Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(4):183-192

Variability in antibiotic consumption within a regional health service, according to health area and model of healthcare coverage: national health system vs. civil servants’ mutual insurance society                                 
 

DIEGO PABLO SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍNEZ, JOSÉ JESÚS GUILLÉN-PÉREZ, FERNANDO IGNACIO SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍNEZ, ALBERTO MANUEL TORRES-CANTERO              

Introduction. The aim of this study is to describe antibiotic consumption in the Region of Murcia in 2011, within the Spanish and European context, as well as to analyze the differences within the Region, both between health areas, and between users of the regional health service and those protected by the civil servants’ mutual insurance society (MUFACE).
Methods. Retrospective observational study of prescriptions dispensed by the pharmacies in the Region of Murcia during 2011. Consumption rates were expressed as defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants/day and standardized consumption ratios (SCR).
Results. Overall antibiotics consumption rate in the Region of Murcia in 2011 was 30.05 DDD/1000/ day (DID), which is much above the average rate for Spain (20.9 DID) and for the European Union (21.57 DID). Health areas within the Region with the highest and lowest consumption rate are, respectively, Vega Alta (SCR: 124.44; CI95% 124.26 to 124.61) and Cartagena (SCR:84.16; CI95% 84.10 to 84.22). Civil servants covered by the mutual society have higher consumption rates than users of the regional health service (SCR: 105.01; CI95% 104.86 to 105.17).
Conclusions. There is a high level of antibiotic prescription in the Region of Murcia Region in relative terms. A great variability in antibiotics consumption was observed between the different health areas, which might be related to the higher rate of the frequency of visits. The highest amount of variability in antibiotics prescription was found in cephalosporins and macrolides.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(4):183-192 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):43-47

Update on Ebola virus infection     

                        
 JUAN C. HURTADO, MIGUEL J. MARTÍNEZ              

Ebola virus disease became a major global public health concern after the last outbreak originated in West Africa in 2014. The epidemic has affected 10 countries in 3 continents, with an estimated global mortality of 41%, highlighting how a disease known to be restricted to the African continent can affect directly or indirectly many countries in the world. In this work, we review different aspects of the virus, the disease and the current outbreak.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):43-47 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(6):314-316

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with hepatitis C and / or infected with HIV     

                        
Mª FÁTIMA LÓPEZ-FABAL, JOSÉ LUÍS GÓMEZ-GARCÉS              

Introduction. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection and cirrhosis. The seroprevalence data of anti-HEV IgG in the patients infected with HIV or with chronic liver disease are scarce.
Methods. To document the seroprevalence of HEV infection in HIV patients or with chronic liver disease population, a retrospective study in serum samples from 625 patients was carried on: 200 HIV infected, 200 HCV infected, 25 coinfected by HIV and HCV and 200 healthy controls. Anti-HVE IgG antibodies were determined in serum samples by a commercial immunoassay (EIA) and all positive samples were studied further for the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies (HEV IgM 3.0; DiaSorin, Turín, Italy). Positive HEV IgM antibody specimens were examined for HEV RNA by polymerase chain reaction.
Results. Anti-HEV IgG were reactive in 25 (12.5%) of the 200 HIV-infected patients, in 47 out of 200 HCV infected patients (23.5%), 10 out of 25 coinfected HIV-HCV group (40%) and 24 out of 200 healthy controls (12%). According to EIA anti-HEV IgM, 11 patients could be considered as acute hepatitis E cases but in only one of them was confirmed recent HEV infection by RT-PCR.
Conclusions. The higher seroprevalence was found in HIV-HCV coinfected patients. The only patient with HEV RNA was HIV-HCV coinfected.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015;28(6):314-316 [pdf]

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