Clinical Evaluation of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Elite Agar, a New Medium for the Isolation of NTM: a Multicenter Study.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are gaining interest with the increased number of infected patients. NTM Elite agar is designed specifically for the isolation of NTM without the decontamination step. We assessed the clinical performance of this medium combined with Vitek mass spectrometry (MS) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) technology for the isolation and identification of NTM in a prospective multicenter study, including 15 laboratories (24 hospitals).

Evolution of antibody titers after two doses of mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and effect of the third dose in nursing home residents.

Objectives: We evaluated the IgG antibody titer against SARS-CoV-2 in 196 residents of a Spanish nursing home after the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine and the evolution of this titer over time. The role of the third dose of the vaccine on immune-response is also analysed in 115 of participants.

Methods: Vaccine response was evaluated 1, 3 and 6 months after second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and 30 days after booster vaccination.

Linezolid for therapy of meningitis: a cohort study of 26 patients.

Background: Linezolid has good penetration to the meninges and could be an alternative for treatment of meningitis. We assessed the efficacy and safety of linezolid therapy for this infection.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort study of 26 adults treated with linezolid, derived from a cohort of 350 cases of meningitis diagnosed at 11 university hospitals in Spain (1981-2015).

Streptococcus bovis endocarditis: Update from a multicenter registry.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) due to Streptococcus bovis has been classically associated with elderly patients, frequently involving >1 valve, with large vegetations and high embolic risk, which make it a high-risk group. Our aim is to analyze the current clinical profile and prognosis of S bovis IE episodes, in comparison to those episodes caused by viridans group streptococci and enterococci.

Methods: We analyzed 1242 consecutive episodes of IE prospectively recruited on an ongoing multipurpose database, of which 294 were streptococcal left-sided IE and comprised our study group.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus meningitis in adults: a multicenter study of 86 cases.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meningitis is an uncommon disease, and little is known about its epidemiology, clinical features, therapy, and outcome. We performed a multicenter retrospective study of MRSA meningitis in adults. Eighty-six adult patients were included and the following data were obtained: underlying diseases, clinical presentation, analytical and microbiologic data, response to therapy, and outcome.

[Socio-demographic factors associated with the progression of HIV infection and the impact of HAART in a seroconverter cohort in Madrid (1986-2009)].

Background: The objective of this work is to study the impact of HAART at a population level and to identify socio-demographic factors that may affect it, which is essential for deciding interventions.

Methods: An open, prospective cohort of HIV seroconverters recruited in the Centro Sanitario Sandoval (1986-2009), and followed up in collaboration with referral hospitals in the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cumulative incidence of AIDS and death was calculated by the multiple decrements method, and predictive Fine & Gray models were developed to identify associated factors.

[Respiratory infections outside the hospital. DIRA study].

Introduction: Most visits to the primary care center are for infection and particularly respiratory tract infection. Antimicrobial administration for these clinical processes is common and these agents are often used to treat viral infections. La Fundación para el Estudio de la Infección (Foundation for the Study of Infection) designed the DIRA (Día de la Infección Respiratoria del Adulto, Adult Respiratory Infection Day) Project to investigate and assess the impact of this problem.

Prognosis and clinical evaluation of infection caused by Rhodococcus equi in HIV-infected patients: a multicenter study of 67 cases.

Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics and the factors that influenced the prognosis of patients with HIV and infection caused by Rhodococcus equi.

Design: Observational, multicenter study in 29 Spanish general hospitals.

Setting: These hospitals comprised a total of 20,250 beds for acute patients and served a population of 9,716,880 inhabitants.

[Respiratory infections in adults hospitalized in internal medicine and pneumology departments. DIRA (Adult Respiratory Infection Day) study].

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections (RIs) are frequent processes that can require hospitalization or affect already hospitalized patients. The Foundation for the Study of Infection has promoted the DIRA (Adult Respiratory Infection Day) Project, with the aim of investigating and assessing the impact of this problem, particularly in Internal Medicine and Pneumology Departments.

Methods: Prospective prevalence study involving 158 physicians in 100 Internal Medicine and Pneumology Departments.