Streptococcus agalactiae bacteremia in non-pregnant adult patients at two teaching hospitals / Bacteriemia por Streptococcus agalactiae en pacientes adultos y mujeres no embarazadas de dos hospitales universitarios

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is a frequent pathogen in immunocompromised adults. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency, clinical presentation, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and risk factors associated with GBS bacteremia in non-pregnant adult patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of blood cultures performed in two hospitals between the years 2009-2013. From 1110 bacteremia episodes, 13 were caused by GBS, all of which were susceptible to ampicillin. GBS bacteremia was more frequent in females and in patients older than 60 years of age. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic kidney disease, cardiac failure and neoplasia. History of appendectomy was detected in 53.8% of the patients, being the most relevant comorbidity for GBS bacteremia in the multivariate analysis (OR 4.13, p = 0.012). The main presentations were primary bacteremia and soft tissue infection. GBS bacteremia was infrequent in our institution, and a history of appendectomy might be related to bacteremia occurrence.

Streptococcus agalactiae o estreptococo del grupo B (SGB), es un patógeno frecuente en adultos inmunocomprometidos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia relativa, formas de presentación, susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y factores de riesgo asociados a la bacteriemia por SGB en pacientes adultos y mujeres no embarazadas. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de hemocultivos en 2 hospitales entre 2009-2013. De un total de 1.110 episodios de bacteriemia, 13 fueron causadas por SGB, siendo todos los aislamientos sensibles a ampicilina. Fue más frecuente en mujeres y en pacientes mayores de 60 años. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron enfermedad renal crónica, insuficiencia cardíaca y neoplasias. El 53,8% de los casos tenía antecedente de apendicectomía previa, siendo la comorbilidad más relevante según el análisis multivariado (OR: 4,13; p = 0,012). Se presentaron principalmente como bacteriemia primaria e infección de tejidos blandos. La bacteriemia por SBG fue infrecuente en nuestro medio y el antecedente de apendicectomía podría relacionarse al desarrollo de la misma.

Streptococcus agalactiae bacteremia in non-pregnant adult patients at two teaching hospitals.

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is a frequent pathogen in immunocompromised adults. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency, clinical presentation, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and risk factors associated with GBS bacteremia in non-pregnant adult patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of blood cultures performed in two hospitals between the years 2009-2013. From 1110 bacteremia episodes, 13 were caused by GBS, all of which were susceptible to ampicillin. GBS bacteremia was more frequent in females and in patients older than 60 years of age. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic kidney disease, cardiac failure and neoplasia. History of appendectomy was detected in 53.8% of the patients, being the most relevant comorbidity for GBS bacteremia in the multivariate analysis (OR 4.13, p=0.012). The main presentations were primary bacteremia and soft tissue infection. GBS bacteremia was infrequent in our institution, and a history of appendectomy might be related to bacteremia occurrence.

New Botanical Anxiolytics for Use in Companion Animals and Humans.

As part of our ongoing research into botanical therapies for anxiety disorders, the neotropical vine Souroubea sympetala was chosen for study as a phytochemical discovery strategy focusing on rare Central American plant families. When orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats, the crude plant extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, supercritical carbon dioxide fraction, or its isolated triterpenes reduced anxiety and/or fear-related behavior in standardized behavioral models. Pharmacological studies showed that the extracts acted at the benzodiazepine GABAA receptor and reduced corticosterone levels. A preparation containing Souroubea fortified with a second triterpene containing plant, Platanus occidentalis, was shown to be safe in a 28-day feeding trial with beagles at 5 times the intended dose. Subsequent trials with beagles in a thunderstorm model of noise aversion showed that the material reduced anxiety behaviors and cortisol levels in dogs. The formulation has been released for the companion animal market in Canada and the USA under the Trademark "Zentrol." Ongoing research is exploring the use of the material in treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress in humans.