Transmission Of Infectious Organisms Research Articles

EARLY-ONSET NEONATAL SEPSIS: CHANGING ORGANISM PATTERNS BETWEEN 2003 AND 2014

BACKGROUND: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is largely caused by vertical transmission of infectious organisms. The predominant pathogens causing EONS appear to be changing over time, however current prevention efforts focus on group B Streptococcus (GBS). Current and accurate characterization of the organism distribution in EONS is imperative to ensure effective antibiotic prophylaxis during labour and appropriate empiric treatment in neonates with suspected EONS. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in causative organisms of EONS. Congruent with recent reports, we hypothesized there would be an increase in EONS caused by Escherichia Coli. DESIGN/METHODS: Data was collected for infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) from 2009 to 2014 with a positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture (CSF) within 72 hours of birth. Collected data was compared to previously published data on a cohort from 2003-2008 with the same case definition. The distribution of causative organisms over time was analyzed, as well as differences in causative organisms by gestational age grouping. RESULTS: Of the 87,374 NICU admissions between 2009-2014, 435 infants had positive blood and/or CSF culture resulting in an EONS incidence rate of 0.50%. The mean gestational age was 31.25.8 from 2009-2011 and 30.95.6 from 2012-2014, and was not significantly different between the two groups. From 2009-2011 and 2012-2014, E. coli was the causative organism in 40.2% and 46.0% of cases, respectively, and GBS was responsible for 26.3% and 25.1% of cases, respectively. Between 2003 and 2014, there was a significant trend of an increasing number of cases caused by E. coli (p<0.01), and a trend towards a decreasing number of cases due to GBS. EONS due to E. coli was more common among infants <37 weeks gestational age (GA), whereas GBS was the most likely causative organism among infants 37 weeks GA (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Significant changes in the pattern of organisms causing EONS have important implications for both obstetric and neonatal healthcare providers. Careful surveillance of causative organisms is warranted to inform revisions to antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment guidelines.

The Study of the Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Engineering Materials’ Surfaces

This paper studies the antimicrobial activity of selected engineering materials surfaces at room and chill temperatures. The antimicrobial effects of selected materials surfaces were evaluated by dropping the test pieces into prepared cultures of Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aereus isolated from fruits, animal feaces and natural environment respectively. Bacteria count obtained after 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 minutes at room temperature and chill condition was taken and compared with their initial count. The amount of live bacteria drops by several orders of magnitude, to zero, on metallic copper and brass within 30 to 300 minutes in both room and chill conditions. In contrast, no reduction is seen in the number of colonies of live bacteria on plastics, ceramic and stainless steel in both room and chill conditions. These results suggest that the selection of metallic copper and brass for touch surfaces in hospitals, surfaces exposed to fruit processing and household utensils can materially assist in reducing bacterial contamination, which should lead to a reduction in the transmission of infectious organisms.

Antimicrobial Properties of Copper Alloy Surfaces, With a Focus on Hospital-Acquired Infections

Recent laboratory studies show that several bacteria, known to be human pathogens, die when they come in contact with dry copper and copper alloy surfaces at room temperature. The amount of live bacteria drops by several orders of magnitude, to zero, on copper alloys in one to two hours. In contrast, almost no reduction is seen in the concentration of live organisms on stainless steel after several hours and even days. Aluminum, painted and coated surfaces and plastics would also exhibit behavior similar to stainless steel and show no effect. In addition, coatings and other surfaces claiming to be antimicrobial also showed little to no effect. These results suggest the selection of copper alloys for surfaces exposed to human touch can materially assist in reducing bacterial contamination, which should lead to a reduction in the transmission of infectious organisms. In order to make antimicrobial claims in the United States, the approval of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required. The EPA-required efficacy testing is described and the test results are summarized. EPA registration of 275 cast and wrought copper alloys was received on February 29, 2008. It is anticipated that registration will facilitate the introduction of antimicrobial copper alloys in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, as well as schools, and public buildings. Some of the barriers to entry into the healthcare markets are mentioned.

Infections acquired during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: estimating the risk and defining strategies for prevention.

To estimate the risk for acquiring an infectious disease during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or CPR training and to identify strategies to minimize that risk. English-language articles published since 1965 were identified through a search of the MEDLINE database and selected bibliographies. Studies that contained information about transmission of infectious organisms, particularly HIV and other bloodborne viruses that might be transmitted through mouth-to-mouth ventilation, contact exposures, and needlesticks during CPR. Descriptive and analytic data from each study. Fear of acquiring infection, especially HIV infection, can delay prompt initiation of mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Although pathogens can be isolated from the saliva of infected persons, salivary transmission of bloodborne viruses is unusual and transmission of infection has been rare: Only 15 documented cases have been reported. Most of these cases involved a bacterial pathogen, such as Neisseria meningitidis. Transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or cytomegalovirus during CPR has not been reported; all three reported cases of HIV infection acquired during resuscitation of an infected patient resulted from high-risk cutaneous exposures. There have been no reports of infection acquired during CPR training. Simple infection-control measures, including use of barrier devices, can reduce the risk for acquisition of an infectious disease during CPR and CPR training. Postexposure protocols can further protect potential rescuers and trainees. The benefit of initiating lifesaving resuscitation in a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest greatly outweighs the risk for secondary infection in the rescuer or the patient. Nevertheless, use of simple infection-control measures during CPR and CPR training can reduce a very low level of risk even further.