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Background: There is limited information to compare the qualitative and semi-quantitative performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and serology for the assessment of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, the objective of the study was (a) to compare the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection between RDT and laboratory serology, trying to identify appropriate semi-quantitative cut-offs for RDT in relation with quantitative serology values and to (b) evaluate diagnostic accuracy of RDT compared to the NAAT gold standard in an unselected adult population. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were simultaneously measured with lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (LFA), the Cellex qSARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM Rapid Test (by capillary blood), the iFlash-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) (by venous blood) and the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in samples from in- and out-patients with confirmed, suspected and negative diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) attending Udine Hospital (Italy) (March-May 2020). Interpretation of RDT was qualitative (positive/negative) and semi-quantitative based on a chromatographic intensity scale (negative, weak positive, positive). Results: Overall, 720 paired antibody measures were performed on 858 patients. The qualitative and semiquantitative agreement analysis performed in the whole sample between LFA and CLIA provided a Kendall’s tau of 0.578 (p Conclusion: The RDT used in our study can be a non-invasive and reliable alternative to serological tests and facilitate both qualitative and a semi-quantitative antibody detection in COVID-19.

The management of difficult-to-treat acute and chronic respiratory infections (infections in cystic fibrosis, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, immunocompromised and mechanically ventilated patients) and difficult-to-treat pathogens (including multidrug-resistant strains) has become a challenge in clinical practice. The arsenal of conventional antibiotic drugs can be limited by tissue penetration, toxicities, or increasing antibiotic resistance. Inhaled antimicrobials are an interesting therapeutic approach for optimizing the management of respiratory infections. Due to extensive developments in liposome technology, a number of inhaled liposome-based antibiotic and antifungal formulations are available for human use and many products are undergoing clinical trials. Liposomes are biocompatible, biodegradable, and nontoxic vesicles able to encapsulate and carry antimicrobials, enhancing the therapeutic index of various agents and retention at the desired target within the lung. Liposomes reduce drug toxicity and improve tolerability, leading to better compliance and to decreased respiratory side effects. The aim of this article was to provide an up-to-date overview of nebulized liposomal antimicrobials for lung infections (with a special focus on liposomal amikacin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and amphotericin B for inhalation), discussing the feasibility and therapeutic potential of these new strategies of preventing and treating bacteria, mycobacterial and fungal infections.

Contains fulltext : 206779.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the cumulative incidence of invasive candidiasis (IC) in intensive care units (ICUs) in Europe. METHODS: A multinational, multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 23 ICUs in 9 European countries, representing the first phase of the candidemia/intra-abdominal candidiasis in European ICU project (EUCANDICU). RESULTS: During the study period, 570 episodes of ICU-acquired IC were observed, with a cumulative incidence of 7.07 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions, with important between-center variability. Separated, non-mutually exclusive cumulative incidences of candidemia and IAC were 5.52 and 1.84 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions, respectively. Crude 30-day mortality was 42%. Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, p < 0.001), severe hepatic failure (OR 3.25, 95% 1.31-8.08, p 0.011), SOFA score at the onset of IC (OR 1.11 per point, 95% CI 1.04-1.17, p 0.001), and septic shock (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.24-3.63, p 0.006) were associated with increased 30-day mortality in a secondary, exploratory analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative incidence of IC in 23 European ICUs was 7.07 episodes per 1000 ICU admissions. Future in-depth analyses will allow explaining part of the observed between-center variability, with the ultimate aim of helping to improve local infection control and antifungal stewardship projects and interventions.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections cause great concern in intensive care units (ICUs) [1]. Although strict infection control protocols have reduced staphylococcal colonization, the ICU still represents a reservoir for MRSA infections, playing a role in their circulation to multiple wards and hospitals [2–4]. In critically ill patients, lack of adequate treatment may lead to increased mortality [1]. For this reason, broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy is often justified among critically ill patients. We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of S. aureus bloodstream infections (SA-BSI) from two Italian University hospitals during 2010–2014. A total of 17/337 (5 %) were ICU patients; of these, 16 (94 %) had MRSA-BSI compared with 36 % (116/320) from other wards (P