Teaching Hospital In Chongqing Research Articles

Antimicrobial susceptibilities, resistance mechanisms and molecular characteristics of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile isolates in a large teaching hospital in Chongqing, China

ObjectivesClostridioides difficile ranks among the primary sources of healthcare-related infections and diarrhoea in numerous nations. We evaluated the drug susceptibility and resistance mechanisms of C. difficile isolates from a hospital in Chongqing, China, and identified resistance rates and resistance mechanisms that differed from previous findings. MethodsThe toxin genes and drug resistance genes of clinical strains were detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and these strains were subjected to Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). The agar dilution technique was employed for assessing susceptibility of antibiotics. Clinical data collection was completed through a review of electronic medical records. ResultsA total of 67 strains of toxin-producing C. difficile were detected. All C. difficile isolates demonstrated susceptibility to both metronidazole and vancomycin. However, resistance was observed in 8.95%, 16.42%, 56.72%, 56.72%, 31.34% and 5.97% of the isolates for tigecycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, moxifloxacin and rifampin, respectively. Among the strains with toxin genotypes A + B + CDT - and belonging to the ST3, six strains exhibited reduced susceptibility to tigecycline (MIC=0.5mg/L) and tetracycline (MIC=8mg/L). The tetA(P) and tetB(P) genes were present in these six strains, but were absent in tetracycline-resistant strains. Resistance genes (ermB, tetM, tetA(P) and tetB(P)) and mutations (in gyrA, gyrB, and rpoB) were identified in resistant strains. ConclusionsIn contrast to prior studies, we found higher proportions of ST3 isolates with decreased tigecycline sensitivity, sharing similar resistance patterns and resistance genes. In the resistance process of tigecycline and tetracycline, the tetA(P) and tetB(P) genes may play a weak role.

Impact of Infection Patterns on the Outcomes of Patients with Hematological Malignancies in Southwest China: A 10-Year Retrospective Case-Control Study.

This study aimed to assess the effect of infection patterns on the outcomes of patients with hematological malignancies (HM) and to identify the determinants of in-hospital mortality. A case-control study was retrospectively conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, Southwest China from 2011 to 2020. Clinical characteristics, microbial findings, and outcomes of HM patients with infections were retrieved from the hospital information system. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was adopted to test the significance of mortality rate. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log rank test were applied to evaluate and compare the 30-day survival rates of those groups. Binary logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to investigate the determinants of in-hospital mortality. Of 1,570 enrolled participants, 43.63% suffered from acute myeloid leukemia, 69.62% received chemotherapy, and 25.73% had hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Microbial infection was documented in 83.38% of participants. Co-infection and septic shock were reported in 32.87% and 5.67% of participants, respectively. Patients with septic shock suffered a significantly lower 30-day survival rate, while those with distinct types of pathogens or co-infections had a comparable 30-day survival rate. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 7.01% and higher mortality rate was observed in patients with allo-HSCT (7.20%), co-infection (9.88%), and septic shock (33.71%). Cox proportional hazards regression illustrated that elderly age, septic shock, and elevated procalcitonin (PCT) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. A PCT cut-off value of 0.24 ng/mL predicted in-hospital mortality with a sensitivity of 77.45% and a specificity of 59.80% (95% CI = 0.684-0.779, P<0.0001). Distinct infectious patterns of HM inpatients were previously unreported in Southwest China. It was the severity of infection, not co-infection, source of infection, or type of causative pathogen that positively related to poor outcome. PCT guided early recognition and treatment of septic shock were advocated.

Molecular characterization of NDM-1-producing carbapenem-resistant E. cloacae complex from a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to clarify the molecular characterization of NDM-1-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex (CREL) at a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China.MethodsAntimicrobial susceptibility and resistance genes were analyzed. Epidemiological relationship was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Conjugation experiments were performed to determine the transferability of plasmids. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of strains was implemented, and the genetic environment of the bla NDM-1- and mcr-9-carrying plasmids was analyzed.ResultsA total of 10 bla NDM-1-positive CREL isolates were identified. All isolates harbored multiple resistance genes. ECL68 and ECL78 co-produce bla NDM-1 and mcr-9. Among the four different sequence types (STs) detected, ST1466 was assigned as a novel ST. Six isolates exhibited highly similar PFGE patterns. Conjugation assay proved that all plasmids containing bla NDM-1 or mcr-9 could be transferred to the recipient Escherichia coli. WGS indicated that bla NDM-1 genes were carried by diverse plasmids, including IncHI2/IncN, IncX3, and one unclassified plasmid type. The backbone structure of these plasmids is involved in replication initiation (repAB), partitioning (parABM), and conjugation/type IV secretion (tra/virB). Analysis of the genetic environment showed that bla NDM-1 in three plasmids exhibited a highly similar structure to protype Tn125. Co-existence of bla NDM-1 and the colistin resistance gene mcr-9 was detected in the two isolates, ECL68 and ECL78. In ECL68, bla NDM-1 and mcr-9 were present on the same plasmid while located in two separate plasmids in ECL78. The genetic environment of mcr-9 was organized as IS26-wbuC-mcr-9-IS903-pcoS-pcoE-rcnA-rcnR, and the two-component system encoding genes qseC and qseB was not found in two plasmids, which could explain mcr-9-harboring strains’ colistin susceptibility.ConclusionsWe first report a nosocomial outbreak of NDM-1-producing E. cloacae complex ST177 in China. Conjugative plasmids contributed to the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. The prevalence and even coexistence of bla NDM-1 and mcr-9 may further threaten public health. Our results highlight further surveillance for bla NDM-1, and mcr-9 is essential to prevent its dissemination.

Diagnosis experiences from 50 hepatitis B patients in Chongqing, China: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to provide recommendations for reducing the impact of hepatitis B infection on patients with chronic hepatitis B by describing their experiences during the diagnosis process.MethodsWe conducted face-to-face interviews with 50 hepatitis B patients recruited by convenient sampling from an infectious diseases department of a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China from July to August 2019. Thematic analysis framework included interviewees’ social demographic characteristics, diagnosis approach, signs and symptoms before diagnosis, feelings after diagnosis, and doctor’s instructions.ResultsMost patients first detected hepatitis B through various types of physical examinations when the patients were asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms. Most patients were shocked, scared, or overwhelmed when they were diagnosed with hepatitis B. They were able to remember the doctor’s instructions about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but not impressed by the doctor’s advice about regular follow-up liver function tests. The lack of regular follow-up has caused irreversible damage to some patients.ConclusionsMost patients are passively diagnosed with hepatitis B due to their lack of awareness on active hepatitis B prevention. Patients need professional mental health care to overcome the negative emotions that following the diagnosis. Physicians’ instruction should emphasize the importance of regular follow-up liver function tests in addition to a healthy lifestyle.

An Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in an Intensive Care Unit of a Major Teaching Hospital in Chongqing, China.

BackgroundDue to the critical condition and poor immunity of patients, the intensive care unit (ICU) has always been the main hospital source of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In recent years, with the large-scale use of antibiotics, the detection rate and mortality of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) have gradually increased. This study explores the molecular characteristics and prevalence of CRKP isolated from the ICU ward of a tertiary hospital in China.MethodsA total of 51 non-duplicated CRKP samples isolated from the ICU were collected from July 2018–July 2020. The enzyme production of the strains was preliminarily screened by carbapenemase phenotypic test, and drug-resistant and virulence genes were detected by PCR. The transferability of plasmid was verified by conjugation test. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by microbroth dilution method and genetic diversity was detected by multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results blaKPC-2 was the only carbapenemase detected. The major virulence genes were uge (100%), mrkD (94.1%), kpn (94.1%), and fim-H (72.5%), while wcag, ironB, alls and magA genes were not detected. One sequence type ST1373 strain, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP), was detected. CRKP strains were highly resistant to quinolones, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and polymyxin, but susceptive to tigecycline and ceftazidime–avibactam. The success rate of conjugation was 12.2%, indicating the horizontal transfer of blaKPC-2. Homology analysis showed that there was a clonal transmission of ST11 CRKP in the ICU of our hospital.ConclusionThe present study showed the outbreak and dissemination in ICU were caused by ST11 CRKP, which were KPC-2 producers, and simultaneously, also carried some virulence genes. ST11 CRKP persisted in the ward for a long time and spread among different areas. Due to the widespread dispersal of the transferable blaKPC-2 plasmid, the hospital should promptly adopt effective surveillance and strict infection control strategies to prevent the further spread of CRKP. Ceftazidime–avibactam showed high effectiveness against CRKP and could be used for the treatment of ICU infections.

Prognostic role of time to positivity of blood culture in children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a major Gram-negative pathogen, which has been reported to result in high mortality. We aim to investigate the prognostic value and optimum cut-off point of time-to-positivity (TTP) of blood culture in children with P. aeruginosa bacteremia.MethodsFrom August 2014 to November 2018, we enrolled the inpatients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia in a 1500-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, China retrospectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimum cut-off point of TTP, and logistic regression were employed to explore the risk factors for in-hospital mortality and septic shock.ResultsTotally, 52 children with P. aeruginosa bacteremia were enrolled. The standard cut-off point of TTP was18 h. Early TTP (≤18 h) group patients had remarkably higher in-hospital mortality (42.9% vs 9.7%, P = 0.014), higher incidence of septic shock (52.4% vs12.9%, P = 0.06), higher Pitt bacteremia scores [3.00 (1.00–5.00) vs 1.00 (1.00–4.00), P = 0.046] and more intensive care unit admission (61.9% vs 22.6%, P = 0.008) when compared with late TTP (> 18 h) groups. Multivariate analysis indicated TTP ≤18 h, Pitt bacteremia scores ≥4 were the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality (OR 5.88, 95%CI 1.21–21.96, P = 0.035; OR 4.95, 95%CI 1.26–27.50, P = 0.024; respectively). The independent risk factors for septic shock were as follows: TTP ≤18 h, Pitt bacteremia scores ≥4 and hypoalbuminemia (OR 6.30, 95%CI 1.18–33.77, P = 0.032; OR 8.15, 95%CI 1.15–42.43, P = 0.014; OR 6.46, 95% CI 1.19–33.19 P = 0.031; respectively).ConclusionsEarly TTP (≤18 hours) appeared to be associated with worse outcomes for P. aeruginosa bacteremia children.

Characteristics of Clostridium difficile isolates and the burden of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, Southwest China

BackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI), especially hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI), continues to be a public health problem and has aroused great concern worldwide for years. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical and epidemiological features of HA-CDI and the characteristics of C.difficile isolates in Chongqing, Southwest China.MethodsA case-control study was performed to identify the clinical incidence and risk factors of HA-CDI. C. difficile isolates were characterised by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), toxin gene detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.ResultsOf the 175 suspicious patients, a total of 122 patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) were included in the study; among them, 38 had HA-CDI. The incidence of AAD and HA-CDI was 0.58 and 0.18 per 1000 patient admissions, respectively. Chronic renal disease and cephalosporin use were independent risk factors for HA-CDI. Fifty-five strains were assigned into 16 sequence types (STs) and 15 ribotypes (RTs). ST2/RT449 (8, 14.5%) was the predominant genotype. Of the 38 toxigenic isolates, A + B + CDT- isolates accounted for most (34, 89.5%) and 1 A + B + CDT+ isolate emerged. No isolate was resistant to vancomycin, metronidazole or tigecycline, with A-B-CDT- being more resistant than A + B + CDT-.ConclusionsDifferent genotypes of C. difficile strains were witnessed in Chongqing, which hinted at the necessary surveillance of HA-CDI. Adequate awareness of patients at high risk of HA-CDI acquisition is advocated and cautious adoption of cephalosporins should be highlighted.

Emergence of NDM-5-Producing Escherichia coli in a Teaching Hospital in Chongqing, China: IncF-Type Plasmids May Contribute to the Prevalence of bla NDM- 5.

The newly emerging NDM-5 confers increased antibiotic resistance and attracts extensive global attention, but the prevalence, dissemination mechanism, and clinical significance of NDM-5 among clinical Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections have not been thoroughly characterized to date. In the present study, 109 unique carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CR-EC) isolates were collected in Southwest China, from 2013 to 2017, among which 41 (37.61%) CR-EC isolates were identified as NDM-5-producers, with most isolates carrying the IncF-type plasmids. Molecular epidemiological studies revealed ST167 being the most common sequence type (ST). Moreover, we described the first report of a clinical CR-EC isolate co-harboring blaKPC–2 and blaNDM–5, which showed a higher level of resistance to carbapenems. In addition, blaNDM–5 plasmid transformation and conjugation indicated that blaNDM–5 itself did confer resistance to carbapenems. Complete sequencing of the blaNDM–5-harboring IncF plasmid revealed highly conserved regions (bleMBL-trpF-tat) and some transposons around blaNDM–5. Our findings revealed a new potential threat of NDM-5-postive CR-EC in mainland China and emphasized an urgent need to control their further spread.

Identify and categorize drug-related problems in hospitalized surgical patients in China.

Background Data is lacking on types and severities of drug-related problems (DRPs) in hospitalized surgical patients in China. Objective To identify and categorize types and causes of DRPs, and to assess severities of these DRPs. Setting An academic teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. Method We retrospectively reviewed all medication orders for patients in six surgical departments during a six-month period. DRPs were classified using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe(PCNE) classification, and the severity ratings of these DRPs were based on the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCCMERP)classification. Main outcome measure The number, types, causes and severities of the DRPs. Results A total of 291,944 medication orders in 10,643 patients were reviewed, and 3548 DRPs were identified. The average DRP number per patient was 0.3. The most common problem was treatment effectiveness (39.9%) and the major cause of the problems was dose selection (47.0%). Total 80.1% of the DRPs were rated at severity categories B to D (causing no or potential harm), whereas 19.9% were rated as categories E to H (causing actual harm). Conclusion DRPs are common in surgical patients, and prospective pharmacist medication order review services are needed to improve patients' pharmaceutical care.

Resilience and Quality of Life: Exploring the Mediator Role of Social Support in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BackgroundThe diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can provoke a series of negative emotional changes in patients, further affecting their quality of life. It has been shown that patients with higher resilience have better quality of life. Social support systems are important protective factors that are necessary for the process of resilience to occur. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between resilience and quality of life among Chinese patients with breast cancer.Material/MethodsA demographic-disease survey, the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast Cancer Version 3 were used to interview 98 patients with breast cancer from a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics, independent-sample t test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analyses.ResultsThe mean scores of resilience, social support, and quality of life were 54.68, 61.73, and 80.74 respectively, which were in the moderate range. Participants with stronger social support had higher resilience and better quality of life. Social support played a partial mediator role in the relationship between resilience and quality of life. The mediation effect ratio was 28.0%.ConclusionsSocial support is essential for the development of resilience and the improvement of quality of life in Chinese patients with breast cancer. Health professionals should provide appropriate guidelines to help patients seek effective support and enhance their resilience to improve their quality of life after breast cancer.

Effect of second child intent on delivery mode after Chinese two child policy implementation: a cross sectional and prospective observational study of nulliparous women in Chongqing

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of second child intent on the delivery preferences and final delivery modes of nulliparous women, particularly caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR), after implementation of China’s...

Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization Revealed High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in Chongqing, Southwestern China.

Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) accounts for ∼40% of staphylococcal infections in China. However, the molecular characterization of MSSA is not well described. In this study, 124 MSSA strains collected in 2013 from a comprehensive teaching hospital in Chongqing, Southwestern China, were subjected to antibiotics susceptibility testing and molecular typing, including multilocus sequence typing, staphylococcal protein A (spa) gene typing, accessory gene regulator (agr) typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene detection, and antibiotic-resistant gene detection. MSSA strains exhibited high genetic heterogeneity. A total of 10 PFGE groups, 26 sequence types, and 47 spa types were identified. Type I (62.9%) was the most frequent agr type, followed by type II (15.3%), type IV (11.3%), and type III (10.5%). The prevalence of pvl genes was 27.4% (34/124). Notably, 44.4% (55/124) of MSSA strains were multidrug resistance (MDR), and MDR isolates were mostly resistant to penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. The resistance gene blaZ was present in 84.7% of strains, ermC was present in 85.5% of strains, ermA was present in 28.2% of strains, tetK was present in 16.1% of strains, tetM was present in 6.5% of strains, and aacA-aphD was present in 2.6% of strains. These data demonstrated the high prevalence of MDR MSSA in Chongqing, thereby indicating the need to control MSSA infection.

Prevalence and diagnosis rate of intra-abdominal hypertension in critically ill adult patients: A single-center cross-sectional study

PurposeTo investigate the prevalence and diagnosis rate of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in a mixed-population intensive care unit (ICU), and to investigate the knowledge of ICU staff regarding the guidelines published by the World Society of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS) in 2013. MethodsA one-day cross-sectional study based on the WSACS 2013 guidelines was conducted in the general ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. The included patients were divided into intravesical pressure (IVP) measured group and IVP unmeasured group. The epidemiologic data were recorded, and potential IAH risk factors (RFs) were collected based on the guidelines. IVP measurements were conducted by investigators every 4 h and the result was compared to that measured by the ICU staff to evaluate the diagnosis rate. Besides, a questionnaire was used to investigate the understanding of the guidelines among ICU staff. ResultsThirty-two patients were included, 14 in the IVP measured group and 18 in the IVP unmeasured group. The prevalence of IAH during the survey was 15.63% (5/32), 35.71% (5/14) in IVP measured group. Only one case of IAH had been diagnosed by the ICU physician and the diagnosis rate was as low as 20.00%. Logistic regression analysis showed that sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was an independent RF for IAH (OR: 1.532, 95% CI: 1.029–2.282, p = 0.036. Fourteen doctors and 5 nurses were investigated and the response rate was 67.86%. The average scores of the doctors and nurses were 27.14 ± 20.16 and 16.00 ± 8.94 respectively. None of them had studied the WSACS 2013 guidelines thoroughly. ConclusionPatients with a higher SOFA score has a higher incidence of IAH. The IAH prevalence in 14 ICU patients with indwelling catheter was 35.71%. Strengthening the wide and rational use of WSACS guideline is important to improve the diagnosis of IAH.

Resistance and integron characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii in a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China.

A total of 189 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were collected in 2011 from a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. Susceptibility data showed strains carrying integrons were significantly more resistant to all tested antibiotics that strains lacking integrons. Five types of gene cassettes belonging to class I integrons were identified in this study, and for the first time two types of gene cassettes belonging to class II integrons are reported. Most of the cassettes belong to a class I integron (136/144) encoding arr3, aacA4, dfrA17, aadA5, aadB, cat, blaOXA10, aadA1, aadA2, dfrA and aacC1. Isolates contained a class I gene cassette; AadA2-HP-dfrA was the prevalent strain in this hospital. A class II integron was detected in eight strains, which contained the type IV fimbriae expression regulatory gene pilR and sulfate adenylyltransferase, suggesting a possible role in multidrug resistance. The major epidemic strains from intensive care unit patients belong to international clone 2. In conclusion, the presence of integrons was significantly associated with multiple drug resistance of A. baumannii in this hospital, and class I integron isolates bearing AadA2-HP-dfrA were the prevalent strain in this hospital.

Retrospective analysis of hospital-acquired linezolid-nonsusceptible enterococci infection in Chongqing, China, 2011-2014

Linezolid-nonsusceptible enterococci (LNSE) is an increasingly emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen, and the caused nosocomial infections are difficult to manage. However, data on the host-related risk factors and clinical outcomes for LNSE infection are poorly characterized. A retrospective case-case-control study of risk factors and clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with LNSE infection during the period 2011-2014 was conducted in a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. Case patients with LNSE and those with linezolid-susceptible enterococci (LSE) and controls with no enterococcal infection were compared at a ratio of 1:1:4. Two parallel multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate independent predictors for acquiring LNSE and LSE, respectively. Forty-four LNSE cases, 44 LSE cases, and 176 uninfected controls were analyzed. Multivariable analysis indicated that transferring from another hospital (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-8.09), peripheral vascular disease (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 1.64-11.60), and exposure to cephalosporins (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.85-9.71) were unique independent predictors for acquiring LNSE. Gallbladder disease (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.36-9.74) was independently associated with LSE acquisition. Polymicrobial infection was the only factor identified in both LNSE and LSE groups compared with controls; however, no statistical significance was observed in in-hospital mortality. Timely control efforts and appropriate antibiotic stewardship programs are necessary to effectively reduce the burden of LNSE infections among high-risk patients.

Impact of carbapenem heteroresistance among clinical isolates of invasive Escherichia coli in Chongqing, southwestern China

Although heteroresistance is common in a wide range of microorganisms, carbapenem heteroresistance among invasive Escherichia coli infections has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of carbapenem heteroresistance and to identify risk factors for its acquisition. A case–control study was conducted at a 3200-bed teaching hospital in Chongqing, southwestern China. Successive and non-duplicate nosocomial E. coli isolates (n = 332) were obtained from July 2011 to June 2013. Bloodstream isolates made up 50.6% of the strains collected. The rates of heteroresistance were 25.0% to imipenem, 17.2% to ertapenem, and 3.9% to meropenem. The population analysis profile revealed the presence of subpopulations with higher carbapenem resistance, showing MICs ranging from 2.0–128.0mg/L. Male gender, invasive intervention, antibiotic use and bacterial extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production contributed to invasive infections by carbapenem-heteroresistant E. coli (CHEC). The production of ESBL was identified as the common independent risk factor for heteroresistance to both ertapenem and imipenem. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed clonal diversity among the CHEC isolates. Most importantly, characterization of two successive E. coli strains isolated from the same patient indicated that carbapenem resistance evolved from heteroresistance. In conclusion, the high prevalence of heteroresistance to carbapenem among invasive E. coli merits great attention. Routine detection of ESBLs and the prudent use of imipenem and ertapenem are advocated. The early targeted intervention should be formulated to reduce CHEC infection and carbapenem resistance of E. coli.

Characterization of carbapenemases, extended spectrum β-lactamases, quinolone resistance and aminoglycoside resistance determinants in carbapenem-non-susceptible Escherichia coli from a teaching hospital in Chongqing, Southwest China

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichiacoli isolates harboring carbapenemases or combining an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzyme with loss of porins present an increasingly urgent clinical danger. Combined resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones in carbapeneme non-susceptible (CNS) isolates will inevitably create problems. In the current study, we characterized the carbapenemases and ESBLs, and the prevalence of quinolone resistance determinants and aminoglycoside resistance determinants in carbapenem-non-susceptible (CNS) E.coli isolates from a teaching hospital in Chongqing, Southwest China in 2012. Thirty non-duplicated CNS E.coli isolates were screened via antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the drug resistance profiles of the 30 strains were analyzed. Carbapenemase genes blaKPC-2, ESBL genes including blaCTX-M-3, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-55 and blaTEM, ARD genes including aac(6′)-Ib, armA and rmtB, and QRD genes including qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, qnrS and aac(6′)-Ib-cr were identified and clonal relatedness was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Of the 30 isolates, 2 (6.7%) harbored carbapenemase gene blaKPC-2; 29 (96.7%) carried ESBLs; 20 (66.7%) were QRD positive; and 11 (36.7%) were ARD positive. Between the two blaKPC-2 positive strains, one contained ESBL, QRD and ARD genes, while the other expressed ESBL genes but was negative for both QRD and ARD genes. Of the 29 ESBLs positive isolates, 2 (6.9%) were carbapenemase positive, 19 (65.5%) were QRD positive, and 11 (37.9%) were ARD positive. PFGE revealed genetic diversity among the 30 isolates, indicating that the high prevalence of CNS E. coli isolates was not caused by clonal dissemination. Production of ESBLs was associated with the carbapenem resistance and QRD genes were highly prevalent among the CNS E. coli isolates. Multiple resistant genes were co-expressed in the same isolates. This is the first report of a multidrug resistant carbapenem-non-susceptible E.coli co-harboring resistant determinants blaKPC-2, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-55, blaTEM, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qnrB, aac(6′)-Ib and rmtB from Chongqing, mainland China.

Survey on smoking status as well as knowledge, attitude and behavior of smoking control of staffs in a teaching hospital in Chongqing

Objective To investigate smoking status, knowledge of smoking hazards, attitude of tobacco control and skill of assisting smoking cessation of the staff in a teaching hospital in Chongqing and to provide references for the further construction of ＇smoking-free hospital＇. Methods General investi- gation was taken on the staff in a teaching hospital in Chongqing with a self-designed questionnaire. Main contents of questionnaire include ： social demographic information, smoking status, awareness of tobacco hazard, willingness and methods of tobacco control, etc. All the data were inputted with software Epidata 3.1 and were analyzed with SPSS 13.0. Results The total smoking rate was 9.65%, with 30.49% for male, 2.75% for female and 12.50% for clinician. The age distribution of smoking staff was described as follow- ing： 91.97% being under 50 year-old and more than 50.00% being 20-35 year-old. 52.43% of the surveyed did not know Framework Convention of Tobacco Control of WHO. Relatively, most of the surveyed only knew well the relationship between respiratory diseases and tobacco use and the relation- ship between fetal abnormalities and tobacco use. 84.99% of the surveyed agreed with outdoor-smoking policy; 83.56% of the surveyed claimed that they had discouraged smoking behaviors in public at various extents, 14.20% of the surveyed agreed that assisting the public in smoking cessation was one of the aims of constructing ＇smoking-free hospital＇ ; 70.00% clinicians claimed routinely inquiring and noting smok- ing status of patients, which was better than nurses and medical technicians ; almost 30.00% clinic staff did not know quitting smoking drugs at all, approximately 70.00% clinic staff claimed a lack of confidence in smoking control and approximately 70.00% clinicians and nurses did not recommend pro-fessional methods of smoking cessation in practice. Conclusions Smoking staff in the teaching hospital are almost younger people, which is an alarm of the urgent need for tobacco control education. Most staff reach a consensus on keeping smoking-free environment in hospital, but they do not sufficiently acknowledge their social responsibility for tobacco control, and also there is a distance before they can serve as a smok- ing cessation assistant. Tobacco control must be incorporated in long-term mechanism of hospital con- struction. There are three steps in the construction of smoking-free hospital： @creating a smoking-free en- vironment in hospital; （~）encouraging patients to quit smoking and providing professional service of smoking cessation; （~）making a positive effort on social tobacco control and advocating smoking cessation in public. Key words: Clinic staff; Tobacco control; Smoking-free hospital

Adolescent lumbar disc herniation: Experience from a large minimally invasive treatment centre for lumbar degenerative disease in Chongqing, China

This article discusses the aetiology, medical history, physical examination, imaging characteristics and treatment modalities relevant to this entity aiming to increase awareness among paediatricians regarding LDH (lumbar disc herniation) in young children. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 120 adolescent patients (aged 13-20 years old) with LDH at the orthopaedics department of a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China, between 2001 and 2011. The present retrospective analysis was performed on 121 adolescent patients (2.6%, 121/4695 cases with LDH operations) with LDH. One hundred and thirteen patients (93.4%) presented with low back pain with or without radiculopathy, and 12 patients (9.9%) presented with leg pain as the first symptom. Only 60 patients (49.6%) were diagnosed with LDH as their first outpatient diagnosis. Thirty-eight patients (31.4%) had a history of trauma before the onset of their symptoms. The most common segments were L4/5 (61, 50.4%), L5/S1 (42, 34.7%) and L4/5+L5/S1 (13, 10.7%). Disc herniation was centrolateral in 77.7% (n=94) and central in 35.5% (n=43). Eighty patients were treated by MED (microendoscopy discectomy), 25 by PELD (percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy) and 16 by OLD (open lumbar discectomy). The rate of operative complications was 3.8%, 4.0% and 6.3% in MED, PELD and OLD, respectively. Through the ordinal regression analysis, we found that the patients with central disc herniation had much better outcomes than the patients with centrolateral disc herniation (P=0.046). Diagnosis of LDH in young children is usually delayed, but there were no risk factors for the delayed outpatient diagnosis of LDH. Awareness of LDH will help the paediatrician extract a relevant medical history, perform a directed physical examination and order appropriate imaging studies.

Laparoscopic Nerve-Sparing Radical Vaginectomy in Patients With Vaginal Carcinoma: Surgical Technique and Operative Outcomes

Study ObjectivesTo describe our technique for laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical vaginectomy and to assess the feasibility and safety of the procedure via operative outcomes. DesignRetrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SettingMajor university teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. PatientsTwelve consecutive patients with early stage vaginal carcinoma. InterventionsLaparoscopic radical parametrectomy/vaginectomy with pelvic/paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Measurements and Main ResultsNerve-sparing radical vaginectomy was completed laparoscopically without conversion to laparotomy in 12 patients with early stage vaginal cancer. Mean (SD) operative time was 158.5 (36.7) minutes, and estimated blood loss was 135.2 (62.8) mL. No intraoperative complications occurred, and no patients required blood transfusion. The number of pelvic nodes obtained was 21.2 (9.8), and of para-aortic nodes was 13. All nodes were negative for malignancy. Histologic analysis confirmed the absence of any residual cancer tissue in the margins of the parametrial tissue and vagina. The median (range) time before Foley catheter removal was 9.76 (3–14) days, and bladder void function recovery to grade 0–I was observed in 11 patients (91.7%). Neither long-term bladder voiding dysfunction nor any other long-term complications were reported. The median duration of follow-up was 28 months. One patient with stage II vaginal cancer received pelvic regional radiation therapy; the other patients did not require adjuvant therapy after the operation. All patients were included in the follow-up protocol, and there was no recurrence of disease in any patients. ConclusionsLaparoscopic radical parametrectomy/vaginectomy with pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy is a therapeutic option for early stage vaginal carcinoma. Nerve-sparing radical surgery in indicated patients may lead to optimal preservation of bladder function. The technique described in this preliminary study seems to be safe and feasible, and was relatively easy to perform in our study population.