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]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):25-31

Dual therapy as an alternative treatment in HIV pretreatred patients: experience in a tertiary hospital     

                        
LUCIA YUNQUERA-ROMERO, ROCÍO ASENSI-DÍEZ, MACARENA GAJARDO-ÁLVAREZ, ISABEL MUÑOZ-CASTILLO              

Introduction. Dual therapy regimen might be an effective alternative to prevent the occurrence of side effects and comorbidities associated with prolonged treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) and a way of simplification of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve adherence in certain patients. It also represents a potential treatment option for patients who have failed previous TAR.
Methods. The aim of the study is to describe the effectiveness, adherence and costs of dual therapy regimen used in pretreated HIV patients in tertiary hospital.
Results. Thirty-eight patients were studied (eight were excluded). Reasons for simplification to dual therapy were previous treatment toxicity (40%), simplification (36.67%) and virological rescue (20%). The dual therapy regimens most used were: IP/r + INSTIs (26.67%), IP/r + NRTIs (23.33%), IP/r + NNR-TIs (23.33%), IP/r+ CCR5 (16.66%) e INSTIs + NNRTIs (10%). ARV more used were darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) + raltegravir (23.33 %); DRV/r + lamivudine (20%) y DRV/r + etravirine (16.67 %). Adherence was 86.79% before switching to dual therapy and 96.27% after switching. The cost savings of switching to dual therapy of these patients was € 3,635.16.
Discussion. Dual therapy with IP/r might be an effective alternative to selected treatment experienced patients compared with conventional therapy.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):25-31 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(3):151-154

Identification and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of vaginal Candida spp. isolates to fluconazole, clotrimazole, and nystatin   

                    
MARIA CRISTINA DIAZ, ROSSANNA CAMPONOVO, INGRID ARAYA, ANN CERDA, MARÍA PAOLA SANTANDER, ALFONSO-JAVIER CARRILLO-MUÑOZ             

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing to clotrimazole, fluconazole, and nystatin of 145 clinical isolates of Candida spp.
Material and methods. M27-A3 microdilution method was used to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and partial MICs (MIC50 and MIC90) of drugs. A total of 145 isolates were studied, 126 were C. albicans, 16 C. glabrata, 2 C. parapsilosis y 1 C. tropicalis.
Results. MIC50 and MIC90 for FLZ against C. albicans were 0.25 mg/L and 1 mg/L respectively and for C. glabrata was achieved at 8 mg/L and 16 mg/L for fluconazole. Five isolates of C. albicans and one isolate of C. tropicalis were in vitro resistant to fluconazole (M27-S4). In C. albicans MIC50 and MIC90 for clotrimazole were of 0.03 mg/L and 0.06 mg/L, respectively. These values for C. glabrata were 0.25 mg/L and 1 mg/L, respectively. Five C. glabrata and 1 C. tropicalis were in vitro resistant to clotrimazole. MIC50 and MIC90 of nystatin were of 1 mg/L and 2 mg/L, respectively for C. albicans and C. glabrata.
Conclusion. In this study, C. albicans is the most frequently isolated yeast, followed by C. glabrata. The antifungals tested were found to be in vitro active for the isolates, except for 6 isolates for fluconazole and 6 to clotrimazole.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(3):151-154 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(Suppl. 1):1-5

Update in Infectious Diseases 2016                     

FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, ANA BELÉN GARCÍA-GARCÍA, MARINA PEÑUELAS, ANA GARCÍA-ALVAREZ, FLAVIA CHIARELLA, LAURA LÓPEZ-GONZÁLEZ, CRISTINA GARCÍA-SALGUERO, CLARA LEJÁRRAGA, ICIAR RODRÍGUEZ-AVIAL          

Antimicrobial resistance increases it health, social and economic impact. in all areas (state, regional and local), initiatives to try to contain the problem of resistance arise. In the update of this year 2016, we study microbiological, epidemiological and clinical aspects of multi-resistant bacteria, as well as resources for therapeutic approach, from ancient to modern drugs from therapeutic combinations to optimization Stewardship programs. In the case of fungal infection, we analyze clinical scenarios with different species in yeast or new clinical settings in filamentous fungi. Taking paediatric population, homologies and differences with adults in invasive fungal infection were compared. Finally in the field of parasitology, treatment of severe malaria imported or that resistant to antimalarial drugs were reviewed.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(Suppl. 1):1-5 [pdf]

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]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016,29(1):40-43

Adherence to international recommendations in the fight against antimicrobial resistance – Substantial difference between outpatient consumption in Spain and Denmark     

                        

SARA MALO, MARÍA JOSÉ RABANAQUE, LARS BJERRUM              

Introduction. Increasing antibiotic resistance represents a major public health threat that jeopardises the future treatment of bacterial infections. This study aims to describe the adherence to recommendations proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR), in Spain and Denmark, and to analyse the relation between the outpatient use of Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIA) and the bacterial resistance rates to these agents.
Material and methods. The Antimicrobial consumption interactive database (ESAC-Net) and Antimicrobial resistance interactive database (EARS-Net) provided data on outpatient use (2010-2013) of CIA (fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins) and the percentages of isolates of the main pathogens causing serious infections, resistant to these agents.
Results. The use of cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, as well as the percentage of bacteria resistant, is higher in Spain than in Denmark. Although consumption of macrolides in both countries is similar, the proportion of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to macrolides is significantly higher in Spain.
Conclusion. The high outpatient consumption of CIA agents in Spain deviates substantially from the WHO recommendations. Moreover, it has the effect of elevated rates of antimicrobial resistance, that are lower in Denmark.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):40-43 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(4):175-182

How should we approach Aspergillus in lung secretions of patients with COPD?   

                    

JOSÉ BARBERÁN, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, ANA ARRIBI             

Aspergillus spp. is frequently isolated in respiratory samples from patients with severe COPD; however, the clinical significance of this mold is unclear and its presence may indicate temporary passage, benign chronic carriage, or onset of invasive disease. The definitive diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis in COPD patients is often difficult owing to the lack of specific clinical and radiological signs. However, retrospective studies show the risk for developing pulmonary aspergillosis in older patients with severe COPD, and a high number of comorbidities who have received treatment with corticosteroids and/or broad spectrum antibioties. The development of algorithms based on microbiological and radiological data and risk factors for pulmonary aspergillosis can help to differentiate between colonization and infection.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(4):175-182 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(Suppl. 1):6-9

Epidemiology of the infection by resistant Gram-positive microorganisms                    

EMILIA CERCENADO          

Resistance among Gram-positive microorganisms to classical and new antimicrobials is a therapeutic threat. In Spain, methicillin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus (25-30%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (50-60%) seems to have stabilized in the last decade. Among enterococci, vancomycin resistance is less than 5%. Both linezolid and daptomycin, in general, show good activity against these microorganisms. However, the resistance rates of Staphylococcus epidermidis to linezolid (20.9%), and of Enterococcus faecium to daptomycin (10.5%) in isolates from intensive care units are a worrying.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(Suppl. 1):6-9 [pdf]

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]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):8-14

Ertapenem therapy for pneumonia requiring hospital admission in elderly people     

                        

ARTURO ARTERO, ÁNGEL ATIENZA, SARA CORREA, IAN LÓPEZ, ALEJANDRA FAUS, FRANÇESC PUCHADES, MANUEL MADRAZO             

 

 

Background. Few studies examined ertapenem for the treatment of pneumonia. This study aims to compare ertapenem with other antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of pneumonia requiring hospital admission in elderly patients in daily clinical practice.
Methods. We conducted an observational, retrospective case-control study, between January 2011 and January 2014, in a university hospital. Patients ≥65 years of age admitted to the hospital with pneumonia treated with ertapenem were included as cases. A control patient treated with antibiotics other than ertapenem, matched for age and pneumonia severity index (PSI), was enrolled for each case. Hospital mortality was the primary outcome.
Results. A total of 150 patients with a mean age of 84.1 years were studied. Ninety percent of patients had pneumonia PSI grade IV-V and 82.7% had one or more comorbidities. Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) and aspiration pneumonia were significantly higher in the ertapenem group (66.7% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001 and 73.3% vs. 54.7%, p < 0.017, respectively), whereas malignancy was most common in the control group. There was no difference in the hospital mortality rate between ertapenem and control groups (20.0% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.500), after adjusting for HCAP, aspiration pneumonia and malignancy. Transfer from hospital to hospital at home was significantly higher in the ertapenem group (25.3% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.09).
Conclusions. Ertapenem is as effective as other antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of pneumonia requiring hospital admission in elderly people. Ertapenem is associated with a higher transfer to hospital at home.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):8-14 [pdf]