Altered immune responses to mRNA vaccination against SARS-COV-2 are characterized by an impaired cross-talk between humoral and T-cellular immune compartments in patients with hematologic diseases.

Background: Patients with hematologic diseases frequently develop insufficient humoral immunity following mRNA vaccination against SARS-COV-2. Data on the T-cellular immune response to SARS-COV-2 mRNA vaccination and its impact on the humoral compartment in this patient population is limited.

Methods: Here, we performed a detailed analysis of T-cellular immune responses 21-28 days after the second dose of mRNA vaccination in hematologic patients suffering from different disease entities using ELISpot assay and flow cytometry.

Lateral Flow Device Routine Testing for Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients Who Are Critically Ill: A Multicenter Intensive Care Unit Cohort Study.

Background: The incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is rising among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, with early diagnosis and treatment being critical for survival. Lateral flow assays for antigen detection have recently been introduced, enabling rapid results within an hour and potentially supporting earlier clinical decision making and timely antifungal therapy.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 180 ICU patients, 48 with IPA and 132 controls, across 9 treatment centers.

Anticoagulation Monitoring Strategies During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Therapy - Differences Between Simultaneously Obtained Coagulation Tests: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study.

IntroductionDuring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) is standard-of-care. However, there is uncertainty regarding optimal anticoagulation monitoring strategies.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated venovenous and venoarterial ECMO patients at the medical ICUs at the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Pulmonary Coinfection of and Species.

In this multicenter study of 387 patients who were immunocompromised, 4.5% with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis also had pneumonia. Predictors of coinfection included elevated β-D-glucan and prolonged corticosteroid use.

Posaconazole for Prevention of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A European Multicentre Case-Control Study (POSACOVID).

Background: This study investigated the impact of posaconazole (POSA) prophylaxis in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure receiving systemic corticosteroids on the risk for the development of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA).

Methods: The primary aim of this prospective, multicentre, case-control study was to assess whether application of POSA prophylaxis in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients reduces the risk for CAPA development. All consecutive patients from centre 1 (cases) who received POSA prophylaxis as standard-of-care were matched to one subject from centre 2 and centre 3 who did not receive any antifungal prophylaxis, using propensity score matching for the following variables: (i) age, (ii) sex, (iii) treatment with tocilizumab and (iv) time at risk.

Comparative efficacy and safety of treatment regimens for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in people living with HIV: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a serious opportunistic infection in people living with HIV (PWH) who have low CD4 counts. Despite its side effects, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is currently considered the primary treatment for PCP.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to compare the efficacy (treatment failure and mortality) and tolerability (treatment change) of PCP treatment regimens with a frequentist network meta-analysis.

Sex specific differences in short-term mortality after ICU-delirium.

Introduction: Delirium is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with adverse outcomes such as long-term cognitive impairment and increased mortality. It is unknown whether there are sex-related differences in intensive care unit (ICU) delirium and associated outcomes. We aimed to assess sex-specific differences in short-term mortality following ICU-delirium.

Ruxolitinib, IV Immunoglobulin, and High-Dose Glucocorticoids for Critically Ill Adults With Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Single-Center Observational Pilot Study.

Objectives: Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a cytokine-driven inflammatory syndrome that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and frequently leads to ICU admission. Overall survival in adults with sHLH remains poor, especially in those requiring intensive care. Classical chemotherapeutic treatment exhibits myelosuppression and toxicity.

COVID-19 associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: Impact of Antifungal Prophylaxis.

Early after the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-pandemic, it was observed that critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) were susceptible to developing secondary fungal infections, particularly COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Here we report our local experience on the impact of mold active antifungal prophylaxis on CAPA occurrence in critically ill COVID-19 patients. This is a monocentric, prospective cohort study including all consecutive patients with COVID-19 associated acute respiratory failure who were admitted to our local medical ICU.

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in bronchoalveolar fluid and blood in critically ill patients-a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a biologically active protein and increased levels are associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients. suPAR in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) may be helpful to differentiate between types of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and may have potential for early detection of fungal infection.

Methods: We prospectively investigated levels of suPAR in BALF and serum in critically ill patients who underwent bronchoscopy for any reason at the ICU of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Alterations in the Kynurenine-Tryptophan Pathway and Lipid Dysregulation Are Preserved Features of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced metabolic alterations have been proposed as a source for prognostic biomarkers and may harbor potential for therapeutic exploitation. However, the metabolic impact of COVID-19 in hemodialysis (HD), a setting of profound a priori alterations, remains unstudied. To evaluate potential COVID-19 biomarkers in end-stage kidney disease (CKD G5), we analyzed the plasma metabolites in different COVID-19 stages in patients with or without HD.

Low-Dose rIL-15 Protects from Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis via CD8 T Cells.

Rapid progressive glomerulonephritis (GN) often leads to end-stage kidney disease, driving the need for renal replacement therapy and posing a global health burden. Low-dose cytokine-based immunotherapies provide a new strategy to treat GN. IL-15 is a strong candidate for the therapy of immune-mediated kidney disease since it has proven to be tubular-protective before.