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Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(6): 397-406

Update on management of invasive candidiasis

FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, CARMEN PAZOS PACHECO, ISABEL RUIZ-CAMPS, EMILIO MASEDA, MARIA DEL ROSARIO SÁNCHEZ-BENITO, ANA MONTERO, MIREIA PUIG, FERNANDO GILSANZ, JUAN AGUILAR, MAYRA MATESANZ

Given the growing incidence of invasive candidiasis in critically ill and haemato-oncological patients and its poor outcomes, an early diagnosis and treatment are need for get a better prognosis. This document reviews the current approaches that help in diagnosis of invasive candidiasis based on culture-independent microbiological tests. The combination of clinical prediction scores with fungal serological markers could facilitate the approach in antifungal therapy, optimizing it. This article also reviews the epidemiology and primary risk factors for invasive candidiasis in these patients, updating the therapeutic approach algorithms in both clinical contexts based on the main evidence and international guidelines.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(6): 397-406 [Full-text PDF]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(6):391-396

Mechanisms of resistance to daptomycin in Staphylococcus aureus

NATALIA GÓMEZ CASANOVA, MARÍA SILLER RUIZ, JUAN LUIS MUÑOZ BELLIDO

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide active against multidrug-resistant Gram-positives, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. It is 4-8 fold as active as vancomycin against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA, and retains most of this activity against S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin.  The mechanism of action of daptomycin is not fully understood. Daptomycin binds to the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, leading to depolarization due to the loss of potassium ions from the cytoplasm. Daptomycin non-susceptibility is unusual in the clinical setting. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain daptomycin-resistance, most of them associated to changes in composition, charge and fluidity of the cell wall. The mprF mutations, which lead to an increase in the lysyl-phosphatidyl glycerol production, and rpoB and rpoC mutations (rpo genes encode for bacterial RNA polymerase subunits) have been proposed as associated to daptomycin-resistance, but a number of mutations in other genes ( walK, cls, ggrA…) have been proposed.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(6):391-396 [Full-text PDF]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(5): 355-367

Candidemia and invasive candidiasis approach in critically ill patients: role of the echinocandins

BENITO ALMIRANTE, JOSÉ GARNACHO-MONTERO, EMILIO MASEDA, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, SANTIAGO GRAU, JESÚS GUINEA, IGNACIO MORENO, PATRICIA MUÑOZ, SERGIO RUIZ-SANTANA

Introduction. Invasive infections caused by Candida spp. in critically ill patients may significantly worsen their prognosis, so it is of great importance to establish an early detection and a suitable therapeutic strategy. The objective of this study was to define the differential role of echinocandins in treating certain critical patient profiles.
Methodology. A scientific committee of 9 experts in infectious diseases, critical care, microbiology, and hospital pharmacy reviewed the existing evidence on the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients. After that, a questionnaire with 35 items was elaborated to be agreed by 26 specialists in the aforementioned disciplines using a modified Delphi method.
Results. After two rounds of evaluation, a consensus was reached in terms of agreement in 66% of the items. Some of the consensuses achieved included: it is not necessary to adjust the dose of echinocandins during renal replacement therapy; the echinocandins are the empirical and/or directed treatment of choice for candidemia and invasive candidiasis associated with biofilms; these drugs may be used in the antifungal prophylaxis of high-risk liver transplantation. In the absence of additional clinical data, it should be noted that micafungin is the echinocandin with the most available scientific evidence.
Conclusions. The experts consulted showed a high degree of agreement on some of the most controversial aspects regarding the management of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in critical patients, which could inform of practical recommendations for their treatment.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(5): 355-367 [Texto completo – PDF]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(5): 312-318

Streptococcus agalactiae: prevention and vaccine development

ALBERTO PUERTAS-PRIETO, ANA LARA-OYA, CARMEN LIÉBANA MARTOS, JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ-GRANGER, FERNANDO COBO, ANTONIO SAMPEDRO, ANASTASIA PADILLA, JOSÉ GUTIÉRREZ-FERNÁNDEZ, SEBASTIÁN MANZANARES-GALÁN, MARINA CUETO-LÓPEZ, MANUEL ROSA-FRAILE, JOSÉ MARÍA NAVARRO-MARI

Streptococcus agalactiae, group B Streptococcus (SGB), is the most important cause of morbi-mortality among newborn population, and an important pathogen among immunossupressed adult patients. Despite the advances in the treatment and prevention of neonatal infections as a consequence of implementation of national and international recommendations for prevention of infection, there are still some improvements for the final control of the disease. In this sense, the vaccination against SGB could be an effective measure for the prevention of disease in those cases where intrapartum prophylaxis is not useful and in adult patients with risk factors for invasive infection due to SGB. This review summarizes the efforts made until now in order to establish the control of the infection, and brings some information on the current state-of-the art of vaccines against SGB, in which different strategies in their design have been used.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(5): 312-318 [Texto completo – PDF]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(3): 224-228

Ceftolozane-tazobactam for the treatment of ventilator-associated infections by colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa 

FRANCISCO ÁLVAREZ LERMA, ROSANA MUÑOZ BERMÚDEZ, SANTIAGO GRAU, MARÍA PILAR GRACIA ARNILLAS, LUISA SORLI, LLUIS RECASENS, MIQUEL MICO GARCÍA

The use of colistin for the treatment of multiresistant bacteria has led to the emergence of colistin-resistant strains of Gram-negative bacilli. Treatment of infections caused by these pan–drug-resistant bacteria is difficult owing to the paucity of effective antibiotics. We report two cases of ventilator-associated respiratory infection caused by pan–drug-resistant, colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were successfully treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(3): 224-228 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(4):293-296

Post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV, do we use our resources appropriately?

ROSA ESCUDERO-SÁNCHEZ, CHRISTIAN J. KURT MEIER-DE-TABOADA, EMMA BARTOLOME-GARCÍA, PATRICIA M. RODRÍGUEZ-DE-BETHENCOURT-SANJUAN, JUAN EMILIO LOSA-GARCÍA

Introduction. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus can be occupational, non-occupational or vertical transmission. The aim of our study was to analyse the indication and treatment carried out in a hospital.
Methods. Retrospective observational study that included all patients who received PEP between 2006 and 2014. The project was approved by the Committee for Ethics in Clinical Research.
Results. We evaluated 54 PEP, which were started at 11.8 hours’ average. The antiretroviral drugs were adequately chosen, but the duration pattern did not adjusted to the recommendations published at that time. Tolerance was good, being gastrointestinal symptoms the most frequent adverse effects; only once was necessary to replace the pattern. There were usual losses during follow up, reaching in some subgroups 50%.
Conclusion. Indication and choice of drugs were adequate in the three kinds of contact risks, but monitoring should improve.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(4):293-296 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(4):285-292

Pleural effusion due to Parvimonas micra. A case report and a literature review of 30 cases

FERNANDO COBO, JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ-GRANGER, ANTONIO SAMPEDRO, LUIS ALIAGA-MARTÍNEZ, JOSÉ MARÍA NAVARRO-MARÍ

The clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by Parvimonas micra is described, including 30 cases in the literature and a new case handled at the present centre. Out of the 31 patients, 18 were male; mean age at diagnosis was 65.1 ± 13.0 years. Infection site was the vertebral spine in 14 patients and joints and heart valves in 5 each one; pain was present in all patients with articular localization and in almost all patients with vertebral involvement. The diagnosis was obtained from fluid aspirate or drainage in 13 cases and blood cultures in 11. In 8 cases, molecular techniques were also applied. The most frequently used antimicrobials were clindamycin, penicillin, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. The outcome was positive with the medical treatment in 28 patients. P. micra infections are uncommon and requires a high index of suspicion.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(4):285-292 [pdf]

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 for H. 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]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(4):276-279

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy for infective endocarditis in patients over 80 years

XABIER KORTAJARENA, MIGUEL ÁNGEL GOENAGA, MAIALEN IBARGUREN, HARKAITZ AZKUNE, MARIA JESUS BUSTINDUY, ANA FUERTES, OIHANA IBARGUREN, MUSKILDA GOYENECHE, REBECA GARCIA, GAMEGI GROUP HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO DONOSTIA

Introduction. The incidence of infective endocarditis is progressively increasing, especially in elderly patients. Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) is being an excellent alternative for treatment, but advanced age is one of the relative contraindications. The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics and prognosis of patients less or more than 80 years, treated with OPAT.
Material and methods. One hundred and ninety four pa-tients were included between 1996 and 2015, 31 of them older than 80 years.
Results. The most frequently affected valve is the aortic one, mainly native valves. Most used antibiotics are ceftriaxone, ampicillin, cloxacillin and daptomycin. Differences in surgery (39.9% vs 9.7%, p=0.001) and use of infusion pump (55.2% vs 35.5%; p= 0.044) were observed, under 80 years and older respectively. No differences in readmissions and mortality were observed.
Conclusions. OPAT could be considered an effective alternative for appropriately-selected elderly patients with infective endocarditis.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(4):276-279 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(4):269-275

Impact of 13-valent pneumococal conjugate polysaccharide vaccination on exacerbations rate of COPD patients with moderate to severe obstruction

JUAN MARCO FIGUEIRA-GONÇALVES, NATALIA BETHENCOURT-MARTÍN, LINA INMACULADA PÉREZ-MÉNDEZ, DAVID DÍAZ-PÉREZ, CRISTINA GUZMÁN-SÁENZ, PEDRO VIÑA-MANRIQUE, ARTURO JOSÉ PEDRERO-GARCÍA

Introduction. One of the major microorganisms described as the cause of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide vaccine (PCV13) in COPD patients with regard to the development of exacerbations and the possible differential effect according to the patient’s phenotype.
Material and methods. Prospective observational study of patients with COPD and FEV1 ? 65% and 18-month follow-up. Main variables: vaccination status with PCV13, phenotype “exacerbator” or “non-exacerbator”, number of exacerbations, hospitalization and deaths. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed according to the nature of the variable and an inferential analysis with CI95%, bivariate contrasts, and multivariate analysis. Significance level 5%. The statistical packages EPIDAT 3.0 and SPSS version 21.0 were used.
Results. 121 patients were included. Twenty-four percent were labeled as phenotype exacerbator. 36% were vaccinated with PCV13. During follow-up, 68% of patients had at least one exacerbation and 27% required hospitalization. We observed similarity (p> 0.05) in the number of exacerbations and deaths; however, the percentage of hospitalization in the vaccinated was 18%, compared to 32% in the non-vaccinated group. In the multivariate adjustment (controlling for the phenotype), an adjusted OR of 2.77 risk of hospitalization was observed in the non-vaccinated group (p = 0.044).
Conclusions. Non-vaccination with PCV13 almost triples the risk of hospitalization in patients with COPD.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(4):269-275 [pdf]