Gram-negative Bacteremia Research Articles

Clinical Utility of Follow-Up Blood Cultures Among Adult Cancer Patients with Gram-Negative Bacilli Bacteremia

Background: Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteremia is a common and potentially fatal infection with mortality rates estimated to be 14-34%, despite effective antimicrobial treatments. Follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) are blood cultures that are repeated after an initial positive culture and are indicated in certain clinical scenarios, such as in candidemia or Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia to ensure clearance of the bloodstream infection. FUBCs are used in bacteremia to assess the appropriateness and duration of antimicrobial therapy. Currently, there are no guidelines in place regarding the use of FUBC for GNB bacteremia. Furthermore, the utility of FUBCs is not well-studied in adults living with cancer. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors associated with persistent GNB bacteremia in adult patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study in patients aged ≥18 years, hospitalized during calendar year 2022, living with cancer, and with laboratory confirmed GNB bloodstream infection. FUBC was defined as a blood culture performed within 7 days of the initial positive blood culture. Patients were grouped as having the same organism on FUBC (+/same), FUBC with no growth (NG) (+/NG), and different organism on FUBC (+/Different). Patients with a different organism on FUBC were excluded from analysis. We gathered demographic information, suspected source of bacteremia, type of malignancy, identified organisms, presence of antimicrobial resistance, and comorbidities (eg. presence of central venous catheters, urinary catheters, end-stage renal disease). Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of persistent GNB bacteremia. Results: 356 unique patients with FUBC were identified after inclusion/exclusion criteria. 93/356 (26%) of patients had persistent GNB bacteremia (+/same). Multivariate analysis identified history of bacteremia within the preceding year (OR 2.95, 95% CI [1.6-5.6]) and Achromobacter spp. bacteremia (OR 10.03, 95% CI [1.59-63.23] as independent risk factors for persistence. Organisms with multidrug resistance such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (OR 2.47, 95% CI [1.21-5.07]) and carbapenem-resistant organisms (OR 3.35, 95% CI [1.04-10.81]) were also associated with persistent GNB bacteremia. Conclusions: This is the first study to specifically identify risk factors for persistent GNB bacteremia in patients living with cancer. FUBC may be useful in GNB bacteremia with less common organisms and/or if they exhibit multidrug resistance on susceptibility testing. The utility of FUBC should be further explored in patients with cancer with certain risk factors.

Welcoming Discourse on the Approach for Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Candidemia in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections.

Welcoming Discourse on the Approach for Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Candidemia in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections.

Evaluating the Approach for Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Fungemia in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections from a Recent IDSA Guideline on Advanced Nuclear Imaging in Cardiovascular Infections.

Evaluating the Approach for Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Fungemia in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections from a Recent IDSA Guideline on Advanced Nuclear Imaging in Cardiovascular Infections.

Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative rod bacteremia in the early postoperative period following liver transplantation

Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative rod bacteremia in the early postoperative period following liver transplantation

Gram-negative bacteremia, the risk factors, and outcome in children

We aimed to determine the epidemiology and resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria, the risk factors and outcome of bloodstream infection (BSI). In all, 412 episodes in children who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of bacteremia were analyzed. The most common microorganisms were Klebsiella spp. (43.9%), Escherichia coli (13.5 %) and Acinetobacter spp. (10.6 %). Among isolates, 41.2 % were multidrug-resistant, 13.5 % were extensively drug-resistant and 0.4 % were pan-drug-resistant. Carbapenem resistance was revealed in 27.6 % of isolates. Carbapenem and colistin resistance increased over the years. The most common risk factors were the presence of a central-venous catheter and pediatric intensive care unit admission. Clinical response and infection-related mortality were significantly different in cases infected with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative (CRGN) vs carbapenem-susceptible gram-negative bacteria. The increase in multi-resistant Klebsiella spp. seems to be the biggest obstacles in fight against nosocomial infections. The increasing number of CRGN infections over the years affects both the clinical response and mortality rate of BSI.

Risk Factors and Scoring Systems to Predict the Mortality Risk of Afebrile Adult Patients with Monomicrobial Gram-Negative Bacteremia: A 10-Year Observational Study in the Emergency Department.

The mortality rate of afebrile bacteremia has been reported to be as high as 45%. This investigation focused on the risk factors and predictive performance of scoring systems for the clinical outcomes of afebrile patients with monomicrobial gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in the emergency department (ED). We conducted a retrospective analysis of afebrile adult ED patients with monomicrobial GNB bacteremia from January 2012 to December 2021. We dissected the demographics, clinical pictures, and laboratory investigations. We applied five scoring systems and three revised systems to predict the clinical outcomes. There were 600 patients included (358 males and 242 females), with a mean age of 69.6 ± 15.4 years. The overall mortality rate was 50.17%, reaching 68.52% (74/108) in cirrhotic patients. Escherichia coli was the leading pathogen (42.83%). The non-survivors had higher scores of the original MEDS (p < 0.001), NEWS (p < 0.001), MEWS (p < 0.001), qSOFA (p < 0.001), and REMS (p = 0.030). In univariate logistic regression analyses, several risk factors had a higher odds ratio (OR) for mortality, including liver cirrhosis (OR 2.541, p < 0.001), malignancy (OR 2.259, p < 0.001), septic shock (OR 2.077, p = 0.002), and male gender (OR 0.535, p < 0.001). The MEDS demonstrated that the best predictive power with the maximum area under the curve (AUC) was measured at 0.773 at the cut-off point of 11. The AUCs of the original NEWS, MEWS, qSOFA, and REMS were 0.663, 0.584, 0.572, and 0.553, respectively. We revised the original MEDS, NEWS, and qSOFA by adding red cell distribution width, albumin, and lactate scores and found a better predictive power of the AUC of 0.797, 0.719, and 0.694 on the revised MEDS ≥11, revised qSOFA ≥ 3, and revised NEWS ≥ 6, respectively. The original MEDS, revised MEDS, revised qSOFA, and revised NEWS were valuable tools for predicting the mortality risk in afebrile patients with monomicrobial GNB bacteremia. We suggested that clinicians should explore patients with the risk factors mentioned above for possible severe infection, even in the absence of fever and initiate hemodynamic support and early adequate antibiotic therapy in patients with higher scores of the original MEDS (≥11), revised MEDS (≥11), revised NEWS (≥6), and revised qSOFA (≥3).

Infectious Diseases: What You May Have Missed in 2023.

In 2023, published research on COVID-19 remains prominent. The aim of this article is to highlight important developments in infectious disease evidence unrelated to COVID-19 that were published in 2023. The literature was screened for sound new evidence relevant to internal medicine specialists and subspecialists whose focus of practice is not infectious diseases. The highlighted publications relate to various organisms and patient populations. One article provides insight into the updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis. Several articles address the management of sepsis and bacteremia: comparison of cefepime versus piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftobiprole for the treatment of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, and early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics in patients with gram-negative bacteremia. Another article examines differences in all-cause mortality in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection who receive different treatments. Additional articles provide evidence about the treatment of patients with HIV infection: the utility of preexposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection, the efficacy of pitavastatin in reducing cardiovascular disease, and the efficacy of dexamethasone for the treatment of tuberculous meningitis in persons with HIV.

Exploring Acute Febrile Illness in Children: Clinical Characteristics and Diagnostic Challenges.

Background Pediatric febrile illnesses are a major cause of hospital admissions and are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These illnesses pose a diagnostic challenge to both clinicians and laboratories. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics of acute febrile illness in children and examine the effectiveness of various diagnostic techniques. Methods This prospective study was carried out at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Warangal, India, from January 2020 to October 2022. It included children aged one month to 12 years. Results Out of 245 identified cases, 195 met the inclusion criteria. This study found that 18 patients (9.23%) suffered from serious bacterial infections (SBIs). In 63 patients (32.20%), the source of infection remained unidentified. Among those with SBI, UTIs were the most frequent. Bacteremia was identified in 2.5% of the patients. Conclusion SBIs were identified in 18 hospitalized children (9.23%), with UTIs being the most common SBI in children aged one to 36 months. Children in this age group presenting with toxic symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated for SBIs. The study also observed a higher prevalence of Gram-negative bacteremia compared to Gram-positive cases.

Anaerobic gram-negative rod bacteremia as a marker of gastrointestinal cancer in Japanese patients: a single-center retrospective study.

Gram-negative rod (GNR) bacteremia has been suggested as a clinical marker of occult cancer; however, no studies are available in this regard in the Japanese population. Here, we investigated the risk factors for gastrointestinal cancer with GNR bacteremia. Patients with GNR bacteremia admitted to St. Luke's International Hospital between January 2011 and July 2021 were included. The clinical data of patients with and without cancer, 1 year before and after GNR bacteremia diagnosis, were compared. Univariate analysis was performed using χ2 and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables, while multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis, and a P of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of 2,296 GNR bacteremia-positive patients, 96 were associated with gastrointestinal cancer, and univariate analysis showed significant differences between the gastrointestinal cancer and comparison groups in terms of mean body mass index (BMI; 20.5 vs. 21.8 kg/m2), Enterobacterales detection (64.6% vs. 81.3%), and anaerobic GNR detection (24.0% vs. 8.5%). Thirty-five (36%) and 61 (64%) patients had upper and lower gastrointestinal cancer, respectively. There were 23 patients with anaerobic GNR bacteremia related to 24 strains (upper and lower gastrointestinal cancer, 5 and 18 cases, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified anaerobic GNR [odds ratio, 3.440; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.085-5.675, P<0.001] as a significant risk factor for cancer. Anaerobic GNR in blood cultures may be a risk factor for gastrointestinal cancer. Therefore, it is necessary consider cancer workup, such as endoscopy, for patients with anaerobic GNR bacteremia.

Predictive value of thrombocytopenia for bloodstream infection in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

Thrombocytopenia is common in patients with sepsis and septic shock. To analyse the decrease in the number of platelets for predicting bloodstream infection in patients with sepsis and septic shock in the intensive care unit. A retrospective analysis of patients admitted with sepsis and septic shock in Xingtai People Hospital was revisited. Patient population characteristics and laboratory data were collected for analysis. The study group consisted of 85 (39%) inpatients with bloodstream infection, and the control group consisted of 133 (61%) with negative results or contamination. The percentage decline in platelet counts (PPCs) in patients positive for pathogens [57.1 (41.3-74.6)] was distinctly higher than that in the control group [18.2 (5.1-43.1)] (P < 0.001), whereas the PPCs were not significantly different among those with gram-positive bacteraemia, gram-negative bacteraemia, and fungal infection. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve of the platelet drop rate was 0.839 (95%CI: 0.783-0.895). The percentage decline in platelet counts is sensitive in predicting bloodstream infection in patients with sepsis and septic shock. However, it cannot identify gram-positive bacteraemia, gram-negative bacteraemia, and fungal infection.

Efficacy of Continuous vs. Intermittent Administration of Cefepime in Adult ICU Patients with Gram-Negative Bacilli Bacteremia: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Study.

The objective of this study was to compare the continuous infusion of cefepime with the intermittent infusion in patients with sepsis caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Randomized 1:1 multicenter double-blinded placebo-controlled study with allocation concealment; multicenter study in the intensive care units of Colombia. Patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, and GNB-suspected bacteremia. Cefepime was administered for 7 to 14 days over 30 m intermittently every 8 h over 24 h plus continuous saline solution (0.9%) (G1) or 3 g administered continuously plus saline solution every 8 h (0.9%) (G2). The percentage of clinical response at 3, 7, and 14 days, relapse at 28 days, and mortality at discharge were measured. The recruitment was stopped at the suggestion of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) following an FDA alert about cefepime. Thirty-two patients were randomized; 25 received the intervention, and GNB bacteremia was confirmed in 16 (9 G1 and 7 G2). Favorable clinical response in days 3, 7, and 14 was 88.8%, 88.8%, and 77.8% (G1) and was similar for G2 (85.7%). There were no relapses or deaths in G2, while in G1, one relapse and two deaths were observed. The results of this study support the use of cefepime for the treatment of Gram-negative infections in critically ill patients, but we could not demonstrate differences between continuous or intermittent administration because of the small sample size, given the early suspension of the study.

Ischaemic Gastropathy: An Under-Recognised cause of Abdominal Pain.

Awareness needs to be increased regarding the consideration of ischaemic gastropathy as a differential diagnosis.A patient without a history of vascular compromise could have a diagnosis of ischaemic gastropathy.This is possibly the first noted case of ischaemic gastropathy occurring after an appendectomy, which is complicated by gram-negative bacteraemia and haemodynamic instability.

Survivorship Struggles: Navigating Etiologies and Clinical Parameters of Febrile Neutropenia During Induction Chemotherapy in Acute Leukemia Patients.

Background Acute leukemia, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature white blood cell precursors, poses significant challenges during induction chemotherapy, including the elevated risk of febrile neutropenia and its associated complications. Our study aims to explain the clinical and etiological parameters of these patients in a resource-limited setting. Methods This retrospective study focused on a total of 102 adult patients with acute leukemia who developed febrile neutropenia during the induction chemotherapy phase. Patients with disease relapse, prior bone marrow transplantation, and cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia were excluded from the study. Demographical characteristics, symptoms at presentation, diagnoses, infectious causes, and outcomes were systematically reported. Infectious etiologies and detailed culture reports were meticulously tabulated, and subsequent data were analyzed. Results Of the 102 patients, 43 (42.2%) were males, with a mean age of 31.9 ± 6.5 years. During the induction chemotherapy, a total of 31 patients died of complicated febrile neutropenia. Severe vomiting was the most common symptom present in 37 (36.2%), followed by cough in 35 (34.3%) and loose stools in 28 (27.5%). Community-acquired pneumonia, neutropenic sepsis, and neutropenic colitis were among the most common etiologies of febrile neutropenia. A total of 72 (70.6%) patients had culture-proven multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia that contributed to poor outcomes. Conclusions Acute leukemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy face high infection-associated mortality due to their immunocompromised state. Inadequate infection control measures and antimicrobial resistancecontribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. Enhanced infection prevention strategies and evidence-based antibiotic prescription guidelines are need of time in resource-limited settings such as Pakistan to address febrile neutropenia complications and bridge the existing care gap in its management.

Blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is associated with 90-day mortality and 60-day readmission in Gram negative bacteremia: a multi-center cohort study

IntroductionThe Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in blood has demonstrated its capability to predict bacteremia in emergency departments, and its association with mortality has been established in patients with sepsis in intensive care units. However, its potential concerning mortality and readmission in patients with Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) is unexplored.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients with GNB between 2018 and 2022 from six hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark. Patients who were immunosuppressed or had missing NLR values on the day of blood culture were excluded. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between NLR levels and 90-day all-cause mortality, while the logit link interpretation of the cumulative incidence function was used to assess the association between NLR levels and 60-day readmission. Associations were quantified as odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe study included 1763 patients with a median age was 76.8 years and 51.3% were female. The median NLR was 17.3 and 15.8% of patients had a quick sequential organ failure assessment score of two or three. Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most frequent focus and Escherichia coli the most frequent pathogen. Statistically significant differences in median NLR were found by age group and pathogen, and for patients with or without hypertension, liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, and alcohol abuse. 378 patients (21.4%) died before 90 days. 526 (29.8%) patients were readmitted to the hospital within 60 days. For each doubling of the NLR, the OR for all-cause 90-day mortality was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04–1.27) and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.02–1.24) for 60-day readmission. Analysis of subgroups did not show statistically significant differences between groups in relation to the association between NLR and mortality. The discriminatory ability of NLR for mortality was limited and comparable to blood neutrophil or lymphocyte count, producing receiver operating characteristic curves with an area under the curve of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.56–0.63), 0.60 (95% CI, 0.56–0.65) and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.49–0.56), respectively.ConclusionBlood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was associated with 90-day all-cause mortality and 60-day readmission in patients with GNB. However, the ratio has limited ability in predicting mortality or readmission.

A294 CHOLESTASIS SECONDARY TO XANTHOGRANULOMATOUS CHOLANGITIS: A CASE REPORT

Abstract Background An 86-year-old female presented with four weeks of intermittent abdominal pain, postprandial nausea with an associated 10 lbs weight loss. Initial labs demonstrated a predominantly cholestatic liver enzyme elevation. Imaging revealed a thickened gallbladder with dilated CBD up to 15mm with no calculi, obstruction or pancreatic mass. EUS demonstrated a prominent ampulla with an area of hyperechogenicity, and ERCP was completed with sphincterotomy and biopsy of the ampulla. A cholangiogram showed a prominent common bile duct and a smooth distal taper without filling defects. Tumor markers, ampullary biopsy, and cytology of CBD brushings were negative for malignancy. Repeat ERCP for non-resolving symptoms with an extension of the sphincterotomy, brushings and insertion of a metal stent was completed without improvement in liver enzymes and a standard hepatitis workup returned negative. Her clinical course was further complicated by recurrent gram-negative bacteremia with CT findings of innumerable abscesses or metastasis in the liver. A US-guided targeted liver biopsy revealed large duct periductal tissue expansion by foamy macrophages with admixed neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. These features were consistent with xanthogranulomatous cholangitis. We were planning to start ursodiol given the small duct disease however the patient succumbed to recurrent bacteremia and passed away. Aims Review of methods to attain diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis. Methods Case Report. Results Diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis can be attained from targetted US-guided biopsy, surgical excision, or EUS-guided CBD biopsy. Conclusions Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis is an extremely rare entity described in limited case reports, frequently mimicking neoplastic disease. Pathology is difficult to attain and historically case reports required surgical resections. One recent case reported diagnosis confirmed via EUS-guided FNA of the CBD. In our case, we attained the diagnosis through a targeted liver biopsy. Pathology of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis typically demonstrates foamy histiocytes, lipid-laden macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and fibrosis indicating xathogranulomas. The pathogenesis is thought to be an extension of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis in which bile is extravasated into the gallbladder wall through Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses or ulceration of the mucosa resulting in an inflammation caused by fibroblasts and macrophages as they phagocytose the lipids in bile, resulting in the formation of xanthoma cells. Given the rarity of the disease, there is no guideline on management and a majority of patients reported underwent surgical excision. This case demonstrates the utility of liver biopsy to establish this rare diagnosis, allowing for better detection and subsequently better-studied management. Funding Agencies None

The addition of doxycycline to fluoroquinolones for bacterial prophylaxis in autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Bacterial prophylaxis with a fluoroquinolone (FQ) during autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is common, although not standardized among transplant centers. The addition of doxycycline (doxy) to FQ prophylaxis was previously linked to reduced neutropenic fever and bacteremia in multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing ASCT although several confounders were present. We compared the incidence of neutropenic fever and bacteremia between MM patients variably receiving prophylaxis with FQ alone and FQ-doxy during ASCT. Systematic retrospective chart review of MM patients who underwent ASCT between January 2016 and December 2021. The primary objective was to determine the effect of bacterial prophylaxis on neutropenic fever and bacteremia within 30 days of ASCT. Multivariable logistic regression for neutropenic fever and univariate logistic regression for bacteremia accounted for differences in subject characteristics between groups. Among 341 subjects, 121 received FQ and 220 received FQ-doxy for prophylaxis. Neutropenic fever developed in 67 (55.4%) and 87 (39.5%) subjects in the FQ and FQ-doxy groups, respectively (p=.005). Bacteremia was infrequent, with 5 (4.1%) and 5 (2.3%) cases developing in the FQ and FQ-doxy groups, respectively (p=.337). Among Gram-negative bacteremia events, 7/7 Escherichia coli strains were FQ-resistant, and 5/7 were ceftriaxone-resistant. The FQ-doxy prophylaxis group had fewer cases of neutropenic fever than the FQ group, however, there was no significant difference in bacteremia. High rates of antibiotic resistance were observed. An updated randomized controlled trial investigating appropriate prophylaxis for ASCT in the context of current oncology standards and changing antimicrobial resistance rates is warranted.

Early Switch From Intravenous to Oral Antibiotics for Patients With Uncomplicated Gram-Negative Bacteremia

Gram-negative bacteremia is a global health concern, and optimizing the transition from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics is a critical step in improving patient treatment and resource utilization. To assess the association of switching to oral antibiotics within 4 days after initial blood culture with 90-day all-cause mortality compared with prolonged IV antibiotic treatment for patients with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia. This cohort study conducted using the target trial emulation framework included observational data from adults with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia in 4 hospitals in Copenhagen, Denmark, from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2021. The duration of follow-up was 90 days. Eligibility criteria included a blood culture positive for growth of gram-negative bacteria, clinical stability within 4 days of initial blood culture, an available susceptibility report on day 4, and initiation of appropriate empirical IV antibiotic treatment within 24 hours of blood culture. Switching to oral antibiotics within 4 days after initial blood culture compared with continuing IV antibiotic treatment for at least 5 days after initial blood culture. The main outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to adjust for confounding. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed using pooled logistic regression to estimate absolute risk, risk difference (RD), and risk ratio (RR); 95% CIs were computed using bootstrapping. A total of 914 individuals were included in the target trial emulation analysis (512 [56.0%] male; median age, 74.5 years [IQR, 63.3-83.2 years]); 433 (47.4%) transitioned early to oral antibiotic treatment, and 481 (52.6%) received prolonged IV treatment. Ninety-nine individuals (10.8%) died during follow-up. The proportion of individuals who died was higher in the group receiving prolonged IV treatment (69 [14.3%] vs 30 [6.9%]). In the intention-to-treat analysis, 90-day all-cause mortality risk was 9.1% (95% CI, 6.7%-11.6%) for the early-switch group and 11.7% (95% CI, 9.6%-13.8%) for the group receiving prolonged IV treatment; the RD was -2.5% (95% CI, -5.7% to 0.7%) and RR was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.60-1.10). In the per-protocol analysis, the RD was -0.1% (95% CI, -3.4% to 3.1%) and RR was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.70-1.40). In this cohort study of uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia, early transition to oral antibiotics within 4 days of initial blood culture was associated with 90-day all-cause mortality risk comparable to that of continuing IV antibiotic treatment and may be an effective alternative to prolonged IV treatment.

Inflammatory biomarkers and physiomarkers of late-onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants.

Early diagnosis of late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW, <1,500 g) infants is challenging due to non-specific clinical signs. Inflammatory biomarkers increase in response to infection, but non-infectious conditions also cause inflammation. Cardiorespiratory data contain physiological biomarkers, or physiomarkers, of sepsis that may be useful in combination with inflammatory hematologic biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis. To determine whether inflammatory biomarkers measured at the time of LOS or NEC diagnosis differ from times without infection and whether biomarkers correlate with cardiorespiratory sepsis physiomarkers in VLBW infants. Remnant plasma sample collection from VLBW infants occurred with blood draws for routine laboratory testing and suspected sepsis. We analyzed 11 inflammatory biomarkers and a pulse oximetry sepsis warning score (POWS). We compared biomarker levels obtained at the time of gram-negative (GN) bacteremia or NEC, gram-positive (GP) bacteremia, negative blood cultures, and no suspected infection. We analyzed 188 samples in 54 VLBW infants. Several biomarkers were increased at the time of GN LOS or NEC diagnosis compared with all other samples. POWS was higher in patients with LOS and correlated with five biomarkers. IL-6 had 78% specificity at 100% sensitivity to detect GN LOS or NEC and added information to POWS. Inflammatory plasma biomarkers discriminate sepsis due to GN bacteremia or NEC and correlate with cardiorespiratory physiomarkers.

Oral Antibiotics for Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Propensity Score Weighted Retrospective Observational Study.

We assessed the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotic step-down therapy for uncomplicated gram-negative blood stream infections in solid-organ transplant recipients. We identified all solid-organ transplant recipients within the Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's Hospital systems from 2016 to 2021 with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia involving an organism susceptible to an acceptably bioavailable oral antibiotic agent. Using inverse probability of treatment-weighted models based on propensity scores adjusting for potential clinical confounders, we compared outcomes of those transitioned to oral antibiotics with those who continued intravenous (IV) therapy for the duration of treatment. Primary endpoints were mortality, bacteremia recurrence, and reinitiation of IV antibiotics. Secondary endpoints included length of stay, Clostridioides difficile infection, treatment-associated complications, and tunneled central venous catheter placement. A total of 120 bacteremia events from 107 patients met inclusion criteria in the oral group and 42 events from 40 patients in the IV group. There were no significant differences in mortality, bacteremia recurrence, or reinitiation of IV antibiotics between groups. Patients transitioned to oral antibiotics had an average length of stay that was 1.97 days shorter (95% confidence interval [CI], -.39 to 3.56 days; P = .005). Odds of developing C. difficile and other treatment-associated complications were 8.4 times higher (95% CI, 1.5-46.6; P = .015) and 6.4 times higher (95% CI, 1.9-20.9; P = .002), respectively, in the IV group. Fifty-five percent of patients in the IV group required tunneled catheter placement. There was no difference in treatment duration between groups. Oral step-down therapy was effective and associated with fewer treatment-related adverse events.

Effect of automated identification of antimicrobial stewardship opportunities for suspected urinary tract infections

Abstract Objective: We aimed to determine whether automated identification of antibiotic targeting suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) shortened the time to antimicrobial stewardship (AS) intervention. Design: Retrospective before-and-after study. Setting: Tertiary and quaternary care academic medical center. Patients: Emergency department (ED) or admitted adult patients meeting best practice alert (BPA) criteria during pre- and post-BPA periods. Methods: We developed a BPA to alert AS pharmacists of potential ASB triggered by the following criteria: ED or admitted status, antibiotic order with genitourinary indication, and a preceding urinalysis with ≤ 10 WBC/hpf. We evaluated the median time from antibiotic order to AS intervention and overall percent of UTI-related interventions among patients in pre-BPA (01/2020–12/2020) and post-BPA (04/15/2021–04/30/2022) periods. Results: 774 antibiotic orders met inclusion criteria: 355 in the pre- and 419 in the post-BPA group. 43 (35 UTI-related) pre-BPA and 117 (94 UTI-related) post-BPA interventions were documented. The median time to intervention was 28 hours (IQR 18–65) in the pre-BPA group compared to 16 hours (IQR 2–34) in the post-BPA group (P &lt; 0.01). Despite absent pyuria, there were six cases with gram-negative bacteremia presumably from a urinary source. Conclusions: Automated identification of antibiotics targeting UTI without pyuria on urinalysis reduced the time to stewardship intervention and increased the rate of UTI-specific interventions. Clinical decision support aided in the efficiency of AS review and syndrome-targeted impact, but cases still required AS clinical review.