Publications by authors named "Maria Del Carmen Bangher"
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to find opportunities for improving antibiotic stewardship (AS) in medical-surgical intensive care units (MS-ICUs) and general wards (Gral-wards) across 41 hospitals in Latin America from March 2022 to February 2023.
- - Data was collected on antimicrobial use (AU) from 5780 MS-ICU and 7726 Gral-ward patients, revealing a 53.5% AU prevalence in MS-ICUs and 25.5% in Gral-wards, with a significant portion of antibiotics used for treating infections and surgical prophylaxis.
- - The study highlighted key areas for improvement in AU practices, including better antibiotic selection, the need for de
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs are essential to prevent and control the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare facilities (HCFs). The current implementation of these programs in Latin America remains largely unknown.
Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of IPC program implementation in HCFs from Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, and Argentina, March-July 2022.
Article Synopsis
- Limited information exists on healthcare workers' views about infection prevention and control (IPC) in Latin America, prompting a survey conducted across 30 hospitals in the region.
- The survey, completed by 1,340 healthcare workers, revealed high self-reported compliance with hand hygiene and prevention measures, but a notable gap in perceived peer compliance.
- Findings highlighted the need for enhanced training and awareness among healthcare workers, particularly physicians, regarding IPC practices and healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates.
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Latin American healthcare workers relating to antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic use: a cross-sectional multi-country study.
Antimicrob Resist Infect Control
April 2024
Background: The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America is high. Little is known about healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship (AS), AMR, and antibiotic use (AU) in the region.
Methods: HCWs from 42 hospitals from 5 Latin American countries were invited to take an electronic, voluntary, anonymous survey regarding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of AS, AMR, and AU between March-April 2023.
Efficacy of three benznidazole dosing strategies for adults living with chronic Chagas disease (MULTIBENZ): an international, randomised, double-blind, phase 2b trial.
Lancet Infect Dis
April 2024
Background: Treatment with benznidazole for chronic Chagas disease is associated with low cure rates and substantial toxicity. We aimed to compare the parasitological efficacy and safety of 3 different benznidazole regimens in adult patients with chronic Chagas disease.
Methods: The MULTIBENZ trial was an international, randomised, double-blind, phase 2b trial performed in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Spain.
Background: Antimicrobial resistance has worsened in Latin America. There is an urgent need to understand the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) and the barriers to implementing effective ASPs in light of limited national action plans or policies to promote ASPs in the region.
Methods: We performed a descriptive mixed-methods study of ASPs in 5 Latin American countries in March-July 2022.
Background: Information about COVID infection in physicians is limited. This knowledge would allow the implementation of actions to reduce its impact. The objective was determining the incidence of SARSCoV-2 infection in physicians from health institutions in Argentina, its characteristics, and associated factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are among the leading causes of health care-associated infections. The epidemiology of CDI has undergone major changes in the last decade, showing an increase in incidence, severity, and rate of relapse. These guidelines were developed by specialists from four scientific societies: Sociedad Argentina de Infectología (SADI), Sociedad Argentina de Gastroenterología (SAGE), Sociedad Argentina de Bacteriología, Micología y Parasitología Clínicas (SADEBAC) and Asociación de Enfermeras en Control de Infecciones (ADECI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Benznidazole is recommended for treatment of Chagas infection. Effects of combination therapy with benznidazole and posaconazole have not been tested in Trypanosoma cruzi carriers.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether posaconazole alone or combined with benznidazole were superior to benznidazole monotherapy in eliminating T.