Progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) stratifies cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic patients with subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of MCTD and clinical and laboratory parameters to assess subclinical CVD progression in HIV patients. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients with at least 10 years of HIV infection and 5 years of antiretroviral therapy history, low cardiovascular risk and monitored for 6 years (2015-2021). All patients underwent clinical assessment, blood analysis, carotid ultrasound, and gated MDCT in 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (63.5% male) with a mean age of 49.9 years (standard deviation [SD], 10.5) were included in 2015; 63 of them were followed until 2021. Comparing the results from 2015 with those from 2021, Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation-2 (SCORE2) was 2.9% (SD, 2.1) vs. 4.4% (SD,3.1); Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis score (MESA risk) was 3.4 (SD 5.8) vs. 6.0 (SD 8.6); coronary artery calcification CAC) score >100 was 11.1% vs. 25.4% (P < 0.05); and 11% vs. 27% had carotid plaques (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: After six years of follow-up, an increase in SCORE2, carotid plaques, CAC scoring and MESA risk was observed. MDCT findings, along with other clinical and laboratory parameters, could play an important role as a marker of CVD progression in the evaluation of patients with HIV and low cardiovascular risk.

Evaluation of endothelial function and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with HIV infection.

The aim of this study was to analyse the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related clinical and analytical parameters and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis as well as endothelial dysfunction. This was a prospective cohort study of HIV-positive patients who underwent intima media thickness (IMT) determination and coronary artery calcium scoring to determine subclinical atherosclerosis. To detect endothelial dysfunction, the breath holding index, flow-mediated dilation and the concentration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were measured. Patients with an IMT ≥ 0.9 mm had an average of 559.3 ± 283.34 CD4/µl, and those with an IMT < 0.9 mm had an average of 715.4 ± 389.92 CD4/µl (p = 0.04). Patients with a low calcium score had a significantly higher average CD4 cell value and lower zenith viral load (VL) than those with a higher score (707.7 ± 377.5 CD4/µl vs 477.23 ± 235.7 CD4/µl (p = 0.01) and 7 × 104 ± 5 × 104 copies/ml vs 23.4 × 104 ± 19 × 104 copies/ml (p = 0.02)). The number of early EPCs in patients with a CD4 nadir < 350/µl was lower than that in those with a CD4 nadir ≥ 350 (p = 0.03). In HIV-positive patients, low CD4 cell levels and high VL were associated with risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis. HIV patients with CD4 cell nadir < 350/µl may have fewer early EPCs.

[Description of Influenza B in seasonal epidemic in Cantabria during the beginning of the pandemia due to SARS-CoV-2]. / Descripción de la epidemia estacional por Gripe B en Cantabria durante los inicios de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: Co-circulation of the two Influenza B lineages hinders forecast of strain to include in trivalent vaccine. Autonomous Communities such as Cantabria continue without supplying tetravalent vaccine. The aim of this study was to analyse epidemiological characteristics of influenza type B in Cantabria (2019-2020 season) as well as to establish the predominant lineage and its relation to the recommended vaccine. METHODS: Retrospective study whereby flu diagnosis and lineage analysis were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: All samples belonged to the Victoria lineage. Most prevalent viral co-infection was due to SARS-CoV-2. The population affected by influenza B was mainly paediatric and non-vaccinated patients more frequently required hospital admittance. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza type B has a higher incidence in the paediatric population and type A affects more the adult population. Only 28.8% of patients with Influenza B that presented with some underlying condition or risk factor were vaccinated. This shows the need to increase coverage with tetravalent vaccines in order to reduce the burden of disease associated with the Influenza B virus.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: a prospective study in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and factors related to outcome in Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). METHODS: A 3-year prospective observational epidemiological case study of HCAP was conducted in seven Spanish hospitals. Microbiological and patient characteristics and outcomes were collected and classified by causative pathogen into 4 categories: "S. pneumoniae", "MRSA", "Others" and "Unknown". Patients were followed up 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 258 (84.6%) patients were enrolled (170 were men [65.9%]). Mean age was 72.4 years ± 15 years (95% CI [70.54-74.25]). The etiology of pneumonia was identified in 73 cases (28.3%): S. pneumoniae in 35 patients (13.6%), MRSA in 8 (3.1%), and other microorganisms in 30 patients (11.6%). Significant differences in rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.05), previous antibiotic treatment (p<0.05), other chronic respiratory diseases, inhaled corticosteroids (p <0.01), and lymphoma (p < 0.05) were observed among the four groups. Patients with MRSA pneumonia had received more previous antibiotic treatment (87.5%). Thirty-three (12.8%) patients died during hospitalisation; death in 27 (81.2%) was related to pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of HCAP was identified in only one quarter of patients, with S. pneumoniae being the most prevalent microorganism. Patients with chronic respiratory diseases more frequently presented HCAP due to MRSA than to S. pneumoniae. Death at hospital discharge was related in most cases to pneumonia.

The Impact of Culturing the Organ Preservation Fluid on Solid Organ Transplantation: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of culture-positive preservation fluid and their impact on the management of solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: From July 2015 to March 2017, 622 episodes of adult solid organ transplants at 7 university hospitals in Spain were prospectively included in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of culture-positive preservation fluid was 62.5% (389/622). Nevertheless, in only 25.2% (98/389) of the cases were the isolates considered "high risk" for pathogenicity. After applying a multivariate regression analysis, advanced donor age was the main associated factor for having culture-positive preservation fluid for high-risk microorganisms. Preemptive antibiotic therapy was given to 19.8% (77/389) of the cases. The incidence rate of preservation fluid-related infection was 1.3% (5 recipients); none of these patients had received preemptive therapy. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with high-risk culture-positive preservation fluid receiving preemptive antibiotic therapy presented both a lower cumulative incidence of infection and a lower rate of acute rejection and graft loss compared with those who did not have high-risk culture-positive preservation fluid. After adjusting for age, sex, type of transplant, and prior graft rejection, preemptive antibiotic therapy remained a significant protective factor for 90-day infection. CONCLUSIONS: The routine culture of preservation fluid may be considered a tool that provides information about the contamination of the transplanted organ. Preemptive therapy for SOT recipients with high-risk culture-positive preservation fluid may be useful to avoid preservation fluid-related infections and improve the outcomes of infection, graft loss, and graft rejection in transplant patients.

Síndrome general y dolores óseos en un paciente tratado con tenofovir / General and bone pain syndrome in a patient treated with tenofovir

El tenofovir (TDF), es el único inhibidor de la transcriptasa inversa análogo nucleótido para el tratamiento de la infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Ocasionalmente, puede producir insuficiencia renal aguda y síndrome de Fanconi. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 64 años con infección por VIH conocida desde hace 22 años, en tratamiento con tenofovir. En las revisiones ambulatorias refería un cuadro progresivo de astenia y dolores óseos difusos. En varias determinaciones se había observado una elevación de la fosfatasa alcalina y la paratohormona (PTH). Durante el último mes empeoró su estado, por lo que fue ingresado en el hospital. Entre los datos analíticos destacaban: glucosuria marcada, hipofosfatemia, hiperfosfaturia e hipouricemia. Todas las alteraciones se resolvieron tras suspender el TDF, lo que ilustra la importancia de que los clínicos incluyan la posibilidad de tubulopatía proximal por TDF en pacientes con dolores óseos, síndrome general o alteraciones del metabolismo mineral (AU)

Tenofovir (TDF), is the only nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Occasionally, it may cause acute renal failure and Fanconi syndrome. We report the case of a 64-year-old male diagnosed with HIV infection 22 years previous and treated with tenofovir. In outpatient follow-up, the patient complained of progressive fatigue and diffuse aching bones. In several check-ups, increased alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were observed. Over the past month, his condition worsened and he was admitted to hospital. Analytical data included marked glycosuria, hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphaturia and hypouricemia. All changes were resolved when TDF was discontinued.This illustrates the importance of clinical evaluations that include possible TDF-induced proximal tubulopathy in patients with general bone pain syndrome or mineral metabolism disturbances (AU)

Echinococcosis: A 15-year epidemiological, clinical and outcome overview / / Equinococosis: epidemiología, clínica y resultados en una panorámica de 15 años

Objective. To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and mortality of patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) in northern Spain. Patients and methods. A retrospective study of the medical records of patients diagnosed with CE and hospitalized from 1997 to 2011 in a University Hospital. Results. A total of 76 patients (44 men) were diagnosed with CE. The mean age was 57.8 years (SD: 19.1 years; range: 14.9–92.7). The yearly average incidence was 1.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The highest incidence was registered in patients aged 70–79 years (22.7% of all cases). Liver was the main organ involved (92.1%), followed by lung (6.6%) and peritoneum (1.3%). Fifty-five patients (72%) received treatment: 2 (3.6%) medical treatment with albendazole, 27 (49%) surgical treatment, 3 (5.4%) medical treatment combined with cyst drainage, and 23 (42%) combined medical and surgical treatment. Eight patients had a recurrence. Twenty-four (31.2%) patients died. No patient's death was attributed directly to hydatidosis, though mortality was significantly higher in the untreated vs. the treated patient group (57% vs. 22%, p=0.003). Conclusions. Hydatidosis treatment and diagnostic approaches remain heterogeneous. The liver continues being the main organ affected. Mortality was higher in patients who did not receive treatment. However, this result might have been influenced by other factors, mainly age (AU)

Objetivos. Analizar las características epidemiológicas y clínicas y la mortalidad de los pacientes con equinococosis quística (EQ) en el norte de España. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de EQ, ingresados entre los años 1997 y 2011 en un Hospital Universitario. Resultados. Se diagnosticaron de hidatidosis un total de 76 pacientes (44 varones). La media de edad fue de 57,8 años (DE: 19,1 años; rango: 14,9–92,7). El promedio de incidencia anual fue de 1,08 casos/100.000 habitantes. La incidencia más alta se registró entre los pacientes con una edad comprendida entre 70 y 79 años (22,7% de los casos). El hígado fue el principal órgano afectado (92,1%), seguido del pulmón (6,6%) y el peritoneo (1,3%). Recibieron tratamiento 55 pacientes (72%): 2 (3,6%) tratamiento médico (albendazol), 27 (49%) tratamiento quirúrgico, 3 (5,4%) tratamiento médico combinado con drenaje del quiste y 23 (42%) tratamiento médico y quirúrgico combinados. Presentaron recurrencias 8 pacientes, y fallecieron 24 (31,2%). Ninguno de los pacientes falleció por una causa atribuible a hidatidosis, aunque la mortalidad fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de los no tratados respecto al de los tratados (57% vs. 22%, p=0,003). Conclusiones. La aproximación diagnóstica y terapéutica de la hidatidosis continúa siendo heterogénea. El hígado sigue siendo el principal órgano afectado. La mortalidad fue mayor en los pacientes que no recibieron tratamiento, si bien este resultado puede estar influido por otros factores, principalmente la edad (AU)

Echinococcosis: A 15-year epidemiological, clinical and outcome overview.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and mortality of patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) in northern Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the medical records of patients diagnosed with CE and hospitalized from 1997 to 2011 in a University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients (44 men) were diagnosed with CE. The mean age was 57.8 years (SD: 19.1 years; range: 14.9-92.7). The yearly average incidence was 1.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The highest incidence was registered in patients aged 70-79 years (22.7% of all cases). Liver was the main organ involved (92.1%), followed by lung (6.6%) and peritoneum (1.3%). Fifty-five patients (72%) received treatment: 2 (3.6%) medical treatment with albendazole, 27 (49%) surgical treatment, 3 (5.4%) medical treatment combined with cyst drainage, and 23 (42%) combined medical and surgical treatment. Eight patients had a recurrence. Twenty-four (31.2%) patients died. No patient's death was attributed directly to hydatidosis, though mortality was significantly higher in the untreated vs. the treated patient group (57% vs. 22%, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Hydatidosis treatment and diagnostic approaches remain heterogeneous. The liver continues being the main organ affected. Mortality was higher in patients who did not receive treatment. However, this result might have been influenced by other factors, mainly age.