Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Patient with SARS-Cov-2 Pneumonia in an Intensive Care Unit in Guayaquil, Ecuador: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Multi-resistant microorganisms are a public health problem. Their incidence has risen due to COVID-19, indiscriminate antibiotics use, corticosteroid treatments, and higher admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. These are risk factors for bacterial over-infection. The present case study that is relevant because of the multiple isolated strains with a resistance pattern: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC), extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM) in a patient without comorbidities. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old Ecuadorian man with no past medical history arrived at the Emergency Department (ED) with dyspnea, nasopharyngeal swab with a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV2, and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan showing bilateral ground-glass pulmonary infiltrates with 40% involvement. On day 10 in the ICU, the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC strain was reported in an axillary swab culture. Consequently, the antibiotic was rotated to vancomycin 1 g intravenously (i.v.) every 12 h and meropenem 1 g i.v. every 8 h. On day 15 in the ICU, a tracheal secretion culture was reported with the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL and a blood culture with Klebsiella pneumoniae NDM. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect scenario for superinfection with multi-resistant pathogens such as carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), due to the increase in patients admitted to ICUs requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, the use of corticosteroids, and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic management based on guidelines. The emergence of combined multidrug-resistant strains is a challenge for laboratory detection and the selection of antimicrobial treatment.

Hemoglobina A1c, diabetes mellitus, nefropatía diabética y enfermedad renal crónica / Hemoglobin A1c, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Nephropathy and Chronic Kidney Disease

La diabetes mellitus (DBT), la nefropatía diabética (ND) y la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) son enfermedades prevalentes en nuestra región, Sudamérica. Los niveles de hemoglobina A1c (HbA1c) han sido relacionados al desarrollo y a la evolución de la ND. Hace dos décadas había gran variabilidad en los resultados, los países líderes en investigación científica organizaron programas de estandarización de la HbA1c, logrando mejorar la calidad y la confiabilidad de los resultados. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron describir el problema DBT, ND y ERC en Sudamérica y en su contexto analizar metodológicamente la HbA1c. Para esto, revisamos el impacto de estas enfermedades en nuestra región, contemplando aspectos básicos de la HbA1c y algunas situaciones que producen interferencias como la carbamilación de la hemoglobina, modificación post-traduccional asociada a la uremia. También nos enfocamos en técnicas estadísticas universalmente utilizadas para la evaluación de ensayos como: linealidad, concordancia y precisión. Adicionalmente, incluimos un análisis de los métodos disponibles y de los precios de cada determinación de HbA1c en diez países de Sudamérica. Para prevenir, diagnosticar y tratar la DBT, la ND y la ERC es indispensable contar con herramientas de última generación, disponibles para todas las personas. En nuestra región el acceso a ensayos, equipos y laboratorios enmarcados en programas de estandarización de la HbA1c, internacionalmente aceptados, es una tarea pendiente. Millones de individuos de las generaciones presentes y futuras de Sudamérica padecerán DBT, ND y ERC, necesitamos llevar la voz de la ciencia a esas personas con el "hacer" cotidiano

Diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prevalent diseases in our region, South America. The levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) have been related to the development and progression of the DN. Two decades ago there was great variability in the results; the leading countries in scientific research then organized programs of HbA1c standardization, which improved the quality and reliability of the findings. The objectives of this study were to describe the problem of DM, DN and CKD in South America and to analyze HbA1c methodologically in this context. Thus, the impact of these diseases in our region was reviewed, contemplating basic aspects of HbA1c and some situations that produce interferences such as carbamylation of hemoglobin, the post-translational modification associated with uremia. We also focused on statistical techniques universally used for the evaluation of assays such as linearity, concordance and precision. Additionally, we included an analysis of the existing methods and the prices of each HbA1c determination in ten countries in South America. To prevent, diagnose and treat DM, DN and CKD, it is essential to have state-of-the-art tools available to all people. In our region, access to trials, equipment and laboratories within HbA1c standardization programs, internationally accepted, is a pending task. Millions of individuals from the present and future generations of South America will suffer from DM, DN and CKD, so we need to take the voice of science to these people through the daily "doing"