The efficacy of telavancin in comparison with linezolid on endotracheal tube biofilm in pigs with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The effect of systemic treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) with telavancin, a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with good penetration in vitro biofilms, has not been tested in vivo during mechanical ventilation. This study examined the efficacy of telavancin compared with linezolid against endotracheal tube (ETT) biofilms in a porcine model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) VAP. METHODS: VAP was induced in 18 pigs by instilling 107 colony-forming units (CFU/mL) of an MRSA strain susceptible to telavancin and linezolid into each pulmonary lobe. Randomization into three groups was done at pneumonia diagnosis: control (IV glucose 0.5% solution q24); linezolid (10 mg/kg q12) and telavancin groups (22.5 mg/kg q24). After 72 h of MV, data regarding bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tracheal aspirate (TA), ETT MRSA biofilm load and thickness measured by scanning electron microscopy were obtained. RESULTS: All 18 pigs completed the study. MRSA was isolated in 100% of ETTs from the control and linezolid groups and in 67% from the telavancin group. Telavancin treatment presented a lower MRSA load compared to the control and linezolid treatments (telavancin median [interquartile range (IQR)] = 1.94 [0.00-5.45], linezolid 3.99 [3.22-4.68] and control 4.93 [4.41-5.15], P = 0.236). Telavancin treatment also resulted in the lowest biofilm thickness according to the SEM (4.04 [2.09-6.00], P < 0.001). We found a positive correlation between ETT and BAL load (rho = 0.511, P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: In our VAP model, systemic telavancin treatment reduced ETT MRSA occurrence, load, and biofilm thickness. Our findings may have a bearing on ICU patients' clinical outcomes.

Effects of rainfall and land use on nutrient responses in rivers in the Brazilian semiarid region.

This paper investigated whether rainfall promotes dilution or increase in nutrient concentrations and which land use indicators are the main predictors of nutrients in intermittent rivers in a large Brazilian semiarid region. The total phosphorus (TP) and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) were monitored between 2013 and 2018 at 92 river water quality monitoring sites. The monthly rainfall (Rn) was obtained from 575 rain gauges. Pearson's correlation (R) between Rn and nutrient concentration was performed. The correlation patterns were also analysed based on land use data: urban area (%), agricultural field area (%), demographic density (inhabitants/km2), sewer system coverage (%), and reservoir density (reservoir/km2). Backward stepwise regression was performed to identify predictors of nutrient concentrations. The results revealed a marginal effect of rainfall on nutrients when the effects of urbanisation outweigh all other aspects. However, in regions with greater accumulated rainfall and lower reservoir density, the rainfall was related to a linear increase in nutrient concentrations (R > 0.8). Contrastingly, in the basins with less accumulated rainfall and greater inter-basin hydrological disconnection, there was a linear reduction in nutrient concentration (R < - 0.5). In the backward stepwise regression, sewer system coverage and Rn had the greatest influence for TP, and the urban area was the strongest predictor for TIN. Importantly, our results demonstrated that in semiarid rivers in densely populated regions, there is no single pattern of variability in nutrient concentration, on a wide scale of assessment. Therefore, adaptative and decentralised management can be more effective in improving water quality in these regions.

The value of biofilm testing to guide antimicrobial stewardship in chronic respiratory diseases.

Introduction: Biofilm production is an important yet currently overlooked aspect of diagnostic microbiology that has implications for antimicrobial stewardship. In this study, we aimed to validate and identify additional applications of the BioFilm Ring Test® (BRT) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolates from patients with bronchiectasis (BE). Materials and methods: Sputa were collected from BE patients who had at least one PA positive culture in the previous year. We processed the sputa to isolate both mucoid and non-mucoid PA, and determined their susceptibility pattern, mucA gene status, and presence of ciprofloxacin mutations in QRDR genes. The Biofilm production index (BPI) was obtained at 5 and 24 hours. Biofilms were imaged using Gram staining. Results: We collected 69 PA isolates, including 33 mucoid and 36 non-mucoid. A BPI value below 14.75 at 5 hours predicted the mucoid PA phenotype with 64% sensitivity and 72% specificity. Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that the fitness-cost associated with the mucoid phenotype or ciprofloxacin resistance is shown through a time-dependent BPI profile. The BRT has the potential to reveal biofilm features with clinical implications.

Determining the most accurate 16S rRNA hypervariable region for taxonomic identification from respiratory samples.

16S rRNA gene profiling, which contains nine hypervariable regions (V1-V9), is the gold standard for identifying taxonomic units by high-throughput sequencing. Microbiome studies combine two or more region sequences (usually V3-V4) to increase the resolving power for identifying bacterial taxa. We compare the resolving powers of V1-V2, V3-V4, V5-V7, and V7-V9 to improve microbiome analyses in sputum samples from patients with chronic respiratory diseases. DNA were isolated from 33 human sputum samples, and libraries were created using a QIASeq screening panel intended for Illumina platforms (16S/ITS; Qiagen Hilden, Germany). The analysis included a mock community as a microbial standard control (ZymoBIOMICS). We used the Deblur algorithm to identify bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at the genus level. Alpha diversity was significantly higher for V1-V2, V3-V4, and V5-V7 compared with V7-V9, and significant compositional dissimilarities in the V1-V2 and V7-V9 analyses versus the V3-V4 and V5-V7 analyses. A cladogram confirmed these compositional differences, with the latter two being very similar in composition. The combined hypervariable regions showed significant differences when discriminating between the relative abundances of bacterial genera. The area under the curve revealed that V1-V2 had the highest resolving power for accurately identifying respiratory bacterial taxa from sputum samples. Our study confirms that 16S rRNA hypervariable regions provide significant differences for taxonomic identification in sputum. Comparing the taxa of microbial community standard control with the taxa samples, V1-V2 combination exhibits the most sensitivity and specificity. Thus, while third generation full-length 16S rRNA sequencing platforms become more available, the V1-V2 hypervariable regions can be used for taxonomic identification in sputum.

Resistance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from patients with bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (BE) is a chronic structural lung condition that facilitates chronic colonization by different microorganisms and courses with recurrent respiratory infections and frequent exacerbations. One of the main pathogens involved in BE is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. OBJECTIVES: To determine the molecular mechanisms of resistance and the molecular epidemiology of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with BE. METHODS: A total of 43 strains of P. aeruginosa were isolated from the sputum of BE patients. Susceptibility to the following antimicrobials was analysed: ciprofloxacin, meropenem, imipenem, amikacin, tobramycin, aztreonam, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, cefepime and colistin. The resistance mechanisms present in each strain were assessed by PCR, sequencing and quantitative RT-PCR. Molecular epidemiology was determined by MLST. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the eBURST algorithm. RESULTS: High levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (44.19%) were found. Mutations in the gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes were detected in ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. The number of mutated QRDR genes was related to increased MIC. Different ß-lactamases were detected: blaOXA50, blaGES-2, blaIMI-2 and blaGIM-1. The aac(3)-Ia, aac(3)-Ic, aac(6″)-Ib and ant(2″)-Ia genes were associated with aminoglycoside-resistant strains. The gene expression analysis showed overproduction of the MexAB-OprM efflux system (46.5%) over the other efflux system. The most frequently detected clones were ST619, ST676, ST532 and ST109. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to first-line antimicrobials recommended in BE guidelines could threaten the treatment of BE and the eradication of P. aeruginosa, contributing to chronic infection.

Heat Shock Protein 60 Antibodies Are Associated With a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Bedridden Elderly Patients.

Frailty, in elderly people, represents multiple deficiencies in different organs and is characterized by decreased physiological reserves and greater vulnerability to stressors. Bedridden elderly, with cardiovascular disease (CVD), have a worse prognosis than non-bedridden patients. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that under physiological conditions facilitate the transport, folding and assembly of proteins. Serum HSP 60-kDa concentrations and their antibodies are increased, in response to non-physiological conditions, suggesting the involvement of HSPs and their antibodies in the development of CVD. The aim of this work was to evaluate heat shock protein 60 and anti-HSP60 antibody levels, associated with a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in bedridden elderly patients. Clinical, analytical and cross-sectional analyses were performed with 57 elderly (>65 years). HSP60 and anti-HSP60 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Bivariate analysis using a linear regression model adjusted for risk factors used Framingham Score. Among the 57 elderly, with an average age of 69.89 years, 39% are bedridden; 26% with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and 44% are dyslipidemic. The relationship of risk factors in the Framingham Score was positive for the anti-HSP60 antibody (p = 0.042) measurement. Our data show a positive correlation among the elevation of the Framingham score and the profile of anti-HSP60 antibodies. These results suggest a greater immune activation that is associated with cardiovascular risk and bedridden fragility.

Assessment of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Rapid Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria from Respiratory Samples in Patients with Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

Rapid identification of the causative agent of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) will allow an earlier administration of a more appropriate antibiotic and could improve the outcome of these patients. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid protocol to identify the main microorganisms involved in HAP by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) directly from respiratory samples. First of all, a rapid procedure (<30 min) to extract the DNA from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), endotracheal aspirate (EA) or bronchoaspirate (BAS) was set up. A specific LAMP for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii was performed with the extracted solution at 65 °C for 30-40 min. Overall, 58 positive BAL and 83 EA/BAS samples were tested. The limits of detection varied according to the microorganism detected. Validation of the LAMP assay with BAL samples showed that the assay was 100% specific and 86.3% sensitive (positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 50%) compared with culture. Meanwhile for BAS/EA samples, the assay rendered the following statistical parameters: 100% specificity, 94.6% sensitivity, 100% positive predictive value and 69.2% negative predictive value. The turnaround time including sample preparation and LAMP was circa 1 h. LAMP method may be used to detect the most frequent bacteria causing HAP. It is a simple, cheap, sensitive, specific and rapid assay.

Anestesia para cirugía correctiva de escoliosis / Anesthesia for corrective surgery of scoliosis / Anestesia para a cirurgia corretiva de escoliose

La Unidad Docente Asistencial de Anestesiología Pediátrica del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell integra el equipo multidisciplinario de tratamiento de las enfermedades de la columna vertebral desde hace cinco años. La escoliosis es una de las deformidades del raquis que puede requerir cirugía correctiva con implicancias anestesiológicas relevantes. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 95 procedimientos anestesiológicos realizados a los pacientes que fueron sometidos a cirugía correctiva de escoliosis en el período comprendido entre marzo de 2.011 a marzo de 2.016. Los objetivos de este trabajo son comunicar nuestra experiencia junto con una revisión no sistematizada de la evidencia científica disponible en las bases de datos: Pubmed, Medline y SciELO. Concluimos que un manejo óptimo de los pacientes con escoliosis se logra realizando una adecuada evaluación perioperatoria.

The teaching care unit of pediatric anesthesiology of the Pereira Rossell Hospital has taken part for 5 years, in a multidisciplinary team which treats spinal disorders. Scoliosis is a deformity of the rachis that may require corrective surgery with relevant anesthesiological implications. We made a retrospective and descriptive study of 95 anesthesiological procedures realized to patients who had a scoliosis corrective surgery between March 2011 and March 2016. The objectives of this work is to communicate our experience together with a no systematic revision of the scientific evidence available on databases like: Pubmed, Medline and SciElo. The conclusions we have reach is that a better management of patients with scoliosis is achieved by making an adequate preoperative evaluation.

A Unidade Docente Assistencial de Anestesia Pediátrica de o Centro Hospitalar Pereira Rossell, faz cinco anos integra a equipe multidisciplinar de tratamento das doenças da coluna vertebral. A escoliose é uma das deformidades da raque que pode requerer cirurgia corretiva com implicações anestésicas relevantes. Realizamos um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo de 95 procedimentos anestésicos realizados aos pacientes que foram a cirurgia corretiva de escolioses no período compreendido entre março de 2011 a março de 2016. Os objetivos deste trabalho é comunicar nossa experiência e fazer uma revisão não sistematizada da evidencia cientifica disponível nas bases de dados: Pubmed, Medline e Scielo. Concluímos que um manejo ótimo dos pacientes com escolioses se obtém realizando uma apropriada avaliação perioperatoria.

Fuego en sala de operaciones. Reporte de casos / Fire in the operating room. Report of cases

Se presentan 2 casos clínicos pediátricos donde la generación de fuego durante la cirugía provocó lesiones de diferente entidad. Se analizan causas que facilitaron el incidente relacionadas con la presencia de la “tríada de fuego “, así como las recomendaciones de prevención y manejo del evento una vez desencadenado. Por tratarse de un hecho prevenible, el conocimiento y cumplimiento de las normas de seguridad en sala de operaciones tiene relevancia en la seguridad y calidad de la atención.

Two pediatric clinical cases were presented, where a fire during surgery caused different lesions. The causes that lead to the incident, it seems there was a "fire triad", along with the suggestions for the prevention and how it was dealt with when the event took place, are being analyzed. Since we are dealing with something that can be prevented, the knowledge and compliment of the safety rugulations in the operating room are relevant to the safety and quality of service.

Síndrome de takotsubo durante la inducción de una anestesia general

RESUMEN La cardiomiocardiomiopatía de takotsubo o síndrome de disfunción apical transitoria del ventrículo izquierdo, es una falla cardíaca aguda reversible descrita por primera vez en la población japonesa en 1990, siendo cada vez más frecuentes los reportes vinculados al período perioperatorio. La forma del ventrículo izquierdo en la ventriculografía se asemeja a una vasija japonesa clásica usada para atrapar pulpos llamada “takotsubo”, de donde surge el nombre de este cuadro. Reportamos el caso de una paciente de 57 años, sexo femenino, coordinada para artrodesis de columna lumbar. Post inducción anestésica, imposibilidad de intubación orotraqueal (IOT) lográndose ventilación dificultosa mediante máscara laríngea (ML). Se presenta hipoxemia, taquicardia e hipertensión arterial. Se agrega regurgitación con noción de aspiración a través de la ML. Evoluciona con inestabilidad hemodinámica con tendencia a la hipotensión arterial y edema agudo de pulmón, por lo que se suspende cirugía comenzando las medidas de apoyo cardiovascular. En tratamiento intensivo (CTI) presenta: electrocardiograma (ECG) sin elementos claros de isquemia, troponinas positivas, Ecocardiograma: aquinesia extensa anteroseptal y apicolateral del ventrículo izquierdo con severa disminución de la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) de 38%. Al tercer día, repite angor solicitando coronariografía (CACG) de urgencia que no muestra lesiones coronarias significativas. Ecocardiograma revela aquinesia apical tipo Takotsubo sin gradientes interventriculares, con FEVI de 26%. Buena evolución posterior con alta al décimo día.

SUMMARY Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome , also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible acute cardiac failure described for the first time for Japanese population at 1990, being reports linked to perioperative period each time more frequent. The left ventricle’s shape at ventriculography resembles a classic Japanese vessel used to catch octopuses called “takotsubo”, from which the name of this picture comes from. We report a case of a female 57 years old patient ,scheduled for a lumbar spinal fusion. After anesthesia induction endotraqueal intubation was impossible and ventilation was difficult under laryngeal mask. Hipoxemia, tachycardia and arterial hypertension were observed. Regurgitation of gastric contents and aspiration were confirmed. The patient installed an hemodynamic instability with arterial hipotension and then acute pulmonary edema. Surgery was stopped and cardiovascular resuscitation was started. In the intensive care unit electrocardiogram didn´t show definite signs of ischemia, troponin levels were positive and echocardiogram showed extensive left ventricular anteroseptal and apicolateral akinesia with severe decrease of LVEF to 38%. On the third day the patient had an episode of angina pectoris. The coronary angiography dismissed significant coronary artery lesions. Another echocardiogram showed apical akinesia type Takotsubo without interventricular gradients and LVEF 26%. The patient improved and she was discharged on the tenth day.

RESUMO A cardiomiopatia de takotsubo ou síndrome de disfunção apical transitória do ventrículo esquerdo é uma falha cardíaca aguda reversível descrita pela primeira vez na população Japonesa em 1990, sendo cada vez mais freqüentes os relatos vinculados ao perioperatorio. A forma do ventrículo esquerdo na ventriculografia se assemelha a uma vasilha japonesa clássica usada para pegar polvos chamada "tako-tsubo", o que dá origem ao nome deste quadro. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 57 anos, sexo feminino, marcada para cirurgia eletiva de artrodeses de coluna lombar. Logo após induzir a anestesia não se conseguiu a intubação orotraqueal (IOT), conseguindo ventilação com mascara laríngea (ML). Apresenta hipoxemia, taquicardia e hipertensão arterial. Acrescenta-se regurgitação com possibilidade de aspiração através da ML. Evoluiu com instabilidade hemodinâmica e tendência a hipotensão arterial e edema agudo de pulmão, pelo qual se suspende a cirurgia começando com medidas de apoio Cardiovascular. Na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) apresenta: Electrocardiograma (ECG) sem elementos claros de isquemia, troponinas positivas, ECG: aquinesia extensa anteroseptal e apicolateral do ventrículo esquerdo com severa diminuição da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVI) 38 %. Ao 3º dia, repete angina solicitando-lhe cinecoronariografia (CACG) de emergência que não apresenta lesões coronárias significativas. Ecocardiograma mostra aquinesia apical tipo Takotsubo sem gradientes interventriculares, com FEVI de 26%. Boa evolução posterior com alta aos 10 º dia.

De mãe para filha: a transmissão familiar em questão / From mother to daughter: the familiar transmission in question

Neste artigo, estudamos um caso de transmissão familiar, tomando como analisador uma carta de uma mãe para a sua filha, encontrada logo após o falecimento daquela. Nossa hipótese é que esta carta adquire valor de objeto-testemunho privilegiado no processo de transmissão da herança (material, afetiva e simbólica). Após desenvolvermos uma breve discussão teórica sobre a questão da herança, apresentamos as condições em que conhecemos a filha, seu contexto familiar e habitacional, a partir da ameaça de remoção de sua casa pela prefeitura em função de uma intervenção urbana na favela onde morava, investigando em seguida os legados familiares presentes na carta. Focalizamos em especial a posição que o Estado assumiu no processo de transmissão da herança patrimonial, analisando as possíveis repercussões sobre a dinâmica familiar. Por fim, pontuamos a inseparabilidade entre as perspectivas psíquica e social na investigação das transmissões familiares.(AU)

De mãe para filha: a transmissão familiar em questão / From mother to daughter: the familiar transmission in question

Neste artigo, estudamos um caso de transmissão familiar, tomando como analisador uma carta de uma mãe para a sua filha, encontrada logo após o falecimento daquela. Nossa hipótese é que esta carta adquire valor de objeto-testemunho privilegiado no processo de transmissão da herança (material, afetiva e simbólica). Após desenvolvermos uma breve discussão teórica sobre a questão da herança, apresentamos as condições em que conhecemos a filha, seu contexto familiar e habitacional, a partir da ameaça de remoção de sua casa pela prefeitura em função de uma intervenção urbana na favela onde morava, investigando em seguida os legados familiares presentes na carta. Focalizamos em especial a posição que o Estado assumiu no processo de transmissão da herança patrimonial, analisando as possíveis repercussões sobre a dinâmica familiar. Por fim, pontuamos a inseparabilidade entre as perspectivas psíquica e social na investigação das transmissões familiares.