Consensus review of the epidemiology and appropriate antimicrobial therapy of complicated urinary tract infections in Asia-Pacific region

Machine-learning-based risk assessment tool to rule out empirical use of ESBL-targeted therapy in endemic areas

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial stewardship focuses on identifying patients who require extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-targeted therapy. 'Rule-in' tools have been researched extensively in areas of low endemicity; however, such tools are inadequate for areas with high prevalence of ESBL-producing pathogens, as almost all patients will be selected.

AIM

To develop a machine-learning-based 'rule-out' tool suitable for areas with high levels of resistance.

METHODS

Gradient-boosted decision trees were used to train and validate a risk prediction model on data from 17,913 (45% ESBL) patients with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in urine cultures. The predictive power of different sets of variables was evaluated using Shapley values to evaluate the contributions of variables.

FINDINGS

The model successfully identified patients with low risk of ESBL resistance in ESBL-endemic areas (area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.72). When used to select the 30% of patients with the lowest predicted risk, the model yielded a negative predictive value ≥0.74. A simplified model with seven input features was found to perform nearly as well as the full model. This simplified model is freely accessible as a web application.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that a risk calculator for antibiotic resistance can be a viable 'rule-out' strategy to reduce the use of ESBL-targeted therapy in ESBL-endemic areas. The robust performance of a version of the model with limited features makes the clinical use of such a tool feasible. This tool provides an important alternative in an era with growing rates of ESBL-producing pathogens, where some experts have called for empirical use of carbapenems as first-line therapy for all patients in areas with high prevalence of ESBL-producing pathogens.

RND Efflux Pump Induction: A Crucial Network Unveiling Adaptive Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms of Gram-Negative Bacteria

The rise of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria presents a grave challenge to global public health, with antimicrobial resistance ranking as the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective treatments. Efflux pumps, particularly those of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) superfamily, play a significant role in expelling molecules from bacterial cells, contributing to the emergence of multi-drug resistance. These are transmembrane transporters naturally produced by Gram-negative bacteria. This review provides comprehensive insights into the modulation of RND efflux pump expression in bacterial pathogens by numerous and common molecules (bile, biocides, pharmaceuticals, additives, plant extracts, etc.). The interplay between these molecules and efflux pump regulators underscores the complexity of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. The clinical implications of efflux pump induction by non-antibiotic compounds highlight the challenges posed to public health and the urgent need for further investigation. By addressing antibiotic resistance from multiple angles, we can mitigate its impact and preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial therapies.

A randomized, controlled trial of prulifloxacin as conversion therapy after intravenous carbapenem in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis caused by third generation cephalosporin resistant pathogens: A pilot study

The efficacy of converting to oral fluoroquinolones after initial intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN) caused by the third-generation cephalosporin resistant Enterobacteriaceae (3-GCrEC) needs to be investigated. The objective was to compare the clinical and bacteriological outcome of oral prulifloxacin with intravenous ertapenem for the treatment of APN caused by 3-GCrEC. A pilot, randomized controlled trial of patients with APN caused by 3-GCrEC was conducted at two hospitals from August 2015 to December 2020. Any intravenous antimicrobial drug was initially permitted for empirical therapy. On day 4, adult patients (aged >18 years) with either non-bacteremic or bacteremic APN were eligible for the study if their infection was caused by 3-GCrEC susceptible to the study drugs. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral prulifloxacin or intravenous ertapenem. The total duration of antimicrobial therapy was 14 days. Of the 21 enrolled patients, 11 were treated with prulifloxacin, and 10 were treated with ertapenem. At the test of cure visit, there was no statistically significant difference between the patients with overall clinical success who were treated with prulifloxacin (90.9%) and those treated with ertapenem (100%, p = 0.999). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in microbiological eradication between the prulifloxacin and ertapenem groups (100% vs. 100%, p = 0.999). The converting to oral prulifloxacin after intravenous antibiotics therapy appears to be an alternative option for treatment of APN caused by 3-GCrEC. A further large randomized controlled trial should be investigated.

Global prevalence and distribution of antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia), an opportunistic pathogen, causes infection in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, mechanical ventilation, or catheters and in long-term hospitalized patients. Due to its extensive resistance to various antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, S. maltophilia is challenging to treat. Using case reports, case series, and prevalence studies, the current study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotic resistance profiles across clinical isolates of S. maltophilia.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed for original research articles published in Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases from 2000 to 2022. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14 software to report antibiotic resistance of S. maltophilia clinical isolates worldwide.

RESULTS

223 studies (39 case reports/case series and 184 prevalence studies) were collected for analysis. A meta-analysis of prevalence studies demonstrated that the most antibiotic resistance worldwide was to levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and minocycline (14.4%, 9.2%, and 1.4%, respectively). Resistance to TMP/SMX (36.84%), levofloxacin (19.29%), and minocycline (1.75%) were the most prevalent antibiotic resistance types found in evaluated case reports/case series studies. The highest resistance rate to TMP/SMX was reported in Asia (19.29%), Europe (10.52%), and America (7.01%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering the high resistance to TMP/SMX, more attention should be paid to patients' drug regimens to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant S. maltophilia isolates.

Emergence of a Hybrid IncI1-Iα Plasmid-Encoded blaCTX-M-101 Conferring Resistance to Cephalosporins in Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis

The increasing resistance to cephalosporins in Salmonella poses a serious threat to public health. In our previous study, the bla_CTX-M-101 gene, a new bla_CTX-M variant, was first reported in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis). Here, we further analyzed the genome characterization, transferability, and resistance mechanism of one S. Enteritidis isolate (SJTUF14523) carrying bla_CTX-M-101 from an outpatient in 2016 in Xinjiang, China. This strain was a multidrug resistance (MDR) isolate and exhibited resistance to ceftazidime (MIC = 64 μg/mL), cefotaxime (MIC = 256 μg/mL), and cefepime (MIC = 16 μg/mL). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SJTUF14523 had a close relationship to another S. Enteritidis isolate from the United States. In the presence of plasmid p14523A, there were 8- and 2133-fold increases in the MICs of cephalosporins in Escherichia coli C600 in the conjugation. Gene cloning results indicated that bla_CTX-M-101 was the decisive mechanism leading to ceftazidime and cefotaxime resistance that could make the MICs break through the resistance breakpoint. Plasmid sequencing revealed that the bla_CTX-M-101 gene was located on an IncI1-Iα transferable plasmid (p14523A) that was 85,862 bp in length. Sequence comparison showed that p14523A was a novel hybrid plasmid that might have resulted from the interaction between a homologous region. Furthermore, we found a composite transposon unit composed of ISEcp1, bla_CTX-M-101, and orf477 in p14523A. ISEcp1-mediated transposition was likely to play a key role in the horizontal transfer of bla_CTX-M-101 among plasmids in S. Enteritidis. Collectively, these findings underline further challenges in the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance posed by new CTX-M-101-like variants in Salmonella.

Distribution and Drug Resistance of Pathogenic Bacteria and Prognosis in Patients with Septicemia Bloodstream Infection with Renal Insufficiency

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria and the prognosis of patients with sepsis bloodstream infection with renal insufficiency.

Methods

One hundred and twelve patients with septicemic bloodstream infection with renal insufficiency and 112 patients with septic bloodstream infection without renal insufficiency were selected as study group and control group, respectively. We compare the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, analyze the drug resistance of major bacteria, and compare the efficacy, the incidence of septic shock, duration of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization time, and duration of antimicrobial drug administration between the two groups.

Results

A total of 140 pathogenic strains were isolated from blood cultures in the study group, and 136 strains were isolated from blood cultures in the control group. The sepsis bloodstream infection was mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria, accounting for 59.42% (164/276). Among the gram-negative bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii had higher resistance rates to levofloxacin, ceftazidime, piperacillin sodium tazobactam, and amikacin. Among the gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus had high resistance rates to clindamycin, cefazolin, penicillin G, gentamicin, azithromycin, and levofloxacin. The rate of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs)-producing enterobacteria and multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) infection was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group; there was no difference in multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between the two groups. The duration of hospitalization and the duration of antimicrobial drug administration were longer in the study group than in the control group.

Conclusion

The pathogenic bacteria in patients with sepsis bloodstream infection with renal insufficiency are mainly Gram-negative bacteria, are more difficult to be cured, have a longer course of treatment, and need to use antibacterial drugs for a long time.

Comprehensive assessment of holding urine as a behavioral risk factor for UTI in women and reasons for delayed voiding

BACKGROUND

Women of reproductive age group have greater predilection to urinary tract infections (UTI). Various risk factors increase the prevalence in women. Emergence of multidrug resistant uropathogens make clinical management of UTI challenging. Here we assess holding of urine as risk factor of UTI in women and reasons for delayed voiding. We also investigate the relationship between frequency of UTIs and overall behavioural features, menstrual hygiene and attitude of women towards their own health issues.

METHODS

A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was performed with 816 hostel residents with written consent. Self-reported data was statistically analysed using SPSS software. Urinalysis and urine culture were done for 50 women by random sampling to obtain the information on leading causative agents of UTI in the study population and their antimicrobial resistance profile.

RESULTS

The prevalence of UTI among the participants without risk factors was found to be 27.5 (95% CI: 24.4-30.7). Attitude of women towards their own personal health issues and use of public toilets showed a correlation with prevalence of infection. Delay in urination on habitual basis was found to be associated with UTI. Uropathogens isolated by random sampling were resistant to multiple drugs that are generally used to treat UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

Holding urine for long time had proven to be an important risk factor and amongst different reasons of holding urine, holding due to poor sanitary condition of public toilets was the most common. Higher frequency of self-reported UTIs is related to holding of urine, behavioural features and attitude of women.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Predisposing Factors Associated with Catheter-Associated UTI Caused by Uropathogens Exhibiting Multidrug-Resistant Patterns: A 3-Year Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia

Background: Widespread and rapidly emerging multidrug-resistant uropathogens, particularly carbapenem-resistant pathogens, are a public health concern that impairs the determination of empirical therapy. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and factors associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI). Method: This retrospective study was carried out on a total of 779 urine cultures over a 3-year period. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were performed using the standard Kirby−Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: The prevalence of CA-UTI in our study was 12.7%; a total of 47% of cultures had multi-drug-resistant (MDR) uropathogens, and 13% of the cultures showed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing pathogens. Elderly patients, intensive care unit admissions, and associated comorbidities were correlated with higher rates of CA-UTI caused by multidrug-resistant uropathogens (p < 0.021, 95% CI: 0.893−2.010), (p < 0.008, 95% CI: 1.124−5.600), (p < 0.006, 95% CI: 0.953−2.617). Latex catheters and prolonged catheterization time were associated with increased risk of CA-UTI (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.743−1.929, p = 0.012, 95% CI: 0.644−4.195). Patients with MDR uropathogens had prolonged hospital stays, i.e., 49% in more than 2 weeks (p < 0.04, 95% CI: 0.117−3.084). E. coli was the most common pathogen (26.3%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (24.3%). Acinetobacter baumannii showed the highest MDR pattern (88.5%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (68%). Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were associated with prolonged hospital stays (>2 w at 73.1 and 69%, respectively). Higher antimicrobial resistance against ceftriaxone (85.7%), meropenem (54.3%), ertapenem (50%), ciprofloxacin (58.5%), amikacin (27%), tigecycline (7.6%), and colistin (4.6%), was revealed in the study. Conclusion: Aside from the higher antimicrobial resistance against cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, the findings of this study revealed that carbapenems are facing increased rates of antimicrobial resistance and are associated with substantial morbidity, prolonged hospitalization times, and increased healthcare expenses.

Antimicrobial Treatment Options for Difficult-to-Treat Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Causing Cystitis, Pyelonephritis, and Prostatitis: A Narrative Review

Urinary tract infections, including cystitis, acute pyelonephritis, and prostatitis, are among the most common diagnoses prompting antibiotic prescribing. The rise in antimicrobial resistance over the past decades has led to the increasing challenge of urinary tract infections because of multidrug-resistant and "difficult-to-treat resistance" among Gram-negative bacteria. Recent advances in pharmacotherapy and medical microbiology are modernizing how these urinary tract infections are treated. Advances in pharmacotherapy have included not only the development and approval of novel antibiotics, such as ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/relebactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, cefiderocol, plazomicin, and glycylcyclines, but also the re-examination of the potential role of legacy antibiotics, including older aminoglycosides and tetracyclines. Recent advances in medical microbiology allow phenotypic and molecular mechanism of resistance testing, and thus antibiotic prescribing can be tailored to the mechanism of resistance in the infecting pathogen. Here, we provide a narrative review on the clinical and pre-clinical studies of drugs that can be used for difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacteria, with a particular focus on data relevant to the urinary tract. We also offer a pragmatic framework for antibiotic selection when encountering urinary tract infections due to difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacteria based on the organism and its mechanism of resistance.

Epidemiological trends of urinary tract infections, urolithiasis and benign prostatic hyperplasia in 203 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTI), urolithiasis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are three of the most common nonmalignant conditions in urology. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and updated epidemiological data. This study aimed to investigate the disease burden of UTI, urolithiasis, and BPH in 203 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, including incident cases, deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and corresponding age-standardized rate (ASR) from 1990 to 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to evaluate the trends of ASR. The associations between disease burden and social development degrees were analyzed using a sociodemographic index (SDI).

RESULTS

Compared with 1990, the incident cases of UTI, urolithiasis, and BPH increased by 60.40%, 48.57%, and 105.70% in 2019, respectively. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of UTI increased (EAPC = 0.08), while urolithiasis (EAPC = - 0.83) and BPH (EAPC = - 0.03) decreased from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of UTI and urolithiasis were 3.13/100,000 and 0.17/100,000, respectively. BPH had the largest increase (110.56%) in DALYs in the past three decades, followed by UTI (68.89%) and urolithiasis (16.95%). The burden of UTI was mainly concentrated in South Asia and Tropical Latin America, while the burden of urolithiasis and BPH was recorded in Asia and Eastern Europe. Moreover, the ASIR and SDI of urolithiasis in high-SDI regions from 1990 to 2019 were negatively correlated, while the opposite trend was seen in low-SDI regions. In 2019, the ASIR of UTI in females was 3.59 times that of males, while the ASIR of urolithiasis in males was 1.96 times higher than that in females. The incidence was highest in the 30-34, 55-59, and 65-69 age groups among the UTI, urolithiasis, and BPH groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Over the past three decades, the disease burden has increased for UTI but decreased for urolithiasis and BPH. The allocation of medical resources should be based more on the epidemiological characteristics and geographical distribution of diseases.

A randomized, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sitafloxacin versus levofloxacin in Chinese adults with acute uncomplicated or complicated urinary tract infection

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sitafloxacin versus levofloxacin in Chinese adults with acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) or complicated UTI.

METHODS

In this randomized, active-controlled clinical trial, the patients with acute uncomplicated UTI were randomized to receive sitafloxacin 100-mg once-daily (qd) or levofloxacin 500-mg qd orally for 3-5 days. The patients with complicated UTI were randomized to receive sitafloxacin 100-mg twice daily or levofloxacin 500-mg qd orally for 10-14 days. The primary endpoint was the clinical efficacy at test-of-cure (TOC) visit.

RESULTS

At TOC visit, the clinical cure rate was 89.2% (58/65) in sitafloxacin group and 97.1% (68/70) in levofloxacin group for the patients with acute uncomplicated UTI corresponding to the bacterial eradication rate of 97.1% (34/35) and 97.6% (41/42) (all p > .05), respectively. For the patients with complicated UTI, the clinical cure rate was 81.8% (27/33) in sitafloxacin group and 76.9% (20/26) in levofloxacin group corresponding to the bacterial eradication rate of 93.3% (14/15) and 63.6% (7/11) (all p > .05), respectively. Sitafloxacin and levofloxacin showed similar incidence of drug-related adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral sitafloxacin is as effective and safe as levofloxacin in treating acute uncomplicated and complicated UTI. KEY MESSAGE: Oral sitafloxacin showed similar clinical cure rate and bacterial eradication rate as levofloxacin for treatment of complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a randomized, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. Oral sitafloxacin is safe and well-tolerated in treating acute uncomplicated and complicated UTIs in Chinese adults. Sitafloxacin is a promising alternative treatment option for UTIs in adults.

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from mink in China, 2011-2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are potential pathogens that cause respiratory diseases in minks, and caused serious economic loss to mink breeding industry. In this study, we identified antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in 125 P. aeruginosa isolates from mink in China from 2011 to 2020. The results showed at least one mutation in the gyrA (Thr83Val or Asp87Gly) and parC (Ser87 Leu) genes as well as single mutations in 56 isolates. At least 4-fold reductions in the fluoroquinolone minimum inhibitory concentration values were found when tested in the presence of PAβN in 23 isolates, while 44 isolates were positive for the extended spectrum β-lactamases and 15 antibiotic resistance genes were identified in this population with a prevalence between 1-32%, including qnrA, CTX-M-1G, ermB and C, cmlA, flor, catl, intl1, tetA, B, C, and D as well as sul1, 2, and 3 genes. Interestingly, one isolate carried ten resistance genes. Five virulence genes were detected, where exoS and algD were the most frequently detected (76.8%), which were followed by plcH (76%), lasB (73.6%), and pilB (31.2%). The isolates carrying the antibiotic resistance or virulence genes were genetically variable, suggesting a horizontal spread through the population. Hence, this study provides novel and important data on the resistance and pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa in farmed mink infections. These data provide important insights into the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in P. aeruginosa, highlighting its usefulness in the treatment and control of P. aeruginosa infections in minks.

Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant genes and potent inhibitors against TEM, CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15, and SHV-1 proteins of Escherichia coli in district Peshawar, Pakistan

The Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing bacteria is an issue of concern for clinicians resulting in minimize the treatment options. To overcome resistance mechanisms, novel inhibitors with good Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) properties must inhibit the ESBLs resistant genes. The current study aimed to identify the antibiotic resistance genes of ESBLs producing E. coli and a single inhibitor was designed to inhibit all the resistant proteins. The results showed that 42.9% ESBL producers had CTX-M (69.9%), TEM (63.4%), SHV (34.5%) and CTX-M-14 (17.5%) genes. The ESBLs producing isolates were resistant to cephalosporins, quinolones, and sulfonamide with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) ranging from 64 to >256 μg/ml. To design multi inhibitory ligands, RECAP synthesis was used for the de-novo discovery of 1000 inhibitors database. Protein crystal structures were retrieved from Protein Data Base (PDB). Lipinski's rules of five were applied to the novel inhibitors database to improve the ADMET properties. The novel inhibitors database was selected for docking simulations. Placement of the ligand was used by the London dG algorithm implemented in Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), while GBVI/WSA dG algorithm was used for final refinement. Based on docking score, visual inspection of ligands interaction with key residues, binding affinity, and binding energy of ligands with proteins, ten compounds were selected for ESBLs proteins with best ADMET properties, binding energy, and binding affinity the reported ones. These hits compounds have unique scaffolds and are predicted to be a starting point for developing potent inhibitors against antibiotic-resistant proteins.

Antibacterial data synthesis challenges: a systematic review of treatments for complicated gram-negative urinary tract infections

Aim: To determine the suitability of network meta-analysis (NMA) using antibacterial treatment evidence in complicated urinary tract infection. Materials & methods: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify published clinical trial data for complicated urinary tract infection treatments. We performed a feasibility assessment to determine whether the available evidence would support the creation of a robust NMA, considering key assumptions of homogeneity, similarity and consistency. Results: Twenty-five trials met eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was low, and individual studies met their primary end point(s). Assumptions central to the conduct of a robust NMA were not met. Heterogeneity was ubiquitous, including baseline pathogen, treatment and patient characteristics. Conclusion: Limited and heterogeneous data identified make the use of NMA to compare novel antibacterial agents impractical and likely unreliable.

Extensive drug-resistance in strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from paediatric urinary tract infections

Objectives

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children are rapidly increasing worldwide and are commonly caused by extensively drug-resistant bacteria. This study determines the prevalence of UTIs in paediatric patients and evaluates the pattern of extensively drug-resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiellapneumoniae strains isolated from paediatric UTI patients.

Methods

Uropathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from paediatric patients with UTIs admitted to the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan. Strains of both E. coli and K. pneumoniae were identified using biochemical characterisation and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility assays for 21 common antimicrobial drugs in order to determine their extensively drug-resistant profile.

Results

We isolated 63 E. coli and 37 K. pneumoniae strains from 130 paediatric patients with UTIs over a period of six months. The antibiotic susceptibility assays showed that both the E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains exhibited a high degree of resistance against co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, cefixime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, pepedemic acid, and co-trimoxazole. However, several of the antimicrobial agents, including polymyxin B, colistin sulphate, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin, were found to retain their antimicrobial activities against both pathogens. The five highest antibiotic resistant strains were identified as E. coli strains ZK9, ZK40, and ZK60 and K. pneumoniae ZK32 and ZK89 using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that E. coli and K. pneumonia are the dominant extensively drug-resistant uropathogenic bacteria in community-acquired UTIs in our cohort. These uropathogens were found to be resistant to the majority of the routinely-used classes of β-lactams, pyridopyrimidines, quinolones, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and these findings may be useful for clinicians in their treatment of paediatric UTIs.

Susceptibility of hospital-acquired uropathogens to first-line antimicrobial agents at a tertiary health-care hospital, Saudi Arabia

Context

Management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is caused by antibiotic resistance uropathogens.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the important uropathogens and their resistance to first-line urinary tract antimicrobial agents.

Settings and Design

The region of Aseer, Southern Saudi Arabia, between 2013 and 2016.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1506 isolates were recovered from the urine samples of patients that were identified and tested against nine first-line UTI antimicrobial agents. Laboratory analysis was done as per the standard methods. Confirmation of bacterial identity and antimicrobial susceptibility assay was achieved by the VITEK 2 automated system.

Statistical Analysis Used

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results

The dominant uropathogens were Escherichia coli (E. coli) 507 (33.7%); Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), 229 (15.21%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 153 (10.2%); Acinetobacter baumannii, 80 (5.3%); Enterococcus faecalis, 71 (4.7%); and Proteus mirabilis, 61 (4.1%). Of all culture-positive uropathogens, 51.5% were resistant to the 39 agents, whereas 48.5% were sensitive (P = 0.7969). Regarding the susceptibility to the first-line agent, the most effective against the dominant (in vitro) agents against E. coli were fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin (93.5%) and (85.4%), respectively. Whereas those worked well against K. pneumoniae were cefoxitin (57.1).

Conclusions

The present study recommends the use of fosfomycin, cefoxitin, nitrofurantoin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate as the first choice UTIs treatment given their relatively high in vitro activity against major uropathogens. Knowledge of the bacterial species and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns are always necessary to serve as a base for selecting the empirical treatment of UTIs as resistance rates vary geographically and with time.

Bacterial susceptibility patterns to cotrimoxazole in urinary tract infections of outpatients and inpatients in Jakarta, Indonesia

BACKGROUND Cotrimoxazole, which has been one of the drugs of choice for urinary tract infections (UTIs) since 1960, must be evaluated to determine whether it is still a relevant drug for this use. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility patterns to cotrimoxazole of the bacteria that cause UTIs from urine samples of female outpatients (community-acquired [CA]-UTI) and inpatients (hospital-acquired [HA]-UTI) in Jakarta. METHODS This study was conducted from December 2014 to December 2015. Susceptibility testing of bacteria causing UTIs was conducted on 27 of 311 female outpatient urine samples collected from six clinics in Jakarta, and secondary data susceptibility testing was performed on 27 of 107 urine samples of inpatients from hospitals in Jakarta. These samples were examined in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. RESULTS Susceptibility to cotrimoxazole was reported in 83% of the bacteria causing UTIs in CA-UTI and 44% of the bacteria in HA-UTI patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common cause of CA-UTI, with all isolates susceptible to cotrimoxazole (100%). Conversely, Escherichia coli was the most common cause of HA-UTI but was only susceptible in some isolates (44%). Bacteria from CA-UTI patients were almost twice as susceptible to cotrimoxazole compared with HA-UTI patients (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Based on the susceptibility patterns identified, cotrimoxazole can be used as a treatment for CA-UTI but not for HA-UTI patients in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli From Dogs and Cats Admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan From 2014 to 2017

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes that mediate resistance to newer β-lactam antibiotics, including extended-spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. The production of ESBL is primarily plasmid mediated, and such plasmids often comprise the genes that encode resistance to other classes of antimicrobials, such as aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. Therefore, ESBL-producing microorganisms leave clinicians with limited therapeutic options in both human and veterinary medicine. Compared with human medicine, information regarding ESBL-producing microorganisms is limited in veterinary medicine. We screened for ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in dogs and cats admitted to National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, Taipei, from 2014 to 2017 and further analyzed the genotypes and phylogenetic traits of these ESBL producers. Double disk tests specified by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute were performed on 283 E. coli isolates and revealed a total of 65 E. coli (54 from dogs and 11 from cats) with the ESBL phenotype (22.8%). bla_{CTX−M−1group} and bla_{CTX−M−2group} were the most commonly identified ESBL gene groups. bla_CTX−M−55 was the main ESBL gene within the bla_{CTX−M−1group}, whereas the bla_{CTX−M−2group} contained only bla_{CTX−M−124}. The ESBL-producing E. coli were all resistant to ampicillin. The resistance rate to ceftiofur, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin was 93.8, 73.8, 80, and 78.5%, respectively. Of the antibiotics tested, greater sensitivity to imipenem and gentamicin was noted. Multilocus sequence typing indicated that ST457, ST131, and ST648 were the most common sequence types. Our study identified eight ST131/O25b isolates, which is a global zoonotic clone of public health concern. The major ESBL genes of these clones were bla_{CTX−M−174} and bla_{CTX−M−194}. Because companion animals such as dogs and cats are in close contact with humans, the characterization of ESBL producers originating from them is crucial from the perspective of both public health and veterinary medicine.

A Prediction Tool for the Presence of Ceftriaxone-Resistant Uropathogens upon Hospital Admission

Antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens is a particularly pressing problem in the Asia-Pacific region. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence and susceptibility of uropathogens upon hospital admission and to develop a risk-scoring model to predict the presence of ceftriaxone-resistance uropathogens (CrP). This was a retrospective observational cohort study of patients with a positive urine culture within 48 h of presentation at National University Hospital, Singapore between June 2015 and August 2015. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen isolated (51.7%), followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (15.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.2%). Overall, 372 out of 869 isolates (42.8%) were resistant to ceftriaxone. Hospitalization for ≥2 days within past 30 days, antibiotic use within the past 3 months and male gender were associated with the presence of CrP. A risk score based on these parameters successfully predicted CrP with an area under the curve of 0.68. The risk score will help clinicians to accurately predict antibiotic resistance at the individual patient level and allow physicians to safely prescribe empiric ceftriaxone in patients at low risk of CrP, thus reducing the antibiotic selection pressure that is driving carbapenem resistance in hospitals throughout Asia.

A guide for urogynecologic patient care utilizing telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: review of existing evidence

Introduction and hypothesis

The COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to “flatten the curve” of transmission have significantly affected the way providers care for patients. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons (FPMRS) must provide high quality of care through remote access such as telemedicine. No clear guidelines exist on the use of telemedicine in FPMRS. Using expedited literature review methodology, we provide guidance regarding management of common outpatient urogynecology scenarios during the pandemic.

Methods

We grouped FPMRS conditions into those in which virtual management differs from direct in-person visits and conditions in which treatment would emphasize behavioral and conservative counseling but not deviate from current management paradigms. We conducted expedited literature review on four topics (telemedicine in FPMRS, pessary management, urinary tract infections, urinary retention) and addressed four other topics (urinary incontinence, prolapse, fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction) based on existing systematic reviews and guidelines. We further compiled expert consensus regarding management of FPMRS patients in the virtual setting, scenarios when in-person visits are necessary, symptoms that should alert providers, and specific considerations for FPMRS patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Results

Behavioral, medical, and conservative management will be valuable as first-line virtual treatments. Certain situations will require different treatments in the virtual setting while others will require an in-person visit despite the risks of COVID-19 transmission.

Conclusions

We have presented guidance for treating FPMRS conditions via telemedicine based on rapid literature review and expert consensus and presented it in a format that can be actively referenced.

Five compelling UTI questions after kidney transplant

PURPOSE

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection among infectious complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). After transplantation, infections can result from surgical complications, donor-derived infections, pre-existing recipient infections, and nosocomial infections. Post-transplant infection is still a major cause of morbidity, mortality, graft dysfunction and rejection. In this paper, we aimed to review a few compelling questions in kidney transplantation (KTX).

METHODS

To identify relevant clinical questions regarding KTX and UTI a meeting was conducted among physicians involved in the KT program in our hospital. After discussion, several clinically relevant questions related to UTI after KTX. The 5 first rated in importance were judged generalizable to other clinical settings and selected for the purposes of this review.

RESULTS

Nearly half of the patients present in the first three months of transplant with UTI. The most common uropathogens in post-transplant UTIs are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. Risk factors for UTI include female sex, advanced age, recurrent UTI before transplant, prolonged urethral catheterization, delayed graft function, and cadaveric kidney transplant.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of post-transplant UTI is similar in both developed and developing countries. E.coli is the most common pathogen in most of studies. Cadaveric donor and post-dialysis transplantation are defined as independent risk factors for post-transplant UTI. Further studies are still required to identify risk factors after kidney transplantation and UTI's importance for graft function and patient outcome.

Transcriptional response of mar, sox and rob regulon against concentration gradient carbapenem stress within Escherichia coli isolated from hospital acquired infection

Objective

The present study was carried out to investigate the transcriptional response of marA (Multiple antibiotic resistance A gene), soxS (Superoxide S gene) and rob (Right-origin-binding gene) under carbapenem stress.

Results

12 isolates were found over-expressing AcrAB-TolC efflux pump system and showed reduced expression of OmpF (Outer membrane porin) gene were selected for further study. Among them, over expression of marA and rob was observed in 7 isolates. Increasing pattern of expression of marA and rob against meropenem was observed. The clones of marA and rob showed reduced susceptibility towards carbapenems.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile and Diversity of Subtypes Genes in Escherichia coli Causing Bloodstream Infection in Northern Vietnam

BACKGROUND:

Evaluating the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance genes is essential in the clinical management of bloodstream infections (BSIs). But there are still limited studies in Northern Vietnam.

AIM:

The aim of the study was to determine the antibiotic resistance profile and characteristics of subtypes genes in Escherichia coli causing BSIs in Northern Vietnam.

METHODS:

The cross-sectional study was done in the period from December 2012 to June 2014 in two tertiary hospitals in Northern Vietnam. Tests were performed at the lab of the hospital.

RESULTS:

In 56 E. coli strains isolating 39.29 % produced ESBL. 100% of the isolates harbored blaTEM gene, but none of them had the blaPER gene. The prevalence of ESBL producers and ESBL non-producers in blaCTX-M gene was 81.82%, and 73.53%, in blaSHV gene was 18.18% and 35.29%. Sequencing results showed three blaTEM subtypes (blaTEM 1, 79, 82), four blaCTX-M subtypes (blaCTX-M-15, 73, 98, 161), and eight blaSHV subtypes (blaSHV 5, 7, 12, 15, 24, 33, 57, 77). Antibiotic resistance was higher in ampicillin (85.71%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (64.29%) and cephazolin (50%). Antibiotics were still highly susceptible including doripenem (96.43%), ertapenem (94.64%), amikacin (96.43%), and cefepime (89.29%).

CONCLUSION:

In Escherichia coli causing BSIs, antibiotic resistance was higher in ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and cephazolin. Antibiotics was highly susceptible including doripenem, ertapenem, amikacin, and cefepime.

Clinical outcomes of hospitalised patients with catheter-associated urinary tract infection in countries with a high rate of multidrug-resistance: the COMBACTE-MAGNET RESCUING study

Background

Although catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is a major healthcare-related problem worldwide, there is a scarcity of current data from countries with high antimicrobial resistance rates. We aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of patients with CA-UTI compared to those of patients with other sources of complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI), and to assess the impact of antimicrobial resistance. We also aimed to identify the factors influencing 30-day mortality among patients with CA-UTI.

Methods

This was a multicentre, multinational retrospective cohort study including hospitalised adults with cUTI between January 2013 and December 2014 in twenty hospitals from eight countries from southern Europe, Turkey and Israel. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. The secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay, symptom improvement after 7 days' treatment, symptom recurrence at 30 days and readmission 60 days after hospital discharge.

Results

Of the 807 cUTI episodes, 341 (42.2%) were CA-UTIs. The time from catheter insertion to cUTI diagnosis was less than 2 weeks in 44.6% of cases. Overall, 74.5% of cases had hospital or healthcare-acquired CA-UTI. Compared to patients with other cUTI aetiologies, those with CA-UTI had the following characteristics: they were more frequently males, older, admitted for a reason other than cUTI and admitted from a long-term care facility; had higher Charlson's comorbidity index; and more frequently had polymicrobial infections and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). Patients with CA-UTI also had significantly higher 30-day mortality rates (15.2% vs 6%) and longer hospital stay (median 14 [interquartile range -IQR- 7-27] days vs 8 [IQR 5-14] days) than patients with cUTI of other sources. After adjusting for confounders, CA-UTI was not independently associated with an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-2.54), and neither was the presence of MDR-GNB.

Conclusions

CA-UTI was the most frequent source of cUTI, affecting mainly frail patients. The mortality of patients with CA-UTI was high, though this was not directly related to the infection.

Distribution of bla CTX - M , bla TEM , bla SHV and bla OXA genes in Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Clinical isolates: A three-year multi-center study from Lahore, Pakistan

Background

Frequency of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing clinical isolates is increasing worldwide. This is a multi-center study which was aimed to check the frequency of third-generation cephalosporin resistance and distribution of the key genetic determinants of Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Clinical isolates in Pakistan.

Methods

A total of 2372 samples were processed in three tertiary care hospitals and one diagnostic research center of Lahore, Pakistan during Aug-2014 to Sep-2017. Analytical profile index (API 20-E) was used for biochemical characterization of isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and third generation cephalosporin resistant (3GC-R) isolates were subjected to: double disc synergism test (DDST), combination disc test (CDST) and epsilometric test (E-test) for confirmation of ESBL-production. PCR amplification of isolates with plasmid and genomic DNA was performed. Amplicon sequences were checked for gene-variants and statistical analyses were performed to check the significance of data.

Results

A total of 497/995 (50%) isolates including Escherichia coli 65% (n = 321), Klebsiella spp. 25% (n = 124) and Pseudomonas. 5% (n = 24), Enterobacter spp. 4% (n = 20) and Acinetobacter spp. 2% (n = 8) were screened as third generation cephalosporin resistant (3GC-R). Urine 56% (n = 278) followed by pus 20% (n = 99) and wound swab 6% (n = 29) were frequent sources. Incidence of ESBL-producers detected by combination disc test was 79% (n = 392). PCR revealed bla_{CTX − M} (76%) gene followed by bla_OXA (52%), bla_TEM (28%) and bla_SHV (21%) were most prevalent among ESBL-producers detected by CDST. bla_{CTX − M − 1}(65%), bla_OXA (78%) and bla_TEM (57%) genes were carried on plasmids. Amplicon sequencing revealed bla_{CTX − M − 15} (75%), bla_OXA − 1 (49%) and bla_{TEM − 1B} (34%) and 21 (n = 28) isolates carried three genes in them.

Conclusion

Prevalence of ESBL-producing isolates has increased 1.13 folds during study years. Isolates had high prevalence of ESBL-encoding bla_{CTXM − 15} gene and narrow spectrum bla_OXA − 1 and bla_{TEM − 1B} were also prevalent.

Predictive factors for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria among hospitalised patients with complicated urinary tract infections

Background

Patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) frequently receive broad-spectrum antibiotics. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in patients with cUTI.

Methods

This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in south and eastern Europe, Turkey and Israel including consecutive patients with cUTIs hospitalised between January 2013 and December 2014. Multidrug-resistance was defined as non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to determine predictive factors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria cUTI.

Results

From 948 patients and 1074 microbiological isolates, Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism (559/1074), showing a 14.5% multidrug-resistance rate. Klebsiella pneumoniae was second (168/1074) and exhibited the highest multidrug-resistance rate (54.2%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97/1074) with a 38.1% multidrug-resistance rate. Predictors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–2.29), acquisition of cUTI in a medical care facility (OR, 2.59; 95%CI, 1.80–3.71), presence of indwelling urinary catheter (OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 0.99–2.10), having had urinary tract infection within the previous year (OR, 1.89; 95%CI, 1.28–2.79) and antibiotic treatment within the previous 30 days (OR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.13–2.50).

Conclusions

The current high rate of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria infections among hospitalised patients with cUTIs in the studied area is alarming. Our predictive model could be useful to avoid inappropriate antibiotic treatment and implement antibiotic stewardship policies that enhance the use of carbapenem-sparing regimens in patients at low risk of multidrug-resistance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-018-0401-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Stopping the effective non-fluoroquinolone antibiotics at day 7 vs continuing until day 14 in adults with acute pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization: A randomized non-inferiority trial

Objective

To evaluate whether stopping the effective antibiotic treatment following clinical improvement at Day 7 (Truncated treatment) would be non-inferior to continued treatment until Day 14 (Continued treatment) in patients with acute pyelonephritis (APN) requiring hospitalization treated with non-fluoroquinolone (non-FQ) antibiotics.

Methods

Hospitalized adult men and non-pregnant women with culture-confirmed APN were eligible for participation after they had clinically improved following empirical or culture-guided treatment with intravenous non-FQ antibiotic(s). We excluded patients with severe sepsis, abscesses, prostatitis, recurrent or catheter-associated urinary tract infection, or urinary tract obstruction. We randomized eligible patients on Day 7 of effective treatment and assessed them at Weeks 1 and 6 after treatment completion. The primary outcome was retreatment for recurrent urinary tract infection. The prespecified non-inferiority margin was 15%.

Results

Between March 17, 2015 and August 22, 2016, we randomly allocated 54 patients—27 patients in each arm. Twenty-four (44%) patients were male, and 26 (48%) had diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli was the most common urinary isolate (47 [87%] patients); 36 (78%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. In all, 41 (76%) patients received amikacin-based treatment. At the end of 6 weeks, no patient in the truncated treatment arm required retreatment, whereas 1 patient in the continued treatment arm was retreated. Difference (90% CI) in retreatment was −3.7% (−15.01% to 6.15%). Upper bound of the difference (6.15%) was below the prespecified limit, establishing non-inferiority of truncated treatment. Asymptomatic bacteriuria at Week 6 was similar between the two arms (3/24 vs. 3/26; P = 1.0). Patients in the truncated treatment arm had significantly shorter hospital stay (8 [7–10] vs. 14 [14–15] days; P < 0.001) and less antibiotic consumption per patient (8.4 ± 2.8 vs. 17.4 ± 8.3 DDDs; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Stopping the effective non-FQ antibiotics following clinical improvement at Day 7 is non-inferior to continued treatment until Day 14 in selected patients with APN requiring hospitalization.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials Registry-India; CTRI/2016/04/006810.

Determination of gyrA and parC mutations and prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Iran

OBJECTIVES

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are recommended as the drugs of choice for the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study investigated the molecular determinants of FQ resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Iran.

METHODS

A total of 364 clinical isolates of E. coli (n=144) and K. pneumoniae (n=220) were collected from patients with UTI. Susceptibility of the isolates to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and nalidixic acid was evaluated by disk diffusion. The presence of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes was assessed by PCR. Nucleotide sequences of the gyrA and parC genes were determined.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven (60.4%) and 15 (6.8%) E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively, were resistant to at least one of the tested FQs. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes were detected in 12.6% and 60.0% of FQ-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Whilst qnrB predominated in K. pneumoniae, qnrS was the most prevalent PMQR gene in E. coli. S83L (98.9%) and D87N (59.8%) were the most frequent mutations identified in GyrA of E. coli, and 55.2% (n=48) of FQ-resistant E. coli isolates had mutation in ParC harbouring S80I and E84V substitutions. The GyrAS83L substitution was found in only one FQ-resistant K. pneumoniae isolate.

CONCLUSIONS

FQ resistance was much more common in E. coli isolates than in K. pneumoniae. Whilst mutations in the drug target-encoding genes gyrA and parC were the major mechanisms involved in FQ resistance in E. coli, PMQR determinants commonly mediated FQ resistance in K. pneumoniae.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli contributes to the survival of cefotaxime-susceptible E. coli under high concentrations of cefotaxime by acquisition of increased AmpC expression

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E) are becoming increasingly widespread in Vietnam. Antibiotics are detected in many Vietnamese foods; however, the effect of ESBL-E and antibiotic consumption on intestinal bacteria has not been studied sufficiently. Here, we investigated the effect of oral administration of ESBL-E (TB19) and cefotaxime on luminescence-emitting cefotaxime-sensitive E. coli (X14). Mice were given water containing TB19 and then received three injections of 1.0 × 108 CFU of X14 harboring a luciferase gene. The mice were administered 100 μg of cefotaxime and luminescent bacteria were monitored over 24 h, following which luminescent bacteria were isolated from mouse feces. Luminescence continued to be detected in mice administered TB19 24 h after cefotaxime ingestion. Fecal analysis revealed two types of luminescent colonies: cefoxitin-resistant E. coli (X14-R) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis confirmed that X14-R was a clonal strain of X14, suggesting that X14 survived using ESBLs originating from TB19 and acquired cefoxitin resistance due to cefotaxime consumption. Moreover, in vitro analysis of X14 indicated that expression of the ampC gene was upregulated by cefotaxime. Overall, ESBL-E and cefotaxime promoted the expansion of cefoxitin-resistant E. coli in the absence of plasmid-mediated gene transfer.

Prevalence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: first systematic meta-analysis report from Pakistan

Background

South-Asia is known as a hub for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Unfortunately, proper surveillance and documentation of MDR pathogens is lacking in Pakistan. The alarming increase in the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is a serious problem. From this perspective, we analysed published data regarding ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in different regions of Pakistan.

Methods

A meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Pakistan. A Web-based search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus and PakMedi Net (for non-indexed Pakistani journals). Articles published (in either indexed or non-indexed journals) between January 2002 and July 2016 were included in the study. Relevant data were extracted, and statistical analysis was performed using the Metaprop command of STATA version 14.1.

Results

A total of 68 studies were identified from the electronic data base search, and 55 of these studies met our inclusion criteria. Pakistan’s overall pooled proportion of ESBL-producers was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.34–0.47). The overall heterogeneity was significant (I2 = 99.75%, p < 0.001), and significant ES = 0 (Z = 18.41, p < 0.001) was found. OXA, SHV, TEM and CTX-M were the most commonly found gene variants for ESBLs in these studies.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae is high in Pakistan. Little is known about the annual frequency of ESBLs and their prevalence in different provinces of Pakistan. No data are available regarding ESBL frequency in Baluchistan. This underscores an urgent demand for regular surveillance to address this antimicrobial resistance problem. Surveillance to better understand the annual ESBL burden is crucial to improve national and regional guidelines.

Genetic diversity study of various β-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from a tertiary care hospital using ERIC-PCR

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolates producing β-lactamase enzyme is a growing problem across the globe. Strain typing is an epidemiologically important tool not only for detecting the cross transmission of nosocomial pathogens but also for determining the source of infection. The present study was conducted to understand the clonal relationship among various β-lactamase-producing MDR E. coli isolates using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

METHODS

A total of 41 MDR E. coli isolates were randomly collected from various clinical samples and processed. Isolated organisms were tested for antibiotics resistance pattern. Phenotypic detection of metallo β-lactamases (MBL) was carried out by the imipenem-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disc diffusion/double-disc synergy test. AmpC enzyme production was tested by a modified three-dimensional extract test.

RESULTS

Almost all isolates were found sensitive to colistin. A high percentage of drug resistance was observed in these isolates against ceftazidime (100%), cefotaxime (100%), cefepime (100%), ofloxacin (97.56%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (97.56%) and norfloxacin (85.36%). Of the 41 isolates, ESBL producers were found to be predominant, i.e., 22 (53.65%), followed by AmpC (6, 14.63%) and MBL (5, 12.19%).

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

At 60 per cent similarity cut-off value, the dendrogram analysis showed that there were a total of 14 unique clusters of ERIC (CL-1 - CL-14) within the 41 E. coli isolates, which revealed the genetic diversity existing between them.

Prevalence of TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections in adults

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the major sources of widespread infectious diseases in the community as well as in the hospitals which increase the cause of morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing uropathogenic E. coli isolates has been found to be increased rapidly across the world. The present study was undertaken to find out the frequency of bla _TEM, bla _CTX-M, and bla _SHV genes among E. coli isolates from UTI and detect their sensitivity pattern. A total of 112 non-repeated E. coli isolates obtained from urine samples of UTI diagnosed patients were included in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by disc diffusion method. Seventy seven (68.75%) isolates were MDR and tested for ESBL. ESBL-positive isolates were screened for bla _TEM, bla _CTX-M, and bla _SHV genes by monoplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Among 46 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, 8.69% harboured all the three bla genes. The bla _TEM was the predominant (93.47%) gene followed by bla _CTX-M (82.6%) and bla _SHV (4.34%). It can be concluded that the prevalence of MDR (multidrug resistance) ESBL-producing E. coli appears to be high and the highest identified gene was bla _TEM. The knowledge of resistance pattern can help physician's select suitable empirical antibiotic regimens, so that antibiotics showing high-resistance pattern can be avoided.

Pediatric fluoroquinolone prescription in South Korea before and after a regulatory intervention: A nationwide study, 2007-2015

Objective

To investigate the impact of national implementation of age restriction on fluoroquinolone prescription in children and adolescents.

Methods

Data collected from the database of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in South Korea, a national health insurance system to analyze fluoroquinolone prescribing practice in children and adolescents younger than 18 years, between 2007 and 2015. The age restriction was implemented in December 2009. The annual prescription rate of FQ per 100,000 person-years was calculated and an autoregressive model was used to predict the prescription pattern if an intervention had not occurred.

Results

A total of 505,859 children received systemic fluoroquinolone during the study period—297,054 ciprofloxacin, and 208,805 levofloxacin. After implementation of the drug utilization review program, the annual prescription rate for ciprofloxacin declined by 97.5% (from 840 to 21 per 100,000 person-years, P < 0.001), and for levofloxacin by 96.4% (from 598 to 11 per 100,000 person-years, P < 0.001). The decline was more dramatic in the outpatient setting than in the inpatient setting for both drugs.

Conclusion

The dramatic and sustained decline in prescription number and change in prescription pattern after the regulatory action suggests that the implementation under drug utilization review program was successful in controlling excessive and inappropriate use of fluoroquinolones in children, possibly guiding towards more judicious and selective prescription behavior.

Antimicrobial resistance in uropathogens and appropriateness of empirical treatment: a population-based surveillance study in Indonesia

Objectives

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason for empirical treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics worldwide. However, population-based antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevalence data to inform empirical treatment choice are lacking in many regions, because of limited surveillance capacity. We aimed to assess the prevalence of AMR to commonly used antimicrobial drugs in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with community- or healthcare-associated UTIs on two islands of Indonesia.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional patient-based study in public and private hospitals and clinics between April 2014 and May 2015. We screened patients for symptoms of UTIs and through urine dipstick analysis. Urine culture and susceptibility testing were supported by telemicrobiology and interactive virtual laboratory rounds. Surveillance data were entered in forms on mobile phones.

Results

Of 3424 eligible patients, 3380 (98.7%) were included in the final analysis, and yielded 840 positive cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility data for 657 E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates. Fosfomycin was the single oral treatment option with resistance prevalence <20% in both E. coli and K. pneumoniae in community settings. Tigecycline and fosfomycin were the only options for treatment of catheter-associated UTIs with resistance prevalence <20%, whilst the prevalence of resistance to meropenem was 21.3% in K. pneumoniae .

Conclusions

Patient-based surveillance of AMR in E. coli and K. pneumoniae causing UTIs indicates that resistance to the commonly available empirical treatment options is high in Indonesia. Smart AMR surveillance strategies are needed to inform policy makers and to guide interventions.

Cost-effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with piperacillin/tazobactam as empiric therapy based on the in-vitro surveillance of bacterial isolates in the United States for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections

Background

A challenge in the empiric treatment of complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) is identifying the initial appropriate antibiotic therapy (IAAT), which is associated with reduced length of stay and mortality compared with initial inappropriate antibiotic therapy (IIAT). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with piperacillin/tazobactam (one of the standard of care antibiotics), for the treatment of hospitalized patients with cUTI.

Methods

A decision-analytic Monte Carlo simulation model was developed to compare the costs and effectiveness of empiric treatment with either ceftolozane/tazobactam or piperacillin/tazobactam in hospitalized adult patients with cUTI infected with Gram-negative pathogens in the US. The model applies the baseline prevalence of resistance as reported by national in-vitro surveillance data.

Results

In a cohort of 1000 patients, treatment with ceftolozane/tazobactam resulted in higher total costs compared with piperacillin/tazobactam ($36,413 /patient vs. $36,028/patient, respectively), greater quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) (9.19/patient vs. 9.13/patient, respectively) and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $6128/QALY. Ceftolozane/tazobactam remained cost-effective at a willingness to pay of $100,000 per QALY compared to piperacillin/tazobactam over a range of input parameter values during one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

Model results show that ceftolozane/tazobactam is likely to be cost-effective compared with piperacillin/tazobactam for the empiric treatment of hospitalized cUTI patients in the United States.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2408-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mulitcenter study on antibiotic prophylaxis, infectious complications and risk assessment in TUR-P

INTRODUCTION

Transurethral resection of the prostate is one of the most frequent urological procedures. Urinary tract infections represent major sequelae, but data about antibiotic prophylaxis in TUR-P are controversial and outdated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicentre study of TUR-P in ten German hospitals. Primary endpoints were epidemiological and outcome data of TUR-P. Secondary endpoints were the identification of factors associated with febrile UTIs and sepsis after TUR-P.

RESULTS

We included 444 patients with a median age of 71.0 years. Nearly every patient (93.5%) received some kind of antibiotic prophylaxis. Complication rates were 4.9% for febrile UTIs and 2.3% sepsis. Significant risk factors associated with febrile UTIs were pre-existing risk factors for UTIs (p = 0.035) and a duration of catheterization of more than three days (p <0.0001). Significant risk factors for sepsis were duration of surgery of more than 60 minutes (p = 0.030) and again a duration of catheterization of more than three days (p <0.0001). Interestingly, 50.8% of the cases had evidence of chronic prostatitis in their histological specimen. This evidence of chronic prostatitis was significantly associated with febrile UTIs (p = 0.019) and sepsis (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Duration of catheterization is one of the major risk factors for infectious complications after TUR-P. Antibiotic prophylaxis in TUR-P needs prospective investigation. These future studies should also address chronic prostatitis a priori.

[Multidrug-resistant bacteria in Germany. The impact of sources outside healthcare facilities]

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is an ongoing discussion about the question whether the emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) among humans is due to transfer of these bacteria from animals.

OBJECTIVES

This review summarizes data on the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing enterobacteria in animals and humans, and describes knowledge about transmission pathways.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After a scientific literature analysis, relevant articles were identified by screening of titles and abstracts, amended by publications of infection control authorities and the respective reference lists.

RESULTS

MDRO are both transmitted in the nosocomial setting and are increasingly detected as sources of infection outside healthcare facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to new transmission pathways of MDRO an inter-disciplinary approach towards prevention is necessary, involving medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary expertise.

Antibiotic Susceptibilities and Genetic Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Stools of Pediatric Diarrhea Patients in Surabaya, Indonesia

The purpose of this study was to investigate extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates from pediatric (aged 0 to 3 years) diarrhea patients in Surabaya, Indonesia, where this kind of survey is rare; our study included assessment of their antibiotic susceptibilities, as well as ESBL typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC)-typing. ESBL-producing E. coli were detected in 18.8% of all the samples. Many ESBL-producing E. coli had significantly lower susceptibility to gentamicin (p ＜ 0.0001) and the quinolones nalidixic acid (p＝0.004) and ciprofloxacin (p ＜ 0.0001) than non-producers. In ESBL-producing E. coli, 84.0% of strains expressed CTX-M-15 alone or in combination with other ESBL types. MLST revealed that 24.0% of ESBL-producers had sequence type 617, all of which expressed the CTX-M-15 gene; we also detected expression of 3 DEC-related genes: 2 enteroaggregative E. coli genes and 1 enteropathogenic E. coli gene. In conclusion, CTX-M-15-type ESBL-producing E. coli ST617 appear to have spread to Indonesia.

Treatment efficacy and superinfection rates in complicated urinarytract infections treated with ertapenem or piperacillin tazobactam

BACKGROUND/AIM

In this retrospective study, the efficacy of ertapenem and piperacillin tazobactam was compared in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). Treatment responses were also evaluated for both antibiotics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 230 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 170 received ertapenem and 60 received piperacillin-tazobactam.

RESULTS

In both groups, urine cultures after 48 h were negative for the initial uropathogen. The frequency of superinfection was 29.4% in the ertapenem group and 8.3% in the piperacillin-tazobactam group over the duration of treatment (P < 0.05). Urinary catheterization increased the superinfection risk 2.88-fold in the ertapenem group and diabetes mellitus increased the risk 8.50-fold in the piperacillin-tazobactam group (CI: 1.44-5.76 and 1.16-62.09, respectively, P < 0.05). The main pathogen isolated from superinfection in the ertapenem group after 48 h was Enterococcus spp. (71.4%).

CONCLUSION

Both ertapenem and piperacillin-tazobactam were effective in the treatment of cUTIs caused by ESBL-producing microorganisms. A high frequency of superinfection in the ertapenem group was the result of Enterococcus and Pseudomonas spp., against which ertapenem is not active. In the presence of urinary catheterization, diabetes mellitus, and urological intervention, patients should be closely monitored for the development of a superinfection, especially patients receiving ertapenem.

Outcomes of high-dose levofloxacin therapy remain bound to the levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration in complicated urinary tract infections

Background

Fluoroquinolones are a guideline-recommended therapy for complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis. Elevated drug concentrations of fluoroquinolones in the urine and therapy with high-dose levofloxacin are believed to overcome resistance and effectively treat infections caused by resistant bacteria. The ASPECT-cUTI phase 3 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345929 and NCT01345955, both registered April 28, 2011) provided an opportunity to test this hypothesis by examining the clinical and microbiological outcomes of high-dose levofloxacin treatment by levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to ceftolozane/tazobactam (1.5 g intravenous every 8 h) or levofloxacin (750 mg intravenous once daily) for 7 days of therapy. The ASPECT-cUTI study provided data on 370 patients with at least one isolate of Enterobacteriaceae at baseline who were treated with levofloxacin. Outcomes were assessed at the test-of-cure (5–9 days after treatment) and late follow-up (21–42 days after treatment) visits in the microbiologically evaluable population (N = 327).

Results

Test-of-cure clinical cure rates above 90% were observed at minimum inhibitory concentrations ≤4 μg/mL. Microbiological eradication rates were consistently >90% at levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations ≤0.06 μg/mL. Lack of eradication of causative pathogens at the test-of-cure visit increased the likelihood of relapse by the late follow-up visit.

Conclusions

Results from this study do not support levofloxacin therapy for complicated urinary tract infections caused by organisms with levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥4 μg/mL.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345929 and NCT01345955

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-2057-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk Factor Analysis of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases Pathogen-Induced Acute Bacterial Prostatitis in Korea

The objectives of this study were to investigate risk factors and the incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in patients with acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP). We reviewed the medical records of 307 patients who were diagnosed with ABP between January 2006 and December 2015. The etiologic pathogens and risk factors for ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli and ESBL-producing microbes, susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, and the incidence of ESBL in patients with ABP were described. History of prior urologic manipulation was an independent risk factor for ciprofloxacin-resistant (P = 0.005) and ESBL-producing microbes (P = 0.005). Advanced age (over 60 years) was an independent risk factor for ciprofloxacin-resistant microbes (P = 0.022). The ciprofloxacin susceptibility for Escherichia coli in groups without prior manipulation was documented 85.7%. For groups with prior manipulation, the susceptibility was 10.0%. Incidence of ESBL-producing microbes by pathogen was 3.8% for E. coli and 1.0% for Klebsiella pneumonia in the absence of manipulation group, and 20% and 33.3% in the presence of manipulation group, respectively. Initial treatment of ABP must consider patient's age and the possibility of prior manipulation to optimize patient treatment. With the high rate of resistance to fluoroquinolone, cephalosporins with amikacin, or carbapenems, or extended-spectrum penicillin with beta lactamase inhibitor should be considered as the preferred empirical ABP treatment in the patients with history of prior urologic manipulation.