Summary
Multidrug‐resistant Candida auris has emerged as a cause of insidious hospital outbreaks and complicated infections. We present the analysis of an ongoing C. auris outbreak including the ...largest published series of C. auris bloodstream infection. All C. auris‐positive patients from April‐2016 to January‐2017 were included. Environmental, clinical and microbiological data were recorded. Definitive isolate identification was performed by ITS‐rDNA sequencing, and typing by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting. One hundred and forty patients were colonised by C. auris during the studied period (68% from surgical intensive care). Although control measures were implemented, we were not able to control the outbreak. Forty‐one invasive bloodstream infections (87.8% from surgical intensive care) were included. Clinical management included prompt intravascular catheter removal and antifungal therapy with echinocandins. All isolates were fluconazole‐ and voriconazole‐resistant, but echinocandin‐ and amphotericin B‐susceptible. Thirty‐day mortality rate was 41.4%, and severe septic metastasis as spondylodiscitis and endocarditis were observed in 5 patients (12%). C. auris was also recovered from inanimate patient surroundings and medical equipment. Despite antifungal treatment, high mortality and late complication rates were recorded. Molecular typing suggested a clonal outbreak different from those previously published.
Background
RSV is the leading cause of hospital admissions in infants and the principal cause of bronchiolitis in young children. There is a lack of granular data on RSV‐associated hospitalization ...per season using laboratory confirmed results. Our current study addresses this issue and intends to fill this gap.
Methods
The study was conducted from 2014 through 2018, in 4 to 10 hospitals in the Valencia Region, Spain. Infants included in this study were admitted in hospital through the Emergency Department with a respiratory complaint and tested by RT‐PCR for RSV in a central laboratory.
Results
Incidence rates of RSV‐associated hospitalization varied by season and hospital. Overall, the highest incidence rates were observed in 2017/2018. RSV‐associated hospitalization was highest in infants below 3 months of age and in those born before or at the beginning of the RSV season. Almost 54% of total infants hospitalized with laboratory confirmed RSV were found to be born outside the season, from April to October. The RSV positivity rate by ICD‐10 discharged codes varied by season and age with results from 48% to 57% among LRI (J09‐J22).
Conclusion
The study was instrumental in bringing forth the time unpredictability of RSV epidemics, the critical impact of age, and the comparable distribution of RSV‐associated hospitalization in infants born on either side of the RSV season. These data could help in better characterization of the population that drives the healthcare burden and is crucial for the development of future immunization strategies, especially with upcoming vaccines in against RSV.
On 9 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Programme (GIP) asked participant sites on the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) to contribute to data ...collection concerning severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). We re‐analysed 5833 viral RNA archived samples collected prospectively from hospital admissions for influenza‐like illness (ILI) in the Valencia Region of Spain by the Valencia Hospital Surveillance Network for the Study of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (VAHNSI) network (four hospitals, catchment area population 1 118 732) during the pre‐pandemic 2018/2019 (n = 4010) and pandemic 2019/2020 (n = 1823) influenza seasons for the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2. We did not find evidence for community‐acquired SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in hospital admissions for ILI in our region before early March 2020.
To determine the prevalence of Adverse Events related to Medication (AEM) in hospitals of the Valencian Community in the 2005-2013 study period, and to describe the associated risk factors and their ...impact.
This study is based on data and methodology of the Study of Prevalence of Adverse Events in hospitals (EPIDEA), since its inception in 2005 until 2013. AEM produced in each year were analyzed.
We identified 344 AEM that occurred in 337 patients, among 35,103 patients studied, giving a prevalence of patients with AEM of 0.96% (IC95% 0.89-1.07). The most prevalent intrinsic risk factors for AEM were hypertension, diabetes and cancer. The most prevalent extrinsic risk factors were peripheral venous catheter, urinary catheter and central venous catheter. Therapeutic groups most frequently involved were systemic antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs and antineoplastics. The 61.17% of AEM was classified as moderate, followed by 27.18% as mild and 11.65% as severe. The 33.99% of EAM caused increase of the patient's stay and 39.90% of EAM caused the re-entry of patient. The 58.5% of AEM were avoidable. Mild AEM were avoidable in 46.3%, moderate AEM were avoidable in 60.3% and severe AEM were in 75% (p = 0.013).
The prevalence of patients with AEM in hospitals of the Community of Valencia for the period 2005- 2013 was 0.96%. More than half of AEM were preventable, and preventability increases significantly with the severity of the event.
The monoclonal antibody nirsevimab was at least 70% effective in preventing hospitalisations in infants with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) ...in Spain (Oct 2023-Jan 2024), where a universal immunisation programme began late September (coverage range: 79-99%). High protection was confirmed by two methodological designs (screening and test-negative) in a multicentre active surveillance in nine hospitals in three regions. No protection against RSV-negative LRTI-hospitalisations was shown. These interim results could guide public-health decision-making.
Abstract Background Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infections and is associated with high mortality. It is typically resistant to fluconazole and ...voriconazole and, some cases, also to echinocandins and amphotericin B. This species, phylogenetically related to Candida haemulonii , is frequently misidentified by commercial identification techniques in clinical laboratories; therefore, the real prevalence of C. auris infections may be underestimated. Aims To describe the clinical and microbiological features of the first four cases of C. auris fungemia episodes observed in the European continent. Methods The four patients were hospitalized in the adult surgical intensive care unit. A total of 8 isolates (two per patient) from blood and catheter tip were analyzed. Results All isolates were misidentified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae by AuxaColor 2, and as Candida sake by API ID20C. VITEK MS technology misidentified one isolate as Candida lusitaniae , another as C. haemulonii and could not identify the other six. C. auris identification was confirmed by ITS rDNA sequencing. All isolates were fluconazole (MIC >256 mg/l) and voriconazole (MIC 2 mg/l) resistant and susceptible to posaconazole, itraconazole, echinocandins and amphotericin B. Conclusions C. auris should be regarded as an emerging pathogen, which requires molecular methods for definitive identification. Our isolates were highly resistant to fluconazole and resistant to voriconazole, but susceptible to the other antifungals tested, which emphasizes the importance of accurately identifying this species to avoid therapeutic failures.
Enterovirus D68 (EV‐D68) is an emerging agent for which data on the susceptible adult population is scarce. We performed a 6‐year analysis of respiratory samples from influenza‐like illness (ILI) ...admitted during 2014‐2020 in 4‐10 hospitals in the Valencia Region, Spain. EV‐D68 was identified in 68 (3.1%) among 2210 Enterovirus (EV)/Rhinovirus (HRV) positive samples. Phylogeny of 59 VP1 sequences showed isolates from 2014 clustering in B2 (6/12), B1 (5/12), and A2/D1 (1/12) subclades; those from 2015 (n = 1) and 2016 (n = 1) in B3 and A2/D1, respectively; and isolates from 2018 in A2/D3 (42/45), and B3 (3/45). B1 and B2 viruses were mainly detected in children (80% and 67%, respectively); B3 were equally distributed between children and adults; whereas A2/D1 and A2/D3 were observed only in adults. B3 viruses showed up to 16 amino acid changes at predicted antigenic sites. In conclusion, two EV‐D68 epidemics linked to ILI hospitalized cases occurred in the Valencia Region in 2014 and 2018, with three fatal outcomes and one ICU admission. A2/D3 strains from 2018 were associated with severe respiratory infection in adults. Because of the significant impact of non‐polio enteroviruses in ILI and the potential neurotropism, year‐round surveillance in respiratory samples should be pursued.
Introduction: Influenza immunisation is recommended for elderly people each season. The influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) varies annually due to influenza viruses evolving and the vaccine ...composition. Aim: To estimate, in inpatients ≥60years old, the 2017/18 trivalent IVE, overall, by vaccine type and by strain. The impact of vaccination in any of the two previous seasons (2016/17 and 2015/16) on current (2017/18) IVE was also explored. Methods: This was a multicentre prospective observational study within the Valencia Hospital Surveillance Network for the Study of Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Disease (VAHNSI, Spain). The test-negative design was applied taking laboratoryconfirmed influenza as outcome and vaccination status as main exposure. Information about potential confounders was obtained from clinical registries and/or by interviewing patients; vaccine information was only ascertained by registries. Results: Overall, 2017/18 IVE was 9.9% (95%CI:−15.5 to 29.6%), and specifically, 48.3% (95%CI: 13.5% to 69.1%), −29.9% (95%CI:−79.1% to 5.8%) and 25.7% (95%CI:−8.8% to 49.3%) against A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B/ Yamagata lineage, respectively. For the adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines, overall IVE was 10.0% (95%CI:−24.4% to 34.9%) and 7.8% (95%CI:−23.1% to 31.0%) respectively. Prior vaccination significantly protected against influenza B/Yamagata lineage (IVE: 50.2%; 95% CI:2.3% to 74.6%) in patients not vaccinated in the current season. For those repeatedly vaccinated against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, IVE was 46.4% (95% CI:6.8% to 69.2%). Conclusion: Our data revealed low vaccine effectiveness against influenza in hospitalised patients ≥60 years old in 2017/18. Prior vaccination protected against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B/Yamagata-lineage.
IntroductionInfluenza immunisation is recommended for elderly people each season. The influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) varies annually due to influenza viruses evolving and the vaccine ...composition.AimTo estimate, in inpatients ≥ 60 years old, the 2017/18 trivalent IVE, overall, by vaccine type and by strain. The impact of vaccination in any of the two previous seasons (2016/17 and 2015/16) on current (2017/18) IVE was also explored.MethodsThis was a multicentre prospective observational study within the Valencia Hospital Surveillance Network for the Study of Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Disease (VAHNSI, Spain). The test-negative design was applied taking laboratory-confirmed influenza as outcome and vaccination status as main exposure. Information about potential confounders was obtained from clinical registries and/or by interviewing patients; vaccine information was only ascertained by registries.ResultsOverall, 2017/18 IVE was 9.9% (95% CI: -15.5 to 29.6%), and specifically, 48.3% (95% CI: 13.5% to 69.1%), -29.9% (95% CI: -79.1% to 5.8%) and 25.7% (95% CI: -8.8% to 49.3%) against A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata lineage, respectively. For the adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines, overall IVE was 10.0% (95% CI: -24.4% to 34.9%) and 7.8% (95% CI: -23.1% to 31.0%) respectively. Prior vaccination significantly protected against influenza B/Yamagata lineage (IVE: 50.2%; 95% CI: 2.3% to 74.6%) in patients not vaccinated in the current season. For those repeatedly vaccinated against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, IVE was 46.4% (95% CI: 6.8% to 69.2%).ConclusionOur data revealed low vaccine effectiveness against influenza in hospitalised patients ≥60 years old in 2017/18. Prior vaccination protected against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B/Yamagata-lineage.
ABSTRACT Background. In Europe, urogenital schistosomiasis was not endemic, however in 2014 the first cases of a European autochthonous infection outbreak appeared in Corsica (France). In this work a ...search and description of cases, both import and native urogenital schistosomiasis, published in the European Union (EU) during the last 20 years was made. In addition, a qualitative risk assessment in Spain was carried out. Methods. A bibliographic search of European Union published cases over the last 20 years (1997-2017) was performed using PubMed. Works that evidenced the presence of intermediate hosts Bulinus truncatus and Planorbarius metidjensis in our country were searched in PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Finally, a risk assessment of urogenital schistosomiasis in Spain using the 2011 ECDC guide was made. Results. 481 cases in the EU were found. 328 were imported and 152 autochthonous. All from the autochthonous cases were focused in Corsica, where people from different nationalities got sicked. The presence of two potential host species was documented in different locations of our geography. The result of the risk assessment in Spain was low risk. Conclusions. Although the risk assessment in Spain was low risk, several factors as the presence of intermediate hosts in Spain, the increase on migratory flows, and the role that the S. haematobium-bovis hybrid had in the outbreak of Corsica, must alert community and health authorities about the possibility that autochthonous cases in our country appear.
RESUMEN Fundamentos. En Europa no era endémica la esquistosomiasis urogenital, sin embargo en 2014 aparecieron en Francia los primeros casos de un brote de infección autóctona europea. En este trabajo se hace una búsqueda y descripción de casos de esquistosomiasis urogenital, tanto importados como autóctonos, publicados en la Unión Europea (UE) durante los últimos 20 años. Además se realiza una evaluación cualitativa del riesgo en España. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed de casos publicados en la UE durante los últimos 20 años (1997-2017). Se buscaron trabajos en PubMed, ResearchGate y Google Académico que evidenciasen la presencia hospedadores intermediarios Bulinus truncatus y Planorbarius metidjensis en nuestro país. Finalmente se evaluó el riesgo de esquistosomiasis urogenital en España aplicando la guía del ECDC de 2011. Resultados. Se hallaron 481 casos en la UE, 328 eran importados y 152 autóctonos. En todos los casos autóctonos el foco se localizó en Córcega, donde enfermaron personas de diversas nacionalidades. Se documentó la presencia de dos especies hospedadores potenciales en diversas localizaciones de nuestra geografía. El resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo. Conclusiones. Si bien el resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo, factores como la presencia de hospedadores intermediarios, el aumento de los flujos migratorios, y el papel que tuvo el híbrido S. haematobium-bovis en el brote de Córcega, deben poner en sobre aviso a la comunidad médica y las autoridades sanitarias ante la posibilidad de que aparezcan casos autóctonos en nuestro país.
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