Long-Term Treatment with Alcaligenes faecalis A12C Improves Host Resistance to Pathogens in Septic Rats: Possible Contribution of Curdlan-Like Immune Trainer.

Curdlan, a ß-1,3/1,6-glucan found in Alcaligenes faecalis (A. faecalis) wall, activates innate and humoral immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether pretreated rats with A. faecalis A12C could prevent sepsis disturbances and identify the immunomodulatory mechanisms involved. Experiments occurred in two stages: a survival study with 16 rats randomly divided into septic (SC) (n = 8) and septic pretreated (SA) (n = 8) groups and 45 rats divided into four groups: healthy (AGUSAN) (n = 9), septic (AGUIC) (n = 13), septic pretreated (AGUIA) (n = 14), and healthy pretreated (AGUSTO) (n = 9). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture after 30 days of A. faecalis A12C pretreatment or without. SA group had a higher survival rate of 58% vs. 16% for SC group (P < 0.05). Overall, AGUIA showed better status than AGUIC (P < 0.01). Higher monocytosis was found in AGUIA and AGUSTO vs. AGUIC and AGUSAN, respectively (P < 0.05). A gradual increase in curdlan fecal concentration was observed in AGUIA during pretreatment. Fecal concentrations of Escherichia coli significantly decreased in AGUIA and AGUSTO. Bacterial load in urine, peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) decreased (P < 0.05) in AGUIA vs. AGUIC. Finally, lower inflammation was observed in serum, BALF, and PLF, with reduced IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, along with less damage in lungs and peritoneum in AGUIA vs. AGUIC. These findings suggest the connection between curdlan-produced by A. faecalis A12C-with the immune system and the reduction in severity of experimental sepsis.

Candida isolation in patients hospitalized on a surgical ward: significance and mortality-related factors.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by Candida are an emerging pathology on surgical wards. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and predictive factors of mortality in patients colonized and/or infected by Candida spp. in this setting. METHODS: A consecutive series of 105 patients hospitalized on a general surgery ward between 2000 and 2004 were included, and 118 positive cultures for Candida were identified. The variables age, sex, previous medical history, current disease, anemia, ICU stay, type and localization of the microorganism, need for parenteral nutrition, and transfusions were recorded. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. A univariate analysis was performed to determine which of these variables were associated with mortality. With a logistic regression model, independent prognostic factors of mortality were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients colonized and/or infected by Candida on our surgical ward was 0.98% (CI 95%: 0.79-1.17), and the incidence was 49 cases per 1,000 patient-years. Of the 105 patients in this series, 56 were men (53%) and 49 women (47%); the mean age was 63.8 years (SD +/- 15.7). Twelve patients (11.4%) had candidemia. Crude mortality was 23% (24 patients), whereas the mortality attributable to candidemia was 25% (3/12 cases). Anemia (p = 0.001); transfusions (p = 0.003), and an ICU stay (p = 0.002) were associated with mortality. Candidemia was associated with neoplasms (p = 0.02) and the infection caused by Candida parapsilosis (p = 0.04). The only independent factor related to mortality was the anemia (p = 0.028; Odds Ratio: 6.43; 95% CI: 1.23-33.73). CONCLUSIONS: Colonization and/or infection by Candida spp. in non-ICU hospitalized surgical patients implies a relative high mortality. Anemia is an independent factor for mortality.

[Epidemiology and clinical study of Bordetella pertussis in Gran Canaria Island, Spain, in the period 2003-2007]. / Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de la infección por Bordetella pertussis en la isla de Gran Canaria en el período 2003-2007.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and clinical pattern of a Bordetella pertussis infection (whooping cough) among hospitalised infants in a paediatric hospital in Gran Canaria island (Spain). METHODS: A retrospective review of the patient hospital records was performed considering only those with a microbiological diagnosis of pertussis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the period September 2003-September 2007. RESULTS: Forty nine patients were identified, of which 47 were < 6 months of age. The annual incidence of hospitalisation was estimated between 103.9 and 204.5 cases per 100,000 infants < 12 months old. Household members were the potential source of infection in at least 65.3 % of the cases. Clinical data were obtained from 47 patients. Complications occurred in 23.4 % of the patients (11 infants), three of them died (6.4 %). Viral coinfections occurred in 33.3 % of the infants diagnosed with pertussis. CONCLUSIONS: Pertussis presents a high complication rate among infants < 6 months old. Pertussis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants < 6 months old who present with severe pneumonia. Immunization strategies in the adult population must be reviewed and updated in order to attain higher protection of the more vulnerable paediatric population.

Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de la infección por Bordetella pertussis en la isla de Gran Canaria en el período 2003-2007 / Epidemiology and clinical study of Bordetella pertussis in Gran Canaria Island, Spain, in the period 2003-2007

Objetivo. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer el patrón clínico-epidemiológico de la tos ferina en niños diagnosticados en un hospital pediátrico de la isla de Gran Canaria. Métodos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de infección por Bordetella pertussis mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en el período septiembre 2003-septiembre 2007. Resultados. Se detectaron 49 casos de tos ferina, 47 en menores de 6 meses. La incidencia anual de hospitalización osciló entre 103,9 y 204,5 por cada 100.000 niños menores de 12 meses. En al menos el 65,3 % de los casos, la posible fuente de contagio fue un adulto cercano. Se obtuvieron datos clínicos de 47 pacientes. Once niños (23,4 %) presentaron complicaciones, y tres de ellos fallecieron (6,4 %). El 33,3 % de los niños presentaron coinfección con virus. Conclusiones. La tos ferina presenta una alta tasa de complicaciones en lactantes menores 6 meses y debe considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial de la neumonía grave del lactante. Deberían revisarse las estrategias de vacunación en la población adulta para conseguir una mayor protección de la población pediátrica más susceptible

Objetive. To describe the epidemiological and clinical pattern of a Bordetella pertussis infection (whooping cough) among hospitalised infants in a paediatric hospital in Gran Canaria island (Spain). Methods. A retrospective review of the patient hospital records was performed considering only those with a microbiological diagnosis of pertussis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the period September 2003-September 2007. Results. Forty nine patients were identified, of which 47 were < 6 months of age. The annual incidence of hospitalisation was estimated between 103.9 and 204.5 cases per 100,000 infants < 12 months old. Household members were the potential source of infection in at least 65.3 % of the cases. Clinical data were obtained from 47 patients. Complications occurred in 23.4 % of the patients (11 infants), three of them died (6.4 %). Viral coinfections occurred in 33.3 % of the infants diagnosed with pertussis. Conclusions. Pertussis presents a high complication rate among infants < 6 months old. Pertussis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants < 6 months old who present with severe pneumonia. Immunization strategies in the adult population must be reviewed and updated in order to attain higher protection of the more vulnerable paediatric population

Outbreak of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections on the island of Gran Canaria associated with the consumption of inadequately pasteurized cheese.

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections are infrequent in humans. A clinical and epidemiological study of a milk-borne outbreak caused by this organism is described. Fifteen patients (5 females, 10 males) with a median age of 70 years (range 47-86) were infected. Twelve (80%) had underlying diseases. Infection with S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus presented as primary bacteremia in six cases, as bacteremia associated with aortic aneurism in four cases, as septic arthritis in two cases, as pneumonia in two cases, and as meningitis in one case. Five (33.3%) patients died. A case-control study proved that consumption of inadequately pasteurized cheese of a specific brand was associated with S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus disease (OR=4.5; 95% CI 1.57-19.27; p<0.001). This outbreak serves as a reminder that S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus causes serious infections that are usually zoonoses. Identification of beta-hemolytic streptococci to the species level to detect contaminated foods of animal origin is important for preventing new food-borne outbreaks. For a precise characterization of the isolates, the application of molecular markers is recommended.

Nocardiosis in a tertiary care hospital on the island of Gran Canaria.

Background: Nocardiosis is an uncommon but serious infection increasingly found in immunosuppressed persons. We describe 14 cases of nocardial infection seen at a tertiary hospital. Methods: All positive Nocardia cultures isolated from 1991 to 2002 were included. We analyzed predisposing factors, epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory and radiological findings, site(s) of infection, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, treatment, and outcome. Factors related to mortality were analyzed. Results: Nineteen patients with a Nocardia isolate were identified and 14 were finally included. The most common predisposing factors included pulmonary diseases (71.4%), diabetes mellitus (35.7%), systemic diseases (28.6%) and immunosuppressive therapy (28.6%). The site of infection was pulmonary in 12 cases (85.71%), cutaneous or subcutaneous in one case (7.1%), and disseminated in another case (7.1%). The predominant clinical symptom was purulent expectoration (71.4%) while the predominant radiological pattern was a reticulonodular infiltrate (6/12, 50%). Relapse was observed in one case (7.7%) and death in three cases (23.1%). Diabetes mellitus was associated with the mortality rate (p=0.035). Treatment was highly individualized, but trimethoprim (TMP)-sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was the combination most often used. Conclusions: Nocardiosis should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms, soft tissue infection, or brain abscess.

Abscesos hepáticos por streptococcus intermedius como primera manifestación de un carcinoma renal / Streptococcus intermedius liver abscesses as primary manifestation of a renal carcinoma

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[Survey of carriers of Neisseria meningitidis in the health area of Gran Canary]. / Encuesta de portadores de Neisseria Meningitidis en el Area de Salud de Gran Canaria.

BACKGROUND: A) To ascertain the rate of carriers and the Types of Neisseria Meningitidis circulating in the population resident in the health jurisdiction of Gran Canaria. B) to ascertain the pattern of distribution of such carriers. METHODS: A descriptive transversal design was made, with a random sampling in multiple stages and by conglomerates. A minimum sample size was determined at 707 individuals for an expected prevalence of 8.6%, with a rate of reliability of 95.6% and a precision of 0.02. Assuming that 15% if the individuals would not be willing to co-operate, the sample size was increased to 831 individuals, distributed in each conglomerate in proportion to the existing population. This size was distributed in turn into four groups by age and sex, in proportion to their significance in each basic health care zone selected at random. The individuals in the sample were identified from among those who attended the blood extraction units, and after they had passed the criteria of exclusion, their co-operation was requested as volunteers in the study. If they accepted, a questionnaire was filled out with a number of variables of epidemiological interest and a pharyngeal smear was taken. Since the Primary Care units were selected on a simple random basis, and the same method was used to select the individuals within the units, the estimate of the prevalence was made by means of an unbiased estimator. RESULTS: A total of 828 samples were obtained, that is, 99.6% of the number foreseen. With the exception of three, all of the individuals selected participated voluntarily in the study, a circumstance rendering it highly representative. All of the strains obtained corresponded to N. Meningitidis Serogroup B, except for one identified as N. Meningitidis Serogroup C Sero/Subtype 4:P1.2,5. The strains of N. Meningitidis serogroup B identified corresponded to 25 different sero-subtypes. The prevalence determined after having studied the sample was 6.45%, the variance = 0.0275 and the standard error = 1.66. We can conclude with a 95% degree of reliability that the prevalence of carriers of N. Meningitidis in the Gran Canaria health jurisdiction is estimated to be between 3.2% and 9.7%. CONCLUSIONS: A clear predominance of N. Meningitidis serogroup B strains among carriers has been verified. There are no statistically significant differences in the prevalence observed among the different age groups nor between sexes.

Role of different routes of tracheal colonization in the development of pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of the different pathogenic pathways involved in the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: An 18-bed medical and surgical ICU. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-three patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV). INTERVENTIONS: Tracheal, pharyngeal, and gastric samples were obtained simultaneously every 24 h. In cases where VAP was suspected clinically, bronchoscopy with protected specimen brush and BAL were performed. Semiquantitative cultures of pharyngeal samples and quantitative cultures for the remaining samples were obtained. RESULTS: Tracheal colonization at some time during MV was observed in 110 patients (89%). Eighty patients had initial colonization, 34 patients had primary colonization, and 50 patients had secondary colonization. Nineteen patients had VAP, and 25 organisms were isolated. For none of these organisms was the stomach the initial site of colonization. Gram-positive organisms colonized mainly in the trachea during the first 24 h of MV (p<0.001). On the contrary, enteric Gram-negative bacilli (p<0.001) and yeasts (p<0.002) colonized the trachea secondarily. Previous endotracheal intubation (p<0.005) and acute renal failure before admission to the ICU (p<0.001) were associated with colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa; prior antibiotics were associated with colonization by Acinetobacter baumanii (p<0.05) and yeasts (p<0.006); and cranial trauma was associated with Staphylococcus aureus colonization (p<0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Although the stomach can be a source of organisms that colonize the tracheobronchial tree, it is a much less common source of the bacteria that cause VAP. The pattern of colonization and risk factors may be different according to the type of organisms involved.

Comparative efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage and telescoping plugged catheter in the diagnosis of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients.

The relative efficacy of telescoping plugged catheter (TPC) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the diagnosis of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients has been compared in 45 subjects suspected of having pneumonia because of the presence of clinical and radiographic criteria. Diagnosis of pneumonia was strongly suggested in 25 of the 45 patients, and definitely confirmed in 10 of them. The diagnostic threshold to assess a quantitative bacterial culture as positive was a growth on BAL of > or = 10(5) cfu/ml and on TPC of > or = 10(3) cfu/ml. The BAL specimen cultures established the diagnosis in 19 cases (76 percent). In the remaining six patients, this technique did not permit the assessment of the diagnosis, which was established by other procedures (TPC, blood cultures, clinical outcome, or autopsy). False-positive results were not found. Sensitivity and specificity for BAL cultures were 76 percent and 100 percent, respectively. Telescoping plugged catheter established the presence of pneumonia in 16 patients (64 percent). Combining both techniques, the sensitivity increased up to 88 percent, maintaining specificity of 100 percent. In summary, BAL has a greater sensitivity than TPC in the diagnosis of pneumonias in mechanically ventilated patients. However, they are procedures that can complement each other.