Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(1):17-21

Antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of Scopulariopsis species                                
 

VALLE ODERO, LIDIA GARCÍA-AGUDO, INMACULADA GUERRERO, PILAR AZNAR, PEDRO GARCÍA-MARTOS, MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ-IGLESIAS               

Introduction. Scopulariopsis is a common soil saprophyte. In the last years the infections caused by Scopulariopsis species have increased, included superficial and invasive mycoses. This fungi has been reported resistant in vitro to some antifungal agents, although there is little information about this. The aim of the study was to establish in vitro antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of Scopulariopsis species against to broad-spectrum antifungal agents.
Methods. A total of 28 Scopulariopsis strains (10 S. brevicaulis, 7 S. koningii, 3 S. acremonium, 3 S. candida, 3 S. flava, 1 S. brumptii and 1 S. fusca) were tested using Sensititre YeastOne and broth microdilution methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole and 5-fluorocytosine, and minimun effective concentration (MECs) to anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin.
Results. Our data confirm the high in vitro resistance of Scopulariopsis to antifungal agents. Anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin (MICs ≥8 mg/L), 5-fluorocytosine (MICs ≥64 mg/L), and fluconazole (MICs ≥128 mg/L) were inactive in vitro in all species. MICs of amphotericin B (range 2 to ≥8 mg/L) and itraconazole (0.5 to ≥16 mg/L) were high. The best antifungal activity was observed for posaconazole and voriconazole (0.5 to ≥8 mg/L). With Sensititre YeastOne method MICs obtained slightly lower. Scopulariopsis candida, S. flava and S. fusca were the most resistant species, while S. acremonium and S. brevicaulis showed the lowest MICs.
Conclusions. MICs of all tested antifungal agents for Scopulariopsis were very high. Infections caused by Scopulariopsis species may not respond to antifungal treatment. Voriconazole is the drug of choice for treatment. We consider it appropriate to add amphotericin B in serious infections.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(1):17-21 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(2):122-126

Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in Salamanca                                 
 

MARÍA SILLER-RUIZ, NOELIA CALVO-GARCÍA, SARA HERNÁNDEZ-EGIDO, ANA MARÍA-BLÁZQUEZ, MÓNICA DE FRUTOS-SERNA, JOSÉ ELÍAS GARCÍA-SÁNCHEZ               

Introduction. Clostridium difficile infection is considered a major cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in developed countries and is increasingly becoming more important as an etiologic agent of community diarrhoea, also in patients without risk factors.
Method. Beginning in May 2011, the aim of our study is to know the characteristics of patients suffering from C. difficile Associated Disease in Salamanca University Hospital, collecting their data in a survey conducted for this purpose. A case was defined as a patient with compatible clinical and positive microbiological diagnosis.
Results. After 18 months of study, 41 cases had been documented representing an incidence of 1.15 cases per 10,000 patient-days. Patients were hospitalized (37) or health care associated (4), females (54%), age ≥65 years (56%) with prior antibiotic treatment (80%), most had diarrhea after the third day of admission, less than three weeks and without blood. Most were treated with metronidazole alone (78%), 19% with metronidazole and vancomycin, and the remaining percentage was resolved without treatment. Recurrences were about 20% and 7 (17%) died.
Conclusions. The characteristics of our patients with C. difficile – associated disease are the same as those reported by other authors. Local surveillance is important in order to study the endemic and epidemic C. difficile infection. According to published epidemiological changes, we sould be able to develop strategies from the Microbiology laboratories that will improve diagnosis of the disease.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(2):122-126 [pdf]

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(1):51-55

Candida sp endocarditis. Experience in a third level hospital and review of the literature 
                                  

A.HERNÁNDEZ-TORRES, E. GARCÍA-VÁZQUEZ, A. LASO-ORTIZ, J. A. HERRERO-MARTÍNEZ, J. GÓMEZ-GÓMEZ                      

Despite the relative high frequency of Candida bloodstream infection, Candida endocarditis is a rare entity. We report five cases of Candida endocarditis admitted to our hospital in the period between 2005 and 2011. Two cases were caused by C. albicans, two cases were caused by C. parapsilosis and in the last one, we didn´t identify the species of Candida. All but one had clear risk factors for candidemia. Treatment consisted of amphotericin B with / without flucytosine in four patients, and they all underwent surgery for valve replacement and / or removal of intravascular devices. Overall mortality was 60% (40% of mortality was directly related to endocarditis). All patients who survived were given suppressive therapy with fluconazole for a minimum of two years. After stopping fluconazole there was a case of recurrence.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(3):198-202

Psoas abscess associated with hip arthroplasty infection                                 
 

IBON LÓPEZ-ZABALA, SEBASTIÁN GARCÍA-RAMIRO, GUILLEM BORI, XAVIER GALLART, XAVIER TOMÁS,DAVID FUSTER, JOSEP MENSA, ALEX SORIANO
             

Introduction. Psoas abscess associated with hip arthroplasty infection is a rare entity. The aim of this report was to review our experience.
Material and methods. Patients with computerized tomography (CT) diagnosis of psoas abscess associated with a hip arthroplasty infection from 2004 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, microbiological data, CT results and outcome of each patient were recorded.
Results. Seven patients out of 214 evaluated by CT due to hip infection suspected were identified. Three women and 4 men, with a mean age of 69 years (range 46-89). Mean abscess diameter was of 62x47mm. In all cases, a direct communication between abscess and prosthesis was observed. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were grampositive cocci. All patients were treated with two-stage revision surgery. After a mean follow-up of 65 months (28-113), six patients were in remission.
Conclusions. The use of CT in the study of suspected infection of a hip arthroplasty identified a psoas abscess in 7 cases out of 214 evaluated. Patients treated with two-stage revision surgery and large debridement was associated with a good clinical outcome.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(1):22-27

Microbiological study of infectious endophthalmitis with positive culture within a 13 year-period                                 
 

MARÍA ÁNGELES ASENCIO, MARÍA HUERTAS, RAFAEL CARRANZA, JOSÉ MARÍA TENÍAS, JAVIER CELIS, FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ-DEL VALLE               

Introduction. Our objectives are to describe the microbial spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from patients with culture-proven endophthalmitis.
Material and methods. Retrospective study of patients with microbiological diagnosis of endophthalmitis treated at the Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital La Mancha Centro in the period 1996-2008. The identification of isolates was performed using the automated VITEK-2® and Api galleries (bioMérieux, Spain SA). The antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the VITEK-2® system (bioMérieux, Spain SA), E-test strips (MIC Test Strip, Liofilchem, Italy) and Sensititre® YeastOne trading system (Trek Diagnostic Systems, Ohio, USA) for Candida species.
Results. Forty four (70%) of 63 cases of endophthalmitis were culture positive. Gram-positive bacteria were much more common than gram-negative bacteria in both postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) and post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant in POE, while Bacillus sp. predominated in the PTE; furthermore, the 75% of total fungal isolates corresponded to postraumatic cases. The isolated strains showed 100% susceptibility to vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin, while resistance to ciprofloxacin was greater than 15%. The empirical antifungal therapy failed in 50% of cases. The visual prognosis was significantly less favorable in the PTE.
Conclusions. Based on the susceptibility of our isolates, vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin are good choices for empirical treatment of endophthalmitis, unlike ciprofloxacin. We recommend conducting antifungal prophylaxis after penetrating ocular trauma in a rural environment.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(2):134-139

Correction: Antimicrobial stewardship in patients recently transferred to a ward from the ICU                                 
 

ANTONIO RAMOS, LAURA BENÍTEZ-GUTIERREZ, ANGEL ASENSIO, BELÉN RUIZ-ANTORÁN, CARLOS FOLGUERA, ISABEL SANCHEZ-ROMERO, ELENA MUÑEZ               

This paper is a corrigendum to the previously published paper: “Antimicrobial stewardship in patients recently transferred to a ward from the ICU” [Rev Esp Quimioter. 2014 Mar;27(1):46-50.] This corrigendum was prepared in order to correct some erroneous comments included in the discussion section. First, it should be pointed out that there could have been several suitable options for treating many infections and that, therefore, the word “inadequate” was not the most appropriate in this situation. In addition, some comments about the interpretation of microbiological results made by ICU physicians have been removed from the first article because this variable was not included in the study. Finally, another change made to the discussion was to clarify the ICU physicians’ alleged low level of compliance with advice given by infectious disease specialists. This has been suggested in previous studies it cannot be substantiated when analyzing the results of the study.
Purpose. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is an important health problem that is related to increasing bacterial resistance. Despite its relevance, many health institutions assign very limited resources to improving prescribing practices. An antimicrobial stewardship programme (APS) centred on patients discharged from the ICU could efficiently undertake this task.
Methods. During this six month study the main activity was performing a programmed review of antimicrobial prescriptions in patients transferred to the ward from the ICU. In the case of amendable antimicrobial treatment, a recommendation was included in the medical record.
Results. A total of 437 antimicrobial prescriptions for 286 patients were revised during a six month period and a total of 271 prescriptions (62%) in 183 patients were considered to be amendable. In most of these cases, treatment could have been reduced taking into consideration each patient’s clinical improvement and their location in a hospital area with a lower risk of infection due to resistant bacteria. The most common advice was antimicrobial withdrawal (64%), antimicrobial change (20%) and switching to oral route (12%). Proposed recommendations were addressed in 212 cases (78%). There was no significant difference in adherence with respect to the type of recommendation (p=0.417). There was a 5% lower use of antibiotics during the year the study was conducted compared to the previous one.
Conclusions. ASPs centred on patients discharged from the ICU may be an efficient strategy to ameliorate antimicrobial use in hospitals.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(1):56-63

Use of tigecycline in critically ill patients with serious nosocomial intra-abdominal infections 
                                  

E. MASEDA, S. E. DENIS, A. RIQUELME, F. GILSANZ                        

Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) is a frequent complication found in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and continues to be associated with considerable mortality. Tigecycline, the first-in-class glycylcycline has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against a wide range of bacteria commonly found in IAI. This observational retrospective study aimed to describe the experience with tigecycline for serious nosocomial IAI in the SICU. Data were collected from 23 consecutive patients admitted to SICU with serious nococomial IAI who had received empirical treatment with tigecycline. In all cases, IAI was diagnosed via emergency surgery. Severe sepsis was found in 56.5% and 43.5% developed septic shock. Oncological disease was the most common comorbidity (60%). The mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III within 24 hours from IAI diagnosis was 57.5±14.7, and 87% showed a McCabe score >1 (2 or 3). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (43.5%), followed by Bacteroides spp. and Streptococcus spp. (30.4%, respectively). All but one patient received tigecycline in combination (95.7%), particularly with fluconazole (52.2%), followed by piperacillin-tazobactam (43.5%). Empirical antibiotic therapy was considered adequate in 95%. The mean duration of treatment was 8.5±4.5 days. A favorable response was achieved in 78%. Failure of the antibiotic therapy was not observed in any patient. None of the patients discontinued tigecycline due to adverse reactions. SICU mortality was 13%, with no deaths attributable to tigecycline. These findings suggest that tigecycline combination therapy is an effective and well tolerated empirical treatment of serious nosocomial IAI in the SICU.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(3):203-213

Study of a cohort of patients with Enterococcus spp. Bacteraemia. Risk factors associated to high-level resistance to aminoglycosides                                
 

ELISA GARCÍA-VÁZQUEZ, HELENA ALBENDÍN, ALICIA HERNÁNDEZ-TORRES, MANUEL CANTERAS, GENOVEVA YAGÜE, JOAQUÍN RUIZ, JOAQUÍN GÓMEZ
             

Objectives. To analyze a cohort of patients with Enterococcus sp. bacteraemia.
Patients and methods. Retrospective and observational study of a cohort of non-pediatric in-patients with Enterococcus spp. bacteraemia (June 2007-September 2009). Data collection from clinical records was done according to a standard protocol. We analyzed epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data. Treatment with glycopeptides in non allergic patients or in case of betalactam susceptibility (ampicillin) was considered “optimizable”.
Results. Three were 106 cases of bacteraemia (2.2/1000 admitted patients; 84% E. faecalis); 83% had an underlying condition; 88% nosocomial or health related cases. Urinary infection was present in 20% and primary bacteraemia in 47%. High level resistance to gentamicin (HLRG) was present in 60%; there was no vancomycin or linezolid resistance. Most frequent empiric treatments were penicillin-betalactamase inhibitor (25%) and glycopeptides (22%). Most frequent definitive treatment was glycopeptides (34%), being “optimized” 21% and 44% of empiric and definitive treatments, respectively. Mortality was 23% (related, 14%). In the multivariate analysis, risk factors associated with HLRG were nosocomial acquired infection (OR 6.083; 95CI% 1.428-25.915) and no-abdominal origin (OR 6.006; 95CI%1.398-25.805). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for mortality were: Pitt > 3 (OR 14.405; 95CI%2.236-92.808) and active empiric treatment (OR 8.849; 95CI% 1.101-71.429).). Incidence in previous cohort was similar but HLRG rate has increased.
Conclusions. Risk factors associated with HLRG were nosocomial acquired infection and no-abdominal origin. Risk factors for mortality were initial clinical severity and having received active empiric treatment. HLRG rate has increased.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(1):28-35

Antibiotic prescribing and changes in antimicrobial resistances in the health area of Segovia (Spain) during the period between 2007 and 2011                                
 

SONIA MIGUÉLEZ-FERREIRO, ELENA MORENO-SÁNCHEZ, MARÍA GUTIÉRREZ-DE ANTONIO, SUSANA HERNANDO-REAL               

Introduction. We analyzed the antibiotic prescribing and resistances of respiratory and urinary pathogens more common in the Health Area of Segovia in the period 2007-2011. The aim of the study was to investigate variability, time trends of antibiotic prescribing and correlation with changes in the antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Material and methods. Retrospective cross-sectional study. Antibiotic consumption was expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DHD). The antimicrobial resistance was expressed in percentages. Trend analysis was performed testing Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results. The average antibiotic prescribing was 14.17 DHD, the coefficient and low ratio was 38.93% and 17.94. Penicillins was the most prescribed group (73%). Rural localization, lack of training MIR, distance to hospital and percentage of patients >65 years; showed significant association with increased antibiotic prescribing. Resistance of E. coli to cotrimoxazole and resistance of H. influenzae to amoxicillin decreased both by 8%. Resistance of S. pyogenes to erythromycin decreased by 5%. Resistances of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and E.coli to cephalosporins were both increased by 12%. Correlation between antibiotic prescription and resistances did not show singnificative results.
Conclusions. Prescribing of antibiotics decreased by 3.2% during the period. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was increased. Geographic wide variation in antibiotic prescribing was detected, also between physicians. There were not obtained conclusive data from the correlation between antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial resistance.

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Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(3):159-169

Pharmaceutical intervention in duration of antimicrobial treatment at hospital ambit                                 
 

MARÍA MORANTE, CARMEN MATOSES-CHIRIVELLA, FRANCISCO JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ-LUCENA, JOSÉ MANUEL DEL MORAL, MONTSERRAT RUIZ-GARCÍA, ANDRÉS NAVARRO-RUIZ               

Objective. To estimate the acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention in controlling duration of antimicrobial therapy
and to evaluate their impact on optimizing the treatment.
Methods. Prospective observational study for two years in a General University Hospital. For the patients record, we followed non critical adult patients with antibiotic treatment. When the duration of antimicrobial treatment not complied with established criteria for each antibiotic and pathology, there was a communication with the physician, at which is recommended to assess the need for continue treatment. The acceptance of pharmaceutical intervention was collected and afterwards we analyzed the impact of this work by antimicrobial consumption and incidence of Clostridium difficile.
Results. In 122 patients the pharmacist made a pharmaceutical intervention due to prolonged antibiotic treatment. The most prevalent antibiotics were β-lactams, specifically meropenem. The intravenous administration was more frequent. In 77 cases it was decided to recommend the suspension of treatment, we conducted an orally prospective intervention at 70.15 % and the rest of interventions were written. Acceptance was 65.95 % and 65.00%, respectively. During the study period, the DDD of the antimicrobials decreased by 8.89% and expenditure on antimicrobials one 40.12%. The incidence of C. difficile was stable.
Conclusions. In a hospital, a pharmaceutical counselling program on the duration of antimicrobial therapy is well accepted by the prescriber physician, but it must be improved. The route of information does not affect the degree of acceptance. These actions could involve a reduction of antimicrobial consumption.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2014:27(3):159-169 [pdf]

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