Case Report: Molecular Characterization of Bloodstream Infections due to Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A Pediatric Case Series.

Acinetobacter baumannii poses a significant threat to public health due to the high rate of multidrug-resistant strains. However, information on the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bloodstream infections in children is scarce. This study aimed to describe the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections in children from a hospital in Mexico. A retrospective study was conducted during the period 2017-2022. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the clinical records. Mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the strains. To confirm A. baumannii strains, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was applied using a gyrB sequence. The carbapenemase-encoding resistance genes were detected by PCR. Six cases of CRAB were documented, including five in neonates. The median intensive care unit stay was 20 days, and all cases had an invasive medical device. Half of the patients had at least one medical condition. A high prevalence of coresistance was observed in most of the antibiotic groups. Three of the six strains coharbored carbapenemase genes: blaOXA-51, blaOXA-24, and blaIMP. Mortality was reported in two neonate patients. The present study shows a high rate of coharboring blaOXA-51, blaOXA-24, and blaIMP-1, which has a direct impact on therapeutic decisions. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs is urgent to stop the spread of this microorganism.

Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection in Children From a Third-Level Hospital in Mexico: Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Epidemiology.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a threat to public health due to the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates. Information regarding the clinical and molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infections in children is scarce. Our study aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of CRAB infections in children from a third-level center in Mexico. METHODS: Consecutive cases of CRAB infections were documented during 2017-2022. Clinical and demographic data were collected from clinical records. Mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the isolates. The identification of A. baumannii strains was confirmed by conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the gyrB sequence. In addition, the carbapenemase-encoding resistance genes were detected by PCR. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of CRAB infections were documented: 76% female and 62% were neonates. The median hospital length of stay at the time of positive culture was 37 days (interquartile range, 13-54). Sixty-four percent of the isolates were recovered from bronchial secretions. A co-resistance rate greater than 60% was observed for most groups of antibiotics. All carbapenem-resistant isolates carried blaOXA-24 genes. BlaIMP genes were detected in half of the cases, with all strains co-harboring blaOXA-24 genes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a high proportion of CRAB infections in the neonatal population, a high prevalence of co-resistance to antibiotics, and a high rate of isolates carrying blaOXA-24 and blaIMP genes. CRAB is a significant concern due to the mortality rate and the lack of therapeutic alternatives; implementing infection prevention and control programs is urgent to stop the spread of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.

Chryseobacterium indologenes bacteremia in children with comorbidities.

INTRODUCTION: We describe a series of pediatric cases of bacteremia, all of them with a history of heart disease, use of central venous catheter and coinfections. A review of the published literature was carried out in order to enrich the available information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pediatric observational retrospective study in which three cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection due to Chryseobacterium indologenes were reported in a period of two years in a tertiary care hospital. The analysis was performed with the cases previously reported in the literature. RESULTS: Three cases were reported in our center in a period of two years. We found 26 cases reported in the literature. Overall mortality was 26.92% (7/26). CONCLUSIONS: This microorganism with characteristics of multidrug resistance is associated with the use of medical devices in hospitalized patients. Early identification of this pathogen is crucial to starting treatment.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey.

INTRODUCTION: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey / Impacto psicosocial en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud y otros durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados de una encuesta electrónica

ABSTRACT Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. Material and methods: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. Results: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. Conclusions: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: La actual pandemia de SARS-CoV-2ha causado sentimientos de ansiedad, confusión y pánico entre la población mundial. Debido a estos cambios psi cológicos derivados del estrés que produce la enfermedad, se buscó investigar el impacto psicológico de la pandemia en la comunidad estudiantil universitaria. Material y métodos: Se encuestó a 1.283 estudiantes, de los que se seleccionó a 1.149. La mayoría eran mujeres y la media de edad fue 20 anos. Se les proporcionó un cuestionario en línea de 82 preguntas divididas en 4 secciones para indagar la prevalencia de síntomas signi ficativos de depresión mayor y ansiedad generalizada utilizando las escalas PHQ-9 y GAD-7, además factores que pueden afectar a la salud mental de nuestra población universitaria. Resultados: Se halló una alta prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión (47,08%) y ansiedad (27,06%), considerando como umbral un total de 10 o más puntos. No hubo difer encias significativas entre los estudiantes relacionados con la salud y los no relacionados con la salud. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados, en conjunto con lo observado en la literatura, muestran que la comunidad universitaria es una población en riesgo de enfermedades mentales, por lo que el Gobierno debería considerar la creación de estrategias efectivas para la detección de problemas de salud mental; sin duda alguna, la actual pandemia de COVID-19 es un foco rojo sobre las necesidad de mejores programas de salud mental en universidades y validación de instrumentos virtuales.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey.

Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. Material and methods: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. Results: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. Conclusions: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

Introducción y objetivos: La actual pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 ha causado sentimientos de ansiedad, confusión y pánico entre la población mundial. Debido a estos cambios psicológicos derivados del estrés que produce la enfermedad, se buscó investigar el impacto psicológico de la pandemia en la comunidad estudiantil universitaria. Material y métodos: Se encuestó a 1.283 estudiantes, de los que se seleccionó a 1.149. La mayoría eran mujeres y la media de edad fue 20 años. Se les proporcionó un cuestionario en línea de 82 preguntas divididas en 4 secciones para indagar la prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión mayor y ansiedad generalizada utilizando las escalas PHQ-9 y GAD-7, además factores que pueden afectar a la salud mental de nuestra población universitaria. Resultados: Se halló una alta prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión (47,08%) y ansiedad (27,06%), considerando como umbral un total de 10 o más puntos. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los estudiantes relacionados con la salud y los no relacionados con la salud. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados, en conjunto con lo observado en la literatura, muestran que la comunidad universitaria es una población en riesgo de enfermedades mentales, por lo que el Gobierno debería considerar la creación de estrategias efectivas para la detección de problemas de salud mental; sin duda alguna, la actual pandemia de COVID-19 es un foco rojo sobre las necesidad de mejores programas de salud mental en universidades y validación de instrumentos virtuales.