Development of a Risk Prediction Model for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infection After Liver Transplantation: A Multinational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients colonized with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are at higher risk of developing CRE infection after liver transplantation (LT), with associated high morbidity and mortality. Prediction model for CRE infection after LT among carriers could be useful to target preventive strategies. METHODS: Multinational multicenter cohort study of consecutive adult patients underwent LT and colonized with CRE before or after LT, from January 2010 to December 2017. Risk factors for CRE infection were analyzed by univariate analysis and by Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, with death as competing event. A nomogram to predict 30- and 60-day CRE infection risk was created. RESULTS: A total of 840 LT recipients found to be colonized with CRE before (n = 203) or after (n = 637) LT were enrolled. CRE infection was diagnosed in 250 (29.7%) patients within 19 (interquartile range [IQR], 9-42) days after LT. Pre- and post-LT colonization, multisite post-LT colonization, prolonged mechanical ventilation, acute renal injury, and surgical reintervention were retained in the prediction model. Median 30- and 60-day predicted risk was 15% (IQR, 11-24) and 21% (IQR, 15-33), respectively. Discrimination and prediction accuracy for CRE infection was acceptable on derivation (area under the curve [AUC], 74.6; Brier index, 16.3) and bootstrapped validation dataset (AUC, 73.9; Brier index, 16.6). Decision-curve analysis suggested net benefit of model-directed intervention over default strategies (treat all, treat none) when CRE infection probability exceeded 10%. The risk prediction model is freely available as mobile application at https://idbologna.shinyapps.io/CREPostOLTPredictionModel/. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical prediction tool could enable better targeting interventions for CRE infection after transplant.

Effective definition of low humoral response to Clostridioides difficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Determination of the humoral response to Clostridioides difficile (CD) toxins could be of great value in the management of patients with CD infection (CDI). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on the clinical characteristics and humoral response in patients with CDI. Determination of ELISA IgG CD anti-toxin B (tgcBiomics, Germany) was performed. The following dilutions were planned for each patient, 1:100, 1: 200, 1: 400, 1: 800: 1: 1600. A significant concentration of antibody was considered to be present in each dilution if an optical density 0.2 units higher than the negative control of the technique was evident. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included during the study period, November 2018-February 2020. The median age was 73 years (interquartile range: 62.5-85 years), with female predominance (45 patients, 52.9%). Thirty-nine patients (45.9%) had a severe infection. Seven patients (8.2%) had suffered an episode of CDI in the previous three months. Seventeen patients (20%) had one or more recurrent episodes during the three-month follow-up: No patient died during admission or required surgery for severe-complicated infection. The incidence of recurrence in patients with no antibody detected at 1:400 dilution was 25.4% (16 patients) while it was 4.3% (one patient) in patients with antibody present at that dilution (p = 0.03). Liver cirrhosis was associated with higher humoral response against CD. CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies IgG CD anti-toxin B detection at a dilution of 1:400, using a B ELISA technique, effectively identified patients at increased risk of recurrence. This information could help assist in the management of patients.

Risk Factors for Clostridium Difficile Diarrhea in Patients With Solid Organ Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about specific risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). METHOD: A retrospective study comparing cases of CDI in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with controls (SOT recipients who did not present CDI). RESULTS: Thirty patients with SOT from 1340 transplantation recipients had at least 1 episode of CDI (2.23%). The accumulated incidence was 3.06% in liver transplantation, 2.78% in lung transplantation, 2.36% in kidney transplantation, and 0.33% in heart transplantation. Seven (23%) cases occurred during the first 2 months. Fifteen (50%) cases were community acquired. Colonoscopy was performed in 6 (20%) cases, but pseudomembranes were observed in only 1 (16%) case. Independent variables found to be related to CDI were previous treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; odds ratio [OR] 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-32.0), immunosuppressive regimen including mycophenolate (OR 5.2; 95%CI 1.1-18), hospitalization during the previous 3 months (OR 5.1; 95%CI 1.1-17), and antibiotic treatment during the previous month (OR 6.7; 95%CI 1.4-23). Five (16.7%) patients did not respond to the initial treatment. Recurrences were noted in 6 (20%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplant recipients presented the highest incidence. Risk factors for CDI were previous treatment with PPIs, immunosuppressive regimen containing mycophenolate, prior hospitalization, and prior antibiotic treatment.

Managing Emergency Situations in the Smart City: The Smart Signal.

In a city there are numerous items, many of them unnoticed but essential; this is the case of the signals. Signals are considered objects with reduced technological interest, but in this paper we prove that making them smart and integrating in the IoT (Internet of Things) could be a relevant contribution to the Smart City. This paper presents the concept of Smart Signal, as a device conscious of its context, with communication skills, able to offer the best message to the user, and as a ubiquitous element that contributes with information to the city. We present the design considerations and a real implementation and validation of the system in one of the most challenging environments that may exist in a city: a tunnel. The main advantages of the Smart Signal are the improvement of the actual functionality of the signal providing new interaction capabilities with users and a new sensory mechanism of the Smart City.

[Surgical site infections: antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery]. / Infección de la localización quirúrgica. Profilaxis antimicrobiana en cirugía.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are very common, and represent more than 20% of all hospital-acquired infections. SSIs are associated with a higher mortality, as well as to an extended hospital stay and costs, depending on the surgical procedure and type of SSI. Advances in control practices for these infections include improvement in operating room ventilation, sterilization methods, barriers, and surgical techniques, as well as in surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis. For the latter, the antimicrobial agent should: be active against the most common pathogens, be administered in an appropriate dosage and in a time frame to ensure serum and tissue concentrations over the period of potential contamination, be safe, and be administered over the shortest effective time period to minimize adverse events, development of resistances, and cost.

Control strategies for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at different levels of the healthcare system.

There has been a rapid increase in recent years in the incidence of infection and colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). A number of clusters and outbreaks have been reported, some of which have been contained, providing evidence that these clusters and outbreaks can be managed effectively when the appropriate control measures are implemented. This review outlines strategies recommended to control CPE dissemination both at the healthcare facility level (acute and long-term care) and from the public health point of view. A dedicated prepared plan should be required to prevent the spread of CPE at the hospital level. At the front line, activities should include management of patients at admission and new cases, active surveillance culturing and definition of high-risk groups. High compliance with standard precautions for all patients and full or modified contact precautions for defined categories of patients should be implemented. Long-term care facilities are areas where dissemination can also take place but more importantly they can become a reservoir as patients are admitted and released to other Health care facilities. From the public health point of view, surveillance must be tailored to identify regional spread and interfacility transmission to prevent further dissemination. Finally, a comprehensive set of activities at various levels is necessary to prevent further spread of these bacteria in the community.

Attributable mortality of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales: results from a prospective, multinational case-control-control matched cohorts study (EURECA).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the mortality attributable to infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and to investigate the effect of clinical management on differences in observed outcomes in a multinational matched cohort study. METHODS: A prospective matched-cohorts study (NCT02709408) was performed in 50 European hospitals from March 2016 to November 2018. The main outcome was 30-day mortality with an active post-discharge follow-up when applied. The CRE cohort included patients with complicated urinary tract infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, pneumonia, or bacteraemia from other sources because of CRE. Two control cohorts were selected: patients with infection caused by carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacterales (CSE) and patients without infection. Matching criteria included type of infection for the CSE group, hospital ward of CRE detection, and duration of hospital admission up to CRE detection. Multivariable and stratified Cox regression was applied. RESULTS: The cohorts included 235 patients with CRE infection, 235 patients with CSE infection, and 705 non-infected patients. The 30-day mortality (95% CI) was 23.8% (18.8-29.6), 10.6% (7.2-15.2), and 8.4% (6.5-10.6), respectively. The difference in 30-day mortality rates between patients with CRE infection when compared with patients with CSE infection was 13.2% (95% CI, 6.3-20.0), (HR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.55-4.26; p < 0.001), and 15.4% (95% CI, 10.5-20.2) when compared with non-infected patients (HR, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.57-5.77; p < 0.001). The population attributable fraction for 30-day mortality for CRE vs. CSE was 19.28%, and for CRE vs. non-infected patients was 9.61%. After adjustment for baseline variables, the HRs for mortality were 1.87 (95% CI, 0.99-3.50; p 0.06) and 3.65 (95% CI, 2.29-5.82; p < 0.001), respectively. However, when treatment-related time-dependent variables were added, the HR of CRE vs. CSE reduced to 1.44 (95% CI, 0.78-2.67; p 0.24). DISCUSSION: CRE infections are associated with significant attributable mortality and increased adjusted hazard of mortality when compared with CSE infections or patients without infection. Underlying patient characteristics and a delay in appropriate treatment play an important role in the CRE mortality.

Lead, mercury and cadmium in umbilical cord blood and its association with parental epidemiological variables and birth factors.

BACKGROUND: In Spain, few studies have evaluated prenatal exposure to heavy metals. The objective of this study was to describe lead, mercury and cadmium concentrations in blood from a sample of newborn-mother-father trios, as well as to investigate the association between metals in cord blood and parental variables. We also explored the relationship between cord blood metal concentrations and child characteristics at birth. METHODS: Metal correlations among family members were assessed using Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient. Linear regression was used to explore the association between parental variables and log-transformed cord blood lead and cord blood mercury concentrations. In the case of cadmium, tobit regression was used due to the existence of samples below the detection limit. The association between cord blood metal concentrations and child characteristics at birth was evaluated using linear regression. RESULTS: Geometric means for lead, mercury and cadmium were 14.09 µg/L, 6.72 µg/L and 0.27 µg/L in newborns; 19.80 µg/L, 3.90 µg/L and 0.53 µg/L in pregnant women; and 33.00 µg/L, 5.38 µg/L and 0.49 µg/L in men. Positive correlations were found between metal concentrations among members of the trio. Lead and cadmium concentrations were 15% and 22% higher in newborns from mothers who smoked during pregnancy, while mercury concentrations were 25% higher in newborns from mothers with greater fish intake. Cord-blood lead levels showed seasonal periodicity, with lower concentrations observed in winter. Cord blood cadmium concentrations over 0.29 µg/L were associated with lower 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce the need to establish biomonitoring programs in Spain, and provide support for tobacco smoke and fish consumption as important preventable sources of heavy metal exposure in newborns. Additionally, our findings support the hypothesis that cadmium exposure might be deleterious to fetal development.

[The effect of Clostridium difficile infection on length of hospital stay. A cohort study]. / Efecto de la infección por Clostridium difficile sobre la estancia hospitalaria. Estudio de cohortes.

INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile is responsible for a spectrum of diseases known as "Clostridium difficile infection" (CDI). It is currently the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in developed countries. This infection has been associated with both increased hospital stay and mortality, and to a greater likelihood of readmission. In our country these undesirable effects have not yet been characterized. Our objective was to quantify the increase in hospital stay attributable to infection by C.difficile. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study matched by age, sex and admission date, was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital during an outbreak of nosocomial transmission of CDI. RESULTS: The cohort study included 38 infected, and 76 non-infected patients. Patients who developed CDI showed a higher proportion of malnutrition at admission (OR=10.3; 3.6 to 29.6), were exposed to a wider range of antibiotics (mean difference=1.5; 0.7-2.2), had a higher mortality (31.6% vs. 6.6% of controls, P<.001), and a longer hospital stay (median 31.5 days versus 5.5 days for controls, P<.001). After adjustment, infection by C.difficile was associated with an increase in hospital stay of 4 days (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: C.difficile infection has important consequences on the length of hospital stay, and therefore on health costs.

Nosocomial outbreak of VIM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates of multilocus sequence type 15: molecular basis, clinical risk factors, and outcome.

We study the epidemiology, molecular basis, clinical risk factors, and outcome involved in the clonal dissemination of VIM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in the hospital setting. All patients infected/colonized by carbapenem-nonsusceptible K. pneumoniae (CNSKP) in 2009 were included. Molecular epidemiology was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Antibiotic resistance genes were analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Plasmids were studied by PFGE with S1 nuclease digestion and for incompatibility group by a PCR-based replicon typing scheme. Risk factors associated with CNSKP colonization/infection were assessed by an observational case-control study. All 55 patients studied were infected (n = 28) or colonized (n = 27) by VIM-1-producing K. pneumoniae. All but one acquired isolates of a single clone (PFGE cluster 1 [C1], sequence type 15 [ST15]), while another clone (PFGE C2, ST340) was detected in four patients. C1 isolates also produced the new extended-spectrum ß-lactamase SHV-134. bla(VIM-1) was carried in a class 1 integron and an untypeable plasmid of ∼50 bp. The number of days that the patient received mechanical ventilation, the use of parenteral nutrition, previous treatment with linezolid, and treatment with extended-spectrum cephalosporins for more than 7 days were detected to be independent risk factors for CNSKP acquisition. The VIM-1-producing K. pneumoniae ST15 clone has a high capacity to spread among intensive care unit patients with severe underlying conditions. A high rate of associated mortality and great difficulty in controlling the spread of this clone, without permanent behavioral changes in the personnel, were observed.

Outcome of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in solid organ transplant recipients: a prospective and multicentre cohort study.

Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Information about CDAD in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is scarce. To determine its epidemiology and risk factors, we conducted a cohort study in which 4472 SOT patients were prospectively included in the RESITRA/REIPI (Spanish Research Network for the Study of Infection in Transplantation) database between July 2003 and July 2006. Forty-two episodes of CDAD were diagnosed in 36 patients. The overall incidence was 0.94%. Median onset of infection was 31.5 days (range 6-741); in half the cases, onset occurred during the first month after transplantation. In 26% of cases, there was no previous antibiotic use. Independent risk factors for CDAD using Cox regression analysis were previous use of first- and second-generation cephalosporins (HR 3.68; 95%CI 1.8-7.52; P < 0.001), ganciclovir prophylactic use (HR 3.09; 95%CI 1.44-6.62; P = 0.004) and corticosteroid use before transplantation (HR 2.95; 95%CI 1.1-7.9; P = 0.031). There were no deaths related to CDAD. In summary, the incidence of CDAD in SOT was low, most cases were diagnosed soon after transplantation and the prognosis was good.

Study of the therapeutic effects of a hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy: a stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hippotherapy (when applied by a simulator) improves postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial with an independent assessor. Stratification was made by gross motor function classification system levels, and allocation was concealed. SUBJECTS: Children between 4 and 18 years old with cerebral palsy. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to an intervention (simulator ON) or control (simulator OFF) group after getting informed consent. Treatment was provided once a week (15 minutes) for 10 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Gross Motor Function Measure (dimension B for balance and the Total Score) and Sitting Assessment Scale were carried out at baseline (prior to randomization), end of intervention and 12 weeks after completing the intervention. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children participated. The groups were balanced at baseline. Sitting balance (measured by dimension B of the Gross Motor Function Measure) improved significantly in the treatment group (effect size = 0.36; 95% CI 0.01-0.71) and the effect size was greater in the severely disabled group (effect size = 0.80; 95% CI 0.13-1.47). The improvements in sitting balance were not maintained over the follow-up period. Changes in the total score of the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Sitting Assessment Scale were not significant. CONCLUSION: Hippotherapy with a simulator can improve sitting balance in cerebral palsy children who have higher levels of disability. However, this did not lead to a change in the overall function of these children (Gross Motor Function Classification System level V).

[Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in Spain]. / Epidemiología de la infección por Clostridium difficile en España.

There has been increasing interest in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) due its association with healthcare and its impact on morbidity and mortality in the elderly. During the last few years there has been a growing increase in the number of published studies on the incidence, changes on the clinical presentation and on the epidemiology, with the description of new risk factors. The frequency of CDI in Spain is not sufficiently characterised. The available data indicates that incidence is within the range of that of surrounding countries but increasing. Furthermore, the high and growing use of broad spectrum antibiotics, both in our hospitals and in the community setting, are factors that favour the increase of the disease. The hyper-virulent ribotype 027 has not spread in our hospitals. We need to know with enhanced validity and accuracy the incidence of CDI, both community and healthcare-associated, the information on outbreaks, the incidence on certain population groups, the characterisation of circulating ribotypes and the impact of the disease in terms of mortality and health costs. We need to implement programs for the improvement of antibiotic therapy in the hospital, as well as in the community. Furthermore, the knowledge and the performance of standard precautions need to be improved, particularly hand hygiene, and the specific measures to limit the transmission of C. difficile among the healthcare institutions.

[Programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics (PROA) in Spanish hospitals: GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH and SEMPSPH consensus document]. / Programas de optimización de uso de antimicrobianos (PROA) en hospitales españoles: documento de consenso GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH y SEMPSPH.

The antimicrobial agents are unique drugs for several reasons. First, their efficacy is higher than other drugs in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Also, antibiotics are the only group of drugs associated with ecological effects, because their administration may contribute to the emergence and spread of microbial resistance. Finally, they are used by almost all medical specialties. Appropriate use of antimicrobials is very complex because of the important advances in the management of infectious diseases and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the implementation of programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics in hospitals (called PROA in this document) is necessary. This consensus document defines the objectives of the PROA (namely, to improve the clinical results of patients with infections, to minimise the adverse events associated to the use of antimicrobials including the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, and to ensure the use of the most cost-efficacious treatments), and provides recommendations for the implementation of these programs in Spanish hospitals. The key aspects of the recommendations are as follows. Multidisciplinary antibiotic teams should be formed, under the auspices of the Infection Committees. The PROA need to be considered as part of institutional programs and the strategic objectives of the hospital. The PROA should include specific objectives based on measurable indicators, and activities aimed at improving the use of antimicrobials, mainly through educational activities and interventions based more on training activities directed to prescribers than just on restrictive measures.

[Aetiology of surgical infections in patients undergoing craniotomy]. / Etiología de las infecciones quirúrgicas en pacientes sometidos a craneotomía.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infections in patients undergoing craniotomy constitute significant complications associated with increased hospital stay and patient morbidity and mortality. Knowing the aetiology of surgical infections after craniotomy may contribute to improving antibiotic prophylaxis and empirical treatment. METHOD: Information relating to surgical infections in patients undergoing craniotomy was obtained from a series of annual surveys on prevalence of infections in Spanish hospitals (EPINE) during the period 1999-2006. The study protocol collected relevant clinical information on patients with infection. Presence of infection was determined according to the Centres for Disease Control infection criteria. RESULTS: During the time period considered, 107 cases of surgical infections in patients undergoing craniotomy were diagnosed. Forty patients were women (37%) and 67 were male (63%). The mean age was 51.7 years (median 55, range 6-86 years). The duration of the intervention was over 180minutes in 49 patients (45.8%).Thirty-eight patients (35.5%) underwent emergency surgery. Seventy-eight patients (73%) received surgical prophylaxis. Thirty-eight patients (35.5%) had superficial infection of the surgical wound, 38 patients (35.5%) had deep wound infection (including bone flap) and 31 patients (29%), postoperative infections of organ or space (meningitis, subdural empyema or brain abscess). The most common aetiology corresponded to staphylococci (50%), mainly S. aureus (one third of them methicillin-resistant), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%), Enterobacter spp (10%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (9%). CONCLUSION: Empirical treatment of these infections should include a glycopeptide such as vancomycin and a beta-lactam with coverage against non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli.

Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in hospitalized patients in Spain: An eight-year review (2012-2019).

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a disease that is potentially preventable by vaccination. A good knowledge of its epidemiology, which can change over time, is warranted for prevention purposes and to help decision-making on the use of vaccines in public health programs. The objective of the research was to determine the epidemiology of healthcare-associated CDI (HA-CDI) and community-associated CDI (CA-CDI) in hospitalized patients in Spain using point prevalence data. METHODS: Point prevalence survey data on infections of hospitalized patients for years 2012-2019 were analyzed. HA-CDI and CA-CDI prevalence rates were calculated. Both HA-CDI and CA-CDI, as well as age group prevalence rates, were examined for trends. Patient comorbidities were tested for association to CDI. RESULTS: The prevalence of CDI in Spanish hospitals has grown exponentially from 14.1% in 2012 to 35.9% in 2019 (cases/10.000 hospitalized patients). Almost two thirds of the cases are of nosocomial onset. This increase was observed for HA-CDI and CA-CDI at an annual rate of 1.11% (CI 95% 1.08-1.15) and 1.09% (CI 95% 1.04-1.13), respectively. Patients 50 years old or older represent 87% of the total number of cases. Patients suffering from neoplasm (OR 1.39), immunodeficiency (OR 3.26), neutropenia (OR 3.70), cirrhosis (OR 1.92) and chronic renal failure (OR 1.91) have a significant increased risk of developing CDI, after adjusting for age. CONCLUSION: In Spain, the prevalence rate of both HA-CDI and CA-CDI have been increasing. Burden of CDI as well as clinical and epidemiological characteristics of CDI patients will help to support public health decision-making.

SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence among all healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been a critical and vulnerable population during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the overall seroprevalence and to evaluate occupational risk factors among HCWs in one of the countries most affected by this pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a seroprevalence study for SARS-CoV-2 in a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain) between 24 April and 8 May 2020. A total of 4894 HCWs were invited for serologic testing. Serum samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA) and Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) techniques. We calculated odds ratios to assess association between demographic and occupational characteristics with SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. RESULTS: We processed 4324 serum samples. Overall, seroprevalence was of 16.6% (95% CI: 15.5-17.7). We found statistically significant differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by type of employee, professional category, department and type of activity performed during the pandemic period, while no differences were identified between the personnel working in the COVID-19 wards compared to those working in non-COVID-19 wards. We confirmed 268 (26.7%) infections among 1005 hospital staff members tested by PCR. 60.5% of HCWs infected by SARS-CoV-2, assessed either by PCR or serology, could be considered asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection but COVID-19 patient exposure was not a determining factor. Universal mask wearing should be mandatory in healthcare settings given the important number of asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic cases.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Profile of Candidemia and the Incidence of Fungemia Due to Fluconazole-Resistant Candida parapsilosis.

Severely ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of nosocomial infections. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of candidemia during the pre-pandemic period (January 2019−February 2020) compared to the pandemic period (March 2020−September 2021). Antifungal susceptibilities were assessed using the EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2 broth dilution method. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates (FRCP) were studied for sequencing of the ERG11 gene. The incidence of candidemia and C. parapsilosis bloodstream infection increased significantly in the pandemic period (p = 0.021). ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition and corticosteroids administration were more frequent in patients with candidemia who had been admitted due to COVID-19. Fifteen cases of FRCP fungemia were detected. The first case was recorded 10 months before the pandemic in a patient transferred from another hospital. The incidence of FRCP in patients admitted for COVID-19 was 1.34 and 0.16 in all other patients (p < 0.001). ICU admission, previous Candida spp. colonization, arterial catheter use, parenteral nutrition and renal function replacement therapy were more frequent in patients with candidemia due to FRCP. All FRCP isolates showed the Y132F mutation. In conclusion, the incidence of candidemia experienced an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic and FRCP fungemia was more frequent in patients admitted due to COVID-19.

[Microbiology of surgical site infections in abdominal tract surgery patients]. / Microbiología de las infecciones del sitio quirúrgico en pacientes intervenidos del tracto digestivo.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the microbiology of surgical infections after abdominal surgery can be of use when prescribing effective empirical antibiotic treatments. METHOD: Analysis of surgical infections after abdominal surgery in patients enrolled in the Prevalence of Infections in Spanish Hospitals (EPINE) corresponding to the years 1999-2006. RESULTS: During the period of the study, 2,280 patients who were subjected to upper or lower abdominal tract surgery were diagnosed with an infection at the surgical site (SSI). Eight hundred and eighty three patients (37%) had an operation of the upper abdominal tract (gastric, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic surgery) and 1,447 patients (63%) lower abdominal tract surgery (appendectomy and colon surgery). A total of 2,617 bacterial species were isolated in the 2,280 patients included in the analysis. The most frequent microorganisms isolated were, Escherichia coli (28%), Enterococcus spp. (15%), Streptococcus spp. (8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (5%, resistant to methicillin 2%). In the surgical infections after upper abdominal tract procedures, there were a higher proportion of isolations of staphylococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp. and Candida albicans and less Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium spp. CONCLUSION: The microbiology of SSI produced after upper abdominal tract surgery did not show any significant differences compared to those of the lower tract. However, more cases of SSI were detected due to staphylococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp. and Candida albicans and less caused by Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium spp.

Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in hospitalized patients in Spain: An eight-year review (2012-2019).

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a disease that is potentially preventable by vaccination. A good knowledge of its epidemiology, which can change over time, is warranted for prevention purposes and to help decision-making on the use of vaccines in public health programs. The objective of the research was to determine the epidemiology of healthcare-associated CDI (HA-CDI) and community-associated CDI (CA-CDI) in hospitalized patients in Spain using point prevalence data. METHODS: Point prevalence survey data on infections of hospitalized patients for years 2012-2019 were analyzed. HA-CDI and CA-CDI prevalence rates were calculated. Both HA-CDI and CA-CDI, as well as age group prevalence rates, were examined for trends. Patient comorbidities were tested for association to CDI. RESULTS: The prevalence of CDI in Spanish hospitals has grown exponentially from 14.1% in 2012 to 35.9% in 2019 (cases/10.000 hospitalized patients). Almost two thirds of the cases are of nosocomial onset. This increase was observed for HA-CDI and CA-CDI at an annual rate of 1.11% (CI 95% 1.08-1.15) and 1.09% (CI 95% 1.04-1.13), respectively. Patients 50 years old or older represent 87% of the total number of cases. Patients suffering from neoplasm (OR 1.39), immunodeficiency (OR 3.26), neutropenia (OR 3.70), cirrhosis (OR 1.92) and chronic renal failure (OR 1.91) have a significant increased risk of developing CDI, after adjusting for age. CONCLUSION: In Spain, the prevalence rate of both HA-CDI and CA-CDI have been increasing. Burden of CDI as well as clinical and epidemiological characteristics of CDI patients will help to support public health decision-making.