Evidence of anti-Hcp100 antibodies in COVID-19 critically ill patients with detectable anti-histoplasmin antibodies in a highly endemic area for histoplasmosis.

Patients with severe COVID-19 are at increased risk for invasive fungal infections, which are underestimated. Histoplasmosis reactivation in endemic areas should not be overlooked in this population. In a previous study, seroconversion to anti-histoplasmin antibodies by ELISA was detected in 6/39 (15.4%) patients with severe COVID-19. In this work, samples were further investigated to detect seroconversion to antibodies against the Histoplasma capsulatum 100-kDa antigen (Hcp100) by ELISA. Seroconversion to anti-Hcp100 antibodies was detected in 7/39 patients, of whom 6 also seroconverted anti-histoplasmin antibodies. These results reinforce previous findings that show histoplasmosis as an underdiagnosed fungal entity complicating COVID-19.

This study verifies that patients with severe COVID-19 at intensive care units are at risk for histoplasmosis reactivation in endemic areas. Accurate diagnosis of this deadly fungal disease among critically ill patients with COVID-19 living in endemic areas for histoplasmosis is needed.

Contemporary Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study (VENOUS I).

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are major therapeutic challenges. Prospective contemporary data characterizing the clinical and molecular epidemiology of VRE bloodstream infections (BSIs) are lacking. METHODS: The Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal BSI Outcomes Study (VENOUS I) is a prospective observational cohort of adult patients with enterococcal BSI in 11 US hospitals. We included patients with Enterococcus faecalis or Enterococcus faecium BSI with ≥1 follow-up blood culture(s) within 7 days and availability of isolate(s) for further characterization. The primary study outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were mortality at days 4, 7, 10, 12, and 15 after index blood culture. A desirability of outcome ranking was constructed to assess the association of vancomycin resistance with outcomes. All index isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: Forty-two of 232 (18%) patients died in hospital and 39 (17%) exhibited microbiological failure (lack of clearance in the first 4 days). Neutropenia (hazard ratio [HR], 3.13), microbiological failure (HR, 2.4), VRE BSI (HR, 2.13), use of urinary catheter (HR, 1.85), and Pitt BSI score ≥2 (HR, 1.83) were significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. Microbiological failure was the strongest predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with E faecium bacteremia (HR, 5.03). The impact of vancomycin resistance on mortality in our cohort changed throughout the course of hospitalization. Enterococcus faecalis sequence type 6 was a predominant multidrug-resistant lineage, whereas a heterogeneous genomic population of E faecium was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Failure of early eradication of VRE from the bloodstream is a major factor associated with poor outcomes.

Detection of anti-Histoplasma capsulatum antibodies and seroconversion patterns in critically ill patients with COVID-19: An underdiagnosed fungal entity complicating COVID-19?

The patients with severe COVID-19 are at increased risk for invasive fungal infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and candidiasis, which increase morbidity and mortality. However, clinicians should also consider the possibility of reactivating latent Histoplasma capsulatum in patients with severe COVID-19 living within areas of endemicity who have worsening respiratory function or sepsis, even if they do not have classical risk factors for histoplasmosis (e.g., HIV/AIDS). Bearing in mind this scenario, serum samples of 39 non-HIV/AIDS patients from Buenos Aires hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia were analyzed for anti-H. capsulatum-specific IgG antibodies by an in-house ELISA. Antibodies against H. capsulatum were detected in the sera of 8/39 patients (20.51%). To exclude the possibility that these antibodies arose from past exposure of these patients to the fungus, paired serum samples obtained after an interval of at least 10 days were evaluated. Of them, five patients (62.5%) with negative anti-H. capsulatum antibodies at baseline became seropositive 7-10 days later. Three patients (37.5%) had positive anti-H. capsulatum antibodies at baseline, but at time point 2, one of them became seronegative and the other one diminished the antibody titers (4000 vs. 16000 at baseline). The remaining patients displayed higher antibody titers at time point 2 (4000 vs. 1000 at baseline) and died immediately thereafter. In conclusion, awareness of the possibility of fungal co-infections is essential to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment in order to help prevent severe illness and death from these infections. LAY SUMMARY: This study verifies that patients with severe COVID-19 at ICU are at risk for histoplasmosis reactivation in endemic areas. Accurate diagnosis of this deadly fungal disease among critically ill patients with COVID-19 living in endemic areas for histoplasmosis is needed.

Invasive fusariosis in a critically ill patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report.

Invasive fungal infections as aspergillosis and candidiasis are well-documented complications in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. However, invasive infections by other molds are rarely reported. We describe a case of invasive fusariosis in a patient with severe COVID-19 with a fatal outcome.

[Etiology and antimicrobial resistance of uncomplicated urinary tract infections]. / Etiología y resistencia a antimicrobianos de la infección no complicada del tracto urinario.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections rank among the most frequent bacterial infections in women in the outpatient setting and represent a major cause of antimicrobial prescription. The aims of this study were to assess frequencies and antimicrobial resistance of current uropathogens causing uncomplicated urinary tract infection. In a prospective multicenter study, patients were recruited in ambulatory settings of four participating hospitals between June 2011 and December 2013. We analyzed 138 patients that met clinical and bacteriological diagnostic criteria. The mean age was 28 years. Cystitis was defined in 70% (n: 97) and pyelonephritis in 30% (n: 41). Frequencies of isolated microorganisms were: Escherichia coli 70% (n: 97), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 17% (n: 24), Proteus spp. 7% (n: 10), Klebsiella spp. 4% (n: 5), Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (0.7%) each. The antimicrobial resistance was: ampicillin-sulbactam 37% (n: 51) cephalexin 28% (n: 39), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 22% (n: 31), nitrofurantoin 12% (n: 17), gentamicin 7% (n: 10) and ciprofloxacin 5% (n: 7). The levels of resistance found for ampicillin-sulbactam, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and cephalexin were higher than those previously reported in Argentina. A better knowledge of the etiology and local antimicrobial susceptibility allows the design of more adequate guidelines for empirical treatment.

Etiología y resistencia a antimicrobianos de la infección no complicada del tracto urinario / Etiology and antimicrobial resistance of uncomplicated urinary tract infections

La infección urinaria no complicada en mujeres es un motivo frecuente de consulta e indicación de antimicrobianos. El objetivo de este estudio fue definir etiología y resistencia a antimicrobianos en episodios de infección urinaria no complicada. Este estudio prospectivo incluyó mujeres premenopáusicas no embarazadas, con infección urinaria no complicada, que consultaron en un hospital público y tres centros privados de las ciudades de Buenos Aires y La Plata (2011-2013). La edad media de 138 pacientes con infección confirmada por urocultivo fue 28 años. El diagnóstico fue cistitis en 97 (70%) y pielonefritis en 41 (30%). Las frecuencias de los microorganismos aislados fueron: Escherichia coli 97 (70%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 24 (17%), Proteus spp. 10 (7%), Klebsiella spp. 5 (4%), Enterococcus spp. 1 (0.7%) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (0.7%). Las frecuencias de resistencia a antimicrobianos fueron: ampicilina-sulbactam 51 (37%), cefalexina 39 (28%), trimetoprima/sulfametoxazol 31 (22%), nitrofurantoína 17 (12%), gentamicina 10 (7%) y ciprofloxacina 7 (5%). La frecuencia de resistencia a ampicilina-sulbactam, trimetoprima/sulfametoxazol y cefalexina es mayor que las previamente publicadas en Argentina, lo que limita su recomendación para el tratamiento empírico. Una mejor comprensión de la etiología y la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana local permite el diseño de pautas más adecuadas para el tratamiento empírico.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections rank among the most frequent bacterial infections in women in the outpatient setting and represent a major cause of antimicrobial prescription. The aims of this study were to assess frequencies and antimicrobial resistance of current uropathogens causing uncomplicated urinary tract infection. In a prospective multicenter study, patients were recruited in ambulatory settings of four participating hospitals between June 2011 and December 2013. We analyzed 138 patients that met clinical and bacteriological diagnostic criteria. The mean age was 28 years. Cystitis was defined in 70% (n: 97) and pyelonephritis in 30% (n: 41). Frequencies of isolated microorganisms were: Escherichia coli 70% (n: 97), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 17% (n: 24), Proteus spp. 7% (n: 10), Klebsiella spp. 4% (n: 5), Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (0.7%) each. The antimicrobial resistance was: ampicillin-sulbactam 37% (n: 51) cephalexin 28% (n: 39), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 22% (n: 31), nitrofurantoin 12% (n: 17), gentamicin 7% (n: 10) and ciprofloxacin 5% (n: 7). The levels of resistance found for ampicillin-sulbactam, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and cephalexin were higher than those previously reported in Argentina. A better knowledge of the etiology and local antimicrobial susceptibility allows the design of more adequate guidelines for empirical treatment.

Opciones terapéuticas para el manejo de la Leishmaniasis cutánea americana / Treatment options for american cutaneous leishmaniasis

La Leishmaniasis es una enfermedad parasitaria transmitida por insectos vectores. Es un problema de salud preocupante y emergente. Un gran porcentaje de la población en el mundo está expuesta a la enfermedad. La Leishmaniasis cutánea es una forma clínica circunscripta a la piel. Se reportan 1.500.000 nuevos casos por año en el mundo. Se caracteriza por presentar lesiones crónicas y estigmatizantes. Varias opciones de tratamiento se han experimentado con resultados diversos. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), en el año 2010, actualizó las drogas disponibles para esta enfermedad y elaboró recomendaciones. En Argentina predominan las formas clínicas visceral (LV) y cutánea (LC). El Ministerio de Salud de la Nación propone guías de tratamiento para la LV. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar las opciones de tratamiento propuestas por la OMS y evaluar su utilización en Argentina para la Leishmaniasis cutánea americana (LCA)

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by insect vectors. Is an emergent and health concern. A large percentage of the population in the world is exposed to this disease. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is circumscribed to skin and one million and a half new cases are reported every year in the world. It affects the skin through chronic and stigmatizing lesions. Several treatment options have been used with different results. The World Health Organization (WHO) updated the available drugs to treat Leishmaniasis and made recommendations in the 2010 year. In Argentina, visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) Leishmaniasis are the most frequent types of presentation of the disease. Recommended therapeutic options to manage VL, but not for CL, are published by the Ministry of Health of the Nation. The objective of this review is to analyze the treatment options suggested by the WHO and evaluate its use for the treatment of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Argentina

Healthcare personnel infected with novel influenza A H1N1 virus in university hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Data on the clinical presentation, risk factors, and outcomes for healthcare personnel (HCP) infected with influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1) are limited. From June to July 2009, a prospective study was conducted among HCP with influenza-like illness (ILI) at university hospitals in Buenos Aires. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to diagnose H1N1. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with H1N1. Among 1519 HCP, 96 (6.3%) were diagnosed with an ILI. Of these, 85 (88.5%) were swabbed for H1N1 detection, with 43 positive cases (2.8%). Seasonal influenza immunization was recorded in 76%. Comparison of H1N1-positive vs. H1N1-negative cases showed that H1N1-positive cases more frequently had asthenia (72% vs. 48%, p = 0.03) and cough (79% vs. 43%, p = 0.008) and less frequently had diarrhoea (9% vs. 29%, p = 0.03) and prior prophylaxis with oseltamivir (5% vs. 31%, p = 0.002). The logistic regression model showed that presence of cough (odds ratio (OR) 6.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.24, 21.4) was associated with an increased risk of H1N1. Prior prophylaxis with oseltamivir (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01, 0.43) was associated with a lower probability of H1N1 infection. A high proportion of HCP with an ILI were infected with H1N1. Complication rates were relatively low. Prior prophylaxis with oseltamivir was associated with a lower risk of developing H1N1.