Publications by authors named "Merce Garcia Gonzalez"

An increase in Group A Streptococcus vulvovaginitis was detected in 2023: The average number of cases per year was 13 during 2011-2017. Twenty-five and 27 cases were reported in 2018 and 2019 followed by a decline coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 increase surpassed previous data.

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An increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infection was detected in the northeast of Spain in November 2022. A postpandemic decline in the diversity of circulating emm types involved in invasive group A Streptococcus was observed, along with the emergence of emm49 in this geographic area.

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Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of severe bronchiolitis, especially in infants. The aim of this study is to assess whether codetection of RSV and other respiratory viruses could affect the severity of this infection comparing with unique RSV detection.

Methods: A prospective study from 2016 to 2019 including children under 2 years who were admitted in the Emergency Service of the Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida (Spain) was performed.

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is one of the most widespread infections, and it is reaching alarming resistance levels worldwide. The recommended first-line empirical treatment differs according to the local rate of clarithromycin resistance. Macrolide resistance is mainly associated with three point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene.

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Introduction: Intestinal parasites are considered a growing public health problem, being protozoa the main cause of intestinal disease. The objective of our study is to compare the detection of intestinal protozoa by microscopy versus real-time PCR, as well as to determine the most prevalent protozoa in our environment in the paediatric population.

Method: An observational longitudinal study was carried out, both by microscopy and real time-PCR in stool samples from children (0- 15 years) received from April 2019 to March 2021.

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is a human zoonotic pathogen of occupational origin, with infection acquired through contact with live pigs or pig meat. Pig farming is one of Catalonia's biggest industries and as a result this region of Spain has one of the highest density pig populations per km. The aim of our study was to describe the infections caused by occurring in that area over a 9-year period.

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The identification of laboratory markers which predict the outcome of COVID-19 patients is a great concern. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate laboratory parameters of COVID-19 patients as well as to evaluate the RT-PCR crossing point (Cp) value and correlate blood test abnormalities and the Cp value with patients survival.

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Introduction: Few prospective studies analyze, with sufficient duration, the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program (AMSP) carried out entirely in a hospital.

Methods: Descriptive study evaluating the consumption of antimicrobials expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 100 hospital occupied bed-days (OBDs) stratified in medical, surgical and intensive care unit (ICU) and the incidence of densities (ID) per 1,000 hospital OBDs of the prevalent multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in a tertiary hospital, over a period of 5 years before and after the implementation of an AMSP. Analysis of direct costs and those associated with hospital stay and mortality.

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Background Liver abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of Entamoeba histolytica. Clinical manifestations could appear after returning from an endemic area or several years after the exposure. The diagnosis usually requires microbiological confirmation.

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