To assess the effectiveness of the simplified medication adherence questionnaire (SMAQ) in identifying non-adherent patients. Prospective observational study of adherence. The six-item SMAQ was developed. The following aspects were evaluated: (i) criterion validity, comparison with electronic adherence monitoring; (ii) construct validity, association between adherence, as defined by the SMAQ, and virological outcomes; and (iii) reliability, internal consistency and reproducibility. A group of 3004 unselected HIV patients who had initiated nelfinavir therapy combined with other antiretroviral drugs [21% naive, 15% protease inhibitor (PI)-naive, 64% PI-experienced] between January 1998 and December 1999 were enrolled in 69 hospitals in Spain. The SMAQ was administered at months 3, 6 and 12. The SMAQ showed 72% sensitivity, 91% specificity and a likelihood ratio of 7.94 to identified non-adherent patients, compared with the medication-event monitoring system (40 patients evaluated). At month 12, 1797 patients were evaluated, of whom 32.3% were defined as non-adherent; viral load < 500 copies/ml found in 68.3% of the adherent, and 46% of the non-adherent patients. A logistic regression analysis of PI-naive patients was performed, including age, sex, baseline viral load > 5 log10/ml, CD4 cell count < 200 × 106/l, and non-adherence as independent variables. Non-adherence was the only significant risk factor in failing to achieve virological suppression. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was 0.75, and overall inter-observer agreement was 88.2%. The SMAQ appears to be an adequate instrument with which to assess adherence in HIV-infected patients, and may be applied in most clinical settings.

European surveillance studies show that the incidence of Candida bloodstream infections (BSI) ranges from nearly 3 to 8.6 per 100 000 population per year [ 1 x 1 Marchetti, O, Bille, J, Fluckiger, U et al. Epidemiology of candidemia in Swiss tertiary care hospitals: secular trends, 1991–2000. Clin Infect Dis. 2004; 38: 311–320 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (340) | Google Scholar See all References , 2 x 2 Poikonen, E, Lyytikainen, O, Anttila, VJ et al. Secular trend in candidemia and the use of fluconazole in Finland, 2004–2007. BMC Infect Dis. 2010; 10: 312 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (60) | Google Scholar See all References , 3 x 3 Sandven, P, Bevanger, L, Digranes, A, Haukland, HH, Mannsaker, T, and Gaustad, P. Candidemia in Norway (1991 to 2003): results from a nationwide study. J Clin Microbiol. 2006; 44: 1977–1981 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (133) | Google Scholar See all References , 4 x 4 Arendrup, MC, Bruun, B, Christensen, JJ et al. National surveillance of fungemia in Denmark (2004 to 2009). J Clin Microbiol. 2011; 49: 325–334 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (147) | Google Scholar See all References , 5 x 5 Asmundsdottir, LR, Erlendsdottir, H, and Gottfredsson, M. Nationwide study of candidemia, antifungal use, and antifungal drug resistance in Iceland, 2000 to 2011. J Clin Microbiol. 2013; 51: 841–848 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (45) | Google Scholar See all References , 6 x 6 Almirante, B, Rodriguez, D, Park, BJ et al. Epidemiology and predictors of mortality in cases of Candida bloodstream infection: results from population-based surveillance, Barcelona, Spain, from 2002 to 2003. J Clin Microbiol. 2005; 43: 1829–1835 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (437) | Google Scholar See all References ].

This intercontinental study aimed to study gram-negative rod (GNR) resistance in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). GNR bacteremias occurring during 6 months post-HSCT (February 2014–May 2015) were prospectively collected, and analyzed for rates and risk factors for resistance to fluoroquinolones, noncarbapenem anti-Pseudomonas β-lactams (noncarbapenems), carbapenems, and multidrug resistance. Sixty-five HSCT centers from 25 countries in Europe, Australia, and Asia reported data on 655 GNR episodes and 704 pathogens in 591 patients (Enterobacteriaceae, 73%; nonfermentative rods, 24%; and 3% others). Half of GNRs were fluoroquinolone and noncarbapenem resistant; 18.5% carbapenem resistant; 35.2% multidrug resistant. The total resistance rates were higher in allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) vs autologous HSCT (auto-HSCT) patients (P < .001) but similar in community-acquired infections. Noncarbapenem resistance and multidrug resistance were higher in auto-HSCT patients in centers providing vs not providing fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (P < .01). Resistance rates were higher in southeast vs northwest Europe and similar in children and adults, excluding higher fluoroquinolone- and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor resistance rates in allo-HSCT adults. Non-Klebsiella Enterobacteriaceae were rarely carbapenem resistant. Multivariable analysis revealed resistance risk factors in allo-HSCT patients: fluoroquinolone resistance: adult, prolonged neutropenia, breakthrough on fluoroquinolones; noncarbapenem resistance: hospital-acquired infection, breakthrough on noncarbapenems or other antibiotics (excluding fluoroquinolones, noncarbapenems, carbapenems), donor type; carbapenem resistance: breakthrough on carbapenem, longer hospitalization, intensive care unit, previous other antibiotic therapy; multidrug resistance: longer hospitalization, breakthrough on β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, and carbapenems. Inappropriate empiric therapy and mortality were significantly more common in infections caused by resistant bacteria. Our data question the recommendation for fluoroquinolone prophylaxis and call for reassessment of local empiric antibiotic protocols. Knowledge of pathogen-specific resistance enables early appropriate empiric therapy. Monitoring of resistance is crucial. NCT02257931

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly affected oncology practice across the globe. There is uncertainty as to the contribution of patients9 demographics and oncologic features to severity and mortality from COVID-19 and little guidance as to the role of anticancer and anti–COVID-19 therapy in this population. In a multicenter study of 890 patients with cancer with confirmed COVID-19, we demonstrated a worsening gradient of mortality from breast cancer to hematologic malignancies and showed that male gender, older age, and number of comorbidities identify a subset of patients with significantly worse mortality rates from COVID-19. Provision of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy did not worsen mortality. Exposure to antimalarials was associated with improved mortality rates independent of baseline prognostic factors. This study highlights the clinical utility of demographic factors for individualized risk stratification of patients and supports further research into emerging anti–COVID-19 therapeutics in SARS-CoV-2–infected patients with cancer. Significance: In this observational study of 890 patients with cancer diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, mortality was 33.6% and predicted by male gender, age ≥65, and comorbidity burden. Delivery of cancer therapy was not detrimental to severity or mortality from COVID-19. These patients should be the focus of shielding efforts during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1426

Background. The benefit of the combination of serum galactomannan (GM) assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based detection of serum Aspergillus DNA for the early diagnosis and therapy of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in high-risk hematological patients remains unclear. Methods. We performed an open-label, controlled, parallel-group randomized trial in 13 Spanish centers. Adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome on induction therapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients were randomized (1:1 ratio) to 1 of 2 arms: “GM-PCR group” (the results of serial serum GM and PCR assays were provided to treating physicians) and “GM group” (only the results of serum GM were informed). Positivity in either assay prompted thoracic computed tomography scan and initiation of antifungal therapy. No antimold prophylaxis was permitted. Results. Overall, 219 patients underwent randomization (105 in the GM-PCR group and 114 in the GM group). The cumulative incidence of “proven” or “probable” IA (primary study outcome) was lower in the GM-PCR group (4.2% vs 13.1%; odds ratio, 0.29 [95% confidence interval, .09–.91]). The median interval from the start of monitoring to the diagnosis of IA was lower in the GM-PCR group (13 vs 20 days; P = .022), as well as the use of empirical antifungal therapy (16.7% vs 29.0%; P = .038). Patients in the GM-PCR group had higher proven or probable IA–free survival (P = .027). Conclusions. A combined monitoring strategy based on serum GM and Aspergillus DNA was associated with an earlier diagnosis and a lower incidence of IA in high-risk hematological patients. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01742026.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and etiology of bacterial and fungal infection or contamination in lung allograft donors and to assess donor-to-host transmission of these infections. Recipients who survived more than 24 h and their respective donors were evaluated. The overall incidence of donor infection was 52% (103 out of 197 donors). Types of donor infection included isolated contamination of preservation fluids (n = 30, 29.1%), graft colonization (n = 65, 63.1%) and bacteremia (n = 8, 7.8%). Donor-to-host transmission of bacterial or fungal infection occurred in 15 lung allograft recipients, 7.6% of lung transplants performed. Among these cases, 2 were due to donor bacteremia and 13 to colonization of the graft. Twenty-five percent of donors with bacteremia and 14.1% of colonized grafts were responsible for transmitting infection. Excluding the five cases without an effective prophylactic regimen, prophylaxis failure occurred in 11 out of 197 procedures (5.58%). Donor-to-host transmission of infection is a frequent event after lung transplantation. Fatal consequences can be avoided with an appropriate prophylactic antibiotic regimen that must be modified according to the microorganisms isolated from cultures of samples obtained from donors, grafts, preservation fluids and recipients.