Bacteraemia and infection of the vascular catheter in the haematology patient: positioning and management based on the Delphi method     

JOSE RAMÓN AZANZA-PEREA, JAVIER LÓPEZ-JIMÉNEZ, ROCÍO PARODY-PORRAS, MIGUEL SALAVERT-LLETÍ, CARLOS SOLANO, DAVID VALCÁRCEL, CARLOS VALLEJO-LLAMAS, LOURDES VÁZQUEZ-LÓPEZ,  PABLO RIVAS-GONZÁLEZ               

Introduction. Infectious complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in haematological patients with febrile neutropenia. The aim of this study was to develop a consensus document of recommendations to optimize the management of febrile neutropenic patients with haematological or vascular catheter infections in areas where there is no solid scientific evidence.
Materials and Methods. After reviewing the scientific evidence, a scientific committee composed of experts in haematology and infectious diseases developed a survey with 55 statements. A two- round modified Delphi method was used to achieve consensus.
Results. The online survey was answered by 52 experts in the field of haematology and infectious diseases. After two rounds of evaluation, a consensus was possible in 43 of the 55 statements (78.2%): 40 in agreement and 3 in disagreement. Recommendations are given related to empirical antibiotic treatment of patients with febrile neutropenia, mechanisms of action, toxicity and synergism of antibiotics in this context, modifications of antibiotic treatment in the course of febrile neutropenia, and the management of central vascular catheter infections in the haematological setting.
Conclusions. There is a high degree of agreement among experts on some controversial issues concerning the management of febrile neutropenia and catheter infection in hematologic patients. This agreement has resulted in recommendations that may be useful in clinical practice.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016;29(1):15-24 [pdf]

Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers towards a suspect case of Ebola virus disease     

FRANCISCO J. GÓMEZ-ROMERO,  J. MANUEL GÓMEZ-GARCÍA, MERCEDES ARENCIBIA-JIMÉNEZ, JOSÉ ANTONIO DELGADO-DE LOS REYES, RUTH SARMIENTO-SEMPERE, ISIDRO GARCÍA-ABAD, RAMÓN VICEDO-CANO, GERARDO PÉREZ-TORREGROSA, JUAN FRANCISCO NAVARRO-GRACIA             

Introduction. The last outbreak of the Ebola virus disease, was a precedent to demonstrate the necessary training of healthcare personnel for possible eventualities of suspected cases of infectious diseases. It is required to study the level of qualification of healthcare workers in such situations.
Methods. Descriptive study using post-workshop survey of healthcare workers in a Valencian Community health department on acquired knowledge and skills after training.
Results and conclusions. Healthcare personnel received an overall passing score on the post-workshop survey, but with differences in occupational categories and different blocks of training. The ratings could be considered deficient in some cases. It should be reviewed periodically training health personnel and calibrate such training to the resources availa-ble for proper operation.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(2):76-85 [pdf]

Surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli producing urinary tract infections in Galicia (Spain)     

MERCEDES TREVIÑO, ISABEL LOSADA, BEGOÑA FERNÁNDEZ-PÉREZ, AMPARO COIRA, MARÍA F. PEÑA-RODRÍGUEZ, XURXO HERVADA Y GRUPO DE ESTUDIO DE LA SOGAMIC PARA EL ESTUDIO DE RESISTENCIAS EN GALICIA             

Introduction. Escherichia coli is the microorganism responsible for most of the community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI). Our purpose was to determine the susceptibility of E. coli associated with UTI in Galicia and consider the most appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment.
Methods. Retrospective study during the period 2011- 2012 of the isolation of E. coli in urine samples from almost all the Galician population. Demographic variables, minimum inhibitory concentration, and reading data were collected: amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefotaxime, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin. The identification and susceptibility studies were mainly conducted by automated systems. The interpretation of the results was performed according to CLSI criteria.
Results. During the study period 55,046 E. coli were isolated in UTI. The percentages of resistance were: cotrimoxazole, 30%; ciprofloxacin, 33%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 23% and 10% for 3rd generation cephalosporins. Fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin showed the highest activity with more than 96% of susceptibility in our study. The linear trend of resistance regarding age was statistically significant (p <0.0001) as it was regarding males (p <0.00001) for all antibiotics.
Conclusions. In Galicia, the most active antibiotics against E. coli associated with UTI are fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin so they should be considered as empirical treatment of choice by the community-acquired UTI not complicated by E. coli.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(2):86-90 [pdf]

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]

Role of bacteriobilia in postoperative complications  

                    
CARLOS ARMIÑANZAS, TERESA TIGERA, DIEGO FERRER, JORGE CALVO, LUIS ANTONIO HERRERA, MARCOS PAJARÓN, MANUEL GÓMEZ-FLEITAS, MARÍA CARMEN FARIÑAS             

Introduction. At present there is a controversy regarding the impact of positive bile cultures on morbidity and mortality rates, and on the incidence of readmissions in patients with biliar disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bacteriobilia in postoperatory infections, mortality or readmissions in these patients.
Methods. The information was obtained from all patients with bile cultures admitted to Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, Spain) from January to December 2011. Clinical, epidemiological and microbiological data and laboratory findings were analyzed. The patients were followed for two years.
Results. One hundred and fifty-two patients (65% men) were included. Mean age was 67 years (SD= 15 years). The most frequent diagnoses were acute cholecystitis (79%) and cholangitis (8%). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 42% of patients, open cholecystectomy in 45% and percutaneous cholecystostomy in 8%. Bacteriobilia was present in 83 patients (55%). The most frecuent microorganisms isolated were Escherichia coli (31%), Enterococcus faecium (13%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13%). The initial antimicrobial agent was a carbapenem in 62 patients (44%) and piperacillin-tazobactam in 28 (18%). There were 39 postoperative infections (26%), 21 readmissions (14%) and 17 patients died during admission (11%). The presence of microorganisms in bile cultures was not a statistically significant predictor of neither complications nor readmissions.
Conclusions. Intra-operative bile cultures would allow guide early appropriate antibiotic treatment use in case of infection, or empiric antimicrobial therapy, however there was no correlation between bacteriobilia and postoperative infections, length of stay, mortality or readmissions.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(3):123-129 [pdf]