Molecular characterization of macrolide resistance in Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae strains (2018-21).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of macrolide resistance and the underlying resistance mechanisms in Haemophilus influenzae (n = 2556) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae (n = 510) collected between 2018 and 2021 from Bellvitge University Hospital, Spain. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by microdilution. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore technologies, and sequences were examined for macrolide resistance determinants and mobile genetic structures. RESULTS: Macrolide resistance was detected in 67 H. influenzae (2.6%) and 52 (10.2%) H. parainfluenzae strains and associated with resistance to other antimicrobials (co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, tetracycline). Differences in macrolide resistance existed between the two species. Acquired resistance genes were more prevalent in H. parainfluenzae (35/52; 67.3%) than in H. influenzae (12/67; 17.9%). Gene mutations and amino acid substitutions were more common in H. influenzae (57/67; 85%) than in H. parainfluenzae (16/52; 30.8%). Substitutions in L22 and in 23S rRNA were only detected in H. influenzae (34.3% and 29.0%, respectively), while substitutions in L4 and AcrAB/AcrR were observed in both species. The MEGA element was identified in 35 (67.3%) H. parainfluenzae strains, five located in an integrative and conjugative element (ICE); by contrast, 11 (16.4%) H. influenzae strains contained the MEGA element (all in an ICE). A new ICEHpaHUB8 was described in H. parainfluenzae. CONCLUSIONS: Macrolide resistance was higher in H. parainfluenzae than in H. influenzae, with differences in the underlying mechanisms. H. parainfluenzae exhibits co-resistance to other antimicrobials, often leading to an extensively drug-resistant phenotype. This highlights the importance of conducting antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

Treating sleep-disordered breathing of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients with CPAP and nocturnal oxygen treatment. A pilot study : Sleep-disordered breathing treatment in IPF.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a major comorbidity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is associated with a poor outcome. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of SDB treatment on IPF. We assessed at one year: (1) the effect of CPAP and/or nocturnal oxygen therapy on IPF regarding lung function, blood mediators, and quality of life; (2) adherence to SDB treatment and SDB changes. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective study of consecutive newly diagnosed IPF patients initiating anti-fibrotic treatment. Lung function, polysomnography, blood tests and quality of life questionnaires were performed at inclusion and after one year. Patients were classified as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), central sleep apnoea (CSA), and sleep-sustained hypoxemia (SSH). SDB therapy (CPAP and/or nocturnal oxygen therapy) was initiated if needed. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled (36% had OSA, 22% CSA, and 12% SSH). CPAP was started in 54% of patients and nocturnal oxygen therapy in 16%. At one-year, polysomnography found improved parameters, though 17% of patients had to add nocturnal oxygen therapy or CPAP, while 33% presented SDB onset at this second polysomnography. CPAP compliance at one year was 6.74 h/night (SD 0.74). After one year, matrix metalloproteinase-1 decreased in OSA and CSA (p = 0.029; p = 0.027), C-reactive protein in OSA (p = 0.045), and surfactant protein D in CSA group (p = 0.074). There was no significant change in lung function. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of SBD with CPAP and NOT can be well tolerated with a high compliance. IPF patients may exhibit SDB progression and require periodic re-assessment. Further studies to evaluate the impact of SDB treatment on lung function and serological mediators are needed.

Risk of severe cardiovascular events following COPD exacerbations: results from the EXACOS-CV study in Spain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This real-world study-the first of its kind in a Spanish population-aimed to explore severe risk for cardiovascular events and all-cause death following exacerbations in a large cohort of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: We included individuals with a COPD diagnosis code between 2014 and 2018 from the BIG-PAC health care claims database. The primary outcome was a composite of a first severe cardiovascular event (acute coronary syndrome, heart failure decompensation, cerebral ischemia, arrhythmia) or all-cause death following inclusion in the cohort. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models estimated HRs for associations between exposed time periods (1-7, 8-14, 15-30, 31-180, 181-365, and >365 days) following an exacerbation of any severity, and following moderate or severe exacerbations separately (vs unexposed time before a first exacerbation following cohort inclusion). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.03 years, 18 901 of 24 393 patients (77.5%) experienced ≥ 1 moderate/severe exacerbation, and 8741 (35.8%) experienced the primary outcome. The risk of a severe cardiovascular event increased following moderate/severe COPD exacerbation onset vs the unexposed period, with rates being most increased during the first 1 to 7 days following exacerbation onset (HR, 10.10; 95%CI, 9.29-10.97) and remaining increased >365 days after exacerbation onset (HR, 1.65; 95%CI, 1.49-1.82). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of severe cardiovascular events or death increased following moderate/severe exacerbation onset, illustrating the need for proactive multidisciplinary care of patients with COPD to prevent exacerbations and address other cardiovascular risk factors.

The 7 Cardinal Sins of COPD in Spain

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health problem due to its high prevalence (11% in the adult population in Spain), increasing incidence, and great social and economic impact. Despite this, it is underdiagnosed (and, therefore, undertreated) at a rate of around 80%. In this paper, a group of respiratory physicians specializing in COPD discuss 7 fundamental problems (“cardinal sins”) that contribute to this situation, with the explicit aim of proposing specific solutions that may help to improve this unfavorable state of affairs. (AU)

Estudio del gen BMPR2 en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar / Study of the BMPR2 gene in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

IntroducciónLas mutaciones del gen que codifica el receptor 2 de las proteínas morfogénicas del hueso (BMPR2) contribuyen a la patogénesis de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar en sus formas familiar (HAPF) e idiopática.MétodoCon el objetivo de profundizar en el conocimiento de dichos factores genéticos en nuestro medio, se estudió el gen BMPR2 en 17 pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar, 8 con HAPF y 9 con hipertensión arterial idiopática esporádica. Adicionalmente, se analizó si la presencia de mutaciones del gen BMPR2 se asociaba a cambios en la capacidad de difusión del CO a fin de evaluar el interés de esta medición en el diagnóstico preclínico.ResultadosSe detectaron las mutaciones R491Q y R211X en 2 pacientes con HAPF (prevalencia 25%), y la mutación R332X en un caso de hipertensión arterial idiopática (prevalencia 11%). El estudio familiar del paciente con la mutación R491Q demostró la presencia de la misma en 14 de los 28 sujetos estudiados, de los cuales 5 presentaban la enfermedad (penetrancia 36%). En dicha familia se observó un descenso de la relación en la capacidad de difusión del CO/volumen alveolar en los familiares asintomáticos que expresaban la mutación, comparado con los que no la expresaban (88±5% y 104±9% del valor de referencia, respectivamente; p<0,01).ConclusiónConcluimos que la frecuencia de mutaciones del gen BMPR2 en los pacientes con HAPF estudiados es inferior a la descrita previamente. El descenso del volumen alveolar observado en portadores de la mutación asintomáticos sugiere cierto grado de alteración vascular pulmonar, por lo que su medición podría ser útil en el estudio familiar de la HAPF(AU)

IntroductionMutations of the gene that code bone morphogenic protein type 2 receptor (BMPR2) are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), both in its familial (FPAH) and its idiopathic (IPAH) forms.MethodWith the aim of increasing the knowledge of these genetic factors in our area, the BMPR2 gene was studied in 17 patients with PAH, 8 with FPAH and 9 with sporadic IPAH. Additionally, a study was made to see whether the presence of BMPR2 mutations was associated with changes in the CO diffusing CO (DLCO) with the aim of evaluating the interest in this measurement in the pre-clinical diagnosis.ResultsR491Q y R211X mutations were detected in 2 patients with FPAH (prevalence, 25%), and the R332X mutation in one case of IPAH (prevalence, 11%). The familial study of the patient with the R491Q mutation, 14 of the 28 subjects studied had the mutation, and 4 had the diseases (penetration, 36%). A decrease in the DLCO/alveolar volume (KCO) ratio was observed in asymptomatic family members who expressed the mutation, compared to those who did not express it (88±5% and 104±9% of the reference value, respectively; P<0.01).ConclusionWe conclude that the frequency of mutations in the BMPR2 gene in the patients studied with FPAH is lower than was previously described. The decrease in the KCO observed in asymptomatic carriers of the mutation suggests a certain level of pulmonary vascular changes, therefore its measurement could be useful in the familial study of FPAH(AU)