Cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 after natural infection and/or different vaccination regimens.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination according to the type of vaccine, number of doses and combination of vaccines.

Methods: Volunteer subjects were sampled between September 2021 and July 2022 in Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid (Spain). Participants had different immunological status against SARS-CoV-2: vaccinated and unvaccinated, with or without previous COVID-19 infection, including healthy and immunocompromised individuals.

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.

High performance of the automated ADVIA Centaur Systems SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Assay in nasopharyngeal samples with high viral load.

ADVIA Centaur SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (COV2Ag) Assay (Siemens Healthineers) was evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 detection. A total of 141 nasopharyngeal samples were analyzed by this technique and results were compared with those obtained by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the test were 68.

Analysis of Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines in Spain following Booster Dose.

The present study evaluates the adverse effects of three vaccines: AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) according to the dose. From 733 participants collected, the vaccine schedule was as follows: 330 (45%) received a double dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 382 (52.1%) received a double dose of Pfizer, 18 (2.

Resistance to fosfomycin is increasing and is significantly associated with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-production in urinary isolates of Escherichia coli.

Fosfomycin has become a therapeutic option in urinary tract infections. Our objective was to evaluate the in vitro activity of fosfomycin against Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples in 2013, 2018 and 2021. We also determined a putative association between fosfomycin resistance and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production.

Comparison of performance of MALDI-TOF MS and MLST for biotyping carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence types ST11 and ST101 isolates.

Introduction: The rapid identification and detection of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) isolates is crucial to ascertain outbreaks, as well as to limit their spread. The current reference method for this purpose is multilocus sequence typing (MLST), which is laborious and expensive. Consequently, alternative typing methods are gaining attention, such as Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test sample as input for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR analysis.

SARS-CoV-2 rapid detection is of great interest to prevent viral dissemination. In that sense, antigen tests appeared as a very valuable tool to reach this goal. However, it is possible to obtain a negative result in those patients with low viral loads, and consequently, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) should be performed on samples from patients with a negative antigen test in which there is a strong suspicion of COVID infection.

Identification of CRF89_BF, a new member of an HIV-1 circulating BF intersubtype recombinant form family widely spread in South America.

Circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) contribute substantially to the HIV-1 pandemic. Among 105 CRFs described in the literature, 16 are BF intersubtype recombinants, most of South American origin, of which CRF12_BF is the most widely spread. A BF recombinant cluster identified in Bolivia was suggested to represent a new CRF_BF.

Serological Tests in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies.

Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for a timely update of health policies and allocation of resources. Particularly, serological testing may allow individuals with low-risk of being contagious of SARS-CoV-2 to return to daily activities. Both private and academic initiatives have sought to develop serological assays to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Hospital admissions in inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic: incidence and role of disease-modifying agents.

Aims: In this pandemic, it is essential for rheumatologists and patients to know the relationship between COVID-19 and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs). We wanted to assess the role of targeted synthetic or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (ts/bDMARDs) and other variables in the development of moderate-severe COVID-19 disease in IRD.

Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted during the epidemic peak in Madrid (1 March to 15 April 2020).

Comparison of performance of MALDI-TOF MS and MLST for biotyping carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence types ST11 and ST101 isolates.

Introduction: The rapid identification and detection of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) isolates is crucial to ascertain outbreaks, as well as to limit their spread. The current reference method for this purpose is multilocus sequence typing (MLST), which is laborious and expensive. Consequently, alternative typing methods are gaining attention, such as Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Panuveitis and Optic Neuritis as a Possible Initial Presentation of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: To describe the ocular manifestations in a case of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Material And Methods: A case of unilateral panuveitis and optic neuritis as initial presentation of COVID-19.

Results: As it is published, angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 receptors can be found in many organs, such as the eyes, nerves, and vessels, so extrapulmonary involvement would be expected.

Synergy of Linezolid with Several Antimicrobial Agents against Linezolid-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Strains.

Linezolid is a synthetic oxazolydinone active against multi-resistant Gram-positive cocci that inhibits proteins synthesis by interacting with the 50S ribosomal subunit. Although linezolid-resistant strains are infrequent, several outbreaks have been recently described, associated with prolonged treatment with the antibiotic. As an alternative to monotherapy, the combination of different antibiotics is a commonly used option to prevent the selection of resistant strains.

The Interferon-Gamma +874 A/T Polymorphism Is Not Associated With CMV Infection After Kidney Transplantation.

The +874 A/T polymorphism in the interferon gamma () gene has been associated with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection risk in lung and kidney transplant recipients. To replicate this association, we performed a retrospective observational study of this polymorphism and immunosuppressive therapies considering the prophylactic treatment in 600 consecutive kidney transplanted recipients. We found no association of the aforementioned polymorphism with CMV infection in univariate and multivariate analyses regardless of the prophylactic treatment.

Analysis of the impact of diagnostic virology tests on the use of antibiotics in paediatric inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Introduction: Viruses are one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Early identification of respiratory viruses could result in a decrease in the use of antibiotics.

Methods: Observational, retrospective study from January 2014 to June 2018, that included paediatric patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP in a tertiary hospital, in which antigenic tests and/or viral PCR on a respiratory sample was performed.

Comparative evaluation of plazomicin MICs obtained using agar dilution versus broth microdilution methods and impact of inoculum size against ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates.

MICs of plazomicin were determined by agar dilution and broth microdilution in 187 ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (n = 73), carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 55) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 59) clinical isolates. Inoculum effect was determined by broth microdilution assay using two different inocula; 1-5 × 10 (standard inoculum) and 1-5 × 10 CFU/mL. For all isolates tested >98% categorical agreement and ≥95% of essential agreement (±1elog2) was found.

A culture medium for screening 16S rRNA methylase-producing pan-aminoglycoside resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

The amikacin plus gentamicin-containing SuperAminoglycoside medium was developed for screening multiple-aminoglycoside resistance in Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii). It was evaluated using aminoglycoside-susceptible (n=12) and aminoglycoside-resistant (n=59) Gram-negative isolates, including 16S rRNA methylase producers (n=20). Its sensitivity and specificity of detection were, respectively, of 95% and 96% for detecting multiple aminoglycoside-resistant methylase producers.

In-vitro activity of several antimicrobial agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates expressing aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes: potency of plazomicin alone and in combination with other agents.

This study investigated the in-vitro activity of clinically relevant aminoglycosides and new antimicrobial agents-plazomicin, ceftobiprole and dalbavancin-against 55 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates producing aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). The checkerboard method was used to assess synergism between plazomicin and four antibiotics (fosfomycin, ceftobiprole, cefoxitin and meropenem), and time-kill assays were performed for the most active combinations. Among the aminoglycosides tested, plazomicin was the most active agent against MRSA, with >90% of isolates being inhibited at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ≤1 mg/L.

Characterization and circulation of seasonal influenza viruses in Madrid, 2010-2016.

Influenza virus infection is a major health care burden and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The 2009 influenza pandemic highlighted the importance of influenza surveillance. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and activity of influenza A and B viruses in adults and children in the post-pandemic period with a special focus on the pediatric population.

Plazomicin Activity against 346 Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase/AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli Urinary Isolates in Relation to Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes.

The activity of plazomicin and clinically relevant aminoglycosides was tested against 346 extended-spectrum-β-lactamase/AmpC-producing Escherichia coli urinary isolates, and the results were correlated with the presence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). Data showed that plazomicin was very active against all ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli urinary isolates.