Diagnosis and Management of Complicated Intra-abdominal Infection in Adults and Children: Guidelines by the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Accelerating the Availability of Medications to Pediatric Patients by Optimizing the Use of Extrapolation of Efficacy

Improving pediatric therapeutic development is a mission of universal importance among health authorities, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and healthcare professionals. Following the passage of legislation in the United States and Europe, we witnessed the most significant advancement yet in pediatric data generation, resulting in added pediatric use information to almost 700 product labels. Tools to accelerate generation of data for the pediatric population are available for use today, and when utilized in accordance with current practices and laws, these tools could increase the amount and timeliness of pediatric information available for clinicians and patients. If we utilize the current laws that allow regulators to incentivize and require evidence generation, apply extrapolation, and utilize modeling and simulation, as well as including adolescents in the pivotal studies alongside adults as appropriate, two strategic goals could be achieved by 2030: (1) reduce the time to pediatric approval by 50%, and (2) renew pediatric labeling information for 15 priority pediatric drugs without patent and/or exclusivity.

Active Surveillance Cultures and Procalcitonin in Combination With Clinical Data to Guide Empirical Antimicrobial Therapy in Hospitalized Medical Patients With Sepsis

Objective

The prevalence of colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) has increased over the last decade, reaching levels as high as 23% in certain patient populations. Active surveillance cultures (ASC) represent a valuable tool to identify patients colonized with MDRO to apply preventive measures, reduce transmission, and guide empiric antimicrobial therapy. There is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of admission ASCs to predict future infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between ASCs results and the development of clinical infection by the same microorganism identified in the surveillance swab ("swab-related infection"), in hospitalized septic patients, and to evaluate the presence of specific risk factors associated with the development of a swab-related infection.

Methods

All adults admitted to the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Medicine Department of the University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico of Rome with a diagnosis of infection or any other medical reason with admission surveillance swabs (rectal or nasal) between January 2018 and February 2021 were included in the study. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients that developed infections with concordant MDROs identified on ASC, and the risk factors for swab-related infection. Secondary outcomes were need of intensive care unit transfer, length of stay, sepsis or septic shock development, and all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 528 patients were included in the study, of which 97 (18.3%) had a positive surveillance swab. Among patients with positive surveillance swabs, 18 (18.5%) developed an infection with the same microorganism recovered from the swab, 57 (58.8%) developed an infection with a different microorganism than that recovered from the surveillance swab, and 22 (22.7%) did not develop an infection during hospitalization. The number of colonized sites, an interventional procedure within the previous 3 months, a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) score ≥ 2, and a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (q-SOFA) score ≥ 2 were associated with a significantly higher risk of developing a swab-related infection. SIRS and q-SOFA scores ≥ 2 and procalcitonin ≥ 0.43 ng/ml help for identifying patients with a swab-related infection.

Conclusion

Patients with positive surveillance swabs were at increased risk for development of infections by the same MDRO identified in surveillance swabs (swab-related infection). This study is the first to show that the positivity of surveillance swabs, in combination with anamnestic data, PCT values, and SIRS or q-SOFA scores, serves as a valuable tool to help clinicians predict patients at higher risk for swab-related infection development and guide the administration of appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy in septic patients.

Impact of an infectious diseases pharmacist-led intervention on antimicrobial stewardship program guideline adherence at a Thai medical center

DISCLAIMER

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) guideline adherence (primary outcome) as well as length of stay, 30-day all-cause mortality, clinical cure, antimicrobial consumption, and incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens (secondary outcomes) between an infectious diseases (ID) pharmacist-led intervention group and a standard ASP group.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was performed at Thammasat University Hospital between August 2019 and April 2020. Data including baseline characteristics and primary and secondary outcomes were collected from the electronic medical record by the ID pharmacist.

RESULTS

The ASP guideline adherence in the ID pharmacist-led intervention group was significantly higher than in the standard ASP group (79% vs 56.6%; P < 0.001), especially with regard to appropriate indication (P < 0.001), dosage regimen (P = 0.005), and duration (P = 0.001). The acceptance rate of ID pharmacist recommendations was 81.8% (44/54). The most common key barriers to following recommendations were physician resistance (11/20; 55%) and high severity of disease in the patient (6/20; 30%). Compared to the standard ASP group, there was a trend toward clinical cure in the ID pharmacist-led intervention group (63.6% vs 56.1%; P = 0.127), while 30-day all-cause mortality (15.9% vs 1.5%; P = 0.344) and median length of stay (20 vs 18 days; P = 0.085) were similar in the 2 groups. Carbapenem (P = 0.042) and fosfomycin (P = 0.014) consumption declined in the ID pharmacist-led intervention group. A marginally significant decrease in the overall incidence of MDR pathogens was also observed in the ID pharmacist-led intervention group (coefficient, -5.93; P = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that an ID pharmacist-led intervention can improve ASP guideline adherence and may reduce carbapenem consumption.

Antimicrobial treatment duration for uncomplicated bloodstream infections in critically ill children: a multicentre observational study

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in critically ill children but treatment duration is understudied. We describe the durations of antimicrobial treatment that critically ill children receive and explore factors associated with treatment duration.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study in six pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) across Canada. Associations between treatment duration and patient-, infection- and pathogen-related characteristics were explored using multivariable regression analyses.

Results

Among 187 critically ill children with BSIs, the median duration of antimicrobial treatment was 15 (IQR 11–25) days. Median treatment durations were longer than two weeks for all subjects with known sources of infection: catheter-related 16 (IQR 11–24), respiratory 15 (IQR 11–26), intra-abdominal 20 (IQR 14–26), skin/soft tissue 17 (IQR 15–33), urinary 17 (IQR 15–35), central nervous system 33 (IQR 15–46) and other sources 29.5 (IQR 15–55) days. When sources of infection were unclear, the median duration was 13 (IQR 10–16) days. Treatment durations varied widely within and across PICUs. In multivariable linear regression, longer treatment durations were associated with severity of illness (+ 0.4 days longer [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1 to 0.7, p = 0.007] per unit increase in PRISM-IV) and central nervous system infection (+ 17 days [95% CI, 6.7 to 27.4], p = 0.001). Age and pathogen type were not associated with treatment duration.

Conclusions

Most critically ill children with BSIs received at least two weeks of antimicrobial treatment. Further study is needed to determine whether shorter duration therapy would be effective for selected critically ill children.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03219-z.

Tertiary peritonitis: considerations for complex team-based care

Peritonitis, as a major consequence of hollow visceral perforation, anastomotic disruption, ischemic necrosis, or other injuries of the gastrointestinal tract, often drives acute care in the emergency department, operating room, and the ICU. Chronic critical illness (CCI) represents a devastating challenge in modern surgical critical care where successful interventions have fostered a growing cohort of patients with prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation and other organ supportive therapies who would previously have succumbed much earlier in the acute phase of critical illness. An important subset of CCI patients are those who have survived an emergency abdominal operation, but who subsequently require prolonged open abdomen management complicated by persistent peritoneal space infection or colonization, fistula formation, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract dysfunction; these patients are described as having tertiary peritonitis (TP).The organ dysfunction cascade in TP terminates in death in between 30 and 64% of patients. This narrative review describes key-but not all-elements in a framework for the coordinate multiprofessional team-based management of a patient with tertiary peritonitis to mitigate this risk of death and promote recovery. Given the prolonged critical illness course of this unique patient population, early and recurrent Palliative Care Medicine consultation helps establish goals of care, support adjustment to changes in life circumstance, and enable patient and family centered care.

ROLE OF CHANGE IN THE LEVELS OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS POST DRAINAGE IN PREDICTING OUTCOME IN ACUTE CHOLANGITIS

BACKGROUND

Acute cholangitis (AC) is a gastro-intestinal emergency associated with significant mortality. Role of change in the levels of inflammatory markers post drainage in predicting outcome in acute cholangitis is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive value of changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels after biliary drainage in relation to outcomes (survival or mortality) at 1 month.

METHODS

A prospective observational study of consecutive adults presenting with AC was performed. At admission and at 48 hours post biliary drainage, procalcitonin and CRP were sent.

RESULTS

Between August 2020 till December 2020 we recruited 72 consecutive patients of AC. The median age of the patients was 55 years (range 43-62 years) and 42 (58.33%) were females. Although the delta change in serum procalcitonin (P value<0.001) and CRP (P value<0.001) was significant, it had no bearing on the outcome. Altered sensorium and INR were independently associated with mortality at 1 month. The 30-day mortality prediction of day 0 procalcitonin was measured by receiver operating characteristic analysis which resulted in an area under the curve of 0.697 with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 0.545-0.849. The optimal cut-off of procalcitonin would be 0.57ng/mL with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 60% respectively to predict mortality.

CONCLUSION

Change in serum procalcitonin and CRP levels at 48 hours post drainage although significant, had no impact on the outcome of acute cholangitis.

Assessment of pathogens and risk factors associated with bloodstream infection in the year after pediatric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is one of the most significantly adverse events that can occur after liver transplantation (LT) in children.

AIM

To analyze the profile of BSI according to the postoperative periods and assess the risk factors after pediatric LT.

METHODS

Clinical data, collected from medical charts of children (n = 378) who underwent primary LT, were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome considered was BSI in the first year after LT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for BSI and respective odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

Of the examined patients, 106 (28%) experienced 162 episodes of pathogen-confirmed BSI during the first year after LT. There were 1.53 ± 0.95 episodes per children (mean ± SD) among BSI-complicated patients with a median onset of 0.4 mo post-LT. The most common pathogenic organisms identified were Coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. About half (53%) of the BSIs were of unknown origin. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that young age (≤ 1.3 year; OR = 2.1, P = 0.011), growth failure (OR = 2.1, P = 0.045), liver support system (OR = 4.2, P = 0.008), and hospital stay of > 44 d (OR = 2.3, P = 0.002) were independently associated with BSI in the year after LT.

CONCLUSION

BSI was frequently observed in patients after pediatric LT, affecting survival outcomes. The profile of BSI may inform clinical treatment and management in high-risk children after LT.

[Bacterial hepatobiliary infections : Pathogen spectrum, antimicrobial resistance and current treatment concepts]

Ascending cholangitis and pyogenic liver abscesses are acute febrile bacterial hepatobiliary diseases. Nowadays they frequently occur in patients with structural changes of the biliary system and are usually treated by a combination of interventional drainage procedures and antimicrobial therapy. While Gram-negative Enterobacterales were identified as major causes in the past, biliary tract interventions and antibiotic exposure have contributed to an increase in enterococcal species and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales. When selecting an appropriate empirical treatment the treating internist must consider local and individual risk factors for antimicrobial resistance in addition to pharmacokinetic aspects and disease severity to reduce the likelihood of treatment failure.

Trocar Puncture With a Sump Drain for Crohn's Disease With Intra-Abdominal Abscess: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Traditional percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and surgical intervention could not always achieve satisfactory results for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who have complications with intra-abdominal abscess. We proposed a trocar puncture with sump drainage for the treatment of CD with intra-abdominal abscess and compared it with the conventional PCD and surgical intervention.

Methods

Crohn's disease patients with intra-abdominal abscess and admitted to our hospital from 2011 to 2020 were identified by reviewing the electronic medical records. We divided them into Trocar, PCD, and fecal diverting (FD) groups, according to the ways of treating an abscess. Outcomes, risk factors for abscess recurrence, and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups.

Results

A total of 69 patients were included and they were divided into Trocar (n = 18), PCD (n = 29), and FD (n = 22) groups. Four patients in the PCD group were transferred to receive the FD surgery due to the failure of initial treatment. The incidence of abscess recurrence was significantly higher in the PCD (48%) and FD (50%) groups compared to the patients using the trocar puncture with the sump drain (Trocar group) (16.7%). There were 8 patients in Trocar, 22 in PCD, and 20 s in the FD group who received enterectomy. None of the patients in the Trocar had an ultimate stoma and the incidence of postoperative complications was statistically lower [0% (Trocar) vs. 31.8% (PCD) vs. 45% (FD), P < 0.05]. The way of initial treating of the abscess was significantly correlated with the abscess recurrence and postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Trocar puncture with a sump drain had a lower incidence of abscess recurrence, abdominal adhesions, postdrainage, and postoperative complications compared to the conventional PCD or surgical intervention.

Clinical Reasoning Behind Antibiotic Use in PICUs: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the reasoning processes used by pediatric intensivists to make antibiotic-related decisions.

DESIGN

Grounded theory qualitative study.

SETTING

Three Canadian university-affiliated tertiary medical, surgical, and cardiac PICUs.

PATIENTS

Twenty-one PICU physicians.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We conducted field observation during morning rounds followed by semistructured interviews with participants to examine the clinical reasoning behind antibiotic-related decisions (starting/stopping antibiotics, or treatment duration) made for patients with a suspected/proven bacterial infection. We used a grounded theory approach for data collection and analysis. Thematic saturation was reached after 21 interviews. Of the 21 participants, 10 (48%) were female, 15 (71%) were PICU attending staff, and 10 (48%) had greater than 10 years in clinical practice. Initial clinical reasoning involves using an analytical approach to determine the likelihood of bacterial infection. In case of uncertainty, an assessment of patient safety is performed, which partly overlaps with the use of intuitive clinical reasoning. Finally, if uncertainty remains, physicians tend to consult infectious diseases experts. Factors that override this clinical reasoning process include disease severity, pressure from consultants, and the tendency to continue antibiotic treatment initiated by colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic-related decisions for critically ill children are complex, and pediatric intensivists use several clinical reasoning strategies to decrease the uncertainty around the bacterial etiology of infections. However, disease severity and patient safety concerns may overrule decisions based on clinical evidence and lead to antibiotic use. Several cognitive biases were identified in the clinical reasoning processes.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Abdominal Infection Patients in ICU: A Retrospective Study From 2011 to 2018

To identify the risk factors related to the patient's 28-day mortality, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with intra-abdominal infections admitted to the ICU of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from 2011 to 2018. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for mortality. Four hundred and thirty-one patients with intra-abdominal infections were analyzed in the study. The 28-day mortality stepwise increased with greater severity of disease expression: 3.5% in infected patients without sepsis, 7.6% in septic patients, and 30.9% in patients with septic shock (p &lt; 0.001). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were underlying chronic diseases (adjusted HR 3.137, 95% CI 1.425–6.906), high Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (adjusted HR 1.285, 95% CI 1.160–1.424), low hematocrit (adjusted HR 1.099, 95% CI 1.042–1.161), and receiving more fluid within 72 h (adjusted HR 1.028, 95% CI 1.015–1.041). Compared to the first and last 4 years, the early use of antibiotics, the optimization of IAT strategies, and the restriction of positive fluid balance were related to the decline in mortality of IAIs in the later period. Therefore, underlying chronic diseases, high SOFA score, low hematocrit, and receiving more fluid within 72 h after ICU admission were independent risk factors for patients' poor prognosis.

Intra-abdominal Infections

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are a common cause of sepsis, and frequently occur in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. IAIs include many diagnoses, including peritonitis, cholangitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, abdominal abscess, intestinal perforation, abdominal trauma, and pelvic inflammatory disease. IAIs are the second most common cause of infectious morbidity and mortality in the ICU after pneumonia. IAIs are also the second most common cause of sepsis in critically ill patients, and affect approximately 5% of ICU patients. Mortality with IAI in ICU patients ranges from 5 to 50%, with the wide variability related to the specific IAI present, associated patient comorbidities, severity of illness, and organ dysfunction and failures. It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of IAIs as potential causes of life-threatening infections in ICU patients to provide the best diagnostic and therapeutic care for optimal patient outcomes in the ICU.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of New Beta-Lactam Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor Antibiotics Versus Colistin for the Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Infections

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) present a serious public health problem. Limited treatment options has led to increased use of colistin and polymyxin. Since 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration approved 4 new beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combination antibiotics with activity against CROs. These new antibiotics have been shown to be more effective and less toxic than colistin and polymyxin but are considerably more expensive. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the new BLBLIs versus colistin-based therapy for the treatment of CROs. Methods: A decision-tree microsimulation model was used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the new BLBLIs versus colistin-based therapy for the treatment of CROs. Treatment groups differed in risk of mortality and risk of an acute kidney injury (AKI). The relative risk of mortality was determined by creating a meta-analysis comparing new BLBLIs to colistin. Cost inputs included medication costs and the cost to treat an AKI. The primary outcomes include quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Model inputs included: clinical outcomes and adverse events (30-day mortality and AKI); cost of treatment and adverse drug events; and health utilities. A 3% discount was applied for outcomes. A lifetime horizon was used from the perspective of the US healthcare system with a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $100 000. A sensitivity analysis was done to incorporate uncertainty. Results: The meta-analysis found the treatment with a new BLBLI was associated with a 50% decrease in the relative risk of 30-day mortality compared to colistin (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25-0.88). Treatment with a new BLBLI cost $16 200 and produced 11.5 QALYs, on average. The average colistin based regimen cost $3500 and produced 8.3 QALYs. The new BLBLIs were determined to be cost-effective with an ICER of $3900 per QALY gained. Treatment with a BLBLI remained cost-effective under all uncertainty scenarios tested. Conclusion: New BLBLIs are cost-effective compared to colistin for the treatment of CROs and are associated with improved mortality and fewer AKI events. The use of colistin should be reserved for cases where new BLBLIs are not available or there is documented resistance to these new antibiotics.

Ceftazidime/Avibactam versus Polymyxin B in the Challenge of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Purpose

Ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) monotherapy and polymyxin B-based combination therapy are currently two treatment options for patients with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) infection; however, few studies have contrasted the relative efficacy of the two antibiotic regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of CAZ/AVI and polymyxin B against CRPA infection and analyze the independent predictors of 30-day mortality or survival.

Patients and Methods

This single-center retrospective observational study included patients with CRPA infection treated with CAZ/AVI or polymyxin B between January 2018 and December 2020. The primary outcomes were the 14-day and 30-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and bacterial clearance. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between the two groups, and COX regression analysis was used to identify predictors of 30-day mortality.

Results

A total of 136 patients with CRPA infection were enrolled, including 51 patients in the CAZ/AVI group and 85 patients in the polymyxin B group. The 14-day mortality (5.9% vs 27.1%, p=0.002), 30-day mortality (13.7% vs 47.1%, p<0.001) and in-hospital mortality (29.4% vs 60.0%, p=0.001) in the CAZ/AVI group were significantly lower than the polymyxin B group. The bacterial clearance rate (45.1% vs 12.9%, p<0.001) in the CAZ/AVI group were higher than in the polymyxin B group. After adjustment by propensity score matching, the CAV/AVI group still had lower 30-day mortality (14.3% vs 42.9%, p=0.018) and higher bacterial clearance rate (42.9% vs 14.3%, p=0.018) than the polymyxin B group. The multivariate COX analysis showed that the age was identified as independent predictor of 30-day mortality while CAZ/AVI therapy and central venous catheterization emerged as independent predictors of 30-day survival.

Conclusion

CAZ/AVI therapy was superior to polymyxin B therapy for patients with CRPA infection, and provided significant survival benefits, but further larger studies were needed to substantiate our findings.

Retrospective Cohort Analysis of the Effect of Antimicrobial Stewardship on Postoperative Antibiotic Therapy in Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections: Short-Course Therapy Does Not Compromise Patients’ Safety

Background: Recent evidence suggests that short-course postoperative antibiotic therapy (PAT) of intra-abdominal infections is non-inferior considering clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of short vs. long PAT in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) without sepsis. Methods: We performed a single center-quality improvement study at a 1500 bed sized university hospital in Bavaria, Germany, with evaluation of the length of antibiotic therapy after emergency surgery on cIAIs with adequate source control during 2016 to 2018. We reviewed a total of 260 cases (160 short duration vs. 100 long duration). The antibiotic prescribing quality was assessed by our in-house antimicrobial stewardship team (AMS). Results: No significant differences of patient characteristics were observed between short and long PAT. The frequency of long PAT declined during the observation period from 48.1% to 26.3%. Prolongation of PAT was not linked with any clinical benefits, on the contrary clinical outcome of patients receiving longer regimes were associated with higher postoperative morbidity. AMS identified additional educational targets to improve antibiotic prescribing quality on general wards like unnecessary postoperative switches of antibiotic regimes, e.g., unrequired switches to oral antibiotics as well as prolongation of PAT due to elevated CRP. Conclusion: Short-course antibiotic therapy after successful surgical source control in cIAIs is safe, and long-duration PAT has no beneficial effects.

Appropriateness of Antibiotic Prescribing in Patients Discharged From a Community Hospital Emergency Department

IMPORTANCE: Every year, thousands of emergency department (ED) visits result in patients being discharged with oral antibiotic prescriptions. Published studies that assess the appropriateness of these antibiotic regimens are limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions written for patients discharged from a community hospital’s ED. ENDPOINTS: The primary objective was to determine the overall percent of appropriate antibiotic prescriptions for patients discharged from the ED. Secondary objectives included the following: identify reasons for inappropriateness categorized by antibiotic selection, dose, duration, and allergies; identify the most common antibiotics prescribed inappropriately as well as the most common disease states that led to inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics; and analyze prescribing trends based on provider type and time of day the prescription was written. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients eligible for inclusion were adults age 18 and older who presented to the ED during four chosen weeks in 2019 and who were discharged with oral antibiotics. Extracted electronic health record data was reviewed to identify the discharge diagnosis for each patient that meets the inclusion criteria. Pertinent information gathered from the patients’ medical records along with a validated antimicrobial assessment tool were utilized to determine the level of appropriateness of the prescribed antibiotic regimens. RESULTS: A total of 76% of the prescribed antibiotics were appropriate, 16% were inappropriate, and the remaining 8% were not assessable. Duration was the most common reason for a regimen to not be optimal. The most frequently inappropriately prescribed antibiotics included cephalexin (but it is noted cephalexin was included in almost half of the antibiotic regimens in this study), clindamycin, and azithromycin. Infections that were most frequently treated inappropriately were skin and soft tissue infections, dental infections, and sinusitis. Overall, medical residents prescribed the highest percent of appropriate regimens, and the time of day that had the highest percent of appropriate prescriptions was third shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Almost half of all the nonoptimal antibiotic regimens had an excessive duration. Targeted local education efforts and future clinical decision support can facilitate appropriate prescribing of discharge antibiotics from the ED, ultimately improving antimicrobial stewardship within the community.

Pediatric drug utilization evaluation of cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam

BACKGROUND

Drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is a systematic, criteria-based assessment of medicine that aims to optimize the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the DUE on prescriptions of two commonly used antibiotics in a pediatric population, cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam, in a tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, between March 2020 and August 2021. All hospitalized children aged 1 month to 20 years who received at least one dose of cefepime or piperacillin/tazobactam were enrolled. Before implementing the DUE, cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam prescriptions were retrospectively evaluated using the DUE criteria. During the 6 month DUE implementation period, physicians voluntarily chose to use DUE to assess the prescriptions' appropriateness. Demographic data, antibiotic use, and clinical data were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 304 prescriptions of cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam, with 108 empirical prescriptions (72 patients) in the DUE group and 158 prescriptions (138 patients) in the non-DUE group. The appropriateness of empirical prescriptions of cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam was significantly higher in the DUE group (93.5% vs. 83.5%; P = 0.003). Drug utilization evaluation was significantly associated with appropriate empirical prescriptions (adjusted OR 5.32: 95% CI 1.80-15.73; P = 0.003). Prescriptions in critical care wards and urinary tract infections (UTIs) were associated with not fulfilling the DUE criteria for appropriateness.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug utilization evaluation could improve the appropriateness of empirical use of cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam in pediatric patients. Patients in critical care units and with UTIs appeared to be associated with inappropriate empirical treatment.

Diagnostic challenges in postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis in critically ill patients: When to reoperate?

The present paper was done to review common diagnostic techniques used to help surgeons find the most suitable way to diagnose postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis (IAS). The topic was searched on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Collected articles were classified and checked for their quality. Findings of selected research were included in this study and analyzed to find the best diagnostic method for intra-abdominal sepsis. IAS presents severe morbidity and mortality, and its early diagnosis can improve the outcome. Currently, there is no consensus among surgeons on a single diagnostic modality that should be used while deciding reoperation in patients with postoperative IAS. Though it has a high sensitivity for abdominal infections, computed tomography has limited applications due to mobility and time constraints. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe process that produces usable images, and can be used at the bedside. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) has high sensitivity, and the patients testing positive through DPL can be subjected to exploratory laparotomy, depending on severity. Abdominal Reoperation Predictive Index (ARPI) is the only index reported as an aid for this purpose. Serial intra-abdominal pressure measurement has also emerged as a potential diagnostic tool. A proper selection of diagnostic modality is expected to improve the outcome in IAS, which presents high mortality risk and a limited time frame.

Practice Summary of Antimicrobial Therapy for Commonly Encountered Conditions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Canadian Perspective

Neonates are highly susceptible to infections owing to their immature cellular and humoral immune functions, as well the need for invasive devices. There is a wide practice variation in the choice and duration of antimicrobial treatment, even for relatively common conditions in the NICU, attributed to the lack of evidence-based guidelines. Early decisive treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobials is the preferred clinical choice for treating sick infants with possible bacterial infection. Prolonged antimicrobial exposure among infants without clear indications has been associated with adverse neonatal outcomes and increased drug resistance. Herein, we review and summarize the best practices from the existing literature regarding antimicrobial use in commonly encountered conditions in neonates.

Effectiveness of ertapenem for treatment of infections in children: An evidence mapping and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess and summarize current evidence on the effectiveness and safety of ertapenem for treatment of childhood infections, in consideration of high infection prevalence in children and wide use of ertapenem.

METHODS

The following 8 databases were searched on 13th May 2021: Web of Science, Embase via Ovid SP, PubMed, The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang. The primary outcome was treatment success rate. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using random-effect models. Subgroup analysis was conducted where heterogeneity was found.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (8 randomized controlled trials, 1 observational comparative study, and 6 before and after studies) involving 2,528 patients were included in the final review. Ertapenem had similar treatment success rates with β-lactam antibiotics [relative risk (RR) = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.99-1.19]. In a subgroup analysis, similar efficacy (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.97-1.20) between ertapenem and other carbapenems. Compared with β-lactam antibiotics, ertapenem did not increase the risk of any adverse events (RR = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.71-1.48), drug-related diarrhea (all non-Asian children, RR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.31-1.25), or injection site pain (all non-Asian children, RR = 1.66, 95%CI: 0.59-4.68). Subgroup analysis showed no obvious difference between ertapenem group and carbapenems or non-carbapenems group on risk of adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ertapenem is effective and safe in treatment for children with infection. Further comparative real-world data is needed to supplement clinical evidence on the overall benefits of ertapenem in this population.

Antimicrobial Therapy in Pediatric Sepsis: What Is the Best Strategy?

Pediatric sepsis is a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group. Children are affected differently in high and low-income countries. Antibiotics are crucial for the treatment of sepsis, but indiscriminate use can increase resistance worldwide. The choice of a correct empiric therapy takes into consideration the site of infection, local epidemiology, host comorbidities and recent antibiotic exposure. Antibiotics should be administered in the first hour for patients with septic shock, and always intravenously or via intraosseous access. Culture results and clinical improvement will guide de-escalation and length of treatment. New diagnostic methods can help improve the prescription of adequate treatment. Prevention of sepsis includes vaccination and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. More research and education for awareness of sepsis is needed to improve care.

Clinical, Laboratory and Radiographic Features Associated With Prolonged Hospitalization in Children With Complicated Appendicitis

OBJECTIVE

In children with appendicitis, rupture of the appendix is associated with a significant increase in morbidity. We sought to characterize the spectrum of illness in children with complicated appendicitis and to define those factors associated with a longer hospital stay.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective review of 132 children, 18 years of age or younger at a large urban teaching hospital in the Bronx, NY between October 2015 and April 2018 with an intraoperative diagnosis of perforated appendix. Clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings were reviewed, and the primary study outcome was length of stay (LOS) dichotomized at the median, which was 7 days. Statistical analyses were done to characterize morbidity and define variables predictive of longer stay.

RESULTS

Children in the longer LOS group experienced significantly more morbidity, including ICU stay, ileus, and need for multiple drainage procedures. A longer duration of symptoms prior to presentation was associated with a longer stay. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of abscess and presence of free fluid in the right upper quadrant (RUQ FF) on initial imaging and C-reactive protein (CRP) level >12 at admission, were independently associated with a longer stay.

CONCLUSION

There is considerable variation in the morbidity of complicated appendicitis. The association between longer stay and the findings of abscess and RUQ FF on initial imaging along with an elevated CRP may provide a useful tool in identifying those children at risk for worse outcomes.

Intramesenteric abscess caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella

Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a common cause of gastroenteritis in humans and animals, but intra-abdominal abscesses or organ space surgical site infection (SSI) secondary to this organism has been rarely reported, making diagnosis and management difficult. Our case of intra-mesenteric abscess caused by NTS species is the only case reported in the literature. Immunocompromising conditions such as diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are important risk factors for invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella. Most patients are treated initially with intravenous antibiotics. Treatment often requires operative drainage by laparoscopy or laparotomy alone, although percutaneous drainage has been performed more frequently in recent years. Early clinical signs and radiographic features of intra-abdominal abscess may be diagnostically challenging. It is important for clinicians to have high index of suspicion based on history and symptomatology as prompt treatment is essential to prevent further morbidity and mortality.

Caspofungin Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis in Plasma and Peritoneal Fluid in Septic Patients with Intra-Abdominal Infections: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report the pharmacokinetics (PK) of caspofungin in plasma and peritoneal fluid and to identify optimal dosing strategies in septic patients with intra-abdominal infections.

METHODS

Eleven patients with secondary peritonitis with septic shock received the standard dosing regimen of caspofungin. Total caspofungin plasma and peritoneal concentrations were subject to a population PK analysis using Pmetrics^®. Monte Carlo simulations were performed considering the ratio of 24-h total drug exposure above the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC₂₄/MIC) in plasma and comparing simulated concentrations versus MIC in peritoneal fluid.

RESULTS

Fat-free mass (FFM) was retained in the final model of caspofungin, reporting a total clearance (standard deviation) of 0.78 (0.17) L/h and a central volume of distribution of 9.36 (2.61) L. The peritoneal fluid/plasma ratio of caspofungin was 33% on the first day of therapy (AUC₂₄ 73.92 (21.93) and 26.03 (9.88) mg*h/L for plasma and peritoneal data, respectively). Dosing simulations supported the use of standard dosing regimens for patients with an FFM < 50 kg for the most susceptible candida species (C. albicans and C. glabrata). For higher FFM, a loading dose of 70 or 100 mg, with a maintenance dose of 70 mg, reached AUC₂₄/MIC ratios for these species.

CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate penetration of caspofungin into the peritoneal cavity (33%). For empirical treatment, a dose escalation of 100 mg loading dose on the first day is suggested for higher FFM to ensure adequate concentrations into the abdominal cavity for the most susceptible candida species.

Impact of polymyxin B hemoperfusion therapy on high endotoxin activity level patients after successful infection source control: a prospective cohort study

We sought to evaluate the clinical implication of endotoxin levels in gram-negative bacilli (GNB)-induced abdominal septic shock patients with polymyxin B-hemoperfusion (PMX-HP) treatment. A prospective cohort of 60 patients who received surgical infectious source control for abdominal sepsis from January 2019 to December 2020 was included in the study. Endotoxin activity (EA) levels and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were assessed immediately after surgery (baseline), 24, and 48 h post baseline. With receiver operating characteristic curves, the patients were stratified into two groups by the EA cut-off value (high-risk group vs low-risk group) and the clinical outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was performed to identify the clinical impact of PMX-HP on in-hospital death. Among the 31 high-risk patients (EA level ≥ 0.54), 16 patients (51.6%) received PMX-HP treatment and showed significant decreases in EA levels compared to patients who underwent conventional treatment only (− 0.34 vs − 0.12, p = 0.01). SOFA scores also showed significant improvement with PMX-HP treatment (12.8–8.9, p = 0.007). Fourteen in-hospital deaths occurred (45.2%), and PMX-HP treatment had a protective effect on in-hospital death (odds ratio (OR) 0.04, p = 0.03). In 29 low-risk patients (EA level < 0.54), seven patients (24.1%) received PMX-HP treatment and showed significant decreases in EA levels (0.46–0.16, p = 0.018). However, SOFA scores and in-hospital deaths were not improved by PMX-HP treatment. EA level significantly decreased after PMX-HP treatment and it may represent a therapeutic option to improve organ impairment and in-hospital death in septic shock patients with EA levels exceeding 0.54.

Risk Factors for Infections, Antibiotic Therapy, and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy Outcomes for Patients with Solid Tumors

Infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Multiple factors related to the patient, tumor, and cancer therapy can affect the risk of infection in patients with solid tumors. A thorough understanding of such factors can aid in the identification of patients with substantial risk of infection, allowing medical practitioners to tailor therapy and apply prophylactic measures to avoid serious complications. The use of novel treatment modalities, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, brings diagnostic and therapeutic challenges into the management of infections in cancer patients. A growing body of evidence suggests that antibiotic therapy can modulate both toxicity and antitumor response induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and especially immunotherapy. This article provides a comprehensive review of potential risk factors for infections and therapeutic approaches for the most prevalent infections in patients with solid tumors, and discusses the potential effect of antibiotic therapy on toxicity and efficacy of cancer therapy.

Impact and Sustainability of Antibiotic Stewardship on Antibiotic Prescribing in Visceral Surgery

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic stewardship (AS) ward rounds are a core element in clinical care for surgical patients. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the impact of surgical AS ward rounds on antibiotic prescribing, and the sustainability of the effect after the AS interventions are no longer provided.

METHODS

On four wards of the department of visceral surgery, we conducted two independent retrospective prescribing analyses (P1, P2) over three months each. During the study periods, the level of AS intervention differed for two of the four wards (ward rounds/no ward rounds).

RESULTS

AS ward rounds were associated with a decrease in overall antibiotic consumption (91.1 days of therapy (DOT)/100 patient days (PD) (P1), 70.4 DOT/100PD (P2)), and improved de-escalation rates of antibiotic therapy (W1/2: 25.7% (P1), 40.0% (P2), p = 0.030; W3: 15.4 (P1), 24.2 (P2), p = 0.081). On the ward where AS measures were no longer provided, overall antibiotic usage remained stable (71.3 DOT/100PD (P1), 74.4 DOT/100PD (P2)), showing the sustainability of AS measures. However, the application of last-resort compounds increased from 6.4 DOT/100PD to 12.1 DOT/100PD (oxazolidinones) and from 10.8 DOT/100PD to 13.2 DOT/100PD (carbapenems).

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic consumption can be reduced without negatively affecting patient outcomes. However, achieving lasting positive changes in antibiotic prescribing habits remains a challenge.

Quality metrics for emergency abdominal surgery in children: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is variation in care quality and outcomes for children undergoing emergency abdominal surgery, such as appedectomy. Addressing this requires paediatric-specific quality metrics. The aim of this study was to identify perioperative structure and process measures that are associated with improved outcomes for these children.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review searching MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 1980 and September 29, 2020 about the perioperative care of children undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. We also conducted secondary searching of references and citations, and we included international professional publications.

RESULTS

We identified and analysed 383 peer-reviewed articles and 18 grey literature publications. High-grade evidence pertaining to the perioperative care of this patient group is limited. Most of the evidence available relates to improving diagnostic accuracy using preoperative blood testing, imaging, and clinical decision tools. Processes associated with clinical outcomes include time lapse between time of presentation or initial assessment and surgery, and the use of particular analgesia and antibiotic protocols. Structural factors identified include hospital and surgeon caseload and the use of perioperative care pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarises the structural and process measures associated with outcome in paediatric emergency abdominal surgery. Such measures provide a means of evaluating care and identifying areas of practice that require quality improvement, especially in children with appendicitis.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017055285.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Scoring System for In-hospital Death in Patients With Intra-Abdominal Infection: A Single-Center 10-Year Retrospective Study

Objective: To develop and validate a scoring system to predict the risk of in-hospital death in patients with intra-abdominal infection (IAI).

Materials and Methods: Patients with IAI (n = 417) treated at our hospital between June 2010 and May 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Risk factors for in-hospital death were identified by logistic regression analysis. The regression coefficients of each risk factor were re-assigned using the mathematical transformation principle to establish a convenient predictive scoring system. The scoring system was internally validated by bootstrapping sample method.

Results: Fifty-three (53/417, 12.7%) patients died during hospitalization. On logistic regression analysis, high APACHE II score (P = 0.012), pneumonia (P = 0.002), abdominal surgery (P = 0.001), hypoproteinemia (P = 0.025), and chronic renal insufficiency (P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for in-hospital death. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the composite index combining these five risk factors showed a 62.3% sensitivity and 80.2% specificity for predicting in-hospital death (area under the curve: 0.778; 95% confidence interval: 0.711–0.845, P < 0.001). The predictive ability of the composite index was better than that of each independent risk factor. A scoring system (0–14 points) was established by re-assigning each risk factor based on the logistic regression coefficient: APACHE II score (10–15 score, 1 point; >15 score, 4 points); pneumonia (2 points), abdominal surgery (2 points), hypoproteinemia (2 points), and chronic renal insufficiency (4 points). Internal validation by 1,000 bootstrapping sample showed relatively high discriminative ability of the scoring system (C-index = 0.756, 95% confidence interval: 0.753–0.758).

Conclusions: The predictive scoring system based on APACHE II score, pneumonia, abdominal surgery, hypoproteinemia, and chronic renal insufficiency can help predict the risk of in-hospital death in patients with IAI.

Antipseudomonal Versus Narrow-Spectrum Agents for the Treatment of Community-Onset Intra-abdominal Infections

Background

Antipseudomonal antibiotics are often used to treat community-acquired intra-abdominal infections (CA-IAIs) despite common causative pathogens being susceptible to more narrow-spectrum agents. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment-associated complications in adult patients treated for CA-IAI with antipseudomonal versus narrow-spectrum regimens.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients >18 years admitted for CA-IAI treated with antibiotics. The primary objective of this study was to compare 90-day treatment-associated complications between patients treated empirically with antipseudomonal versus narrow-spectrum regimens. Secondary objectives were to compare infection and treatment characteristics along with patient outcomes. Subgroup analyses were planned to compare outcomes of patients with low-risk and high-risk CA-IAIs and patients requiring surgical intervention versus medically managed.

Results

A total of 350 patients were included: antipseudomonal, n=204; narrow spectrum, n=146. There were no differences in 90-day treatment-associated complications between groups (antipseudomonal 15.1% vs narrow spectrum 11.3%, P=.296). In addition, no differences were observed in hospital length of stay, 90-day readmission, Clostridiodes difficile, or mortality. In multivariate logistic regression, treatment with a narrow-spectrum regimen (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–1.45) was not independently associated with the primary outcome. No differences were observed in 90-day treatment-associated complications for (1) patients with low-risk (antipseudomonal 15% vs narrow spectrum 9.6%, P=.154) or high-risk CA-IAI (antipseudomonal 15.8% vs narrow spectrum 22.2%, P=.588) or (2) those who were surgically (antipseudomonal 8.5% vs narrow spectrum 9.2%, P=.877) or medically managed (antipseudomonal 23.1 vs narrow spectrum 14.5, P=.178).

Conclusions

Treatment-associated complications were similar among patients treated with antipseudomonal and narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Antipseudomonal therapy is likely unnecessary for most patients with CA-IAI.

Impact of early antimicrobial stewardship intervention in patients with positive blood cultures: results from a randomized comparative study: Impact of stewardship on BSI outcomes

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial stewardship intervention (ASI) appears necessary to realize the full benefits of rapid diagnostic technologies in clinical practice. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between early ASI paired with MALDI-TOF compared to MALDI-TOF with standard of care (SOC) reporting in patients with positive blood cultures.

METHODS

Adult patients with positive blood cultures and organism speciation via MALDI-TOF admitted between 2/2015 and 9/2015 were randomized to ASI or SOC in a 1:1 fashion. Patients admitted for at least 48 hours following positive culture were included in analyses. ASI was defined as a clinical assessment by a stewardship team member with non-binding treatment recommendations offered to the primary team. The primary outcome was time to definitive therapy. Secondary outcomes included post-culture length of stay (LOS), time to first change in antibiotics, and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 149 patients were included in analyses (76 in the ASI group and 73 in the SOC group). ASI and SOC arms did not differ according to age, sex, comorbidities, or severity of illness. Gram-positive organisms were common in both SOC and ASI arms (74.0 vs 61.8%, p=0.11). Time-to-definitive therapy was reduced, on average, by 30.3 hours in the ASI group (71.6 vs. 41.3 hours, p=0.01). Hospital LOS following the first positive blood culture was significantly shorter in the ASI group (8.7 vs. 11.2 days, p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

ASI combined with MALDI-TOF reduced the time to definitive therapy, time to first change in antibiotics, and was associated with a shorter post-culture LOS.

Treatment Modalities for Anastomotic Leakage in Rectal Cancer Surgery

Despite advances in rectal cancer surgery, anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a common complication with a significant impact on patient recovery, health care costs, and oncologic outcomes. The spectrum of clinical severity associated with AL is broad, and treatment options are diverse with highly variable practices across the colorectal community. To be effective, the treatment must match not only the patient's current status but also the type of leak, the surgeon's skill, and the resources available. In this chapter, we will review the current and emergent treatment modalities for AL after rectal cancer surgery.

Micafungin Population PK Analysis in Healthy and Septic Pigs: Can the Septic Porcine Model Predict the Micafungin PK in Septic Patients?

OBJECTIVES

To describe micafungin pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations of sepsis induced in piglets and to determine whether the porcine septic model is able to predict the PK of micafungin in septic patients at the plasma and peritoneal sites.

METHODS

From healthy (n = 8) and septic piglet group (n = 16), total micafungin concentrations were subject to a population PK analysis using Monolix®. Data from 16 septic humans patients from others studies was used to compare micafungin PK between septic piglets and septic patients.

RESULTS

Sepsis induced in piglets slightly alters the total clearance and the volume of distribution, while inter-compartment clearance is increased (from 3.88 to 5.74 L/h) as well as the penetration into peritoneal cavity (from 61 to 90%). In septic human patients, PK parameters are similar except for the Vd, which is corrected by an allometric factor based on the body weight of each species. Micafungin penetration into peritoneal cavity of humans is lower than in septic piglets (40 versus 90%).

CONCLUSIONS

The sepsis induced in the porcine model alters the PK of micafungin comparable to that in humans. In addition, micafungin PK is similar between these two species at the plasma level taking into account the allometric relationship of the body weight of these species on the central volume of distribution. The porcine septic plasma model would be able to predict the micafungin PK in the septic patients. However, further studies on peritoneal penetration are necessary to characterize this inter-species difference.

Management of the patient with the open abdomen

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to outline the management of the patient with the open abdomen.

RECENT FINDINGS

An open abdomen approach is used after damage control laparotomy, to decrease risk for postsurgery intra-abdominal hypertension, if reoperation is likely and after primary abdominal decompression.Temporary abdominal wall closure without negative pressure is associated with higher rates of intra-abdominal infection and evisceration. Negative pressure systems improve fascial closure rates but increase fistula formation. Definitive abdominal wall closure should be considered once oedema has subsided and the patient has stabilized. Delayed abdominal closure after trauma (>24-48 h) is associated with less achievement of fascial closure and more complications. Protective lung ventilation should be employed early, particularly if respiratory compromise is evident. Conservative fluid management and less sedation may decrease delirium and increase definitive abdominal closure rates. Extubation may be performed before definitive abdominal closure in selected patients. Antibiotic therapy should be brief, targeted and guideline concordant. Survival depends on the underlying disease, the closure method and the course of hospitalization.

SUMMARY

Changes in the treatment of patients with the open abdomen include negative temporary closure, conservative fluid management, early protective lung ventilation, decreased sedation and extubation before abdominal closure in selected patients.

Duration of antibiotic therapy for Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a review of recent evidence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, impact on intestinal microbiome, side effects and hospital costs are some of the factors that have encouraged multiple studies over the past two decades to evaluate different duration of antibiotic therapy with the goal of shorter but effective regimens. Here, we reviewed the most recent relevant data on the duration of therapy focused on two of the most common Gram-negative organisms in clinical practice, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies including meta-analysis confirm that short antibiotic courses for both Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa infections have comparable clinical outcomes to longer courses of therapy. Despite the advocacy for short-course therapy in contemporary guidelines, recent evidence in the USA has revealed a high prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic usage due to excessive duration of therapy.

SUMMARY

Although the decision process regarding the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy is multifactorial, the vast majority of infections other than endocardial or bone and joint, can be treated with short-course antibiotic therapy (i.e., ≤7 days). The combination of biomarkers, clinical response to therapy, and microbiologic clearance help determine the optimal duration in patients with infections caused by P. aeruginosa and Enterobacterales.

In vivo Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Profiles of Tulathromycin in an Experimental Intraperitoneal Haemophilus parasuis Infection Model in Neutropenic Guinea Pigs

Tulathromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antimicrobial that has an important role in veterinary medicine for respiratory disease. The objective of the study was to develop a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model to examine the efficacy and determine an optimal dosage of tulathromycin intramuscular (IM) treatment against Haemophilus parasuis infection induced after intraperitoneal inoculation in neutropenic guinea pigs. The PKs of tulathromycin in serum and lung tissue after intramuscular administration at doses of 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg in H. parasuis-infected neutropenic guinea pigs were evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The tulathromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against H. parasuis was ~16 times lower in guinea pig serum (0.03 μg/mL) than in cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth (CAMHB) (0.5 μg/mL). The ratio of the 168-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to MIC (AUC168h/MIC) positively correlated with the in vivo antibacterial effectiveness of tulathromycin (R 2 = 0.9878 in serum and R 2 = 0.9911 in lung tissue). The computed doses to achieve a reduction of 2-log10 CFU/lung from the ratios of AUC72h/MIC were 5.7 mg/kg for serum and 2.5 mg/kg for lung tissue, which lower than the values of 13.2 mg/kg for serum and 8.9 mg/kg for lung tissue with AUC168h/MIC. In addition, using as objective a 2-log10 reduction and an AUC0-72h as the value of the PK/PD index could be more realistic. The results of this study could provide a solid foundation for the application of PK/PD models in research on macrolide antibiotics used to treat respiratory diseases.

Risk factors for therapeutic failure in the management of post-operative peritonitis: a post hoc analysis of the DURAPOP trial

Background

Therapeutic failure is a frequent issue in the management of post-operative peritonitis.

Objectives

A post hoc analysis of the prospective, multicentre DURAPOP trial analysed the risk factors for failures in post-operative peritonitis following adequate source control and empirical antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients.

Patients and methods

Overall failures assessed post-operatively between Day 8 and Day 45 were defined as a composite of death and/or surgical and/or microbiological failures. Risk factors for failures were assessed using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among the 236 analysed patients, overall failures were reported in 141 (59.7%) patients, including 30 (12.7%) deaths, 81 (34.3%) surgical and 95 (40.2%) microbiological failures. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with overall failures were documented piperacillin/tazobactam therapy [adjusted OR (aOR) 2.10; 95% CI 1.17–3.75] and renal replacement therapy on the day of reoperation (aOR 2.96; 95% CI 1.05–8.34). The risk factors for death were age (aOR 1.08 per year; 95% CI 1.03–1.12), renal replacement therapy on reoperation (aOR 3.95; 95% CI 1.36–11.49) and diabetes (OR 6.95; 95% CI 1.34–36.03). The risk factors associated with surgical failure were documented piperacillin/tazobactam therapy (aOR 1.99; 95% CI 1.13–3.51), peritoneal cultures containing Klebsiella spp. (aOR 2.45; 95% CI 1.02–5.88) and pancreatic source of infection (aOR 2.91; 95% CI 1.21–7.01). No specific risk factors were identified for microbiological failure.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a predominant role of comorbidities, the severity of post-operative peritonitis and possibly of documented piperacillin/tazobactam treatment on the occurrence of therapeutic failures, regardless of their type.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Survival in the Patients With the Intra-Abdominal Infections

Objective: To analyze the availability and access to the hospital for the patients with intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) by Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the impact of these changes in the diagnosis and their effects on the death of these patients.

Methods: Two prospective observational cohorts of the patients with IAI by E. coli were conducted in 2016 (the pre-COVID-19, n = 108) and in 2020 (during the COVID-19, n = 96) at the University Hospital of Seville, Spain. The demographic and clinical variables of the patients were collected and analyzed. The patients were followed-up for 120 days, until the hospital discharge or death. The bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: Both the cohorts were homogeneous according to age, sex, emergency surgery cause, immunosuppression, neutropenia, acquisition type, and previous intervention. The patients attended during the COVID-19 had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index and the more McCabe score, required more emergency surgery, had more severe infections with the higher rates of septic shock and sepsis, and the presence of additional care support such as a nasogastric tube. They were diagnosed later; the time intervals between the symptoms onset (SO) to the first medical contact or surgical intervention (SI) and between the first medical contact to the admission or SI were significantly higher. The death rates during the COVID-19 and the pre-COVID-19 were 16.7 and 6.5%, respectively (p = 0.02). Finally, the multivariate analysis in both the cohorts together identified the patients diagnosed during the COVID-19, the longer period from SO to SI, septic shock, and the Charlson comorbidity index as the independent factors associated with death.

Conclusion: This study showed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical outcome and death due to IAI with an extension of the time between SO and SI.