Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(2):55-68

Current status in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: a practical view  

                    
FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, AGUSTÍN JULIÁN-JIMÉNEZ, JUAN GONZÁLEZ-DEL CASTILLO             

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programs are a current and widely spread trend in clinical practice because of it´s a cost-effective option, it´s associated with a greater comfort for the patient, a lower risk of nosocomial complications and an important cost saving for the health care system. OPAT is used for treating a wide range of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, osteoarticular infections, bacteraemia, endocarditis and complex intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections, even in presence of multiresistant microorganisms. Correct choice of antimicrobial agent and adequate patient selection are crucial for reaching therapeutic success and avoiding readmissions, treatment prolongation or treatment-related toxicity. The optimal antimicrobial for OPAT must be highly effective, have a long half-life and an adequate spectrum of action. Ceftriaxone and teicoplanin are currently the most prescribed antibiotics for OPAT, though daptomycin and ertapenem are also on the rise, due to their high efficiency, safety and wide spectrum of action. Antibiotics that are stable at room temperature can be administered through a continuous perfusion, though self-administration is preferable although it requires training of the patient or the caregiver. Factors that are most frequently associated with OPAT failure include advanced age, recent hospitalization and isolation of multiresistant microorganisms.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(2):55-68 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(5):255-258

Activity of linezolid and tedizolid against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant and methicillin and linezolid resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an in vitro comparison                     

MARINA PEÑUELAS, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL, CLARA LEJARRAGA,  LAURA LÓPEZ-GONZÁLEZ, JOSE MANUEL VIÑUELA-PRIETO, DIEGO LÓPEZ DE MENDOZA          

Introduction. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Spain is approximately 20-30%. However, resistance to linezolid is rare, and the main reports are from nosocomial outbreaks. The objective of the present study was to compare the in vitro susceptibility of linezolid with that of tedizolid against MRSA isolates and methicillin-and linezolid-resistant isolates (MLRSA) mediated by the cfr gene.
Material and methods. The in vitro susceptibility of linezolid and tedizolid was determined using the E-test with 18 MRSA strains and 18 cfr-mediated MLRSA strains obtained from clinical isolates in the microbiology service of a tertiary university hospital.
Results. All MRSA strains were susceptible to both antibiotics. Analysis of the MRSA isolates revealed that the MIC50 and MIC90 of linezolid were 1.5 and 2 mg/L, respectively; those of tedizolid were 0.25 and 0.4 mg/L. The MIC50 and MIC90 of tedizolid remained at 0.75 and 1 mg/L against the MLRSA strains (MIC90 ≥ 8 mg/L).
Conclusions. Both for MRSA and for MLRSA, the MICs obtained for tedizolid were at least 2 dilutions lower than those of linezolid, thus demonstrating between 2 and 4 times greater activity in vitro than linezolid.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(5):255-258 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(Suppl. 1):43-46

Monotherapy vs. combined therapy in the treatment of multi-drug resistance gramnegative bacteria                     

FERNANDO MARTÍNEZ-SAGASTI, MIGUEL ÁNGEL GONZÁLEZ-GALLEGO, ALEJANDRO MONEO-GONZÁLEZ          

The increasing number of multidrug resistant gram negative bacteria, particularly in patients with risk factors, but in those who suffer community infections as well, is doing more and more difficult to choose the appropriate treatment. The most challenging cases are due to the production of extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases. This mini-review will discuss the adequacy of administering carbapenems when suspecting infections due to ESBL that could be modified after knowing the MIC of the isolated bacteria and the combined therapy in cases of carbapenemases, being particularly important to include a carbapenem and/or colistine at high dosages in this combination.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(Suppl. 1):43-46 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(1):34-39

Is it necessary to prescribe antibiotics in impacted third molar surgical removal?: comparative study between prescribing patterns                     

ISABEL IZUZQUIZA, KENT ARE JAMTØY, NILS PETTER FOSSLAND, IRENE MARTÍNEZ-PADILLA, FARZIN FALAHAT, LUIS ALOU, JOSÉ PRIETO, MARÍA LUISA GÓMEZ-LUSO           

Objective. To assess whether there is a significant difference in infection rate after surgery tooth extraction in two different hospitals from Norway and Spain where different surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis protocols are applied.
Methods. An analytical observational study was conducted, retrospective cohorts type, analyzing healthy patients with no risk factors, who were third molar tooth operated in maxillofacial services of two different hospitals: St. Olav in Trondheim (Norway) and Clínico San Carlos in Madrid (Spain). The collected variables were: age, number of tooth removed, anesthesia type, and observations about the course of the operation registered in the clinical history. To assess the development of postoperative infection, patient’s data of those who chose the hospital as the place to remove the suture thread were collected in Norway, whereas in Spain a telephone survey was conducted to determine the course of the operation months later.
Results. In St. Olav Hospital 11.1% of patients operated received antibiotic regimen after surgery, while in Hospital San Carlos were 100%. The infection rate was 15% in St.Olav Hospital and 7.5% in Hospital San Carlos. These differences were no statistically significant.
Conclusions. The routine administration of antibiotics to healthy patients with no risk factors undergoing impacted third molar surgical removal is a common clinical practice which it does not seem to be justified.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(1):34-39  [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017, 30(2):142-168

Consensus document on pneumococcal vaccination in adults at risk by age and underlying clinical conditions. 2017 Update                     

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ-ROMO, JUAN JOSÉ PICAZO,  AMÓS GARCÍA ROJAS, MOISÉS LABRADOR HORRILLO, VIVENCIO BARRIOS, MARÍA CARMEN MAGRO, PEDRO GIL GREGORIO, RAFAEL DE LA CÁMARA, ALEJANDRO RODRÍGUEZ, JOSÉ BARBERÁN, FRANCISCO BOTÍA MARTÍNEZ, MANUEL LINARES RUFO, ISABEL JIMENO SANZ, JOSÉ MARÍA PORTOLÉS, FRANCISCO SANZ HERRERO,  JAVIER ESPINOSA ARRANZ, VALLE GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ, MARÍA GALINDO IZQUIERDO, ENRIQUE MASCARÓS           

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) represent an important health problem among aging adults and those with certain underlying pathologies and some diseases, especially immunosuppressed and some immunocompetent subjects, who are more susceptible to infections and present greater severity and worse evolution. Among the strategies to prevent IPD and PP, vaccination has its place, although vaccination coverage in this group is lower than desirable. Nowadays, there are 2 vaccines available for adults. Polysacharide vaccine (PPV23), used in patients aged 2 and older since decades ago, includes a greater number of serotypes (23), but it does not generate immune memory, antibody levels decrease with time, causes an immune tolerance phenomenon, and have no effect on nasopharyngeal colonization. PCV13 can be used from children 6 weeks of age to elderly and generates an immune response more powerful than PPV23 against most of the 13 serotypes included in it. In the year 2013 the 16 most directly related to groups of risk of presenting IPD publised a series of vaccine recommendations based on scientific evidence regarding anti-pneumococcal vaccination in adults with underlying pathologies and special conditions. A commitment was made about updating it if new scientific evidence became available. We present an exhaustive revised document focusing mainly in recommendation by age in which some more Scientific Societies have been involved.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(2):142-168  [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(1):21-28

Acceptability of the HPV vaccine among Spanish university students in the pre-vaccine era: a cross-sectional study                                 
 


PABLO CABALLERO-PÉREZ, JOSÉ TUELLS, JOSEBA REMENTERÍA, ANDREU NOLASCO, VICENTE NAVARRO-LÓPEZ, JAVIER ARÍSTEGUI      
        

Introduction. Cervical cancer (CC), the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women, is associated with the infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) and is more prevalent in women between the ages of 20 and 24. This research is aimed to determine the background about CC, the human papillomavirus infection and its vaccine, assessing its acceptability in university students.
Methods. Cross-sectional study over 1,750 students from the University of Alicante (2008) selected at random, proportional associated to gender and studies, by a validated ad-hoc questionnaire. Percentages were computed, confidence intervals, contingency tables according to sex, age and type of studies, calculating adjusted odd ratios (OR).
Results. A sample with 58.6 % of women and 6.6% of biohealth students was obtained. 87.3% were willing to have the vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), 94.3% would give this vaccine to their daughters, and 48.0% had heard someone talk about the vaccine. 90.6% didn´t have a lot of knowledge about the HPV infection and 82.2% didn´t know much about the vaccine. 22.4% had knowledge of the association between HPV and CC. Women register higher OR in acknowledging the problem and are more receptive to having the vaccine. The HPV vaccine acceptability is associated to the sex, the confidence of vaccines as a preventive method; the influence of the background is low in relation to the vaccine predisposition.
Conclusions. A high acceptability of the vaccine was observed in the period of the study. Raising confidence in people about the vaccines can influence for a better predisposition to be vaccinated.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(1):21-28 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):157-159

New methodological advances: algorithm proposal for management of Clostridium difficile infection                                 
 


MARÍA JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ-ABAD,  MERCEDES ALONSO-SANZ      
        

 


Introduction. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is considered the most common cause of health care-associated diarrhea and also is an etiologic agent of community diarrhea. The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefit of a test that detects glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen and C. difficile toxin A/B, simultaneously, followed by detection of C. difficile toxin B (tcdB) gene by PCR as confirmatory assay on discrepant samples, and to propose an algorithm more efficient.
Material and Methods. From June 2012 to January 2013 at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, the stool samples were studied for the simultaneous detection of GDH and toxin A/B, and also for detection of toxin A/B alone. When results between GDH and toxin A/B were discordant, a single sample for patient was selected for detection of C. difficile toxin B (tcdB) gene.
Results. A total of 116 samples (52 patients) were tested. Four were positive and 75 negative for toxigenic C. difficile (Toxin A/B, alone or combined with GDH). C. difficile was detected in the remaining 37 samples but not toxin A/B, regardless of the method used, except one. Twenty of the 37 specimens were further tested for C. difficile toxin B (tcdB) gene and 7 were positive.
Discussion. The simultaneous detection of GDH and toxin A/B combined with PCR recovered undiagnosed cases of CDI. In accordance with our data, we propose a two-step algorithm: detection of GDH and PCR (in samples GDH positive). This algorithm could provide a superior cost-benefit ratio in our population.

 

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):157-159 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):34-37

Management of invasive candidiasis in non-neutropenic patient     

                        
CELIA CARDOZO, JOSÉ MENSA              

Among the most frequents etiological agents that causing nosocomial infections, there is included Candida spp. Candida’s bloodstream infection mortality rates are over 30%. Antifungal early treatment is essential to improve the prognosis of this type of infection. Because of the lack of fast enough microbiological tests for early diagnosis, treatment must necessarily be initiated empirically.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):34-37 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(6):302-309

Use of antibiotics at a University Clinic Hospital: effect of protocolized antibiotic treatment in the evolution of hospital patients with infections     

                        
JOAQUÍN GÓMEZ-GÓMEZ, ELISA GARCÍA-VÁZQUEZ, CRISTINA BONILLO, ALICIA HERNÁNDEZ-TORRES, MANUEL CANTERAS-JORDANA              

Objectives. To analyse factors associated to “failure” in patients under antibiotic (AB) treatment at a third level hospital.
Patients and methods. All patients receiving an AB treatment along April 2012 were prospectively observed and factors associated to failure were analyzed. Failure was defined as clinical or microbiological failure, relapse or death. Statistically significance was established as p<0.05.
Results. 602 of 1,265 admitted patients during the study month included an AB in their medical prescriptions, being 178 considered as prophylactic AB prescriptions, 342 empirical treatments and 82 directed treatments as empiric treatments. Ceftriaxone and levofloxacin were the most used AB; choice of empirical and directed treatments were in line with protocols in 71% (242 of 342 cases) and 67% (55 of 82), respectively. Of all the patients receiving antibiotics for therapy (n=424), 402 had infection criteria (in 22 cases antibiotic treatment was deemed unnecessary since the patient showed no infectious process). Of these, 292 (72%) showed a good evolution, while the others were considered as failed therapies, either because of microbiological persistence in 49 (12.8%), relapse in 31 (7.71%) and death in en 30 (7.46%). Factors associated to “failure” were Charlson score ≥3 (OR 3.35; 95%CI 1.602-7.009); empirical and/or directed treatment not in keeping with the protocol (OR 5.68; 95%CI 2.898-11.217); and infection by ESBL and/or ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli (OR 4.43; 95%CI 1.492-13.184).
Conclusions. A high rate of AB prescriptions in admitted patients correspond to empirical infection treatment,  being ceftriaxone and levofloxacin the most used AB. Inadequate empirical and/or directed treatment is associated to clinical or microbiological failure and death.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015;28(6):302-309 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(3):113-118

Bacteriobilia: a non-resolved problem  

                    
CARLOS ARMIÑANZAS, LUIS ANTONIO HERRERA, MARÍA CARMEN FARIÑAS             

Bile duct is usually sterile, and the isolating of microorganisms (bacteriobilia) has been related to some factors, such as age, biliary drainage before pancreatic surgery or bile duct stones. Gramnegative strains remain the most frequent pathogens, especially Escherichia coli. Among grampositives Enterococcus spp should be mentioned.
Currently, there is controversy about whether the presence of bacteriobilia has an impact on unfavorable outcome of biliary disease or surgical procedures or mortality rates, with complications such as surgical site infections or bacteremia.
In high-risk patients, such as immunosuppressed or those underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, bile duct cultures performed routinely, even if there are not clinical data of infection, could be necessary in order to start antibiotic treatment or to reduce its spectrum.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(3):113-118 [pdf]