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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(3): 223-235

Status of Herpes Zoster and Herpes Zoster Vaccines in 2023: A position paper

JOSÉ MARÍA MOLERO GARCÍA, SANTIAGO MORENO GUILLÉN, FERNANDO RODRÍGUEZ-ARTALEJO, JULIÁN RUIZ-GALIANA, RAFAEL CANTÓN, PILAR DE LUCAS RAMOS, ALEJANDRA GARCÍA-BOTELLA, ALBERTO GARCÍA-LLEDÓ, TERESA HERNÁNDEZ-SAMPELAYO, JAVIER GÓMEZ-PAVÓN, JUAN GONZÁLEZ DEL CASTILLO, MARI CRUZ MARTÍN-DELGADO, FRANCISCO JAVIER MARTÍN-SÁNCHEZ, MANUEL MARTÍNEZ-SELLÉS EMILIO BOUZA

Published: 8 February 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/004.2023

Herpes zoster infection (HZ) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and frequent complications, especially post-herpetic neuropathy . The incidence of HZ increases with age and is more frequent in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that at least 60,000 people develop HZ each year in Spain.
The usual forms of HZ are so clinically characteristic that they do not usually require microbiological confirmation, which is reserved for cases without cutaneous manifestations or with atypical presentation.
There are currently two vaccines approved by the regulatory agencies and marketed in Spain to prevent the onset of HZ and its complications. The first (Zostavax®) was marketed by the company MSD and licensed in Europe in 2006 and is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is administered in a single dose, while the second (Shingrix®) is a recombinant vaccine, marketed in 2017 and requires two doses. While the former cannot be administered to immunocompromised persons, the latter can be prescribed to any group of adults.
The criteria for the indication and financing of these vaccines have not been uniform in the various autonomous communities of Spain.
These and other aspects of HZ have been discussed by a group of experts from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) whose criteria and opinions are included in this paper.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(3): 223-235 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):152-159

Brain abscesses caused by anaerobic microorganisms: a systematic review

FERNANDO COBO

Published: 3 February 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/114.2022

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the characteristics, causative microorganisms and outcome of brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria over the past 25 years. We reviewed studies on brain abscesses which included infection due to anaerobic microorganisms published between 1998 and 2022. We excluded reports with polymicrobial infections (more than 2 anaerobic bacteria isolated) and those that do not provide enough information to make comparisons, the reports with only one case of brain abscess due to anaerobes, as well as those focused on an only anaerobic bacterium. Also, we have excluded the cases in pediatric population. We searched the scientific literature through the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed/MEDLINE databases for studies of this condition. We finally included 28 studies with 6,167 patients, of which 715 (11.5%) were cases caused by anaerobic bacteria. There was a male predominance (70%) and mean age of 40.3 years. Most infections were monomicrobial (59.4%). The most common anaerobic microorganisms isolated were Bacteroides spp (43.4%) and Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (35.1%). Cases of brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria were most frequent in Asia and Europe. The source of infection most frequent was otogenic in 84.6% followed by a neurosurgery procedure infection in 23% of patients. The main symptom observed was headache in 95.6% of patients followed by fever (69.5%). Surgical treatment was performed in 48 % of patients and the percentage of patients in whom antibiotic treatment was applied range 88.8% to 100%. The main limitation of this review is the non-inclusion of studies published before of 1998 in which MALDI-TOF MS system had not been introduced in the majority of laboratories for routine identification.
The patient rate with isolation of anaerobic bacteria in brain abscesses is low, but these data could be underestimated mainly due to the fastidious nature of these microorganisms and the difficulties in the identification of some anaerobes.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):152-159 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):214-216

Absceso hepático amebiano en paciente procedente de Gambia

MANUEL CALLEJÓN FERNÁNDEZ, ROCÍO KOHAN, ANA MARÍA LÓPEZ LIROLA, MARÍA LECUONA FERNÁNDEZ

Published: 2 February 2023

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/106.2022

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):214-216  [Texto completo – PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):180-186

Epidemiological study on the impact of influenza vaccination on the clinical course of patients with COVID-19 and co-infection by both viruses in Gran Canaria, Spain

JOSÉ LUIS ALONSO BILBAO, ALEJANDRO DE ARRIBA FERNÁNDEZ, ALBERTO ESPIÑEIRA FRANCÉS, ANTONIO CABEZA MORA, ÁNGELA GUTIÉRREZ PÉREZ, MIGUEL ÁNGEL DÍAZ BARREIROS

Published: 27 January 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/102.2022

Objectives. To analyze the frequency of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections, as well as the differences in the course of disease (risk of mortality, hospital and intensive care admissions) in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in relation to flu vaccination status in the 2021-2022 season.
Methodology. Population-based observational retrospective study in a cohort of 19,850 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022 on the island of Gran Canaria.
Results. A total of 1,789 patients (9%) diagnosed with COVID-19 had received flu vaccinations. 13,676 people (68.9%) had a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations. In the period between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, 8 cases of flu and COVID-19 coinfection were recorded. Hypertension (18.5%), asthma (12.8%) and diabetes (7.2%) were the most frequent comorbidities. There were 147 deaths (0.7%). Older patients ([OR] 1.11 95% CI 1.09-1.13) and people with cancer ([OR] 4.21 95% CI 2.58-6.89) had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (p<0.05). Female sex was noted as a protective factor ([OR] 0.61 95% CI 0.40-0.92).
Conclusions. Old age, male sex and cancer were independent prognostic factors for mortality. Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and influenza vaccines were highly effective in preventing COVID-19-related deaths and hospital admissions. These findings suggest that flu vaccination can help control the pandemic.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):180-186 [Texto completo – PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):217-219

Bacteremia caused by Clostridium sporogenes in an oncological patient

FERNANDO COBO, VIRGINIA PÉREZ-CARRASCO, JOSÉ A. GARCÍA-SALCEDO, JOSÉ MARÍA NAVARRO-MARÍ

Published: 26 January 2023

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/111.2022

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):217-219  [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):194-200

Demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of the first 30 human monkeypox confirmed cases attended in a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain), during the May-June 2022 international outbreak

ALEJANDRO COBOS, MARICELA VALERIO, MARÍA PALOMO, IVÁN ADÁN, PILAR CATALÁN, CRISTINA VEINTIMILLA, FELIPE LÓPEZ-ANDÚJAR, CRISTINA RINCÓN, ALICIA GALAR, ROBERTO ALONSO, MARINA MACHADO, PALOMA GIJÓN, TERESA ALDÁMIZ-ECHEVARRÍA LOIS, LEIRE PÉREZ LATORRE, CRISTINA DIEZ, CHIARA FANCIULLI, EMILIO BOUZA SANTIAGO, PATRICIA MUÑOZ

Published: 18 January 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/112.2022

The present outbreak of Human Monkeypox (HMPX) that has begun in May 2022 and has spread across all continents in less than two months has qualitative and quantitative characteristics that make it different from the pattern of human disease previously caused by this virus. It has spread with enormous ease, affects almost exclusively adults, behaves as a sexually transmitted disease and focuses on very specific groups and transmission conditions. The high incidence in the city of Madrid in males that have sex with males (MSM) has allowed us to observe and report the experience with the first 30 cases diagnosed in our institution. Patients presented with febrile symptoms, genital and paragenital skin lesions reminiscent of smallpox, but less extensive and severe. The disease may also cause proctitis, pharyngitis and perioral lesions. The PCR test for diagnostic confirmation has been shown to be very sensitive and effective, not only in skin lesions but also in blood and other fluids such as pharyngeal, rectal exudates and blood. A very high proportion of patients with HMPX also have other sexually transmitted diseases that must be actively detected in this context. The spontaneous evolution of our patients has been good and hospitalization has been practically unnecessary. Transmission to non-sexual cohabitants and health personnel has been nonexistent and the lesions have disappeared in less than 30 days without leaving sequelae and no need for specific antiviral treatment.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):194-200 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):160-168

Validity and usefulness of the RAE-CMBD studying patients hospitalised with influenza

VÍCTOR QUIRÓS-GONZÁLEZ, JOSÉ LUIS BERNAL, ANA MA HARO-PÉREZ, JOSÉ ÁNGEL MADERUELO-FERNÁNDEZ, MARÍA TERESA SANTOS-JIMÉNEZ, NOELIA GARCÍA-BARRIO, ABRAHAM L. PAVÓN-MUÑOZ, EUGENIA LÓPEZ-SÁNCHEZ, MARÍA ARÁNZAZU GARCÍA-IGLESIAS, PABLO SERRANO, JOSÉ MARÍA EIROS

Published: 18 January 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/074.2022

Background. Understanding the hospital impact of influenza requires enriching epidemiological surveillance registries with other sources of information. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the Hospital Care Activity Record – Minimum Basic Data Set (RAE-CMBD) in the analysis of the outcomes of patients hospitalised with this infection.
Methods. Observational and retrospective study of adults admitted with influenza in a tertiary hospital during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. We calculated the concordance of the RAE-CMBD with the influenza epidemiological surveillance registry (gold standard), as well as the main parameters of internal and external validity. Logistic regression models were used for risk adjustment of in-hospital mortality and length of stay.
Results. A total of 907 (97.74%) unique matches were achieved, with high inter-observer agreement (ƙ=0.828). The RAE-CMBD showed a 79.87% sensitivity, 99.72% specificity, 86.71% positive predictive value and 99.54% negative predictive value. The risk-adjusted mortality ratio of patients with influenza was lower than that of patients without influenza: 0.667 (0.53-0.82) vs. 1.008 (0.98-1.04) and the risk-adjusted length of stay ratio was higher: 1.15 (1.12-1.18) vs. 1.00 (0.996-1.001).
Conclusion. The RAE-CMBD is a valid source of information for the study of the impact of influenza on hospital care. The lower risk-adjusted mortality of patients admitted with influenza compared to other inpatients seems to point to the effectiveness of the main clinical and organisational measures adopted.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):160-168 [Texto completo – PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):211-213

Absceso cerebral por Eikenella corrodens como complicación de sinusitis frontal en paciente inmunocompetente

DEVI SALAS OLORTEGUI, ÓSCAR MORENO FELICI, JORDI CALVÓ GÓMEZ, JAVIER COLOMINA RODRÍGUEZ

Published: 17 January 2023

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/094.2022

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):211-213  [Texto completo PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):208-210

Evolución temporal de las variantes de SARS-CoV-2 circulantes en el área sanitaria de Cádiz

CRISTINA IBAÑEZ-LÓPEZ, PAULA PANÉS-ORTEGA, JESÚS MACHUCA, MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ-IGLESIAS

Published: 17 January 2023

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/093.2022

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):208-210  [Texto completo PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):169-179

Emergency detection of HIV infection in patients consulting for conditions potentially related to occult infection: Initial results of the “Urgències VIHgila” program

ÒSCAR MIRÓ, EMÍLIA MIRÓ, MÍRIAM CARBÓ, MIREIA SAURA, ALEXIS REBOLLO, ROCÍO DE PAZ, JOSEP MARIA GUARDIOLA, ALEJANDRO SMITHSON, DANIEL ITURRIZA, CRISTINA RAMIÓ LLUCH, CONNIE LEEY, JOSÉ IGNACIO FERRO, ALBERTO VILLAMOR, EMILI GENÉ EN REPRESENTACIÓN DEL GRUPO DE TRABAJO “URGÈNCIES VIHGILA”

Published: 16 January 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/085.2022

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of unknown HIV infection in patients who consulted in hospital emergency services (ED) for conditions defined in the SEMES-GESIDA Consensus Document (DC), evaluate the efficiency of its im-plementation and investigate the efficiency of HIV serology determination in other conditions.
Methods. Results were reviewed in 10 Catalan EDs for 12 months (July-21-June-22) after implementing CD recommendations: request HIV serology in case of suspected sexually transmitted infection, chemsex, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), mononucleosis syndrome, community pneumonia (18-65 y-o) or herpes zoster (18-65 y-o). Other reasons for request were included. Prevalence (%) of global seropositivity and for each circumstance was calculated, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The efficient strategy was considered if the lower limit of the CI95%>0.1%.
Results. A total of5,107 HIV serologies were performed: 2,847(56%) in situations specified in CD, and 2,266 (44%) in other 138 circumstances. Forty-eight unknown HIV infections were detected (prevalence=0.94%;95%CI=0.69-1.24). The prevalence was somewhat higher in DC requests (30 cas-es 1.12%) than the rest (18 cases 0.71%; p=0.16). The individualized prevalence of CD reasons ranged between 7.41% (95%CI=0.91-24.3) in chemsex and 0.42% 95%CI=0.14-0.98) in PPE, always efficient except herpes zoster (0.76%; CI95%=0.02-4.18). In other reasons, cases were detected in 12 circumstances, and in four the determination could be efficient: lymphopenia (10%;CI95%=0.25-44.5), fever with polyarthralgia-polyarthritis (7.41%;CI95% =0.91-24.3), behavioral alteration-confusion-encephalopathy (3.45%;95%CI=0.42-11.9) and fever of unknown origin (2.50%;95%CI=0.82-5.74).
Conclusion. The determination of HIV serology in HES in the processes defined by DC SEMES-GESIDA is efficient. Some circumstances are identified that could be added to those previously contemplated to increase efficiency.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(2):169-179 [Texto completo PDF]


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