RESEARCH INTEREST
There is considerable interest in the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, driven by the increasing accessibility of high-throughput sequencing techniques. Several studies indicate that the human microbiome may contribute to the regulation of multiple neurochemical and neurometabolic pathways through a complex, highly interactive, and symbiotic host-microbiome signaling system that mechanistically interconnects the gastrointestinal tract, skin, liver, and other organs with the central nervous system. Some studies suggest that the stomach harbors unexpected microbial diversity, although its relationship with Helicobacter pylori and other human diseases is not yet well established. H. pylori infects 50% of the world’s population and colonizes the gastric mucosa, causing numerous gastrointestinal diseases such as severe gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, and gastric MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. It has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization. Various therapeutic regimens have been used to eradicate this microorganism, with antibiotic resistance being the primary cause of treatment failure. Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) pandemic, numerous studies have been conducted to develop and validate real-time PCR (RT-PCR) techniques capable of providing an accurate diagnosis in respiratory samples.
However, the virus has also been detected in other types of samples, such as blood. The evaluation of commercial RT-PCR techniques in serum and plasma samples has been one of our group’s objectives, yielding satisfactory results. Additionally, we are conducting a multidisciplinary study to evaluate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 viremia as a predictive marker for patients at risk of developing severe COVID-19 and mortality. The detection of antimicrobial resistance in various clinically relevant bacteria has been another area of focus for us over the years, as we have participated in national and international studies and applied new molecular methods for its identification.
This group is composed of members of the Microbiology Service who are interested in the diagnosis and treatment of various infectious diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, Mycobacterium spp., or CMV, as well as in the study of infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Several of its members actively participate in hospital working groups such as the sepsis protocol, the PROA program, and various committees. Main Areas of Research: Study of the human microbiome in different parts of the body (gastric, esophageal, respiratory, or intestinal) and its relationship to H. pylori infection and other human diseases, with potential therapeutic applications. Detection of antimicrobial resistance in various clinically important bacteria (including H. pylori) through national and international studies and the application of molecular methods. Study of the in vitro activity of wine phenolic compounds against H. pylori. Determination of the role of nontuberculous mycobacteria in the development of various diseases. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 viremia as a marker to identify patients at risk of developing severe COVID-19 and mortality.
Alarcón T, José Martínez-Gómez M, Urruzuno P. Helicobacter pylori in Pediatrics. Helicobacter 2013. 18: 52-57. FI: 2,993(Q2). PMID: 24011246. DOI: 10.1111/hel.12070.
Maldonado-Contreras, Ana, Mane, Shrinivasrao P., Zhang, Xue-Song, Pericchi, Luis, Alarcon, Teresa, Contreras, Monica, Linz, Bodo, Blaser, Martin J., Dominguez-Bello, Maria Gloria. Phylogeographic evidence of cognate recognition site patterns and transformation efficiency differences in H. pylori: theory of strain dominance. BMC Microbiol. 2013. 13: 211-0. FI: 2,976(Q2). PMID: . DOI: .
Megraud F, Coenen S, Versporten A, Kist M, Lopez-Brea M, Hirschl AM, Andersen LP, Goossens H, Glupczynski Y, Study Group participants. Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics in Europe and its relationship to antibiotic consumption. Gut 2013. 62: 34-42. FI: 13,319(Q1). PMID: 24050390. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-211.
Agudo S, Pérez-Pérez G, Alarcón T, López-Brea M. High Prevalence of Clarithromycin-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains and Risk Factors Associated with Resistance in Madrid, Spain. J Clin Microbiol 2010. 48: 3703-3707. FI: 4,220(Q1). PMID: 22580412. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-302254.
Agudo S, Alarcón T, Urruzuno P, Martínez MJ, López-Brea M. Detection of Helicobacter pylon and clarithromycin resistance in gastric biopsies of pediatric patients by using a commercially available real-time polymerase chain reaction after NucliSens semiautomated DNA extraction. Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 2010. 67: 213-219. FI: 2,426(Q2). PMID: . DOI: .
