Fagoterapia: una alternativa emergente en la era de la multirresistencia antibiótica / Phagotherapy: an emerging alternative in the antibiotic multidrug resistance era

La creciente resistencia antimicrobiana asociada a la crisis en la producción de nuevos antibióticos y las consecuen-cias humanas y económicas de este fenómeno constituyen un complejo escenario que requiere el urgente desarrollo de estrategias antimicrobianas alternativas. Los bacterió-fagos son virus que infectan y lisan bacterias. Si bien se conocen desde hace más de un siglo, en las últimas dos décadas la administración de bacteriófagos ha ganado popularidad en todo el mundo. Existe un extenso cuerpo de evidencia preclínica y clínica que posiciona a la fago-terapia como una de las principales herramientas para el tratamiento de infecciones difíciles de tratar. Aunque esto es conceptualmente promisorio, su implementación está limitada por la escasez de datos clínicos de seguridad y efi-cacia, obtenidos acorde a los estándares científicos actua-les. Esta revisión describe los datos más relevantes acerca de la biología de los fagos, los aspectos farmacocinéticos y farmacodinámicos conocidos hasta la actualidad, los te-mas regulatorios y los resultados clínicos más relevantes

The rising antimicrobial resistance associated with the crisis in new antibiotics production and the human and economic consequences of this phenomenon constitute a complex scenario that requires the urgent development of alternative antimicrobial strategies. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and lyse bacteria. They have been known for over a century but in the last two decades, phage administration has gained popularity worldwide. There is an extensive body of preclinical and clinical evidence that positions phage therapy as one of the main tools for the treatment of difficult-to-treat infections. Although this is conceptually promising, its implementation is limited by the paucity of clinical data on safety and efficacy, obtained according to current scientific standards. This review describes the most relevant data on phage biology, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects known to date, regulatory issues, and the most relevant clinical results

Producción científica peruana sobre resistencia a los antimicrobianos de bacterias priorizadas por la OMS / Peruvian scientific production on antimicrobial-resistant bacteria prioritized by WHO

Introducción: La resistencia a los antimicrobianos (RAM) es una crisis de salud pública a nivel mundial. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) estableció una lista de bacterias resistentes priorizadas para orientar investigaciones y alternativas de mejora. Objetivo: Describir la producción científica del Perú sobre RAM de bacterias priorizadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, entre 2012 y 2021. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional de tipo bibliométrico en revistas indexadas en Scopus durante el período 2012-2021. La selección de los estudios y la extracción de datos se realizó manualmente por duplicado. Se clasificaron las bacterias resistentes estudiadas, según las prioridades (crítica, alta y media). Resultados: Se incluyeron 118 artículos. Durante el período 2014-2021 hubo un aumento de publicaciones. El 61,9 por ciento fueron artículos publicados en inglés, 98,3 por ciento con filiación en Perú y el 77,1 por ciento fueron realizados en Lima. Se publicaron más estudios sobre las bacterias de prioridad crítica que sobre las de alta o media. El 79,7 por ciento buscó determinar la prevalencia o caracterizar y el 26,1 por ciento mencionó algún financiamiento de instituciones del país. Conclusión: La producción científica peruana sobre RAM ha aumentado en los últimos años y se cuenta con más publicaciones de bacterias de prioridad crítica. Sin embargo, estos estudios se centran en Lima y solo la cuarta parte ha sido financiada por alguna entidad peruana(AU)

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) established a priority list of resistant bacteria to guide research and alternatives for improvement. Objective: To describe the scientific production of Peru on AMR of bacteria prioritized by the World Health Organization, between 2012 and 2021. Methods: Observational descriptive study of bibliometric type in journals indexed in Scopus during the period 2012-2021. The selection of studies and data extraction were performed manually in duplicate. Resistant bacteria studied were classified based on priority (critical, high, and medium). Results: A total of 118 articles were included. During the period 2014-2021, the number of publications increased. The articles published in English accounted for 61.9 percent, 98.3 percent had their affiliation in Peru, and 77.1 percent were conducted in Lima. Most publications focused on bacteria of critical priority than high and medium priority. A total of 79.7 percent sought to determine prevalence or characterize and 26.1 percent referred to funding from Peruvian institutions. Conclusions: Peruvian scientific production on AMR has increased in recent years and there are more publications on critical priority bacteria. However, these studies are centered in Lima and only a quarter of them have been financed by a Peruvian entity(AU)

Resistencia antibiótica de Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus saprophyticus en la infección urinaria de un hospital público / Antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus in urinary tract infection in a public hospital

La resistencia de antibióticos puede llegar a causar una amplia morbilidad y complicaciones. Objetivo: Determinar el perfil de resistencia antimicrobiana de Escherichia Coli y de Staphylococcus Saprophyticus, en pacientes con infección urinaria hospitalizados en el servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Municipal Los Olivos. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal. Se realizó en el servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Municipal los Olivos (HMLO). Participantes: historia clínica de pacientes hospitalizados con infección urinaria en el servicio de Medicina Interna. Intervenciones: Según los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se obtuvieron, 96 historias clínicas (HC) del año 2013. Se utilizó un instrumento de recolección validado. Se realizó el análisis descriptivo con software estadístico STATA versión 25. Resultados: De las 96 HC, la edad promedio fue 55,04 años, los agentes microbianos más frecuentes fueron: la Escherichia coli con 85,3%, Staphylococcus saprophyticus 4.2% y Klebsiella pneumoniae 3,1%. La prevalencia de productores de betalactamasa espectro extendido (BLEE) fue 10,4%. Los antibióticos más resistentes fueron: trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol 89,6%, ampicilina 86%, piperacilina 84,6%, tetraciclina 79,2% y ciprofloxacino 70,8%. Los antibióticos más sensibles fueron: amikacina 100%, imipenem 100%, ertapenem 98%, meropenem 96% y piperacilina/tazobactam 96%. Conclusión: El uropatógeno más frecuente en pacientes con ITU hospitalizados fue la E. coli. Los antibióticos que presentaron resistencia a la E. coli fueron: trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, ampicilina, piperacilina, tetraciclina y ciprofloxacino, y para el S. Saprophyticus fueron: amoxicilina/ ácido clavulánico, trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, ceftriaxona y ciprofloxacino(AU)

Resistance to antibiotics may actually cause extensive morbidity and complications. Objective: To determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, in patients with urinary infection hospitalized in the Internal Medicine service of the Los Olivos Municipal Hospital. Methods: Descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study. It was carried out in the Internal Medicine service of the Los Olivos Municipal Hospital (HMLO). Participants: clinical history of hospitalized patients with urinary infection in the Internal Medicine service. Interventions: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 96 clinical records (HC) from 2013 were obtained. A validated collection instrument was used. Descriptive analysis was performed with STATA version 25 statistical software. Results: Of the 96 CHs, the average age was 55.04 years, the most frequent microbial agents were: Escherichia Coli with 85.3%, Staphylococcus saprophyticus 4.2% and Klebsiella pneumoniae 3.1%. The prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers (ESBL) was 10.4%. The most resistant antibiotics were trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole 89.6 %, ampicillin 86 %, piperacillin 84.6 %, tetracycline 79.2 % and ciprofloxacin 70.8 %. The most sensitive antibiotics were: amikacin 100%, imipenem 100%, ertapenem 98%, meropenem 96% and piperacillin / tazobactam 96%. Conclusion: The most common uropathogen in hospitalized UTI patients was E. coli. The antibiotics that showed resistance to E. coli were: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, piperacillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, and for S. saprophyticus they were: amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin(AU)

The complex, bidirectional role of extracellular vesicles in infection.

Cells from all domains of life release extracellular vesicles (EVs), packages that carry a cargo of molecules that participate in communication, co-ordination of population behaviours, virulence and immune response mechanisms. Mammalian EVs play an increasingly recognised role to fight infection, yet may also be commandeered to disseminate pathogens and enhance infection. EVs released by bacterial pathogens may deliver toxins to host cells, signalling molecules and new DNA to other bacteria, and act as decoys, protecting infecting bacteria from immune killing. In this review, we explore the role of EVs in infection from the perspective of both the pathogen and host, and highlight their importance in the host/pathogen relationship. We highlight proposed strategies for EVs in therapeutics, and call attention to areas where existing knowledge and evidence is lacking.

Modulation of neutrophil extracellular traps release by Klebsiella pneumoniae.

One of the main bactericidal mechanisms of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which capture and destroy pathogens. Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) producer of carbapenemase (KPC) and belonging to the sequence type 258 (ST258), is a hyper epidemic clone that causes a large number of infections worldwide associated with high persistence and mortality. It is necessary to investigate the interaction of Kpn KPC with the immune system to improve prevention and treatment of infections mediated by this bacterium. Based on the hypothesis that Kpn is able to subvert PMN-mediated death, the aim was to assess whether Kpn KPC ST258 could modulate the bactericidal response of PMN, focusing on NETs formation, compared to another opportunistic pathogen, as Escherichia coli (Eco). The results showed that the release of NETs was absent when PMN were challenged with Kpn KPC, while Eco was a strong inducer of NETosis. Moreover, Kpn KPC was able to inhibit NETosis induced by Eco. The inhibition of Kpn KPC-mediated NETs formation still occurred in spite of exogenous addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), did not involve bacterial-released soluble factors or cell wall components, and was dependent on bacterial viability. Moreover, when degranulation was investigated, we found that Kpn KPC affected only the mobilization of primary granules, which harbor the proteins with more potent bactericidal properties and those related to NETosis. In conclusion, Kpn KPC ST258 effectively managed to evade the PMN response by inhibiting the release of NETs, and primary granule mobilization.

Advances and Prospects in Vaccine Development against Enterococci.

Enterococci are the second most common Gram-positive pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections. Due to the limited number of new antibiotics that reach the medical practice and the resistance of enterococci to the current antibiotic options, passive and active immunotherapies have emerged as a potential prevention and/or treatment strategy against this opportunistic pathogen. In this review, we explore the pathogenicity of these bacteria and their interaction with the host immune response. We provide an overview of the capsular polysaccharides and surface-associated proteins that have been described as potential antigens in anti-enterococcal vaccine formulations. In addition, we describe the current status in vaccine development against enterococci and address the importance and the current advances toward the development of well-defined vaccines with broad coverage against enterococci.

Vaccines Against Antimicrobial Resistance.

In the last century, life expectancy has increased considerably, thanks to the introduction of antibiotics, hygiene and vaccines that have contributed to the cure and prevention of many infectious diseases. The era of antimicrobial therapy started in the nineteenth century with the identification of chemical compounds with antimicrobial properties. However, immediately after the introduction of these novel drugs, microorganisms started to become resistant through different strategies. Although resistance mechanisms were already present before antibiotic introduction, their large-scale use and mis-use have increased the number of resistant microorganisms. Rapid spreading of mobile elements by horizontal gene transfer such as plasmids and integrative conjugative elements (ICE) carrying multiple resistance genes has dramatically increased the worldwide prevalence of relevant multi drug-resistant human pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Enterobacteriaceae. Today, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the major global concerns to be addressed and only global efforts could help in finding a solution. In terms of magnitude the economic impact of AMR is estimated to be comparable to that of climate global change in 2030. Although antibiotics continue to be essential to treat such infections, non-antibiotic therapies will play an important role in limiting the increase of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Among non-antibiotic strategies, vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) play a strategic role. In this review, we will summarize the evolution and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and the impact of AMR on life expectancy and economics.

Immune-Microbiota Interplay and Colonization Resistance in Infection.

Commensal microbial communities inhabit biological niches in the mammalian host, where they impact the host's physiology through induction of "colonization resistance" against infections by a multitude of molecular mechanisms. These colonization-regulating activities involve microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions, which induce, through utilization of complex bacterial networks, competition over nutrients, inhibition by antimicrobial peptides, stimulation of the host immune system, and promotion of mucus and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Distinct virulent pathogens overcome this colonization resistance and host immunity as part of a hostile takeover of the host niche, leading to clinically overt infection. The following review provides a mechanistic overview of the role of commensal microbes in modulating colonization resistance and pathogenic infections and means by which infectious agents may overcome such inhibition. Last, we outline evidence, unknowns, and challenges in developing strategies to harness this knowledge to treat infections by microbiota transfer, phage therapy, or supplementation by rationally defined bacterial consortia.

Host immunology and rational immunotherapy for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Infections due to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae have emerged as a global threat due to its widespread antimicrobial resistance. Transplant recipients and patients with hematologic malignancies have high mortality rate, suggesting host factors in susceptibility. We developed a model of pulmonary infection using ST258 strain C4, KPC-2 clone, which are predominant K. pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing (KPC-producing) bacteria, and demonstrated that Rag2-/- Il2rg-/- mice - but not WT C57BL/6 or Rag2-/- mice - were susceptible to this opportunistic infection. Using single cell RNA sequencing in infected Rag2-/- mice, we identified distinct clusters of Ifng+ NK cells and Il17a+, Il22+, and inducible T cell costimulatory molecule-positive (ICOS+) group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that were critical for host resistance. As solid organ transplantation is a risk factor, we generated a more clinically relevant model using FK506 in WT C57BL/6 mice. We further demonstrated that immunotherapy with recombinant IL-22 treatment ameliorated the ST258 pulmonary infection in both FK506-treated WT mice and Rag2-/- Il2rg-/- mice via hepatic IL-22ra1 signaling. These data support the development of host-directed immunotherapy as an adjunct treatment to new antibiotics.

Antimicrobial Peptides: An Approach to Combat Resilient Infections.

BACKGROUND: It was apparent by the end of 1980s that the success against the threats of bacterial pathogens on public health was an illusion, with the rapid development of resistant strains more than the discovery of new drugs. As a consequence, the remedial services were in the backfoot position of being on the losing side of this never-ending evolutionary war. The quest for new antibiotics to overcome resistance problems has long been a top research priority for the researchers and the pharmaceutical industry. However, the resistance problems remain unresolved due to the abrupt misuse of antibiotics by common people, which has immensely worsened the scenario by disseminating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains around the world. OBJECTIVE: Thus, immediate action is needed to measure emerging and re-emerging microbial diseases having new resistance mechanisms and to manage their rapid spread among the common public by means of novel alternative metabolites. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are short, cationic peptides evolved in a wide range of living organisms and serve as the essential part of the host innate immunity. For humans, these effector molecules either can directly kill the foreign microbes or modulate the host immune systems so that the human body could develop some resistance against the microbial infections. In this review, we discuss their history, structural classifications, modes of action, and explain their biological roles as anti-infective agents. We also scrutinize their clinical potentiality, current limitations in various developmental stages and strategies to overcome for their successful clinical applications.

Infecciones cervicofaciales graves. Nuestra experiencia en el Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal de Madrid / Severe cervicofacial infections. Our experience in Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las infecciones cervicofaciales constituyen un motivo de consulta muy frecuente en los servicios de Urgencias de nuestro país, siendo con frecuencia causa de gran morbilidad y de importantes complicaciones, incluyendo el compromiso de la vía aérea. Por todo ello, un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces son de vital importancia. El objetivo principal es realizar un estudio observacional retrospectivo sobre los pacientes diagnosticados de infección cervicofacial grave en nuestro centro, analizando múltiples variables demográficas, el tratamiento administrado, la duración del ingreso y las complicaciones observadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo sobre una muestra de 47 pacientes diagnosticados de infección cervicofacial grave en nuestro centro entre abril de 2016 y marzo de 2018. Se recogen y analizan múltiples variables: sexo, etiología, clínica asociada, aislamiento microbiológico, tratamiento, comorbilidades, duración de ingreso y complicaciones asociadas. RESULTADOS: El 51 % de la muestra fueron pacientes menores de 50 años sin comorbilidades asociadas. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron los hábitos tóxicos (tabaco y alcohol), hipertensión arterial y diabetes. Respecto a la etiología, el 91 % fueron odontogénicas, siendo los cordales inferiores las piezas dentales afectadas con mayor frecuencia (79,06 %). La clínica característica de presentación fue la tríada de tumefacción facial, dolor y trismus (hasta el 60 %). El espacio cervicofacial afectado con mayor frecuencia fue el submandibular (56 %). El aislamiento microbiológico mostró que la mayoría fueron infecciones polimicrobianas mixtas (18 de 38 aislamientos) con predominio de los grupos Streptococo y Prevotella. Las complicaciones encontradas fueron: dos pacientes con obstrucción de vía aérea superior que precisaron traqueostomía previa intubación, un hematoma postquirúrgico, tres reintervenciones por mala evolución clínica y un paciente con mediastinitis. CONCLUSIONES: De los resultados obtenidos podemos concluir que la etiología odontogénica es la más frecuente, siendo el espacio submandibular el más afectado. En el Hospital Ramón y Cajal de Madrid, la mayoría de las infecciones cervicofaciales graves son mixtas con microrganismos aislados aerobios y anaerobios. El tratamiento combinado con cirugía y antibioterapia intravenosa fue de elección. Amoxicilina-Clavulánico fue el antibiótico más utilizado. Las complicaciones evolutivas graves son poco frecuentes con un tratamiento adecuado

INTRODUCTION: Cervical infections are a very common reason for consultation in the emergency services of our country. However, in certain cases, these infections are a cause of a great morbidity and important complications, including the compromise of the upper airway. For all these reasons, early diagnosis and treatment are of a great importance. The main objective is to perform a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with severe cervicofacial infection in our department, analyzing multiple demographic variables, treatment administered, time of hospitalization and complications observed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive observational study based on a sample of 47 patients diagnosed with severe cervicofacial infection in our center between April 2016 and March 2018. Multiple variables were collected, among which are: sex, etiology, associated symptoms, microbiological isolation, treatment established, comorbidities, time of hospital admission and complications. RESULTS: 51 % of the sample were patients under 50 years of age without comorbidities. The most frequent comorbidities were toxic habits (tobacco and alcohol), hypertension and diabetes. Regarding the etiology, 91 % were odontogenic, being the third inferior molars the most frequently affected (79.06 %). The characteristic clinical presentation was the triad of facial swelling, pain and trismus (up to 60 %). The most frequently affected cervicofacial space was the submandibular space (56 %). The microbiological isolation showed that the majority were mixed polymicrobial infections (18 of 38 isolates) with predominance of the Streptococcus and Prevotella groups. The complications that we found were: two upper airway obstructions, a cervical bleeding, three reinterventions for a bad clinical evolution and a patient with mediastinitis. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that odontogenic etiology is the most frequent in severe cervicofacial infections, with the submandibular space being the most affected. Most of severe cervicofacial infections in Ramón y Cajal Hospital were polymicrobial and mixed infections. The combined treatment with surgery and intravenous antibiotic therapy was the therapeutic option chosen for all patients. Amoxicillin-Clavulanic was the most used broad-spectrum antibiotic. Complications are uncommon with an adequate treatment

Investigation of Fibronectin Binding Protein (FBP) and Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) Viulance Factors in Clinical Methicillin Sensitive and Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the frequency of fibronectin binding protein (FBP), which is part of the first step of adhesion, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin, which contributes to the destruction of host leukocytes and tissue necrosis, in clinical S. aureus strains. METHODS: One hundred S. aureus strains were included in the study and distributed as follows; 33 from skinwound swabs and catheter tips (SWCT), 33 from body fluid and secretion specimens (BSFS) such as tracheal aspirate, sputum, and pleural effusion fluid, 18 from tissue biopsy specimens (TBS), 10 specimens from blood, and related specimens (BRS) such as bone marrow, and cerebral spinal fluid, and six specimens from mucosal membrane of pharynx, nose, and vagina (MMS). Methicillin resistance was tested by disk diffusion method. mecA (methicillin resistance coded gene), pvl and fnbA genes were investigated by using a PCR method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven strains (37.0%) were identified as methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 63 (63.0%) as methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains. fnbA was more frequent in S. aureus isolates of MMSs (100.0%); followed by BRSs (80.0%), SWCTs (78.8%), TBS (72.3%), and BSFs (66.7%), whereas pvl gene was more frequent in isolates of BRS (60.0%), followed by TBSs (50.0%), SWCTs (33.4%), BSFs (30.3%), and MMSs (16.7%). fnbA existed in 85.7% of MSSA and 56.8% of MRSA in contrast to pvl, which was more frequent in MRSA (70.3%) than those of MSSA strains (17.4%). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our different clinical specimens contained a high rate of fnbA (75.0%) and low-moderate frequency of pvl (37.0%). fnbA was most frequent in S. aureus of MMSs, followed by BRSs, and SWCTs, whereas pvl was ex-isted in high proportion in S. aureus of BRSs, followed by TBSs, and SWCTs. Presence of PVL in a high proportion in MRSA strains of superfical specimens such SWCT (24.4%) and deeper serious specimens such as BRS (16.3%) compared to MSSA strains from the same specimens, 3.2% and 0%, respectively, have shown that MRSA infections still threatens patients' lives and control of their spread is urgently needed.

Cough (acute): antimicrobial prescribing

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for acute cough associated with an upper respiratory tract infection or acute bronchitis in adults, young people and children. It aims to limit antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

Top-ten papers in Infection Control (2015-2017) / Mejores publicaciones sobre control de infección

Healthcare-associated infections are a main Public Health challenge. In the era of antimicrobial resistance, more effective Infection Control Programs are needed. In this review we will discuss some publications related to hand hygiene (should the patients participate in the improvement programs?); some new strategies to enhance terminal room disinfection and important controversies on contact precautions policies (should we abandon them?). In the last year, there have been as well some reports that provide new insights in Clostridium difficile infection and in the impact of educational antimicrobial stewardship programs

Las infecciones relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria constituyen un gran desafío de salud pública. En la era de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos se necesitan programas de control de la infección más eficaces. En esta revisión, analizaremos algunas publicaciones relacionadas con la higiene de las manos (¿deberían los pacientes participar en los programas de mejora?); algunas nuevas estrategias para mejorar la desinfección terminal y controversias importantes sobre las políticas de precauciones de contacto (¿deberíamos abandonarlas?). En el último año, también ha habido algunas publicaciones relevantes que proporcionan nuevos conocimientos sobre la epidemiología de la infección por Clostridium difficile y sobre el impacto de las intervenciones educativas enmarcadas en los PROA

Maternal Vaccination as an Essential Component of Life-Course Immunization and Its Contribution to Preventive Neonatology.

Maternal immunisation schedules are increasingly coming under the spotlight as part of the development of lifetime immunisation programmes for the role that they play in improving maternal, foetal, and neonatal health. Maternally-acquired antibodies are critical in protecting infants during the first months of their lives. Maternal immunisation was previously overlooked owing to concerns regarding vaccinations in this untested and high-risk population but is now acknowledged for its potential impact on the outcomes in many domains of foetal and neonatal health, aside from its maternal benefits. This article highlights the role that maternal immunisation may play in reducing infections in preterm and term infants. It explores the barriers to antenatal vaccinations and the optimisation of the immunisation uptake. This review also probes the part that maternal immunisation may hold in the reduction of perinatal antimicrobial resistance and the prevention of non-infectious diseases. Both healthcare providers and expectant mothers should continue to be educated on the importance and safety of the appropriate immunizations during pregnancy. Maternal vaccination merits its deserved priority in a life-course immunization approach and it is perhaps the only immunization whereby two generations benefit directly from a single input. We outline the current recommendations for antenatal vaccinations and highlight the potential advances in the field contributing to “preventive neonatology”.

The Role of Mobile Genetic Elements in the Spread of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli From Chickens to Humans in Small-Scale Production Poultry Operations in Rural Ecuador.

Small-scale production poultry operations are increasingly common worldwide. To investigate how these operations influence antimicrobial resistance and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), Escherichia coli isolates were sampled from small-scale production birds (raised in confined spaces with antibiotics in feed), household birds (no movement constraints; fed on scraps), and humans associated with these birds in rural Ecuador (2010-2012). Isolates were screened for genes associated with MGEs as well as phenotypic resistance to 12 antibiotics. Isolates from small-scale production birds had significantly elevated odds of resistance to 7 antibiotics and presence of MGE genes compared with household birds (adjusted odds ratio (OR) range = 2.2-87.9). Isolates from humans associated with small-scale production birds had elevated odds of carrying an integron (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 3.83) compared with humans associated with household birds, as well as resistance to sulfisoxazole (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.60) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (adjusted OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.95). Stratifying by the presence of MGEs revealed antibiotic groups that are explained by biological links to MGEs; in particular, resistance to sulfisoxazole, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, or tetracycline was highest among birds and humans when MGE exposures were present. Small-scale production poultry operations might select for isolates carrying MGEs, contributing to elevated levels of resistance in this setting.

Post-keratoplasty Endophthalmitis by Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa With Positive Culture of the Contralateral Donor Cornea: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to present the case report of a patient developing endophthalmitis after penetrating keratoplasty caused by a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, detected only in the contralateral donor tissue. CASE REPORT: A 77-year-old man underwent an uneventful penetrating keratoplasty with a preoperative culture-negative donor cornea; however, the fellow cornea grew multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient developed and was treated for endophthalmitis after penetrating keratoplasty, and aqueous and vitreous taps grew P. aeruginosa with antibiotic resistance identical to the isolate from the mate cornea. Sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal gene from the two isolates and confirmation analyzing the sequence of P. aeruginosa heat shock protein gene (groES) were performed showing the same strain for both organisms. CONCLUSION: This case report documents the presence of the same multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa causing endophthalmitis after penetrating keratoplasty and in the contralateral donor tissue, suggesting that we must be cautious in deciding to transplant tissues with positive culture in the contralateral donor cornea.

Identificación y determinación de sensibilidad a antibióticos de aislados de hemocultivos a partir de subcultivos de corta incubación / Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of positive blood culture isolates from briefly incubated solid medium cultures

Introducción: La espectrometría de masas Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight(MALDI-TOF) permite la identificación rápida de los microorganismos causantes de bacteriemia. Se requieren métodos fiables y rápidos que permitan acortar el tiempo necesario hasta disponer de los resultados de sensibilidad a antibióticos de los aislados de hemocultivos. Métodos: Se evalúa la fiabilidad de un método que combina la identificación con MALDI-TOF y el estudio de sensibilidad en paneles de microdilución inoculados a partir de un subcultivo incubado durante solo 4h. Resultados: La concordancia de los resultados de sensibilidad a antibióticos de la técnica evaluada frente a la técnica de referencia fue del 99,3%, sin que se observaran errores máximos. Conclusión: La inoculación de paneles de microdilución a partir de un subcultivo de solo 4h de incubación es un método fiable y fácil de realizar que permite acortar el tiempo de informe de hemocultivos positivos (AU)

Introduction: Mass spectrometry Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) helps in the rapid identification of microorganisms causing blood stream infection. Rapid and reliable methods are required to decrease the turnaround time for reporting antimicrobial susceptibility results from blood culture isolates. Methods: An evaluation was performed on the reliability of a method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of positive blood culture isolates from briefly incubated solid medium cultures. Results: The agreement between the evaluated and standard methods was 99.3%. The major and minor error rates were 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, and no very major errors were observed. Conclusion: The inoculation of briefly incubated solid medium cultures into antimicrobial susceptibility testing panels is an easy and reliable technique, and helps to decrease the turnaround time for reporting antimicrobial susceptibility results of positive blood cultures (AU)