Adequate Antibiotic Research Articles

Surgical Infection Reduction Program of the Observatory of Surgical Infection (PRIQ-O): Delphi prioritization and consensus document on recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infection

Surgical site infection is the most frequent and avoidable complication of surgery, but clinical guidelines for its prevention are insufficiently followed. We present the results of a Delphi consensus carried out by a panel of experts from 17 Scientific Societies with a critical review of the scientific evidence and international guidelines, to select the measures with the highest degree of evidence and facilitate their implementation. Forty measures were reviewed and 53 recommendations were issued. Ten main measures were prioritized for inclusion in prevention bundles: preoperative shower; correct surgical hand hygiene; no hair removal from the surgical field or removal with electric razors; adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis; use of minimally invasive approaches; skin decontamination with alcoholic solutions; maintenance of normothermia; plastic wound protectors-retractors; intraoperative glove change; and change of surgical and auxiliary material before wound closure.

Programa de Reducción de la Infección Quirúrgica del Observatorio de Infección en Cirugía (PRIQ-O). Documento de priorización y consenso Delphi de recomendaciones para la prevención de la infección de localización quirúrgica

Surgical site infection is the most frequent and avoidable complication of surgery, but clinical guidelines for its prevention are insufficiently followed. We present the results of a Delphi consensus carried out by a panel of experts from 17 Scientific Societies with a critical review of the scientific evidence and international guidelines, to select the measures with the highest degree of evidence and facilitate their implementation. Forty measures were reviewed and 53 recommendations were issued. Ten main measures were prioritized for inclusion in prevention bundles: preoperative shower; correct surgical hand hygiene; no hair removal from the surgical field or removal with electric razors; adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis; use of minimally invasive approaches; skin decontamination with alcoholic solutions; maintenance of normothermia; plastic wound protectors-retractors; intraoperative glove change; and change of surgical and auxiliary material before wound closure.

Persistent Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Infection after Antibiotic Treatment: Systematic Overview and Appraisal of the Current Evidence from Experimental Animal Models.

Lyme borreliosis is caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group, which are transmitted by Ixodes tick species living in the temperate climate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis are diverse and treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics. In some patients, long-lasting and debilitating symptoms can persist after the recommended antibiotic treatment. The etiology of such persisting symptoms is under debate, and one hypothesis entails persistent infection by a subset of spirochetes after antibiotic therapy. Here, we review and appraise the experimental evidence from in vivo animal studies on the persistence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato infection after antibiotic treatment, focusing on the antimicrobial agents doxycycline and ceftriaxone. Our review indicates that some in vivo animal studies found sporadic positive cultures after antibiotic treatment. However, this culture positivity often seemed to be related to inadequate antibiotic treatment, and the few positive cultures in some studies could not be reproduced in other studies. Overall, current results from animal studies provide insufficient evidence for the persistence of viable and infectious spirochetes after adequate antibiotic treatment. Borrelial nucleic acids, on the contrary, were frequently detected in these animal studies and may thus persist after antibiotic treatment. We put forward that research into the pathogenesis of persisting complaints after antibiotic treatment for Lyme borreliosis in humans should be a top priority, but future studies should most definitely also focus on explanations other than persistent B. burgdorferi sensu lato infection after antibiotic treatment.

P049 Candidemia: Isolate profiling and antifungal susceptibility testing experience from Jodhpur, Western India

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ObjectivesThe study was undertaken over a 9-month study period at a tertiary care and super specialty hospital situated in Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan, India, with the following objectives:To determine the prevalence of Candidemia among all blood culture positivesIsolate profiling or speciation of Candida spp.Antifungal susceptibility testing of the Candida isolatesMethodsAutomated blood culture bottles (BD BACTEC 960) that flagged positive were taken up for gram staining. Those bottles which showed gram-positive budding yeast with or without pseudohyphae were selected as the study isolates for candidemia. All such bottles were subcultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and incubates aerobically at 37°C for 2-5 days. Creamy, pasty, off-white colonies of Candida were further taken up for identification by germ tube testing, CHROM agar, and VITEK-MS.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for all isolates by VITEK 2 against fluconazole, caspofungin, voriconazole, micafungin, flucytosine, and amphotericin B.ResultsDuring the study period May 1, 2021-January 31, 2022, the microbiology laboratory received a total of 10 841 automated blood culture bottles, of which, overall, 1051 flagged positive. Budding yeasts were seen in 92 bottles.The prevalence of candidemia was found to be 1.49%. Budding yeasts made up 8.75% of all positive blood cultures.Conventional and automated identification methods showed the non-albicans Candida made up the majority (85.87%) of isolates. Candida tropicalis (43.47%) was the most common species overall, followed by C. parapsilosis (17.37%), C. albicans (14.13%), C. guilliermondi (5.43%), C. glabrata (5.43%), and C. auris (4.34%). Two isolates each of C. kruzei, C. utilis, C. rugosa, and Trichosporon spp. were also obtained.The antifungal susceptibility testing results for the commonest species C. tropicalis showed susceptibility of 90% against caspofungin and micafungin, 82% against fluconazole and voriconazole, 45% for flucytosine, and 47.5% against amphotericin B. C. albicans showed 100% susceptibility to fluconazole, and caspofungin, while C. parapsilosis showed a lower susceptibility percentage against all drugs in the panel. The two strains of C. auris were solely susceptible to caspofungin.Demography of the patients showed a male preponderance (M:F ratio was 2:1). The mean age of patients was 44 years.ConclusionThe prevalence of candidemia in Jodhpur, Western India was found to be 1.45%, a figure much less than that reported from most other tertiary care centers of the country. The commonest isolate was C. tropicalis (43.47%), same as that reported from most Indian studies. Our isolates were largely (>90%) susceptible to the drug of choice caspofungin, including the multidrug-resistant C. auris strains. The study findings reflect a low prevalence of candidemia, indicating adequate antibiotic and antifungal stewardship practices at Jodhpur.

Adjunctive therapy with the Tie2 agonist Vasculotide reduces pulmonary permeability in Streptococcus pneumoniae infected and mechanically ventilated mice

Community acquired pneumonia, mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pn.), is a common cause of death worldwide. Despite adequate antibiotic therapy, pneumococcal pneumonia can induce pulmonary endothelial hyperpermeability leading to acute lung injury, which often requires mechanical ventilation (MV) causing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Endothelial stabilization is mediated by angiopoietin-1 induced Tie2 activation. PEGylated (polyethylene glycol) Tie2-agonist Vasculotide (VT) mimics Angiopietin-1 effects. Recently, VT has been shown to reduce pulmonary hyperpermeability in murine pneumococcal pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine whether VT reduces lung damage in S.pn. infected and mechanically ventilated mice. Pulmonary hyperpermeability, immune response and bacterial load were quantified in S.pn. infected mice treated with Ampicillin + /−VT and undergoing six hours of MV 24 h post infection. Histopathological lung changes, Tie2-expression and -phosphorylation were evaluated. VT did not alter immune response or bacterial burden, but interestingly combination treatment with ampicillin significantly reduced pulmonary hyperpermeability, histological lung damage and edema formation. Tie2-mRNA expression was reduced by S.pn. infection and/or MV but not restored by VT. Moreover, Tie2 phosphorylation was not affected by VT. These findings indicate that VT may be a promising adjunctive treatment option for prevention of VILI in severe pneumococcal pneumonia.

Efficacy of empiric antibiotic treatment of late-onset neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacteriaceae: A systematic review.

Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition, where an adequate empiric antibiotic treatment is crucial. The objective of this systematic review is to assess whether the World Health Organization's recommended treatment regime remains applicable for late-onset neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacteriaceae, in the time of increased antimicrobial resistance. PubMed was searched for articles from 2009 to 2020. A total of 49 articles were eligible for inclusion. The review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. For Klebsiella spp. 100, 68 and 63% of the studies found sensitivity to ampicillin, gentamicin and third-generation cephalosporin in <50% of the isolates. For Escherichia coli, the corresponding values were 88, 50 and 42% respectively, whilst for Enterobacter spp. 100, 70 and 94% of the studies found <50% sensitivity to these antibiotics. Overall, there is low sensitivity to all agents in the WHO's recommended empiric treatment regimes (WHO recommends ampicillin plus gentamicin as first-line treatment and third-generation cephalosporin as second-line treatment). A revised guideline for empiric antibiotic treatment of neonatal sepsis is urgently needed due to the increased threat of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacteriaceae causing neonatal sepsis.

Epidemiology and outcome of anaerobic bacteremia in a tertiary hospital

Despite a low incidence, anaerobic bacteremia remains a serious and often underestimated condition. This retrospective study aims to describe the epidemiology of anaerobic bacteremia and to identify risk factors affecting mortality and the impact of treatment. We included all positive anaerobic blood cultures from January 2018 to December 2019 at the University Hospital of Charleroi (Belgium). We identified 105 episodes of clinically significant anaerobic bacteremia (mean age of patients: 66.4 +/- 16.8 years). The main comorbidities were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. Bacteremia was community-acquired in 70.5% of the episodes. Two thirds of the blood cultures were mono-microbial, and the commonest bacteria found were Bacteroides fragilis group (31.4%), Fusobacterium spp. (17.1%) and Clostridium spp. (15.2%). The main sources of bacteremia were abdominal (35.2%), urinary (17.1%), osteoarticular (14.2%) and pulmonary (12.3%). Surgery within 30 days before hospitalization was more frequent in patients with nosocomial bacteremia (45.2% vs 2.7%, p < 0.0001). An appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated in 74.7% of patients, and the median duration of antibiotic therapy was 10 [5 - 15] days. One third of patients had a surgical management. Patients who did not survive at day 30 (n = 23 [21.9%]) had significantly lower time to positivity (TTP) values than patients alive at day 30, presented more often with sepsis, had higher Charlson scores and chronic kidney disease, and were more likely to suffer from Clostridium spp. bacteremia. In a Cox proportional hazard analysis, sepsis (OR: 7.32 [95% CI: 2.83– 18.97], p< 0.0001) was identified as an independent risk factors for 30-day mortality, whereas time to positivity ≥ 30 h (OR: 0.24 [95% CI: 0.07 – 0.84], p = 0.025) and an adequate empirical antibiotic therapy (OR: 0.37 [95% CI: 0.15 – 0.94], p = 0.037) were associated with better outcomes. Anaerobic bacteremia has a high mortality rate which justifies the maintenance of empirical antibiotic therapy.

Left ventricular assist device-related infections and the risk of cerebrovascular accidents: a EUROMACS study.

OBJECTIVESIn patients supported by a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), infections are a frequently reported adverse event with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between infections and thromboembolic events, most notable cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), in LVAD patients.METHODSAn analysis of the multicentre European Registry for Patients Assisted with Mechanical Circulatory Support was performed. Infections were categorized as VAD-specific infections, VAD-related infections and non-VAD-related infections. An extended Kaplan–Meier analysis for the risk of CVA with infection as a time-dependent covariate and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were performed.RESULTSFor this analysis, 3282 patients with an LVAD were included with the majority of patients being male (83.1%). During follow-up, 1262 patients suffered from infection, and 457 patients had a CVA. Cox regression analysis with first infection as time-dependent covariate revealed a hazard ratio (HR) for CVA of 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55–2.33; P < 0.001]. Multivariable analysis confirmed the association for infection and CVAs with an HR of 1.99 (95% CI: 1.62–2.45; P < 0.001). With infections subcategorized, VAD-specific HR was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.18–2.08; P 0.002) and VAD-related infections [HR: 1.99 (95% CI: 1.41–2.82; P < 0.001)] remained associated with CVAs, while non-VAD-related infections (P = 0.102) were not.CONCLUSIONSInfection during LVAD support is associated with an increased risk of developing an ischaemic or haemorrhagic CVA, particularly in the setting of VAD-related or VAD-specific infections. This suggests the need of a stringent anticoagulation management and adequate antibiotic treatment during an infection in LVAD-supported patients.

Decreased quality of care for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesStaphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is one of the most frequent bloodstream infections. High mortality of SAB can be significantly reduced by regular infectious disease (ID) consultations and appropriate clinical management. Because the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a negative impact on hospital ID service, it can be assumed that it has also led to decreased quality of care for SAB patients.MethodsThis study enrolled all (n = 68) patients with proven SAB who were hospitalized in Military University Hospital, Prague, in 2019 and 2020 and the quality of care indicators for SAB patients were compared.ResultsA total of 33 and 35 patients with SAB were hospitalized in our hospital in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The significant difference between the pandemic year 2020 and year 2019 was in ID consultations performed (74% vs. 100%; p = 0.002) and fulfilment of all quality of care indicators (66% vs. 93%; p = 0.012). Next, higher in-hospital mortality was observed in 2020 than in 2019 (6% vs. 23%; p = 0.085). There was no significant difference in the percentages of patients with performed echocardiographic examinations (66% vs. 83%; p = 0.156) and collected follow-up blood cultures (85% vs. 94%; p = 0.428). In addition, there was no difference between the two years in the adequate antibiotic therapy, sources, and bacterial origin of SAB.ConclusionsThe quality of care of SAB patients significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in our institution.

Inhalation of antibiotics in the treatment of bronchopulmonal infection

An analysis of the current treatment protocol for lower respiratory tract infection using inhaled antibiotics is presented. Information about the pathophysiology and features of pathogens of bronchopulmonary infection in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, nosocomial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis of various etiologies is considered. The advantages and applications of inhaled antibiotics in the treatment of this category of patients are discussed. It has been established that acute and chronic infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract are often the cause of severe human diseases and one of the leading causes of infectious mortality worldwide. Early initiation of adequate antibiotic therapy, especially in patients with a tendency to develop chronic inflammation, improves disease prognosis. However, mortality and the resistance of pathogens in this category of patients remain high. Traditional oral or parenteral antibiotic therapy does not achieve bactericidal concentrations in the lungs. Increasing dosages and combining antibiotics increases the likelihood of toxicity, superinfection, and resistance and causes undesirable side effects. Inhalation of antibiotics allows the delivery of higher concentrations directly to the lesion, thereby affecting the causative agents of the infectious process effectively while minimizing potential systemic toxicity. The large surface area of the alveoli and the thin epithelial layer provide a favorable environment for the deposition of inhaled drugs. Acute and chronic gram-negative bronchial infection caused by certain types of opportunistic microorganisms causes chronic inflammation, which leads to airway remodeling, damage to local defense mechanisms, further persistence of respiratory pathogens, and the formation of antibiotic resistance. In these cases, the use of inhaled forms of antibiotics has significant advantages in terms of effectiveness, stabilizing lung function and reducing the frequency of hospitalization, which improves quality of life and the need for systemic antibiotic therapy, reduces the risk of side effects, and reduces the cost of treatment. The results of the work can be useful for both therapists and pulmonologists.

Systemic Infection Predictive Value of Procalcitonin to Lactic Acid Ratio in Diabetes Ketoacidosis Patients.

IntroductionEarly detection of bacterial infections associated with adequate antibiotic treatment is key to improving diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the different sepsis markers (including procalcitonin to lactic acid ratio, PLR) to diagnose bacterial infection in patients with DKA within one hour after admission.MethodsA total of 165 patients diagnosed with DKA were enrolled between July 2014 and July 2018 and divided into an infection group (N =62) and a non-infection group (N=103) based on the positive aetiological tests such as blood culture, sputum culture, urine culture, or definite focus of pulmonary, soft tissue, kidney, etc.ResultsOur findings suggest the following: 1) leucocytes (threshold above 10×109 /L) and PLR (threshold above 0.438) within one hour after admission can help to identify patients with infection in the context of DKA. 2) A subgroup analysis demonstrated that PLR also has a high diagnostic efficacy for infection in patients with DKA, regardless of the type of diabetes.ConclusionThis study concludes that leucocyte count (threshold > 10×109/L) and PLR (threshold above 0.438) show a diagnostic value to help distinguish DKA patients with infection. By combining these two markers, the reduction of antibiotic misuse may be possible.

Paediatric and adult patients from New Caledonia Island admitted to the ICU for community-acquired Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus infections

Severe infections involving Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus (PVL + Sa) are increasing. This monocentre, retrospective descriptive cohort assessed clinical characteristics and outcome of paediatric and adult patients admitted for community-acquired PVL + Sa infections to the unique intensive care unit (ICU) on New Caledonia Island. Overall, 72 patients (including 23 children) admitted for acute respiratory failure (42%), sepsis/septic shock (21%), and/or postoperative care (32%) were analysed. Most patients had pulmonary (64%), skin/soft tissue (SSTI) (54%) and/or osteoarticular (38%) infections. Multifocal infections (≥ 2 sites) and bacteraemia were reported in 65% and 76% of the patients, respectively. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates were reported in 61% of adult cases versus 30% in children (p < 0.05). Mechanical ventilation, vasoactive support and source control were administered in 53%, 43% and 58% of the patients, respectively. All paediatric patients received adequate empirical antibiotic therapy versus 30/49 adults (p < 0.001). Adequate documented therapy was obtained ≤ 72 h in 70/72 (97%) patients. Death was only reported in adults (n = 10 (14%)), mainly during pulmonary infection (22%), SSTIs (21%) and bacteraemia (24%)). In summary, in ICU patients from New Caledonia Island the clinical presentation of severe community-acquired PVL + Sa infections seems different from Western European observations with high rates of multifocal infections and methicillin-resistant strains.

Antibiotics use in children: Practice predictors among mothers of under–fives

In the developing countries, drug administration in children under the age of five is a task mostly undertaken by mothers. Parental practices in the use of antibiotics in children can determine the extent of the therapeutic benefit and the development of resistance. This study investigated mothers’ practices on use of antibiotics in children and determined the possible socio-demographic predictors of good practice.&#x0D; Mothers of at least a child under the age of five were interviewed to determine their use of antibiotics in children and summary and inferential statistical analysis were conducted.&#x0D; Of the 313 mothers interviewed, 119(38%) had overall poor practice. One hundred and eighty-eight (60.1%) used antibiotics when their children had catarrh and sore throats, 195(62.3%) stopped giving antibiotics when their children felt better before completing the dose, 260(83.1%) saved some antibiotics at home in case of future use, 126(40.3%) gave antibiotics without the doctor’s prescription. Older mothers had a greater likelihood to save some antibiotics at home in case of future use, OR=1.087,95%CI-1.016-1.163, increasing age of first child decreases the odds of requesting antibiotics from the doctor OR=0.989, 95% CI:0.981-0.997 while increasing number of children had almost a two-fold increase on the likelihood to request for antibiotics, OR=1.624,95% CI=1.05-2.386. Attaining a tertiary level of education had over a two-fold (OR=2.337, 95% CI=1.063-5.137) and a three-fold (OR=3.262,95% CI= 1.566-6.802) increase on the odds of giving antibiotics to a child without a doctor’s advice and reading information leaflets respectively. There was a significant difference between self- perceived practice level and actual practice level (P=0.01).&#x0D; A good proportion of mothers had less than adequate antibiotics practice levels and some demographic factors predicted practice. Advocacy should be employed to improve practices associated with antibiotics use in children in the developing countries.

Evaluation of Complications and Management of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Retrospective Study

Aim: To evaluate multiple clinical complications and management of chronic suppurative otitis media Study design: A retrospective study Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2021. Methodology All patients of chronic suppurative otitis media with intra or extra cranial complications who were admitted to the ENT Department were included in this study. Clinical data, related complications, care, and follow-up were all analyzed. In all patients, pure tone audiometry was used to assess their hearing. Every patient had a high-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) temporal bone scan and all other relevant investigations including aural pus swab for culture and sensitivity done . Every patient with CSOM-related intracranial problems had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan. Results: During the trial of 280 individuals, 42 patients with CSOM complications were observed. A total of 19 of them had intracranial complications, while 23 had extra cranial complications. The youngest patient was five years old, while the oldest was 58 years. The majority of the cases were observed in 11 to 20 years age groups. Only 6 of the 42 individuals had bilateral CSOM, whereas the remaining 36 had unilateral CSOM. Conclusions: CSOM-related problems are still widespread, despite the availability of broad spectrum antibiotics. Patients should be given higher doses of intravenous antibiotics (that breach the blood-brain barrier) followed by mastoid surgery. Early detection of concomitant intracranial complications using HRCT and MRI and adequate antibiotic treatment, abscess drainage, and mastoid surgery as soon as possible are all essential to prevent mortality from CSOM complications. Keywords: Acute otitis media, CSOM, intravenous antibiotics, intracranial complication, extracranial complication.

Barriers and facilitators of appropriate antibiotic use in primary care institutions after an antibiotic quality improvement program – a nested qualitative study

BackgroundAntibiotic prescribing by physicians in primary care institutions is common and affected by several factors. Diagnosis and treatment of infections in a nursing home (NH) resident is challenging, with the risk of both under- and overtreatment. Identifying barriers and facilitators of appropriate antibiotic prescribing in NHs and municipal acute care units (MACUs) is essential to ensure the most adequate antibiotic treatment possible and develop future antibiotic stewardship programs.MethodsAfter implementing a one-year antibiotic quality improvement program, we conducted six semi-structured focus group interviews with physicians (n = 11) and nurses (n = 14) in 10 NHs and 3 MACUs located in the county of Østfold, Norway. We used a semi-structured interview guide covering multiple areas influencing antibiotic use to identify persistent barriers and facilitators of appropriate antibiotic prescribing after the intervention. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The content analysis was performed following the six phases of thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke.ResultsWe identified thirteen themes containing barriers and facilitators of the appropriateness of antibiotic use in primary care institutions. The themes were grouped into four main levels: Barriers and facilitators 1) at the clinical level, 2) at the resident level, 3) at the next of kin level, and 4) at the organisational level. Unclear clinical presentation of symptoms and lack of diagnostic possibilities were described as essential barriers to appropriate antibiotic use. At the same time, increased availability of the permanent nursing home physician and early and frequent dialogue with the residents’ next of kin were emphasized as facilitators of appropriate antibiotic use. The influence of nurses in the decision-making process regarding infection diagnostics and treatment was by both professions described as profound.ConclusionsOur qualitative study identified four main levels containing several barriers and facilitators of appropriate antibiotic prescribing in Norwegian NHs and MACUs. Diagnostic uncertainty, frequent dialogue with next of kin and organisational factors should be targeted in future antibiotic stewardship programs in primary care institutions. In addition, for such programs to be as effective as possible, nurses should be included on equal terms with physicians.

Ceftriaxone resistance and adequacy of initial antibiotic therapy in community onset bacterial pneumonia.

Much remains unknown about the impact of initial antibiotic adequacy on mortality in community onset bacterial pneumonia (COBP). Therefore, we performed a study to determine how the adequacy of initial antibiotic therapy affects in-hospital mortality for patients with COBP.We carried out a retrospective cohort study among the 11 BJC Healthcare community and academic hospitals in Missouri and Illinois. The electronic medical records for BJC Healthcare were queried to obtain a set of patient admissions with culture positive (respiratory or blood) COBP admitted from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019. Patients with COBP required an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnostic code for pneumonia, admission to the hospital through an emergency department, a chest radiograph with an infiltrate, an abnormal white blood cell count or temperature, an order for 1 or more new antibiotics, and a positive respiratory or blood culture. Antibiotic selection was deemed adequate if the patient had organisms susceptible to at least one of the antibiotics received according to in vitro testing using standard laboratory breakpoints.Among 36,645 screened pneumonia admissions, 1843 met criteria for culture positive COBP. Eight hundred nineteen (44.4%) had ceftriaxone-resistant (CTX-R) organisms and 1024 had ceftriaxone-sensitive (CTX-S) organisms. The most common CTX-R pathogens were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (46.9%), Pseudomonas species (38.4%), and Escherichia coli (4.5%). On the day of admission 71% of all patients were given adequate antibiotic treatment (62.2% of CTX-R and 77.9% of CTX-S). Unnecessarily broad initial treatment was administered to 57.1% of CTX-S patients. In a logistic regression model accounting for comorbidities and severity of illness, inadequate therapy on the day of admission was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (P = .005). Among CTX-S patients who were adequately treated, initial use of unnecessarily broad antibiotics was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (P = .003).Ceftriaxone resistance was common in this cohort of culture positive COBP patients. Inappropriate coverage on day of admission was associated with greater likelihood of in-hospital mortality.

What are the risk factors for acute otitis media treatment failure?

ObjectiveTo identify risk factors associated with acute otitis media treatment failure (AOMTF) among 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) immunized children. MethodsIn this retrospective study, we identified children <12 years who were admitted to our hospital November 2017–October 2020. Children were categorized either as acute otitis media treatment failure (AOMTF), if they received adequate pre-admission antibiotics, or as AOM without treatment failure (AOMwTF), if they did not receive any pre-admission antibiotics. We collected demographics, clinical behavior, laboratory results, length and hospitalization course. Hospitalization was justified if previously treated properly. ResultsThe AOMTF group included 84 children (43 boys, mean age: 1.30 ± 0.83 years), whereas the AOMwTF group included 251 children (132 boys, mean age: 1.20 ± 0.89 years). AOMTF accounted for 25% of all AOM admissions. Among the AOMTF group, 46 (54.8%) were treated with amoxicillin and 24 (28.6%) with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Risk factors for AOMTF included recurrent AOM episodes history (30.9% vs 5.5%, OR 7.6, 95%CI 3.5–15.4, p < 0.001), otorrhea (29.4% vs 9.5%, OR 4, 95%CI 2.1–7.5, p < 0.001), tympanic membrane perforation (14.2% vs 4.3%, OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.5–8.6, p < 0.0019). Children with AOMTF were treated more with 2nd- or 3rd-line antibiotics (90.2% vs 65.9%, OR 4, 95%CI 2.2–10.4, p < 0.001), and underwent more myringotomy/ventilation tube insertions (14.4% vs 6.9%, OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.0–5.0, p = 0.037). Mean admission durations were similar: 3.83 ± 1.6 days in the AOMTF group vs 3.37 ± 2.77 days in the AOMwTF group (p = 0.15). ConclusionRisk factors associated with AOMTF should be identified early during the AOM course to reduce complication rates and surgery referral.

The use of procalcitonin in patients with pyogenic liver abscesses

The results of treatment of 79 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses (AP) were analyzed. Sepsis was diagnosed in 10 (16.1%) patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were used to diagnose sepsis. The duration of antibacterial therapy (ABT) was based on the determination of PCT and the patient's clinical condition. The decision to prescribe or abstain from ABT should be reviewed within the next 6-24 hours based on the patient's clinical condition and PCT level. These values ​​should also be taken into account in the decision-making process regarding the duration of ABT, as well as the clinical course of the disease. There were no fatalities in the treatment of AP.&#x0D; Purpose of the study. To determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of procalcitonin in patients with pyogenic liver abscesses.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 79 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 48.4 ± 4.7 years, with men predominating (62.9%). The inclusion criterion was the presence of pyogenic liver abscesses, the exclusion criteria were cholangiogenic and specific abscesses. The main group consisted of 44 patients who received comprehensive conservative therapy, taking into account antibacterial treatment, the duration of which was determined by determining the level of PСT. Patients in the control group (35 patients) did not differ from the main in age, sex, comorbidities, severity of the disease and the results of microbiological examination, but received conventional ABT.&#x0D; Results. Carrying out adequate combined antibiotic therapy in patients with AP by determining PKT, along with surgery, reduced the recovery time of patients: 2-3 days normalization of body temperature (t = 5.66176; P &lt;0.000001) and leukocyte formula (t = 8,56860; P &lt;0,000001) patients of the main group compared with control patients&#x0D; Conclusion. Conducting ABT by determining the level of PСT contributed to a probable reduction in the length of stay in the hospital for 3 days (t = 3.95561; P = 0.000116).

Current application of antibiotic de-escalation treatment in children with sepsis and its impact on prognosis

Objective: To analyze the eligibility of empirical antibiotic therapy in culture positive sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to explore the application of antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) in children with sepsis and its impact on prognosis. Methods: A total of 123 children with sepsis-associated organ dysfunction or septic shock admitted to the PICU of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The general information, laboratory tests, the use of empirical anti-bacterial drugs and the application of ADE were collected. According to the adjustment of anti-bacterial drugs, these children were divided into ADE group and non-ADE group. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student t test, or Mann-Whitney U test, or chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Results: In these 123 children, 70 were males and 53 were females, the age was 11.4 (2.8, 56.5) months. Body fluid culture was detected positive in 41 children including 3 children (7.3%) who received inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy and 38 children (92.7%) who received adequate empirical antibiotic therapy. Excluding 10 children who received appropriate therapy, 28 received unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics. There were no significant differences regarding the PICU all-cause mortality rates, length of PICU stay, hospitalization cost, duration of mechanical ventilation, as well as incidences of re-infection between the ADE group (n=46) and non-ADE group (n=77) (all P>0.05). However, among the 101 children who have used antibiotics against multidrug-resistant organism, the duration of such antibiotics use in ADE group (n=43) was shorter than that in non-ADE group (n=58) (5.0 (4.0, 12.0) vs. 9.5 (7.0, 13.0) d, Z=-3.14, P=0.002). Conclusions: Overuse of unnecessary broad-spectrum empirical antibiotics is very common, but the application of ADE is rather disappointing. ADE can reduce the use of anti-bacterial drugs against multi-drug resistant bacteria without significant adverse effects on prognosis in children with sepsis.

Association Between Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Dissection With Fluoroquinolones Use in Patients With Urinary Tract Infections: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BackgroundFluoroquinolones are first‐line antibiotics recommended for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), with frequent reports of adverse effects of aortic aneurysm (AA) and aortic dissection (AD). We examined whether fluoroquinolones can increase the risk of AA and AD in patients with UTIs in the Taiwanese population.Methods and ResultsWe used the National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients diagnosed with UTIs under single antibiotic treatment of fluoroquinolones and first‐, second‐, or third‐generation cephalosporins. An AA and AD diagnosis within a year constituted the study event. Multivariable analysis with a multiple Cox regression model was applied for comparing the hazard risk of AA and AD between fluoroquinolones and first‐ or second‐generation cephalosporins. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce the potential for bias caused by measured confounding variables. Among 1 249 944 selected patients with UTIs, 28 568 patients were assigned to each antibiotic group after propensity score matching. The incidence of AA and AD was not significantly different between the fluoroquinolones and first‐ or second‐generation cephalosporins (adjusted HR [aHR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.59–1.27]). However, the mortality increased in the fluoroquinolones group (aHR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.04–1.16]).ConclusionsCompared with first‐ or second‐generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones were not associated with increased risk of AA and AD in patients with UTI. However, a significant risk of mortality was still found in patients treated with fluoroquinolones. The priority is to control infections with adequate antibiotics rather than exclude fluoroquinolones considering the risk of AA and AD for patients with UTI.