Search

Antimicrobial resistance data for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is globally sparse and resistant strains are emerging in Catalonia. We aim to describe epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance in all patients infected with N. gonorrhoeae during the period from 2016 to 2019, using available antimicrobial susceptibility data. We retrospectively analysed confirmed N. gonorrhoeae cases notified to Catalonia's microbiological reporting system. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (azithromycin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, penicillin, spectinomycin, and tetracycline) was assessed using clinical breakpoints published by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Incidence rates were calculated and proportions were compared using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test, and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18.0). A total of 14,251 confirmed cases of N. gonorrhoeae were notified. Incidence increased from 30.7 cases/100,000 person-years (p < 0.001) in 2016 to 64.7 in 2019. Culture was available in 6,292 isolates (44.2%), of which 5,377 (85.5%) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. Azithromycin resistance rose from 6.1% in 2016 to 16% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Only 1.0% (45 cases) were resistant to ceftriaxone. Multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae increased from 0.25% in 2016 to 0.42% in 2019 (p = 0.521). One case presented extensively drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. In Catalonia, 10% of the N. gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to azithromycin in the 2016–2019 period. According to World Health Organization guidelines, resistance above 5% indicates an alert to review treatment guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in clinical practice followed by surveillance and interventions are essential to monitor trends and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalonia is an endemic area of Mediterranean spotted fever. In 1997, A. Lakos described a new tick-borne infectious disease called tick-borne lymphadenopathy. The causative agent is Rickettsia slovaca, which is transmitted by Dermacentor marginatusticks. We have diagnosed human cases in Catalonia. The objective of this study was to determinate seroprevalence of R. slovacainfection in humans in the northeast of Spain. The population included 217 subjects from Catalonia, northeast of Spain and was stratified by age and living place (rural, suburban, and urban). Age, gender, residence area, contact with animals, occupation, and history of rickettsioses was surveyed. Immunoglobulin G was measured by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Titers ≥ 140 were considered. Seroprevalence of R. slovacawas 5.5 at titers of 140–1320. Eight (3.7) sera had antibodies against R. slovacaexclusively. Four sera reacted also against Rickettsia conoriiandor Bar29. Seroprevalence of R. slovacawould range from 3.7 to 5.5. The only statistically significant association was that between R. slovacaseropositivity and age. We present serologic evidence of R. slovacainfection among population of Catalonia, northeast of Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the first clinical descriptions of Bartonella infection were associated with immunocompromised patient with bacillary angiomatosis, we currently know that this organism is directly involved in diseases affecting a large number of patients, regardless of their immune status. Cat scratch disease, hepatic peliosis, and some cases of bacteraemia and endocarditis, are directly caused by some species of the genus Bartonella. The purpose of this study was to determinate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae and B. quintana in HIV patients and to identify the epidemiological factors involved. Methods: Serum samples were collected from HIV patients treated at Hospital de Sabadell. Antibodies to B. henselae and B. quintana from 340 patients were examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Significance levels for univariate statistical test were determined by the Mann-Whitney U test and χ² test. Results: Of 340 patients, 82 were women and 258 men, with a median age of 42.21 ± 10.35 years (range 16-86 years). Seventy-six (22.3%) patients reacted with one or more Bartonella antigens. Of all the factors concerning the seroprevalence rate being studied (age, sex, intravenous drugs use, alcohol consumption, CD4 levels, AIDS, HCV, HBV, residential area), only age was statistically significant. Conclusion: A high percentage of HIV patients presents antibodies to Bartonella and is increasing with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of healthy Haemophilus influenzae carriers in a random sample of the preschool population in Catalonia. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected and cultured on chocolate agar supplemented with 260 μg/ml of bacitracin. Four hundred two of the 734 (54.8%) children studied were detected as Haemophilus influenzae carriers: 7 (0.9%) carried serotype b, 14 (1.9%) serotype e, 6 (0.8%) serotype f, and 375 (51%) carried nontypable strains. The results show that, although the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae carriers is similar to figures reported from other countries, the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b carriers is lower and corresponds with the low incidence of invasive disease observed in the Catalan community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the seroprevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial strain Bar29 in a representative population in Catalonia, Spain. The study is aimed at identifying the risk factors for infection brought by the Bar29. The subjects used were patients at Sabadell's Hospital in search for antibodies to Rickettsial conorii and Borrelia burgdorferi. The methods used in the study were presented as well as its results.

The article focuses on a study carried out to analyse the characteristics of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana infections in a general hospital in Catalonia, Spain. The serum samples from patients were tested by immunofluorescence assay using a commercially available antigen. The results revealed that 45 patients were infected with Bartonella species. These patients had several other clinical complications including AIDS, localised lymph nodes and skin nodular lesions.

Examines the epidemiology and bacteriologic characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in Catalonia, Spain. Effect of ampicillin on H. influenzae; Correlation between ampicillin and chloramphenicol; Role of meningitis in all invasive diseases.