The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 1,392 people living with HIV (PLWH) diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) at two provincial central hospitals from 2011 to 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in 152 patients (10.9%) patients aged ≥18 years. Among the 113 patients who initiated treatment, 96 (85.0%) completed isoniazid therapy, while 17 (15.0%) discontinued due to patient refusal, liver function test abnormalities, and other reasons.During a mean follow-up period of 55.0±31.0 months, two cases of active tuberculosis were reported in both thetreatment non-completion group (3.6%) and the completion group (2.1%). This study provides recent real-world insights into LTBI treatment among PLWH in Korea.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 1,392 people living with HIV (PLWH) diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) at two provincial central hospitals from 2011 to 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in 152 patients (10.9%) patients aged ≥18 years. Among the 113 patients who initiated treatment, 96 (85.0%) completed isoniazid therapy, while 17 (15.0%) discontinued due to patient refusal, liver function test abnormalities, and other reasons.During a mean follow-up period of 55.0±31.0 months, two cases of active tuberculosis were reported in both thetreatment non-completion group (3.6%) and the completion group (2.1%). This study provides recent real-world insights into LTBI treatment among PLWH in Korea.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 1,392 people living with HIV (PLWH) diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) at two provincial central hospitals from 2011 to 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in 152 patients (10.9%) patients aged ≥18 years. Among the 113 patients who initiated treatment, 96 (85.0%) completed isoniazid therapy, while 17 (15.0%) discontinued due to patient refusal, liver function test abnormalities, and other reasons.During a mean follow-up period of 55.0±31.0 months, two cases of active tuberculosis were reported in both thetreatment non-completion group (3.6%) and the completion group (2.1%). This study provides recent real-world insights into LTBI treatment among PLWH in Korea.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

Purpose: GC1118 is a novel antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with enhanced blocking activity against both low- and high-affinity EGFR ligands. A phase 1b/2a study was conducted to determine a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of GC1118 in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) (phase 1b) and to assess the safety and efficacy of GC1118 plus FOLFIRI as a second-line therapy for recurrent/metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) (phase 2a). Materials and Methods: Phase 1b was designed as a standard 3+3 dose-escalation study with a starting dose of GC1118 (3 mg/kg/week) in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m2; leucovorin 400 mg/m2; 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 bolus and 2,400 mg/m2 infusion over 46 hours) in patients with solid tumors refractory to standard treatments. The subsequent phase 2a part was conducted with objective response rate (ORR) as a primary endpoint. Patients with KRAS/NRAS/BRAF wild-type, EGFR-positive, recurrent/metastatic CRC resistant to the first-line treatment were enrolled in the phase 2a study. Results: RP2D of GC1118 was determined to be 3 mg/kg/wk in the phase 1b study (n=7). Common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) observed in the phase 2a study (n=24) were acneiform rash (95.8%), dry skin (66.7%), paronychia (58.3%), and stomatitis (50.0%). The most common ADR of ≥ grade 3 was neutropenia (33.3%). ORR was 42.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.5 to 62.0), and median progression-free survival was 6.7 months (95% CI, 4.0-8.0). Conclusion GC1118 administered weekly at 3 mg/kg in combination with FOLFIRI appears as an effective and safe treatment option in recurrent/metastatic CRC.