Comparative Analysis of Strabismus Measurement Using a Video Oculagraphy System and Alternate Prism Cover Test.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare distance vision measurements obtained with video oculography (VOG) and an alternate prism cover test (APCT). DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, and cross-sectional. METHODS: Eighty-seven subjects with strabismus were included. All patients underwent an optometric examination. The measurement of strabismus in distance vision was performed with the best optical correction using the APCT and the VOG GazeLab. Subjects were divided according to the type of strabismus; 41 were esotropic and 46 were exotropic. RESULTS: The general comparison of APCT and VOG showed a mean difference of 0.60±2.74 prism diopters (Δ), not observing statistical differences between both methods ( P =0.059) and presenting a correlation of 0.976 ( P <0.001). Using APCT, the mean amount of esotropia for the group was 18.31±11.64 Δ and that of exotropia was 19.62±8.80 Δ. Compared with the VOG, the mean value of esotropia for the group was 18.65±11.65 Δ and that of exotropia was 19.48±8.62 Δ. The means are statistically different for the esotropia group ( P =0.005) but not for the exotropia group ( P =0.318). There was a high direct correlation between the methods of measurement for both the esotropic ( R =0.980; P <0.001) and exotropic patients ( R =0.975; P <0.001). Bland-Altman analysis shows a mean difference of 1.37±2.76 Δ for the esotropia patients and 0.31±2.66 Δ for the exotropic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated comparable results in measuring strabismus between VOG and APTC for esotropia and exotropia, with an excellent correlation between both methods and good agreement, especially in subjects with exotropia.

Predicting 1-year mortality after hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major public health problem with high short- and long-term mortality. The main aim of this study was to develop and validate a specific prognostic index for one-year mortality in patients admitted for CAP. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective study of adults aged ≥18 years admitted to Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital (Bizkaia, Spain) from January 2001 to July 2009 with a diagnosis of CAP surviving the first 15 days. The entire cohort was divided into two parts, in order to develop a one-year mortality predictive model in the derivation cohort, before validation using the second cohort. RESULTS: A total of 2351 patients were included and divided into a derivation and a validation cohort. After deaths within 15 days were excluded, one-year mortality was 10.63%. A predictive model was created in order to predict one-year mortality, with a weighted score that included: aged over 80 years (4 points), congestive heart failure (2 points), dementia (6 points), respiratory rate ≥30 breaths per minute (2 points) and blood urea nitrogen >30 mg/dL (3 points) as predictors of higher risk with C-index of 0.76. This new model showed better predictive ability than current risk scores, PSI, CURB65 and SCAP with C-index of 0.73, 0.69 and 0.70, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-use score, called the one-year CAPSI, may be useful for identifying patients with a high probability of dying after an episode of CAP.

Cribado de la tuberculosis en inmigrantes adolescentes indocumentados usando el QuantiFERON ®-TB Gold In-Tube / Tuberculosis screening program for undocumented immigrant teenagers using the QuantiFERON ®-TB Gold In-Tube test

Fundamento y objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la prevalencia de la infección tuberculosa en inmigrantes adolescentes indocumentados utilizando una estrategia con la prueba de la tuberculina (PT) para el cribado inicial y el QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) como prueba confirmativa. Pacientes y método: Se incluyeron inmigrantes adolescentes recién llegados a 2 centros de alojamiento del País Vasco (España) entre los años 2007 y 2012. La PT se aplicó en todos los participantes, y el QFT-GIT, selectivamente en los reactores con una PT ≥ 5 mm. Resultados: Completaron el estudio 845 inmigrantes, mayoritariamente africanos (99,5%). Un 51% de los inmigrantes con una PT ≥ 5 mm fue QFT-GIT positivo, que corresponde el 17% de toda la muestra. Se encontraron 2 casos con tuberculosis activa (2/845: 0,24%). La concordancia entre la PT (≥ 10 mm) y el QFT-GIT fue del 63%, con un 57% de resultados concordantes positivos y un 96% de concordantes negativos. Hubo 246 casos con PT ≥ 10 mm (29%), con diferencias significativas entre magrebíes (21,5%) y subsaharianos (67%) (p < 0,001). La vacunación con el bacilo Calmette-Guérin fue un predictor independiente de tener una PT ≥ 10 mm (odds ratio [OR] 2,11, p < 0,001) y de la discordancia PT+/QFT-GIT−, tanto para una PT ≥ 5 como para una PT ≥ 10 mm (OR 2,16, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,46-3,20, y OR 1,91, IC 95% 1,23-2,97, respectivamente). La proporción de QFT-GIT positivo aumentó significativamente con el incremento de la positividad de la PT, con asociación positiva en todos los tramos analizados: 10-14 mm (OR 7,95, IC 95% 1,79-35,33), 15-19 mm (OR 35, IC 95% 7,93-154,52) y ≥ 20 mm (OR 91,3, IC 95% 18,20-458,11). Conclusión: La alta prevalencia de infección tuberculosa latente en los inmigrantes de origen subsahariano hace recomendable la implementación de programas de cribado en esta población. Utilizando el QFT-GIT se redujo en un 43% el número de candidatos a la quimioprofilaxis con arreglo a la PT (≥ 10 mm) (AU)

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection in undocumented immigrant teenagers using a tuberculin skin test (TST) for initial screening and cuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) as a confirmatory test. Patient and method: From 2007 to 2012, under 19 year-old immigrant teenagers from 2 accommodation centers of the Basque Country (Spain) were included in the study. The TST was done in all of them and the QFT-GIT was done in selected patients with a TST ≥ 5 mm. Results: Eight hundred and forty-five immigrants were included, most of them from Africa (99.5%). Fifty-one percent of immigrants with TST ≥ 5 mm has a positive QFT-GIT. We found 2 cases of active tuberculosis (2/845: 0.24%). The concordance between TST (≥ 10 mm) and QFT-GIT was 63%, with 57% of positive concordance cases and 96% of negative concordances. There were 246 cases with TST ≥ 10 mm (29%), with significant differences between Magrebis (21.5%) and Subsaharians (67%) (P < .001). Vaccination with Calmette-Guéin bacille was an independent predictor for having a TST ≥ 10 mm (OR: 2.11; P < .001) and for the discordance TST+/QFT-GIT−, both for a TST ≥ 5 and a TST ≥ 10 mm (OR 2.16, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.46-3.20, and OR 1.91 95% CI 1.23-2.97, respectively). The positive value of QFT-GIT increased significantly as the TST increased, with a positive association in all the cut-off points analyzed: 10-14 mm (OR 7.95, 95% CI 1.79-35.33), 15-19 mm (OR 35, 95% CI 7.93-154.52) and ≥ 20 mm (OR 91.3, 95% CI 18.20-458.11). Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in Subsaharian immigrants, we recommend implementing screening programs in this population. Using QFT-GIT, the number of candidates for chemoprophylaxis was reduced to 43% compared with TST alone (≥ 10 mm) (AU)

Performance of pro-adrenomedullin for identifying adverse outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the usefulness of biomarkers-procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and proadrenomedullin (pro-ADM)-combined with prognostic scales (PSI, CURB-65 and SCAP score) for identifying adverse outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) attending at an Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: Prospective observational study in a teaching hospital among patients with CAP. In addition to collecting data for the prognostic scales, samples were taken at the ED for assessing PCT, CRP and pro-ADM levels. We compared the prognostic accuracy of these biomarkers with severity scores to predict pneumonia related complications, using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC), which evaluates how well the model discriminate between patients who had a pneumonia related complication or not. RESULTS: A total of 491 patients with CAP were enrolled, 256 being admitted to the hospital and 235 treated as outpatients. Admitted patients had higher biomarker levels than outpatients (p < 0.001). The SCAP score and pro-ADM level had the best AUCs for predicting pneumonia related complications (0.83 and 0.84, respectively). Considering SCAP score plus pro-ADM level, the AUC increased significantly to 0.88. SCAP score class 0 or 1 with a pro-ADM level <0.5 ng/mL was the best indicator for selecting patients for outpatient care. CONCLUSIONS: A new risk score combining SCAP score with pro-ADM level is useful to classify severity risk in CAP patients and hence supporting decision-making on hospital admission.

[Tuberculosis screening program for undocumented immigrant teenagers using the QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube test]. / Cribado de la tuberculosis en inmigrantes adolescentes indocumentados usando el QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection in undocumented immigrant teenagers using a tuberculin skin test (TST) for initial screening and QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) as a confirmatory test. PATIENT AND METHOD: From 2007 to 2012, under 19 year-old immigrant teenagers from 2 accommodation centers of the Basque Country (Spain) were included in the study. The TST was done in all of them and the QFT-GIT was done in selected patients with a TST≥5mm. RESULTS: Eight hundred and forty-five immigrants were included, most of them from Africa (99.5%). Fifty-one percent of immigrants with TST ≥ 5 mm has a positive QFT-GIT. We found 2 cases of active tuberculosis (2/845: 0.24%). The concordance between TST (≥ 10 mm) and QFT-GIT was 63%, with 57% of positive concordance cases and 96% of negative concordances. There were 246 cases with TST ≥ 10 mm (29%), with significant differences between Magrebis (21.5%) and Subsaharians (67%) (P<.001). Vaccination with Calmette-Guéin bacille was an independent predictor for having a TST ≥ 10 mm (OR: 2.11; P<.001) and for the discordance TST+/QFT-GIT-, both for a TST≥5 and a TST≥10mm (OR 2.16, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.46-3.20, and OR 1.91 95% CI 1.23-2.97, respectively). The positive value of QFT-GIT increased significantly as the TST increased, with a positive association in all the cut-off points analyzed: 10-14 mm (OR 7.95, 95% CI 1.79-35.33), 15-19 mm (OR 35, 95% CI 7.93-154.52) and ≥ 20 mm (OR 91.3, 95% CI 18.20-458.11). CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in Subsaharian immigrants, we recommend implementing screening programs in this population. Using QFT-GIT, the number of candidates for chemoprophylaxis was reduced to 43% compared with TST alone (≥ 10 mm).

Guía de práctica clínica sobre terapia intravenosa con dispositivos no permanentes en adultos / Clinical practice guideline on intravenous therapy with temporary devices in adults

El objetivo principal de la guía es proporcionar a los profesionales sanitarios una herramienta que les permita tomar decisiones basadas en evidencia sobre aspectos de la atención al paciente adulto con indicación de terapia intravenosa con dispositivos no permanentes. Además, se señalan los objetivos secundarios siguientes: aumentar la calidad de las intervenciones, evitar complicaciones relacionadas con la terapia intravenosa y reducir la variabilidad existente entre los profesionales sanitarios.

The guideline includes recommendations for taking care of adult patients with intravenous therapy who are at primary care centres, hospitals and homes.

Análisis de la discordancia entre la prueba de la tuberculina y el QuantiFERON-TB ® Gold In-Tube en estudios de contactos / Analysis of discordance between tuberculin test and QuantiFERON-TB ® Gold In-Tube in studies of contacts

Fundamento y objetivos: El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la prueba de la tuberculina (PT) y el QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube (QFT) en el diagnóstico de la infección latente tuberculosa (ILT) en una población de contactos de enfermos con tuberculosis pulmonar, y analizar la influencia de distintas variables en la discordancia. Pacientes y método: Entre marzo de 2008 y septiembre de 2010, de una población de 300.000 habitantes del País Vasco, se analizaron todos los contactos de pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar. A todos se les realizó la PT y se midió el valor del QFT. Se analizaron diferentes variables sociodemográficas y la vacunación, analizándose la discordancia entre ambas pruebas. Resultados: Un total de 704 sujetos fueron incluidos en el estudio, con una edad media de 27 años. De ellos, 397 estaban vacunados, siendo la proporción similar entre autóctonos y extranjeros. El incremento de la edad hasta los 59 años (odds ratio [OR] 10,53; p<0,001), ser extranjero (OR 2,71; p=0,02) y la vacunación (OR 4,22; p<0,001) fueron variables predictoras de la discordancia entre una PT positiva y un QFT negativo. Conclusiones: Parece que el QFT, solo o combinado con la PT, es un método seguro para el diagnóstico de la ILT y que su utilización contribuiría a una selección más específica de los individuos que necesitan un tratamiento preventivo (AU)

Background and objectives: Our objetive is to compare the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube (QFT) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTI) in a population of contacts of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and to analyze the influence of different variables in the discordance. Patients and method: From March 2008 to September 2010, among a population of 300,000 inhabitants of the Basque Country, we analyzed all contacts of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. All patients underwent the TST and the value of QFT was measured. Sociodemographic variables and vaccination were examined and we analyzed the discordance between the 2 tests. Results: Seven hundred and four were included in the study, with a mean age of 27 years. Of these, 397 were vaccinated, with similar proportion between native and foreign. Increasing the age to 59 years (odds ratio [OR] 10.53, P<.001), being foreign (OR 2.71, P=.02) and vaccination (OR 4.22, P<.001) were predictors of the discordance between a positive TST and negative QFT. Conclusions: It seems that the QFT, alone or combined with the TST, is a safe method for the diagnosis of LTI and its use would contribute to a more specific selection of individuals who would need preventive treatment (AU)

[Analysis of discordance between tuberculin test and QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube in studies of contacts]. / Análisis de la discordancia entre la prueba de la tuberculina y el QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube en estudios de contactos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our objective is to compare the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB(®) Gold In-Tube (QFT) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTI) in a population of contacts of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and to analyze the influence of different variables in the discordance. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From March 2008 to September 2010, among a population of 300,000 inhabitants of the Basque Country, we analyzed all contacts of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. All patients underwent the TST and the value of QFT was measured. Sociodemographic variables and vaccination were examined and we analyzed the discordance between the 2 tests. RESULTS: Seven hundred and four were included in the study, with a mean age of 27 years. Of these, 397 were vaccinated, with similar proportion between native and foreign. Increasing the age to 59 years (odds ratio [OR] 10.53, P<.001), being foreign (OR 2.71, P=.02) and vaccination (OR 4.22, P<.001) were predictors of the discordance between a positive TST and negative QFT. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the QFT, alone or combined with the TST, is a safe method for the diagnosis of LTI and its use would contribute to a more specific selection of individuals who would need preventive treatment.

Cómo dializamos a la injuria renal aguda (IRA) en la Argentina: resultados de una encuesta nacional / How do we treat acute kidney injury (AKI) with dialysis in Argentina?: results of a national survey

Introducción: La incidencia de injuria renal aguda (IRA) con requerimiento de diálisis ha aumentado en estos últimos años, con un alto impacto en términos de mortalidad y morbilidad.Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un diagnóstico de situación de las TRR aplicadas en IRA en nuestro país. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta de carácter anónimo on-Iine por medio de un cuestionario de 22 preguntas con respuestas fijas. Resultados: Se analizaron 101 centros. El 90% de las terapias de reemplazo renal (TRR) se efectuaron en unidades críticas en el 67% de los centros. El 10% utiliza aún máquinas sin módulo de UF y un 3% utiliza acetato como solución de hemodiálisis. El agua utilizada en HD, fue en el 49% agua tratada en vasca o bidones y 2% agua sin o con tratamiento parcial. La membrana más utilizada fue la polisulfona 82%, (cuprofan en el 3%). El 90% y 73% de los encuestados no realizan ningún tipo de terapia continua o HD extendida respectivamente. Sólo 5% realizaron HD extendidas en más de la mitad de sus pacientes. 72% de los encuestados no cuenta con enfermeros con dedicación exclusiva para IRA. Conclusiones: Aún hay centros que utilizan membranas incompatibles, baño con acetato, agua parcialmente tratada o sin módulo de ultrafiltración. La TRR más utilizada es la hemodiálisis intermitente. La mayoría no aplica técnicas extendidas o continuas.

Introduction: The incidence of the acute kidney injury (AKI) which requires dialysis has increased in recent years, with a high impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to conduct a diagnosis of situation of the RRT applied in Aki in our country. Methods: The AKI, work group, part of the Argentine Nephrology Society (SAN) developed an anonymous online survey directed to all SAN members, which 22 questions with fixed answers. Results: 101 units were analyzed. -90% of the renal replacement therapy (RRT) were performed to patients in critical units in 67% of centers surveyed. 10% still use machines without ultrafiltration module (UF), and 3% uses acetato as hemodialysis (HD) solution. The water used in (HD) is mostly treated water in tank or drums (49%); two units (2%) use water without or with partial treatment. The rnost used dialysis membrane was polvsulphone in 82%, cuprophan are applied in 3% of the treatments. 90% and 73% of the units surveyed do no perform any extended continuous therapy or HD respectively. Only 5% undertake extended HD by more than the half of their patients. 72% of respondents do not have exclusive nurses to AKI treatment. Conclusions: Despite of the medical evidence and technology development some centers are still using incompatible membranes, hemodialysis with acetate, partially treated water and equipment without ultrafiltration module. The most used RRT was intermittent hemodialysis, even in critical patients. Most units do not apply extended or continuous techniques.

Cómo dializamos a la injuria renal aguda (IRA) en la Argentina: resultados de una encuesta nacional / How do we treat acute kidney injury (AKI) with dialysis in Argentina?: results of a national survey

Introducción: La incidencia de injuria renal aguda (IRA) con requerimiento de diálisis ha aumentado en estos últimos años, con un alto impacto en términos de mortalidad y morbilidad.Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un diagnóstico de situación de las TRR aplicadas en IRA en nuestro país. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta de carácter anónimo on-Iine por medio de un cuestionario de 22 preguntas con respuestas fijas. Resultados: Se analizaron 101 centros. El 90% de las terapias de reemplazo renal (TRR) se efectuaron en unidades críticas en el 67% de los centros. El 10% utiliza aún máquinas sin módulo de UF y un 3% utiliza acetato como solución de hemodiálisis. El agua utilizada en HD, fue en el 49% agua tratada en vasca o bidones y 2% agua sin o con tratamiento parcial. La membrana más utilizada fue la polisulfona 82%, (cuprofan en el 3%). El 90% y 73% de los encuestados no realizan ningún tipo de terapia continua o HD extendida respectivamente. Sólo 5% realizaron HD extendidas en más de la mitad de sus pacientes. 72% de los encuestados no cuenta con enfermeros con dedicación exclusiva para IRA. Conclusiones: Aún hay centros que utilizan membranas incompatibles, baño con acetato, agua parcialmente tratada o sin módulo de ultrafiltración. La TRR más utilizada es la hemodiálisis intermitente. La mayoría no aplica técnicas extendidas o continuas.(AU)

Introduction: The incidence of the acute kidney injury (AKI) which requires dialysis has increased in recent years, with a high impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to conduct a diagnosis of situation of the RRT applied in Aki in our country. Methods: The AKI, work group, part of the Argentine Nephrology Society (SAN) developed an anonymous online survey directed to all SAN members, which 22 questions with fixed answers. Results: 101 units were analyzed. -90% of the renal replacement therapy (RRT) were performed to patients in critical units in 67% of centers surveyed. 10% still use machines without ultrafiltration module (UF), and 3% uses acetato as hemodialysis (HD) solution. The water used in (HD) is mostly treated water in tank or drums (49%); two units (2%) use water without or with partial treatment. The rnost used dialysis membrane was polvsulphone in 82%, cuprophan are applied in 3% of the treatments. 90% and 73% of the units surveyed do no perform any extended continuous therapy or HD respectively. Only 5% undertake extended HD by more than the half of their patients. 72% of respondents do not have exclusive nurses to AKI treatment. Conclusions: Despite of the medical evidence and technology development some centers are still using incompatible membranes, hemodialysis with acetate, partially treated water and equipment without ultrafiltration module. The most used RRT was intermittent hemodialysis, even in critical patients. Most units do not apply extended or continuous techniques.(AU)

[Three-month course of rifampicin and isoniazid for the treatment of latent tuberculous infection]. / Pauta de tres meses de rifampicina e isoniacida para el tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isoniazid (I) is the drug of choice for treating latent tuberculous infection (LTI). Duration of treatment with I and its liver toxicity represent a serious drawback for a correct enforceability. In several clinical guides, a 3-month course with rifampicin (Rif) and I is recommended as an acceptable alternative to the 6-9 month course with I. Here we present our experience with this new regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2001, the 3-month regimen with Rif and I was offered to patients older than 14 years, who were recruited in the contacts study. A good adherence was considered when the patient manifested so and he/she went to the scheduled monthly controls. We performed baseline liver analyses in those patients at risk of hepatotoxicity and in all patients older than 35 years. In all cases, a liver laboratory control was done at the first month of treatment and whenever patients had symptoms suggestive of intolerance. Databases of tuberculosis controls and contacts were crossed to evaluate the number of individuals who developed tuberculosis. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2008, treatment for LTI was indicated in 547 contacts (7.8% refused treatment, 34.1% with the 6-month I course, 63.5% with the 3-month Rif and I course and 2.3% with other regimens). A total of 84.97% (147/173) patients with the 6-month I regimen and 92.55% (302/322) with the 3-month Rif and I course fulfilled the treatment (p=0.024). 2.37% (4/169) and 1.6% (5/313) patients with the 6-month I course and 3-month Rif and I course, respectively, withdrew because of hepatotoxicity (p=0.33). There were no patients among those who fulfilled the treatment in any of the 2 study arms. CONCLUSION: There was a higher adherence (statistically significant) and lower hepatotoxicity with the 3-month Rif and I regimen. Both regimens showed a full effectivity.

Restoring catalase activity in Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius leads to loss of pathogenicity for lambs.

Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius, a microaerophilic and catalase-negative bacterium, is the etiological agent of abscess disease, a specific chronic condition of sheep and goats, which is characterized by formation of necrotic lesions that are located typically in superficial lymph nodes. We constructed an isogenic mutant of S. aureus subsp. anaerobius (RDKA84) that carried a repaired and functional catalase gene from S. aureus ATCC 12600, to investigate whether the lack of catalase in S. aureus subsp. anaerobius plays a role in its physiological and pathogenic characteristics. The catalase activity had no apparent influence on the in vitro growth characteristics of RDKA84, which, like the wild-type, did not grow on aerobically incubated agar plates. Restoration of catalase activity in RDKA84 substantially increased resistance to H2O2 when analyzed in a death assay. The intracellular survival rates of the catalase-positive mutant RDKA84 in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from adult sheep were significantly higher than those of the wild-type, while no differences were found with PMN isolated from lambs. RDKA84 showed significantly lower survival rates in murine macrophages (J774A.1 cells) than the wild-type strains did, whereas, in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), no differences in intracellular survival were observed. Interestingly, the virulence for lambs, the natural host for abscess disease, of the catalase-positive mutant RDKA84 was reduced dramatically in comparison with wild-type S. aureus subsp. anaerobius in two experimental models of infection.

Validation and comparison of SCAP as a predictive score for identifying low-risk patients in community-acquired pneumonia.

PURPOSES: (1) To validate the Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia (SCAP) score in predicting 30-day mortality. (2) To validate its ability to identifying patients at low risk of death. (3) To compare it against the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), and the British Thoracic Society's CURB-65 rules. METHODS: The SCAP score was validated to predict 30-day mortality in an internal validation cohort of consecutive adult patients seen in one hospital. Consecutive inpatients from other three hospitals were used to externally validate the score and compare the SCAP with the PSI and CURB-65. The discriminatory power of these rules to predict 30-day mortality was tested by the Area under Curve (AUC), and their predictive accuracy with the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate increased directly with increasing SCAP score (class 0: 0.5%, to class 4: 66.5% risk) in the internal validation cohort, and from 1.3% to 29.2% in external cohort (P<0.001) with an AUC of 0.83 and 0.75, respectively (P=0.024). The SCAP score identified 62.4% (95% IC 58.8-66.0) low-risk patients, 52.5% (95% IC 48.8-56.2) the PSI and 46.2% (95% CI 42.5-49.9) the CURB-65 in the external cohort. Patients classified as low risk by the three rules had similar 30-day mortality (SCAP: 2.5%, PSI: 1.6% and CURB-65: 2.7%). CONCLUSION: The SCAP is valid to predict 30-day mortality among low-risk patients and identifies a larger proportion of patients as low-risk than the other studied rules.

Predictors of short-term rehospitalization following discharge of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Among patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the risk factors for short-term hospital readmission after discharge are unknown. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of 1,117 patients who had been discharged alive after hospitalization for CAP. We collected variables associated with CAP severity at hospital admission, in-hospital clinical evolution, clinical instability factors on hospital discharge, therapy employed during hospitalization, and diagnostic bacteriology. We assessed hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge for the index hospitalization. Risk factors independently associated with 30-day hospital readmission were identified using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients (7.3%) who were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, 29 (35.8%) were rehospitalized for pneumonia-related causes. Variables associated with pneumonia-related hospital readmission were treatment failure (hazard ratio [HR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 6.8), and one or more instability factors on hospital discharge (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3 to 6.2). The predictive performance of these variables measured by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.65. Variables associated with pneumonia-unrelated hospital readmission were age >or= 65 years (HR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 14.7), Charlson comorbidity index >or= 2 (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.4), and decompensated comorbidities during in-hospital evolution (HR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.0 to 6.3); the AUC for this model was 0.77. Patients with at least two risk factors were at significantly increased risk of 30-day hospital readmission (pneumonia-related CAP: HR, 9.0; 95% CI, 3.2 to 25.3; pneumonia-unrelated CAP: HR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 18.1). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized for CAP, different risk factors are associated with hospital readmission related to pneumonia or to other causes. The identification of two different groups of patients who were at high risk of hospital readmission raises the possibility that different management strategies could decrease the rate of hospital readmissions.

Prospective comparison of severity scores for predicting clinically relevant outcomes for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The comparative accuracy and discriminatory power of three validated rules for predicting clinically relevant outcomes other than mortality in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are unknown. METHODS: We prospectively compared the newly developed severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) score, pneumonia severity index (PSI), and the British Thoracic Society confusion, urea > 7 mmol/L, respiratory rate > or = 30 breaths/min, BP < 90 mm Hg systolic or < 60 mm Hg diastolic, age > or = 65 years (CURB-65) rule in an internal validation cohort of 1,189 consecutive adult inpatients with CAP from one hospital and an external validation cohort of 671 consecutive adult inpatients from three other hospitals. Major adverse outcomes were admission to ICU, need for mechanical ventilation, progression to severe sepsis, or treatment failure. Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was also evaluated. The rules were compared based on sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic. RESULTS: The rate of all adverse outcomes and hospital LOS increased directly with increasing SCAP, PSI, or CURB-65 scores (p < 0.001) in both cohorts. Patients classified as high risk by the SCAP score showed higher rates of adverse outcomes (ICU admission, 35.8%; mechanical ventilation, 16.4%; severe sepsis, 98.5%; treatment failure, 22.4%) than PSI and CURB-65 high-risk classes. The discriminatory power of SCAP, as measured by AUC, was 0.75 for ICU admission, 0.76 for mechanical ventilation, 0.79 for severe sepsis, and 0.61 for treatment failure in the external validation cohort. AUC differences with PSI or CURB-65 were found. CONCLUSIONS: The SCAP score is as accurate or better than other current scoring systems in predicting adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with CAP while helping classify patients into different categories of increasing risk for potentially closer monitoring.

[Longitudinal incidence of tuberculosis in a cohort of contacts: factors associated with the disease]. / Incidencia longitudinal de la tuberculosis en una cohorte de contactos: factores asociados a la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in a cohort of contacts and to analyze the variables associated with the disease. METHODS: A prospective analysis was undertaken of all the contact investigations carried out in a health district in the Basque Country in northern Spain between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2004. The dependent variable was the number of cases of TB detected among the contacts. Independent variables were age, sex, tuberculin skin test result, and the degree of contact. In index cases, additional variables were the site of the disease and smear test result. RESULTS: Analysis of 5444 contacts of 596 patients with TB yielded 66 secondary cases of TB (40 at the time of the contact investigation and 26 at a later stage); the majority (73%) developed the disease within 12 months. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the detection of secondary cases and the following variables: close contact (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-5.31), positive smear test (OR, 8.54; 95% CI, 2.06-35.43), induration of 10 mm or larger (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 4.27-24.26), and age under 30 years (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.88-5.98). The final predictive model constructed on the basis of these 3 variables had a sensitivity of 77.4%, a specificity of 80.3%, and an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.78-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The contact investigation is a valid strategy for the detection of new cases of TB. Prophylactic treatment should be implemented at an early stage and priority should be given to young contacts of smear positive patients using an induration size of 10 mm or more as a reference.

Incidencia longitudinal de la tuberculosis en una cohorte de contactos: factores asociados a la enfermedad / Longitudinal incidence of tuberculosis in a cohort of contacts: factors associated with the disease

Objetivo: Conocer la incidencia de tuberculosis (TB) en una cohorte de contactos y analizar las variables asociadas a la enfermedad. Métodos: Se ha efectuado un análisis prospectivo de los estudios de contactos (EC) realizados en un área sanitaria del País Vasco del 1 de enero de 1995 al 31 de diciembre de 2004. La variable dependiente fue el número de casos de TB detectados entre los contactos. Las variables independientes fueron la edad, el sexo, la prueba de la tuberculina (PT) y el grado de contacto, y en los casos índice, la localización de la TB y la baciloscopia del esputo. Resultados: De los 5.444 contactos de 596 pacientes con TB que se estudiaron, se encontraron 66 casos secundarios de TB (40 en el momento del EC y 26 en el período posterior), la mayoría de ellos (73%) durante el primer año. El análisis multivariante demostró una relación significativa entre la detección de casos secundarios y las siguientes variables: contacto íntimo (odds ratio [OR] = 3,05; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,75-5,31), baciloscopia positiva (OR = 8,54; IC del 95%, 2,06-35,43), PT de 10 mm o mayor (OR = 10,18; IC del 95%, 4,27-24,26) y edad inferior a 30 años (OR = 3,35; IC del 95%, 1,88-5,98). El modelo predictivo final que se obtuvo utilizando estas 3 variables alcanzó una sensibilidad del 77,4%, una especificidad del 80,3% y un área bajo la curva de 0,83 (IC del 95%, 0,78-0,88). Conclusiones: El EC es una estrategia válida para la detección de nuevos casos de TB. La intervención profiláctica debería realizarse de forma precoz y dirigirse prioritariamente a los contactos jóvenes de pacientes bacilíferos, utilizando como referencia una PT de 10 mm o mayor

Objective: To investigate the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in a cohort of contacts and to analyze the variables associated with the disease. Methods: A prospective analysis was undertaken of all the contact investigations carried out in a health district in the Basque Country in northern Spain between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2004. The dependent variable was the number of cases of TB detected among the contacts. Independent variables were age, sex, tuberculin skin test result, and the degree of contact. In index cases, additional variables were the site of the disease and smear test result. Results: Analysis of 5444 contacts of 596 patients with TB yielded 66 secondary cases of TB (40 at the time of the contact investigation and 26 at a later stage); the majority (73%) developed the disease within 12 months. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the detection of secondary cases and the following variables: close contact (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-5.31), positive smear test (OR, 8.54; 95% CI, 2.06-35.43), induration of 10 mm or larger (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 4.27-24.26), and age under 30 years (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.88-5.98). The final predictive model constructed on the basis of these 3 variables had a sensitivity of 77.4%, a specificity of 80.3%, and an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.78-0.88). Conclusions: The contact investigation is a valid strategy for the detection of new cases of TB. Prophylactic treatment should be implemented at an early stage and priority should be given to young contacts of smear positive patients using an induration size of 10 mm or more as a reference

Blind comparison of traditional serotyping with three multiplex PCRs for the identification of Salmonella serotypes.

Salmonella serotypes are defined on the basis of somatic (O) antigens which define the serogroup and flagellar (H) factor antigens, both of which are present in the cell wall of Salmonella. Most Salmonella organisms alternatively express phase-1 or phase-2 flagellar antigens encoded by fliC and fljB genes, respectively. Our group previously published two multiplex PCRs for distinguishing the most common first- and second-phase antigens. In this paper we describe a third multiplex PCR to identify the most common serogroups (O:B; O:C1; O:C2; O:D and O:E). The combination of these three PCRs enabled us to completely serotype organisms belonging to the Salmonella species. This multiplex PCR includes 10 primers. A total of 67 Salmonella strains belonging to 32 different serotypes were tested. Each strain generated one serogroup-specific fragment ranging between 162 and 615bp. Twenty-eight strains belonging to 21 serotypes, with a serogroup different from those tested in this work, did not generate any fragments. To compare molecular serotyping with traditional serotyping, 500 strains, received according to the order of arrival in the laboratory, were serotyped using both methods. The three multiplex PCRs were able to serotype 84.6% of the tested strains. This method was found to be very helpful in our laboratory as an alternative method for typing strains causing outbreaks, and it can be used to supplement conventional serotyping, since it is also applicable to motionless and rough strains.

Valoración del Congreso Nacional: Pamplona 2006 / Assessment of National Congress: Pamplona 2006

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