Dispersal history of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain.

The dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission are influenced by a variety of factors, including social restrictions and the emergence of distinct variants. In this study, we delve into the origins and dissemination of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron-BA.1 variants of concern in Galicia, northwest Spain. For this, we leveraged genomic data collected by the EPICOVIGAL Consortium and from the GISAID database, along with mobility information from other Spanish regions and foreign countries. Our analysis indicates that initial introductions during the Alpha phase were predominantly from other Spanish regions and France. However, as the pandemic progressed, introductions from Portugal and the United States became increasingly significant. The number of detected introductions varied from 96 and 101 for Alpha and Delta to 39 for Omicron-BA.1. Most of these introductions left a low number of descendants (<10), suggesting a limited impact on the evolution of the pandemic in Galicia. Notably, Galicia's major coastal cities emerged as critical hubs for viral transmission, highlighting their role in sustaining and spreading the virus. This research emphasizes the critical role of regional connectivity in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and offers essential insights for enhancing public health strategies and surveillance measures.

Dispersal history of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain.

The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission are influenced by a variety of factors, including social restrictions and the emergence of distinct variants. In this study, we delve into the origins and dissemination of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern in Galicia, northwest Spain. For this, we leveraged genomic data collected by the EPICOVIGAL Consortium and from the GISAID database, along with mobility information from other Spanish regions and foreign countries. Our analysis indicates that initial introductions during the Alpha phase were predominantly from other Spanish regions and France. However, as the pandemic progressed, introductions from Portugal and the USA became increasingly significant. Notably, Galicia's major coastal cities emerged as critical hubs for viral transmission, highlighting their role in sustaining and spreading the virus. This research emphasizes the critical role of regional connectivity in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and offers essential insights for enhancing public health strategies and surveillance measures.

Effects of Maternal Stress on Breast Milk Production and the Microbiota of Very Premature Infants.

Perinatal stress experienced by mothers of very premature newborns may influence the mother's milk and the infant's intestinal microbiota. This prospective study of mothers of very preterm infants fed with mother's own milk (MOM) was carried out in a tertiary hospital over a 2-year period. The assessment of maternal stress in 45 mothers of 52 very preterm newborns using the parental stress scale (PSS:NICU) revealed an inverse relationship between stress and MOM production in the first days of life (p = 0.012). The greatest contributor to stress was the one related to the establishment of a mother-child bond. Maternal stress was lower in mothers in whom the kangaroo method was established early (p = 0.011) and in those with a higher educational level (p = 0.032). Levels of fecal calprotectin (FC) decreased with the passage of days and were directly correlated with birthweight (p = 0.044). FC levels 7 days post-delivery were lower in newborns that received postnatal antibiotics (p = 0.027). High levels of maternal stress resulted in progressive decreases and increases in the proportions of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria species, respectively, over 15 days post-delivery, both in MOM and in fecal samples from premature newborns. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing and appropriately managing maternal stress in neonatal units, given its marked influence on both the microbiota of maternal milk and the intestinal microbiota of premature newborns.

The unexpected high prevalence of HBV subgenotype D4 in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Galicia, a northwestern Spanish region, reflects strong links with Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) comprises 9 genotypes and multiple subgenotypes that depict differences in geographic distribution, clinical outcome and response to antiviral therapy. However, the molecular epidemiology of HBV geno/subgenotypes is globally scarce. In Spain, HBV genotype D seems to be more prevalent in the northwestern regions compared to the rest of the country for unclear reasons. METHODS: HBV genotyping was performed using geno2pheno on a S gene fragment amplified from plasma collected from all chronic hepatitis B individuals attended at one reference hospital in Santiago de Compostela, the Galicia's capital town. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses using a fragment of 345 bp were performed in all viremic specimens. To avoid misleading allocation as consequence of short fragment analysis, several bioinformatic controls were used. RESULTS: A total of 320 individuals with persistent serum HBsAg+ and detectable HBV-DNA were seen between 2000 and 2016 (male 68.4%; median age, 52 years-old; native Spaniards 83.8%). HBV genotype distribution was as follows: A 15.3%; B 1.6%; C 2.5%; D 71.6%; E 3.1%; F 2.2%; G 3.1%; and H 0.6%. HBV genotype D was mostly represented by D4 and D2 subgenotypes (33.4% and 15% of total, respectively). Compared to chronic hepatitis B patients with genotypes B, C, E and G, HBV-D4 carriers tended to be older (54.2% had >50 years-old) and HBeAg-negative (85%). Moreover, 43% were female, 4.7% had cirrhosis, 10.2% hepatitis C and 6.4% HIV coinfection. Phylogenetic analyses could be performed on 82 HBV-D4 specimens; and 79 were confirmed as HBV-D4 using PhyML. Phylogeography using FasTree suggested at least two distinct introductions of HBV-D4 in Galicia, one from the Caribbean and South America, and another from India. CONCLUSIONS: HBV subgenotype D4 is the most prevalent HBV variant in chronic hepatitis B patients living in the northwest of Spain, representing 33.4% (107/320) of all chronic hepatitis B infections. This rate of HBV-D4 is among the highest reported worldwide. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses suggest a strong association with historical migrant exchanges with Latin America, and especially with the Caribbean basin.

Sample pooling for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR screening.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sample pooling compared to the individual analysis for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by using different commercial platforms for nucleic acid extraction and amplification. METHODS: A total of 3519 nasopharyngeal samples received at nine Spanish clinical microbiology laboratories were processed individually and in pools (342 pools of ten samples and 11 pools of nine samples) according to the existing methodology in place at each centre. RESULTS: We found that 253 pools (2519 samples) were negative and 99 pools (990 samples) were positive; with 241 positive samples (6.85%), our pooling strategy would have saved 2167 PCR tests. For 29 pools (made out of 290 samples), we found discordant results when compared to their correspondent individual samples, as follows: in 22 of 29 pools (28 samples), minor discordances were found; for seven pools (7 samples), we found major discordances. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for pooling were 97.10% (95% confidence interval (CI), 94.11-98.82), 100%, 100% and 99.79% (95% CI, 99.56-99.90) respectively; accuracy was 99.80% (95% CI, 99.59-99.92), and the kappa concordant coefficient was 0.984. The dilution of samples in our pooling strategy resulted in a median loss of 2.87 (95% CI, 2.46-3.28) cycle threshold (Ct) for E gene, 3.36 (95% CI, 2.89-3.85) Ct for the RdRP gene and 2.99 (95% CI, 2.56-3.43) Ct for the N gene. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high efficiency of pooling strategies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA testing across different RNA extraction and amplification platforms, with excellent performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values.

Phylogeography of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Spain: a story of multiple introductions, micro-geographic stratification, founder effects, and super-spreaders.

Spain has been one of the main global pandemic epicenters for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we analyzed >41 000 genomes (including >26 000 high-quality (HQ) genomes) downloaded from the GISAID repository, including 1 245 (922 HQ) sampled in Spain. The aim of this study was to investigate genome variation of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and reconstruct phylogeographic and transmission patterns in Spain. Phylogeographic analysis suggested at least 34 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 to Spain at the beginning of the outbreak. Six lineages spread very successfully in the country, probably favored by super-spreaders, namely, A2a4 (7.8%), A2a5 (38.4%), A2a10 (2.8%), B3a (30.1%), and B9 (8.7%), which accounted for 87.9% of all genomes in the Spanish database. One distinct feature of the Spanish SARS-CoV-2 genomes was the higher frequency of B lineages (39.3%, mainly B3a+B9) than found in any other European country. While B3a, B9, (and an important sub-lineage of A2a5, namely, A2a5c) most likely originated in Spain, the other three haplogroups were imported from other European locations. The B3a strain may have originated in the Basque Country from a B3 ancestor of uncertain geographic origin, whereas B9 likely emerged in Madrid. The time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of SARS-CoV-2 suggested that the first coronavirus entered the country around 11 February 2020, as estimated from the TMRCA of B3a, the first lineage detected in the country. Moreover, earlier claims that the D614G mutation is associated to higher transmissibility is not consistent with the very high prevalence of COVID-19 in Spain when compared to other countries with lower disease incidence but much higher frequency of this mutation (56.4% in Spain vs. 82.4% in rest of Europe). Instead, the data support a major role of genetic drift in modeling the micro-geographic stratification of virus strains across the country as well as the role of SARS-CoV-2 super-spreaders.

P. TYR1381X: Are We Facing a New Mutation of CFTR in a Patient With Severe Cystic Fibrosis? / P. TYR1381X: ¿Nos enfrentamos a una nueva mutación de CFTR en un paciente con fibrosis quística grave?

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Comparative evaluation of the identification of rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS assay and partial sequencing of the rpoBeta gene with phylogenetic analysis as a reference method / Evaluación comparativa de la identificación de micobacterias no tuberculosas de crecimiento rápido mediante espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF MS), GenoType(R) Mycobacterium CM/AS assay y la secuenciación parcial del gen rpoBeta con análisis filogenético como método de referencia

Introduction: The American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend that clinically significant non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be identified to the species level in order to determine their clinical significance. The aim of this study was to evaluate identification of rapidly growing NTM (RGM) isolated from clinical samples by using MALDI-TOF MS and a commercial molecular system. The results were compared with identification using a reference method. Methods: We included 46 clinical isolates of RGM and identified them using the commercial molecular system GenoType(R) CM/AS (Hain, Lifescience, Germany), MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker) and, as reference method, partial rpoBeta gene sequencing followed by BLAST and phylogenetic analysis with the 1093 sequences available in the GeneBank. Results: The degree of agreement between GenoType(R) and MALDI-TOF MS and the reference method, partial rpoBeta sequencing, was 27/43 (62.8%) and 38/43 cases (88.3%) respectively. For all the samples correctly classified by GenoType(R), we obtained the same result with MALDI-TOF MS (27/27). However, MALDI-TOF MS also correctly identified 68.75% (11/16) of the samples that GenoType(R) had misclassified (p = 0.005). Conclusions: MALDI-TOF MS classified significantly better than GenoType(R). When a MALDI-TOF MS score >1.85 was achieved, MALDI-TOF MS and partial rpoBeta gene sequencing were equivalent. GenoType(R) was not able to distinguish between species belonging to the M. fortuitum complex. MALDI-TOF MS methodology is simple, rapid and associated with lower consumable costs than GenoType(R). The partial rpoBeta sequencing methods with BLAST and phylogenetic analysis were not able to identify some RGM unequivocally. Therefore, sequencing of additional regions would be indicated in these cases

Introducción: La American Thoracic Society y la Infectious Diseases Society of America recomiendan que las micobacterias no tuberculosas (MNT) clínicamente relevantes sean identificadas a nivel de especie para determinar su significado clínico. El propósito de este estudio fue a partir de MNT de crecimiento rápido (MCR) aisladas en muestras clínicas, evaluar su identificación mediante MALDI-TOF MS y un método molecular comercial, comparando estos resultados con la identificación obtenida usando un método de referencia. Métodos: Se incluyeron 46 aislados clínicos de MCR. Estos aislados se identificaron mediante el método molecular comercial GenoType(R) Mycobacterium CM/AS (Hain, Lifescience, Alemania), MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker) y, como método de referencia, la secuenciación parcial del gen rpoBeta seguido de BLAST y análisis filogenético. Para el análisis filogenético se utilizaron 1.093 secuencias disponibles en el GeneBank. Resultados: Entre GenoType(R) o MALDI-TOF MS, la concordancia respecto al método de referencia, secuenciación parcial de rpoB, fue 27/43 (62,8%) y 38/43 casos (88,3%), respectivamente. En todas las muestras que GenoType(R) clasificó correctamente con MALDI-TOF MS se obtuvo el mismo resultado (27/27). Pero además MALDI-TOF MS identificó bien 68,75% (11/16) de las muestras que GenoType(R) no clasificó correctamente (p = 0,005). Conclusiones: MALDI-TOF MS clasificó significativamente mejor que GenoType(R). Cuando MALDI-TOF MS alcanzó una puntuación >1,85, MALDI-TOF y la secuenciación parcial del gen rpoβ fueron equivalentes. GenoType(R) no distinguió dentro del M. fortuitum complex. La metodología MALDI-TOF MS es simple, rápida y se asocia a un menor coste de consumibles que GenoType(R). La secuenciación parcial del gen rpoBeta con BLAST y análisis filogenético no lograron identificar de manera inequívoca algunas MCR. Para estas MCR estaría indicado la secuenciación de regiones adicionales

Comparative evaluation of the identification of rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS assay and partial sequencing of the rpoß gene with phylogenetic analysis as a reference method.

INTRODUCTION: The American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend that clinically significant non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be identified to the species level in order to determine their clinical significance. The aim of this study was to evaluate identification of rapidly growing NTM (RGM) isolated from clinical samples by using MALDI-TOF MS and a commercial molecular system. The results were compared with identification using a reference method. METHODS: We included 46 clinical isolates of RGM and identified them using the commercial molecular system GenoType® CM/AS (Hain, Lifescience, Germany), MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker) and, as reference method, partial rpoß gene sequencing followed by BLAST and phylogenetic analysis with the 1093 sequences available in the GeneBank. RESULTS: The degree of agreement between GenoType® and MALDI-TOF MS and the reference method, partial rpoß sequencing, was 27/43 (62.8%) and 38/43 cases (88.3%) respectively. For all the samples correctly classified by GenoType®, we obtained the same result with MALDI-TOF MS (27/27). However, MALDI-TOF MS also correctly identified 68.75% (11/16) of the samples that GenoType® had misclassified (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: MALDI-TOF MS classified significantly better than GenoType®. When a MALDI-TOF MS score >1.85 was achieved, MALDI-TOF MS and partial rpoß gene sequencing were equivalent. GenoType® was not able to distinguish between species belonging to the M. fortuitum complex. MALDI-TOF MS methodology is simple, rapid and associated with lower consumable costs than GenoType®. The partial rpoß sequencing methods with BLAST and phylogenetic analysis were not able to identify some RGM unequivocally. Therefore, sequencing of additional regions would be indicated in these cases.

Empiema por Actinomyces meyeri / Actinomyces Meyeri Empyema

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Prevalencia y distribución del genotipo D del virus de la hepatitis B en Galicia (noroeste de España): influencia de la edad, el sexo y la procedencia / Prevalence and distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype D in Galicia (northwest of Spain): influence of age, sex and origin

Introducción. El virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) se clasifica filogenéticamente en genotipos y subgenotipos utilizados para estudios epidemiológicos. El objetivo es conocer la distribución de subgenotipos D del VHB en nuestro entorno. Pacientes y métodos. En 401 pacientes con antígeno de superficie del VHB positivo, ADN-VHB positivo, se amplificó y secuenció un fragmento del gen que luego se analizó mediante la aplicación on-line geno2pheno (hbv) del Instituto Max- Planck. Resultados. Se encontraron 259 (64,6%) pacientes con genotipo D: 53 no subgenotipables, 9 (4%) D1, 61 (30%) D2, 15 (7%) D3 y 121 (59%) D4. Los pacientes con VHB de subgenotipo D1 eran, de media, 23 años más jóvenes (p=0,0001) y con mayor proporción de mujeres (p<0,05). Conclusiones. El subgenotipo D4 del VHB es el mayoritario en nuestro entorno. Los pacientes con subgenotipo D1 procedían del extranjero, eran más jóvenes que los demás subgenotipos y con mayor proporción de mujeres. Estos resultados demuestran el interés de realizar estudios a nivel de subgenotipo de VHB (AU)

Introduction. Phylogenetically, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is classified into genotypes and subgenotypes used for epidemiological studies. The aim of this study is to know the distribution of HBV subgenotypes D in our environment. Patients and methods. From 401 patients HBV surface antigen positive, HBV DNA-positive, partial HBV-DNA S gene was amplified, sequenced and analysed using geno2pheno (hbv) (Max-Planck Institute) on line application. Results. We found 259 (64.6%) patients with HBV genotype D: 53 not subgenotypable, 9 (4%) D1, 61 (30%) D2, 15 (7%) D3 and 121 (59%) D4. Patients with D1 subgenotype were, on average, 23 years younger (p = 0.0001), with a higher proportion of women (p < 0.05). Conclusions. HBV subgenotype D4 was the most prevalent in our area. Patients with D1 subgenotype came from abroad were younger than the other subgenotypes and mostly women. These results show the interest of conducting studies at HBV subgenotype level (AU)

Espectrometría de masas matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight vs. metodología convencional en la identificación de Candida no-albicans / Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry vs conventional methods in the identification of Candida non-albicans

Introducción La infección por Candida se ha convertido en un importante problema de salud en todo el mundo. La epidemiología de la candidemia se ha modificado considerablemente por la emergencia de las especies de Candida no-albicans. Esta variación tiene especial importancia en la elección de la profilaxis y tratamiento empírico. Los métodos bioquímicos y los basados en biología molecular presentan limitaciones para la identificación correcta de las especies de Candida. El objetivo de este estudio es demostrar la capacidad del sistema de espectrometría de masas MALDI-TOF para la identificación de estas especies y compararlo con la tecnología utilizada en la actualidad. Métodos Se incluyeron todos los aislados recogidos durante dos años (n=73) de Candida no-albicans procedentes de muestras invasivas. La identificación se realizó mediante los sistemas Vitek-2 YST y API CAUX. Las identificaciones del MALDI-TOF se hicieron con el sistema Axima Confidence (Shimadzu Corporation), utilizando el software Shimadzu Launchpad y la base de datos SARAMIS (AnagnosTec GmbH). Las discrepancias se resolvieron mediante PCR multiplex LightCycler SeptiFast, PCR específica de C. glabrata y digestión enzimática con BanI del fragmento SADH en los aislados de C. parapsilosis. Resultados De los 73 aislados de Candida no-albicans, los métodos bioquímicos identificaron de forma concluyente 67 a nivel de especie y 6 a nivel de género. El sistema MALDI-TOF obtuvo identificaciones a nivel de especie en todas ellas. La correlación en la especie de todos los aislados estudiados fue del 85,07%, llegando al 94,52% si se estudia la correlación entre la identificación obtenida mediante métodos bioquímicos junto con los métodos empleados para el análisis de las discrepancias. En los aislados de C. parapsilosis, el sistema MALDI-TOF obtuvo una identificación de C. orthopsilosis en tres de ellos, confirmándose por digestión con BanI del fragmento SADH (..) (AU)

Introduction: Candida infection has become a major health problem worldwide. The epidemiology of Candidaemia has substantially changed by the emergence of the species Candida non-albicans. This variation is particularly important in the choice of prophylaxis and empirical treatment. The methods based on biochemical and molecular biology have limitations for the correct identification of Candida species. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the ability of the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the identification of these species and compare it with the technology used today. Methods: We included all isolates collected over 2 years (n=73) of Candida non-albicans from non-invasive samples. The identification was carried out by Vitek-2 systems YST and API CAUX. The MALDI-TO Fidentifications were made with Confidence Axima system (Shimadzu Corporation) using the Shimadzu Launchpad software and database SARAMIS (AnagnosTec GmbH). Discrepancies were resolved by Septi-Fast Light Cycler multiplex PCR, specific PCR C. glabrata and enzymatic digestion with BanI SADH fragment in isolates of C. parapsilosis. Results: Of the 73 isolates of Candida non-albicans, the biochemical methods conclusively identified 67 to species level and 6 at the genus level. The MALDI-TOF system obtained identifications at the species level in all cases. The correlation in the species of all isolates studied was 85.07%, reaching 94.52% when the correlation was made between the identification obtained by biochemical methods and the methods for the analysis of the discrepancies. In isolates of C. parapsilosis, MALDI-TOF system obtained an identification (..) (AU)

[Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry vs conventional methods in the identification of Candida non-albicans]. / Espectrometría de masas matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight vs. metodología convencional en la identificación de Candida no-albicans.

INTRODUCTION: Candida infection has become a major health problem worldwide. The epidemiology of Candidaemia has substantially changed by the emergence of the species Candida non-albicans. This variation is particularly important in the choice of prophylaxis and empirical treatment. The methods based on biochemical and molecular biology have limitations for the correct identification of Candida species. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the ability of the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the identification of these species and compare it with the technology used today. METHODS: We included all isolates collected over 2 years (n=73) of Candida non-albicans from non-invasive samples. The identification was carried out by Vitek-2 systems YST and API CAUX. The MALDI-TOF identifications were made with Confidence Axima system (Shimadzu Corporation) using the Shimadzu Launchpad software and database SARAMIS (AnagnosTec GmbH). Discrepancies were resolved by SeptiFast LightCycler multiplex PCR, specific PCR C. glabrata and enzymatic digestion with BanI SADH fragment in isolates of C. parapsilosis. RESULTS: Of the 73 isolates of Candida non-albicans, the biochemical methods conclusively identified 67 to species level and 6 at the genus level. The MALDI-TOF system obtained identifications at the species level in all cases. The correlation in the species of all isolates studied was 85.07%, reaching 94.52% when the correlation was made between the identification obtained by biochemical methods and the methods for the analysis of the discrepancies. In isolates of C. parapsilosis, MALDI-TOF system obtained an identification of C. orthopsilosis. In 3 of them it was confirmed by digestion with BanI SADH fragment. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the use of mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF system) to provide the microbiology laboratory with greater efficiency and reliability to identify isolates of Candida non-albicans to species level. It also shows its potential usefulness in identifying related species, such as C. parapsilosis, metapsilosis and orthopsilosis.

Cerebral phaeiohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana / Cerebral phaeiohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana

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