A Contemporary Population-Based Profile of Infective Endocarditis Using the Expanded Rochester Epidemiology Project

ObjectiveTo develop a contemporary profile of infective endocarditis (IE) among a population in 6 counties of Olmsted, Dodge, Mower, Steele, Waseca, and Freeborn in southern Minnesota between 2014 and 2018.Patients and MethodsAll possible and definite cases of IE (≥18 years) among residents of 6 counties in southern Minnesota, including Olmsted County, diagnosed between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, were included in this retrospective, population-based investigation, using the Expanded Rochester Epidemiology Project (E-REP).ResultsOverall, 137 patients with IE developed incident IE in the 6-county region, corresponding to an age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate of 11.9 per 100,000 person-years. Men had a significantly higher incidence of IE (17.9 vs 6.8 per 100,000 person-years), and rates increased exponentially with age in both sexes. The median age of incident cases was 68.2 years, and 67.9% were male patients. The percentage of patients with histories of injection-drug use was low, at 6.7%. Bicuspid aortic valve was the most common (9.6%) native valve predisposing condition. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the predominant pathogen in the overall group (34.8%), with viridans-group streptococci accounting for only 19.3% cases. Central nervous system and musculoskeletal complications were common. The 30-day readmission rate was 27.9%, and the 6-month mortality rate was 31.8%.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first time that the population-based E-REP has been used to determine an age- and sex-adjusted IE incidence. Older male patients predominated, and S aureus was the most common pathogen. Based on these findings, it is not surprising that IE complications were frequently seen.     

山莨菪碱注射液穴位注射治疗急性肾绞痛的疗效观察

目的观察山莨菪碱注射液双侧足三里穴位注射治疗急性肾绞痛患者的疗效和安全性。方法将60例急性肾绞痛患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组各30例,治疗组给予山莨菪碱注射液10mg双侧足三里穴位注射,对照组予以山莨菪碱注射液10mg一侧臀部肌肉注射。结果治疗组和对照组的有效率分别为70.0%、43.3%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组和对照组的不良反应发生率分别为33.3%,30.0%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论山莨菪碱注射液双侧足三里穴位注射治疗急性肾绞痛疗效确切,但不能减少不良反应的发生率。     

鞘内注射咪唑安定对福尔马林致痛大鼠镇痛作用ED50的测定

目的：研究在福尔马林致痛大鼠模型鞘内注射咪唑安定镇痛作用的半数有效剂量（ED50）及其对痛行为的影响。方法：选择鞘内成功置管的雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分为4组（n=8）：对照组（C组）、生理盐水组（NS组）、致痛前给药组（M1组）及致病后给药组（M2组）。鞘内置管后5d,NS组、M1组及M2组大鼠于左后足掌部皮下注射5％福尔马林100μL致痛,致痛前10min,NS组鞘内注射20μL生理盐水,MI组鞘内注射咪唑安定22μg,C组鞘内注射20μL生理盐水,足底注射100μL生理盐水作为对照。采用大鼠缩腿、舔爪时间之和作为行为学观察指标。结果：NS组、M1组与M2组第二相缩腿、舔瓜累计时间显著长于C组（P〈0．01）;M1组与M2组的缩腿、舔爪累计时间短于NS组（P〈0．01）;且M1组短于M2组（P〈0．01）。结论：在福尔马林致病大鼠模型中鞘内注射咪唑安定镇痛作用的ED50为21．8μg,咪唑安定具有超前镇痛效应。     

Geographic variation in HCV treatment penetration among people who inject drugs in Baltimore,MD

We evaluated geographic heterogeneity in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment penetration among people who inject drug (PWID) across Baltimore, MD since the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) using space–time clusters of HCV viraemia. Using data from a community-based cohort of PWID, the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study, we identified space–time clusters with higher-than-expected rates of HCV viraemia between 2015 and 2019 using scan statistics. We used Poisson regression to identify covariates associated with HCV viraemia and used the regression-fitted values to detect adjusted space–time clusters of HCV viraemia in Baltimore city. Overall, in the cohort, HCV viraemia fell from 77% in 2015 to 64%, 49%, 39% and 36% from 2016 to 2019. In Baltimore city, the percentage of census tracts where prevalence of HCV viraemia was ≥85% dropped from 57% to 34%, 25%, 22% and 10% from 2015 to 2019. We identified two clusters of higher-than-expected HCV viraemia in the unadjusted analysis that lasted from 2015 to 2017 in East and West Baltimore and one adjusted cluster of HCV viraemia in West Baltimore from 2015 to 2016. Neither differences in age, sex, race, HIV status, nor neighbourhood deprivation were able to explain the significant space–time clusters. However, residing in a cluster with higher-than-expected viraemia was associated with age, sex, educational attainment and higher levels of neighbourhood deprivation. Nearly 4 years after DAAs became available, HCV treatment has penetrated all PWID communities across Baltimore city. While nearly all census tracts experienced improvements, change was more gradual in areas with higher levels of poverty.     

Injection into the jugular vein among people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: Prevalence,associated factors and harms

BackgroundWhile people who inject drugs (PWID) typically use peripheral veins, some inject into their central veins, including the femoral and jugular veins. Injection into the jugular vein can have serious adverse health consequences, including jugular vein thrombosis, deep neck infections, pneumothorax, endocarditis and sepsis. This study examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, jugular vein injection among a large sample of PWID in the United Kingdom.MethodUnlinked anonymous surveys (2011–14) recruited PWID from agencies providing services to this population. Self-reported demographic and injection-related data were collected from consenting respondents using a brief questionnaire and dried blood spot samples were tested for exposure to HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with jugular vein injection.ResultsAmong 5261 PWID, one third had injected into a central vein in the previous 28 days, including 6% (n = 339) who had injected into their jugular vein and 1% (n = 52) who had used this site exclusively for recent injections. Factors independently associated with recent jugular vein injection in multivariable analysis included female gender, a lifetime history of imprisonment, sharing needles and syringes, poly-drug injection and injection into multiple body sites. Jugular vein injection was also associated with experiencing injection-related injuries, although no associations were identified with respect to exposure to blood borne viral infections.ConclusionA significant minority of PWID inject into the jugular vein in the United Kingdom. Public health responses should investigate ways to support and promote good injection site management in order to minimise vascular damage and reduce problems with peripheral venous access. Women who inject drugs, PWID with a history of imprisonment and those people who are experiencing early signs of injection-related skin and soft tissue injuries are priority sub-populations for interventions.     

Influencia de los trastornos psiquiátricos y la terapia de sustitución con opiáceos en el tratamiento del virus de la hepatitis c con antivirales de acción directa en usuarios de drogas por vía parenteral

IntroductionThe effectiveness of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment seems to be lower in people who inject drugs (PWID). We analyze the influence of various factors as psychiatric disorders and opioid substitution therapy (OST) on the treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in this collective.Patients and methodsThree hundred thirty-two PWID patients were treated with DAA in 12 Spanish hospitals between 2004 and 2020. They were catalogued in recent and former consumers (if the last consumption was in the last 3 years) and several variables were included, evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment according to the viral load 12 weeks after the end of the treatment with the parameter «sustained viral response» (SVR12).Results23.4% were recent consumers and 27.7% were on OST. The 41.5% had any diagnosis of psychiatric disorder. SVR12 was 84.04%, ascending to 96.21% when excluded from the analyses the patients lost to follow-up (12.7%). SVR12 was lower due to an increase in the loss to follow-up in recent consumers and other factors like OST, being in prison the last 5 years, naïve patients, generalized anxiety disorder and benzodiazepine consumption.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of the HCV treatment with DAA in PWID is similar than in general population in patients whit an appropriate follow-up. It is important to maintain a closer follow-up in patients on OST, recent consumers and those with psychiatric disorders.