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Biomedical subjects

M Gurgui

Publications and source records attributed to M Gurgui.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Risk factors for invasive aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients: a case-control study.

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 > 3 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.

Adolescent↗

Streptococcus agalactiae infective endocarditis: analysis of 30 cases and review of the literature, 1962-1998.

We describe 30 cases (1.7%) of community-acquired penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus agalactiae endocarditis among 1771 episodes of endocarditis diagnosed in 4 Spanish hospitals from 1975 through 1998. Endocarditis affected a native valve (most often the mitral valve) in 25 cases (83%). Surgical valve replacement was performed for 12 patients (40%). Fourteen patients (47%) died. Mortality rates for patients with native and prosthetic valve endocarditis were 36% and 100%, respectively (P=.01). The mortality rate for native valve endocarditis decreased during the last 6 years of the study (from 61% in 1975-1992 to 8% in 1993-1998; P<.05). Additionally, 115 cases in the literature from 1962-1998 were reviewed. During 1980-1998, the percentage of patients who underwent cardiac surgery increased from 24% (in the previous period, 1962-1979) to 43% (P=.05) and the mortality rate decreased from 45% to 34% (P=NS). S. agalactiae is an uncommon cause of endocarditis with a high mortality rate, although the prognosis of native valve endocarditis has improved in recent years, probably because of an increased use of cardiac surgery.

Adult↗

Fungal infections in patients with solid tumors treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

The incidence and risk factors for fungal infection were assessed in 291 patients who had solid tumors and were undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The first 162 patients received prophylactic itraconazole, and 129 patients received nystatin. Empiric amphotericin B was given at day 7 of febrile neutropenia. Fungal infections developed in 52 patients: 47 (16%) were superficial and 6 (2%) were systemic. Itraconazole prophylaxis and only a few days of febrile neutropenia were independently associated with a decrease in the incidence of superficial infections. Only two patients required empiric amphotericin B. Systemic antifungal prophylaxis does not seem to be justified for patients with solid tumors and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Empiric amphotericin B may be safely started at day 7 of febrile neutropenia.

Adolescent↗

Pneumonia after heart transplantation: a multi-institutional study. Spanish Transplantation Infection Study Group.

A multiinstitutional study of 307 heart transplant recipients was carried out to determine the clinical, radiographic, and prognostic characteristics, the incidence, and the etiology of pneumonias in the first year after transplantation. There were 21.1 cases of pneumonia per 100 heart transplantations. Seventy-five percent of the cases occurred in the first trimester. Eighty-two causal agents were identified, of which 60% were opportunistic, 25% were nosocomial, and 15% were community-acquired. The most frequent isolates were cytomegalovirus (20), Aspergillus species (13), and Pneumocystis carinii (11). Hemoptysis occurred more frequently in aspergillus pneumonias than in other pneumonias (54% vs. 6%, respectively; P < .05); aspergillus pneumonia was the only type of pneumonia during which cavitated nodules were noted on thoracic radiographs. The overall mortality rate was 30.8%; the independent factors of a poor prognosis were aspergillus infection (relative risk [RR], 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8-9.1) and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates (RR, 10; 95% CI, 8.5-11.4).

Adult↗

Epidemiologic evidence of transmission of donor-related bacterial infection through a transplanted heart.

This study describes a patient who had fulminant infectious myocarditis as a result of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after receiving a heart transplant from an infected donor. There was complete concordance of typing results between donor and recipient strains that were different from the 20 isolates with which they were compared. Molecular epidemiologic study provided compelling evidence that a transplanted organ can transmit a bacterial infection from the donor to the recipient.

Adult↗

Nosocomial bacteremia in a medical-surgical intensive care unit: epidemiologic characteristics and factors influencing mortality in 111 episodes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiology and factors influencing mortality of ICU-acquired bacteremia. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A medical-surgical ICU in an university hospital. PATIENTS: We recorded variables from 111 consecutive ICU-acquired episodes for a 3-year period. RESULTS: The attack rate was 1.9 episodes per 100 patient-days. The commonest isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Intravascular catheters were the most frequent source of infection. Overall mortality was 31.5%, and 65.7% of all deaths were directly attributable to infection. Bacteremia from intra-abdominal, lower respiratory tract or unknown origin were associated with a poor prognosis. A logistic regression analysis defined intraabdominal origin (p = 0.01, OR = 15.7) and presence of shock (p = 0.04, OR = 3.3) as independently influencing the risk of death. No significant differences were found for the remaining variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiology and etiology of ICU-acquired bacteremia does not differ seriously in respect to nosocomial bacteremia among unselected populations, although it is associated with a greater incidence and overall mortality. Presence of shock is the most important modificable variable affecting the outcome.

Bacteremia↗

[Complications associated with nonfunctioning pacemaker electrodes retained within the cardiovascular system].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the complications in patients with functionless pacing leads retained in the cardiovascular system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 39 patients: 31 underwent surgery for electrical or mechanical failure (group I) and eight for cutaneous pocket infection (group II). The follow-up was 45 +/- 34 months. RESULTS: Only one patient (3%) from group I presented infectious complications probably related to the retained pacing lead. Seven patients (87%) in group II presented recurrence of the infection with persistent fever and/or septicemia due to skin erosion and unnoticed pacing lead infection (p < 0.0005). Removal of the infected generator was performed in 8/39 (21%) of the patients. Thoracotomy to explant the infected retained leads was required in five of them (62%). No patient presented lead migration or venous thrombosis during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Retained pacing leads in the cardiovascular system are well tolerated. However, in spite of adequate antibiotic treatment, patients with local and pacemaker system infection may present recurrence of the infection with persistent fever and/or septicemia. Early surgical pacemaker system removal is recommended in these patients due to the high morbidity.

Adult↗

Ceftriaxone monotherapy for severe bacteremic infections. Spanish Ceftriaxone Study Group.

We tested the efficacy of a single daily dose of ceftriaxone (active ingredient of Rocephin) for the treatment of severe bacteremic infections in 125 non-neutropenic adult patients. A single daily dose of ceftriaxone ranging from 1 to 4 g was given. Surgical procedures were performed if needed. Seventy-six (60.8%) were males and bacteremia was nosocomially acquired in 45 (36%). Microbiologically proven bacteremia was demonstrated in all patients. The most common microorganisms isolated were Escherichia coli (46 episodes), Streptococcus pneumoniae (17 episodes), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus (9, 7, 6, 6, respectively). The urinary tract was the source of the bacteremia in 45 cases (36%), and the lower respiratory tract in 33 (26.4%). Mean duration of treatment was 10.8 days (range 3-21 days). One hundred and six patients (84.8%) recovered completely, 11 (8.8%) improved, but needed an alternative antibiotic treatment. An alternative treatment was also given to a patient whose condition had initially deteriorated. Seven patients (5.6%) died. Death was directly related to the infection in 2 cases. Three patients (2.4%) developed a superinfection, and 5 (4%) a severe (1 case) or mild (4 cases) adverse effect. In summary, a single daily dose of ceftriaxone proved to be useful for the treatment of selected severe bacteremic infections.

Adolescent↗

Bone invasion in secondary syphilis: case reports.

The affinity of treponemes for bone tissue is well known, but the incidence of bone infection in the early stages of syphilis is uncertain. Although case reports of early bone invasion are few, reviews of large numbers of patients with early syphilis indicate that the incidence is probably greater than at present believed. Two case reports are presented.

Adult↗

Epidemiology of Yersiniae in Barcelona, Spain.

Between April 1980 to December 1984 we undertook a study on the epidemiology of pathogenic Yersinia. Stool specimens from 5.199 patients with acute gastroenteritis were studied and Y. enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 3 was isolated in 42 cases (0.8%). The serological response was studied in 21 of these patients. Faecal specimens from 784 non-laboratory animals were also studied. The only pathogenic isolates from these animals were seven strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 3 from six pigs and one dog and one strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis from a pig. The search of pathogenic Yersinia in 424 samples form row foods allowed the isolation of eight strains of Y. enterocolitica serotype 3 and one strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis from pig's tongue.

Animals↗

Leishmaniasis in HIV infection.

Herein we review the particular aspects of leishmaniasis associated with HIV infection. The data in this review are mainly from papers identified from PubMed searches and from papers in reference lists of reviewed articles and from the authors' personal archives. Epidemiological data of HIV/Leishmania co-infection is discussed, with special focus on the influence of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on incidence of leishmaniasis and transmission modalities. Microbiological characteristics, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and specific treatment of the co-infection are also presented.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗