Francisco López-Medrano

Seasonal and Pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccination coverage and attitudes among health-care workers in a Spanish University Hospital

Abstract Influenza vaccination coverage among health-care workers (HCWs) remains the lowest compared with other priority groups for immunization. Little is known about the acceptability and compliance with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine among HCWs during the current campaign. Between 23 December 2009 and 13 January 2010, once the workplace vaccination program was over, we conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey at the University Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain). Five hundred twenty-seven HCWs were asked about their influenza immunization history during the 2009–2010 season, as well as the reasons for accepting or declining either the seasonal or pandemic vaccines. Multiple logistic-regression analysis was preformed to identify variables associated with immunization acceptance. A total of 262 HCWs (49.7%) reported having received the seasonal vaccine, while only 87 (16.5%) affirmed having received the pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 vaccine. “Self-protection” and “protection of the patient” were the most frequently adduced reasons for acceptance of the pandemic vaccination, whereas the existence of “doubts about vaccine efficacy” and “fear of adverse reactions” were the main arguments for refusal. Simultaneous receipt of the seasonal vaccine (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.14–0.52) and being a staff (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04–0.19) or a resident physician (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05–0.50) emerged as independent predictors for pandemic vaccine acceptance, whereas self-reported membership of a priority group was associated with refusal (OR: 5.98; 95% CI: 1.35–26.5). The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccination coverage among the HCWs in our institution was very low (16.5%), suggesting the role of specific attitudinal barriers and misconceptions about immunization in a global pandemic scenario.

Bloodstream infections among transplant recipients: results of a nationwide surveillance in Spain.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. The aim of this study is to describe the incidence, microbiology and outcomes of BSIs in transplant recipients in Spain. The Spanish Network for Research on Infection in Transplantation (RESITRA) is formed by 16 centers with transplant program in Spain. The incidence and characteristics of BSIs in transplant patients were obtained prospectively from the cohort. We included 3926 transplant recipients (2935 solid organ and 991 hematopoietic stem cell transplants). Overall, 730 episodes of BSIs were recorded with an incidence rate ranging from 3 episodes per 10 000 transplant days in kidney recipients to 44 episodes per 10 000 transplant days in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The most frequent sources were intravascular catheters and the most frequent microorganisms isolated were coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Crude mortality of BSIs was 7.8%, being highest in liver recipients (16%). Multidrug resistant nonfermentative gram‐negative BSIs had significantly worse prognosis than those caused by their susceptible counterparts (p = 0.015), but no differences were found between resistant and susceptible gram‐negative enteric bacilli, S. aureus or Candida spp. BSIs are still a major concern in transplant recipients. The increasing isolations of multiresistant microorganisms represent a challenge for the next years.

Ampicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Is as Effective as Ampicillin Plus Gentamicin for Treating Enterococcus faecalis Infective Endocarditis

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AC) and ampicillin plus gentamicin (AG) combinations for treating Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE). METHODS An observational, nonrandomized, comparative multicenter cohort study was conducted at 17 Spanish and 1 Italian hospitals. Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of EFIE were included. Outcome measurements were death during treatment and at 3 months of follow-up, adverse events requiring treatment withdrawal, treatment failure requiring a change of antimicrobials, and relapse. RESULTS A larger percentage of AC-treated patients (n = 159) had previous chronic renal failure than AG-treated patients (n = 87) (33% vs 16%, P = .004), and AC patients had a higher incidence of cancer (18% vs 7%, P = .015), transplantation (6% vs 0%, P = .040), and healthcare-acquired infection (59% vs 40%, P = .006). Between AC and AG-treated EFIE patients, there were no differences in mortality while on antimicrobial treatment (22% vs 21%, P = .81) or at 3-month follow-up (8% vs 7%, P = .72), in treatment failure requiring a change in antimicrobials (1% vs 2%, P = .54), or in relapses (3% vs 4%, P = .67). However, interruption of antibiotic treatment due to adverse events was much more frequent in AG-treated patients than in those receiving AC (25% vs 1%, P < .001), mainly due to new renal failure (≥25% increase in baseline creatinine concentration; 23% vs 0%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AC appears as effective as AG for treating EFIE patients and can be used with virtually no risk of renal failure and regardless of the high-level aminoglycoside resistance status of E. faecalis.

Impact of Current Transplantation Management on the Development of Cytomegalovirus Disease after Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND Current advances in transplantation practices may influence the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after renal transplantation. METHODS From September 2003 through February 2005, 1470 renal transplant recipients (55 of whom were kidney-pancreas transplant recipients) were prospectively studied in the 16 transplant centers affiliated with the Spanish Network of Infection in Transplantation, with use of an ad hoc-designed online database. Univariate and multivariate analyses with logistic regression were performed to detect risk factors for CMV disease. RESULTS A total of 105 episodes of CMV disease (37 with visceral involvement) developed in 99 (6.7%) of 1470 patients. Attributable mortality appeared in 1 (1.0%) of 105 cases. Multivariate analysis showed that, apart from CMV serological mismatch, presence of rejection episodes, and the use of antilymphocitic drugs, a simultaneous pancreas transplantation (odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-9), use of cyclosporine (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.18-2.9), a donor >60 years of age (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-3.7), and chronic graft malfunction (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.14-2.9) were independently associated with CMV disease, whereas use of sirolimus had a protective effect (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.1-0.78). CONCLUSIONS Additional risk factors related to current transplantation practices influence the epidemiology of CMV after renal transplantation and should be taken into account in the design of prophylactic strategies in this population of kidney or kidney-pancreas recipients.

Factors associated with severe disease in hospitalized adults with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Spain

The risk factors for complications in patients with influenza A (H1N1)v virus infection have not been fully elucidated. We performed an observational analysis of a prospective cohort of hospitalized adults with confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1)v virus infection at 13 hospitals in Spain, between June 12 and November 10, 2009, to identify factors associated with severe disease. Severe disease was defined as the composite outcome of intensive-care unit (ICU) admission or in-hospital mortality. During the study period, 585 adult patients (median age 40 years) required hospitalization because of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. At least one comorbid condition was present in 318 (54.4%) patients. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 234 (43.2%) patients and bacterial co-infection in 45 (7.6%). Severe disease occurred in 75 (12.8%) patients, of whom 71 required ICU admission and 13 (2.2%) died. Independent factors for severe disease were age <50 years (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.05-5.47), chronic comorbid conditions (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.41-6.09), morbid obesity (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 2.25-20.19), concomitant and secondary bacterial co-infection (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.11-7) and early oseltamivir therapy (OR, 0.32; 95% CI 0.16-0.63). In conclusion, although adults hospitalized for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 suffer from significant morbidity, mortality is lower than that reported in the earliest studies. Younger age, chronic comorbid conditions, morbid obesity and bacterial co-infection are independent risk factors for severe disease, whereas early oseltamivir therapy is a protective factor.

Systematic screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in renal transplant recipients

We sought to examine the impact of asymptomatic bacteriuria on renal transplant outcome by retrospectively analyzing 189 renal transplant recipients for whom systematic screening uncovered 298 episodes of asymptomatic bacteriuria in 96 recipients. These patients were treated and all were followed for 36 months. Significant risk factors included female gender, glomerulonephritis as the disease that led to transplantation, and double renal transplant. There were no differences in serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, or proteinuria between patients with and without bacteriuria. The incidence of pyelonephritis in these patients was 7.6 episodes per 100 patient-years compared with 1.07 in those without asymptomatic bacteriuria. Between two to five and more than five bacteriuria episodes were significant independent factors associated with pyelonephritis whereas more than five episodes was a significant independent factor associated with rejection. Thus, we found no differences in renal function prognosis between patients who do not develop asymptomatic bacteriuria and those uncovered by systematic screening and who received treatment following kidney transplantation. Despite this treatment, the incidence of pyelonephritis was much higher in the group of patients with detected asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Clinical Implications of Respiratory Virus Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Study

Background. There is limited information about clinical consequences of respiratory virus infections (RVI) in solid organ transplant recipients. No prospective epidemiological study has been published previously. Methods. We selected a cohort of 152 transplant recipients (cardiac, hepatic and renal transplant recipients). Median time from transplantation was 17 months (range 1–50). They were prospectively followed-up for RVI during 7 months (October to April). Clinical and microbiological evaluation (cell culture, shell vial and polymerase chain reaction technique) of each RVI episode was made. Results. We detected 81 RVI (0.91 episodes/patient/year). Complications were detected in 15/81 episodes (18.5%): acute bronchitis (10 cases), pneumonia (three cases; 3.7% of RVI episodes) and bacterial sinusitis (2 cases). In 4 of 81 episodes (5%), patients needed hospitalization. A respiratory virus was isolated in 17 of 68 nasopharyngeal samples (six respiratory syncytial virus, six influenza, four picornavirus, one adenovirus). Fever presented an 83% positive predictive value for the diagnosis of influenza virus infection among those with a positive microbiological isolation. There were no episodes of acute rejection coincidentally with RVI. Only 54% of the subjects had been previously vaccinated against influenza. Conclusions. Incidence of RVI among solid organ transplant recipients is similar to general population but complications are higher. A relationship between RVI and rejection was not detected. The rate of influenza vaccination was lower than expected. The presence of fever in a transplant recipient with RVI strongly suggests influenza infection.

Effect of immunomodulatory therapies in patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of immunomodulatory therapies on the development of severe disease in hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia. METHODS Observational, prospective cohort study at thirteen tertiary hospitals in Spain. The use of corticosteroids, macrolides and statins was recorded. The outcome of interest was severe disease, defined as the composite of intensive care unit admission or death after the first day of hospitalization. RESULTS Of the 197 patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia, 68 (34.5%) received some anti-inflammatory therapy since hospital admission (corticosteroids in 37, macrolides in 31 and statins in 12). Severe disease occurred in 29 (14.7%) patients. After adjustment for confounding factors, immunomodulatory therapies as a group were not associated with a lower risk for developing severe disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-1.86). In a further a priori analysis, corticosteroids, macrolides and statins were included in a multivariate model. None of these therapies was found to be associated with a lower risk for developing severe disease. CONCLUSIONS Immunomodulatory therapies use since hospital admission did not prevent the development of severe disease in adults with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 complicated by pneumonia.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Infection Following Intravesical BCG Administration as Adjunctive Therapy For Bladder Cancer: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcome in a Single-Institution Series and Review of the Literature

AbstractBacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most effective intravesical immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. Although generally well tolerated, BCG-related infectious complications may occur following instillation. Much of the current knowledge about this complication comes from single case reports, with heterogeneous diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and no investigation on risk factors for its occurrence. We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients treated with intravesical BCG in our institution during a 6-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months after the last instillation. We also conducted a comprehensive review and pooled analysis of additional cases reported in the literature since 1975. Eleven patients (4.3%) developed systemic BCG infection in our institution, with miliary tuberculosis as the most common form (6 cases). A 3-drug antituberculosis regimen was initiated in all but 1 patient, with a favorable outcome in 9/10 cases. There were no significant differences in the mean number of transurethral resections prior to the first instillation, the time interval between both procedures, the overall mean number of instillations, or the presence of underlying immunosuppression between patients with or without BCG infection. We included 282 patients in the pooled analysis (271 from the literature and 11 from our institution). Disseminated (34.4%), genitourinary (23.4%), and osteomuscular (19.9%) infections were the most common presentations of disease. Specimens for microbiologic diagnosis were obtained in 87.2% of cases, and the diagnostic performances for acid-fast staining, conventional culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays were 25.3%, 40.9%, and 41.8%, respectively. Most patients (82.5%) received antituberculosis therapy for a median of 6.0 (interquartile range: 4.0–9.0) months. Patients with disseminated infection more commonly received antituberculosis therapy and adjuvant corticosteroids, whereas those with reactive arthritis were frequently treated only with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Attributable mortality was higher for patients aged ≥65 years (7.4% vs 2.1%; p  = 0.091) and those with disseminated infection (9.9% vs 3.0%; p = 0.040) and vascular involvement (16.7% vs 4.6%; p = 0.064). The scheduled BCG regimen was resumed in only 2 of 36 patients with available data (5.6%), with an uneventful outcome. In the absence of an apparent predictor of the development of disseminated BCG infection after intravesical therapy, and considering the protean variety of clinical manifestations, it is essential to keep a high index of suspicion to initiate adequate therapy promptly and to evaluate carefully the risk-benefit balance of resuming intravesical BCG immunotherapy.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis: report of 8 cases and review of the literature.

AbstractAspergillus tracheobronchitis (AT) is an infrequent but severe form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in which the fungal infection is entirely or predominantly confined to the tracheobronchial tree. We reviewed 8 cases of AT diagnosed in our tertiary care center during an 18-year period, as well as 148 cases previously reported in the English literature from 1985 to July 2011. The demographic, clinical, imaging, bronchoscopic, and outcome characteristics of every eligible patient were excerpted, and predictors of inhospital mortality were identified by logistic regression. Solid organ transplantation (SOT) (44.2%), hematologic malignancy (21.2%), neutropenia (18.7%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15.4%) were the most common underlying conditions reported. Most cases occurred in patients receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment (71.8%) or chemotherapy (25.0%). Fever and respiratory complaints (cough, dyspnea, stridor, or wheezing) were the most frequent symptoms; one-third of patients developed acute respiratory distress at presentation, and 15.1% were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Initial imaging studies were not informative in 47.4% of the cases. Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species (74.4%). The pseudomembranous form was the most commonly observed (31.9% of cases) and was more frequent in neutropenic patients (p = 0.007), whereas ulcerative AT (31.2%) was associated with SOT (p = 0.001). The most frequent antifungal monotherapy regimens were amphotericin B deoxycholate (23.1%) and itraconazole (18.6%), whereas combined therapy was administered in 35.9% of the cases. Overall inhospital mortality was 39.1%, with neutropenia (odds ratio [OR], 20.47; p < 0.001) and acute respiratory distress at presentation (OR, 9.54; p = 0.002) as independent prognostic factors. Our pooled analysis of the literature shows that AT remains a rare opportunistic infection with a nonspecific presentation and a variable course depending on the nature of the predisposing factor.