Primary care in a tertiary care center.
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Colonization with difficult-to-treat-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (DTR-GNB) increases the risk of subsequent infections with limited treatment options. This study aimed to assess the burden of DTR-GNB colonization in ICU patients, explore its association with clinical outcomes, and examine genomic similarities. This secondary analysis included patients enrolled within 24 h of ICU admission between July 2023 and January 2024. Rectal swabs were collected at enrollment, on days 3, 7, and weekly during ICU stay to detect colonization. Bacterial isolates grown on selective chromogenic agar media were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and automated broth microdilution, respectively. Blood, urine, and/or tracheal aspirate cultures were performed if clinically suspected sepsis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on paired colonization and infection isolates, and genomic relatedness was assessed using FastANI, core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, and phylogenetic reconstruction. Among 373 patients, 181 (48.5%) were colonized with DTR-GNB; 76 (20.4%) at enrollment, and 105 (53.0%) acquired during hospital stay. Among 52 (13.9%) patients evaluated for suspected infection, 30 (57.7%) had positive cultures, predominantly Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 15) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 11) of DTR-phenotypes. Compared to non-colonized patients, patients colonized with DTR-GNB had higher risks of infections (risk ratio [RR]: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.27-3.76) and longer ICU stays (median 7 vs 2 days, P < 0.001). DTR-GNB-infected patients had a higher risk of death (RR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.34-1.84) compared to patients without DTR-GNB infection. WGS revealed that 13 of 14 paired colonization-infection isolates were conspecific, with three pairs being highly clonal; whereas the remaining pairs showed greater genomic divergence, consistent with the SNP and phylogenetic analyses. While common, more than half acquired DTR-GNB colonization from the ICU. Its association with subsequent infection and prolonged ICU stays underscores the need for enhanced infection prevention and control measures to mitigate nosocomial transmission and improve patient outcomes.IMPORTANCEThis study underscores the growing threat posed by difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacteria (DTR-GNB) in intensive care units. Nearly half of critically ill patients were colonized, with a considerable proportion acquiring these multidrug-resistant organisms during their ICU stay. Colonization with these pathogens substantially increased the risk of subsequent infections, even by the same colonizing strain, prolonged ICU stays, and likely worsened clinical outcomes due to the unavailability of susceptible antibiotics. Alarmingly, more than 90% of patients infected with DTR-GNB expired in the hospital. These findings highlight the urgent need for robust infection prevention and control strategies to curb nosocomial transmission and mitigate the impact of DTR-GNB on vulnerable patient populations. Addressing this emerging resistance phenotype is critical to improving patient safety and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
BACKGROUND: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a significant pediatric health concern that warrants increased attention from healthcare providers, educators, and society. This study aimed to determine the frequency of NE among children attending a tertiary care center in Cairo, Egypt, and to explore their sociodemographic characteristics and associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1587 children aged 6-16 years attending a tertiary care center in Cairo from December 2022 to February 2024. Data were obtained from parents via a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics. Sleep problems were assessed via the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the odds ratio and identify factors associated with NE. RESULTS: The total prevalence of NE among children attending a tertiary care center was 333 (21%). Our results indicated that being female and being older were associated with a lower likelihood of NE. Low socioeconomic status (OR = 5.559; 95% CI = 1.24-24.88), stressful events (OR = 3.697; 95% CI = 1.73-7.88), a family history of NE (OR = 26.231; 95% CI = 8.617-79.85), and sleep problems (OR = 13.233; 95% CI = 6.082-28.793) were associated with increased odds of NE. Furthermore, consuming caffeinated drinks before sleep, the presence of urinary tract infections, and intestinal infestations were also associated with NE. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study confirm the multifactorial etiology of NE and identify several associated factors. Integrating these factors into screening and management programs may improve early identification and lead to more effective, tertiary care-specific preventive and therapeutic interventions.
The clinical relevance and drug resistance patterns of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) vary by species. This study investigated the species distribution of NTM isolated from respiratory specimens at a tertiary care hospital in South Korea from 2017 to 2022. A retrospective analysis was conducted on laboratory data from respiratory specimens submitted for acid-fast bacilli culture. NTM isolates were identified using a line probe assay, and those unidentifiable at the species or complex level underwent multigene sequencing of the 16S rRNA, rpoB, and hsp65 genes. Among all mycobacterial isolates, the proportion of NTM showed an increasing trend, rising from 87.4% in 2017 to 93.3% in 2022. The eight most common species were M. avium complex (61.9%), M. abscessus (14.2%), M. fortuitum complex (8.4%), M. gordonae (5.3%), M. simiae complex (3.4%), M. kansasii complex (1.9%), M. terrae complex (1.5%), and M. chelonae (1.2%), accounting for 97.7% of all NTM isolates. Among the remaining isolates (2.3%, n = 169), 161 were classified into 24 species and groups, the majority with proportions below 0.1%. Two of the eight isolates that could not be identified at the species or group level despite multigene sequencing underwent whole-genome sequencing, which suggested they likely represent novel Mycobacterium species. This study provides valuable insights into the distribution of NTM species, particularly rarely encountered species, isolated from respiratory specimens in South Korea. These findings may aid in optimizing diagnostic strategies and selecting appropriate treatment options.IMPORTANCEGiven the significant variations in clinical relevance and drug resistance patterns among nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species, understanding their geographic distribution is essential for selecting appropriate treatment options and improving patient outcomes. This study investigated the distribution of NTM species isolated from respiratory specimens at a tertiary care hospital in South Korea from 2017 to 2022. Our findings revealed an increasing proportion of NTM, with M. avium complex and M. abscessus remaining predominant. Additionally, we identified 24 rarely encountered species and groups, along with two strains that likely represent novel Mycobacterium species. Our study advances the understanding of the evolving NTM epidemiology in South Korea, contributing to the optimization of diagnostic strategies and improvement of patient management.
OBJECTIVES: Disorders of sex development (DSD) include a range of conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex deviates from the typical developmental pathway. The diagnostic approach to DSD has shifted from karyotyping to molecular genetic tools. This study evaluated the clinical presentation, cytogenetic spectrum, and diagnostic utility of conventional and advanced molecular genetic investigations in patients with suspected DSD managed at a tertiary care facility in Eastern India over a three-year period. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Genetics Laboratory of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India. Consecutive patients with clinically suspected DSD referred between January 2022 and December 2024 were included. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from referral records, and peripheral blood samples were analysed using standard G-banded karyotyping according to the International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature (ISCN 2020). Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were selectively performed in cases with inconclusive cytogenetic findings, suspected structural chromosomal abnormalities, or complex phenotypes. RESULTS: A total of 98 suspected DSD cases were evaluated during the study period. The most frequent chromosomal constitution was 46,XY DSD (37, 37.8%), followed by 46,XX DSD (30, 30.6%) and sex chromosome DSD (21, 21.4%). Culture failure occurred in 10 (10.2%) samples. Advanced genetic techniques, including FISH, CMA, and WGS, improved diagnostic clarification in selected complex cases. CONCLUSION: This experience highlights the importance of integrating contemporary high-resolution technologies with conventional cytogenetics to enhance the assessment, counselling, and treatment of individuals with DSD.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a short gram-negative bacillus, notable for its intrinsic multidrug resistance and genomic plasticity, which facilitates the acquisition of additional resistance genes via mobile genetic elements. Due to its increasing carbapenem resistance, the World Health Organization has classified it as a critical priority pathogen. This study performed a comparative genomic analysis of 20 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii clinical strains isolated from the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (CRAB-HIMFG), alongside 11 genomes from other Mexican strains. The pangenome was determined to be open, and core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism-based analysis grouped the CRAB-HIMFG strains within CC758/IC5 and CC92/IC2. A novel sequence type (ST) in the MLST-Pasteur scheme was identified, related to STPas156, and in the MLST-Oxford scheme, associated with STOxf758 and STOxf1054. Virulence and resistance genes comprised 0.61% to 2.23% of the pangenome. Oxacillinase genes and efflux pumps primarily mediated carbapenem resistance, while virulence genes included those encoding biofilm and type IV pili. Capsule typing revealed a correlation with established international clones, IC2 and IC5. Plasmids exhibited high diversity, harboring maintenance modules and toxin-antitoxin systems, with the dissemination of resistance genes linked to insertion sequences. Biofilm formation and twitching motility were not always expressed, as they depend on additional environmental factors. Our study shows that comparative genomics is an essential tool to analyze clinically and epidemiologically significant genomes, providing critical insights into gene distribution, genomic architecture, and horizontal gene transfer mechanisms in microbial populations.IMPORTANCEIn recent years, a reported increase in the mortality rate associated with infections caused by A. baumannii, along with a rise in carbapenem resistance, poses a serious clinical challenge. The WHO considered this microorganism critical for research into alternative therapies and epidemiological surveillance. Despite advances in bioinformatics, genomic studies have yet to fully elucidate the structural rearrangements and secretion systems of A. baumannii. This knowledge gap hinders our understanding of its remarkable genomic plasticity and its ability to acquire and spread resistance and virulence genes through horizontal gene transfer.
The global escalation of carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) represents a critical threat to public health, necessitating the investigation of alternative therapeutic agents. Plazomicin, a newer aminoglycoside, was engineered to evade common aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. This study evaluated the susceptibility of plazomicin among 100 CRE isolates. The findings reveal a strikingly low plazomicin susceptibility rate of only 15/100 (15%). Whole-genome sequencing identified a high prevalence of 16S rRNA methyltransferase (RMTase) genes, such as armA and rmtB1, which confer high-level resistance to plazomicin. These results suggest that plazomicin may have limited utility against CRE in regions where RMTase-mediated resistance is prevalent.
INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health challenge, with rising prevalence in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Genetic susceptibility plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. Calpain-10 (CAPN-10), a gene implicated in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis, has been studied for its potential involvement in T2DM. This study aimed to evaluate the association of CAPN-10 polymorphisms-SNP44 (rs2975760) and SNP43 (rs3792267)-with T2DM in a Pakistani cohort. METHODS: This case-control study included 164 T2DM patients and 164 healthy controls (mean age ± SD: 57.2 ± 8.2 vs. 53.9 ± 6.3 years; age range: 41-82 years). The male-to-female ratio was 41.4-58.6% in cases and 37.2-62.8% in controls. Participants were enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and genotyping of CAPN-10 SNPs (rs3792267 and rs2975760) was performed using PCR-RFLP. Genotype distributions were assessed for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Associations with T2DM were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) via logistic regression. Chi-square tests were used for categorical comparisons, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. RESULTS: For SNP44, no significant association with T2DM was observed under dominant, heterozygous, or recessive models after Bonferroni correction (adjusted p > 0.05). Similarly, SNP43 showed no statistically significant association with T2DM in either dominant or recessive models (adjusted p > 0.05), although the AA genotype appeared more frequently among T2DM cases. These findings suggest no significant role of CAPN-10 polymorphisms in T2DM susceptibility in this population. CONCLUSION: CAPN-10 polymorphisms SNP44 and SNP43 showed no significant association with T2DM in this population, suggesting limited predictive value for disease susceptibility.
BACKGROUND: MMA and CBS deficiency are rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorders caused by defects in cobalamin metabolism and cystathionine-beta-synthase activity, respectively. Advanced molecular genetic techniques, have become essential for diagnosing these conditions. This study aimed to analyze the genetic variations in three MMA and four CBS deficiency cases using WES and correlate the findings with clinical, biochemical, and treatment outcomes. METHODS: Clinical evaluation, biochemical testing, neuroimaging, and WES were performed. WES data were analyzed using the reference genome GRCh37, and variants were classified according to ACMG guidelines. Treatment outcomes were monitored for three months post-intervention. RESULTS: In MMA cases, a homozygous pathogenic variant (c.394 C > T, p.Arg132Ter) in MMACHC was identified in all three patients. Biochemical abnormalities included methylmalonic aciduria, elevated homocysteine, and megaloblastic anemia. Hydroxycobalamin therapy improved behavioral, cognitive, and dermatological symptoms, though residual neuropathy persisted in one case. In CBS deficiency, pathogenic variants in CBS (c.992 C > T, p.Ala331Val; c.862 G > A, p.Ala288Thr; c.700 G > A, p.Asp234Asn) were identified. Clinical features included developmental delayed milestones, lens dislocation, and vascular complications. Treatment outcomes varied based on early diagnosis and compliance. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of newborn screening program with WES in diagnosing and managing MMA and CBS deficiency, facilitating early intervention, improving clinical outcomes, and supporting precision medicine approaches. IMPACT: Early newborn screening and diagnosis are critical for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. Novel clinical and pathogenic variants will expand the current understanding of these disorders. WES enhances the diagnostic precision for MMA and CBS deficiency, facilitating timely intervention and superior clinical management. Accurate and early detection of treatable IEMs through NBS can significantly reduce disease burden and healthcare costs.
In order to improve patient care, provide better teaching in an ambulatory setting, and establish research opportunities for faculty staff, the medical clinic of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been developed into a group practice. The entire house staff is involved in this project, and it appears that the endeavor has resulted in improved patient care and house officers who are better prepared for outpatient problems. Some of the difficulties are discussed.
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PURPOSE: To describe four-year diagnostic-distribution, burden, and antimicrobial-resistances of major Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a tertiary-care surveillance framework. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied first non-duplicate-isolate per/patient/organism between 2022-2025 at a Saudi tertiary-care. Diagnostics used automated-platforms with GeneXpert-Carba-R employed parallel to cultures. Susceptibility interpretations used CLSI-breakpoints relevant to test-year. Annual-trends were assessed with grouped-binomial logistic-regression, and Benjamini-Hochberg false-discovery-rate correction was applied within prespecified analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,857 isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae was most frequent (36.2%), followed by P. aeruginosa (33.4%), Escherichia coli (17.9%), and Enterobacter cloacae (12.3%). Mean patient age was 64.8 years, 51.3% isolates were from intensive-care, 37.4% from urine, and 80.8% records had comorbidity. K. pneumoniae showed overall ESBL (76.6%), CRE (59.9%), MDR (69.3%), panel-defined XDR (64.7%), and panel-defined PDR (15.2%) frequencies. Enterobacterales ESBL-positivity increased (58.1% to 76.8%;q <0.001), whereas meropenem non-susceptibility decreased (52.6% to 33.2%;q <0.001). In P. aeruginosa, ceftazidime non-susceptibility increased (55.2% to 78.6%;q <0.001), meropenem decreased (46.8% to 32.9%;q = 0.031), and tobramycin increased (22.2% to 45.7%;q = 0.030). Crude-comorbidity differences remained insignificant after false-discovery-rate correction. CONCLUSION: We show a persistent species-specific Gram-negative resistance burden, led by K. pneumoniae and accompanied by substantial P. aeruginosa non-susceptibility. This supports organism-specific detections, antibiograms and continued multicenter-surveillance linked to antimicrobial exposure, genomic-data, and patient outcomes.
Specification of the characteristics unique to primary care, as distinguished from secondary and tertiary care, has been difficult. Descriptions based upon the nature of problems actually seen by practitioners or those based upon the way in which patients come for care do not adequately distinguish primary care from nonprimary care. Definitions of primary care have stressed its first-contact aspects, coordinating features, comprehensiveness, and longitudinality. While these phenomena are adequate as gross descriptors, the inability to quantify them reduces their usefulness to planners and evaluators. Offered as a solution to this problem is a model which permits these descriptors to be defined as specific interrelationships among separate aspects of the structure (accessibility, range of services, identification of the eligible population, and continuity), process (utilization and problem recognition), and outcome of care.
UNLABELLED: Genomic sequencing is essential to effectively monitor the SARS-CoV-2 evolution and spread of its lineages. Healthcare-facility-based SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance has been proposed as a valuable strategy, considering the characteristics of its target population. As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Global Action in Healthcare Network program, this study aimed to describe the distribution and frequency of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in two tertiary-care hospitals in Brazil, where the genomic sequencing capacity is limited. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 samples obtained from 993 healthcare workers (75.4%) and inpatients (24.6%) was analyzed between February 2023 and August 2024. In total, 113 distinct lineages were identified. Notably, we observed a temporal replacement of predominant lineages corresponding to three distinct epidemic waves: the first wave dominated by XBB.1.5 and XBB.2.3 (February 2023 to June 2023), the second by GK.1.1 and JD.1.1 (September 2023 to December 2023), and the third by JN.1 and JN.1.9 (January 2024 to April 2024). JN.1.9 was the only lineage with a significantly higher prevalence among healthcare workers compared to inpatients. Additionally, we identified cases of co-infection with genetically distinct variants, underscoring the potential for healthcare-based monitoring to capture events relevant to viral evolution. Overall, our findings were consistent with those observed across Brazil, suggesting that this strategy may be valuable for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance. They also indicate a clear temporal pattern of lineage replacement, reflecting successive waves driven by emerging variants and rapid global dissemination. IMPORTANCE: Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 remains essential for identifying emerging variants with increased transmissibility, immune escape, or pathogenicity. While most genomic surveillance efforts focus on community-based sampling, a healthcare-facility-based strategy may offer a complementary approach. In this study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 lineage dynamics over an 18-month period among healthcare workers and hospitalized patients in southern Brazil. Our findings align closely with regional and national trends, supporting the value of healthcare-facility-based SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance for documenting the local genomic landscape and demonstrating the feasibility and value of this approach in settings with limited genome sequencing capacity. Additionally, this approach may be applicable to other respiratory viruses in healthcare settings; however, further studies would be needed to confirm this.
An international workshop considered rheumatological education of the primary care physician. All medical students need exposure to rheumatology. Emphasis should be on the musculoskeletal component and on the better defined diseases. During the postdoctoral years, principles of total health care need to be taught by well trained rheumatologists in tertiary care rheumatic disease units with comprehensive ambulatory care facilities. Continuing education of the generalist needs to be relevant to his professional competence. He needs to acquire and update the knowledge to manage common rheumatic diseases and to learn when to ask for help. General educational objectives are applicable to the field of rheumatology: cognitive skills bring knowledge of the scientific basis and clinical facts; motor skills--the ability to examine competently patients with rheumatic diseases; affective skills--the understanding of and capacity to deal with chronic illness.
BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory viral diseases are a major public health challenge in the Brazilian Amazon, where ecological, logistical, and social factors shape patterns of transmission and response. METHODS: This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological patterns and temporal-spatial distribution of Influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, between 2015 and 2025, distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 etiologies using data from OpenDataSUS. RESULTS: Incidence peaks occurred in early 2021 and 2022, with pronounced regional disparities. The highest burdens were concentrated in specific municipalities, with Manaus exhibiting an intermediate incidence and playing a central role in case notifications and healthcare provision. DISCUSSION: We describe the integration of surveillance systems, laboratory networks, and healthcare infrastructure, which enabled improvements in diagnosis, monitoring, and care. The region's response model, centered in Manaus, includes primary-to-tertiary care coordination, molecular diagnostics, telemedicine, and mobile health units for Indigenous and remote areas. Research efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic provided critical insights into therapeutic strategies, immunopathology, and long-term sequelae, while also highlighting persistent inequities and diagnostic gaps. Our findings underscore the co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens and the need for continued genomic and syndromic surveillance. Future strategies must address regional disparities, support decentralized diagnostics, and expand clinical research. Strengthening integrated health systems in the Brazilian Amazon is essential for timely, equitable responses to emerging respiratory threats.