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J C Sanz

Publications and source records attributed to J C Sanz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Late detection of a shigellosis outbreak in a school in Madrid.

Even though shigellosis in Spain is rare, an indigenous outbreak is occasionally detected. We describe an outbreak in a school in Madrid caused by person-to-person transmission of Shigella sonnei. After the detection of Shigella sonnei in a stool sample from a 3 year old girl, an investigation at her school was initiated. Questionnaires were distributed to the parents of 520 pupils attending the school. A case was defined as a school case if it was the first case in a child's household, and as a household case if other members of the household had fallen ill first. We identified 88 cases (60 pupils and 28 of their family members). The attack rate (AR) was 12% in the school and 32% in the families. There was a significant association between higher AR and lower age. The outbreak lasted for two months. The length and the shape of the epidemic curve of the 60 cases in pupils suggests person-to-person transmission. Shigella sonnei isolated from 5 different cases were typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and was found to be an identical strain. The prolonged duration of the outbreak was probably due to delayed detection, and stopped as soon as control measures were introduced.

Child↗

Is there a change in cytomegalovirus seroepidemiology in Spain?

The aim of this paper is to compare the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in women in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (ARM) obtained in two different years (1993 and 1999), according to age and seroprevalence of a virus transmitted by the faecal-oral route (hepatitis A virus, HAV) and another virus of respiratory transmission (varicella zoster virus, VZV). A total of 1813 serum samples were studied, taken from females aged 2-40 in two different serosurveys which were representative of the general population in the ARM. Of these, 933 were taken in 1993, and 880 in 1999. In each survey the samples were distributed over six groups, according to age group (2-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-30 and 31-40 years). CMV- and VZV-specific IgG was tested by indirect ELISA (Dade-Behring, Germany); and HAV-IgG by ImX (Abbott, USA) in the 1993 samples, or by Vidas (BioMérieux, France) in the case of those taken in 1999. A significant age-related rise in CMV seroprevalence was observed in both serosurveys. The seroprevalence obtained was lower in all age groups in 1999 than in 1993. The differences were statistically significant in two age groups: 6-10 years old (43.7 vs. 56.7%) and 31-40 years old (79.1 vs. 90.3%). In the younger age groups concurrent seroprevalence of CMV and VZV was significant lower in 1999. In older age groups a significant decrease in concurrent seroprevalence of both CMV and HAV was also seen. Agreement between serological results for CMV-HAV, CMV-VZV and HAV-VVZ during the two time periods and in every age group was poor or fair (kappa index < or = 0.2 or between 0.21 and 0.4) in all age groups. To conclude, a change in CMV epidemiology seems to be taking place in Madrid. The increase in the proportion of CMV seronegative women of childbearing age may have some impact on the incidence of congenital diseases related to vertical transmission of CMV. Apparently, such a change, among children, could be related to a lower close contact transmission rate (as in VZV), and among adults to improvements in standards of public health (as in HAV). However, due to the poor or fair agreement between serological results for CMV-HAV, CMV-VZV and HAV-VVZ, other independent factors may affect the fall in CMV seroprevalence.

Adolescent↗

New features of rubella in Spain: the evidence of an outbreak.

In most of western Europe the rubella vaccine coverage is high. However, prior to the introduction of the vaccine in Latin America, rubella susceptibility in women of childbearing age was 10-25%. Forty one (93%) countries in Latin America have adopted the rubella vaccine since 2002. The adult immigrant population in Spain constitutes a group of susceptibles. In February 2003, the Madrid Community Measles Elimination Plan detected an increase in rubella notifications in women who had been born in Latin America. A descriptive study was undertaken to characterise the outbreak. A confirmed case was a person with fever or rash and a positive IgM serology, and living in Madrid, between 1 December 2002 and 31 March 2003. The secondary attack rate (SAR) per household was calculated. A total of 19 cases of rubella were identified, 15 were confirmed and 4 were probable cases. Fourteen (73.7%) cases were women at childbearing age. The mean age was 25.1 years. One pregnancy was diagnosed with a voluntary termination. Eleven (57.9%) cases were from Ecuador. The mean time of residence in Spain was 41 months. None of the cases or the 54 (78.3%) household contacts had been vaccinated against rubella. The SAR was 9.1%. This study showed the spread of rubella in the susceptible Latin American Community that is resident in Madrid. The interventions proposed were a vaccination programme towards immigrants, a health education campaign to prevent congenital rubella, and a health professional training programme case management.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of CagA and VacA antibodies in children with Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer compared to prevalence in pediatric patients with active or nonactive chronic gastritis.

VacA and CagA serological responses were detected in pediatric patients: 44 and 56%, respectively, in peptic ulcer (PU) patients, 33.3 and 44.4% in active chronic gastritis (ACG) patients, and 23.2 and 39.2% in non-ACG patients. Higher seroprevalence to CagA+VacA and to CagA+VacA+35-kDa antigen was found among PU patients. However, a low level of sensitivity and specificity was found for indirect detection of PU patients.

Adolescent↗

[Tension pneumoperitoneum as complication in a case of perioperative barotrauma].

Tension pneumoperitoneum is rare complication that causes severe changes in respiratory and cardiocirculatory function. We report the case of an 84 year old woman who developed tension pneumoperitoneum soon after cholecystectomy by subcostal laparotomy. Tension pneumoperitoneum presented with barotrauma, bilateral pneumothorax, extensive subcutaneous and pneumomediastinum and was accompanied by severe worsening of hemodynamic variables and gas exchange. After confirming the diagnosis by emergency CT scan, the first therapeutic action was decompression of the peritoneal. This fast, simple maneuver was followed by rapid hemodynamic and respiratory improvement. Tension pneumoperitoneum similar to the case we report has been described as a complication of mechanical ventilation and barotrauma; however, the possibility that the clinical picture might be caused by perforation of a hollow viscera has given rise to a variety of suggested therapeutic alternatives, including exploratory laparotomy, which has sometimes later proven to have been unnecessary. In the light of the case we report and the literature, we suggest a therapeutic sequence starting with emergency abdominal decompression and to fulfill two objectives: a) to remove the threat to life, and b) to limit the practice of emergency exploratory laparotomy to cases in which that technique is truly indicated.

Aged↗

In vitro activity of ebrotidine, ranitidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole, and bismuth citrate against clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of ranitidine, ebrotidine, bismuth citrate, omeprazole, and lansoprazole against 113 clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori cultured from gastric biopsies. An agar dilution method using Mueller-Hinton agar plus 7%, horse blood, an inoculum of 10(6) cfu/spot, and incubation in a CO2 incubator for 2 to 5 days was used. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for 50 and 90% of the isolates tested, respectively, were as follows: ranitidine, 1024 and 1024 mg/l; ebrotidine, 64 and 256 mg/l; bismuth citrate, 1 and 4 mg/l; omeprazole, 16 and 16 mg/l; and lansoprazole, 1 and 1 mg/l. Ebrotidine was more active than ranitidine, and lansoprazole was the most active compound against the Helicobacter pylori isolates tested.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

High-level mupirocin resistance among Spanish methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Twelve strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with high-level resistance to mupirocin were studied. The MIC of methicillin was 16 to 128 mg/l and the MIC of mupirocin > or = 512 mg/l. All of the isolates carried a plasmid of about 30 MDa, and one strain lost resistance to mupirocin when the plasmid was cured. Three different resistance patterns were found: six strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, and 10 mg/l of cadmium sulfate; two strains were resistant to these agents as well as to gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, mercury chloride, and ethidium bromide; and four strains were resistant to the previously named agents as well as to rifampicin and tetracycline. The use of this valuable topical antibiotic, especially in long-term-care facilities, should be monitored to avoid dissemination of resistance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Eradication and follow-up of Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients.

It is currently accepted that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is crucial in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. Therefore, we developed a prospective study to assess the prevalence of Hp infection by the 13C Urea Breath Test (13C UBT) in 52 hemodialysis patients, and we evaluated the efficacy of two consecutive eradication regimens in 23 positive patients with dyspepsia and/or on a transplantation list. The correlation between anti-Hp serology and 13C UBT results was also analyzed in 34 patients who were followed up during 18 months. The Hp prevalence by 13C UBT was 63.5% (33/52). The eradication rate after the first cycle of therapy (amoxicillin 500 mg/8 h and omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days) was 60.8% (14/23). After the second cycle (clarithromycin 500 mg/12 h plus omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days), the eradication rate reached 82.6% (19/23). The serological procedure showed a good correlation with 13C UBT (about 80% sensitive and specific) when very restrictive diagnostic and eradication criteria were adopted. We conclude that an eradication rate higher than 80% can be reached after two consecutive cycles of dual therapy in hemodialysis patients. Anti-Hp serological tests must be cautiously interpreted in these patients.

Aged↗

[Use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatric patients].

BACKGROUND: Several direct or non direct methods may be used to detect H. pylori infection. A molecular method, PCR with ureA primers, was used in this study in 43 gastric biopsies obtained from paediatric patients with digestive symptomatology and the results were compared with those obtained by histology and culture. METHODS: Culture and histological stain were performed from gastric biopsies taken at routine endoscopy following standard methodology. A PCR with specific primers for the ureA gene was applied and the 411 pb fragment detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: From the 43 gastric biopsies, 21 were positive by culture (48.8%), 25 by histology (58.1%) and 29 by PCR (67.4%). In 30 biopsies (69.7%) PCR results were in good agreement with the reference method (histology and/or culture). In 7 biopsies the PCR was positive (16.3%), although the reference method was negative and in 6 (13.9%) the PCR was negative being positive the histology (5 samples) or histology and culture (1 sample). CONCLUSIONS: PCR shows the highest positive percentage among the methods used. The use of as many methods as possible in the H. pylori infection, increases the diagnosis of the infection.

Adolescent↗

Measurement of mechanical warpage in CR-39 lenses.

The warpage of CR-39 ophthalmic spherical lenses of a variety of powers and compressed in the radial direction is measured as a function of the applied tangential force. The lenses are cut with circular shape and then mounted on a frame specially designed to measure the tangential force by means of a calibrated coil spring. The measurements are performed with a high resolution micrometer at different points on the lens surfaces. The warpage of the two surfaces of each lens is calculated and then a quantitative value of surface power variation is given. From these data, vertex power and oblique astigmatism variation are shown. Departure of the surfaces from sphere as a function of the applied tangential force is analysed.

Eyeglasses↗

Nosocomial septicemia caused by Serratia plymuthica.

We report a case of nosocomial septicemia in a 79-year-old patient caused by Serratia plymuthica with no evident focus of infection. The patient was treated with gentamicin (40 mg every 8 h) during 10 days; clinical resolution of the infection was obtained after the 10-day treatment period.

Aged↗

Investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella typhi in a public school in Madrid.

A typhoid fever outbreak affecting 54 school students occurred in a Public School of Móstoles, Madrid. The date of onset was 11 June 1991 and the last detected case was 8 July 1991. Salmonella typhi was cultured from blood and/or stool samples corresponding to 54 patients and one food-handler. There were no secondary cases detected. Epidemiological investigation suggested a salad or a custard as the common source. Patients and the food-handler were treated with ampicillin/amoxicillin for up to three weeks. There were seven relapses that were also treated with the same antibiotics with success. None were found to be excreting the organisms when tested after four months. All the Salmonella typhi isolated strains were phagetype 34, biotype Xylose +, Tetrationate Reductase + and harboured a similar 22 Mdal plasmid, they were also susceptible to the antibiotics tested.

Adolescent↗

[Follow-up of the quantitative serological response to the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in children].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to know the usefulness of a enzyme immunoanalysis (EIA) technique for the monitorization of the serologic to treatment of infection by Helicobacter pylori in Spanish children. METHODS: 17 children with digestive symptomatology in whom the diagnosis of infection by Helicobacter pylori was confirmed and eradication was objectified following a month of treatment with amoxycillin, metronidazole and Bismuth subcitrate were studied. In each patient a biopsy of the gastric mucosa was performed and a sample of serum was withdrawn for initial diagnosis and for control of eradication once treatment had finished (mean time between diagnosis and confirmation of eradication was 79.6 +/- 33.5 days). The samples of gastric mucosa were processed by standard methodology (histologic and/or culture). Serologic determinations (IgG and IgA) were carried out using a EIA technique (Pyloriset EIA-G and EIA-A; Orion Diagnostica). RESULTS: In 12 of the 17 patients resolution of the clinical symptomatology was produced. A decrease in the levels of IgG was observed in 15 (88.2%) and of IgA in 14 (82.3%) of all the children studied. A significant difference was found between the mean values of the levels of IgG (p < 0.01) and IgA (p < 0.05) in the 17 patients at the time of diagnosis and following eradication. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with the present results the series study of the quantitative level of antibodies IgG and IgA versus Helicobacter pylori is shown as an adequate instrument for evaluating the response to treatment in pediatric patients.

Adolescent↗