Opportunistic screening for hepatitis C virus infection in an emergency department in Almeria, Spain.

Objectives: The prevalence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Spain is estimated to be 0.2%, but a large number of persons are unaware of their infection status. Additional approaches to early diagnosis of HCV infection in vulnerable populations with scarce contact with the national health care system are therefore needed.

Multiple-dose versus single-dose ivermectin for Strongyloides stercoralis infection (Strong Treat 1 to 4): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled superiority trial.

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a neglected condition that places people who are immunocompromised at risk of hyperinfection and death. Ivermectin is the drug of choice for the treatment of S stercoralis infection, but there is no definitive evidence on the optimal dose. This trial aimed to assess whether multiple doses of ivermectin were superior to a single dose for the treatment of non-disseminated strongyloidiasis.

Preliminary readings of antimicrobial susceptibility panels: A simple, fast and inexpensive way to detect bacterial resistance and enhance antibiotic treatment of bloodstream infections.

Increasing incidence of resistant bacteria needs faster identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) in order to improve antimicrobial treatment of severe infections. We propose a preliminary reading of the AST MicroScan® panels coupled with mass spectrometry ID. A total of 157 bacterial clinical isolates were processed for routine ID and AST (in 22 cases, ID and AST were performed directly from positive blood culture bottles).

Submicroscopic Malaria in Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Spain.

In a screening program, we detected submicroscopic malaria in 8.9% of recent migrants to Spain from sub-Saharan Africa. Hemoglobinopathies and filarial infection occurred more frequently in newly arrived migrants with submicroscopic malaria than in those without.

Impact of using artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria from Plasmodium falciparum in a non-endemic zone.

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been adopted by the World Health Organization as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In endemic regions, it has proven more effective in treating the disease, and even in reducing its transmission. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of studies carried out in non-endemic areas on imported uncomplicated malaria.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains from Southern Spain, 2012-2014.

Background: Gonorrhoea remains an important health problem worldwide. The latest European guidelines have recommended the introduction of dual antimicrobial therapy due to the increase in its resistance to antimicrobial agents.

Methods: In the present study, the susceptibility to some antibiotics was evaluated, and the typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains was also performed.

Infectious Diseases in Immigrant Population Related to the Time of Residence in Spain.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the data on the main imported infectious diseases and public health issues arising from the risk of transmission of tropical and common diseases in the immigrant population. During the period of study, 2,426 immigrants were attended in the Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital of Poniente. For each patient, a complete screening for common and tropical diseases was performed.

Strongyloidiasis in immigrants in Southern Spain.

Objective: To analyse clinical and epidemiological characteristics of immigrant patients diagnosed with strongyloidiasis in our area.

Methods: An analyse was performed on patients with strongyloidiasis seen in the Tropical Medicine Unit of the "Hospital de Poniente" in Almeria (Spain), from April 2004 to May 2012.

Results: A total of 320 patients were diagnosed with Strongyloides stercoralis infection, and 284 out of 314 patients (90.

Usefulness of Genotype MTBDRplus assay in acid-fast bacilli positive smear specimens in Almeria, Spain.

Introduction: The urgent need for operational research evaluating test performance in a real-world setting has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the performance of MTBDRplus assay.

Materials: According to the reference method, of the 155 clinical specimens with valid results, 147 were susceptible to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH), with 4 being multi-drug resistant (MDR) and 4 with isolated resistance to isoniazid (INH).

[Imported hookworm infection in Almeria].

Objectives: To study the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of immigrant patients diagnosed with a hookworm infection in the Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital de Poniente in El Ejido (Almería, Spain).

Material And Methods: A retrospective observational study of all immigrant patients diagnosed with hookworm, by direct visualization of eggs in stool samples, from October 2004 until December 2012.

Results: Of the 1872patients studied, 253 (13.

[Radiological findings in patients with imported schistosomiasis].

Introduction: Imaging techniques, primarily ultrasound, are useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with schistosomiasis in endemic areas.

Methods: Study of 219 patients treated in sub-Saharan Tropical Medicine Unit with a diagnosis of imported schistosomiasis by imaging techniques investigations including plain abdominal radiography and ultrasound.

Results: A total of 17.