Efficacy and safety of a structured de-escalation from antipseudomonal ß-lactams in bloodstream infections due to Enterobacterales (SIMPLIFY): an open-label, multicentre, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: De-escalation from broad-spectrum to narrow-spectrum antibiotics is considered an important measure to reduce the selective pressure of antibiotics, but a scarcity of adequate evidence is a barrier to its implementation. We aimed to determine whether de-escalation from an antipseudomonal ß-lactam to a narrower-spectrum drug was non-inferior to continuing the antipseudomonal drug in patients with Enterobacterales bacteraemia. METHODS: An open-label, pragmatic, randomised trial was performed in 21 Spanish hospitals. Patients with bacteraemia caused by Enterobacterales susceptible to one of the de-escalation options and treated empirically with an antipseudomonal ß-lactam were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1; stratified by urinary source) to de-escalate to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (urinary tract infections only), cefuroxime, cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, or ertapenem in that order according to susceptibility (de-escalation group), or to continue with the empiric antipseudomonal ß-lactam (control group). Oral switching was allowed in both groups. The primary outcome was clinical cure 3-5 days after end of treatment in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population, formed of patients who received at least one dose of study drug. Safety was assessed in all participants. Non-inferiority was declared when the lower bound of the 95% CI of the absolute difference in cure rate was above the -10% non-inferiority margin. This trial is registered with EudraCT (2015-004219-19) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02795949) and is complete. FINDINGS: 2030 patients were screened between Oct 5, 2016, and Jan 23, 2020, of whom 171 were randomly assigned to the de-escalation group and 173 to the control group. 164 (50%) patients in the de-escalation group and 167 (50%) in the control group were included in the mITT population. 148 (90%) patients in the de-escalation group and 148 (89%) in the control group had clinical cure (risk difference 1·6 percentage points, 95% CI -5·0 to 8·2). The number of adverse events reported was 219 in the de-escalation group and 175 in the control group, of these, 53 (24%) in the de-escalation group and 56 (32%) in the control group were considered severe. Seven (5%) of 164 patients in the de-escalation group and nine (6%) of 167 patients in the control group died during the 60-day follow-up. There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: De-escalation from an antipseudomonal ß-lactam in Enterobacterales bacteraemia following a predefined rule was non-inferior to continuing the empiric antipseudomonal drug. These results support de-escalation in this setting. FUNDING: Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013-2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases; Spanish Clinical Research and Clinical Trials Platform, co-financed by the EU; European Development Regional Fund "A way to achieve Europe", Operative Program Intelligence Growth 2014-2020.

Impact of Intermediate Susceptibility to Penicillin on Antimicrobial Treatment and Outcomes of Endocarditis Caused by Viridans and Gallolyticus Group Streptococci.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supporting combination treatment with a beta-lactam plus an aminoglycoside (C-BA) for endocarditis caused by viridans and gallolyticus group streptococci (VGS-GGS) with intermediate susceptibility to penicillin (PENI-I) is lacking. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PEN-I VGS-GGS endocarditis and compared the effectiveness and safety of C-BA with third-generation cephalosporin monotherapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of a cohort of definite endocarditis caused by penicillin-susceptible and PENI-I VGS-GGS (penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.25 to 2 mg/L) between 2008 and 2018 in 40 Spanish hospitals. We compared cases treated with monotherapy or with C-BA and performed multivariable analyses of risk factors for in-hospital and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 914 consecutive cases of definite endocarditis caused by VGS-GGS with complete or intermediate susceptibility to penicillin were included. A total of 688 (75.3%) were susceptible to penicillin and 226 (24.7%) were PENI-I. Monotherapy was used in 415 (45.4%) cases (cephalosporin in 331 cases) and 499 (54.6%) cases received C-BA. In-hospital mortality was 11.9%, and 190 (20.9%) patients developed acute kidney injury. Heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 6.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-26.87; P = .018), central nervous system emboli (OR: 9.83; 95% CI: 2.17-44.49; P = .003) and intracardiac abscess (OR: 13.47; 95% CI: 2.24-81.08; P = .004) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality among PEN-I VGS-GGS cases, while monotherapy was not (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: .26-3.96; P = .982). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of cephalosporin monotherapy in PEN-I VGS-GGS endocarditis in order to avoid nephrotoxicity without adversely affecting patient outcomes.

Infective Endocarditis in Diabetic Patients: A Different Profile with Prognostic Consequences.

Background. Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with a poor prognosis in other settings. Our aim was to describe the profile and prognosis of IE with and without DM and to analyze the prognostic relevance of DM-related organ damage. Methods. Retrospective analysis of the Spanish IE Registry (2008−2020). Results. The cohort comprises 5590 IE patients with a mean age of 65.0 ± 15.5 years; 3764 (67.3%) were male. DM was found in 1625 patients (29.1%) and 515 presented DM-related organ damage. DM prevalence during the first half of the study period was 27.6% vs. 30.6% in the last half, p = 0.015. Patients with DM presented higher in-hospital mortality than those without DM (521 [32.1%] vs. 924 [23.3%], p < 0.001) and higher one-year mortality (640 [39.4%] vs. 1131 [28.5%], p < 0.001). Among DM patients, organ damage was associated with higher in-hospital (200 [38.8%] vs. 321 [28.9%], p < 0.001) and one-year mortality (247 [48.0%] vs. 393 [35.4%], p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed an independent association of DM with in-hospital (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16−1.55, p < 0.001) and one-year mortality (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21−1.59, p < 0.001). Among DM patients, organ damage was independently associated with higher in-hospital (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.06−1.76, p = 0.015) and one-year mortality (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.26−2.01, p < 0.001) Conclusions. The prevalence of DM among patients with IE is increasing and is already above 30%. DM is independently associated with a poor prognosis, particularly in the case of DM with organ damage.

Clinical Factors Associated with Reinfection versus Relapse in Infective Endocarditis: Prospective Cohort Study.

We aimed to identify clinical factors associated with recurrent infective endocarditis (IE) episodes. The clinical characteristics of 2816 consecutive patients with definite IE (January 2008-2018) were compared according to the development of a second episode of IE. A total of 2152 out of 2282 (94.3%) patients, who were discharged alive and followed-up for at least the first year, presented a single episode of IE, whereas 130 patients (5.7%) presented a recurrence; 70 cases (53.8%) were due to other microorganisms (reinfection), and 60 cases (46.2%) were due to the same microorganism causing the first episode. Thirty-eight patients (29.2%), whose recurrence was due to the same microorganism, were diagnosed during the first 6 months of follow-up and were considered relapses. Relapses were associated with nosocomial endocarditis (OR: 2.67 (95% CI: 1.37-5.29)), enterococci (OR: 3.01 (95% CI: 1.51-6.01)), persistent bacteremia (OR: 2.37 (95% CI: 1.05-5.36)), and surgical treatment (OR: 0.23 (0.1-0.53)). On the other hand, episodes of reinfection were more common in patients with chronic liver disease (OR: 3.1 (95% CI: 1.65-5.83)) and prosthetic endocarditis (OR: 1.71 (95% CI: 1.04-2.82)). The clinical factors associated with reinfection and relapse in patients with IE appear to be different. A better understanding of these factors would allow the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

Four weeks versus six weeks of ampicillin plus ceftriaxone in Enterococcus faecalis native valve endocarditis: A prospective cohort study.

Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE) is a severe disease of increasing incidence. The objective was to analyze whether the outcome of patients with native valve EFIE (NVEFIE) treated with a short course of ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (4wAC) was similar to patients treated according to international guidelines (6wAC). Between January 2008 and June 2018, 1,978 consecutive patients with definite native valve IE were prospectively included in a national registry. Outcomes of patients with NVEFIE treated with 4wAC were compared to those of patients who received 6wAC. Three hundred and twenty-two patients (16.3%) had NVEFIE. One hundred and eighty-three (56.8%) received AC. Thirty-nine patients (21.3%) were treated with 4wAC for four weeks and 70 patients (38.3%) with 6wAC. There were no differences in age or comorbidity. Patients treated 6wAC presented a longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis (21 days, IQR 7-60 days vs. 7 days, IQR 1-22 days; p = 0.002). Six patients presented perivalvular abscess and all of these received 6wAC. Surgery was performed on 14 patients (35.9%) 4wAC and 34 patients (48.6%) 6wAC (p = 0.201). In-hospital mortality, one-year mortality and relapses among 4wAC and 6wAC patients were 10.3% vs. 11.4% (p = 0.851); 17.9% vs. 21.4% (p = 0.682) and 5.1% vs. 4.3% (p = 0.833), respectively. In conclusion, a four-week course of AC may be considered as an alternative regimen in NVEFIE, notably in patients with shorter duration of symptoms and those without perivalvular abscess. These results support the performance of a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of this short regimen.

DALBACEN cohort: dalbavancin as consolidation therapy in patients with endocarditis and/or bloodstream infection produced by gram-positive cocci.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effectiveness of dalbavancin (DBV) in clinical practice as consolidation therapy in patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) and/or infective endocarditis (IE) produced by gram-positive cocci (GPC), as well as its safety and pharmacoeconomic impact. METHODS: A multicentre, observational and retrospective study was conducted of hospitalised patients with IE and/or BSI produced by GPC who received at least one dose of DBV. Clinical response was assessed during hospitalization, at 3 months and at 1 year. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients with median age of 73 years were enrolled; 73.5% were male; 59.04% had BSI and 49.04% IE (44.04% prosthetic valve IE, 32.4% native IE, 23.5% pacemaker lead). The most frequently isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus in BSI (49%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci in IE (44.1%). All patients with IE were clinically cured in hospital; at 12 months, there was 2.9% loss to follow-up, 8.8% mortality unrelated to IE, and 2.9% therapeutic failure rate. The percentage effectiveness of DBV to treat IE was 96.7%. The clinical cure rate for BSI was 100% during hospital stay and at 3 months; there were no recurrences or deaths during the follow-up. No patient discontinued treatment for adverse events. The saving in hospital stay was 636 days for BSI (315,424.20€) and 557 days for IE (283,187.45€). CONCLUSIONS: DBV is an effective consolidation antibiotic therapy in clinically stabilized patients with IE and/or BSI. It proved to be a cost-effective treatment, reducing the hospital stay, thanks to the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of this drug.

Dalbavancin in the treatment of different gram-positive infections: a real-life experience.

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide with a very prolonged half-life enabling treatment with a single intravenous administration that has been approved to treat complicated skin and soft-tissue infections. Information on the efficacy and safety of dalbavancin in other situations is very scarce. This retrospective study included adult patients who received at least one dose of dalbavancin between 2016 and 2017 in 29 institutions in Spain. The primary objective was to report the use of dalbavancin in clinical practice, including its efficacy and tolerability. The potential impact of dalbavancin on reducing the length of hospital stay and hospital costs was also evaluated. A total of 69 patients received dalbavancin during the study period (58.0% male; median age 63.5 years). Dalbavancin was used to treat prosthetic joint infection (29.0%), acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (21.7%), osteomyelitis (17.4%) and catheter-related bacteraemia (11.6%). These infections were mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (27 isolates), coagulase-negative staphylococci (24 isolates) and Enterococcus spp. (11 isolates). All but two patients received previous antibiotics for a median of 18 days. Dalbavancin was administered for a median of 21 days (range 7-168 days), and concomitant antimicrobial therapy was prescribed to 25 patients (36.2%). The overall clinical success rate of dalbavancin was 84.1%. Adverse events, mainly mild in intensity, were reported in nine patients. Overall, dalbavancin was estimated to reduce hospitalisation by 1160 days, with an estimated overall cost reduction of €211 481 (€3064 per patient). Dalbavancin appears to be an effective therapy for many serious Gram-positive infections.

Prognostic factors of infective endocarditis in patients on hemodialysis: A case series from a National Multicenter Registry.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe complication associated with high mortality. OBJECTIVES: To examine the clinical characteristics of IE in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to determine prognostic factors related to HD. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2015, 2488 consecutive patients with definite IE were included. Clinical characteristics of IE patients on HD were compared with those of IE patients who were not on HD. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (63% male, median age: 66years; IQR: 54-74years) with IE (5.1%) were on HD. Fifty-two patients died during hospitalization (41%) and 17 additional patients (14%) died during the first year. The rate of patients who underwent surgery during hospitalization was lower in HD patients (38 patients, 30%) than in non-HD patients (1177 patients, 50%; p<0.001). Age >70years (OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10), heart failure (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4-7-6), central nervous system (CNS) vascular events (OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 2.1-22) and septic shock (OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.4-12.1) were independently associated with fatal outcome in HD patients. Of the 38 patients who underwent surgery, 15 (39.5%) died during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: HD patients with IE present a high mortality. Advanced age and complications, such as heart failure, CNS stroke or septic shock, are associated with mortality.

Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft: a case series from a national multicentre registry.

OBJECTIVES: Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft (AAPG) is a life-threatening complication. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with AAPG endocarditis included in a large prospective infectious endocarditis multicentre study. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2015, 3200 consecutive patients with infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria, were prospectively included in the 'Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis Registry (GAMES)' registry. Twenty-seven definite episodes of endocarditis (0.8%) occurred in patients with AAPG. RESULTS: During the study period, 27 cases of endocarditis were detected in patients with AAPG. The median age of patients was 61 years [interquartile range (IQR) 51-68 years] and 23 (85.2%) patients were male. The median time from AAPG surgery to the episode of AAPG infection was 24 months (IQR 6-108 months). The most frequently isolated micro-organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus (11 patients, 40.7%). Four patients (14.8%) underwent medical treatment, whereas surgery was performed in 21 (77.7%). Two patients (7.4%) died before surgery could be performed. The median hospital stay prior to surgery was 7 days (IQR 4-21 days). Surgery consisted of replacing previous grafts with a composite aortic graft (10 cases) or aortic homograft (2 patients), and removal of a large vegetation attached to the valve of a composite tube (1 case). Nine patients had an infected aortic valve prosthesis without evidence of involvement of the AAPG. Isolated redo-aortic valve replacement was performed in 8 (88.9%) of these patients. Reinfection occurring during 1 year of follow-up was not detected in any patient. Two patients (7.4%) died while awaiting surgery and 6 did so after surgery (22.2%). A New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV was associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery (P < 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of endocarditis in patients with AAPG occur late after initial surgery. Mortality rate of patients with AAPG endocarditis who undergo surgery is acceptable. NYHA Class IV before surgery is associated with an increased postoperative mortality.

Clinical and epidemiological features and prognosis of complicated pyelonephritis: a prospective observational single hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Complicated pyelonephritis (cPN), a common cause of hospital admission, is still a poorly-understood entity given the difficulty involved in its correct definition. The aim of this study was to analyze the main epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of cPN and its prognosis in a large cohort of patients with cPN. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study including 1325 consecutive patients older than 14 years diagnosed with cPN and admitted to a tertiary university hospital between 1997-2013. After analyzing the main demographic, clinical and microbiological data, covariates found to be associated with attributable mortality in univariate analysis were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 1325 patients, 689 (52%) were men and 636 (48%) women; median age 63 years, interquartile range [IQR] (46.5-73). Nine hundred and forty patients (70.9%) had functional or structural abnormalities in the urinary tract, 215 (16.2%) were immunocompromised, 152 (11.5%) had undergone a previous urinary tract instrumentation, and 196 (14.8%) had a long-term bladder catheter, nephrostomy tube or ureteral catheter. Urine culture was positive in 813 (67.7%) of the 1251 patients in whom it was done, and in the 1032 patients who had a blood culture, 366 (34%) had bacteraemia. Escherichia coli was the causative agent in 615 episodes (67%), Klebsiella spp in 73 (7.9%) and Proteus ssp in 61 (6.6%). Fourteen point one percent of GNB isolates were ESBL producers. In total, 343 patients (25.9%) developed severe sepsis and 165 (12.5%) septic shock. Crude mortality was 6.5% and attributable mortality was 4.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that an age >75 years (OR 2.77; 95% CI, 1.35-5.68), immunosuppression (OR 3.14; 95% CI, 1.47-6.70), and septic shock (OR 58.49; 95% CI, 26.6-128.5) were independently associated with attributable mortality. CONCLUSIONS: cPN generates a high morbidity and mortality and likely a great consumption of healthcare resources. This study highlights the factors directly associated with mortality, though further studies are needed in the near future aimed at identifying subgroups of low-risk patients susceptible to outpatient management.

Influence of early surgical treatment on the prognosis of left-sided infective endocarditis: a multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of early valve operation on mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (IE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was carried out between 1990 and 2010. Data from consecutive patients with definite IE and possible left-sided IE were collected. Propensity score matching and adjustment for survivor bias were used to control for confounders. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1019 patients with a mean age of 61 years (interquartile range, 47-71 years) were included. Early surgical treatment was performed in 417 episodes (40.9%). By propensity score, we matched 316 episodes: 158 who underwent early surgical treatment and 158 who did not (medical treatment group). In-hospital mortality and late mortality were lower in the surgically treated group (26.6% vs 41.8%; absolute risk reduction [ARR], -15.2%; P=.004 and 29.7% vs 46.2%; ARR, -16.5%; P=.002, respectively). Operation was independently associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.79; P=.007). Operation was associated with reduced mortality in patients with paravalvular complications (ARR, -40.5%), severe heart failure (ARR, -32%), and native valve endocarditis (ARR, -17.8%). CONCLUSION: This study supports the benefit of surgical treatment in patients with left-sided IE carried out during the initial phase of hospitalization, especially in patients with moderate or severe heart failure and paravalvular extension of infection.

Neurological complications of infective endocarditis: risk factors, outcome, and impact of cardiac surgery: a multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of neurological complications in patients with infective endocarditis, the risk factors for their development, their influence on the clinical outcome, and the impact of cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on a multicenter cohort of 1345 consecutive episodes of left-sided infective endocarditis from 8 centers in Spain. Cox regression models were developed to analyze variables predictive of neurological complications and associated mortality. Three hundred forty patients (25%) experienced such complications: 192 patients (14%) had ischemic events, 86 (6%) had encephalopathy/meningitis, 60 (4%) had hemorrhages, and 2 (1%) had brain abscesses. Independent risk factors associated with all neurological complications were vegetation size ≥3 cm (hazard ratio [HR] 1.91), Staphylococcus aureus as a cause (HR 2.47), mitral valve involvement (HR 1.29), and anticoagulant therapy (HR 1.31). This last variable was particularly related to a greater incidence of hemorrhagic events (HR 2.71). Overall mortality was 30%, and neurological complications had a negative impact on outcome (45% of deaths versus 24% in patients without these complications; P<0.01), although only moderate to severe ischemic stroke (HR 1.63) and brain hemorrhage (HR 1.73) were significantly associated with a poorer prognosis. Antimicrobial treatment reduced (by 33% to 75%) the risk of neurological complications. In patients with hemorrhage, mortality was higher when surgery was performed within 4 weeks of the hemorrhagic event (75% versus 40% in later surgery). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe ischemic stroke and brain hemorrhage were found to have a significant negative impact on the outcome of infective endocarditis. Early appropriate antimicrobial treatment is critical, and transitory discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy should be considered.

Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone is as effective as ampicillin plus gentamicin for treating enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AC) and ampicillin plus gentamicin (AG) combinations for treating Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE). METHODS: An observational, nonrandomized, comparative multicenter cohort study was conducted at 17 Spanish and 1 Italian hospitals. Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of EFIE were included. Outcome measurements were death during treatment and at 3 months of follow-up, adverse events requiring treatment withdrawal, treatment failure requiring a change of antimicrobials, and relapse. RESULTS: A larger percentage of AC-treated patients (n = 159) had previous chronic renal failure than AG-treated patients (n = 87) (33% vs 16%, P = .004), and AC patients had a higher incidence of cancer (18% vs 7%, P = .015), transplantation (6% vs 0%, P = .040), and healthcare-acquired infection (59% vs 40%, P = .006). Between AC and AG-treated EFIE patients, there were no differences in mortality while on antimicrobial treatment (22% vs 21%, P = .81) or at 3-month follow-up (8% vs 7%, P = .72), in treatment failure requiring a change in antimicrobials (1% vs 2%, P = .54), or in relapses (3% vs 4%, P = .67). However, interruption of antibiotic treatment due to adverse events was much more frequent in AG-treated patients than in those receiving AC (25% vs 1%, P < .001), mainly due to new renal failure (≥25% increase in baseline creatinine concentration; 23% vs 0%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: AC appears as effective as AG for treating EFIE patients and can be used with virtually no risk of renal failure and regardless of the high-level aminoglycoside resistance status of E. faecalis.

[Left-sided endocarditis due to gram-negative bacilli: epidemiology and clinical characteristics]. / Endocarditis sobre válvulas izquierdas por bacilos gran negativos: epidemiología y características clínicas.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with left-side endocarditis caused by gram-negative bacteria. METHOD: Prospective multicenter study of left-sided infective endocarditis reported in the Andalusian Cohort for the Study of Cardiovascular Infections between 1984 and 2008. RESULTS: Among the 961 endocarditis, 24 (2.5%) were caused by gram-negative bacilli. The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica. Native valves (85.7%) were mainly affected, most of them with previous valve damage (57%). Comorbidity was greater (90% vs 39%; P=.05) than in endocarditis due to other microorganism, the most frequent being, diabetes, hepatic cirrhosis and neoplasm. A previous manipulation was found in 47.6% of the cases, and 37% were considered hospital-acquired. Renal failure (41%), central nervous system involvement (33%) and ventricular dysfunction (45%) were the most frequent complications. Five cases (21%) required cardiac surgery, mostly due to ventricular dysfunction. More than 50% of cases were treated with aminoglycosides, but this did not lead to a better outcome or prognosis. Mortality (10 patients) was higher than that reported with other microorganisms (41% vs 35%; P=.05). CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided endocarditis due to gram-negative bacilli is a rare disease, which affects patients with major morbidities and often with a previous history of hospital manipulations. Cardiac, neurological and renal complications are frequent and associated with a high mortality. The association of aminoglycosides in the antimicrobial treatment did not involve a better outcome or prognosis.

Prognostic factors in left-sided endocarditis: results from the Andalusian multicenter cohort.

BACKGROUND: Despite medical advances, mortality in infective endocarditis (IE) is still very high. Previous studies on prognosis in IE have observed conflicting results. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in a large multicenter cohort of left-sided IE. METHODS: An observational multicenter study was conducted from January 1984 to December 2006 in seven hospitals in Andalusia, Spain. Seven hundred and five left-side IE patients were included. The main outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Several prognostic factors were analysed by univariate tests and then by multilogistic regression model. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 29.5% (25.5% from 1984 to 1995 and 31.9% from 1996 to 2006; Odds Ratio 1.25; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.97-1.60; p = 0.07). In univariate analysis, age, comorbidity, especially chronic liver disease, prosthetic valve, virulent microorganism such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and fungi, and complications (septic shock, severe heart failure, renal insufficiency, neurologic manifestations and perivalvular extension) were related with higher mortality. Independent factors for mortality in multivariate analysis were: Charlson comorbidity score (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.3), prosthetic endocarditis (OR: 1.9; CI: 1.2-3.1), Staphylococcus aureus aetiology (OR: 2.1; CI: 1.3-3.5), severe heart failure (OR: 5.4; CI: 3.3-8.8), neurologic manifestations (OR: 1.9; CI: 1.2-2.9), septic shock (OR: 4.2; CI: 2.3-7.7), perivalvular extension (OR: 2.4; CI: 1.3-4.5) and acute renal failure (OR: 1.69; CI: 1.0-2.6). Conversely, Streptococcus viridans group etiology (OR: 0.4; CI: 0.2-0.7) and surgical treatment (OR: 0.5; CI: 0.3-0.8) were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Several characteristics of left-sided endocarditis enable selection of a patient group at higher risk of mortality. This group may benefit from more specialised attention in referral centers and should help to identify those patients who might benefit from more aggressive diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures.

[Left-sided native valve endocarditis by coagulase-negative staphylococci: an emerging disease]. / Endocarditis en válvulas nativas izquierdas por estafilococos coagulasa negativos: una entidad en alza.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic characteristics of patients with left-sided native valve endocarditis (LNVE) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective multicenter study of endocarditis cases reported in the Andalusian Cohort for the Study of Cardiovascular Infections between 1984 and 2005. RESULTS: Among 470 cases of LNVE, 39 (8.3%) were caused by CoNS, a number indicating a 30% increase in the incidence of this infection over the last decade. The mean age of affected patients was 58.32 +/- 15 years and 27 (69.2%) were men. Twenty-one patients (53.8%) had previous known valve disease and half the episodes were considered nosocomial (90% of them from vascular procedures). Median time interval from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 14 days (range: 1-120). Renal failure (21 cases, 53.8%), intracardiac damage (11 cases, 28.2%), and central nervous system involvement (10 cases, 25.6%) were the most frequent complications. There were only 3 cases (7.7%) of septic shock. Surgery was performed in 18 patients (46.2%). Nine patients (23.1%) died, overall. Factors associated with higher mortality in the univariate analysis were acute renal failure (P = 0.023), left-sided ventricular failure (P = 0.047), and time prior to diagnosis less than 21 days (P = 0.018). As compared to LNVE due to other microorganisms, the patients were older (P = 0.018), had experienced previous nosocomial manipulation as the source of bacteremia (P < 0.001), and developed acute renal failure more frequently (P = 0.001). Mortality of LNVE due to CoNS was lower than mortality in Staphylococcus aureus infection, but higher than in Streptococcus viridans infection. CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided native valve endocarditis due to CoNS is now increasing because of the ageing of the population. This implies more frequent invasive procedures (mainly vascular) as a consequence of the concomitant disease. Nonetheless, the mortality associated with LNVE due to CoNS does not seem to be greater than infection caused by other pathogens.

Endocarditis en válvulas nativas izquierdas por estafilococos coagulasa negativos: una entidad en alza / Left-sided native valve endocarditis by coagulase-negative staphylococci: an emerging disease

Describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y pronósticas de la endocarditis sobre válvula nativa izquierda (EVNI) por estafilococos coagulasa negativos (ECN).PACIENTES Y MÉTODO. Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico delas endocarditis recogidas en la Cohorte Andaluza para el Estudio de las Infecciones Cardiovasculares en los años1984-2005.RESULTADOS. De las 470 EVNI recogidas, 39 (8,3%) fueron causadas por ECN con un aumento del 30% de incidencia en la última década. La edad media fue 58,32 15 años,27 pacientes (69,2%) eran varones y 21 (53,8%) tenían valvulopatía previa. En la mitad de los casos el origen se consideró nosocomial (el 90% tras manipulaciones vasculares). La mediana del intervalo entre la aparición de síntomas y el diagnóstico fue de 14 días (rango: 1-120). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: insuficiencia renal (53,8%), complicaciones cardíacas (28,2%), afectación del sistema nervioso central (25,6%) y shock séptico (7%). La cirugía fue necesaria en 18 pacientes (46,2%) y 9 (23,1%) fallecieron. Los factores que se asociaron con una mortalidad mayor fueron la insuficiencia renal aguda (p 0,023), el fallo ventricular izquierdo (p 0,047) y un tiempo de evolución previo al diagnóstico inferior a 21 días (p 0,018). La EVNI por ECN ocurre en pacientes más ancianos (p 0,018), es con mayor frecuencia de origen nosocomial (p < 0,001) y desarrolla más fracaso renal agudo (p 0,001). La mortalidad es menor que la EVNI producida por Staphylococcus aureus (47,7%), pero mayor que la EVNI por Streptococcus viridans (10,6%).CONCLUSIONES. La EVNI por ECN es una entidad cuya incidencia está aumentando a expensas de una población de edad avanzada, que requiere frecuentemente maniobras diagnósticas o terapéuticas cruentas como consecuencia de sus enfermedades con comitantes. A pesar de ello, la mortalidad no parece ser mayor que en las EVNI causadas por otros patógenos (AU)îes

To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic characteristics of patients with left-sided native valve endocarditis (LNVE) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS).PATIENTS AND METHOD. Prospective multicenter study of endocarditis cases reported in the Andalusian Cohort for the Study of Cardiovascular Infections between 1984 and 2005.RESULTS. Among 470 cases of LNVE, 39 (8.3%) were caused by CoNS, a number indicating a 30% increase in the incidence of this infection over the last decade. The mean age of affected patients was 58.32 15 years and 27(69.2%) were men. Twenty-one patients (53.8%) had previous known valve disease and half the episodes were considered nosocomial (90% of them from vascular procedures). Median time interval from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 14 days (range: 1-120). Renal failure (21 cases, 53.8%), intracardiac damage (11 cases,28.2%), and central nervous system involvement (10 cases,25.6%) were the most frequent complications. There were only 3 cases (7.7%) of septic shock. Surgery was performed in 18 patients (46.2%). Nine patients (23.1%)died, overall. Factors associated with higher mortality in the univariate analysis were acute renal failure (P 0.023), left-sided ventricular failure (P 0.047), and time prior to diagnosis less than 21 days (P 0.018). As compared to LNVE due to other microorganisms, the patients were older (P 0.018), had experienced previous nosocomial manipulation as the source of bacteremia (P < 0.001), and developed acute renal failure more frequently (P 0.001).Mortality of LNVE due to CoNS was lower than mortality in Staphylococcus aureus infection, but higher than in Streptococcus viridans infection. CONCLUSIONS. Left-sided native valve endocarditis dueto CoNS is now increasing because of the ageing of the population. This implies more frequent invasive procedures (mainly vascular) as a consequence ofthe concomitant disease. Nonetheless, the mortality associated with LNVE due to CoNS does not seem to be greater than infection caused by other pathogens (AU)

Clinical findings, therapeutic approach, and outcome of brucellar vertebral osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarticular complications are the most common focal complications of brucellosis. Although vertebral osteomyelitis is the most frequent location in adults >30 years of age, little information is available about this serious complication of brucellosis, and great confusion surrounds its prognosis and the most appropriate treatment. METHODS: We undertook a descriptive, retrospective, observational study of 96 patients who received a diagnosis of brucella vertebral osteomyelitis from September 1982 through December 2005 at a tertiary care hospital. All of the patients were treated for 3 months, after which they were followed up monthly for the first 3 months and then at 2-month intervals for the subsequent 6 months. RESULTS: The incidence of vertebral osteomyelitis was 10.4%. The mean diagnostic delay was 12.7 weeks. Inflammatory spinal pain (occurring in 94.8% of patients) and fever (91.7%) were the most relevant clinical characteristics. Eight patients (8.3%) had motor weakness or paralysis. Paravertebral masses, epidural masses, and psoas abscesses were detected in 45.8%, 27.1%, and 10.4% of patients, respectively. Sixty-three patients (65.6%) received medication only, and 33 (34.4%) required surgical therapy in addition to medication. Twenty percent of patients experienced therapeutic failure. Attributable mortality was 2.1%, and severe functional sequelae were apparent in 6.2% of the patients. No significant differences were seen between patients who were treated with doxycycline-streptomycin and those treated with doxycycline-rifampicin. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious complication of brucellosis. It generates a high rate of therapeutic failure and functional sequelae. In the absence of more-powerful controlled studies, the duration of treatment of brucellar vertebral osteomyelitis should be 3 months.

[Validity and reliability of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire in adults with cystic fibrosis]. / Validez y fiabilidad del Cuestionario Respiratorio de St. George en población adulta con fibrosis quística.

OBJECTIVE: To study self-perceived quality of life in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), and to assess the validity of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for use in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 37 adults with CF who were in stable condition as indicated by their respiratory and nutritional status. Disease severity was assessed by spirometry in conjunction with a modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) scoring system and the Bhalla scale. Nutritional status was evaluated by measuring height and weight, calculating body mass index, analyzing bioelectric impedance, and performing various laboratory tests. The patients' quality of life was assessed using the SGRQ. RESULTS: SGRQ scores were higher (indicating poorer quality of life) among patients with CF than in the general population or among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Internal consistency coefficients indicated the SGRQ had good reliability (Cronbach alpha 0.864). Women with CF tended to score higher than men, although this difference was not statistically significantly. A statistically significant relationship was observed between SGRQ score and severity of pulmonary impairment (the more severe the impairment, the worse the patient's quality of life). Statistically significant positive relationships were found between SGRQ domains and age, body mass index, and body fat percentage. Significant negative relationships were found between these domains and the modified NIH score, the Bhalla score, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (expressed as a percentage of predicted), and somatomedin C and zinc levels. CONCLUSIONS: Self-perceived quality of life is worse among adults with CF than in the general population or among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The SGRQ is a valid instrument for analyzing health-related quality of life in adults with CF as it discriminates very well between different degrees of severity of pulmonary impairment and also have an appropriate intern consistency.