Imported Arbovirus Infections in Spain, 2009-2018.

To determine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients in Spain with imported arbovirus infections, we analyzed 22,655 records from a collaborative network for January 2009-December 2018. Among 861 arbovirus infections, 845 were monoinfections (456 [53%] dengue, 280 [32.5%] chikungunya, 109 [12.7%] Zika) and 16 (1.8%) were co-infections. Most patients were travelers (56.3%) or immigrants returning to Spain after visiting friends or relatives (31.3%). Median patient age was 37 years; most (62.3%) were women and some (28.6%) had received pretravel advice. Only 12 patients were immunosuppressed. Six cases (all dengue monoinfections, none in immunosuppressed patients) were severe. Since 2014, nondengue arbovirus infections increased; until 2016, chikungunya and Zika were most common. Imported arbovirus infections (mostly dengue) were frequently diagnosed, although increased chikungunya and Zika virus infections coincided with their introduction and spread in the Americas. A large proportion of cases occurred in women of childbearing age, some despite receipt of pretravel advice.

An outbreak due to Candida auris with prolonged colonisation and candidaemia in a tertiary care European hospital.

Multidrug-resistant Candida auris has emerged as a cause of insidious hospital outbreaks and complicated infections. We present the analysis of an ongoing C. auris outbreak including the largest published series of C. auris bloodstream infection. All C. auris-positive patients from April-2016 to January-2017 were included. Environmental, clinical and microbiological data were recorded. Definitive isolate identification was performed by ITS-rDNA sequencing, and typing by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting. One hundred and forty patients were colonised by C. auris during the studied period (68% from surgical intensive care). Although control measures were implemented, we were not able to control the outbreak. Forty-one invasive bloodstream infections (87.8% from surgical intensive care) were included. Clinical management included prompt intravascular catheter removal and antifungal therapy with echinocandins. All isolates were fluconazole- and voriconazole-resistant, but echinocandin- and amphotericin B-susceptible. Thirty-day mortality rate was 41.4%, and severe septic metastasis as spondylodiscitis and endocarditis were observed in 5 patients (12%). C. auris was also recovered from inanimate patient surroundings and medical equipment. Despite antifungal treatment, high mortality and late complication rates were recorded. Molecular typing suggested a clonal outbreak different from those previously published.

Imported malaria in Spain (2009-2016): results from the +REDIVI Collaborative Network.

BACKGROUND: Imported malaria is a frequent diagnosis in travellers and migrants. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with imported malaria within a Spanish collaborative network registering imported diseases (+REDIVI). In addition, the possible association between malaria and type of case, gender, age or area of exposure was explored. METHODS: Cases of imported malaria were identified among all cases registered in the +REDIVI database during the period October 2009-October 2016. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical characteristics were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 11,816 cases of imported infectious diseases were registered in +REDIVI's database between October 2009 and October 2016. Immigrants seen for the first time after migration accounted for 60.2% of cases, 21.0% of patients were travellers, and 18.8% were travellers/immigrants visiting friends and relatives (VFRs). There were 850 cases of malaria (850/11,816, 7.2%). Malaria was significantly more frequent in men than in women (56.8% vs 43.2%) and in VFR-immigrants (52.6%) as compared to travellers (21.3%), immigrants (20.7%) and VFR-travellers (5.4%) (p < 0.001). Although this data was not available for most patients with malaria, only a minority (29/217, 13.4%) mentioned correct anti-malarial prophylaxis. Sub-Saharan Africa was found to be the most common region of acquisition of malaria. Most common reason for consultation after travel was a febrile syndrome although an important proportion of immigrants were asymptomatic and presented only for health screening (27.3%). Around 5% of travellers presented with severe malaria. The most prevalent species of Plasmodium diagnosed was Plasmodium falciparum (81.5%). Malaria due to Plasmodium ovale/Plasmodium vivax was frequent among travellers (17%) and nearly 5% of all malaria cases in immigrants were caused by Plasmodium malariae. CONCLUSIONS: Malaria was among the five most frequent diagnoses registered in +REDIVI's database. Some significant differences were found in the distribution of malaria according to gender, type of case, species. Among all malaria cases, the most frequent diagnosis was P. falciparum infection in VFR-immigrant men.

Characteristics of HIV infected individuals traveling abroad. Results from the +REDIVI Collaborative Network.

INTRODUCTION: The improvement in the prognosis of HIV infection, coupled with the increase in international travel and migration, has led to a rising number of HIV infected travelers. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of returning travelers, according to their HIV status. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted including travelers and immigrants who traveled to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) registered in the +REDIVI collaborative network (January-2009; October-2014). +REDIVI is a national network that registers information regarding infections imported by travelers and immigrants at 21 different centers using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: A total of 3464 travellers were identified: 72 were HIV+ (2.1%) and 3.392 HIV- (98%). HIV+ vs. HIV- travelers were often older (40.5y vs. 34.2y P=.001), VFRs (79.1% vs. 44.4%; P<.001), and consulted less for pre-travel advice (27% vs. 37%; P=.078). The main destinations for both groups were sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The most frequent reasons for consultation after travel were fever, request for a health examination, gastrointestinal complaints, and abnormal laboratory tests (mainly eosinophilia and anemia), which differed between groups. The most frequent diagnoses in HIV+ travelers were malaria (38.8%), newly diagnosed HIV infection (25%), and intestinal parasites (19.4%), while for HIV- travelers the main diagnoses were "healthy" (17.9%), malaria (14%), and intestinal parasites (17.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The typical profile of an HIV+ traveler in +REDIVI was that of a VFR traveler who did not seek pre-travel advice and made high-risk trips. This may increase the chance of acquiring travel-related infections which may pose a special risk for HIV-infected travelers. The post-travel visit was a good opportunity for HIV infection screening.

Trends in imported infections among migrants and travellers to Spain: a decade of analysis through the +Redivi network (2012-2022).

BACKGROUND: High-speed global travel, increased trade, world population growth, migration, urbanization and climate change have favoured the emergence and spread of pathogens. We aimed to analyse the evolution of imported infections in Spain during 2012-2022 and the potential impact of some of the abovementioned factors on differential morbidity patterns. METHODS: In this retrospective study (January 2012 to December 2022), we analysed data collected by the +Redivi network across 25 health centres. The network's standardised database records new cases of imported infections, including patient demographics, travel history, pre-travel advice and diagnostic information. To assess outcome rates over time and potential interactions, we constructed penalized weighted models to reduce the bias related to a low event rate and used weighted logistic regression for morbidity outcomes. RESULTS: We recorded 25 632 episodes, comprising 13 913 migrants, 4047 visiting friends and relatives (VFR) immigrants, 392 VFR travellers and 7280 travellers. Most immigrants came from South America (48.3%), Sub-Saharan Africa (28.5%), North Africa (6.6%), South Central Asia (5.4%) and Central America/Caribbean (5.3%). The most common regions visited by travellers were Sub-Saharan Africa (33.5%), South America (24.5%), Central America/Caribbean (13.5%), Southeast Asia (12%) and South Central Asia (10%). The proportion of diagnoses of malaria, strongyloidiasis and unspecified self-limiting febrile syndrome < 3 weeks remained unchanged during the study period. An increased frequency of diagnosis was reported for schistosomiasis, blastocystosis, giardiasis, dengue, diarrhoea, new cases of HIV, latent and pulmonary tuberculosis, whereas a decrease was reported for syphilis, chikungunya fever, Chagas disease and eosinophilia. We detected interactions between time and sex or type of participant across the different diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underscores the importance of epidemiological data in understanding infectious diseases dynamics among travellers and migrants, emphasizing how demographic shifts, migration trends and healthcare policies affect disease profiles. Comprehensive data play an essential role in enhancing public health policies and travel advice.

Rickettsioses imported by travellers and migrants to Spain attended in the +Redivi network, 2009-2020.

BACKGROUND: Rickettsioses are emerging zoonotic diseases with worldwide prevalence, recognized as a cause of imported fever in travellers and migrants. Our objective is to describe the microbiological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of imported rickettsioses in travellers and migrants included in a Spanish collaborative network database. METHODS: This multicentre retrospective observational study was nested in +Redivi, the Cooperative Network for the Study of Infections Imported by Immigrants and Travellers. We asked collaborating centres for microbiological, clinical and epidemiological data on the rickettsiosis cases from the inception of the network in 2009 to December 2020. RESULTS: Fifty-four cases of imported rickettsioses were included; 35 (64.8%) patients were men, and the median age was 37 years (interquartile range 26, 51.2). Only 7.4% of patients were travellers visiting friends and relatives, and 5.6% were migrants. The most frequent travel destination (38.9%) was South Africa, and 90.7% engaged in a high-risk activity. Twenty-seven patients (50.0%) started presenting symptoms after their return to Spain. The most frequent symptoms were febrile syndrome (55.6%) and cutaneous manifestations (27.8%). Most diagnoses (63.0%) were confirmed by serology. Only a few cases (9.3%) required hospitalization. All participants had a full recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should suspect rickettsial diseases in travellers coming from high-risk areas, especially Southern Africa, who have engaged in activities in rural areas and natural parks. Doxycycline should be considered in the empiric treatment of imported fever of travellers coming from those areas or who have engaged in high-risk activities. There is a need to improve access to molecular diagnosis of rickettsiosis in Spain.

Use of sera cell free DNA (cfDNA) and exovesicle-DNA for the molecular diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease.

Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease, is now considered a worldwide health concern as a result of migratory movements from Central and South America to other regions that were considered free of the disease, and where the epidemiological risk is limited to transplacental transmission or blood or organ donations from infected persons. Parasite detection in chronically ill patients is restricted to serological tests that only determine infection by previous infection and not the presence of the parasite, especially in patients undergoing treatment evaluation or in newborns. We have evaluated the use of nucleic acids from both circulating exovesicles and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from 50 samples twice randomly selected from a total of 448 serum samples from immunologically diagnosed patients in whom the presence of the parasite was confirmed by nested PCR on amplicons resulting from amplification with kinetoplastid DNA-specific primers 121F-122R. Six samples were randomly selected to quantify the limit of detection by qPCR in serum exovesicles. When the nucleic acids thus purified were assayed as a template and amplified with kinetoplastid DNA and nuclear satellite DNA primers, a 100% positivity rate was obtained for all positive samples assayed with kDNA-specific primers and 96% when SAT primers were used. However, isolation of cfDNA for Trypanosoma cruzi and amplification with SAT also showed 100% positivity. The results demonstrate that serum exovesicles contain DNA of mitochondrial and nuclear origin, which can be considered a mixed population of exovesicles of parasitic origin. The results obtained with serum samples prove that both cfDNA and Exovesicle DNA can be used to confirm parasitaemia in chronically ill patients or in samples where it is necessary to demonstrate the active presence of the parasite. The results confirm for the first time the existence of exovesicles of mitochondrial origin of the parasite in the serum of those affected by Chagas disease.

Trends in imported malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain (+Redivi Collaborative Network).

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in prevention and management strategies for malaria globally. Currently, data analysing trends in travel-related infections during the pandemic years are scarce. The objective of this analysis was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with imported malaria within the +Redivi network in Spain, focusing on yearly trends from pre-pandemic years to date. METHODS: Cases recorded in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2021 were analysed and patients with a diagnosis of malaria (standard diagnostic methods using thick/thin peripheral blood smears, with/without a malaria rapid diagnostic test and/or Plasmodium spp. polymerase chain reaction) were identified. The total number of malaria cases, cases according to type of patient and severe cases, per year, were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 1751 cases of malaria (1751/26 601, 6.6%) were identified. The majority occurred in males (1041, 59.5%), median age was 36.3 (interquartile range: 27-44.7) years and most occurred in visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants (872, 49.8%). Most infections were acquired in sub-Saharan Africa (1.660, 94.8%) and were due to Plasmodium falciparum (81.3%). There were 64 cases of severe malaria (3.7%) and 4 patients died (0.2% mortality, all in pre-pandemic years). A significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed during the study period (P < 0.001) (attributable to the increase in 2021). There were 16/93 severe cases in 2021 (17.2%), all due to Plasmodium falciparum, (compared with ≤ 5% in previous years), which mainly occurred in travellers and VFR-immigrants (10/16, 62.5% and 5/16, 31.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: After an initial decline associated with travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in imported malaria and a significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed. Patients with imported malaria may present and/or be diagnosed late during this public health crisis and health care professionals should be alerted to the recent increase in severe cases.

Frequency and characteristics of HTLV in migrants: results from the +Redivi collaborative network in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to describe the main characteristics of migrants diagnosed with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection within the +Redivi Spanish network. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of HTLV type 1 or 2 in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2020 were included. Diagnosis was based on positive HTLV serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)) with line immunoassay (LIA)/Western blot with/without polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 107/17 007 cases (0.6%) had a final diagnosis of HTLV infection: 83 (77.67%) HTLV-1 infections, 6 (5.6%) HTLV-2 infections and 18 (16.8%) non-specified. The majority (76, 71%) were female, median age was 42 years and median time from arrival to Spain until consultation was 10 years. The group included 100 (93.5%) immigrants and 7 (6.6%) visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants. Most patients were from South America (71, 66.4%), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (15, 14%) and Central America-Caribbean (13, 12.1%). Around 90% of patients were asymptomatic at presentation and diagnosed as part of screening programs. Median duration of follow-up was 5 years (IQR 2-7). Regarding HTLV-associated conditions, 90 patients (84.2%) had none, 7 (6.5%) had tropical spastic paraparesis , 5 (4.7%) had other associated conditions (dermatitis, uveitis, pulmonary disease), 3 (2.8%) had other neurological symptoms and 2 (1.9%) had adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. No patients with HTLV-2 had HTLV-associated conditions. Four patients (3.7%) died. Concomitant diagnoses were found in 41 (38.3%) patients, including strongyloidiasis in 15 (14%) and HIV co-infection in 4 (3.7%). In 70% of patients, screening of potential contacts was not performed/recorded. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV infections (the majority due to HTLV-1) were mainly diagnosed in asymptomatic migrants from Latin America (generally long-settled immigrants and the majority female with the consequent implications for screening/prevention). A high rate of association with strongyloidiasis was found. In the majority, screening of potential contacts was not performed, representing a missed opportunity for decreasing the under diagnosis of this infection.

Heterogeneity in Cystic Echinococcosis Management Among Spanish Centers: Results from a National Survey.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the availability of different procedures, diagnostic tests, and treatments, as well as the procedures and techniques used in the management of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study performed from September to December 2018 in Spain. A survey directed to CE-treating clinicians was conducted to collect information regarding the center characteristics and the different protocols of management followed. Thirty-nine centers among 76 contacted centers participated in the survey, most of them belonging to the public health system and attending both adult and children. The median number of patients with CE attended during the last three years per center was 15. Percutaneous techniques were used only in seven centers, and surgery was the most frequently used therapeutic approach. Drugs and duration of treatment (both when administered exclusively or when combined with surgery/puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration) were very variable depending on the centers. There is a high variability in the management of CE among Spanish centers. These results stress the importance of promoting the diffusion of existing knowledge, adapting the WHO recommendations to our setting, and referring patients to referral centers at a national level.

Imported cysticercosis in Spain: A retrospective case series from the +REDIVI Collaborative Network.

BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic neurological disease worldwide and a major cause of epilepsy. Spain is the country reporting the highest number of NCC imported cases in Europe. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective case series of NCC patients registered in the +REDIVI Network from October 1, 2009 to July 2018. A specific questionnaire, including clinical and diagnostic characteristics, was created and sent to the collaborator centers. RESULTS: 46 cases were included in the analysis. 55% were male, mean age of 40 years. 95.6% were migrants. The median duration since migration from an endemic area was 10 years. Predominant nationalities were Ecuadorians (50%) and Bolivians (30.4%). Frequent locations were parenchymal (87%), subarachnoid (26.1%) and intraventricular cysts (10.9%). Serological analysis was performed in 91.3%, being 54.8% positive. Most prevalent clinical manifestations were persistent headache (60.9%), epilepsy (43.5%) and visual changes (13%). Patients were mainly treated with albendazole (76.1%), corticosteroids (67.4%), and anticonvulsionants (52.2%). 82.5% had a favorable clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Most NCC cases were long-standing migrants. Few clinical differences were observed depending on the cysticerci location. The treatment was often not according to current recommendations, and no uniform criteria were followed when it came to the therapeutic regimen. NCC case management in Spain (including clinician awareness and laboratory capacity improvements) needs to be strengthened.

Detection and treatment of Candida auris in an outbreak situation: risk factors for developing colonization and candidemia by this new species in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug-resistant yeast causing hospital outbreaks. This study describes the first 24 months of the ongoing C. auris outbreak in our hospital and analyzes predisposing factors to C. auris candidemia/colonization. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A 12-month prospective, case-controlled study was performed including a total of 228 patients (114 colonized/candidemia and 114 controls). Data from the first 79 candidemia episodes and 738 environmental samples were also analyzed. Definitive C. auris identification was performed by ITS sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility was carried out by EUCAST methodology. RESULTS: Polytrauma (32%), cardiovascular disease (25%), and cancer (17%) were the most common underlying condition in colonized/candidemia patients. Indwelling CVC (odds ratio {OR}, 13.48), parenteral nutrition (OR, 3.49), and mechanical ventilation (OR, 2.43) remained significant predictors of C. auris colonization/candidemia. C. auris was most often isolated on sphygmomanometer cuffs (25%) patient tables (10.2%), keyboards (10.2%), and infusion pumps (8.2%). All isolates were fully resistant to fluconazole (MICs >64 mg/L) and had significantly reduced susceptibility to voriconazole (GM, 1.8 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Predictor conditions to C. auris colonization/candidemia are similar to other Candida species. C. auris colonizes multiple patient's environment surfaces. All isolates are resistant to fluconazole and had significant reduced susceptibility to voriconazole.

[GEMICOMED/GEIRAS-SEIMC recommendations for the management of Candida auris infection and colonization]. / Recomendaciones GEMICOMED/GEIRAS-SEIMC para el manejo de las infecciones y colonizaciones por Candida auris.

Candida auris is a new species of Candida that causes nosocomial outbreaks in several countries around the world, including Spain. C.auris is resistant to fluconazole and multi- and pan-resistant strains have been described. It is highly transmissible and can survive long term in the hospital environment, causing long-lasting outbreaks that are difficult to detect in early stages, and making it difficult to control and eradicate. It is currently an emerging threat to global health. This document provides a set of guidelines, developed by a multidisciplinary team, to limit the impact and facilitate the control of C.auris infection based on the experiences gathered in the Spanish and English outbreaks. The implementation of early and strict surveillance and control measures is essential to prevent the spread of the outbreak, which can spread over time, posing a significant risk to complex, critical and immunocompromised surgical patients. Immediate notification of C.auris isolation to clinical and infection control teams, as well as to health authorities and institutions, is essential to implement infection control measures at all levels in a timely manner, to prevent internal and inter-centre transmission, and to ensure a proper surveillance and prevention to patients who are already colonized and can develop an infection.

6-year review of +Redivi: a prospective registry of imported infectious diseases in Spain.

Background: Understanding and detecting imported diseases is a priority in the prevention and management of prevalent and emergent infectious diseases acquired abroad. The +Redivi network measures the burden of imported infections in Spain and is essential for closing the gap in travel medicine. Methods: Demographic characteristics, travel information, syndromes and confirmed travel-related diagnoses were registered in a standardised online database. Results: A total of 10 767 cases of imported infectious diseases were registered between October 2009 and December 2015. Of these, 60.8% of cases were immigrants seen for the first time after arrival, 20.6% were travellers, and 18.4% were individuals visiting friends and relatives (VFR [immigrants and travellers]). The median time between arrival and medical consultation was 5.5 years for immigrants, 2.0 weeks for travellers, 3.1 weeks for VFR-travellers and 11.4 for VFR-immigrants. The most prevalent diagnoses were Chagas disease in immigrants and nonspecific acute diarrhoea in travellers. Malaria by P. falciparum was one of the most prevalent diagnoses among VFR. More than half the travellers saw a physician before travelling, although one-third of those for whom antimalarial medication was indicated did not take their medication correctly. As for VFR, only 10.4% of VFR-immigrants and 32.5% of VFR-travellers sought pre-travel advice. Only 23 and 21%, respectively, of those for whom antimalarial prophylaxis was indicated took the medication properly. Conclusions: +Redivi provides a clear picture of the prevalence of imported infectious diseases among travellers and immigrants in Spain. The data collected could be used to improve everyday health care provided to travellers and immigrants after travel, to guide pre-travel consultations and to monitor the potential occurrence of tropical or exotic infectious diseases.

The C-terminal region of Trypanosoma cruzi MASPs is antigenic and secreted via exovesicles.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected and emerging tropical disease, endemic to South America and present in non-endemic regions due to human migration. The MASP multigene family is specific to T. cruzi, accounting for 6% of the parasite's genome and plays a key role in immune evasion. A common feature of MASPs is the presence of two conserved regions: an N-terminal region codifying for signal peptide and a C-terminal (C-term) region, which potentially acts as GPI-addition signal peptide. Our aim was the analysis of the presence of an immune response against the MASP C-term region. We found that this region is highly conserved, released via exovesicles (EVs) and has an associated immune response as revealed by epitope affinity mapping, IFA and inhibition of the complement lysis assays. We also demonstrate the presence of a fast IgM response in Balb/c mice infected with T. cruzi. Our results reveal the presence of non-canonical secreted peptides in EVs, which can subsequently be exposed to the immune system with a potential role in evading immune system targets in the parasite.

[Boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy in HIV-infected patients: results of a study in a real life setting]. / Monoterapia con inhibidores de la proteasa potenciados en pacientes infectados por el VIH: resultados de un estudio en la "vida real".

BACKGROUND: Boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy may offer antiviral efficacy while reducing drug interactions, costs and toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) monotherapy in a real life setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all HIV infected patients, who had initiated DRV/r or LPV/r monotherapy, was performed. Patients whose HIV viral load had remained undetectable for at least two consecutive follow-up visits and who had no neurocognitive disorder or hepatitis B co-infection, were included. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. The median (IQR) time to follow-up was 66 (33-118) weeks. The proportions (CI95%) of patients with virological failure were 6.3% (1.7- 20.2) and 25.0% (12.7-43.4), respectively, in the DRV/r and LPV/r groups (p= 0.0424). The proportions (CI95%) of patients with therapeutic success were 90.6% (80.5-100) in the DRV/r group and 60.7% (42.6-78.8) in the LPV/r group (p=0.0063). No protease inhibitor mutations were detected. During the follow-up, 6 patients with dyslipidemia normalized their lipid values. The median monthly cost was 410 (IQR 242-416) euros per person lower for the monotherapy than for the combined antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy was effective in a real life setting. This study showed differences in favour of DRV/r as compared with LPV/r in terms of therapeutic success; however prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. Finally, although this study was not specifically designed to detect benefits in terms of costs and lipid profile, it shows evidence of a positive impact of monotherapy in these fields.

Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for the Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs in Biological and Clinical Samples.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi has been classified into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), designated as TcI-TcVI. In order to effectively use this standardized nomenclature, a reproducible genotyping strategy is imperative. Several typing schemes have been developed with variable levels of complexity, selectivity and analytical sensitivity. Most of them can be only applied to cultured stocks. In this context, we aimed to develop a multiplex Real-Time PCR method to identify the six T. cruzi DTUs using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR). METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The MTq-PCR has been evaluated in 39 cultured stocks and 307 biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients from different geographical regions and transmission cycles in comparison with a multi-locus conventional PCR algorithm. The MTq-PCR was inclusive for laboratory stocks and natural isolates and sensitive for direct typing of different biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients with acute, congenital infection or Chagas reactivation. The first round SL-IR MTq-PCR detected 1 fg DNA/reaction tube of TcI, TcII and TcIII and 1 pg DNA/reaction tube of TcIV, TcV and TcVI reference strains. The MTq-PCR was able to characterize DTUs in 83% of triatomine and 96% of reservoir samples that had been typed by conventional PCR methods. Regarding clinical samples, 100% of those derived from acute infected patients, 62.5% from congenitally infected children and 50% from patients with clinical reactivation could be genotyped. Sensitivity for direct typing of blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients (32.8% from asymptomatic and 22.2% from symptomatic patients) and mixed infections was lower than that of the conventional PCR algorithm. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Typing is resolved after a single or a second round of Real-Time PCR, depending on the DTU. This format reduces carryover contamination and is amenable to quantification, automation and kit production.

[Role of daptomycin in the treatment of infections in patients with hematological malignancies]. / Papel de la daptomicina en el tratamiento de las infecciones en el paciente oncohematológico.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial infections in patients with hematological neoplasms carry high morbidity and mortality. Gram-positive microorganisms can cause more than half of the bacterial infections in patients with febrile neutropenia, especially bacteremias. Effective coverage against these infections in these hosts, especially the immunodepressed, is required. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the literature published in the last decade on infections in patients with hematological malignancies, with or without febrile neutropenia. Emphasis was placed on publications analyzing the processes caused by Gram-positive microorganisms and the management of these infections (whether bacteremic or otherwise) through traditional drugs (glycopeptides) and the new antibiotics (linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin). RESULTS: There was a notable scarcity of studies on the treatment of infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer through treatment with the new antimicrobial drugs. Especially striking was the lack of comparative studies. Specifically, in the case of daptomycin, there were no randomized comparative trials in patients with febrile neutropenia, although there were observational retrospective studies or case studies [European Cubicin(®) Outcome Registry and Experience (EUCORE)] with a large number of patients (around 200) with oncological malignancies. In the three main studies, the overall favorable response rates were between 65% and 90%, with a therapeutic success rate of 85% in patients with severe febrile neutropenia. At the same time, the safety profile of daptomycin was shown to be highly favorable with good tolerability and a low rate of adverse effects (< 10% for those directly related to the antibiotic) which, on very few occasions, were severe or led to treatment withdrawal. The nephrotoxicity rate was much lower than that caused by vancomycin in historical control groups, although there were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Daptomycin is a safe and effective therapeutic alternative in the treatment of bacterial infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer, with or without neutropenia. However, further studies are required to support the use of this drug in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia.