Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(1):10-20

Prevention of an outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii in intensive care units: study of the efficacy of different mathematical methods                                 
 


MARÍA JOSÉ FRESNADILLO-MARTÍNEZ, ENRIQUE GARCÍA-MERINO, ENRIQUE GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ, ÁNGEL MARTÍN-DEL REY, ÁNGEL RODRÍGUEZ-ENCINAS, GERARDO RODRÍGUEZ-SÁNCHEZ, JOSÉ ELÍAS GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ      
        

Introduction. Although in past decades, Acinetobacter baumanni infections have been sporadically identified in hospitals, nowadays the nosocomial infections due to this pathogen have notably increased. Its importance is due to its multidrug-resistance, morbidity and mortatility in healthcare settings. Consequently, it is important to predict the evolution of these outbreaks in order to stablish the most efficient control measures. There are several experimental studies shown that the compliance with hand and environmental hygiene and the efficient management of the healthcare work help to control the evolution of these outbreaks. The goal of this work is to formally proof these experimental results by means of the analysis of the results provided by the model.
Methods. A stochastic mathematical model based on cellular automata was developed. The variables and parameters involved in it have been identified from the knowledge of the epidemiology and main characteristics of Acinetobacter infections.
Results. The model provides several simulations from different initial conditions. The analysis of these results proofs in a formal way that the compliance with hand and environmental hygiene and an efficient plannification of the work of healtcare workers yield a decrease in the colonized patients. Moreover, this is the unique model proposed studying the dynamics of an outbreak of A. baumanni.
Conclusions. The computational implementation of the model provides us an efficient tool in the management of outbreaks due to A. baumanni. The analysis of the simulations obtained allows us to obtain a formal proof of the behaviour of the measures for control and prevention.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(1):10-20 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):154-156

Nebulized medication is not associated with nosocomial infections. A pilot study                                 
 


DAVID VINUESA, VIOLETA RAMOS, ALEJANDRO PEÑA, MARÍA RUIZ-RUIGÓMEZ, JON BADIOLA, LEOPOLDO MUÑOZ-MEDINA, JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ-QUERO, JORGE PARRA-RUIZ      
        

 

Introduction. Nebulized devices are commonly used in the treatment of respiratory infection, and other respiratory diseases. It has been reported nosocomial infections in cystic fibrosis patients as a result of the use of contaminated devices. However, little is known about nosocomial infections secondary to aerosolized therapy in COPD patients admitted for acute exacerbation.
Methods. Thirty consecutive patients (13 males) were included. All of them received aerosolized medication.  Each patient used their own facemask and nebulizer cup, which were stored in the room after its use. Samples from nebulizer cups were obtained on days 0, 4 and 7. In addition, sputum samples were obtained on day 0 (prior to any nebulization) and on day 7, and cultivated in enriched media.
Results. Only nine nebulizer cups had positive microbiological cultures. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated in all cases. Sputum samples could be obtained in 27 patients. None grew CoNS after 7 days of aerosolized therapy. Gram-negative non-fermenting bacilli were isolated in three patients without concomitant grown in nebulizer cups.
Conclusions. We did not find any nosocomial infection related to aerosolize medications in COPD patients admitted for acute exacerbation.

 

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(3):154-156 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):30-33

Duration of antimicrobial therapy     

                        
JUAN PASQUAU, MAYRA MATESANZ              

The management of infectious diseases is always complex, not only because of its high incidence and mortality, but the difficulty of designing effective treatments that minimize the development of bacterial resistance in the clinical setting. One of the most important options is the reduction of exposure to antibiotic treatment, optimizing by desescalation and shortening the duration of therapy.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(Suppl. 1):30-33 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015:28(6):295-301

Analysis of the concordance of antibiotic treatment for patients with severe sepsis in emergencies     

                        
MARÍA ANTONIA PÉREZ-MORENO, BEATRIZ CALDERÓN-HERNANZ, BERNARDINO COMAS-DÍAZ, JORDI TARRADAS-TORRAS, MARCIO BORGES-SA              

Objectives. Antibiotic treatment is vital in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock. The objectives were to assess the degree of concordance between antibiotic prescribed in emergencies and post requirements; to relate it to health outcomes (mortality) and to analyze the reasons for disagreement.
Material and methods. Retrospective descriptive study of antibiotic treatment prescribed in emergencies and the subsequent treatment in patients with criteria of severe sepsis/septic shock in 2013. We collected patient demographic characteristics, infectious focus, antibiotic prescribed from emergencies and subsequent changes. It was considered concordant if there were no changes, if there were changes, but the initial antibiotic was right and suspensions for end of treatment. Mortality and evolution were analyzed.
Results. Six hundred patients were included. A 60% experienced changes respect to the antibiotic treatment initiated in emergencies (87.6% justified), with a degree of overall antibiotic concordance of 47.5% The mortality rate at end-point was 9.83%, with no statistically significant relationship with the degree of concordance (OR=0.864 (0.503-1.484)/χ2=0.28; p=0.597). Reasons for change of antibiotic:  clinical outcome (17.96%), change of spectrum (35.03%), de-escalation (41.32%), sequential therapy (8.68%). An 11% required ICU admission. Clinical outcomes: resolution of the disease (79.2%), readmission after 30 days (7.7%) and transfer to health centers (4.5%). The median hospital stay was 7 days.
Conclusions. The degree of concordance antibiotic was quite high, and the mortality rate was lower than that described in the literature, without relating to the discordance. The presence of concordance was associated with fewer readmissions and ICU admissions. The main reasons for disagreement were inadequate spectrum selection and change after microbiological crops.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2015;28(6):295-301 [pdf]

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]