Effect of oral antiseptics in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity: evidence from a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

ABSTRACTBackground: In vitro studies have shown that several oral antiseptics have virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, mouthwashes have been proposed as an easy to implement strategy to reduce viral transmission. However, there are no data measuring SARS-CoV-2 viability after mouthwashes in vivo. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind, five-parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial, SARS-CoV-2 salivary viral load (by quantitative PCR) and its infectious capacity (incubating saliva in cell cultures) have been evaluated before and after four different antiseptic mouthwashes and placebo in 54 COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Contrary to in vitro evidence, salivary viral load was not affected by any of the four tested mouthwashes. Viral culture indicated that cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) significantly reduced viral infectivity, but only at 1-hour post-mouthwash. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that some of the mouthwashes currently used to reduce viral infectivity are not efficient in vivo and, furthermore, that this effect is not immediate, generating a false sense of security.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04707742..

Digital conversations about depression among Hispanics and non-Hispanics in the US: a big-data, machine learning analysis identifies specific characteristics of depression narratives in Hispanics.

BACKGROUND: Digital conversations can offer unique information into the attitudes of Hispanics with depression outside of formal clinical settings and help generate useful information for medical treatment planning. Our study aimed to explore the big data from open-source digital conversations among Hispanics with regard to depression, specifically attitudes toward depression comparing Hispanics and non-Hispanics using machine learning technology. METHODS: Advanced machine-learning empowered methodology was used to mine and structure open-source digital conversations of self-identifying Hispanics and non-Hispanics who endorsed suffering from depression and engaged in conversation about their tone, topics, and attitude towards depression. The search was limited to 12 months originating from US internet protocol (IP) addresses. In this cross-sectional study, only unique posts were included in the analysis and were primarily analyzed for their tone, topic, and attitude towards depression between the two groups using descriptive statistical tools. RESULTS: A total of 441,000 unique conversations about depression, including 43,000 (9.8%) for Hispanics, were posted. Source analysis revealed that 48% of conversations originated from topical sites compared to 16% on social media. Several critical differences were noted between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. In a higher percentage of Hispanics, their conversations portray "negative tone" due to depression (66% vs 39% non-Hispanics), show a resigned/hopeless attitude (44% vs. 30%) and were about 'living with' depression (44% vs. 25%). There were important differences in the author's determined sentiments behind the conversations among Hispanics and non-Hispanics. CONCLUSION: In this first of its kind big data analysis of nearly a half-million digital conversations about depression using machine learning, we found that Hispanics engage in an online conversation about negative, resigned, and hopeless attitude towards depression more often than non-Hispanic.

Impact of Pneumococcal Vaccination in the Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Healthy Children of the Murcia Region in Spain.

BACKGROUND: An epidemiological study of Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage in healthy children was carried out five years after the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). OBJECTIVES: Study the impact of pediatric vaccination with PCV13, and other associated epidemiological factors on the status of nasopharyngeal carriage, the circulating pneumococcal serotypes, and the antibiotic susceptibility to more frequently used antibiotics. METHODS: A multi-center study was carried out in Primary Health Care, which included 1821 healthy children aged 1 to 4 years old. All isolates were sent to the Spanish Pneumococcal Reference Laboratory for serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: At least one dose of PCV13 had been received by 71.9% of children and carriage pneumococcal prevalence was 19.7%. The proportion of PCV13 serotypes was low (14.4%), with an observed predominance of non-vaccine serotypes, 23B, 11A, 10A, 35B/F, and 23A were the five most frequent. A high rate of resistance to penicillin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole was found. CONCLUSIONS: A low proportion of PCV13 serotypes were detected, confirming the impact of pediatric vaccination for reducing the serotypes vaccine carriage. High resistance rates to clinically important antibiotics were observed.

Infecciones nosocomiales por Pseudomonas aeruginosa multiresistente incluido carbapenémicos: factores predictivos y pronósticos. Estudio prospectivo 2016-2017 / Nosocomial infections caused by multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (carbapenems included): predictive and prognostic factors. A prospective study (2016-2017)

Introducción. Pseudomonas aeruginosa es uno de los principales microorganismos causante de infecciones nosocomiales. En los últimos años están aumentando las resistencias a antimicrobianos y las infecciones producidas por estas cepas se han asociado a un aumento de la mortalidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar su significación clínica y analizar los valores predictivos y pronósticos. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo de casos y controles no emparejados realizado en 64 pacientes diagnosticados de infección nosocomial por P. aeruginosa, 32 de ellos por cepas sensibles y 32 por cepas multiresistentes incluido los carbapenémicos (MDR/XDR-C), ingresados en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se realizó un seguimiento hospitalario hasta el alta o fallecimiento y un control a los 30 días. Se analizaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas y microbiológicas. Resultados. La incidencia de cepas MDR/XDR-C fue de 2,3 por 1000 ingresos. Diez de las cuales fueron productoras de metalo-β-lactamasa tipo VIM. Los factores predictivos asociados de forma independiente con MDR/XDR-C fueron: la estancia previa en UCI o Reanimación (OR 14,01; IC95% 2,105-93,297), la aparición tras >20 días de estancia (OR 29,826; IC 95% 4,783-185,997) y la leucocitosis (OR 10,0190; IC95% 1,842-56,369). En cambio, no se detectaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a los factores de gravedad clínica y la mortalidad en ambos grupos. Conclusión. Los principales factores de riesgo asociados a infecciones por cepas MDR/XDR-C fueron la estancia previa en UCI o Reanimación, la aparición tras >20 días y la leucocitosis. La infección por cepas MDR/XDR-C no se asocia a un aumento de la mortalidad

Introduction. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major pathogens causing hospital-acquired infections. In recent years, antimicrobial resistance is increasing and multidrug resistant (MDR) and extremely drug resistant (XDR) isolates have been associated with an increase of mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical significance and analyze predictors and prognostic factors. Methods. Prospective case-control non-paired study involving 64 patients with P. aeruginosa nosocomial infection, 32 caused by susceptible P. aeruginosa and 32 by MDR/XDR including to carbapenems (XDR-C) strains, admitted at a third level hospital. The follow-up period was till hospital discharge or death and at 30 days after discharge. For all patients, clinical epidemiology and microbiological data were analyzed. Results: The incidence of MDR/XDR-C strains was 2.3 per 1000 admissions. Ten of which were VIM metallo-β-lactamase-producing. Independent predictor factors associated with MDR/XDR-C infections were: previous ICU or Resuscitation unit admission (OR 14.01; IC 95% 2.105-93.297) appearance >20 days after admission (OR 29.826; IC 95% 4.783-185.997) and leukocytosis (OR 10.0190; IC 95% 1.842-56.369). However, there were not statistically significant differences in clinical severity or mortality between both groups. Conclusion: the major risk factors associated with MDR/XDR-C infections were previous ICU or Resuscitation unit admission, appearance >20 days after admission and leukocytosis. MDR/XDR-C infections were not associated to increased mortality

Cerebral toxoplasmosis in an MS patient receiving Fingolimod.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which lymphocytes target putative myelin antigens in the CNS, causing inflammation and neurodegeneration. Fingolimod (FTY720) is an immunosuppressive drug used as a second line therapy for relapsing forms of MS due to its safety profile and good response to treatment. Despite its safety, there are still concerns about the possibility of Fingolimod being linked to the development of opportunistic infections like disseminated varicella zoster infections and herpes simplex encephalitis. In this case report, we describe one patient with past medical history of MS in current treatment with Fingolimod for the last year which presents herself with hemiparesis, fever and fatigue. The initial MRI showed multiple demyelinating-like lesions that could have corresponded to the tumefactive form of MS relapse. The blood work up revealed leukopenia with lymphopenia and a CD4+ count of 200 cell/mm3. Treatment for acute relapse was initiated with little to no response. Further examination was carried by the clinicians, a lumbar puncture was performed and it showed pleocytosis with increased protein levels. Later, several serologic studies were performed and both IgM and IgG antibodies for Toxoplasma were positive. Diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was made and there was no evidence of HIV infection or other causes of secondary immunodeficiency in this patient, except the use of fingolimod. Evidence of decreased levels of CD4+ due to Fingolimod use is concerning. The risk of opportunistic infections in these patients must be considered in order to start or continue therapy with these agents. Further studies are needed to determine the percentage of the population at risk of immunosuppression and its long-term consequences as well as new actions to prevent infections.

[Prevalence and incidence in Albacete, Spain, of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age: differences between immigrant and non-immigrant (2001-2007)]. / Prevalencia e incidencia de la infección por Toxoplasma gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete (2001-2007).

BACKGROUND: Strategies to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis must be adapted to the local epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence and the incidence of T. gondii infection in women of childbearing age in Albacete. METHODS: The source of information was the database of the Microbiology Laboratory of the Albacete General Hospital. To know the prevalence we reviewed the results of T. gondii IgG determinations from pregnant women living in the Albacete area who gave birth in 2006. To estimate the incidence we performed a longitudinal retrospective study of seronegative women with repeated T. gondii IgG determinations over at least one year. RESULTS: Prevalence study: We studied 2,623 pregnant women, of whom 21% were seropositive. Seroprevalence in Spain-born women was 16% (95% CI = 14%-17%) and it increased with age from 9% in women under 25 to 22% in women over 34 years old. Fifty-one per cent (95% CI=46%-56%) of the immigrant women were seropositive. Incidence study: We studied 2,416 women. The median time at risk was 35 months. There were 5 confirmed and 3 possible seroconversions. The incidence was 0.7-1.1 seroconversions per 1,000 women-year. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of T. gondii infection among Spain-born women is the lowest one of those published so far. The incidence of infection among women of childbearing age was low.

Prevalencia e incidencia de la infección por Toxoplasma Gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete (2001-2007) / Prevalence and incidence in Albacete, Spain, of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age. Differences between immigrant and non-immigrant (2001-2007)

Fundamento: Las estrategias de prevención de la toxoplasmosis congénita deben adaptarse a la epidemiología local de la infección por Toxoplasma gondii. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la prevalencia y la incidencia de la infección por T. gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete. Métodos: La fuente de información fue la base de datos del Laboratorio de Microbiología del Hospital General de Albacete. Para conocer la prevalencia se revisaron los resultados de las determinaciones de IgG anti-T. gondii en mujeres embarazadas que dieron a luz en el año 2006. Para estimar la incidencia se realizó un estudio longitudinal retrospectivo de mujeres seronegativas con determinaciones de IgG anti-T. gondii repetidas durante al menos un año. Resultados: Estudio de prevalencia: Se estudió a 2.623 mujeres gestantes de las que el 21% fueron seropositivas. La seroprevalencia en mujeres nacidas en España fue del 16% (IC 95% = 14%-17%) y aumentó con la edad desde el 9% en menores de 25 años hasta el 22% en mayores de 34. El 51% (IC95%=46%-56%) de las mujeres inmigrantes fueron seropositivas. Estudio de incidencia: Se estudió a 2.416 mujeres. La mediana del tiempo en riesgo fue de 35 meses. Hubo 5 seroconversiones confirmadas y 3 posibles. La incidencia de seroconversiones fue de 0,7-1,1 por 1.000 mujeres-año. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la infección por T. gondii en mujeres nacidas en España fue la más baja de las publicadas hasta ahora. La incidencia de la infección en mujeres en edad fértil fue baja (AU)

Background: Strategies to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis must be adapted to the local epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence and the incidence of T. gondii infection in women of childbearig age in Albacete. Methods: The source of information was the database of the Microbiology Laboratory of the Albacete General Hospital. To know the prevalence we reviewed the results of T. gondii IgG determinations from pregnant women living in the Albacete area who gave birth in 2006. To estimate the incidence we performed a longitudinal retrospective study of seronegative women with repeated T. gondii IgG determinations over at least one year. Results: Prevalence study: We studied 2,623 pregnant women, of whom 21% were seropositive. Seroprevalence in Spain-born women was 16% (95% CI = 14%-17%) and it increased with age from 9% in women under 25 to 22% in women over 34 years old. Fifty-one per cent (95% CI=46%-56%) of the immigrant women were seropositive. Incidence study: We studied 2,416 women. The median time at risk was 35 months. There were 5 confirmed and 3 possible seroconversions. The incidence was 0.7-1.1 seroconversions per 1,000 women-year. Conclusions: Prevalence of T. gondii infection among Spain-born women is the lowest one of those published so far. The incidence of infection among women of childbearing age was low (AU)

Un sistema sencillo y de bajo costo para la reconstruccion tridimensional de estructuras embrionarias a partir de cortes seriados / A Simple and Cheap 3D Reconstruction System of Embryonic Structures from Serial Sections

En este trabajo se muestra el montaje y utilización de un sistema de reconstrucción tridimensional en estructuras embrionarias, utilizando equipos sencillos, de fácil adquisición y uso, utilizando como ejemplo la inervación del miembro posterior del embrión de rata de 19 días de gestación. Además, se muestra cómo pueden lograrse resultados de buen nivel, en cuanto a la forma, ubicación y distribución de las estructuras de interés, obteniendo adicionalmente información cuantitativa acerca de la forma y tamaño (volumen y área superficial), a partir de la utilización de software gratuitos de libre acceso en internet.