Most cases of invasive aspergillosis are caused by
, whose conidia are ubiquitous in the environment. Additionally, in indoor environments, such as houses or hospitals, conidia are frequently ...detected too. Hospital-acquired aspergillosis is usually associated with airborne fungal contamination of the hospital air, especially after building construction events.
strain typing can fulfill many needs both in clinical settings and otherwise. The high incidence of aspergillosis in COVID patients from our hospital, made us wonder if they were hospital-acquired aspergillosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the hospital environment was the source of aspergillosis infection in CAPA patients, admitted to the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, or whether it was community-acquired aspergillosis before admission. During 2020, sixty-nine
strains were collected for this study: 59 were clinical isolates from 28 COVID-19 patients, and 10 strains were environmentally isolated from seven hospital rooms and intensive care units. A diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was based on the ECCM/ISHAM criteria. Strains were genotyped by PCR amplification and sequencing of a panel of four hypervariable tandem repeats within exons of surface protein coding genes (TRESPERG). A total of seven genotypes among the 10 environmental strains and 28 genotypes among the 59 clinical strains were identified. Genotyping revealed that only one environmental
from UCI 5 (box 54) isolated in October (30 October 2020) and one
isolated from a COVID-19 patient admitted in Pneumology (Room 532-B) in November (24 November 2020) had the same genotype, but there was a significant difference in time and location. There was also no relationship in time and location between similar
genotypes of patients. The global
environmental and clinical isolates, showed a wide diversity of genotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first study monitoring and genotyping
isolates obtained from hospital air and COVID-19 patients, admitted with aspergillosis, during one year. Our work shows that patients do not acquire
in the hospital. This proves that COVID-associated aspergillosis in our hospital is not a nosocomial infection, but supports the hypothesis of "community aspergillosis" acquisition outside the hospital, having the home environment (pandemic period at home) as the main suspected focus of infection.
Is a strategy of bio-socio-ethic necessary? Alonso Trujillo, Federico; López Medel, Raquel; Asensio Fernández, Inmaculada ...
Enfermeria clinica,
01/2016, Letnik:
26, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The aim of this paper is to assess the need for a common ethics strategy shared by 2 of the cornerstones of human welfare: the healthcare and social services sectors.
An observational cross-sectional ...descriptive study was performed by surveying social services and healthcare professionals. A purposive sampling technique was used. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions about ethical conflicts in professional practice and respondents' views on a proposed shared approach to bioethics and ethics in social intervention.
124 professionals completed the questionnaire, 56% of the health sector and 44% of the social services sector. About 90% professionals surveyed had had to make difficult ethical decisions in their work and would welcome a common approach to ethics in the social services and healthcare sectors. 75% said that conflicts are occurring more frequently in both sectors simultaneously and that they were resolved preferably individually and independently.
The survey respondents believe that a common approach to tackling ethical conflicts in professional practice is required. Nevertheless, it is still rare for ethics committees to intervene in the conflict resolution process and for decision-making support and evaluation tools to be used.
Circadian rhythms regulate the sleep-wake and feeding-fasting cycles. Sleep and feeding constitute a complex cycle that is determined by several factors. Despite the importance of sleep duration and ...mealtimes for many obesity phenotypes, most studies on dietary patterns have not investigated the contribution of these variables to the phenotypes analyzed. Likewise, they have not investigated the factors related to sleep or mealtimes. Thus, our aims were to investigate the link between taste perception and eating/sleep patterns and to analyze the effect of the interactions between sleep/meal patterns and genetic factors on obesity phenotypes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on 412 adults from the Mediterranean population. We measured taste perception (bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and umami) and assessed sleep duration and waketime. The midpoint of sleep and social jetlag was computed. From the self-reported timing of meals, we estimated the eating window, eating midpoint, and eating jetlag. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured with a validated score. Selected polymorphisms in the TAS2R38, CLOCK, and FTO genes were determined, and their associations and interactions with relevant phenotypes were analyzed. We found various associations between temporal eating, sleep patterns, and taste perception. A higher bitter taste perception was associated with an earlier eating midpoint (
= 0.001), breakfast time (
= 0.043), dinner time (
= 0.009), waketime (
< 0.001), and midpoint of sleep (
= 0.009). Similar results were observed for the bitter taste polymorphism TAS2R38-rs713598, a genetic instrumental variable for bitter perception, increasing the causality of the associations. Moreover, significant gene-sleep interactions were detected between the midpoint of sleep and the TAS2R38-rs713598 (
= 0.032), FTO-rs9939609 (
= 0.037), and CLOCK-rs4580704 (
= 0.004) polymorphisms which played a role in determining obesity phenotypes. In conclusion, our study provided more information on the sleep and mealtime patterns of the general Spanish Mediterranean population than on their main relationships. Moreover, we were able to show significant associations between taste perception, specifically bitter taste; sleep time; and mealtimes as well as an interaction between sleep time and several genetic variants linked to obesity phenotypes. However, additional research is needed to better characterize the causality and mechanisms behind these associations.
Background and Objectives: Circadian rhythms have an important implication in numerous physiological and metabolic processes, including the sleep/wake cycle. Inter-individual differences in factors ...associated with circadian system may be due to gene differences in gene expression. Although several studies have analyzed the association between DNA polymorphisms and circadian variables, the influence on gene expression has been poorly analyzed. Our goal was to analyze the association of genetic variations in the clock genes and the gene expression level. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 102 adults (50.9% women). RNA and DNA were isolated from blood and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the main circadian clock genes were determined. Gene expression of CLOCK, PER1, and VRK2 genes was measured by Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The association between the DNA-SNPs and gene expression was analyzed at the gene level. In addition, a polygenic risk score (PRS), including all the significant SNPs related to gene expression, was created for each gene. Multivariable model analysis was performed. Results: Sex-specific differences were detected in PER1 expression, with these being higher in women (p = 0.034). No significant differences were detected in clock genes expression and lifestyle variables. We observed a significant association between the ARNTL-rs7924734, ARNTL-rs10832027, VRK2- rs2678902 SNPs, and CLOCK gene expression; the PER3-rs228642 and PER3-rs10127838 were related to PER1 expression, and the ARNTL-rs10832027, ARNTL-rs11022778, and MNTR1B-rs10830963 were associated with VRK2 gene expression (p < 0.05). The specific PRS created was significantly associated with each of the gene expressions analyzed (p < 0.001). Finally, sleep duration was associated with PER3-rs238666 (p = 0.008) and CLOCK-rs4580704 (p = 0.023). Conclusion: We detected significant associations between DNA-SNPs in the clock genes and their gene expression level in leukocytes and observed some differences in gene expression per sex. Moreover, we reported for the first time an association between clock gene polymorphisms and CLOCK, PER1, and VRK2 gene expression. These findings need further investigation.
INTRODUCTIONInfective endocarditis (IE) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an emerging complication. There are incomplete and disparate data on its incidence. We present the ...experience of a single-centre of incidence, mortality and associated factors of IE after TAVI. METHODSA retrospective observational study of IE cases in people who received a TAVI, between 06/01/2009 and 11/01/2017, in a university hospital, during a median follow-up period of 15.3months (interquartile range IQR 9.1-36.2). Incidence, clinical, microbiological and prognostic data, and factors associated with IE after TAVI were analysed. RESULTSEleven patients with IE of 200 TAVI were detected. Global incidence: 5.5% (2.77 cases per 100 patient-year). The median of days from TAVI to IE was 112 (IQR 36-578), the in-hospital mortality rate was 36.4%, and the one-year mortality rate was 54.5%. All the organisms identified were gram-positive (4 Enterococcus faecalis, 3 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus). The patients with IE after TAVI were significantly younger (median 78years, IQR 73-80, versus 82 years, IQR 79-84, P=.002), they had a higher EuroSCORE (5.1±2.4 versus 3.2±1.2, P<.001), and they more frequently had a history of neoplasia (18.2% versus 4.2%, P<.03) CONCLUSIONS: In our area, IE after TAVI has an incidence greater than that described in multicentre series, this is in line with the trend published in the literature. It leads to high mortality and is associated with a worse baseline clinical situation.
During early stages of COVID-19 pandemic, antimicrobials were commonly prescribed.
To describe clinical, microbiological and antimicrobial use changes in bloodstream infections (BSI) of ICU patients ...during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID-19 era.
Observational cohort study of patients admitted to ICU of Bellvitge University Hospital was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (March-June 2020) and before COVID-19 pandemic (March-June 2019). Differences in clinical characteristics, antimicrobial consumption and incidence and aetiology of BSI were measured.
COVID-19 patients had significantly less comorbidities with obesity the only risk factor that increased in frequency. COVID-19 patients more frequently required invasive supportive care measures, had longer median ICU stay and higher mortality rates. The incidence of BSIs was higher in COVID-19 period (RR 3.2 95%CI 2.2–4.7), occurred in patients who showed prolonged median ICU stay (21days) and was associated with high mortality rate (47%). The highest increases in the aetiological agents were observed for AmpC-producing bacteria (RR 11.1 95%CI 2.6–47.9) and non-fermenting rods (RR 7.0 95%CI 1.5–31.4). The emergence of bacteraemia caused by Gram-negative rods resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, which was used as empirical therapy during early stages of the pandemic, led to an escalation towards broader-spectrum antimicrobials such as meropenem and colistin which was also associated with the emergence of resistant isolates.
The epidemiological shift towards resistant phenotypes in critically ill COVID-19 patients was associated with the selective use of antimicrobials. Our study provides evidence of the impact of empirical therapy on the selection of bacteria and their consequences on BSI over the subsequent months.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of second-line therapies in patients with acromegaly caused by a growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) co-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine ...tumor (GH&PRL-Pit-NET) compared to their efficacy in patients with acromegaly caused by a GH-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (GH-Pit-NET). This is a multicenter retrospective study of patients with acromegaly on treatment with pasireotide and/or pegvisomant. Patients were classified in two groups: GH&PRL-Pit-NETs when evidence of hyperprolactinemia and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for GH and PRL was positive or if PRL were >200 ng/dL regardless of the PRL-IHC and GH-Pit-NETs when the previously mentioned criteria were not met. A total of 28 cases with GH&PRL-Pit-NETs and 122 with GH-Pit-NETs met the inclusion criteria. GH&PRL-Pit-NETs presented at a younger age, caused hypopituitarism, and were invasive more frequently than GH-Pit-NETs. There were 124 patients treated with pegvisomant and 49 with pasireotide at any time. The efficacy of pegvisomant for IGF-1 normalization was of 81.5% and of pasireotide of 71.4%. No differences in IGF-1 control with pasireotide and with pegvisomant were observed between GH&PRL-Pit-NETs and GH-Pit-NETs. All GH&PRL-Pit-NET cases treated with pasireotide (n = 6) and 82.6% (n = 19/23) of the cases treated with pegvisomant normalized PRL levels. No differences in the rate of IGF-1 control between pegvisomant and pasireotide were detected in patients with GH&PRL-Pit-NETs (84.9% vs 66.7%, P = 0.178). We conclude that despite the more aggressive behavior of GH&PRL-Pit-NETs than GH-Pit-NETs, no differences in the rate of IGF-1 control with pegvisomant and pasireotide were observed between both groups, and both drugs have shown to be effective treatments to control IGF-1 and PRL hypersecretion in these tumors.
To investigate the impact of pituitary surgery on glucose metabolism and to identify predictors of remission of diabetes after pituitary surgery in patients with acromegaly.AIMTo investigate the ...impact of pituitary surgery on glucose metabolism and to identify predictors of remission of diabetes after pituitary surgery in patients with acromegaly.A national multicenter retrospective study of patients with acromegaly undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for the first time at 33 tertiary Spanish hospitals (ACRO-SPAIN study) was performed. Surgical remission of acromegaly was evaluated according to the 2000 and 2010 criteria.METHODSA national multicenter retrospective study of patients with acromegaly undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for the first time at 33 tertiary Spanish hospitals (ACRO-SPAIN study) was performed. Surgical remission of acromegaly was evaluated according to the 2000 and 2010 criteria.A total of 604 acromegaly patients were included in the study with a total median follow up of 91 months (interquartile range IQR 45-163). At the acromegaly diagnosis, 23.8% of the patients had diabetes mellitus (DM) with a median glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.9% (IQR 6.4-7.9) 51.9 mmol/mol (IQR 46.4-62.8). In the multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), dyslipidemia (OR 5.25, 95% CI 2.81 to 9.79), arthropathy (OR 1.39, 95% CI 2.82 to 9.79), and higher IGF-I levels (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.60) were associated with a greater prevalence of DM. At the last follow-up visit after surgery, 21.1% of the DM patients (56.7% of them with surgical remission of acromegaly) experienced diabetes remission. The cure rate of DM was more common in older patients (hazard ratio HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.43), when surgical cure was achieved (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.37) and when anterior pituitary function was not affected after surgery (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 9.75).RESULTSA total of 604 acromegaly patients were included in the study with a total median follow up of 91 months (interquartile range IQR 45-163). At the acromegaly diagnosis, 23.8% of the patients had diabetes mellitus (DM) with a median glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.9% (IQR 6.4-7.9) 51.9 mmol/mol (IQR 46.4-62.8). In the multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), dyslipidemia (OR 5.25, 95% CI 2.81 to 9.79), arthropathy (OR 1.39, 95% CI 2.82 to 9.79), and higher IGF-I levels (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.60) were associated with a greater prevalence of DM. At the last follow-up visit after surgery, 21.1% of the DM patients (56.7% of them with surgical remission of acromegaly) experienced diabetes remission. The cure rate of DM was more common in older patients (hazard ratio HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.43), when surgical cure was achieved (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.37) and when anterior pituitary function was not affected after surgery (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 9.75).Glucose metabolism improved in patients with acromegaly after surgery and 21% of the diabetic patients experienced diabetes remission; being more frequent in patients of older age, and those who experienced surgical cure and those with preserved anterior pituitary function after surgery.CONCLUSIONGlucose metabolism improved in patients with acromegaly after surgery and 21% of the diabetic patients experienced diabetes remission; being more frequent in patients of older age, and those who experienced surgical cure and those with preserved anterior pituitary function after surgery.
The consumption of broad-spectrum drugs has increased as a consequence of the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli. Finding alternatives for these infections is critical, for which ...some neglected drugs may be an option.
To determine whether fosfomycin is noninferior to ceftriaxone or meropenem in the targeted treatment of bacteremic urinary tract infections (bUTIs) due to MDR E coli.
This multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open clinical trial was conducted at 22 Spanish hospitals from June 2014 to December 2018. Eligible participants were adult patients with bacteremic urinary tract infections due to MDR E coli; 161 of 1578 screened patients were randomized and followed up for 60 days. Data were analyzed in May 2021.
Patients were randomized 1 to 1 to receive intravenous fosfomycin disodium at 4 g every 6 hours (70 participants) or a comparator (ceftriaxone or meropenem if resistant; 73 participants) with the option to switch to oral fosfomycin trometamol for the fosfomycin group or an active oral drug or parenteral ertapenem for the comparator group after 4 days.
The primary outcome was clinical and microbiological cure (CMC) 5 to 7 days after finalization of treatment; a noninferiority margin of 7% was considered.
Among 143 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (median IQR age, 72 62-81 years; 73 51.0% women), 48 of 70 patients (68.6%) treated with fosfomycin and 57 of 73 patients (78.1%) treated with comparators reached CMC (risk difference, -9.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI, -21.5 to ∞ percentage points; P = .10). While clinical or microbiological failure occurred among 10 patients (14.3%) treated with fosfomycin and 14 patients (19.7%) treated with comparators (risk difference, -5.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI, -∞ to 4.9; percentage points; P = .19), an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations occurred with fosfomycin vs comparators (6 discontinuations 8.5% vs 0 discontinuations; P = .006). In an exploratory analysis among a subset of 38 patients who underwent rectal colonization studies, patients treated with fosfomycin acquired a new ceftriaxone-resistant or meropenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria at a decreased rate compared with patients treated with comparators (0 of 21 patients vs 4 of 17 patients 23.5%; 1-sided P = .01).
This study found that fosfomycin did not demonstrate noninferiority to comparators as targeted treatment of bUTI from MDR E coli; this was due to an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations. This finding suggests that fosfomycin may be considered for selected patients with these infections.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02142751.
ResumenIntroducciónLa endocarditis infecciosa (EI) sobre transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) es una complicación emergente. Existen datos incompletos y dispares sobre su incidencia. Se ...aporta la experiencia en nuestro centro sobre incidencia, mortalidad y factores asociados de la EI post-TAVI y se compara con datos de la literatura. MétodosEstudio retrospectivo observacional de los casos de EI diagnosticados en pacientes que habían recibido TAVI, entre el 1 de junio de 2009 y el 1 de noviembre de 2017, en un centro universitario tras una mediana de seguimiento de 15,3 meses (rango intercuartil RIC 9,1-36,2). Se analizaron la incidencia, los datos clínicos, microbiológicos y pronósticos, y los factores asociados a EI post-TAVI. ResultadosSe detectaron 11 pacientes con EI de 200 TAVI. Incidencia global: 5,5% (2,77 casos por 100 años-paciente). La mediana de tiempo hasta la EI post-TAVI fue de 112 días (RIC 36-578), la tasa de mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 36,4% y la mortalidad al año, del 54,5%. Todos los microorganismos identificados fueron grampositivos (4 Enterococcus faecalis, 3 Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo). Los pacientes con EI post-TAVI eran significativamente más jóvenes (mediana 78, RIC 73-80, frente a 82, RIC 79-84, p = 0,002), tenían un EuroSCORE mayor (5,1 ± 2,4 frente a 3,2 ± 1,2, p < 0,001) y más frecuentemente antecedentes de neoplasia (18,2% frente al 4,2%, p < 0,03). ConclusionesEn nuestro medio, la incidencia de EI post-TAVI es mayor que la descrita en series multicéntricas, lo que concuerda con la tendencia publicada en la literatura. Conlleva una elevada mortalidad y se asocia con una peor situación clínica basal.
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