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Open Access April 11, 2023 Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

Comparisons of COVID-19-infected healthcare staff between the BA.1.2-dominant period and the BA.5-dominant period

Abstract The initial omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2 (BA.1.2), were progressively displaced by BA.5in Japan in 2022. In the BA.5-dominant period, there were significantly more healthcare staff infected by nosocomial contact with persons with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection than those infected by household contact, compared with the BA.1.2-dominant period. The staff infected via nosocomial [...] Read more.
The initial omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2 (BA.1.2), were progressively displaced by BA.5in Japan in 2022. In the BA.5-dominant period, there were significantly more healthcare staff infected by nosocomial contact with persons with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection than those infected by household contact, compared with the BA.1.2-dominant period. The staff infected via nosocomial contact included non-patient-facing staff, in the BA.5-dominant period, although they did not become infected by SARS-CoV-2 through nosocomial contact in the BA.1.2-dominant period. These data suggest the importance of infection control and care for non-patient-facing staff, in the same way as for patient-facing staff.
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Open Access May 13, 2024 Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

Use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings and early catheter exchange to reduce the onset of central line-associated bloodstream infections: A case-control study in a cardiac intensive care unit

Abstract Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are important hospital-acquired infections that are related to increased mortality in cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). To determine the risk factors for CLABSIs, a case-control study was conducted in the CICU of our hospital. Emergency surgery (odds ratio: 9.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.633-56.926) was the strongest risk factor [...] Read more.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are important hospital-acquired infections that are related to increased mortality in cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). To determine the risk factors for CLABSIs, a case-control study was conducted in the CICU of our hospital. Emergency surgery (odds ratio: 9.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.633-56.926) was the strongest risk factor comparing the case group (n=11) to the control group (n=22). In addition, the indwelling period was significantly longer in the case group than in the control group (median 9 days versus 7 days, p=0.004). An intervention for the insertion of central lines was then started, with 1) thorough use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings (also known as chlorhexidine patches, CHG patches) in the insertion of central lines before emergency surgery, and 2) exchange of the central line 7 days after emergency surgery. After the intervention, the CLABSI incidence rate decreased from 6.8 to 0.8/1,000 device-days. These data suggest the usefulness of CHG patches and the importance of the early exchange of central lines in the CICU in patients following emergency surgery.
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Open Access April 06, 2024 Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

Clinical differences between hospitalized patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia and those with influenza-related pneumonia during the omicron variant surge

Abstract Background: COVID-19-related pneumonia was initially rare, though influenza-related pneumonia is well known as a severe complication of influenza. However, COVID-19-related pneumonia may be increasing since the omicron variant of COVID-19 appeared. Methods: The clinical differences between COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonia patients were retrospectively investigated in patients hospitalized from January 2022 to December 2023. Results: COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonias were found in 46 of 285 (15.8%) and 6 of 12 (50.0%) patients, respectively (p<0.001). Their mean ages were 75.5 (45-93) years and 53.8 (19-73) years in COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonia cases, respectively (p=0.002). Aspiration pneumonia was more common in COVID-19-related pneumonia (28/46=60.9%) than in influenza-related pneumonia patients, and it was treated by sulbactam/ampicillin (31/46=67.4%). The influenza-related pneumonia patients were more often infected in the work place (2/6=33.3%) and not vaccinated (4/6=66.7%), compared with COVID-19-related patients. Death occurred in 7 of 46 (15.2%) COVID-19 patients, but none of 6 influenza-infected patients died. Conclusions: [...] Read more.
Background: COVID-19-related pneumonia was initially rare, though influenza-related pneumonia is well known as a severe complication of influenza. However, COVID-19-related pneumonia may be increasing since the omicron variant of COVID-19 appeared. Methods: The clinical differences between COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonia patients were retrospectively investigated in patients hospitalized from January 2022 to December 2023. Results: COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonias were found in 46 of 285 (15.8%) and 6 of 12 (50.0%) patients, respectively (p<0.001). Their mean ages were 75.5 (45-93) years and 53.8 (19-73) years in COVID-19-related and influenza-related pneumonia cases, respectively (p=0.002). Aspiration pneumonia was more common in COVID-19-related pneumonia (28/46=60.9%) than in influenza-related pneumonia patients, and it was treated by sulbactam/ampicillin (31/46=67.4%). The influenza-related pneumonia patients were more often infected in the work place (2/6=33.3%) and not vaccinated (4/6=66.7%), compared with COVID-19-related patients. Death occurred in 7 of 46 (15.2%) COVID-19 patients, but none of 6 influenza-infected patients died. Conclusions: These data suggest that COVID-19-related pneumonia presented as aspiration pneumonia in older patients, although influenza-related pneumonia was more common in younger and non-vaccinated patients and might be associated with immune mechanisms during the omicron variant surge era.
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Open Access January 03, 2023 Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

Antibiotic prescriptions for COVID-19 patients increased during the BA.5 period

Abstract The initial omicron (B.1.1.529) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2 (BA.1/2), were progressively displaced by BA.5 in Japan, which showed not only higher transmittivity and less pathogenicity, but also differences in antibiotic use according to the difference in the clinical course of BA.5 compared with BA.1/2 infections. BA.5 patients received [...] Read more.
The initial omicron (B.1.1.529) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2 (BA.1/2), were progressively displaced by BA.5 in Japan, which showed not only higher transmittivity and less pathogenicity, but also differences in antibiotic use according to the difference in the clinical course of BA.5 compared with BA.1/2 infections. BA.5 patients received more antibiotics, especially ampicillin/sulbactam, although ceftriaxone and meropenem were used significantly in the BA.1/2 period. These data suggest an increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients in the BA.5 period, and we should consider changing the management tactics for COVID-19.
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Keyword:  Haruka Karaushi

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