706. Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Rates of Recurrent Clostridiodes difficile Infection in the Veterans Affairs System

Abstract Background Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is common and classified as an urgent threat by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recurrence (rCDI) occurs in 30% of cases and increases with subsequent episodes. As part of a trial of fecal microbiota transplantation vs. placebo for the prevention of rCDI, rCDI is identified using a case-finding algorithm that screens for potential cases across all Veterans Affairs facilities, a key component of which is a stool test confirming the presence of C. difficile. With the emergence of Covid-19 in the Unites States in early 2020, study personnel observed a decreasing number of rCDI cases. We hypothesized that Covid restrictions and fear of transmission prevented patients from coming to a VA facility to submit a confirmatory stool sample, the standard method of diagnosing rCDI. Accordingly, the algorithm was modified to also identify cases where rCDI was empirically treated, without confirmatory testing. Here we report on the prevalence of empiric treatment of rCDI during the Covid pandemic and changes in lab-conformed cases over time. Methods Cases of potentially rCDI are identified by a weekly query of VA data, using an algorithm that includes laboratory testing results, diagnostic codes, and prescriptions. The ource database is updated daily from every VA facility, encompassing over 8 million Veterans. Potential cases are reviewed by research coordinators using the medical record to determine study eligibility. Beginning June 2020, the algorithm was adjusted to also identify patients with lab confirmation of their first CDI episode but none for their recurrence and identified those who were prescribed treatment for rCDI. Results We observed a reduction in both the number of weekly cases (22.2 vs. 17.4; P < 0.001) which is a 22% decrease after the Covid-19 emergency declaration (figure). Post-declaration, empiric treatment was prescribed to 159 Veterans (mean, 3.3/week). Potential cases of rCDI/week pre- and post Covid-19 pandemic declaration Conclusion There was a significant drop in laboratory-confirmed rCDI associated with Covid-19. Recurrent CDI was frequently empirically treated during the Covid-19 pandemic, potentially exposing many patients with non-CDI diarrhea to unnecessary antimicrobial use and its attendant risks. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Session: P-33. Enteric Infection
Background. Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is common and classified as an urgent threat by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recurrence (rCDI) occurs in 30% of cases and increases with subsequent episodes. As part of a trial of fecal microbiota transplantation vs. placebo for the prevention of rCDI, rCDI is identified using a case-finding algorithm that screens for potential cases across all Veterans Affairs facilities, a key component of which is a stool test confirming the presence of C. difficile. With the emergence of Covid-19 in the Unites States in early 2020, study personnel observed a decreasing number of rCDI cases. We hypothesized that Covid restrictions and fear of transmission prevented patients from coming to a VA facility to submit a confirmatory stool sample, the standard method of diagnosing rCDI. Accordingly, the algorithm was modified to also identify cases where rCDI was empirically treated, without confirmatory testing. Here we report on the prevalence of empiric treatment of rCDI during the Covid pandemic and changes in lab-conformed cases over time.
Methods. Cases of potentially rCDI are identified by a weekly query of VA data, using an algorithm that includes laboratory testing results, diagnostic codes, and prescriptions. The ource database is updated daily from every VA facility, encompassing over 8 million Veterans. Potential cases are reviewed by research coordinators using the medical record to determine study eligibility. Beginning June 2020, the algorithm was adjusted to also identify patients with lab confirmation of their first CDI episode but none for their recurrence and identified those who were prescribed treatment for rCDI.
Results. We observed a reduction in both the number of weekly cases (22.2 vs. 17.4; P < 0.001) which is a 22% decrease after the Covid-19 emergency declaration (figure). Post-declaration, empiric treatment was prescribed to 159 Veterans (mean, 3.3/week).
Potential cases of rCDI/week pre-and post Covid-19 pandemic declaration Conclusion. There was a significant drop in laboratory-confirmed rCDI associated with Covid-19. Recurrent CDI was frequently empirically treated during the Covid-19 pandemic, potentially exposing many patients with non-CDI diarrhea to unnecessary antimicrobial use and its attendant risks.
Disclosures.   Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on PCR Covid-19 positive patients admitted in the ICU from September,2020 to 30 th April 2021. All patients in the cohort study were on mechanical ventilation, or at some point during their ICU admission required mechanical ventilation. Hospital-onset (HO-CDI), defined as a positive C. difficile test over 3 days after admission.
Results. Overall, during the study period, a total of 240 PCR Covid-19 patients were admitted to the ICU; of these, 11 (4.5%) were COVID-19 CDI positive. Nine were males (81%). The mean hospital stay for these COVID-19 patients was 12 days (range 1-59 days). HO-CDI median day of identification was 12 days. All patients received ≥2 antibiotics and dexamethasone at admission. Compared to historical controls, COVID-19 patients did not have a higher overall CDI positive rate. However, mortality among COVID-19 HO-CDI patients was increased 7/11 (63%).
Conclusion. Whether COVID-19 itself increases an individual's risk for CDI remains unclear. Multiple contributing factors drive CDI incidence, severity, and recurrence. Although protective measures such as gowns and gloves during COVID-19 increased, CDI cases in the hospital setting should continue to emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.

Evaluation of Fungal Culture versus Bacterial Culture for the Identification of Various Mold Species
Erin Su, BA in Molecular Biology 1 ; Rosemary She, MD 2 ; 1 Keck School of Medicine, chino hills, California; 2 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Session: P-34. Eukaryotic Diagnostics
Background. Invasive mold infections are challenging to diagnose and in part relies on fungal cultures. A large proportion of mold isolates are recovered on routine bacterial cultures in our medical center, thus we sought to define the utility of bacterial versus fungal cultures for isolation of mold from clinical specimens.
Methods. Routine bacterial and fungal culture results from wound, tissue, body fluid, and respiratory specimens from Jan 2019-Dec 2020 from Keck Medical Center of USC (Los Angeles, CA) were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were excluded if specimens were collected specifically for dermatophyte recovery or for blood culture. Cultures in which mold, including dimorphic fungi, were isolated were included in the evaluation.
Results. Mold was isolated from 612 specimens from 408 patients, with recovery from 329 bacterial and 450 fungal cultures. Among the 329 bacterial cultures, fungal cultures were not requested in 119 (36.2%) while the remaining 210 had concurrent fungal cultures which recovered mold in 167 cases (79.5%). Of 450 fungal cultures recovering mold, a corresponding bacterial culture was performed in 445, isolating mold in 181 (38.8%) of these cases. Two or more molds were found in 28 fungal cultures and in 5 bacterial cultures. Of positive specimens with both fungal and bacterial cultures performed (n=488), mold was isolated in fungal cultures in 446 (91.4%) and in bacterial cultures in 209 (42.9%) (Table).
Yield of molds in 488 specimens with concomitant bacterial and fungal cultures

Conclusion.
Although a significant number of molds are recovered in routine bacterial cultures, over half would be missed without concomitant fungal cultures. Conversely, recovery of clinically relevant mold species was optimal when both bacterial and fungal cultures were requested on a specimen. This may be related to increased specimen sampling and incubation conditions allowing for broader organism recovery.
Disclosures. All Authors: No reported disclosures