Serotype and clonal distribution dynamics of invasive pneumococcal strains after PCV13 introduction (2011-2016): Surveillance data from 23 sites in Catalonia, Spain.

Background: The objective of this study is to describe incidence and shifts of serotype and clonal distribution of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in four different age groups (<5 years, 5-17 years, 18-64 years and >65 years) during a period of intermediate PCV13 vaccination coverage (2011-2016) in Catalonia, Spain.

Methods: We included all pneumococcal strains systematically sent to the Catalan support laboratory for molecular surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) located at Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona. Two study periods were considered: 2011-13, early PCV13 vaccination period (EVP) and 2014-2016, late vaccination period (LVP).

Linezolid more efficacious than vancomycin to eradicate infecting organism in critically ill patients with Gram-positive infections.

Objective: A prospective and observational study has been conducted to analyze the efficacious of linezolid compared to vancomycin to eradicate the infecting organism in critically ill patients with Gram-positive infections.

Patients And Methods: Prospective, observational and non-controlled study in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital. A total number of 53 critically ill patients with therapy to proven Gram-positive bacterial infection were studied.

Colonization of the medial lumen is a risk factor for catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Objective: To analyze the colonization of each lumen and the risk factors for triple-lumen central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBI).

Design And Setting: Prospective, observational study in the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital.

Patients: A total of 120 patients requiring the insertion of a triple-lumen catheter.

Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection in critically ill patients using a disinfectable, needle-free connector: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a disinfectable, needle-free connector in the prophylaxis of catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in a polyvalent intensive care unit. Patients who needed multilumen central venous catheters were randomly assigned to a study or a control group.

Helminth parasites of the eurasian badger (Meles meles L.) in Spain: a biogeographic approach.

Eighty-five Eurasian badgers, Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758), from four mainland biogeographic Spanish areas were analysed for helminths. Seventeen helminth species were found: Brachylaima sp., Euparyphium melis and Euryhelmis squamula (Trematoda), Atriotaenia incisa and Mesocestoides sp.

Disseminated infection caused by Scedosporium prolificans in a patient with acute multilineal leukemia.

In this report, we describe a case of disseminated infection caused by Scedosporium prolificans (S. inflatum) in a patient affected by chemotherapy-induced acute multilineal leukemia and neutropenia. For the fungus isolated in four blood cultures, high MICs of currently available antifungal agents were found.