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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes in health care, specifically the accelerated use of telehealth. Given the unique aspects of prenatal care, it is important to understand the impact of telehealth on health care communication and quality, and patient satisfaction. This mixed methods study examined the challenges associated with the rapid and broad implementation of telehealth for prenatal care delivery during the pandemic. ObjectiveIn this study, we examined patients’ perspectives, preferences, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of supporting the development of successful models to serve the needs of pregnant patients, obstetric providers, and health care systems during this time. MethodsPregnant patients who received outpatient prenatal care in Cleveland, Ohio participated in in-depth interviews and completed the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences-Impact Survey (COPE-IS) between January and December 2021. Transcripts were coded using NVivo 12, and qualitative analysis was used, an approach consistent with the grounded theory. Quantitative data were summarized and integrated during analysis. ResultsThematic saturation was achieved with 60 interviews. We learned that 58% (35/60) of women had telehealth experience prior to their current pregnancy. However, only 8% (5/60) of women had used both in-person and virtual visits during this pregnancy, while the majority (54/60, 90%) of women participated in only in-person visits. Among 59 women who responded to the COPE-IS, 59 (100%) felt very well supported by their provider, 31 (53%) were moderately to highly concerned about their child’s health, and 17 (29%) reported that the single greatest stress of COVID-19 was its impact on their child. Lead themes focused on establishing patient-provider relationships that supported shared decision-making, accessing the information needed for shared decision-making, and using technology effectively to foster discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings indicated that participants felt in-person visits were more personal, established greater rapport, and built better trust in the patient-provider relationship as compared to telehealth visits. Further, participants felt they could achieve a greater dialogue and ask more questions regarding time-sensitive information, including prenatal genetic testing information, through an in-person visit. Finally, privacy concerns arose if prenatal genetic testing or general pregnancy conversations were to take place outside of the health care facility. ConclusionsWhile telehealth was recognized as an option to ensure timely access to prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also came with multiple challenges for the patient-provider relationship. These findings highlighted the barriers and opportunities to achieve effective and patient-centered communication with the continued integration of telehealth in prenatal care delivery. It is important to address the unique needs of this population during the pandemic and as health care increasingly adopts a telehealth model.

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic poses unique challenges to healthcare delivery. To limit the exposure of providers and patients to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages providers to use telehealth platforms whenever possible. Given the maternal mortality crisis in the United States and the compounding 2019 coronavirus disease public health emergency, continued access to quality preconception, prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care are essential to the health and well-being of mother and baby. Objective: This commentary explores unique opportunities to optimize virtual obstetric care for low-risk and high-risk mothers at each stage of pregnancy. Methods: In this review paper, we present evidence-based literature and tools from first-hand experience implementing telemedicine in obstetric care clinics during the pandemic. Results: Using the best evidence-based practices with telemedicine, health care providers can deliver care in the safest, most respectful, and appropriate way possible while providing the critical support necessary in pregnancy. In reviewing the literature, several studies endorse the implementation of specific tools outlined in this article, to facilitate the implementation of telemedicine. From a quality improvement standpoint, evidence-based telemedicine provides a solution for overburdened healthcare systems, greater confidentiality for obstetric services, and a personalized avenue for health care providers to meet maternal health needs in the pandemic. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, continued access to quality prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care are essential to the health and well-being of mother and baby.

Background: Ibrexafungerp is a novel antifungal treatment for acute vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Using pooled data from two phase three studies (VANISH 303 and 306) in the treatment of acute VVC, this analysis sought to determine the effectiveness of ibrexafungerp in various patient subgroups that may impact outcomes. Materials and Methods: Data from VANISH 303 (NCT03734991) and VANISH 306 (NCT03987620) evaluating ibrexafungerp 300 mg twice daily (BID) for 1 day versus placebo, were pooled and analyzed to determine clinical cure rate, clinical improvement, and mycological cure at the test-of-cure visit (day 11 ± 3) and symptom resolution at the follow-up visit (day 25 ± 4) in the overall population. Patient subgroups analyzed included race, body mass index (BMI), baseline vulvovaginal signs and symptoms (VSS) score, and Candida species. Results: At the test-of-cure visit, patients receiving ibrexafungerp, compared with those who received placebo, had significantly higher rates of clinical cure (56.9% [214/376 patients] vs. 35.7% [65/182 patients]), clinical improvement (68.4% [257/376 patients] vs. 45.1% [82/182 patients]), and mycological cure (54.0% [203/376 patients] vs. 24.2% [44/182 patients]; all p < 0.0001). At the follow-up visit, patients receiving ibrexafungerp had sustained responses with higher symptom resolution rates (66.8% [251/376 patients]) versus placebo (48.4% [88/182 patients]; p < 0.0001). Race, BMI, baseline VSS score (including VSS severity score 13–18), and Candida species infection did not adversely affect clinical cure rates. Safety analysis results were consistent with the individual studies. Conclusions: Ibrexafungerp provides a safe and well-tolerated first-in-class fungicidal, 1-day oral treatment for patients with acute VVC, the first new therapy in >20 years. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03734991. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To highlight recent literature that discusses the association of overweight and obesity with vaginal dysbiosis and symptomatic vulvovaginitis among non-pregnant women. Recent Findings: Literature search on vaginitis showed varying results regarding associations between obesity, vaginal dysbiosis, yeast vulvovaginitis, and vulvar disorders. There was no convincing relationship between obesity and vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, majority of the results in vaginal dysbiosis do show important associations with obesity. Summary: Lactobacillus, especially L. crispatus and L. iners, play an important role in the vaginal microbiome of obese women. While women with obesity may have a higher prevalence of vaginal dysbiosis, this does not appear to increase the risk for clinical bacterial vaginosis or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Obesity may increase the risk for atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema due to chronic inflammation from induced immune dysfunction and hypersensitivity. These findings should be considered in future research to further understand the direct role of overweight/obesity in recurrent vulvovaginal symptoms and to have a better understanding of its impact on treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes in health care, specifically the accelerated use of telehealth. Given the unique aspects of prenatal care, it is important to understand the impact of telehealth on health care communication and quality, and patient satisfaction. This mixed methods study examined the challenges associated with the rapid and broad implementation of telehealth for prenatal care delivery during the pandemic. Objective: In this study, we examined patients’ perspectives, preferences, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of supporting the development of successful models to serve the needs of pregnant patients, obstetric providers, and health care systems during this time. Methods: Pregnant patients who received outpatient prenatal care in Cleveland, Ohio participated in in-depth interviews and completed the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences-Impact Survey (COPE-IS) between January and December 2021. Transcripts were coded using NVivo 12, and qualitative analysis was used, an approach consistent with the grounded theory. Quantitative data were summarized and integrated during analysis. Results: Thematic saturation was achieved with 60 interviews. We learned that 58% (35/60) of women had telehealth experience prior to their current pregnancy. However, only 8% (5/60) of women had used both in-person and virtual visits during this pregnancy, while the majority (54/60, 90%) of women participated in only in-person visits. Among 59 women who responded to the COPE-IS, 59 (100%) felt very well supported by their provider, 31 (53%) were moderately to highly concerned about their child’s health, and 17 (29%) reported that the single greatest stress of COVID-19 was its impact on their child. Lead themes focused on establishing patient-provider relationships that supported shared decision-making, accessing the information needed for shared decision-making, and using technology effectively to foster discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings indicated that participants felt in-person visits were more personal, established greater rapport, and built better trust in the patient-provider relationship as compared to telehealth visits. Further, participants felt they could achieve a greater dialogue and ask more questions regarding time-sensitive information, including prenatal genetic testing information, through an in-person visit. Finally, privacy concerns arose if prenatal genetic testing or general pregnancy conversations were to take place outside of the health care facility. Conclusions: While telehealth was recognized as an option to ensure timely access to prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also came with multiple challenges for the patient-provider relationship. These findings highlighted the barriers and opportunities to achieve effective and patient-centered communication with the continued integration of telehealth in prenatal care delivery. It is important to address the unique needs of this population during the pandemic and as health care increasingly adopts a telehealth model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common vulvovaginitis (VV). About 20% of women will experience recurrent infections in their lifetime with non-albicans Candida (NAC) species being one of the causative agents. Although studies have looked at risk factors for recurrent VVC they are limited in scope. In this study, we explore whether risks of recurrent VVC are increased with NAC infections compared to Candida albicans infections. Methods: Through an institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review, we identified 174 women with positive yeast cultures and followed their charts to assess recurrent visits and treatments. We also assessed several baseline variables such as race, age, body mass index (BMI), obstetric history, probiotic use, contraceptive use, mycological therapy, steroid use, hormone replacement therapy, menopausal status, and medical comorbidities. Results: Women with NAC VV were more likely to have multiple visits for recurring infections compared to women who had C. albicans VV (66% vs. 34%). The women with multiple recurrences were younger, had a lower BMI, had lower parity, and endorsed higher use of probiotics. Conclusion: Women with positive NAC cultures were more likely to have multiple visits to their physicians for VV complaints. Identifying the causative species using vaginal fungal cultures can more accurately guide therapy and lead to better outcomes for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 26 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have been reported in the United States with over 440 000 deaths. Despite COVID‐19 vaccine approval, pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials. We report a case of immune thrombocytopenia in the first trimester, which occurred 13 days after initiating the COVID‐19 vaccination series. Thorough evaluation, including hematology consultation, established the diagnosis. High‐dose oral corticosteroids were started, and she was discharged home with significant improvement in platelet count on her fourth day of hospitalization with no subsequent complications. We advocate that the benefits of COVID‐19 vaccination outweigh the risk of infection in pregnancy and that pregnant women should be included in clinical trials. Closer post‐vaccination surveillance may be warranted in the pregnant population pending further data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic poses unique challenges to healthcare delivery. To limit the exposure of providers and patients to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages providers to use telehealth platforms whenever possible. Given the maternal mortality crisis in the United States and the compounding 2019 coronavirus disease public health emergency, continued access to quality preconception, prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care are essential to the health and well-being of mother and baby. Objective: This commentary explores unique opportunities to optimize virtual obstetric care for low-risk and high-risk mothers at each stage of pregnancy. Methods: In this review paper, we present evidence-based literature and tools from first-hand experience implementing telemedicine in obstetric care clinics during the pandemic. Results: Using the best evidence-based practices with telemedicine, health care providers can deliver care in the safest, most respectful, and appropriate way possible while providing the critical support necessary in pregnancy. In reviewing the literature, several studies endorse the implementation of specific tools outlined in this article, to facilitate the implementation of telemedicine. From a quality improvement standpoint, evidence-based telemedicine provides a solution for overburdened healthcare systems, greater confidentiality for obstetric services, and a personalized avenue for health care providers to meet maternal health needs in the pandemic. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, continued access to quality prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care are essential to the health and well-being of mother and baby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a guide to addressing recurrent or chronic vulvovaginitis. Topics discussed include initial evaluation, clinical testing, bacterial vaginosis, recurrent bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, non-infectious vulvovaginitis, diagnosis and management.

The article focuses on coronavirus infections may be more frequent in pregnant women than in the general population, and those who contract the virus could also be more susceptible to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Topics include the woman's immune system becomes suppressed and the airway fundamentally changes during pregnancy making her more vulnerable to respiratory problems, including more severe complications due to the novel coronavirus.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to build and validate a statistical model to predict infection after caesarean delivery (CD).Methods: Patient and surgical variables within 30 d of CD were collected on 2419 women. Postpartum infection included surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, endomyometritis and pneumonia. The data were split into model development and internal validation (1 January-31 August; N = 1641) and temporal validation subsets (1 September-31 December; N = 778). Logistic regression models were fit to the data with concordance index and calibration curves used to assess accuracy. Internal validation was performed with bootstrapping correcting for bias.Results: Postoperative infection occurred in 8% (95% CI 7.3-9.9), with 5% meeting CDC criteria for surgical site infections (SSI) (95% CI 4.1-5.8). Eight variables were predictive for infection: increasing BMI, higher number of prior Caesarean deliveries, emergent Caesarean delivery, Caesarean for failure to progress, skin closure using stainless steel staples, chorioamnionitis, maternal asthma and lower gestational age. The model discriminated between women with and without infection on internal validation (concordance index = 0.71 95% CI 0.67-0.76) and temporal validation (concordance index = 0.70, 95% CI 0.62, 0.78).Conclusions: Our model accurately predicts risk of infection after CD. Identification of patients at risk for postoperative infection allows for individualized patient care and counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) after Cesarean delivery (CD) and determine risk factors predictive for infection at a large academic institution.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in women undergoing CD during 2013. SSIs were defined by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. Chi square and t-tests were used for bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify SSI risk factors.Results: In 2419 patients, the rate of SSI was 5.5% (n = 133) with cellulitis in 4.9% (n = 118), deep incisional infection in 0.6% (n = 15) and intra-abdominal infection in 0.3% (n = 7). On multivariate analysis, SSI was higher among CD for labor arrest (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1.6-3.5; p <.001). Preterm labor (OR 2.8; 95%CI 1.3-6.0; p = .01) and general anesthesia (OR 4.4; 95%CI 2.0-9.8; p = .003) were predictive for SSI. Increasing BMI (OR 1.1; 95%CI 1.05-1.09; p = .02), asthma (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.1-3.2; p = .02) and smoking (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.1-3.2; p = .02) were associated with increased SSI.Conclusions: Several patient and surgical variables are associated with increased rate of SSI after CD. Identification of risk factors for SSI after CD is important for targeted implementation of quality improvement measures and infection control interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the rate of postpartum endomyometritis (PPE) after cesarean delivery (CD) in the era of antibiotic prophylaxis and determine risk factors.Methods: A single institution retrospective study was performed in women undergoing CD. Data regarding obstetrical and surgical variables were collected. Diagnosis of PPE was made clinically.Results: Among 2419 patients, the rate of PPE was 1.6% (n = 38) and was associated with lower age (27.0 versus 31.0; p < .001). 65.7% of patients having chorioamnionitits developed PPE, but only 5.4% of patients without PPE had chorioamnionitis (p < .001). On multivariate analysis, PPE was higher in emergent versus scheduled CD (OR: 5.89; p = .0081). There was no difference in PPE for cefazolin 2 g versus 1 g (OR: 1.91; p = .17) or 3 g versus 1 g (OR: 3.69; p = .29), gentamicin/clindamycin versus cefazolin (OR: 5.60; p < .001) had higher PPE. Women with PPE were more likely to have labor arrest (OR: 4.336; p = .001), sexually transmitted infection during the pregnancy (OR: 4.197; p = .02) or blood transfusion (OR: 9.50; p < .0001).Conclusions: While the overall rate of PPE was low, several risk factors were identified. Preoperative diagnosis of chorioamnionitits is associated with a higher rate of PPE. Further studies are needed to identify optimal regimens for antimicrobial prophylaxis in women undergoing CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) after Cesarean delivery (CD) and to determine if any factors increase risk of infection.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed at a multi-center institution for patients who underwent CD in 2013. All patients had urinary catheters inserted before surgery. Diagnosis followed IDSA guidelines with culture growing greater than 103 CFU of bacteria per mL with symptoms or symptomatic urinary tract infections treated at provider discretion. Statistical analysis was assessed with Chi-square and Student's t-test followed by logistic regression.Results: Of 2419 patients, 36 patients developed CAUTI (1.5%). In the 24 (66.7%) cases diagnosed by IDSA guidelines, Escherichia coli was the most common causative organism (54.1%); followed by Enterococcus faecalis (16.7%), Streptococccus agalactiae (8.3%), and Group A Streptococcus (8.3%). Longer operative time (OR 1.013; 95% 1.002-1.023; p = .02) and pregnancies complicated by STI (OR 4.15; 95% CI 1.11-15.0; p < .05) were associated with higher rates of CAUTI.Conclusions: The overall rate of CAUTI after CD was low at 1.5%. Escherichia coli was the most common causative pathogen. Identification of the patients at high risk for CAUTI allows for risk reduction measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects nearly 1 in 3 women in the United States and is poorly understood. The study of the vaginal microbiome, using 16S rRNA-gene amplicon sequencing, has increased our knowledge of BV. We aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiome of women with recurrent BV firstly in comparison to controls, and secondly in comparison to a sub-population of our asymptomatic controls, positive for Gardnerella vaginalis via a vaginal pathogens DNA direct probe test (DNA probe). Methods Women aged 18–40 years, with recurrent BV, and asymptomatic controls were prospectively enrolled. Vaginal samples were collected from each participant. DNA was extracted, amplified using primers targeting the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA-gene, and then sequenced and processed through a hybrid Qiime MICCA bioinformatics pipeline. We also tested for G. vaginalis using the DNA probe. Results Seventeen recurrent BV patients and 46 controls were enrolled. Β diversity (P = 0.045), but not alpha diversity (P = 0.076) differed between groups. The genera Gardnerella and Prevotella were relatively more abundant, while Lactobacillus was relatively less abundant in recurrent BV vs. control groups. Of the patients for whom results of the DNA probe for Gardnerella vaginalis were available, 11 (69%) recurrent BV patients and 14 (35%) controls were positive. Control patients, negative by the DNA probe test, showed decreased alpha diversity (P = 0.0001) and significantly different β diversity (P = 0.001) compared with recurrent BV patients. Neither alpha (P = 0.31) nor β (P = 0.096) diversity differed between recurrent BV patients and controls that were G. vaginalis positive. Conclusion The microbiome of recurrent BV patients is distinct from that of asymptomatic controls; recurrent BV patients exhibit different β diversity, less Lactobacillus and more Gardnerella and Prevotella. Asymptomatic Gardnerella vaginalis -colonized controls demonstrate similar microbiome profiles to those of recurrent BV patients. These findings suggest that individual factors may influence whether or not a patient with a BV microbiomic profile experiences symptoms. Further investigation into these mechanisms could yield insights into the treatment of recurrent BV. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition affecting women of reproductive age and yet it remains poorly understood. Recurrent BV causes significant emotional and psychological distress and can prove difficult to resolve with currently available treatments. We aimed to investigate the microbiome of recurrent BV patients at various time points in relation to oral Metronidazole treatment. Methods Women aged 18–40 years, with recurrent BV, were prospectively enrolled. Vaginal samples (lavage) were collected at baseline (D0), at 7–10 days (D7) and 30–40 days (D30) after initiation of oral metronidazole treatment (500 mg BID, 7 days). DNA was extracted, amplified using primers targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16 srRNA, and then sequenced and processed through a hybrid Qiime MICCA bioinformatics pipeline. Results Seventeen recurrent BV patients were enrolled. Alpha diversity decreased (P = 0.0049) after the first week of treatment with oral metronidazole, but increased (P = 0.0062) to near baseline by D30. Lactobacillus iners , was the dominant Lactobacillus , with transient increase in this species corresponding with metronidazole treatment. There was also a decrease in Gardnerella vaginalis that re-normalized to baseline at 30 days. Of the 10 recurrent BV patients with data for all three time points, 4 relapsed by D30. Β diversity differed significantly between patients that relapsed and those that did not (p = 0.044). Alpha diversity did not differ between the groups (p = 0.07). Conclusion The dominant Lactobacillus pretreatment in this cohort was L.iners. Oral metronidazole was associated with a decrease in alpha diversity, decrease in G. vaginalis and increase in L. iners. Although L. iners increased after metronidazole treatment, this increase was not sustained by D30. Treatment with metronidazole, only temporarily altered the microbiome. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of L. iners in recurrent BV. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]