Risk factors for surgical site infection following cardiac surgery in a region endemic for multidrug resistant organisms

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify risk factors for surgical site infections following cardiosurgery in an area endemic for multidrug resistant organisms. DesignSingle-center, historical cohort study including patients who underwent cardiosurgery during a 6-year period (2014–2020). SettingJoint Commission International accredited, multiorgan transplant center in Palermo, Italy. Main outcome measuresSurgical site infection was the main outcome. ResultsOn a total of 3609 cardiosurgery patients, 184 developed surgical site infection (5.1 %). Intestinal colonization with multidrug resistant organisms was more frequent in patients with surgical site infections (69.6 % vs. 33.3 %; p < 0.001). About half of surgical site infections were caused by Gram-negative bacteria (n = 97; 52.7 %). Fifty surgical site infections were caused by multidrug resistant organisms (27.1 %), with extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (n = 16; 8.7 %) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (n = 26; 14.1 %) being the predominant resistance problem. However, in only 24 of surgical site infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms (48 %), mostly carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (n = 22), a pathogen match between the rectal surveillance culture and surgical site infections clinical culture was demonstrated. Nevertheless, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a rectal swab culture positive for multidrug resistant organisms as an independent risk factor for SSI (odds ratio 3.95, 95 % confidence interval 2.79–5.60). Other independent risk factors were female sex, chronic dialysis, diabetes mellitus, previous cardiosurgery, previous myocardial infarction, being overweight/obese, and longer intubation time. ConclusionIn an area endemic for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, intestinal colonization with multidrug resistant organisms was recognized as independent risk factor for surgical site infections. Implications for clinical practiceNo causal relationship between colonization with resistant pathogens and subsequent infection could be demonstrated. However, from a broader epidemiological perspective, having a positive multidrug resistant organisms colonization status appeared a risk factor for surgical site infections. Therefore, strict infection control measures to prevent cross-transmission remain pivotal (e.g., nasal decolonization, hand hygiene, and skin antisepsis).