Clinical experience in the treatment of COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies in solid organ transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk for complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SOT recipients mount lower immunological responses to vaccines than general population and are at high risk for breakthrough COVID-19 infections. Passive immunotherapy in the form of anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) may be an alternative for the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 in these patients. SARS-CoV-2 has evolved by accumulating resistance mutations that have escaped the neutralizing action of most MoAbs. However, MoAbs directed at more conserved epitopes and that maintain effector functions could maintain efficacy in the treatment of these patients. According to published data, SOT recipients with low anti-spike antibody responses to vaccination could benefit from the use of MoAbs in pre-exposure prophylaxis, in the treatment of COVID-19 mild to moderate and severe COVID-19 with less than 15 days of symptom duration and low oxygen requirements. Combination therapy could be more effective than monotherapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Utilización de antibióticos restringidos en la práctica clínica: ceftolozano/tazobactam, ceftazidima/avibactam, ceftarolina y dalbavancina / Use of restricted antibiotics in clinical practice: ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftaroline and dalbavancin

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilización en la práctica clínica de cuatro antibióticos de amplio espectro o innovadores: ceftolozano/tazobactam, ceftazidima/avibactam, ceftarolina y dalbavancina. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en que se han recogido datos de los pacientes que han recibido dichos antibióticos entre julio de 2018 y junio de 2019 en un hospital terciario. Se recogen las condiciones de uso y los resultados en efectividad a los 30 días para dalbavancina, y para el resto de antimicrobianos a los 3-5 días del inicio, a los 14 y a los 30 días para determinar mortalidad. Resultados: Se recogieron datos de 51 pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 63 años. La infección más comúnmente tratada fue neumonía (41,2%). Tres pacientes (5,9%) recibieron la terapia en estudio como primera línea y 43 (84,3%) recibieron antibióticos concomitantes. En el 66,7% de las infecciones se había aislado previamente un microorganismo sensible. En el 19,6% de los casos el cultivo fue negativo. En el grupo dalbavancina, el 75% de los pacientes se curaron a los 30 días. En el resto de antimicrobianos, el tratamiento resultó efectivo a los 3-5 días en el 65,1%. El 51,2% se curaron a los 14 días y un 30,2% fallecieron a los 30 días. Conclusiones: Los resultados de efectividad resultan comparables a estudios publicados con diseños similares. Se detecta la importancia de fomentar un uso adecuado de los antibióticos, como tratamientos dirigidos o empíricos en casos de riesgo de resistencias, priorizando su desescalada. Es esencial la implantación de equipos multidisciplinares PROA. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the use in clinical practice of four recently marketed antibiotics: ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftaroline, and dalbavancin. Methods: Retrospective study in which data have been collected from patients who have received these antibiotics between July 2018 and June 2019, in a third-level hospital. The conditions of use and the results in clinical efficacy measured in three periods have been studied: 3-5 days after the start of treatment, 14 days and 30 days to determine mortality. Results: Data were collected from a total of 51 patients, with a median age of 63 years. The most commonly treated infection was pneumonia (41.2%). Three patients (5.9%) received study therapy as the first line of treatment and 43 (84.3%) received concomitant antibiotics. In 66.7% of the infections, a sensitive microorganism to the antibiotic under study had been previously isolated. In 19.6% of the cases, the culture was negative. In the dalbavancin group, 75% of the pacients cured at day 30. In the other groups, the treatment was effective at 3-5 days in 65.1% of the cases. 51.2% experienced clinical cure at 14 days and 30.2% died at 30 days. Conclusions: The effectiveness results are comparable to published studies with similar designs. The importance of promoting an adequate use of antibiotics is detected, as directed or empirical treatments in cases of risk of resistance, prioritizing their de-escalation. The implementation of multidisciplinary PROA teams is essential. (AU)

[Epidemiology and clinical of infections and colonizations caused by Enterobacterales producing carbapenemases in a tertiary hospital]. / Epidemiología y clínica de las infecciones y colonizaciones causadas por enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas en un hospital de tercer nivel.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of Enterobacterales producing carbapenemases (EPC) in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective observational study, all patients with a positive sample for EPC treated in hospitalization or in the Emergency Department were included, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients (316 samples) were included: 155 (57%) male. Mean age of 70.4 years (95% CI 68.2 -72.7). Mean Charlson index was 3.6 (95% CI 3.4-3.8). In 63.2% the acquisition was nosocomial, in 35.3% it was health-care associated (HA). 55.1% presented infection, the most frequent infection was urinary tract infection (UTI) (58.7%). The most frequent species were Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (10.1%). The most frequent types of carbapenemase were OXA-48 (53.8%) and VIM (43%). The nosocomial acquisition was associated with the male gender, transplantation, immunosuppression, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or surgical service, prior antibiotic treatment, Enterobacter, VIM, respiratory and intra-abdominal infections. The HA acquisition was associated with age and comorbidity, nursery home origin, bladder catheterization, greater number of outpatient procedures, previous hospital admission, K. pneumoniae and E. coli, OXA-48, coproduction of extended spectrum betalactamases, UTI and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who acquire EPC in nursery homes frequently have an infection. Patients with nosocomial acqui-sition are colonized by EPC in the ICU, in relation to invasive procedures and transplantation. This population has a higher mortality due to developing respiratory infections by EPC.

Fosfomycin in antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Due to the increase in antimicrobial resistance, strategies such as antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) have been developed to improve the clinical results, decrease the adverse effects and the development of resistances and ensure cost-effective therapies. Fosfomycin has a unique mechanism of action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cross-resistance is uncommon; however, fosfomycin should be used in combination in severe infections to avoid selecting resistant mutations. Fosfomycin's oral formulation facilitates sequential treatment, has low toxicity and high tissue penetration, even in the central nervous system and bone. Fosfomycin is active against resistant Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin- resistant enterococci and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as against resistant Gram-negative bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria. Fosfomycin is therefore useful for cases of persistent bacteremia, skin and soft tissue infections, as a glycopeptide-sparing and carbapenem-sparing drug for healthcare-associated infections and for polymicrobial infections. Published studies have demonstrated the synergy between fosfomycin and beta-lactams, daptomycin and glycopeptides against MSSA and MRSA; with linezolid in biofilm-associated infections and with aminoglycosides and colistin against Gram-negative bacteria, providing a nephroprotective effect.

[CD64 index as a marker of infection in patients with postoperative fever]. / El índice CD64 como marcador de infección en pacientes con fiebre postoperatoria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of the granulocyte CD64 index as a marker of infection in patients with postoperative fever. METHODS: Prospective observational study of a cohort of patients with postoperative fever (2nd-21st day after the intervention) collected during 14 months. Obtaining blood samples during the first 24 hours after the febrile peak to determine the CD64 index (ratio of fluorescence intensity, measured, in the granulocytes of the patient with respect to healthy controls), procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: During the study period, 50 patients were included, 28 patients (56%) with infection and 22 patients (44%) without evidence of infection. The PCR, procalcitonin and the CD64 index showed significantly higher values in the group of patients who suffered infection. The CD64 index showed a sensitivity of 88.9%, with a specificity of 65.2%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 75% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 83.3%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.805 (95% CI 0.68-0.93). Procalcitonin presented a sensitivity of 53.9% and specificity of 86.4%, with NPV and PPV of 82.4% and 61.3% respectively, with AUC of 0.752 (95% CI 0.61-0.89). Regarding the PCR, it showed a sensitivity of 100%, with specificity of 4.4% with an area under the curve of 0.676 (95% CI 0.52-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The quantification of the CD64 index in patients who develop fever in the early postoperative period is useful to distinguish post-surgical inflammatory phenomena from episodes of established infection.

[Infections in immunocompromised patients (II). The transplanted patient]. / Infecciones en el paciente inmunocomprometido (II). Paciente trasplantado.

Recipients of the different types of transplantation are at high risk of infection. Nosocomial infections predominate in patients who have undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the early post-engraftment period (30-100 days after the infusion); the incidence of infection is higher in graft-versus-host disease. Nodular lesions can appear in the lungs due to invasive fungal infection. A diffuse pattern is usually secondary to viral infection or P. jirovecii pneumonia. After the first 100 days a moderate risk of infection by conventional and opportunistic infections persists, such as late CMV infection. Advances in surgical techniques and the use of calcineurinics have reduced mortality from infections in recipients of solid organ transplantations. Nosocomial infections are common during the first month; opportunistic infections that are dependent on cellular immunity are more common between the first and the sixth month, from the sixth month the risk lowers and community-based infections similar to those of immunocompetent patients predominate.

[Flu virus and respiratory virus infections]. / Infecciones por virus de la gripe y virus respiratorios.

In general, respiratory infections are benign and self-limiting, but occasionally they can cause severe symptoms and become a major cause of mortality and morbidity, especially in the more vulnerable population groups. Flu epidemics occur annually, and there can be pandemics every few years, such as those caused by types H1N1 or H3N2. The main clinical manifestations are respiratory symptoms associated with fever, and complications such as pneumonia can arise. Nasopharyngeal swab and RT-PCR should be performed to confirm the diagnosis, which can yield results for other viruses as well. Treatment is generally symptomatic, reserving neuraminidase inhibitors for the more serious cases. The best preventive measure is annual vaccination of the population at risk. The coronavirus is also particularly relevant, due to its potential prognostic implications, and the respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus should be borne in mind in children.

Clinical presentation of candidaemia in elderly patients: experience in a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical presentation of candidaemia in elderly patients. METHODS: A comparison of clinical presentation of candidaemia cases was carried out in a Spanish tertiary hospital between January 2010 and September 2015. RESULTS: Forty-five cases (32%) corresponded to elderly patients (≥ 75 years) and 95 cases (68%) to non-elderly patients (16-74 years). A higher proportion of elderly patients presented solid tumour (51% versus 32%, p=0.026) and a lower proportion had undergone solid or hematopoietic transplantation (0% versus 28%, p<0.001). Fewer elderly patients (16 patients, 36%) had a central venous line inserted than non-elderly patients (81 patients, 85%, p<0.001). Isolation of Candida parapsilosis was significantly lower among elderly (13.3%) than among non-elderly patients (32%, p=0.015). Fundoscopy was carried out in 20 elderly (44%) and in 64 younger patients (67%, p=0.009). The proportion of patients who underwent echocardiography was similar in both groups (56% vs 66%, respectively; p=0.218). Adequate antifungal treatment within the first 48 hours was administered in16 elderly patients (36%) and 58 younger patients (61%, p=0.005). Catheter removal was carried out in 9 elderly patients (68.1%) and in 40 non-elderly patients (49%, p=0.544). Mortality was higher among elderly patients (55.6%) than non-elderly patients (36.8%; p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients account for a substantial proportion of patients suffering from candidaemia in recent years. The clinical management of these patients was less appropriate than in younger patients with respect to fundus examination and the prescription of appropriate antifungal treatment. Mortality in elderly patients was higher than in younger patients.

Dual-time-point 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging of a paravalvular pseudoaneurysm after infective endocarditis / Imagen PET/TC de doble fase con 18F-FDG de un seudoaneurisma paravalvular tras endocarditis infecciosa

No disponible

Endarteritis de tubo valvulado aórtico por Propionibacterium acnes / Aortic tube infections due to Propionibacterium acnes

No disponible

Pronóstico de las infecciones urinarias con tratamiento antibiótico discordante / Prognosis of urinary tract infections with discordant antibiotic treatment

Introducción. Este estudio se propone evaluar el pronóstico de las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU) tratadas empíricamente con tratamiento antibiótico inadecuado. Material y método. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo, de pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad, atendidos en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario entre el 01/02 y el 31/05 de 2007 por síntomas miccionales, acompañados de piuria (>10leucocitos/mm3 de orina no centrifugada) o tira reactiva positiva para nitritos-leucocitos y urocultivo con >103 unidades formadoras de colonias. Se consideró que el tratamiento antibiótico prescrito empíricamente era adecuado si la bacteria aislada era sensible y se había prescrito por un tiempo correcto. Se consideró que hubo fracaso terapéutico cuando persistía la sintomatología tras 5 días de tratamiento. Se registraron la edad, el sexo, la presencia de sonda vesical permanente, el tipo de ITU, hospitalización en los 3 meses previos, la procedencia del paciente y las enfermedades asociadas. Resultados. Se aislaron 177 bacterias en 168 pacientes. En 29 casos (17,3%) el microorganismo aislado era resistente al antibiótico prescrito. En tan solo 6 pacientes hubo fracaso terapéutico, aunque no precisaron ingreso hospitalario. Los pacientes que vivían en una residencia de ancianos (13,7 vs 2,2%, p=0,015) o que habían sido ingresados durante los 3 meses previos (20,6 vs 4,3%, p=0,039) presentaron un mayor riesgo de recibir tratamiento inadecuado. Conclusiones. El pronóstico de los pacientes atendidos en Servicios de Urgencias Hospitalarios por ITU con tratamiento antibiótico discordante es favorable en la mayoría de los casos. Sería recomendable la realización de urocultivo en pacientes con mayor riesgo de padecer ITU por un microorganismo resistente(AU)

Introduction. This study aims to evaluate the prognosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) treated empirically with inadequate antibiotic treatment. Material and Methods. Prospective cohort study of patients over 18 years of age, attended in the hospital emergency service between 01/02 and 31/05 of 2007, due to micturation symptoms, accompanied by pyuria (>10leukocytes/mm3 of uncentrifuged urine) or positive reactive strip for nitrites-leukocytes and urine culture with >103 colony forming units. It was considered that the antibiotic treatment prescribed empirically was adequate if the bacteria isolated was sensitive and had been prescribed for the correct time. It was considered that there was therapeutic failure when the symptoms persisted after 5 days of treatment. Age, gender, presence of indwelling bladder catheter, type of UTI, hospitalization in the previous 3 months, origin of the patient and associated diseases were recorded. Results. A total of 177 bacteria were isolated in 168 patients. In 29 cases (17.3%), the microorganism isolated was resistant to the antibiotic prescribed. There was thereaputic failure in only 6 patients, although they did not required hospital admission. The patients who lived in a residential home for the elderly (13.7% vs 2.2%, P=0.015) or who had been hospitalized during the previous 3 months (20.6% vs 4.3%, p=0.039) had a greater risk of receiving inadequate treatment. Conclusions. The prognosis of the patients attended in the emergency hospital service due to UTI with discordant antibiotic treatment is favorable in most of the cases. Performing urine culture in patients with greater risk of suffering UTI due to a resistant microorganism would be recommendable(AU)

[Prognosis of urinary tract infections with discordant antibiotic treatment]. / Pronóstico de las infecciones urinarias con tratamiento antibiótico discordante.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the prognosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) treated empirically with inadequate antibiotic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of patients over 18 years of age, attended in the hospital emergency service between 01/02 and 31/05 of 2007, due to micturation symptoms, accompanied by pyuria (>10 leukocytes/mm(3) of uncentrifuged urine) or positive reactive strip for nitrites-leukocytes and urine culture with >10(3) colony forming units. It was considered that the antibiotic treatment prescribed empirically was adequate if the bacteria isolated was sensitive and had been prescribed for the correct time. It was considered that there was therapeutic failure when the symptoms persisted after 5 days of treatment. Age, gender, presence of indwelling bladder catheter, type of UTI, hospitalization in the previous 3 months, origin of the patient and associated diseases were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 177 bacteria were isolated in 168 patients. In 29 cases (17.3%), the microorganism isolated was resistant to the antibiotic prescribed. There was thereaputic failure in only 6 patients, although they did not required hospital admission. The patients who lived in a residential home for the elderly (13.7% vs 2.2%, P = 0.015) or who had been hospitalized during the previous 3 months (20.6% vs 4.3%, p = 0.039) had a greater risk of receiving inadequate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of the patients attended in the emergency hospital service due to UTI with discordant antibiotic treatment is favorable in most of the cases. Performing urine culture in patients with greater risk of suffering UTI due to a resistant microorganism would be recommendable.

Meningitis postquirúrgica. Características diferenciales de la meningitis asépticapost-quirúrgica / Postsurgical meningitis. Differential characteristics of aseptic postsurgical meningitis

complicación infrecuente que se acompaña de unincremento de la estancia hospitalaria y de una elevadamortalidad. Algunos de estos casos no son debidos a unaverdadera infección sino a una inflamación aséptica delas meninges denominada meningitis aséptica post-quirúrgica(MAPQ). La adecuada identificación de estoscasos permitiría una mejor utilización de los fármacosantimicrobianos.Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de lospacientes con meningitis postquirúrgica en un hospitalterciario durante 14 años comparando las característicasclínicas de los pacientes con meningitis bacterianapostquirúrgica (MBP) frente a las de pacientes conMAPQResultados. Durante el período analizado se identificaron35 pacientes (71%) con MBP y 14 pacientes (29%)con MAPQ. La edad media de los pacientes con MBPfue similar a la de los pacientes con MAPQ. Hubo predominiode varones en el grupo de MBP (71%) en relacióncon los pacientes con MAPQ (36%, p=0,020). Laproporción de pacientes con hemorragia intracranealtendió a ser más frecuente en pacientes que posteriormentedesarrollaron MAPQ (9 pacientes, 64 %) que enlos pacientes con MBP (12 casos, 34%, p=0,055). Lospacientes sometidos a craneotomía posterior (p=0,092)y los que recibían tratamiento esteroideo (p=0,051)mostraron una mayor tendencia a padecer MAPQ.Siete pacientes MBP (20%) presentaron un recuentocelular superior a 5000 células/mm3 en el LCR, cifrano encontrada en ningún caso de MAPQ. No se detectarondiferencias en la glucorraquia y proteinorraquiaentre ambos grupos. La bacterias más frecuentementeaisladas fueron Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa y S.aureus. En 5 pacientes (14%) se aislaron bacilos gramnegativosno fermentadores (Pseudomonas aeruginosa yAcinetobacter spp). No hubo ningún fallecimiento atribuidoa meningitis postquirúrgica. (..) (AU)

Background. Postsurgical meningitis is a rare complicationthat is accompanied by an increase of hospitalstay and high mortality. Some of these cases are not dueto a true infection but due to an aseptic inflammation ofthe meninges denominated aseptic postsurgical meningitis(APSM). Proper identification of these cases wouldallow better use of antimicrobial drugs.Methods. A retrospective study of patients withpostsurgical meningitis in a universitary hospital for14 years. We describe the clinical characteristics ofpatients with postsurgical bacterial meningitis (PBM)compared to those of patients with APSM.Results. During the studied period 35 patients (71%)with PBM and 14 patients (29%) with (APSM) wereidentified. The mean age of patients with PBM wassimilar to that of patients with APSM. There was a malepredominance in the group of PBM (71%) comparedwith patients with APSM (36%, p = 0.020). Patientswith intracranial hemorrhage tended to present morecases of APSM (64%) than of PBM (34%, p = 0.055).Patients undergoing posterior fossa craniotomy (p =0.092) and those receiving steroids (p = 0.051) showeda greater tendency to suffer APSM. It was also noted (...) (AU)

Tromboflebitis supurada laterocervical tras cateterización venosa central / Suppurative thrombophlebitisis central venous catheterization

La tromboflebitis supurada es una complicación muy infrecuente de la cateterización venosa central. La mayoría de los casos están producidos por especies de estafilococos. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 22 años natural de Colombia sin hábitos tóxicos que estaba ingresada tras haber sido intervenida de un astrocitoma temporal izquierdo de grado II. A los 9 días de la implantación de un catéter en la vena subclavia derecha presentó fiebre elevada, escalofríos y tiritona junto a tumefacción progresiva laterocervical derecha y odinofagia. Tenía leucocitosis de 26.300 células/µl y líquido cefalorraquídeo normal. Tras retirar el catéter se aisló Staphylococcus aureus en la punta del catéter y en los cuatro frascosobtenidos en los hemocultivos. Una TAC de cabeza y de cuello con contraste evidenció distensión y ausencia de contraste en la vena yugular interna derecha. La paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente con cloxacilina, gentamicina y heparina de bajo peso molecular

Suppurative thrombophlebitis is a very infrequent complication of the central venous catheterization. The majority of the cases are produced by species of staphylococci. A 22-year-old colombian-woman, student, without toxic habits was admitted because of temporary left astrocytoma (grade II). Nine days after implementing a catheter in the right subclavianve in she presented high fever (39.5 º C), shivers, progressive rightside neck swelling and odinofagia. She had leukocytosis (26,300 cells/µl) and normal cerebrospinal fluid. After with drawing the catheter, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in the tip of the catheter and in four bottles of blood cultures. A neck CT demonstrated expansion and absence of contrast in the right internal jugular vein. The patient evolved satisfactorily with cloxacillin, gentamycin and low molecular weight heparin