A. Pahissa | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (original) (raw)

Papers by A. Pahissa

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 1989

Several antimicrobial regimens were evaluated in the treatment of experimental enterococcal endoc... more Several antimicrobial regimens were evaluated in the treatment of experimental enterococcal endocarditis due to a beta-lactamase-producing, highly gentamicin-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Ampicillin alone cleared bacteremia in the majority of rats and reduced titers of bacteria within vegetations (6.84 versus 8.80 log10 CFU/g in controls) but did not sterilize valves. Ampicillin-sulbactam combinations, vancomycin, daptomycin, and imipenem each reduced residual bacterial titers within vegetations to 4.01 log10 CFU/g or less; in 26 to 43% of animals receiving 5 days of therapy, titers of bacteria were reduced to undetectable levels. In a separate experiment, rats received ampicillin-sulbactam, daptomycin, or vancomycin for 10 days and were then observed for 10 days after termination of therapy for evidence of relapse. In surviving rats, valves remained sterile in four of five rats treated with ampicillin-sulbactam, in five of seven treated with daptomycin, but in only one...

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005

We conducted population-based surveillance for Candida bloodstream infections in Spain to determi... more We conducted population-based surveillance for Candida bloodstream infections in Spain to determine its incidence, the extent of antifungal resistance, and risk factors for mortality. A case was defined as the first positive blood culture for any Candida spp. in a resident of Barcelona, from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2003. We defined early mortality as occurring between days 3 to 7 after candidemia and late mortality as occurring between days 8 to 30. We detected 345 cases of candidemia, for an average annual incidence of 4.3 cases/100,000 population, 0.53 cases/1,000 hospital discharges, and 0.73 cases/10,000 patient-days. Outpatients comprised 11% of the cases, and 89% had a central venous catheter (CVC) at diagnosis. Overall mortality was 44%. Candida albicans was the most frequent species (51% of cases), followed by Candida parapsilosis (23%), Candida tropicalis (10%), Candida glabrata (8%), Candida krusei (4%), and other species (3%). Twenty-four isolates (7%) had decreased...

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2012

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2009

Objectives: Gentamicin is often used to treat listeriosis, particularly in patients with meningit... more Objectives: Gentamicin is often used to treat listeriosis, particularly in patients with meningitis; nonetheless, some clinicians question this practice because of the drug's associated nephrotoxicity and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of mortality and the impact of aminoglycosides on outcome in patients with listeriosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all non-pregnant adult patients with Listeria monocytogenes infection detected in sterile body fluids between 1983 and 2006. Early mortality was defined as death occurring between days 3 and 14 after admission, and late mortality as in-hospital death after 14 days. Results: Of 118 episodes, 16 were excluded because patients died in the first 48 h. Among the 102 patients analysed, 33 (32%) had received combined b-lactam and aminoglycoside therapy and 69 (68%) b-lactam monotherapy. Both groups had similar demographic and clinical features, and rate of appropriate initial therapy. Overall mortality was 21/102 (20.6%). Early overall mortality was 11.8%: 27.3% (9/33) in the combined group and 4.3% (3/69) in the monotherapy group (P 50.003). Late mortality was 8.8%. In the multivariate analysis, the factors predicting early mortality were renal failure, previous corticosteroid therapy and age >65 years, whereas neoplastic disease and coma were associated with late mortality. Gentamicin administration did not decrease early mortality, but seemed to increase it. In the late mortality analysis, gentamicin use had no impact. In an analysis with the propensity score method for the use of aminoglycosides, combined therapy with this antibiotic was associated with an increasing trend for early mortality (OR 3.40, 95% CI 0.82-14.07). Conclusions: The addition of aminoglycosides to treatment for listeriosis did not improve the patients' outcome.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2007

Background and objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by frequent relapses in H... more Background and objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by frequent relapses in HIVinfected patients, even in those who receive secondary prophylaxis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) for secondary prophylaxis of VL in HIV-infected patients. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2005, 17 HIV patients, with at least one previous episode of VL who received LAMB as secondary prophylaxis for VL, were included in the study. Efficacy was measured as the proportion of patients remaining free (non-relapse) of VL at different time points. Relapses were analysed as time-to-relapse distribution and were evaluated by survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty-one episodes of VL were diagnosed and nine relapsed. The median follow-up time was 14 (5-44) months. The probability of remaining free of relapse at 6 months was 89.7% (95% CI, 76.2-100); at 12 months, the probability was 79.1% (95% CI, 61-97.2) and at 24 and 36 months, the probability was 55.9% (95% CI, 30.5-81.3). In the non-relapsing group, patients had a significant increase in CD4 cell levels of 102 (10-174) and 126 (4-159) cells/mm 3 at 12 and 24 months, respectively (P 5 0.037), whereas in the relapsing group, no significant increase was observed. Prophylaxis with LAMB was well tolerated and only three patients had a mild impairment of renal function without requiring any change in treatment. Conclusions: LAMB is well tolerated and useful for secondary prophylaxis of VL.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2010

Background: The effectiveness of linezolid, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin for treating... more Background: The effectiveness of linezolid, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin for treating experimental Staphylococcus aureus catheter-related infection by the antibiotic-lock technique was assessed. Methods: Two methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) ATCC strains and two methicillin-resistant (MRSA) clinical strains were used. New Zealand white rabbits were surgically implanted with a silicone intravenous catheter. Infection was induced by filling and locking the catheter with 0.3 mL of broth culture containing S. aureus, with turbidity equivalent to that of a 0.5 McFarland standard. Eighteen hours later the antibiotic-lock technique was started and continued for 24 h. Treatment groups were: control without treatment; 2000 mg/L linezolid; 2000 mg/L vancomycin; 2000 mg/L ciprofloxacin; and 40 000 mg/L gentamicin. Results: Linezolid and vancomycin showed equivalent activity, achieving significant reductions in log 10 cfu recovered from catheter tips in one MSSA strain (.1.12) and one MRSA strain (.0.77) as compared with controls (P,0.05). Ciprofloxacin achieved significant log 10 cfu reductions in MSSA strains relative to controls (.2.51, P,0.01). In one MSSA strain, ciprofloxacin showed a larger reduction in log 10 cfu than linezolid or vancomycin (P,0.01). Gentamicin was the only antibiotic achieving negative catheter tip cultures (up to 87.5% in MSSA and up to 40% in MRSA, P,0.01), and showed the greatest log 10 cfu reduction compared with controls (.4.25 in MSSA and .2.93 in MRSA, P,0.05) and significant differences relative to the remaining treatment groups (P,0.05 in both MSSA and MRSA). Conclusions: Gentamicin showed the highest activity against both MSSA and MRSA biofilms.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 1995

Mycoplasma hominis infections outside the urogenital tract are uncommon. An unusual case of stern... more Mycoplasma hominis infections outside the urogenital tract are uncommon. An unusual case of sternal infection caused by both Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum is described. This is the first report found in the literature of mixed infection due to these microorganisms at this site. The outcome was favourable after drainage of the surgical wound and antibiotic therapy with clindamycin, gentamicin and doxycycline.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2003

This study reviews the outcome of patients with uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aur... more This study reviews the outcome of patients with uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia diagnosed in our hospital from January 1997 to December 1999 and treated with short-course antibiotic therapy. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of this regimen for minimizing complications (relapses, endocarditis and metastatic foci). A total of 213 episodes of bacteremia were registered and 167 (78.4%) were nosocomial. Among these, 87 (52.1%) were catheterrelated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 20 were primary nosocomial bacteremia. Endocarditis was diagnosed during the acute episode in 7/107 of these patients (2 by persistent fever after catheter removal and 5 by metastatic foci; 3 of them also had cardiac risk factors) and confirmed with transesophageal echocardiography. Among the 84/87 catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 16/20 primary nosocomial bacteremia patients who did not develop endocarditis, 31 patients died during the acute episode (16 due to sepsis despite initiation of antibiotic treatment and 15 due to the underlying disease) and five had osteoarticular foci. The remaining 64 episodes were considered to be uncomplicated bacteremia (no cardiac risk factors, persistent fever, metastatic foci, or clinical signs of endocarditis) and were treated with 10-14 days of high-dose antistaphylococcal antibiotics. Echocardiography was not mandatory in these patients. Of the 64 uncomplicated episodes, 62 were followed for at least 3 months and none relapsed or developed endocarditis. Even though some of the patients might have had subclinical endocarditis, short-course therapy with high doses of antistaphylococcal antibiotics was effective for treating uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Transesophageal echocardiography may not be necessary in these cases.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, 2006

METHODS. Prospective, observational study involving all adult patients with Legionella pneumophil... more METHODS. Prospective, observational study involving all adult patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia attended at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona, Spain) from January 2001 to December 2004. Duration of fever, length of hospital stay and mortality were compared among 52 patients treated with clarithromycin, 43 with azithromycin and 18 with levofloxacin. RESULTS. The proportion of patients with risk factors for Legionnaires' disease, the initial severity of the pneumonia and the number of patients who required intensive care unit admission were similar in patients treated with clarithromycin, azithromycin and levofloxacin. In-hospital mortality was 5.3%. There were no significant differences in fever duration, length of hospital stay or mortality among the 3 groups of patients. CONCLUSION. In our experience, clarithromycin, azithromycin and levofloxacin were all efficacious for the treatment of Legionnaires' disease.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, 2005

Consensus document from GESITRA-SEIMC on the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus in trans... more Consensus document from GESITRA-SEIMC on the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus in transplanted patients Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains an important complication of transplantation. The last decade has been characterized by improvements to management that has reduced its morbidity and mortality. The advance has been particularly important in the diagnosis and prevention. Several techniques have been developed that allow the increasingly rapid and sensitive diagnosis. The different preventive strategies include use of appropriate blood products, immune globulin, and antiviral agents either as prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy. The development of effective oral drugs as valganciclovir also represents a new advance. It is necessary to summarize these advances to facilitate the development of local policies reflecting recent changes. The Group of Study of Infections in Transplantation (GESITRA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) has therefore produced actual recommendations in the management of CMV infection after transplantation.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2010

Although Candida albicans (CA) is the most common cause of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs),... more Although Candida albicans (CA) is the most common cause of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs), recent studies have observed an increasing percentage of candidaemias caused by non-albicans Candida species (NAC). In the present study, we attempted to identify the predictors of candidaemia due to NAC compared to CA. We analyzed data from an active population-based surveillance in Barcelona (Spain) from January 2002 to December 2003. Factors associated with NAC fungaemia were determined by multivariate analysis. A total of 339 episodes of Candida BSI, in 336 patients (median age 63 years, interquartile range: 41-72 years), were included. CA was the most commonly isolated (52%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (23%), Candida tropicalis (10%), Candida glabrata (8.6%), Candida krusei (3.4%) and other NAC spp. (3%).Overall, 48% of cases were due to NAC spp. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with a risk of BSI due to NAC spp.: having received a haematologic transplant (OR 10.8; 95% CI 1.31-90.01; p 0.027), previous fluconazole exposure (OR 4.47; 95% CI 2.12-9.43; p <0.001) and neonatal age (OR 4.42; 95% CI 1.63-12.04; p 0.004). Conversely, previous CA colonization (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.19-0.57; p 0.001) and previous antibiotic use (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85; p 0.017) were associated with CA fungaemia compared to NAC. In conclusion, NAC candidaemia comprised 48% of cases in our series. Predictors of NAC include having received a haematologic transplant, neonatal age and previous fluconazole use.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2012

The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term prognosis of a contemporary coh... more The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term prognosis of a contemporary cohort of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE). A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a referral centre. Between January 2000 and December 2011, all consecutive adult patients with LSIE were followed-up until death, relapse, recurrence, need for late surgery, or last control. During the active phase of IE, 174 of 438 patients underwent surgery (40% overall; 43% native valve (NVIE), 30% prosthetic valve (PVIE)) and 125 died (29% overall; 26% NVIE, 39% PVIE). The median follow-up in survivors was 3.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.0-6.0 years). Relapses occurred in seven patients (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5) and recurrences in eight (2.6%; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0), with an incidence density of 0.0067 per patient-year (95% CI, 0.0029-0.0133) and high mortality (75% of recurrences). Only four of 130 survivors (3.1%; 95% CI, 1.2-7.6) who were treated surgically during the active phase of the disease, and 14/183 (7.7%; 95% CI, 4.6-12.4) of those not undergoing surgery needed operation during follow-up (p 0.09). In the 313 survivors, actuarial survival was 86% at 1 year (87% NVIE, 83% PVIE), 79% at 2 years (81% NVIE, 72% PVIE) and 68% at 5 years (71% NVIE, 57% PVIE). At 1 year, 115 of 397 patients (29.0%; 95% CI, 24.7-33.6) remained alive, with no surgery requirement, relapse or recurrence. LSIE is associated with considerable inhospital and long-term mortality, especially PVIE. However, relapses, recurrences and the need for late surgery are uncommon.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2005

This study aimed to investigate whether initial treatment of experimental pulmonary aspergillosis... more This study aimed to investigate whether initial treatment of experimental pulmonary aspergillosis with high loading doses can be used as an alternative to standard therapeutic regimens. Steroidimmunosuppressed rats, infected intratracheally with Aspergillus fumigatus, received either amphotericin B deoxycholate (d-AmB) 1 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day, liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) 5 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day, or underwent a 3-day course of LAmB 10 mg ⁄ kg, or 10 mg ⁄ kg for the first 3 or 4 days of treatment, followed by 3 mg ⁄ kg until the end of treatment. Therapy started 24 h after fungal challenge and lasted for 7 days. Compared to controls, survival was improved significantly in animals receiving any LAmB regimen (p £ 0.003), but not d-AmB. Compared with d-AmB, LAmB at initial doses of 10 mg ⁄ kg followed by 3 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day was consistently more effective, but only when measured in terms of survival, lung weight and glucosamine levels, and not log CFU. Despite the absence of significant differences between any of the LAmB regimens, a trend towards better response rates with the higher loading dose was observed.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2011

A prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of combining antibiotic-lock therap... more A prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of combining antibiotic-lock therapy and systemic antibiotics for Gram-negative bacilli long-term catheterrelated bacteremia. In 46 uncomplicated episodes, the most frequently isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15), Enterobacter cloacae (12), Escherichia coli (10), and Klebsiella spp. (8). Cure was achieved in 95% of cases.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2013

Reply to Gelfand et al and Solla TO THE EDITOR-We appreciate the interest Gelfand et al [1] have ... more Reply to Gelfand et al and Solla TO THE EDITOR-We appreciate the interest Gelfand et al [1] have shown regarding our observational, nonrandomized, comparative multicenter study [2]. Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon, severe disease [3], and it is inevitable that randomized trials on this condition are lacking. In our observational study, the combination of ampicillin and ceftriaxone (AC) was compared with the standard-of-care ampicillin and gentamicin combination (AG) for treating Enterococcus faecalis IE, but other comparisons 768

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2009

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2005

Background. To facilitate the design of strategies for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in so... more Background. To facilitate the design of strategies for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients, this study investigates whether the development of early-onset and late-onset aspergillosis are related to different risk factors, thereby distinguishing 2 risk populations for this serious complication. Methods. A retrospective case-control study was performed, including 156 cases of proven or probable invasive aspergillosis in patients recruited from 11 Spanish centers since the start of the centers' transplantation programs. Results. Among all patients, 57% had early-onset IA (i.e., occurred during the first 3 months after transplantation). Risk factor analysis in this group identified as significantly associated risk factors a more complicated postoperative period, repeated bacterial infections or cytomegalovirus disease, and renal failure or the need for dialysis. Among patients with late-onset infections (i.e., occurred 13 months after transplantation), who comprised 43% of cases, the patients at risk were older, were in an overimmunosuppressed state because of chronic transplant rejection or allograft dysfunction, and had posttransplantation renal failure. Conclusions. Risk factors in patients with early-onset cases and patients with late-onset cases of posttransplantation invasive aspergillosis are not the same, a fact that could have implications for the preventive approaches used for this infection.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 1997

From 1979 to 1996, 58 patients (mean age, 39.4 years) were treated for bacteremia due to Campylob... more From 1979 to 1996, 58 patients (mean age, 39.4 years) were treated for bacteremia due to Campylobacter species at the Hospitals Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. Bacteremia was considered to be hospital acquired in 30% of these patients. Almost all the patients (93%) had underlying conditions; liver cirrhosis was the most frequent (34% of patients), and neoplasia, immunosuppressive therapy, and human immunodeficiency virus disease were also common. Of the 58 Campylobacter strains isolated, 81% were C. jejuni, 10% were Campylobacter species, 7% were C. fetus, and one (2%) was C. coli. Resistance rates were: cephalothin, 82%; co-trimoxazole, 79%; quinolones, 54%; ampicillin, 20%; amoxicillin/clavulanate, 4%; erythromycin, 7%; gentamicin, 0; and tetracyclines, 0. Even though the majority of patients were immunocompromised, mortality was low (10.5%), and only one patient relapsed. Because of the high level of resistance to the quinolones in Campylobacter species, these drugs should not be used as empirical treatment, at least in Spain. Although the macrolides remain the antibiotics of choice, amoxicillin/clavulanate may be an effective alternative therapy.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2001

To outline the characteristics and define appropriate management of chronic hepatosplenic suppura... more To outline the characteristics and define appropriate management of chronic hepatosplenic suppurative brucellosis (CHSB), 905 patients with brucellosis were analyzed. Sixteen episodes of CHSB (14 in the liver and 2 in the spleen) were found in 15 patients. Six patients had had previous remote brucellosis. Twelve patients presented with systemic symptoms, and 12 with local symptoms. Cultures of blood samples yielded negative results in all cases except 1, and the results of cultures of pus specimens were positive for Brucella melitensis in only 2 cases. All patients showed calcium deposits surrounded by a hypodense area on computed tomography. Patients often had low titers of agglutinating antibody. In patients who were receiving conservative management, early response was successful in 50% and late response was successful in 33.3%. In the patients who underwent surgery and concomitant antibiotic therapy, early and late response was successful in 100%. Thus, CHSB mainly represents a local reactivation of previous brucellosis. Its diagnosis may be difficult to establish and surgery may be required to cure many patients.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2013

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the ampicillin plus ceftria... more 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 AGtreated 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.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 1989

Several antimicrobial regimens were evaluated in the treatment of experimental enterococcal endoc... more Several antimicrobial regimens were evaluated in the treatment of experimental enterococcal endocarditis due to a beta-lactamase-producing, highly gentamicin-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Ampicillin alone cleared bacteremia in the majority of rats and reduced titers of bacteria within vegetations (6.84 versus 8.80 log10 CFU/g in controls) but did not sterilize valves. Ampicillin-sulbactam combinations, vancomycin, daptomycin, and imipenem each reduced residual bacterial titers within vegetations to 4.01 log10 CFU/g or less; in 26 to 43% of animals receiving 5 days of therapy, titers of bacteria were reduced to undetectable levels. In a separate experiment, rats received ampicillin-sulbactam, daptomycin, or vancomycin for 10 days and were then observed for 10 days after termination of therapy for evidence of relapse. In surviving rats, valves remained sterile in four of five rats treated with ampicillin-sulbactam, in five of seven treated with daptomycin, but in only one...

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005

We conducted population-based surveillance for Candida bloodstream infections in Spain to determi... more We conducted population-based surveillance for Candida bloodstream infections in Spain to determine its incidence, the extent of antifungal resistance, and risk factors for mortality. A case was defined as the first positive blood culture for any Candida spp. in a resident of Barcelona, from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2003. We defined early mortality as occurring between days 3 to 7 after candidemia and late mortality as occurring between days 8 to 30. We detected 345 cases of candidemia, for an average annual incidence of 4.3 cases/100,000 population, 0.53 cases/1,000 hospital discharges, and 0.73 cases/10,000 patient-days. Outpatients comprised 11% of the cases, and 89% had a central venous catheter (CVC) at diagnosis. Overall mortality was 44%. Candida albicans was the most frequent species (51% of cases), followed by Candida parapsilosis (23%), Candida tropicalis (10%), Candida glabrata (8%), Candida krusei (4%), and other species (3%). Twenty-four isolates (7%) had decreased...

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2012

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2009

Objectives: Gentamicin is often used to treat listeriosis, particularly in patients with meningit... more Objectives: Gentamicin is often used to treat listeriosis, particularly in patients with meningitis; nonetheless, some clinicians question this practice because of the drug's associated nephrotoxicity and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of mortality and the impact of aminoglycosides on outcome in patients with listeriosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all non-pregnant adult patients with Listeria monocytogenes infection detected in sterile body fluids between 1983 and 2006. Early mortality was defined as death occurring between days 3 and 14 after admission, and late mortality as in-hospital death after 14 days. Results: Of 118 episodes, 16 were excluded because patients died in the first 48 h. Among the 102 patients analysed, 33 (32%) had received combined b-lactam and aminoglycoside therapy and 69 (68%) b-lactam monotherapy. Both groups had similar demographic and clinical features, and rate of appropriate initial therapy. Overall mortality was 21/102 (20.6%). Early overall mortality was 11.8%: 27.3% (9/33) in the combined group and 4.3% (3/69) in the monotherapy group (P 50.003). Late mortality was 8.8%. In the multivariate analysis, the factors predicting early mortality were renal failure, previous corticosteroid therapy and age >65 years, whereas neoplastic disease and coma were associated with late mortality. Gentamicin administration did not decrease early mortality, but seemed to increase it. In the late mortality analysis, gentamicin use had no impact. In an analysis with the propensity score method for the use of aminoglycosides, combined therapy with this antibiotic was associated with an increasing trend for early mortality (OR 3.40, 95% CI 0.82-14.07). Conclusions: The addition of aminoglycosides to treatment for listeriosis did not improve the patients' outcome.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2007

Background and objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by frequent relapses in H... more Background and objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by frequent relapses in HIVinfected patients, even in those who receive secondary prophylaxis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) for secondary prophylaxis of VL in HIV-infected patients. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2005, 17 HIV patients, with at least one previous episode of VL who received LAMB as secondary prophylaxis for VL, were included in the study. Efficacy was measured as the proportion of patients remaining free (non-relapse) of VL at different time points. Relapses were analysed as time-to-relapse distribution and were evaluated by survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty-one episodes of VL were diagnosed and nine relapsed. The median follow-up time was 14 (5-44) months. The probability of remaining free of relapse at 6 months was 89.7% (95% CI, 76.2-100); at 12 months, the probability was 79.1% (95% CI, 61-97.2) and at 24 and 36 months, the probability was 55.9% (95% CI, 30.5-81.3). In the non-relapsing group, patients had a significant increase in CD4 cell levels of 102 (10-174) and 126 (4-159) cells/mm 3 at 12 and 24 months, respectively (P 5 0.037), whereas in the relapsing group, no significant increase was observed. Prophylaxis with LAMB was well tolerated and only three patients had a mild impairment of renal function without requiring any change in treatment. Conclusions: LAMB is well tolerated and useful for secondary prophylaxis of VL.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2010

Background: The effectiveness of linezolid, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin for treating... more Background: The effectiveness of linezolid, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin for treating experimental Staphylococcus aureus catheter-related infection by the antibiotic-lock technique was assessed. Methods: Two methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) ATCC strains and two methicillin-resistant (MRSA) clinical strains were used. New Zealand white rabbits were surgically implanted with a silicone intravenous catheter. Infection was induced by filling and locking the catheter with 0.3 mL of broth culture containing S. aureus, with turbidity equivalent to that of a 0.5 McFarland standard. Eighteen hours later the antibiotic-lock technique was started and continued for 24 h. Treatment groups were: control without treatment; 2000 mg/L linezolid; 2000 mg/L vancomycin; 2000 mg/L ciprofloxacin; and 40 000 mg/L gentamicin. Results: Linezolid and vancomycin showed equivalent activity, achieving significant reductions in log 10 cfu recovered from catheter tips in one MSSA strain (.1.12) and one MRSA strain (.0.77) as compared with controls (P,0.05). Ciprofloxacin achieved significant log 10 cfu reductions in MSSA strains relative to controls (.2.51, P,0.01). In one MSSA strain, ciprofloxacin showed a larger reduction in log 10 cfu than linezolid or vancomycin (P,0.01). Gentamicin was the only antibiotic achieving negative catheter tip cultures (up to 87.5% in MSSA and up to 40% in MRSA, P,0.01), and showed the greatest log 10 cfu reduction compared with controls (.4.25 in MSSA and .2.93 in MRSA, P,0.05) and significant differences relative to the remaining treatment groups (P,0.05 in both MSSA and MRSA). Conclusions: Gentamicin showed the highest activity against both MSSA and MRSA biofilms.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 1995

Mycoplasma hominis infections outside the urogenital tract are uncommon. An unusual case of stern... more Mycoplasma hominis infections outside the urogenital tract are uncommon. An unusual case of sternal infection caused by both Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum is described. This is the first report found in the literature of mixed infection due to these microorganisms at this site. The outcome was favourable after drainage of the surgical wound and antibiotic therapy with clindamycin, gentamicin and doxycycline.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2003

This study reviews the outcome of patients with uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aur... more This study reviews the outcome of patients with uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia diagnosed in our hospital from January 1997 to December 1999 and treated with short-course antibiotic therapy. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of this regimen for minimizing complications (relapses, endocarditis and metastatic foci). A total of 213 episodes of bacteremia were registered and 167 (78.4%) were nosocomial. Among these, 87 (52.1%) were catheterrelated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 20 were primary nosocomial bacteremia. Endocarditis was diagnosed during the acute episode in 7/107 of these patients (2 by persistent fever after catheter removal and 5 by metastatic foci; 3 of them also had cardiac risk factors) and confirmed with transesophageal echocardiography. Among the 84/87 catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 16/20 primary nosocomial bacteremia patients who did not develop endocarditis, 31 patients died during the acute episode (16 due to sepsis despite initiation of antibiotic treatment and 15 due to the underlying disease) and five had osteoarticular foci. The remaining 64 episodes were considered to be uncomplicated bacteremia (no cardiac risk factors, persistent fever, metastatic foci, or clinical signs of endocarditis) and were treated with 10-14 days of high-dose antistaphylococcal antibiotics. Echocardiography was not mandatory in these patients. Of the 64 uncomplicated episodes, 62 were followed for at least 3 months and none relapsed or developed endocarditis. Even though some of the patients might have had subclinical endocarditis, short-course therapy with high doses of antistaphylococcal antibiotics was effective for treating uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Transesophageal echocardiography may not be necessary in these cases.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, 2006

METHODS. Prospective, observational study involving all adult patients with Legionella pneumophil... more METHODS. Prospective, observational study involving all adult patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia attended at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona, Spain) from January 2001 to December 2004. Duration of fever, length of hospital stay and mortality were compared among 52 patients treated with clarithromycin, 43 with azithromycin and 18 with levofloxacin. RESULTS. The proportion of patients with risk factors for Legionnaires' disease, the initial severity of the pneumonia and the number of patients who required intensive care unit admission were similar in patients treated with clarithromycin, azithromycin and levofloxacin. In-hospital mortality was 5.3%. There were no significant differences in fever duration, length of hospital stay or mortality among the 3 groups of patients. CONCLUSION. In our experience, clarithromycin, azithromycin and levofloxacin were all efficacious for the treatment of Legionnaires' disease.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, 2005

Consensus document from GESITRA-SEIMC on the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus in trans... more Consensus document from GESITRA-SEIMC on the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus in transplanted patients Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains an important complication of transplantation. The last decade has been characterized by improvements to management that has reduced its morbidity and mortality. The advance has been particularly important in the diagnosis and prevention. Several techniques have been developed that allow the increasingly rapid and sensitive diagnosis. The different preventive strategies include use of appropriate blood products, immune globulin, and antiviral agents either as prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy. The development of effective oral drugs as valganciclovir also represents a new advance. It is necessary to summarize these advances to facilitate the development of local policies reflecting recent changes. The Group of Study of Infections in Transplantation (GESITRA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) has therefore produced actual recommendations in the management of CMV infection after transplantation.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2010

Although Candida albicans (CA) is the most common cause of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs),... more Although Candida albicans (CA) is the most common cause of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs), recent studies have observed an increasing percentage of candidaemias caused by non-albicans Candida species (NAC). In the present study, we attempted to identify the predictors of candidaemia due to NAC compared to CA. We analyzed data from an active population-based surveillance in Barcelona (Spain) from January 2002 to December 2003. Factors associated with NAC fungaemia were determined by multivariate analysis. A total of 339 episodes of Candida BSI, in 336 patients (median age 63 years, interquartile range: 41-72 years), were included. CA was the most commonly isolated (52%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (23%), Candida tropicalis (10%), Candida glabrata (8.6%), Candida krusei (3.4%) and other NAC spp. (3%).Overall, 48% of cases were due to NAC spp. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with a risk of BSI due to NAC spp.: having received a haematologic transplant (OR 10.8; 95% CI 1.31-90.01; p 0.027), previous fluconazole exposure (OR 4.47; 95% CI 2.12-9.43; p <0.001) and neonatal age (OR 4.42; 95% CI 1.63-12.04; p 0.004). Conversely, previous CA colonization (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.19-0.57; p 0.001) and previous antibiotic use (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85; p 0.017) were associated with CA fungaemia compared to NAC. In conclusion, NAC candidaemia comprised 48% of cases in our series. Predictors of NAC include having received a haematologic transplant, neonatal age and previous fluconazole use.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2012

The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term prognosis of a contemporary coh... more The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term prognosis of a contemporary cohort of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE). A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a referral centre. Between January 2000 and December 2011, all consecutive adult patients with LSIE were followed-up until death, relapse, recurrence, need for late surgery, or last control. During the active phase of IE, 174 of 438 patients underwent surgery (40% overall; 43% native valve (NVIE), 30% prosthetic valve (PVIE)) and 125 died (29% overall; 26% NVIE, 39% PVIE). The median follow-up in survivors was 3.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.0-6.0 years). Relapses occurred in seven patients (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5) and recurrences in eight (2.6%; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0), with an incidence density of 0.0067 per patient-year (95% CI, 0.0029-0.0133) and high mortality (75% of recurrences). Only four of 130 survivors (3.1%; 95% CI, 1.2-7.6) who were treated surgically during the active phase of the disease, and 14/183 (7.7%; 95% CI, 4.6-12.4) of those not undergoing surgery needed operation during follow-up (p 0.09). In the 313 survivors, actuarial survival was 86% at 1 year (87% NVIE, 83% PVIE), 79% at 2 years (81% NVIE, 72% PVIE) and 68% at 5 years (71% NVIE, 57% PVIE). At 1 year, 115 of 397 patients (29.0%; 95% CI, 24.7-33.6) remained alive, with no surgery requirement, relapse or recurrence. LSIE is associated with considerable inhospital and long-term mortality, especially PVIE. However, relapses, recurrences and the need for late surgery are uncommon.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2005

This study aimed to investigate whether initial treatment of experimental pulmonary aspergillosis... more This study aimed to investigate whether initial treatment of experimental pulmonary aspergillosis with high loading doses can be used as an alternative to standard therapeutic regimens. Steroidimmunosuppressed rats, infected intratracheally with Aspergillus fumigatus, received either amphotericin B deoxycholate (d-AmB) 1 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day, liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) 5 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day, or underwent a 3-day course of LAmB 10 mg ⁄ kg, or 10 mg ⁄ kg for the first 3 or 4 days of treatment, followed by 3 mg ⁄ kg until the end of treatment. Therapy started 24 h after fungal challenge and lasted for 7 days. Compared to controls, survival was improved significantly in animals receiving any LAmB regimen (p £ 0.003), but not d-AmB. Compared with d-AmB, LAmB at initial doses of 10 mg ⁄ kg followed by 3 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ day was consistently more effective, but only when measured in terms of survival, lung weight and glucosamine levels, and not log CFU. Despite the absence of significant differences between any of the LAmB regimens, a trend towards better response rates with the higher loading dose was observed.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2011

A prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of combining antibiotic-lock therap... more A prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of combining antibiotic-lock therapy and systemic antibiotics for Gram-negative bacilli long-term catheterrelated bacteremia. In 46 uncomplicated episodes, the most frequently isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15), Enterobacter cloacae (12), Escherichia coli (10), and Klebsiella spp. (8). Cure was achieved in 95% of cases.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2013

Reply to Gelfand et al and Solla TO THE EDITOR-We appreciate the interest Gelfand et al [1] have ... more Reply to Gelfand et al and Solla TO THE EDITOR-We appreciate the interest Gelfand et al [1] have shown regarding our observational, nonrandomized, comparative multicenter study [2]. Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon, severe disease [3], and it is inevitable that randomized trials on this condition are lacking. In our observational study, the combination of ampicillin and ceftriaxone (AC) was compared with the standard-of-care ampicillin and gentamicin combination (AG) for treating Enterococcus faecalis IE, but other comparisons 768

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2009

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2005

Background. To facilitate the design of strategies for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in so... more Background. To facilitate the design of strategies for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients, this study investigates whether the development of early-onset and late-onset aspergillosis are related to different risk factors, thereby distinguishing 2 risk populations for this serious complication. Methods. A retrospective case-control study was performed, including 156 cases of proven or probable invasive aspergillosis in patients recruited from 11 Spanish centers since the start of the centers' transplantation programs. Results. Among all patients, 57% had early-onset IA (i.e., occurred during the first 3 months after transplantation). Risk factor analysis in this group identified as significantly associated risk factors a more complicated postoperative period, repeated bacterial infections or cytomegalovirus disease, and renal failure or the need for dialysis. Among patients with late-onset infections (i.e., occurred 13 months after transplantation), who comprised 43% of cases, the patients at risk were older, were in an overimmunosuppressed state because of chronic transplant rejection or allograft dysfunction, and had posttransplantation renal failure. Conclusions. Risk factors in patients with early-onset cases and patients with late-onset cases of posttransplantation invasive aspergillosis are not the same, a fact that could have implications for the preventive approaches used for this infection.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 1997

From 1979 to 1996, 58 patients (mean age, 39.4 years) were treated for bacteremia due to Campylob... more From 1979 to 1996, 58 patients (mean age, 39.4 years) were treated for bacteremia due to Campylobacter species at the Hospitals Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. Bacteremia was considered to be hospital acquired in 30% of these patients. Almost all the patients (93%) had underlying conditions; liver cirrhosis was the most frequent (34% of patients), and neoplasia, immunosuppressive therapy, and human immunodeficiency virus disease were also common. Of the 58 Campylobacter strains isolated, 81% were C. jejuni, 10% were Campylobacter species, 7% were C. fetus, and one (2%) was C. coli. Resistance rates were: cephalothin, 82%; co-trimoxazole, 79%; quinolones, 54%; ampicillin, 20%; amoxicillin/clavulanate, 4%; erythromycin, 7%; gentamicin, 0; and tetracyclines, 0. Even though the majority of patients were immunocompromised, mortality was low (10.5%), and only one patient relapsed. Because of the high level of resistance to the quinolones in Campylobacter species, these drugs should not be used as empirical treatment, at least in Spain. Although the macrolides remain the antibiotics of choice, amoxicillin/clavulanate may be an effective alternative therapy.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2001

To outline the characteristics and define appropriate management of chronic hepatosplenic suppura... more To outline the characteristics and define appropriate management of chronic hepatosplenic suppurative brucellosis (CHSB), 905 patients with brucellosis were analyzed. Sixteen episodes of CHSB (14 in the liver and 2 in the spleen) were found in 15 patients. Six patients had had previous remote brucellosis. Twelve patients presented with systemic symptoms, and 12 with local symptoms. Cultures of blood samples yielded negative results in all cases except 1, and the results of cultures of pus specimens were positive for Brucella melitensis in only 2 cases. All patients showed calcium deposits surrounded by a hypodense area on computed tomography. Patients often had low titers of agglutinating antibody. In patients who were receiving conservative management, early response was successful in 50% and late response was successful in 33.3%. In the patients who underwent surgery and concomitant antibiotic therapy, early and late response was successful in 100%. Thus, CHSB mainly represents a local reactivation of previous brucellosis. Its diagnosis may be difficult to establish and surgery may be required to cure many patients.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2013

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the ampicillin plus ceftria... more 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 AGtreated 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.