Tracing the trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern between December 2020 and September 2021 in the Canary Islands (Spain).

Several variants of concern (VOCs) explain most of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic waves in Europe. We aimed to dissect the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in the Canary Islands (Spain) between December 2020 and September 2021 at a micro-geographical level. We sequenced the viral genome of 8,224 respiratory samples collected in the archipelago. We observed that Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (B.1.617.2 and sublineages) were ubiquitously present in the islands, while Beta (B.1.351) and Gamma (P.1/P.1.1) had a heterogeneous distribution and were responsible for fewer and more controlled outbreaks. This work represents the largest effort for viral genomic surveillance in the Canary Islands so far, helping the public health bodies in decision-making throughout the pandemic.

Role of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the appearance of new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in children in Gran Canaria, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 may play a role in the development of different forms of diabetes mellitus (DM). The Canary Islands have the highest incidence of type 1 DM (T1DM) reported in Spain (30-35/100,000 children under 14 years/year). In 2020-2021 we observed the highest incidence so far on the island of Gran Canaria, as a result of which we decided to evaluate the possible role of COVID-19 in the increased number of onsets. METHODS: We examined the presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in children with new onset T1DM between October 2020 and August 2021. We compared recent T1DM incidence with that of the previous 10 years. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were diagnosed with T1DM (48.1/100,000 patients/year), representing a nonsignificant 25.7% increase from the expected incidence. Of the 33 patients who consented to the study, 32 presented negative IgG values, with only one patient reflecting undiagnosed past infection. Forty-four percent of patients presented with ketoacidosis at onset, which was similar to previous years. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is no direct relationship between the increased incidence of T1DM and SARS-CoV-2 in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic did not result in an increased severity of T1DM presentation.

Comparison of three procedures for the rapid identification of bacteraemia-causing microorganisms. Evaluation of their effectiveness and applicability to microbiology laboratories. / Comparación de tres procedimientos para la identificación rápida de microorganismos causantes de bacteriemias. Evaluación de su eficacia y aplicabilidad en el laboratorio de microbiología.

INTRODUCTION: Three procedures for rapid identification of microorganisms in positive blood cultures were evaluated. METHODS: We performed two methods based on direct extraction from a blood culture: Sepsityper® (Bruker Daltonics) (ST) and a non-commercial saponin method (MCS), and another method consisting of a short incubation subculture (SIC). Identification values obtained by spectrometry Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (EM MALDI-TOF) were compared by applying the manufacturer's interpretation criteria and corrected cut-off points. RESULTS: According to the manufacturer, 65.8%, 45.8% and 57.4% of microorganisms were identified at the species level by using ST, MCS and SIC, respectively. When applying corrected cut-off points, the values increased to 92.3%, 80.6% and 85.2%, respectively. ST offered significantly better results than MCS, and no significant differences were found between ST and SIC, except for with respect to yeast. CONCLUSIONS: Better identification rates were obtained by using ST and SIC, which are easily applicable in any laboratory.

Single-sided deafness and cochlear implantation in congenital and acquired hearing loss in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the audiological and clinical results of cochlear implantation in children below the age of 12 years old with congenital and acquired single-sided deafness. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive, transversal study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech reception thresholds, Cortical responses, Auditory Lateralization Test and SSQ questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Children < 12 implanted for congenital or acquired SSD. RESULTS: All the children with congenital SSD showed positive cortical responses. Positive results were obtained in the Auditory Lateralization Test for the following modalities: 0º, 45º and 90º. With respect to the Speech Test, the children with acquired SSD showed the following results: 92% and 100% in recognition and 48% and 68% (Azimuth modalities), Signal CI side 52% and 68% and Signal normal hearing side 44% - 60% (p < 0.05). In both group the processor was used for 6-12 hours. With respect to the SSQ questionnaire results, the parents were more satisfied within the post-operative period than within the pre-operative period (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear implant provides children with congenital SSD with significant audiological and subjective benefits. Children with congenital SSD and implanted after a longer period may not have an important benefit (binaural) although other bilateral effects can be achieved. Children with post-lingual unilateral deafness and after a short period of hearing deprivation probably integrated the normal acoustic hearing with the cochlear implant electrical signal and showed binaural benefits.

Serous otitis media in children: implication of Alloiococcus otitidis.

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion (OME) has long been considered to be a noninfective disease resulting from a eustachian tube dysfunction. However, several microbiological techniques have shown bacteria in the middle ear fluids from patients with OME. Alloiococcus otitidis has been detected in the middle ear fluid from patients with OME. The exact role of this infectious agent in the pathogenesis of OME has yet to be elucidated. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical trial. SETTING: A tertiary university-based referral center. PATIENTS: The inclusion criteria included 110 patients aged between 1 and 12 years. The control group included samples obtained from 30 healthy children undergoing a cochlear implantation. The second group included 40 middle ear effusions (MEEs) that were collected from 40 pediatric OME patients during the placement of the ventilation tube. As for the third group, they were 40 children with acute otitis media. INTERVENTION: The bacterial analysis of the MEE was performed by means of microbiological culture-specific techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Positive cultures for A. otitidis as analyzed by bacteriological analysis of samples from the middle ear mucosa and MEE. RESULTS: Bacteria were present in the culture of 72.5% (29) of the patients with OME. Alloiococcus otitidis was the most frequent bacterium in OME (48.27%) as well as Haemophilus influenzae nonserotype B (17.24%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly detected pathogen in acute otitis media (37.5%), and then H. influenzae nonserotype B (25%). For most of the OME cases, only A. otitidis bacteria were isolated. CONCLUSION: We observed a high rate of culture positivity for A. otitidis in patients with clinical OME without suppuration. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the association of A. otitidis with OME represents causality. Antibiotic therapy aimed at A. otitidis is complicated by reported resistance, thus emphasizing the importance of our understanding of the pathogenetic role played by this organism

[Efficacy of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children with cochlear implant]. / Efecto de la vacuna heptavalente contra Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños con implante coclear.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to analyze the efficacy of heptavalent conjugate vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae (VPn7) in children with cochlear implant, in relation with the eradication of nasopharyngeal carriers and the prevention of complications. Analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and sensitivity of the different pneumococci strains isolated in cochlear implant nasopharyngeal carriers and healthy non-vaccinated children. METHOD: Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriers were analyzed in this prospective study including two groups of children aged between 2 and 5 years, from 2005 to 2006. The first group included 55 cochlear implant recipients and all of them were vaccinated with VPn7. The second group included 60 non-vaccinated healthy children. Nasopharyngeal swabs for culture were obtained from each child in order to detect the pneumococcus, its serotypes and the sensitivity to antibiotics. RESULTS: In the control group of non-vaccinated children, 25% of them were found to be pharyngeal pneumococcus carriers, whereas this figure fell to 11% in the vaccinated group. The non-vaccine serotypes (83.3%) isolated in vaccinated children showed high or moderate sensitivity to penicillin. There were no complications due to S pneumoniae infections in any of the patients with cochlear implant who were vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: VPn7 contributes to a decrease in pharyngeal colonization by pneumococci in general and, in particular, by the pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine, although there is a replacement phenomenon involving non-vaccine serotypes.

[Bacterial implication in otitis media with effusion in the childhood]. / Implicación bacteriana en la otitis media serosa infantil.

OBJECTIVE: Our main aim is to analyze the bacterial involvement in otitis media with effusion (OME) and its effect on antimicrobial therapy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study is carried out on a total of 70 children from 1 to 12 years of age distributed in 2 groups: the first is a control group of 30 healthy children and the second group comprises 40 children with OME. The surgical samples obtained from the middle ear were processed for bacterial analysis. RESULTS: In 72.5 % of OMEs, the bacterial cultures were positive. The micro-organisms isolated were: Alloiococcus otitidis (48.27 %), followed by Haemophilus influenzae not serotype B (17.24 %), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 2), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: In the healthy ear, the ear cavity is sterile. In most OMEs, bacteria such as Alloiococcus otitidis are identified. Knowing which bacterium is involved is essential for the prognosis and treatment of otitis media with effusion, as the high frequency of its presentation may be linked to the aetiology and/or course of the process in many patients.