Identification of Coinfections by Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients in Peru: Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Characteristics.

The impact of respiratory coinfections in COVID-19 is still not well understood despite the growing evidence that consider coinfections greater than expected. A total of 295 patients older than 18 years of age, hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of moderate/severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection (according to definitions established by the Ministry of Health of Peru) were enrolled during the study period. A coinfection with one or more respiratory pathogens was detected in 154 (52.2%) patients at hospital admission. The most common coinfections were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (28.1%), Chlamydia pneumoniae (8.8%) and with both bacteria (11.5%); followed by Adenovirus (1.7%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae/Adenovirus (0.7%), Chlamydia pneumoniae/Adenovirus (0.7%), RSV-B/Chlamydia pneumoniae (0.3%) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae/Chlamydia pneumoniae/Adenovirus (0.3%). Expectoration was less frequent in coinfected individuals compared to non-coinfected (5.8% vs. 12.8%). Sepsis was more frequent among coinfected patients than non-coinfected individuals (33.1% vs. 20.6%) and 41% of the patients who received macrolides empirically were PCR-positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Antibiotic Consumption and Its Relationship with Bacterial Resistance Profiles in ESKAPE Pathogens in a Peruvian Hospital.

A descriptive design was carried out studying the correlation between antimicrobial consumption and resistance profiles of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) in a Peruvian hospital, including the surgical, clinical areas and the intensive care unit (ICU) during the time period between 2015 and 2018. There was a significant correlation between using ceftazidime and the increase of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolations (R = 0.97; p < 0.05) and the resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam in Enterobacter spp. and ciprofloxacin usage (R = 0.97; p < 0.05) in the medical wards. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin in the intensive care unit (ICU) had a significant reduction from 2015 to 2018 (67% vs. 28.6%, 65% vs. 34.9%, p < 0.001). These findings give valuable information about the rates and dynamics in the relationship between antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance patterns in a Peruvian hospital and reinforce the need for continuous support and assessment of antimicrobial stewardship strategies, including microbiological indicators and antimicrobial consumption patterns.

Azole resistance among clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus in Lima-Peru.

Azole resistance among Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, which is mainly related to mutations in the cyp51A gene, is a concern because it is rising, worldwide disseminated, and associated with treatment failure and death. Data on azole resistance of aspergillus from Latin American countries is very scarce and do not exist for Peru. Two hundred and seven Aspergillus clinical isolates collected prospectively underwent mycology and molecular testing for specie identification, and 143 isolates were confirmed as A. fumigatus sensu stricto (AFSS). All AFSS were tested for in vitro azole susceptibility, and resistant isolates underwent PCR amplification and sequencing of the whole cyp51A gene and its promoter. The in vitro susceptibility showed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range, MIC50 and MIC90 of 0.125 to >16, 0.25, and 0.5 µg/ml for itraconazole; 0.25 to 2, 0.5, and 0.5 µg/ml for voriconazole; and 0.003 to 1, 0.06, and 0.125 µg/ml for posaconazole. Three isolates (2%) showed resistance to itraconazole and exhibited different mutations of the cyp51A gene. One isolate harbored the mutation M220K, while a second one exhibited the G54 mutation plus a modification in the cyp51A gene promoter. The third isolate, from an azole naive patient, presented an integration of a 34-bp tandem repeat (TR34) in the promoter region of the gene and a substitution of leucine 98 by histidine (L98H). The three source patients had a diagnosis or suspicion of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

[Antimicrobial Stewardship programs in Peru: A fundamental agreement]. / Programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en Perú: Un acuerdo sobre lo fundamental.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public health. Antibiotic stewardship programs (AMSP) promote the proper use of antimicrobials, improve clinical and economic outcomes, and helps containing the AMR. AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic phase of the AMS programs and early implementation of AMS at three high complexity hospitals that belong to the social security system in Peru. METHODS: A quasi-experimental multicenter study was implemented. The construction of the AMSP, microbiological baselines, antimicrobial consumption and consensus on AMS activities were evaluated at the diagnosis and early implementation periods of the AMSP. RESULTS: Following implementation, hospitals doubled their score of resources and processes available for the AMS program from 6.75 to 13.75. The prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing enterobacteria was 50-60% while Pseudomonas aeruginosa averaged 69% resistance to carbapenems. The defined daily dose (DDD) of ceftriaxone was 13.63, vancomycin 7.35 and meropenem 6.73 in average. Hospitals A and C decreased the use of antimicrobials (30-50%). DISCUSSION: The implementation of the AMSP in the three hospitals was achieved through diverse strategies designed by multidisciplinary teams, which in addition to its articulation, reduce the consumption of broad spectrum antimicrobials at an early stage.

Programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en Perú: un acuerdo sobre lo fundamental / Antimicrobial Stewardship programs in Peru: a fundamental agreement

Resumen Introducción: La resistencia a los antimicrobianos (RAM) es una amenaza para la salud pública mundial. Los programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos (PROAs) son programas que promueven su adecuado uso, mejoran los resultados clínicos, económicos y contribuyen a contener la RAM. Objetivos: Evaluar las fases de diagnóstico e implementación temprana de los PROAs en tres hospitales de alta complejidad pertenecientes al Sistema de Seguridad Social del Perú. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, cuasi experimental. La estructuración de los programas, las líneas de base microbiológicas, el consumo de antimicrobianos y los consensos fueron evaluadas durante los períodos de diagnóstico inicial y durante la implementación temprana de los PROAs. Resultados: Con posterioridad a la implementación, los hospitales duplicaron la puntuación de recursos disponibles para los programas (6,75 vs 13,75). La prevalencia de enterobacterias portadoras de β-lactamasas de espectro extendido era de 50-60%, mientras que la resistencia a carbapenémicos en Pseudomonas aeruginosa promedió el 69%. La dosis diaria definida de ceftriaxona fue de 13,63, de 7,35 para vancomicina y 6,73 para meropenem en promedio. Los hospitales A y C disminuyeron el uso de antimicrobianos en 30 a 50%. Discusión: A través de estrategias diseñadas por equipos multidisciplinarios para implementar los PROAs, se logró disminuir tempranamente el consumo de antimicrobianos de amplio espectro.

Background. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public health. Antibiotic stewardship programs (AMSP) promote the proper use of antimicrobials, improve clinical and economic outcomes, and helps containing the AMR. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic phase of the AMS programs and early implementation of AMS at three high complexity hospitals that belong to the social security system in Peru. Methods: A quasi-experimental multicenter study was implemented. The construction of the AMSP, microbiological baselines, antimicrobial consumption and consensus on AMS activities were evaluated at the diagnosis and early implementation periods of the AMSP. Results: Following implementation, hospitals doubled their score of resources and processes available for the AMS program from 6.75 to 13.75. The prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing enterobacteria was 50-60% while Pseudomonas aeruginosa averaged 69% resistance to carbapenems. The defined daily dose (DDD) of ceftriaxone was 13.63, vancomycin 7.35 and meropenem 6.73 in average. Hospitals A and C decreased the use of antimicrobials (30-50%). Discussion: The implementation of the AMSP in the three hospitals was achieved through diverse strategies designed by multidisciplinary teams, which in addition to its articulation, reduce the consumption of broad spectrum antimicrobials at an early stage.