Community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection in a general hospital from Argentina.

Toxin-producing Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. However, it is now recognized as a cause of diarrhea in the community. This single-center study aimed to determine the epidemiological origin of CDI cases between January 2014 and December 2019 and to compare demographic characteristics, comorbidities, risk factors, severity, and mortality of community CDI with healthcare facility-associated CDI. There were 52 CDI cases from the community (34.4%). Community patients were significantly younger (53 yo vs. 65 yo), less comorbid (Charlson Index 1.65 vs. 3.98), and less severe (only one case). The main risk factor was the use of antibiotics in the previous 90 days (65%). However, we did not find any known risk factor in 7 patients.

Identificación de levaduras del género Candida: los métodos convencionales frente a MALDI-TOF MS / Identification of Candida yeasts: Conventional methods and MALDI-TOF MS

Antecedentes: Las infecciones fúngicas invasivas han ido aumentando y las levaduras del género Candida son la principal causa de las mismas. Las especies distintas de Candida albicans son cada vez más frecuentes y algunas pueden presentar patrones variables de sensibilidad a los antimicóticos, por lo que es importante la correcta identificación de la especie. Los métodos de identificación convencionales con los que cuentan la mayoría de los laboratorios pueden presentar inconvenientes. La espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF MS) surgió como una alternativa a los mismos. Objetivos: Evaluar la concordancia de los resultados de identificación de diferentes especies de Candida mediante dostécnicas: una convencional (galerías API) y MALDI-TOF MS. Métodos: Se analizaron las siguientes especies y número de aislamientos: Candida parapsilosis (28), Candida glabrata (34), Candida krusei (24), Candida tropicalis (45), Candida guilliermondii (30), C. albicans (28), Candida dubliniensis (6), Candida kefyr (1) y Candida lipolytica (1) del cepario de RMCABA; también se utilizaron las cepas C. parapsilosis 22019, C. glabrata 90030, C. krusei 6258 y C. albicans 68548, pertenecientes a la American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Las discrepancias en la identificación se resolvieron mediante genotipificación. Resultados y conclusiones: La concordancia directa entre la identificación convencional y MALDI-TOF MS fue del 92,5% (186/201)

Background: Invasive fungal infections are increasing, and Candida yeasts are the main cause. Species other than Candida albicans are becoming more frequent, and some of them may have variable patterns of susceptibility to antifungal agents, making it important to identify them correctly. Conventional identification methods used by most laboratories may present with drawbacks. Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as an alternative method. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of the identification, at species level, by conventional methods (API) and MALDI-TOF MS. Methods: The following species and number of isolates were studied: Candida parapsilosis (28), Candida glabrata (34), Candida krusei (24), Candida tropicalis (45), Candida guilliermondii (30), C. albicans (28), Candida dubliniensis (6), Candida kefyr (1), and Candida lipolytica (1) from the strain collection of Autonomous City of Buenos Aires Mycology Network (RMCABA). The strains C. parapsilosis 22019, C. glabrata 90030, C. krusei 6258 and C. albicans 68548 from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were also included. Discrepancies were resolved by genotyping. Results and conclusions: The direct concordance between the conventional identification method and MALDI-TOF MS was 92.5% (186/201)

[Identification of Candida yeasts: Conventional methods and MALDI-TOF MS]. / Identificación de levaduras del género Candida: los métodos convencionales frente a MALDI-TOF MS.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections are increasing, and Candida yeasts are the main cause. Species other than Candida albicans are becoming more frequent, and some of them may have variable patterns of susceptibility to antifungal agents, making it important to identify them correctly. Conventional identification methods used by most laboratories may present with drawbacks. Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as an alternative method. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of the identification, at species level, by conventional methods (API) and MALDI-TOF MS. METHODS: The following species and number of isolates were studied: Candida parapsilosis (28), Candida glabrata (34), Candida krusei (24), Candida tropicalis (45), Candida guilliermondii (30), C. albicans (28), Candida dubliniensis (6), Candida kefyr (1), and Candida lipolytica (1) from the strain collection of Autonomous City of Buenos Aires Mycology Network (RMCABA). The strains C. parapsilosis 22019, C. glabrata 90030, C. krusei 6258 and C. albicans 68548 from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were also included. Discrepancies were resolved by genotyping. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The direct concordance between the conventional identification method and MALDI-TOF MS was 92.5% (186/201).

Espectrometría de masas MALDI-TOF: evaluación de la etapa preanalítica para la identificación de hongos miceliales / MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: Evaluation of the preanalytical phase for identification of molds

Se evaluaron 3 metodologías de extracción de proteínas para la identificación de hongos miceliales por MALDI-TOF MS en 44 aislados: la extracción con agua-ácido fórmico (E. agua), la extracción con zirconio-etanol-acetonitrilo-ácido fórmico (E. zirconio) y la recomendada por el proveedor del equipo (E. tubo). Se compararon 2 bases de datos: Bruker (BK) y BK + National Institutes of Health. Los resultados obtenidos utilizando dichas bases fueron los siguientes (en el orden citado): identificación correcta (IC) a nivel de género, 10 y 16 con E. agua; 27 y 32 con E. zirconio y 18 y 23 con E. tubo; IC a nivel de especie, 5 y 7 con E. agua; 17 y 20 con E. zirconio y 11 y 14 con E. tubo; identificaciones no confiables, 18 y 12 con E. agua y 9 y 4, tanto con E. zirconio como con E. tubo; ausencia de pico, 16 con E. agua, 8 con E. zirconio y 17 con E. tubo. La extracción con zirconio mostró el mejor rendimiento (p < 0,05).

In order to optimize the identification of molds with MALDI-TOF MS, three protein extraction-methodologies were evaluated against 44 isolates: water extraction (WE), zirconium extraction (ZE) and the provider's recommended method (PRM). Two data bases were compared, Bruker (BK) and Bruker + National Institutes of Health. Considering both databases, results were respectively as follows: correct identification (CI) at gender level, 10 and 16 by WE; 27 and 32 by ZE and 18 and 23 by PRM; CI at species level, 5 and 7 by WE; 17 and 20 by ZE and 11 and 14 by PRM; non-reliable identification, 18 and 12 by WE; 9 and 4 by ZE and by PRM. No peaks were observed in 16 by WE, 8 by ZE and 17 by PRM. ZE showed the best perfomance (p < 0.05).

[MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: Evaluation of the preanalytical phase for identification of molds]. / Espectrometría de masas MALDI-TOF: evaluación de la etapa preanalítica para la identificación de hongos miceliales.

In order to optimize the identification of molds with MALDI-TOF MS, three protein extraction-methodologies were evaluated against 44 isolates: water extraction (WE), zirconium extraction (ZE) and the provider's recommended method (PRM). Two data bases were compared, Bruker (BK) and Bruker+National Institutes of Health. Considering both databases, results were respectively as follows: correct identification (CI) at gender level, 10 and 16 by WE; 27 and 32 by ZE and 18 and 23 by PRM; CI at species level, 5 and 7 by WE; 17 and 20 by ZE and 11 and 14 by PRM; non-reliable identification, 18 and 12 by WE; 9 and 4 by ZE and by PRM. No peaks were observed in 16 by WE, 8 by ZE and 17 by PRM. ZE showed the best perfomance (p<0.05).

[Endocarditis and arthritis caused by extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing non-Typhi Salmonella]. / Endocarditis y artritis séptica por Salmonella no Typhi productora de ß-lactamasas de espectro extendido: A case report.

We present the case of a patient with endocarditis and arthritis caused by extended spectrum ß-lactamase producing non-Typhi Salmonella, with incomplete response (defined as persistence of Salmonella in joint fluid) to initial instituted treatment (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and posterior recovery with ertapenem. The disease was associated with implantable central venous catheter infection. Five percent of patients with non-Typhi Salmonella gastroenteritis develop bacteremia. Infective endocarditis and joint infection has been reported in 1,4% and less than 1% of cases, respectively.

Endocarditis y artritis séptica por Salmonella no Typhi productora de β-lactamasas de espectro extendido: A case report / Endocarditis and arthritis caused by extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing non-Typhi Salmonella

We present the case of a patient with endocarditis and arthritis caused by extended spectrum β-lactamase producing non-Typhi Salmonella, with incomplete response (defined as persistence of Salmonella in joint fluid) to initial instituted treatment (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and posterior recovery with ertapenem. The disease was associated with implantable central venous catheter infection. Five percent of patients with non-Typhi Salmonella gastroenteritis develop bacteremia. Infective endocarditis and joint infection has been reported in 1,4% and less than 1% of cases, respectively.

Se presenta el caso de un paciente con endocarditis y artritis séptica por Salmonella no Typhi productora de β-lactamasas de espectro extendido que presentó una respuesta incompleta (definida como la persistencia de Salmonella en el líquido articular) al tratamiento inicial con cotrimoxazol y que posteriormente mejoró con ertapenem. La enfermedad se asoció al uso de un catéter venoso implantable. El 5% de los pacientes con gastroenteritis por Salmonella no Typhi desarrolla una bacteriemia. La endocarditis infecciosa y la artritis ha sido reportada en 1,4-5% de los casos y en menos de 1%; respectivamente.