Review of carbapenemics de-escalation in extended-spectrum b-lactamases producing enterobacteriaceae urinary tract infections in clinical practice / Revisión de la desescalada de carbapenémicos en las infecciones del tracto urinario por enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas

The indiscriminate use of carbapenem antibiotics in urinary tract infections poses a risk of increasing antimicrobial resistance to them. The use of carbapenem antibiotics should be reserved for those urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamases -producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, there is sufficient evidence of the possibility of using different therapeutic options to carbapenems in certain infections with extended-expectrum β-lactamases isolation and sensitivity data. Of the patients analysed in the study, those with urinary tract infection by extended-spectrum β-lactamases -producing Enterobacteriaceae treated with antibiotics other than carbapenemics based on susceptibility data, achieved resolution of infection in those cases where they were clinically well, so the use of these alternatives would be an appropriate optimisation and rational use of carbapenemic. (AU)

El uso indiscriminado de antibióticos carbapenémicos en infecciones del tracto urinario supone un riesgo de aumento de la resistencia antimicrobiana a los mismos. El uso de antibióticos carbapenémicos debe reservarse para aquellas infecciones del tracto urinario causadas por Enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido. Sin embargo, existe evidencia suficiente de la posibilidad de utilizar opciones terapéuticas diferentes a los carbapenémicos en determinadas infecciones con datos de sensibilidad. De los pacientes analizados en el estudio, aquellos con infección del tracto urinario por Enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido y tratados con antibióticos distintos a los carbapenémicos según datos de sensibilidad, consiguieron resolver la infección en aquellos casos en los que presentaban buen estado clínico por lo que el uso de estas alternativas supondría una adecuada optimización y uso racional de carbapenémicos. (AU)

Antibody- and T Cell-Dependent Responses Elicited by a SARS-CoV-2 Adenoviral-Based Vaccine in a Socially Vulnerable Cohort of Elderly Individuals.

BACKGROUND: In spite of compelling evidence demonstrating safety and immunogenicity of adenoviral-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the general population, its effects in socially vulnerable elderly individuals are poorly understood. Here we aimed to investigate the efficacy of two doses of combined vector vaccine, the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik-V vaccine), at 14, 42, and 180 days after immunization, in a nursing home for underprivileged population and homeless individuals. METHODS: A phase 3, open-label clinical trial involving administration of two adenoviral vectors (Ad26-Ad5) vaccine, in elderly individuals over the ages of 60 years was performed. SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD-specific IgG antibodies at days 21-, 42- and 180 post-vaccination was analyzed in sera of individuals receiving two doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine with an interval of 21 days. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell responses, measured by intracellular tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was determined by flow cytometry following antigen-specific cultures. RESULTS: A total of 72 elderly adults with a mean age of 72.6 ± 9.5 years-old was selected after applying the inclusion criteria, all corresponding to an underprivileged population. Two-doses vaccination with Sputnik-V vaccine elicited an antibody-mediated immune response (revealed by quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies, CMIA) 70% at day 21, 90% at day 42, and 66.1% at day 180. Fully vaccinated individuals had robust SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses, evidenced by TNF production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in all time periods analyzed. CONCLUSION: Six months after receipt of the second dose of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine, SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels declined substantially among the tested population, whereas CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell-mediated immunity remained at high levels. These data suggest that two doses of combined adenoviral-based vaccine elicits a considerable level of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in elderly individuals, highlighting its safety and immunogenicity in this highly vulnerable population.

Compatibility of prolonged infusion antibiotics during Y-site administration.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to global public health. The use of prolonged infusions in the hospital setting for certain antimicrobials is widely increasing in order to improve their efficacy and safety, including resistance development. Due to limited vascular access, it is important to clarify whether they can be infused through the same line with other drugs during Y-site administration. AIM: The aim of this review is to update and summarize the evidence on Y-site compatibility of antibacterial agents administered as prolonged infusions in intensive care units (ICUs). STUDY DESIGN: A literature review of PubMed, EMBASE and Trissel's Handbook on Injectable Drugs databases was conducted on the compatibility of selected antimicrobials administered simultaneously at a Y-site connection with parenteral nutrition and other widely used drugs in ICUs. All articles published up to October 30, 2021, in English or Spanish were included, regardless of the type of publication (original articles, case reports, letters, etc.). Eligible antimicrobials were those that can be administered as prolonged infusions: ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftaroline, cloxacillin, ceftobiprole, vancomycin and fosfomycin. RESULTS: A total of 1302 drug-to-drug potential combinations were explored, 196 (15.05%) were found to be incompatible, and in 541 (41.55%), data were not available. The results were presented in a simple 2-dimensional consultation chart as a quick reference for health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides useful and reliable information on the compatibility of antimicrobials administered as Y-site infusion with other drugs commonly used in the critical setting. This review contributes to patient safety in nursing practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To our knowledge, this is the first review on Y-site compatibility of antimicrobials used as prolonged infusions with other commonly used drugs, including anti-emetics, analgesics and anti-epileptic and parenteral nutrition. The results of the current review need to be addressed to promote the knowledge sharing between health professionals and improve the quality and safety of patients. We believe that this review may serve as a simple and effective 2-dimensional updated drug-to-drug compatibility reference chart for critical care nurses.

New Insights into the Natural History of Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome.

We describe the prenatal evolution of the brain findings in a patient with proved Zika virus infection at 8 weeks of gestation showing the very early appearance at 17 weeks of ventriculomegaly and signs of brain parenchymal involvement without microcephaly. The involvement of the brain becomes more evident at 22 and 27 weeks with the apparition of calcifications and microcephaly. Interestingly, the postnatal findings failed to show significant worsening when compared to these prenatal findings.

Displasia epifisaria con falanges en forma de ángel: Caso clínico / Angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia: Case report

Se describe una patología de aparición poco frecuente y esporádica que se caracteriza por deformidad en cuello de cisne en las manos, artrosis de cadera en la adultez, retardo en la edad ósea y malformaciones de las falanges medias, en forma de ángel. El paciente es un niño de 4 años de edad que sufrió un traumatismo de mano, por lo cual se le realizó una radiografía donde se observaron falanges con forma de ángel. A partir de este hallazgo, se obtuvieron otras radiografías y se diagnosticó una displasia epifisaria con falanges en forma de ángel. A raíz de este diagnóstico en el niño y de consultas con el Servicio de Genética, se diagnosticó el mismo síndrome en la madre.

We describe a rare and sporadic condition, characterized by swan neck deformity in hands, hip osteoarthritis in adulthood and malformations of the middle phalanges with an angel shape. The patient is a 4 year old boy who suffered hand trauma and on x-ray examination he was diagnosed with angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia. Based on this diagnosis, his mother, who suffered from constant pain in her hips and lower limbs, was diagnosed with this syndrome as well.

[Angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia: case report]. / Displasia epifisaria con falanges en forma de ángel: caso clínico.

We describe a rare and sporadic condition, characterized by swan neck deformity in hands, hip osteoarthritis in adulthood and malformations of the middle phalanges with an angel shape. The patient is a 4 year old boy who suffered hand trauma and on x-ray examination he was diagnosed with angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia. Based on this diagnosis, his mother, who suffered from constant pain in her hips and lower limbs, was diagnosed with this syndrome as well.

Se describe una patología de aparición poco frecuente y esporádica que se caracteriza por deformidad en cuello de cisne en las manos, artrosis de cadera en la adultez, retardo en la edad ósea y malformaciones de las falanges medias, en forma de ángel. El paciente es un niño de 4 años de edad que sufrió un traumatismo de mano, por lo cual se le realizó una radiografía donde se observaron falanges con forma de ángel. A partir de este hallazgo, se obtuvieron otras radiografías y se diagnosticó una displasia epifisaria con falanges en forma de ángel. A raíz de este diagnóstico en el niño y de consultas con el Servicio de Genética, se diagnosticó el mismo síndrome en la madre

Staphylococcus lugdunensis: características clínicas, microbiológicas y sensibilidad antibiótica de 27 casos / Staphylococcus lugdunensis: clinical features, microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of 27 cases

Introducción. Staphylococcus lugdunensis es un estafilococo coagulasa negativo (SCN) con características microbiológicas, clínicas, de virulencia y de sensibilidad a antimicrobianos que le hacen ser una especie claramente diferente de otras especies de estafilococos coagulasa negativos. Presentamos las características clínico microbiológicas de S.lugdunensis aislados en 27 enfermos de nuestro hospital. Material y métodos. Se estudiaron los aislamientos de Staphylococcus lugdunensis del año 2004 al 2011. La identificación y antibiograma se realizó por el sistema MicroScan (Siemens). Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes con aislamientos de S. lugdunensis. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 27 aislamientos de S. lugdunensis procedentes de: abscesos (9), heridas (9), líquido articular (3), sangre (2), líquido peritoneal (1), exudado ótico (1), exudado nasal (1), orina (1). En 20 casos el cultivo fue puro y en 7 mixto. En 8 casos (30%) las muestras procedían de Ginecología, 6 (22%) de Traumatología, 5 (19%) de Cirugía, 3 (11%) de Medicina interna, 2 (7%) de Pediatría, 3 (11%) de otros servicios. En 15 casos (55,5%) existían antecedentes de cirugía o traumatismo reciente. Fueron sensibles a la penicilina 20 (74%) y no hubo ninguna cepa resistente a oxacilina. Conclusiones. S. lugdunensis se ha aislado mayoritariamente en infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos, y en infecciones de heridas post-quirúrgicas. Se ha aislado en cultivo puro en el 74% (20/27) de los casos. Es importante la correcta identificación de S. lugdunensis para evitar que sea descartado como simple estafilococo coagulasa negativo, lo que nos permitirá tener un mejor conocimiento de las infecciones causadas por este microorganismo (AU)

Introduction. Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) with microbiological characteristics, clinical virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, which makes it a distinctly different species from other coagulase-negative staphylococcus species. We present the microbiological and clinical characteristics of 27 S.lugdunensis isolates in patients of our hospital. Material and methods. Staphylococcus lugdunensis isolates collected in our hospital from 2004 to 2011 were studied. Identification and susceptibility testing were performed using the MicroScan (Siemens) system. The clinical records of patients with S.lugdunensis were reviewed. Results. A total of 27 isolates of S.lugdunensis were obtained from the following sources: abscesses (8), wounds (8), joint fluid (3), blood (2), peritoneal fluid (1), ear exudate (1), nasal discharge (1), and urine (1). In 22 cases the culture was pure and in 5 cases mixed. Samples came from Gynaecology in 8 cases (30%), Traumatology in 6 (22%), Surgery in 5 (19%), Internal Medicine in 3 (11%), Paediatrics in 2 (7%), and 3 (11%) from other departments. Just over half (15 cases, 55.5%) had a history of recent surgery or trauma. A total of 20 (74%) were sensitive to penicillin, and none of the isolates was resistant to oxacillin. Conclusions. S. lugdunensis has been isolated mainly in skin and soft tissue infections, as well as in surgical wounds. The microorganism was obtained in pure culture in 20 cases (74%). The proper identification of S.lugdunensis is important in order to avoid being ruled out as simple coagulase-negative staphylococci, and to give us a better understanding of infections caused by this microorganism(AU)

Bioética perinatal: ¿Eutanasia o decisiones sobre terminación de la vida?Análisis del Protocolo de Groningen / Perinatal bioethics: Euthanasia or end-of-life decisions? Analysis of the Groningen Protocol

El protocolo de Groningen, diseñado en el contexto de la sociedad neerlandesa, permisiva frente a la eutanasia voluntaria, causa malestar enotras sociedades.Se aducen su predisposición para la eutanasia que facilitaría a los padres evitar el cuidado de un hijo discapacitado; su aplicación inicial encasos de defectos del tubo neural, y la consideración del sufrimiento insoportable del neonato, difícil de demostrar.Nuestro objetivo es analizar críticamente el protocolo y la posibilidad de su aplicación parcial o total en nuestro medio.Analizamos cuatro recién nacidos con condiciones clínicas muy graves que determinaron su fallecimiento.Sus padres participaron de canalesde diálogo sin límites de tiempo con el equipo de Neonatología; atravesaron tres etapas diferentes:la inicial, donde incentivaron el esfuerzo terapéutico; la intermedia donde requerían evaluaciones del sufrimiento de sus hijos, y la última, durantela que sugerían limitar los esfuerzos terapéuticos para proveer a sus hijos de una muerte digna.Después de la muerte, fueron informados sobre las condiciones del protocolo y las particularidadesde nuestro sistema legal. De haber podido, hubieran requerido la cesación del tratamiento, una vez informados sobre la certeza del pronósticofinal. La participación del Comité de Bioética y las segundas opiniones fueron muy valoradas por los padres. En su contexto, este protocolo noaparece como una guía para la eutanasia, sino para fijar condiciones en la toma de decisiones sobre el final de la vida. Subsisten dudas sobre su aplicación práctica en nuestro medio, dada la incertidumbre de evaluar el grado de sufrimiento insoportable y el momento en que un neonato se encuentra sin futuro.

Bioética perinatal: ¿Eutanasia o decisiones sobre terminación de la vida?Análisis del Protocolo de Groningen / Perinatal bioethics: Euthanasia or end-of-life decisions? Analysis of the Groningen Protocol

El protocolo de Groningen, diseñado en el contexto de la sociedad neerlandesa, permisiva frente a la eutanasia voluntaria, causa malestar enotras sociedades.Se aducen su predisposición para la eutanasia que facilitaría a los padres evitar el cuidado de un hijo discapacitado; su aplicación inicial encasos de defectos del tubo neural, y la consideración del sufrimiento insoportable del neonato, difícil de demostrar.Nuestro objetivo es analizar críticamente el protocolo y la posibilidad de su aplicación parcial o total en nuestro medio.Analizamos cuatro recién nacidos con condiciones clínicas muy graves que determinaron su fallecimiento.Sus padres participaron de canalesde diálogo sin límites de tiempo con el equipo de Neonatología; atravesaron tres etapas diferentes:la inicial, donde incentivaron el esfuerzo terapéutico; la intermedia donde requerían evaluaciones del sufrimiento de sus hijos, y la última, durantela que sugerían limitar los esfuerzos terapéuticos para proveer a sus hijos de una muerte digna.Después de la muerte, fueron informados sobre las condiciones del protocolo y las particularidadesde nuestro sistema legal. De haber podido, hubieran requerido la cesación del tratamiento, una vez informados sobre la certeza del pronósticofinal. La participación del Comité de Bioética y las segundas opiniones fueron muy valoradas por los padres. En su contexto, este protocolo noaparece como una guía para la eutanasia, sino para fijar condiciones en la toma de decisiones sobre el final de la vida. Subsisten dudas sobre su aplicación práctica en nuestro medio, dada la incertidumbre de evaluar el grado de sufrimiento insoportable y el momento en que un neonato se encuentra sin futuro.(AU)

[Perinatal bioethics: euthanasia or end-of-life decisions? Analysis of the Groningen Protocol]. / Bioética perinatal: eutanasia o decisiones sobre terminación de la vida? Análisis del Protocolo de Groningen.

The so called "Groningen Protocol" was conceived as a framework to discuss the euthanasia in neonates. Originally, it presents three groups of babies who might be candidates to this option. We analyzed the protocol in its original context and that of the Dutch society in which it was created. The analysis started with a careful reading of the protocol in both English and Dutch versions, translated later into Spanish. The medical and nursing staff participated in discussing it. A final consensus was reached. The Institutional Ethics Committee at our hospital discussed it freely and made recommendations for its application as a guideline to honestly discuss with parents the clinical condition of their babies, without permitting the option included literally in the word euthanasia. We selected four extremely ill infants. Their parents were interviewed at least twice daily: three stages were identified: the initial one of promoting all possible treatments; a second one of guarded and cautious request for the staff to evaluate "suffering", and a last one where requests were made to reduce therapeutic efforts to provide dignified death. A week after the death of their infants, they were presented with the facts of the protocol and the limits of our legal system. In all four cases the parents suggested that they would have chosen ending the life of their infants, in order to avoid them undue suffering. They clearly pointed out that this option emerged as a viable one to them once the ultimate outcome was evident. The protocol must not be viewed as a guideline for euthanasia in newborns, but rather as a mean to discuss the critical condition of an infant with the parents. Its direct implementation in our setting remains difficult. As a clear limitation for its overall application remains the definition of what is considered "unbearable suffering" in newborns, and how to certify when the infant has "no prospect". We emphasize the benefits of securing the help of the Ethics Committee and of "second opinions" from authorized physicians.

Indice de masa corporal en la mujer embarazzada y su relación con las complicaciones del nacimiento en la ciudad de Córdoba en el período comprendido entre el año 1996-2003 / Index of corporal mass in the woman embarazzada and his relation with the complications of the birth in the city of Cordova in the period understood between the year 1996-2003

El estado nutricional de las madres gestantes se encuentra muy relacionado a la morbimortalidad del recién nacido. De los múltiples parámetros nutricionales, solo el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el aumento de peso durante el embarazo han demostrado ser indicadores confiables de la futura salud del neonato. Objetivo: conocer las consecuencias de un bajo índice de masa corporal y su relación con futuras complicaciones del nacimiento en una población de medianos y bajos recursos de la ciudad de Córdoba. Material y Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de tipo caso control, en la base de datos del Hospital Universitario de Maternidad Neonatología, tomada desde enero de 1996 hasta octubre de 2003. Se incluyeron las mujeres con una gestación igual o mayor a 24 semanas, en quienes se estudió como variable dependiente el índice de masa corporal. Resultados: el peso de los recién nacidos de madres con IMC bajo, fue significativamente inferior al de los de madre con IMC normal(p < 0,0001). Esta alteración en el crecimiento se produce en las primeras etapas de la gestación, ya que la talla y el perímetro cefálico también se encontraron disminuidos.

A nitric oxide processing defect of red blood cells created by hypoxia: deficiency of S-nitrosohemoglobin in pulmonary hypertension.

The mechanism by which hypoxia [low partial pressure of O(2) (pO(2))] elicits signaling to regulate pulmonary arterial pressure is incompletely understood. We considered the possibility that, in addition to its effects on smooth muscle, hypoxia may influence pulmonary vascular tone through an effect on RBCs. We report that exposure of native RBCs to sustained hypoxia is accompanied by a buildup of heme iron-nitrosyl (FeNO) species that are deficient in pO(2-)governed intramolecular transfer of NO to cysteine thiol, yielding a deficiency in the vasodilator S-nitrosohemoglobin (SNO-Hb). S-nitrosothiol (SNO)-deficient RBCs produce impaired vasodilator responses in vitro and exaggerated pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses in vivo and are defective in oxygenating the blood. RBCs from hypoxemic patients with elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) exhibit a similar FeNO/SNO imbalance and are thus deficient in pO(2)-coupled vasoregulation. Chemical restoration of SNO-Hb levels in both animals and patients restores the vasodilator activity of RBCs, and this activity is associated with improved oxygenation and lower PAPs.

A lethal association of congenital apnea with brainstem tegmental necrosis.

We present a female with premature birth, polyhydramnios, congenital apnea, cranial nerve palsies, orofacial and limb anomalies. Neuroimaging revealed calcifications along the vental margin of the caudal fourth ventricle. Neuropathologic findings at postmortem examination were consistent with brainstem tegmental necrosis and olivary hypoplasia, a rare lethal entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital apnea.

Inhaled ethyl nitrite gas for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Inhaled nitric oxide is used to alleviate pulmonary hypertension and hypoxaemia, but generates toxic free radicals and oxides of nitrogen (NO(x)), which can cause rebound-hypoxia and additional pulmonary and other morbidity. To address these problems, we assessed the efficacy of inhaled O-nitrosoethanol gas (ENO) as a novel alternative means of providing nitric oxide bioactivity in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborns. We administered ENO over 4 h to seven neonates who required assisted ventilation, and who had an oxygenation index of 25 or more. ENO was then shut off for 15 min before start of treatment with inhaled nitric oxide. Our results show that ENO produced sustained improvements in postductal arterial oxygenation and systemic haemodynamics, which were maintained during the off-drug observation period. Increases in methaemoglobinaemia were modest and toxic NO(x) were not detected. Thus, ENO can improve oxygenation and systemic haemodynamics in neonates, and seems to reduce rebound hypoxaemia and production of toxic byproducts.

Cost-effectiveness of prophylactic indomethacin in very-low-birth-weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To perform cost-effectiveness analysis to facilitate the decision-making process surrounding use of indomethacin in preterm infants to lower the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and death. METHODS: A MEDLINE literature search from 1966 to July 2000 was performed to identify relevant randomized, controlled trials (RCTs), as well as cohort and retrospective case-control studies. A decision tree was built representing the choice to use or not use indomethacin, and the potential outcome costs. Probabilities of being in each chance node were obtained from this search. Where data probabilities were not clear, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. RESULTS: There was no difference in the expected survival per year; however, there was a significant difference when effectiveness was measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), resulting in 11 and 10 years for the indomethacin and control groups, respectively. The indomethacin treatment cost was $95,157 and that of the control groups was $99,955. The cost effectiveness per life expectancy of being in the indomethacin and control groups was $7142 and $7727, respectively. The sensitivity analysis for PDA closure and prevention of IVH for infants eventually developing PDA versus those without PDA showed no difference. The cost-effectiveness analysis per QALY was $8443 for the indomethacin treatment and $9168 for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic use of indomethacin is less costly and more effective within an important range of certainty. However, this analysis does not include several potentially confounding factors, such as antenatal steroid use or indomethacin-induced renal toxicity. Depending on the frequency with which these factors arise, economic projections may be considerably altered against the early use of indomethacin.