Analysis of sex differences in the clinical presentation, management and prognosis of infective endocarditis in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Sex-dependent differences of infective endocarditis (IE) have been reported. Women suffer from IE less frequently than men and tend to present more severe manifestations. Our objective was to analyse the sex-based differences of IE in the clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed the sex differences in the clinical presentation, modality of treatment and prognosis of IE in a national-level multicentric cohort between 2008 and 2018. All data were prospectively recorded by the GAMES cohort (Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis). RESULTS: A total of 3451 patients were included, of whom 1105 were women (32.0%). Women were older than men (mean age, 68.4 vs 64.5). The most frequently affected valves were the aortic valve in men (50.6%) and mitral valve in women (48.7%). Staphylococcus aureus aetiology was more frequent in women (30.1% vs 23.1%; p<0.001).Surgery was performed in 38.3% of women and 50% of men. After propensity score (PS) matching for age and estimated surgical risk (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II)), the analysis of the matched cohorts revealed that women were less likely to undergo surgery (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91; p=0.05).The observed overall in-hospital mortality was 32.8% in women and 25.7% in men (OR for the mortality of female sex 1.41; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.65; p<0.001). This statistical difference was not modified after adjusting for all possible confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex was an independent factor related to mortality after adjusting for confounders. In addition, women were less frequently referred for surgical treatment.

Infective endocarditis in patients with solid organ transplantation. A nationwide descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplantation (SOT) implies immunosuppression and frequent health care contact. Our aim was to compare the characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and SOT against those without SOT. METHODS: We used data from the Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis during the period 2008-2018. RESULTS: We identified 4794 cases of IE, 85 (1.8%) in SOT (56 kidney, 18 liver, 8 heart, 3 lung). Thirteen patients with other transplantation types (bone marrow, hematopoietic precursors, and cornea) were excluded from the analysis. Compared with patients without SOT, patients with SOT had lower median age (61 vs. 69 years, p<0.001), more comorbidities (mean age-adjusted Charlson index 5.7±2.9 vs. 4.9±2.9, p=0.004), a lower prevalence of native valvular heart disease (29.4 vs. 45.4%, p=0.003), more in-hospital and healthcare-related IE (70.5% vs. 36.3%, p<0.001) and staphylococcal etiology (57.7% vs. 39.7%, p=0.001). Patients with SOT had more frequent kidney function worsening (47.1% vs. 34.6%, p=0.02), septic shock (25.9% vs. 12.1 %, p<0.001), sepsis (27.1% vs. 17.2%, p=0.02), and less surgery indication (54.1% vs 66.3%, p=0.02) and surgery (32.9% vs. 46.3%, p=0.01) than patients without SOT. There were no significant differences in mortality: inhospital (30.6% SOT vs. 25.6% without SOT, p=0.31), 1-year (38.8% SOT vs. 31.9% without SOT, p=0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Most IE in SOT recipients are nosocomial and over 70% are health care-related. Half have previously normal heart valves and almost 60% are due to Staphylococcus spp. infections. Mortality seems to be similar to non-SOT counterparts.

Valor pronóstico de la interleucina-6 en la mortalidad de los pacientes con sepsis / Prognostic value of interleukin-6 for death in patients with sepsis

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Infección nosocomial en el paciente receptor de un trasplante de órgano sólido o de precursores hematopoyéticos / Nosocomial infection in patients receiving a solid organ transplant or haematopoietic stem cell transplant

Las infecciones más frecuentes en pacientes con trasplante de órgano sólido son las bacterianas, fundamentalmente durante el primer mes postrasplante, la mayoría adquiridas en el ámbito hospitalario. Las infecciones nosocomiales comportan una gran morbilidad y constituyen la causa más frecuente de mortalidad en ese periodo precoz del trasplante. Suelen ser infecciones a menudo por microorganismos multirresistentes, destacando fundamentalmente enterobacterias gramnegativas, bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores, enterococos y estafilococos. Los pacientes más expuestos a padecer infección nosocomial por bacterias son los colonizados previamente durante la lista de espera con bacterias multirresistentes. Los focos más frecuentes son los relacionados con los catéteres intravasculares, la vía urinaria, el pulmón y la herida quirúrgica. Las medidas preventivas son las mismas que las aplicadas en los pacientes hospitalizados no inmunodeprimidos, salvo en caso de pacientes con riesgo elevado de desarrollar infección fúngica, a los que se han de administrar antifúngicos durante el tiempo de hospitalización y vacunar según recomendaciones a los pacientes en lista de espera como prevención de infección en el periodo precoz del trasplante. A pesar de que la morbimortalidad asociada a las infecciones en el trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH) ha disminuido considerablemente en los últimos años, estas continúan siendo una de las complicaciones más destacables en estos pacientes. Por otra parte, y al igual que en la población general, las infecciones nosocomiales han incrementado su incidencia en las diferentes fases del TPH. Es difícil establecer unas medidas preventivas generales en estos pacientes, ya que existen muchos factores que condicionan las infecciones nosocomiales: están sometidos a múltiples tratamientos antibióticos e intervenciones, el grado de neutropenia e inmunodepresión es variable de paciente a paciente y, finalmente, combinan constantemente la estancia hospitalaria y domiciliaria en el proceso del trasplante. Sin embargo, existen medidas que ayudan sin duda a mejorar la situación actual

Bacterial infections are the most common infections in solid organ transplant recipients. These infections occur mainly in the first month after transplantation and are hospital-acquired. Nosocomial infections cause significant morbidity and are the most common cause of mortality in this early period of transplantation. These infections are caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, mainly Gram-negative enterobacteria, non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli, enterococci, and staphylococci. The patients at risk of developing nosocomial bacterial infections are those previously colonized with MDR bacteria while on the transplant waiting list. Intravascular catheters, the urinary tract, the lungs, and surgical wounds are the most frequent sources of infection. Preventive measures are the same as those applied in non-immunocompromised, hospitalized patients except in patients at high risk for developing fungal infection. These patients need antifungal therapy during their hospitalization, and for preventing some bacterial infections in the early transplant period, patients need vaccinations on the waiting list according to the current recommendations. Although morbidity and mortality related to infectious diseases have decreased during the last few years in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, they are still one of the most important complications in this population. Furthermore, as occurs in the general population, the incidence of nosocomial infections has increased during the different phases of transplantation. It is difficult to establish general preventive measures in these patients, as there are many risk factors conditioning these infections. Firstly, they undergo multiple antibiotic treatments and interventions; secondly, there is a wide variability in the degree of neutropenia and immunosuppression among patients, and finally they combine hospital and home stay during the transplant process. However, some simple measures could be implemented to improve the current situation

[Nosocomial infection in patients receiving a solid organ transplant or haematopoietic stem cell transplant]. / Infección nosocomial en el paciente receptor de un trasplante de órgano sólido o de precursores hematopoyéticos.

Bacterial infections are the most common infections in solid organ transplant recipients. These infections occur mainly in the first month after transplantation and are hospital-acquired. Nosocomial infections cause significant morbidity and are the most common cause of mortality in this early period of transplantation. These infections are caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, mainly Gram-negative enterobacteria, non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli, enterococci, and staphylococci. The patients at risk of developing nosocomial bacterial infections are those previously colonized with MDR bacteria while on the transplant waiting list. Intravascular catheters, the urinary tract, the lungs, and surgical wounds are the most frequent sources of infection. Preventive measures are the same as those applied in non-immunocompromised, hospitalized patients except in patients at high risk for developing fungal infection. These patients need antifungal therapy during their hospitalization, and for preventing some bacterial infections in the early transplant period, patients need vaccinations on the waiting list according to the current recommendations. Although morbidity and mortality related to infectious diseases have decreased during the last few years in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, they are still one of the most important complications in this population. Furthermore, as occurs in the general population, the incidence of nosocomial infections has increased during the different phases of transplantation. It is difficult to establish general preventive measures in these patients, as there are many risk factors conditioning these infections. Firstly, they undergo multiple antibiotic treatments and interventions; secondly, there is a wide variability in the degree of neutropenia and immunosuppression among patients, and finally they combine hospital and home stay during the transplant process. However, some simple measures could be implemented to improve the current situation.

Profilaxis de la infección por citomegalovirus en el trasplante de páncreas / Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection in pancreatic transplantation

El trasplante de páncreas presenta un mayor riesgo de enfermedad por citomegalovirus (CMV) si se compara con el trasplante renal aislado. El manejo de la enfermedad por CMV en el trasplante de páncreas dependerá del riesgo según los perfiles de serología (IgG para CMV) del donante y receptor, y del uso de anticuerpos como terapia inmunosupresora (especialmente timoglobulina). La mayoría de las guías clínicas recomienda el uso de la estrategia de profilaxis frente al tratamiento anticipado en el trasplante de páncreas, tanto en D+/R– como en D+/R+. En los de mayor riesgo (D+/R–) se recomienda profilaxis con valganciclovir 900 mg/día de 3 a 6 meses, ajustado según función renal. En los D+/R+, si se utilizó terapia con un anticuerpo en el trasplante o en algún rechazo, también se recomienda profilaxis con valgancioclovir de 1 a 3 meses. Al finalizar la profilaxis se realizará en ambos casos determinación de carga viral (PCR cuantitativa de CMV) o antigenemia durante el primer año. En los D–/R– puede plantearse terapia anticipada con determinaciones de carga viral o antigenemia en cada revisión hasta el primer año. Se pondrá especial atención en la vigilancia ante la aparición de enfermedad tardía por CMV tras la supresión de la profilaxis (AU)

Pancreatic transplantation carries a higher risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection than renal transplantation alone. The management of CMV disease in pancreatic transplantation depends on the risk indicated by the donor’s and recipient’s serological profiles (CMV IgG) and the use of antibodies as immunosuppressive therapy (especially thymoglobulin). Most clinical guidelines recommend the use of prophylaxis in preference to preemptive therapy in both donor (D)+/recipient (R)- and D+/R+ pancreatic transplantations. In combinations with highest risk (D+/R-), prophylaxis with valganciclovir 900 mg per day for 3 to 6 months is recommended, adjusted to renal funtion. In D+/R+ combinations, if antibody therapy was used in the transplant or in rejection, valgancioclovir prophylaxis is also recommended for 1 to 3 months. When prophylaxis is finished, in both cases, viral load determination (quantitative polymerase chain reaction of CMV) or antigenemia should be carried out for the first year. In D-/R- combinations, preemptive therapy can be considered with determinations of viral load or antigenemia at each follow-up visit during the first year. Once prophylaxis has been suspended, special attention should be paid to the development of delayed CMV disease (AU)

Recommendations for management of Chagas disease in organ and hematopoietic tissue transplantation programs in nonendemic areas.

The substantial immigration into Spain from endemic areas of Chagas disease such as Latin America has increased the number of potential donors of organs and tissues. In addition, an increasing number of patients with advanced Chagas heart disease may eventually be eligible to receive a heart transplant, a universally accepted therapeutic strategy for the advanced stages of this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to establish protocols for disease management. This document is intended to establish the guidelines to be followed when a potential donor or a tissue or organ recipient is potentially affected by Chagas disease and summarizes the action criteria against the possibility of Chagas disease transmission through the donation of organs, tissues, or hematopoietic stem cells and aims to help professionals working in this field. A single registry of transplants in Trypanosoma cruzi infected donors and/or recipients will provide and disseminate experience in this area, which has shown a low recorded incidence to date.

[Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection in pancreatic transplantation]. / Profilaxis de la infección por citomegalovirus en el trasplante de páncreas.

Pancreatic transplantation carries a higher risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection than renal transplantation alone. The management of CMV disease in pancreatic transplantation depends on the risk indicated by the donor's and recipient's serological profiles (CMV IgG) and the use of antibodies as immunosuppressive therapy (especially thymoglobulin). Most clinical guidelines recommend the use of prophylaxis in preference to preemptive therapy in both donor (D)+/recipient (R)- and D+/R+ pancreatic transplantations. In combinations with highest risk (D+/R-), prophylaxis with valganciclovir 900mg per day for 3 to 6 months is recommended, adjusted to renal funtion. In D+/R+ combinations, if antibody therapy was used in the transplant or in rejection, valgancioclovir prophylaxis is also recommended for 1 to 3 months. When prophylaxis is finished, in both cases, viral load determination (quantitative polymerase chain reaction of CMV) or antigenemia should be carried out for the first year. In D-/R-combinations, preemptive therapy can be considered with determinations of viral load or antigenemia at each follow-up visit during the first year. Once prophylaxis has been suspended, special attention should be paid to the development of delayed CMV disease.

[Infectious pulmonary complications in HIV-infected patients in the high by active antiretroviral therapy era in Spain]. / Complicaciones infecciosas pulmonares en los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en la era del tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad en España.

Pulmonary complications in HIV-infected patients are at present a first-rate problem. They are the main cause of hospital admission of these patients in our country. Most HIV-patients have a pulmonary complication during the evolution of the infection. The main etiologic diagnosis is bacterial pneumonia, especially pneumococcal pneumonia; the second most frequent cause is Pneumocystis jiroveci (previously named P. carinii) pneumonia and the third cause is mycobacteriosis, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From early studies, important changes in the epidemiology of HIV-related pulmonary complications have occurred. General prescription of P. jiroveci primary prophylaxis is probably one of the main causes, and, more recently, the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy may also be an underlying explanation. In this review, epidemiology, diagnosis and outcome of HIV-related pulmonary complications in our country are update.

Influence of age in renal transplant infections: cases and controls study.

Kidney transplantation in elderly patients is a good therapeutic option, but the incidence of infections compared to younger patients must be studied. Case and control study was performed with 40 cases (patients older than 65) and 40 controls (younger than 65) receiving a kidney transplant between January 2000 and August 2002. In 32 cases (80%) and in 14 controls (32%), some type of infection appeared during the follow-up (odds ratio [OR] 5; 95% CI 1.6-20). The percentage of patients with bacterial infections was higher in the cases (70% vs. 28%; OR 5.7; 95% CI 1.9-20), especially for urinary infections. No differences for viral and fungal infections were observed in the two groups. Mortality rate was 13% in the cases (5% due to infections), whereas there was no controls' mortality. Although the number of bacterial infections was higher, kidney transplantation in elderly patients is a secure procedure.

Complicaciones infecciosas pulmonares en los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en la era del tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad en España / Infectious pulmonary complications in HIV-infected patients in the high by active antiretroviral therapy era in Spain

Las complicaciones pulmonares en los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) son, actualmente, un problema de primer orden. En España son la primera causa de ingreso hospitalario de estos pacientes. Además, la mayoría experimenta alguna complicación de este tipo durante su evolución. La etiología más frecuente es la neumonía bacteriana, particularmente las producidas por neumococos; en segundo lugar, la neumonías por Pneumocystis jiroveci (anteriormente P. carinii), y en tercer lugar, las micobacterias, sobre todo la tuberculosis. Desde las primeras descripciones de complicaciones pulmonares, su epidemiología ha experimentado cambios notables. Entre las causas principales se encuentra la introducción de la profilaxis primaria frente a P. jiroveci, y más recientemente, la generalización del tratamiento antirretroviral combinado de elevada eficacia. En esta revisión se actualizan las principales causas en la actualidad de complicaciones pulmonares en los pacientes infectados por el VIH en España, su diagnóstico y pronóstico

Pulmonary complications in HIV-infected patients are at present a first-rate problem. They are the main cause of hospital admission of these patients in our country. Most HIV-patients have a pulmonary complication during the evolution of the infection. The main etiologic diagnosis is bacterial pneumonia, especially pneumococcal pneumonia; the second most frequent cause is Pneumocystis jiroveci (previously named P. carinii) pneumonia and the third cause is mycobacteriosis, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From early studies, important changes in the epidemiology of HIV-related pulmonary complications have occurred. General prescription of P. jiroveci primary prophylaxis is probably one of the main causes, and, more recently, the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy may also be an underlying explanation. In this review, epidemiology, diagnosis and outcome of HIV-related pulmonary complications in our country are update