Neumonía neumocócica bacteriémica en adultos en hospital regional de Chile / Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in adults admitted to a general hospital: experience in 60 cases

Background: Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) is a preventable disease with high morbimortality. Aim: To evaluate clinical aspects and mortality on BPP patients admitted to a Chilean regional hospital. Patients and Methods: We looked for adult patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures between 2010 and 2014 years and reviewed clinical records of those who were admitted with pneumonia. Results: We identified 70 BPP patients: 58% were men, mean age was 56 years, 30% were > 65 years, 70% with basic public health insurance, 26% were alcoholics, 86% had comorbidities. Only two patients were vaccinated against S. pneumoniae. CURB-65 severity index for community acquired pneumonia was > 3 in 37% of patients. Twenty-four patients were admitted to ICU, twenty required mechanical ventilation and twenty-four died (34%). Mortality was associated with an age over 65 years, presence of comorbidities and complications of pneumonia. A total of 22 serotypes of S. pneumoniae were identified, five of them (1,3,7F,14 y 9V) were present in 57% of cases. Conclusions: Elevated mortality of our BNN patients was associated with comorbidities and possibly with socio economic factors, which conditioned a late access to medical care.

Retrospective evaluation of the clinical characteristics associated with Corynebacterium species bacteremia

ABSTRACT Objectives: Corynebacterium spp. are becoming recognized as pathogens that potentially cause various infections. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics associated with Corynebacterium spp. bacteremia. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all adult patients who had positive blood cultures for Corynebacterium spp. in a single university hospital between January 2014 and December 2016. Patients were divided into a bacteremia group and a contamination group based on microbiological test results and clinical characteristics. Patients' characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated species, antimicrobials administered, and patient outcomes were evaluated. Results: Corynebacterium spp. were isolated from blood samples of 63 patients; Corynebacterium striatum was the predominant isolate. Twenty-eight patients were determined to have bacteremia. Younger age (p = 0.023), shorter time to positivity (p = 0.006), longer hospital stay (p = 0.009), and presence of an indwelling vascular catheter (p = 0.002) were observed more often in the bacteremia group compared to the contamination group. The source of infection in most patients with bacteremia was an intravenous catheter. All tested strains were susceptible to vancomycin. Four of the 27 patients with bacteremia died, despite administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Conclusions: We found that younger age, shorter time to positivity, and presence of an indwelling catheter were related to bacteremia caused by Corynebacterium spp. Appropriate antimicrobials should be administered once Corynebacterium spp. are isolated from the blood and bacteremia is suspected.

Oculo-peritoneal shunt: draining aqueous humor to the peritoneum / Derivação óculo-peritoneal: drenagem do humor aquoso para o peritônio

In 2010, there were estimated to be approximately 60.5 million people with glaucoma. This number is expected to increase to 79.6 million by 2020. In 2010, there were 8.4 million people with bilateral blindness caused by glaucoma, and this number is expected in increase to 11.2 million by 2020. Filtering implants are special devices that have been developed to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with refractory glaucoma. The success rate of these implants is relatively low, and they continue to fail over time. To avoid failure caused by the formation of scar tissue around the implants, attempts have been made to drain the aqueous humor to various sites, including the venous system, lacrimal sac, sinuses, and conjunctival fornix. Recently, a system to shunt aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the peritoneum has been developed. The surgical technique involved in this system is a modification of the technique currently used by neurosurgeons for the treatment of hydrocephalus. We present the first case operated using this technique.

Calcula-se que em 2010 havia provavelmente 60,5 milhões de pessoas com glaucoma, com aumento previsto para 79,6 milhões em 2020; a cegueira bilateral por glaucoma era detectada em 8,4 milhões de pessoas, em 2010, e com aumento estimado para 11,2 milhões em 2020. Dispositivos especiais foram desenvolvidos para reduzir a pressão intraocular em pacientes com glaucoma refratário, chamados implantes de filtragem. A taxa de sucesso destes implantes é relativamente baixa, e sabe-se que elas continuam a diminuir ao longo do tempo. Para evitar as falhas produzidas pela cicatrização de tecido em torno dos implantes, foram feitas tentativas de drenagem do humor aquoso para diferentes locais, tais como o sistema venoso, saco lacrimal, os seios paranasais e fórnice conjuntival. Revendo o tratamento atual da hidrocefalia, uma técnica de derivação a partir da câmara anterior para o peritônio foi desenvolvida. A técnica cirúrgica desenvolvida é uma modificação da técnica atualmente utilizada por neurocirurgiões para o tratamento de hidrocefalia. Apresentamos o primeiro caso operado com esta técnica.

Impacto económico de la resistencia a la meticilina en pacientes con bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus en hospitales de Bogotá / Economic burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in critical care patients in hospitals in Bogotá

Introducción. Las infecciones por microorganismos resistentes, especialmente las que involucran el torrente sanguíneo, se asocian a un mayor uso de recursos. Sus estimaciones son variables y dependen de la metodología utilizada. Staphylococcus aureus es el agente de sangre aislado con mayor frecuencia en nuestro medio. No existe información sobre el costo asociado con la atención de bacteriemias por S. aureus resistente a meticilina en nuestro país. Objetivo. Presentar una aproximación del costo de atención de las bacteriemias por S. aureus resistente a la meticilina en nueve hospitales de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron 204 pacientes en un estudio de cohortes multicéntrico en una razón de 1:1 según la resistencia. Se aproximaron los costos médicos directos con base en las facturas del período de hospitalización; en cuanto al período de la bacteriemia, los costos detallados se calcularon aplicando las tarifas estandarizadas. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en las características clínicas y demográficas de los grupos, salvo en los antecedentes de la bacteriemia. El 53 % de los sujetos falleció durante la hospitalización. La estancia y el valor total facturado por la hospitalización fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo con bacteriemia por S. aureus resistente a la meticilina, así como los costos de la estancia en cuidados intensivos, de los antibióticos, los líquidos parenterales, los exámenes de laboratorio y la terapia respiratoria. El incremento crudo del costo de la atención asociado con la resistencia a meticilina fue de 31 % y, el ajustado, de 70 %. Conclusión. Este estudio constituye un respaldo a los tomadores de decisiones para la búsqueda y la financiación de programas de prevención de infecciones causadas por microorganismos resistentes.

Introduction: Resistant infections, especially those involving the bloodstream, are associated with a greater use of resources. Their estimates are variable and depend on the methodology used. Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen isolated in blood in our hospitals. There is no consolidated data about economic implications of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection. Objective: To describe the cost of care of methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteremia in a reference population from nine hospitals in Bogotá. Materials y methods: A multicenter cohort study included 204 patients in a 1:1 ratio according to resistance. Direct medical costs were calculated from hospitalization bills, while the bacteremia period was calculated by applying microcosting based on standard fares. Results: We found no significant differences between groups in demographic and clinical characteristics, except for resistance risk factors. Fifty-three percent of patients died during hospitalization. Hospital stay and total invoiced value during hospitalization were significantly higher in the group with methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteremia. For this group, higher costs in ICU stay, antibiotics use, intravenous fluids, laboratory tests and respiratory support were recorded. A crude increase of 31% and an adjusted increase of 70% in care costs associated with methicillin resistance were registered. Conclusion: Our study supports decision makers in finding and funding infection prevention programs, especially those infections caused by resistant organisms.

Efecto del tratamiento antibiótico inicial adecuado sobre la mortalidad en pacientes en estado crítico con bacteriemia por Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Effect of adequate initial antimicrobi al therapy on mortality in critical patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia

Introducción. La bacteriemia es una de las infecciones hospitalarias de mayor mortalidad, especialmente en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, donde es más frecuente. Pseudomonas aeruginosa es uno de los causantes de bacteriemia más agresivos. Objetivo. Evaluar la asociación entre el tratamiento antibiótico inicial y la mortalidad hospitalaria en estos pacientes. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo multicéntrico realizado entre 2005 y 2008. Se consideró tratamiento adecuado aquel iniciado en las primeras 48 horas del diagnóstico que incluyera, al menos, una dosis de antibiótico intravenoso al que P. aeruginosa fuera sensible y hubiera sido suministrado en la dosis y frecuencia recomendadas. El desenlace principal fue la mortalidad hospitalaria en un lapso de 30 días. Se hizo pareo según grado de exposición usando índices de propensión y, posteriormente, análisis paramétrico de supervivencia. Resultados. Se incluyeron 164 pacientes. La mediana de edad y la clasificación del APACHE II ( Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II ) fue de 56 y 13, respectivamente. Se identificó la fuente de la bacteriemia en 68,3 % de los casos, y la más frecuente fue el tracto respiratorio; 44 % de los pacientes recibió tratamiento inadecuado, y la resistencia bacteriana fue la principal variable asociada. La proporción de incidencia de sepsis grave, choque séptico, falla orgánica múltiple y muerte en el lapso de 30 días fue de 67,7, 50, 41,5 y 43,9 %, respectivamente. El tratamiento adecuado se asoció a una prolongación del tiempo hasta el evento (razón de tiempo ajustada, 2,95, IC 95%, 1,63 a 5,33). Conclusión. El tratamiento antibiótico inicial adecuado es un factor protector contra la mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con bacteriemia por P. aeruginosa .

Introduction: Among hospital-acquired infections, bacteremia is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, especially among intensive care unit patients, where it is more frequent. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most aggressive agents causing bacteremia. Objective: To evaluate the association between initial antimicrobial therapy and hospital mortality in these patients. Materials and methods: A multicenter and retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2005 and 2008. Antimicrobial therapy was considered adequate if it included at least one intravenous antibiotic to which the P. aeruginosa isolate was susceptible in vitro, was administered at the recommended dose and frequency for bacteremia, and initiated within the first 48 hours from diagnosis. The main outcome was 30-day hospital mortality. Patients were paired according to exposure level using propensity score matching, and then a parametric survival model was fitted. Results: One hundred and sixty four patients were included. Median age and the APACHE II score were 56 and 13, respectively. The source of bacteremia was identified in 68.3 % of cases, the respiratory tract being the most frequent. Forty-four percent of patients received inadequate therapy, with bacterial resistance as the main associated variable. The incidence of severe sepsis, septic shock, multiple organ failure and death within the first 30 days was 67.7, 50, 41.5 and 43.9%, respectively. Adequate therapy was associated with a longer time to the event (adjusted time ratio, 2.95, 95% CI, 1.63 to 5.33). Conclusion: Adequate initial antimicrobial therapy is a protective factor against hospital mortality in patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia.

Colangitis bacteriémica en adultos en un hospital general en Chile / Bacteremic colangitis in adults in a general hospital in Chile

Background: Some aspects of bacteremic cholangitis are unknown in Chile. Aim: To gather more information on clinical, microbiological aspects as well as risk factors for ICU admission, recurrence and antimicrobial resistance. Material and Methods: A retrospective research was performed using medical records of adult patients in a general hospital. Results: Between 2006-2012, 22 patients with 29 bacteremic events were identified. Previous cholangitis events were reported by 27.3%, 45.5% had recent admissions and, 50% had used antimicrobial compounds. Coledocholithiasis was the most common cause of obstruction (45.5%) followed by cancer (36.4%). One third developed shock (31%), the only factor associated with ICU admission (OR 30, p < 0.05). In 24 of the 29 bacteremic events, the biliary tract was intervened (82.8%) and in 80.8% during the first 72 hours. Gram negative bacilli were predominant (> 80%) and some infrequent agents such as Staphylococcus warneri, Shewanella spp. and, Aeromonas spp. were observed. Among enteric gram negative bacilli, 29.2% presented fluoroquinolone resistance and, 26.1% resistance to third generation cephalosporins, both associated with previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (OR 35 and 16.5, respectively p < 0.05). A favorable response was observed in 93.1% of bacte-remic events but in 31.8% of patients cholangitis recurred with or without bacteremia. Recurrence was associated to recent admission (OR 16.5, p = 0.01) and in all cases occurred before 81 days. In-hospital mortality was 9.1% (n = 2), but in only one case associated to sepsis. Average length of stay (LOS) was 17.8 days. Conclusions: Early intervention of the biliary tract allows a favorable response in patients affected by bacteremic cholangitis, but this condition use intensive care resources, had a prolonged LOS, a recurrent pattern, and is associated with several bacterial species, some of them resistant.

Introducción: La información sobre los cuadros de colangitis aguda bacteriémica es fragmentaria en Chile. Objetivo: Analizar las características clínicas, evolución, microbiología y factores de riesgo asociados a ingreso a UCI, recurrencia y resistencia antimicrobiana. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo con adultos atendidos entre el 2006 y el 2012 en un hospital general. Resultados: Se identificaron 22 pacientes con 29 episodios de bacteriemia. Un 27,3% tenía historia previa de colangitis aguda, 45,5% de hospitalizaciones en los últimos tres meses y 50% recibió previamente antimicrobianos. La coledocolitiasis fue la causa más frecuente de obstrucción (45,5%) y las neoplasias ocuparon el segundo lugar (36,4%). El 31% desarrolló shock hemodinámico y fue el factor determinante para ingresar a la UCI (OR 30, p < 0,01) En 24 de los 29 eventos de colangitis bacteriémica se efectuaron intervenciones sobre la vía biliar (VB) o complicaciones asociadas (82,8%), las que se realizaron predominantemente en las primeras 72 h de hospitalización (80,8%). Las especies bacterianas mayoritarias fueron bacilos gramnegativos entéricos o no fermentadores (> 80% del total) y se observaron agentes inusuales como Staphylococcus warneri, Shewanella spp y Aeromonas spp. Entre los bacilos gramnegativos entéricos, 29,2% presentó resistencia a fluoroquinolonas y 26,1 % a cefalosporinas de tercera generación, fenómenos asociados al antecedente de colangiografía endoscópica retrógrada (OR 35 y 16,5 respectivamente, p < 0,05). El 93,1% de los eventos de bacteriemia tuvo una respuesta favorable pero 31,8% de los pacientes presentó recu-rrencia de colangitis, con o sin bacteriemia, un hecho asociado a hospitalización reciente (OR 16,5, p = 0,01) y que se dio en todos los casos antes de 81 días. Dos pacientes con cáncer fallecieron en la misma hospitalización (9,1%), aunque uno solo de ellos en forma atribuible a la infección. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 17,8 días. Conclusiones: Con la intervención precoz sobre la VB, los cuadros de colangitis bacteriémica han logrado una baja letalidad pero usan recursos intensivos, tienen una estadía prolongada, un patrón recurrente, pueden estar asociados a cáncer y a una diversidad de agentes bacterianos, algunos de ellos resistentes.

Risk factors for pan-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia and the adequacy of antibiotic therapy

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for acquiring carbapenemresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia (CR-PA) and factors associated with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Seventy-seven cases of bacteremia caused by P. aeruginosa were evaluated in a hospital with high incidence of CR-PA. Clinical and laboratorial factors, and previous use of antibiotics were also evaluated. In one analysis, CR-PA and carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa (CS-PA) bacteremia were compared. A second analysis compared patients who died with survivors. RESULTS: Among 77 P. aeruginosa bacteremia, 29 were caused by CR-PA. Admission to the intensive care unit, higher number of total leukocytes, and previous use of carbapenem were statistically associated with CR-PA. In the multivariate analysis, only previous use of carbapenem (including ertapenem) turned out to be a risk factor for CR-PA (p = 0.014). The 30-day mortality of patients with P. aeruginosa bloodstream infection was 44.8% for CS-PA and 54.2% for patients with CR-PA (p = 0.288). Chronic renal failure, admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, and central venous catheter were risk factors for mortality. Incorrect treatment increased mortality of patients with bacteremia caused by CS-PA, but not for CR-SA. The odd ratio of mortality associated with incorrect therapy in patients with CS-PA was 3.30 (1.01-10.82; p = 0.043). The mortality of patients with bacteremia caused by CR-PA was unexpectedly similar regardless of antimicrobial treatment adequacy. CONCLUSION: Appropriate treatment for CS-PA bacteremia initiated within the first 24 hours was associated with lower mortality, but this cannot be extrapolated for CR-PA.

Bacteriemia por Vibrio cholerae no-O1, no-O139 en un paciente en hemodiálisis crónica / Non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio cholerae bacteremia in a chronic hemodialysis patient

Vibrio cholerae no-O1, no-O139 es un agente poco frecuente como causal de bacteriemias y no hay informes que documenten su presencia en pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica. Se describe el caso de una paciente en hemodiálisis crónica que presentó un cuadro de sepsis, por lo cual inició un tratamiento con vancomicina y ceftacidima. Al cabo de seis horas y media de incubación en el sistema BACT/ALERT de hemocultivo, se evidenció la presencia de bacilos curvos gram negativos, posteriormente identificados como Vibrio cholerae mediante pruebas bioquímicas convencionales y el uso de los kits API 20 NE y VITEK 2. La evaluación del serogrupo y de la presencia de factores de patogenicidad, realizada en el laboratorio de referencia, determinó que el microorganismo hallado pertenecía al serogrupo no-O1, no-O139. No se detectó la toxina de cólera, tampoco el factor de colonización ni la toxina termoestable. El aislamiento presentó sensibilidad frente a ampicilina, trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol, ciprofloxacina, tetraciclina, ceftacidima y cefotaxima por el método de difusión con discos y por VITEK 2. La paciente cumplió 14 días de tratamiento con ceftacidima endovenosa, con evolución favorable.

Non-O1, and non-O139 Vibrio cholerae is an infrequent cause of bacteremia. There are no reports of such bacteremia in chronic hemodialysis patients. This work describes the case of a chronic hemodialysis patient that had an episode of septicemia associated with dialysis. Blood cultures were obtained and treatment was begun with vancomycin and ceftazidime. After 6.5 hours of incubation in the Bact/Alert system there is evidence of gram-negative curved bacilli that were identified as Vibrio cholerae by conventional biochemical tests, API 20 NE and the VITEK 2 system. This microorganism was sent to the reference laboratory for evaluation of serogroup and virulence factors and was identified as belonging to the non-O1 and non-O139 serogroup. The cholera toxin, colonization factor and heat-stable toxin were not detected. The isolate was susceptible to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ceftazidime and cefotaxime by the disk diffusion method and the VITEK 2 system. The patient received intravenous ceftazidime for a 14 day- period and had a favorable outcome.

Impacto de la resistencia a la meticilina sobre la mortalidad y vigilancia de la sensibilidad a la vancomicina en bacteriemias causadas por Staphylococcus aureus / Impact of methicillin resistance on mortality and surveillance of vancomycin susceptibility in bacteremias caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus es uno de los principales patógenos nosocomiales y produce una alta morbimortalidad en numerosos hospitales del mundo. Además, la incidencia de bacteriemias por este microorganismo ha aumentado significativamente en las últimas décadas. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron identificar los factores de riesgo que favorecen la aparición de resistencia a la meticilina en aislamientos de S. aureus y los factores que afectan la mortalidad por bacteriemias asociadas a este patógeno, así como evaluar la sensibilidad a la vancomicina de las cepas resistentes a la meticilina. Se estudiaron 39 aislamientos de S. aureus provenientes de hemocultivos de pacientes internados con bacteriemia en la Nueva Clínica Chacabuco de Tandil (Pcia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina) en el período 01/2006-12/2008. La mortalidad global fue del 51,3% y estuvo significativamente asociada con la resistencia a la meticilina (OR: 4,20; IC95%: 1,08-16,32; p: 0,05); aunque dicho factor no fue un predictor independiente de mortalidad. La cirugía previa (OR: 17,23; IC95%: 1,80-164,60) y la estancia previa en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (OR: 21,12; IC95%: 2,33-191,30) fueron predictores independientes de la resistencia a la meticilina y la asistencia respiratoria mecánica (OR: 15,99; IC: 3,24-78,86) fue un predictor independiente de la mortalidad. No se detectaron cepas con sensibilidad disminuida a la vancomicina. Todos los aislamientos estudiados fueron sensibles in vitro a la vancomicina, con una CIM50 y una CIM90 de 0,5 μg/ml.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality in many hospitals worldwide. Besides, the incidence of S. aureus bacteremia has significantly increased over the past decades. The aims of this study were to detect the risk factors for methicillin resistance and mortality and to evaluate vancomycin susceptibility in methicillin-resistant isolates. Thus, 39 S. aureus isolates from blood cultures of hospitalized patients with bacteremia were studied in Nueva Clínica Chacabuco Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina during 01/2006-12/2008. The overall mortality was 51.3%, which was significantly associated with methicillin resistance (OR: 4.20, IC95%: 1.08-16.32, p: 0.05), even though it was not an independent mortality predictor as it was the mechanical ventilation (OR: 15.99, IC95%: 3.24 - 78.86). Previous surgery (OR: 17.23, IC95%: 1.80-164.60) and hospitalization in intensive care units (OR: 21.12, IC95%: 2.33-191.30) were independent predictors of meticillin-resistance. No isolates were found with reduced vancomycin susceptibility. All the studied isolates were in vitro susceptible to vancomycin with a MIC50 and MIC90 of 0.5 μg/ml.

Bacteriemia por Vibrio parahaemolyticus: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteremia: case report and literature review

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a facultative anaerobio gram negative rod responsible of sea food-associated diarr-hoea. Although less common, it also causes wound infections and bacteraemia. We present a case of bacteraemia by this agent and a review of the literature.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus es un bacilo gram negativo, anaerobio facultativo, responsable de brotes de síndrome diarreico agudo por ingestión de mariscos crudos o mal cocidos contaminados. Ocasionalmente. se ha reportado asociado a infección de heridas y sepsis. Se reporta un caso clínico de bacteriemia por este microorganismo y se realiza una revisión de la literatura.

Factors associated with bacteremia due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

The epidemiology of bacteremia developing during neutropenia has changed in the past decade, with the re-emergence of Gram-negative (GN) bacteria and the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) among GN bacteria. We conducted a case-control study in order to identify factors associated with bacteremia due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative (MDRGN) isolates in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Ten patients with MDRGN bacteremia were compared with 44 patients with GN bacteremia without MDR. Bacteremia due to Burkholderia or Stenotrophomonas sp was excluded from analysis (3 cases), because the possibility of intrinsical resistance. Infection due to MDRGN bacteria occurred in 2.9 percent of 342 hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent MDRGN (4 isolates), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 isolates). Among non-MDRGN, P. aeruginosa was the most frequent agent (34 percent), followed by Escherichia coli (30 percent). The development of GN bacteremia during the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia (breakthrough bacteremia) was associated with MDR (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 32, 95 percent confidence interval = 5_190) by multivariate analysis. Bacteremia due to MDRGN bacteria was associated with a higher death rate by univariate analysis (40 vs 9 percent; P = 0.03). We were unable to identify risk factors on admission or at the time of the first fever, but the occurrence of breakthrough bacteremia was strongly associated with MDRGN bacteria. An immediate change in the antibiotic regimen in such circumstances may improve the prognosis of these patients.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: what is the impact of oxacillin resistance on mortality?

In order to analyse the impact of oxacillin resistance on the mortality of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of community-acquired strains in two large university hospitals (the Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and the Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo), we carried out a four-month-long prospective cohort study, which included 163 consecutive cases of S. aureus bacteremia. Of these, 140 (85.9 percent) were hospital-acquired, 9 (5.5 percent) were community-acquired and 14 (8.6 percent) were of indeterminate origin. No cases of community-acquired infection by oxacillin-resistant S. aureus was identified. Among hospital-acquired infections, oxacillin-resistant S. aureus was responsible for 64.3 percent of cases. Mortality up to 15 days after diagnosis of bacteremia was 27 percent (18/67) for infections caused by susceptible strains and 33 percent (32/96) for infections caused by oxacillin-resistant strains (p=0.10). The following independent risk factors for the acquisition of oxacillin-resistant S. aureus were identified in multiple logistical regression analysis: age over 60 years, use of corticoids; presence of a central vascular catheter, and previous use of antibiotics.

Epidemiology of bloodstream infections at a Cancer Center

CONTEXT: Cancer patients are at unusually high risk for developing bloodstream infections (BSI), which are a major cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological characteristics and the etiology of BSI in cancer patients. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Terciary Oncology Care Center. PARTICIPANTS: During a 24-month period all hospitalized patients with clinically significant BSI were evaluated in relation to several clinical and demographic factors. RESULTS: The study enrolled 435 episodes of BSI (349 patients). The majority of the episodes occurred among non-neutropenic patients (58.6 percent) and in those younger than 40 years (58.2 percent). There was a higher occurrence of unimicrobial infections (74.9 percent), nosocomial episodes (68.3 percent) and of those of undetermined origin (52.8 percent). Central venous catheters (CVC) were present in 63.2 percent of the episodes. Overall, the commonest isolates from blood in patients with hematology diseases and solid tumors were staphylococci (32 percent and 34.7 percent, respectively). There were 70 episodes of fungemia with a predominance of Candida albicans organisms (50.6 percent). Fungi were identified in 52.5 percent of persistent BSI and in 91.4 percent of patients with CVC. Gram-negative bacilli prompted the CVC removal in 45.5 percent of the episodes. Oxacillin resistance was detected in 26.3 percent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and in 61.8 percent of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci were not observed. Initial empirical antimicrobial therapy was considered appropriate in 60.5 percent of the cases. CONCLUSION: The identification of the microbiology profile of BSI and the recognition of possible risk factors in high-risk cancer patients may help in planning and conducting more effective infection control and preventive measures, and may also allow further analytical studies for reducing severe infectious complications in such groups of patients

Factores pronóstico y mortalidad asociada a bacteremias por bacilos gramnegativos / Mortality and prognostic factors associated to gramnegative bacillus bacteremia

La frecuencia de bacteremia por bacilos gramnegativos ha aumentado en forma importante en este siglo. La mortalidad asociada a este tipo de infecciones es alta y los factores asociados a éstas son múltiples. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo, en el que se analizan diferentes factores relacionados con el huésped, el bacilo y el hospital que pudieran afectar la evolución del paciente. Se mostro que las bacteremias por Stenotrophomona maltophilia, el antecedente de neoplasia, el uso previo de carbapenémicos y el uso de nutrición parenteral total se asociaron a mayor mortalidad

Bacteriemia por Stenotrophomona maltophilia asociada a neoplasia oculta / Bacteremia due to Stenotrophomona maltophilia associated with occult neoplasia

La S.maltophilia es un germen ubícuo de los suelos y el agua, que además con frecuencia coloniza la orofaringe de adultos normales. Se han documentado infecciones por S.maltophilia como causa de bacteriemia, contaminación de heridas, neumonías e infecciones del tracto urinario. Se considera un patógeno hospitalario emergente, en especial en pacientes inmunocomprometidos por neoplasias y en sujetos transplantados. La susceptibilidad antimicrobiana varía con la cepa identificada, pero casi todos los aislamientos son sensibles a la combinación de trimetoprima/sulfametoxazol. Se presenta una paciente de sexo femenino, de 66 años de edad, que ingresa al servicio de clínica médica para ser estudiada por síndrome febril prolongado. Una ecografía abdominal mostró un hígado heterogéneo, cuya biopsia informó metástasis de adenocarcinoma. Se realizaron tres tomas de hemocultivos que fueron positivas para S.maltophilia. Se realizó tratamiento con cotrimoxazol con buena respuesta clínica: no se pudo hallar la neoplasia primitiva. Se concluye afirmando que debe incluirse a la S.maltophilia dentro de los gérmenes oportunistas, teniendo especial atención en su particular sensibilidad antibiótica