Adenovirus-Associated Urethritis, a Not So Uncommon Entity. A Review of 91 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is likely an underdiagnosed cause of urethritis, although it was already associated with urethritis in descriptions published more than 40 years ago. Differential clinical features of this entity, such as meatitis, conjunctivitis, and a predominance of mononuclear white blood cells in first-void urine and/or urethral smear, can be useful to increase diagnostic suspicion. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 91 episodes of HAdV-associated urethritis diagnosed for 9 years and 6 months after optimizing efforts to detect the pathogen mainly in patients with features suggestive of this condition. RESULTS: Dysuria was the main symptom (84%), whereas meatitis was observed in 34% of cases. Furthermore, 40% of patients had conjunctivitis. Human adenovirus type D was the most prevalent HAdV (56%), although HAdV-C6, a type not previously associated with urethritis, was observed in 12 patients (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Urethritis due to HAdV is not uncommon, and it is important to screen for it to avoid unnecessary treatments, contact tracing studies, and checkups. The use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays that include HAdV, for the diagnosis of urethritis, would raise awareness of its role in this entity.

Surveillance of Helicobacter pylori resistance over 22 Years (2000-2021) in Northern Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori gastritis is considered an infectious disease, regardless of symptoms and stage of disease. Most consensus documents recommend empirical therapy based on local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. We aimed to provide clinically useful information about primary and secondary antimicrobial resistance to antimicrobials commonly prescribed for H. pylori. METHODS: Overall, 31,406 gastroduodenal biopsies and 2,641 string tests from patients over 15 years of age were plated on selective media, isolating H. pylori in 36.7% of biopsies and 50.7% of string tests. Susceptibility testing could be performed in 96.6% (12,399/12,835) of H. pylori isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also used to detect H. pylori and its resistance to clarithromycin, providing susceptibility data for 112 patients with negative culture results. RESULTS: Resistance to amoxicillin and tetracycline was unusual (0.6% and 0.2%, respectively). Rates of primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole remained steady over the 22-year study period, at around 14% for clarithromycin and 30% for metronidazole, while primary resistance to levofloxacin tripled (from 7.6% in 2000 to 21.7% in 2021, P < 0.001) and increased with patient age. Notably, 1.8% of isolates were multiresistant to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. Overall, secondary resistance rates were higher (P < 0.0001) than primary resistance rates for clarithromycin (42.5% vs 14.1%), metronidazole (40.9% vs 32%), and levofloxacin (21.5% vs 17.1%). CONCLUSION: Determination of susceptibility for H. pylori by culture and/or PCR in patients undergoing endoscopy could facilitate the implementation of tailored therapy and guide the choice of empirical therapy when susceptibility testing cannot be performed, potentially helping limit the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

Genetic Characterization of Non-Lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia trachomatis Indicates Distinct Infection Transmission Networks in Spain.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is an important public health problem. Our objective was to assess the dynamics of the transmission of this infection, analysing the distribution of circulating ompA genotypes and multilocus sequence types of C. trachomatis in Spain as a function of clinical and epidemiological variables. During 2018 and 2019, we genetically characterized C. trachomatis in tertiary hospitals in six areas in Spain (Asturias, Barcelona, Gipuzkoa, Mallorca, Seville and Zaragoza), with a catchment population of 3.050 million people. Genotypes and sequence types were obtained using polymerase chain reaction techniques that amplify a fragment of the ompA gene, and five highly variable genes (hctB, CT058, CT144, CT172 and pbpB), respectively. Amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. We obtained genotypes in 636/698 cases (91.1%). Overall and by area, genotype E was the most common (35%). Stratifying by sex, genotypes D and G were more common among men, and genotypes F and I among women (p < 0.05). Genotypes D, G and J were more common in men who have sex with men (MSM) than in men who have sex with women (MSW), in whom the most common genotypes were E and F. The diversity index was higher in sequence typing (0.981) than in genotyping (0.791), and the most common sequence types were ST52 and ST108 in MSM, and ST30, ST148, ST276 and ST327 in MSW. Differences in genotype distribution between geographical areas were attributable to differences in population characteristics. The transmission dynamics varied with sexual behaviour: the predominant genotypes and most frequent sequence types found in MSM were different to those detected in MSW and women.

Increases in the Macrolide Resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium and the Emergence of the A2058T Mutation in the 23S rRNA Gene: Clonal Spread?

The management of Mycoplasma genitalium sexually transmitted infection (STI) is hindered by increasing resistance to the recommended antibiotics, macrolides and quinolones, worldwide. In Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), macrolide and quinolone resistance rates in 2014−2018 were reported as <20% and <10%, respectively. The aims of this study were to compare these rates with those in 2019−2021 and analyse the genetic and epidemiological features of the strains and cases associated with striking changes in the resistance trends. Resistance to macrolides (n = 1019) and quinolones (n = 958) was studied, analysing mutations in 23S rRNA and parC/gyrA genes, respectively. The rate of macrolide resistance increased from 17.3% in 2014−2018 to 32.1% in 2019−2021, as much in the more prevalent A2058/2059G mutations (16.6−27.8%) as in the emergent A2058T mutations (0.5−4.1%) but with differences in the odds ratios and the relative risk increase between A2058T and A2058/2059G mutations. MG191 adhesin and MG309 lipoprotein of the 27 emergent strains detected with A2058T mutations were amplified, sequenced, and typed using phylogenetic and variable number tandem repeat analysis, respectively. Genetic clonal spread was ruled out, but most of the A2058T cases were men who had sex with men (24/27) with a history of STI and antibiotic treatments (19/27). No changes were observed in quinolone resistance trends, but the rate of resistance to both antibiotics rose from 2.9% to 8.3%, especially in cases with A2058T mutations. The genetic characterisation of strains and epidemiological surveillance of cases are needed to detect populations at increased risk of treatment failure in this infection.

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Listeriosis in Gipuzkoa, Spain, 2010-2020.

Background: Listeriosis continues to be one of the most important notifiable foodborne diseases. Nonetheless, in Spain, there are few data on the molecular epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes infections in recent years. Aim: To describe clinical features and the molecular epidemiology of human listeriosis over an 11-year period (2010-2020) in Gipuzkoa, Northern Spain. Methods: A total of 111 isolates, all but one from invasive disease, were studied. Serotyping (agglutination and multiplex polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and multilocus sequence typing were performed for all isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed by the broth microdilution method. Results: The average annual incidence of listeriosis in non-pregnancy-associated cases was 1.55 per 100,000 population, with a 1-month mortality rate of 22.2%. In pregnant women, the average incidence was 0.45 cases per 1,000 pregnancies. Twenty-four sequence types were identified, serotype 4b ST1 (24.3%) being the most frequent followed by 1/2b ST87 (18.9%), which caused two long outbreaks in 2013-2014. A significant association was observed between ST219 and meningitis (p < 0.001). All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin as well as other antibiotics used in listeriosis treatment. Conclusion: Despite current control measures, listeriosis continues to be an important cause of mortality in the elderly, preterm birth, and miscarriages in pregnant women. Improvements in the control and diagnosis of listeriosis are needed to reduce the impact of this infection on vulnerable populations.

Haemophilus influenzae Type a Sequence Type 23, Northern Spain.

Two consecutive cases of Haemophilus influenzae type a sequence type 23 invasive infection in 2 children attending the same daycare in 2019 triggered epidemiologic surveillance of H. influenzae infections in northern Spain. Despite the invasiveness potential of this virus strain, we detected no additional cases for 2013-2020.

Comparison of Four Methods for Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Typing.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal capsular-type identification is essential for monitoring the epidemiology of pneumococcal infections and for establishing the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines. The objective of this work was to compare the accuracy of four methods of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular typing. METHODS: A prospective blind study was carried out at Donostia University Hospital (northern Spain) to determine the capsular types of 50 pneumococcal clinical isolates using four techniques: a) S. PneumoStripTM: a reverse-hybridization strip-based commercial assay that detects 76 pneumococcal serotypes: 42 individually and 34 in pairs. b) FAF-mPCR: a single-step multiplex-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay combined with fragment analysis using automated fluorescent capillary electrophoresis, which can differentiate 92 serotypes in a single tube: 31 individually, 28 in pairs, and 33 in groups of 3 to 5 serotypes. c) PCRSeqTyping: which enables the detection of 91 serotypes after sequencing the regions of the cpsB gene in two steps: 59 directly and the remaining 32 serotypes in a second step. d) The Quellung reaction. RESULTS: The S. PneumoStripTM, FAF-mPCR and PCRSeqTyping identified the serotypes of all the 50 clinical isolates. With the Quellung reaction 46/50 (92%) isolates were correctly serotyped. The quickest technique was the S. PneumoStripTM, followed by the single-step multiplex PCR assay and PCRSeqTyping. The Quellung reaction was the slowest technique. CONCLUSIONS: The S. PneumoStripTM, PCRSeqTyping, and FAF-mPCR were very accurate techniques for pneumococcal serotyping, with S. PneumoStripTM obtaining results more rapidly. The combination of any of these S. pneumoniae molecular typing techniques and the Quellung reaction as confirmation reference method is a highly precise and fast strategy for the serotyping of high number of pneumococcal clinical isolates.

Multicenter evaluation of the Panbio™ COVID-19 rapid antigen-detection test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVES: The standard RT-PCR assay for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is laborious and time-consuming, limiting testing availability. Rapid antigen-detection tests are faster and less expensive; however, the reliability of these tests must be validated before they can be used widely. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (PanbioRT) (Abbott) in detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasopharyngeal swab specimens. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study was carried out in ten Spanish university hospitals and included individuals with clinical symptoms or epidemiological criteria of COVID-19. Only individuals with ≤7 days from the onset of symptoms or from exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 were included. Two nasopharyngeal samples were taken to perform the PanbioRT as a point-of-care test and a diagnostic RT-PCR test. RESULTS: Among the 958 patients studied, 325 (90.5%) had true-positive results. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the PanbioRT were 90.5% (95%CI 87.5-93.6) and 98.8% (95%CI 98-99.7), respectively. Sensitivity in participants who had a threshold cycle (CT) < 25 for the RT-PCR test was 99.5% (95%CI 98.4-100), and in participants with ≤5 days of the clinical course it was 91.8% (95%CI 88.8-94.8). Agreement between techniques was 95.7% (κ score 0.90; 95%CI 0.88-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The PanbioRT performs well clinically, with even more reliable results for patients with a shorter clinical course of the disease or a higher viral load. The results must be interpreted based on the local epidemiological context.

Identification of a New HIV-1 BC Intersubtype Circulating Recombinant Form (CRF108_BC) in Spain.

The extraordinary genetic variability of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) group M has led to the identification of 10 subtypes, 102 circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and numerous unique recombinant forms. Among CRFs, 11 derived from subtypes B and C have been identified in China, Brazil, and Italy. Here we identify a new HIV-1 CRF_BC in Northern Spain. Originally, a phylogenetic cluster of 15 viruses of subtype C in protease-reverse transcriptase was identified in an HIV-1 molecular surveillance study in Spain, most of them from individuals from the Basque Country and heterosexually transmitted. Analyses of near full-length genome sequences from six viruses from three cities revealed that they were BC recombinant with coincident mosaic structures different from known CRFs. This allowed the definition of a new HIV-1 CRF designated CRF108_BC, whose genome is predominantly of subtype C, with four short subtype B fragments. Phylogenetic analyses with database sequences supported a Brazilian ancestry of the parental subtype C strain. Coalescent Bayesian analyses estimated the most recent common ancestor of CRF108_BC in the city of Vitoria, Basque Country, around 2000. CRF108_BC is the first CRF_BC identified in Spain and the second in Europe, after CRF60_BC, both phylogenetically related to Brazilian subtype C strains.

Genomic Virulence Features of Two Novel Species Nocardia barduliensis sp. nov. and Nocardia gipuzkoensis sp. nov., Isolated from Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases.

Strains 335427T and 234509T, isolated from two 76-year-old patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, were the subject of polyphasic taxonomic studies and comparative genomic analyses for virulence factors. The 16 rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains 335427T and 234509T and their closest phylogenetic neighbors Nocardia asiatica NBRC 100129T and Nocardia abscessus NBRC 100374T were 99.5% and 100%, respectively. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the aforementioned studied strains were well below the 70% threshold for assigning prokaryotic strains to a novel species. Strains 335427T and 234509T have genome sizes of 8.49 Mpb and 8.07 Mpb, respectively, with G + C content of 68.5%. Isolate 335427T has C16:0, C18:1 ω9c, C18:0 and C18:0 10 methyl as major fatty acids (>15%) and mycolic acids formed of 52-54 carbon atoms. However, only C18:1 ω9c was detected for isolate 234509T, which had mycolic acids with 44-56 carbon. Based on phenotypic and genetic data, strains 335427T (DSM 109819T = CECT 9924T) and 234509T (DSM 111366T = CECT 30129T) merit recognition as novel species, which are named Nocardia barduliensis sp. nov. and Nocardia gipuzkoensis sp. nov., respectively. All the strains studied had homologous VF-associated genes to those described in M. tuberculosis, including experimentally verified virulence genes in humans related to tuberculosis. The narGHIJ (nitrate reduction pathway) and gvpAFGOJLMK (gas vesicles) genetic maps of strains 335427T, 234509T, NBRC 100129T and NBRC 100374T showed the same syntenic block and raise the question of whether their functions are interlinked during the infection of the human host. However, further research is required to decipher the role of the gas vesicle in the pathogenicity mechanism of Nocardia spp.

Prevención de la transmisión vertical de Chlamydia trachomatis mediante un cribado gestacional / Prevention of the vertical transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis using a gestational screening

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Molecular Typing of Mycoplasma genitalium-Positive Specimens Discriminates between Persistent and Recurrent Infections in Cases of Treatment Failure and Supports Contact Tracing.

Mycoplasma genitalium causes a sexually transmitted infection that sometimes persists or recurs despite adequate antibiotic treatment. Between 2014 and 2018, molecular typing was applied to 75 M. genitalium-positive samples from 48 patients with repeated infection and/or couples/groups of other infected sexual contacts. MG191 adhesin, MG309 lipoprotein, and the rRNA operon were amplified, sequenced, and typed using phylogenetic, variable number tandem repeat, and single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis, respectively. Amplicons were obtained in 74/75 samples, and the combination of locus patterns gave 44 different genetic profiles (discriminatory index of 0.987), with 43 considering only MG191 and MG309. Interestingly, 15/17 patients who presented a first sample sensitive and a second resistant to macrolides had the same genetic variant in the samples (persistence of the same strain). In 2/17 patients, discordant variants (one mixed infection and one recurrence due to incomplete contact tracing) were detected. In 31 additional not related and randomly distributed samples, MG191 typing obtained 23 different genotypes, with no appreciable clustering over time. The typing method allowed persistent and recurrent infections to be distinguished, indicating that macrolide resistance-associated mutations mostly developed during treatment. To detect these secondary resistant strains, prevent reinfections, and improve the control of M. genitalium infections, tests of cure and contact tracing of sexual partners should be mandatory.

Low antimicrobial resistance rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex between 2000 and 2015 in Gipuzkoa, northern Spain / Baja tasa de resistencia antibiótica de Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex en Gipuzkoa, norte de España, entre 2000 y 2015

OBJECTIVE: Although the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has declined, TB drug resistance remains a major problem. The TB rate in Gipuzkoa (northern Spain) is higher than the European average. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1855 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates (94.5% of confirmed cases between 2000 and 2015). METHODS: Susceptibility testing was performed using the agar proportion method and a commercial broth system (MGIT 960). In isoniazid- or rifampicin-resistant strains, we studied genetic determinants of drug resistance and genotype (MIRU-VNTR). RESULTS: The annual mean incidence of TB was 24.5 cases per 100,000 population on average, and tended to decrease. The multidrug-resistant TB rate was 0.5% (9/1855), and no extensively drug-resistant TB strains were detected. Rates of resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin were 3.9% (range, 3.4-4.3%) and 0.6% (range, 0.4-1.4%), respectively. TB resistance was more common among foreign-born individuals and those who had received previous TB treatment. Genotyping of 102 resistant strains showed predominance of the Euro-American lineage, although 4/9 multidrug-resistant strains had Eastern lineages (2 East African-Indian, and 2 East Asian (Beijing)). CONCLUSIONS: In Gipuzkoa, with a moderate incidence of TB, resistance was very low, mostly being detected among individuals who were born abroad or who had a history of TB treatment

OBJETIVO: Aunque la incidencia de tuberculosis (TB) está descendiendo, la resistencia a fármacos antituberculosos continúa siendo un grave problema. Gipuzkoa, norte de España, tiene una tasa de TB superior a la media europea. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la sensibilidad a los antibióticos de 1.855 aislamientos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (94,5% de los casos confirmados entre 2000 y 2015). MÉTODOS: El estudio de susceptibilidad se realizó mediante el método de las proporciones en agar, y mediante dilución en caldo (sistema MGIT 960). En las cepas resistentes a isoniacida o rifampicina se analizaron determinantes genéticos de resistencia y el genotipo (MIRU-VNTR). RESULTADOS: La incidencia media anual de TB fue de 24,5 casos por 100.000 habitantes, con una tendencia decreciente. La tasa de multirresistencia fue del 0,5% (9/1.855), y no se detectaron cepas con resistencia extrema. Las tasas de resistencia a isoniacida y rifampicina fueron del 3,9% (rango: 3,4-4,3%) y 0,6% (rango: 0,4-1,4%), respectivamente. La TB resistente fue más frecuente entre las personas nacidas en el extranjero y entre los que recibieron tratamiento antituberculoso previo. El genotipado de 102 cepas resistentes mostró predominio del linaje Euro-Americano, aunque 4/9 cepas multirresistentes pertenecieron a linajes orientales (2 East African-Indian, y 2 East Asian (Beijing)). CONCLUSIONES: En Gipuzkoa, con una incidencia moderada de TB, la resistencia fue muy baja, y asociada especialmente a personas nacidas en el extranjero o que recibieron tratamiento antituberculoso previo

Immunosuppression for inflammatory bowel disease does not influence Epstein-Barr viral load in the short-term / La inmunosupresión no modifica la carga viral del virus de Epstein-Barr a corto plazo en los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

Introduction: Immunomodulators and biologics are two of the main drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some of these agents have been associated with certain infections and lymphoproliferative disorders, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Our aim was to determine the influence of immunosuppression in the EBV viral load in patients with IBD. Materials and methods: We prospectively included naïve patients with IBD who were starting immunosuppressive therapy in four IBD Units. All patients were assessed at baseline and four months after starting immunosuppression for clinical disease activity, biomarkers, EBV serology (IgM VCA, IgG VCA and IgG EBNA) and viral load. Results: Thirty-two patients were included. At baseline, all patients showed positive results for IgG VCA or IgG EBNA with undetectable EBV viral load. No patient showed detectable EBV viral load after starting the immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusion: Immunosuppression did not influence on EBV viral load in the short-term in naïve IBD patients

Introducción: Los fármacos inmunomoduladores y biológicos son algunos de los tratamientos usados con más frecuencia en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII). Algunos de ellos se han relacionado con un mayor riesgo de infecciones o síndromes linfoproliferativos, entre los que se encuentra el virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB). Nuestro objetivo era determinar la influencia a corto plazo de la inmunosupresión sobre la carga viral en pacientes con EII. Material y métodos: Incluimos de forma prospectiva pacientes con EII en los que se iniciaba algún tratamiento inmunosupresor en 4 hospitales. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados en el momento de iniciar el tratamiento y 4 meses después de iniciarlo, mediante la actividad clínica, los biomarcadores, la serología del VEB (IgM VCA, IgG VCA e IgG EBNA) y su carga viral. Resultados: Se incluyeron 32 pacientes, observando en todos ellos una serología positiva para IgG VCA o IgG EBNA, con una carga viral indetectable. No se observó ninguna muestra con carga viral detectable durante el seguimiento. Conclusión: La inmunosupresión no influye sobre la carga viral del VEB a corto plazo en pacientes con EII

Fatal Case of Nosocomial Legionella pneumophila Pneumonia, Spain, 2018.

A nosocomial case of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia likely caused by a serogroup 3 strain was detected by a urinary antigen test in Spain in 2018. Although Legionella bacteria could not be isolated from respiratory samples, molecular methods implicated the sink faucet of the patient's room as the probable infection source.

Immunosuppression for inflammatory bowel disease does not influence Epstein-Barr viral load in the short-term.

INTRODUCTION: Immunomodulators and biologics are two of the main drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some of these agents have been associated with certain infections and lymphoproliferative disorders, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Our aim was to determine the influence of immunosuppression in the EBV viral load in patients with IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively included naïve patients with IBD who were starting immunosuppressive therapy in four IBD Units. All patients were assessed at baseline and four months after starting immunosuppression for clinical disease activity, biomarkers, EBV serology (IgM VCA, IgG VCA and IgG EBNA) and viral load. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included. At baseline, all patients showed positive results for IgG VCA or IgG EBNA with undetectable EBV viral load. No patient showed detectable EBV viral load after starting the immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: Immunosuppression did not influence on EBV viral load in the short-term in naïve IBD patients.

Human metapneumovirus as cause of severe community-acquired pneumonia in adults: insights from a ten-year molecular and epidemiological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Information on the clinical, epidemiological and molecular characterization of human metapneumovirus in critically ill adult patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the role of biomarkers identifying bacterial coinfection is scarce. METHODS: This is a retrospective epidemiological study of adult patients with hMPV severe CAP admitted to ICU during a ten-year period with admission PSI score ≥ 3. RESULTS: The 92.8% of the 28 patients with severe CAP due to human metapneumovirus were detected during the first half of the year. Median age was 62 years and 60.7% were male. The genotyping of isolated human metapneumovirus showed group B predominance (60.7%). All patients had acute respiratory failure. Median APACHE II and SOFA score were 13 and 6.55, respectively. The 25% were coinfected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. 60.7% of the patients had shock at admission and 50% underwent mechanical ventilation. Seven patients developed ARDS, three of them younger than 60 years and without comorbidities. Mortality in ICU was 14.3%. Among survivors, ICU and hospital stay were 6.5 and 14 days, respectively. Plasma levels of procalcitonin were higher in patients with bacterial coinfection (18.2 vs 0.54; p < 0.05). The levels of C-reactive protein, however, were similar. CONCLUSION: Human metapneumovirus was associated with severe CAP requiring ICU admission among elderly patients or patients with comorbidities, but also in healthy young subjects. These patients often underwent mechanical ventilation with elevated health resource consumption. While one out of four patients showed pneumococcal coinfection, plasma procalcitonin helped to implement antimicrobial stewardship.

Tratamiento antibiótico dirigido en infecciones por Mycoplasma genitalium: análisis de mutaciones asociadas con resistencia a macrólidos y fluoroquinolonas / Guided antibiotic therapy for Mycoplasma genitalium infections: Analysis of mutations associated with resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la susceptibilidad de Mycoplasma genitalium a macrólidos y fluoroquinolonas mediante técnicas moleculares. MÉTODOS: La susceptibilidad a macrólidos se analizó (Gipuzkoa, 2014-2017) mediante PCR en tiempo real con sondas (gen 23S ARNr) y a fluoroquinolonas mediante secuenciación tras PCR convencionales (genes parC/gyrA). RESULTADOS: Se detectaron mutaciones asociadas con resistencia a macrólidos en 43/263 (16,3%) casos y con posible resistencia a fluoroquinolonas en 21/267 (7,9%). La resistencia a macrólidos fue más frecuente tras tratamiento previo con azitromicina (76,5 vs. 7,4%; p < 0,001) y con la pauta única de 1 g (31,3 vs. 7% pauta ampliada, p < 0,001). Se detectaron 5/245 (2%) casos con mutaciones de posible resistencia para ambos antibióticos. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica empleada para el estudio de la susceptibilidad de Mycoplasma genitalium a la azitromicina permitió una respuesta rápida con un tratamiento antibiótico dirigido. Moxifloxacino puede ser una buena alternativa en casos con resistencia a macrólidos

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to analyse the susceptibility of Mycoplasma genitalium to macrolides and fluoroquinolones using molecular techniques. METHODS: Susceptibility to macrolides was tested (Gipuzkoa, 2014-2017) by a rapid probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (23S rRNA gene) and to fluoroquinolones by sequencing the parC and gyrA genes. RESULTS: Mutations associated with macrolide resistance were detected in 43/263 (16.3%) cases and potential fluoroquinolone resistance in 21/267 (7.9%). Macrolide resistance was more frequent in patients previously treated with azithromycin (76.5% vs 7.4%, P < .001) as well as in those treated with a single 1g dose (31.3%) vs the extended regimen (7%, P < .001). There were 5/245 (2%) cases with mutations probably associated with resistance to both antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The technique used for testing Mycoplasma genitalium susceptibility to azithromycin allowed the rapid implementation of resistance-guided antibiotic therapy. Moxifloxacin could be a good option in cases of macrolide resistance

¿Es la transmisión vertical de Chlamydia trachomatis un problema poco reconocido en España? / Is the vertical transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis a little known problem in Spain?

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