Update on the management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis at our centre. Equally effective, more efficient. / Actualización del manejo de la diverticulitis aguda no complicada en nuestro centro. Igualmente efectivo, más eficiente.

GOALS: The current trend in the treatment of non-complicated diverticulitis is the outpatient management with antibiotic or even anti-inflammatory regimens in selected cases. We present a comparison of the results in our hospital with different protocols applied in 2016 and 2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients selected for this study were diagnosed with diverticulitis grade Ia of Hinchey's classification according to radiological findings on abdominal CT. We have analyzed two retrospective cohorts: 100 patients treated in 2016 according to the old protocol and 104 patients treated in 2017 with a new protocol. In 2016, the candidates for ambulatory treatment remained under observation for 24 hours before being discharged. The treatment consisted of 14 days of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole. In 2017, only patients with more acute symptoms were observed 24 hours and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was prescribed for only 5 days. RESULTS: The persistence of the disease in 2016 was 6% and in 2017 was only 5.77% (p = 0.944). Recurrence during the first year was 13% in the first group, while in the second it was 5.7%, although this difference was not statistically significant. Likewise, a significant reduction in health costs was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis with oral treatment seems to be a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in selected patients with low comorbidity.

Results of a national survey about the management of patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of patients diagnosed of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis has evolved lately and according to the latest guidelines, outpatient treatment and management without antibiotherapy may be used in selected patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adhesión among national centres to these and others recommendations related to this pathology. METHODS: An online national survey, that has been broadcast by several applications, was performed. The results obtained were statistically analysed. RESULTS: A total of 104 surgeons participated, representing 69 national hospitals. Of those, in 82.6% of the centres, outpatient management is performed for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. 23.2% of the hospitals have a protocol stablished for treatment without antibiotherapy in selected patients. Centres that do not follow these protocols allege that the mean reasons are the logistic difficulties to set them up (49.3%) and the lack of current evidence for it (44.8%). Significative statistical differences have been found when comparing the establishment of such protocols between centres with advanced accredited units and those who are not, with higher rates of outpatient management and treatment without antibiotics in accredited units (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: In spite that this a very common disease, there is a huge national heterogeneity in its treatment. This is why it would adviseable to unify diagnostic and treatment criteria by the collaboration of scientific societies and the simplification of the development of hospitalary protocols.

Microbiological etiology and current resistance patterns in acute calculous cholecystitis.

INTRODUCTION: The current treatment for acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in association with appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy. In our country, the evolution of the prevalence of the germs involved and their resistance patterns have been scarcely described. The aim of the study was to analyze the bacterial etiology and the antibiotic resistance patterns in ACC. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study of consecutive patients diagnosed with ACC between 01/2012 and 09/2019. Patients with a concomitant diagnosis of pancreatitis, cholangitis, postoperative cholecystitis, histology of chronic cholecystitis or carcinoma were excluded. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and microbiological variables were collected, including preoperative blood cultures, bile and peritoneal fluid cultures. RESULTS: A total of 1104 ACC were identified, and samples were taken from 830 patients: bile in 89%, peritoneal fluid and/or blood cultures in 25%. Half of the bile cultures and less than one-third of the blood and/or peritoneum samples were positive. Escherichia coli (36%), Enterococcus spp (25%), Klebsiella spp (21%), Streptococcus spp (17%), Enterobacter spp (14%) and Citrobacter spp (7%) were isolated. Anaerobes were identified in 7% of patients and Candida spp in 1%. Nearly 37% of patients received inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy. Resistance patterns were scrutinized for each bacterial species. The main causes of inappropriateness were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (34%) and Enterococcus spp (45%), especially in patients older than 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: Updated knowledge of microbiology and resistance patterns in our setting is essential to readjust empirical antibiotic therapy and ACC treatment protocols.

Scientific evidence and research in antimicrobial stewardship.

Evaluating the impact of antibiotic stewardship programs is challenging. There is evidence that they are effective in terms of reducing the consumption and cost of antibiotics, although establishing their impact on antimicrobial resistance (beyond restrictive policies in outbreaks caused by specific antimicrobial resistant organisms) and clinical outcomes is more difficult. Proper definitions of exposure and outcome variables, the use of advanced and appropriate statistical analyses and well-designed quasi-experimental studies would more accurately support the conclusions. Cluster randomized trials should be used whenever possible and appropriate, although the limitations of this approach should also be acknowledged. These issues are reviewed in this paper. We conclude that there are good research opportunities in the field of antibiotic stewardship.

Retrospective study on the effectiveness and safety of the shortened 5- to 7-day antibiotic regimen for acute streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis compared to the classic 10-day regimen.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotherapy regimens for management of acute streptococcal pharyngitis traditionally last 10 days, but the development of resistance to different antimicrobials has motivated the exploration of shorter courses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected patients given a diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis in 2 paediatric caseloads of 1 primary care centre between June 2016 and April 2020. We compared outcomes in patients treated with 8- to 10-day courses versus 5- to 7-day courses. RESULTS: The analysis included 350 care episodes (252 patients). Sixty-four percent were managed with 8- to 10-day courses of antibiotherapy (group 1) and 36% with 5- to 7-day courses (group 2). There were no significant differences in the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis or scarlet fever in the 3 months that followed (OR, 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-2.03), with similar percentages in both groups (9.8% vs 9.5%). Overall, without differentiating based on the type of infection (streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever or other streptococcal infections), we found similar outcomes (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.41-1.59): 13.4% in group 1 and 11.1% in group 2. We also found no differences in the frequency of adverse events documented in the health records (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.04-2.44): 2.7% in group 1 and 0.8% in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, a shorter antibiotic course (5-7 days) is not less effective or more unsafe for management of acute streptococcal pharyngitis than the traditional 10-day course.

Urinary tract infection as the main cause of admission in cystectomized patients. / La infección del tracto urinario como causa principal de ingreso en pacientes cistectomizados.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion associated with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy continues to be the treatment of choice in muscle invasive bladder cancer. Sixty-four percent of patients submitted to this procedure present postoperative complications, with urinary infection being responsible in 20-40% of cases. The aim of this project is to assess the rate of urinary infection as a cause of re-admission after cystectomy, and to identify protective and predisposing factors for urinary infection in our environment. Finally, we will evaluate the outcomes after the establishment of a prophylactic antibiotic protocol after removal of ureteral catheters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of cystectomized patients in the Urology Service of the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Zaragoza, from January 2012 to December 2018. A urinary tract infection (UTI) prevention protocol after catheter removal is established for all patients since October 2017. RESULTS: UTI is responsible for 54.7% of readmissions, with 55.1% of these being due to UTI after removal of ureteral catheters. Of the patients who received with prophylaxis, 9.5% presented UTIs after withdrawal, compared to 10.6% in the group of patients without prophylaxis. The patient who is re-admitted for UTI after withdrawal has a mean catheter time of 24.3±7.2 days, compared to 24.5±7.4 days for patients in the group without UTI (P=.847). CONCLUSIONS: The type of urinary diversion performed is not related to the rate of urinary infection. The regression model does not identify antibiotic prophylaxis, nor catheter time, as independent factors of UTI after catheter removal.

Consensus Document on Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children. SENP-SEPAR-SEIP. / Documento de consenso sobre la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en los niños. SENP-SEPAR-SEIP.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent disease among children and is frequently associated with both diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainties. Consensus has been reached between SEPAR, SENP and SEIP, and their conclusions are as follows.

Executive summary: Diagnosis and Treatment of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection: Clinical Guidelines of the Spanish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (SEIMC) and the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC).

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) constitute an important cause of hospital-acquired infection associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. The aim of these guidelines is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CRBSI in adults. Prevention of CRBSI is excluded. Experts in the field were designated by the two participating Societies (Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica and the Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias). Short-term peripheral venous catheters, non-tunneled and long-term central venous catheters, tunneled catheters and hemodialysis catheters are covered by these guidelines. The panel identified 39 key topics that were formulated in accordance with the PICO format. The strength of the recommendations and quality of the evidence were graded in accordance with ESCMID guidelines. Recommendations are made for the diagnosis of CRBSI with and without catheter removal and of tunnel infection. The document establishes the clinical situations in which a conservative diagnosis of CRBSI (diagnosis without catheter removal) is feasible. Recommendations are also made regarding empirical therapy, pathogen-specific treatment (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Sthaphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida spp), antibiotic lock therapy, diagnosis and management of suppurative thrombophlebitis and local complications.

DRESS syndrome due to antibiotic therapy of osteoarticular infections in children: two case reports.

Osteoarticular infection in children frequently occurs before 10 years of age. Surgical drainage is sometimes required, whereas acute osteomyelitis can be treated with antibiotic therapy alone. The duration of antibiotic therapy varies, 2 weeks is sufficient for septic arthritis, whereas 6 weeks is often required for complicated cases. Some of these antibiotic drugs present direct complications with low clinical impact in certain individuals. Hypersensitivity to these drugs causes different reactions in children. DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe and potentially life-threatening drug reaction. It is characterised by high fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy and skin rash. From a clinical perspective, these symptoms can lead to an exacerbation of the initial infectious process for which treatment was commenced. The liver is the organ most often affected in DRESS syndrome associated with haematological changes, potentially similar to sepsis. We present two cases of children with osteoarticular infections who developed DRESS syndrome after antibiotic therapy. Both patients made a complete recovery after cessation of the antibiotic drugs used.

Epidemiología, tratamiento y mortalidad en pacientes infectados por enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas: estudio retrospectivo / Epidemiology, treatment and mortality in infection by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: retrospective study

Resumen Introducción: Las enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas (EPC) suponen un reto para la salud pública y la práctica clínica. Objetivo: Analizar la epidemiología, el tratamiento y la mortalidad en pacientes infectados por EPC. Material y Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de 163 pacientes infectados por EPC en un hospital universitario desde julio de 2013 a octubre de 2015. Resultados: Klebsiella pneumoniae fue aislada en 95,1% de los casos, y la mayoría de las carbapenemasas pertenecían al grupo OXA-48 (93%). La adquisición fue nosocomial en 124 casos (77%), asociada a cuidados sanitarios en 30 (18,6%), y 7 (4,3%) fueron de adquisición comunitaria. Las infecciones más frecuentes fueron las del tracto urinario (48,4%) y las respiratorias (19,5%). Aproximadamente, la mitad de los pacientes recibieron monoterapia antimicrobiana. La tasa de mortalidad a los 30 días fue de 23,3%. El análisis multivariante identificó que la presencia de shock séptico al diagnóstico (OR 4,2; IC 95% 1,5-11) estaba asociada de manera independiente con mayor mortalidad en el primer mes, sin lograr identificar asociación con el tratamiento antimicrobiano inapropiado. Discusión: Son necesarios más estudios para aclarar si el tratamiento antimicrobiano de las infecciones por EPC debe ser combinado o si podría ser suficiente la monoterapia en infecciones leves.

Abstract Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has become a significant problem in terms of public health and clinical outcome. Objective: To assess the epidemiology, treatment and mortality in patients with infection due to CPE. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 163 patients with CPE infection was carried out in a university hospital from July 2013 to October 2015. Results: A total of 163 patients were included over the study period. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in 95.1% of cases, and most of carbapenemases belonged to the OXA-48 group (93.0%). Acquisition was nosocomial in 124 cases (77.0%), healthcare-associated in 30 (18.6%), and 7 cases (4.3%) were community-acquired. The most frequent infections identified in this study were urinary tract (48.4%) and respiratory (19.5%) infections. Approximately half of the patients received antibiotic monotherapy. The 30-day mortality rate was 23.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of septic shock at diagnosis (OR 4.2; IC 95% 1.5-11) was independently associated with an increase in death during the first month, unable to identify association with inappropriate antibiotic treatment. Discussion: Further studies are needed to clarify whether antibiotic treatment of EPC infections should be combined or if monotherapy might be sufficient in mild infections.

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de las enterocolitis necrosantes neonatales de siete hospitales públicos

Resumen Introducción: Enterocolitis necrosante (ECN) representa una elevada mortalidad y morbilidad post-quirúrgica, gastrointestinal y del neuro-desarrollo. Existe limitada información en Chile. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento clínico/epidemiológico de recién nacidos que cursaron con ECN. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico descriptivo de pacientes con ECN de siete hospitales de Santiago, Chile, durante el 2016. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y análisis univariable/multivariable (software SPSS v22). Resultados: Se recolectaron 75 casos. Mediana de edad al diagnóstico fue 11 días, el promedio de edad gestacional 29 semanas y peso de nacimiento 1.285 g. La incidencia fue 2,6 por 1.000/recién nacidos vivos y letalidad de 18,6%, mayor en ≤ 750 g, ≤ 25 semanas y ECN quirúrgica. Hubo aislamiento microbiológico en 45,3% y se utilizaron 19 distintos esquemas antimicrobianos empíricos para el tratamiento de ECN. El análisis multivariable mostró tendencia a que la ECN fuese quirúrgica en usuarios de catéter umbilical arterial, PCR > 10 mg/L y aislamiento microbiológico, y hubo tendencia a fallecer en usuarios de catéter umbilical arterial. Discusión: Es el primer estudio multicéntrico que recopila información de datos locales. La incidencia fue similar a la descrita en la literatura médica, en cambio la letalidad fue algo menor. No existen consensos del tratamiento antimicrobiano a utilizar. Con estos resultados esperamos avanzar en mejorar el diagnóstico y unificar tratamientos antimicrobianos, para reducir cifras de morbimortalidad.

Abstract Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) presents high mortality and postoperative, gastrointestinal and neurodevelopmental morbidity. There is limited information about NEC in Chile. Aim: To describe the clinical/epidemiological behavior of newborns who underwent NEC. Methods: Multicenter descriptive study of patients with NEC from seven hospitals of Santiago, Chile, during 2016. Descriptive statistics and univariate/multivariate analysis were performed (SPSS v22 software). Results: 75 cases were collected. Median days of life at diagnosis was 11, gestational age was 29 weeks, birth weight 1,114 g. The incidence was 2.6 per 1,000 live newborns and mortality was 18.6%, higher in ≤ 750 g, ≤ 25 weeks and surgical NEC. There was 45.3% microbiological isolation and 19 different empirical antibiotic schemes were used for the treatment of NEC. The multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of surgery in umbilical arterial catheter users, CRP > 10 mg/L and positive microbiological isolation. The highest risk of death was in umbilical arterial catheter users. Discussion: This ie the first multicenter study that collects local data information. The incidence was similar to that found in medical reports but with a lower mortality. There is no consensus of antibiotic treatment to use. With these results we hope to advance in improving the diagnosis and unify antimicrobial treatments, to reduce morbidity and mortality figures.

Hemivulvectomía radical por gangrena de fournier en mujer con antecedente de radioterapia pélvica / Radical hemivulvectomy due to Fournier's gangrene in a woman with a history of pelvic radiotherapy

RESUMEN La Gangrena de Fournier es una infección necrotizante que afecta al área genitourinaria, perineal y perianal. Se trata de una infección muy grave con una rápida evolución a estadios avanzados y una elevada tasa de morbimortalidad asociada. Sin embargo, con frecuencia tiende a ser infradiagnosticada. Es vital en su manejo un diagnóstico basado en la sospecha clínica e inicio del tratamiento quirúrgico precoz con desbridamiento y exéresis de los tejidos afectos. Además, es crucial la asociación de antibioterapia de amplio espectro y el apoyo nutricional de soporte en el pronóstico de dicha entidad. En este artículo se revisa un caso clínico de Gangrena de Fournier, en una paciente con antecedentes de osteítis púbica y cistitis derivadas del tratamiento mediante radioterapia pélvica, diagnosticado y tratado con una hemivulvectomía radical, antibioterapia y lavados quirúrgicos en nuestro Hospital.

ABSTRACT The Fournier's Gangrene is a necrotizing infection which is located in the perineal area. It´s a severe infection, which involves a quick evolution to advanced stages where a high morbimortality rate is associated. However, it often tends to be underdiagnosed in early stages. The most important in the diagnosis is a high clinical suspicion and subsequent surgical treatment which is base on a desbridalment and exeresis of the affected tissues. In addition, the association of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and nutritional support are crucial. This report reviews a clinical case of Fournier's Gangrene, in a patient with a history of radiation induced cystitis and pubic osteitis after pelvic radiotherapy, diagnosed and treated with a radical hemivulvectomy, antibiotic therapy and lavages in our Hospital.