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Infections in immunocompromised patients

Immunocompromised patients are those who have weakened defences due to a specific reason: organ transplant, congenital disease, taking specific drugs, etc. Therefore, the infections affecting these patients can become more serious than in the case of a person with a healthy immune system. For this reason we have created a specific unit to treat and cure these people.

THE CHALLENGE

The number of immunocompromised patients who, for some reason, have weakened defences, has increased significantly in recent years.

The morbidity and mortality of these patients is clearly related not only to their underlying disease, but also to the serious infections they develop as part of a serious adverse reaction.

Our goal is to prevent infections in the immunocompromised patient, make an early diagnosis and optimise their treatment.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?

Prevention of infections

Along these lines, we are working on new strategies for the prevention of tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus disease, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis B and E viruses, as well as BK and JC polyomavirus.

Special mention should be made of travellers and immigrant patients in whom screenings must take into consideration infections endemic to the country which the individual comes from or has travelled to. For this reason, a Consultation for the Prevention of Infection in the Immunocompromised Patient (CPID) has been created

Early diagnosis of infection

The aim is to better and more quickly recognise infections in the group of immunocompromised patients. For this reason, patients should:

  • Know their individual risk of infection.
  • Have rapid bedside and molecular techniques for a careful etiological diagnosis.
  • Have access to a day hospital.

Clinical Pharmacology Service

We collaborate closely with our centre’s Clinical Pharmacology Service in the registry of serious infections in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment

Optimisation in the treatment of infectious complications

We carry out efficacy and safety studies with new therapeutic strategies, because early diagnosis and adequate, empirical and targeted antibiotic treatment lead to:

  • A reduction in mortality due to severe infection in the immunocompromised patient.
  • An increase in graft viability.
  • An improvement in the patient’s quality of life.
  • Reduction of superinfections caused by multi-resistant bacteria.

LINES OF ACTION

HEMATO-ONCOLOGY

In recent years, there have been many advances in oncology/haematology treatments that have been able to extend the life expectancy of this group of patients. Many of these treatments produce a weakening of the immune system that facilitates the appearance of infections, which is why we try to carry out prevention, diagnosis and early treatment.

SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANT

We are a leading country in solid organ transplants, kidney and pancreatic transplants are performed at our centre. To avoid rejection of the transplanted organ, these patients take treatments that depress the immune system and, therefore, are patients who are at a greater risk of infection. For this reason, these patients are evaluated at our unit prior to being included on the list of transplants to diagnose any possible latent infectious diseases, as well as performing an early diagnosis and treatment for those who already have an infectious process.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY IMMUNODEFICIENCIES

In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the number of patients with immunodeficiencies, mainly due to a deficiency in antibody synthesis. The aim of the research is to:

– Find new factors that more accurately predict the future of chronic respiratory disease

– Increase new diagnoses in the shortest possible amount of time to be able to start treatment early

– Find a parameter that predicts lung injury in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

LATEST NEWS

FEATURED PROJECTS

Hemato-oncology

Carry out the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections in people who have a weakened immune system due to cancer treatment

In recent years, many advances have appeared in oncology treatments that have been able to extend the life expectancy of many people. However, these drugs, in some cases, weaken the person’s immune system, which makes it easier for infections to appear.

Organ transplant

Concretely assess patients undergoing an organ transplant process with the aim of preventing infections

We are a leading country in solid organ transplantation; kidney and pancreatic transplants are performed at our centre.

People who have received transplants are given treatments that suppress the immune system and, therefore, are patients with a higher risk of infection. Hence, these people are evaluated in our unit prior to being included on the transplant list in order to diagnose latent infectious diseases, in addition to carrying out an early diagnosis and treatment when an infectious process is already present.

MEET THE TEAM OF THIS AREA OF KNOWLEDGE

Lluïsa Pedro-Botet

Head of Section for Immunosuppressed Patients and Severe Bacterial Infections – Doctor and Researcher

Rosa Benítez

Doctor and Researcher

Carme Bracke

Doctor and Researcher

Ana Peris

Doctor and Researcher

Pedro Puerta

Doctor and Researcher

Alba Romero

Doctor and Researcher

HELP US FIGHT THIS AND OTHER INFECTIONS!

We need your support to continue conducting independent clinical research with the aim of treating and curing people with an infectious disease.