Claudia Reinheimer

Deficiency of immunity to poliovirus type 3: a lurking danger?

BackgroundEurope was certified to be polio-free in 2002 by the WHO. However, wild polioviruses remain endemic in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, occasionally causing polio outbreaks, as in Tajikistan in 2010. Therefore, effective surveillance measures and vaccination campaigns remain important. To determine the poliovirus immune status of a German study population, we retrospectively evaluated the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies (NA) to the poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 (PV1, 2, 3) in serum samples collected from 1,632 patients admitted the University Hospital of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 2001, 2005 and 2010.MethodsTesting was done by using a standardized microneutralization assay.ResultsLevel of immunity to PV1 ranged between 84.2% (95%CI: 80.3-87.5), 90.4% (88.3-92.3) and 87.5% (85.4-88.8) in 2001, 2005 and 2010. For PV2, we found 90.8% (87.5-90.6), 91.3% (89.3-93.1) and 89.8% (88.7-90.9), in the same period. Seroprevalence to PV3 was 76.6% (72.2-80.6), 69.8% (66.6-72.8) and 72.9% (67.8-77.5) in 2001 and 2005 and 2010, respectively. In 2005 and 2010 significant lower levels of immunity to PV3 in comparison to PV1 and 2 were observed. Since 2001, immunity to PV3 is gradually, but not significantly decreasing.ConclusionImmunity to PV3 is insufficient in our cohort. Due to increasing globalization and worldwide tourism, the danger of polio-outbreaks is not averted - even not in developed countries, such as Germany. Therefore, vaccination remains necessary.

Hepatitis E: are psychiatric patients on special risk?

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is largely confined to travelers returning from endemic areas, but the number of autochthonous cases of acute HEV infections in developed countries is increasing. Reservoirs for HEV are surface water, wild boar meat, and raw or undercooked pork meat. Usually, hepatitis E is a self-limiting disease presenting with acute hepatitis as a major clinical symptom. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG was investigated in 833 serum samples routinely collected from patients admitted to the university hospital in Frankfurt a. M., Germany (FFM) between 01.06.2008 and 31.12.2010. After determination of overall seroprevalence, we tested serum samples from patients diagnosed with acute elevation of liver enzymes (AELE), psychiatric (PSYCH), infectiological patients and serum samples from the red-cross blood donor service in FFM for anti-HEV-IgG using an ELISA. Between 01.06.2008 and 31.12.2010, 833 serum samples were analyzed for anti-HEV-IgG using an ELISA. We observed an overall seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG of 11.2% (95%CI: 9.6–13.2). Significantly higher rate of seropositivity was found in the group of PSYCH (26.0%; 95%CI: 14.63–40.34) and AELE (30.0%; 95%CI: 17.86–44.61). Overall seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG in FFM is higher than in Germany on average. The group of AELE and PSYCH shows significantly more often marker of HEV infections than other groups in our collective.

Prevalence of TMC278 (rilpivirine) associated mutations in the Frankfurt Resistance Database

BACKGROUND Analysis of the 3D structure of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase led to the development of TMC278 (rilpivirine), a next-generation nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), which proved to be effective against wild-type HIV-1 strains and NNRTI-resistant mutants emerging after failure of NNRTI-containing therapy regimens. Recently, rilpivirine associated mutations (e.g. at positions 138, 181 or 101) have been described in vitro and in vivo; however, some of these mutations have also been observed in the past. OBJECTIVE Objective of our investigation was to determine the prevalence of mutations E138K, Y181I/V, and K101E/P before the approval of rilpivirine. STUDY DESIGN The Frankfurt Resistance Database consists of 7295 samples which have been sent for resistance testing since 1995. RESULTS The E138K, Y181I/V, and the K101E mutations were found in 0.4%, 0.9%, and 2.4% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings we do not expect a broad cross-resistance to rilpivirine due to previous treatment failures of NNRTI-containing regimens.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms in refugee patients, medical tourists and domestic patients admitted to a German university hospital.

BackgroundPatients with contact to healthcare-system in high-prevalence countries (HPC) and refugee patients in hospital settings (REF) have previously been identified to be at risk of carrying multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Comparative studies addressing the epidemiology of MDRO in patients transferred from hospitals abroad (ABROAD) and REF are lacking but are necessary to introduce refined infection control measures.MethodsFrom December 2015 to June 2016, 117 REF, 84 ABROAD and 495 patients admitted to intensive care unit, with no refugee history or pre-treatment abroad (ICU), at University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany (UHF) were screened for MDRO on day of admittance. Data within these groups were compared and set in an epidemiological context.Results52.1% (95% confidence interval = 42.7-61.5) of REF and 41.6% (31.0-52.9) of ABROAD, were positive for at least one MDRGN, respectively. In contrast, 7.9% (5.6-10.6) of ICU were positive for MDRGN. Thereof, 0.9% (0.0-4.7) of REF, 15.5% (8.5-25.0) of ABROAD and 0% (0.0-0.7) of ICU were positive for at least one MDRGN with carbapenem resistance (CR). In total, 19 MDRGN with CR were detected in ABROAD, with the most frequent species with CR being A. baumannii with 42.1% (20.3-66.5). Regarding MRSA, 10.3% (5.4-17.2) of REF, 5.9% (1.9-13.3) of ABROAD and a significantly lower proportion 1.4% (0.6-2.9) of ICU, respectively, were tested positive.ConclusionsBoth REF and ABROAD pose a relevant hospital hygiene risk. High prevalence of MDRGN with CR in ABROAD was observed. Concise screening and infection control guidelines are needed in patient cohorts with increased risk for MDRO carriage.

Clinical impact of colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms on outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is a curative treatment option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). During transplantation, patients undergo a period of severe neutropenia, which puts them at high risk for infectious complications. However, the impact of patient colonization with multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDRO) on overall survival remains unclear.

Clinical Impact of Colonization with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms on Outcome after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

A significant increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) has been observed in recent years, resulting in an increase of mortality in all fields of health care. Hematological patients are particularly affected by MDRO infections because of disease- and therapy-related immunosuppression. To determine the impact of colonization with MDRO on overall survival, we retrospectively analyzed data from patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our institution. In total, 184 patients were identified, mainly patients with lymphomas (n = 98, 53.3%), multiple myelomas (n = 80, 43.5%), germ cell cancers (n = 5, 2.7%), or acute myeloid leukemia (n = 1, .5%). Forty patients (21.7%) tested positive for MDRO colonization. At a median follow-up time of 21.5 months, the main causes of death were infection in colonized and disease progression in noncolonized patients. Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was higher in patients who tested positive for MDRO than in the noncolonized group (25.4% versus 3%, P < .001). Interestingly, NRM in neutropenia after autologous transplantation did not differ between colonized and noncolonized patients. Colonized patients, however, had inferior overall survival after autologous transplantation in univariate (61.7% versus 73.3%, P = .005) as well as in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 2.463; 95% confidence interval, 1.311 to 4.626; P = .005). We conclude that the period after discharge from hospital after autologous transplantation seems critical and patients with MDRO colonization should be observed closely for infections in the post-transplantation period in outpatient care.

Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in different risk groups: thirty years after the onset of HIV.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) is a sexually transmitted disease causing a lifelong persisting infection. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of anti-HSV2-IgG in a German collective. We evaluate the German serological status, point out trends in the chronological spread of HSV2 infection, and position our findings in a global context. Methods: Serum samples from 29,694 patients at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany, were screened for anti-HSV2-IgG using ELISA. We evaluated five defined groups containing patients from the departments of pediatrics (PED), gynecology (GYN), dermatology (DER), psychiatrics (PSY) and patients suffering from HIV/AIDS (HIV). Results: We retrospectively evaluated an overall seropositivity to anti-HSV2-IgG of 13.6% (95% CI 13.1–14.1), with a significantly higher level in females (15.9%, 95% CI 15.4–16.5) than in males (11.4%, 95% CI 10.9–11.9). The highest seroprevalence was detected in HIV (34.7%, 95% CI 30.3–39.3). The lowest rate was observed in PED (9.9%, 95% CI 9.4–10.6) with an estimated number of 18 infections at delivery between 1/1/2000 and 1/1/2011. Conclusions: HSV2 infections are widespread in Germany with a tremendous health risk for newborns. Therefore, the public’s perception of HSV2 should be strengthened and protected sexual intercourse should be propagated.

Description of two commercially available assays for genotyping of HIV-1.

HIV-1 resistance testing is one important part in the diagnostics of antiretroviral treatment and is commonly done by genotyping. Currently, two systems are commercially available and, despite being far from easy to use, these have achieved a high degree of sophistication. Modifications of standard kit protocols might be necessary based on the clinical situation. Although resistance reports based on decision rules are a part of both systems, considerable knowledge and skills are nevertheless required by the user to establish useful clinical data out of detected resistance patterns. Both systems described here have their advantages and disadvantages; a decision for one or the other system needs to be based on individual requirements. The future might lie in so-called ‘next-generation sequencing’ systems based on pyrosequencing, which enable a high throughput and the detection of minor variants of less than 1%.

The impact of carbapenem resistance on clinical deterioration and mortality in patients with liver disease

Infections with multidrug‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria are significantly impairing the prognosis of patients with liver disease. In particular, carbapenem resistance further narrows therapeutic options. This study investigates the impact of carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria on the outcome of patients with liver disease and cirrhosis.

Group B streptococcus infections in neonates admitted to a German NICU: Emphasis on screening and adherence to pre-analytical recommendations

BACKGROUND Infections by group B streptococci (GBS), e.g. Streptococcus agalactiae, presenting as early-onset disease (EOD) or late-onset disease (LOD), are leading causes of severe infections in newborn and premature patients. Although screening and intra partum antibiotic prophylaxis are frequently performed, vertically transmitted GBS remain a challenge for pediatrics. AIMS In order to prevent or reduce potential life-threatening events, this study retrospectively investigated epidemiological, microbiological and clinical aspects of infants admitted to the Division of Neonatology at the Department of Pediatrics at the University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany (UHF). STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS Between January 2010 and January 2016, perinatal GBS screening status, clinical presentation of EOD or LOD and therapeutic management of neonates admitted to UHF were retrospective analysed. Infants tested positive for GBS within their first three months of life were included; patient data were obtained from the chart report. Severity of neonatal disease was analysed by using the NEOMOD and CRIB score. RESULTS 108 GBS infected infants born to 105 mothers were observed. N=101 of them (93.5%) presented with EOD, whereof n=9 (10%) primarily presented with pneumonia or pneumothorax. In 82 (78%) mothers of infected infants GBS status was unknown prior to hospitalization of the neonate. 3/108 (2.8%) infants died from GBS septicemia. CONCLUSION Avoidance of GBS transmission sub partu is the key issue in preventing neonatal GBS infection and should be the focus of preventive strategies. Our results highlight the impact of perinatal screening.