Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(4):184-189

Experience of micafungin in patients requiring extrarenal depuration 

F. ALVAREZ-LERMA, S. GRAU, Y. DÍAZ, J. FERNÁNDEZ   

 

Introduction. The use of extrarenal depuration techniques is increasingly frequent in patients admitted to the ICU. The use of these procedures has been related to a decrease in plasma concentrations of several antimicrobials, among which fluconazole. The activity of antifungal agents depends on achievement on adequate concentrations in plasma and at the site of infection. Micafungin is a new antifungal drug recently introduced in our country.
Objective. To review the published experience of pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of micafungin in patients requiring some type of extrarenal depuration procedures during their stay in the ICU.
Results. Three studies with data on PK parameters of micafungin during the use of this drug in continuous venovenous hemodialysis (2 publications) and continuous hemodiafiltration (1 publication) were retrieved. In all of them, minimal variations in the plasma concentration of micafungin at the entry and exit sites of the hemofilter and a negligible or minimal presence of micafungin in the ultrafiltration fluid were demonstrated.
Conclusions. Adjustment of the doses or the interval between doses of micafungin during the use of extrarenal depuration techniques in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU is not necessary.   

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(4):184-189 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(2):96-98

Results of a counselling programme in antibiotic treatment in a secundary hospital    

A. DEL ARCO, B. TORTAJADA, J. DE LA TORRE, J. OLALLA, J. L. PRADA, N. MONTIEL, J. GARCÍA-ALEGRÍA          

 

Background: The inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents may contribute to the development of bacterial resistance to the principal antimicrobial drugs. There is no provision in the immediate future of marketing of new broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially with activity against Enterobacteriaceae, so programs should be implemented to optimize antimicrobial therapy. We describe the results of a year of a counselling program in antibiotic treatment in a secondary Andalusian hospital.
Methods: We describe 276 interventions of a multidisciplinary non-compulsory counselling program of antimicrobial management on the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella. We evaluated the adequacy of empirical treatment, possibility of antibiotic de-escalation, duration and dose used. We analyzed the evolution of the sensitivity profile of the main microorganisms as well as a cost-effective analysis.
Results: 90% of the recommendations were accepted. The main actions were assessment of empirical therapy and deescalation in relation with the result of cultures. The main drugs tested were imipenem, meropenem, cefepime, and linezolid. The sensitivity profile of imipenem and meropenem improved slightly over previous years. It was found a considerable savings in annual drug spending.
Conclusions: The non-compulsory counselling programs are useful tools for optimization of antimicrobial therapy, can prevent an increase of antimicrobial resistance and reduce the cost of antibiotic treatment. 

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(2):96-98 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(4):209-211

Burkholderia cepacia bacteremia: a prospective analysis of 33 episodes          


M. IBARGUREN, N. COBOS-TRIGUEROS, Á. SORIANO, J. A. MARTÍNEZ, Y. ZBOROMYRSKA, M. ALMELA, J. MENSA             
 

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics and outcome of Burkholderia cepacia bacteraemia, susceptibility of the isolates and differences between cases from epidemic outbreaks and sporadic cases.
Material and methods: From 1993 to 2009, episodes of B. cepacia bacteraemia were prospectively collected in a university hospital.
Results: A total of 33 episodes were included, of which 21 were part of two outbreaks (9 in 1994 and 12 in 2006). Outbreak cases had a median age of 58 years, 45% had neoplasia, median length of stay until bacteraemia was 15 d (range 0-120) and 82% had received an antibiotic. The most prevalent sources of bacteraemia were catheter (48%) and unknown (33%). On the other hand, sporadic cases stayed longer until diagnosis (median 25 days versus 11, p=0.041) and showed a trend to have neoplasia more frequently (83% versus 33%, p=0.083). Susceptibility to antibiotics was varied and co-trimoxazole was the only active agent against all strains.
Conclusions: B. cepacia is an uncommon pathogen, which affects patients with prolonged hospitalization and severe comorbidities. The identification of more than one case in a short term of time should raise the suspicion of an outbreak. 

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(4):209-211 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(1):79-88


Prevention of perinatal group B Streptococcal disease. Updated Spanish recommendations 
              
  

J. I. ALÓS, A. ANDREU, L. ARRIBAS, L. CABERO, M. CUETO, J. LÓPEZ, J. C. MELCHOR, A. PUERTAS, M. DE LA ROSA, S. SALCEDO, M. SÁNCHEZ, M. J. SÁNCHEZ, R. TORREJÓN                                                          

It has been a significant reduction in neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Spain following the widespread application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. In 2010, new recommendations have been published by the CDC and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has driven to the participating scientific societies publishing these new recommendations. In these recommendations is advised to study all pregnant women at 35-37 gestation weeks` to determine if they are colonized by GBS and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonized mothers. Microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers are updated and intrapartrum antibiotic prophylaxis in preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes and the management of the newborn in relation to GBS carrier status of the mother are also revised.
  

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(1):79-88 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(3):226-239

Consensus Document on vaccination against influenza in health care workers                   

J. J. PICAZO, L. M. ALONSO, J. ARÍSTEGUI, J. M. BAYAS, J. SANZ, P.  DEL AMO, J. L. COBOS, J. RODRÍGUEZ-SALAZAR, M. SÁNCHEZ-PASTOR, R. DE LA CÁMARA, J. CARRATALÁ, J. L. CAÑADA, J. GONZÁLEZ-DEL CASTILLO, P. ALDAZ, F. PÉREZ-ESCANILLA, J. BARBERÁN, A. RODRÍGUEZ, D. VIGIL-ESCRIBANO, J. ESPINOSA-ARRANZ, J. BLANQUER, F. GONZÁLEZ-ROMO                                                                          

 
Health care workers (HCW) are included each year among risk groups for vaccination against influenza. However, vaccination coverage among this group in our country is very low, not exceeding 25%. Convinced that one of the best tools to increase this coverage among professionals in our country are the scientific evidence, 19 scientific societies and associations professionals bringing together health professionals more directly related to influenza as an health problem, and the General Nursing Council, met to discuss and develop this consensus document in order to inform HCW about the appropriateness of their vaccination against influenza and the benefits that flow from it for themselves, for their patients and for the rest of the population. This recommendation is based on 3 pillars: argument of necessity, ethics and exemplary.

 

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(3):226-239 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(2):72-75

Cefditoren versus ceftazidime in inducer-substrate combinations for the evaluation of AmpC production in a disc approximation test

F. CAFINI, L. AGUILAR, L. ALOU, M. J. GIMÉNEZ, D. SEVILLANO, M. TORRICO, N. GONZÁLEZ, P. CORONEL, J. PRIETO 

 

Objective: To evaluate cefditoren in inducer-substrate combinations to screen for AmpC induction.
Methods: 100 clinical isolates (25 P. aeruginosa, 25 E. cloacae, 14 M. morganii, 13 S. marcescens, 12 C. freundii, 7 P. rettgeri, and 4 E. aerogenes) were tested by the Kirby-Bauer disc approximation method using cefditoren and ceftazidime discs as substrates, and cefditoren and imipenem discs as inducers.
Results: None of the strains showed induction of AmpC with cefditoren-ceftazidime as inducer-substrate combination. Imipenem-cefditoren as inducer-substrate combination was not useful for evaluating strains of P. aeruginosa since no inhibition zones surrounding the cefditoren disc were found. Among evaluable enterobacteria (those showing substrate inhibition zone), inducible Amp C was detected in 48 out of 63 (76.2%) with cefditoren, and in 33 out of 68 (48.5%) isolates with ceftazidime as substrate. Significantly (p= 0.013) higher number of AmpC producers were detected with cefditoren versus ceftazidime (76.2% vs. 48.5%), due to the differences found for E. cloacae (72.8% vs. 21.7%; p= 0.0009) and S. marcescens (100% vs. 54.5%; p= 0.03). Higher mean reductions of diameters around substrate discs were found for cefditoren (4.17 mm) vs. ceftazidime (3.79 mm), reaching statistical significance (p<0.05) for indol-positive proteae: M. morganii (5.32 mm vs. 3.92 mm) and P. rettgeri (3.47 mm vs. 2.64 mm).
Conclusion: Cefditoren showed no induction capability, and when used as substrate (with imipenem as inducer) it offered detection rates of AmpC inducible enterobacteria higher than the imipenem-ceftazidime combination, mainly for Enterobacter spp. and Serratia spp., with higher diameter reductions for indol-positive proteae.

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(2):72-75 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(4):190-195

Significance of lower respiratory tract cultures yielding  Aspergillus spp. growth in a hospital without  transplant patients   

P. LUCENA, J. BARBERÁN, G. EROLES, J. J. GRANIZO, M. J. GIMÉNEZ, N. MIR, L. AGUILAR, J. PRIETO   

 

Introduction: Isolation of Aspergillus spp. in non-neutropenic, non-transplant patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually treated with corticosteroids is not easily interpretable. A retrospective review of clinical records corresponding to cultures (respiratory samples) yielding Aspergillusspp. in non- transplant patients was carried out.

Methods: Patients were assigned to four categories: colonization, possible, probable or definitive aspergillosis. A logistic regression model (step–wise procedure) was performed using as dependent variable mortality, and as independent variables those showing differences (p≤0.1) in the bivariant analysis.

Results:Sixty-nine patients were identified. Most were elderly (68.1% ≥65 years), male (73.9%), presented comorbidities(84.1% Charlson index ≥3), COPD (76.8%), were receiving high corticosteroid doses (66.7%), and had previously received antibiotics (94.2%). Forty-five cases were colonizations, 4 possible, 15 probable and 5 definitive aspergillosis. A. fumigatus was isolated in 75.4% patients:  66.7% colonized, 75% possible,93.3% probable and 100% definitive aspergillosis. Colonized patients were older (71.9 ± 11.9 vs. 65.1 ± 9.2 years; p= 0.018) and presented higher (p=0.034) comorbidity index than patients with aspergillosis. Mortality was 31.1% in colonized vs. 62.5% in aspergillosis (p=0.012).

Conclusion: The isolation of A. fumigatus was associated with an increased probability of aspergillosis, with statistical association in the multivariate analysis between mortality and variables related to chemotherapy (no antifungal treatment), disease (diagnostic category) and immunity (leukocytosis).    

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2010:23(4):190-195 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(2):99-106

Consumption of antibiotics of the general population of Segovia area during the period between 1999 to 2007    

J. M. PINILLA, J. M. EIROS, F. ARAHUETES, S. VEGA, E. MORENO          

 

Introduction. The antibiotics are the medicaments most used after the analgesics, being prescribed more than 85 % in Primary Care. The aim of the study is to analyze the evolution of the prescription of antibiotics of systemic use in the general population of the Area of Segovia, during the years 1999-2007 and to know his trends evolution.
Material and methods. Antibiotics prescribed to the general population on the part of the Family physicians were processed using the information system of drugstore “CONCYLIA” that supplies the information in the shape of defined daily dose (DDD), transformed later into the indicator DHD (DDD for 1.000 inhabitants per day) taking as a base the population information of sanitary card.
Results. The global prescription of antibiotics of systemic use was high, 18,06 DHD (IC:17,22-18,90), with a variable evolution along the study in the shape of basin of low concavity. The percentage of prescription of penicillins was 64.42 % of the total of prescriptions corresponding to the group J01.
Conclusions. The prescription in the Area of Segovia has presented a contained consumption in relation to other studies, showing differences in the volume of prescription from each the subgroups. The centralization of the consumption emphasizes in the subgroup of penicillins that supposed almost two third parts of the prescribed DDD. A change in the habits of prescription is observed detailing a decrease of the amoxicillin use and an increase of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. 

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(2):99-106 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(4):213-216

Antimicrobial sensitivity of hippurate-negative Campylobacter and Helicobacter pullorum strains isolated from patients with diarrhea          


P. BASCUÑANA, I. PENA, J. J. PICAZO, A. C. VELASCO               
 

C. jejuni as well as some hippurate-negative Campylobacter species and related diarrheagenic organisms, are the leading cause of gastroenteritis in our environment all throughout the year. The aim of the present study was to determine the sensitivity of hippurate-negative Campylobacter and Helicobacter pullorum strains isolated from the stools of patients with diarrhea. We tested 39 Campylobacter coli, two C. lari and five Helicobacter pullorum strains identified by mass spectrometry analysis. The sensitivity to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, erytrhomycin, azithromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, tigecycline and chloramphenicol was tested by E-test. Most hippurate-negative Campylobacter and H. pullorum isolates studied showed high resistance to tetracycline and to the two fluorquinolones tested. On the other side, all strains were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, tigecycline and chloramphenicol, while most of them were sensitive to both macrolides tested and to gentamicin. 

 
Rev Esp Quimioter 2011:24(4):213-216 [pdf]

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(2):89-99


Emergence of plasmid mediated AmpC β-lactamasas: Origin, importance, detection and therapeutical options 
              
  
 
C. SERAL, M. J GUDE, F. J. CASTILLO                                                            

 
AmpC β-lactamases can hydrolyze penicillins, oxyimino-, 7-α-methoxycephalosporins and monobactams. Susceptibility to cefepime or cefpirome is little affected and is unchanged for carbapenems. Originally such genes are thought to have been mobilized to mobile genetic elements from the chromosomal ampC genes from members of Enterobacteriaceae facilitating their spread and now they can appear in bacterial lacking or poorly expressing a chromosomal ampC gene. The prevalence of infection by plasmid mediated AmpC (pAmpC) varies depending on the type of enzyme and geographical location and blaCMY-2 is the most frequently detected worldwide. Typically, pAmpC producing isolates are associated with resistance to multiple antibiotics making the selection of an effective antibiotic difficult. Phenotypic and molecular methods to detect pAmpC are described and the role of different antibiotics in the treatment of these infections is examined. Surveillance studies about the evolution of this emerging resistant mechanism are important in clinical isolates. Evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of these isolates and the clinical efficacy of other therapeutic options is required.
  
 

Rev Esp Quimioter 2012:25(2):89-99 [pdf]