280. Monitoring Serum Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Correlation with (1–3)-β-d-Glucan Levels in Vascular Pythiosis: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND: Vascular pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is a life-threatening disease despite aggressive treatment. Our recent study showed that serum β-d-glucan (BG) trends can be used to monitor disease activity after treatment initiation. A significant decline in BG by 0.5 month indicated complete resection without residual disease. However, BG assay is cost probihitive and available only at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Thailand. This study was conducted to preliminarily evaluate erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as monitoring tools. METHODS: A prospective study included proven vascular pythiosis patients receiving treatment with combination therapy from November 2018 to January 2019. Clinical information, BG, ESR, and CRP were collected at 0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3 months post diagnosis. Spearman’s correlation coefficient and analysis of response profiles were used. RESULTS: Six patients were enrolled. All had thalassemia. Four developed disease at popliteal artery, 1 at common iliac artery, and 1 at brachial artery. All underwent amputation with negative surgical margins achievement. All received itraconazole, azithromycin, and P. insidiosum immunotherapy. One received terbinafine and one received doxycycline additionally. All had positive BG > 500 pg/mL at diagnosis. After treatment initiation, means of ESR were significantly decreased at 0.5 months (P = 0.02). Means of CRP were not significantly changed until 1 month (P = 0.02) (Figure 1a and b). Correlation coefficients between BG and ESR vs. BG and CRP were 0.74 and 0.65, respectively. All survived without relapse at 3 months. CONCLUSION: ESR and CRP are potentially valuable markers to monitor vascular pythiosis in resource-limited countries. However, ESR levels and trends seem to be correlated with BG better than CRP. Further studies are needed to enroll more patients, especially patients with incomplete resection or non-surgical candidates. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.