Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Epidemiology of : A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly affected the epidemiology of , a pathogen associated with various clinical presentations such as pharyngitis, scarlet fever, and invasive diseases. This study analyzed the incidence and characteristics of infections between 2018 and 2023, examining 915 cases categorized as either respiratory or non-respiratory. Respiratory infections predominantly affected children, accounting for 76% of cases, with a median age of 5 [3, 8] years, while non-respiratory infections were more common in adults, with a median age of 46.

Dynamics of respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid, Spain.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the implemented control measures have impacted the circulation of respiratory-transmitted pathogens. In this report, we present data from a retrospective study that included 17,883 specimens conducted between 2018 and 2022 in our facility, describing the dynamics of circulation of the main respiratory viruses. We observed a significant decrease in all viral detections (other than SARS-CoV-2) starting from March 2020.

Rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants, a key tool for pandemic surveillance.

The utility of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in analysis SARS-COV-2 variants was evaluated. RT-PCR tests were used to analyse the majority of new SARS-CoV-2 cases (n = 9315) in a tertiary hospital (Madrid, Spain) throughout 2021. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted on 10.

Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra CT value provides a rapid measure of sputum bacillary burden and predicts smear status in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Traditionally, smear microscopy has been used to estimate bacillary burden in order to assess infectiousness in tuberculosis (TB) patients. Since Xpert MTB assays might replace smear microscopy as the first-line diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis, an alternative measure of bacillary load that correlates with smear positivity is needed. This study assessed the correlation between C (with and without normalization), smear status, culture time-to-positivity (TTP), and clinical factors in patients with Xpert ultra positive sputum during a four-year period.

First confirmation of importation and transmission in Spain of the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.

Introduction: A newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, VOC202012/01 originating lineage B.1.1.

Strain-to-strain variability among Staphylococcus aureus causing prosthetic joint infection drives heterogeneity in response to levofloxacin and rifampicin.

Introduction: Levofloxacin and rifampicin are the preferred treatment for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus, especially when managed with implant retention (DAIR). However, a significant variability of success has been reported, which could be related to intrinsic characteristics of the microorganism. Our aim was to evaluate the variability in the anti-biofilm response to levofloxacin and rifampicin in a clinical collection of S.

Microbiological and Molecular Features Associated with Persistent and Relapsing Prosthetic Joint Infection.

Background: Persistent and relapsing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to presents a clinical challenge. This study aimed to provide an extensive description of phenotypic and genomic changes that could be related to persistence or relapse.

Methods: Initial and second isolates from 6 cases of persistent and relapsing PJI, along with clinical isolates from 8 cases, with favorable outcome were included.

Clinical presentation and virological assessment of confirmed human monkeypox virus cases in Spain: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: In May, 2022, several European countries reported autochthonous cases of monkeypox, which rapidly spread globally. Early reports suggest atypical presentations. We aimed to investigate clinical and virological characteristics of cases of human monkeypox in Spain.

Role of molecular diagnostics in the clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection: advantages and drawbacks.

The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is based on the use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), especially rRT-PCR. The latter also allows us to quickly identify variants of concern. However, its use in follow-up of patients and the correlation between Ct value and the viability of the virus is controversial.

Detection of BK polyomavirus genotypes to predict the development of BK polyomavirus-associated complications in kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective analysis.

Objectives: This study focused on the role that BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genotypes can play in the development of BKPyV-associated complications in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: A retrospective observational study (January 2015 to April 2018) was conducted by analyzing BKPyV genotypes in 180 blood samples with detectable BKPyV viral load (VL) > 1000 copies/mL, from 63 renal transplant recipients. VL and BKPyV genotypes detections were based on real-time PCR (rt-PCR)-specific assays.

First confirmation of importation and transmission in Spain of the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.

Introduction: A newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, VOC202012/01 originating lineage B.1.1.

Multicenter evaluation of the Panbio™ COVID-19 rapid antigen-detection test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Objectives: The standard RT-PCR assay for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is laborious and time-consuming, limiting testing availability. Rapid antigen-detection tests are faster and less expensive; however, the reliability of these tests must be validated before they can be used widely. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (PanbioRT) (Abbott) in detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasopharyngeal swab specimens.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Prosthetic Joint Infections: Insight on the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort.

Background: is the leading cause of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Beyond the antibiogram, little attention has been paid to the influence of deep microbiological characteristics on patient prognosis. Our aim was to investigate whether microbiological genotypic and phenotypic features have a significant influence on infection pathogenesis and patient outcome.

Staphylococcus aureus native arthritis over 10 years.

Objectives: Septic arthritis is associated with significant case fatality and morbidity. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of arthritis. We aimed to analyze the microbiological features of S.

BK virus viral load: analysis of the requests received by the microbiology laboratory and clinical involvement of the issued results.

Automation of viral diagnosis has led to an increase of BK virus (BKV) viral load (VL) requests. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of serum creatinine (SCr) for controlling the demand and to study the clinical characteristics of BKV infection. This is a retrospective study including patients with BKV VL request during April-July 2017.

Intraosteoblastic activity of levofloxacin and rifampin alone and in combination against clinical isolates of meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus causing prosthetic joint infection.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus may invade and persist intracellularly in prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Despite optimized treatments with levofloxacin plus rifampin, the intracellular reservoir may lead to infection relapse. This study assessed the intracellular activity of levofloxacin and rifampin in an in-vitro model of human osteoblastic infection.

Influence of viral load in the outcome of hospitalized patients with influenza virus infection.

The role of viral load in the outcome of patients requiring hospital admission due to influenza is not well established. We aim to assess if there is an association between the viral load and the outcome in hospitalized patients with a confirmed influenza virus infection. A retrospective observational study including all adult patients who were hospitalized in our center with a confirmed influenza virus infection from January to May 2016.

Daptomycin Plus Fosfomycin as Salvage Therapy in a Difficult-to-Treat Total Femoral Replacement Infection.

The highly active anti-biofilm combination of daptomycin plus fosfomycin was successfully used in a difficult-to-treat infection of a total femoral replacement caused by multi-drug resistant in a 79-year-old woman. There was no need to remove the orthopedic hardware, and the patient is currently pain free and able to walk.

Molecular Epidemiology of Bacteremia: Association of Molecular Factors With the Source of Infection.

bacteremia (SAB) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, which varies depending on the source of infection. Nevertheless, the global molecular epidemiology of SAB and its possible association with specific virulence factors remains unclear. Using DNA microarrays, a total of 833 strains (785 SAB and 48 colonizing strains) collected in Spain over a period of 15 years (2002-2017) were characterized to determine clonal complex (CC), type and repertoire of resistance and virulence genes in order to provide an epidemiological overview of CCs causing bloodstream infection, and to analyze possible associations between virulence genes and the most common sources of bacteremia.

Sub-inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin modify the expression of agr locus in Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains belonging to different clonal complexes.

Background: The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to invade tissues and cause an infectious disease is the result of a multi-factorial process supported by the huge number of virulence factors inherent to this microorganism tightly regulated by the accessory gene regulator (agr). During antimicrobial therapy bacteria may be exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of antibiotics that may trigger transcriptional changes that may have an impact on the pathogenesis of infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oxacillin sub-MICs on agr system expression as the key component in the regulation of virulence in methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and -resistant S.

The value of xpert MTB/RIF-generated CT values for predicting the smear status of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Smear microscopy is used to assess the patient's infectiousness at the time of initial diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, its limited sensitivity and specificity highlights the need for new diagnostic strategies. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of GX Ct value as a predictor of smear status and its usefulness to quantify mycobacterial load.

Pathogenic Characteristics of Endovascular Infection Isolates from Different Clonal Complexes.

is a major cause of bacteremia and, even with appropriate clinical management, causes high morbidity, and mortality due to its involvement in endovascular complications and metastatic infections. Through different pathogenic and models we investigated the behavior of most relevant clonal complexes (CCs) causing endovascular complications. We analyzed 14 strains representing CC5, CC8, CC15, CC30, and CC45 that caused endovascular complications, including methicillin susceptible and resistant isolates and strains with different functionality of the global regulator.

Influence of molecular characteristics in the prognosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections: beyond the species and the antibiogram.

We have explored the relationship of phenotypic (antibiogram, β-haemolysis, agr functionality, biofilm formation) and genotypic characteristics on the prognosis of 18 cases of methicillin-resistant S. aureus prosthetic joint infection (2005-2015). All isolates belonged to CC5, and had agr type II.

Chlorhexidine and mupirocin susceptibilities in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bacteraemia and nasal colonisation.

Chlorhexidine and mupirocin have been increasingly used in healthcare facilities to eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and mechanisms of chlorhexidine and mupirocin resistance in MRSA from invasive infections and colonisation. MRSA isolates obtained from blood and nasal samples between 2012 and 2014 were analysed.