The Role of Molecular Techniques for the Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex in Paraffin-embedded Biopsies.

INTRODUCTION: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is increasingly frequent in developed countries. When it is not clinically suspected, samples are not collected for culture and the only material available is a tissue paraffin block. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate FluoroType MTB (FT-MTB) and GenoType MTBDRplus methods for the detection of Mycobaterium tuberculosis complex in paraffin-embedded biopsies comparing the results to tuberculosis diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: A total of 17 paraffin-embedded tissues from different locations revealing granulomas were referred to the Mycobacteriology Laboratory and FT-MTB and GenoType MTBDRplus methods were performed. EPTB diagnosis was reached based on histologically compatible lesions, response to treatment and absence of alternative diagnosis. This case definition was considered gold standard for the assessment of the 2 molecular techniques performance. RESULTS: Of the 17 individuals included in the study, 10 were clinically classified as EPTB and in 7 cases tuberculosis was ruled out. Of the 10 patients classified as EPTB, 6 (60%) obtained both FT-MTB and MTBDRplus positive results. Sensitivity and specificity were 60% and 71.4%, and 60% and 85.7% for FT-MTB and MTBDRplus, respectively. CONCLUSION: Molecular techniques might be useful tools for detection of Mycobaterium tuberculosis complex in paraffin-embedded biopsies especially when there is no sample available for culture.

Estrategia secuencial para el cribado de la ITBL en inmigrantes recién llegados en situación social vulnerable / Sequential strategy for the LTBI screening of newly-arrived immigrants in vulnerable social situations

INTRODUCCIÓN: Algunos estudios indican altas prevalencias de infección tuberculosa latente (ITBL) en población inmigrante, lo que es relevante, pues el 5-10% de los casos desarrollaran una tuberculosis activa. El objetivo de este estudio es describir los resultados de una estrategia secuencial en población inmigrante recién llegada para el diagnóstico de ITBL usando la prueba de tuberculina (PT) e IGRAs. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo con inmigrantes entre 6 y 35años de edad de centros de acogida, derivados a una unidad de salud internacional entre julio de 2013 y junio de 2016. Se realizó la PT, y cuando fue ≥ 5 mm, se determinaron los IGRAs. La ITBL se definió como aquellos con IGRAs ≥ 0,35 UI/ml y radiografía de tórax normal. RESULTADOS: De los 184 casos, 138 (75,0%) eran hombres, de 23,0años de edad. Las áreas geográficas de origen más frecuente fueron: 63 (34,2%) de Asia, 42 (22,8%) de Europa del Este y 41 (22,3%) del África subsahariana. La PT fue ≥10mm en 79 (42,9%). La prevalencia de ITBL usando la estrategia secuencial fue de 33/184 (17,9%). El índice kappa de Cohen (entre PT ≥ 10mm e IGRAs) fue de 0,226. CONCLUSIÓN: Basar el diagnóstico de la ITBL tan solo en la PT puede representar una sobreestimación. Algunos estudios demuestran que el cribado secuencial sería el más coste-efectivo, y ello parece más evidente en las poblaciones vacunadas con BCG

INTRODUCTION: Some studies indicate high prevalences of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the immigrant population, which is relevant because 5-10% of cases will develop active tuberculosis. The objective of this study is to describe the results of a sequential strategy in the newly-arrived immigrant population for the diagnosis of LTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and IGRAs. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with immigrants between 6 and 35years of age from shelters, referred to an international health unit between July 2013 and June 2016. The TST was performed and when it was ≥ 5mm, IGRAs were conducted. LTBI was defined as an IGRA ≥ 0.35IU/ml and normal chest X-ray. RESULTS: Of the 184 cases, 138 (75.0%) were men, 23.0 years of age. The most common geographical areas were: 63 (34.2%) from Asia, 42 (22.8%) from Eastern Europe and 41 (22.3%) from sub-Saharan Africa. The TST was ≥ 10mm in 79 cases (42.9%). The prevalence of LTBI using the sequential strategy was 33/184 (17.9%). Cohen's Kappa index (between TST ≥ 10mm and IGRAs) was 0.226. CONCLUSION: Basing LTBI screening on the TST alone could give rise to an overestimation. Some studies show that sequential screening would be the most cost-effective; this seems most evident in BCG-vaccinated populations

Sequential strategy for the LTBI screening of newly-arrived immigrants in vulnerable social situations. / Estrategia secuencial para el cribado de la ITBL en inmigrantes recién llegados en situación social vulnerable.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies indicate high prevalences of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the immigrant population, which is relevant because 5-10% of cases will develop active tuberculosis. The objective of this study is to describe the results of a sequential strategy in the newly-arrived immigrant population for the diagnosis of LTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and IGRAs. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with immigrants between 6 and 35years of age from shelters, referred to an international health unit between July 2013 and June 2016. The TST was performed and when it was ≥5mm, IGRAs were conducted. LTBI was defined as an IGRA ≥0.35IU/ml and normal chest X-ray. RESULTS: Of the 184 cases, 138 (75.0%) were men, 23.0 years of age. The most common geographical areas were: 63 (34.2%) from Asia, 42 (22.8%) from Eastern Europe and 41 (22.3%) from sub-Saharan Africa. The TST was ≥10mm in 79 cases (42.9%). The prevalence of LTBI using the sequential strategy was 33/184 (17.9%). Cohen's Kappa index (between TST≥10mm and IGRAs) was 0.226. CONCLUSION: Basing LTBI screening on the TST alone could give rise to an overestimation. Some studies show that sequential screening would be the most cost-effective; this seems most evident in BCG-vaccinated populations.

Características de los pacientes y carga asistencial durante la pandemia de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 en el Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron de Barcelona / Patient characteristics and health care burden during the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic in the university Hospital Vall d’Hebron of Barcelona

La pandemia de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 repercutió inicialmente de forma leve en los hospitales de Cataluña, pero en el otoño se produjo una destacada onda pandémica. Se describen las principales características de los pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Universitaro Vall d’Hebron de Barcelona (HUVH) en el transcurso de la pandemia, la factores asociados a riesgo de hospitalización y la carga asistencial generada. Pacientes y métodos. Se incluyen todos los casos de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 con confirmación microbiológica, atendidos desde el 2 de julio de 2009 al 22 de enero de 2010. Se ha realizado un análisis descriptivo de los casos y un análisis multivariado para conocer las variables asociadas al riesgo de hospitalización. Resultados El diagnóstico se confirmó en 741 pacientes, de los que el 56,8% tenían menos de 16 años, mientras que los de 65 y más años representaron únicamente el 2,8%. Un 33% de los niños no presentaron ningún factor de riesgo de complicaciones, en cambio en los adultos fueron el 45%. Fueron hospitalizados 190 casos, de ellos 26 en UCI con 5 defunciones. La edad inferior a un año, la inmunodeficiencia y la patología neuromuscular fueron los factores asociados de forma significativa al riesgo de hospitalización en niños, y la patología crónica pulmonar en los adultos. El diagnóstico de neumonía en urgencias fue un factor determinante de hospitalización, tanto en niños como adultos. La máxima carga asistencial se registró el 19 de noviembre con 43 pacientes hospitalizados, 6 de ellos en UCI.(..) (AU)

Background and objective: The influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic initially had a mild impact in Catalonian hospitals, but in the autumn there was an important pandemic wave. We describe the main characteristics of patients seen in the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona (HUVH) during this pandemic, the risk factors associated with hospitalization and the health-care burden generated. Material and method: We included all cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 with laboratory confirmation seen in the HUVH from July 2, 2009 to January 22, 2010. We performed a descriptive analysis of the cases and a multivariate analysis to identify variables associated with the risk of hospitalization. Results: The diagnosis was confirmed in 741 patients; 56.8% were under 16 years, while only 2.8% were 65and over. Thirty three per cent of children had no risk factor for complications, whereas in adults itwas45%.One hundred and ninety cases were hospitalized, 26 of them in the intensive care unit (ICU) with 5 deaths. The factors associated with risk of hospitalization were, age less than one year, immunodeficiency, and neuromuscular disease in children; and chronic lung disease in adults. The diagnosis of pneumonia in the emergency department was an important predictor of hospitalization in both children and adults. The maximum caseload was recorded on November 19, with 43 hospital admissions, 6 of them in the ICU. Conclusions: Between July and September 2009 the pandemic had a low impact on hospital resources, but in autumn there was a marked increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Children had higher rates of confirmed cases, while adults had higher rates of hospitalizations. The risk of hospitalization was higher in patients with certain conditions especially in those with pneumonia. The pandemic wave was a moderate work load for HUVH, since it did not involve any modification of the usual healthcare programs (AU)

[Patient characteristics and health care burden during the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic in the university Hospital Vall d'Hebron of Barcelona]. / Características de los pacientes y carga asistencial durante la pandemia de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 en el Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron de Barcelona.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic initially had a mild impact in Catalonian hospitals, but in the autumn there was an important pandemic wave. We describe the main characteristics of patients seen in the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona (HUVH) during this pandemic, the risk factors associated with hospitalization and the health-care burden generated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We included all cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 with laboratory confirmation seen in the HUVH from July 2, 2009 to January 22, 2010. We performed a descriptive analysis of the cases and a multivariate analysis to identify variables associated with the risk of hospitalization. RESULTS: The diagnosis was confirmed in 741 patients; 56.8% were under 16 years, while only 2.8% were 65 and over. Thirty three per cent of children had no risk factor for complications, whereas in adults it was 45%. One hundred and ninety cases were hospitalized, 26 of them in the intensive care unit (ICU) with 5 deaths. The factors associated with risk of hospitalization were, age less than one year, immunodeficiency, and neuromuscular disease in children; and chronic lung disease in adults. The diagnosis of pneumonia in the emergency department was an important predictor of hospitalization in both children and adults. The maximum caseload was recorded on November 19, with 43 hospital admissions, 6 of them in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Between July and September 2009 the pandemic had a low impact on hospital resources, but in autumn there was a marked increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Children had higher rates of confirmed cases, while adults had higher rates of hospitalizations. The risk of hospitalization was higher in patients with certain conditions especially in those with pneumonia. The pandemic wave was a moderate work load for HUVH, since it did not involve any modification of the usual health care programs.

Brote por Parvovirus B19 en Barcelona / No disponible

No disponible

First detection of a carbapenem-hydrolyzing metalloenzyme in two enterobacteriaceae isolates in Spain.

Two strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, producing VIM-1 were isolated for the first time in Spain. In both strains, bla(VIM-1) was found to be carried on a gene cassette inserted into a class 1 integron. The bla(VIM-1)-containing integron was located on a transferable plasmid.