Ampicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Combined Therapy for Enterococcus faecalis Infective Endocarditis in OPAT.

Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AC) is a well-recognized inpatient regimen for Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (IE). In this regimen, ceftriaxone is usually administered 2 g every 2 h (AC12). The administration of AC in outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment (OPAT) programs is challenging because multiple daily doses are required. AC regimens useful for OPAT programs include once-daily high-dose administration of ceftriaxone (AC24) or AC co-diluted and jointly administered in bolus every 4 h (ACjoined). In this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected cases, we aimed to assess the clinical effectivity and safety of three AC regimens for the treatment of E. faecalis IE. Fifty-nine patients were treated with AC combinations (AC12 n = 32, AC24 n = 17, and ACjoined n = 10). Six relapses occurred in the whole cohort: five (29.4%) treated with AC24 regimen and one (10.0%) with ACjoined. Patients were cured in 30 (93.3%), 16 (94.1%), and eight (80.0%) cases in the AC12, AC24 and ACjoined groups, respectively. Unplanned readmission occurred in eight (25.0%), six (35.3%), and two (20.0%) patients in the AC12, AC24 and ACjoined groups, respectively. The outcome of patients with E. faecalis IE treated with AC in OPAT programs relies on an optimization of the delivery of the combination. AC24 exhibit an unexpected rate of failures, however, ACjoined might be an effective alternative which clinical results should corroborate in further studies.

Infecciones en dispositivos de estimulación cardiaca: diagnóstico y tratamiento en un centro de referencia / Infections in cardiac implantable electronic devices: diagnosis and management in a referral center

Introducción y objetivos: Las infecciones en dispositivos de electroestimulación cardiaca son cada vez más frecuentes debido a las indicaciones cada vez más amplias de estos sistemas. Algunos aspectos sobre su tratamiento son controvertidos y aportamos aquí nuestra amplia experiencia. Métodos: Se atendieron 325 infecciones (196 locales y 129 sistémicas) durante los años 1985 a 2015, el 28,5% de ellas procedentes de otros centros: 229 marcapasos, 69 desfibriladores automáticos implantables y 27 pacientes con terapia de resincronización cardiaca, con un seguimiento mínimo de 1 año tras el alta hospitalaria. Resultados: La tracción percutánea (TPC) fue la técnica utilizada más frecuentemente (n = 280), en infecciones tanto locales (n = 166) como sistémicas (n = 114), con una tasas de extracción completa del sistema del 82,5% del total y de curación, del 89%; las complicaciones fueron escasas (2 muertes achacables a la técnica). La mortalidad total fue del 1% en infecciones locales y el 8% en las sistémicas. Tras 212 TPC completas, se reimplantó un nuevo sistema contralateral en 209: en 152 de ellas en el mismo acto (73%) y en 57 en un segundo tiempo; no se apreciaron diferencias en el número de recidivas en el nuevo sistema (2 en 1 tiempo y 1 en 2 tiempos). Conclusiones: La TPC en manos expertas arroja buenos resultados en términos de eficacia, con escasas complicaciones. Se puede realizar el reimplante de dispositivos en un solo tiempo sin que ello conlleve un mayor riesgo de recidiva (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Infections in cardiac implantable electronic devices are increasing due to the expansion of the indications of these devices. The management of some aspects is controversial. Here, we report our broad experience. Methods: Between 1985 and 2015, 325 infections (196 local and 129 systemic) were registered; 28.5% of them were referred from other centers: 229 pacemakers, 69 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and 27 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy. The follow-up was at least 1 year after hospital discharge. Results: Percutaneous traction (PCT) was the most frequent procedure (n = 280) in local (n = 166) and systemic infections (n = 114), with complete extraction of the system in 82.5% of the patients, clinical success in 89%, and few complications (2 deaths attributable to the technique). Overall mortality was 1% in local infections and 8% in systemic infections. After 212 complete PCT, a new device was placed in 209: of these, a contralateral system was implanted in the same procedure in 152 (73%) and in a second procedure in 57, with no differences in relapses (2 in the 1-stage procedure, and 1 in the 2-stage procedure). Conclusions: Percutaneous traction in experienced hands has good results with very few complications. It is possible to perform contralateral implantation of the new device on the same day without increasing the risk of relapse (AU)

Infections in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Diagnosis and Management in a Referral Center.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Infections in cardiac implantable electronic devices are increasing due to the expansion of the indications of these devices. The management of some aspects is controversial. Here, we report our broad experience. METHODS: Between 1985 and 2015, 325 infections (196 local and 129 systemic) were registered; 28.5% of them were referred from other centers: 229 pacemakers, 69 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and 27 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy. The follow-up was at least 1 year after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Percutaneous traction (PCT) was the most frequent procedure (n=280) in local (n=166) and systemic infections (n=114), with complete extraction of the system in 82.5% of the patients, clinical success in 89%, and few complications (2 deaths attributable to the technique). Overall mortality was 1% in local infections and 8% in systemic infections. After 212 complete PCT, a new device was placed in 209: of these, a contralateral system was implanted in the same procedure in 152 (73%) and in a second procedure in 57, with no differences in relapses (2 in the 1-stage procedure, and 1 in the 2-stage procedure). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous traction in experienced hands has good results with very few complications. It is possible to perform contralateral implantation of the new device on the same day without increasing the risk of relapse.

Endocarditis por enterococo: análisis multicéntrico de 76 casos / Enterococcal endocarditis: A multicenter study of 76 cases

Aunque los enterococos ocupan el tercer lugar entre los microorganismos que más frecuentemente provocan endocarditis infecciosa (EI), tras los estreptococos y Staphylococcus aureus, hay pocos estudios multicéntricos que proporcionen un análisis en profundidad de la EI enterocócica. Métodos Descripción de las características de los 76 casos de endocarditis infecciosa izquierda (EII) enterocócica (59 nativas y 17 protésicas) de la base de datos del Grupo para el Estudio de las Infecciones Cardiovasculares de la Sociedad Andaluza de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Además, se hace hincapié en la comparación con la EII no enterocócica. Resultados El enterococo fue el causante de 76 de 696 episodios de EII (11%). Comparada con la EII no enterocócica, la EII enterocócica fue más frecuentemente observada en pacientes mayores de 65 años (el 47,4 frente al 27,6%; p<0,0005), con enfermedades crónicas (el 75 frente al 54,6%; p<0,001), válvulas calcificadas (el 18,6 frente al 10%; p<0,05), foco infeccioso previo urinario (el 30,3 frente al 2,1%; p<0,00001) o abdominal (el 10,5 frente al 3,1%; p<0,01) y produjo una mayor tasa de recidivas (el 6,6 frente al 2,3%; p<0,05). La EII enterocócica produjo menos manifestaciones cutáneas o vasculares periféricas (el 14,5 frente al 27,1%; p<0,05) y menos fenómenos inmunológicos (el 10,5 frente al 24%; p<0,01). Un 36,8% de los pacientes con EII enterocócica fueron sometidos a cirugía valvular durante el ingreso. La mortalidad durante el ingreso hospitalario de los pacientes con EII enterocócica fue del 32,9%, de los pacientes con EII por estreptococos del grupo viridans (EGV) fue del 9,3% y de los pacientes con S. aureus fue del 48,6% (enterococo frente a EGV: p<0,0001; enterococo frente a S. aureus: p=0,02). Los pacientes con EII enterocócica tratados con la combinación de una penicilina (..) (AU)

Although enterococci occupy the third position among microorganisms producing infectious endocarditis (IE) following streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, few multicenter studies have provided an in-depth analysis of enterococcal IE. Methods Description of the characteristics of 76 cases of enterococcal left-sided infectious endocarditis (LSIE) (native: 59, prosthetic: 17) retrieved from the database of the Cardiovascular Infections Study Group of the Andalusian Society of Infectious Diseases, with emphasis on the comparison with non-enterococcal LSIE. Results Enterococci were the causal agent in 76 of the 696 episodes of LSIE (11%). Compared with non-enterococcal LSIE, enterococcal LSIE was more commonly seen in patients older than 65 (47.4% vs. 27.6%, P<0.0005), and those with chronic diseases (75% vs. 54.6%, P<0.001), calcified valves (18.6% vs. 10%, P<0.05), and previous urinary (30.3% vs. 2.1%, P<0.00001) or abdominal (10.5% vs. 3.1%, P<0.01) infections, and produced a higher rate of relapses (6.6% vs. 2.3%, P<0.05). Enterococcal LSIE was associated with fewer peripheral vascular or skin manifestations (14.5% vs. 27.1%, P<0.05) and fewer immunological phenomena (10.5% vs. 24%, P<0.01). Among the total of patients with enterococcal LSIE, 36.8% underwent valve surgery during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was 32.9% for enterococcal LSIE, 9.3% for viridans group streptococci (VGS) LSIE and 48.6% for S. aureus LSIE (enterococci vs VGS: P<0.0001; enterococci (..) (AU)

[Enterococcal endocarditis: a multicenter study of 76 cases]. / Endocarditis por enterococo: análisis multicéntrico de 76 casos.

BACKGROUND: Although enterococci occupy the third position among microorganisms producing infectious endocarditis (IE) following streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, few multicenter studies have provided an in-depth analysis of enterococcal IE. METHODS: Description of the characteristics of 76 cases of enterococcal left-sided infectious endocarditis (LSIE) (native: 59, prosthetic: 17) retrieved from the database of the Cardiovascular Infections Study Group of the Andalusian Society of Infectious Diseases, with emphasis on the comparison with non-enterococcal LSIE. RESULTS: Enterococci were the causal agent in 76 of the 696 episodes of LSIE (11%). Compared with non-enterococcal LSIE, enterococcal LSIE was more commonly seen in patients older than 65 (47.4% vs. 27.6%, P<0.0005), and those with chronic diseases (75% vs. 54.6%, P<0.001), calcified valves (18.6% vs. 10%, P<0.05), and previous urinary (30.3% vs. 2.1%, P<0.00001) or abdominal (10.5% vs. 3.1%, P<0.01) infections, and produced a higher rate of relapses (6.6% vs. 2.3%, P<0.05). Enterococcal LSIE was associated with fewer peripheral vascular or skin manifestations (14.5% vs. 27.1%, P<0.05) and fewer immunological phenomena (10.5% vs. 24%, P<0.01). Among the total of patients with enterococcal LSIE, 36.8% underwent valve surgery during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was 32.9% for enterococcal LSIE, 9.3% for viridans group streptococci (VGS) LSIE and 48.6% for S. aureus LSIE (enterococci vs VGS: P<0.0001; enterococci vs S. aureus: P=0.02). Enterococcal LSIE patients treated with the combination of a penicillin or vancomycin plus an aminoglycoside (n=60) and those treated with ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (n=6) showed similar in-hospital mortality (26.7% vs 33.3%, P=0.66). High-level resistance to gentamicin was detected in 5 of 38 episodes of enterococcal LSIE (13.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcal LSIE appears in patients with well-defined clinical characteristics, and causes few peripheral vascular or skin manifestations and few immunological phenomena. The relapse rate is higher than in non-enterococcal LSIE. Mortality due to enterococcal LSIE is lower than that of S. aureus LSIE, and much higher than that of VGS LSIE. Mortality due to enterococcal LSIE is similar in patients treated with ampicillin plus ceftriaxone or with a combination of penicillin or vancomycin plus an aminoglycoside. High-level resistance to gentamicin remains uncommon in enterococci causing LSIE.

[Treatment of invasive fungal infections. 2005. Andalusian Infectious Disease Society]. / Tratamiento de las infecciones fúngicas invasoras.

Invasive fungal infections have increased progressively in the last decades, producing elevated morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there have been numerous advances in the treatment of these diseases, with the introduction of new drugs in clinical practice and the information derived from several types of studies. This has improved the prognosis of some invasive fungal infections and increased the therapeutic options in various clinical situations. This new knowledge must be assessed to determine its application in clinical practice, taking into account available scientific evidence and clinical experience. With this aim, the Andalusian Society of Infectious Diseases has developed this consensus document containing recommendations for the treatment of the invasive fungal infections.

Tratamiento de las infecciones fúngicas invasoras / Treatment of invasive fungal infections

Las infecciones fúngicas invasoras (IFI) son un grupo de enfermedades en aumento progresivo en las dos últimas décadas, con morbilidad y mortalidad elevadas. En los últimos años han aparecido avances en el tratamiento de estas enfermedades, como consecuencia de la aparición de nuevos medicamentos y de nuevos conocimientos derivados de diferentes tipos de estudios, los cuales mejoran el pronóstico de algunas de las IFI y aumentan las opciones terapéuticas en diversos tipos de situaciones clínicas. Estos conocimientos necesitan valorarse para su aplicación a la práctica clínica, en base a la evidencia científica disponible y a la experiencia clínica. Por ello, la Sociedad Andaluza de Enfermedades Infecciosas ha desarrollado este documento de consenso sobre las recomendaciones para el tratamiento de las IFI (AU)

Invasive fungal infections have increased progressively in the last decades, producing elevated morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there have been numerous advances in the treatment of these diseases, with the introduction of new drugs in clinical practice and the information derived from several types of studies. This has improved the prognosis of some invasive fungal infections and increased the therapeutic options in various clinical situations. This new knowledge must be assessed to determine its application in clinical practice, taking into account available scientific evidence and clinical experience. With this aim, the Andalusian Society of Infectious Diseases has developed this consensus document containing recommendations for the treatment of the invasive fungal infections (AU)