Epidemiology of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria isolated from clinical specimens in Madrid, Spain, from 2013 to 2017.

The epidemiology of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Spain is largely unknown because systematic reporting is not compulsory. The aim of our study was to describe the frequency and diversity of NTM species in our region and their distribution according to the source sample, gender, and age of the patients. We performed a multicenter study of all NTM isolated in 24 public hospitals in Madrid from 2013 to 2017. A total of 6.923 mycobacteria were isolated: 4535 (65.5%) NTM, and 2.388 (34.5%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB). Overall, 61 different NTM species were identified. The most frequently isolated species were Mycobacterium avium complex (47.7%), M. lentiflavum (12.2%), M. gordonae (9.2%), M. fortuitum (8.9%), and M. abscessus (3.9%). Whereas MTB cases were stable during the study period, the number of NTM isolates increased considerably from 930 isolates in 2013 to 1012 in 2017; a sharp increase occurred in the last year. The rise in NTM isolates was mostly due to M. lentiflavum, M. kansasii, and M. abscessus mainly isolated from respiratory specimens in patients older than 60. The increase in isolation rate of NTM in our region is consistent with the increasing rates reported worldwide in the last decades. The rise in NTM isolates was mainly attributed to M. lentiflavum but it also should be noted the increasing of species with high pathogenic potential such as M. kansasii and M. abscessus.

[Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: in vitro activity of quinupristin / dalfoprostin (RP 59500)]. / Enterococos resistentes a vancomicina: actividad in vitro de quinupristina/dalfopristina (RP 59500).

BACKGROUND: The recent emergence of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci limits the treatment of enterococcal infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of a new streptogramin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, against 30 clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and compared with those of other 15 antimicrobials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Enterococci were identified by using Rapid ID 32 Strep system. Genotyping of the isolates was performed by PCR. The MICs of quinupristin/dalfopristin were determined by the agar dilution technique recommended by the NCCLS. Susceptibilities to the rest of antibiotics tested (teicoplanin, ampicillin, penicillin, imipenem, doxycicline, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, streptomycin, rifampin, levofloxacin, fleroxacin, trovafloxacin, sparfloxacin, pefloxacin and clinafloxacin) were determined by using the E test. beta-lactamase production was examined with nitrocefin disks. RESULTS: Quinupristin/dalfopristin has demonstrated excellent activity against Enterococcus faecium (MIC90' 2 micrograms/ml). Enterococcus faecalis was considerably less susceptible than E. faecium, at concentration of 4 micrograms/ml inhibited only 31% of tested strains. For doxycicline 77% of strains were susceptible. Only five isolates were susceptible to clinafloxacin; the other quinolones tested displayed poor activity. Resistance to chloramphenicol was detected in 47% of isolates. None of the isolates produced beta-lactamase. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that vancomycin-resistant enterococci are often concomitantly resistant to multiple antibiotics. Quinupristin/dalfopristin was the most active agent tested against E. faecium strains. On the basis of these results quinupristin/dalfopristin could be a therapeutic option for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium infections.