ABSTRACT
Background: Only between 1% and 10% of patients labelled of penicillin allergy are allergic. The negative events associated with this condition include risk of antimicrobial treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, side-effects from use of a broader spectrum antibiotic, and increased healthcare costs. Our objective was to know the clinical profile of hospitalized allergic patients to estimate the future need for an allergy study. Method(s): We collected data from 15 Spanish hospitals about hospitalized patients labelled as allergic to antibiotics in February 2020 and October 2020 (one-month sample) outside the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Result(s): 620 patients were collected, 59% women. Mean age 70.6 years (3-103). 416 patients were labelled as allergic to beta-lactams (105 aminopenicillins, 18 cephalosporins, 4 carbapenems). 41 to aminoglycosides, 26 to macrolides, 55 to quinolones and 4 to glycopeptides. The causes of hospitalization were: Respiratory infection 221 (35.6%), abdominal infection 95 (15.3%), orthopaedic surgery 58 (9.4%), urine infections 57 (9.2%), skin infections 51 (8.2%), gynaecological/ obstetric pathology 21 (3.4%) Only 163 patients (26%) had previously received a clinical allergy work-up. 70 confirmed allergy to antibiotics, however the rest 93 (74%) were not delabelled. Patients received alone or combined alternative antibiotics: 79 glycopeptides, 49 aminoglycosides, 28 macrolides, 254 quinolones, 205 beta-lactams (102 cephalosporins, 41 carbapenems and 57 aminopenicillins). 74 patients (12%) would need an immediate allergic study in order to receive first-line antibiotic, but it was only really done in 38 (6.1%). The studied antibiotics were: 15 carbapenems, 10 ceftriaxone, and others not specified. Of the 416 patients labeled as allergic to beta-lactams, 150 (36%) received beta-lactam antibiotics despite the warning in their clinical reports. Conclusion(s): Allergy to beta-lactams remains the most frequent diagnosis of allergy to antibiotics and implies treatment with second-line antibiotics. Respiratory, trauma, digestive and urinary infections are the main causes of the use of antibiotics in hospitalized patients. The underlying diseases could be a risk factor for antibiotic requirements. Some patients received beta-Lactams despite the alert with a potential risk of an allergic reaction and legal implications. The promptly allergological study would imply an improvement in the use of more specific antibiotics with a good level of security.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Collection media of clinical samples with the capacity to denature viruses reduce the risk of contagion during transportation and processing. Objective(s): To use the nucleic acids transport media (NATM) in nasopharyngeal swab samples collected for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Method(s): An experimental study was conducted to demonstrate the medium capacity to inactivate viral infectivity. Zika virus (ZIKV), of biosafety level 2, was used as an enveloped virus model. The clinical performance of the NATM for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated. A ZIKV strain propagated in the Vero cell line was used and, prior to cells infection, ZIKV was in contact at different intervals (2;15, and 30 min) with pure NATM;subsequently, serial dilutions (10-1-10-4) were performed. Viral inactivation was evaluated by RT-PCR in the supernatant and the collected cells when the propagation period was completed. CITOSWAB VTM was used as reference to estimate the clinical performance of the NATM in 30 nasopharyngeal swabs collected for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Result(s): ZIKV remained infectious at inoculum dilutions of >= 10-2, regardless of contact time. Clinical specificity and sensitivity of the NATM for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 were 100%, respectively. Conclusion(s): Results suggest that ZIKV positive clinical samples at dilutions <= 10-1 of the NATM can be safely handled, which could potentially be applied to the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Copyright © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore how contextual variables associated with the period of confinement during pandemic can differentiate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. It also intended to understand the concerns that were experienced by athletes when resuming their sport practice and how these could be associated with psychopathological indicators. The sample comprised 265 athletes who completed self-reported questionnaires. Results demonstrated that there were differences in psychopathological indicators in terms of hours of training per week, and the type of contact that athletes have with their coach. Athletes reported concerns regarding the resumption of sport practice, and that were associated with anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. This study may contribute in warning the sports community about the impact of contextual variables-related to critical moments of this pandemic. Sports communities should encourage the preservation of the athlete's physical activities, as well as supporting coaches in continuing to guide athlete's training.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 induced confinement has instantaneously changed the worlds of teaching and research, by forcing all activities to be performed online. Facing the prohibition of leaving our homes, it became clear the need for libraries, archives and other research related institutions to adapt to the digital age. This input to the debate takes the current scenario to analyse the state of documents digitalisation and online availability in municipal archives in Southern Spain and Portugal, its strengths and shortcomings. The advantages of this new method for registering and searching documents are also discussed.