Major challenges in the identification of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) by MALDI‐TOF MS include protein extraction protocol and updating of the NTM database. The aim of this study was to ...evaluate MALDI Biotyper Mycobacteria Library v6.0 (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Bremen, Germany) for identification of clinical NTM isolates and its impact on clinical management. NTM isolates cultivated from clinical samples in 101 patients were identified simultaneously by PCR‐reverse hybridization (Hain Lifescience GmbH, Nehren, Germany) as a routinely used reference molecular method and using MALDI Biotyper Microflex LT/SH after protein extraction. Each isolate was applied to eight spots, and mean scores were used in analysis. MALDI‐TOF MS obtained correct identification to the species level for 95 (94.06%) NTM isolates. The majority of correctly identified isolates (92/95; 96.84%) were identified with high‐confidence score of ≥1.80 and only 3.16% (3/95) with a score of <1.80. Mean value ± SD of RGM NTM isolates (2.127 ± 0.172) was statistically significant higher in comparison to SGM NTM isolates (2.027 ± 0.142) with a p value of 0.007. In comparison to PCR‐reverse hybridization, discordant identification results by MALDI‐TOF MS were found in six (6/101; 5.94%) NTM isolates for which clinical data were analyzed. We demonstrated a high confidence NTM identifications using Mycobacterium Library v 6.0 on routine clinical isolates. This is the first study that analyzed MALDI‐TOF MS identification results of NTM isolates in the context of clinical data, and it showed that MALDI‐TOF MS with its updated databases could help clarify the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and course of infections caused by less frequent NTM species.
The most commonly used topical hemostatic agents during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) are cold saline and adrenaline. Data on use of other agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA) for this purpose are ...limited.
Is TXA effective and safe in controlling iatrogenic bleeding during FB compared with adrenaline?
We conducted a cluster-randomized, double-blind, single-center trial in a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients were randomized in weekly clusters to receive up to three applications of TXA (100 mg, 2 mL) or adrenaline (0.2 mg, 2 mL, 1:10000) after hemostasis failure after three applications of cold saline (4 ° C, 5 mL). Crossover was allowed (for up to three further applications) before proceeding with other interventions. Bleeding severity was graded by the bronchoscopist using a visual analog scale (VAS; 1 = very mild, 10 = severe).
A total of 2,033 FBs were performed and 130 patients were randomized successfully to adrenaline (n = 65) or TXA (n = 65), whereas 12 patients had to be excluded for protocol violations (two patients from the adrenaline arm and 10 patients from TXA arm). Bleeding was stopped in 83.1% of patients (54/65) in both groups (P = 1). The severity of bleeding and number of applications needed for bleeding control were similar in both groups (adrenaline: mean VAS score, 4.9 ± 1.3 n = 1.8 ± 0.8; TXA: mean VAS score, 5.3 ± 1.4 n = 1.8 ± 0.8). Both adrenaline and TXA were more successful in controlling moderate bleeding (86.7% and 88.7%, respectively) than severe bleeding (40% and 58.3%, respectively; P = .008 and P = .012, respectively) and required more applications for severe bleeding (3.0 ± 0 and 2.4 ± 0.5, respectively) than moderate bleeding (1.7 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.8, respectively) control (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). We observed no drug-related adverse events in either group.
We found no significant difference between adrenaline and TXA for controlling noncatastrophic iatrogenic endobronchial bleeding after cold saline failure, adding to the body of evidence that TXA can be used safely and effectively during FB.
ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04771923; URL: www.
gov.
Summary
Background
This study evaluated the prevalence of spreading pathways in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infections according to nodular distribution patterns seen on chest ...computed tomography (CT).
Methods
This study included 63 patients diagnosed with NTM lung infections who underwent CT at our institution. A retrospective analysis of CT images focused on the presence and distribution of nodules, presence of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and the predominant side of infection in the lungs. The findings were classified into five groups; centrilobular (bronchogenic spread), perilymphatic (lymphangitic spread), random (hematogenous spread), combined pattern and no nodules present. The groups were then compared according to other CT findings.
Results
Among 51 (81%) patients identified with a nodular pattern on chest CT, 25 (39.8%) presented with centrilobular, 7 (11.1%) with perilymphatic, 6 (9.5%) with random and 13 (20.6%) with combined nodular patterns but located in different areas of the lungs. The right side of the lungs was predominant in 38 cases (60.3%). Intrathoracic lymphadenopathy was evident in 20 patients (31.7%). Significant differences in distributions of nodular patterns were seen in patients infected with
Mycoplasma avium complex
(MAC) associated with centrilobular pattern (
p
= 0.0019) and
M. fortuitum
associated with random pattern (
p
= 0.0004). Some of the findings were related to perilymphatic nodules between other isolated species of NTM (
p
= 0.0379).
Conclusion
The results of this study showed a high proportion of perilymphatic nodules and right-sided predominance in the upper lobe, which, combined with intrathoracic lymphadenopathy is highly suggestive of the lymphangitic spread of lung NTM infections.
Summary
Background
The incidence, geographical distribution and clinical relevance of different nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Croatia are well described. There are few data on the risk factors ...for developing NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in this setting.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on all Croatian residents with NTM isolated from respiratory samples in the period from 2006 to 2015 with follow-up to 2018. The American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) guidelines were used to establish NTM-PD diagnosis. Clinical, radiological and treatment data were collected from hospital records.
Results
Risk analysis calculations were made on the 439 isolation episodes that were classified as definitive NTM-PD (
n
= 137) or no disease (
n
= 302). Female gender, presence of bronchiectasis, low BMI and long-term systemic corticosteroid treatment were independent risk factors associated with NTM-PD. Hemoptysis and malaise were presenting symptoms independently associated with NTM-PD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low/moderate dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment were not associated with NTM-PD. High dose ICS treatment was a significant risk factor for developing NTM-PD (aOR = 4.73, CI 1.69-13.23
p
= 0.003).
Conclusion
The NTM-PD patients in Croatia are similar to those in other published cohorts in terms of their characteristics and risk factors. The significant dose-dependent association between ICS use and NTM-PD adds to the body of evidence suggesting that high dose ICS use is associated with NTM-PD.
BACKGROUNDTo determine the effect of lockdown measures on lung transplant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBJECTS AND METHODSWe collected data from Croatian lung transplant patients before ...and after the lockdown and analyzed changes in weight, BMI, lung function and blood lipid status. RESULTSAn average increase of 3.74 kg (+4.92%) body weight during the 4 month lockdown period was observed. Lung function values and blood lipid status remained stable. CONCLUSIONSuch weight gain could have detrimental effects on the morbidity and mortality of lung transplant patients. Further follow up is needed to determine the long term impacts of this observation.
The most commonly used topical hemostatic agents during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) are cold saline and adrenaline. Data on use of other agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA) for this purpose are ...limited.
Is TXA effective and safe in controlling iatrogenic bleeding during FB compared with adrenaline?
We conducted a cluster-randomized, double-blind, single-center trial in a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients were randomized in weekly clusters to receive up to three applications of TXA (100 mg, 2 mL) or adrenaline (0.2 mg, 2 mL, 1:10000) after hemostasis failure after three applications of cold saline (4 ° C, 5 mL). Crossover was allowed (for up to three further applications) before proceeding with other interventions. Bleeding severity was graded by the bronchoscopist using a visual analog scale (VAS; 1 = very mild, 10 = severe).
A total of 2,033 FBs were performed and 130 patients were randomized successfully to adrenaline (n = 65) or TXA (n = 65), whereas 12 patients had to be excluded for protocol violations (two patients from the adrenaline arm and 10 patients from TXA arm). Bleeding was stopped in 83.1% of patients (54/65) in both groups (P = 1). The severity of bleeding and number of applications needed for bleeding control were similar in both groups (adrenaline: mean VAS score, 4.9 ± 1.3 n = 1.8 ± 0.8; TXA: mean VAS score, 5.3 ± 1.4 n = 1.8 ± 0.8). Both adrenaline and TXA were more successful in controlling moderate bleeding (86.7% and 88.7%, respectively) than severe bleeding (40% and 58.3%, respectively; P = .008 and P = .012, respectively) and required more applications for severe bleeding (3.0 ± 0 and 2.4 ± 0.5, respectively) than moderate bleeding (1.7 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.8, respectively) control (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). We observed no drug-related adverse events in either group.
We found no significant difference between adrenaline and TXA for controlling noncatastrophic iatrogenic endobronchial bleeding after cold saline failure, adding to the body of evidence that TXA can be used safely and effectively during FB.
ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04771923; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
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Maligni pleuralni mezoteliom rijetka je i agresivna primarna novotvorina mezotelnih stanica pleure. Glavni rizični čimbenik je izloženost azbestu, najčešće uz latenciju od 30–50 godina. Unatoč ...terapiji medijan preživljenja je od 4 do 18 mjeseci, ovisno o izvoru. Cilj istraživanja bio je odrediti karakteristike bolesnika oboljelih od malignoga pleuralnog mezotelioma te ishode njihova liječenja na KBC Zagreb u razdoblju od 1999. do 2012. godine. Ispitane su karakteristike 101 bolesnika dijagnosticiranog i liječenog na KBC Zagreb u razdoblju od rujna 1999. do rujna 2012. Analizirali smo ukupno preživljenje (OS), preživljenje bez progresije bolesti (PFS) te preživljenje ovisno o histološkom podtipu tumora, dobi, kliničkom stadiju, pleurodezi talkom i modalitetu liječenja. Koristili smo Kaplan-Meierovu metodu za izradu krivulje preživljenja. 89 bolesnika bilo je muškog, 12 ženskog spola, a medijan dobi 62 godine. Prema TNM klasifikaciji stadij IV je utvrđen kod 69,3%, stadij III kod 26,73%, te stadij II kod samo 3,96% bolesnika. 73,26% bolesnika imalo je epiteloidni, 4,95% sarkomatoidni, 1% mješoviti te 20,79% NOS (nespecifirani) histološki podtip bolesti. Kirurški je liječeno 14,85% bolesnika, kemoterapijom 55,44%, dok je radioterapija primijenjena kod 9,9% bolesnika. Medijan OS iznosi 11 mjeseci, dok je PFS 10 mjeseci. Prema histološkom podtipu medijan OS iznosio je 11 mjeseci za epiteloidni, 12,5 za NOS te 5,5 za sarkomatoidni, a prema kliničkom stadiju 7 mjeseci za stadij II, 17,5 mjeseci za stadij III te 11 mjeseci za stadij IV. Medijan OS bio je dulji u skupini bolesnika mlađoj od 65 godina (12 naspram 8,5 mjeseci, p=0.28), skupini sa učinjenom pleurodezom (13 naspram 7,5 mjeseci, p=0.06) te u skupini liječenoj kemoterapijom (12,5 naspram 7,5 mjeseci, p=0.10). Očekivano preživljenje bolesnika oboljelih od malignoga pleuralnog mezotelioma u Republici Hrvatskoj u skladu je s podatcima iz literature. Ispitane metode liječenja relativno skromno utječu na preživljenje bolesnika.
Transplantacija pluća jedna je od terapijskih opcija kod liječenja uznapredovale plućne bolesti. Primatelji presađenih pluća imaju povećani rizik za nastanak plućnih infekcija. U radu prikazujemo ...slučaj koinfekcije pluća kod bolesnika s transplantiranim plućima, čiji su uzročnici Mycobacterium tuberculosis i Nocardia species.
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