Four cases of fatal disseminated Scedosporium prolificans (inflatum) infection occurring in neutropenic patients are reported. Because of hospital renovation, the patients were cared for in a temporary hematologic facility. S. prolificans (inflatum) was isolated from blood cultures of these four patients, two of whom underwent full necropsy, and revealed abundant vegetative hyphae and ovoid conidia with truncate bases in many organs. In vitro susceptibility testing of fungal strains showed all isolates to be resistant to amphotericin B, flucytosine, miconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole, with MICs greater than 16 g/ml. The reported infections, two in each of two rooms, occurred over a period of 1 month, with very similar clinical outcomes. Circumstancial evidence suggested a nosocomial outbreak, but the environmental samples collected from the rooms, corridors, and adjacent areas did not yield S. prolificans (inflatum). Nevertheless, circumstantial evidence suggested a nosocomial outbreak of S. prolificans (inflatum) infection.

Background The preventive effect which tenofovir/emtricitabine could have against SARS-CoV-2 in HIV-negative people is unknown. The objective of this study was to analyse the seroprevalence and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 among users of PrEP, TDF/FTC or TAF/FTC, and to compare it to that of a control group. Methods Observational descriptive study of the seroprevalence of antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 among men who have sex with men and transgender women without use of PrEP(Group1;n=250) and PrEP users with TDF/FTC(n=409) or TAF/FTC(n=91) (Group2;n=500), conducted from 11-May-2020 to 27-Jun-2020. All were provided with a structured questionnaire which collected information on the variables to be analysed and testing for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (CMIA) was then carried out. Results The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 9·2%(95% CI: 5·9-13·5) in the group without PrEP and 15.0%(95% CI: 12·0-18·4) in the group with PrEP(p=0·026). Among users of TDF/FTC it was 14.7%(95% CI: 11·4-18·5) and in users of TAF/FTC it was 16·5%(95% CI: 9·5-25·7)(p=0·661). In those positive for SARS-CoV-2 receiving PrEP, 57·4% manifested symptoms compared to 78·3% in the control group (p=0·070). In users of TDF/FTC the figure was 53·3% and TAF/FTC 73·3%(p=0·100). The duration of symptoms was 11·5 days in the control group, 9·0 in PrEP users(p=0·116), 7·0 in users of TDF/FTC and 13·0 in users of TAF/FTC(p = 0·100). Conclusion Users of PrEP, TDF/FTC or TAF/FTC presented a higher seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 than the control group. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to clinical manifestations. PrEP users should use the same prevention measures as those indicated for the general population.

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The best laxative for terminal cancer patients treated with opioids still remains to be determined. This comparative study was conducted with the objective of determining treatment and cost efficiency for senna and lactulose in terminal cancer patients treated with opioids. The methodology used a randomized, open, parallel group design. The study was conducted in the Palliative Care Unit in one Madrid Health Care District. Ninety-one terminal cancer patients were randomized into two groups: A = treated with senna (starting with 0.4 mL daily), and B = treated with lactulose (starting with 15 mL daily) for a 27-day period. The main outcome measures were defecation-free intervals of 72 hr, days with defecation, general health status, and treatment cost. Laxative efficacy was analyzed through t test and analysis of variance. No difference was found between the laxatives in defecation-free intervals or in days with defecation. The final scores for general health status were similar in both groups. Given that the two treatments have similar efficacy and adverse effects, a recommendation is made for the use of senna because its cost is lower than lactulose.

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