[Age group, geographical incidence and patterns of antifungal susceptibility of Candida species causing candidemia in the Spanish paediatric population].

Introduction: There are few epidemiological studies on candidaemia in the paediatric population in Spain. We sought to determine the epidemiology of candidaemia in these patients.

Methods: Prospective, observational and multicentre study in 44 Spanish hospitals.

Genetic environment and location of the lnu(A) and lnu(B) genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci of animal and human origin.

Objectives: To detect the presence of lnu genes in staphylococcal strains with the unusual phenotype lincosamide resistance/macrolide susceptibility (L(R)/M(S)), and to determine their locations and genetic environments.

Methods: Six staphylococcal strains of human and animal origin with the phenotype L(R)/M(S) were studied. The presence of 15 resistance genes was tested by PCR.

Characterization of a cfr-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis strain of the lineage ST22 implicated in a life-threatening human infection.

The cfr gene was identified in 3 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) isolates of lineage ST22 implicated in a fatal human infection. MRSE isolates displayed an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profile and SCCmec type III, and showed a multiresistance phenotype. The presence of cfr, fexA, aac(6')-aph(2″), and dfrS1 genes was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.

[Changes in the epidemiology of fungaemia and fluconazole susceptibility of blood isolates during the last 10 years in Spain: results from the FUNGEMYCA study].

Background: Recent epidemiological surveillance studies have reported an increase in fungaemia caused by non-Candida albicans species, as well as a decrease in fluconazole susceptibility.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in the epidemiology of fungaemia in Spain comparing data from a new surveillance epidemiological study conducted in 2009 with a previous study carried out from 1997 to 1999 (Pemán J, et al. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis.

[Relationships with other specialties: the view of microbiologists].

Clinical microbiology is an interpretative science and, as such, requires qualified professionals, interpretation being one of the most important activities performed by microbiologists. This article aims to analyze what it means to be a clinical microbiologist at the beginning of the 21(st) century, to present our professional objectives, and to discuss the professional relationship between microbiology and other specialties. Technological improvements and automation have substantially changed the characteristics of modern microbiology laboratories and have modified microbiologists' professional activity.

[Community-acquired pneumonia associated with influenza virus].

Background: Pneumonia is one of the most common complications of influenza infection. However, its characteristics are not well-known. Our aim was to assess the frequency of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) associated with influenza virus and to determine its clinical and epidemiological characteristics.