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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):72-75

COVID-19 and fungal infections: Etiopathogenesis and therapeutic implications

MARIANA CHUMBITA, PEDRO PUERTA-ALCALDE, NICOLE GARCIA-POUTON, CAROLINA GARCÍA-VIDAL

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.21.2021

Invasive fungal infection often complicates patients with severe viral infection, especially those admitted to critical care units. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has been no exception and a significant association with Aspergillus spp. has been documented, resulting in high patient mortality. In this summary we describe the clinical presentation, the underlying diseases most commonly linked with this association, radiological manifestations and therapeutic management of CAPA.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):72-75 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):69-71

Respiratory co-and superinfections in COVID-19

JOSÉ L DEL POZO

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.20.2021

There are few publications on the impact of coinfection and superinfection in patients with COVID-19. Patients with higher severity are much more prone to secondary bacterial, fungal or viral infections. The overuse of antimicrobials in many viral infections (including SARS-CoV-2 infections) undoubtedly contributes to the current antimicrobial resistance crisis. In the context of COVID-19, we are witnessing an increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in our hospitals. The heterogeneity of published studies makes it critical to perform more large-scale studies to better understand the pathogenesis of coinfections or superinfections in the COVID-19 patient.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):69-71 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):63-68

COVID-19: Impact on prescribing and antimicrobial resistance

PATRICIA RUIZ-GARBAJOSA, RAFAEL CANTÓN

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.19.2021

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged healthcare systems focusing their activity on patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Previous experience with co-infections and superinfections in patients infected with other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS), the influenza patients admitted to hospitals and prevention of the unknown led to the increased empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitals. The breakdown of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs determine an increase in infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in intensive care units. Most of these infections are related to high-risk carbapenemase-producing clones and occasionally with resistance to new β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. On the contrary, in the primary care, there has been a decrease in the use of antimicrobials during the first wave, although it would not have had a significant impact on pathogens associated with community-acquired infections. The accumulated experience reaffirms the need to maintain antimicrobial stewardship
and infection control programs in future health crises.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):63-68 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):60-62

Vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2: General impact on the development of the pandemic

ÁNGEL GIL DE MIGUEL, RUTH GIL-PRIETO

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.18.2021

In this article, we will review the main vaccination strategies currently being implemented by the health authorities
and analyze the main vaccines authorized by the EMA. As practical aspects of vaccination, we must make it clear that until collective immunity is reached, the preventive measures being implemented will have to be kept in place. In the words of the WHO Accelerator Project, “There is no time to waste in the fight against COVID-19. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):60-62 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):57-59

Antiviral therapy and immunotherapy of COVID-19

CLARA CRESPILLO, SANTIAGO MORENO

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.17.2021

The pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 has evolved in the months since the description of the disease. Published observational studies and, above all, clinical trials have highlighted drugs that are useful as well as ruled out any benefit from other drugs used at the beginning of the pandemic. The pathogenesis of the disease has suggested that patients may benefit from the administration of both antivirals, mainly in the earliest stages, and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory medications in more advanced stages. We present a short review of the drugs used and under investigation for the treatment of COVID-19.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):57-59 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):52-56

Ventilatory support and corticosteroid therapy in SARS-CoV-2

FERNANDO MARTÍNEZ SAGASTI, ALBA PALAZÓN BLANCO, SANDRA CATALINA GARCÍA-PERROTE, PATRICIA ALONSO MARTÍNEZ

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.16.2021

It has been almost two years since COVID-19, a disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The entire scientific and medical community was put to the test during the following months to find the best therapeutic strategy to save lives. Although some antivirals and anti-inflammatory drugs are being tested in different clinical trials with some controversial results, this short review will focus on corticosteroids usefulness and ventilatory support principles, as they have become two essential therapeutic pillars for those patients who need hospital admission due to respiratory failure.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):52-56 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):49-51

Role of molecular diagnostics in the clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection: advantages and drawbacks

CARMEN MARTÍN-HIGUERA, IRENE MUÑOZ-GALLEGO, MARÍA DOLORES FOLGUEIRA

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.15.2021

The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is based on the use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), especially rRT-PCR. The latter also allows us to quickly identify variants of concern. However, its use in follow-up of patients and the correlation between Ct value and the viability of the virus is controversial

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):49-51 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):46-48

Infection and infectivity: Utility of rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19

PABLO BARREIRO, JESÚS SAN-ROMÁN, MARÍA DEL MAR CARRETERO, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.14.2021

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 proteins is commercially available in the form of lateral-flow rapid antigen test for the point-of-care diagnosis of COVID-19. This platform has been validated for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, for diagnosis or screening, and as part of single or sequential diagnostic strategies. Although in general less sensitive than amplification techniques, antigen tests may be particularly valid during the first days of symptoms and to detect individuals with greater viral load, thereby with enhanced chances of viral transmission. The simplicity of antigen tests make them very suitable to discard infection in settings with low pretest probability, and to detect infection in case of higher chances of having COVID-19.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):46-48 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):44-45

Comprehensive serological strategy for the diagnosis and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2. From infection to vaccine control

RAFAEL DELGADO

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.13.2021

SARS-CoV-2 serology is useful to identify past COVID-19 cases, and it is not useful for acute infection. Levels of specific SARS-CoV-2 anti-N and especially anti-S are expected to be maintained for long periods. At this moment there is not a clear correlate of protection after COVID-19 or vaccination, therefore serological follow up is not indicated in most cases.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):44-45 [Full-text PDF]


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Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):41-43

Cefiderocol, a new antibiotic against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

JOSÉ TIAGO SILVA, FRANCISCO LÓPEZ-MEDRANO

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.12.2021

Cefiderocol is a novel catechol-substituted siderophore cephalosporin that binds to the extracellular free iron, and uses the bacterial active iron transport channels to penetrate in the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Cefiderocol overcomes many resistance mechanisms of these bacteria. Cefiderocol is approved for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia in the case of adults with limited treatment options, based on the clinical data from the APEKS-cUTI, APEKS-NP and CREDIBLE-CR trials. In the CREDIBLE-CR trial, a higher all-cause mortality was observed in the group of patients who received cefiderocol, especially those with severe infections due to Acinetobacter spp. Further phase III clinical studies are necessary in order to evaluate cefiderocol´s efficacy in the treatment of serious infections.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):41-43 [Full-text PDF]