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Antoni Torres

Publications and source records attributed to Antoni Torres.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Influence of bacterial resistances on the efficiency of antibiotic treatments for community-acquired pneumonia.

The objective of this paper is to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the oral antibiotics used in Spain for the ambulatory treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Our analysis takes into account the influence of bacterial resistances on the cost-effectiveness ratio of antibiotic alternatives from the viewpoint of the public insurer. A deterministic decision analysis model is used to simulate the impact of treatment alternatives on both patients' health and resource consumption. Amoxicillin 1 g may be the most efficient therapy for treating typical pneumonia, as long as the physician is able to discriminate clinically the aetiology of the process with a high degree of reliability. However, for those pathological pictures in which the aetiology cannot be discriminated clinically, and for those in which the consequences of incorrect diagnosis are serious according to clinical criteria, moxifloxacin is the most effective and efficient option.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Bronchoscopic validation of the significance of sputum purulence in severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the role of bacteria in these exacerbations is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors of bacterial infection as a cause of exacerbation, considering the protected specimen brush (PSB) as the gold standard. METHODS: Clinical data, sputum and PSB samples were collected from 40 patients with COPD requiring hospitalisation due to severe exacerbations who had not received previous antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Quantitative cultures of PSB samples (n = 40) yielded 23 potential pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) at concentrations of > or =10(2) colony-forming units/ml in 18 (45%) patients. Sputum samples were obtained from all 40 patients. Culture of good-quality sputum samples (n = 18) yielded 16 PPMs corresponding to 14 (35%) patients. The concordance between the PSB and sputum rate was high (kappa = 0.85, p < 0.002). The self-reporting patient observation of sputum purulence (odds ratio (OR) 27.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.60 to 60.69), p = 0.001), the percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)%) <50 (OR 2.27 (95% CI 1.55 to 3.21), p = 0.014), >4 exacerbations in the past year (OR 6.9 (95% CI 0.08 to 1.08), p = 0.028) and previous hospitalisations due to COPD (OR 4.13 (95% CI 1.02 to 16.07), p = 0.041) were associated with the presence of PPMs in the distal airways. The operative characteristics for predicting distal airway infection when patients presented with purulent exacerbation were as follows: sensitivity 89.5%, specificity 76.2%, positive predicted value 77.3% and negative predicted value 88.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The self-reporting presence of purulence in the sputum, as well as common previous exacerbations and hospitalisations due to COPD in patients with severe airflow obstruction (FEV1% <50) predict the presence of bacterial infection in the distal airways. The use of these clinical variables may help in selecting candidates to receive antibiotic treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of antimicrobial cycling and mixing strategies in two medical intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a mixing vs. a cycling strategy of use of anti-Pseudomonas antibiotics on the acquisition of resistant Gram-negative bacilli in the critical care setting. DESIGN: Prospective, open, comparative study of two strategies of antibiotic use. SETTING: Two medical intensive care units of a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 346 patients admitted for >or=48 hrs to two separate medical intensive care units during an 8-month period. INTERVENTIONS: Patients, who according to the attending physician's judgment required an anti-Pseudomonas regimen, were assigned to receive cefepime/ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, a carbapemen, or piperacillin-tazobactam in this order. "Cycling" was accomplished by prescribing one of these antibiotics during 1 month each. "Mixing" was accomplished by using the same order of antibiotic administration on consecutive patients. Interventions were carried out during two successive 4-month periods, starting with mixing in one unit and cycling in the other. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Swabbing of nares, pharynx, and rectum and culture of respiratory secretions were obtained thrice weekly. The main outcome variable was the proportion of patients acquiring enteric or nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli resistant to the antibiotics under intervention. The scheduled cycling of antibiotics was only partially successful. Although the expected antibiotic was the most prevalent anti-Pseudomonas agent used within the corresponding period, it never accounted for >45% of all anti-Pseudomonas antimicrobials administered. During mixing, a significantly higher proportion of patients acquired a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to cefepime (9% vs. 3%, p = .01), and there was a trend toward a more frequent acquisition of resistance to ceftazidime (p = .06), imipenem (p = .06), and meropenem (p = .07). No differences in the rate of acquisition of potentially resistant Gram-negative bacilli or incidence of intensive care unit-acquired infections and infections due to particular organisms were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill medical patients, a strategy of monthly rotation of anti-Pseudomonas beta-lactams and ciprofloxacin may perform better than a strategy of mixing in the acquisition of P. aeruginosa resistant to selected beta-lactams.

APACHE↗
PubMed2006

Risk and prognostic factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk and prognostic factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients, with an emphasis on the inflammatory response. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Trauma intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Of 190 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients, those with microbiologically confirmed pneumonia (n = 62) were matched with 62 controls without pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical, microbiological, and outcome variables were recorded. Cytokines were measured in serum and blind bronchoalveolar lavage specimens at onset of pneumonia. Multivariate analyses of risk and prognostic factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia were done. Increased severity of head and neck injury (odds ratio, 11.9; p < .001) was the only independent predictor of pneumonia. Among patients with pneumonia, serum levels of interleukin-6 (p = .019) and interleukin-8 (p = .036) at onset of pneumonia were higher in nonresponders to treatment. Moreover, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p = .028) and interleukin-6 (p = .007) at onset of pneumonia were higher in nonsurvivors. Mortality in the intensive care unit was 23% in cases and controls. Nonresponse to antimicrobial treatment (odds ratio, 22.2; p = .001) and the use of hyperventilation (p = .021) were independent predictors of mortality in the intensive care unit for patients with pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Severe head and neck trauma is strongly associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia. A higher inflammatory response is associated with nonresponse to treatment and mortality among patients with pneumonia. Although pneumonia did not influence mortality, nonresponse to treatment independently predicted mortality among these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Antibacterial dosage in intensive-care-unit patients based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Selection of the best antibiotic dosage regimen in intensive-care-unit patients is a critical factor for decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. The integration of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is essential to establishing an adequate therapy. Many studies on this issue have been published in recent years due to its relevance, some of which are commented upon in this review. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies have shown that it is feasible to theoretically forecast pharmacodynamic outcomes and select the most adequate antibiotic therapy with Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, new strategies such as the use of continuous or extended intravenous beta-lactam infusions may considerably improve therapeutic efficacy. SUMMARY: Future studies are needed in patients to assess the influence of selecting antibiotic therapy based on the impact of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic on mortality, morbidity, cost, etc. It would be of special interest to evaluate this impact on patients with infections caused by multiresistant pathogens, whose mortality rates are even higher. Moreover, although studies such as this would not be easy, mainly due to the large number of patients required to obtain statistically significant results, they should be strongly encouraged because of the possible clinical and economic benefits.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2006

Associated inflammatory response in pneumonia: role of adjunctive therapy with glucocorticoids.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the potential use of glucocorticoids as adjunctive therapy in the management of patients with severe bacterial pneumonia or pulmonary infections of other etiologies. RECENT FINDINGS: The importance of an adequate assessment of the inflammatory process and the appearance of inflammatory markers that correlate with the severity of pneumonia is underlined. A recent randomized clinical trial indicates that adjunctive treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia with glucocorticoids reduces complications and improves survival. The role of glucocorticoids in other lung infections is also reviewed. The design of new compounds with similar anti-inflammatory properties to classical glucocorticoids but with significantly fewer side effects constitutes a specific challenge for the near future. SUMMARY: Although adjunctive treatment with glucocorticoids in severe pneumonia is probably indicated, further randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm the preliminary positive results. In this regard, a proper evaluation of the inflammatory response is likely to be essential for the accurate selection of the target population.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗
PubMed2006

Nosocomial pneumonia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes the most recent advances in the management and prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. The new ATS guidelines in particular are most likely to affect clinical practice outside the USA. RECENT FINDINGS: The problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria causing nosocomial pneumonia seems to be increasing. This is particularly true for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. While the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia remains a conflictive issue, serial tracheobronchial aspirates may improve the selection of adequate antimicrobial treatment. Combined beta-lactam and aminoglycoside therapy is inferior to beta-lactam monotherapy, both in terms of clinical outcome and in the prevention of resistance during treatment; in addition, it carries an increased risk of nephrotoxicity. SUMMARY: The updated ATS guidelines will considerably impact clinical approaches to nosocomial and healthcare-related pneumonia. Serial tracheobronchial aspirates can be used to guide selection of antimicrobial treatment in ventilator associated pneumonia. The combination of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides is likely to be abandoned in the future. New potent treatment options for pneumonia due to nonfermenters are urgently needed.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2006

Impact of alcohol abuse in the etiology and severity of community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY OBJECTIVES: Alcohol consumption is known to affect both systemic and pulmonary immunity, predisposing the patient to pulmonary infections. The aim of this study was to compare the etiology of disease, the antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the severity of disease, and the outcome of patients with alcohol abuse to those of nonalcoholic (NA) patients who have been hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: From 1997 to 2001, clinical, microbiological, radiographic, and laboratory data, and follow-up variables of all consecutive patients who had been hospitalized with CAP were recorded. Patients were classified as alcoholic (A) [n = 128] or ex-alcoholic (EA) patients (n = 54) and were compared to NA patients (n = 1,165). RESULTS: S pneumoniae was found significantly more frequently in all patients with alcohol misuse. As regards the rates of antibiotic resistance, invasive pneumococcal disease, and other microorganisms, no differences were found. The severity criteria for CAP according to the American Thoracic Society were more frequent in A patients, but mortality did not differ significantly. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between pneumococcal CAP and alcoholism (A patients: odds ratio [OR], 1.6; p = 0.033; EA patients: OR, 2.1; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: We found an independent association between pneumococcal infection and alcoholism. Current alcohol abuse was associated with severe CAP. No significant differences were found in mortality, antibiotic resistance of S pneumoniae, and other etiologies.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae: Has resistance to antibiotics decreased?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and trends of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) resistant to antibiotics, to describe clinical and microbiological features of pneumococcal CAP, and to ascertain prognostic risk factors in a third-level hospital. DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed a prospective study of all well-defined pneumococcal CAP hospitalizations in the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (Spain) over 2 years of follow-up, and results were compared with a previous study. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five patients were included (mean age, 59.6 years; 71.2% male and 28.8% female). Mortality was 7% (n = 9). Twenty-four percent were HIV-1 seropositive (n = 30), and 53% had at least one comorbidity (n = 65). Nonsusceptibility to penicillin, ceftriaxone, and erythromycin accounted for 34%, 9%, and 33%, respectively. A decrease in penicillin (p = 0.01) and cephalosporin (p < 0.001) resistance was observed on comparison with a previous study, while macrolide resistance remained unchanged. Serotype 1 infection was overrepresented (8%, n = 10). A bad outcome was related to female gender (relative risk [RR], 9.1; confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 61.3), pleural effusion (RR, 13.35; CI, 1.9 to 93.1), and prior oral corticoid intake (RR, 10.59; CI, 1.2 to 91.2), whereas drug-resistant strains were not. CONCLUSIONS: We found a decrease in drug resistance compared with a previous report and a relatively high incidence of serotype 1 pneumococcal CAP. We also observed a high prevalence of HIV-1 infection among individuals with pneumococcal pneumonia. We confirm the lack of association of drug resistance with mortality and length of hospitalization. Mortality was associated with female gender, pleural effusion, and previous oral corticoid treatment. These results should be better ascertained in further studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The role of viruses in the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.

BACKGROUND: The role of viruses in community-acquired pneumonia may have been previously underestimated. We aimed to study the incidence and clinical characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to respiratory viruses in adults adding PCR to routine conventional laboratory tests. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of CAP from January 2003 to March 2004 were included. Conventional tests including cultures of blood, sputum, urine antigen detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila, and paired serologies were routinely performed. Nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for study of respiratory viruses through antigen detection by indirect immunofluorescence assay, isolation of viruses in cell culture and detection of nucleic acids by two independent multiplex RT-PCR assays. According to the aetiology, patients were categorized in 4 groups: group 1, only virus detected; group 2, only bacteria detected; group 3, viral and bacterial; and group 4, unkown aetiology. RESULTS: Of 340 patients diagnosed with CAP, 198 had nasopharyngeal swabs available and were included in this study. Aetiology was established in 112 (57%) patients: group 1, n=26 (13%); group 2, n=66 (33%); group 3, n=20 (10%). The most common aetiological agent was S. neumoniae (58 patients, 29%), followed by respiratory viruses (46 patients, 23%). Forty-eight respiratory viruses were identified: influenza virus A (n=16), respiratory syncytial virus A (n=5), adenovirus (n=8), parainfluenza viruses (n=5), enteroviruses (n=1), rhinoviruses (n=8) and coronavirus (n=5). There were two patients coinfected by two respiratory viruses. Serology detected 6 viruses, immunofluorescence 8, viral culture 12, and PCR 45. For the viruses that could be diagnosed with conventional methods, the sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR was 85% and 92%, respectively. The only clinical characteristic that significantly distinguished viral from bacterial aetiology was a lower number of leukocytes (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: PCR revealed that viruses represent a common aetiology of CAP. There is an urgent need to reconsider routine laboratory tests for an adequate diagnosis of respiratory viruses, as clinical characteristics are unable to reliably distinguish viral from bacterial aetiology.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

A review of guidelines for antibacterial use in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) affect a significant proportion of the adult population worldwide and are associated with a substantial socioeconomic burden. The majority of episodes of AECB are bacterial in aetiology and patients are generally treated empirically with orally administered antibacterial agents. Guidelines for the management of AECB have been developed by a number of national health authorities and international organisations, with the aim of promoting rational selection of antibacterial therapy to minimise the risk of treatment failure and subsequent hospitalisation while containing the development and spread of antibacterial resistance. This paper reviews a number of recently published or updated AECB treatment guidelines, focusing on patient stratification strategies, antibacterial treatment recommendations, and newer antibacterial treatment options, including respiratory fluoroquinolones and the ketolide telithromycin, which have recently been added to a number of national treatment guidelines.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Early noninvasive ventilation averts extubation failure in patients at risk: a randomized trial.

RATIONALE: Respiratory failure after extubation and reintubation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of noninvasive ventilation in averting respiratory failure after extubation in patients at increased risk. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 162 mechanically ventilated patients who tolerated a spontaneous breathing trial after recovery from the acute episode but had increased risk for respiratory failure after extubation. Patients were randomly allocated after extubation to receive noninvasive ventilation for 24 h (n = 79), or conventional management with oxygen therapy (control group, n = 83). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary end-point variable was the decrease in respiratory failure after extubation. In the noninvasive ventilation group, respiratory failure after extubation was less frequent (13, 16 vs. 27, 33%; p = 0.029) and the intensive care unit mortality was lower (2, 3 versus 12, 14%; p = 0.015). However, 90-d survival did not change significantly between groups. Separate analyses of patients without and with hypercapnia (arterial CO(2) tension greater than 45 mm Hg) during the spontaneous breathing trial showed that noninvasive ventilation improved intensive care unit mortality (0 vs. 4, 18%; p = 0.035) and 90-d survival (p = 0.006) in hypercapnic patients only; of them, 98% had chronic respiratory disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The early use of noninvasive ventilation averted respiratory failure after extubation and decreased intensive care unit mortality among patients at increased risk. The beneficial effect of noninvasive ventilation in improving survival of hypercapnic patients with chronic respiratory disorders warrants a new prospective clinical trial.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: predictors of adherence and outcome.

RATIONALE: Some studies highlight the association of better clinical responses with adherence to guidelines for empiric treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), but little is known about factors that influence this adherence. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to identify factors influencing adherence to the guidelines for empiric treatment of CAP, and to evaluate the impact of adherence on outcome. METHODS: We studied 1,288 patients with CAP admitted to 13 Spanish hospitals. Collected variables included the patients' clinical and demographic data, initial severity of the disease, antibiotic treatment, and specialty and training status of the prescribing physician. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Adherence to guidelines was high (79.7%), with significant differences between hospitals (range, 47-97%) and physicians (pneumologists, 81%; pneumology residents, 84%; nonpneumology residents, 82%; other specialists, 67%). The independent factors related to higher adherence were hospital, physician characteristics, and initial high-risk class of Fine, whereas admission to intensive care unit decreased adherence. Seventy-four patients died (6.1%), and treatment failure was found in 175 patients (14.2%). After adjusting for Fine risk class, adherence to the guidelines was found protective for mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.9) and for treatment failure (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9). Treatment prescribed by pneumologists and residents was associated with lower treatment failure (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to guidelines mainly depends on the hospital and the specialty and training status of prescribing physicians. Nonadherence was higher in nonpneumology specialists, and is an independent risk factor for treatment failure and mortality.

Community-Acquired Infections↗
PubMed2005

Microbiologic determinants of exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The culture of bronchial secretions from the lower airway has been reported to be positive for potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the determinants and effects of this bacterial load in the airway are not established. METHODS: To determine the bronchial microbial pattern in COPD and its relationship with exacerbation, we pooled analysis of crude data from studies that used protected specimen brush sampling, with age, sex, smoking, lung function, and microbiologic features of the lower airway as independent variables and exacerbation as the outcome, using logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Of 337 study participants, 70 were healthy, 181 had stable COPD, and 86 had exacerbated COPD. Differences in the microbial characteristics in the participating laboratories were not statistically significant. A cutoff point of 10(2) colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter or greater for the identification of abnormal positive culture results for PPMs was defined using the 95th percentile in the pooled analysis of healthy individuals. Bronchial colonization of 10(2) CFU/mL or greater by PPMs was found in 53 patients with stable COPD (29%) and in 46 patients with exacerbated COPD (54%) (P<.001, chi(2) test), with a predominance of Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Higher microbial loads were associated with exacerbation and showed a statistically significant dose-response relationship after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio, 3.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-8.90), but P aeruginosa persisted as a statistically significant risk factor after adjustment for microbial load (odds ratio, 11.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-105.82). CONCLUSIONS: One quarter of the patients with COPD are colonized by PPMs during their stable periods. Exacerbation is associated with the overgrowth of PPMs and with the appearance of P aeruginosa in the lower airway, which is associated with exacerbation symptoms independent of load.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Respiratory nosocomial infections in the medical intensive care unit.

Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired lower respiratory tract infections include acute tracheobronchitis and hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Nosocomial pneumonia is the second most common hospital-acquired infection and the leading cause of death in hospital-acquired infections. The mortality rate in VAP ranges from 24% to 76% in several studies. ICU ventilated patients with VAP have a 2- to 10-fold higher risk of death than patients without it. Early oropharyngeal colonization is pivotal in the etiopathogenesis of VAP. The knowledge of risk factors for VAP is important in developing effective preventive programs. Once the physician decides to treat a suspected episode of ICU-acquired pneumonia, some issues should be kept on mind: first, the adequacy of the initial empiric antibiotic therapy; second, the modification of initial inadequate therapy according to microbiological results; third, the benefit of combination therapy; and finally, the duration of the antimicrobial treatment. Additionally, a protocolized work-up to identify the causes of non-response to treatment is mandatory. All these issues are discussed in depth in this article.

Community-Acquired Infections↗