Clara Di Germanio, Erika G Marques de Menezes, Robert Clevenger, Ian Rines, Valerie L Durkalski-Mauldin, Eric Leifer, Sharon Yeatts, Xutao Deng, Brendan G Balasko, John F McDyer, Leilani Montalvo, Daniel Chafets, Nadine N Talia, Alexandra Weissman, Sumith R Panicker, Yogen Kanthi, Mars Stone, Frederick K Korley, Clifton W Callaway, Philip J Norris
{"title":"Viral and immune factors associated with COVID-19 outcome in the C3PO trial of convalescent plasma","authors":"Clara Di Germanio, Erika G Marques de Menezes, Robert Clevenger, Ian Rines, Valerie L Durkalski-Mauldin, Eric Leifer, Sharon Yeatts, Xutao Deng, Brendan G Balasko, John F McDyer, Leilani Montalvo, Daniel Chafets, Nadine N Talia, Alexandra Weissman, Sumith R Panicker, Yogen Kanthi, Mars Stone, Frederick K Korley, Clifton W Callaway, Philip J Norris","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf109","url":null,"abstract":"We examined innate and antibody responses in C3PO clinical trial participants of COVID-19 convalescent plasma to identify predictors of disease progression. We found SARS-CoV-2 viremia in 64% of participants at enrollment, and we could also quantify viremia in approximately half of those samples using an RT-PCR assay. Viremia was associated with increased risk of disease progression (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7–5.0). Participants with viremia at baseline had lower SARS-CoV-2 binding antibody levels and higher pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including IP-10 (CXCL10), TNF-α, calprotectin, and CRP. Disease progression correlated with extracellular vesicle levels from multiple cell types in the convalescent but not acute phase of the disease. Male sex predicted worse disease outcome and was associated with higher baseline levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. Viremia’s strong predictive value for disease progression argues for further study of its use to predict which patients with COVID-19 might require more intensive therapy or monitoring.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"103 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William B Smith, William Seger, Richard Chawana, Zahra Jefferies, Natalie C Silmon de Monerri, Ye Feng, Michelle Gaylord, Babalwa Jongihlati, Johannes Beeslaar, Julie M Skinner, Kara Bickham, Annaliesa S Anderson
{"title":"A Phase 2b Trial Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of a 6-Valent Group B Streptococcus Vaccine Administered Concomitantly With Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine in Healthy Nonpregnant Female Individuals","authors":"William B Smith, William Seger, Richard Chawana, Zahra Jefferies, Natalie C Silmon de Monerri, Ye Feng, Michelle Gaylord, Babalwa Jongihlati, Johannes Beeslaar, Julie M Skinner, Kara Bickham, Annaliesa S Anderson","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf096","url":null,"abstract":"Background Maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is associated with substantial risk of preterm birth and infant mortality. Preventative approaches to protect infants from GBS infection are needed. Methods In this phase 2b, randomized study, healthy nonpregnant 18−49-year-old females were randomized 1:1:1 to receive the investigational 6-valent GBS polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (GBS6) and concomitant Tdap (GBS6+Tdap), GBS6 and placebo (GBS6+placebo), or Tdap and placebo (Tdap+placebo). Primary safety endpoints included reactogenicity events within 7 days and adverse events (AEs) through 1 month after vaccination. Primary immunogenicity objectives were to describe immune responses induced by GBS6+Tdap versus Tdap+placebo and versus GBS6+placebo for pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria Tdap antigens and the 6 GBS6 antigens. Results Overall, 304 participants received study vaccination. Most reactogenicity events were mild or moderate in severity and balanced across vaccine groups. Frequency of AEs was ≤8.1% across vaccine groups. One-month after vaccination, the proportion of participants achieving antibody concentrations ≥0.1 IU/mL, for tetanus and diphtheria antigens was 100% in both GBS6+Tdap and Tdap+placebo groups. Immune responses to pertussis antigens were lower in the GBS6+Tdap group compared to the Tdap+placebo group, with geometric mean ratios <0.6. No consistent effect on immune responses against each of the GBS6 serotypes after concomitant administration with Tdap was observed. Conclusions GBS6 and Tdap administered concomitantly and alone were safe and well tolerated in healthy nonpregnant individuals. Similar immune responses were observed for Tdap when administered with GBS6 or when administered alone. These results will likely inform future studies in pregnant individuals. (NCT04766086).","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberto B M Marano, Yonathan Oster, Shmuel Benenson, Yair Motro, Oshrat Ayalon, Chaggai Rosenbluh, Aline Cuénod, Ayelet Michael-Gayego, Violeta Temper, Jacob Strahilevitz, Jacob Moran-Gilad
{"title":"An Omics-Guided Investigation of a Hospital Outbreak Caused by blaNDM-1-Producing Pseudocitrobacter faecalis","authors":"Roberto B M Marano, Yonathan Oster, Shmuel Benenson, Yair Motro, Oshrat Ayalon, Chaggai Rosenbluh, Aline Cuénod, Ayelet Michael-Gayego, Violeta Temper, Jacob Strahilevitz, Jacob Moran-Gilad","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf103","url":null,"abstract":"Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) pose a major healthcare challenge. We report the first hospital outbreak of Pseudocitrobacter faecalis carrying blaNDM-1 using an omics-based approach. Short- and long-read sequencing enabled genomic epidemiological investigation to track its spread, characterize its resistome, and analyze the genomic context of blaNDM-1. Additionally, we developed and implemented a MALDI-TOF MS-based method for rapid outbreak isolate typing using protein biomarkers. Our investigation identified two independent blaNDM-1-producing clonal clusters of multi-drug and carbapenem-resistant P. faecalis circulating for over three years, carrying blaNDM-1 either chromosomally or on a plasmid. MALDI-TOF MS spectra analysis revealed candidate protein markers corresponding to genomic clusters, with one predicted biomarker applicable for rapid typing. P. faecalis is an emerging CPE taxon requiring hospital surveillance. Early whole genome sequencing (WGS) unexpectedly revealed two intertwined clones with independent carbapenemase acquisition routes. Cluster-specific markers enabled rapid typing, serving as proof-of-concept for validating proteomics in future surveillance.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Danushi Wijekoon, Marcus Y Chen, Yasmin Hughes, Christopher K Fairley, Catriona S Bradshaw, Jason J Ong, Ivette Aguirre, Eric P F Chow
{"title":"Routine treatment versus selective treatment for individuals reporting contact with sexual partners with chlamydia: A Before-and-After Study","authors":"Danushi Wijekoon, Marcus Y Chen, Yasmin Hughes, Christopher K Fairley, Catriona S Bradshaw, Jason J Ong, Ivette Aguirre, Eric P F Chow","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf107","url":null,"abstract":"Background Many international guidelines recommend routine treatment for individuals reporting sexual contact with sexual partners with chlamydia. In October-2019, the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre changed routine treatment of all chlamydia contacts to selective treatment, reserving same-day treatment for those testing positive, unless patients presented with symptoms or with specific reasons. Methods We conducted a before-and-after study among chlamydia contacts at MSHC by comparing 12 months before the ‘routine treatment period’ (December-2018 to October-2019) and after the ‘selective treatment period’ (November-2019 to December-2020). Results Of the 2843 chlamydia contacts included in the analysis, chlamydia positivity was 31.9% (907/2843). The proportion of contacts who received treatment before test results decreased from 91% (1380/1515) to 56% (739/1328) (p<0.0001). We reviewed 232 of the 739 chlamydia contacts in the selective period to determine reasons for treatment, 41.4% (96/232) were treated due to the presence of symptoms. The proportion of those who received treatment and later tested positive did not change between the two periods (35% [482/1380] vs. 34% [253/739], p=0.750). However, the proportion of contacts who received unnecessary treatment (treated but tested negative) did not change between the two periods (65% [898/1380] vs. 66% [486/739], p=0.750). Of the 60 who did not receive treatment but tested positive subsequently, seven (11.7%) did not return for treatment, and it did not differ between the two periods (p=0.370). Conclusions The selective treatment approach has reduced antibiotic consumption and likely decreased the overall workload of clinic staff by minimising the need to treat all contacts.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julien De Greef, Jean Cyr Yombi, Anne Vincent, Bernard Vandercam, Philippe de Timary, Lidvine Boland, Magali Philippeau, Nadtha Panin, Laure Elens, Vincent Haufroid, Leïla Belkhir
{"title":"Dolutegravir and Risk of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events: a Pharmacogenetic Study","authors":"Julien De Greef, Jean Cyr Yombi, Anne Vincent, Bernard Vandercam, Philippe de Timary, Lidvine Boland, Magali Philippeau, Nadtha Panin, Laure Elens, Vincent Haufroid, Leïla Belkhir","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf098","url":null,"abstract":"Dolutegravir treatment can lead to neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAE). This study assessed the association between NPAE and polymorphisms in dolutegravir-related pharmacogenes, determined by next-generation sequencing panel testing. Using a case-control design, 36 patients having previously discontinued dolutegravir due to NPAE were compared to 98 patients tolerating dolutegravir. In the latter group, psychometric scores were compared according to genotype, targeting polymorphisms associated with drug intolerance. NR1I2 c.-22-7659C>T was independently associated with a reduced risk of NPAE-related dolutegravir discontinuation (odds ratio of 0.36 [95% confidence interval, .15–.88] for T-variant allele carriage) and was linked to decreased anxiety scores in control-group participants.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huiying Yu, Bin Li, Huili Guo, Lin Li, Xiaoquan Liu, Lili Wu, Na Gao, Qiyi Zhao, Xiuqing Pang, Zhiliang Gao
{"title":"SLC22A1 resists HBV by activating JAK/STAT pathway and predicts effect of pegIFNα-based therapy on CHB","authors":"Huiying Yu, Bin Li, Huili Guo, Lin Li, Xiaoquan Liu, Lili Wu, Na Gao, Qiyi Zhao, Xiuqing Pang, Zhiliang Gao","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf102","url":null,"abstract":"Background Functional cure is the ideal treatment endpoint of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Currently, only a few patients achieve this with treatment. Host differences must be influential. Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 1 (SLC22A1), encoding organic cation transporter 1, is expressed in the liver and mediates substance transport of hepatocytes. The association between SLC22A1 and CHB has not been determined. Our objective was to elucidate this association. Methods RNA-seq was performed to explore the changes caused by HBV and SLC22A1. SLC22A1 of plasma and liver biopsies in healthy controls and CHB were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Plasma from 200 patients with CHB (120 uncured, 80 cured) completing the pegIFNα-based treatment was collected at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment and measured with ELISA. Results SLC22A1 was downregulated by HBV, as indicated by comparing SLC22A1 of hepG2 and HBV-expression hepG2 cells (hepG2 transfected with pHBV1.3, hepG2.2.15 or hepG2-NTCP infected by HBV) and of both liver and plasma in CHB and healthy volunteers. Plasma SLC22A1 in cured group rose dynamically but not in uncured group. Plasma SLC22A1 at 24 weeks was predictive of functional cure (AUC=0.887) and better when combined with HBsAg at 24 weeks (AUC=0.925). Vitro experiments regarding overexpression of SLC22A1 in hepG2.2.15 demonstrated that HBsAg and HBeAg were inhibited by SLC22A1 through JAK/STAT pathway activation, consistent with transcriptome sequencing results. Conclusions HBV inhibits SLC22A1 expression and SLC22Al suppresses HBV by activating the JAK/STAT pathway. SLC22A1 is a predictor of the functional cure of CHB with pegIFNα-based treatment.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Catherine Wolfe, Iulia Gabriela Ionescu, Marie-Hélène Mayrand, François Coutlée, Chantal Sauvageau
{"title":"Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Unvaccinated 16-20-Year-Old Males in Quebec, Canada","authors":"Catherine Wolfe, Iulia Gabriela Ionescu, Marie-Hélène Mayrand, François Coutlée, Chantal Sauvageau","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf094","url":null,"abstract":"Background The province of Quebec (Canada) has had a school-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program with high coverage since 2008, with more than 90% of girls having received at least one quadrivalent vaccine (4vHPV) dose by age 15. In 2018, Quebec was the first jurisdiction to switch to a mixed schedule (nonavalent+bivalent), and as such wanted to evaluate it. However, when devising an evaluation strategy for new vaccine schedules, the presence of herd effect needs to be ascertained. With this in mind, this study aimed to measure HPV prevalence among unvaccinated 16-20-year-old sexually active men. Methods In 2020-2022, men were recruited from schools and online across the province of Quebec. Participants completed an online questionnaire and provided a self-collected penile swab (surface) for HPV detection and genotyping (Anyplex™ II-HPV28 Detection assay). Risk factors associated with HPV positivity were assessed. Vaccination status (unvaccinated) was verified through the Quebec Vaccination Registry. Results Overall, 369 participants provided a sample suitable for HPV testing. HPV prevalence was 18.4% (95%CI:14.6-22.8). Only two participants harbored a 4vHPV-targeted genotype (0.5%; 95%CI:0.1-1.9), both reporting sexual contact with men. In multivariate analysis, age, greater number of lifetime sexual partners and history of other sexually transmitted infections were independently associated with positivity for at least one HPV genotype. Conclusion The low 4vHPV-targeted genotypes prevalence (˂1%) among unvaccinated men of the same age as women vaccinated with 4vHPV suggests a strong herd immunity among young adults in Quebec. Evaluation of schedule changes will have to take this finding into account.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"82 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dylan M Johnson, Karla A Fenton, Natalie Dobias, Thomas W Geisbert, Robert W Cross
{"title":"Natural History of Chapare Virus Infection in Strain 13 Guinea Pigs","authors":"Dylan M Johnson, Karla A Fenton, Natalie Dobias, Thomas W Geisbert, Robert W Cross","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf081","url":null,"abstract":"Chapare virus (CHAPV) is an emerging arenavirus first discovered in Bolivia. Clinical cases have a high case fatality rate and a concerning capacity for person-to-person spread. Animal models of CHHF are needed to study pathogenesis and development of medical counter measures. Here, we present a narrowly focused study describing lethal infection of strain 13 guinea pigs with CHAPV. Animals challenged with CHAPV had progressive weight loss, lymphocytopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, vascular leakage, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, resulting in uniform lethality between 7- and 16-days following challenge. This work lays the foundation for development of a small animal model of CHAPV infection.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143462822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Model to Identify Grey-Zone Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Requiring Antiviral Therapy: A Multicentre, Retrospective Study","authors":"Xue-Yan Yang, Xi-Dong Li, Bai-Yun Wu, Qiao Yang, Yu-Bao Zheng, Ming-Hua Zheng, Yin-Ping Wu, Hang-Yu Ma, Jing Zuo, Ruo-Xi Jia, Yue Yu, Ling-Yun Xu, Yu-Xin Tian, Qi An, Tao Zhang, Ying-Li He, Yu Shi, Yu-Chen Fan","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf070","url":null,"abstract":"Background Individuals who do not match any specific stage in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B are classified into the grey-zone, and appropriate management for these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to develop and validate a non-invasive model to identify grey-zone patients requiring antiviral therapy (AVT). Methods We retrospectively collected data on 200 grey-zone patients not requiring AVT (according to assessment by non-invasive parameters from 2010 to 2023 in six hospitals) and randomised them into development (n=140) and validation (n=60) cohorts. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables for establishing a nomogram to predict the probability of requiring AVT by liver biopsy, which was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration plot analysis and decision curve analysis. Results Seventy-eight patients (n=39%) were identified as requiring AVT. Age [odds ratio(OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.01–1.11], alanine aminotransferase (OR 2.43, 95%CI 1.08–5.59), lymphocyte percentage (OR 6.43, 95%CI 1.23–33.64), platelet count (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.98–0.1.00) and international normalised ratio per (0.01) (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.98–0.1.00) were identified as independent variables for constructing the nomogram, which showed good discriminability (development dataset: AUC=0.755; validation dataset: AUC=0.707), calibration and clinical applicability. Patients with nomogram scores >197 and ≤132 were considered to have a high and low probability of needing AVT, respectively. Conclusions Grey-zone patients requiring AVT should be identified, and the model developed here is a promising tool. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06041022","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Felicia C Chow, Paddy Kafeero, Patrick Muhumuza, Maria Nakimbugwe, Anthony Ssemaganda, Colman Tayebwa, Elana Farrell, Margaret Wilson, Payam Nahid, Rada Savic, Fiona Cresswell, Freddie M Kibengo
{"title":"Safety and Tolerability of a Short Course of Linezolid for the Treatment of Predominantly Moderate to Severe Tuberculous Meningitis in Adults with HIV","authors":"Felicia C Chow, Paddy Kafeero, Patrick Muhumuza, Maria Nakimbugwe, Anthony Ssemaganda, Colman Tayebwa, Elana Farrell, Margaret Wilson, Payam Nahid, Rada Savic, Fiona Cresswell, Freddie M Kibengo","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf089","url":null,"abstract":"Background Tuberculous meningitis (TBM)-related deaths occur early, often within weeks after initiation of treatment. Enhanced treatment early in the disease course with agents that effectively penetrate the central nervous system may improve outcomes in TBM. Methods We conducted a phase 2, open-label, randomized trial in Masaka, Uganda to assess the safety and tolerability of linezolid 1200 mg versus no linezolid with high (35 mg/kg/day) or standard-dose (10 mg/kg/day) rifampin for 4 weeks in participants with definite or suspected TBM. The primary endpoint was any >grade 3 adverse event during the interventional period. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and functional independence adjusted for TBM disease grade. Results We randomized 40 participants (98% with HIV). One-fourth had microbiologically-confirmed TBM. Nearly 75% had moderate to severe disease (Medical Research Council grades II and III). No significant difference in >grade 3 adverse event-free survival was observed across the 4 treatment arms (p=0.18), or by linezolid (p=0.97) or rifampin (p=0.46) group. More favorable overall survival (OR 0.28 for death at 12 weeks, p=0.10; OR 0.43 at 24 weeks, p=0.24) and functional outcome [OR 2.22 for lower modified Rankin Scale score (i.e., less disability) at 12 weeks, p=0.18; OR 2.00 at 24 weeks, p=0.24) were observed in the linezolid group. Conclusions The addition of a short course of linezolid to treat predominantly moderate to severe TBM in adults with HIV did not introduce excess toxicity. Our findings add to growing evidence that linezolid is a safe and acceptable treatment for TBM that merits further investigation in larger multi-site trials.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}