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Background Risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections after solid organ transplant (SOT) are not well characterized. Here we aimed to describe these factors. Methods Retrospective, multinational, 1:2 matched case-control study that included SOT recipients ≥12 years old diagnosed with NTM infection from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2018. Controls were matched on transplanted organ, NTM treatment center, and post-transplant survival greater than or equal to the time to NTM diagnosis. Logistic regression on matched pairs was used to assess associations between risk factors and NTM infections. Results Analyses included 85 cases and 169 controls (59% male, 88% White, median age at time of SOT of 54 years [interquartile range {IQR} 40–62]). NTM infection occurred in kidney (42%), lung (35%), heart and liver (11% each), and pancreas transplant recipients (1%). Median time from transplant to infection was 21.6 months (IQR 5.3–55.2). Most underlying comorbidities were evenly distributed between groups; however, cases were older at the time of NTM diagnosis, more frequently on systemic corticosteroids and had a lower lymphocyte count (all P < .05). In the multivariable model, older age at transplant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.04; 95 confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.07), hospital admission within 90 days (aOR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.41–6.98), receipt of antifungals (aOR, 5.35; 95% CI, 1.7–16.91), and lymphocyte-specific antibodies (aOR, 7.73; 95% CI, 1.07–56.14), were associated with NTM infection. Conclusions Risk of NTM infection in SOT recipients was associated with older age at SOT, prior hospital admission, receipt of antifungals or lymphocyte-specific antibodies. NTM infection should be considered in SOT patients with these risk factors.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with a high mortality rate in kidney-transplant recipients. Azole-resistance is increasing in Aspergillus fumigatus. We report a clinical case of a kidney-transplant recipient with cerebellar and pulmonary aspergillosis caused by azole-resistant Aspergillus parafelis (molecular identification through β-tubulin sequence). The patient experienced an effective resolution after three surgical procedures and associated antifungal therapy. This case highlights that azole-resistant aspergillosis should be considered in every patient with IA as long as susceptibility testing results are not known. Therefore, in selected patients with IA and central nervous system involvement, empirical combination antifungal therapy could be considered. Sí

Renal involvement due to necrotizing pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN) associated with small vessel vasculitis requires the use of immunosuppressive. Associated side effects include an increased risk of infectious processes, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease; therefore, there are no recommendations on its management in the various clinical practice guidelines (CPG).To study the incidence of CMV disease and its determinants.Patients with histological diagnosis of necrotizing pauci-immune glomerulonephritis in the last 10 years, who were determined the viral load of CMV, analyzing the determinants of its occurrence.Forty-four biopsies were performed during the study period. Eleven patients (25%) developed CMV disease; all had received immunosuppressive treatment. Four (30.8%) died during admission. The determinants of CMV disease were age (for every 10 years OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.0-8.9, p = 0.012), and plasma albumin (for each g/L OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.0, p = 0.012).The incidence of CMV disease in immunocompromised patients due to PIGN is high, with high mortality. It would be necessary to include strategies in the CPGs to prevent it.

Resumen Introduccion La endocarditis infecciosa (EI) sobre transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) es una complicacion emergente. Existen datos incompletos y dispares sobre su incidencia. Se aporta la experiencia en nuestro centro sobre incidencia, mortalidad y factores asociados de la EI post-TAVI y se compara con datos de la literatura. Metodos Estudio retrospectivo observacional de los casos de EI diagnosticados en pacientes que habian recibido TAVI, entre el 1 de junio de 2009 y el 1 de noviembre de 2017, en un centro universitario tras una mediana de seguimiento de 15,3 meses (rango intercuartil [RIC] 9,1-36,2). Se analizaron la incidencia, los datos clinicos, microbiologicos y pronosticos, y los factores asociados a EI post-TAVI. Resultados Se detectaron 11 pacientes con EI de 200 TAVI. Incidencia global: 5,5% (2,77 casos por 100 anos-paciente). La mediana de tiempo hasta la EI post-TAVI fue de 112 dias (RIC 36-578), la tasa de mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 36,4% y la mortalidad al ano, del 54,5%. Todos los microorganismos identificados fueron grampositivos (4 Enterococcus faecalis, 3 Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo). Los pacientes con EI post-TAVI eran significativamente mas jovenes (mediana 78, RIC 73-80, frente a 82, RIC 79-84, p = 0,002), tenian un EuroSCORE mayor (5,1 ± 2,4 frente a 3,2 ± 1,2, p Conclusiones En nuestro medio, la incidencia de EI post-TAVI es mayor que la descrita en series multicentricas, lo que concuerda con la tendencia publicada en la literatura. Conlleva una elevada mortalidad y se asocia con una peor situacion clinica basal.

Current guidelines recommend against systematic screening for or treating asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) among kidney transplant (KT) recipients, although the evidence regarding episodes occurring early after transplantation or in the presence of anatomical abnormalities is inconclusive. Oral fosfomycin may constitute a good option for the treatment of posttransplant AB, particularly due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogens. Available clinical evidence supporting its use in this specific setting, however, remains scarce. We performed a retrospective study in 14 Spanish institutions from January 2005 to December 2017. Overall, 137 episodes of AB diagnosed in 133 KT recipients treated with oral fosfomycin (calcium and trometamol salts) with a test-of-cure urine culture within the first 30 days were included. Median time from transplantation to diagnosis was 3.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1.1 to 10.5). Most episodes (96.4% [132/137]) were caused by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), and 56.9% (78/137) were categorized as MDR (extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacterales [20.4%] and carbapenem‐resistant GNB [2.9%]). Rate of microbiological failure at month 1 was 40.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.9% to 48.9%) for the whole cohort and 42.3% (95% CI, 31.2% to 54.0%) for episodes due to MDR pathogens. Previous urinary tract infection (odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% CI, 1.11 to 5.29; P value = 0.027) and use of fosfomycin as salvage therapy (OR, 8.31; 95% CI, 1.67 to 41.35; P value = 0.010) were predictors of microbiological failure. No severe treatment-related adverse events were detected. Oral fosfomycin appears to be a suitable and safe alternative for the treatment (if indicated) of AB after KT, including those episodes due to MDR uropathogens., This study was supported by Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013‐2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016), and Spanish Network for Research in Renal Diseases (REDInREN RD16/0009) and cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund entitled A way to achieve Europe. M.F.-R. holds a research contract (Miguel Servet, CP18/00073), from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, ISCIII.

Dengue; Vigilància; Importació Dengue; Vigilancia; Importación Dengue; Surveillance; Importation We describe the epidemiological pattern and genetic characteristics of 242 acute dengue infections imported to Europe by returning travellers from 2012 to 2014. The overall geographical pattern of imported dengue (South-east Asia > Americas > western Pacific region > Africa) remained stable compared with 1999 to 2010. We isolated the majority of dengue virus genotypes and epidemic lineages causing outbreaks and epidemics in Asia, America and Africa during the study period. Travellers acted as sentinels for four unusual dengue outbreaks (Madeira, 2012–13; Luanda, 2013; Dar es Salaam, 2014; Tokyo, 2014). We were able to characterise dengue viruses imported from regions where currently no virological surveillance data are available. Up to 36% of travellers infected with dengue while travelling returned during the acute phase of the infection (up to 7 days after symptom onset) or became symptomatic after returning to Europe, and 58% of the patients with acute dengue infection were viraemic when seeking medical care. Epidemiological and virological data from dengue-infected international travellers can add an important layer to global surveillance efforts. A considerable number of dengue-infected travellers are viraemic after arrival back home, which poses a risk for dengue introduction and autochthonous transmission in European regions where suitable mosquito vectors are prevalent.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed haemolytic anaemia is one of the more frequent events after treatment with intravenous artesunate in patients with severe malaria. Little is known about its frequency and the outcomes of patients with this condition. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to describe the incidence of delayed haemolysis in a cohort of patients with severe malaria by Plasmodium falciparum treated with artesunate between August 2013 and July 2015. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients with malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum, with 21 having severe malaria. The majority were male (66.7%), and the median age was 43 years. Four patients (19%) presented post-artesunate delayed haemolysis 11-13 days from the initiation of treatment. Two patients required hospital admission and red blood cell transfusion. CONCLUSION: Post-artesunate delayed haemolysis is frequent in patients with severe malaria treated with intravenous artemisinins. These patients should be monitored for 4 weeks after treatment is started.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease reported in 78 countries, with an additional recent outbreak in Corsica [1,2]. Generally, Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital problems, whereas S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. mekongi, S. guineensis, and S. intercalatum generate intestinal symptoms. Occasionally, ectopic tissue tropisms [3] and infections by parasites resulting from hybridization occur [4,5]. Geographical distribution and transmission of Schistosoma species depend on the presence of suitable intermediate snail hosts to complete the life cycle. Here we report on an unusual case of urogenital schistosomiasis in a Dominican adult male, living in Spain, with no history of visiting a known endemic area.

To investigate the global occurrence of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole resistance and the genetic mechanisms of trimethoprim resistance, we analysed Staphylococcus aureus from travel-associated skin and soft-tissue infections treated at 13 travel clinics in Europe. Thirty-eight per cent (75/196) were trimethoprim-resistant and 21% (41/196) were resistant to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Among methicillin-resistant S. aureus, these proportions were 30% (7/23) and 17% (4/23), respectively. DfrG explained 92% (69/75) of all trimethoprim resistance in S. aureus. Travel to South Asia was associated with the highest risk of acquiring trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole-resistant S. aureus. We conclude that globally dfrG is the predominant determinant of trimethoprim resistance in human S. aureus infection.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous artesunate has replaced quinine as the first-line therapy for severe imported malaria, given its anti-malarial superiority shown in clinical trials conducted in endemic countries. Evidence for red blood cell (RBC) exchange in patients with severe malaria treated with artesunate is lacking. This retrospective cohort study describes the experience at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona with the use of artesunate for severe malaria and the joint use of RBC exchange in selected cases. METHODS: Patients treated for severe malaria at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between August 2013 and January 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Severe malaria was defined according to WHO criteria. Data were extracted from electronic hospital records. A log-linear mixed model approach was used to estimate parasite clearance times. RESULTS: Within the study period, 42 patients were diagnosed of malaria at this centre, of which 38 had Plasmodium falciparum (90.5 %). Sixteen patients (42 %) had severe malaria cases and were treated with intravenous artesunate. Four patients underwent RBC exchange within a period of 15 h after the first dose of artesunate (range 9-21 h). The procedure lasted a median of 2 h (IQR 1.8-2 h), using a median of 12 (IQR 11-14) units of packed RBCs to replace a median of 3794 ml (IQR 2977-4343). The technique was well-tolerated without haemodynamic complications. There were no deaths. The regression model showed an estimated time to 95 % decay of 21.6 h (95 % CI 17.3-28.8). When assessing effect modification by RBC exchange, there was no difference in the parasite elimination rate (p = 0.286). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study RBC exchange failed to show benefits in terms of parasite clearance probably due to the small number of patients analysed. The evidence for exchange transfusion remains limited.

In September 2013, leptospirosis was diagnosed in two Spanish travellers returning from Thailand. The first case walked in floodwater in the Phi Phi Islands in pouring rain: 20 days later he presented with fever and acute hepatitis. The second presented with fever and renal failure 17 days after visiting the islands. These cases remind clinicians to consider leptospirosis in febrile patients with a history of contact with flood or fresh water while travelling to tropical countries.

Ten cases of chikungunya were diagnosed in Spanish travellers returning from Haiti (n=2), the Dominican Republic (n=7) or from both countries (n=1) between April and June 2014. These cases remind clinicians to consider chikungunya in European travellers presenting with febrile illness and arthralgia, who are returning from the Caribbean region and Central America, particularly from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The presence of Aedes albopictus together with viraemic patients could potentially lead to autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus in southern Europe.

Background: Benznidazole is one of the two most effective antiparasitic drugs for Chagas' disease treatment. However, knowledge about its toxicity profile is mostly based on post-marketing observational studies. Objectives: Our study combines data from two prospective clinical trials designed to assess the safety of the drug newly produced by ELEA Laboratories (Abarax(R)). Methods: Eligible participants were selected using a consecutive sampling strategy in the CINEBENZ and BIOMARCHA studies between 2013 and 2016 (EUDRACT 2011-002900-34 and 2012-002645-38, respectively, and clinicaltrials.gov NCT01755403 and NCT01755377, respectively). Enrolled subjects received treatment with 5 mg/kg/day benznidazole orally in two divided doses for 8 weeks and were followed up fortnightly. Results: We observed 305 adverse reactions in 85 of 99 participants (85.9%). Each patient had a median of three adverse reactions, 89.5% were mild and the median duration was 12 days. Most adverse reactions appeared in the first month of treatment except arthritis and peripheral neuropathy. Twenty-six patients did not complete treatment: 2 were withdrawn, 1 for ectopic pregnancy and 1 for epilepsy relapse due to cysticercosis; 2 were lost to follow-up; and 22 were owing to adverse reactions, two of them severe. We observed some unexpected adverse reactions that have not been described previously, such as psychiatric symptoms, erectile dysfunction, menstrual cycle alterations and lung infiltration. Conclusions: There is a very high frequency of adverse reactions to benznidazole. Most adverse reactions are mild, but the treatment burden is significant and unexpected reactions are not rare. Severe reactions are uncommon, but they can be life-threatening. Further studies are necessary to optimize treatment.