[Uncommon mycoses]. / Micosis infrecuentes.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infections should be suspected in severe wounds that have been contaminated with organic material or soil, even when the patient is immunocompetent. The aim of this article is to contribute to a better understanding and knowledge of the antifungal sensitivity and epidemiology of some rare pathogens that may trigger severe infections. CASE REPORT: Four different moulds were isolated from the wounds of an immunocompetent woman who was involved in a road accident: Lichtheimia corymbifera, Scedosporium boydii, Fusarium solani and Purpureocillium lilacinum. Some of them were isolated from different sites. A profile of in vitro resistance was performed with an Epsilometer (Etest™) using five antifungal agents: voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, anidulafungin an amphotericin B. The results obtained were consistent with those from other cases reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Early aggressive surgery, antifungal therapy and, above all, frequent debridement of necrotic tissue, are the tools against filamentous fungi infections. Antifungal sensitivity of any mould involved in an infection has to be determined, in order to a better understanding of these rare pathogens whose incidence is increasing.

Pyelonephritis in pregnancy. How adequate is empirical treatment?

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial treatment in pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective observational study of women admitted to the hospital with acute pyelonephritis between May 2004 and April 2011. Patients were included if the results of urine cultures and susceptibility testing to antibiotics were available. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical and outcome variables were collected from chart review. We considered inappropriate empirical antimicrobial treatment (IEAT) as the occurrence of microorganism that were not effectively treated at the time when the causative microorganism and its antibiotic susceptibility were known. RESULTS: Fifty women with appropriate microbiological data from a total of 93 cases of acute pyelonephritis were included in the study. The women's mean age was 26.4 years, and 58% were nulliparous. Pyelonephritis was developed in the 2nd and 3rd trimester in 88% of cases. Previous urinary tract infections were recorded in 34%. Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism (70%). The proportion of patients who received IEAT was 10%. Amoxicillin-clavulanate and cephalosporines were the most predominant antibiotics used, with a proportion of IEAT of 10.3% and 5.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with pyelonephritis received IEAT in a small but significant number of cases. Amoxicillin-clavulante and cephalosporines were adequate in most cases. More studies are needed to define the clinical impact of IEAT on prognosis.