A practice-based observational study on the use of micafungin in Surgical Critical Care Units                                 
 

EMILIO MASEDA, CARLOS A. GARCÍA-BERNEDO, ISABEL FRÍAS, JOSÉ-ALEJANDRO NAVARRO, JESÚS RICO, REYES IRANZO, JUAN-JOSÉ GRANIZO, MARÍA-JOSÉ VILLAGRÁN, ENRIC SAMSÓ, FERNANDO GILSANZ ON BEHALF OF THE MYCREA STUDY GROUP              

 

Introduction. Echinocandins are first-line therapy in critically ill patients with invasive Candida infection (ICI). This study describes our experience with micafungin at Surgical Critical Care Units (SCCUs).
Methods. A multicenter, observational, retrospective study was performed (12 SCCUs) by reviewing all adult patients receiving 100 mg/24h micafungin for ≥72h during ad-mission (April 2011-July 2013). Patients were divided by ICI category (possible, probable + proven), 24h-SOFA (<7, ≥7) and outcome.
Results. 72 patients were included (29 possible, 13 probable, 30 proven ICI). Forty patients (55.6%) presented SOFA ≥7. Up to 78.0% patients were admitted after urgent surgery (64.3% with SOFA <7 vs. 90.3% with SOFA ≥7, p=0.016), and 84.7% presented septic shock. In 66.7% the site of infection was intraabdominal. Forty-nine isolates were recovered (51.0% C. albicans). Treatment was empirical (59.7%), microbiologically directed (19.4%), rescue therapy (15.3%), or anticipated therapy and prophylaxis (2.8% each). Empirical treatment was more frequent (p<0.001) in possible versus probable + proven ICI (86.2% vs. 41.9%). Treatment (median) was longer (p=0.002) in probable + proven versus possible ICI (13.0 vs. 8.0 days). Favorable response was 86.1%, without differences by group. Age, blood Candida isolation, rescue therapy, final MELD value and %MELD variation were significantly higher in patients with non-favorable response. In the multivariate analysis (R²=0.246, p<0.001) non-favorable response was associated with positive %MELD variations (OR=15.445, 95%CI= 2.529-94.308, p=0.003) and blood Candida isolation (OR=11.409, 95%CI=1.843-70.634, p=0.009).
Conclusion. High favorable response was obtained, with blood Candida isolation associated with non-favorable response, in this series with high percentage of patients with intraabdominal ICI, septic shock and microbiological criteria for ICI.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):132-138 [pdf]

Liposomal formulations of amphotericin B: differences according to the scientific evidence     

                        
JOSÉ RAMÓN AZANZA, BELÉN SÁDABA, JOANA REIS              

This article presents an overview of the characteristics of liposomes as drug carriers, particularly in relation to liposomal formulations of amphotericin B. General features regarding structure, liposome-cell interactions, stability, encapsulation of active substances and elimination of liposomes are described. Up to the present time extensive efforts to produce similar or bioequivalent products of amphotericin B formulations, in particular in the case of liposomal amphotericin B, have been unsuccessful in spite of having a very similar composition and even an apparently identical manufacturing process. Guidelines for the development of generic liposomal formulations developed by the FDA and EMA are also summarized. Based on the available evidence of the composition of liposomes, any differences in the manufacturing process even if the same lipid composition is used may result in different final products. Therefore, it seems unreasonable to infer that all amphotericin B liposomal formulations are equal in efficacy and safety.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015;28(6):275-281 [pdf]

Inhaled medication and inhalation devices for lung disease     

                        
AMPARO SOLÉ, ROSA Mª GIRÓN              

Nebulized antibiotic therapy is an attractive therapeutic option given the high concentration obtained from the drug at the site of infection, minimizing the adverse effects and possible drug interactions. Inhalation of drugs as treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) related lung disease has been proven to be highly effective. Consequently, an increasing number of drugs and devices have been developed for CF lung disease or are currently under development. Other limited areas of experience in this field are lung transplant recipients, immunosuppressed patients, bronchiectasis and ventilated patients. In this review document we analyse the current status of the inhaled medications, their modes of administration and indications and their results as well as side effects. Specifically we address antibiotics, and additionally, we review the current knowledge on devices for inhalation therapy with regard to optimal particle sizes and characteristics of wet nebulisers, dry powder and metered dose inhalers. Several factors contribute to a highly variable pulmonary drug deposition as the devices, the physical properties of the administered antimicrobial agent, the type of respiratory disease and the inhalation technique. Despite many clinicians have obtained a valuable experience from the aerosolized administration of antimicrobials and persuaded of their efficacy and safety. However, RCTs out of CF are needed to answer important clinical questions, such as what is the appropriate dose, the optimal delivery device, the optimal way of drug administration, as well as the exact therapeutic role and pharmacokinetic profile of aerosolized drug.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):19-24 [pdf]

Profiles and clinical management of hepatitis C patients in Spain: disHCovery study                                 
 

MARÍA BUTI, ALEJANDRO FRANCO, ISABEL CARMONA, JUAN JOSÉ SÁNCHEZ-RUANO, ANDREU SANSÓ, MARINA BERENGUER, LUISA GARCÍA-BUEY, MANUEL HERNÁNDEZ-GUERRA, ROSA MARÍA MORILLAS, FRANCISCO LEDESMA, RAFAEL ESTEBAN, AND THE DISHCOVERY STUDY GROUP              

 

Introduction. To assess the clinical profile and management of patients with hepatitis C (HCV) infection in an observational study in Spanish hospitals.
Methods. The study included an initial cross-sectional phase (study phase I), in which investigators at 48 hospitals from 14 Spanish regions collected data from approximately 20 consecutive patients each (a total of 1,000 patients) to assess the general features of HCV-infected patients of any genotype. During the second phase (study phase II), data from 878 patients that were infected exclusively with genotype 1 HCV were assessed retrospectively. Eight pre-defined clinical profiles were established, in order to assess clinical and previous treatments characteristics.
Results. Among the HCV-infected individuals that were analysed during the first part, HCV genotype 1 was found to be predominant (with a prevalence of 76.6%), prevailing the subtype 1b (69.8%), with other significant groups infected by genotype 3 (12.3%) and 4 (7.4%). In the second part of the study, 44% of the HCV genotype 1-infected patients were at a F3/F4 fibrosis stage. 15.9% had never been treated, and previously unsuccessfully treated patients that were no longer receiving anti-HCV treatment accounted for 50.8% of cases. Individuals with a sustained virologic response (SVR) to pre-vious dual therapies (based on Interferon and Ribavirin) were only 14.5% and patients under treatment during the study accounted for the remaining 18.8%. A total of 713 patients (81.2%) in the second phase were not receiving any type of therapy over the period analysed, mainly due to the anticipation of new anti-HCV drugs (41.8%), SVR achievement (17.8%) and unresponsiveness to therapies available at the time of the study (9.5%).
Conclusions. HCV genotype 1, predominately 1b, is the most prevalent type in Spain. Advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis is frequent in this group, mainly patients not yet cured.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):145-153 [pdf]

Surveillance of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics in Galicia: 2007-2012     

                        
MERCEDES TREVIÑO, ISABEL LOSADA, MARÍA ÁNGELES PALLARÉS, FRANCISCO JOSÉ VASALLO, AMPARO COIRA, BEGOÑA FERNÁNDEZ-PÉREZ, ISABEL PAZ, FERNANDA PEÑA, PATRICIA ALEJANDRA ROMERO, LUCÍA MARTÍNEZ-LAMAS, GAEL NAVEIRA, XURXO HERVADA              

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 nur-sing homes are included in the outpatient group, so the MRSA rate in this group could be overestimated.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015;28(6):289-294 [pdf]