Perfil etiológico de las meningitis adquiridas en la comunidad en pacientes adultos en el Complejo Asistencial Sótero del Río, Santiago 2011-2017 / Community acquired meningitis in Santiago, Chile, 2011-2017

INTRODUCCIÓN: En Chile existe poca información sobre los microorganismos causantes de meningitis adquirida en la comunidad (MAC), la que es relevante a la hora de escoger el esquema antimicrobiano empírico. OBJETIVO: Describir la microbiología de MAC en pacientes mayores de 15 años atendidos en un hospital público de Santiago (Chile). METODOLOGÍA: Revisión de cultivos de líquido cefalorraquídeo positivos durante 2011-2017. Se recolectó la información clínica de los pacientes incluidos. Se excluyeron cultivos considerados como contaminación y las meningitis post-quirúrgicas. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 20 episodios de meningitis bacteriana aguda (MBA) y seis episodios de meningitis criptocócica (MC) entre 2.720 cultivos. Los microorganismos causantes de MBA fueron: Streptococcus pneumoniae (50%), Listeria monocytogenes (25%) y otros cinco agentes (25%). Todos los pacientes con infección por L. monocytogenes presentaban alguna comorbilidad significativa. Cuatro de cinco casos de MC presentaban infección por VIH. CONCLUSIÓN: Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el microorganismo más frecuente de las MAC en esta serie, seguido por L. monocytogenes. Las recomendaciones actuales de esquemas empíricos de MAC consideran adecuadamente la cobertura de S. pneumoniae en todos los pacientes y de L. monocytogenes solo ante factores de riesgo. Además, es relevante considerar MC en casos en pacientes inmunocomprometidos.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, there is scarce information on the frequency of the causative microorganisms of community-acquired meningitis (CAM), which is relevant for the choice of empiric treatment. AIM: To describe the microbiology of CAM in patients over 15 years treated at a public hospital in Santiago (Chile). METHODS: Retrospective review of positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures during 2011-2017. Clinical information of the included patients was collected. Cultures considered as contamination and cases of post-surgical meningitis were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 20 episodes of bacterial meningitis (BM) and six episodes of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in 2720 cultures. The microorganisms identified in BM cases were Streptococcus pneumoniae (50%), Listeria monocytogenes (25%) and five other agents (25%). All patients with L. monocytogenes infection had at least one well-known risk factor for this infection. Four of the five cases of CM had HIV infection. CONCLUSION: Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent causative microorganism of CAM in this series, followed by L. monocytogenes. Current recommendations for empiric CAM regimens adequately consider coverage for S. pneumoniae in all patients and for L. monocytogenes only in those with risk factors. Furthermore, it is relevant to consider CM in cases involving immunocompromised patients.

Infecciones por Elizabethkingia spp. en un hospital universitario: coinfección con SARS-CoV-2 y primer reporte de Elizabethkingia anophelis en Chile / Elizabethkingia spp. infections in a university hospital: coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and first report of Elizabethkingia anophelis in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: Elizabethkingia es un género de bacterias gramnegativas cuya relevancia como patógeno oportunista en hospederos inmunocomprometidos y pacientes críticos ha sido reconocida progresivamente en los últimos años. Este género está compuesto principalmente por E. meningoseptica, E. anophelis y E. miricola. Si bien inicialmente E. meningoseptica fue considerada la especie patógena más relevante, gracias a los avances en las técnicas de identificación microbiológica se ha reconocido a E. anophelis como el principal patógeno de este grupo. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar los casos de infecciones por Elizabethkingia spp. en una red de salud y realizar una breve revisión de esta infección. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de los cultivos positivos para Elizabethkingia spp. en el Laboratorio de Microbiología de la Red de Salud UC-CHRISTUS (Chile) entre los años 2017 y 2021. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo 17 cultivos positivos correspondientes a siete casos clínicos, todos procedentes de un hospital universitario. Todos los casos poseían factores de riesgo conocidos de infección por Elizabethkingia spp. incluyendo uso de antimicrobianos recientes, por ejemplo, el uso previo de carbapenémicos en 85,7% de los pacientes. Cuatro casos se presentaron en pacientes con neumonía por SARS-CoV-2, una coinfección no previamente reportada en la literatura. Elizabethkingia anophelis fue identificada mediante secuenciación de ARN ribosomal en 80% de las cepas recuperadas, lo que corresponde al primer reporte de esta especie en Chile CONCLUSIÓN: Comunicamos la experiencia clínica de infecciones por este género en un hospital universitario de Chile, incluyendo los primeros casos de coinfección en pacientes cursando neumonía por SARS-CoV-2 y la primera identificación de Elizabethkingia anophelis en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Elizabethkingia is a genus of gramnegative bacteria whose relevance as an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed hosts and critically ill patients has been progressively recognized in recent years. This genus is mainly composed of E. meningoseptica, E. anophelis, and E. miricola. Although E. meningoseptica was initially reported as the most relevant pathogenic species, thanks to advances in microbiological identificaron techniques E. anophelis has been recognized as the main pathogen of this group. AIM: To characterize Elizabethkingia spp.'s infections in a health network and make a brief review of this infection. METHOD: We conducted a review of clinical cultures that were positive for Elizabethkingia sp. in the Microbiology Laboratory of the UC-CHRISTUS Health Network (Chile), between 2017 and 2021. RESULTS: Seventeen positive cultures were obtained corresponding to seven clinical cases, all originating from a university hospital. All cases had known risk factors for Elizabethkingia sp. infection, including recent use of antibiotics. Notably, previous use of carbapenems was present in 85.7% of the patients. Four cases occurred in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, a coinfection not previously reported in the literature. Elizabethkingia anophelis was identified by ribosomal RNA sequencing in 80% of the recovered strains, which corresponds to the first report of this species in Chile. CONCLUSION: We report the clinical experience of a university hospital with infections by Elizabethkingia spp., including the first cases of coinfection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonía and the first identification of Elizabethkingia anophelis in Chile.

Evaluación de los cuestionarios de sueño en la pesquisa de pacientes con síndrome de apneas obstructivas del sueño / Accuracy of sleep questionnaires for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome screening

Background: Simple but accurate tools should be used to identify patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), aiming at an early detection and prevention of serious consequences. Aim: To assess the predictive value of four sleep questionnaires (Berlin, Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], STOP, and STOP-Bang) in the screening of patients with OSAS. Material and Methods: The four sleep questionnaires were administered to 1,050 snorers aged 56 ± 15 years (68% males) assessed at a sleep clinic. An overnight unattended respiratory polygraphy was performed to all patients to confirm the diagnosis of OSAS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the four questionnaires were calculated. Results: Eighty four percent of participants had OSAS. The clinical variables associated with OSAS risk were age, male gender, hypertension, overweight, cervical circumference, waist/hip ratio, history of snoring, witnessed apneas and nycturia. Eighty-three, 86, 92 and 46 % of cases were classified as having a high risk for OSAS, according to the Berlin, STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires and ESS, respectively. STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires had the highest sensitivity to predict OSAS (88 and 95%, respectively) while the Flemons Index had the highest specificity (82%). Conclusions: Sleep questionnaires were able to identify patients with a high risk for OSAS but without accurately excluding those at low risk.

Evaluación de los índices predictores de eventos adversos en el adulto inmunocompetente hospitalizado por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Adverse event prediction in immunocompetent adult patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) causes significant morbidity and mortality in adults. Aim: To compare the accuracy of four validated rules for predicting adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with CAP. Patients and Methods: We compared the pneumonia severity index (PSI), British Thoracic Society score (CURB-65), SMART-COP and severe CAP score (SCAP) in 659 immunocompetent adult patients aged 18 to 101 years, 52% male, hospitalized with CAP. Major adverse outcomes were: admission to ICU, need for mechanical ventilation (MV), in-hospital complications and 30-day mortality. Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was also evaluated. The predictive indexes were compared based on sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Of the studied patients, 77% had comorbidities, 23% were admitted to the intensive care unit and 12% needed mechanical ventilation. The rate of all adverse outcomes and hospital LOS increased directly with increasing PSI, CURB-65, SMART-COP and SCAP scores. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of the prognostic indexes to predict adverse events were: Admission to ICU (PSI: 0.48, 0.84 and 0.73; SMART-COP: 0.97, 0.23 and 0.75; SCAP: 0.57, 0.81 and 0.76); use of MV (PSI: 0.44, 0.84 and 0.75; SMART-COP: 0.96, 0.35 and 0.84; SCAP: 0.53, 0.87 and 0.78); 30-days mortality (PSI: 0.45, 0.97 and 0.83; SMART-COP: 0.94, 0.29 and 0.77; SCAP: 0.53, 0.95 and 0.81). CURB-65 had a lower discriminatory power compared to the other indices. Conclusions: PSI score and SCAP were more accurate and specific and SMART-COP was more sensitive to predict the risk of death. SMART-COP was more sensitive and SCAP was more specific in predicting the use of mechanical ventilation.

Participación de los virus respiratorios en la neumonía del adulto inmunocompetente adquirida en la comunidad / Importance of respiratory virus in immunocompetent adult patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a relevant worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality in adult population, however its etiology is often not identified and therapy is empirical. Aim: To assess the etiology of CAP in immunocompetent adult hospitalized patients using conventional and molecular diagnostic methods. Material and Methods: We prospectively studied 240 adult patients who were hospitalized for CAP to identify the microbial etiology. Sputum and blood cultures were obtained as well as serology testing for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae, urinary antigen testing for Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and a nasopharyngeal swab for the detection of sixteen respiratory viruses by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In 100 patients (41.7%) a single respiratory pathogen was identified. In 17 (7.1%) cases, a mixed bacterial and viral infection was detected and no pathogen was identified in 123 cases (51%). The most commonly identified pathogens identified were: influenza virus (15.4%), parainfluenza virus (10.8%), rhinovirus (5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5%), respiratory syncytial virus (2.9%) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (2.5%). Infectious agent detection by RT-PCR provided greater sensitivity than conventional techniques. Viral respiratory infections were more prevalent in older patients with comorbidities and high risk patients, according to the Fine index at hospital admission. The clinical severity and outcome were independent of the etiological agents detected. Conclusions: The use of molecular diagnostic techniques expanded the detection of respiratory viruses in immunocompetent adults hospitalized with CAP.

Predictores clínicos y funcionales del riesgo de cáncer pulmonar en el seguimiento de una cohorte de adultos fumadores / Risk factors for the development of lung cancer in a cohort of adult smokers

Background: Identifying risk factors for lung cancer in the population could improve the cost-effectiveness of early detection programs using thoracic computed tomography (CT). Aim: To examine the risk factors of lung cancer in a cohort of adult smokers. Patients and Methods: An annual clinical and respiratory functional assessment, chest computed tomography for three years and clinical follow up for five years was carried out in 270 patients aged 65 ± 9 years, 55% males, active or former smokers of 10 or more pack-years. Results: Thirty seven percent of patients were active smokers, consuming 37 ± 26 packs/year, 85% had comorbidities, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (66%), hypertension (48%), diabetes (22%) and dyslipidemia (42%). Thirteen percent of patients had family history of lung cancer. Twenty-one cases of lung cancer were detected in the five years follow up, especially squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In the univariate analysis, the main risk factors for lung cancer identified were an age older than 60 years, history of COPD, family history of lung cancer, active smoking, tobacco consumption more than 30 pack/year and lung hyperinflation. In multivariate analysis, the three independent risk factors for lung cancer were a family history of lung cancer, active smoking and the number of packs per year of tobacco consumption. Conclusions: The identification of risk groups probably will improve the performance of programs for early detection of lung cancer.