Inhibitory action of antibiotics on Kluyveromyces marxianus.

A bioassay containing Kluyveromyces marxianus in microtiter plates was used to determine the inhibitory action of 28 antibiotics (aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines and sulfonamides) against this yeast in whey. For this purpose, the dose-response curve for each antibiotic was constructed using 16 replicates of 12 different concentrations of the antibiotic. The plates were incubated at 40°C until the negative samples exhibited their indicator (5-7h). Subsequently, the absorbances of the yeast cells in each plate were measured by the turbidimetric method (λ=600nm) and the logistic regression model was applied. The concentrations causing 10% (IC10) and 50% (IC50) of growth inhibition of the yeast were calculated. The results allowed to conclude that whey contaminated with cephalosporins, quinolones and tetracyclines at levels close to the Maximum Residue Limits inhibits the growth of K. marxianus. Therefore, previous inactivation treatments should be implemented in order to re-use this contaminated whey by fermentation with K. marxianus.

Effect of glyphosate and ciprofloxacin exposure on enteric bacteria of tadpoles.

The high load of agrochemicals and antibiotics present in agricultural aquatic environments represents a risk for wildlife. Since enteric bacteria, which play a key role in the physiological functioning of their hosts, are sensitive to a wide variety of pollutants, their study allows to evaluate the health of organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of commercial formulations of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP), individually and in mixture, on the bacterial diversity of the intestinal content of common toad (Rhinella arenarum) tadpoles. The diversity of cultivable fast-growing bacteria with low nutritional requirements was evaluated using classic microbiological tests and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry identification. Bacterial diversity varied among treatments. Taxa diversity increased in the GBH-treated group but decreased in the CIP-treated group. Remarkably, Yersinia spp. and Proteus spp. were only found in the GBH-treated group. The prevalence of Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. decreased in the intestinal microbiota of the GBH-CIP-treated group. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the alteration of cultivable enteric bacteria of autochthonous tadpoles due to two pollutants of emerging concern. Our results demonstrate that R. arenarum tadpoles can be used as non-conventional model organisms for environmental pollution monitoring. Our preliminary findings would contribute to understanding how the presence of GBH and CIP in freshwaters may represent a threat to wildlife and human health by causing enteric dysbiosis of part of the bacterial community.

Mycoplasma maculosum and Mycoplasma spumans associated with fertility disorders in dogs from a Bernese Mountain dog kennel.

The aim of this short communication is to describe a case of subfertility and other anomalies associated with the presence of Mycoplasma spumans and Mycoplasma maculosum in a Bernese Mountain Dog kennel. After the arrival of two dogs from abroad, some fertility disorders, such as unsuccessful mating, pregnancy losses and abnormal sperm analysis results, were observed. Two consecutive samplings (vaginal swabs) of three and two bitches with problems, respectively, were performed and M. spumans and M. maculosum were identified by PCR and sequencing. After treatment for 15 days with doxycycline and 9 days with azithromycin, successful pregnancies were achieved and the results of the sperm analyses were reversed. Considering that no other infectious agents causing subfertility problems were detected and that no management measures or other medication apart from these antibiotics were applied, it was concluded that fertility problems were due to the presence of these two Mycoplasma species.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is common after gastrectomy but with little impact on nutritional status. / El sobrecrecimiento bacteriano de intestino delgado es una entidad frecuente tras gastrectomía, pero con escasa relevancia en el estado nutricional.

BACKGROUND: Available evidence assessing the impact of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) following gastrectomy is limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of SIBO after gastrectomy and its association with malnutrition. To describe the antibiotic treatment required to correct it and if nutritional status improves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed at the Agencia Sanitaria Costa del Sol (Costa del Sol Health Agency) from 2012 to 2015. A hydrogen-methane breath test with oral glucose overload was performed. Demographic variables and nutritional parameters were collected at baseline and one month after effective treatment of SIBO. The antibiotic regimens and the number of treatment lines used were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty gastrectomy patients were analysed, 58.3% of which were male. A sub-analysis of the curve was performed at 45min to minimise possible false positives, and SIBO was identified in 61.6% of cases. SIBO patients tended to have a lower BMI, although this trend was not statistically significant. After treatment with rifaximin, 94.6% of patients were still positive for SIBO, which fell to 85.7% after metronidazole. The rate of total antibiotic treatment failure was 67.6%. No statistically significant changes were found in nutritional parameters after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SIBO was identified in 61.6% of patients after gastrectomy. No correlation was found with any malnutrition parameter. Rifaximin and metronidazole were found to be largely ineffective in eradicating SIBO. When treatment was effective, the impact on malnutrition was negligible and may have been associated with other factors.

Five-assay microbiological system for the screening of antibiotic residues.

A novel microbiological system in microtiter plates consisting of five bioassays is presented for the detection and classification of antibiotic residues in milk. The bioassays were optimized for the detection of beta-lactams (Bioassay B: Geobacillus stearothermophilus), macrolides (Bioassay M: Bacillus megaterium with fusidic acid), tetracyclines (Bioassay T: B. megaterium with chloramphenicol), quinolones (Bioassay Q: Bacillus licheniformis) and sulfamides (Bioassay QS: B. licheniformis with trimethoprim) at levels near the maximum residue limits (MRL). The response of each bioassay was interpreted visually (positive or negative) after 4-5.5h of incubation. The system detects and classifies beta-lactams (5µg/l of amoxicillin, 4µg/l of ampicillin, 36µg/l of cloxacillin, 22µg/l of amoxicillin, 3µg/l of penicillin, 114µg/l of cephalexin, 89µg/l of cefoperazone and 116µg/l of ceftiofur), tetracyclines (98µg/l of chlortetracycline, 92µg/l of oxytetracycline and 88µg/l of tetracycline), macrolides (33µg/l of erythromycin, 44µg/l of tilmicosin and 50µg/l of tylosin), sulfonamides (76µg/l of sulfadiazine, 85µg/l of sulfadimethoxine, 77µg/l of sulfamethoxazole and 87µg/l of sulfathiazole) and quinolones (94µg/l of ciprofloxacin, 98µg/l of enrofloxacin and 79µg/l marbofloxacin). In addition, the specificity values were high for B, T, Q (99.4%), M (98.8%) and QS (98.1%) bioassays. The control of antibiotics through this system can contribute to improving the quality and safety of dairy products.

Effect of the inadequacy of antibiotic therapy in the Emergency Department on hospital stays. / Efecto de la inadecuación de la antibioterapia en Urgencias sobre la eficiencia en la hospitalización.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of patients receiving inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy and to assess the impact in terms of increase length of hospital stay, 30-day re-admissions, and 30-day mortality. METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted over a one-month period that included all patients hospitalised from an Emergency Department (ED) due to infection. Demographic variables, comorbidity, multi-resistance risk factors, site of infection, microbiological findings, and antibiotic prescribed in ED were collected. Outcomes were length of hospital stay, 30-day re-admissions, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients were included, with a mean age of 71.1 (SD 21) years. The most frequent causes were respiratory (45.7%) and urine (23.9%) infections. The number of patients with length of stay over the median (≥9 days) was 165 (46.1%), with re-admissions 74 (19.7%), and mortality at 30 days 44 (11.7%). There was inappropriate antibiotic treatment in 42 (11.2%) cases. After adjusting for demographic data, comorbidity, risk factors for multidrug resistant organism, presence of sepsis criteria in ED, and site of infection, inappropriate treatment was associated with an extended length of hospital stay (OR 2.22; 95% CI; 1.07-4.60; P=.032), but did not to an increase in mortality (P=.271) or re-admission (P=.784) at 30 days. CONCLUSION: The inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy in patients admitted from the ED leads to an extended hospital stay, but did not increase mortality or readmission.

Epidemiologic analysis: Prophylaxis and multidrug-resistance in surgery. / Análisis epidemiológico: profilaxis y multirresistencia en cirugía.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection is defined as an infection related to the surgical procedure in the area of manipulation occurring within the first 30 postoperative days. The diagnostic criteria include: purulent drainage, isolation of microorganisms, and signs of infection. AIMS: To describe the epidemiologic characteristics and differences among the types of prophylactic regimens associated with hospital-acquired infections at the general surgery service of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The electronic case records of patients that underwent general surgery at a tertiary care hospital within the time frame of January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014 were reviewed. A convenience sample of 728 patients was established and divided into the following groups: Group 1: n=728 for the epidemiologic study; Group 2: n=638 for the evaluation of antimicrobial prophylaxis; and Group 3: n=50 for the evaluation of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in the intensive care unit. The statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS 19 program, using the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 728 procedures were performed (65.9% were elective surgeries). Three hundred twelve of the patients were males and 416 were females. Only 3.98% of the patients complied with the recommended antimicrobial prophylaxis, and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains were found in the intensive care unit. DISCUSSION: A single prophylactic dose is effective, but adherence to this recommendation was not adequate. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic guidelines are not strictly adhered to in our environment. There was a significant association between the development of nosocomial infections from multidrug-resistant germs and admission to the intensive care unit.

Development of quality indicators to evaluate antibiotic treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an instrument for evaluating the quality of antibiotic management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) applicable in a middle-income developing country. METHOD: A previous study and Indonesian guidelines were reviewed to derive potential quality of care indicators (QIs). An expert panel performed a two-round Delphi consensus procedure on the QI's relevance to patient recovery, reduction of antimicrobial resistance and cost containment. Applicability in practice, including reliability, feasibility and opportunity for improvement, was determined in a data set of 128 patients hospitalised with CAP in Semarang, Indonesia. RESULTS: Fifteen QIs were selected by the consensus procedure. Five QIs did not pass feasibility criteria, because of inappropriate documentation, inefficient laboratory services or patient factors. Three QIs provided minor opportunity for improvement. Two QIs contradicted each other; one of these was considered not valid and excluded. A final set of six QIs was defined for use in the Indonesian setting. CONCLUSION: Using the Delphi method, we defined a list of QIs for assessing the quality of care, in particular antibiotic treatment, for CAP in Indonesia. For further improvement, a modified Delphi method that includes discussion, a sound medical documentation system, improvement of microbiology laboratory services, and multi-center applicability tests are needed to develop a valid and applicable QI list for the Indonesian setting.

Bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in acute otitis media.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies show an increase in the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae and a decrease in Streptococcus pneumoniae among the bacteria that cause acute otitis media (AOM). The objective of our study was to analyse the distribution of pathogens identified in children aged less than 14 years presenting to the emergency department with AOM and their patterns of antimicrobial resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single centre retrospective, analytical study in patients aged less than 14 years with a diagnosis of AOM in whom an ear drainage sample was collected for culture in the paediatric emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between 2013 and 2021. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 14 684 documented care episodes corresponding to children with a diagnosis of AOM. An ear drainage culture was performed in 768 of those episodes. The median age of the patients was 2 years, 57% were male and 70% had a previous history of AOM. The most frequently isolated pathogens were: Haemophilus influenzae (n = 188 [24.5%]; 15.5% of them resistant to ampicillin), Streptococcus pyogenes (n = 86 [11.2%]), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 82 [10.7%]), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 54 [6.9%]; 9.4% with intermediate resistance to penicillin), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 42 [5.5%]) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 11 [1.4%]). No pathogen was isolated in 34.9% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Haemophilus influenzae is the leading cause of AOM in children aged less than 14 years. This, combined with the low frequency of isolation and penicillin resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, calls into question the appropriateness of high-dose amoxicillin for empiric treatment of AOM.

Retrospective study of home antibiotic infusion therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps. / Estudio retrospectivo de la terapia de infusión de antibióticos domiciliaria en bombas de infusión elastoméricas.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps, administered to patients admitted to the Home Hospitalization Unit of a tertiary hospital for three years and to analyse clinical evolution and mortality. METHOD: Retrospective observational study. The medical history of the patients included in the study was reviewed. Information was obtained on personal history, antimicrobial therapy received and clinical evolution. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® 19 software. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included, 61.7% men, with a mean age of 73.5 ± 17.5 years. The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (30.9%) and chronic kidney disease (28.4%). Patients received a mean of 11.9 ± 8.5 days of antibiotic treatment in an elastomeric infusion pump. The main focus of infection was respiratory (27.2%), followed by bacteremia (16%) and skin and soft tissue infections (12.3%). Of the infections, 65.4% were monomicrobial, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the main microorganism involved (39.6%). The most commonly used antimicrobial was piperacillin/tazobactam (33.3%). The clinical course was good in 85.2% of the patients, but the mortality rate in the 30 days following the end of treatment was 24.7%. In the univariate analysis, a history of neoplasia in the last 5 years (p = 0.01) and having received fewer days of antibiotic therapy prior to the start of outpatient antimicrobial therapy in infusion pump (p = 0.04) were associated with worse clinical outcome. Age over 80 years was associated with better outcome (p = 0.03). The diagnosis of heart failure was associated with higher mortality (p = 0.026) and patients from surgical services, with lower mortality (p = 0.047). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of neoplasia was associated with unfavorable evolution (p = 0.012) and heart failure with higher mortality (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient antimicrobial therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps is an alternative in patients requiring prolonged intravenous treatment, and age is not a conditioning factor for inclusion in these programs. However, the presence of certain comorbidities can negatively affect the clinical course and mortality of patients.

[Translated article] Retrospective study of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of home antibiotic infusion therapy using elastomeric infusion pumps, administered to patients admitted to the Home Hospitalisation Unit of a tertiary hospital for 3 years and to analyse clinical evolution and mortality. METHOD: Retrospective observational study. The medical history of the patients included in the study was reviewed. Information was obtained on personal history, antimicrobial therapy received, and clinical evolution. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® 19 software. RESULTS: 81 patients were included, 61.7% men, with a mean age of 73.5±17.5 years. The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (30.9%) and chronic kidney disease (28.4%). Patients received a mean of 11.9±8.5 days of antibiotic treatment in an elastomeric infusion pump. The main focus of infection was respiratory (27.2%), followed by bacteremia (16%) and skin and soft tissue infections (12.3%). Of the infections, 65.4% were monomicrobial, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the main microorganism involved (39.6%). The most commonly used antimicrobial was piperacillin/tazobactam (33.3%). The clinical course was good in 85.2% of the patients, but the mortality rate in the 30 days following the end of treatment was 24.7%. In the univariate analysis, a history of neoplasia in the last 5 years (p=.01) and having received fewer days of antibiotic therapy prior to the start of outpatient antimicrobial therapy in infusion pump (p=.04) were associated with worse clinical outcome. Age over 80 years was associated with better outcome (p=.03). The diagnosis of heart failure was associated with higher mortality (p=.026) and patients from surgical services, with lower mortality (p=.047). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of neoplasia was associated with unfavourable evolution (p=.012) and heart failure with higher mortality (p=.027). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient antimicrobial therapy in elastomeric infusion pumps is an alternative in patients requiring prolonged intravenous treatment, and age is not a conditioning factor for inclusion in these programs. However, the presence of certain comorbidities can negatively affect the clinical course and mortality of patients.

Sepsis death risk factor score based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome, quick sequential organ failure assessment, and comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the death risk factors of patients included in the sepsis protocol bundle, using clinical data from qSOFA, SIRS, and comorbidities, as well as development of a mortality risk score. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2016 and 2021. SETTING: Two university hospitals in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with sepsis. INTERVENTIONS: Several clinical and laboratory data were collected focused on SIRS, qSOFA, and comorbidities. MAIN VARIABLE OF INTEREST: In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome variable. A mortality risk score was developed after logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,808 patients were included with a death rate of 36%. Ten variables remained independent factors related to death in multivariate analysis: temperature ≥38 °C (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65), previous sepsis (OR = 1.42), qSOFA ≥ 2 (OR = 1.43), leukocytes >12,000 or <4,000 cells/mm3 (OR = 1.61), encephalic vascular accident (OR = 1.88), age >60 years (OR = 1.93), cancer (OR = 2.2), length of hospital stay before sepsis >7 days (OR = 2.22,), dialysis (OR = 2.51), and cirrhosis (OR = 3.97). Considering the equation of the binary regression logistic analysis, the score presented an area under curve of 0.668, is not a potential model for death prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Several risk factors are independently associated with mortality, allowing the development of a prediction score based on qSOFA, SIRS, and comorbidities data, however, the performance of this score is low.

Evaluating the quality of antimicrobial prescribing: is standardisation possible?

The quality of antimicrobial prescribing refers to the optimal way to use antibiotics in regard to their benefits, safety (e.g., resistance generation and toxicity) and cost. Evaluating the quality of antimicrobial prescribing in a way that focuses not only on reducing antimicrobial consumption but also on using them in a more optimal way allows us to understand patterns of use and to identify targets for intervention. The lack of standardisation is the primary problem to be addressed when planning an evaluation of antimicrobial prescribing. There is little information specifically describing an evaluation methodology. Information related to prescription evaluation can be obtained from the guidelines of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) and from local and international experience. The criteria used to evaluate the quality of prescription should include the indication for antimicrobial therapy, the timeliness of initiation, the correct antibiotic choice (according to local guidelines), the dosing, the duration, the route of administration and the time at which to switch to oral administration. A locally developed guideline on antimicrobial therapy should preferably be the gold standard by which to evaluate the appropriatenes of prescriptions. Various approaches used to carry out the evaluations have been described in the literature. Repeated point-prevalence surveys (PPS) have been proven to be effective in identifying targets for quality improvement. Continuous prospective monitoring allows the identification of more precise intervention points at different times during prescription. The design of the study chosen to perform the evaluation should be adapted according to the resources available in each centre. Evaluating the quality of antimicrobial prescribing should be the first step to designing ASPs, as well as to evaluating their impact and the changes in prescribing trends over time.

Intravenous antibiotic therapy after laparoscopic appendectomy in acute complicated appendicitis: the patient clinical response is the key.

INTRODUCTION: The guidelines about acute complicated appendicitis (ACA) recommend 3-5 days of postoperative intravenous antibiotics (IVA). Nevertheless, the time selected by the surgeon can vary according to patient clinical response, ACA type, and professional experience. Once an adequate clinical response is obtained, the change from IVA to oral antibiotic (OA) could be realized without the waiting time established with satisfactory results. OBJECTIVE: Determine if a short course of IVA and/or switch to oral route is safe based on the patient clinical response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study from a general surgery reference center database since July 2019. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 48 patients with ACA intraoperative findings were included. Regarding postoperative antibiotic management, only preoperative IVA: 7 (14.58%), IVA 1-3 days: 1 (20.83%), IVA 1-3 days and change to OA: 21 (43.75%), IVA > 3 days: 6 (12.5%), and only OA: 3 (27.08%). The bivariate analysis did not show statistically significant differences in reconsultation (p = 0.81), rehospitalization (p = 0.44), and surgical site infection (p = 0.56) between the antibiotic scheme based on the postoperative clinical response and the traditional one regarding intra-abdominal collection rate, the hospital stays, and hospitalization costs.

INTRODUCTION: Las guías sobre apendicitis aguda complicada (ACA) recomiendan 3-5 días de antibióticos intravenosos (IVA) postoperatorios. No obstante, el tiempo seleccionado por el cirujano puede variar según la respuesta clínica del paciente, tipo de ACA y experiencia profesional. Una vez obtenida una adecuada respuesta clínica, el cambio de IVA a antibiótico oral (OA) podría realizarse sin esperar el tiempo establecido con resultados satisfactorios. OBJETIVO: Determinar si un ciclo corto de IVA y/o el cambio a OA según la respuesta clínica del paciente es seguro. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional de cohorte prospectivo a partir de la base de datos de un centro de referencia en cirugía general desde julio del 2019. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIÓN: Se incluyeron 48 pacientes con hallazgos intraoperatorios de ACA. En cuanto al manejo antibiótico postoperatorio, solo IVA preoperatorio: 7 (14.58%), IVA 1-3 días: 1 (20.83%), IVA 1-3 días y cambio OA: 21 (43.75%), IVA > 3 días: 6 (12.5%) y solo OA: 3 (27.08%). El análisis bivariado no mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la reconsulta (p = 0.81), la rehospitalización (p = 0.44) y la infección del sitio operatorio (p = 0.56) entre el esquema de antibióticos basado en la respuesta clínica postoperatoria y el tradicional con respecto a tasa de colección intrabdominal, estancia hospitalaria y costos de hospitalización.

Urinary pH and antibiotics, choose carefully. A systematic review.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in women. Since 1948, the relationship between urinary pH and antibiotics (ABs) has been established. We aimed to search for the best urinary pH for each family of antibiotics and to assess whether pH changes bacterial susceptibility to them. We included in vitro research and in vivo studies including one or more bacterial species and tested the effect of one or more ABs at different pH values. We also included randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) in uncomplicated UTI (EAU guidelines 2019 definition), choosing the ABs based on urinary pH or using an antibiotic plus urinary pH modifiers (L-methionine, vitamin C…) vs. an antibiotic and a placebo. Quadas-2 tool was used as a quality assessment of the studies and PRISMA set of items for systematic reviews. Two authors independently screened and evaluated the papers, while two additional authors individually repeated the search. A fifth researcher acted as an arbiter, and another author collaborated as a hospital pharmaceutical consultant. Alkaline-friendly antibiotics are most fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim. Acidic-friendly antibiotics are fosfomycin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin and some ß-lactams. We suggest performing urine cultures with antibiogram tests, in both acidic and alkaline media, to define the bacterial susceptibility profile. There is insufficient in vivo evidence to support whether choosing an antibiotic based on a patient's urinary pH or adding urinary pH modifiers will lead to a higher cure rate.

Patterns of practice regarding surgical site infection prevention in head & neck surgery: An international survey.

INTRODUCTION: Head & neck surgery encompasses a variety of surgical approaches for benign and malignant conditions. Due to the complexity in treating patients with head and neck pathology, it is necessary to adhere to basic surgical principles to decrease complications. Among them, surgical site infection can be prevented using a surgery quality protocol including the correct use of antibiotics and optimization of nutritional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent through the YO-IFOS and SEORL-CCC international mailing list. RESULTS: A total of 435 surgeons completed the survey. Of the respondents, 97.7% confirm that they scrub their hands before surgery, 40.9% respondents recommend nutritional support according to sign and symptoms, 60.9% use of antibiotic prophylaxis in clean surgery and just 9.2% use clindamycin in combination. CONCLUSION: This survey has broadened the scope regarding H&N surgical safety around the globe. Identifying innovative ways in which surgical care may be improved is mandatory.

Clinical characteristics of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. METHODS: A retrospective study of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute infections by M. pneumoniae confirmed by PCR was carried out in the Navarra Health Service (Spain) in 2014-2018. RESULTS: M. pneumoniae infection was confirmed in 9.5% of analyzed patients. Among 123 confirmed cases, 65% were 5-14 years old, 21.1% <5 years old, and 13.8% were ≥14 years old. Pneumonia was radiologically confirmed in 83.7% of cases, and 22.0% presented extra-respiratory manifestations. A total of 44.7% of cases required hospitalization. Bilateral pneumonia, asthmatic crisis and extra-respiratory manifestations were associated to higher risk of hospitalization (81.3, 72.2 and 66.7%, respectively). Microbiological targeted treatment was monotherapy with macrolides in 60.2% of cases and combined with other antibiotics in 13.0%. CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae was the cause of acute respiratory infection affecting mainly to children younger than 14 years old and frequently required hospitalization.

Scientific evidence of the duration of antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with surgical focus control.

A non-systematic review of the published scientific evidence has been carried out on the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in surgical intra-abdominal infections (IIA) with effective focus control. Given the progressive increase in antibiotic resistance, it is urgent to have strategies to reduce the pressure on the microbiota. The American guidelines made by Mazuski et al. of 20171, as the central axis in the recommendations of the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with control of the focus and a bibliographic search of all the articles that contained the keywords in Pubmed and Google Scholar is added. 21 articles referring to the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infection with control of the focus are collected. With the American guidelines and these articles, a proposal is prepared for the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in patients without risk factors between 24 and 72 h. And in those who present risk factors, it should be individualized with active monitoring every 24 h of fever, paralytic ileus and leukocytosis (FIL), before an early detection of complications or the need for changes in antibiotic treatment. Short treatments are just as effective as those of longer durations and are associated with fewer adverse effects, therefore, daily adjusting and reassessing the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment is essential for better practice.

Executive summary of the consensus document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), the Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI) and the Spanish Society of Haematology and Haemotherapy (SEHH) on the management of febrile neutropenia in patients with hematological malignancies.

Febrile neutropenia is a very common complication in patients with hematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a therapeutic challenge in this high-risk patient population, since inadequate initial empirical treatment can seriously compromise prognosis. However, reducing antimicrobial exposure is one of the most significant cornerstones in the fight against resistance. The objective of these new guidelines is to update recommendations for the initial management of hematological patients who develop febrile neutropenia in this scenario of multidrug resistance. The two participating Societies (the Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica [Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology] and the Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia [Spanish Society of Haematology and Haemotherapy]), designated a panel of experts in the field to provide evidence-based recommendations in response to common clinical questions. This document is primarily focused on bacterial infections. Other aspects related to opportunistic infections, such as those caused by fungi or other microorganisms, especially in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are also touched upon.

The influence of smoking on bacterial resistance after vaccine or antibiotic prophylaxis against recurrent urinary tract infections. / Influencia del tabaquismo en la resistencia bacteriana después de la profilaxis frente a infecciones urinarias recurrentes con antibiótico o con vacuna.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of tobacco on the microbiological spectrum, resistance-sensitivity pattern and evolution in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) is analyzed. Evaluation of the effect of polyvalent bacterial vaccine on the prevention of RUTI and smoking status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study of 855 women with RUTI receiving suppressive antibiotic treatment or bacterial vaccine between 2009 and 2013. Group A (GA): Antibiotic (n=495); Subgroups: GA1 non-smoker (n=417), GA2 smoker (n=78). Group B (GB): Vaccine (n=360); Subgroups: GB1 non-smoker (n=263), GB2 smoker (n=97). VARIABLES: Age, pre-treatment UTI, disease-free time (DFT), microbial species, sensitivity and resistance. Follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months with culture and SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age 56.51 years (18-75), similar between groups (P=.2257). No difference in the number of pretreatment UTIs (P=.1329) or in the distribution of the bacterial spectrum (P=.7471). DFT was higher in subgroups B compared with A. Urine cultures in GA1: E. coli 62.71% with 8.10% resistance (33% quinolones; 33% cotrimoxazole; 33% quinolones + cotrimoxazole); in GA2 E. coli 61.53% with 75% resistance (16.66% quinolones; 33.33% quinolones + cotrimoxazole; 16.66% amoxicillin-clavulanate; 16.66% erythromycin + phosphomycin + clindamycin) (P=.0133). There were no differences between patients of GA treated with cotrimoxazole and nitrofurantoin (P=.8724). Urine cultures in GB1: E. coli 47.36% with 22.22% resistance (5.55% ciprofloxacin; 5.55% cotrimoxazole; 5.55% ciprofloxacin + cotrimoxazole; 5.55% amoxicillin/clavulanic acid). In GB2 E. coli 70.02% with 61.90% resistances (30.76% quinolones; 30.76% cotrimoxazole; 30.76% quinolones + cotrimoxazole; 17.69% amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) (P=.0144). CONCLUSIONS: The development of bacterial resistance is more frequent among women with smoking habits and recurrent urinary infections. This could influence a worse response to preventive treatments, either with antibiotics or vaccines.