[Clinical significance of Staphylococcus aureus in urine]. / Significado clínico del aislamiento de Staphylococcus aureus en muestras de orina.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the clinical significance of the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in urine samples. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on adult patients identified from a microbiology database in a 200-bed general hospital between the years 2000 and 2009. The demographic data, comorbidities, and risk factors, were reviewed, particularly those associated with the concomitant isolation of S.aureus in blood cultures. RESULTS: The frequency of S.aureus found in urine samples was 0.63%. A total of 43 patients (mean age 68.7 years [SD±16], and 58.1% males) were identified in the database. A Charlson comorbidity index >3 was observed in 20.9%. Concurrent bacteremia was seen in 48.8%. Two groups of patients were distinguished: with concomitant bacteremia (n=21) or without (n=22). Intervention in the urinary tract significantly predicted (P=.00004) bacteriuria without bacteremia (81.8%), compared to bacteremia cases (19%). The attributable mortality was 47.6% in patients with bacteremia compared to non-bacteremia (no deaths), even though the appropriate antibiotic treatment was more frequent among patients with bacteremia (92% and 60%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The presence of S.aureus in urine was accompanied by bacteremia in half of the cases, but in patients without previous urinary tract intervention such a possibility increased to 81%. Concomitant bacteremia predicts a worse prognosis even with appropriate treatment.

[Quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans and from poultry]. / Cepas de Campylobacter jejuni resistentes a quinolonas aisladas de humanos, gallinas y pollos.

Eight quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans with diarrheal disease were compared with 23 isolates from chicken and from laying hens. Samples were cultured on selective agar in microaerophilia, identified by conventional tests, and conserved in 17% glycerol at -70 C. Clones were determined by RAPD-PCR employing the 1254 primer (Stern NJ). Five patterns were obtained. Patterns I, II, and V were found in both poultry and human isolates. Pattern I was obtained from poultry in a domestic henhouse. Pattern III was only obtained from humans whereas pattern IV was only obtained from poultry. A 95.3% of clones were found in both, humans and poultry. According to these results colonization by quinolone resistant strains could be the origin of this human infection, acquired by ingestion.

[Two cases of enteritis with bacteremia due to Campylobacter jejuni]. / Dos casos de enteritis con bacteriemia por Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter is an important agent of illness in human beings. Bacteremia occurs principally in the immunocompromissed host and is frequently due to C. fetus. Nevertheless bacteremia also has been observed in patients with enteritis due to C. jejuni. We refer two cases of patients with severe enteritis and bacteremia, both of them with immunosupressive concomitant diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and chronic cirrotic hepatopathy. Both patients presented hemathemesis.

[Prevalence of the bacteria causing diarrea in a Rosario Hospital, Argentina]. / Prevalencia de las bacterias causantes de diarrea en pacientes de un Hospital de Rosario, Argentina.

Bacterial agents causing diarrea in patients attended in a hospital of Rosario, Argentina. The frequency of bacterial agents causing diarrhea can vary in patients of different areas, and through the time. In an epidemiological surveillance we studied 304 patients with diarrheal diseases looking for Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp, Aeromonas spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli. C. jejuni was isolated in 30 patients (9,9 %), Salmonella in 18 (5,9 %), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in 7 (2,3 %). Most cases due ton C. jejuni had mucus and/or blood in their feces. Unexpectedly we didn't fine any cases due to Shigella spp. There was much less cases due to EPEC than in our previous studies, and occurred only in children of less than 5 years old. It is necesary to take in consideration that C. jejuni cause nearly all the cases of diarrhea in patients with mucus and blood in their feces actually in our region.

[High relationship between ciprofloxacin use and prevalence of ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae]. / Alta correlación entre el consumo de ciprofloxacina y la prevalencia de Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de beta-lactamasas de espectro extendido.

BACKGROUND: To assess the relationship between ciprofloxacin use and the prevalence of extended spectrum betalactamases (ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Semestral mean values regarding use of antibiotic and prevalence of ESBL Kp were compared during 9 semesters using linear regression and coefficient of correlation. RESULTS: The only statistically significant correlation was ciprofloxacin use and ESBL(+) K. pneumoniae prevalence, with a coefficient of correlation of 0.86 and p = 0.0027 using linear regression. CONCLUSIONS: Ciprofloxacin use must be taking into account when considering infection control programs due to high prevalence rates of ESBL(+) K. pneumoniae in the hospital setting.

Argentinean collaborative multicenter study on the in vitro comparative activity of piperacillin-tazobactam against selected bacterial isolates recovered from hospitalized patients.

The in vitro activity of piperacillin-tazobactam and several antibacterial drugs commonly used in Argentinean hospitals for the treatment of severe infections was determined against selected but consecutively isolated strains from clinical specimens recovered from hospitalized patients at 17 different hospitals from 9 Argentinean cities from different geographic areas during the period November 2001-March 2002. Out of 418 Enterobacteriaceae included in the Study 84% were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam. ESBLs putative producers were isolated at an extremely high rate since among those isolates obtained from patients with hospital acquired infections 56% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 32% of Proteus mirabilis and 25% Escherichia coli were phenotypically considered as ESBLs producers Notably P.mirabilis is not considered by for screening for ESBL producers. ESBLs producers were 100% susceptible to imipenem and 70% were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam whereas more than 50% were resistant to levofloxacin. The isolates considered as amp C beta lactamase putative producers showed 99% susceptibility to carbapenems while 26.7% were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam and 38.4% to levofloxacin. Noteworthy only 4% of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates were resistant to amikacin. Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most active agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (MIC(90): 128 microg/ml; 78% susceptibility) but showed poor activity against Acinetobacter spp (MIC(90):>256 microg/ml; 21.7% susceptibility). Only 41.7% Acinetobacter spp isolates were susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam. Piperacillin-tazobactam inhibited 100% of Haemophilus influenzae isolates (MIC(90) < 0.25 microg/ml) but only 16.6% of them were ampicillin resistant. The activity of piperacillin-tazobactam against oxacillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus or coagulase negative staphylococci was excellent (MIC(90) 2 microg/ml; 100% susceptibility). Out of 150 enterococci 12 isolates (8%) were identified as E.faecium and only three isolates (2%), 2 E.faecium and 1 E.faecalis were vancomycin resistant. All the enterococci isolates were susceptible to linezolid. Piperacillin-tazobactam showed excellent activity (MIC(90) 2 microg/ml; 92% susceptibility). Regarding pneumococci all the isolates showed MICs of 16 microg/ml for piperacillin-tazobactam. Among 34 viridans group streptococci only 67% were penicillin susceptible and 85.2% ceftriaxone susceptible whereas piperacillin-tazobactam was very active (MIC(90) 4 microg/ml).Piperacillin-tazobactam is therefore a very interesting antibacterial drug to be used, preferably in combination (IE: amikacin-vancomycin) for the empiric treatment of severe infections occurring in hospitalized patients in Argentina. Caution must be taken for infections due to ESBL producers considering that the inoculum effect MICs can affect MIC values.

[Mycobacterium fortuitum: two patients and the same surgeon]. / Mycobacterium fortuitum: dos pacientes y un mismo cirujano.

We describe two cases of surgical site infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum after plastic surgery. Both patients were assisted by the same surgeon on differents hospitals. Both patients received combined antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement or multiple aspirative punctures. The final evolutions were satisfactory.

Infección extraintestinal debida a bacterias del género Campylobacter / Extraintestinal infections due to Campylobacter SPP

Campylobacter jejuni causa principalmente enteritis disenteriforme; los casos debidos a C. fetus son raros, mayormente bacteriemiaen inmunosuprimidos. Presentamos dos casos de enfermedad diarreica con bacteriemia, ambos con hemorragia digestiva,debida a C. jejuni, un caso inusual de infección de anerurisma de la arteria femoral y un caso de bacteriemia recurrente conprobable foco en marcapasos en un anciano sin otro factor de inmunosupresión, los dos últimos debidos a C. fetus. Todos lospacientes tuvieron evolución favorable. Recomendamos prestar atención a los hemocultivos que resulten positivos para efectuarlos subcultivos adecuados para recuperar, identificar y determinar la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos de este tipo de bacterias microaerofílicas.

Campylobacter jejuni often causes enteritis; cases due to C. fetus are rare: it causes mostly bacteremia in patients with immunosuppression.We present two cases of diarrheal disease with bacteremia, both with gastrointestinal bleeding due to C. jejuni, an unusual case ofC. fetus infection of an aneurysm in the femoral artery, and one case of recurrent C. fetus bacteremia with probably focus in apacemaker in an elderly patient without another cause of immunosuppression. All patients had a favorable evolution. We recommendspecial attention to the positive blood cultures in order to recover and identify this type of microaerophilic bacteria, and determineantimicrobial susceptibility.

Portación nasal de staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistentes en poblaciones de la comunidad / Nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in the community

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) causa infecciones graves. Las debidas a cepas resistentes a meticilina representan undesafío terapéutico. Actualmente hay un aumento de casos de infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos con inusitadagravedad debidas a S. aureus meticilinorresistentes adquiridos en la comunidad (SAMR AC) pero se desconoce latasa de colonización de la población sana en nuestro medio. El propósito de este trabajo fue determinar la portación nasal en grupos de deportistas y personas que habitan en residencias de ancianos. Se tomaron hisopados nasales de 332 personas, 180 alojados en 4 residencias de ancianos y 152 de 7 grupos de deportistas, los cuales fueron extraídos, conservados y cultivados por los métodos convencionales. La caracterización molecular fue efectuada por PCR buscando el tipo de cassette cromosómico estafilocócico con el gen mecA (SCCmecA) y el gen que codifica la leucocidina de Panton-Valentine. Se asiló SA en 83 pacientes (25%), de los cuales 40 fueron SA meticilinosensibles (21,1%) y 13 SAMR (3,9%). Ocho casos fueron clasificados fenotípicamente y genotípicamente como SAMR AC (2,4%). Todos tenían SCCmecA tipo IV. Es necesaria una atenta vigilancia ya que las infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos de la comunidad no deberían ser tratadas con antibióticos betalactámicos

Staphylococcus aureus isolates are common causes of skin and soft tissue infections and other invasive infections. Those due to methicillin resistant strains represent a therapeutic challenge. Currently there is an increase in cases due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) but the rate of colonization of the healthy population is unknown in our country. The purpose of this study was to determine nasal carriage in sportsmen and people living in nursing homes in Rosario. Nasal swabs of 101 people staying in 4 nursing homes and of 98 from 7 groups of athletes were obtained. The samples were extracted, preserved, and cultured by conventional methods. PCR was performed in order to study the type of staphylococcal chromosome cassette mecA (SCCmecA) gene and the gene encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin. S. aureus was isolated in 48 patients (24.1%), of which 40 were methicillin-sensitive S. Aureus (20.1 %), and 8 methicillin resistant S. aureus (4.0%). Five cases were characterized phenotypically and genotypically as CA-MRSA (2.5%). All of them had type IV SCCmecA. Careful surveillance is required because skin and soft tissue infections in the community should not be treated with beta-lactam antibiotics

Cepas de Campylobacter jejuni resistentes a quinolonas aisladas de humanos, gallinas y pollos / Quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans and from poultry

Se compararon 8 aislamientos de Campylobacter jejuni provenientes de humanos con enfermedad diarreica aguda, con 23 aislamientos de cloaca de gallinas y pollos obtenidos de zonas próximas a la ciudad de Rosario, todos resistentes a la ciprofloxacina. Las muestras se sembraron en agar selectivo y se incubaron en microaerofilia a 42 °C. Las colonias se identificaron con el método tradicional. Los aislamientos se conservaron a -70 °C en caldo cerebro corazón con 17% v/v de glicerina. La clonalidad se determinó por RAPD-PCR, utilizando el primer 1254 (Stern NJ). Se interpretaron los aislamientos como clones distintos cuando diferían en una banda de amplificación. Se obtuvieron 5 clones diferentes. Los patrones I, II y V fueron aislados en criaderos industriales de pollos y en humanos (el II también en un establecimiento de gallinas ponedoras de huevos). En un gallinero familiar se obtuvo el patrón I. El patrón III sólo se obtuvo de humanos. El patrón IV se halló en uno de los criaderos pero no en humanos. Se pudo determinar que 93.5% de las cepas se aislaron tanto de animales como de humanos, por lo que se considera posible que la colonización de criaderos con cepas resistentes a los antimicrobianos pudiera ser el origen de la infección de humanos.

Eight quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans with diarrheal disease were compared with 23 isolates from chicken and from laying hens. Samples were cultured on selective agar in microaerophilia, identified by conventional tests, and conserved in 17% glycerol at -70 °C. Clones were determined by RAPD-PCR employing the 1254 primer (Stern NJ). Five patterns were obtained. Patterns I, II, and V were found in both poultry and human isolates. Pattern I was obtained from poultry in a domestic henhouse. Pattern III was only obtained from humans whereas pattern IV was only obtained from poultry. A 95.3% of clones were found in both, humans and poultry. According to these results colonization by quinolone resistant strains could be the origin of this human infection, acquired by ingestion.

[Risk factors associated with ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection]. / Factores de riesgo asociados a infecciones por Klebsiella pneumoniae resistentes a ceftacidima.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors associated with ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CAZ-R Kp) infection may vary among hospitals and in the same hospital at different time points. Knowledge of these factors is required to establish suitable infection control programs. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted to assess risk factors for CAZ-R Kp infection. Thirty-two cases were compared with 28 controls admitted to a 200-bed general hospital during 1999 and 2000. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis Kp CAZ-R isolates were significantly associated with nosocomial acquisition (OR 5 17.40), prior antibiotic use (OR 5 14.94), particularly ciprofloxacin use (OR 5 5), and hospitalization stay of more than 6 days (OR 5 6.72). Significantly associated variables in the logistic regression analysis included nosocomial acquisition (OR 5 9.29), prior antibiotic use (OR 5 6.21), and particularly, ciprofloxacin use (OR 5 10.84). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts toward more rational overall antibiotic use and particularly ciprofloxacin use, combined with infection control measures are necessary to decrease the prevalence of CAZ-R Kp in our hospital.

Significado clínico del aislamiento de Staphylococcus aureus en muestras de orina / Clinical significance of Staphylococcus aureus in urine

Introducción Evaluación del significado clínico del aislamiento de Staphylococcus aureus en muestras de orina. Métodos Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en pacientes adultos identificados, entre los años 2000 y 2009, de la base de datos de microbiología en un hospital general de 200 camas. Se revisaron variables demográficas, comorbilidad y factores de riesgo, especialmente los vinculados con el aislamiento concomitante de S. aureus en sangre. Resultados La frecuencia de S. aureus en muestras de orina positivas fue del 0,63%. Cuarenta y tres pacientes fueron identificados, con una edad promedio de 68,7 años (DE ± 16), de los cuales el 58,1% fueron varones. Un índice de comorbilidad de Charlson > 3 se observó en el 20,9%. La presencia de bacteriemia simultánea se observó en el 48,8%. Se distinguieron 2 grupos de pacientes según tuvieran bacteriemia concomitante (n = 21) o no (n = 22). La instrumentación de la vía urinaria predijo significativamente (p = 0,00004) la bacteriuria sin bacteriemia (81,8%) comparada con casos bacteriémicos (19%). La mortalidad atribuible fue del 47,6% en los casos con bacteriemia comparada con los no bacteriémicos (sin muertes), aun cuando el tratamiento antibiótico adecuado fue más frecuente entre los pacientes con bacteriemia (92 y 60%, respectivamente). Conclusiones La presencia de S. aureus en orina se acompaña de bacteriemia en la mitad de los casos, y la ausencia de instrumentación previa aumenta esa posibilidad al 81%. La bacteriemia concomitante alerta sobre un peor pronóstico aun con tratamiento adecuado(AU)

Introduction To evaluate the clinical significance of the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in urine samples. Methods A retrospective study was performed on adult patients identified from a microbiology database in a 200-bed general hospital between the years 2000 and 2009. The demographic data, comorbidities, and risk factors, were reviewed, particularly those associated with the concomitant isolation of S. aureus in blood cultures. Results The frequency of S. aureus found in urine samples was 0.63%. A total of 43 patients (mean age 68.7 years [SD ± 16], and 58.1% males) were identified in the database. A Charlson comorbidity index > 3 was observed in 20.9%. Concurrent bacteremia was seen in 48.8%. Two groups of patients were distinguished: with concomitant bacteremia (n = 21) or without (n = 22). Intervention in the urinary tract significantly predicted (P = .00004) bacteriuria without bacteremia (81.8%), compared to bacteremia cases (19%). The attributable mortality was 47.6% in patients with bacteremia compared to non-bacteremia (no deaths), even though the appropriate antibiotic treatment was more frequent among patients with bacteremia (92% and 60%, respectively). Conclusion The presence of S. aureus in urine was accompanied by bacteremia in half of the cases, but in patients without previous urinary tract intervention such a possibility increased to 81%. Concomitant bacteremia predicts a worse prognosis even with appropriate treatment(AU)

Alta correlación entre el consumo de ciprofloxacina y la prevalencia de Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de ß-lactamasas de espectro extendido / High relationship between ciprofloxacin use and prevalence of ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae

Background: To assess the relationship between ciprofloxacin use and the prevalence of extended spectrum betalactamases (ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae. Patients and Methods: Semestral mean values regarding use of antibiotic and prevalence of ESBL Kp were compared during 9 semesters using linear regression and coefficient of correlation. Results: The only statistically significant correlation was ciprofloxacin use and ESBL(+) K. pneumoniae prevalence, with a coefficient of correlation of 0.86 and p = 0.0027 using linear regression. Conclusions: Ciprofloxacin use must be taking into account when considering infection control programs due to high prevalence rates of ESBL(+) K. pneumoniae in the hospital setting.

Fundamento: Evaluar la correlación entre el consumo de cefalosporinas de tercera generación y ciprofloxacina con la prevalencia de cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae productoras de ß-lactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE). Pacientes y Métodos: Los valores promedios semestrales, correspondientes a consumo y prevalencia se compararon durante 9 semestres, usando coeficiente de correlación y regresión lineal. Resultados: La única asociación que resultó estadísticamente significativa, fue la correspondiente al consumo de ciprofloxacina y K. pneumoniae BLEE (+), con un coeficiente de correlación de 0,86 y una p de 0,0027, en el análisis de regresión lineal. Conclusiones: El consumo de ciprofloxacina debe ser tenido en cuenta al momento de establecer programas de control de infecciones frente a elevadas tasas de prevalencia de K. pneumoniae productoras de BLEE en un hospital.

Estudio de un brote debido a aislados de Klebsiella pneumoniae productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en un centro asistencial de Rosario - Argentina / An outbreak of extended spectrum beta-lactamase Klebsiella pneumoniae producers in a health care center from Rosario - Argentina

En América Latina (AL) son trascendentes los productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) en infecciones hospitalarias. Los datos de API y SENTRY revelan una incidencia del 22 a 55. En AL y frecuentemente en el Cono Sur predominan las BLEE de la familia CTX-M contrariamente a EUA y Europa donde prevalecen las derivadas de TEM. Las CTX-M afectan cefotaxima, ceftriaxona y cefepima con más frecuencia que ceftacidima. El tratamiento depende del empleo de carbapenemes con el riesgo de seleccionar resistencia en bacilos gram negativos no fermentadores. El uso de otros betalactámicos particularmente cefepima no es aconsejable por las frecuentes fallas observadas en nuestro medio debido al efecto inóculo por aislados productores de CTX-M-2. Describimos un brote por Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) ocurrido entre junio-julio 2004. En el período previo, sólo un paciente presentó una infección debida a Kp productora de BLEE y en el posterior, lo presentaron dos pacientes Se determinó la CIM por microdilución en agar. El fenotipo BLEE se sospechó por ensayo del efecto del clavulanato unido a cefalosporinas de 3ª generación (C3G). Se determinó el punto isoeléctrico (pI) y la detección por PCR del tipo molecular por métodos convencionales. Se comprobaron dos bandas pI 5.4 y 8.2 con ampicilina y ceftriaxona en todas las cepas excepto en dos. Todas las cepas revelaron producción de CTX-M-2 excepto en dos cepas que se identificaron como productoras de SHV-5. Los estudios clonales se correspondieron con los moleculares identificándose dos clones. El brote se resolvió usando dos importantes medidas: 1) lavado de manos y otras medidas de barrera y 2) restringiendo el uso de C3G y ciprofloxacina

Species and serovars of enteropathogenic agents associated with acute diarrheal disease in Rosario, Argentina

Apresentamos as especies e serovars mais frequentes dos microorganismos enteropatogenos entre 1985 e 1990 em Rosario. Escherichia coli enteropatogenica (EPEC) foi a que predominou, afetando 144/570 (25,2 por cento) criancas; 0111 representou 41,8 por cento, 055 13,6 por cento, 0119 12,7 por cento. Entre as E. coli enterotoxigenicas (ETEC), ETEC-ST 0128:H21 e 155:H45 foram as mais frequentes. Entre os 570 pacientes, Shigella spp. foi diagnosticada em 50 (8,8 por cento); S. sonnei 1,6 por cento e S. dysenteriae tipo 2 (1 por cento). Foram encontrados Campylobacter spp em 6,1 por cento dos pacientes; C. jejuni 4,6 por cento, C. coli 1,4 por cento e C. lari 0,2 por cento; exceto os grupos 0 13/50 e 0 4 (dois de cada um), nao foram encontrados serogrupos predominantes...

Dos casos de enteritis con bacteriemia por Campylobacter jejuni / Two cases of enteritis with bacteremia due to Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter es un importante agente causante de enfermedad en el ser humano en nuestro medio. Los casos de bacteriemia ocurren principalmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos y sondebidos frecuentemente a C. fetus. Sin embargo la bacteriemia es un episodio que también se ha observado enpacientes con enteritis por C. jejuni. Referimos dos pacientes con enteritis grave y bacteriemia, ambos con enfermedades concomitantes compatibles con inmunodepresión: uno con síndrome nefrótico de larga data y otro con hepatopatía crónica con cirrosis. Destacamos que los dos casos presentaron hematemesis y uno de ellos,enterorragia. Sugerimos prestar atención a la coloración de Gram durante el subcultivo de los caldos conhemocultivos, en busca de formas características de esta especie, y en ese caso emplear medios de cultivo enmicroaerofilia a 37 y 42 °C

Campylobacter is an importantagent of illness in human beings. Bacteremia occurs principally in the immunocompromissed host and is frequently due to C. fetus. Nevertheless bacteremia also has been observed in patients with enteritis due to C. jejuni. We refer two cases of patients with severe enteritis and bacteremia, both of them with immunosupressive concomitant diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and chronic cirrotic hepatopathy. Both patients presented hemathemesis

Prevalencia de las bacterias causantes de diarrea en pacientes de un hospital de Rosario. Argentina / Prevalence of the bacterials causing diarrea in a Rosario Hospital, Argentina

La frecuencia de los diferentes agentes causantes de diarrea puede variar en distintas regiones, en poblaciones de diferente nivel socio económico y a través del tiempo. En 304 pacientes diarreicos, la bacteria más frecuentemente hallada fue Campylobacter jejuni, en 30 casos (9,9 %), la mayoría con heces con moco y/o sangre. Fue el agente predominante tanto en niños como en adultos. Salmonella se aisló en 18 (5,9 %) y Escherichia coli enteropatógeno (ECEP) en 7 (2,3 %). Fue llamativo que no se aislaron especies de Shigella. ECEP se aisló en muy pocos casos y sólo en niños menores de 5 años, contrastando con estudios anteriores en que se presentaba como la bacteria predominante. Debe tomarse en consideración que actualmente en nuestro medio los casos de diarrea inflamatoria mucosanguinolenta son frecuentemente causados por C jejuni.

Bacterial agents causing diarrea in patients attended in a hospital of Rosario, Argentina. The frequency of bacterial agents causing diarrhoea can vary in patients of different areas, and through the time. In an epidemiological surveillance we studied 304 patients with diarrhoeal diseases looking for Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp, Aeromonas spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli. C jejuni was isolated in 30 patients (9,9 %), Salmonella in 18 (5,9 %), and enteropathogenic E coli (EPEC) in 7 (2,3 %). Most cases due ton C jejuni had mucus and/or blood in their feces. Unexpectedly we didn’t fine any cases due to Shigella spp. There was much less cases due to EPEC than in our previous studies, and occurred only in children of les s than 5 years old. It is necessary to take in consideration that C jejuni cause nearly all the cases of diarrhoea in patients with mucus and blood in their feces actually in our region.

Endocarditis en válvula protésica causada por Corynebacterium urealyticum / Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum

Corynebacterium urealyticum es causante de cistitis inflamatoria y otras infecciones humanas. Referimos el primer caso de endocarditis en válvula protésica. Ella fue diagnosticada en un paciente de 61 años de edad con antecedentes de fiebre reumática, hipertensión, estenosis aórtica, cirugía de reemplazo valvular y triple puente aorto coronario. La cepa aislada no era de crecimiento dificultoso ni multirresistente. La endocarditis por esta bacteria es muy rara. Los difteroides, usualmente considerados contaminantes, frecuentemente colonizam las áreas quirúrgicas y deben ser tenidos en cuénta como causantes de endocarditis graves.

Evaluación de un nuevo medio con lisado globular para aislamiento de Campylobacter jejuni y Campylobacter coli / Evaluation of a new medium with globular lysate for the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

Se evaluó el rendimiento de un medio de cultivo semipreparado, conteniendo lisado globular equino, para el aislamiento de Campylobacter bajo dos atmósferas de incubación (5% O2 y jarra de vela). Se estudiaron 19 cepas conocidas de C. jejuni, 151 muestras de heces humanas y 230 muestras fecales obtenidas de animales, las que fueron sembradas en medio convencional (MC) y en medio con lisado globular (MLG) e incubadas a 42§C por 24 y 48 horas. El desarrollo de Campylobacter fure significativamente superior, en número y tamaño de las colonias, a las 48 horas de incubación en 5% O2 en ambos medios de cultivo. Todas las cepas que crecieron o fueron aisladas en MC 5% O2, también lo fueron en MLG incubado en jarra de vela. Campylobacter fue aislado en el 5,3% de las muestras de heces humanas tanto en MC como en MLG, independentemente de la atmósfera de incubación. En la smuestras de origen animal el porcentaje de aislamiento fue del 35,2% en medio Skirrow modificado y del 34,3% en MLG con un 99,13% de concordancia entre ambos medios

Absceso epidural espinal debido a Fusobacterium nucleatum / Spinal epidural abscess due to Fusobacterium nucleatum

Se refiere un caso de absceso epidural espinal que podría ser el primero comunicado debido a Fusobacterium nucleatum. Una mujer de 83 años con antecedentes de traumatismo lumbar, con intensa lumbalgia irradiada a miembros inferiores y complicada con absceso del psoas. La resonancia magnética determinó que su localización era anterior, lo cual es infrecuente. Se hizo drenaje lumbar por laminectomía y fue tratada con ceftriaxona más metronidazol durante 10 días. La evolución fue favorable sin secuelas neurológicas.