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BackgroundGastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19, but prevalence of co-infection with enteric pathogens is unknown.AimsThis study assessed the prevalence of enteric infections among hospitalized patients with COVID-19.MethodsWe evaluated 4973 hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years of age tested for COVID-19 from March 11 through April 28, 2020, at two academic hospitals. The primary exposure was a positive COVID-19 test. The primary outcome was detection of a gastrointestinal pathogen by PCR stool testing.ResultsAmong 4973 hospitalized individuals, 311 were tested for gastrointestinal infections (204 COVID-19 positive, 107 COVID-19 negative). Patients with COVID-19 were less likely to test positive compared to patients without COVID-19 (10% vs 22%, p < 0.01). This trend was driven by lower rates of non-C.difficile infections (11% vs 22% in COVID-19 positive vs. negative, respectively, p = 0.04), but not C. difficile infection (5.1% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.33). On multivariable analysis, infection with COVID-19 remained significantly associated with lower odds of concurrent GI infection (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24–0.97), again driven by reduced non-C.difficile infection. Testing for both C.difficile and non-C.difficile enteric infection decreased dramatically during the pandemic.ConclusionsPathogens aside from C.difficile do not appear to be a significant contributor to diarrhea in COVID-19 positive patients.

Background: The prevalence of depression in celiac disease (CD) is high, and patients are often burdened socially and financially by a gluten-free diet. However, the relationship between depression, somatic symptoms and dietary adherence in CD is complex and poorly understood. We used a patient powered research network (iCureCeliac®) to explore the effect that depression has on patients’ symptomatic response to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Methods: We identified patients with biopsy-diagnosed celiac disease who answered questions pertaining to symptoms (Celiac Symptom Index (CSI)), GFD adherence (Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT)), and a 5-point, scaled question regarding depressive symptoms relating to patients’ celiac disease. We then measured the correlation between symptoms and adherence (CSI vs. CDAT) in patients with depression versus those without depression. We also tested for interaction of depression with regard to the association with symptoms using a multiple linear regression model. Results: Among 519 patients, 86% were female and the mean age was 40.9 years. 46% of patients indicated that they felt “somewhat,” “quite a bit,” or “very much” depressed because of their disorder. There was a moderate correlation between worsened celiac symptoms and poorer GFD adherence (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001). In those with a positive depression screen, there was a moderate correlation between worsening symptoms and worsening dietary adherence (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001) whereas in those without depression, the correlation was stronger (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001). We performed a linear regression analysis, which suggests that the relationship between CSI and CDAT is modified by depression. Conclusions: In patients with depressive symptoms related to their disorder, correlation between adherence and symptoms was weaker than those without depressive symptoms. This finding was confirmed with a linear regression analysis, showing that depressive symptoms may modify the effect of a GFD on celiac symptoms. Depressive symptoms may therefore mask the relationship between inadvertent gluten exposure and symptoms. Additional longitudinal and prospective studies are needed to further explore this potentially important finding.

INTRODUCTION:Diarrhea is a common sequela of solid organ transplantation. Post-transplant diarrhea may be attributed to non-infectious causes including medications, however the contribution of infectious etiology is unclear. The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between post-transplant immunosuppression and enteric infection as detected by multiplex gastrointestinal PCR stool testing in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.METHODS:We performed a multicenter cross-sectional analysis of inpatient and outpatient SOT recipients who underwent stool testing with a FilmArray multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen PCR panel (GI PCR panel) during an acute episode of diarrhea from April 2016 to May 2019. The primary endpoint was the detection of any enteric pathogen. Patients were stratified by the number of major classes of immunosuppressive agents, including calcineurin inhibitors, anti-proliferative agents, and corticosteroids, at time of stool testing.RESULTS:We identified 232 SOT patients who underwent a GI PCR panel comprising 52 (23%) lung, 84 (36%) kidney, 41 (18%) heart, and 55 (24%) liver transplants. 92 (40%) tested positive for an enteric pathogen. Patients whose immunosuppressive regimen included 3 medications (n = 139) were more likely to have a gastrointestinal pathogen detected (63, 45%) compared to patients on 2 immunosuppressive medications (P = 0.02; Figure 1) Renal transplant patients were more likely to have an enteric pathogen detected (60%; P < 0.0001) compared to other organ types, and more likely to be on 3 immunosuppressive medications (P < 0.01). Viruses, specifically norovirus and sapovirus, and bacteria, including C. difficile and E. coli subtypes, were common in transplant recipients on 2 immunosuppressive agents (Table 1). Of 139 patients on 3 immunosuppressive agents, 89 (59%) were more likely to be on opportunistic infection prophylaxis for CMV and P. jiroveciipneumonia compared to those patients on 2 drugs (P < 0.001). In the 30 days following stool testing, all SOT recipients, regardless of the number of immunosuppressive drugs, were as likely to visit an emergency room (P = 0.57), require hospitalization (P = 0.66), or undergo endoscopic procedures for persistent GI symptoms (P = 0.78).CONCLUSION:Gastrointestinal infections, particularly enteric viruses, were common in SOT recipients who underwent a GI PCR panel for an episode of post-transplant diarrhea, with the highest proportion of positive results in patients maintained on 3 or more immunosuppressive agents.

Introduction: Diarrhea is common in persons living with HIV (PLWH)/AIDS. With the increasing utilization of multiplex gastrointestinal PCR panel (GI panel) testing, we aimed to characterize the roles of CD4 count and hospitalization in GI panel assessments of PLWH with acute diarrhea. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of adult PLWH with acute diarrhea who underwent GI panel testing at two urban academic centers. Demographic, HIV disease, GI panel result, and hospitalization data were collected, and patients were cohorted by CD4 count (CD4 < 200, CD4 200–499, CD4 > = 500). The primary outcome was enteric infection as detected by GI panel, and hospitalization. Results: Of 298 PLWH, 119 (39.9%) had a CD4 count below 200, 195 (65.4%) were hospitalized, and 137 (46.0%) had enteric infection. Bacterial infection correlated with higher CD4 count (41.9% (CD4 > = 500) vs 31.2% (CD4 200–499) vs 25.2% (CD4 < 200), p = 0.041). Hospitalization correlated with poorly controlled HIV and fewer enteric infections (34.4% vs 68.0%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for HIV disease severity, a negative GI panel remained independently associated with hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.72–10.9), even in patients tested within 72 hours of hospitalization. Despite better HIV control, men who have sex with men (MSM) had more frequent infectious diarrhea, including from E. coli, giardiasis, and multiple pathogens. MSM status independently predicted enteric infection (aOR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.02–3.67). Conclusions: GI panel results vary by HIV disease severity and hospitalization in PLWH. Clinicians – especially in the inpatient setting – should carefully consider these factors when interpreting GI panel results. Further characterization of diarrheal etiology in PLWH with a negative GI panel is needed. Plain Language Summary PCR stool test results are affected by certain factors in HIV-related diarrhea Diarrhea is common in people living with HIV (PLWH) and has a variety of causes, including infections, medications, and HIV itself. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) stool testing simultaneously evaluates for a variety of common viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, and is increasingly being used in patients with diarrhea. However, patients with HIV and diarrheal illness may have uncommon infections not typically present in those with normal immune function – and thus not routinely evaluated for in stool testing. It is not known what factors, if any, might affect the results of PCR testing in HIV-related diarrhea. In this study, we examined all PLWH who underwent stool PCR testing for diarrhea over a 4-year period. We separated the patients into groups based on HIV disease severity as measured by CD4 T-cell count, or the count of the immune cells affected by HIV. We examined whether there were differences among groups in infection rates as detected by PCR stool testing. Separately, we studied the role of hospitalization in stool PCR test results. Of 298 PLWH who underwent stool PCR testing for diarrhea, 119 had a CD4 count less than 200 (low CD4 count), 195 were hospitalized at time of testing, and 137 had a positive stool PCR test. Compared to those with a low CD4 count, subjects with less severe HIV disease were more likely to have a bacterial infection on stool PCR testing and less likely to be hospitalized. Hospitalized patients were more likely to have a negative PCR stool test, regardless of CD4 count. Many patients with a low CD4 count had diarrheal etiologies not evaluated by multiplex stool PCR. In PLWH who experience diarrhea, stool PCR testing results vary by CD4 count and hospitalization. Providers should be mindful of these factors when interpreting stool PCR test results.