Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(4):280-284

A descriptive study of Hafnia alvei isolated from stool samples: an approach to its clinical assessment

MÓNICA DE FRUTOS, EVA LÓPEZ, ROSA ARAGÓN, LUIS LÓPEZ-URRUTIA, CARMEN RAMOS, MARTA DOMÍNGUEZ-GIL, LOURDES VIÑUELA, SONSOLES GARCINUÑO, JOSÉ MARÍA EIROS

Introduction. The importance in human diarrhoeal disease of Hafnia alvei is unclear. The objective of the study was to describe the population which was isolated H. alvei in stool cultures and the therapeutic management of these cases in our Health Area.
Material and methods. A descriptive retrospective study was carried out in 2014 and 2015. Epidemiological, clinical, treatment and evolution variables were collected in the computerized clinical history.
Result. A collection of 7,290 stool specimens were processed, 3,321 in 2014 and 3,969 in 2015, of which 58 (1.7%) and 53 (1.3%) were positive forH. alvei, respectively. A 60.4% of samples were isolated in women. The mean age was 38.68 years. A 68.5% of samples were from primary care. In 71.2% there was related clinic, diarrhoea in 57.7%. In 75.7% of the cases there was not associated underlying disease. A 43.2% of the cases received treatment. A 66.7% of treated patients came from Primary Care. The mean duration of treatment was 8 days. The evolution was favourable in 85.4% of the cases treated. All strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Conclusions. More evidence is needed to support H. alvei as a cause of gastroenteritis.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(4):280-284 [pdf]