Epidemiology of bacterial co-infections and risk factors in COVID-19-hospitalized patients in Spain: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: We performed a nationwide population-based retrospective study to describe the epidemiology of bacterial co-infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-hospitalized patients in Spain in 2020. We also analyzed the risk factors for co-infection, the etiology and the impact in the outcome. METHODS: Data were obtained from records in the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data in Spain, provided by the Ministry of Health and annually published with 2 years lag. COVID-19 circulated in two waves in 2020: from its introduction to 31st June and from 1st July to 31st December. The risk of developing a healthcare-associated bacterial co-infection and the risk for in-hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in co-infected patients was assessed using an adjusted logistic regression model. RESULTS: The incidence of bacterial co-infection in COVID-19 hospitalized patients was 2.3%. The main risk factors associated with bacterial co-infection were organ failure, obesity and male sex. Co-infection was associated with worse outcomes including higher in-hospital, in-ICU mortality and higher length of stay. Gram-negative bacteria caused most infections. Causative agents were similar between waves, although higher co-infections with Pseudomonas spp. were detected in the first wave and with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in the second. CONCLUSIONS: Co-infections are not as common as those found in other viral respiratory infections; therefore, antibiotics should be used carefully. Screening for actual co-infection to prescribe antibiotic therapy when required should be performed.

Epidural analgesia in a patient with factor XI deficit.

FXI deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder characterised by a decreased level or activity of factor. Pregnant women are at increased risk of uterine bleeding during childbirth. Neuroaxial analgesia may increase the risk of epidural hematoma in these patients. However, there is no consensus on the anaesthetic management. We present the clinical case of a 36-year-old woman with a personal history of factor XI deficiency, pregnant with 38 weeks gestation who is scheduled to perform birth induction. Pre-induction factor levels were measured. They were less than 40%, so it was decided to transfuse 20 ml/kg of fresh frozen plasma. After the transfusion it had levels greater than 40%, so epidural analgesia was performed without incident. The patient had no complications secondary to epidural analgesia or transfusion of a high volume of plasma.

Analgesia epidural en paciente con déficit de factor XI / Epidural analgesia in a patient with factor XI deficit

El déficit de factorXI es una enfermedad hemorrágica rara que se caracteriza por presentar disminución del nivel o de la actividad del factor. Las mujeres embarazadas con esta patología presentan mayor riesgo de sangrado uterino durante el parto. El uso de analgesia neuroaxial en estas pacientes puede aumentar el riesgo de producir hematoma epidural. Es necesario realizar un seguimiento multidisciplinar en el que participen activamente anestesiólogos, hematólogos y ginecólogos. Actualmente disponemos de escasa bibliografía sobre el manejo anestésico de este tipo de patología. Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer de 36años con antecedentes personales de déficit de factorXI, embarazada de 38 semanas de gestación que es programada para realización de inducción del parto. Previamente a la inducción se midieron los niveles del factor, y al ser inferiores al 40% se decidió transfundir 20ml/kg de plasma fresco congelado. Tras la transfusión presentó niveles superiores al 40%, por lo que se realizó analgesia epidural sin incidencias. La paciente no presentó complicaciones secundarias a la analgesia epidural ni a la transfusión de un volumen elevado de plasma.(AU)

Factor XI deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder characterized by a decreased level or activity of factor. Pregnant women are at increased risk of uterine bleeding during childbirth. Neuroaxial analgesia may increase the risk of epidural hematoma in these patients. However, there is no consensus on the anesthetic management. We present the clinical case of a 36-year-old woman with a personal history of factorXI deficiency, pregnant with 38weeks gestation who is scheduled to perform birth induction. Pre-induction factor levels were measured. They were less than 40%, so it was decided to transfuse 20mL/kg of fresh frozen plasma. After the transfusion it had levels greater than 40%, so epidural analgesia was performed without incident. The patient had no complications secondary to epidural analgesia or transfusion of a high volume of plasma.(AU)

Beneficios de los bloqueos analgésicos, PENG (PEricapsular Nerve Group), en la recuperación precoz tras la cirugía de cadera / Benefits of analgesic blocks, PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group), in fast recovery after hip surgery

Introducción: La fractura de cadera es una emergencia ortopédica frecuente que asocia elevada morbimortalidad y dolor intenso. Las técnicas analgo-anestésicas locorregionales, tanto centrales como periféricas, ocupan un lugar preferente dentro del arsenal terapéutico multimodal. A los bloqueos clásicos se ha sumado recientemente el bloqueo pericapsular, o PENG (PEricapsular Nerve Group). El objetivo es evaluar en pacientes con fractura de cadera la eficacia antinociceptiva del bloqueo PENG preoperatorio, el bloqueo motor residual y el tiempo necesario para la recuperación funcional postoperatoria. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo en pacientes programados para artroplastia total de cadera. El bloqueo PENG se realizó previo a la cirugía. Se evaluó el dolor con escala visual numérica (EVN) antes de la realización del bloqueo, 30minutos después, en el postoperatorio inmediato y a las 24horas de la intervención, el grado de bloqueo motor según la escala de Bromage y el tiempo necesario para la deambulación asistida. Resultados: En todos los pacientes el bloqueo PENG proporcionó analgesia eficaz. Logró disminuir 3 o más puntos la EVN en todos los momentos evaluados. La diferencia media entre el dolor previo y posterior al bloqueo fue de 7,5 puntos en la EVN, lo que permitió el traslado y la colocación del paciente sin alteración hemodinámica, exacerbación del dolor, ni otras complicaciones. Conclusiones: El bloqueo PENG es una técnica analgésica regional efectiva y segura para pacientes con fractura de cadera; facilita la movilización y la colocación previa a la cirugía sin exacerbación del dolor, y favorece una temprana movilidad y rehabilitación.

Introduction: Hip fracture is a frequent orthopedic emergency which associates high morbidity and mortality and intense pain. Locoregional analgo-anesthetic techniques, both central and peripheral, occupy a preferential place in the multimodal therapeutic arsenal. Recently, a new regional blockade has emerged, the pericapsular block or PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group). The objective is to evaluate in patients with hip fracture, the antinociceptive efficacy of the preoperative PENG block, residual motor block and time for postoperative functional recovery. Method and materials: Prospective descriptive observational study with patients going to have total hip arthroplasty. PENG block was performed before surgery. Pain was assessed with the Visual Numerical Scale (VNS) before the blockade, 30min later, in the immediate postoperative period and 24h after the intervention. Motor block according to the Bromage scale and time needed for assisted walking were also evaluated. Results: PENG block provided effective analgesia in all patients, with a decrease in at least 3 points on the VNS at every step in which it was evaluated. The average difference between pain before and after the block was 7.5 points on the VNS. It allowed the transfer and placement of the patient without hemodynamic alteration, exacerbation of pain or other complications. Conclusions: PENG block is an effective and safe regional analgesic technique for patients with hip fracture. It allows mobilization and placement before surgery without pain exacerbation, promoting early mobility and rehabilitation.(AU)

[Translated article] Benefits of analgesic blocks, PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group), in fast recovery after hip surgery / Beneficios de los bloqueos analgésicos, PENG (PEricapsular Nerve Group), en la recuperación precoz tras la cirugía de cadera

Introduction: Hip fracture is a frequent orthopedic emergency which associates high morbidity and mortality and intense pain. Locoregional analgo-anesthetic techniques, both central and peripheral, occupy a preferential place in the multimodal therapeutic arsenal. Recently, a new regional blockade has emerged, the pericapsular block or PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group). The objective is to evaluate in patients with hip fracture, the antinociceptive efficacy of the preoperative PENG block, residual motor block and time for postoperative functional recovery. Method and materials: Prospective descriptive observational study with patients going to have total hip arthroplasty. PENG block was performed before surgery. Pain was assessed with the Visual Numerical Scale (VNS) before the blockade, 30min later, in the immediate postoperative period and 24h after the intervention. Motor block according to the Bromage scale and time needed for assisted walking were also evaluated. Results: PENG block provided effective analgesia in all patients, with a decrease in at least 3 points on the VNS at every step in which it was evaluated. The average difference between pain before and after the block was 7.5 points on the VNS. It allowed the transfer and placement of the patient without hemodynamic alteration, exacerbation of pain or other complications. Conclusions: PENG block is an effective and safe regional analgesic technique for patients with hip fracture. It allows mobilization and placement before surgery without pain exacerbation, promoting early mobility and rehabilitation.(AU)

Introducción: La fractura de cadera es una emergencia ortopédica frecuente que asocia elevada morbimortalidad y dolor intenso. Las técnicas analgo-anestésicas locorregionales, tanto centrales como periféricas, ocupan un lugar preferente dentro del arsenal terapéutico multimodal. A los bloqueos clásicos se ha sumado recientemente el bloqueo pericapsular, o PENG (PEricapsular Nerve Group). El objetivo es evaluar en pacientes con fractura de cadera la eficacia antinociceptiva del bloqueo PENG preoperatorio, el bloqueo motor residual y el tiempo necesario para la recuperación funcional postoperatoria. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo en pacientes programados para artroplastia total de cadera. El bloqueo PENG se realizó previo a la cirugía. Se evaluó el dolor con escala visual numérica (EVN) antes de la realización del bloqueo, 30minutos después, en el postoperatorio inmediato y a las 24horas de la intervención, el grado de bloqueo motor según la escala de Bromage y el tiempo necesario para la deambulación asistida. Resultados: En todos los pacientes el bloqueo PENG proporcionó analgesia eficaz. Logró disminuir 3 o más puntos la EVN en todos los momentos evaluados. La diferencia media entre el dolor previo y posterior al bloqueo fue de 7,5 puntos en la EVN, lo que permitió el traslado y la colocación del paciente sin alteración hemodinámica, exacerbación del dolor, ni otras complicaciones. Conclusiones: El bloqueo PENG es una técnica analgésica regional efectiva y segura para pacientes con fractura de cadera; facilita la movilización y la colocación previa a la cirugía sin exacerbación del dolor, y favorece una temprana movilidad y rehabilitación.

Benefits of analgesic blocks, PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group), in fast recovery after hip surgery. / Beneficios de los bloqueos analgésicos, PENG (PEricapsular Nerve Group), en la recuperación precoz tras la cirugía de cadera.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture is a frequent orthopedic emergency which associates high morbidity and mortality and intense pain. Locoregional analgo-anesthetic techniques, both central and peripheral, occupy a preferential place in the multimodal therapeutic arsenal. Recently, a new regional blockade has emerged, the pericapsular block or PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group). The objective is to evaluate in patients with hip fracture, the antinociceptive efficacy of the preoperative PENG block, residual motor block and time for postoperative functional recovery. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Prospective descriptive observational study with patients going to have total hip arthroplasty. PENG block was performed before surgery. Pain was assessed with the Visual Numerical Scale (VNS) before the blockade, 30min later, in the immediate postoperative period and 24h after the intervention. Motor block according to the Bromage scale and time needed for assisted walking were also evaluated. RESULTS: PENG block provided effective analgesia in all patients, with a decrease in at least 3 points on the VNS at every step in which it was evaluated. The average difference between pain before and after the block was 7.5 points on the VNS. It allowed the transfer and placement of the patient without hemodynamic alteration, exacerbation of pain or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: PENG block is an effective and safe regional analgesic technique for patients with hip fracture. It allows mobilization and placement before surgery without pain exacerbation, promoting early mobility and rehabilitation.

[Translated article] Benefits of analgesic blocks, PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group), in fast recovery after hip surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture is a frequent orthopaedic emergency which associates high morbidity and mortality and intense pain. Locoregional analgo-anaesthetic techniques, both central and peripheral, occupy a preferential place in the multimodal therapeutic arsenal. Recently, a new regional blockade has emerged, the pericapsular block or PENG block (PEricapsular Nerve Group). The objective is to evaluate in patients with hip fracture, the antinociceptive efficacy of the preoperative PENG block, residual motor block and time for postoperative functional recovery. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Prospective descriptive observational study with patients going to have total hip arthroplasty. PENG block was performed before surgery. Pain was assessed with the Visual Numerical Scale (VNS) before the blockade, 30min later, in the immediate postoperative period and 24h after the intervention. Motor block according to the Bromage scale and time needed for assisted walking were also evaluated. RESULTS: PENG block provided effective analgesia in all patients, with a decrease in at least 3 points on the VNS at every step in which it was evaluated. The average difference between pain before and after the block was 7.5 points on the VNS. It allowed the transfer and placement of the patient without haemodynamic alteration, exacerbation of pain or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: PENG block is an effective and safe regional analgesic technique for patients with hip fracture. It allows mobilisation and placement before surgery without pain exacerbation, promoting early mobility and rehabilitation.

Anaesthetic management of a dopamine-secreting phaeochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. Most adrenal pheochromocytomas secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine. Dopamine secreting pheochromocytomas are extremely rare and differs from classic pheochromocytomas in clinical features, posing a significant diagnostic challenge. A 41-year-old women presented to our emergency department because of acute flank colic pain and normotension. The screening abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a left adrenal mass. The laboratory test showed significantly increase in plasma dopamine and 24-h urine dopamine. During surgical removal the patient remained hypotensive requiring doses of norepinephrine. The patient presented significant hypertensive responde during direct laryngoscopy and intubation.

Manejo anestésico de feocromocitoma productor de dopamina / Anaesthetic management of a dopamine-secreting phaeochromocytoma

El feocromocitoma es un tumor neuroendocrino raro que se origina en las células cromafines de la cresta neural del sistema nervioso autónomo. La mayoría de las feocromocitomas se caracterizan por secretar adrenalina y noradrenalina. Los productores de dopamina son infrecuentes y no presentan la sintomatología clínica típica, por lo que el diagnóstico puede ser complicado. Actualmente disponemos de escasa bibliografía sobre el manejo anestésico de este tipo de tumores.Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer de 41 años que acudió a nuestro centro por dolor lumbar de tipo cólico de un mes de evolución y normotensión. Se realizó una tomografía axial computarizada abdominal que reveló masa hipercaptante en glándula suprarrenal izquierda. Los niveles de dopamina en orina y en plasma estaban elevados, los niveles de adrenalina y noradrenalina eran normales. Durante la intervención quirúrgica la paciente se mantuvo hipotensa precisando dosis de noradrenalina. Solo presentó un único pico hipertensivo durante la laringoscopia y la intubación orotraqueal.(AU)

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. Most adrenal pheochromocytomas secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine. Dopamine secreting pheochromocytomas are extremely rare and differs from classic pheochromocytomas in clinical features, posing a significant diagnostic challenge.A 41-year-old women presented to our emergency department because of acute flank colic pain and normotension. The screening abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a left adrenal mass. The laboratory test showed significantly increase in plasma dopamine and 24-hour urine dopamine. During surgical removal the patient remained hypotensive requiring doses of norepinephrine. The patient presented significant hypertensive responde during direct laryngoscopy and intubation.(AU)

Risk factors for oral epithelial dysplasias to become malignant: clinical implications.

There is a lack of effective clinical management of oral epithelial dysplasias to reduce their risk of malignant transformation and considerable gaps in knowledge regarding the most effective means of treating such lesions. A retrospective cohort of biopsy-confirmed oral epithelial dysplasias consecutively diagnosed in the period 1995-2014 and followed-up until 2017 was identified from pathology department files. Demographic, clinical and follow-up information was collected. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were performed to evaluate sociodemographic, clinical and pathological factors associated with progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The study included 144 oral epithelial dysplasias, of which 42% progressed to oral cancer at the end of follow-up (21 years). Clinical aspect of the lesion was described for 77 (53.5%) of the patients. Treatment, age, grade of the lesion and diagnostic period were independent prognostic factors for progression. When considering only patients with described clinical aspect, only treatment and grade of the lesion were independently associated with cancer. The results from this non-selected retrospective cohort of oral epithelial dysplasias underscore the existing limitations of the current standard-of-care of the patients and provide novel insights on the management of these lesions with and without described clinical aspect. Well-designed, robust prospective studies, a homogenized staging system and multidisciplinary treatment guidelines are warranted.

Anaesthetic management of a dopamine-secreting phaeochromocytoma. / Manejo anestésico de feocromocitoma productor de dopamina.

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. Most adrenal pheochromocytomas secrete norepinephrine and epinephrine. Dopamine secreting pheochromocytomas are extremely rare and differs from classic pheochromocytomas in clinical features, posing a significant diagnostic challenge. A 41-year-old women presented to our emergency department because of acute flank colic pain and normotension. The screening abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a left adrenal mass. The laboratory test showed significantly increase in plasma dopamine and 24-hour urine dopamine. During surgical removal the patient remained hypotensive requiring doses of norepinephrine. The patient presented significant hypertensive responde during direct laryngoscopy and intubation.

Isolation and characterization of vibriophage vB_Vc_SrVc9: an effective agent in preventing Vibrio campbellii infections in brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia franciscana).

AIMS: This study describes the physicochemical and genomic characterization of phage vB_Vc_SrVc9 and its potential for phage therapy application against a pathogenic Vibrio campbellii strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: A lytic phage vB_Vc_SrVc9 against V. campbellii was isolated from shrimp farm sediment, and characterized physicochemical and genomically. The use of vB_Vc_SrVc9 phage increased the survival in brine shrimp Artemia franciscana and reduced presumptive V. campbellii to nondetectable numbers. Genomic analysis showed a genome with a single contig of 43·15 kb, with 49 predicted genes and no tRNAs, capable of recognizing and generating complete inhibition zones of three Vibrio sp. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge vB_Vc_SrVc9 is a lytic phage that could be used against Vibrio infections, reducing vibrio presence without any apparent impact over the natural microbiota at the family level in 28 libraries tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: vB_Vc_SrVC9 is a novel phage and ecofriendly alternative for therapeutic applications and biotechnological purposes because is stable at different environmental conditions, has the potential to eliminate several strains, and has a short latent period with a good burst size. Therefore, the use of phages, which are natural killers of bacteria, represents a promising strategy to reduce the mortality of farmed organisms caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Epidemiology of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer in a classically low-burden region of southern Europe.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer is increasing in some regions. Nevertheless, the epidemiology of this disease has not been extensively investigated in southern Europe. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with primary oropharyngeal cancer from 1991 to 2016. Cancer tissues underwent histopathological evaluation, DNA quality control, HPV-DNA detection and p16INK4a immunohistochemistry. Data were collected from medical records. Factors associated with HPV positivity and time trends were evaluated with multivariable Bayesian models. The adjusted prevalence of HPV-related cases in 864 patients with a valid HPV-DNA result was 9.7%, with HPV-DNA/p16INK4a double positivity being considered. HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer was likely to occur in non-smokers and non-drinkers, to be located in the tonsil or diagnosed at advanced stages. Time-trend analysis showed an increasing risk of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in the most recent periods (5-year period increase of 30%). This increase was highest and with a clear increasing trend only in the most recent years (2012-2016). The prevalence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer started to sharply increase in the most recent years in our setting, as occurred two decades ago in areas where most oropharyngeal cancer cases are currently HPV-related. Our results provide a comprehensive assessment of the epidemiological landscape of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in a region of southern Europe.