Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(Suppl. 1):72-75

Resistance to the antimalarial drugs                     

EMMANUELE VENANZI, ROGELIO LÓPEZ-VÉLEZ          

Malaria is one of the most widespread infectious diseases around the world with 214 million cases and 438,000 deaths in 2015. In the early twentieth century it was described for the first time the resistance to quinine and, since then, drug resistance to antimalarial drugs has spread up to represent a global challenge in the fight and control of malaria. Understanding the mechanisms, geography and monitoring tools that we can act against resistance to antimalarial drugs is critical to prevent its expansion.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(Suppl. 1):72-75 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(5):259-264

The use of ertapenem for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in routine hospital practice: a matched cohort study                     

DOLORES SOUSA, JOSÉ MARÍA BRAVO-FERRER, TERESA SEOANE-PILLADO, PATRICIA VÁZQUEZ-RODRÍGUEZ, LUCÍA RAMOS-MERINO, JOSÉ MARÍA GUTIÉRREZ-URBÓN, SALVADOR PITA, PEDRO LLINARES          

Background. The clinical response to ertapenem in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at the setting of routine hospital practice has been scarcely evaluated.
Methods. We retrospectively compared CAP cases treated with ertapenem or with other standard antimicrobials (controls) at a tertiary 1,434-bed center from 2005 to 2014.
Results. Out of 6,145 patients hospitalized with CAP, 64 (1%) ertapenem-treated and 128 controls were studied (PSI IV-V 72%, mean age 73 years.). A significant higher proportion of bedridden patients (41% vs. 21%), residence in nursing homes (19% vs. 7%), previous use of antibiotics (39% vs. 29%) and necrotizing (13% vs. 1%) or complicated (36% vs. 19%) pneumonia, was observed in the ertapenem vs. non-ertapenem patients. Initial treatment with ertapenem was independently associated with an earlier resolution of signs of infection. In patients aged 65 or older the independent risks factors for mortality were: PSI score (7.0, 95%CI 1.8-27.7), bedridden status (4.6, 95%CI 1.1-20.9) and Health Care Associated Pneumonia (HCAP) (4.6, 95%CI 1.3-16.5). First-line treatment with ertapenem was an independent protector factor in this subgroup of patients (0.1, 95%CI 0.1-0.7).
Conclusions. Ertapenem showed a superior clinical response in frail elderly patients with complicated community-acquired pneumonia, and it may be considered as a first-line therapeutic regimen in this setting.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(5):259-264 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(5):239-243

The clinical microbiologist before the taxonomic changes in the genus Clostridium                     

JOSÉ ELÍAS GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ, ENRIQUE GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ, MARÍA GARCÍA-MORO          

The various species included in the genus Clostridium are very heterogeneous, both from a phenotypic and a phylogenetic point of view. The advances in polyphasic taxonomy, particularly in phylogeny, are allowing to resolve this dysfunction reclassifying several species in other genres, although there is still work to be done. Changes in generic denominations are quite normal in taxonomy, but can turn into a problem when they affect species with strong clinical impact and that have been recognised for a long time, as in the case of some traditional Clostridium species. After knowing these changes clinical microbiologists, in whose work taxonomy is an essential tool, should evaluate what matters most, if the communication with other health professionals or the phylogeny, and think about the possibility of combining both things. This paper reviews some of the taxonomic changes that have took place in well-known Clostridium species that can be clinically interesting and evaluates, as far as possible, their significance in the scientific and medical communication.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(5):239-243 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):328-331

Evaluation of a new device for sample collection, transport and detection of Group B Streptococcus in pregnant women                     

ALBERTO TENORIO-ABREU, JOSÉ ANTONIO GÓMEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, LUIS ARROYO-PEDRERO, ESMERALDA RODRÍGUEZ-MOLINS          

We have designed a new device that combines sample collection, transportation, culture and detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), requiring no additional processing in the clinical laboratory. The objective was to evaluate the performance of this device for GBS detection in pregnant women. The new prototype was compared to direct plating of vaginal-rectal swabs onto Granada solid media plates. Direct plating method detected 124 positive samples out of 600 (20.6%) whereas the new device detected 10 additional positive samples (134/600, 22.3%). This new device (patent-protected) could be considered for routine GBS screening.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):328-331 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):332-335

Multilocus Sequence Typing analysis of human Campylobacter coli in Granada (Spain)                     

JOSÉ ANTONIO CARRILLO-ÁVILA, ANTONIO SORLÓZANO-PUERTO, MERCEDES PÉREZ-RUIZ, JOSÉ GUTIÉRREZ-FERNÁNDEZ          

Introduction. Different subtypes of Campylobacter spp. have been associated with diarrhoea and a Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) method has been performed for subtyping. In the present work, MLST was used to analyse the genetic diversity of eight strains of Campylobacter coli.
Material and methods. Nineteen genetic markers were amplified for MLST analysis: AnsB, DmsA, ggt, Cj1585c, CJJ81176-1367/1371, Tlp7, cj1321-cj1326, fucP, cj0178, cj0755/cfrA, ceuE, pldA, cstII, cstIII. After comparing the obtained sequences with the Campylobacter MLST database, the allele numbers, sequence types (STs) and clonal complexes (CCs) were assigned.
Results. The 8 C. coli isolates yielded 4 different STs belonging to 2 CCs. Seven isolates belong to ST-828 clonal complex and only one isolate belong to ST-21. Two samples came from the same patient, but were isolated in two different periods of time.
Conclusions. MLST can be useful for taxonomic characterization of C. coli isolates.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):332-335 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):296-301

Seasonal influenza in octogenarians and nonagenarians admitted to a general hospital: epidemiology, clinical presentation and prognostic factors                     

JOSÉ M. RAMOS, M. MAR GARCÍA-NAVARRO, M. PILAR GONZÁLEZ DE LA ALEJA, ROSARIO SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍNEZ, ADELINA GIMENO-GASCÓN, SERGIO REUS, ESPERANZA MERINO, JUAN C. RODRÍGUEZ-DÍAZ JOAQUÍN PORTILLA          

Background. Seasonal influenza is responsible for high annual morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in elderly patients. The aim of the study was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic features of influenza in octogenarians and nonagenarians admitted to a general hospital, as well as risk factors associated with mortality.
Methods. Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study in patients admitted and diagnosed with influenza by molecular biology in the General University Hospital of Alicante from 1 January to 31 April 2015.
Results. A total of 219 patients were diagnosed with influenza in the study period: 55 (25.1%) were ≤64 years-old; 77 (35.2%) were aged 65–79; 67 (30.6%) were aged 80–89 years; and 20 (9.1%) were aged ≥90 years. Most flu episodes were caused by influenza A (n=181, 82.6%). Patients aged 80 years or older had lower glomerular filtration rate (mean: 49.7 mL/min vs. 62.2 mL/min; p=0.006), a greater need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation (22% vs 9.3%; p=0.02), greater co-morbidity due to cardiac insufficiency (40.5% vs. 16.4%; p<0.001) and chronic renal disease (32.9 vs. 20%, p=0.03), and greater mortality (19% vs. 2.9%; p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, mortality was higher in those aged 80 or over (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 9.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65–51.1), those who had acquired the flu in a long-term care facility (ORa 11.9, 95% CI 1.06–134), and those with hyperlactataemia (ORa 1.89, 95% CI 1.20–3.00).
Conclusions. Seasonal influenza is a serious problem leading to elevated mortality in octogenarian and nonagenarian patients admitted to a general hospital.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):296-301  [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):302-307

Demographic and clinical features of diagnosed individuals of enterobiasis in the southern Gran Canaria: sampling assessment                     

DEYANIRA CARRILLO-QUINTERO, LAURA DEL OTERO SANZ, SARA HERNÁNDEZ-EGIDO, ANTONIO MANUEL MARTÍN SÁNCHEZ          

Introduction. Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworn, is the responsible agent for Human Enterobiasis. It is one of the most prevalent, but underrated, parasitic disease in children population. Diagnosis involves demonstration of either eggs or adult worms by Graham test. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, demographic and microbiological features of patients with suspected diagnosis of Enterobiasis in southern Gran Canaria.
Material and methods. Descriptive and prospective study of perianal samples evaluated by Graham test in the Microbiology Department of `Insular de Gran Canaria´ University Hospital between November 2014 and November 2015. Descriptive analysis to evaluate the correlation between clinical and demographic variables and the results of Graham test microbiological observation.
Results. 1,128 samples were analyzed. E. vermicularis was found in 11.4% of the samples. Among the positives samples, 88.4% belonged to children under 14 years, and 53.5% were male. Abdominal pain (18.6%), anal itching (11.6%), eosinophilia (8.5%) and intestinal parasitosis suspicion (7.8%) were the reasons of parasitological investigation request in positive samples. Nevertheless, a high proportion of the requests was not founded in a suspicious diagnosis or was unrelated to Enterobiasis.
Conclusions. Enterobiasis is a common disease in primary health care and is of great importance in Gran Canaria. Quality in sample collection as well as diagnosis suspicious information are necessary for a good microbiological analysis.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):302-307  [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):308-317

Darunavir/cobicistat monotherapy. Experience in a tertiary hospital                     

LUCIA YUNQUERA-ROMERO, ROCÍO ASENSI-DÍEZ, JUAN CARLOS DEL RIO-VALENCIA, ISABEL MUÑOZ-CASTILLO, MANUEL ÁNGEL CASTAÑO-CARRACEDO          

Introduction. Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (IP/r) monotherapy: darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) or lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) monotherapy is only provided in the major treatment guidelines in pretreated patients to prevent toxicity associated with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), reduce costs and simplify antiretroviral treatment. To start IP/r monotherapy, according to GESIDA guidelines 2016, patients need to meet the following criteria: absence of chronic hepatitis B, plasma viral load <50 copies/ mL for at least 6 months and absence of protease inhibitors mutations or previous virologic failures to IP/r. Currently, there are no studies that evaluate the efficacy and safety of darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/COBI) monotherapy.
Methods. This prospective study analyzed pretreated HIV patients with DRV/r monotherapy that were switched to DRV/COBI monotherapy. The aim of the study is to describe the effectiveness and safety of the DRV/COBI monotherapy.
Results. Seventy-eight patients were evaluated. Patients had a median of 31.29 months of DRV/r monotherapy before DRV/COBI monotherapy. Nine of the 78 patients developed “blips” (plasma viral load: 50-200 copies/ml) and four patients had plasma viral load ≥200 copies/mL. An 83.3% (65/78) of the patients remained with undetectable plasma viral load. As for safety, there were no significant differences in lipid profile, liver function (transaminases) and renal function between DRV/r and DRV/COBI monotherapy.
Conclusions. DRV/COBI monotherapy seems to be effective and safe (lipid profile, liver and kidney function). However, it will be necessary to design specific studies comparing DRV/r vs DRV/COBI monotherapy to confirm these results.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):308-317  [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):318-327

Key issues in the infected patient care in the Emergency Department                     

FLAVIA CHIARELLA, JUAN GONZÁLEZ-DEL CASTILLO, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, ERIC JORGE GARCÍA- LAMBERECHTS, MARÍA JOSÉ NÚÑEZ-ORANTOS, FRANCISCO JAVIER MARTÍN-SÁNCHEZ REPRESENTING THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE GROUP OF SPANISH EMERGENCY MEDICINE SOCIETY          

Objective. To develop a set of recommendations, by consensus of Emergency Medicine experts, on key aspects related to the care of adult patients with acute infection attended in Spanish emergency departments (ED).    
Methodology. The study was divided into three phases: 1) To design a questionnaire by a coordinating group; 2) To conduct a survey in ED physicians in order to know their opinion on the issues raised by the coordinating group; 3) To develop a number of recommendations based on the responses to the questionnaire and their subsequent discussion.
Results. A group of 28 experts from different Spanish ED, as well as 5 members of the coordinating group, with knowledge and experience in the management of infectious diseases in ED, conducted a round of voting to a questionnaire of 18 issues grouped into three sections: 1) identification and stratification of the severity; 2) diagnosis and treatment; 3) management.   
Conclusions. A monitoring system and proper training of the entire healthcare team are required, as well as extensive knowledge on these issues, to ensure adequate and effective care for these patients. It is essential to educate and train all health staff, especially in the ED, because it is the initial point of contact for most patients with an infection. The experts established proposals based on survey questions and the discussion.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):318-327 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(6):288-295

Determinants of parasite drug resistance in human lymphatic filariasis                     

FERNANDO COBO           

Infection with filarial nematodes remains endemic in several countries worldwide and some of these infections are commonly associated with severe disease. The elimination of lymphatic filariasis relies on drug administration using the three drugs currently available for treatment: diethylcarbamazine, albendazole, and ivermectin. However, development of drug resistance is a reported phenomenon. The issue of resistance to antihelminthics used in humans has become increasing importance since the global program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis is implemented in larger population groups and the duration of the program is increasing. Recently, ivermectin resistance has been reported in Ghana, and widespread of resistance to benzimidazole (such as albendazole) is present because specific mutations in the gene encoding β-tubulin have been associated with drug resistance. Moreover, it is well known that diethylcarbamazine susceptibility is not 100% for lymphatic filariasis treatment. A review of the mechanisms of resistance to these antihelminthics is necessary in order to optimize the treatment for human lymphatic filariasis.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(6):288-295  [pdf]

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