Background/Objective: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a significant threat to global health, especially in intensive care units (ICUs), where high antibiotic consumption drives antimicrobial resistance. Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) is a strategy designed to prevent nosocomial infections and colonization by MDR pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing an SDD protocol on antibiotic consumption and colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterale (CPE) in a specific ICU setting. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the ICU of a university hospital from June 2021 to June 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: pre-intervention (before SDD) and post-intervention (after SDD implementation). Data on antibiotic consumption (expressed as defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 stays), nosocomial infections, colonization rates, and the incidence of MDR bacteria were collected. A statistical analysis was conducted to compare the pre- and post-intervention groups. Results: A total of 3266 patients were included, with 1532 in the pre-intervention group and 1734 in the post-intervention group. The implementation of the SDD protocol resulted in a significant reduction in total antibiotic consumption (p = 0.028), with notable decreases in carbapenem use (p < 0.01) and colonization by CPE (p = 0.0099). The incidence of nosocomial infections also decreased in the post-SDD group, although this reduction was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The implementation of the SDD protocol in this ICU setting significantly reduced antibiotic consumption and colonization by CPE. These findings suggest that SDD may be a valuable tool in managing antimicrobial resistance in critical care settings, without contributing to the development of MDR bacteria.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus accelerates liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis B, yet remains underdiagnosed. Guidelines recommend double reflex diagnostic testing with antibody testing followed by viral load testing, but uptake remains inconsistent. Aims: To evaluate double reflex diagnostic implementation in Spain during the retrospective phase of the Spain Double Reflex Diagnostic study. Methods: Nationwide, multicenter retrospective analysis of individuals positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (2022–2024) from 80 centers. Laboratory data included hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis delta virus antibody and hepatitis delta virus viral load. Uptake rates, hepatitis delta virus antibody positivity, viral load confirmation and viral load‐confirmed prevalence were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among 65,763 individuals positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis delta virus antibody testing uptake increased from 55.1% (54.4–55.8) in 2022 ( n = 18,986) to 72.5% (71.9–73.1) in 2023 ( n = 22,463) and 85.8% (85.1–86.4) in 2024 ( n = 24,314; p < 0.0001). Antibody positivity remained stable (5.6%, 4.9%, 5.3%). Viral load confirmation among antibody‐positive patients improved from 72.6% in 2022 to 90.8% in 2023 and 91.0% in 2024. Viral load‐confirmed prevalence among antibody‐positive individuals was 40.3% in 2022, 31.6% in 2023, and 30.1% in 2024. Regional heterogeneity was marked, with several autonomous communities achieving near‐universal uptake (> 95%). Conclusion: Between 2022 and 2024, double reflex diagnostic implementation expanded rapidly, demonstrating national feasibility and describing hepatitis D virus seroprevalence. However, regional inequities persist. Sustained uptake will require standardised reflex protocols, harmonization of viral load assays and continuous training to reduce underdiagnosis and improve care of coinfected patients.

The incidence of infections caused by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) has risen significantly, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study analyzed 134 clinical isolates of the Mycobacterium avium complex from southern Spain, performing in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing using a commercial microdilution technique to generate additional data, refine treatment strategies, and improve patient outcomes. Phenotypic susceptibility testing revealed clarithromycin and amikacin as the most effective antibiotics, with susceptibility rates exceeding 90%, while linezolid and moxifloxacin exhibited limited activity, with resistance rates of 49.3% and 41.8%. A comparative analysis between M. avium and M. intracellulare showed significant differences in resistance to amikacin and linezolid, with M. avium exhibiting higher resistance rates. Additionally, species-specific differences were observed in MIC distributions for ethionamide, ciprofloxacin, and streptomycin. Our data reveal regional variability in resistance patterns, particularly for moxifloxacin and linezolid, which exhibit differing resistance rates compared to studies from other regions. The significant MIC differences for several antibiotics between M. avium and M. intracellulare underscore the importance of species-level identification and the heterogeneity in resistance mechanisms within MAC.

This study investigates the effect of daily consumption of a concentrated garlic and onion extract on COVID-19 symptoms among elderly nursing home residents. Volunteers consumed a daily capsule of the concentrated powder rich in organosulfur compounds over 36 weeks during lunch. The incidence and severity of COVID-19 symptoms between the treatment and control groups were compared, along with monitoring the safety of consumption, incidence of other diseases, and medicine usage. The treatment group showed a significant reduction in both the number and severity of COVID-19 symptoms compared to the control group, with no significant adverse effects observed. No significant reduction in symptom duration was detected. This study provides preliminary evidence that concentrated garlic and onion extract may aid in the treatment of COVID-19 among older adults. These findings suggest potential public health benefits, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the immunomodulatory properties of these natural compounds.