The genotypic study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex resistant to isoniazid: Galicia, Spain (2008-2013).

Incorporation of rapid detection systems to identify mutations in M. tuberculosis complex that confer resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin has potentiated the knowledge of their distribution, given the geographical variability. We performed antibiograms of the 2,993 strains isolated in Galicia, Spain (2008-2013). In the strains resistant to isoniazid, a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL and MTBDRplus Genotype test (Hain Lifescience, Germany) were used. We found that 3.64 % of strains were resistant to isoniazid, while 0.43 % were resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin (multidrug resistant, MDR). The MTBDRplus test showed an overall sensitivity of 72.48 %, with 62.5 % sensitivity for non MDR isoniazid-resistant strains and 100 % sensitivity for MDR strains. The katG gene mutation was detected at codon 315 in 38.53 % of strains. The S315T mutation appeared in 61.54 % of MDR strains and 34.38 % of non-MDR strains. The 28.44 % had mutations in inhA, (93.55 % in C15T), and 38.46 % of MDR strains were mutated. In non-MDR strains, 37.50 % were wild-type, 35.42 % and 27.08 % had mutations in katG and inhA, respectively. The most frequent mutation in rpoß was S531L (46.15 %). The 38.71 % and 41.9 % of strains with resistance to isoniazid and streptomycin had mutations in katG and inhA, respectively (2 strains with mutations in T8C and T8A). The distribution pattern of resistance among strains with high and low concentrations of isoniazid showed statistically significant differences in relation to the mutation in katG and wild-type. The sensitivity of the Genotype MTBDRplus test for non-MDR strains in our area was at the lower threshold described.

Evaluation of two commercial nucleic acid amplification kits for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in saliva samples.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two commercial nucleic acid amplification techniques to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis in saliva. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two participants were recruited, 32 patients with a clinical and microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and 20 healthy volunteers as controls. Three sputum samples were collected from each participant and were examined by direct bacilloscopy, cultured in liquid and solid media, and processed using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct (MTD) test for rRNA detection. One saliva sample was collected from each participant using conventional methods and was examined by direct bacilloscopy, cultured, and processed using the MTD test for rRNA detection and the FluoroType Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay for DNA detection. RESULTS: In saliva samples, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the MTD test were 71.8%, 95%, 95.8%, and 67.8%, respectively. The values obtained with the FluoroType assay were 56.2%, 90%, 90%, and 56.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that when a sufficient volume of sputum cannot be obtained, saliva could be an alternative biological sample for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis using commercial nucleic acid amplification techniques.

Dolor torácico y eosinofilia periférica / Chest pain and peripheral eosinophilia

No disponible

Strongyloides stercoralis en el sur de Galicia / Strongyloides Stercoralis in the South of Galicia (Spain)

Strongyloides stercoralis es el único parásito que puede producir enfermedad crónica en el ser humano perpetuándose por autoinfección. Este nematodo, además, puede condicionar la muerte cuando se deteriora el estado inmunológico de paciente produciendo una hiperinfección masiva. Se describe el primer paciente afecto de strongiloidiasis siempre residente en el área sur de Galicia. El cuadro clínico cursó con lesiones cutáneas inespecíficas y dolor abdominal con intensa eosinofilia periférica (>20.000/ml). El diagnóstico se realizó mediante la objetivación de larvas en heces, confirmada mediante cultivo. El tratamiento con albendazol fracasó, consiguiéndose la curación mediante ivermectina. Debemos aumentar nuestro índice de sospecha sobre todo por la posibilidad de diagnosticar a estos pacientes como gastroenteritis eosinofílica, con el riesgo de "hiperinfección" que conllevaría el tratamiento con cortisona (AU)

Strongyloides stercoralis is the only parasite which can produce a chronic illness in humans, being through autoinfection. This nematode can also provoke death when patient’s immunologic state deteriorates producing a massive hyper infection. The first patient with strongyloidiasis who has always lived in the Galician South area is described. The clinical picture consisted of unspecific cutaneous lesions and abdominal pain with severe peripheral eosinophilia (>20.000/ml. The diagnosis was carried out observing the larvae in the fecal examination and was confirmed with a culture. Treatment with albendazole failed and the healing was reached with ivermectin. We must consider the possibility of strongyloidiasis because misdiagnosing these patients as eosinophilic gastroenteritis there would be a higher risk of hyperinfection if they are treated with corticosteroids (AU)

[Strongyloides stercoralis in the south of Galicia]. / Strongyloides stercoralis en el sur de Galicia.

Strongyloides stercoralis is the only parasite which can produce a chronic illness in humans, being through autoinfection. This nematode can also provoke death when patient's immunologic state deteriorates producing a massive hyper infection. The first patient with strongyloidiasis who has always lived in the Galician South area is described. The clinical picture consisted of unspecific cutaneous lesions and abdominal pain with severe peripheral eosinophilia (> 20,000/ml. The diagnosis was carried out observing the larvae in the fecal examination and was confirmed with a culture. Treatment with albendazole failed and the healing was reached with ivermectin. We must consider the possibility of strongyloidiasis because misdiagnosing these patients as eosinophilic gastroenteritis there would be a higher risk of hyperinfection if they are treated with corticosteroids.

Granulomatous amebic encephalitis in a patient with AIDS: isolation of acanthamoeba sp. Group II from brain tissue and successful treatment with sulfadiazine and fluconazole.

A patient with AIDS, treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, presented with confusion, a hemifield defect, and a mass lesion in the right occipital lobe. A brain biopsy confirmed granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) due to Acanthamoeba castellanii. The patient was treated with fluconazole and sulfadiazine, and the lesion was surgically excised. This is the first case of AIDS-associated GAE responding favorably to therapy. The existence of a solitary brain lesion, absence of other sites of infection, and intense cellular response in spite of a very low CD4 count conditioned the favorable outcome. We review and discuss the diagnostic microbiologic options for the laboratory diagnosis of infections due to free-living amebae.

[Osteoarticular infections caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. Report of 4 cases]. / Infecciones osteoarticulares por Streptococcus agalactiae. Aportación de 4 casos.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) is a rare etiology of osteoarticular infection in adults. In a literature review (Medline-Embase plus) up until may 1994, we have found only 51 cases. In most patients, diabetes mellitus, liver disease or long-term steroid therapy were documented. METHODS: Four adult patients with osteoarticular infection due to S. agalactiae from two Galician hospitals were studied from January 1988 to October 1994: prepatellar bursitis (one case), septic monoarthritis (2 cases) and psoas abscess associated to cervical spondylodiscitis and oligoarthritis (left sternoclavicular and left hip joints). RESULTS: In the first patient, a young woman with prepatellar bursitis, a previous local trauma was recorded. The second case, a man with septic arthritis of right knee, had degenerative disease of the knees and a prostatic adenocarcinoma. In the third patient, a diabetic woman with septic arthritis of the left shoulder, vulvovaginitis due to Candida albicans was found. The last patient suffered vertebral osteomyelitis of the cervical spine (C3-C4), arthritis of the left sternoclavicular and hip joints and abscess of the ipsilateral psoas. The evolution was favourable in the four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, osteomyelitis and arthritis caused by group B streptococcus should be considered as opportunistic pathogen in adults with debilitating conditions. Early recognition and prompt institution of adequate therapy can help avoid joint destruction and severe complications.

[Polyarthritis and hepatitis as presentation forms of secondary syphilis]. / Poliartritis y hepatitis como presentación de la sífilis secundaria.

We present a luetic secondarism in a 40-year-old woman starting as symmetric polyarthritis and hepatitis. The latter presence of cutaneous rash, oral aphtae and anemia, as well as the positivity of anticore antibodies (1/160 core pattern) and anti-cardiolipin antibodies initially suggested a connectivopathy. The diagnosis of secondary syphilis was confirmed by the luetic seropositive results (RPR and FTAabs) and the microscopic observation of mobile microorganisms compatible with Treponemas in the exudate obtained by scraping of the cutaneous lesions. The proteiform expressivity of luetic secondarism is stressed, as well as its rare presentation with articular inflammatory manifestations.