Update on the epidemiology of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenemases are ß-lactamases able to hydrolyze a wide range of ß-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. Carbapenemase production in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp., with and without the co-expression of other ß-lactamases is a serious public health threat. Carbapenemases belong to three main classes according to the Ambler classification: class A, class B, and class D. AREAS COVERED: Carbapenemase-bearing pathogens are endemic in Latin America. In this review, we update the status of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean. EXPERT OPINION: Understanding the current epidemiology of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean is of critical importance to improve infection control policies limiting the dissemination of multi-drug-resistant pathogens and in implementing appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Bloodstream Infections in Patients With Solid Tumors in a Central American Population at Mexico Hospital, San Jose, Costa Rica.

PURPOSE: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are an important cause of mortality in patients with solid tumors. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the epidemiologic profile and mortality of patients with solid tumors who have BSIs and were admitted to Mexico Hospital. This is the first study in Costa Rica and Central America describing the current epidemiologic situation. METHODS: We analyzed the infectious disease database for BSIs in patients with solid tumors admitted to Mexico Hospital from January 2012 to December 2014. Epidemiology and mortality were obtained according to microorganism, antibiotic sensitivity, tumor type, and presence of central venous catheter (CVC). Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: A total of 164 BSIs were recorded, the median age was 58 years, 103 patients (63%) were males, and 128 cases of infection (78%) were the result of gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Klebsiella pneumoniae (21%), Escherichia coli (21%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%) were the most common microorganisms isolated. Gram-positive cocci (GPC) were found in 36 patients, with the most frequent microorganisms being Staphylococcus aureus (10%) and Staphyloccocus epidermidis (6%). With respect to tumor type, BSIs were more frequent in the GI tract (57%) followed by head and neck (9%) and genitourinary tract (8%). Regarding antibiotic susceptibility, only 17% (GNB) expressed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and 12% (GPC) had methicillin resistance. Patients with CVCs (n = 59) were colonized mainly by GNB (78%). Overall the mortality rate at 30 days was about 30%. CONCLUSION: GNB are the most frequent cause of BSIs in solid tumors and in patients with CVCs. GI cancers had more BSIs than other sites. Mortality and antibiotic sensitivity remained stable and acceptable during this observational period in this Latin American population.

Brucellosis caused by the wood rat pathogen Brucella neotomae: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a chronic bacterial disease caused by members of the genus Brucella. Among the classical species stands Brucella neotomae, until now, a pathogen limited to wood rats. However, we have identified two brucellosis human cases caused by B. neotomae, demonstrating that this species has zoonotic potential. CASES PRESENTATION: Within almost 4 years of each other, a 64-year-old Costa Rican white Hispanic man and a 51-year-old Costa Rican white Hispanic man required medical care at public hospitals of Costa Rica. Their hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal limits. No adenopathies or visceral abnormalities were found. Both patients showed intermittent fever, disorientation, and general malaise and a positive Rose Bengal test compatible with Brucella infection. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures rendered Gram-negative coccobacilli identified by genomic analysis as B. neotomae. After antibiotic treatment, the patients recovered with normal mental activities. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report describing in detail the clinical disease caused by B. neotomae in two unrelated patients. In spite of previous claims, this bacterium keeps zoonotic potential. Proposals to generate vaccines by using B. neotomae as an immunogen must be reexamined and countries housing the natural reservoir must consider the zoonotic risk.

Revisión de los casos de osteomielitis diagnosticados en el Hospital México durante los años 2013-2014 / Review of cases of osteomyelitis diagnosed at the Hospital Mexico during the years 2013-2014

ResumenLa osteomielitis es una infección progresiva del hueso, resultado de un proceso inflamatorio destructivo, seguido de la formación de hueso nuevo. Esta es resultado de la inoculación, ya sea de forma directa, por contigüidad, o por diseminación sanguínea (vía hematógena) de un microorganismo que puede evolucionar en días o semanas y puede progresar a una infección crónica con osteonecrosis, pérdida ósea y/o fístula.El presente estudio evidenciará los reportes bacteriológicos y prueba de sensibilidad antibiótica, de los patógenos más comunes de las muestras identificadas como hueso o médula ósea procesadas en el laboratorio de Bacteriología del Hospital México, obtenidas de pacientes con el diagnóstico de osteomielitis durante los años 2013 y 2014.Mediante este estudio se pretende instaurar un precedente epidemiológico y etiológico con datos costarricenses que sirva de base para futuras investigaciones y/o protocolos de tratamiento.

AbstractOsteomyelitis is a progressive bone infection resulting from a destructive inflammatory process followed by new bone formation. It's the result of direct or indirect inoculation of a microorganism, infection by adjacent tissues or hematogenous dissemination. This process can evolve in days or weeks and can progress to a chronic infection with osteonecrosis, bone loss and/or fistula formation.This study will show the bacteriological reports and antibiotic sensitivity test of the most common pathogens in samples identified as bone or bone marrow processed in the Bacteriology Laboratory of Hospital Mexico obtained from patients with diagnosis of osteomyelitis during 2013 and 2014.The objective with this study is to establish an epidemiological and etiological precedent with costarrican data that can be used as background for future investigations and/or treatment protocols.

Análisis de las bacteremias por Klebsiella pneumoniae en pacientes del Hospital México / Analisis of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremias in patients from Mexico hospital

Justificación: en los últimos años a nivel mundial ha habido un incremento de bacteremias por Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de BLEA, que han contribuido como un factor importante de resistencia a los antibióticos β-lactámicos, y de morbilidad y mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Es relevante para la práctica diaria conocer la incidencia, los factores de riesgo, las complicaciones y la letalidad de estas infecciones en el Hospital México. Se planteó documentar los sitios más frecuentes de infección por Klebsiella pneumoniae, la producción de BLEA, y su asociación a bacteremia y letalidad.Métodos:se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se estudió a los pacientes ingresados al Hospital México, entre enero de 2008 y diciembre de 2011, que hicieron bacteremia por Klebsiella pneumoniae. Se estudió una población de 118 pacientes que hicieron bacteremia por Klebsiella pneumoniae no productora de BLEA y Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de BLEA. Se recopiló los datos demográficos, clínicos y microbiológicos relevantes...

Background: In the last years there has been a worldwide increase of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteraemias, which have been an important factor of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, and of nosocomial morbidity and mortality. It is relevant to day-to-day practice to know the incidence, risk factors, complications and lethality of these infections in the Mexico hospital. We proposed to register the most frequent sites of infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae, the production of ESBLs and its association to bacteremia and lethality.Methods:A retrospective review was performed in patients from the Mexico hospital that developed a Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia from January 2008 to December 2011. We studied a total of 118 patients that developed non-ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumonia and ESBL-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae. Demographic, clinical and microbiological data was recorded for all patients...

Bacteriemia por Kluyvera cryocrescens / Kluyvera cryocrescens bacteremia

La Kluyvera cryocrescens es una enterobacteria gram negativa que se ha aislado del esputo, orina, secreción biliar, líquido peritoneal y sangre en los seres humanos, raramente es causa de infección clínicamente significativa. Sin embargo hay varios casos descritos en la bibliografía, donde se ha manifestado con cuadros de sepsis severa y choque séptico, algunos con adecuada respuesta a diferentes terapias antibióticas. Se presenta un caso de sepsis severa, debido a bacteriemia por Kluyvera cryocrescens, en un masculino de 73 años, y se describe su diagnóstico, tratamiento y evolución. El paciente desarrolló la infección durante su estadía hospitalaria y recibió tratamiento 10 días con cefalosporinas de tercera generación, logrando una adecuada resolución de su cuadro.

Kluyvera cryocrescens is a gram-negative enterobacteria that has been isolated from sputum, urine, bile secretion, peritoneal fluid and blood in humans, but rarely causes clinically significant infections. However, there are several cases described in the literature that have presented with symptoms of severe sepsis and septic shock, some with adequate response to different antibiotic therapies. A case of severe sepsis due to Kluyvera cryocrescens bacteremia is described in a 73 year old male, regarding his diagnosis, treatment and outcome. He develops the infection while hospitalized and received a 10 day course of a third generation cephalosporin achieving adequate resolution of the infection.

Epidemiología de la candidemia en el Hospital México / Candidemia and it's Epidemiology at Hospital México

Justificación y objetivos:las infecciones invasivas por Candida son frecuentes y de alta mortalidad en la práctica clínica. Existe poca información publicada al respecto en el país. Estudio retrospectivo y observacional que pretende aportar conocimiento novedoso sobre la epidemiología local de la candidemia.Métodos:se incluyó 136 pacientes mayores de 17 años en su primer episodio de candidemia, internados en el Hospital México, entre 2007 y 2010. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y temporal, se evaluaron los factores asociados con C. parapsilosis y con la sobrevida a 30 días.Resultados:se detectó en promedio 34 episodios por año (rango 27 a 51), la incidencia acumulada fue de 1,1 casos/1000 admisiones. Las especies de Candida no albicans constituyeron el 62% de las levaduras aisladas. Exceptuando 2009, C. parapsilosis fue la especie predominante en 3 de 4 años estudiados (41%), seguida por C. albicans (38%). Se demostró una fuerte asociación entre la candidemia por C. parapsilosis, la presencia de catéter venoso central (OR=19,6, IC95%: 2,6 a 403,8, p<0,001) y el uso de nutrición parenteral (p=0,014). La mortalidad a 30 días fue del 46%. C. albicans mostró la mortalidad más alta y C. parapsilosis, la más baja. Los pacientes que no recibieron tratamiento antifúngico presentaron una probabilidad significativamente mayor de morir.Conclusiones:la elevada incidencia de candidemia por C. parapsilosisestá directamente relacionada con los catéteres venosos centrales y el uso de nutrición parenteral; su marcada reducción en la frecuencia durante 2009, merece ser investigada para dilucidar los factores que provocaron este cambio.

Background:Invasive Candida infections are frequent and exhibit high mortality in clinical practice. There are few published data in our country. This retrospective observational study intends to provide new knowledge about the local epidemiology of candidemia.Methods:136 patients older than 17 years were included when they had their first episode of candidemia during hospitalization at the Hospital Mexico, in the time period between 2007 and 2010. Descriptive and temporal analysis was performed and the risk factors associated with C. parapsilosis and survival were evaluated.Results:An average of 34 episodes of candidemia were recorded per year (range 27-51) and the cumulative incidence was 1.1 cases/1,000 admissions. The non-albicans Candida species accounted for 62% of the isolated yeasts, C. parapsilosis (41%) was the predominant yeast isolated in 3 out of the 4 years analized, except for 2009, followed by C. albicans (38%). Strong association between C. parapsilosis bloodstream infection, the presence of a central venous catheter (2.6 to 403.8, p <0.001 OR = 19.6, 95% CI) and use of parenteral nutrition (p=0.014) was established. The 30-day mortality was 46%, with C. albicans displaying the highest and C. parapsilosis the lowest. Patients who did not receive antifungal treatment had significantly higher mortality.Conclusions:the unusually high incidence of candidemia due to C. parapsilosis is directly related to the use of central venous catheters and parenteral nutrition; the marked reduction observed in 2009 needs further investigation to find out the causes of this change.

Ehrliquiosis granulocitotrópica humana / Human granulocitotropica ehrliquiosis

Las ehrliquiosis humanas son zoonosis emergentes transmitidas por varias especies de garrapatas e infectan gran cantidad de animales silvestres y domésticos. Reportamos el caso de un paciente con un cuadro clínico y hallazgos de laboratorio compatibles con una probable ehrliquiosis granulocitotrópica severa. El paciente se trató con doxicilina y respondió adecuadamente. Fue egresado en buena condición.

Ulcera cutánea crónica en paciente inmunosuprimido / Chronic cutanic ulcer in inmunosuppremed patient

Se discute el caso de un paciente con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana VIH avanzado que se presenta con una úlcera crónica de la rodilla derecha, a quien se le realizaron múltiples estudios de laboratorio y de gabinete, sin lograr aislarse ningún germen específico, sin embargo, un estudio histológico demostró la presencia de bacilos alcohol ácido resistentes. Se manejó médicamente con buena respuesta clínica al tratamiento.

A case of a patient with HIV infection and a chronic ulcer in the right knee is discussed. Several studies were done but none helped identifying the cause of the ulcer. However, histological examination of the ulcer showed acid alcohol resistant bacilli. The patient received medical treatment and had a good response.

Meningitis por Kluyvera sp. en una paciente con una derivación lumbo-peritoneal: reporte de un caso / Meningitis Kluyvera sp. in a patient with a lumboperitoneal derivation: report of a case

Describimos el caso de una paciente portadora de una derivación lumbo-peritoneal, que desarrolló una meningitis bacteriana en la cual Kluyvera sp. se aisló del líquido cefalorraquídeo. En nuestro conocimiento este es el primer caso reportado de infección del SNC por este microorganismo. Esta bacteria era sensible a cefalosporinas de tercera generación y se logró la resolución con Cefotaxime. El Género Kluyvera comprende tres especies infrecuentemente aisladas de muestras clínicas. Se puede asociar a infecciones desde leves a severas y posiblemente se favorece en un huésped inmunocomprometido.