The CARBA-MAP study: national mapping of carbapenemases in Spain (2014-2018).

Introduction: Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including isolates producing acquired carbapenemases, constitute a prevalent health problem worldwide. The primary objective of this study was to determine the distribution of the different carbapenemases among carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE, specifically Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae complex, and Klebsiella aerogenes) and carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa (CPPA) in Spain from January 2014 to December 2018. Methods: A national, retrospective, cross-sectional multicenter study was performed. The study included the first isolate per patient and year obtained from clinical samples and obtained for diagnosis of infection in hospitalized patients. A structured questionnaire was completed by the participating centers using the REDCap platform, and results were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0. Results: A total of 2,704 carbapenemase-producing microorganisms were included, for which the type of carbapenemase was determined in 2692 cases: 2280 CPE (84.7%) and 412 CPPA (15.3%), most often using molecular methods and immunochromatographic assays. Globally, the most frequent types of carbapenemase in Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa were OXA-48-like, alone or in combination with other enzymes (1,523 cases, 66.8%) and VIM (365 cases, 88.6%), respectively. Among Enterobacterales, carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae was reported in 1821 cases (79.9%), followed by E. cloacae complex in 334 cases (14.6%). In Enterobacterales, KPC is mainly present in the South and South-East regions of Spain and OXA-48-like in the rest of the country. Regarding P. aeruginosa, VIM is widely distributed all over the country. Globally, an increasing percentage of OXA-48-like enzymes was observed from 2014 to 2017. KPC enzymes were more frequent in 2017-2018 compared to 2014-2016. Discussion: Data from this study help to understand the situation and evolution of the main species of CPE and CPPA in Spain, with practical implications for control and optimal treatment of infections caused by these multi-drug resistant organisms.

The fate of SARS-COV-2 in WWTPS points out the sludge line as a suitable spot for detection of COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic material is detectable in the faeces of a considerable part of COVID-19 cases and hence, in municipal wastewater. This fact was confirmed early during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and prompted several studies that proposed monitoring its incidence by wastewater. This paper studies the fate of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater treatment plants using RT-qPCR with a two-fold goal: i) to check its presence in the water effluent and in the produced sludge and ii) based on the understanding of the virus particles fate, to identify the most suitable spots for detecting the incidence of COVID-19 and monitor its evolution. On the grounds of the affinity of enveloped virus towards biosolids, we hypothesized that the sludge line acts as a concentrator of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. Sampling several spots in primary, secondary and sludge treatment at the Ourense (Spain) WWTP in 5 different days showed that, in effect, most of SARS-CoV-2 particles cannot be detected in the water effluent as they are retained by the sludge line. We identified the sludge thickener as a suitable spot for detecting SARS-CoV-2 particles thanks to its higher solids concentration (more virus particles) and longer residence time (less sensitive to dilution caused by precipitation). These findings could be useful to develop a suitable strategy for early warning of COVID-19 incidence based on WWTP monitoring.

The benefits and safety of oral sequential antibiotic therapy in non-complicated and complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: Treatment optimization for serious infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), is a challenge for antimicrobial stewardship teams. Currently, SAB guidelines recommend a completely intravenous therapy (CIT). OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to analyze the usefulness and safety of oral sequential therapy (OST) in SAB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study in a tertiary teaching hospital in Spain. The inclusion criteria were complicated and non-complicated monomicrobial SAB and an adequate duration of therapy, with patients classified into OST or CIT. The primary endpoint was the 90-day recurrence of S. aureus infection. We also analyzed the mortality, the length of the hospital stay, and the duration of the intravenous antibiotic administration. RESULTS: Of a total of 201 patients with SAB, 125 (62%) underwent OST. The most commonly administered oral antibiotic was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66% of patients). Of those administered OST, 43% had complicated bacteremia (most with an osteoarticular source of infection), and 6% had an intravascular device. The 90-day recurrence rate was 4%, with no differences between the two groups. The duration of the therapy (22 [16-28] vs. 13 days [8-17] for CIT and OST, respectively; p < 0.001) and the hospital stay (36 [27-71] vs. 18 days [13-29] for CIT and OST, respectively; p < 0.001) were shorter for OST. MRSA was related with mortality (OR 4.4, 95% CI [1.67-11.37]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: OST for properly selected patients with SAB could be a safe therapeutic option and can reduce their use of CIT and their hospital stay.

Moving beyond unsolicited consultation: additional impact of a structured intervention on mortality in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia.

BACKGROUND: Some evidence-based bundles have tried to standardize the management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) to improve the outcome. The aim of our study was to analyse the additional impact on mortality of a structured intervention in patients with SAB. METHODS: Compliance with the bundle was evaluated in an ambispective cohort of patients with SAB, which included a retrospective cohort [including patients treated before and after the implementation of a bacteraemia programme (no-BP and BP, respectively)] and a prospective cohort (i-BP), in which an additional specific intervention for bundle application was implemented. Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure the influence of the independent variables including compliance with the bundle on 14 and 30 day crude mortality. RESULTS: A total of 271 adult patients with SAB were included. Mortality was significantly different among the three groups (no-BP, BP and i-BP): mortality at 14 days was 18% versus 7% versus 2%, respectively, P = 0.002; and mortality at 30 days was 20% versus 12% versus 5%, respectively, P = 0.011. The factors associated with 14 and 30 day mortality in multivariable analysis were heart failure (OR = 7.63 and OR = 2.27, respectively), MRSA infection (OR = 4.02 and OR = 4.37, respectively) and persistent bacteraemia (OR = 11.01 and OR = 7.83, respectively); protective factors were catheter-related bacteraemia (OR = 0.16 and OR = 0.19, respectively) and >75% bundle compliance (OR = 0.15 and OR = 0.199, respectively). Time required to perform the intervention and the follow-up was 50 min (IQR 40-55 min) per patient. CONCLUSIONS: High-level compliance with a standardized bundle of intervention for management of SAB that requires little time was associated with lower mortality at 14 and 30 days.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of unusual manifestations of invasive pneumococcal disease / Características clínicas y microbiológicas de las manifestaciones inusuales de la enfermedad invasiva neumocócica

INTRODUCTION: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) typically presents as bacterial pneumonia, meningitis or primary bacteraemia. However, Streptococcus pneumoniae can produce infection at any level of the body (endocarditis, arthritis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, etc.), which is also known as unusual IPD (uIPD). There are very limited data available about the clinical and microbiological profile of these uncommon manifestations of pneumococcal disease. Our aim was to analyse clinical forms, microbiological profile, epidemiology and prognosis of a cohort of patients with unusual invasive pneumococcal disease (uIPD). METHODS: We present a retrospective study of 389 patients (all adult and paediatric patients diagnosed during the period) diagnosed with IPD at our hospital (Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo) between 1992 and 2014. We performed an analysis of clinical, microbiological and demographical characteristics of patients comparing the pre-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) period with the post-vaccination phase. IPD and uIPD were defined as follows; IPD: infection confirmed by the isolation of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site, which classically presented as bacterial pneumonia, meningitis or primary bacteraemia; uIPD: any case of IPD excluding pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, rhinosinusitis or primary bacteraemia. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (6%) met the criteria of uIPD. A Charlson index >2 was more prevalent in uIPD patients than IPD patients (45% vs 24%; p = 0.08). The most common clinical presentation of uIPD was osteoarticular infection (8 patients, 36%), followed by gastrointestinal disease (4 patients, 18%). Infection with serotypes included in PCV-13 was significantly higher in IPD patients (65%) than in patients with uIPD, 35% (p = 0.018). Conversely, infection with multidrug-resistant strains was higher among patient with uIPD (27% vs 9%; p = 0.014). The all-cause mortality rate was 15%, 13% in the IPD group and 32% among patients with uIPD (p = 0.07). According to the multivariate analysis, a Charlson Index >2 (OR 5.1, 95% CI, 1.8-14.0) and a Pitt Score >2 (OR 1.4, 95% CI, 1.2-1.9) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: uIPD is a rare entity that affects patients with more comorbidities than typical IPD and it is usually caused by non-vaccine serotypes with greater antimicrobial resistancen

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad neumocócica invasiva (ENI) se presenta típicamente como neumonía bacteriana, meningitis o bacteriemia primaria. Sin embargo, Streptococcus pneumoniae puede producir infección a cualquier nivel del organismo (endocarditis, artritis, peritonitis bacteriana espontánea...), también conocida como ENI inusual (ENIi). Hay pocos datos sobre el perfil clínico y microbiológico de estas manifestaciones poco frecuentes de enfermedad neumocócica. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar las formas clínicas, el perfil microbiológico, la epidemiología así como el pronóstico de una cohorte de pacientes con ENIi. MÉTODOS: Presentamos un estudio retrospectivo de 389 pacientes (todos los adultos y pacientes pediátricos diagnosticados durante el período) con ENI diagnosticados en nuestro hospital (Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo) entre 1992 y 2014. Realizamos un análisis de las características clínicas, microbiológicas y demográficas de los pacientes que comparan el período de preintroducción de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada con la fase postimplantación. Las definiciones de ENI y ENIi fueron las siguientes: ENIes una infección confirmada con aislamiento de Streptococcus pneumoniae de un sitio normalmente estéril y con presentación típica como neumonía bacteriana, meningitis o bacteriemia primaria; ENIies cualquier caso de ENI, excluyendo neumonía, meningitis, otitis media, sinusitis de rinoceronte o bacteriemia primaria. RESULTADOS: Un total de 22 pacientes (6%) cumplieron los criterios de ENIi. Los pacientes con uIPD presentaron mayor proporción de índice de Charlson > 2 (45 vs. 24%; p = 0,08). La presentación clínica más frecuente de ENIi fue la infección osteoarticular (8 pacientes; 36%), seguida de enfermedad gastrointestinal (4 pacientes; 18%). La infección con serotipos incluidos en VNC-13 fue significativamente mayor en pacientes con ENI (65%) que en pacientes con ENIi (35%; p = 0,018). Por el contrario, la infección con cepas multirresistentes fue más frecuente entre los pacientes con ENIi (27 vs. 9%; p = 0,014). La tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas fue del 15% (13% en el grupo IPD y 32% entre los pacientes con uIPD; p = 0,07). Por análisis multivariante, el índice de Charlson > 2 (OR: 5,1; IC 95%: 1,8-14,0) y el Pitt score > 2 (OR: 1,4; IC 95%: 1,2-1,9) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. CONCLUSIÓN: La ENIi es una entidad rara que afecta a pacientes con más comorbilidades que la ENI típica y es generalmente causada por serotipos no vacunales con mayor nivel de resistencia a los antimicrobianos

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of unusual manifestations of invasive pneumococcal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) typically presents as bacterial pneumonia, meningitis or primary bacteraemia. However, Streptococcus pneumoniae can produce infection at any level of the body (endocarditis, arthritis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, etc.), which is also known as unusual IPD (uIPD). There are very limited data available about the clinical and microbiological profile of these uncommon manifestations of pneumococcal disease. Our aim was to analyse clinical forms, microbiological profile, epidemiology and prognosis of a cohort of patients with unusual invasive pneumococcal disease (uIPD). METHODS: We present a retrospective study of 389 patients (all adult and paediatric patients diagnosed during the period) diagnosed with IPD at our hospital (Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo) between 1992 and 2014. We performed an analysis of clinical, microbiological and demographical characteristics of patients comparing the pre-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) period with the post-vaccination phase. IPD and uIPD were defined as follows; IPD: infection confirmed by the isolation of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site, which classically presented as bacterial pneumonia, meningitis or primary bacteraemia; uIPD: any case of IPD excluding pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, rhinosinusitis or primary bacteraemia. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (6%) met the criteria of uIPD. A Charlson index >2 was more prevalent in uIPD patients than IPD patients (45% vs 24%; p=0.08). The most common clinical presentation of uIPD was osteoarticular infection (8 patients, 36%), followed by gastrointestinal disease (4 patients, 18%). Infection with serotypes included in PCV-13 was significantly higher in IPD patients (65%) than in patients with uIPD, 35% (p=0.018). Conversely, infection with multidrug-resistant strains was higher among patient with uIPD (27% vs 9%; p=0.014). The all-cause mortality rate was 15%, 13% in the IPD group and 32% among patients with uIPD (p=0.07). According to the multivariate analysis, a Charlson Index >2 (OR 5.1, 95% CI, 1.8-14.0) and a Pitt Score >2 (OR 1.4, 95% CI, 1.2-1.9) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: uIPD is a rare entity that affects patients with more comorbidities than typical IPD and it is usually caused by non-vaccine serotypes with greater antimicrobial resistance.

[Surveillance of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics in Galicia: 2007-2012]. / Vigilancia de la resistencia a los antibióticos en Staphylococcus aureus en Galicia: 2007-2012.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2007 the Galician Surveillance Program on Antimicrobial Resistance has been collected data of Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility patterns. The data from 2007 to 2012 have been analyzed and are reported. METHODS: A total of 4,577 different isolates of S. aureus from cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures were included. The Institutions involved provided the information about the susceptibility patterns, the assay methods used and the interpretative guidelines followed, and demographic data of patients. RESULTS: The rate of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) was 22% in 2007-2010 and 26% in 2011-2012, although in some areas the percentage reached 57% (2007- 2010) or 66% (2011-2012). The higher rates of resistance were found in patients older than 75 years. Gentamycin resistance was less than 9% and for quinolones were about 25%. A strong association between methicillin and quinolone-resistance were observed (91%). The resistance against linezolid and glycopeptides were exceptional. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of MRSA has evolved slightly along the period of this study reaching no significant differences between Galicia and the global data in Spain in 2012. Nevertheless, there are significant differences among the geographic areas studied. Most MRSA isolates were recovered from hospitalized patients, but an increase in the number of MRSA among outpatients was observed, while old patients from nursing homes are included in the outpatient group, so the MRSA rate in this group could be overestimated.

Vigilancia de la resistencia a los antibióticos en Staphylococcus aureus en Galicia: 2007-2012 / Surveillance of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics in Galicia: 2007-2012

Introducción. Desde 2007 el Programa Gallego de Vigilancia de Resistencias Antimicrobianas recogió datos de los patrones de sensibilidad de Staphylococcus aureus. Se analizaron e informaron los datos entre 2007 y 2012. Métodos. Se incluyeron 4.577 aislamientos de S. aureus procedentes de líquido cefalorraquídeo o de sangre. Los distintos centros enviaron información sobre los patrones de sensibilidad, los métodos de ensayo, los criterios de interpretación seguidos y datos demográficos de los pacientes. Resultados. El porcentaje de aislamientos S. aureus resistentes a meticillina (SARM) fue del 22% (2007-2010) y del 26% (2011-2012), aunque en determinada área el porcentaje alcanzó el 57% (2007-2010) o 66% (2011-2012). Las tasas más altas de resistencias se encontraron en los mayores de 75 años. La resistencia a gentamicina fue menor del 9% y la de quinolonas sobre el 25%. Existe fuerte asociación entre resistencias a meticilina y quinolonas (91%). La resistencia frente a linezolid y glicopéptidos fue excepcional. Conclusiones. El porcentaje de SARM a lo largo del periodo de estudio ha presentado ciertas fluctuaciones alcanzándose en 2012 una situación similar en Galicia a la del conjunto de España. No obstante, hay importantes diferencias entre las áreas geográficas estudiadas. La mayoría de los SARM fueron aislados en pacientes hospitalizados, pero se observó un incremento entre ambulatorios. Dado que los pacientes mayores institucionalizados fueron incluidos en el grupo de los ambulatorios es posible que las tasas de SARM en este grupo hayan sido sobreestimadas (AU)

Introduction. Since 2007 the Galician Surveillance Program on Antimicrobial Resistance has been collected data of Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility patterns. The data from 2007 to 2012 have been analyzed and are reported. Methods. A total of 4,577 different isolates of S. aureus from cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures were included. The Institutions involved provided the information about the susceptibility patterns, the assay methods used and the interpretative guidelines followed, and demographic data of patients. Results. The rate of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) was 22% in 2007-2010 and 26% in 2011-2012, although in some areas the percentage reached 57% (2007-2010) or 66% (2011-2012). The higher rates of resistance were found in patients older than 75 years. Gentamycin resistance was less than 9% and for quinolones were about 25%. A strong association between methicillin and quinolone-resistance were observed (91%). The resistance against linezolid and glycopeptides were exceptional. Conclusions. The percentage of MRSA has evolved slightly along the period of this study reaching no significant differences between Galicia and the global data in Spain in 2012. Nevertheless, there are significant differences among the geographic areas studied. Most MRSA isolates were recovered from hospitalized patients, but an increase in the number of MRSA among outpatients was observed, while old patients from nursing homes are included in the outpatient group, so the MRSA rate in this group could be overestimated (AU)

Meningitis por Cryptococcus gattii: descripción de un caso autóctono en España / No disponible

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Diarrea aguda en paciente con artritis reumatoide / Acute diarrhea in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

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Neurobrucellosis mimicking cerebral tumor: case report and literature review.

We are reporting a case of neurobrucellosis that was clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from a cerebral tumor. The histological diagnosis was granulomatous encephalitis. The diagnosis was established by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), detecting high levels of Ig G and Ig M Brucella antibodies in the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. We suggest that patients with granulomatous encephalitis, without a clear etiological agent, should be studied for Brucella.