First clinical isolate in Europe of clindamycin-resistant group B Streptococcus mediated by the lnu(B) gene                                 
 

 DAVID M ARANA, BEATRIZ ROJO-BEZARES, CARMEN TORRES, JUAN IGNACIO ALÓS               

We characterize the mechanisms implicated in an unusual phenotype of resistance to macrolides-lincosamides (no halos of inhibition around clindamycin and lincomycin discs, and a 15 mm halo around erythromycin disc) in a Streptococcus agalactiae isolate recovered in Spain. The presence of macrolide or lincosamide resistance genes [erm(A),erm(B), erm(C), erm(T), mef(A), mrs(A), lnu(A), lnu(B), lsa(B), lsa(C) and vga(C)] was investigated by PCR and sequencing. The strain showed a resistant phenotype to erythromycin and clindamycin (MIC = 2 mg/L and MIC = 8 mg/L, respectively) and the presence of lnu(B) and mef(A) genes was demonstrated. Clinical microbiology laboratories should be aware of this unusual phenotype due to the association of two mechanisms mediated by lnu(B) and mef(A) genes. This constitute, to our knowledge, the first report of lnu(B) in S. agalactiae in human isolates in Europe.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(2):106-109 [pdf]

Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized cartridge in severe sepsis due to intestinal perforation: hemodynamic findings and clinical considerations in anticoagulation therapy                               
 

JAVIER MAYNAR, FERNANDO MARTÍNEZ-SAGASTI, MANUEL HERRERA-GUTIÉRREZ, FRANCISCO MARTÍ, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, JAVIER BELDA, SERGIO CASTAÑO, JOSÉ ÁNGEL SANCHEZ-IZQUIERDO
             

Background. High levels of endotoxin have been reported as a risk factor for mortality in critical patients. Toraymyxin® is a column designed to remove circulating blood endotoxin by direct hemoperfusion widely used in Japan.
Objectives. To evaluate the effect of direct hemoperfusion with Toraymyxin® (DHP-PMX) as an adjuvant treatment in patients with severe sepsis due to intestinal perforation in terms of hemodynamic function and coagulation abnormalities.
Methods. Prospective cohort study with a historical control group. Cohort 1: prospective cohort undergoing two sessions of DHP-PMX (n=14). Cohort 2: retrospective historical cohort (n=7). The anticoagulation regime was used according to the protocol of each centre and to the special conditions of each patient.
Results. Mean norepinephrine dose was significantly reduced (0.9 ± 0.5 μg/kg/min pre-first DHP-PMX vs 0.3 ± 0.4 μg/kg/min post-second DHP-PMX treatment, p<0.05). Central venous pressure (CVP) and stroke volume variation (SVV) remained without significant changes during the study, as well as cardiac index (CI) in patients with initial CI≥2.5 L/min/m². CI significantly increased in patients with initial CI<2.5 L/min/m² (2.1±0.4 pre-first DHP-PMX vs 3.4 ± 0.4 pre-second DHP-PMX session, p=0.01). Mean platelet count pre-first and post-second DHP-PMX decreased significantly (213.9×10³ ± 138.5×10³ platelets/mm³ vs 91.0×10³ ± 53.5×10³ platelets/mm³, p=0.03), without significant changes during each DHP-PMX treatment. Patients did not experience bleeding nor complications derived from DHP-PMX treatments. Survival rates at 28 and 56 days did not differ significantly between cohort 1 and 2 (21.4% vs 42.9%; 42.9% vs 57.1%; respectively).
Conclusions. Performing two sessions of DHP-PMX treatment in a cohort of patients with abdominal sepsis is a feasible adjuvant therapeutic approach, safe in terms of coagulation abnormalities, can be done with different anticoagulation protocols, improves hemodynamic status and may impact on survival.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(2):151-158 [pdf]

Report of 38 cases of tracheobronchitis in non-immunocompromised patients with dual isolation of Aspergillus in lower respiratory tract samples                                 
 

JOSE BARBERÁN, ELOY SÁNCHEZ-HAYA, DANIEL DEL CASTILLO, FRANCISCO SANZ, BERNARDINO ALCÁZAR, EDUARDO MALMIERCA, ON BEHALF OF THE ASP INVESTIGATOR GROUP               

Introduction. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is an uncommon manifestation of Aspergillus infection. This study retrospectively analysed patients presenting tracheobronchitis among non-neutropenic/non-transplant adult patients with at least two valuable cultures of respiratory samples yielding Aspergillus spp. in Spanish hospitals.
Methods. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. Simple tracheobronchitis was considered when the bronchoscopy report described mucosal inflammation and mucus secretions and invasive tracheobronchitis when ulceration and pseudomembrane formation was reported. Cases were considered “proven” (histopathological confirmation) or “probable” aspergillar tracheobronchitis.
Results. A total of 38 cases of tracheobronchitis (26 simple, 12 invasive) were identified, all considered probable aspergillar tracheobronchitis. Patients were elderly (89.5% patients were ≥65 years), males (76.3%), presented advanced COPD (GOLD III+IV in 81.3%) and heart insufficiency (55.3%), with higher APACHE II score in those with invasive tracheobronchitis (10.17±7.38 vs. 4.32±4.39, p=0.019). Up to 50% patients were taking steroids (accumulated doses >100 mg in 89.5% of them) and 34.2% antibiotics pre-admission. Antifungals were administered to 60.5% patients (57.7% with simple and 66.6% with invasive tracheobronchitis). Voriconazole was the most frequent antifungal (alone or in combination): 69.6% in the 23 treated patients (60.0% simple and 87.5% invasive tracheobronchitis). Mortality was 23.7% (15.4% in simple and 41.7% in invasive tracheobronchitis).
Conclusions. The results of the present studty suggest that aspergillar tacheobronchitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-immunocompromised patients with deteriorating chronic airway limitation.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(2):110-124 [pdf]

Influenza surveillance by molecular methods

A. TENORIO, J. M. EIROS, E. RODRÍGUEZ, J. F. BERMEJO, M. DOMÍNGUEZ, T .VEGA, J. CASTRODEZA, R. ORTIZ

 

Introduction: Our objective was to evaluate the application of molecular techniques in the surveillance of influenza, and to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases diagnosed in 2007-2008 and2008-2009 seasons.

Methods: We analyzed 183 pharyngeal swabs from the same number of patients referred to the virology laboratory of the Sentinel Physician Network of Castilla y Leon, the study of influenza viruses by shell-vial technique and RT-PCR capable of detecting multiple Simultaneously, influenza virus A, B, C, respiratory syncytial virus A, B and adenovirus.

Results: Using cell culture were isolated 17 influenza A viruses and 19 influenza B viruses (19.7% of total). By multiple RT-PCR, was detected 49 influenza A virus, 29 influenza B virus, an influenza virus C, 3 syncytial virus type A and other B and 6 adenoviruses (44.3% of total). All influenza viruses isolated in cell culture was detected by RT-PCR. RT-PCR by 5 co-infections were detected, which represented a 6.25% of co-infections on the whole of positive samples. The average age of patients was 29 years (SD = 21.07). The proportion of women and men accounted for 43.7% and 56.3% respectively. The number of cases diagnosed in relation to age follows a pattern of negative linear correlation.

Conclusions: RT-PCR is revealed as an useful tool for epidemiological surveillance of influenza, allowing also to detect viral subtypes along with other viruses involved in respiratory infections.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2009:22(4):214-220 [pdf]