Clinical Evaluation of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Elite Agar, a New Medium for the Isolation of NTM: a Multicenter Study.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are gaining interest with the increased number of infected patients. NTM Elite agar is designed specifically for the isolation of NTM without the decontamination step. We assessed the clinical performance of this medium combined with Vitek mass spectrometry (MS) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) technology for the isolation and identification of NTM in a prospective multicenter study, including 15 laboratories (24 hospitals). A total of 2,567 samples from patients with suspected NTM infection were analyzed (1,782 sputa, 434 bronchial aspirates, 200 bronchoalveolar lavage samples, 34 bronchial lavage samples, and 117 other samples). A total of 220 samples (8.6%) were positive with existing laboratory methods against 330 with NTM Elite agar (12.8%). Using the combination of both methods, 437 isolates of NTM were detected in 400 positive samples (15.6% of samples). In total, 140 samples of the standard procedures (SP) and 98 of the NTM Elite agar were contaminated. NTM Elite agar showed a higher performance for rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) species than SP (7% versus 3%, P < 0.001). A trend has been noted for the Mycobacterium avium complex (4% with SP versus 3% with NTM Elite agar, P = 0.06). The time to positivity was similar (P = 0.13) between groups. However, the time to positivity was significantly shorter for the RGM in subgroup analysis (7 days with NTM and 6 days with SP, P = 0.01). NTM Elite agar has been shown to be useful for the recovery of NTM species, especially for the RGM. Using NTM Elite agar + Vitek MS system in combination with SP increases the number of NTM isolated from clinical samples.

Food poisoning caused by scombroids: A case-control study.

The aim of this study is to report the epidemiological characteristics of a food poisoning outbreak due to scombroid fish in a hospital. A case-control study (1:4) was conducted. Patients either symptomatic of food poisoning (cases) or asymptomatic (controls) eating at the hospital cafeteria were included. To identify the source of the outbreak, sanitary control factors were assessed. Microbiological studies and the mast cell tryptase test were performed. All cases and controls received a questionnaire enquiring about symptoms and foods consumed. The odds ratios (OR) for all risk factors and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were assessed. In total, 20 individuals (90% female) were included in the study: four cases and 16 controls. The overall mean age was 43 years (SD: 10.2). The most frequent symptom observed was facial and neck erythaema (100%). Microbiological cultures were negative, the mast cell tryptase test was normal and breakdown of the cold chain did not occur. The most likely source of the outbreak was fried anchovies (OR: 34.7; 95% CI: 1.50-809.6; p=0.02). Methods suitable to the rapid assessment of the outbreak allowed us to establish prompt preventive measures and identify the likely aetiology.

Factores predictores de infección urinaria bacteriémica por Escherichia coli productor de betalactamasas de espectro extendido / Risk factors for extended espectrum beta- lactamase producer E. coli bacteremia from urinary origin

Fundamento y objectivos: Pocos trabajos han valorado el riesgo específico de infección urinaria bacteriémica por Escherichia coli productor de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE). Pacientes y métodos: Serie de casos retrospectiva de todos los pacientes con infección urinaria bacteriémica por E. coli atendidos en nuestro centro durante el 2006. Resultados: Se aisló BLEE en 19 casos (17,9%) de 106 bacteriemias de foco urinario. Los pacientes con bacteriemia por BLEE eran predominantemente varones, de mayor edad, procedentes de residencia de ancianos, con enfermedad urológica previa y manipulación urológica más frecuente, con mayor uso de antibiótico previo, con porcentaje más alto de infecciones urinarias previas, mayor frecuencia de infección nosocomial e ingreso en el mes previo. En la regresión logística, resultaron variables independientes predictoras de infección urinaria bacteriémica por BLEE la enfermedad urológica previa (odds ratio [OR]: 13,9, intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 2,5–8,2) y estar institucionalizado en residencia (OR: 6,5, IC del 95%: 1,4–30,9) Conclusiones: La enfermedad urológica previa y estar institucionalizado en residencia son factores de riesgo independientes para presentar infección urinaria bacteriémica por BLEE (AU)

Background and objective: Although risk factors for extended spectrum beta lactamase E. coli (EBLE) infection have been explored, specific risk factors for bacteremic urinary tract infection by EBLE have been hardly analyzed. Patients and methos: We collected data from all patients with bacteremic urinary tract infection by E. coli attended in our hospital during 2006. Logistic regression was performed to explore predictors for EBLE bloodstream infection in this group of patients. Results: EBLE was present in 19 cases (17,9%) out of 106 bacteraemia from urinary origin. Patients with bloodstream infection by EBLE were male, older, demented, living in a nursing home, with previous urologic diseases and urologic manipulation, with a higher percentage of previous urinary tract infection, previous antibiotic use, more frequent nosocomial infection, and hospital admission in the previous month. In the logistic regression analysis, only previous urologic diseases (OR 13,9; IC95% 2,5–78,2) and living in a nursing home (OR 6,5; IC95% 1,4–0,9) were associated with EBLE bacteremic urinary tract infection. Conclusions: Previous urologic disease and living in a nursing home are independent risk factors for EBLE bacteremic urinary tract infection (AU)

[Risk factors for extended espectrum beta-lactamase producer E.coli bacteremia from urinary origin]. / Factores predictores de infección urinaria bacteriémica por Escherichia coli productor de betalactamasas de espectro extendido.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although risk factors for extended spectrum beta lactamase E. coli (EBLE) infection have been explored, specific risk factors for bacteremic urinary tract infection by EBLE have been hardly analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data from all patients with bacteremic urinary tract infection by E. coli attended in our hospital during 2006. Logistic regression was performed to explore predictors for EBLE bloodstream infection in this group of patients. RESULTS: EBLE was present in 19 cases (17,9%) out of 106 bacteraemia from urinary origin. Patients with bloodstream infection by EBLE were male, older, demented, living in a nursing home, with previous urologic diseases and urologic manipulation, with a higher percentage of previous urinary tract infection, previous antibiotic use, more frequent nosocomial infection, and hospital admission in the previous month. In the logistic regression analysis, only previous urologic diseases (OR 13,9; IC95% 2,5-78,2) and living in a nursing home (OR 6,5; IC95% 1,4-0,9) were associated with EBLE bacteremic urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Previous urologic disease and living in a nursing home are independent risk factors for EBLE bacteremic urinary tract infection.