Bloodstream infections caused by Escherichia coli producing AmpC ß-lactamases: epidemiology and clinical features.

The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of bloodstream infections due to Escherichia coli producing AmpC ß-lactamases (AmpC-Ec-BSI). In a multi-centre case-control study, all third-generation-cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli BSI (3GC-Ec-BSI) isolates were analysed. Acquired bla AmpC (bla ac-AmpC) detection was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Chromosomal bla AmpC (bla c-AmpC) expression was quantified by real-time PCR. Cases were patients with AmpC-Ec-BSI. Controls were patients with cephalosporin-susceptible E. coli BSI, matched 1:1 by sex and age. Demographics, comorbidities, intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for antimicrobial resistance, clinical presentation and outcomes were investigated. Among 841 E. coli BSI, 17 were caused by AmpC-Ec (2 %). Eleven isolates (58.8 %) had bla ac-AmpC and six were bla c-AmpC overproducers. The mean age of cases was 66.2 years and 71 % were men. Cases were more frequently healthcare-related (82 vs. 52 % controls, p < 0.05) and presented more intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. At least one risk factor was present in 94.1 % of cases vs. 41.7 % of controls (p = 0.002). Severity and length of stay (LOS) were higher among cases (mean Pitt Score 2.6 vs. 0.38 in controls, p = 0.03; LOS 17.5 days vs. 6 in controls, p = 0.02). Inappropriate empirical therapy (IET) was administered to 70.6 % of cases and 23.5 % of controls (p < 0.003). No differences were found in terms of cure rate at the 14th day and mortality. Bloodstream infections due to AmpC-Ec (mostly plasmid-mediated) are infrequent in our area. AmpC-Ec-BSI affects mainly patients with intrinsic risk factors and those with previous antibiotic exposure. A high proportion received IET.

Aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia among adults in an H1N1 pandemic year: the role of respiratory viruses.

This study aimed to determine the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by adding polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to conventional methods and to describe the clinical and laboratory features between patients with bacterial pneumonia (BP) and viral pneumonia (VP). Adults with CAP admitted from November 2009 to October 2010 were included. Demographics, comorbidities, severity and clinical features were recorded. Conventional microbiological methods included blood and sputum cultures, acute and convalescent serologic samples, and antigen urinary detection. New methods included multiplex PCR for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis and 15 respiratory viruses. A total of 169 patients were included. Using conventional methods, we identified a pathogen in 51 % of cases. With PCR, up to 70 % of cases had an aetiological diagnosis. Forty-five patients had BP (34 %), 22 had VP (17 %) and 25 (19 %) had co-infection (BP and VP). Pneumococci and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were the most frequently identified pathogens. Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) median values were significantly higher in BP than in VP patients. Shaking chills, higher CURB score and shock were significantly more frequent in BP. A viral infection was identified in more than one-third of patients with CAP. Clinical and laboratory features could help to differentiate between VP and BP and to guide empirical therapy.

Bilateral lung and liver hydatid cysts. Case report.

Introduction. Synchronous occurrence of pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts is an uncommon manifestation of hydatid disease that is observed in less than 10% of cases. We report a rare case of bilateral lung (with bronchial fistula) and liver cyst, surgically treated after medical therapy. Case report. A 44-year-old housewife reporting fever, anorexia and fatigue that had been present for the previous 20 days received diagnosis of bilateral lung and liver hydatid cyst. Because of the dimensions of right lung cyst and the successive bronchial fistolization, we proceeded to three-stage operation of two thoracotomies and a laparotomy to control the risk of further rupture. After surgery, all post-operatives were uneventful. Complete resolution of the therapy with no evidence of recurrence at 2 years follow-up. Conclusion. We emphasize the need to search for additional hydatids in patients who present with either pulmonary or liver hydatids. The simultaneous treatment of liver and lung should be reserved to patients in good conditions; in all other cases, especially when one cyst is more symptomatic than the others or has more risk of rupture, we prefer to treat single cyst.

A rare case of giant papillary adenoma of the breast.

The authors present a case of giant papillary adenoma of the breast and discuss their therapeutic strategy. The patient subsequently returned due to a local recurrence, which was treated with oncoplastic surgery, with satisfactory aesthetic results. The authors conclude by stressing the considerable rarity of this disease and the need for effective cooperation between surgeons and pathologists.

Decreased mortality among patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections at Catalan hospitals (2010-2019).

BACKGROUND: The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) has fallen over the last decade, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). AIM: To assess the existence of concomitant trends in outcomes and to analyse the current risk factors for mortality. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted at 24 Catalan hospitals participating in the Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in Catalonia (VINCat). All hospital-acquired CRBSI episodes diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2019 were included. A common protocol including epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data was prospectively completed. Mortality at 30 days after bacteraemia onset was analysed using the Cox regression model. FINDINGS: Over the study period, 4795 episodes of CRBSI were diagnosed. Among them, 75% were acquired in conventional wards and central venous catheters were the most frequently involved (61%). The 30-day mortality rate was 13.8%, presenting a significant downward trend over the study period: from 17.9% in 2010 to 10.6% in 2019 (hazard ratio (HR): 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-0.98). The multivariate analysis identified age (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.04), femoral catheter (1.78; 1.33-2.38), medical ward acquisition (2.07; 1.62-2.65), ICU acquisition (3.45; 2.7-4.41), S. aureus (1.59; 1.27-1.99) and Candida sp. (2.19; 1.64-2.94) as risk factors for mortality, whereas the mortality rate associated with episodes originating in peripheral catheters was significantly lower (0.69; 0.54-0.88). CONCLUSION: Mortality associated with CRBSI has fallen in recent years but remains high. Intervention programmes should focus especially on ICUs and medical wards, where incidence and mortality rates are highest.

The impact of time on the systemic inflammatory response in pneumococcal pneumonia.

The aim of our study was to analyse the impact of time from onset of symptoms on the systemic cytokine concentrations in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Adults with severe pneumococcal pneumonia were prospectively included. At admission, vital signs, time from onset of pneumonia symptoms and circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1ra were recorded. 32 patients were included; 13 patients had <48 h of evolution and 19 patients had been sick for >48 h. The group with a longer time of evolution presented higher plasmatic levels of TNF-alpha (19.1+/-8.5 versus 35.5+/-26 pg.mL(-1)), fibrinogen (6+/-1.8 versus 9+/-2); CRP (130+/-85 versus 327+/-131) and SAA (678+/-509 versus 984+/-391). Concentrations of TNF-alpha were associated with the presence of bacteraemia, initial blood pressure <90 mmHg and with a lower oxygen saturation at admission. Likewise, TNF-alpha levels were correlated with concentrations of IL-1beta (r = 0.49), IL-6 (r = 0.41) and IL-8 (r = 0.40). In pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with a longer time of evolution presented with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a higher expression of acute phase proteins, suggesting a sustained release of pneumococcal antigens over time.

[Adrenal incidentaloma in elderly patients]. / Gli incidentalomi surrenalici nell'anziano.

The adrenal incidentaloma is a disease that, thanks to the progress of the modern diagnostic, means for the longer and more high quality of life, has given a progressive increase in its impact, which has become more apparent in the elderly population. The authors after a review of literature on the impact and diagnostic, troubleshooting data endocrinology and imaging, these adrenal gland silent tumor clinically poses, envisage a therapeutic for use in older patient protocol.

Weighting the impact of virulence on the outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the association between the lethality of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Caenorhabditis elegans model and outcomes of P. aeruginosa bloodstream infections. METHODS: A total of 593 P. aeruginosa bloodstream isolates recovered from a prospective Spanish multicentre study were analysed. Clinical variables, susceptibility profiles and Type III Secretion System (TTSS) genotypes (exoU/exoS genes) were available from previous studies. A C. elegans virulence score (CEVS) was used, classifying the isolates into high (CEVS 4-5), intermediate (CEVS 3) and low (CEVS 1-2) virulence. The main outcome analysed was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Up to 75% (446/593) of the isolates showed a high-virulence phenotype, and 17% (101/593) a low-virulence one. No association between virulence phenotype and the main outcome variable (30-day mortality) was found (29/101 (28.7%) versus 127/446 (28.5%), p 1). However, an inverse association between C. elegans virulence and multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant profiles was documented (OR 0.655 (95% CI 0.571-0.751) and OR 0.523 (95% CI 0.436-0.627), p <0.001, respectively), whereas the exoU genotype was significantly more frequent among isolates showing high virulence (10/101 (9.9%) versus 112/446 (25.1%), p <0.001). Moreover, although significance was not reached, strains showing a high-virulence phenotype tended to be associated with community-acquired infections (1/101 (1%) versus 25/446 (5.6%), p 0.065), whereas low-virulence phenotypes tended to be associated with a higher illness severity (such as higher median Pitt score: 2 (1-4) versus 1 (0-3), p 0.036, or initial multiorgan dysfunction: 17/101 (16.8%) versus 41/446 (9.2%), p 0.024), with some underlying conditions (such as chronic renal failure 24/101 (23.8%) versus 59/446 (13.2%), p 0.013), and with the respiratory source of infections (17/101 (16.8%) versus 45/446 (10.1%), p 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the P. aeruginosa virulence phenotype in a C. elegans model correlates with virulence genotype (TTSS) and resistance profile, but it is a poor prognostic marker of mortality in bloodstream infections.

Interhospital Sepsis Code in Catalonia (Spain): Territorial model for initial care of patients with sepsis. / Código Sepsis Interhospitalario en Catalunya: modelo organizativo territorial para la atención inicial al paciente con sepsis.

Sepsis is a syndromic entity with high prevalence and mortality. The management of sepsis is standardized and exhibits time-dependent efficiency. However, the management of patients with sepsis is complex. The heterogeneity of the forms of presentation can make it difficult to detect and manage such cases, in the same way as differences in training, professional competences or the availability of health resources. The Advisory Commission for Patient Care with Sepsis (CAAPAS), comprising 7 scientific societies, the Emergency Medical System (SEM) and the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut), have developed the Interhospital Sepsis Code (CSI) in Catalonia (Spain). The general objective of the CSI is to increase awareness, promote early detection and facilitate initial care and interhospital coordination to attend septic patients in a homogeneous manner throughout Catalonia.

Bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia in COPD patients: better outcomes than expected.

The purpose of the study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-COPD patients. A case-control study was conducted. Cases were any adult with BPP and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) <80% and FEV(1)/forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) <70%. Controls were patients with BPP without clinical diagnosis of COPD matched 1:2 by age, gender and date of isolation. Variables included co-morbidities, serotypes, pneumonia severity index (PSI), treatment and mortality. There were 45 cases and 90 controls. No significant differences were found in Charlson scores, antibiotic treatment, serotype distribution and severity. Malignancy, shock and mechanical ventilation were less frequent in COPD patients. One patient died vs 14 controls (p = 0.02). In univariate analysis, shock, multilobar involvement, Charlson score, heart failure and absence of COPD were associated with mortality. After adjustment for the presence of shock there were no differences in mortality. BPP presents less frequently with shock and has a lower mortality rate in COPD patients than in non-COPD patients.

[Differentiated thyroid cancers]. / I carcinomi tiroidei differenziati.

The Authors, after a review of the topic of thyroid cancer, focus on the epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid cancers. They then describe their own case series and their many years' experience in treating the patients affected by this pathology, which is generally regarded as having low malignancy. Nowadays the Authors consider the treatment of choice the total thyroidectomy with central compartment lymphectomy, eventually associated with metabolic radiotherapy.

[Carotid body tumor. An often misdiagnosed disease]. / Chemodectoma carotideo. Una entità spesso misconosciuta.

Chemodectomas are uncommon neoplasms, born by glomic cell of extra-adrenegic system. Usually, these neoplasms are benign and non functioning, but when they are more than 4 cm can induce a neuro-vascular compressive syndrome. In this study the Authors propose the guidelines for diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic management, of these tumors according to their experience.

[Radio-guided parathyroidectomy]. / La paratiroidectomia radioguidata.

The Authors, after a careful review of literature about the instrumental diagnostic techniques (with particular attention to the nuclear-medical ones) and the surgical therapy of parathyroid diseases, report their experience on the use of the radio-guided mininvasive surgery with MIBI and gamma-probe for intraoperative localization of pathological glands. Once exposed their experience, the Authors conclude asserting that this technique is fast, slightly invasive and expensive, and certainly useful for the detection of pathological or ectopic glands. It can be widely employed because, in comparison to its numerous advantages, such as the reduction of the operating time and of the hospital-stay, the greater radicality and the possibility to use mininvasive techniques, it does not present significant technical limitations and/or radio-protectionistic problems.

[Hyperparathyroidism from mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Case report]. / Iperparatiroidismo da adenoma paratiroideo a localizzazione mediastinica. Caso clinico.

The authors, after reviewing parathyroid gland diseases, their location, and the modern strategies that can be used for their pre-operative detection, describe a case of primary hyperparathyroidism which recently came to their attention. The use of a combination of instrumental techniques (US, scintigraphy and SPEcT) enabled them to establish, prior to surgery, the mediastinal ectopic site of the parathyroid adenoma. Mini-invasive surgery proved to be the optimal technique to performing a targeted surgical excision that reduced the operative time and the hospitalisation.

Top-ten papers in Infection Control (2015-2017).

Healthcare-associated infections are a main Public Health challenge. In the era of antimicrobial resistance, more effective Infection Control Programs are needed. In this review we will discuss some publications related to hand hygiene (should the patients participate in the improvement programs?); some new strategies to enhance terminal room disinfection and important controversies on contact precautions policies (should we abandon them?). In the last year, there have been as well some reports that provide new insights in Clostridium difficile infection and in the impact of educational antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Ceftolozane/tazobactam in the treatment of osteomyelitis and skin and soft-tissue infections due to extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: clinical and microbiological outcomes.

Infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) are currently a clinical challenge, mainly in elderly patients. The antimicrobial spectrum, safety and efficacy of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) make it an attractive option for the treatment of MDR bacterial infections beyond the indications approved to date. Here we report our experience with C/T in four cases of osteomyelitis and three cases of skin and soft-tissue infections due to extensively-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A prospective multicentre study of the epidemiology and outcomes of bloodstream infection in cirrhotic patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current epidemiology of bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with cirrhosis; and to analyse predictors of 30-day mortality and risk factors for antibiotic resistance. METHODS: Cirrhotic patients developing a BSI episode were prospectively included at 19 centres in five countries from September 2014 to December 2015. The discrimination of mortality risk scores for 30-day mortality were compared by area under the receiver operator risk and Cox regression models. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) were assessed with a logistic regression model. RESULTS: We enrolled 312 patients. Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and Candida spp. were the cause of BSI episodes in 53%, 47% and 7% of cases, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 25% and was best predicted by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Chronic Liver Failure-SOFA (CLIF-SOFA) score. In a Cox regression model, delayed (>24 hours) antibiotic treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 7.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.29-18.67; p < 0.001), inadequate empirical therapy (HR 3.14; 95% CI 1.93-5.12; p < 0.001) and CLIF-SOFA score (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.28-1.43; p < 0.001) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Independent risk factors for MDRO (31% of BSIs) were previous antimicrobial exposure (odds ratio (OR) 2.91; 95% CI 1.73-4.88; p < 0.001) and previous invasive procedures (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.48-4.24; p 0.001), whereas spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as BSI source was associated with a lower odds of MDRO (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12-0.73; p 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: MDRO account for nearly one-third of BSI in cirrhotic patients, often resulting in delayed or inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy and increased mortality rates. Our data suggest that improved prevention and treatment strategies for MDRO are urgently needed in the liver cirrhosis patients.

Predictors of outcome in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

PURPOSE: There are few data in the literature regarding sepsis or septic shock due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (E). The aim of this study was to assess predictors of outcome in septic patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by ESBL-E. METHODS: Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and BSI due to ESBL-E were selected from the INCREMENT database. The primary endpoint of the study was the evaluation of predictors of outcome after 30 days from development of severe sepsis or septic shock due to ESBL-E infection. Three cohorts were created for analysis: global, empirical-therapy and targeted-therapy cohorts. RESULTS: 367 septic patients were analysed. Overall mortality was 43.9% at 30 days. Escherichia coli (62.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.2%) were the most frequent isolates. ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations were the most empirically used drug (43.6%), followed by carbapenems (29.4%). Empirical therapy was active in vitro in 249 (67.8%) patients, and escalation of antibiotic therapy was reported in 287 (78.2%) patients. Cox regression analysis showed that age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, McCabe classification, Pitt bacteremia score, abdominal source of infection and escalation of antibiotic therapy were independently associated with 30-day mortality. No differences in survival were reported in patients treated with BLBLI combinations or carbapenems in empirical or definitive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: BSI due to ESBL-E in patients who developed severe sepsis or septic shock was associated with high 30-day mortality. Comorbidities, severity scores, source of infection and antibiotic therapy escalation were important determinants of unfavorable outcome.

[Surgical treatment of uninodular gotter. Personal experience]. / Trattamento chirurgico dei noduli unici della tiroide. Esperienza personale.

The Authors report their surgical experience in patients with uninodular goitre, and stress the trends in management benign and malignant lesions. The total thyroidecromy is the first choice. In some well selecrioned cases it is possible a videoassisted approach.