[Antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy carrier individuals in primary care in Barcelona area]. / Sensibilidad antibiótica de Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pneumoniae en personas portadoras nasales sanas en atención primaria en el área de Barcelona.

INTRODUCTION: The information available on antibiotic resistance patterns are generally based on specimens from hospitalised individuals. This study was aimed at evaluating the antibiotic resistance rate of nasal carriage strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy individuals, in accordance with age and gender, attended in Primary Care Centres (PCC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Seven PCC in the Barcelona area. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy nasal carriers aged 4years or more who did not present with any sign of infectious disease, and had not taken any antibiotic or had been hospitalised in the previous 3months. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: A total of 3,969 nasal swabs valid for identification were collected between 2010 and 2011 and were sent to one central microbiological laboratory for isolation of both pathogens. Resistance to common antibiotics was determined on the basis of the current European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines on cut-off points. RESULTS: The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus was 1.3% (95%CI: 0.5-2.1%), with resistance rates of 87.1% to phenoxymethylpenicillin and 11.6% to azithromycin, with no significant differences with age and gender. A total of 2.4% (95CI%: 0.1-4.7%) of the pneumococcal strains were highly resistant to both phenoxymethylpenicillin and macrolides, whereas the highest resistance rates were to cefaclor (53.3%), followed by tetracycline (20%) and cefuroxime (12.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These pathogens have lower resistance rates in the community than in the hospital setting. Primary Care physicians must be more aware of the current antimicrobial resistance, in order to ensure prudent use of antibiotics.

Prevalencia de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pneumoniae en atención primaria y factores asociados a la colonización / Prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Primary Care and factors associated with colonization

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) y Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) en personas atendidas en las consultas de Atención Primaria del área de Barcelona, así como los factores que se asocian a la condición de portador sano. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal multicéntrico realizado entre 2010-2011, en el que participaron 27 profesionales de Atención Primaria. Se obtuvieron 3969 frotis nasales de población mayor de 4 años y sin signos de enfermedad infecciosa. Variables dependientes: ser portador de S.aureus y/o de S. pneumoniae. Variables independientes: características socio demográficas, estado de salud, estado vacunal, ocupación laboral y convivencia con niños. Se realizó el análisis descriptivo, cálculo de la prevalencia de portadores sanos de S.aureus y/o de S. pneumoniae y se ajustaron modelos de regresión logística según edad. RESULTADOS: En niños de 4 a 14 años, la prevalencia de portadores de S.aureus fue 35,7%, de S. pneumoniae del 27,1% y co-colonizados del 5,8%. En adultos mayores de 14 años fue del 17,8, del 3,5 y del 0,5% respectivamente. En niños, ser portador de S.aureus se asoció con no presentar S. pneumoniae, y ser portador de S. pneumoniae con no presentar S.aureus y menor edad. En adultos, ser portador de S.aureus se asoció con ser hombre, menor e dad y trabajar en sanidad, y ser portador de S. pneumoniae con convivir con menores de 6 años. La proporción de portadores co-colonizados es baja (1,0%). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de portadores en niños es mayor que en los adultos. Salvo la edad, no se observan otros factores comunes que se asocien a la condición de portador sano de estas 2 bacterias por separado

OBJECTIVE: To determine (I) the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) nasal carriage in Primary Health Care patients in area of Barcelona, and (II) the factors associated with S.aureus and S. pneumoniae colonization. METHODS: Multi-center cross-sectional study conducted in 2010-2011 with the participation of 27 Primary Health Care professionals. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 3,969 patients over 4 years of age who did not present with any sign of infection. Dependent variables: S.aureus and/or S. pneumoniae carrier state. Independent variables: socio-demographic characteristics, health status, vaccination status, occupation, and living with children. A descriptive analysis was performed. The prevalence of carriers of S.aureus and/or S. pneumoniae was calculated and logistic regression models were adjusted by age. RESULTS: In children from 4 to 14 years old, the prevalence of S.aureus carriers was 35.7%, of S.pneumoniae 27.1%, and 5.8% were co-colonized. In adults older than 14 years old, the prevalence was 17.8%, 3.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. In children, S.aureus carrier state was inversely associated with S. pneumoniae carrier state; S. pneumoniae was associated with younger age, and inversely associated with S.aureus carrier state. In adults, being a carrier of S.aureus was associated with male gender, younger age, and a health-related occupation, whereas S. pneumoniae carrier state was associated with living with children under 6 years of age. The proportion of co-colonized carriers was low (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of S.aureus and S. pneumoniae carriers was higher in children than in adults. Age was the only factor associated with healthy carrier status for S. aureus and for S. pneumoniae

[Prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Primary Care and factors associated with colonization]. / Prevalencia de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pneumoniae en atención primaria y factores asociados a la colonización.

OBJECTIVE: To determine (i) the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) nasal carriage in Primary Health Care patients in area of Barcelona, and (ii) the factors associated with S.aureus and S.pneumoniae colonization. METHODS: Multi-center cross-sectional study conducted in 2010-2011 with the participation of 27 Primary Health Care professionals. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 3,969 patients over 4 years of age who did not present with any sign of infection. DEPENDENT VARIABLES: S.aureus and/or S.pneumoniae carrier state. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: socio-demographic characteristics, health status, vaccination status, occupation, and living with children. A descriptive analysis was performed. The prevalence of carriers of S.aureus and/or S.pneumoniae was calculated and logistic regression models were adjusted by age. RESULTS: In children from 4 to 14 years old, the prevalence of S.aureus carriers was 35.7%, of S.pneumoniae 27.1%, and 5.8% were co-colonized. In adults older than 14 years old, the prevalence was 17.8%, 3.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. In children, S.aureus carrier state was inversely associated with S.pneumoniae carrier state; S.pneumoniae was associated with younger age, and inversely associated with S.aureus carrier state. In adults, being a carrier of S.aureus was associated with male gender, younger age, and a health-related occupation, whereas S.pneumoniae carrier state was associated with living with children under 6 years of age. The proportion of co-colonized carriers was low (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of S.aureus and S.pneumoniae carriers was higher in children than in adults. Age was the only factor associated with healthy carrier status for S.aureus and for S.pneumoniae.

Recursos diagnósticos para las infecciones de transmisión sexual en los laboratorios de Cataluña (España) / Diagnostic resources for sexually-transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)

ObjetivoDescribir la capacidad y organización de los laboratorios de Cataluña (España) para el diagnóstico de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Para ello, entre noviembre de 2005 y marzo de 2006 se realizó un estudio transversal incluyendo 140 laboratorios.Resultados98 realizan alguna prueba diagnóstica, 45 reciben más de 50 muestras vaginales al mes, 42 diagnostican Chlamydia trachomatis, pero solo 6 mediante amplificación de ácidos nucleicos. Ninguno diagnostica el linfogranuloma venéreo. 80 detectan la Neisseria gonorrhoeae (n 1/4 80), 76 de ellos mediante cultivo y 63 analizan su sensibilidad antimicrobiana. En total 23, 22, 22 y 14 laboratorios reciben más de 500 peticiones al mes, respectivamente de hepatitis B, hepatitis C, VIH y sífilis. 84 disponen de pruebas no treponémicas parala sífilis y 51 disponen de pruebas treponémicas.ConclusionesLa actividad de los laboratorios cubre prácticamente todo el espectro patológico, pero es necesario introducir nuevas técnicas y mejorar la eficiencia de los circuitos de muestras(AU)

ObjectiveWith the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories.ResultsNinety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma. Eighty were able to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 76 by means of culture and 63 analyzed its antibiotic resistance. A total of 23, 22, 22 and 14 laboratories received more than 500 blood samples for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Non-treponemic and treponemic tests were available in 84 and 52 laboratories, respectively.ConclusionsIn Catalonia, most STIs can be diagnosed but new technologies need to be introduced. Moreover, the efficiency of biological sample circuits should be improved(AU)

[Diagnostic resources for sexually transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)]. / Recursos diagnósticos para las infecciones de transmisión sexual en los laboratorios de Cataluña (España).

OBJECTIVE: With the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories. RESULTS: Ninety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma. Eighty were able to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 76 by means of culture and 63 analyzed its antibiotic resistance. A total of 23, 22, 22 and 14 laboratories received more than 500 blood samples for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Non-treponemic and treponemic tests were available in 84 and 52 laboratories, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Catalonia, most STIs can be diagnosed but new technologies need to be introduced. Moreover, the efficiency of biological sample circuits should be improved.