Estimation of the invasive disease potential of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children by the use of direct capsular typing in clinical specimens.

Traditionally, invasiveness indexes have been based on culture methods. We aimed to establish a new classification of the invasive disease potential of pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive pediatric disease in the era of conjugate vaccines in Catalonia, Spain, by adding capsular typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae in direct sample. Two samples of children attended at the University Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona, Spain) between 2007 and 2011 were compared: a first sample of 358 children with invasive pneumococcal disease and a second sample of 402 pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriers selected from 714 healthy children admitted for minor surgical procedures. The most common invasive serotypes were 1 (20.1 %, n = 72), 19A (13.9 %, n = 50), 3 (12.3 %, n = 44), and 7FA (7.5 %, n = 27), whereas the most common serotypes in carriage were 19A (8.7 %, n = 38), 10FC33C (7.8 %, n = 34), 6C (6.9 %, n = 30), and 19FBC (5.5 %, n = 24). We detected a rate of cocolonization of 26.4 % (n = 89) among the 336 samples serotyped in the carriers population. Serotypes 1, 3, and 7FA were significantly associated with high invasiveness. Serotypes 6C, 10FC33C, 23A, 35B, 19FBC, 21, 11AD, 15BC, 23B, 34, and 6A were significantly associated with low invasiveness. Our results proved that the use of molecular techniques in direct sample for both the detection and the capsular identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae is very useful to obtain a more accurate calculation of the invasiveness of the different pneumococcal serotypes.

High prevalence of genetically-determined mannose binding lectin deficiency in young children with invasive pneumococcal disease.

Susceptibility to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) correlates with age, younger children being the group with the highest burden of disease. The relevance of the innate immune response and particularly the role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in combating IPD is not well known. This is a 2-year prospective study (February 2011 to March 2013) including patients with IPD who attended two hospitals from Catalonia, Spain. Variables including attack rate of pneumococcal serotype (high or low invasive potential serotypes) and genotypes associated with low serum MBL levels were recorded. One hundred and forty-seven patients were included in the study. One hundred and two (69.4%) patients were children or adolescents <18 years and 45 (30.6%) were adults. Overall, low-MBL genotypes (O/O; XA/O) were detected in 23 (15.6%) patients. Children <2 years showed a higher frequency of low-MBL genotypes compared with other patients (31.0% vs. 11.9%; p = 0.031). Further sub-analysis revealed a higher proportion of low-MBL genotypes in children <2 years with IPD caused by opportunistic or low-attack-rate serotypes when compared with older patients (46.2% vs. 13.2%; p = 0.02). However, no statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed when including patients infected with invasive or high-attack-rate serotypes (18.8% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.59). Our data suggest that young children with a genetically determined low-MBL production are at a higher risk of developing IPD, particularly that caused by opportunistic or low-attack-rate pneumococcal serotypes.

High invasiveness of pneumococcal serotypes included in the new generation of conjugate vaccines.

The implementation of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV7, has resulted in significant changes in the pneumococcal population being carried and causing disease. We aimed to determine the invasive disease potential of serotypes causing invasive paediatric disease in the era of conjugate vaccines in Catalonia, Spain, and their potential coverage by the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13. As a secondary objective, we evaluated whether implementation of PCV7 had resulted in significant changes in the invasive disease potential of the most frequent serotypes circulating in the area. Two pneumococcal collections obtained from children admitted to the University Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona, Spain) between 2007 and 2011 were compared: a first set of 159 invasive disease isolates, and a second set of 209 nasopharyngeal isolates recovered from healthy children admitted for minor surgery. The most common invasive serotypes were 1 (24.5%, n = 39), 19A (21.2%, n = 34), 5 (8.8%, n = 14), 7F (8.8%, n = 14) and 3 (5%, n = 8). The most common serotypes in carriage were 19A (10%, n = 21), 6C (9%, n = 19), 23B (8.1%, n = 17), 6A (7.6%, n = 16) and 19F (6.2%, n = 13). A significantly higher propensity to cause invasive disease was observed for serotypes 1, 3, 5, 7F and 19A, all of which are included in PCV13. After false-discovery-rate correction, the results were robust for serotypes 1, 5, 7F and 19A. Non-PCV13 serotypes had a low invasive disease potential. Our data reinforce the need for continuous surveillance and should encourage efforts to introduce universal vaccination with PCV13 in children in our region.

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a childhood illness frequently caused by genotypes belonging to the enterovirus A species, including coxsackievirus (CV)-A16 and enterovirus (EV)-71. Between 2010 and 2012, several outbreaks and sporadic cases of HFMD occurred in different regions of Spain. The objective of the present study was to describe the enterovirus epidemiology associated with HFMD in the country. A total of 80 patients with HFMD or atypical rash were included. Detection and typing of the enteroviruses were performed directly in clinical samples using molecular methods. Enteroviruses were detected in 53 of the patients (66%). CV-A6 was the most frequent genotype, followed by CV-A16 and EV-71, but other minority types were also identified. Interestingly, during almost all of 2010, CV-A16 was the only causative agent of HFMD but by the end of the year and during 2011, CV-A6 became predominant, while CV-A16 was not detected. In 2012, however, both CV-A6 and CV-A16 circulated. EV-71 was associated with HFMD symptoms only in three cases during 2012. All Spanish CV-A6 sequences segregated into one major genetic cluster together with other European and Asian strains isolated between 2008 and 2011, most forming a particular clade. Spanish EV-71 strains belonged to subgenogroup C2, as did most of the European sequences circulated. In conclusion, the recent increase of HFMD cases in Spain and other European countries has been due to a larger incidence of circulating species A enteroviruses, mainly CV-A6 and CV-A16, and the emergence of new genetic variants of these viruses.

Nitrous oxide reduction genetic potential from the microbial community of an intermittently aerated partial nitritation SBR treating mature landfill leachate.

This study investigates the microbial community dynamics in an intermittently aerated partial nitritation (PN) SBR treating landfill leachate, with emphasis to the nosZ encoding gene. PN was successfully achieved and high effluent stability and suitability for a later anammox reactor was ensured. Anoxic feedings allowed denitrifying activity in the reactor. The influent composition influenced the mixed liquor suspended solids concentration leading to variations of specific operational rates. The bacterial community was low diverse due to the stringent conditions in the reactor, and was mostly enriched by members of Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes as determined by 16S rRNA sequencing from excised DGGE melting types. The qPCR analysis for nitrogen cycle-related enzymes (amoA, nirS, nirK and nosZ) demonstrated high amoA enrichment but being nirS the most relatively abundant gene. nosZ was also enriched from the seed sludge. Linear correlation was found mostly between nirS and the organic specific rates. Finally, Bacteroidetes sequenced in this study by 16S rRNA DGGE were not sequenced for nosZ DGGE, indicating that not all denitrifiers deal with complete denitrification. However, nosZ encoding gene bacteria was found during the whole experiment indicating the genetic potential to reduce N2O.

Perineal body repair in patients with third degree rectocele: a critical analysis of the tissue fixation system.

AIM: We describe the technique of tissue fixation system (TFS) perineal body repair in patients presenting with symptomatic third degree rectocele. METHOD: The single sling TFS perineal body repair is performed in three surgical steps: (i) dissection of the rectum off the vagina and laterally displaced perineal body; (ii) identification of the deep transverse perineii muscles beyond their insertion point behind the descending pubic ramus; (iii) elevation and approximation of the separated and laterally displaced perineal bodies by insertion, without tension, of non-stretch 7 mm polypropylene tape into the bodies of the deep transverse perineii muscles. RESULTS: From January 2007 to December 2009 we performed the TFS operation for 30 women, median age 61 (range 47-87) years, mean parity 2.6 (range 1-5), with third degree symptomatic low rectocele (median obstructive defaecation syndrome score 19; range 11-24). Median hospital stay was 24 (range 12-96) h. The median visual analogue scale for postoperative pain was 1 (range 1-7). Complications occurred in three cases (10%) and included a surfaced tape that was partly resected (repair maintained), a recurrence of the rectocele due to incorrect placement (failed repair) and a foreign body abscess requiring tape removal. At 12-month follow-up, 27 patients (90%) reported normal defaecation and the median obstructive defaecation syndrome score was significantly reduced to 4 (range 1-6; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The TFS perineal body repair is an effective, safe, minimally invasive treatment in women with symptomatic low rectocele.

Live anatomy of the perineal body in patients with third-degree rectocele.

AIM: In many pelvic floor disorders, the perineal body is damaged or destroyed. There is still a considerable variation in anatomical descriptions of the perineal body and even more debate with regard to its attachments and relationships. Cadaveric dissections do not always reflect the functional behaviour of structures in the pelvis and description of live anatomy on imaging studies is not always reliable. This study aimed to define the anatomy of the perineal body in patients with rectocele during the live dissection required for minimally invasive surgical repair. METHOD: From January 2007 to December 2009 consecutive patients requiring surgery for third-degree rectocele and symptoms of obstructed defaecation were recruited. Participants underwent dissection of the perineal body, rectum and vagina preliminary to a tissue fixation system, an operation which inserts a tensioned tape to repair the perineal body. RESULTS: Thirty Caucasian female patients, mean age 61 (range 47-87) years, mean parity 2.6 (range 1-5), were included. Live dissection demonstrated that the perineal body was divided into two parts, joined by a stretched central part, anchored laterally by the deep transverse perineii muscle to the descending ramus of the pubic bone. The mean longitudinal length of the perineal body was 4.5 (3.5-5.5) cm, accounting for 50% of the posterior vaginal support. CONCLUSION: In women with low rectocele, the perineal body appears to be divided into two parts, severely displaced behind the ischial tuberosities.

Acuerdo intragrupal: una aplicación a la evaluación de la cultura de los equipos de trabajo / Analysing the within-group agreement: an application to evaluate the culture of work teams

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar cuál de los índices, el de James et al. (1984) o el de Lindell et al. (1999), ampliamente utilizados en la literatura, es el mejor para evaluar el acuerdo intra-grupal. Se realizaron dos estudios para tal fin. La variable que se consideró para evaluar el acuerdo intra-grupal fue la cultura de los equipos de trabajo. Aplicando la metodología y los criterios utilizados por Eby et al. (1999), ambos estudios demostraron que el índice de Lindell et al. es una estrategia más válida y apropiada para evaluar el acuerdo intra-grupal en las escalas con múltiples ítems que el de James et al.. Se discuten las implicaciones para la futura investigación y los métodos para estudiar los equipos (AU)

The aim of the present study is to analyse which of the indexes, the James et al.’s (1984) or the Lindell et al.’s (1999), widely used in the literature, is the best to evaluate the within-group agreement. Two studies were realized for such purpose. The variable that was thought to evaluate the within-group agreement was the culture of the work teams. Applying the methodology and the criteria used by Eby et al. (1999), both studies demonstrated that Lindell’s index is a more valid and appropriate strategy to assess within-group agreement for multi-item scales than James et al.’s index. Implications for future research and methods for studying teams are discussed (AU)

Diagnostic performance of arginase activity in colorectal cancer.

Arginase activity was measured in serum and biopsy from healthy individuals and colorectal cancer patients. Arginase activity in tumor samples (87 +/- 7.7 U/g tissue) was significantly higher than in controls (40.7 +/- 3.3 U/g tissue). However, serum arginase activity did not show any significant change in both groups. Finally, the micromethod used to quantify arginase activity in this study is superior to other methods because it has increased sensitivity, requires less sample, and is less time-consuming. Arginase differences are significant, according to the t-test (P<0.05)

[Gynandroblastoma of the ovary. Review of the literature]. / Gynandroblastome de l'ovaire. Revue de la littérature.

Gynadroblastoma is an extremely rare tumour of the ovary containing both a granulosa cell and a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour. We report a case of gynandroblastoma of the right ovary Stage IA (FIGO) in a 15-year-old girl. Microscopically, the tumour composed predominantly of granulosa cells with a minoritary component, although more than 10%, of Sertoli cells. The present knowledge about its nature, function and behaviour are reviewed.

Myometrial hypertrophy and uterine metropathy without apparent organic cause: rate or responsibility.

Between 1971 and 1980 more than 6,000,000 hysterectomies were performed in the USA. Dysfunctional uterine hemorrhage with non tumoral uterus and hypertrophic characteristic has been one of the principal indications, without possibility of definition as a pathological entity with its own characteristics. With all these premises the Authors have attempted to see, by means of morphometric studies, the myocyte characteristics and the proportion and composition of the uterine wall and at the same time eventual hormone-dependence of this phenomenon. For this they turn to to determination of oestrogen and progesterone receptors.