Today in JAMA Network Open, researchers provide new evidence that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis among hospitalized adults is higher than previously thought, but deaths from the condition became less frequent as the pandemic progressed.

The study is based on records of adults admitted to one of five Massachusetts hospitals from March 2020 to November 2022. A total of 431,017 hospital encounters from 261,595 individuals were included in the study.

A total of 23,276 patients (5.4%) were hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2, 6,558 (1.5%) had SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis, and 30,604 patients (7.1%) had presumed bacterial sepsis without SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis was defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and concurrent organ dysfunction. The most common organ dysfunctions for SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis were respiratory distress and failure requiring more than a nasal cannula, seen in 82.2% of patients.

Mortality for COVID-related sepsis dropped

Crude in-hospital mortality for SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis was 1,460 of 558 patients (22.3%) overall, and crude mortality for presumed bacterial sepsis was 4,451 of 30,604 (14.5%), the authors said.

The incidence of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis fluctuated in tandem with changes in local community incidence.

The 14.5% remained consistent across the study period, but the crude mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis dropped from 490 of 1,469 (33.4%) in the first quarter of the study to 67 of 450 (14.9%) in the last (adjusted odds ratio, 0.88 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 0.90] per quarter).

Overall, SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis was present in 28.2% of patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2.

"The incidence of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis fluctuated in tandem with changes in local community incidence but trended toward fewer cases between the pandemic onset and November 2022," the authors said. "In-hospital mortality rates were initially high for SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis (33.4%) but decreased to 14.9% by November 2022."

A study conducted in Europe found that Salmonella has become the leading cause of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), researchers reported yesterday in Pediatrics.

For the study, a team of European researchers analyzed data from 28 pediatric hospitals in five European countries on children with SCD who had IBI episodes from 2014 through 2019. Children with SCD have a higher risk of IBI, and prior to the widespread use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13), Streptococcus pneumoniae had been the leading cause of IBI in children with the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the causes of IBI post-PCV13 implementation.

The researchers analyzed data on 169 IBI episodes in 156 children (51% girls, median age 7.8 years); 85 of 138 children (62%) had completed PCV13 vaccination. Among the 169 episodes, Salmonella spp. was the main isolated bacteria (44 cases, 26%), followed by S pneumonia (31, 18%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20, 12%). Salmonella was mainly found in osteoarticular infections and in primary bacteremia (45% and 23% of episodes, respectively) and S pneumoniae in meningitis and acute chest syndrome (88% and 50%, respectively).

All S pneumoniae IBI occurred in children under 10 years, including 35% in children 5 to 10 years old. The outcomes were favorable in 129 cases (81%), but 27 (17%) children had complications of infection and three died: two because of S pneumoniae, and one because of Salmonella. The main risk factors for a severe infection were a previous IBI and pneumococcal infection.

A shift in the epidemiology

The authors say this is the first time in a study in high-income countries that S pneumoniae was not the most common cause of IBI in children with SCD, a finding they say suggests a shift in the epidemiology in the post-PCV13 era.

"Although a major goal in children with SCD should be the prevention of Sp [S pneumoniae] infection, IBI due to Salmonella is an emerging problem," they wrote. "Effective preventive and treatment strategies should be developed, including broader valent pneumococcal vaccines."

• In a technical report today, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) proposed a plan for increasing testing for human avian influenza infections in areas experiencing outbreaks in animals in a way that doesn't overburden the health system. Steps include asking people admitted to the hospital for respiratory diseases about recent exposure to sick or dead birds or animals and testing hospitalized people who have unexplained viral illnesses, especially those who have neurologic symptoms. The ECDC also proposed testing for seasonal and avian flu when clusters of patients are hospitalized if routine testing is inconclusive and noted that wastewater surveillance is another option for affected areas.
• Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Gedaref state that has sickened 264 people and led to 14 deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today. Investigations are under way into spread of the disease to Khartoum and South Kordofan states. The group said it is scaling up its response and had already sent cholera supplies to six Sudan states, and plans are under way to obtain oral cholera vaccine. Sudan is experiencing war between rival factions of the military government and is grappling with population displacement, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition, all made worse by heavy rains and flooding. Last week, the WHO said cholera cases more than doubled in 2022 and continue to climb in 2023, with at least 24 countries currently reporting active outbreaks.
• Four countries reported more polio cases this week, all involving vaccine-derived types, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) said in its latest update. Ivory Coast reported one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case, bringing its total for the year to three. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported eight cVDPV2 cases, along with two cases involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1), lifting its annual totals to 89 and 61, respectively. Elsewhere, Madagascar reported four cVDPV1 cases, putting its total at 17 for the year, and Mali reported two cVDPV2 cases, making eight for 2023.