Key Points Question In first-episode infective endocarditis in persons who inject drugs, what are the clinical differences between patients who receive surgery vs those who are medically treated, and which factors are associated with mortality? Findings In this case series of 370 first-episode cases of infective endocarditis, the main significant differences between persons who inject drugs who received surgery and those who did not were the site of infection and cardiac complications. Decreased mortality was associated with surgery and referral to addiction treatment services, while higher mortality was associated with left-sided and bilateral infections. Meaning In selected persons who inject drugs with first-episode endocarditis, surgical management and referral to addiction treatment were associated with reduced mortality.

No abstract

IMPORTANCE People who inject drugs (PWID) who are being treated for infective endocarditis remain at risk of new bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to ongoing intravenous drug use (IVDU). OBJECTIVES To characterize new BSIs in PWID receiving treatment for infective endocarditis, to determine the clinical factors associated with their development, and to determine whether new BSIs and treatment setting are associated with mortality.

to address the emerging public health emergency in persons who inject drugs in Middlesex-London, with further details on strategy and resources to come to the Board of Health in September. Key Points  Rates of HIV, Hepatitis C, Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease, and infective endocarditis have all been increasing in persons who inject drugs in Middlesex-London.  Rates are being driven by several intersecting factors, including underlying mental health and addictions issues, and changes in prescription opioid drug practices.  Stakeholders will continue to be engaged at the local and provincial levels to ensure an integrated and coordinated response to this emerging public health issue.

Background Injection drug use-associated endocarditis (IDUaIE) incidence in Ontario has recently been associated with hydromorphone prescribing rates. Staphylococcus aureus causes the majority of cases of IDUaIE in Ontario and across North America. Hydromorphone controlled-release (Hydromorphone-CR) requires a complex technique for injection and therefore provides multiple opportunities for contamination. Hydromorphone-CR contains several excipients, which could enhance staphylococcal survival and increase risk of contaminating the injectate. Methods Used injection drug preparation equipment (cookers/filters) was collected from persons who inject drugs (PWID), rinsed with water, and plated on Mannitol salt agar. Bacterial isolates from bacteremic PWID were used to assess the survival of S . aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes on cookers/filters with Hydromorphone-CR, hydromorphone immediate-release (Hydromorphone-IR) or oxycodone controlled-release (Oxycodone-CR). The solutions spiked with S . aureus were heated and the remaining viable bacteria enumerated. Results S . aureus was detected in 12/87 (14%, 95%CI 8–23%) cookers/filters samples used for injection of Hydromorphone-CR. Hydromorphone-CR was the only opioid associated with greater survival of methicillin-sensitive S . aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S . aureus (MRSA) on cookers/filters when compared to sterile water vehicle control. There was a ~2 log reduction in the number of S . aureus that survived when cookers/filters were heated. Conclusion 14% of all cookers/filters used in the preparation of Hydromorphone-CR were contaminated with S . aureus . Hydromorphone-CR prolongs the survival of MRSA and MSSA in cookers/filters. Heating cookers/filters may be a harm-reduction strategy.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is increasing among persons who inject drugs (PWID) and has high morbidity and mortality. Recurrent IE in PWID is not well described. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted between February 2007 and March 2016. It included adult inpatients (≥18) at any of 3 tertiary care centers in London, Ontario, with definite IE based on the Modified Duke's Criteria. The objectives were to characterize recurrent IE in PWID, identify risk factors for recurrent IE, identify the frequency of fungal endocarditis, and establish whether fungal infection was associated with higher mortality. Results Three hundred ninety patients had endocarditis, with 212/390 in PWID. Sixty-eight of 212 (32%) PWID had a second episode, with 28/212 (12%) having additional recurrences. Second-episode IE was more common in PWID (11/178 [6.2%] vs 68/212 [32.1%]; P < .001). Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line abuse was associated with increased risk of recurrent endocarditis (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–3.87; P = .04). In PWID, fungal IE was more common in second episodes than first episodes (1/212 [0.5%] vs 5/68 [7.4%]; P = .004). Additionally, fungal infections were associated with mortality in second-episode IE in PWID with an adjusted OR of 16.49 (95% CI, 1.12–243.17; P = .041). Despite recurrent infection, likely due to continued drug use, there was a low rate of referral to addiction treatment (14/68 [20.6%]). Conclusions PWID have a high risk of recurrent endocarditis, particularly in patients who abuse PICC lines. Fungal endocarditis is more common in second-episode endocarditis and is associated with increased mortality. Consideration of empiric antifungal therapy in PWID with IE history and suspected IE should be considered.

This algorithm will enable researchers to examine epidemiological trends in PWID-associated infective endocarditis.

No abstract