Publications by authors named "Karen Ordonez"

The cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) infections. We aimed to investigate the point prevalence of the CzIE among nasal colonizing MSSA isolates from ICU patients in a multicenter study in Colombia (2019-2023). Patients underwent nasal swabs to assess for colonization on admission to the ICU, and some individuals had follow-up swabs.

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The cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with MSSA infections. We aimed to investigate the point prevalence of the CzIE among nasal colonizing MSSA isolates from ICU patients in a multicenter study in Colombia (2019-2023). Patients underwent nasal swabs to assess for colonization on admission to the ICU and some individuals had follow-up swabs.

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Article Synopsis
  • Carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli (CP-Ec) pose a significant global health threat, and this study analyzed the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with CP-Ec from 26 hospitals in 6 different countries.
  • Out of 114 CP-Ec isolates studied, 49 contained metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), predominantly found in China, with MBL-Ec generally showing less severe illness compared to non-MBL counterparts.
  • The study found that non-MBL-Ec had a significantly higher mortality rate at both 30 and 90 days, and differences in clinical outcomes were noted based on geographic regions.
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Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a global threat, but the distribution and clinical significance of carbapenemases are unclear. The aim of this study was to define characteristics and outcomes of CRPA infections and the global frequency and clinical impact of carbapenemases harboured by CRPA.

Methods: We conducted an observational, prospective cohort study of CRPA isolated from bloodstream, respiratory, urine, or wound cultures of patients at 44 hospitals (10 countries) between Dec 1, 2018, and Nov 30, 2019.

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Article Synopsis
  • Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a major global health threat, prompting a study to analyze its bacterial traits and patient outcomes across various countries.
  • The CRACKLE-2 study recruited 991 hospitalized patients from 71 hospitals in countries like the USA, China, and Argentina, focusing on cultures positive for CRKP and measuring clinical outcomes, including 30-day mortality rates.
  • Results showed that patients from the USA were generally sicker and had more pre-existing health issues compared to those from China and South America, with minimal genetic variation in CRKP observed within countries.
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Background: The HIV pandemic continues to cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis. Histoplasmosis is prevalent in Latin America and Colombia, is difficult to diagnose and has a high mortality. Here we determined the clinical characteristics and risk factors of histoplasmosis in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Pereira, Colombia.

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The cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE) has been associated with therapeutic failures and mortality in invasive methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) infections. A diagnostic test to detect the CzIE is not currently available. We developed a rapid (∼3 h) CzIE colorimetric test to detect staphylococcal-β-lactamase (BlaZ) activity in supernatants after ampicillin induction.

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Cefazolin has become a prominent therapy for methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) infections. However, an important concern is the cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE), a phenomenon mediated by staphylococcal β-lactamases. Four variants of staphylococcal β-lactamases have been described based on serological methodologies and limited sequence information.

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Background: Recent studies suggest that sustained use of generic antibiotics may be associated with clinical failure and emergence of antibacterial resistance. The present study was designed to determine the clinical outcome between the use of generic meropenem (GM) and brand-name meropenem (BNM). Additionally, this study evaluated the economic impact of GM and BNM to determine if the former represents a cost-effective alternative to the latter.

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Background: Nosocomial infections (NI) are events associated with high impact on hospital costs and mortality.

Aim: To evaluate from the health provider's perspective the costs and mortality attributable to NI.

Methods: We selected a sample of patients with and without NI matched by age and diagnosis at admission.

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Infective endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare clinical condition, difficult to diagnose and associated with high mortality. Herein we present a case of a 51 years old male without history of intravenous drug use or valvular disease, with past medical history of cholecystectomy in the previous month, who presented to the emergency department with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and subsequent signs of distant embolization, positive blood cultures for P. aeruginosa and development of multiple complications of the disease.

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