Positive-pressure needleless connectors did not increase rates of catheter hub colonization respecting the use of neutral-pressure needleless connectors in a prospective randomized trial.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the colonization rates of central venous catheter (CVC) and arterial catheter (ArtC) hubs fitted with two types of needleless connectors (NCs).

Methods: We designed a prospective randomized study to compare rates of catheter hub colonization of CVC and ArtC hubs fitted with two types of needleless connectors: neutral-pressure NCs (NP-NCs) and positive-pressure NCs (PP-NCs) in critically ill patients. All NCs were replaced every 7 days of use.

Molecular characterization of OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains after a carbapenem resistance increase in Catalonia.

Introduction: To characterize OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated after an increase in carbapenem resistance in Catalonia.

Methodology: K. pneumoniae identification, antimicrobial susceptibility studies, the Modified Hodge Test method, amplification of antimicrobial resistance genes (against β-lactamases, quinolones and aminoglycosides), molecular typing (by PFGE and MLST), conjugation assays, plasmid characterization (PBRT-PCR and Southern blot), a description of mobile genetic elements and statistical analysis were done.

Serotypes and Clonal Diversity of Streptococcus pneumoniae Causing Invasive Disease in the Era of PCV13 in Catalonia, Spain.

The aim of this study was to study the serotypes and clonal diversity of pneumococci causing invasive pneumococcal disease in Catalonia, Spain, in the era of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). In our region, this vaccine is only available in the private market and it is estimated a PCV13 vaccine coverage around 55% in children. A total of 1551 pneumococcal invasive isolates received between 2010 and 2013 in the Molecular Microbiology Department at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, were included.

Mortality among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers in long-term care facilities.

Introduction: Little is known about the natural course of patients with chronic stable illnesses colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The aim is to determine the impact of MRSA colonization in mortality among long-term health care facility (LTHCF) residents.

Method: A multicenter, prospective, observational study was designed.

Prevalence and risk factors for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an acute care hospital and long-term care facilities located in the same geographic area.

Unlabelled: To determine the prevalence and risk factors (RF) for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) during stay in 1 acute care hospital (ACH) and 4 long-term care facilities (LTCF). After obtaining the informed consent, nasal and skin ulcer swabs were taken and a survey was conducted to determine RF for MRSA. Six hundred and ninety nine patients were included, 413 LTCF and 286 ACH patients and MRSA prevalence were 22.