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Over the past several years, multifaceted advances in the management of cancer have led to a significant improvement in survival rates. Throughout patients' oncological journeys, they will likely receive one or more implantable devices for the administration of fluids and medications as well as management of various comorbidities and complications related to cancer therapy. Infections associated with these devices are frequent and complex, often necessitating device removal, increasing health care costs, negatively affecting quality of life, and complicating oncological care, usually leading to delays in further life-saving cancer therapy. Herein, the authors comprehensively review multiple evidence-based recommendations along with best practices, expert opinions, and novel approaches for the prevention of diverse device-related infections. The authors present many general principles for the prevention of these infections followed by specific device-related recommendations in a systematic manner. The continuous involvement and meaningful cooperation between regulatory entities, industry, specialty medical societies, hospitals, and infection control-targeted interventions, along with primary care and consulting health care providers, are all vital for the sustained reduction in the incidence of these preventable infections.

Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) are currently the predominant bacterial pathogens in patients with cancer. Many GNB have become problematic due to the widespread emergence of resistance. Imipenem/relebactam (IMI/REL) is a combination of the carbapenem imipenem with relebactam, a non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor. It is active against most pathogenic GNB including many that are resistant to other agents. We compared its in vitro activity to six other agents against 490 GNB recovered exclusively from patients with cancer because such data are scarce.Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) microbroth dilution methods were used for susceptibility testing. Whole genome sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) was performed on 30 selected isolates.IMI/REL was active against 98% of Enterobacterales and 87% of non-Enterobacterales isolates (excluding Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). It had potent activity against extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and other Enterobacterales (Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter Spp., and Serratia Spp.) and moderate activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. IMI/REL had potent activity against Achromobacter Spp., non-multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis and moderate activity against multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa. Overall, IMI/REL was associated with the lowest number of nonsusceptible isolates compared with six other agents (imipenem, meropenem, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin, and tigecycline) commonly used in patients with cancer. Whole genome sequencing performed on 30 resistant isolates (10 each of E. coli, K. pneumonia, and P. aeruginosa) did not reveal any predominant mechanism of resistance to IMI/REL.Its in vitro activity indicates that IMI/REL might have a role to play in the treatment of Gram-negative infections in patients with cancer.

Background The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index has been utilized to determine the risk for poor clinical outcomes in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) in an emergency center (EC). However, this index comprises subjective elements and elaborated metrics limiting its use in ECs. We sought to determine whether procalcitonin (PCT) level (biomarker of bacterial infection) with or without lactate level (marker of inadequate tissue perfusion) offers a potential alternative to MASSC score in predicting the outcomes of patients with FN presenting to an EC. Methods We retrospectively identified 550 cancer patients with FN who presented to our EC between April 2018, and April 2019, and had serum PCT and lactate levels measured. Results Compared with patients with PCT levels 2.2 mmol/L were more likely to be admitted and have an LOS >7 days, BSI, and 14‐day mortality than patients with lower levels. PCT level was a significantly better predictor of BSI than MASSC score (p = 0.003) or lactate level (p, Procalcitonin can be used as a more objective and practical alternative to the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer score to predict the outcomes of cancer patients with febrile neutropenia in an emergency center.

Background Patients with COVID-19 and underlying malignancies, particularly those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Our retrospective cohort study examines the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with different underlying malignancies admitted to a 710- beds comprehensive cancer center during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Methods All patients with cancer admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were included in a clinical case registry from 3/22/20 (first hospitalized COVID-19 patient) to 3/31/22. This clinical registry was approved at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Quality Improvement Assessment Board at MDACC. Clinical information including type of malignancy, date of admission, length of stay, need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital mortality was obtained from their electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-proportion z-test where p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 1748 patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection were admitted over a 2-year period (3.2% of total hospital admissions during the same period), 49% had hematological malignancies (HM) (see table). Patients with HM had significantly higher readmission rates (17.3% vs 9.1%, p< 0.0001), IMV rates (7.8% vs 4.4%, p=0.0029), and inpatient mortality rates (13.6% vs 7.1%, p< 0.0001). compared to patients with solid tumors (ST). Total mortality rate was 8.8% (154 patients), even higher in patients with different types of HM, such as lymphoma 18.1%, AML 14.2%, MM 8.4%, CML 7.1% while the mortality for ST was 7.1%. COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients at UT-MDACC (3/22/20-3/31/22) UT-MDACC: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center *p-value Conclusion HM patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection had more severe disease and worse outcomes based on readmissions, IMV, and mortality rates. Preventive measures, prompt diagnosis and early treatments should be considered on this patient population. Disclosures Roy F. Chemaly, MD/MPH, Karius: Advisor/Consultant|Karius: Grant/Research Support.

Background Carbapenems represent the most potent and broad-spectrum β-lactams and are minimally affected by most β-lactamase enzymes. however, all carbapenems currently in use including meropenem and ertapenem, are parenterally administered. Tebipenem pivoxil (TBPM-PI-HBr) is a new broad-spectrum orally-administered antibiotic, from the carbapenem subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics. It is the only oral carbapenem and could be an alternative to intravenous injection carbapenem antibiotic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of tebipenem, a novel oral carbapenem, against recent gram-positive clinical isolates from cancer patients. Methods We tested 300 gram-positive isolates are recently isolated (2019-2021) from our cancer patients, collected from blood cultures against tebipenem and comparators. Clinical and laboratory Standards Instituted (CLSI) approved broth microdilution method was used with appropriate ATCC controls. MIC50, MIC90, MIC ranges and percent of susceptibility calculations were made using FDA breakpoints when available. There is no tebipenem susceptibility breakpoint for gram-positive isolates currently. MIC90 and MICs range of tebipenem and comparators against 300 gram-positive isolates from cancer patients Results MIC90 and range of tebipenem and comparators are shown in table(1). Tebipenem gave the lowest MIC90 and MIC ranges against most gram-positive isolates including Bacillus species, Corynebacterium species, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus species, MSSA S.aureus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis. β-hemolytic Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumonie, Viridans group streptococci, and Rothia species. The comparative potency of tebipenem vs meropenem as a carbapenem in this study showed that, tebipenem MIC values were generally lower at least 2-4 fold. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that oral tebipenem has promising activity against clinically significant bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients and it has compatible activity to that of meropenem as a carbapenem in this study. Further clinical evolution for oral carbapenem treatment of bacterial infections is warranted. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Antiseptic wound ointments are widely used to treat dermal wounds that are microbially contaminated. Polygalacturonic acid (PG)+caprylic acid (CAP) is a novel combination that has been shown to eradicate biofilms. We developed a novel PG+CAP ointment and compared the biofilm eradication capability and cytotoxicity of PG+CAP with that of commercially available antiseptic wound ointments. We used a well-established biofilm model to quantitatively assess the eradication of organisms following exposure to the wound ointments for 2 hours. PG+CAP ointment completely eradicated Candida albicans, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, whereas MediHoney, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), and benzalkonium chloride (BZK) ointments failed to eradicate all biofilms within 2 hours. We assessed cytotoxicity by exposing L-929 fibroblasts to extracts of each ointment; Trypan blue exclusion was used to assess cell viability, and Alamar blue conversion was used to assess metabolic function. After exposure to PG+CAP and MediHoney, fibroblast viability was 96.23% and 95.23%, respectively (Trypan blue), and was comparable to untreated cells (98.77%). PHMB and BZK showed reduced viability (83.25% and 77.83%, respectively, p < 0.05 ). Metabolic activity results followed a similar pattern. Cytotoxicity of PG+CAP ointment towards erythrocytes was comparable to saline. PG+CAP ointment seems to be safe and can rapidly eradicate microbial biofilm; thus, PG+CAP ointment merits further in vivo testing as a potential antimicrobial wound ointment.

Introduction: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are a frequent cause of healthcare-associated infections, increasing healthcare costs and decreasing the quality of life for critically and chronically ill patients such as those with cancer. These infections are largely preventable and have been significantly reduced throughout the United States. However, further reduction of CLABSI requires continued innovation in preventive strategies.Areas covered: We provide an overview of the recent medical literature on catheter-related infections among cancer patients, discussing epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of CLABSI with a focus on the newest and current preventive measures. The data discussed here were retrieved mainly from clinical trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews published in the English language using a MEDLINE database search from 1 January 1990 until the end of December 2019.Expert opinion: The growing impact of CLABSI on the healthcare setting and mortality and morbidity rates in cancer patients calls for novel technologies for preventing central line-related infections. Advances in antimicrobial lock therapy are not limited to salvage therapy but have also provided a novel and promising prophylactic approach to CLABSI. Also, the use of antimicrobial-coated catheters with chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings, along with the application of insertion and maintenance bundles, is an effective and cost-effective approach for preventing central line-related infections.

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays a pivotal role in B-cell proliferation and survival of leukemic cells. Ibrutinib, a molecule targeting BTK, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013 for treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and has since been approved for treatment of several other hematologic malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (1). Recently, Ibrutinib plus venetoclax have been found to be effective as first line treatment for high risk and older patients with CLL (2). Patients receiving ibrutinib are at increased risk for serious bacterial, fungal, and viral reactivation (3). In this report, we describe the first case, to our knowledge, of HBV-associated liver failure after ibrutinib therapy in a patient with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Additionally, we review the previously reported cases of HBV reactivation after ibrutinib therapy (3–7). We analyzed our patient reported below together with 5 of the 6 previously described patients for whom sufficient data about HBV reactivation were available. HBV-related outcomes were defined according to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 hepatitis B guidance (8), and included past or chronic HBV infection, HBV reactivation, HBV-associated hepatitis, and HBV-associated liver failure

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is commonly associated with haematologic malignancies but also occurs with solid tumours.To compare the diagnostic approaches and therapeutic outcomes for IPA between patients with haematologic malignancies and solid cancers.A retrospective study was conducted evaluating consecutive cases of proven and probable IPA from 2004 to 2016. Patients18 years of age with an underlying solid tumour, haematologic malignancy, or haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) within one year of IPA diagnosis were included.Of the 311 patients analysed, 225 had haematologic malignancies and 86 had solid tumours. Patients with solid tumours were more likely to have had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other pulmonary diseases, have Aspergillus fumigatus infections, and have received radiotherapy before IPA occurrence than were those with haematologic malignancies (all P0.01). Antifungal monotherapy and voriconazole-based therapy were more often prescribed in the solid group (87% vs 56%, P0.0001, and 77% vs 53%, P=0.0002, respectively). The median duration of primary antifungal therapy was longer in the solid group (64 days vs 20 days, P0.0001). Complete or partial response to antifungal therapy was recorded in 66% of the solid group and 40% of the haematologic group (P=0.0001). At 12 weeks, overall mortality was similar in both groups, but IPA-attributable mortality was higher in the haematologic group (30% vs 18%, P=0.04).Monotherapy was more often prescribed in patients with solid tumours than in patients with haematologic malignancies. Patients with solid tumours had better antifungal therapy response and lower 12-week IPA-attributable mortality than did those with haematologic malignancies.

Candida auris is an emerging pathogen that can cause virulent central-line-associated bloodstream infections. Catheter salvage through the eradication of biofilms is a desirable therapeutic option. We compared taurolidine and minocycline-EDTA-ethanol (MEE) catheter lock solutions in vitro for the eradication of biofilms of 10 C. auris strains. MEE fully eradicated all C. auris biofilms, while taurolidine lock partially eradicated all of the C. auris biofilms. The superiority was significant for all C. auris strains tested (P = 0.002).

This chapter discusses the importance of central venous catheters (CVC) in securing vascular access for fluids, medications, blood products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and hemodialysis. It covers central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) as major healthcare-associated infections in high-risk patients. It also mentions the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which emphasized that CLABSI are associated with a high mortality rate of 12% to 25%. The chapter looks at electron microscopy studies of catheter surfaces and shows how adherent microorganisms can be found in either a free-floating form or a sessile form embedded in a biofilm. It examines the process of adherence that results from intrinsic properties of the catheter, host-derived proteins, and microbial factors.

Cancer patients have increased risk of infections, and often present to emergency departments with infection-related problems where physicians must make decisions based on a snapshot of the patient’s condition. Although C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and lactate are popular biomarkers of sepsis, their use in guiding emergency care of cancer patients with infections is unclear. Using these biomarkers, we created a prediction model for short-term mortality in cancer patients with suspected infection. We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients who visited the emergency department of MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1 April 2018 and 30 April 2019. A clinical decision model was developed using multiple logistic regression for various clinical and laboratory biomarkers, coefficients were used to generate a prediction score stratifying patients into four groups according to their 14-day mortality risk. The prediction score had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.85–0.91) in predicting 14-day mortality. The prediction score also accurately predicted intensive care unit admission and 30-day mortality. Our simple new scoring system for mortality prediction, based on readily available clinical and laboratory data, including procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and lactate, can be used in emergency departments for cancer patients with suspected infection.

The proper functioning of central lines is imperative for the management of patients with cancer or on hemodialysis. However, these lifelines can become infected and can malfunction.Chelators such as citrate and EDTA have been widely studied alone or in combination with other antimicrobial agents in catheter lock solutions to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections and to maintain catheter patency. Given their anticoagulation, antiplatelet aggregation, antibiofilm, antimicrobial activity, safety profile, as well as their low cost, chelators have long been considered alternatives to heparin and a vital component of catheter lock solutions. In this review, we present a detailed summary of the properties of chelators and in vitro and in vivo studies of chelator-containing lock solutions.

Background An increasing number of observational studies have reported the persistence of symptoms following recovery from acute COVID-19 disease. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are not fully understood and there is no clear consensus on the definition of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). The reported prevalence of PASC widely varies from 10% up to 87%. The purpose of this study is to assess PASC in cancer patients following acute COVID-19 recovery. Methods We assessed cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center who were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease between March 1, 2020 and Sept 1, 2020. Using patient questionnaires and medical chart reviews we followed these patients from March 2020 till May 2021. Patient questionnaires were sent out remotely daily for 14 days after COVID-19 diagnosis then weekly for 3 months, and then monthly thereafter. Chart reviews were conducted for each patient hospital re-admission and emergency department visit. These admissions were classified as either COVID-19 related or non-related. The persistence or emergence of new COVID19-related symptoms were captured at each COVID-19 related admission. Results We included 312 cancer patients with a median age of 57 years (18-86). The majority of patients had solid tumors (75%). Of the 312 patients, 188 (60%) reported long COVID-19 symptoms with a median duration of 7 months and up to 14 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. The most common symptoms reported included fatigue (82%), sleep disturbances (78%), myalgias (67%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (61%), followed by headache, altered smell or taste, dyspnea (47%) and cough (46%). A higher number of females reported a persistence of symptoms compared to males (63% vs 37%; p=0.036). Cancer type, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, and hospital admission during acute COVID-19 disease were comparable in both groups and did not seem to contribute to a higher number of long-COVID-19 patients in our study group. Conclusion Long-COVID occurs in 60% of cancer patients and may persist up to 14 months after acute illness. The most common symptoms are fatigue, sleep disturbance, myalgia and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Disclosures Fareed Khawaja, MBBS, Eurofins Viracor (Research Grant or Support)

Background Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that was granted an emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2020 for patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It initially showed promising results with decreasing hospitalizations and return emergency department visits in immunocompetent patients. We evaluated the role of bamlanivimab in the cancer patient population. Methods We conducted a retrospective matched study of all cancer patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19 who received bamlanivimab in our acute cancer care center (ACCC) from December 2020 to February 2021. These patients were compared to a control group of cancer patients who presented to our ACCC and were diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19 from March to November 2020 before the introduction of bamlanivimab. Control patients were matched by age and underlying malignancy. All patients had a baseline oxygen saturation ≥ 94% and an absolute neutrophil count > 500 mm3. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome that included COVID-related admissions, oxygen desaturation, ICU admission and 30-day mortality were compared in both groups. Results A total of 108 patients were analyzed with 54 patients in each group, of which 59% consisted of hematologic malignancies, and 33% were ≥ 65 years. The presenting symptoms were similar in both groups and mainly consisted of cough, fever, and dyspnea. Patients who received bamlanivimab were less likely to be admitted to the hospital (24% vs. 91%; p< 0.0001), experience oxygen desaturation < 94% during follow-up (11% vs 44%; p=0.0001), require oxygen supplement (7% vs. 44%; p< 0.0001), or be admitted to the ICU (4% vs 15%; p=0.046). No 30-day mortality was observed in the bamlanivimab group with 2 (4%) occurring in the control group. However, the difference was not significant. Conclusion Bamlanivimab decreased hospital and ICU admissions in cancer patients. In addition, bamlanivimab reduced oxygen requirement and the risk of hypoxia and progression to severe disease in this patient population. Disclosures Samuel L. Aitken, PharmD, MPH, BCIDP, Melinta Therapeutoics (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Consultant, Grant/Research Support

Background Contamination of surfaces with virions remains an important medical issues because they can serve as fomites for viral transmission. Long acting disinfectants are important because viruses can remain viable for extended durations. Here we assessed the anti-viral efficacy of various environmental spray disinfectants against F specific coliphage MS2, and Feline Calicivirus (FCV) as surrogate non-enveloped viruses. Methods MS2 was grown and titrated according to Environmental Protection Agency method 1601 and counted as plague forming unit per milliliter (PFU/mL.). Strain F9 of FCV was propagated and titrated in monolayers of Crandell-Reese Feline Kidney cells. Commercially available and an experimental disinfectant based on a biguanide combination were tested. The disinfectants, both wet and as dried residues, were compared on silicone surfaces for reduction of viral loads following 1-minute exposure to high viral load challenges (106-107 PFU/ml). Sterilized deionized water was used as a control. Results Results (as log10 reduction relative to sterilized deionized water control) are tabulated below for the disinfectants in wet and dry states following 1-minute viral challenges. Log10 reductions of MS2 and FCV viral loads following 1-minute exposures to disinfectants in wet and dry residue states. Conclusion The disinfectants were generally much less effective as dried residues than wet. The biguanide-combination and hydrogen peroxide-combination disinfectants were the most effective disinfectants tested in both wet and dry residue states. Both warrant further study for extended eradication of highly infectious viruses on surfaces. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Bacterial infections are common in patients with cancer (PWC). Many bacteria have developed resistance to currently used antibiotics, posing therapeutic challenges. we evaluated the in vitro activity of eravacycline (a novel fluorocycline) against clinical bacteria recently (2018-2019) isolated from PWC. Methods All 565 isolates tested were from blood cultures. CLSI approved broth microdilution method was used. Appropriate ATCC controls were included. MIC50, MIC90, MIC ranges and percent susceptibility calculations were made using FDA breakpoints when available. Eravacycline susceptibility breakpoint for most Gram-positive organisms (GPO) is ≤ 0.06 mg/L and for Enterobacterales is ≤ 0.5 mg/L. Results Eravacycline had potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and resistant strains), oxacillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) including Staphylococcus lugdunensis, viridans group streptococci, beta-hemolytic streptococci. Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Micrococcus spp. It was slightly less active against oxacillin-resistant CoNS, and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis (MIC90 0,125 mg/L respectively) and was moderately active against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (MIC50, 0.06, and MIC90. 0.25 mg/L). Eravacycline had potent activity against Escherichia coli (including ESBL producing strains), Citrobacter spp., and non-ESBL Klebsiella spp. Eravacycline inhibited 83% of ESBL positive K. pneumoniae, 83% of Enterobacter cloacae, and 80% of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates at ≤ 0.5 mg/L. The presence of ESBLs increased MIC90 value no more than 2 fold. Eravacycline was also active against many non-fermentative GNB (Achromobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp., Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). Table 1. Percent Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to Eravacycline Table 2. Percent Susceptibility of Gram-positive isolates to Eravacycline Conclusion Our data demonstrate that eravacycline has promising activity against clinically significant bacterial pathogens isolated from PWC including many drug resistant strains such as CRE and non--fermentative GNB. it might play an important role in the treatment of bacterial infections in PWC and warrants clinical evolution in this setting. Disclosures Samuel L. Aitken, PharmD, MPH, BCIDP, Melinta Therapeutoics (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Consultant, Grant/Research Support Kenneth Rolston, MD, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals (Grant/Research Support)

Background Fluoroquinolones have been used for infection prevention in patients with cancer (PWC). They are active against many Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) but are less active against Gram-positive organisms (GPO). Quinolone resistance is increasing and many institutions are using combination regimens for antimicrobial prophylaxis. We evaluated the in vitro activity of delafloxacin (DLX), a novel fluoroquinolone, and selected comparators against 560 bacterial isolates from PWC. Methods Isolates were from recent blood cultures. Susceptibility testing and time kill studies (TKS) were performed using CLSI approved methodology. Appropriate ATCC control strains were used. We calculated MIC50, MIC90, MIC ranges and percent susceptibility using FDA breakpoints when available. TKS were performed on 4 streptococcus mitis isolates at concentrations of MIC, 4x MIC, and 8x MIC. Results DLX was more active than ciprofloxacin (CIP) and levofloxacin (LEV) against methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), and resistant (MRSA) S. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), and viridans group streptococci (VGS), and had similar activity against beta-hemolytic streptococci. It also had low MICs for Bacillus species (SPP.), Listeria monocytogenes, Micrococcus spp., and Rothia spp. Overall GPO susceptibility was 73% to DLX, 42% to CIP, and 52% to LEV. The activity of DLX against Enterobacterales was similar to CIP and LEV. All 3 agents had moderate activity against Citrobacter spp., and non-MDR P. aeruginosa. Notably, all 3 quinolones had poor activity against E. coli, P. mirabilis, and MDR P. aeruginosa, all common pathogens in PWC. All 3 had low MICs for Acinetobacter spp. DLX and LEV achieved peak bactericidal activity at 6-8 h against all 4 VGS isolates (maximum activity at 8x MIC) but this was not always sustained at 24 h. Table 1. Percent Susceptibility of selected Gram-positive isolates to Delafloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin Table 2. Percent Susceptibility of selected Gram-negative isolates to Delafloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin Figure 1. Bactericidal Activity of DLX at 1x , 4x, and 8x MIC against VGS - Time Kill Study Conclusion DLX is more active than CIP and LEV against many GPO from PWC (including S. aureus and VGS), but like these agents there are significant gaps in its coverage against GNB. It is probably not suitable as a single agent for antimicrobial prophylaxis in high-risk PWC. The current practice of combining a quinolone with a beta-lactam probably still represents the best option in PWC who need prophylaxis. Disclosures Kenneth Rolston, MD, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals (Grant/Research Support)

Background Early antifungal therapy for invasive aspergillosis (IA) has been associated with improved outcome. Traditionally, of empiric antifungal therapy has been used for clinically suspected IA. We compared outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancy and IA who were treated with voriconazole using the diagnostic driven DDA (DDA-Vori) that includes galactomannan testing vs. empiric therapy with a non-voriconazole-containing regimen (EMP-non-Vori) or empiric therapy with voriconazole (EMP-Vori). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 342 hematologic malignancy patients diagnosed with proven, or probable IA between July 1993 and February 2016 at our medical center who received at least 7 days of DDA-Vori, EMP-Vori, or EMP-non-Vori. Outcome assessment included response to therapy (clinical and radiographic), all-cause mortality, and IA-attributable mortality. Results By multivariate analysis, factors predictive of a favorable response included localized/sinus IA vs. disseminated/pulmonary IA (p

Background: Candida bloodstream infection (BSI) remains one of the leading causes of BSI in critically ill and immunosuppressed cancer patients. In light of the changing epidemiology and rising resistant species, duration of treatment and appropriate timing of stepdown therapy from intravenous (IV) to oral antifungal agents are crucial for utmost disease control and overall survival. Method: We performed a multicenter retrospective study, with 119 non-neutropenic patients enrolled from four different medical institutions in Brazil, Lebanon ,Spain and the United States, to assess the duration of IV therapy and appropriate time to step down to oral therapy in adult patients, 14 years of age and older, with documented candidemia. The analysis was done using the statistical program R and SAS v9.4. Descriptive statistics are presented as frequencies and tables and the Fisher exact test was used to test the association between the categorical variables: organism, cancer, country, antifungal drug and duration of therapy, and time of step-down. Results: Candida albicans contributed to 45% bloodstream infection versus 55% infection caused Candida non-albicans. The three most common Candida non-albicans are: Candida glabrata 24%, Candida parapsilosis 13% and Candida tropicalis 8%. Most (57%) of the patients were admitted to ICU whereas 52% had underlying malignancy. Multivariate analysis showed that a stay at ICU or an underlying cancer requiring chemotherapy were independently associated with failure and death (p 5 days of treatment (24% mortality - p = 0.75). Conclusion: Our data support the IDSA guidelines in that the total duration of treatment for candidemia should be at least 14 days after a negative blood culture. However, in non-neutropenic cancer patients with candidemia, a step down to oral azole therapy can safely take place early (within 4 days of initiating IV therapy) as long as the patient had clinical and microbiologic resolution of the bloodstream infections.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can lead to life‐threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infections in patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly among hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. We describe two patients with COVID‐19 during the pre‐engraftment period after HCT and review previous reports of COVID‐19 in HCT recipients. Because of significant mortality from COVID‐19, primarily after allogeneic HCT, early, preemptive, and optimal directed therapy may improve outcomes and reduce the mortality rate but still needs to be established in clinical trials.

Although breakthrough mucormycosis (BT-MCR) is known to develop on mold-active antifungals without Mucorales activity, it can also occur while on Mucorales-active antifungals. Herein, we retrospectively compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who developed BT-MCR on mold-active antifungals with or without Mucorales activity. Of the patients developing BT-MCR, 16 were on Mucorales-active antifungals (9 isavuconazole, 6 posaconazole, 1 amphotericin B), and 87 were on other mold-active agents (52 voriconazole, 22 echinocandins, 8 itraconazole, 5 echinocandin + voriconazole). Both groups were largely comparable in clinical characteristics. Patients developing BT-MCR while on Mucorales-active antifungals had higher 42-day mortality, from either symptom onset (63% versus 25%, p = 0.006) or treatment initiation (69% versus 39%, p = 0.028). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, exposure to Mucorales-active antifungals prior to BT-MCR had a hazard ratio of 2.40 (p = 0.015) for 42-day mortality from treatment initiation and 4.63 (p &lt, 0.001) for 42-day mortality from symptom onset. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission and APACHE II score at diagnosis, non-recovered severe neutropenia, active HM, and amphotericin B/caspofungin combination treatment were additional independent predictors of 42-day mortality. In summary, BT-MCR on Mucorales-active antifungals portrays poor prognosis in HM/HSCT patients. Moreover, improvements in early diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed in these patients.

Microbial contamination of wounds is a significant problem that delays healing, particularly when bacterial biofilms are present. A novel combination of pectinic acid (PG) + caprylic acid (CAP) was previously found in vitro to be highly effective in eradicating various pathogens in biofilms with minimal cytotoxicity. In this study, a novel wound ointment was formulated with PG + CAP and first assessed in vitro using a well-established biofilm eradication model. In vitro, the PG + CAP ointment was shown to be efficacious in reducing the microbial biofilms. This ointment was then tested in vivo in two pilot porcine wound healing models, with and without Staphylococcus aureus microbial challenge. Ointments were applied to each wound daily, and healing by wound closure area measurement was assessed weekly over 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, pigs were sacrificed and wounds were scored for reepithelialization, inflammation, granulation tissue, and collagen deposition. We compared PG + CAP to hydroxyethylcellulose + glycerol ointment base (control) and MediHoney (comparator). In the porcine microbial challenge model, the novel antimicrobial PG + CAP wound ointment rapidly eradicated bacterial organisms embedded in wounds, was safe and well-tolerated, and was associated with enhanced healing compared to ointment base and MediHoney. Specifically, the cumulative histopathology, reepithelialization of epidermis, and mature granulation tissue in the wound bed was significantly better with PG + CAP than with control and MediHoney treatments. This ointment warrants further study as a non-antibiotic ointment for use in treating a wide array of infected wounds.

Background Our objective was to describe the clinical course, risk factors and outcomes of patients infected with COVID-19 around the globe comparing cancer to non-cancer patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 confirmed cases through an international multicenter collaboration including 17 centers around the world including the United States of America, Brazil, Europe, Far East, Middle East and Australia from January to date. We evaluated the patients’ clinical characteristics, clinical course of the disease, hospitalization and outcome. Death was considered to be COVID-associated if it occurred within 30 days from the time of diagnosis. Results Preliminary data on 571 patients included 186 cancer patients and 385 non-cancer patients. Cancer patients were more likely to have COPD and received steroids but were less likely to have COVID-related symptoms compared to non-cancer patients (84% vs 97%, p< 0.0001). The rate of pneumonia with hypoxia, non-invasive ventilation and mechanical ventilation were similar in both groups. Despite the fact that hospital admissions were significantly higher in non-cancer patients (70% vs 56%, p< 0.001), promising antiviral and immune-related therapy including remdesivir, convalescent plasma and immunomodulators were more commonly used in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients (P=0.04). Cancer patients had a higher COVID-associated mortality rate compared to non-cancer patients (20% vs 11%, p=0.006). Conclusion Despite the fact that cancer patients received more frequent antiviral and immune-related therapy, the mortality rate among cancer patients was significantly higher than non-cancer patients. Disclosures Roy F. Chemaly, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, Chimerix (Consultant, Research Grant or Support)Clinigen (Consultant)Merck (Consultant, Research Grant or Support)Novartis (Research Grant or Support)Oxford Immunotec (Consultant, Research Grant or Support)Shire/Takeda (Research Grant or Support)Viracor (Research Grant or Support) Issam I. Raad, MD, Citius (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Cook Medical (Grant/Research Support)Inventive Protocol (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Novel Anti-Infective Technologies (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)

Background:Cases of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In this report, we describe 3 clusters of COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs), not associated with patient exposure, and the interventions undertaken to halt ongoing exposure and transmission at our cancer center.Methods:A cluster of cases was defined as 2 or more cases of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–positive COVID-19 among HCWs who work in the same unit area at the same time. Cases were identified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. Contact tracing, facility observations, and infection prevention assessments were performed to investigate the 3 clusters between March 1 and April 30, 2020, with subsequent implementation of containment strategies.Results:The initial cluster involved HCWs from an ancillary services unit, with contacts traced back to a gathering in a break room in which 1 employee was symptomatic, although not yet diagnosed with COVID-19, with subsequent transmission to 7 employees. The second cluster involved 4 employees and was community related. The third cluster involved only 2 employees with possible transmission while working in the same office at the same time. A step-up approach was implemented to control the spread of infection among employees, including universal masking, enhanced cleaning, increase awareness, and surveillance testing. No nosocomial transmission to patients transpired.Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first report of a hospital-based cluster of COVID-19 infections among HCWs in a cancer hospital describing our steps to mitigate further transmission.

BACKGROUND: Voriconazole has been recommended as primary treatment for patients with invasive aspergillosis. Intravenous and tablet formulations of posaconazole that have improved systemic absorption could be an effective alternative to voriconazole. We aimed to assess non-inferiority of posaconazole to voriconazole for the primary treatment of invasive aspergillosis. METHODS: We did a randomised, prospective, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled trial comparing posaconazole (intravenous or oral posaconazole 300 mg twice on day 1, followed by 300 mg once a day for days 2-84) with voriconazole (6 mg/kg intravenous or 300 mg oral twice on day 1 followed by 4 mg/kg intravenously or 200 mg orally twice a day for days 2-84) for 12 weeks or less in the primary treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Participants were from 91 study sites in 26 countries, were aged 13 years or older, weighed at least 40 kg, and met criteria for proven, probable, or possible fungal disease. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated randomisation schedule with stratification by risk status. The primary endpoint was cumulative all-cause mortality up until day 42 in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (defined as randomly assigned participants who received ≥1 dose of study drug), with a 10% non-inferiority margin. The ITT population was also evaluated for safety. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01782131, and EudraCT, 2011-003938-14. FINDINGS: Between Oct 25, 2013, and Sept 10, 2019, of 653 individuals assessed for eligibility, 575 ITT participants were randomly assigned and received one or more doses of study drug (n=288 [50%] posaconazole, n=287 [50%] voriconazole). Mortality up until day 42 was 15% (44 of 288) in the posaconazole group and 21% (59 of 287) in the voriconazole group (treatment difference -5·3% [95% CI -11·6 to 1·0]; p3%) were increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nausea, hypokalaemia, and vomiting in the posaconazole group and increased ALT, AST, or alkaline phosphatase, hallucination, increased γ-glutamyltransferase peptidase, nausea, and blurred vision in the voriconazole group. The overall incidence of treatment-related adverse event rates in the ITT population was 30% for posaconazole and 40% for voriconazole (treatment difference -10·2% [95% CI -17·9 to -2·4]). INTERPRETATION: Posaconazole was non-inferior to voriconazole for all-cause mortality up until day 42 in participants with invasive aspergillosis. Posaconazole was well tolerated, and participants had fewer treatment-related adverse events than in the voriconazole group. This study supports the use of posaconazole as a first-line treatment for the condition. FUNDING: Merck Sharp & Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Inc.

Background Oncological patients have several additional risk factors for developing a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)–related infection. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical impact of our comprehensive bundle approach that includes the novel minocycline and rifampin antimicrobial mesh (TYRX) for the prevention of CIED infections in patients living with cancer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients who had a CIED placement at our institution during 2012–2017 who received preoperative vancomycin, intraoperative pocket irrigation with bacitracin and polymyxin B, plus TYRX antimicrobial mesh, followed by postoperative oral minocycline. Results A total of 154 patients had a CIED, with 97 permanent pacemakers (PPMs), 23 implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and 34 cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. An underlying solid cancer was present in 62% of patients, while 38% had a hematologic malignancy. Apart from a higher proportion of surgical interventions in the PPM group than in the ICD and CRT groups (P = .007), no other oncologic variables were statistically significantly different between groups. Despite an extensive median follow-up period (interquartile range) of 21.9 (6.7–33.8) months, 16 patients (10%) had a mechanical complication, while only 2 patients (1.3%) developed a CIED infection, requiring the device to be explanted. Conclusions Our comprehensive prophylactic bundle approach using TYRX antimicrobial mesh in an oncologic population at high risk for infections was revealed upon extensive follow-up to be both safe and effective in maintaining the rate of CIED infection at 1.3%, well within published averages in the broader population of CIED recipients.

Candida auris is an emerging pathogen that can cause virulent central-line-associated bloodstream infections. Catheter salvage through the eradication of biofilms is a desirable therapeutic option. We compared taurolidine and minocycline-EDTA-ethanol (MEE) catheter lock solutions in vitro for the eradication of biofilms of 10 C. auris strains. MEE fully eradicated all C. auris biofilms, while taurolidine lock partially eradicated all of the C. auris biofilms.

Background Catheter infections remain one of the most persistent adverse events causing significant morbidity, economic impact and mortality. Several strategies have been proposed to reduce these infections including the use of catheters embedded with antibiotics and/or antiseptics. One reoccurring challenge is the fear that antimicrobial medical devices will induce resistance. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for induced antimicrobial resistance caused by exposure to antimicrobial medical devices. Methods Four electronic databases [MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Scopus] were screened for studies published between 1983 and 2019 regarding assessment of microbial resistance with use of medical devices containing chlorhexidine, minocycline, rifampicin or combinations thereof. Development of new resistance, selection for tolerant organisms and ‘no change in resistance’ were assessed. Results Forty-four publications, grouped by study type and stratified by drug assessed, were included for analyses. The majority of studies found no change in resistance after exposure to antimicrobial medical devices (13 in vitro, 2 in vivo, 20 clinical). Development of new resistance was commonly reported with the use of rifampicin as a single agent and only reported in one study assessing the minocycline/rifampicin combination (M/R); however, the increase in MIC was well below clinical relevance. Conclusions Emergence of new resistance to combinations of M/R, minocycline/rifampicin/chlorhexidine (M/R/CH) and chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine (CHXSS) was rare. No clinical trials confirmed its occurrence and some refuted it. The risk of development of new resistance to these antimicrobial combinations appears more fear-based than substantiated by clinical and experimental evidence but warrants continued surveillance.

BackgroundCheckpoint inhibitor (CPI) immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, immune-related adverse events and the risk of infections are not well studied. To assess the infectious risk of CPIs, we evaluated the incidence of infections in lung cancer patients treated with CPIs plus conventional chemotherapy (CC) vs CC alone.MethodsWe performed a retrospective comparative study of patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer who received CPIs combined with CC and those treated with CC alone at our institution during January 2016 to February 2019. We compared clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes including infection rate and mortality between the groups.ResultsWe identified 123 patients for the CPI group and 147 patients for the control (CC) group. Eighteen patients (15%) in the CPI group and 33 patients (22%) in the control group developed infections (P = .1). Pneumonia was the most common infection encountered in both groups. Urinary tract infection was higher in the CC group (40%) than in the CPI group (9%) (P = .01). On multivariable analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .024), prior use of corticosteroids (P = .021), and neutropenia (P ConclusionsLung cancer patients treated with CPIs combined with CC have a comparable risk of infection to those treated with CC alone, although there is a trend towards fewer infections in those given CPIs, particularly when it comes to urinary tract infections.

The escalating conflicts in the Middle East have been associated with the rapid collapse of the existing healthcare systems in affected countries. As millions of refugees flee their countries, they become vulnerable and exposed to communicable diseases that easily grow into epidemic crises. Here, we describe infectious disease epidemics that have been associated with conflicts in the Middle East, including cholera, poliomyelitis, measles, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and diphtheria, that call for appropriate preventive measures. Local ongoing wars and failing healthcare systems have resulted in regional and global health threats that warrant international medical interventions.

Sepsis and bloodstream infections remain a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients with cancer. The management of these serious infections consist of empiric use of antimicrobial agents which are often overused. Procalcitonin and proadrenomedullin are biomarkers that have been extensively evaluated in the general populations but with little emphasis in the population immunocompromised patients with cancer, where they may have promising roles in the management of febrile patients. In this review, we summarize the available evidence of the potential role of these available biomarkers in guiding antimicrobial therapy to optimize the use of resources in the general patient population. Special emphasis is given to the role of these 2 biomarkers in the immunocompromised and critically ill patients with cancer, highlighting the distinctive utility of each.

Background Several studies have shown that underlying cancer is a risk factor for progression of COVID-19 to severe illness and fatal outcome but there is very little data that specifies which underlying cancer puts this patient population at the highest risk. Methods We retrospectively collected de-identified data on 1115 cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and November 2020, at 12 centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Patient characteristics including age, type of malignancy (hematologic malignancy [HM], lung cancer, and non-lung cancer were determined in association with severe illness as well as all-cause mortality within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Results By multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in cancer patients included age > 65 (OR 6.64; 95% CI 3.351to 12.55; p< 0.0001), ALC < 0.5 K/microliter (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.16 to 3.79; p=0.014), and anemia at < 10g/dl (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.30 to 4.44; p=0.005). Among cancer patients, the 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in patients with non-lung cancer solid tumors, including those with lung metastases (22% vs 9%; p=0.001). Patients with HM tended to have higher 30-day mortality than patients with non-lung cancer solid tumors (13% vs 9% p=0.07) and tended to have a lower mortality rate than patients with lung cancer (p=0.07). Furthermore, HM patients were more likely to be lymphopenic and anemic at diagnosis as well as progress to LRTI and be placed on ventilatory support compared to non-lung cancer solid tumor patients ( p= or < 0.01). In addition, lung cancer and HM patients were more likely to develop hypoxia and require hospital admission than non-lung cancer solid tumor patients ( p=0.01). Conclusion Lung cancer and HM patients are associated with the highest risk of progressing to severe disease and mortality in cancer patients with COVID-19. Hence, cancer patient population should be given the highest priority as far as prevention [vaccination with boosters if needed] as well as preemptive early therapy with monoclonal antibodies right after the onset of COVID-19. Disclosures Monica Slavin, MBBS,MD, F2G (Advisor or Review Panel member)Merck (Advisor or Review Panel member)Pfizer (Advisor or Review Panel member)

Background Data on the efficacy and tolerability of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment in cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (CPI) is limited. We sought to assess LTBI therapy and its adverse events and outcomes in patients treated with CPI. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study at MD Anderson Cancer Center of adult patients, between April 2016 and May 2021, who were receiving CPI and were diagnosed with LTBI based on positive T-SPOT TB test. We then compared those patients treated with isoniazid (INH) 5mg/kg daily versus those that did not receive INH therapy. Results We identified 35 patients treated with CPI who had a diagnosis of LTBI. Patients were divided into 2 groups: CPI alone (23 patients, 65.7%) and CPI+INH (12 patients, 34.3%). The majority of patients in both groups had renal cell carcinoma (34.3%) and melanoma (17.1%). Nivolumab as monotherapy was the most commonly used CPI agent in both groups (37.1%), whereas nivolumab and ipilimumab combination was mainly used in the CPI group (34.7%) compared to CPI+INH group (8.3%). In the CPI+INH group, 7 patients (58.3%) developed moderate to severe hepatoxicity that led to discontinuation of INH and CPI therapy versus none in the CPI group (p= 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline between both groups (p=0.117), whereas the median ALT level was significantly higher during CPI+INH therapy compared to CPI alone (135 U/L vs 24 U/L respectively, p=0.025. Furthermore, immune-related adverse events were reported in a total of 12 of 35 patients (34.2%). None of the patients in either group developed tuberculosis reactivation during a follow up period of up to 1148 days. Conclusion Our data suggest that latent tuberculosis reactivation is rare in cancer patients on CPI immunotherapy. Hepatotoxicity remains a concern in this patient population with LTBI treated with CPI and INH. With the widespread use of CPI, close laboratory and clinical monitoring is required to avoid life-threatening drug-induced liver injury and interruption of LTBI therapy and immunotherapy. Further clinical studies are warranted to determine the optimal management of LTBI during CPI therapy. Disclosures Pablo C. Okhuysen, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Deinove Pharmaceuticals (Grant/Research Support)Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Consultant)Melinta Therapeutics (Grant/Research Support)Merck & Co. (Grant/Research Support)Napo Pharmaceuticals (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Research Grant or Support)Singulex (Consultant)Summit Therapeutics (Grant/Research Support) Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, MD, Astellas (Consultant)Cidara Therapeutics (Advisor or Review Panel member)Gilead Sciences (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Other Financial or Material Support, Honoraria)

Background The purpose of this study was to compare chest computed tomography (CT) scan findings in cancer versus non-cancer patients with COVID-19 infection. We sought to assess the correlation between radiologic patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia, clinical course, and outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective study of COVID-19 positive cancer and non-cancer pts who had chest CT scans at the time of diagnosis, at our hospital and 16 other centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America, between March, 2020 and November, 2020. Patients’ age, underlying diseases, symptoms, laboratory studies, and radiologic findings consisting of bilateral ground-glass opacities (GGOs), multifocal organizing pneumonia (MOP) were collected in association with clinical outcomes. Results We identified 426 pts with cancer and 622 non-cancer pts. Thereafter, cancer pts were analyzed into 3 distinct groups and similar to non-cancer pts: GGOs group (n=224, 54%), GGOs+MOP group (n=61, 14.6%), and a third group of neither GGOs or MOP (n=131, 31.4%) in cancer pts, and in non-cancer pts: GGOs group (n=387, 62.8%), GGOs +MOP group (n=100, 16.2%), and a third group of neither GGOs or MOP (n=129, 21%). The median patients’ age was 54 in non-cancer pts vs 62 in cancer pts (p< 0.001) and there were more males in the non-cancer group 57% vs 47% (p=0.001). Cough was more prevalent in non-cancer pts, 71% vs 59% (p< 0.001) and similar to fever (73% vs 57%, p< 0.001). Neutropenia < 0.5 k/µL and lymphocytopenia < 1 k/µL were more frequent in cancer pts (p< 0.001). In cancer pts, there was no statistically significance difference between the 3 groups (hospital admission, mechanical ventilation, readmission within 30 days, and mortality), except pts who required non-invasive (NI) ventilation were more frequent in the GGOs group, 55% (p=0.005). In non-cancer, pts with GGOs +MOP have higher hospital admission, ICU transfer, NI- and mechanical ventilation compared to the 2 other groups (p< 0.001). While readmission to hospital or mortality rate within 30 days were similar between the 3 groups. Conclusion This study reveals that non-cancer pts tended to have more radiologic findings on chest CT scan compared to cancer pts at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and were associated with more worrisome COVID-19-related clinical outcomes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Gram negative (GN) bacterial infections are on the rise in patients with cancer and frequently require extended hospital stays that may lead to a major increase in healthcare cost. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of a novel oral carbapenem, tebipenem against recent gram-negative clinical isolates from our cancer patients. Methods All 173 clinical isolates from our cancer patients including 36 Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates from blood cultures were tested against tebipenem and other comparators. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) approved broth microdilution method was used. Appropriate ATCC controls were included. MIC50, MIC90, MIC ranges and percent of susceptibility calculations ware made using FDA breakpoints when available. The tebipenem provisional susceptibility breakpoint for most GN organism is ≤ 0.125 mg/L. Results Tebipenem and comparators antibiotics susceptibility percent (S: %), and MIC90 are shown in the table below. Tebipenem demonstrated highly potent activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae (including ESBL producing strains), Enterobacter cloacae and inhibited 90% of the Enterobacter aerogenes strains screened. MIC90s ranged from 0.06-0.25 mg/L for all tested Enterobacteriaceae. At a provisional breakpoints of 0.125 mg/L, the susceptibilities, MICs and ranges were comparable to meropenem, and ertapenem. Comparative study between Tebipenem and comparators for MIC90 (mg/L.) and Susceptibility (%) results against Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Patients with Cancer Conclusion Our data demonstrate that oral tebipenem has promising activity against clinically significant bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients, and it has similar activity to that of other tested carbapenem. Further clinical evaluation for oral carbapenem treatment of bacterial infections is warranted. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with cancer in the U.S. has been reported to be 1.5% overall and up to 10.6% in specific subgroups. Testing for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) is a low-cost diagnostic method in widespread use worldwide; however, the optimal screening test for HCV in cancer patients has not been established. We sought to identify the optimal screening test for HCV in patients with hematologic malignancies and/or prior hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Methods New patients who were seen at the Lymphoma/Myeloma, Leukemia, and Stem Cell Transplant clinics at MD Anderson Cancer Center (02/11/2019-11/5/2019) were simultaneously screened for HCV with serologic (antibody to HCV [anti-HCV]) and molecular (HCV RNA) assays. Anti-HCV testing was performed by using the ARCHITECT Anti-HCV assay and HCV RNA testing was performed by using the Cobas HCV test. The agreement between the two tests was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa statistic and McNemar’s test. All tests were two-sided with a significance level of 0.05. Results A total of 214 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 127 (59%) were men (Table), One hundred forty-nine patients (70%) had a lymphoid neoplasm, 65 (30%) had a myeloid neoplasm, and 15 (7%) underwent HCT. Ninety-three patients (43%) had progressive disease. Three patients (1.4%) had positive anti-HCV, and two (0.9%) had positive HCV RNA. The overall percentage agreement was 99.5% (95% CI, 97.4% to 99.9%). Of the 3 patients with positive anti-HCV, 2 had positive and 1 had negative HCV RNA. There were no cases of seronegative HCV infection. The positive percentage agreement was 66.7% (95 CI, 20.8% to 93.9%), and the negative percentage agreement was 100.0% (95% CI, 98.2% to 100.0%). Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was 0·80 (95% CI, 0.41 to 1.00, p < 0·0001), indicating substantial agreement between anti-HCV and HCV RNA tests for diagnosis of HCV infection. Conclusion The diagnostic yield for screening for chronic HCV infection in heavily immunocompromised cancer patients is similar for serologic and molecular testing. The use of anti-HCV, a diagnostic method with low cost, in patients with cancer would contribute to the World Health Organization’s goal of HCV elimination worldwide. Table. Characteristics of the study population (n=214) Disclosures Harrys A. Torres, MD, Merck & Co., Inc. (Grant/Research Support) Issam I. Raad, MD, Citius (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Cook Medical (Grant/Research Support)Inventive Protocol (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Novel Anti-Infective Technologies (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)

Bacterial infections are common in cancer patients. Ceftaroline (CFT) is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin with activity against most Gram-positive organisms (GPOs) and many Gram-negative organisms. In this study, the in vitro activity of CFT was compared with vancomycin (VAN), daptomycin (DAP), linezolid (LZD), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (SXT) and tigecycline (TIG) against bacteria (predominantly blood culture isolates) isolated from cancer patients in 2014 and 2015. CFT was active against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (MS-CoNS) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS) with MIC90 values (minimum inhibitory concentration that inhibited 90% of the isolates) of 0.25, 2.0, 0.12 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. MIC90 values for other GPOs were: Bacillus spp., >8.0 mg/L; Corynebacterium spp., 2.0 mg/L; Micrococcus spp.

Vascular catheters are critical tools in modern healthcare yet present substantial risks of serious bloodstream infections that exact significant health and economic burdens. Drug-eluting antimicrobial vascular catheters have become important tools in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections and their importance is expected to increase as significant initiatives are expanded to eliminate and make the occurrence of these infections unacceptable. Here we review clinically significant and emerging drug-eluting antimicrobial catheters within the categories of antibiotic, antiseptic, novel bioactive agents and energy-enhanced drug eluting antimicrobial catheters. Important representatives of each category are reviewed from the standpoints of mechanisms of action, physical–chemical properties, safety, in vitro and clinical effectiveness.