Actividad in vitro de la combinación de ceftarolina con otros antimicrobianos activos frente a Staphylococcus spp / In vitro activity of ceftaroline in combination with other antimicrobials active against Staphylococcus spp

INTRODUCCIÓN: Evaluamos la actividad in vitro de la combinación de ceftarolina con daptomicina, linezolid y vancomicina frente a aislados de Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) y Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCN) resistentes a meticilina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 70 cepas de estafilococos (31 S. aureus y 39 SCN) utilizando el método de CMI: CMI ratio con Etest y cálculo de los índices de concentración inhibitoria fraccionaria. RESULTADOS: La combinación de ceftarolina con daptomicina resultó aditiva (53,2%) y sinérgica (6,6%) frente a S. aureus sensibles a meticilina y aditiva (81,2%) frente a S. aureus resistentes a meticilina (SARM). También resultó aditiva frente al 33% de SCN sensibles a linezolid y no hubo sinergia frente a SCN resistentes a linezolid. Ceftarolina con vancomicina mostró sinergia (87%) y ceftarolina con linezolid adición (37%) frente a SAMR. CONCLUSIONES: Las combinaciones de ceftarolina con daptomicina, vancomicina o linezolid presentan efectos aditivos o sinérgicos frente a Staphylococcus resistentes a meticilina

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the in vitro activity of the combination of ceftaroline with daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 70 staphylococcal strains (31 S. aureus and 39 CNS) with the Etest using the MIC: MIC ratio method and calculation of fractional inhibitory concentration indexes. RESULTS: The combination of ceftaroline with daptomycin showed an additive effect (53.2%) and synergy (6.6%) against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, and an additive effect (81.2%) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This combination also showed an additive effect against 33% of linezolid-susceptible CNS and was not synergistic against linezolid-resistant CNS. The combination of ceftaroline with vancomycin was synergistic (87%) and ceftaroline with linezolid was additive (37%) against MRSA. CONCLUSIONS: The combinations of ceftaroline with daptomycin, vancomycin or linezolid showed additive and/or synergistic effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus

In vitro activity of ceftaroline in combination with other antimicrobials active against Staphylococcus spp. / Actividad in vitro de la combinación de ceftarolina con otros antimicrobianos activos frente a Staphylococcus spp.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the in vitro activity of the combination of ceftaroline with daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 70 staphylococcal strains (31 S. aureus and 39 CNS) with the Etest using the MIC:MIC ratio method and calculation of fractional inhibitory concentration indexes. RESULTS: The combination of ceftaroline with daptomycin showed an additive effect (53.2%) and synergy (6.6%) against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, and an additive effect (81.2%) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This combination also showed an additive effect against 33% of linezolid-susceptible CNS and was not synergistic against linezolid-resistant CNS. The combination of ceftaroline with vancomycin was synergistic (87%) and ceftaroline with linezolid was additive (37%) against MRSA. CONCLUSIONS: The combinations of ceftaroline with daptomycin, vancomycin or linezolid showed additive and/or synergistic effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus.

Valoración de sueros con bajo índice S/CO utilizando 2 sistemas de quimioluminiscencia para la detección de anticuerpos frente al virus de la hepatitis C y su correlación con la detección de ARN viral / Evaluation of sera with a low signal to cut-off ratio using two chemiluminescent assays for detecting Hepatitis C Virus, and their correlation with the detection of Viral RNA

OBJETIVO: Los ensayos comerciales utilizados para demostrar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-VHC establecen, cada uno de ellos, puntos de corte determinados que categorizan los resultados en función de los mismos, aunque el problema de los resultados falsos positivos en el cribado de sueros de hepatitis C sea bien conocido. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido valorar los resultados obtenidos por 2 ensayos quimioluminiscentes en una serie de sueros seleccionados, contrastando estos resultados con la detección de ARN viral en las muestras estudiadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron 200 sueros considerados como reactivos (positivos), aunque con un bajo índice S/CO, utilizando 2 ensayos de quimioluminiscencia y posteriormente fueron sometidos a amplificación genómica. RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN: Solamente en 8 (4%) de las muestras seleccionadas pudo detectarse ARN viral. A la vista de estos resultados, consideramos que el diseño de los ensayos de quimioluminiscencia empleados no ofrecen una especificidad suficiente utilizados como pruebas únicas para el diagnóstico de la hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE: All commercial assays used to measure the presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies set cut-off points to categorise the results, but the problem of false positive results in screening hepatitis C sera is well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results obtained by two chemiluminescent assays in selected sera, and compare these results with the detection of viral RNA in the specimens studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred reactive sera (positive) were selected, although with a low signal to cut-off ratio (S/CO), were selected, using two chemiluminescent assays and were then subjected to genome amplification. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Viral RNA could be only be detected in 8 (4%) of the selected specimens. Taking these results into account, we believe that the design of the current chemiluminescent assays do not provide sufficient specificity when they are used as the only tests for the diagnosis of hepatitis C

Bacteriemia por Clostridium perfringens. Un análisis de 28 casos durante 10 años en un hospital universitario de Madrid / Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia, an analysis of 28 cases over 10 years in a university hospital of Madrid

Las bacteriemias causadas por bacterias anaerobias no son frecuentes en el ámbito hospitalario, siendo el género Clostridium el segundo más frecuente en este tipo de infecciones, especialmente Clostridium perfringens, con un alta tasa de mortalidad, siendo escasas las revisiones en la literatura a este respecto. El objetivo de este estudio fue documentar retrospectivamente la incidencia, las características clínicas y los factores de riesgo implicados en la adquisición de la bacteriemia causada por C. perfringens entre los pacientes vistos en nuestro hospital a lo largo de un período de 10 años. Veintiocho pacientes con bacteriemia por C. perfringens fueron incluidos en el estudio, valorándose las comorbilidades preexistentes, el punto de partida de la bacteriemia, las características clínicas, el tratamiento antimicrobiano seguido y la evolución de los mismos. La bacteriemia por C. perfringens es un acontecimiento infrecuente en nuestro medio, pero con muy alta mortalidad, que se relaciona actualmente con pacientes de edad avanzada y neoplasias preexistentes, principalmente de origen digestivo, con poca expresividad específica en la clínica, pero que precisa de un diagnóstico y tratamiento rápido y adecuado para disminuir la alta letalidad de la infección

Bacteraemia caused by anaerobic bacteria is rare in the hospital setting. The Clostridium genus is the second most common cause of these infections, particularly Clostridium perfringens, which has a high mortality rate. However, reviews in the literature of these infections are scarce. The aim of this study was to retrospectively document the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors involved in the acquisition of bacteraemia caused by C. perfringens among patients treated at our hospital over a 10-year period. Twenty-eight patients with C. perfringens bacteraemia were included in the study. We evaluated pre-existing comorbidities, the source of bacteraemia, clinical features, the antimicrobial treatment administered and patient outcome. C. perfringens bacteraemia occurs rarely in our setting, but with a very high mortality rate. This rate is associated with old age and pre-existing, largely gastrointestinal malignancies. It presents with few specific symptoms but requires rapid and appropriate diagnosis and treatment to reduce the high mortality of this infection

Evaluation of sera with a low signal to cut-off ratio using two chemiluminescent assays for detecting Hepatitis C Virus, and their correlation with the detection of Viral RNA. / Valoración de sueros con bajo índice S/CO utilizando 2 sistemas de quimioluminiscencia para la detección de anticuerpos frente al virus de la hepatitis C y su correlación con la detección de ARN viral.

OBJECTIVE: All commercial assays used to measure the presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies set cut-off points to categorise the results, but the problem of false positive results in screening hepatitis C sera is well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results obtained by two chemiluminescent assays in selected sera, and compare these results with the detection of viral RNA in the specimens studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred reactive sera (positive) were selected, although with a low signal to cut-off ratio (S/CO), were selected, using two chemiluminescent assays and were then subjected to genome amplification. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Viral RNA could be only be detected in 8 (4%) of the selected specimens. Taking these results into account, we believe that the design of the current chemiluminescent assays do not provide sufficient specificity when they are used as the only tests for the diagnosis of hepatitis C.

Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia, an analysis of 28 cases over 10 years in a university hospital of Madrid. / Bacteriemia por Clostridium perfringens. Un análisis de 28 casos durante 10 años en un hospital universitario de Madrid.

Bacteraemia caused by anaerobic bacteria is rare in the hospital setting. The Clostridium genus is the second most common cause of these infections, particularly Clostridium perfringens, which has a high mortality rate. However, reviews in the literature of these infections are scarce. The aim of this study was to retrospectively document the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors involved in the acquisition of bacteraemia caused by C. perfringens among patients treated at our hospital over a 10-year period. Twenty-eight patients with C. perfringens bacteraemia were included in the study. We evaluated pre-existing comorbidities, the source of bacteraemia, clinical features, the antimicrobial treatment administered and patient outcome. C. perfringens bacteraemia occurs rarely in our setting, but with a very high mortality rate. This rate is associated with old age and pre-existing, largely gastrointestinal malignancies. It presents with few specific symptoms but requires rapid and appropriate diagnosis and treatment to reduce the high mortality of this infection.

Actividad sinérgica y eficacia clínica de la asociación fosfomicina-ciprofloxacino en el tratamiento de una infección de malla quirúrgica con absceso de partes blandas por Enterobacter cloacae productor de carbapenemasa / Synergistic activity and clinical efficacy of fosfomycin and ciprofloxacin combination treatment for soft tissue infection caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae

No disponible

Valoración de 2 técnicas automatizadas de microdilución frente a dilución en agar en la determinación de la sensibilidad a fosfomicina en cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos / Assessment of 2 automated microdilution techniques compared to an agar dilution method in determining sensitivity to fosfomycin in strains of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Los aislamientos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos se producen cada vez con más frecuencia, haciendo conveniente establecer tratamientos combinados de los que fosfomicina puede formar parte. Los criterios para establecer la sensibilidad de Pseudomonas aeruginosa a fosfomicina han sido aprobados utilizando un método de dilución en agar. Sin embargo, los sistemas de microdilución comercializados son los más utilizados en la práctica diaria. Los resultados de este estudio indican que estos métodos resultan aceptables cuando se quiera conocer el comportamiento de estos microorganismos frente a fosfomicina

Carbapenems-resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates has been widely reported. Fosfomycin has been shown to act synergistically with other antimicrobials. The agar dilution method was approved for susceptibility testing for fosfomycin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, broth microdilution methods are the basis of systems currently used in clinical microbiology laboratories. The results of this study indicate that these methods are acceptable as susceptibility testing methods for fosfomycin against these organisms

Epidemia de tiña por Trichophyton tonsurans en un área sanitaria de la Comunidad de Madrid (España) / Outbreak of Trichophyton tonsurans ringworm in a health area of the Community of Madrid (Spain)

Antecedentes. Trichophyton tonsurans es un hongo dermatofito que puede dar lugar a epidemias de tiña. En septiembre de 2013 fueron diagnosticados en nuestra área sanitaria dos casos de tiña por T. tonsurans en niños que convivían en un centro infantil. Objetivos. Conocer el origen y la extensión del brote. Métodos. Se realizaron cultivos micológicos de muestras de cuero cabelludo y piel de los contactos de los casos detectados, y de muestras ambientales del centro infantil. Se inició el tratamiento de los pacientes y la desinfección ambiental del centro. Resultados. Se identificaron doce casos de tiña y tres portadores asintomáticos de T. tonsurans en el cuero cabelludo entre los 20 menores residentes del centro infantil. El caso índice fue un residente del centro en cuya familia, que acababa de regresar de su país de origen, Nigeria, se detectaron tres casos de tiña. Desde noviembre de 2013 a febrero de 2014 se diagnosticaron otros cinco casos de tiña en compañeros de colegio de tres casos del centro infantil. Conclusiones. El tratamiento resolvió clínica y micológicamente los casos, y entre marzo y noviembre de 2014 no se diagnosticó ningún otro caso de tiña por T. tonsurans en la misma área sanitaria (AU)

Background. Trichophyton tonsurans is a dermatophyte fungus that can cause ringworm outbreaks. In our health area in September 2013, two cases of T. tonsurans ringworm were diagnosed in children who lived in a Children's Centre. Aims. To determine the origin and extent of the outbreak. Methods. Mycological cultures of scalp and skin samples from the contacts of the diagnosed cases were performed, as well as environmental samples from the Children's Centre. The patients started with a treatment for their ringworm, and an environmental disinfection of the centre was performed. Results. Twelve cases of ringworm were detected, along with three asymptomatic scalp carriers of T. tonsurans among 20 children in the Centre. The index case was a resident in whose family, that had just returned from their country of origin, Nigeria, three cases of ringworm were diagnosed. From November 2013 to February 2014 another five cases of ringworm were diagnosed among schoolmates of three cases from the Children's Centre. Conclusions. The antifungal treatment of the children resulted in the mycological and clinical resolution, and from February to November 2014 no other cases of ringworm by T. tonsurans in the same health area were diagnosed (AU)

Actividad in-vitro de fosfomicina, sola o en combinaciones, frente a aislamientos clínicos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos / In vitro activity of fosfomycin, alone or in combination, against clinical isolates of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la actualidad asistimos a un progresivo aumento de aislamientos de microorganismos con patrones de multirresistencia y aun de panresistencia. Fosfomicina (FO) es un antimicrobiano activo frente a una gran variedad de microorganismos, incluyendo cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), que es susceptible de actuar sinérgicamente con otras moléculas. MÉTODOS: El objetivo de este estudio consiste en evaluar la actividad in-vitro de FO frente a 120 cepas de P. aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos, utilizando un método de dilución en agar y otro de difusión en gradiente y, además, explorar, mediante el método de E-test y curvas de muerte, la posible sinergia de FO/amikacina y FO/ciprofloxacino, asociaciones potencialmente eficaces frente a P. aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos. RESULTADOS: Para FO, partiendo de los valores de corte epidemiológicos (ECOFF) que publica European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), más de las 3 cuartas partes de las cepas serían susceptibles de poder ser tratadas con este antimicrobiano, especialmente en combinación con otro agente. La asociación FO/ciprofloxacino presentó un efecto sinérgico en casi la mitad de los aislamientos (40%), mientras que la asociación FO/amikacina solo alcanzó este efecto sinérgico en el 12% de los casos. CONCLUSIÓN: La aparición de cepas de P. aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos hace necesaria la valoración de tratamientos combinados. Este trabajo sugiere que la combinación FO/ciprofloxacino puede ser útil, presentando un efecto sinérgico en el 40% de los aislamientos estudiados

INTRODUCTION: The increase in microorganisms showing patterns of multi-drug resistance or even pan-drug resistance is of growing concern. Fosfomycin (FO) is well known to be active against a wide variety of microorganisms, including highly resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and can also synergistically act with other molecules. METHODS: This study examines the in vitro activity shown by FO against 120 strains of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa using an agar dilution and a gradient diffusion test. Possible synergistic effects of the combinations of FO/amikacin and FO/ciprofloxacin were also examined using E-test and time-kill techniques. RESULTS: According to the epidemiological cut-off value (ECOFF) issued by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), our results indicate that over three-quarters of the strains tested would be susceptible to FO treatment, especially if combined with another antimicrobial. The FO/ciprofloxacin combination had a synergistic effect on 40% of the clinical isolates, while for FO/amikacin this effect was only observed in 12% of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The appearance of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains requires the evaluation by combination therapy. This report suggests that the FO/ciprofloxacin combination can be useful, showing a synergistic effect in 40% of the isolates

[Outbreak of Trichophyton tonsurans ringworm in a health area of the Community of Madrid (Spain)]. / Epidemia de tiña por Trichophyton tonsurans en un área sanitaria de la Comunidad de Madrid (España).

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton tonsurans is a dermatophyte fungus that can cause ringworm outbreaks. In our health area in September 2013, two cases of T. tonsurans ringworm were diagnosed in children who lived in a Children's Centre. AIMS: To determine the origin and extent of the outbreak. METHODS: Mycological cultures of scalp and skin samples from the contacts of the diagnosed cases were performed, as well as environmental samples from the Children's Centre. The patients started with a treatment for their ringworm, and an environmental disinfection of the centre was performed. RESULTS: Twelve cases of ringworm were detected, along with three asymptomatic scalp carriers of T. tonsurans among 20 children in the Centre. The index case was a resident in whose family, that had just returned from their country of origin, Nigeria, three cases of ringworm were diagnosed. From November 2013 to February 2014 another five cases of ringworm were diagnosed among schoolmates of three cases from the Children's Centre. CONCLUSIONS: The antifungal treatment of the children resulted in the mycological and clinical resolution, and from February to November 2014 no other cases of ringworm by T. tonsurans in the same health area were diagnosed.

[In vitro activity of fosfomycin, alone or in combination, against clinical isolates of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / Actividad in-vitro de fosfomicina, sola o en combinaciones, frente a aislamientos clínicos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in microorganisms showing patterns of multi-drug resistance or even pan-drug resistance is of growing concern. Fosfomycin (FO) is well known to be active against a wide variety of microorganisms, including highly resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and can also synergistically act with other molecules. METHODS: This study examines the in vitro activity shown by FO against 120 strains of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa using an agar dilution and a gradient diffusion test. Possible synergistic effects of the combinations of FO/amikacin and FO/ciprofloxacin were also examined using E-test and time-kill techniques. RESULTS: According to the epidemiological cut-off value (ECOFF) issued by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), our results indicate that over three-quarters of the strains tested would be susceptible to FO treatment, especially if combined with another antimicrobial. The FO/ciprofloxacin combination had a synergistic effect on 40% of the clinical isolates, while for FO/amikacin this effect was only observed in 12% of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The appearance of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains requires the evaluation by combination therapy. This report suggests that the FO/ciprofloxacin combination can be useful, showing a synergistic effect in 40% of the isolates.

[Assessment of 2 automated microdilution techniques compared to an agar dilution method in determining sensitivity to fosfomycin in strains of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / Valoración de 2 técnicas automatizadas de microdilución frente a dilución en agar en la determinación de la sensibilidad a fosfomicina en cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos.

Carbapenems-resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates has been widely reported. Fosfomycin has been shown to act synergistically with other antimicrobials. The agar dilution method was approved for susceptibility testing for fosfomycin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, broth microdilution methods are the basis of systems currently used in clinical microbiology laboratories. The results of this study indicate that these methods are acceptable as susceptibility testing methods for fosfomycin against these organisms.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with hepatitis C and / or infected with HIV]. / Seroprevalencia del virus de la hepatitis E en pacientes con hepatitis C y/o infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection and cirrhosis. The seroprevalence data of anti-HEV IgG in the patients infected with HIV or with chronic liver disease are scarce. METHODS: To document the seroprevalence of HEV infection in HIV patients or with chronic liver disease population, a retrospective study in serum samples from 625 patients was carried on: 200 HIV infected, 200 HCV infected, 25 coinfected by HIV and HCV and 200 healthy controls. Anti-HVE IgG antibodies were determined in serum samples by a commercial immunoassay (EIA) and all positive samples were studied further for the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies (HEV IgM 3.0; DiaSorin, Turín, Italy). Positive HEV IgM antibody specimens were examined for HEV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Anti-HEV IgG were reactive in 25 (12.5%) of the 200 HIV-infected patients, in 47 out of 200 HCV infected patients (23.5%), 10 out of 25 coinfected HIV-HCV group (40%) and 24 out of 200 healthy controls (12%). According to EIA anti-HEV IgM, 11 patients could be considered as acute hepatitis E cases but in only one of them was confirmed recent HEV infection by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The higher seroprevalence was found in HIV-HCV coinfected patients. The only patient with HEV RNA was HIV-HCV coinfected.

Seroprevalencia del virus de la hepatitis E en pacientes con hepatitis C y/o infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with hepatitis C and / or infected with HIV

Introducción. La hepatitis E (VHE) puede causar infección crónica y cirrosis. Los datos de seroprevalencia de IgG anti-VHE en los pacientes infectados con el VIH o con enfermedades hepáticas crónicas son escasos. Métodos. Para documentar la seroprevalencia de infección por VHE en pacientes VIH o con enfermedad hepática crónica, se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo en muestras de suero de 625 pacientes: 200 infectados por VIH, 200 infectados con VHC, 25 coinfectados por el VIH y el VHC y 200 controles sanos. Los anticuerpos anti-VHE IgG se determinaron en muestras de suero por un inmunoensayo comercial (EIA) y todas las muestras positivas se estudió la presencia de anticuerpos anti-VHE IgM (VHE IgM 3.0; DiaSorin, Turín, Italia). Las muestras con anticuerpos IgM VHE se examinaron para VHE ARN por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados. Los anticuerpos IgG anti-VHE fueron reactivos en 25 (12,5%) de los 200 pacientes infectados por el VIH, en 47 de los 200 pacientes infectados por el VHC (23,5%), 10 de los 25 del grupo de coinfectados VIH-VHC (40%) y 24 de los 200 controles sanos (12%). Según EIA anti-VHE IgM, 11 pacientes podrían ser considerados como casos de hepatitis E aguda pero la infección por VHE reciente fue confirmada por RT-PCR en sólo uno de ellos. Conclusiones. La mayor seroprevalencia se ha encontrado en los pacientes coinfectados VIH-VHC. El único paciente con ARN positivo para VHE estaba coinfectado VIH-VHC (AU)

Introduction. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection and cirrhosis. The seroprevalence data of anti-HEV IgG in the patients infected with HIV or with chronic liver disease are scarce. Methods. To document the seroprevalence of HEV infection in HIV patients or with chronic liver disease population, a retrospective study in serum samples from 625 patients was carried on: 200 HIV infected, 200 HCV infected, 25 coinfected by HIV and HCV and 200 healthy controls. Anti-HVE IgG antibodies were determined in serum samples by a commercial immunoassay (EIA) and all positive samples were studied further for the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies (HEV IgM 3.0; DiaSorin, Turín, Italy). Positive HEV IgM antibody specimens were examined for HEV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Results. Anti-HEV IgG were reactive in 25 (12.5%) of the 200 HIV-infected patients, in 47 out of 200 HCV infected patients (23.5%), 10 out of 25 coinfected HIV-HCV group (40%) and 24 out of 200 healthy controls (12%). According to EIA anti-HEV IgM, 11 patients could be considered as acute hepatitis E cases but in only one of them was confirmed recent HEV infection by RT-PCR. Conclusions. The higher seroprevalence was found in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. The only patient with HEV RNA was HIV-HCV coinfected (AU)

Vitek MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for identifying respiratory bacterial pathogens: a fast and efficient method.

Mass spectrometry has become a reference resource for identifying microorganisms in clinical microbiology services. One hundred and fifty one clinical isolates were selected from respiratory specimens routinely identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae (43), Haemophilus influenzae (64) and Moraxella catarrhalis (44). These identifications were compared with other phenotypical methods and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS Vitek). Result discrepancies were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Thirty-eight of the 43 strains of S. pneumoniae (86%) were identified as such using phenotypical methods and spectrometry. In 5 cases, MALDI-TOF identified 4 of them as Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae and 1 as S. mitis/oralis. Forty-eight of the 64 strains were identified as H. influenzae (75%) using biochemical identification systems and automated identification systems, whereas MALDI-TOF-MS Vitek identified 51 strains (79%) as such. Conventional methods and spectrometry identified all the 40 strains tested (100%) as M. catarrhalis. All strains with discrepant results were sequenced, and in all cases, the identification obtained by spectrometry was confirmed. The results obtained in this study show that mass spectrometry provides identification of these bacteria faster and in a more reliable way than those based on conventional phenotypical methods.

Vitek MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for identifying respiratory bacterial pathogens: a fast and efficient method / La espectrometría de masas en la identificación de patógenos respiratorios bacterianos: un método rápido y eficaz

Mass spectrometry has become a reference resource for identifying microorganisms in clinical microbiology services. One hundred and fifty one clinical isolates were selected from respiratory specimens routinely identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae (43), Haemophilus influenzae (64) and Moraxella catarrhalis (44). These identifications were compared with other phenotypical methods and mass spectrometry (MALDI -TOF -MS Vitek). Result discrepancies were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Thirty-eight of the 43 strains of S. pneumoniae (86%) were identified as such using phenotypical methods and spectrometry. In 5 cases, MALDI-TOF identified 4 of them as Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae and 1 as S. mitis/oralis. Forty-eight of the 64 strains were identified as H. influenzae (75%) using biochemical identification systems and automated identification systems, whereas MALDI-TOF-MS Vitek identified 51 strains (79%) as such. Conventional methods and spectrometry identified all the 40 strains tested (100%) as M. catarrhalis. All strains with discrepant results were sequenced, and in all cases, the identification obtained by spectrometry was confirmed. The results obtained in this study show that mass spectrometry provides identification of these bacteria faster and in a more reliable way than those based on conventional phenotypical methods (AU)

La espectrometría de masas se ha convertido en un recurso de referencia para la identificación de microorganismos en los servicios de Microbiología Clínica. Se estudiaron 151 aislamientos clínicos procedentes de muestras respiratorias que se identificaron rutinariamente como Streptococcus pneumoniae (43), Haemophilus influenzae (64) y Moraxella catarrhalis (44). Estos resultados se compararon con otros métodos fenotípicos y espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF Vitek-MS). Las discrepancias en los resultados se valoraron mediante secuenciación del ARNr 16S. Treinta y ocho de las 43 cepas de S. pneumoniae (86%) fueron identificadas como tales tanto por métodos bioquímicos como por espectrometría. En 5 casos MALDI-TOF identificó 4 como Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae y 1 como S. mitis/oralis. Cuarenta y ocho de las 64 cepas fueron identificadas como H. influenzae (75%) al utilizar galerías comerciales y sistemas automáticos, mientras que MALDI-TOF identifica como tales a 51 cepas (79%). Los métodos convencionales y la espectrometría identificaron como M. catarrhalis las 40 cepas estudiadas (100%). Todas las cepas con resultados discrepantes fueron secuenciadas, confirmándose en todos los casos la identificación obtenida por espectrometría. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio demuestran que la espectrometría de masas ofrece una identificación de estas bacterias más rápida y fiable que la basada en métodos convencionales (AU)

Primer aislamiento de Corynebacterium mucifaciens en una úlcera corneal / First case of a corneal ulcer associated with Corynebacterium mucifaciens

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Identification of clinical yeasts by Vitek MS system compared with API ID 32 C.

We performed a clinical evaluation of the Vitek MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system with the commercial database version 2.0 for rapid identification of medically important yeasts as compared with the conventional phenotypic method API ID 32 C. We tested 161 clinical isolates, nine isolates from culture collections and five reference strains. In case of discrepant results or no identification with one or both methods, molecular identification techniques were employed. Concordance between both methods was observed with 160/175 isolates (91.42%) and misidentifications by both systems occurred only when taxa were not included in the respective databases, i.e., one isolate of Candida etchellsii was identified as C. globosa by Vitek MS and two isolates of C. orthopsilosis were identified as C. parapsilosis by API ID 32 C. Vitek MS could not identify nine strains (5.14%) and API ID 32 C did not identify 13 (7.42%). Vitek MS was more reliable than API ID 32 C and reduced the time required for the identification of clinical isolates to only a few minutes.