Update on the diagnosis of invasive fungal infection ELISA IBÁÑEZ-MARTÍNEZ, ALBA RUIZ-GAITÁN, JAVIER PEMÁN-GARCÍA The number of patients at risk of suffering invasive fungal infection (IFI) is increasing. Because of its high mortality, new rapid and accurate diagnostic tools are needed. Last advances in invasive candidiasis diagnosis comprise Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (PNA-FISH), direct MALDI-TOF or multiplex acid nucleic testing. While all of them rely in positive blood cultures, T2Candida© uses PCR coupled with T2Magnetic resonance detection directly in whole blood, allowing detection of 1-3 UFC/mL of Candida in about four hours. Beyond galactomannan (GM), novelties in IFI caused by molds include the international standardization of PCR techniques, with several commercial kits available. A combination of GM and PCR appears to be a good diagnostic strategy for invasive aspergillosis. PCR coupled to electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry and detection of volatile organic compounds in exhaled air by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are other promising approaches to IFI diagnostic that still need to be validated. Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30 (Suppl. 1): 16-21 [pdf]

Epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Implications for empiric and definitive therapy PATRICIA RUIZ-GARBAJOSA, RAFAEL CANTÓN Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major pathogens causing hospital-acquired infections. It can easily develop antibiotic resistance through chromosomal mutations or by horizontal acquisition of resistant determinants. The increasing prevalence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) or extensively-drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa isolates is associated with the dissemination of the so-called high-risk-clones, such as ST175. Infections caused by MDR/XDR are a cause of concern as they compromise the selection of appropriate empiric and definitive antimicrobial treatments. Introduction of new antibiotics with potent activity against MDR/XDR P. aeruginosa opens new horizons in the treatment of these infections. Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30 (Suppl. 1): 8-12 [pdf]

Consensus opinion on antifungal prophylaxis in haematologic patients: Results of the PROMIC project

LOURDES VÁZQUEZ LÓPEZ, TERESA VILLAESCUSA DE LA ROSA, RAFAEL DE LA CÁMARA, ILDEFONSO ESPIGADO, SANTIAGO GRAU CERRATO, MANUEL JURADO, MONTSERRAT ROVIRA, MIGUEL SALAVERT, DAVID SERRANO SIMONNEAU, CARLOS SOLANO VERCET, ISABEL RUIZ CAMPS

Introduction. Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in haematological patients. Antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) is indicated for a number of clinical scenarios in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to reach a consensus on IFD prophylaxis in haematological patients in order to optimize their management.
Methods. A committee of experts in haematology and infectious diseases compiled a survey of 79 items with controversial aspects about antifungal prophylaxis in haematological patients. The survey was evaluated in two rounds by a panel of experts following a modified Delphi methodology.
Results. Forty-four experts in haematology and infectious diseases answered the survey. After two evaluation rounds, consensus was reached in 67 of the 79 items (84.8%), specifically 48 items were consensually agreed on (60.7%) and 19 were disagreed on (24.0%). Consensus was reached on prophylaxis candidates profiles and questions related to indications, mechanisms of action, spectrum of activity, toxicity and interactions of antifungal were elucidated. The usefulness of micafungin in IFD prophylaxis was particularly analysed. The consensus reached was that micafungin is an antifungal to be considered in this context as its safety profile and lower interaction potential may be advantageous.
Conclusions. A broad consensus was found in the management of IFD prophylaxis in the haematological patient. This consensus provides practical indications about its optimal management and can help determine the profile of patients eligible for this type of intervention.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30(3): 213-223 [pdf]

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 forH. 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]

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]