicators, whereas prednisone use was associated with decreased risk of death. Among HSCT or SOT patients who received antifungal therapy, use of an amphotericin B preparation as part of initial therapy was associated with increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple variables associated with survival in transplant patients with IA. Understanding these prognostic factors may assist in the development of treatment algorithms and clinical trials.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Curvularia alcornii Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Following Aortic Valve Replacement: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
    (Open forum infectious diseases, 2021-11) Narayanasamy, Shanti; Williams, Adam R; Schell, Wiley A; Moehring, Rebekah W; Alexander, Barbara D; Le, Thuy; Bharadwaj, Ramesh A; McGauvran, Michelle; Schroder, Jacob N; Perfect, John R
    We report the first case of Curvularia alcornii aortic pseudoaneurysm following bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement in an immunocompetent host. Infection was complicated by septic emboli to multiple organs. Despite aggressive surgical intervention and antifungal therapy, infection progressed. We review the literature on invasive Curvularia infection to inform diagnosis and management.
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    Impact of Changes of the 2020 Consensus Definitions of Invasive Aspergillosis on Clinical Trial Design: Unintended Consequences for Prevention Trials?
    (Open forum infectious diseases, 2021-10) Wingard, John R; Alexander, Barbara D; Baden, Lindsey R; Chen, Min; Sugrue, Michele W; Leather, Helen L; Caliendo, Angela M; Clancy, Cornelius J; Denning, David W; Marty, Francisco M; Nguyen, M Hong; Wheat, L Joseph; Logan, Brent R; Horowitz, Mary M; Marr, Kieren A

    Background

    Consensus definitions for the diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) were updated in 2020 to increase the certainty of IFD for inclusion in clinical trials, for instance by increasing biomarker cutoff limits to define positivity. To date, there is a paucity of data as to the impact of the revised definitions on clinical trials.

    Methods

    In this study, we sought to determine the impact of the new definitions on classifying invasive aspergillosis (IA), the most common invasive mold disease in immunocompromised patients. We reclassified 226 proven and probable IA cases plus 139 possible IFD cases in the Aspergillus Technology Consortium (AsTeC) and in an antifungal prophylaxis trial (BMT CTN 0101) using the new criteria.

    Results

    Fewer cases met the more stringent diagnostic 2020 criteria after applying the reclassification criteria to define probable IA. Of 188 evaluable probable cases, 41 (22%) were reclassified to 40 possible IA and 1 probable IFD. Reclassification to possible IFD occurred in 22% of hematologic malignancy (HM) patients, 29% of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients, and in no lung transplant (LT) patients. Date of diagnosis was established a median (range) of 3 (1-105) days later in 15% of probable IA cases using the new criteria. Applying the new definitions to the BMT CTN 0101 trial, the power to detect the same odds ratio decreased substantially.

    Conclusions

    The updated IA consensus definitions may impact future trial designs, especially for antifungal prophylaxis studies.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Improved Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Arising during Leukemia Treatment Using a Panel of Host Response Proteins and Fungal Antigens.
    (PloS one, 2015-01) Brasier, Allan R; Zhao, Yingxin; Spratt, Heidi M; Wiktorowicz, John E; Ju, Hyunsu; Wheat, L Joseph; Baden, Lindsey; Stafford, Susan; Wu, Zheng; Issa, Nicolas; Caliendo, Angela M; Denning, David W; Soman, Kizhake; Clancy, Cornelius J; Nguyen, M Hong; Sugrue, Michele W; Alexander, Barbara D; Wingard, John R
    Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an opportunistic fungal infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy for hematological malignancy, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, or other forms of immunosuppression. In this group, Aspergillus infections account for the majority of deaths due to mold pathogens. Although early detection is associated with improved outcomes, current diagnostic regimens lack sensitivity and specificity. Patients undergoing chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation and lung transplantation were enrolled in a multi-site prospective observational trial. Proven and probable IPA cases and matched controls were subjected to discovery proteomics analyses using a biofluid analysis platform, fractionating plasma into reproducible protein and peptide pools. From 556 spots identified by 2D gel electrophoresis, 66 differentially expressed post-translationally modified plasma proteins were identified in the leukemic subgroup only. This protein group was rich in complement components, acute-phase reactants and coagulation factors. Low molecular weight peptides corresponding to abundant plasma proteins were identified. A candidate marker panel of host response (9 plasma proteins, 4 peptides), fungal polysaccharides (galactomannan), and cell wall components (β-D glucan) were selected by statistical filtering for patients with leukemia as a primary underlying diagnosis. Quantitative measurements were developed to qualify the differential expression of the candidate host response proteins using selective reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assays, and then applied to a separate cohort of 57 patients with leukemia. In this verification cohort, a machine learning ensemble-based algorithm, generalized pathseeker (GPS) produced a greater case classification accuracy than galactomannan (GM) or host proteins alone. In conclusion, Integration of host response proteins with GM improves the diagnostic detection of probable IPA in patients undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancy. Upon further validation, early detection of probable IPA in leukemia treatment will provide opportunities for earlier interventions and interventional clinical trials.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Invasive fungal infections among organ transplant recipients: results of the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET).
    (Clin Infect Dis, 2010-04-15) Pappas, Peter G; Alexander, Barbara D; Andes, David R; Hadley, Susan; Kauffman, Carol A; Freifeld, Alison; Anaissie, Elias J; Brumble, Lisa M; Herwaldt, Loreen; Ito, James; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P; Lyon, G Marshall; Marr, Kieren A; Morrison, Vicki A; Park, Benjamin J; Patterson, Thomas F; Perl, Trish M; Oster, Robert A; Schuster, Mindy G; Walker, Randall; Walsh, Thomas J; Wannemuehler, Kathleen A; Chiller, Tom M
    BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among organ transplant recipients. Multicenter prospective surveillance data to determine disease burden and secular trends are lacking. METHODS: The Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET) is a consortium of 23 US transplant centers, including 15 that contributed to the organ transplant recipient dataset. We prospectively identified IFIs among organ transplant recipients from March, 2001 through March, 2006 at these sites. To explore trends, we calculated the 12-month cumulative incidence among 9 sequential cohorts. RESULTS: During the surveillance period, 1208 IFIs were identified among 1063 organ transplant recipients. The most common IFIs were invasive candidiasis (53%), invasive aspergillosis (19%), cryptococcosis (8%), non-Aspergillus molds (8%), endemic fungi (5%), and zygomycosis (2%). Median time to onset of candidiasis, aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis was 103, 184, and 575 days, respectively. Among a cohort of 16,808 patients who underwent transplantation between March 2001 and September 2005 and were followed through March 2006, a total of 729 IFIs were reported among 633 persons. One-year cumulative incidences of the first IFI were 11.6%, 8.6%, 4.7%, 4.0%, 3.4%, and 1.3% for small bowel, lung, liver, heart, pancreas, and kidney transplant recipients, respectively. One-year incidence was highest for invasive candidiasis (1.95%) and aspergillosis (0.65%). Trend analysis showed a slight increase in cumulative incidence from 2002 to 2005. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a slight increase in IFIs during the surveillance period. These data provide important insights into the timing and incidence of IFIs among organ transplant recipients, which can help to focus effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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    Invasive non-Aspergillus mold infections in transplant recipients, United States, 2001-2006.
    (Emerging infectious diseases, 2011-10) Park, Benjamin J; Pappas, Peter G; Wannemuehler, Kathleen A; Alexander, Barbara D; Anaissie, Elias J; Andes, David R; Baddley, John W; Brown, Janice M; Brumble, Lisa M; Freifeld, Alison G; Hadley, Susan; Herwaldt, Loreen; Ito, James I; Kauffman, Carol A; Lyon, G Marshall; Marr, Kieren A; Morrison, Vicki A; Papanicolaou, Genovefa; Patterson, Thomas F; Perl, Trish M; Schuster, Mindy G; Walker, Randall; Wingard, John R; Walsh, Thomas J; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P
    Recent reports describe increasing incidence of non-Aspergillus mold infections in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. To investigate the epidemiology of infections with Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Scedosporium spp. molds, we analyzed data from the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network, 23 transplant centers that conducted prospective surveillance for invasive fungal infections during 2001-2006. We identified 169 infections (105 Mucorales, 37 Fusarium spp., and 27 Scedosporium spp.) in 169 patients; 124 (73.4%) were in HCT recipients, and 45 (26.6%) were in SOT recipients. The crude 90-day mortality rate was 56.6%. The 12-month mucormycosis cumulative incidence was 0.29% for HCT and 0.07% for SOT. Mucormycosis incidence among HCT recipients varied widely, from 0.08% to 0.69%, with higher incidence in cohorts receiving transplants during 2003 and 2004. Non-Aspergillus mold infections continue to be associated with high mortality rates. The incidence of mucormycosis in HCT recipients increased substantially during the surveillance period.
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    Maribavir for Refractory Cytomegalovirus Infections With or Without Resistance Post-Transplant: Results From a Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.
    (Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2022-09) Avery, Robin K; Alain, Sophie; Alexander, Barbara D; Blumberg, Emily A; Chemaly, Roy F; Cordonnier, Catherine; Duarte, Rafael F; Florescu, Diana F; Kamar, Nassim; Kumar, Deepali; Maertens, Johan; Marty, Francisco M; Papanicolaou, Genovefa A; Silveira, Fernanda P; Witzke, Oliver; Wu, Jingyang; Sundberg, Aimee K; Fournier, Martha; SOLSTICE Trial Investigators

    Background

    Therapies for refractory cytomegalovirus infections (with or without resistance [R/R]) in transplant recipients are limited by toxicities. Maribavir has multimodal anti-cytomegalovirus activity through the inhibition of UL97 protein kinase.

    Methods

    In this phase 3, open-label study, hematopoietic-cell and solid-organ transplant recipients with R/R cytomegalovirus were randomized 2:1 to maribavir 400 mg twice daily or investigator-assigned therapy (IAT; valganciclovir/ganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir) for 8 weeks, with 12 weeks of follow-up. The primary endpoint was confirmed cytomegalovirus clearance at end of week 8. The key secondary endpoint was achievement of cytomegalovirus clearance and symptom control at end of week 8, maintained through week 16.

    Results

    352 patients were randomized (235 maribavir; 117 IAT). Significantly more patients in the maribavir versus IAT group achieved the primary endpoint (55.7% vs 23.9%; adjusted difference [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 32.8% [22.80-42.74]; P < .001) and key secondary endpoint (18.7% vs 10.3%; adjusted difference [95% CI]: 9.5% [2.02-16.88]; P = .01). Rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were similar between groups (maribavir, 97.4%; IAT, 91.4%). Maribavir was associated with less acute kidney injury versus foscarnet (8.5% vs 21.3%) and neutropenia versus valganciclovir/ganciclovir (9.4% vs 33.9%). Fewer patients discontinued treatment due to TEAEs with maribavir (13.2%) than IAT (31.9%). One patient per group had fatal treatment-related TEAEs.

    Conclusions

    Maribavir was superior to IAT for cytomegalovirus viremia clearance and viremia clearance plus symptom control maintained post-therapy in transplant recipients with R/R cytomegalovirus. Maribavir had fewer treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs than IAT. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02931539 (SOLSTICE).
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    Microfluidic platform versus conventional real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratory specimens.
    (Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2010-05) Wulff-Burchfield, Elizabeth; Schell, Wiley A; Eckhardt, Allen E; Pollack, Michael G; Hua, Zhishan; Rouse, Jeremy L; Pamula, Vamsee K; Srinivasan, Vijay; Benton, Jonathan L; Alexander, Barbara D; Wilfret, David A; Kraft, Monica; Cairns, Charles B; Perfect, John R; Mitchell, Thomas G
    Rapid, accurate diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is compromised by low sensitivity of culture and serology. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has emerged as a sensitive method to detect M. pneumoniae DNA in clinical specimens. However, conventional real-time PCR is not cost-effective for routine or outpatient implementation. Here, we evaluate a novel microfluidic real-time PCR platform (Advanced Liquid Logic, Research Triangle Park, NC) that is rapid, portable, and fully automated. We enrolled patients with CAP and extracted DNA from nasopharyngeal wash (NPW) specimens using a biotinylated capture probe and streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads. Each extract was tested for M. pneumoniae-specific DNA by real-time PCR on both conventional and microfluidic platforms using Taqman probe and primers. Three of 59 (5.0%) NPWs were positive, and agreement between the methods was 98%. The microfluidic platform was equally sensitive but 3 times faster and offers an inexpensive and convenient diagnostic test for microbial DNA.
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    Prevalent mutator genotype identified in fungal pathogen Candida glabrata promotes multi-drug resistance.
    (Nature communications, 2016-03) Healey, Kelley R; Zhao, Yanan; Perez, Winder B; Lockhart, Shawn R; Sobel, Jack D; Farmakiotis, Dimitrios; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P; Sanglard, Dominique; Taj-Aldeen, Saad J; Alexander, Barbara D; Jimenez-Ortigosa, Cristina; Shor, Erika; Perlin, David S
    The fungal pathogen Candida glabrata has emerged as a major health threat since it readily acquires resistance to multiple drug classes, including triazoles and/or echinocandins. Thus far, cellular mechanisms promoting the emergence of resistance to multiple drug classes have not been described in this organism. Here we demonstrate that a mutator phenotype caused by a mismatch repair defect is prevalent in C. glabrata clinical isolates. Strains carrying alterations in mismatch repair gene MSH2 exhibit a higher propensity to breakthrough antifungal treatment in vitro and in mouse models of colonization, and are recovered at a high rate (55% of all C. glabrata recovered) from patients. This genetic mechanism promotes the acquisition of resistance to multiple antifungals, at least partially explaining the elevated rates of triazole and multi-drug resistance associated with C. glabrata. We anticipate that identifying MSH2 defects in infecting strains may influence the management of patients on antifungal drug therapy.
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    Prospective surveillance for invasive fungal infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, 2001-2006: overview of the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET) Database.
    (Clin Infect Dis, 2010-04-15) Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P; Marr, Kieren A; Park, Benjamin J; Alexander, Barbara D; Anaissie, Elias J; Walsh, Thomas J; Ito, James; Andes, David R; Baddley, John W; Brown, Janice M; Brumble, Lisa M; Freifeld, Alison G; Hadley, Susan; Herwaldt, Loreen A; Kauffman, Carol A; Knapp, Katherine; Lyon, G Marshall; Morrison, Vicki A; Papanicolaou, Genovefa; Patterson, Thomas F; Perl, Trish M; Schuster, Mindy G; Walker, Randall; Wannemuehler, Kathleen A; Wingard, John R; Chiller, Tom M; Pappas, Peter G
    BACKGROUND: The incidence and epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), a leading cause of death among hematopoeitic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, are derived mainly from single-institution retrospective studies. METHODS: The Transplant Associated Infections Surveillance Network, a network of 23 US transplant centers, prospectively enrolled HSCT recipients with proven and probable IFIs occurring between March 2001 and March 2006. We collected denominator data on all HSCTs preformed at each site and clinical, diagnostic, and outcome information for each IFI case. To estimate trends in IFI, we calculated the 12-month cumulative incidence among 9 sequential subcohorts. RESULTS: We identified 983 IFIs among 875 HSCT recipients. The median age of the patients was 49 years; 60% were male. Invasive aspergillosis (43%), invasive candidiasis (28%), and zygomycosis (8%) were the most common IFIs. Fifty-nine percent and 61% of IFIs were recognized within 60 days of neutropenia and graft-versus-host disease, respectively. Median onset of candidiasis and aspergillosis after HSCT was 61 days and 99 days, respectively. Within a cohort of 16,200 HSCT recipients who received their first transplants between March 2001 and September 2005 and were followed up through March 2006, we identified 718 IFIs in 639 persons. Twelve-month cumulative incidences, based on the first IFI, were 7.7 cases per 100 transplants for matched unrelated allogeneic, 8.1 cases per 100 transplants for mismatched-related allogeneic, 5.8 cases per 100 transplants for matched-related allogeneic, and 1.2 cases per 100 transplants for autologous HSCT. CONCLUSIONS: In this national prospective surveillance study of IFIs in HSCT recipients, the cumulative incidence was highest for aspergillosis, followed by candidiasis. Understanding the epidemiologic trends and burden of IFIs may lead to improved management strategies and study design.
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    Real-world Use of Mold-Active Triazole Prophylaxis in the Prevention of Invasive Fungal Diseases: Results From a Subgroup Analysis of a Multicenter National Registry.
    (Open forum infectious diseases, 2023-09) Nguyen, M Hong; Ostrosky-Zeichner, Luis; Pappas, Peter G; Walsh, Thomas J; Bubalo, Joseph; Alexander, Barbara D; Miceli, Marisa H; Jiang, Jeanette; Song, Yi; Thompson, George R

    Background

    Antifungal prophylaxis can prevent invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) in high-risk, immunocompromised patients. This study assessed the real-world use of mold-active triazoles (MATs) for the prevention of IFDs.

    Methods

    This subgroup analysis of a multicenter, observational, prospective registry in the United States from March 2017 to April 2020 included patients who received MATs for prophylaxis (isavuconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole) at study index/enrollment. The primary objective was to describe patient characteristics and patterns of MAT use. Exploratory assessments included the frequency of breakthrough IFDs and MAT-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

    Results

    A total of 1177 patients (256 isavuconazole, 397 posaconazole, 272 voriconazole, and 252 multiple/sequenced MATs at/after index/enrollment) were included in the prophylaxis subgroup analysis. Patient characteristics were similar across MAT groups, but risk factors varied. Hematological malignancy predominated (76.5%) across all groups. Breakthrough IFDs occurred in 7.1% (73/1030) of patients with an investigator's assessment (5.0% [11/221] isavuconazole; 5.3% [20/374] posaconazole; 4.0% [9/226] voriconazole; and 15.8% [33/209] multiple/sequenced MATs). Aspergillus (29.5% [18/61]) and Candida (36.1% [22/61]) species were the most common breakthrough pathogens recovered. ADRs were reported in 14.1% of patients, and discontinuation of MATs due to ADRs was reported in 11.1% of patients (2.0% [5/245] isavuconazole; 8.2% [30/368] posaconazole; and 10.1% [27/267] voriconazole).

    Conclusions

    Breakthrough IFDs were uncommon in patients who received MATs for prophylaxis. Candida and Aspergillus species were the most commonly reported breakthrough pathogens. The discontinuation of MATs due to ADRs was infrequent. These findings support prophylactic strategies with isavuconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole in high-risk patients.
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    Revision and Update of the Consensus Definitions of Invasive Fungal Disease From the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium.
    (Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2020-09) Donnelly, J Peter; Chen, Sharon C; Kauffman, Carol A; Steinbach, William J; Baddley, John W; Verweij, Paul E; Clancy, Cornelius J; Wingard, John R; Lockhart, Shawn R; Groll, Andreas H; Sorrell, Tania C; Bassetti, Matteo; Akan, Hamdi; Alexander, Barbara D; Andes, David; Azoulay, Elie; Bialek, Ralf; Bradsher, Robert W; Bretagne, Stephane; Calandra, Thierry; Caliendo, Angela M; Castagnola, Elio; Cruciani, Mario; Cuenca-Estrella, Manuel; Decker, Catherine F; Desai, Sujal R; Fisher, Brian; Harrison, Thomas; Heussel, Claus Peter; Jensen, Henrik E; Kibbler, Christopher C; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P; Kullberg, Bart-Jan; Lagrou, Katrien; Lamoth, Frédéric; Lehrnbecher, Thomas; Loeffler, Jurgen; Lortholary, Olivier; Maertens, Johan; Marchetti, Oscar; Marr, Kieren A; Masur, Henry; Meis, Jacques F; Morrisey, C Orla; Nucci, Marcio; Ostrosky-Zeichner, Luis; Pagano, Livio; Patterson, Thomas F; Perfect, John R; Racil, Zdenek; Roilides, Emmanuel; Ruhnke, Marcus; Prokop, Cornelia Schaefer; Shoham, Shmuel; Slavin, Monica A; Stevens, David A; Thompson, George R; Vazquez, Jose A; Viscoli, Claudio; Walsh, Thomas J; Warris, Adilia; Wheat, L Joseph; White, P Lewis; Zaoutis, Theoklis E; Pappas, Peter G

    Background

    Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) remain important causes of morbidity and mortality. The consensus definitions of the Infectious Diseases Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group have been of immense value to researchers who conduct clinical trials of antifungals, assess diagnostic tests, and undertake epidemiologic studies. However, their utility has not extended beyond patients with cancer or recipients of stem cell or solid organ transplants. With newer diagnostic techniques available, it was clear that an update of these definitions was essential.

    Methods

    To achieve this, 10 working groups looked closely at imaging, laboratory diagnosis, and special populations at risk of IFD. A final version of the manuscript was agreed upon after the groups' findings were presented at a scientific symposium and after a 3-month period for public comment. There were several rounds of discussion before a final version of the manuscript was approved.

    Results

    There is no change in the classifications of "proven," "probable," and "possible" IFD, although the definition of "probable" has been expanded and the scope of the category "possible" has been diminished. The category of proven IFD can apply to any patient, regardless of whether the patient is immunocompromised. The probable and possible categories are proposed for immunocompromised patients only, except for endemic mycoses.

    Conclusions

    These updated definitions of IFDs should prove applicable in clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiologic research of a broader range of patients at high-risk.
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    Risk factors, management, and clinical outcomes of invasive Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections after lung transplantation.
    (American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, 2023-08) Tam, Patrick CK; Hardie, Rochelle; Alexander, Barbara D; Yarrington, Michael E; Lee, Mark J; Polage, Chris R; Messina, Julia A; Maziarz, Eileen K; Saullo, Jennifer L; Miller, Rachel; Wolfe, Cameron R; Arif, Sana; Reynolds, John M; Haney, John C; Perfect, John R; Baker, Arthur W
    Mollicute infections, caused by Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species, are serious complications after lung transplantation; however, understanding of the epidemiology and outcomes of these infections remains limited. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 1156 consecutive lung transplants performed from 2010-2019. We used log-binomial regression to identify risk factors for infection and analyzed clinical management and outcomes. In total, 27 (2.3%) recipients developed mollicute infection. Donor characteristics independently associated with recipient infection were age ≤40 years (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9), White race (PRR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.8), and purulent secretions on donor bronchoscopy (PRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.0). Median time to diagnosis was 16 days posttransplant (IQR: 11-26 days). Mollicute-infected recipients were significantly more likely to require prolonged ventilatory support (66.7% vs 21.4%), undergo dialysis (44.4% vs 6.3%), and remain hospitalized ≥30 days (70.4% vs 27.4%) after transplant. One-year posttransplant mortality in mollicute-infected recipients was 12/27 (44%), compared to 148/1129 (13%) in those without infection (P <.0001). Hyperammonemia syndrome occurred in 5/27 (19%) mollicute-infected recipients, of whom 3 (60%) died within 10 weeks posttransplant. This study highlights the morbidity and mortality associated with mollicute infection after lung transplantation and the need for better screening and management protocols.