A study of the Bellvitge Hospital has alerted about the increase in serious cases in Spain of Streptococcus infections dysgalactiae subp. Equisimilis (SDSE), a bacterium that lives with the human beingbut that can cause severe infections in weakened immunological systems.
The research, published in the magazine International Journal of Infectious Diseases and collided by the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)has analyzed more than 100 cases registered between 2012 and 2022.
Its financing has been carried out by the Carlos III Health Institute and has also had the collaboration of centers such as Gregorio Marañón University General Hospital (Madrid) or the University Hospital of Donostia (Basque Country), in addition to international institutions such as the University of Lorraine (France) and the Houston Methodist Hospital (United States).
One of its main conclusions is that the infection affects mainly to older people and patients with diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies or cancer and who, in addition, some strains of the bacteria are acquiring resistance to antibiotics, which complicates their treatment.
“This increase in infections It is not an isolated phenomenonbut is also being observed in other countries, “said the Chief of the Microbiology Service of the Bellvitge Hospital and a researcher at IDIBELL, Dr. Carmen Ardanuy.
Given this scenario, he has insisted that there are “More research to understand its evolution” and thus prevent the spread of the most virulent and resistant strains.
The most severe cases affect over 70 years
Researchers have used advanced genomic sequencing techniques and They have identified the CC15, CC17 and CC20 complexes As the most predominant, while in animal models, the CC20-STG62647 variant has shown a greater capacity to cause serious diseases.
Severe cases of SDSE infection mainly affect Older than 70 years and people with chronic diseases.
Although bacteria is part of the human microbiota without causing problems in normal conditions, it can cause serious infections When the immune system is weakened Or there are open wounds.
The study warns about the decrease in the effectiveness of macrolides, Commonly used antibiotics As a second option, while alternatives such as Linezolid or Defloxacin have demonstrated greater effectiveness.
“This work is an important step to understand how the Streptococcus dysgalactiae and What tools we have to facebut there is still much to stop its expansion, “said the first signator of the article, Guillem López de Egea.
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