| 1. |
- Axfors, Cathrine, et al.
(författare)
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Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19 : a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2334. ; 21:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, ). Methods: In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence. Results: A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I-2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% of the weight in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Convalescent plasma treatment of patients with COVID-19 did not reduce all-cause mortality. These results provide strong evidence that convalescent plasma treatment for patients with COVID-19 should not be used outside of randomized trials. Evidence synthesis from collaborations among trial investigators can inform both evidence generation and evidence application in patient care.
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| 2. |
- Bläckberg, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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A Population-Based Study of Unfavorable Prognostic Factors Associated With Pyogenic Liver Abscess
- 2023
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Ingår i: Open Forum Infectious Diseases. - 2328-8957. ; 10:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare entity that is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. Our objective was to investigate variables associated with mortality and subsequent PLA in patients diagnosed with PLA in southern Sweden.MethodsWe conducted a population-based observational study comprising all episodes of PLA that occurred between 2011 and 2020 in the county of Skåne, southern Sweden. The primary outcome was defined as all-cause 90-day mortality and the secondary outcome was defined as the occurrence of a subsequent PLA.ResultsA total of 452 episodes of PLA occurred in 360 patients during the study period. The 90-day mortality rate was 16% (n = 58) and the subsequent PLA rate was 20% (n = 92). In a multivariable logistic regression model, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.1–3.9]), malignancy (OR, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.9–7.1]), liver failure (OR, 6.3 [95% CI, 2.7–14.5]), and polymicrobial findings (OR, 3.8 [95% CI, 2.2–6.9]) were associated with death within 90 days (P < .05). Male sex (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.2–3.6]), malignancy (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.3–3.6]), age (64–74 years: OR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.3–4.8]), and chronic liver disease (OR, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.4–6.5]) were associated with the risk of subsequent PLA (P ≤ .01).ConclusionsIdentifying different clinical variables associated with an unfavorable outcome may improve the management and treatment of patients with PLA and thus prevent the risk of death and subsequent PLA.
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| 3. |
- Holm, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Convalescence plasma treatment of COVID-19 : results from a prematurely terminated randomized controlled open-label study in Southern Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Research Notes. - : BioMed Central. - 1756-0500. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Convalescent plasma has been tried as therapy for various viral infections. Early observational studies of convalescent plasma treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients were promising, but randomized controlled studies were lacking at the time. The objective of this study was to investigate if convalescent plasma is beneficial to hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Results: Hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 and an oxygen saturation below 94% were randomized 1:1 to receive convalescent plasma in addition to standard of care or standard of care only. The primary outcome was number of days of oxygen treatment to keep saturation above 93% within 28 days from inclusion. The study was prematurely terminated when thirty-one of 100 intended patients had been included. The median time of oxygen treatment among survivors was 11 days (IQR 6–15) for the convalescent plasma group and 7 days (IQR 5–9) for the standard of care group (p = 0.4, median difference -4). Two patients in the convalescent plasma group and three patients in the standard of care group died (p = 0.64, OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.08–2.79). Thus no significant differences were observed between the groups.
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| 4. |
- Ingefors, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Low 30-day mortality and low carbapenem-resistance in a decade of Acinetobacter bacteraemia in South Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Infection Ecology and Epidemiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8686. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive account of carbapenem resistance and risk factors for mortality from invasive Acinetobacter infections in the south of Sweden.Methods: Blood isolates with growth of Acinetobacter species between 2010 and 2019 in Skåne county were subtyped using MALDI-TOF and subjected to susceptibility testing against clinically relevant antibiotics. Association between risk factors and 30-day mortality were analysed in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.Results: There were 179 bacteraemia episodes in 176 patients included in the study. The 30-day all-cause mortality was 16%. In all, two percent of Acinetobacter strains were carbapenem resistant. Independent risk factors associated with 30-day mortality in the multivariate regression model were Acinetobacter growth in all blood cultures drawn at the day of bacteraemia onset (OR 5.0, 95% CI: 1.8 to 13.7, p= 0.002), baseline functional capacity (1-4 points, OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.4, p= 0.010) and correct empiric antibiotics at time of culture (OR 3.5 95% CI: 1.0 to 11.8, p= 0.045).Conclusion: This study on Acinetobacter bacteraemia in South Sweden found low 30-day mortality and low carbapenem-resistance rates compared to previous international studies which may be due to a higher rate of contaminant findings.
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| 5. |
- Jönsson, Adam, et al.
(författare)
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HIV-associated Infective Native Aortic Aneurysms
- 2023
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Ingår i: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0903-4641. ; 131:1, s. 3-12
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundHIV-associated infective native aortic aneurysms (INAA) constitute a subcategory of the disease INAA. This is a very rare group of patients.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic literature review was to compile a description of patient characteristics with HIV-associated INAA.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed using the search terms HIV and aortic aneurysm in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases, on articles published between 1981-2022. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, articles were scrutinised according to a predefined protocol including age, sex, co-morbidities, microbiological pathogens, CD4-count, HIV/AIDS state, aortic segment involved, treatment and outcome.ResultsThirty-three studies, all case reports with a total of 39 patients, were included. The median age was 48 years (range 27-79), most were male n=35 (90%), and the median follow-up was n=6 months (range 0-63). Cardiovascular comorbidity was present in n=1 (3%), median CD4-count was 216 (range 6-1236), and n=12 (31%) had AIDS. The most common microbiological pathogens were Treponema pallidum, n=12 (31%), Salmonella spp. n=10 (26%), Mycobacterium species n=5 (12%), and Staphylococcal spp. n=5 (13%). The HIV-associated INAAs were localized in the abdominal aorta n=32 (82%), in the thoracic aorta n=5 (13%) and in the thoraco-abdominal aorta n=2 (5%). Open surgery was performed in n=23 (59%) patients, endovascular aortic repair n=6 (15%), and n=7 (18%) did not receive surgery. Infection-related complications were reported in n=2 (7%) patients, both with postoperative development of fatal sepsis.ConclusionPatients with HIV-associated INAAs, were younger, had lower rate of cardiovascular comorbidity, demonstrated low CD4-counts as a measure of immunosuppression, and demonstrated diverse microbiological pathogens compared with other INAAs. Treponema Pallidum and Mycobacterium spp. were common pathogens, which are very rare microbiological pathogens in other INAAs.
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| 6. |
- Krifors, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Influenza-associated invasive aspergillosis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Sweden : a prospective multicentre cohort study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 56:2, s. 110-115
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) in influenza patients admitted to intensive care units in Sweden.METHODS: The study included consecutive adult patients with PCR-verified influenza A or B in 12 Swedish intensive care units (ICUs) over four influenza seasons (2019-2023). Patients were screened using serum galactomannan and β-d-glucan tests and fungal culture of a respiratory sample at inclusion and weekly during the ICU stay. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed if clinically feasible. IAPA was classified according to recently proposed case definitions.RESULTS: The cohort included 55 patients; 42% were female, and the median age was 59 (IQR 48-71) years. All patients had at least one galactomannan test, β-d-glucan test and respiratory culture performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 24 (44%) of the patients. Five (9%, 95% CI 3.8% - 20.4%) patients were classified as probable IAPA, of which four lacked classical risk factors. The overall ICU mortality was significantly higher among IAPA patients than non-IAPA patients (60% vs 8%, p = 0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The study represents the first prospective investigation of IAPA incidence. The 9% incidence of IAPA confirms the increased risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among influenza patients admitted to the ICU. Therefore, it appears reasonable to implement a screening protocol for the early diagnosis and treatment of IAPA in influenza patients receiving intensive care.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04172610, registered November 21, 2019.
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| 7. |
- Ljungquist, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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16S rRNA is a valuable tool in finding bacterial aetiology of community-acquired pleural empyema-a population-based observational study in South Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-1980 .- 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 54:3, s. 163-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundThe incidence of community-acquired pleural empyema is increasing. Knowledge of the bacterial aetiology is important in order to base recommendations on empirical antimicrobial treatment. The primary aim of the present study was to describe the bacterial aetiology of adult patients with culture proven and/or 16S rRNA-positive community-acquired pleural infection.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, population-based observational cohort study in Skåne County, south of Sweden. We included all patients with pleural samples obtained between 1st of January 2011 to 31st of December 2017 in Skåne, south of Sweden, with a positive culture and/or 16S rRNA result. Exclusion criteria were patients with culture-negative and/or 16S rRNA-negative pleural samples, age < 18 years, pleural empyema caused by trauma or iatrogenesis, pleural infection caused by tuberculosis or fungi, simultaneous lung- or abscess of the abdomen and bacterial species considered to be contaminants.ResultsA total of 291 patients were included in the study, of which 63% were men and the median age was 69 years. The dominating bacterial aetiology was viridans streptococci (36%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (14%) and anaerobic bacteria (12%). 16S rRNA added information of bacterial aetiology in addition to standard culturing methods in 63% of the patients.ConclusionWe found that the aetiology of adult patients with culture proven and/or 16S rRNA-positive community-acquired pleural empyema is dominated by viridans streptococci, S. pneumoniae and anaerobic bacteria. Our study shows that 16S rRNA is a valuable tool in finding the bacterial aetiology of community-acquired pleural empyema.
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| 8. |
- Ljungquist, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales in Patients with Traveler's Diarrhea
- 2020
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Ingår i: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. - 1098-6596. ; 64:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients with traveler’s diarrhea (TD) can acquire extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing members of the Enterobacterales (EPE) during travel to areas of endemicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of EPE carriage in travelers from southern Sweden who were sampled for bacterial diagnostics of TD compared to those of EPE carriage 10 years ago. Clinical samples sent for culture of common causes of bacterial enterocolitis, if the referral stated foreign travel, were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done according to the EUCAST disk diffusion test method. EPE strains were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Eighty-four of 303 patients carried a total of 92 ESBL-producing members of the Enterobacterales. The overall prevalence of EPE in tested samples was thus 28%, compared to 24% 10 years earlier (P = 0.33). Among 86 strains available for WGS, 47 different sequence types (STs) were identified, and there were only 5 ST131 strains. Of the 79 Escherichia coli isolates, 76% carried at least one fim (type 1 fimbria) gene, 29% carried at least one pap (p-fimbriae) gene, and 43% were extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) or uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Over half of the E. coli strains (57%) were intestinal pathogenic E. coli, most commonly enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (33%), and enteroinvasive E. coli EIEC (22%). A relatively high proportion of patients with traveler’s diarrhea carry EPE, but there was no significant increase compared to 10 years ago. Most E. coli strains were intestinal pathogenic strains. A comparatively high proportion of the strains were ExPEC/UPEC, many expressing the virulence genes pap and/or fim. (This project was assigned ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03866291.)
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| 9. |
- Ljungquist, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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A population-based study of the appearances of enteric Campylobacter and non-typhoidal Salmonella infections on computed tomography
- 2024
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Ingår i: Annals of Medicine. - 1365-2060. ; 56:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundSwift identification and diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections are crucial for prompt treatment, prevention of complications, and reduction of the risk of hospital transmission. The radiological appearance on computed tomography could potentially provide important clues to the etiology of gastrointestinal infections. We aimed to describe features based on computed tomography of patients diagnosed with Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella infections in South Sweden.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational population-based cohort study conducted between 2019 and 2022 in Skåne, southern Sweden, a region populated by 1.4 million people. Using data from the Department of Clinical Microbiology combined with data from the Department of Radiology, we identified all patients who underwent computed tomography of the abdomen CTA two days before and up to seven days after sampling due to the suspicion of Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella during the study period.ResultsA total of 215 CTAs scans performed on 213 patients during the study period were included in the study. The median age of included patients was 45 years (range 11–86 years), and 54% (114/213) of the patients were women. Of the 215 CTAs, 80% (n = 172) had been performed due to Campylobacter and 20% (n = 43) due to Salmonella enteritis. CTA was not performed for any individual diagnosed with Shigella during the study period. There were no statistically significant differences in the radiological presentation of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections.ConclusionThe most common location of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections was the cecum, followed by the ascending colon. Enteric wall edema, contrast loading of the affected mucosa, and enteric fat stranding are typical features of both infections. The CTA characteristics of Campylobacter and Salmonella are similar, and cannot be used to reliably differentiate between different infectious etiologies.
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| 10. |
- Ljungquist, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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Agreement and reliability of hepatic transient elastography in patients with chronic hepatitis C : A cross-sectional test-retest study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Health Science Reports. - 2398-8835. ; 6:4, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transient elastography (TE) has largely replaced liver biopsy to evaluate fibrosis stage and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Previous studies have reported excellent reliability of TE but agreement metrics have not been reported. This study aimed to assess interrater agreement and reliability of repeated TE measurements.METHODS: Two operators performed TE independently, directly after each other. The primary outcome was disagreement, defined as a difference in TE results between operators of ≥33%, as well as the smallest detectable change, SDC 95 (i.e., the difference between measurements needed to state with 95% certainty that there is a difference in underlying stiffness). Secondary outcomes included reliability, measured as intraclass correlation (ICC), and patient and examination characteristics associated with the agreement. RESULTS: In total, 65 patients were included, with a mean liver stiffness of 9.7 kPa. Of these, 21 (32%) had a disagreement in TE results of ≥33% between the two operators. The SDC 95 on the log scale was 1.97, indicating that an almost twofold increase or decrease in liver stiffness would be required to confidently represent a change in the underlying fibrosis. Reliability, estimated using the ICC, was acceptable at 0.86. In a post hoc analysis, fasting less than 5 h before TE was associated with a higher degree of disagreement (48% vs. 19%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical setting, interrater agreement in directly repeated TE measurements was surprisingly low. It is essential to further investigate the reliability and agreement of TE to determine its validity and usefulness.
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