Molecular investigation of an outbreak associated with total parenteral nutrition contaminated with NDM-producing Leclercia adecarboxylata.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, and molecular characteristics of an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata in three hospitals associated with the unintended use of contaminated total parental nutrition (TPN). METHODS: For 10 days, 25 patients who received intravenous TPN from the same batch of a formula developed sepsis and had blood cultures positive for L. adecarboxylata. Antimicrobial susceptibility and carbapenemase production were performed in 31 isolates, including one from an unopened bottle of TPN. Carbapenemase-encoding genes, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-encoding genes were screened by PCR, and plasmid profiles were determined. Horizontal transfer of carbapenem resistance was performed by solid mating. Clonal diversity was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The resistome was explored by whole-genome sequencing on two selected strains, and comparative genomics was performed using Roary. RESULTS: All 31 isolates were resistant to aztreonam, cephalosporins, carbapenems, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and susceptible to gentamicin, tetracycline, and colistin. Lower susceptibility to levofloxacin (51.6%) and ciprofloxacin (22.6%) was observed. All the isolates were carbapenemase producers and positive for blaNDM-1, blaTEM-1B, and blaSHV-12 genes. One main lineage was detected (clone A, 83.9%; A1, 12.9%; A2, 3.2%). The blaNDM-1 gene is embedded in a Tn125-like element. Genome analysis showed genes encoding resistance for aminoglycosides, quinolones, trimethoprim, colistin, phenicols, and sulphonamides and the presence of IncFII (Yp), IncHI2, and IncHI2A incompatibility groups. Comparative genomics showed a major phylogenetic relationship among L. adecarboxylata I1 and USDA-ARS-USMARC-60222 genomes, followed by our two selected strains. CONCLUSION: We present epidemiological, microbiological, and molecular evidence of an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant L. adecarboxylata in three hospitals in western Mexico associated with the use of contaminated TPN.

Microbial diversity and colonization patterns of two step-down care units from a tertiary care hospital.

Nosocomial surfaces are potential pathogen reservoirs. Our aim was to describe the microbial diversity and analyze microbial patterns of healthcare-associated pathogens in two step-down-care-units at a tertiary care hospital. We monitored infected patients over 45 days to describe microbial diversity and colonization patterns. A total of 2762 isolates were recovered from the sampled sites, coagulase-negative staphylococci represented 44.64% (1233/2762) of the isolates. The most frequently recovered ESKAPE species (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae) were A. baumannii (7.53%; 208/2762 isolates) and E. faecium/Enterococcus faecalis (5.18%; 143/2762). We recovered a high diversity of species, including potential pathogens. A. baumannii was detected more frequently on diverse surfaces and persisted in patients' nostrils during the hospital stay.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae in adult patients in Mexico.

The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors and clinical and microbiological characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adult patients in Mexico. Streptococcus pneumoniae classified as the causative agent of CAP in adult patients and patients with invasive S. pneumoniae isolates presented to three tertiary teaching hospitals during the 15-year study period were selected. Serotyping and susceptibility testing were performed for all included isolates. Clinical and demographic data were recorded. A total of 96 patients infected with S. pneumoniae (71 with CAP, 25 with invasive disease) were included. The CAP group involved more males (74.6%) than the invasive disease group (p=0.03). Head trauma was more common in the CAP group (21.1%) than in the invasive disease group (4.0%; p=0.03). The most prevalent serotype was 19A, followed by serotypes 3 and 23F. After the introduction of the heptavalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7), the prevalence of included serotypes declined significantly; no such change was found after the introduction of the PCV13 vaccine, including in the prevalence of serotype 19A. Susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested except vancomycin declined over the study period. In conclusion, head trauma was the most common comorbidity in the CAP group. The most prevalent serotype was 19A. Decreased susceptibility to most antimicrobials tested was observed.

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in Latin America: results of a multinational prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Substantial heterogeneity in the epidemiology and management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) occurs in Latin America. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 24 hospitals from nine Latin American countries. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical impact of SAB in Latin America. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated differences in the 30 day attributable mortality among patients with SAB due to MRSA compared with MSSA involving 84 days of follow-up. Adjusted relative risks were calculated using a generalized linear model. RESULTS: A total of 1030 patients were included. MRSA accounted for 44.7% of cases with a heterogeneous geographical distribution. MRSA infection was associated with higher 30 day attributable mortality [25% (78 of 312) versus 13.2% (48 of 363), adjusted RR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.38-2.73, P < 0.001] compared with MSSA in the multivariable analysis based on investigators' assessment, but not in a per-protocol analysis [13% (35 of 270) versus 8.1% (28 of 347), adjusted RR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.75-1.60, P = 0.616] or in a sensitivity analysis using 30 day all-cause mortality [36% (132 of 367) versus 27.8% (123 of 442), adjusted RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.96-1.23, P = 0.179]. MRSA infection was not associated with increased length of hospital stay. Only 49% of MSSA bloodstream infections (BSI) received treatment with ß-lactams, but appropriate definitive treatment was not associated with lower mortality (adjusted RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70-1.23, P = 0.602). CONCLUSIONS: MRSA-BSIs in Latin America are not associated with higher 30 day mortality or longer length of stay compared with MSSA. Management of MSSA-BSIs was not optimal, but appropriate definitive therapy did not appear to influence mortality.

Clostridium difficile infection in patients with chronic kidney disease in Mexico
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BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are especially vulnerable, as they are exposed to CDI risk factors including frequent antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to identify the risk factors for CDI in CKD patients, a 33-month long case-control study was carried out at a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico. CDI was confirmed at the genetic level, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the association between risk factors, biomarkers, and outcome options (survival, relapse, death). RESULTS: Among the 1,198 patients with healthcare-associated diarrhea, 354 (29.5%) were CDI cases. 105 (29.6%) CDI cases and 192 (22.7%) controls had CKD. 84 (80%) CKD+CDI cases had a favorable outcome, 10 (9.5%) relapsed, and the 3-month mortality rate included 11 (10.4%) patients. Compared with controls, CDI cases had more previous hospitalizations (63.8 vs. 46.9%, p = 0.005), abdominal distension (46.7 vs. 36.5%, p = 0.056), abdominal pain (60.0 vs. 41.1%, p = 0.002), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte in stools (71.4 vs. 40.5%, p = 0.001) as well as poorer outcomes at 3 months. The patients in the 027-strain group were older, and most of the patients had CKD stage 5 (88.5% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.007), while CKD stage-4 patients were more frequently infected with non-027 strains. In the multivariate analysis of risk factors for CDI, only previous antibiotic exposure (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.05 - 3.84; p = 0.034) was independently associated with CDI in patients with CKD stage 5. CONCLUSION: Mexican patients with CKD are at risk for CDI. This susceptible group should be protected by promoting appropriate guidelines.
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A Prospective Cohort Multicenter Study of Molecular Epidemiology and Phylogenomics of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Nine Latin American Countries.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing a spectrum of diseases ranging from mild skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening conditions. Bloodstream infections are particularly important, and the treatment approach is complicated by the presence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. The emergence of new genetic lineages of MRSA has occurred in Latin America (LA) with the rise and dissemination of the community-associated USA300 Latin American variant (USA300-LV). Here, we prospectively characterized bloodstream MRSA recovered from selected hospitals in 9 Latin American countries. All isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 96 MRSA representatives. MRSA represented 45% of all (1,185 S. aureus) isolates. The majority of MRSA isolates belonged to clonal cluster (CC) 5. In Colombia and Ecuador, most isolates (≥72%) belonged to the USA300-LV lineage (CC8). Phylogenetic reconstructions indicated that MRSA isolates from participating hospitals belonged to three major clades. Clade A grouped isolates with sequence type 5 (ST5), ST105, and ST1011 (mostly staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec [SCCmec] I and II). Clade B included ST8, ST88, ST97, and ST72 strains (SCCmec IV, subtypes a, b, and c/E), and clade C grouped mostly Argentinian MRSA belonging to ST30. In summary, CC5 MRSA was prevalent in bloodstream infections in LA with the exception of Colombia and Ecuador, where USA300-LV is now the dominant lineage. Clonal replacement appears to be a common phenomenon, and continuous surveillance is crucial to identify changes in the molecular epidemiology of MRSA.

Frequency and genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients attending the obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Jalisco, Mexico and correlation with sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and genotypes of C. trachomatis in patients attending an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Jalisco, Mexico and correlates them with sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors. METHODS: C. trachomatis detection was performed in endocervical samples from 662 patients by direct fluorescence assay (DFA) and two PCR assays that amplified the phospholipase D endonuclease superfamily protein (PLDESP) and OmpA genes. Positive samples were genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological data were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 31 (range, 14-78) years. C. trachomatis positivity was detected by DFA in 16.7% (n = 111), PLDESP gene amplification in 14.2% (n = 94), and OmpA gene amplification in 14.5% (n = 96) of the population. Eight C. trachomatis genotypes were detected: E (39.6%), F (29.2%), D (15.6%), K (6.3%), L2 (3.1%), G, J, and I (2.1% each). C. trachomatis infection was associated with age, marital status, pregnancy, and hormonal contraceptive use (all p = 0.01); intrauterine device use and previous premature birth (both p = 0.03); and infection during pregnancy, previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and green vaginal discharge (all p = 0.04). C. trachomatis genotype K was more likely to be detected in women histories of ≥2 sexual partners, genotype F was more likely in pregnant women, genotype L2 was more likely in women with PID, genotype D was more likely in women who had had infection during previous pregnancies, and genotype E was more likely in those with previous ectopic pregnancies and green vaginal discharge (all p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of C. trachomatis in our population was higher than previously reported worldwide, but within the range reported for Mexico. Genotype E was detected most frequently in the study population. Infection by C. trachomatis and C. trachomatis genotypes K, F, D, and E was strongly associated with multiple sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors. C. trachomatis genotype L2 was detected in women with PID.

[Results of the First Mexican Consensus of Vaccination in the Adult]. / Resultados del Primer Consenso Mexicano de Vacunación en el Adulto.

For years our efforts have been focused on vaccination during childhood. Today we know that this is not enough to ensure health in the rest of the life. Childhood is as important as any other stage and, therefore, vaccination must be permanent and differentiated, according to our age, throughout life. Introducing a life course perspective in vaccination programs, with emphasis on adult vaccination, particularly in older adults, offers us the opportunity to review the performance of health programs, actions, and services in the field of immunization, as well as strengthening health promotion actions. In this context, the first Mexican Consensus on Adult Vaccination was carried out in a joint effort of the National Institute of Geriatrics, bringing together a group of specialists who worked on three central objectives: establishing vaccination guidelines throughout the life course, with emphasis on new vaccines; defining priority groups according to their risk factors; and contributing to the effort to promote healthy aging.

[First Mexican Consensus of Vaccination in Adults]. / 1º Consenso Mexicano de Vacunación en el Adulto.

For years our efforts have been focused on vaccination during childhood. Today we know that this is not enough to ensure health in the rest of the life. Childhood is as important as any other stage and, therefore, vaccination must be permanent and differentiated, according to our age, throughout life. Introducing a life course perspective in vaccination programs, with emphasis on adult vaccination, particularly in older adults, offers us the opportunity to review the performance of health programs, actions, and services in the field of immunization, as well as strengthening health promotion actions. In this context, the first Mexican Consensus on Adult Vaccination was carried out in a joint effort of the National Institute of Geriatrics, bringing together a group of specialists who worked on three central objectives: establishing vaccination guidelines throughout the life course, with emphasis on new vaccines; defining priority groups according to their risk factors; and contributing to the effort to promote healthy aging.

Biofilm Formation and Susceptibility to Polymyxin B by a Highly Prevalent Clone of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from a Mexican Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a major cause of hospital-associated infections with increased morbidity and mortality among those affected. METHODS: A total of 85 isolates of a highly prevalent multidrug-resistant clone, identified during the period 2007-2011, were analyzed for biofilm formation on a polystyrene surface. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined by the Sensititre System, the agar disk diffusion method and then read by means of the BIOMIC system and serial dilutions on Müller-Hinton agar. RESULTS: In this study, covering a period of 5 years (2007-2011), we demonstrate that a particular clone emerged as the most prevalent, with an associated lethality of 28.2%. We demonstrate that 92.9% of strains corresponding to this clone are biofilm producers. Our results also demonstrate that all isolates were 100% susceptible to polymyxin B. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the high prevalence and lethality of this multidrug-resistant clone of A. baumannii and its persistence over close to 5 years in a Mexican tertiary hospital environment can be explained in part by the ability of these clinical isolates of A. baumannii to form biofilms.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates from two hospitals in Mexico: First detection of VanB phenotype-vanA genotype.

INTRODUCTION: Enterococcus faecium has emerged as a multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen involved in outbreaks worldwide. Our aim was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm production, and clonal relatedness of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREF) clinical isolates from two hospitals in Mexico. METHODS: Consecutive clinical isolates (n=56) were collected in two tertiary care hospitals in Mexico from 2011 to 2014. VREF isolates were characterized by phenotypic and molecular methods including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: VREF isolates were highly resistant to vancomycin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, high-level streptomycin, and teicoplanin, and showed lower resistance to tetracycline, nitrofurantoin and quinupristin-dalfopristin. None of the isolates were resistant to linezolid. The vanA gene was detected in all isolates. Two VanB phenotype-vanA genotype isolates, highly resistant to vancomycin and susceptible to teicoplanin, were detected. Furthermore, 17.9% of the isolates were classified as biofilm producers, and the espfm gene was found in 98.2% of the isolates. A total of 37 distinct PFGE patterns and 6 clones (25% of the isolates as clone A, 5.4% as clone B, and 3.6% each as clone C, D, E, and F) were detected. Clone A was detected in 5 different wards of the same hospital during 14 months of surveillance. CONCLUSION: The high resistance to most antimicrobial agents and the moderate cross-transmission of VREF detected accentuates the need for continuous surveillance of E. faecium in the hospital setting. This is also the first reported incidence of the E. faecium VanB phenotype-vanA genotype in the Americas.

Sexually transmitted pathogens, coinfections and risk factors in patients attending obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Jalisco, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of nine sexually transmitted pathogens, coinfections and risk factors in patients attending obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Jalisco, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from 662 patients attending obstetrics and gynecology clinics were analyzed. Treponema pallidum, HIV, and HCV were detected by serology. HPV was detected by Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and its genotype was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Trichomonas vaginalis, HSV-1, HSV-2, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and T. pallidum were detected by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: By serology, HIV frequency was 6.8%, T. pallidum was 2.26%, and HCV was 0.15%. By PCR, HPV frequency was 13.9%, (more frequent genotype was 16, 33.7%), followed by T. vaginalis (14.2%), HSV-1 (8.5%), M. genitalium (2,41%), N. gonorrhoeae (2.11%), HSV-2 (1.8%), and T. pallidum (1.05%). Patients infected with T. vaginalis were more likely to have multiple coinfections (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of HPV, HVS-1, HSV-2, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis was lower than that reported. However, a high frequency of HIV, T. pallidum, and N. gonorrhoeae was detected.

Characterization of phenotypic and genotypic drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from a city in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has become a worldwide health care problem, making treatment of tuberculosis difficult. The aim of this study was to determine phenotypic resistance and gene mutations associated with MDR of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Guadalajara, Mexico. METHODS: One hundred and five isolates were subjected to drug susceptibility testing to first line drugs using the proportion and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) methods. Genes associated with isoniazid (inhA, katG, ahpC) and rifampicin (rpoB) resistance were analyzed by either pyrosequencing or PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Resistance to any drug was detected in 48.6% of isolates, of which 40% were isoniazid-resistant, 20% were rifampicin-resistant and 19% were MDR. Drug-resistant isolates had the following frequency of mutations in rpoB (48%), katG (14%), inhA (26%), ahpC (26%). Susceptible isolates also had a mutation in ahpC (29%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first analysis of mutations associated with MDR of M. tuberculosis in Guadalajara. Commonly reported mutations worldwide were found in rpoB, katG and inhA genes. Substitution C to T in position -15 of the ahpC gene may possibly be a polymorphism.

Rapid methicillin resistance detection and subspecies discrimination in Staphylococcus hominis clinical isolates by MALDI-TOF MS.

PURPOSE: Staphylococcus hominis is a coagulase-negative opportunistic pathogen responsible for implanted medical device infections. Rapid identification and virulence factors detection are crucial for appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We aimed to search protein biomarker peaks for rapid classification of antibiotic resistance and subspecies of S. hominis using MALDI-TOF MS. METHODS: S. hominis clinical isolates (n = 148) were screened for subspecies differentiation by novobiocin resistance. Biofilm composition and formation were determined by detachment assay and crystal violet staining, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by the broth microdilution method. The search for potential biomarkers peaks was enabled by ClinProTools 3.0, flexAnalysis 3.4, and Biotools 3.2 for statistical analysis, peak visualization, and protein/peptide alignment, respectively. RESULTS: Of 148 isolates, 12.16% were classified as S. hominis subsp. novobiosepticus, 77.77% were biofilm producers, and ˃ 50% were multidrug-resistant. Two potential biomarker peaks, 8975 m/z and 9035 m/z were detected for the discrimination of methicillin resistance with a sensitivity of 96.72%. The following peaks were detected for subspecies differentiation: 2582 m/z, 2823 m/z, and 2619 m/z with 88.89-98.28% of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: We found potential biomarker peaks to predict methicillin resistance and discriminate S. hominis subspecies during routine MALDI-TOF MS identification in a clinical setting to enable better antibiotic treatment.

Mpox: Fifty-Nine Consecutive Cases from a Mexican Public Hospital; Just the Tip of the STIs Iceberg.

Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic viral infection endemic to Africa, which has caused a global outbreak since April 2022. The global Mpox outbreak is related to Clade IIb. The disease has primarily affected men who have sex with men. Skin lesions are concentrated in the genital area, with lymphadenopathy as well as concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is an observational study of adult patients with a recent development of skin lesions and systemic symptoms, which could not be explained by other diseases present. Fifty-nine PCR-positive patients with prominent skin lesions in the genital area (77.9%), inguinal lymphadenopathy (49.1%), and fever (83.0%) were included. Twenty-five (42.3%) were known to be living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 14 of the HIV-naïve subjects (51.9%) were found to be positive during workup, totaling 39 (66.1%) patients with HIV. Eighteen patients (30.5%) had concurrent syphilis infections. It is worrisome that Mpox is present in large metropolitan areas of Mexico, but the underlying growth of cases of HIV infection and other STIs has not been well studied and should be evaluated in all at-risk adults and their contacts.

Pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from different clones and regions in Mexico have a similar plasmid carrying the blaOXA-72 gene.

Background: Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is a common hospital-acquired pathogen. The increase in antibiotic resistance is commonly due to the acquisition of mobile genetic elements carrying antibiotic resistance genes. To comprehend this, we analyzed the resistome and virulome of Mexican A. baumannii multidrug-resistant isolates. Methods: Six clinical strains of A. baumannii from three Mexican hospitals were sequenced using the Illumina platform, the genomes were assembled with SPAdes and annotated with Prokka. Plasmid SPAdes and MobRecon were used to identify the potential plasmid sequences. Sequence Type (ST) assignation under the MLST Oxford scheme was performed using the PubMLST database. Homologous gene search for known virulent factors was performed using the virulence factor database VFDB and an in silico prediction of the resistome was conducted via the ResFinder databases. Results: The six strains studied belong to different STs and clonal complexes (CC): two strains were ST208 and one was ST369; these two STs belong to the same lineage CC92, which is part of the international clone (IC) 2. Another two strains were ST758 and one was ST1054, both STs belonging to the same lineage CC636, which is within IC5. The resistome analysis of the six strains identified between 7 to 14 antibiotic resistance genes to different families of drugs, including beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. We detected between 1 to 4 plasmids per strain with sizes from 1,800 bp to 111,044 bp. Two strains from hospitals in Mexico City and Guadalajara had a plasmid each of 10,012 bp pAba78r and pAba79f, respectively, which contained the bla OXA-72 gene. The structure of this plasmid showed the same 13 genes in both strains, but 4 of them were inverted in one of the strains. Finally, the six strains contain 49 identical virulence genes related to immune response evasion, quorum-sensing, and secretion systems, among others. Conclusion: Resistance to carbapenems due to pAba78r and pAba79f plasmids in Aba pandrug-resistant strains from different geographic areas of Mexico and different clones was detected. Our results provide further evidence that plasmids are highly relevant for the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between different clones of A. baumannii.

Burkholderia vietnamiensis causing infections in noncystic fibrosis patients in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico.

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species are opportunistic pathogens widely distributed in the environment and often infect people with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aims to determine which genomovars of the Bcc can cause infections in non-CF patients from a tertiary care hospital in Mexico and if they carry virulence factors that could increase their pathogenicity. We identified 23 clinical isolates that carry the recA gene. Twenty-two of them belongs to the genomovar V (B. vietnamiensis) and one to the genomovar II (B. multivorans). Thirteen pulsotypes were identified among 22 B. vietnamiensis isolates. All clinical isolates produced biofilm were motile and cytotoxic on murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 and in A549 human lung epithelial cells. In conclusion, B. vietnamiensis causes infections in non-CF patients in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico, rapid identification of this pathogen can help physicians to establish a better antimicrobial treatment.

Neurological Manifestations and Complications of the Central Nervous System as Risk Factors and Predictors of Mortality in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors and predictors of mortality in a retrospective cohort of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who presented central nervous system (CNS) manifestations and complications when admitted to hospital. Patients hospitalized from 2020 to 2022 were selected. Demographic variables; history of neurological, cardiological and pulmonary manifestations; comorbidities; prognostic severity scales; and laboratory tests were included. Univariate and adjusted analyses were performed to determine risk factors and predictors of mortality. A forest plot diagram was used to show the strength of the associated risk factors. The cohort included 991 patients; at admission, 463 patients presented CNS damage and of these, 96 hospitalized patients presented de novo CNS manifestations and complications. We estimate a general mortality of 43.7% (433/991) and 77.1% (74/96), for hospitalized patients with de novo CNS manifestations and complications, respectively. The following were identified as risks for the development of hospital CNS manifestations and complications when in hospital: an age of ≥64 years, a history of neurological disease, de novo deep vein thrombosis, D-dimer ≥ 1000 ng/dL, a SOFA ≥ 5, and a CORADS 6. In a multivariable analysis, the mortality predictors were an age of ≥64 years, a SOFA ≥ 5, D-dimer ≥ 1000 ng/mL and hospital CNS manifestations and complications when admitted to hospital. Old age, being hospitalized in critical condition, and having CNS manifestations and complications in hospital are predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Evaluation of the BD Phoenix Carbapenemase-Producing Organism Panels for the Detection of Carbapenemase Producers in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The classification of carbapenemases can help guide therapy. The present study evaluated the performance of the CPO detection test, included in the BD Phoenix™ NMIC-501 panel for the detection and classification of carbapenemases on the representative molecularly characterized strains collection from Mexico. Carbapenem non-susceptible isolates collected in Mexico were included. The clinical isolates (n = 484) comprised Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 154), Escherichia coli (n = 150), and P. aeruginosa (n = 180). BD Phoenix CPO NMIC-504 and NMIC-501 panels were used for the identification of species, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and detection of CPOs. For the detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes, E. coli and K. pneumoniae were evaluated using PCR assays for blaNDM-1, blaKPC, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaOXA-48-like. For P. aeruginosa, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaGES were detected using PCR. Regarding E. coli, the CPO panels had a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 83.33% for the detection of a class B carbapenemase (blaNDM in the molecular test). Regarding K. pneumoniae, the panels had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 100% for the detection of a class A carbapenemase (blaKPC in the molecular test). The Phoenix NMIC-501 panels are reliable for detecting class B carbapenemases in E. coli. The carbapenemase classification in K. pneumoniae for class A carbapenemases has a high specificity and PPV; thus, a positive result is of high value.