The action of OXA-24/40 and OXA-58 β-lactamase-like enzymes represents the main mechanism underlying resistance to carbapenems in Spain in the last decade. AbkA/AbkB proteins in the toxin/antitoxin system may be involved in the successful dissemination of plasmids carrying the bla(OXA-24/40)-like gene, and probably also the bla(OXA-58)-like gene, thus contributing to the plasmid stability.

No abstract

Introduction. Microscopic examination of the intestinal parasites, from the patient’s concentrated feces, has a lower sensitivity when compared to molecular diagnostic techniques. Therefore, the objective of this study has been to compare both techniques, as well as to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the microscopic examination and the threshold cycles (Ct) obtained for Blastocystis hominis. Material and methods. Retrospective study of the samples received in the Microbiology laboratory during September 2021. The MiniParasep SF® concentration test was performed for microscopic visualization and then PCR was performed with the Seegene AllplexTM Parasite Assay panel. Results. A 27% (n=74) of the samples were positive by molecular diagnosis, with a total of 87 parasites detected. 53% (n=39) were women with a mean age of 47 ± 24 years. In 76% (n=56) of the cases the service of origin was Primary Care. The most frequently found parasite was B. hominis, 85% (n=64), followed by Dientamoeba fragilis 20% (n=15) and Giardia lamblia 11% (n=8). Co-infection by two parasites was detected in 13 cases (B. hominis + D. fragilis in 6 cases, and B. hominis + G. lamblia in 7 cases). In the microscopic diagnosis, 9.5% (n=26) positivity was obtained. The most frequently found parasite was B. hominis, 84% (n=23), followed by G. lamblia, which was seen in three cases by microscopy. D. fragilis was not seen in any case. Coinfection of B. hominis + G. lamblia was observed in one sample. Conclusions. Techniques for molecular diagnosis of intestinal parasites are fast, reliable and more sensitive than microscopic techniques, improving microbiological diagnosis and quality of care.