Prospective cohort study of incidence and risk factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infections in 145 intensive care units of 9 Latin American countries: INICC findings.

PURPOSE: Identify urinary catheter (UC)-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) incidence and risk factors (RF) in Latin American Countries. METHODS: From 01/01/2014 to 02/10/2022, we conducted a prospective cohort study in 145 ICUs of 67 hospitals in 35 cities in nine Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. To estimate CAUTI incidence, we used the number of UC-days as the denominator, and the number of CAUTIs as numerator. To estimate CAUTI RFs, we analyzed the following 10 variables using multiple logistic regression: gender, age, length of stay (LOS) before CAUTI acquisition, UC-days before CAUTI acquisition, UC-device utilization (DU) ratio, UC-type, hospitalizationtype, ICU type, facility ownership, and time period. RESULTS: 31,631 patients, hospitalized for 214,669 patient-days, acquired 305 CAUTIs. The pooled CAUTI rate per 1000 UC-days was 2.58, for those using suprapubic catheters, it was 2.99, and for those with indwelling catheters, it was 2.21. The following variables were independently associated with CAUTI: age, rising risk 1% yearly (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02; p < 0.0001 female gender (aOR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.01-1.61; p = 0.04), LOS before CAUTI acquisition, rising risk 7% daily (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.06-1.08; p < 0.0001, UC/DU ratio (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.08-1.21; p < 0.0001, public facilities (aOR = 2.89; 95% CI 1.75-4.49; p < 0.0001. The periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 had significantly higher risks than the period 2020-2022. Suprapubic catheters showed similar risks as indwelling catheters. CONCLUSION: The following CAUTI RFs are unlikely to change: age, gender, hospitalization type, and facility ownership. Based on these findings, it is suggested to focus on reducing LOS, UC/DU ratio, and implementing evidence-based CAUTI prevention recommendations.

Viral reactivations and co-infections in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Viral reactivations and co-infections have been reported among COVID-19 patients. However, studies on the clinical outcomes of different viral reactivations and co-infections are currently in limit. Thus, the primary purpose of this review is to perform an overarching investigation on the cases of latent virus reactivation and co-infection in COVID-19 patients to build collective evidence contributing to improving patient health. The aim of the study was to conduct a literature review to compare the patient characteristics and outcomes of reactivations and co-infections of different viruses. METHODS: Our population of interest included confirmed COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed with a viral infection either concurrently or following their COVID-19 diagnosis. We extracted the relevant literature through a systematic search using the key terms in the online databases including the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), from inception onwards up to June 2022. The authors independently extracted data from eligible studies and assessed the risk of bias using the Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting (CARE) guidelines and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Main patient characteristics, frequency of each manifestation, and diagnostic criteria used in studies were summarized in tables. RESULTS: In total, 53 articles were included in this review. We identified 40 reactivation studies, 8 coinfection studies, and 5 studies where concomitant infection in COVID-19 patients was not distinguished as either reactivation or coinfection. Data were extracted for 12 viruses including IAV, IBV, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV-1, HHV-2, HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8, HBV, and Parvovirus B19. EBV, HHV-1, and CMV were most frequently observed within the reactivation cohort, whereas IAV and EBV within the coinfection cohort. In both reactivation and coinfection groups, patients reported cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression as comorbidities, acute kidney injury as complication, and lymphopenia and elevated D-dimer and CRP levels from blood tests. Common pharmaceutical interventions in two groups included steroids and antivirals. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings expand our knowledge on the characteristics of COVID-19 patients with viral reactivations and co-infections. Our experience with current review indicates a need for further investigations on virus reactivation and coinfection among COVID-19 patients.

Screening with Anal Cytology in Colombia: Initial Experience and Need for High-Resolution Anoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk of anal cancer. Anal cytology can be used to screen for dysplasia, with high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) required for diagnostic confirmation. We describe the impact lack of HRA had on management of abnormal screening results in Bogotá, Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes MSM with HIV who underwent anal cytology screening between January 2019February 2020, with colorectal surgery (CRS) follow-up through July 2020. Cytology results included atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Categorical and continuous variables were compared via Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum, respectively. RESULTS: Of 211 MSM screened, 68 had abnormal cytology: ASC-US (n = 23), LSIL (n = 41), HSIL (n = 4). Sixty (88.2%) were referred to CRS, and 51 (75.0%) attended ≥ 1 appointment. At initial assessment, 17 were referred for anal exam under anesthesia (EUA) for tissue resection, and 21 for rectosigmoidoscopy. Having perianal condyloma was associated with recommendation for EUA (P < 0.001), while cytology grade of dysplasia was not (P = 0.308). Eleven (16.2%) underwent EUA for condyloma resection. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have described anal cancer screening in settings without HRA. We found lack of HRA limited management of abnormal cytology in Colombia. Those with condyloma underwent resection, but HRA remains necessary to localize and treat microscopic disease. Next steps include implementation of HRA in order to further develop the anal cancer screening program for MSM with HIV in Bogotá.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in a university hospital of Colombia: Enzyme coproductions in rise.

The distribution of carbapenemases in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has recently undergone a change in our region. According to the Colombian National Institute of Health, there is an increasing prevalence of NDM and NDM-KPC co-producing strains. We carried-out an ambispective cohort study of adult inpatients from Hospital Universitario San Ignacio (2021-2023), infected or colonized with CRE, in which carbapenemases immunochromatographic assay was performed. Out of the 150 patients included in the study, 71.3 % presented with an infection, and carbapenemases were detected in 92.7 % of these cases. Among them, KPC predominated (54 %), while 16.7 % demonstrated enzyme coproductions, mainly KPC-NDM. CRE infected patients had an 18.7 % 30-days mortality, but we could not demonstrate an association between type of carbapenemase and mortality rate (p = 0.82). Logistic regression analysis suggested that ICU admission was independently correlated to fatality (OR 5.08; CI 1.68-16.01). NDM and KPC-NDM presence in CRE poses a public health threat and a therapeutic challenge, with unknown mortality differences according to the carbapenemases pattern. Nevertheless, there was not an association between enzyme type and mortality.

Incidence and risk factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infection in 623 intensive care units throughout 37 Asian, African, Eastern European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern nations: A multinational prospective research of INICC.

OBJECTIVE: To identify urinary catheter (UC)-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) incidence and risk factors. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted across 623 ICUs of 224 hospitals in 114 cities in 37 African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 169,036 patients, hospitalized for 1,166,593 patient days. METHODS: Data collection took place from January 1, 2014, to February 12, 2022. We identified CAUTI rates per 1,000 UC days and UC device utilization (DU) ratios stratified by country, by ICU type, by facility ownership type, by World Bank country classification by income level, and by UC type. To estimate CAUTI risk factors, we analyzed 11 variables using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Participant patients acquired 2,010 CAUTIs. The pooled CAUTI rate was 2.83 per 1,000 UC days. The highest CAUTI rate was associated with the use of suprapubic catheters (3.93 CAUTIs per 1,000 UC days); with patients hospitalized in Eastern Europe (14.03) and in Asia (6.28); with patients hospitalized in trauma (7.97), neurologic (6.28), and neurosurgical ICUs (4.95); with patients hospitalized in lower-middle-income countries (3.05); and with patients in public hospitals (5.89).The following variables were independently associated with CAUTI: Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.01; P < .0001), female sex (aOR, 1.39; P < .0001), length of stay (LOS) before CAUTI-acquisition (aOR, 1.05; P < .0001), UC DU ratio (aOR, 1.09; P < .0001), public facilities (aOR, 2.24; P < .0001), and neurologic ICUs (aOR, 11.49; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: CAUTI rates are higher in patients with suprapubic catheters, in middle-income countries, in public hospitals, in trauma and neurologic ICUs, and in Eastern European and Asian facilities.Based on findings regarding risk factors for CAUTI, focus on reducing LOS and UC utilization is warranted, as well as implementing evidence-based CAUTI-prevention recommendations.

Assessing the impact of a multidimensional approach and an 8-component bundle in reducing incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia across 35 countries in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) occurring in the intensive care unit (ICU) are common, costly, and potentially lethal. METHODS: We implemented a multidimensional approach and an 8-component bundle in 374 ICUs across 35 low and middle-income countries (LMICs) from Latin-America, Asia, Eastern-Europe, and the Middle-East, to reduce VAP rates in ICUs. The VAP rate per 1000 mechanical ventilator (MV)-days was measured at baseline and during intervention at the 2nd month, 3rd month, 4-15 month, 16-27 month, and 28-39 month periods. RESULTS: 174,987 patients, during 1,201,592 patient-days, used 463,592 MV-days. VAP per 1000 MV-days rates decreased from 28.46 at baseline to 17.58 at the 2nd month (RR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.58-0.65; P < 0.001); 13.97 at the 3rd month (RR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.46-0.52; P < 0.001); 14.44 at the 4-15 month (RR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.48-0.53; P < 0.001); 11.40 at the 16-27 month (RR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.38-0.42; P < 0.001), and to 9.68 at the 28-39 month (RR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.32-0.36; P < 0.001). The multilevel Poisson regression model showed a continuous significant decrease in incidence rate ratios, reaching 0.39 (p < 0.0001) during the 28th to 39th months after implementation of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention resulted in a significant VAP rate reduction by 66% that was maintained throughout the 39-month period.

Reasons for antiretroviral switching in Colombia: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection might lead to the necessity of switching regimens. We aimed to analyze the reasons for the ART switch, the time-to-switch of ART, and its associated factors in a Colombian cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort in 20 HIV clinics, including participants ≥18 years old with confirmed HIV infection who underwent an ART switch from January 2017 to December 2019 with at least 6 months of follow-up. A time-to-event analysis and an exploratory Cox model were performed. RESULTS: 796 participants switched ART during the study period. The leading cause of ART switch was drug intolerance (n = 449; 56.4%) with a median time-to-switch of 12.2 months. The longest median time-to-switch was due to regimen simplification (42.4 months). People ≥50 years old (HR = 0.6; 95% CI (0.5-0.7) and CDC stage 3 at diagnosis (HR = 0.8; 95% CI (0.6-0.9) had less hazard for switching ART over time. CONCLUSIONS: In this Colombian cohort, drug intolerance was the main cause of the ART switch, and the time-to-switch is shorter than reports from other countries. In Colombia, it is crucial to apply current recommendations for ART initiation to choose regimens with a better tolerability profile.

Cross-reactive humoral and CD4+ T cell responses to Mu and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants in a Colombian population.

The SARS CoV-2 antibody and CD4+ T cell responses induced by natural infection and/or vaccination decline over time and cross-recognize other viral variants at different levels. However, there are few studies evaluating the levels and durability of the SARS CoV-2-specific antibody and CD4+ T cell response against the Mu, Gamma, and Delta variants. Here, we examined, in two ambispective cohorts of naturally-infected and/or vaccinated individuals, the titers of anti-RBD antibodies and the frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells up to 6 months after the last antigen exposure. In naturally-infected individuals, the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response declined 6 months post-symptoms onset. However, the kinetic observed depended on the severity of the disease, since individuals who developed severe COVID-19 maintained the binding antibody titers. Also, there was detectable binding antibody cross-recognition for the Gamma, Mu, and Delta variants, but antibodies poorly neutralized Mu. COVID-19 vaccines induced an increase in antibody titers 15-30 days after receiving the second dose, but these levels decreased at 6 months. However, as expected, a third dose of the vaccine caused a rise in antibody titers. The dynamics of the antibody response upon vaccination depended on the previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Lower levels of vaccine-induced antibodies were associated with the development of breakthrough infections. Vaccination resulted in central memory spike-specific CD4+ T cell responses that cross-recognized peptides from the Gamma and Mu variants, and their duration also depended on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. In addition, we found cross-reactive CD4+ T cell responses in unexposed and unvaccinated individuals. These results have important implications for vaccine design for new SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and concern.

Corrigendum: Cross-reactive humoral and CD4+ T cell responses to Mu and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants in a Colombian population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1241038.].

Multinational prospective cohort study of rates and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia over 24 years in 42 countries of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC).

Objective: Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are several times above those of high-income countries. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors (RFs) for VAP cases in ICUs of LMICs. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: This study was conducted across 743 ICUs of 282 hospitals in 144 cities in 42 Asian, African, European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. Participants: The study included patients admitted to ICUs across 24 years. Results: In total, 289,643 patients were followed during 1,951,405 patient days and acquired 8,236 VAPs. We analyzed 10 independent variables. Multiple logistic regression identified the following independent VAP RFs: male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.28; P < .0001); longer length of stay (LOS), which increased the risk 7% per day (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.07-1.08; P < .0001); mechanical ventilation (MV) utilization ratio (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.23-1.31; P < .0001); continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which was associated with the highest risk (aOR, 13.38; 95% CI, 11.57-15.48; P < .0001); tracheostomy connected to a MV, which was associated with the next-highest risk (aOR, 8.31; 95% CI, 7.21-9.58; P < .0001); endotracheal tube connected to a MV (aOR, 6.76; 95% CI, 6.34-7.21; P < .0001); surgical hospitalization (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.17-1.29; P < .0001); admission to a public hospital (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.35-1.86; P < .0001); middle-income country (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 15-1.29; P < .0001); admission to an adult-oncology ICU, which was associated with the highest risk (aOR, 4.05; 95% CI, 3.22-5.09; P < .0001), admission to a neurologic ICU, which was associated with the next-highest risk (aOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.78-3.45; P < .0001); and admission to a respiratory ICU (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.79-3.07; P < .0001). Admission to a coronary ICU showed the lowest risk (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.77; P < .0001). Conclusions: Some identified VAP RFs are unlikely to change: sex, hospitalization type, ICU type, facility ownership, and country income level. Based on our results, we recommend focusing on strategies to reduce LOS, to reduce the MV utilization ratio, to limit CPAP use and implementing a set of evidence-based VAP prevention recommendations.

Multinational prospective cohort study of incidence and risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infections in ICUs of 8 Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to identify central line (CL)-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) rates and risk factors in Latin-America. METHODS: From January 1, 2014 to February 10, 2022, we conducted a multinational multicenter prospective cohort study in 58 ICUs of 34 hospitals in 21 cities in 8 Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama). We applied multiple-logistic regression. Outcomes are shown as adjusted-odds ratios (aOR). RESULTS: About 29,385 patients were hospitalized during 92,956 days, acquired 400 CLABSIs, and pooled CLABSI rate was 4.30 CLABSIs per 1,000 CL-days. We analyzed following 10 variables: Gender, age, length of stay (LOS) before CLABSI acquisition, CL-days before CLABSI acquisition, CL-device utilization (DU) ratio, CL-type, tracheostomy use, hospitalization type, intensive care unit (ICU) type, and facility ownership, Following variables were independently associated with CLABSI: LOS before CLABSI acquisition, rising risk 3% daily (aOR=1.03;95%CI=1.02-1.04; P < .0001); number of CL-days before CLABSI acquisition, rising risk 4% per CL-day (aOR=1.04;95%CI=1.03-1.05; P < .0001); publicly-owned facility (aOR=2.33;95%CI=1.79-3.02; P < .0001). ICU with highest risk was medical-surgical (aOR=2.61;95%CI=1.41-4.81; P < .0001). CL with the highest risk were femoral (aOR=2.71;95%CI=1.61-4.55; P < .0001), and internal-jugular (aOR=2.62;95%CI=1.82-3.79; P < .0001). PICC (aOR=1.25;95%CI=0.63-2.51; P = .52) was not associated with CLABSI risk. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings it is suggested to focus on reducing LOS, CL-days, using PICC instead of femoral or internal-jugular; and implementing evidence-based CLABSI prevention recommendations.

Multinational prospective study of incidence and risk factors for central-line-associated bloodstream infections in 728 intensive care units of 41 Asian, African, Eastern European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries over 24 years.

OBJECTIVE: To identify central-line (CL)-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) incidence and risk factors in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). DESIGN: From July 1, 1998, to February 12, 2022, we conducted a multinational multicenter prospective cohort study using online standardized surveillance system and unified forms. SETTING: The study included 728 ICUs of 286 hospitals in 147 cities in 41 African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. PATIENTS: In total, 278,241 patients followed during 1,815,043 patient days acquired 3,537 CLABSIs. METHODS: For the CLABSI rate, we used CL days as the denominator and the number of CLABSIs as the numerator. Using multiple logistic regression, outcomes are shown as adjusted odds ratios (aORs). RESULTS: The pooled CLABSI rate was 4.82 CLABSIs per 1,000 CL days, which is significantly higher than that reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC NHSN). We analyzed 11 variables, and the following variables were independently and significantly associated with CLABSI: length of stay (LOS), risk increasing 3% daily (aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.03-1.04; P < .0001), number of CL days, risk increasing 4% per CL day (aOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.04; P < .0001), surgical hospitalization (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21; P < .0001), tracheostomy use (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.23-1.88; P < .0001), hospitalization at a publicly owned facility (aOR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.31-4.01; P <.0001) or at a teaching hospital (aOR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.22-3.83; P < .0001), hospitalization in a middle-income country (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 2.09-2.77; P < .0001). The ICU type with highest risk was adult oncology (aOR, 4.35; 95% CI, 3.11-6.09; P < .0001), followed by pediatric oncology (aOR, 2.51;95% CI, 1.57-3.99; P < .0001), and pediatric (aOR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.81-3.01; P < .0001). The CL type with the highest risk was internal-jugular (aOR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.71-3.33; P < .0001), followed by femoral (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.96-2.68; P < .0001). Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was the CL with the lowest CLABSI risk (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.02-2.18; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The following CLABSI risk factors are unlikely to change: country income level, facility ownership, hospitalization type, and ICU type. These findings suggest a focus on reducing LOS, CL days, and tracheostomy; using PICC instead of internal-jugular or femoral CL; and implementing evidence-based CLABSI prevention recommendations.

Associated factors for mortality in a COVID-19 colombian cohort: is the third wave relevant when Mu variant was predominant epidemiologically?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between Colombia's third wave when the Mu variant was predominant epidemiologically (until 75%) in Colombia and COVID-19 all-cause in-hospital mortality. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, we included hospitalized patients ≥18 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 to September 2021 in ten hospitals from three cities in Colombia. Description analysis, survival, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the third epidemic wave and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 25,371 patients were included. The age-stratified time-to-mortality curves showed differences according to epidemic waves in patients ≥75 years (log-rank test p = 0.012). In the multivariate Cox analysis, the third wave was not associated with increased mortality relative to the first wave (aHR 0.95; 95%CI 0.84-1.08), but there was an interaction between age ≥75 years and the third wave finding a lower HR for mortality (aHR 0.56, 95%CI 0.36-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an increase in in-hospital mortality during the third epidemic wave in which the Mu variant was predominant in Colombia. The reduced hazard in mortality in patients ≥75 years hospitalized in the third wave could be explained by the high coverage of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population and patients with underlying conditions.

The impact of healthcare-associated infections on mortality in ICU: A prospective study in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: The International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium has found a high ICU mortality rate. Our aim was to identify all-cause mortality risk factors in ICU-patients. METHODS: Multinational, multicenter, prospective cohort study at 786 ICUs of 312 hospitals in 147 cities in 37 Latin American, Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and European countries. RESULTS: Between 07/01/1998 and 02/12/2022, 300,827 patients, followed during 2,167,397 patient-days, acquired 21,371 HAIs. Following mortality risk factors were identified in multiple logistic regression: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (aOR:1.84; P<.0001); ventilator-associated pneumonia (aOR:1.48; P<.0001); catheter-associated urinary tract infection (aOR:1.18;P<.0001); medical hospitalization (aOR:1.81; P<.0001); length of stay (LOS), risk rises 1% per day (aOR:1.01; P<.0001); female gender (aOR:1.09; P<.0001); age (aOR:1.012; P<.0001); central line-days, risk rises 2% per day (aOR:1.02; P<.0001); and mechanical ventilator (MV)-utilization ratio (aOR:10.46; P<.0001). Coronary ICU showed the lowest risk for mortality (aOR: 0.34;P<.0001). CONCLUSION: Some identified risk factors are unlikely to change, such as country income-level, facility ownership, hospitalization type, gender, and age. Some can be modified; Central line-associated bloodstream infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, LOS, and MV-utilization. So, to lower the risk of death in ICUs, we recommend focusing on strategies to shorten the LOS, reduce MV-utilization, and use evidence-based recommendations to prevent HAIs.

Cumulative incidence, prevalence, seroconversion, and associated factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers of a University Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.

This study aimed to determine the cumulative incidence, prevalence, and seroconversion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a University Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. An ambispective cohort was established from March 2020 to February 2021. From November 2020 to February 2021, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured on two occasions 14-90 days apart to determine seroprevalence and seroconversion. We used multivariate log-binomial regression to evaluate factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among 2,597 HCWs, the cumulative incidence of infection was 35.7%, and seroprevalence was 21.5%. A reduced risk of infection was observed among those aged 35-44 and ≥45 years (adjusted relative risks [aRRs], 0.84 and 0.83, respectively), physicians (aRR, 0.77), those wearing N95 respirators (aRR, 0.82) and working remotely (aRR, 0.74). Being overweight (aRR, 1.18) or obese (aRR, 1.24); being a nurse or nurse assistant (aRR, 1.20); working in the emergency room (aRR, 1.45), general wards (aRR, 1.45), intensive care unit (aRR, 1.34), or COVID-19 areas (aRR, 1.17); and close contact with COVID-19 cases (aRR, 1.47) increased the risk of infection. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection found in this study reflects the dynamics of the first year of the pandemic in Bogotá. A high burden of infection calls for strengthening prevention and screening measures for HCWs, focusing especially on those at high risk.

Anal cytology screening in men who have sex with men with HIV at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma (anal cancer) is greater among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We describe the frequency of and factors associated with abnormal anal cytology results in Colombian MSM living with HIV. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study included MSM ≥18 years old living with HIV screened with anal cytology at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia between January 2019 and February 2020. A multivariable log-binomial regression model estimated associations with abnormal anal cytology. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included. Mean age was 35.6 years. Sixty-eight (32.3%) had an abnormal anal cytology result: ASC-US 33.8% (n = 23); LSIL 60.3% (n = 41); and HSIL 5.9% (n = 4). MSM with an STI diagnosis in the previous 12 months (RR 1.48, [95% CI 1.03-2.12], p = 0.032) or with a CD4+ T cell count <200 (RR 2.08 [95% CI 1.16-3.73], p = 0.014) were significantly more likely to have abnormal anal cytology. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide crucial information to guide scale up of anal cancer screening at select centers in Colombia. Our results also suggest STI prevention efforts and improved virological control among MSM living with HIV may have the secondary benefit of reducing the risk of anal cancer.

Multinational Prospective Cohort Study of Mortality Risk Factors in 198 ICUs of 12 Latin American Countries over 24 Years: The Effects of Healthcare-Associated Infections.

BACKGROUND: The International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) has found a high ICU mortality rate in Latin America. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in 198 ICUs of 96 hospitals in 46 cities in 12 Latin American countries to identify mortality risk factors (RF), and data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Between 07/01/1998 and 02/12/2022, 71,685 patients, followed during 652,167 patient-days, acquired 4700 HAIs, and 10,890 died. We prospectively collected data of 16 variables. Following 11 independent mortality RFs were identified in multiple logistic regression: ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) acquisition (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06-1.30; p < 0.0001); catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) acquisition (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.15-1.56; p < 0.0001); older age, rising risk 2% yearly (aOR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02; p < 0.0001); longer indwelling central line(CL)-days, rising risk 3% daily (aOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.03; p < 0.0001); longer indwelling urinary catheter(UC)-days, rising risk 1% daily (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.26; p < 0.0001); higher mechanical ventilation (MV) (aOR = 6.47; 95% CI: 5.96-7.03; p < 0.0001) and urinary catheter-utilization ratio (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.11-1.27; p < 0.0001); lower-middle level income country (aOR = 2.94; 95% CI: 2.10-4.12; p < 0.0001); private (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.27-1.77; p < 0.0001) or public hospital (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.24-1.74; p < 0.0001) compared with university hospitals; medical hospitalization instead of surgical (aOR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.59-1.75; p < 0.0001); neurologic ICU (aOR = 4.48; 95% CI: 2.68-7.50; p < 0.0001); adult oncology ICU (aOR = 3.48; 95% CI: 2.14-5.65; p < 0.0001); and others. CONCLUSION: Some of the identified mortality RFs are unlikely to change, such as the income level of the country, facility ownership, hospitalization type, ICU type, and age. But some of the mortality RFs we found can be changed, and efforts should be made to reduce CL-days, UC-days, MV-utilization ratio, UC-utilization ratio, and lower VAPs and CAUTI rates.

Persistence of Clonal Azole-Resistant Isolates of Candida albicans from a Patient with Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis in Colombia.

PURPOSE: The present article describes retrospectively a case of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) who presented recurrent Candida albicans infection since he was 6 months old. We obtained 16 isolates recovered during a 4-year period. Our purpose was to determinate the susceptibility, genotyping, and the pathogenicity profile in all the isolates. METHODS: Sixteen C. albicans were isolated from a 25-year-old male with several recurrent fungal infections admitted to Hospital. The isolates were recovered during 4 years from a different anatomical origin. We typified them by multilocus sequence typing, also we evaluated susceptibility to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, caspofungin, and amphotericin B by microdilution method and we also test the pathogenic capacity in the Galleria mellonella model. RESULTS: Genotyping of all clinical isolates showed the persistence of the same diploid sequence type (DST). Isolates changed their susceptibility profile over time, but there were no significant statistical differences in pathogenicity. CONCLUSION: Herein, a persistent clonal isolates of C. albicans (DST 918) in a patient with CMC, showed changes in its susceptibility profile after several antifungal treatments acquiring gradual resistance to the azole drugs, which did not affect their pathogenicity.

Prevalencia y caracterización de las neoplasias malignas en personas viviendo con VIH en Colombia / Prevalence and characterization of cancer in people living with HIV in Colombia

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida las neoplasias han jugado un papel preponderante, y con el advenimiento del tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR), la infección por VIH se ha transformado en una enfermedad crónica, siendo los tumores malignos una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad. OBJETIVO: Describir las características demográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio de las personas que viven con VIH (PVVIH) y han sido diagnosticadas con cáncer en Colombia y comparar los grupos de neoplasias definitorias y no definitorias de Sida. MÉTODOS: Revisión multicéntrica retrospectiva, en la que se recolectó y analizó datos relacionados con la infección por VIH y de diagnóstico de cáncer y tipo. Incluyó PVVIH diagnosticadas con neoplasias malignas atendidas en 23 centros de atención de pacientes con VIH en 11 ciudades de Colombia desde 1986 hasta 2018. RESULTADOS: En 23.189 pacientes, se identificaron 650 casos de malignidad (prevalencia de 2,8 % [IC de 95%: 2,6-2,9]). La neoplasia definitoria de Sida (NDS) sigue siendo el tipo de cáncer prevalente (71,1%), las neoplasias malignas más frecuentes fueron sarcoma de Kaposi (n: 330; 50,8%), linfoma no Hodgkin (n: 110; 16,9%), cáncer de piel (n: 48; 7,4%) y linfoma de Hodgkin (n: 25; 3,8%). Los pacientes con NDS tenían más probabilidades de ser HSH y estar en un estadio CDC 3, un recuento de linfocitos T CD4 < 200/μL y una carga viral del VIH ≥ 50 copias/mL al momento del diagnóstico de malignidad. Las personas con neoplasias no definitorias de Sida (NNDS) eran significativamente mayores y tenían más probabilidades de ser fumadores. CONCLUSIONES: Estos hallazgos son relevantes considerando la creciente carga de cáncer en las PVVIH que envejecen y las causas cambiantes de morbilidad y mortalidad. La presentación tardía a la atención del VIH y el retraso en el inicio del TAR son probablemente factores que contribuyen al cambio más lento hacia NNDS en comparación con las regiones de altos ingresos donde hay un acceso más rápido y temprano al TAR. El conocimiento de las tendencias epidemiológicas actuales y el perfil del cáncer en las PVVIH es fundamental para mejorar los esfuerzos de prevención y tratamiento del cáncer en el contexto de la atención integral del VIH.

BACKGROUND: In the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, neoplasms have played a preponderant role, and with the advent of antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV has become a chronic disease, with malignant tumors being an important cause of morbidity and mortality. AIM: To describe the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who have been diagnosed with cancer in Colombia and to compare the groups of AIDS-defining (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining neoplasms (NADC). METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter study that included people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) diagnosed with malignancies treated at 23 HIV care centers located in 11 Colombian cities from 1986 to 2018. Data related to HIV infection and cancer diagnosis were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 23,189 patients, 650 malignancy cases were identified (prevalence of 2.8% [95% CI 2.6-2.9]). AIDS-defining neoplasm remains the most prevalent type of cancer (71.1%), The most frequent individual malignancies were Kaposi sarcoma (n: 330; 50.8%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n: 110; 16.9%), skin cancer (n: 48; 7.4%), and Hodgkin lymphoma (n: 25; 3.8%). Compared people with NADC, with ADC were more likely to be MSM and have a CDC HIV stage 3, CD4 T cell count < 200/μL, and HIV viral load ≥ 50 copies/mL at the time of malignancy diagnosis. PLHIV and with NADC were significantly older and were more likely to be smokers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are relevant considering the increasing burden of cancer in the aging PLHIV and the changing causes of morbidity and mortality. Late presentation to HIV care and delayed ART initiation are likely factors contributing to the slower shift toward NADCs compared with high-income regions where access to ART is better. Knowledge of the current epidemiological trends and profile of cancer in PLWHA is critical to improve cancer prevention and treatment efforts in the context of comprehensive HIV care.