Jeanne Chapron

High Prevalence of Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis Exposed to Itraconazole

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is the most frequent fungus found in the sputum of cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects. Itraconazole is prescribed for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) or Aspergillus bronchitis in CF subjects. We hypothesized that A. fumigatus isolates in the sputum of CF subjects with previous exposure to itraconazole was associated with higher prevalence of azole resistance. From June 2010 to April 2011, sputum samples from adult CF subjects at Cochin University Hospital (France) were examined systematically for the detection of A. fumigatus. MICs of A. fumigatus isolates against azoles were screened using Etest, and reduced susceptibility to azoles was confirmed using the CLSI broth microdilution method. A. fumigatus was isolated from the sputum of 131/249 (52.6%) adult CF subjects, and 47/131 (35.9%) subjects had received previous treatment with itraconazole. Reduced A. fumigatus susceptibility to itraconazole (MIC, ≥2 mg/liter) was confirmed in 6/131 (4.6%) subjects. All 6 isolates also had reduced susceptibility to posaconazole (MIC, ≥0.5 mg/liter), and 3/6 isolates had reduced susceptibility to voriconazole (MIC, ≥2 mg/liter). Mutations in the cyp51A gene were detected at positions previously implicated to cause resistance in 5 isolates. Azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates were found in 5/25 (20%) subjects exposed to itraconazole within the previous 3 years. High rates of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates were present in adult CF subjects and were associated with recent itraconazole exposure. Although the clinical implications of these findings will require further studies, the cautious use of itraconazole in adult CF subjects can be recommended.

Reduced risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis adults receiving long-term azithromycin

BACKGROUND Azithromycin reduces exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Our aim was to investigate its association with nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation and macrolide susceptibility. METHODS From 2006 to 2010, all adult CF subjects at Cochin Hospital (Paris, France) harboring at least one positive NTM isolate were identified (Cases). In a nested case-control study, each Case was individually matched for age and gender with up to 4 CF adults with no NTM isolate (Controls). Clinical data at the time of first NTM isolate (index date) in Cases were compared with those of Controls using multivariate conditional regression analysis. RESULTS CF subjects with positive NTM isolates (Cases, n=41) were matched to 155 Controls. Among Cases, 48.7% had isolates from Mycobacterium avium complex and 58.5% from Mycobacterium abscessus complex, and 31 Cases fulfilled the 2007 American Thoracic Society criteria for NTM infection (ATS+ Cases). Cases and ATS+ Cases were more likely to have low body mass index and colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus. Azithromycin was associated with a two-fold reduction in NTM isolates. Only one M. avium complex isolate had acquired macrolide resistance. CONCLUSION These data suggest that azithromycin is a primary prophylaxis for NTM infection in CF adults.

Prognostic value of six minute walk test in cystic fibrosis adults

BACKGROUND The 6 min walk test (6MWT) provides prognostic information in various respiratory diseases, but limited data exist in cystic fibrosis (CF) adults. METHODS Consecutive CF adults who performed 6MWT at Cochin Hospital (Paris, France) over 12 years were analyzed. The cut-off 6 min walking distance (6MWD) value that best predicted a combined endpoint (death without transplant or lung transplant) was established using a receiver operating curve. Determinants of low 6MWD or of desaturation (SpO2 ≤ 90%) during 6MWT were examined using multivariate logistic regressions. Prognostic value of these variables was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses. RESULTS 6MWT was performed in 286 CF adults (median: age, 28 yr; FEV1, 45% predicted) of whom 14% (n = 40) had lung transplant and 6% (n = 18) died without transplant. 6MWD correlated with FEV1% predicted (r = 0.43; P < 0.001), but markedly differed in subjects within the same range of FEV1. A 6MWD ≤ 475 m predicted death or transplant and was mostly found in patients with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted. Desaturation during the 6MWT occurred in 29% of patients, exclusively in subjects with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted. Both 6MWD ≤ 475 m and desaturation during the 6MWT were independent predictors of death or transplant. CONCLUSION The 6MWT provides prognostic information in CF adults, especially in subjects with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted.

Employment and work disability in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND As a result of prolonged survival, more patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) participate in the labour force. The aim of this study was to evaluate their education, occupation levels and risk factors for work disability. METHOD 207 patients answered a self-administered questionnaire about their educational level and work status. Independently, medical records were reviewed for illness severity indicators. RESULTS 39 patients (19%) were students, 117 (57%) were in the labour force, 13 (6%) were seeking employment and 38 (18%) were inactive. CF patients had a higher educational level and were more likely to hold skilled jobs and to work part time than the general population. FEV1 and educational level were the strongest predictive factors of disability. CONCLUSION Many CF patients have access to professional life. Their higher educational levels improve the chances of attaining employment, which highlights the need for career counselling. Working part time helps to maintain employment despite declining health.

Pemetrexed, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab as first-line treatment in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND Oxaliplatin has less haematological toxicity than cisplatin and carboplatin. The combination of pemetrexed, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab appeared well tolerated and active as second- or third-line treatment in a previous phase II study. Its role as first-line therapy remains to define. PATIENTS AND METHODS From August 2008 to May 2011, consecutive chemo-naïve patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received pemetrexed 500mg/m(2), oxaliplatin 100mg/m(2) and bevacizumab 7.5mg/kg every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, in the outpatient setting. Maintenance therapy including pemetrexed and bevacizumab was given to patients with non-progressive disease. The primary evaluation criterion was safety. Secondary evaluation criteria were response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Thirty-eight patients (50% males, median age: 55 years, range 38-76) received a total of 199 cycles (median per patient: 6, range 2-6), plus 98 cycles of maintenance therapy. Twenty patients (52.6%) had a PS of 2, and 6 (15.8%) had brain metastases. The most frequent toxicities were hypertension (all grades: 42.1%) and peripheral neuropathy (grade 2-3: 21.1%). Haematological toxicities included grade 4 neutropenia, grade 3 anaemia and thrombopenia (5.3% each). Neither febrile neutropenia nor arterial thrombo-embolic event occurred. The objective response rate was 55.3% (95%CI: 39.5-71.1). The median PFS and OS were 6.2 (95%CI: 5.4-9.0) and 14.6 (95%CI: 9.8-19.5) months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this single centre experience, the combination of pemetrexed, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab was well tolerated and had promising activity as first-line therapy in unselected patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC.

Rapid Emergence of Resistance to Linezolid and Mutator Phenotypes in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patient

ABSTRACT Linezolid has emerged as an important therapeutic option for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with cystic fibrosis. We report the rapid emergence, upon treatment with linezolid, of linezolid-resistant S. aureus clinical isolates through the accumulation of resistance-associated 23S rRNA mutations, together with acquisition of an altered mutator phenotype.

Bronchial rupture related to endobronchial stenting in relapsing polychondritis

To the Editor: Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multi-systemic disease characterised by recurrent episodes of inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous structures [1]. Airway involvement by relapsing polychondritis, which results in tracheobronchomalacia and airway stenosis, is associated with a poor prognosis. Several reports have suggested that endobronchial intervention can be beneficial in these subjects [2, 3]. Herein, we describe a case of bronchial rupture related to endobronchial intervention in a patient with relapsing polychondritis. A 47-yr-old male nonsmoker was referred for management of progressive dyspnoea, stridor and cough evolving over 12 months. He had been considered to have severe asthma and was treated with a fixed combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-agonists, and short courses of oral corticosteroids. Spirometry showed fixed airflow limitation with a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity of 22% and an FEV1 of 22% predicted. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed marked thickening and narrowing of trachea and mainstem bronchi (fig. 1). A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was suggested; the patient had no auricular or nasal chondritis and no ocular symptoms. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed no cartilaginous tracer uptake. Bronchoscopy showed marked thickening and inflammation of airway mucosa. Severe tracheobronchomalacia, …

Prise en charge des complications aiguës sévères chez l’adulte mucoviscidosique

The natural history of cystic fibrosis (CF) may be associated both with acute respiratory complications (respiratory exacerbations, haemoptysis, pneumothorax) and with non-respiratory complications (distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, dehydration) that may result in hospitalizations. The aim of this article is to describe the main therapeutic approaches that are adopted in the management of acute complications occurring in CF adults, and to discuss indications for admission of these patients to intensive care units. Adult CF patients admitted to intensive care unit often benefit from antibiotic courses adapted to their chronic bronchial infection, especially when the hospitalization is related to respiratory disease (including haemoptysis and pneumothorax). Nutritional support, including hypercaloric diet, control of hyperglycemia and pancreatic enzyme supplementation is warranted. The recommended therapy for major haemoptysis is bronchial artery embolization. Patient with significant pneumothorax should have a chest tube inserted, while the treatment of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome will most often be medical. In case of respiratory failure, non-invasive ventilation is the preferred mode of ventilatory support because invasive ventilation is associated with poor outcomes. Therapeutic options should always have been discussed between the patient, family members and the CF medical team to allow for informed decision making.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assay for therapeutic drug monitoring of the EGFR inhibitors afatinib, erlotinib and osimertinib, the ALK inhibitor crizotinib and the VEGFR inhibitor nintedanib in human plasma from non-small cell lung cancer patients

HIGHLIGHTSRobust and sensitive LC–MS/MS method to simultaneously quantify five tyrosine kinase inhibitors.First bioanalytical assay for the simultaneous analysis of three generations of EGFR inhibitors.First validated bioanalytical assay for nintedanib in human plasma.Suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring in lung cancer. ABSTRACT A new method for the quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) of five tyrosine kinase inhibitors (afatinib, crizotinib, osimertinib, erlotinib and nintedanib) used in the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was developed and validated in human plasma. Separation was performed on an Accucore® C18 (2.1×50mm; 2.6&mgr;m) column using a gradient elution of water acidified with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid (A) and acetonitrile containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid (B) at a flow rate of 500&mgr;L/min. The analytes were detected in the selected reaction monitoring mode of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer after positive ionization with heated electrospray interface. After addition of three isotopically labeled internal standards, plasma pretreatment consisted in a simple protein precipitation. This method presented satisfactory results in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision (intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficient of variation from 2.6% to 10.6%), accuracy (from 96.1% to 108.5%), recovery and matrix effects. The lower limit of quantification and the linearity of these five tyrosine kinases inhibitors are suitable with the expected concentrations in clinical practice. This new bioanalytical method can be used in daily clinical practice for therapeutic drug monitoring of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC patients.

Renin-associated hypertension after bronchial artery embolization in cystic fibrosis.

Bronchial artery embolization is the recommended therapy for massive hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We report on two cases of multiple renal infarcts and renin-associated hypertension and hypokalemia occurring in CF adults after bronchial artery embolizations. These complications were presumably related to crossing of small calibrated microspheres through arteriovenous anastomoses. Although hypokalemia resolved rapidly, hypertension persisted at least 6 months and its control required multiple antihypertensive agents. Physicians should be aware of this potentially severe, but previously unreported, complication of bronchial artery embolization.