Healthcare-associated Risk Factors Research Articles

ISR 81 - Healthcare-associated COVID-19 Prevalence, Risk Factors and Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ISR 81 - Healthcare-associated COVID-19 Prevalence, Risk Factors and Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Retrospective analysis of pathogens for guided creation of an EMPIRic antibiotic prEscribing pathway (EMPIRE).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibilities of pathogens isolated from cultures within the first 7 days of admission to the burn center and in the absence of healthcare-associated infection risk factors (HAIRF) to determine if current empiric antibiotics can be narrowed for refinement of an empiric antibiotic prescribing pathway according to suspected source. A 3-year sample of patients and cultures was utilized in hopes of obtaining at least 30 isolates of the most common pathogens and their respective susceptibilities. Two-hundred and sixty-eight clinically-relevant (e.g., deemed infectious, versus colonization) pathogens were included in the final sample with sources including wounds, respiratory, blood, urine, and bone. Of the 268 pathogens included, 45% were Gram-negative and 69% of all pathogens were isolated from wound cultures. The existing empiric pathway, vancomycin plus cefepime, covered 98% and 84% of all Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, respectively. In patients without HAIRF, coverage rose to 98% and 90%, respectively. Initial use of vancomycin and cefepime remains adequate for pathogens isolated within one week of admission in patients without HAIRF. For pneumonias, a narrower spectrum beta-lactam would not sufficiently cover respiratory pathogens isolated within the first week of admission. Regarding early wound infections, difficult-to-treat pathogens remain as a rare isolate of wound cultures within one week of admission.

A Two-Year Surveillance of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Trauma ICU of a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

Aim The aim of the study is to identify therisk factors and mortality associated with central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and to investigate the incidence and associated etiology in trauma patients admitted to the trauma ICU (TICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Northern India. Materials and methods The study was a prospective study conducted in the trauma ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India from November 2020 to October 2022. Adult patients >18 years of age who were on central line for >48 hours were included in the study. The automated blood culture system BacT/ALERT 3D (bioMérieux, Durham, NC) was used for microbial detection from blood samples. We recorded patients' daily progress, and catheter-related data was collected and used as variables. All the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)version 22.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY)to evaluate the risk factors associated with CLABSI. Result A total of516 admissions occurred during the surveillance period, out of which352 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Out of these 352 patients, a total of 74 patients developed central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Thus, the incidence of CLABSI was 16.4 per 1000 central line days and 13.2 per 1000 inpatient days with a 0.8 device utilization ratio (DUR). The most common organisms isolated from these CLABSI cases were Acinetobacter species (23%), followed by Escherichia coli(16.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus(15.6%). The independent healthcare-associated risk factors for CLABSI were longer length of ICU stay and prolonged duration of central venous catheterization. The most common comorbidity associated withCLABSI was diabetes mellitus (20.3%), followed by hypertension (14.8%), and the mortality rate was 41.9%. Conclusion The healthcare-associated risk factors such as longer length of ICU stay and prolonged duration of central venous catheterization are the risk factors for developing central line-associated bloodstream infections (BSI).

English

Staphylococcus aureus is an important organism in orthopaedic practice as it is the most common cause of orthopaedic infections including surgical site infections (SSIs), osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Carriers of S. aureus are predisposed to developing invasive staphylococcal infections. Knowledge of a patient’s carrier status before surgery together with interventions to eliminate the carrier state have been shown to reduce post-operative infections by S. aureus. A cross-sectional study carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital orthopaedic wards from 1 June 2019 to 30 September 2019. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with nasal colonisation by S. aureus among patients who have been admitted to undergo surgery. Consecutive sampling was done until the required sample size was achieved. Nasal swabs were taken from patients at admission for culture. Data concerning comorbid conditions as well as healthcare associated risk factors was collected. The overall prevalence of colonisation by S. aureus at admission was found to be 24.7% whereas the overall prevalence of colonisation by Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was found to be 3.03%. The prevalence of colonisation by S. aureus is high amongst patients being admitted to orthopaedic wards at Kenyatta National Hospital when compared with previous studies and amongst these are those who are colonised by MRSA. The prevalence of MRSA calls for the need of screening programmes to curtail spread within hospital and community settings.   Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, prevalence, nasal colonization, associated factors.

Critically Ill Health Care-Associated Urinary Tract Infection: Broad vs. Narrow Antibiotics in the Emergency Department Have Similar Outcomes.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common infection requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission in emergency department (ED) patients. Optimal empiric management for health care-associated (HCA) UTI is unclear, particularly in the critically ill. To compare clinical failure of broad vs. narrow antibiotic selection in the ED for patients presenting with HCA UTI admitted to the ICU. Observational cohort of patients started on empiric antibiotic for UTI with at least one HCA risk factor (recurrent UTI, chronic urinary catheter or dialysis, urologic procedures, previous antibiotic exposure, hospitalization, or group facility residence). Broad antibiotics covered Pseudomonas spp. and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Clinical failure was a composite of multiorgan dysfunction (MODS) by day 2 and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), readmission, recurrent infection, development of multidrug-resistant organisms, and Clostridium difficile infection. Associations were reported with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). There were 272 patients included; 196 (72.1%) received broad and 76 (27.9%) received narrow therapy. There was no association between antibiotic selection and clinical failure (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.5-2.25, p=0.89) or between antibiotic selection and number of HCA risk factors (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.73-1.31, p=0.87). There was an association between clinical failure and MODS on ICU admission (OR 9.14, 95% CI 4.70-17.78, p<0.001). Hospital LOS and readmission did not differ between antibiotic groups. Initial empiric broad or narrow antibiotic coverage in HCA UTI patients who presented to the ED and required ICU admission had similar clinical outcomes.

Risk Factors Associated with Acute Hepatitis C in Mongolia

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is endemic in Mongolia, with reported prevalence of HCV antibody (anti-HCV) positivity of 11%–16% in the adult population. Healthcare-related risk factors associated with development of acute HCV infection have not been evaluated in this population. Methods:We conducted a prospective, matched case-control study to identify risk factors associated with acute HCV infection in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Cases were aged 18 years with discrete onset of symptoms consistent with acute viral hepatitis as well as jaundice or elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels who were admitted to the National Center for Communicable Diseases during January–October, 2019. Cases were both anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive and tested negative for acute hepatitis A, B, and E. Controls were randomly selected from the Population and Household Database, a national registry of all citizens, and were matched by age and gender. Data collection covered healthcare-associated and other risk factors in the 6 months before symptom onset (cases) or interview date (controls). Adjusted measures of association comparing cases and their matched controls were obtained using a multivariate conditional logistic regression model. Results: We enrolled 35 case patients and 104 controls. Median age of all participants was 44 (range, 23–63) years and 19% (27 of 139) were men. All case patients reported jaundice and loss of appetite; most cases reported nausea, malaise, and abdominal pain (97%, 91%, and 83%, respectively). The median ALT level among case patients was 1,185 IU/L (range, 212–3,349). Case patients were more likely than controls to have been admitted as inpatients (matched odds ratio [mOR], 4.3; 95% CI, 1.5–11.9), to have visited an outpatient clinic (mOR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.3–10.2), to have had phlebotomy (mOR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5–7.5) or endoscopy (mOR, 10.7; 95% CI, 2.2–51.2) as an outpatient procedure, and to have received an injection outside of healthcare settings (mOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0–5.1). Cases were also more likely to have lived in a yurt (mOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0–5.0) and to have lived with persons diagnosed with HCV infection (mOR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1–7.9). In a multivariate model, only outpatient endoscopy (adjusted OR, 10.8; 95% CI, 1.7–69.6) was significantly associated with case status. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate risk factors for acute HCV infection among adults in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Outpatient endoscopy was associated with new HCV infections in this population; evaluation of gaps in infection control practices at settings providing these services are needed to prevent transmission of communicable diseases, including hepatitis C.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Risk Factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections in Pediatric Healthcare Settings

Relevance. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of severe healthcare-associated infections in children, representing one of the six most widespread multidrug-resistant microorganisms worldwide and requiring the implementation of population-wide treatment strategies.Aim. To study the risk factors for Klebsiella spread in pediatric healthcare settings.Materials and Methods. Here we performed a descriptive retrospective epidemiological study of Klebsiella spp. cases in pediatric units across the entire Kemerovo region (2012–2019). In total, we documented 27,852 treatment outcomes. We further selected 52 confirmed cases and assessed their risk profiles in comparison with 738 condition-matched control children.Results. Average incidence of Klebsiella spp. detection in pediatric healthcare settings was 78.52 per 1,000 patients (95% CI = 75.42–81.74). We revealed a declining incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the region, with notable 4-year cyclicity. The proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae-infected patients increased 2-fold after 5 days of antibiotic therapy. Among the risk factors of Klebsiella pneumonia infection were artificial feeding (OR = 9,21, 95% = 3,31–35,45, р = 0,0001), assisted ventilation (OR = 7,36, 95% CI = 3,92–14,0], р = 0,0001), use of nebulizers (OR = 5,34, 95% CI =2,49 – 10,9], р=0,0001), airway management (OR = 4,62, 95% CI =2,49–8,56, р = 0,0001), preterm birth (OR = 2,55, 95% CI =1,38 – 4,69, р=0,001), low body weight (OR = 2,48, 95% CI = 1,34–4,56, р = 0,002), enema administration (OR = 1,80, 95% CI = 0,78–3,81, р = 0,088), and nasogastric intubation (OR = 1,79, 95% CI = 0,85–3,54, р = 0,065).Conclusions. The incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections is currently lowering and has 4-year cyclicity. Antimicrobial treatment is associated with 2-fold increased risk if administered for ≥ 5 days. A number of healthcare-associated risk factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections have been found.

Risk Factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections in Pediatric Healthcare Settings

Relevance. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of severe healthcare-associated infections in children, representing one of the six most widespread multidrug-resistant microorganisms worldwide and requiring the implementation of population-wide treatment strategies.Aim. To study the risk factors for Klebsiella spread in pediatric healthcare settings.Materials and Methods. Here we performed a descriptive retrospective epidemiological study of Klebsiella spp. cases in pediatric units across the entire Kemerovo region (2012–2019). In total, we documented 27,852 treatment outcomes. We further selected 52 confirmed cases and assessed their risk profiles in comparison with 738 condition-matched control children.Results. Average incidence of Klebsiella spp. detection in pediatric healthcare settings was 78.52 per 1,000 patients (95% CI = 75.42–81.74). We revealed a declining incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the region, with notable 4-year cyclicity. The proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae-infected patients increased 2-fold after 5 days of antibiotic therapy. Among the risk factors of Klebsiella pneumonia infection were artificial feeding (OR = 9,21, 95% = 3,31–35,45, р = 0,0001), assisted ventilation (OR = 7,36, 95% CI = 3,92–14,0], р = 0,0001), use of nebulizers (OR = 5,34, 95% CI =2,49 – 10,9], р=0,0001), airway management (OR = 4,62, 95% CI =2,49–8,56, р = 0,0001), preterm birth (OR = 2,55, 95% CI =1,38 – 4,69, р=0,001), low body weight (OR = 2,48, 95% CI = 1,34–4,56, р = 0,002), enema administration (OR = 1,80, 95% CI = 0,78–3,81, р = 0,088), and nasogastric intubation (OR = 1,79, 95% CI = 0,85–3,54, р = 0,065).Conclusions. The incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections is currently lowering and has 4-year cyclicity. Antimicrobial treatment is associated with 2-fold increased risk if administered for ≥ 5 days. A number of healthcare-associated risk factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections have been found.

Gram-negative bloodstream infections and sepsis: risk factors, screening tools and surveillance.

Incidence of gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSIs) and sepsis are rising in the UK. Healthcare-associated risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of infection and associated mortality. Current research is focused on identifying high-risk patients and improving the methods used for surveillance. Comprehensive literature search of the topic area using PubMed (Medline). Government, professional and societal publications were also reviewed. A range of healthcare-associated risk factors independently associate with the risk of GNBSIs and sepsis. There are calls to move away from using simple comorbidity scores to predict the risk of sepsis-associated mortality, instead more advanced multimorbidity models should be considered. Advanced risk models should be created and evaluated for their ability to predict sepsis-associated mortality. Investigations into the accuracy of NEWS2 to predict sepsis-associated mortality are required.

Emergency Department Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–Producing Enterobacteriaceae: Many Patients Have No Identifiable Risk Factor and Discordant Empiric Therapy Is Common

Community-onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, which are resistant to ceftriaxone and usually coresistant to fluoroquinolones, are increasing worldwide. We investigate and describe in detail UTIs caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in our emergency department (ED), and determine the proportion that occurred in patients without health care-associated risk factors and who received discordant initial antibiotic therapy. At an urban public hospital in Northern California, microbiology staff prospectively reviewed ED urine culture results weekly for 1 year and presumptively identified ESBL-producing isolates by ceftriaxone plus ceftazidime resistance. For isolates associated with a clinical UTI, patient demographic and case clinical features were abstracted retrospectively. Health care-associated infections were defined by standard risk factors plus aged 65 years or older, bladder catheter, urologic procedure, functional dependence, or antibiotics in the previous 90 days. Community-associated infections were defined by absence of these. A subset of community-associated ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates underwent genotyping. Electronic health record query was used to determine the denominator of ED UTI patients who underwent urine culture during the study period. Between August 2016 and July 2017, there were 1,045 unique ED patients diagnosed with a UTI, whose specimens underwent culture. There were 62 ESBL-producing isolates (5.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6% to 7.5%). Selected characteristics of the entire ESBL UTI cohort were median age 50 years, 37 (60%) patients were women, 28 (44%) Hispanic, 11 (18%) had been hospitalized in the previous 3 months, 19 (31%) had pyelonephritis, 49 (79%) of isolates were E coli, 44 (71%) were levofloxacin-resistant, and 24 (23%) nitrofurantoin-resistant. Initial antibiotic choice was discordant with isolate susceptibility in 26 of 56 cases (46%; 95% CI 33% to 60%), and the initial oral antibiotic prescred was discordant in 19 of 41 cases (46%; 95%CI 31% to 63%). Twenty-seven infections (44%; 95% CI 31% to 57%) were categorized as community-associated. Eight patientswith community-associated infection were women younger than 50 years, with no comorbidities and no more than 1 UTIin the previous year. Of 12 community-associated E coli isolates tested, all were confirmed to harbor ESBL genes; the CTX-M1 β-lactamase gene was found in 8 (67%); 4 belong to genotype ST131. At this single Northern California ED, greater than 5% of culture-proven UTI were caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and in nearly half of cases there was no identifiable health care-associated risk factor. Levofloxacin co-resistance and discordant antibiotic therapy were common.

Changing trends in clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia.

Background/AimsKlebsiella pneumoniae is second most common organism of gram-negative bacteremia in Korea and one of the most common cause of urinary tract infection, and intra-abdominal infection.MethodsWe compared clinical and microbiological characteristics about K. pneumoniae bacteremia in a tertiary hospital between 10 years. Group A is who had K. pneumoniae bacteremia at least one time from January 2004 to December 2005. Group B is from January 2012 to December 2013. We also analyzed antibiotic resistance, clinical manifestation of the K. pneumoniae bacteremia divided into community-acquired infections, healthcare associated infections, and nosocomial infections.ResultsThe resistance for ampicillin, aztreonam, cefazolin, and cefotaxime significantly increased compared to 10 years ago. Extended spectrum β-lactamase positivity surged from 4.3% to 19.6%. Ten years ago, 1st, 2nd cephalosporin, and aminoglycoside were used more as empirical antibiotics. But these days, empirical antibiotics were broad spectrum such as 3rd and 4th cephalosporin. In treatment outcome, acute kidney injury decreased from 47.5% to 28.7%, and mortality decreased from 48.9% to 33.2%. In community-acquired infections, there was similar in antimicrobial resistance and mortality. In healthcare-associated and nosocomial infections, there was significantly increasing in antibiotic resistance, decreasing in mortality, and acute kidney injury.ConclusionsIn community-acquired infections, broader antibiotics were more used than 10 years ago despite of similar antimicrobial resistance. When K. pneumoniae bacteremia is suspected, we recommend to use the narrow spectrum antibiotics as initial therapy if there are no healthcare-associated risk factors, because the antibiotic resistance is similar to 10 years ago in community-acquired infections.

Trends in Community Versus Health Care-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections.

Since the first clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was described in 1961, this pathogen has established itself as a leading cause of health care-associated infections. More recently, MRSA has become a relatively common cause of infection among persons without typical health care-associated risk factors and is now the most common cause of community-onset purulent skin and soft-tissue infections in many regions of the USA. The appearance of "community-associated" MRSA is not due to the expansion of health care-associated MRSA into the community but rather the result of the independent emergence of a novel clone of MRSA. There are some encouraging data to suggest that the incidence of MRSA infection, particularly invasive infections, is decreasing in the USA, but this pathogen remains a common cause of infection associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is ongoing need for effective and safe prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

Antibiotic Resistance in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Pathogens.

The overwhelming majority of cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be treated with the standard antibiotic regimens of a macrolide and cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolone. Despite high rates, current levels of β-lactam resistance generally do not result in treatment failure for patients with CAP when appropriate agents and doses are used. Following the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease declined drastically, coinciding with a decrease in penicillin resistance. Risk factors for methicillin-resistant S. aureus follow two patterns: (1) healthcare-associated risk factors and (2) pneumonia from exotoxin-producing community-acquired strains. The latter is associated with need for antibiotics which inhibit protein synthesis for optimal management. Since 2000, macrolide-resistance in M. pneumoniae has rapidly emerged worldwide, especially in Asian countries. The inability to routinely culture H. influenzae suggests that macrolide and β-lactam resistance, while present, is not a big issue. Unless risk factors for a hospital-associated strain are present, the most common Enterobacteriaceae to cause CAP, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, are generally susceptible to usual CAP antibiotics. Given the limited role of antibiotic resistance in CAP, a strong rationale is needed for use of antibiotics other than the standard β-lactam/macrolide or fluoroquinolone regimens.

Clinical and economic consequences of failure of initial antibiotic therapy for patients with community-onset complicated intra-abdominal infections.

ObjectivesComplicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) is infection that extends beyond the hollow viscus of origin into the peritoneal space, and is associated with either abscess formation or peritonitis. There are few studies that have assessed the actual costs and outcomes associated with failure of initial antibiotic therapy for cIAI. The aims of this study were to evaluate risk factors and impact on costs and outcomes of failure of initial antibiotic therapy for community-onset cIAI.MethodsA retrospective study was performed at eleven tertiary-care hospitals. Hospitalized adults with community-onset cIAI who underwent an appropriate source control procedure between August 2008 and September 2011 were included. Failure of initial antibiotic therapy was defined as a change of antibiotics due to a lack of improvement of the clinical symptoms and signs associated with cIAI in the first week.ResultsA total of 514 patients hospitalized for community-onset cIAI were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 53.3 ± 17.6 years, 72 patients (14%) had health care-associated infection, and 48 (9%) experienced failure of initial antibiotic therapy. Failure of initial antibiotic therapy was associated with increased costs and morbidity. After adjustment for covariates, patients with unsuccessful initial therapy received an additional 2.9 days of parenteral antibiotic therapy, were hospitalized for an additional 5.3 days, and incurred $3,287 in additional inpatient charges. Independent risk factors for failure of initial antibiotic therapy were health care-associated infection, solid cancer, and APACHE II ≥13.ConclusionsTo improve outcomes and costs in patients with community-onset cIAI, rapid assessment of health care-associated risk factors and severity of disease, selection of an appropriate antibiotic regimen accordingly, and early infection source control should be performed.

Molecular and clinical characteristics of hospital and community onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with bloodstream infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) are classified epidemiologically as health care-associated hospital onset (HAHO)-, health care-associated community onset (HACO)-, or community-associated (CA)-MRSA. Clinical and molecular differences between HAHO- and HACO-MRSA BSI are not well known. Thus, we evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of MRSA BSI to determine if distinct features are associated with HAHO- or HACO-MRSA strains. Molecular genotyping and medical record reviews were conducted on 282 MRSA BSI isolates from January 2007 to December 2009. MRSA classifications were 38% HAHO-, 54% HACO-, and 8% CA-MRSA. Comparing patients with HAHO-MRSA to those with HACO-MRSA, HAHO-MRSA patients had significantly higher rates of malignancy, surgery, recent invasive devices, and mortality and longer hospital stays. Patients with HACO-MRSA were more likely to have a history of renal failure, hemodialysis, residence in a long-term-care facility, long-term invasive devices, and higher rate of MRSA relapse. Distinct MRSA molecular strain differences also were seen between HAHO-MRSA (60% staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type II [SCCmec II], 30% SCCmec III, and 9% SCCmec IV) and HACO-MRSA (47% SCCmec II, 35% SCCmec III, and 16% SCCmec IV) (P < 0.001). In summary, our study reveals significant clinical and molecular differences between patients with HAHO- and HACO-MRSA BSI. In order to decrease rates of MRSA infection, preventive efforts need to be directed toward patients in the community with health care-associated risk factors in addition to inpatient infection control.

Impact of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production on treatment outcomes of acute pyelonephritis caused by escherichia coli in patients without health care-associated risk factors.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is increasingly identified as a cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) among patients without recent health care contact, i.e., community-associated APN. This case-control study compared 75 cases of community-associated ESBL-EC APN (CA-ESBL) to 225 controls of community-associated non-ESBL-EC APN (CA-non-ESBL) to identify the risk factors for ESBL-EC acquisition and investigate the impact of ESBL on the treatment outcomes of community-associated APN (CA-APN) caused by E. coli at a Korean hospital during 2007 to 2013. The baseline characteristics were similar between the cases and controls; the risk factors for ESBL-EC were age (>55 years), antibiotic use within the previous year, and diabetes with recurrent APN. The severity of illness did not differ between CA-ESBL and CA-non-ESBL (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II scores [mean ± standard deviation], 7.7 ± 5.9 versus 6.4 ± 5.3; P = 0.071). The proportions of clinical (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 5.38; P = 0.323) and microbiological (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.51 to 2.65; P = 0.730) cures were similar, although the CA-ESBL APN patients were less likely to receive appropriate antibiotics within 48 h. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis of the prognostic factors for CA-APN caused by E. coli showed that ESBL production was not a significant factor for clinical (hazard ratio [HR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.30; P = 0.126) or microbiological (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.21 to 1.12; P = 0.091) failure. The estimates did not change after incorporating weights calculated using propensity scores for acquiring ESBL-EC. Therefore, ESBL production did not negatively affect treatment outcomes among patients with community-associated E. coli APN.

The role of Sequence Type (ST) 131 in adult community-onset non-ESBL-producing Escherichia coli bacteraemia.

BackgroundTo compare the epidemiological and clinical features and outcome in clonal group O25b/ST131 and non-clonal group O25b/ST131 in adult patients with non-extended-spectrum B-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteraemia.MethodsWe collected 371 consecutive isolates with community-onset non-ESBL producing E. coli bloodstream infection in 2010 in a 1200-bed hospital in Taiwan. Twenty adult patients with clonal group O25b/ST131 and 40 patients with non-clonal group O25b/ST131 were compared.ResultClonal group O25b/ST131 accounted for 5.9% of total isolates. The underlying disease and healthcare-associated risk factors were similar in the case and control groups. Patients with the clonal group O25b/ST131 were less likely to have intra-abdominal infection (0% vs. 22.5%; p < 0.05) than patients from the control group. The Day 30 mortality rate was similar in the case and control groups (15% vs. 12.5%).ConclusionsClonal group O25b/ST131 was found in both multidrug-resistant and susceptible E. coli strains, causing community-onset bloodstream infection. Although O25b/ST131 does not lead to a higher mortality than other isolates, choosing an appropriate antimicrobials in the empirical therapy of community-onset E. coli bacteraemia has become more challenging.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0579-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reducing healthcare-associated infections in an ambulatory dialysis unit: Identification and alignment of work system factors

Patients undergoing hemodialysis have experienced a 43% increase in rate of hospitalization due to infection during the past 20 years. Research in other industries has shown that safe systems are achieved by considering the entire system to enable performance specifications to be met. A sociotechnical systems framework was applied through the Macroergonomic Analysis and Design method to evaluate a 54-chair ambulatory dialysis unit to decrease healthcare-associated infections. Fifty-seven system discrepancies across 6 healthcare-associated infection risk factors were identified. A multicomponent intervention was developed to address 44 of the variances across 4 of the risk factors. Access-related bloodstream infections and access site infections did not improve. Bacterial surface contamination decreased. Process measures for the individual components of the intervention demonstrated varying adherence to the intervention. Inconsistent compliance with interventions is hypothesized to be due to organizational and external environment factors.

New patterns of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones, community-associated MRSA genotypes behave like healthcare-associated MRSA genotypes within hospitals, Argentina

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) burden is increasing worldwide in hospitals [healthcare-associated (HA)-MRSA] and in communities [community-associated (CA)-MRSA]. However, the impact of CA-MRSA within hospitals remains limited, particularly in Latin America. A countrywide representative survey of S. aureus infections was performed in Argentina by analyzing 591 clinical isolates from 66 hospitals in a prospective cross-sectional, multicenter study (Nov-2009). This work involved healthcare-onset infections-(HAHO, >48 hospitalization hours) and community-onset (CO) infections [including both, infections (HACO) in patients with healthcare-associated risk-factors (HRFs) and infections (CACO) in those without HRFs]. MRSA strains were genetically typed as CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA genotypes (CA-MRSAG and HA-MRSAG) by SCCmec- and spa-typing, PFGE, MLST and virulence genes profile by PCR. Considering all isolates, 63% were from CO-infections and 55% were MRSA [39% CA-MRSAG and 16% HA-MRSAG]. A significantly higher MRSA proportion among CO- than HAHO-S. aureus infections was detected (58% vs 49%); mainly in children (62% vs 43%). The CA-MRSAG/HA-MRSAG have accounted for 16%/33% of HAHO-, 39%/13% of HACO- and 60.5%/0% of CACO-infections. Regarding the epidemiological associations identified in multivariate models for patients with healthcare-onset CA-MRSAG infections, CA-MRSAG behave like HA-MRSAG within hospitals but children were the highest risk group for healthcare-onset CA-MRSAG infections. Most CA-MRSAG belonged to two major clones: PFGE-type N-ST30-SCCmecIVc-t019-PVL+ and PFGE-type I-ST5-IV-SCCmecIVa-t311-PVL+ (45% each). The ST5-IV-PVL+/ST30-IV-PVL+ clones have caused 31%/33% of all infections, 20%/4% of HAHO-, 43%/23% of HACO- and 35%/60% of CACO- infections, with significant differences by age groups (children/adults) and geographical regions. Importantly, an isolate belonging to USA300-0114-(ST8-SCCmecIVa-spat008-PVL+-ACME+) was detected for the first time in Argentina. Most of HA-MRSAG (66%) were related to the Cordobes/Chilean clone-(PFGE-type A-ST5-SCCmecI-t149) causing 18% of all infections (47% of HAHO- and 13% of HACO-infections).Results strongly suggest that the CA-MRSA clone ST5-IV-PVL+ has begun to spread within hospitals, replacing the traditional Cordobes/Chilean-HA-MRSA clone ST5-I-PVL−, mainly in children. Importantly, a growing MRSA reservoir in the community was associated with spreading of two CA-MRSA clones: ST5-IV-PVL+, mainly in children with HRFs, and ST30-IV-PVL+ in adults without HRFs. This is the first nationwide study in Argentina providing information about the molecular and clinical epidemiology of CA-MRSA, particularly within hospitals, which is essential for designing effective control measures in this country and worldwide.

USA300-related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone is the predominant cause of community and hospital MRSA infections in Colombian children

Community-genotype methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CG-MRSA) isolates are known to be more virulent and clinically aggressive in children. The goal of the present study was characterize the molecular epidemiology of MRSA isolates causing infections in Colombian children. An observational and prospective study was conducted between April 2009 and June 2011 at 15 hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. A detailed epidemiological profile was made of 162 children infected with MRSA. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular characterization including 21 virulence genes, SCCmec, spa and agr typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Among all isolates included in the study, 85.8% were obtained from patients whose infectious process was initiated in the community; of these, 69,8% occurred in patients without healthcare-associated risk factors. The molecular characterization of the isolates showed a high proportion (95.1%) containing a community-genotype profile with a high prevalence of SCCmec type IV, PVL-positives, and also related to CC8. Most CG-MRSA isolates (143, 92.9%) were genetically related to the pandemic clone USA300, differing by the presence of SCCmec IVc and the absence of the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). An increase in the frequency of CG-MRSA infections has been reported worldwide. In this study we found that almost all MRSA infections in our pediatric population were caused by community-genotype isolates, supporting the success of the CG-MRSA clones.