Pooling for SARS-CoV-2 control in care institutions.

BACKGROUND: Workers and residents in Care Homes are considered at special risk for the acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to the infectivity and high mortality rate in the case of residents, compared to other containment areas. The role of presymptomatic people in transmission has been shown to be important and the early detection of these people is critical for the control of new outbreaks. Pooling strategies have proven to preserve SARS-CoV-2 testing resources. The aims of the present study, based in our local experience, were (a) to describe SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in institutionalized people in Galicia (Spain) during the Coronavirus pandemic and (b) to evaluate the expected performance of a pooling strategy using RT-PCR for the next rounds of screening of institutionalized people. METHODS: A total of 25,386 Nasopharyngeal swab samples from the total of the residents and workers at Care Homes in Galicia (March to May 2020) were individually tested using RT-PCR. Prevalence and quantification cycle (Cq) value distribution of positives was calculated. Besides, 26 pools of 20 samples and 14 pools of 5 samples were tested using RT-PCR as well (1 positive/pool). Pooling proof of concept was performed in two populations with 1.7 and 2% prevalence. RESULTS: Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infection at Care Homes was uneven (0-60%). As the virus circulation global rate was low in our area (3.32%), the number of people at risk of acquiring the infection continues to be very high. In this work, we have successfully demonstrated that pooling of different groups of samples at low prevalence clusters, can be done with a small average delay on Cq values (5 and 2.85 cycles for pools of 20 and 5 samples, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A new screening system with guaranteed protection is required for small clusters, previously covered with individual testing. Our proposal for Care Homes, once prevalence zero is achieved, would include successive rounds of testing using a pooling solution for transmission control preserving testing resources. Scale-up of this method may be of utility to confront larger clusters to avoid the viral circulation and keeping them operative.

Artritis neumocócica en población pediátrica / Pneumococcal arthritis in paediatric population

Introducción. Se revisan los casos de artritis séptica en población pediátrica por Streptococcus pneumoniae en el Área Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de los aislamientos de S. pneumoniae en líquidos articulares en niños el período de enero de 2005 a marzo de 2014. Resultados. De los 7.416 líquidos articulares recibidos en el Servicio de Microbiología, 77 pertenecían a pacientes pediátricos, y de ellos, solamente 8 tuvieron cultivo positivo. En total fueron tres casos positivos para S. pneumoniae, dos con cultivo positivo y un tercero con detección antigénica positiva en el líquido articular. En los tres pacientes (dos de ellos menores de 15 meses) la articulación afectada fue la cadera, se combinó el tratamiento antibiótico con el drenaje quirúrgico y la evolución fue favorable. Conclusiones. La artritis neumocócica es una entidad que debe ser tenida en cuenta ya que la mayoría de los cuadros de artritis en población pediátrica aparecen como complicación de una bacteriemia posterior a un cuadro catarral o una otitis. El mayor riesgo de secuelas se asocia a retrasos en el diagnóstico, por ello es imprescindible un diagnóstico precoz clínico y microbiológico (AU)

Introduction. Cases of septic arthritis in paediatric population by Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Health Area of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) were reviewed. Material and methods. A retrospective study from January 2005 to March 2014 was conducted for all S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from joint fluids in children. Results. From the 7,416 joint fluids received in the Microbiology Department, 77 belonged to paediatric patients, and of these, only 8 had positive culture. In total, there were three positive cases for S. pneumoniae, two with positive culture and a third with positive antigen detection. In the three patients (two of them under 15 months) the affected joint was hip, antibiotic treatment was combined with surgical drainage and evolution was favourable. Conclusions. We conclude that pneumococcal arthritis is an entity that must be taken into account since most cases of arthritis in paediatric population appear as a complication of bacteraemia after a common cold or an ear infection. The greatest risk of sequel is associated with delays in diagnosis, so it is essential clinical and microbiological early diagnosis (AU)

Cambios en la epidemiología de la infección por Clostridium difficile durante 2005-2014 en Salamanca, España / Changes in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection during 2005-2014 in Salamanca, Spain

Introducción. Conocer los rasgos epidemiológicos más relevantes de la infección por Clostridium difficile (ICD) ocurrida en la provincia de Salamanca (España) entre 2005-2014. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado a partir del archivo informático del Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. La detección se realizó según la metodología habitual. Resultados. El 2,6% de las muestras de heces analizadas para detección de toxinas de C. difficile (9.103) fueron positivas. La prevalencia media global fue de 6,8 casos por 100.000 habitantes y año. La media de edad fue de 65 ± 21,4 años y la mediana 70 años. El 59% de los casos se produjo en mayores de 64 años, con una prevalencia media anual de 16,5 (4 veces superior a la del grupo de 15-64). La mayoría de casos (86.4%) se produjeron en pacientes hospitalizados, siendo el grupo de mayores de 64 años el de mayor porcentaje de ICD hospitalaria, con un 55%. Conclusiones. Se observa un incremento significativo del número de peticiones y de la prevalencia de ICD a lo largo de la década estudiada y unas tasas de prevalencia bastante inferiores a las de otros estudios. El porcentaje de ICD aumentó de manera significativa tanto en pacientes hospitalizados como en los comunitarios. La edad y la hospitalización fueron factores de riesgo para desarrollar ICD. Tras la introducción de una técnica molecular de detección en 2014, la prevalencia aumentó, siendo 2.5 veces superior a la del 2013 (AU)

Background. To know the most relevant epidemiological features of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) between 2005-2014 in the province of Salamanca (Spain). Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out through review of the clinical microbiologic records at Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. Detection was performed according to standard methodology. Results. 2.6% of stool samples analyzed for detection of C. difficile toxins (9.103) were positive. The average prevalence was 6.8 cases per 100,000 people per year. The mean age was 65 ± 21.4 years and the median 70 years. 59% of cases occurred in patients over 64 years, with an average prevalence of 16.5 (4 times higher than the 15-64 group). Most cases (86.4%) occurred in hospitalized patients, and the group of over 64 had the highest percentage of hospital CDI, with 55%. Conclusions. A significant increase in the number of requests and in the prevalence of CDI over the decade studied is observed, and prevalence rates were significantly lower than those of other studies. The percentage of CDI increased significantly in both inpatient and community. Age and hospitalization were risk factors for developing CDI. After the introduction of a molecular detection technique in 2014, the prevalence increased, being 2.5 times higher than 2013 (AU)

Peritonitis por Moraxella osloensis: a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Moraxella osloensis peritonitis: case report and review

No disponible

Cambios en la epidemiología de las gastroenteritis causadas por Salmonella durante 2005-2014 en Salamanca, España / Changes in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella during 2005-2014 in Salamanca, Spain

Introducción. En España no abundan estudios poblacionales actualizados sobre salmonelosis, a pesar de ser una de las etiologías de gastroenteritis agudas (GEAs) bacterianas más habituales en el mundo. El objetivo fue conocer los rasgos epidemiológicos más relevantes de las GEAs producidas por Salmonella spp. entre 2005-2014 en Salamanca (España). Métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado a partir del archivo informático del Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. El cultivo, aislamiento, identificación y serotipificación se realizaron según la metodología habitual. Resultados. Salmonella se aisló en 1.477 pacientes, representando el 47,7% del total de coprocultivos positivos y el 53,3% de todos los ingresos por GEA bacteriana. La prevalencia media fue de 42,1 casos/100.000 habitantes y año. La media de edad fue de 23 ± 28 años y la mediana 7 años. El 40,2% de todos los aislamientos se produjo en menores de 5 años, con una prevalencia media de 45,1 casos/10.000 habitantes y año. Globalmente, el serotipo aislado con más frecuencia fue S. Typhimurium con un 57%, seguido por S. Enteritidis con un 35,8%. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de Salmonella disminuyó a lo largo del tiempo. El grupo entre 0-4 años presentó la tasa más alta durante todo el periodo. Sin embargo, produjo el mayor porcentaje de hospitalizaciones por GEA bacteriana. El serotipo S. Typhimurium ha reemplazado en los últimos años al serotipo S. Enteritidis y predomina en pacientes de menor edad. Se aprecia una infranotificación de los casos de salmonelosis producidos en Salamanca a pesar de ser obligatoria su declaración desde 2007 (AU)

Background. In Spain there are not many updated population studies about salmonellosis, despite being one of the most common etiologies of acute gastroenteritis (AGEs) caused by bacteria in the world. The aim of the study was to know the most relevant epidemiological features of AGEs produced by Salmonella spp. between 2005 and 2014 in Salamanca (Spain). Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out through review of the clinical microbiologic records at Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. Culture, isolation, identification and serotyping were performed according to standard methodology. Results. Salmonella was isolated in 1,477 patients, representing 47.7% of all positive stool cultures and 53.3% of all income bacterial AGE. The average prevalence was 42.1 cases/100,000 people per year. The mean age was 23 ± 28 years and the median 7 years. 40.2% of all isolates occurred in children under 5 years, with an average prevalence of 45.1 cases/ 10,000 people per year. Overall, the most frequently isolated serotype was S. Typhimurium with 57%, followed by S. Enteritidis with 35.8%. Conclusions. The prevalence of Salmonella decreased over time. The group aged 0-4 years had the highest rate throughout the period. However, Salmonella produced the highest percentage of hospitalizations for bacterial AGE. In recent years, S. Typhimurium serotype has replaced S. Enteritidis serotype and predominates in younger patients. It is observed under-reporting of cases of salmonellosis produced in Salamanca despite being mandatory notification of these since 2007 (AU)

[Changes in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella during 2005-2014 in Salamanca, Spain]. / Cambios en la epidemiología de las gastroenteritis causadas por Salmonella durante 2005-2014 en Salamanca, España.

OBJECTIVE: In Spain there are not many updated population studies about salmonellosis, despite being one of the most common etiologies of acute gastroenteritis (AGEs) caused by bacteria in the world. The aim of the study was to know the most relevant epidemiological features of AGEs produced by Salmonella spp. between 2005 and 2014 in Salamanca (Spain). METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out through review of the clinical microbiologic records at Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. Culture, isolation, identification and serotyping were performed according to standard methodology. RESULTS: Salmonella was isolated in 1,477 patients, representing 47.7% of all positive stool cultures and 53.3% of all income bacterial AGE. The average prevalence was 42.1 cases/100,000 people per year. The mean age was 23 ± 28 years and the median 7 years. 40.2% of all isolates occurred in children under 5 years, with an average prevalence of 45.1 cases/ 10,000 people per year. Overall, the most frequently isolated serotype was S. Typhimurium with 57%, followed by S. Enteritidis with 35.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Salmonella decreased over time. The group aged 0-4 years had the highest rate throughout the period. However, Salmonella produced the highest percentage of hospitalizations for bacterial AGE. In recent years, S. Typhimurium serotype has replaced S. Enteritidis serotype and predominates in younger patients. It is observed under-reporting of cases of salmonellosis produced in Salamanca despite being mandatory notification of these since 2007.

Daño renal agudo por sulfadiacina en paciente con toxoplasmosis oftálmica / Acute kidney damage due sulfadiazine in a patient with ocular toxoplasmosis

Paciente en tratamiento con sulfadiacina mas pirimetamina por toxoplasmosis oftálmica que desarrolla un cuadro de insuficiencia renal por depósito de cristales. Se observan al microscopio las imágenes características en gavilla de trigo de los cristales de sulfadiacina (AU)

A patient on treatment with sulfadiazine plus pyrimethamine for ophthalmic toxoplasmosis developed renal failure. Using a microscope it is possible to see the characteristic wheat sheaf images of the sulfadiazine crystals (AU)