Successful treatment of Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection using the combination of ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam.

The case of a female who had an accident that caused an open fracture is reported. During hospitalisation, Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics, quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and susceptibility to tigecycline, colistin, fosfomycin and aminoglycosides. Synergistic activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam was proved in vitro and a combined therapy with tigecycline was started. Combination with aminoglycosides was ruled out as it was not described in the literature and also in order to avoid side effects. Colistin was rejected because of its nephrotoxicity profile. The antibiotic treatment was assessed by a multidisciplinary team with a pharmacist who closely monitored adverse effects and interactions with other drugs. The total duration of this combination was 25 days, without any adverse events reported. Fourteen weeks after the accident the patient was discharged. After 2 months of follow-up neither relapses nor reinfections have been reported.

Implementation of a novel home delivery service during pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, measures have been put in place to adapt to patients' needs during home quarantine, such as "telehealthcare". With this service, hospital pharmacists develop a distinct role via the implementation of pharmacovigilance services and pharmaceutical care plans for patients with comorbidities, and for special populations as immunosuppressed patients.MethodsCross-sectional study involving hospital and community pharmacists actively practising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who could not come to the hospital pharmacy department were provided with a delivery service to the community pharmacy of their choice. RESULTS: A total of 1186 patients requested this service. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were the most in-demand medication, followed by rheumatoid arthritis and antiretroviral drugs. 125 patients responded to the telephone survey, most of whom stated that they would use the delivery service again, and expressed their desire to continue doing so. DISCUSSION: Without a doubt, telepharmacy and medication delivery services have provided multiple benefits during home quarantine. The delivery service enabled us to provide drugs to patients in their immediate environment through a service that was free for both the patient and the hospital pharmacy service. However, at present, the available evidence of the impact of telepharmacy models is sparse. CONCLUSIONS: This medication delivery service has provided multiple benefits to patients during home quarantine. Although the users of this service seem to be satisfied with the current model, in the future, we should consider which patients would benefit most from this service and shape it to individual needs.

Bartonella henselae encephalopathy in a paediatric patient: A case report and treatment review.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of "cat scratch disease (CSD)". We describe a case of atypical CSD in a paediatric patient and include a review of the antibiotic treatment for this disease. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old child, with convulsive status and loss of consciousness, was admitted to hospital. Several antiepileptics and antibiotics were prescribed due to suspected central nervous system infection. When serology revealed Bartonella henselae antibodies, targeted antibiotic therapy was initiated and symptoms improved. However, seizures reappeared days after finishing the treatment so antiepileptics and antibiotics were reintroduced. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A wide variety of antibiotic regimens have been used for the treatment of atypical CSD in paediatric patients. This report includes the case of a paediatric patient diagnosed with atypical CSD who presented neurological manifestations, and for which a regimen consisting of azithromycin and rifampin was employed to achieve recovery.

Guselkumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: effectiveness in real clinical practice / Guselkumab en placa de moderada a grave psoriasis: eficacia en la práctica clínica real

Introducción: La psoriasis es una enfermedad cutánea inflamatoria crónica inmunomediada que afecta a casi el 1-2% de la población mundial. El tratamiento biológico de la psoriasis moderada a grave ha cambiado el paradigma de manejo de la enfermedad, permitiendo un mejor control de la misma. Métodos: Se llevo a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó a pacientes con psoriasis moderada a grave que fueron tratados durante al menos 36 semanas con guselkumab. La eficacia se evaluó mediante la estimación de pacientes que alcanzaron las respuestas PASI 75, PASI 90 y PASI 100 en las semanas 16, 24 y 36. Se utilizó la prueba T de Student para muestras pareadas para determinar la significación estadística entre PASI al inicio y respuesta PASI en las semanas 16, 24 y 36. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 pacientes, 14 mujeres (63, 6%), con una edad media de 48, 7 ± 15, 5 años. El tratamiento con guselkumab redujo el PASI medio de 10, 3 ± 6 al inicio del estudio a 2, 4 ± 2 (p = 0,003), 1, 3 ± 1, 8 (p = 0,001) y 0, 3 ± 0, 6 (p = 0,001) a las 16, 24 y 36 semanas, respectivamente. Discusión: El primer fármaco en unirse al arsenal terapéutico anti-IL23 fue guselkumab. La eficacia obtenida fue superior a la observada en estudios fase III para PASI 90 y 100 a la semana 36. Existen algunos estudios que han evaluado la eficacia a corto plazo de guselkumab en la práctica clínica real; sin embargo, este fármaco se ha comercializado recientemente, limitando la posibilidad de evaluación durante períodos de tiempo más prolongados. Conclusión: Guselkumab presenta buenos resultados en el manejo de la psoriasis en adultos. La práctica clínica real a medio y largo plazo será fundamental, con un mayor tamaño muestral y período de seguimiento.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic immune­ mediated inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 1­2% of the population worldwide. Biologic treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis has changed the disease management paradigm, allowing for better disease control. Methods: A retrospective observational study including patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were treated for at least 36 weeks with guselkumab. Efficacy was evaluated by estimating the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100 responses at weeks 16, 24 and 36. The Student t-test for paired samples was used to determine the significant difference in outcome of patients between PASI at baseline and PASI response at weeks 16, 24 and 36. Reslts: 22 patients were included, 14 women (63.6%), with mean age of 48.7±15.5. Guselkumab treatment decreased mean PASI from 10.3±6 at baseline to 2.4±2 (p=0.003), 1.3±1.8 (p=0.001) and 0.3±0.6 (p=0.001) at 16, 24 and 36 weeks, respectively. Discussion: The first anti-IL23 drug family to join the therapeutic arsenal is guselkumab. The efficacy obtained is higher than that observed in phase III studies for PASI 90 and 100 at week 36. There are some studies that have evaluated the short-term effectiveness of guselkumab in real clinical practice; however, this drug has only recently been marketed, limiting the possibility of as yet longer treatment periods. Conclusion: Guselkumab shows great results in the management of psoriasis in adults. Medium- and long-term real clinical practice will be essential, with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period.