Influenza C virus surveillance during the first influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic wave in Catalonia, Spain.

Although particular attention is paid to influenza A and B virus isolates during influenza surveillance, influenza C virus (FLUCV) coexisted during the first influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic wave during the 2009-2010 season. From 27 April 2009 to 9 May 2010, 12 strains of FLUCV were detected in specimens collected from 1713 nonhospitalized patients with upper respiratory tract illness using a molecular method. Half of the patients with FLUCV infection were older than 14 years.

Prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase genotypes before and after the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy and their influence on the outcome of Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-1-infected patients.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene mutations has changed since the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and whether the mutations are associated with poor outcome in Spanish HIV-1-infected patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP). We studied 167 PcP episodes in HIV-1-infected patients diagnosed during the pre-cART (1989-1995) and cART (2001-2004) periods. Molecular genotyping of DHPS was successfully performed in 98 patients (43 pre-cART and 55 cART).

D225G mutation in the hemagglutinin protein found in 3 severe cases of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Spain.

From 27 April to 16 December 2009, we analyzed the hemagglutinin gene sequence of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in 189 respiratory specimens. We only found the D225G mutation in 3 severe cases. However, it was not found in samples from other cases with or without clinical criteria of severity.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in Spanish HIV-infected patients in the combined antiretroviral therapy era: prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase mutations and prognostic factors of mortality.

The incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in HIV-infected patients has decreased thanks to sulfa prophylaxis and combined antiretroviral therapy. The influence of P. jirovecii dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene mutations on survival is controversial and has not been reported in Spain.

Daptomycin is effective in treatment of experimental endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant and glycopeptide-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus.

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with potent in vitro activity against gram-positive cocci, including Staphylococcus aureus. This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of daptomycin against two clinical isolates: methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) 277 (vancomycin MIC, 2 microg/ml) and glycopeptide-intermediate S.

Human herpesvirus 7 primary infection in kidney transplant recipients.

The aims of the study were to evaluate the incidence and the clinical implications of human herpesvirus (HHV)-7 primary infection in patients undergoing kidney transplantation and the probable interactions between the three beta-herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus [CMV], HHV-6, and HHV-7). Sixty kidney transplant recipients had sequential plasma and whole blood samples collected prior to transplantation and at 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 180 days posttransplantation. We used indirect immunofluorescence assays to detect HHV-7 immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies in plasma and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess CMV, HHV-6 and HHV-7 viral loads.

The role of viruses in the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.

Background: The role of viruses in community-acquired pneumonia may have been previously underestimated. We aimed to study the incidence and clinical characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to respiratory viruses in adults adding PCR to routine conventional laboratory tests.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of CAP from January 2003 to March 2004 were included.

Relationship of phylogenetic background, biofilm production, and time to detection of growth in blood culture vials with clinical variables and prognosis associated with Escherichia coli bacteremia.

In patients with Escherichia coli bacteremia, data on the relationship of phylogenetic background, biofilm production, and degree of bacteremia with clinical variables and prognosis are scarce. During a 1-year period, all adults with bacteremia due to Escherichia coli diagnosed at a university center were enrolled. Determination of phylogenetic background, biofilm production, and genotyping was performed with all strains, and the time to positivity of blood culture vials was recorded.

Ciprofloxacin, salicylate, and 2,4-dinitrophenol decrease production of AmpC-type beta-lactamase in two Citrobacter freundii clinical isolates.

The effect of ciprofloxacin and two mar RAB inducers on the susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics in two AmpC beta-lactamase semi-constitutive producer Citrobacter freundii clinical isolates (the DM 1 and DM 2 strains) was studied. Possible changes in outer membrane protein expression, permeability to cephaloridine, active efflux, and hydrolytic activity of beta-lactamase-crude extracts were evaluated under the influence of ciprofloxacin, sodium salicylate, and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Results were compared with those of the effect of the same three chemicals on a normally beta-lactamase-inducible wild-type C.

Enhanced active efflux, repression of porin synthesis and development of Mar phenotype by diazepam in two enterobacteria strains.

The aim of this work was to determine whether diazepam could induce the multiple antibiotic resistance (Mar) phenotype in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains. The Mar phenotype is characterized by decreased susceptibility to multiple antibiotics due to the loss of porins and/or increased expression of active efflux systems. The effect of subinhibitory concentrations of diazepam on the susceptibility of different antimicrobial agents, outer-membrane protein expression and norfloxacin intracellular accumulation was studied.

Salicylate decreases production of AmpC type beta-lactamases and increases susceptibility to beta-lactams in a Morganella morganii clinical isolate.

The effect of salicylate, a marRAB inducer, on the resistance to beta-lactams was characterized in an AmpC beta-lactamase hyperproducer Morganella morganii clinical isolate (the M1 strain). Results were compared with those of the effect of salicylate in a wild-type M. morganii strain.

[Usefulness of risk indexes for the prediction of surgical site infection in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures].

Background And Objective: The use of risk indexes, originally developed in the US for the assessment of SSI risk, is an useful instrument that must be analyzed according to each specific procedure. The addition of other possible SSI risk factors, like the use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, could improve the predictive value of these indexes. The aim of this study was to determine the SSI incidence rate for craniotomy in patients admitted to the Neurosurgical Unit of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Spain), to assess the use of standard NNIS and SENIC indexes, and to assess the possible effect of the addition of a new risk factor (adequate or inadequate use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis) to these indexes.

Simultaneous identification of Mycobacterium genus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in clinical samples by 5'-exonuclease fluorogenic PCR.

Early diagnosis of tuberculosis and screening of other mycobacteria is required for the appropriate management of patients. We have therefore developed a 5'-exonuclease fluorogenic PCR assay in a single-tube balanced heminested format that simultaneously detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and members of the Mycobacterium genus (MYC) using the 16S ribosomal DNA target directly on clinical samples. One hundred twenty-seven clinical samples (65 smear negative and 62 smear positive) with a positive culture result from 127 patients were tested, including 40 negative control specimens.