Management of Gram-Positive Coccal Bacteremia and Hemodialysis

Vancomycin use for haemodialysis patients-Development of a new dosing protocol

AIM

To develop a dosing and monitoring protocol to achieve therapeutic vancomycin levels on intermittent haemodialysis.

METHODS

We identified 15 vancomycin treatment courses received by patients on intermittent haemodialysis at a district health board in Auckland, New Zealand. Demographic, biochemical and clinical parameters were gathered from their health records. We subsequently devised and implemented a new vancomycin protocol consisting of weight-based loading dose, and subsequent dose titration according to same-day measured pre-dialysis levels. We then re-audited 16 vancomycin treatment courses to assess the performance of the protocol.

RESULTS

A significantly higher proportion of vancomycin levels were within the target range (15-20 mg/L) following the implementation of protocol, from 23% to 46% (p < .005). Additionally, a greater proportion of treatment courses had >50% of pre-dialysis levels within the target range, rising from 13% to 56% (p < .01). In the pre-protocol group, 19 out of 117 doses of vancomycin were withheld during treatment, compared to 1 out of 118 doses in the post-protocol group. A total of 62% of total maintenance doses were administered in adherence to protocol. Length of hospital stay and number of positive blood cultures while on treatment were reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial audit revealed deficiencies in our clinical practice in the absence of a local vancomycin protocol for patients receiving intermittent haemodialysis. Following the implementation of our novel protocol, there was an improvement in therapeutic levels and fewer doses were withheld. Our sample size was too small to allow for interpretation of clinical outcome data.

Patterns of microbial resistance in bloodstream infections of hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a prominent cause of death and hospitalization among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is making the management of these infections more challenging. This study describes the clinical characteristics, microbial profiles and antibiotic resistance patterns in patients with BSIs. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at An-Najah National University Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020. Clinical and demographic data regarding BSIs were collected from the hospital information system. Data regarding bacterial isolates and the antimicrobial resistance of BSIs were collected from the microbiology lab. Data were entered and analyzed using version 21 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (IBM-SPSS). 111 BSIs occurred during the study period, with a rate of 1.5 infections per 100 patient-months. These patients had been on HD for the median duration of 747 (360, 1825) days and 62.2% had already had a BSI before the study period. 118 microorganisms were isolated; 99 (83.89%) were gram-positive and 19 (16.1%) were gram-negative. Among the gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (88, 74.57%) were predominant. As for the gram-negative isolates, the most frequent were both Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Escherichia coli, with five (4.23%) positive cultures each. Among the latter, two were Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing (ESBL) (1.69%). The most frequently used empiric antibiotics were a combination of vancomycin and gentamicin (27%), followed by vancomycin alone (24.3%). Regarding gram-positive isolates, vancomycin was the most frequently used and effective antibiotic after cultures, whereas for gram-negative bacteria, it was found to be gentamicin. MDROs were defined as those resistant to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. 89 (75.4%) isolates were found to be MDRO, 85 (85.85%) gram-positive bacteria and 4 (21%) gram-negative bacteria. When comparing patients according to the type of vascular access, 66 (75%) infections with MDRO were found among patients with central venous catheters (CVCs). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between the type of vascular access and infection with MDRO (p = 0.523). MDRO cause a remarkably high proportion of BSIs in Palestinian patients. The results of this study support the empiric use of vancomycin and gentamicin to treat these infections. It is vital that health care providers prevent these infections via instituting and adhering to infection control policies in hemodialysis centers and providing proper antibiotic therapy of limited use and duration when necessary to avoid breeding resistance.

Lipoteichoic Acid as a Potential Noninvasive Biomarker of Biofilm in Dialysis Access

Tunneled central venous catheters (TCVCs) are colonized by Gram-positive organisms and form biofilm. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a Gram-positive cell wall component that can be measured in serum. The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize LTA concentrations in hemodialysis (HD) patients with TCVCs compared to other access types and to evaluate biofilm morphology and microbiology in TCVCs removed by clinical decision. The study enrolled patients with TCVCs (18), grafts (19), and fistulas (18). Blood samples were collected before HD, at 30 minutes, 2 hours, and end of HD. Catheters removed by clinical decision were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for biofilm morphology, and portions of the catheter were cultured. LTA was detectable in all samples and concentrations increased significantly in all access types during HD (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Patients with TCVCs that had a >30% increase in LTA concentration from baseline also had the greatest rate of increase (slope) compared to grafts and fistulas (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). Catheters removed by clinical decision (n = 7) and examined by SEM had deposition of fibrin. Cultures revealed polymicrobial colonization. TCVCs had the highest rate of increase of LTA during HD. Further studies to determine the source of LTA in patients with AVG and AVF are warranted.

Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics

Antimicrobial pharmacology and its effect on prescribing is quite complex. Selecting an antibiotic that will optimally treat an infection while minimizing adverse effects and the development of resistance is only the first step, as one must also consider the patient's individual pharmacokinetic alterations and the pharmacodynamic properties of the drug when prescribing it as well. Patients with CKD may have alterations in their protein binding, volumes of distribution, kidney clearance, and nonrenal clearance that necessitates antibiotic dose adjustments to prevent the development of toxicity. Knowledge of a drug's pharmacodynamics, defined as the relationship between drug exposure and antibacterial efficacy, provides some guidance regarding the optimal way to make dose adjustments. Different pharmacodynamic goals, such as maximizing the time that free (unbound) drug concentrations spend above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for time dependent drugs (e.g., β-lactams) or maximizing the free peak-to-MIC ratio for concentration-dependent antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides), require different adjustment strategies; for instance, decreasing the dose while maintaining normal dosing frequency or giving normal (or even larger) doses less frequently, respectively. Patients receiving hemodialysis have other important prescribing considerations as well. The nephrologist or patient may prefer to receive antibiotics that can be administered intravenously toward the end of a dialysis session. Additionally, newer dialysis technologies and filters can increase drug removal more than originally reported. This review will discuss the place in therapy, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and other pharmacologic considerations encountered when prescribing commonly used antibiotics in patients with chronic kidney disease or ESKD.

Spanish Clinical Guidelines on Vascular Access for Haemodialysis

Vascular access for haemodialysis is key in renal patients both due to its associated morbidity and mortality and due to its impact on quality of life. The process, from the creation and maintenance of vascular access to the treatment of its complications, represents a challenge when it comes to decision-making, due to the complexity of the existing disease and the diversity of the specialities involved. With a view to finding a common approach, the Spanish Multidisciplinary Group on Vascular Access (GEMAV), which includes experts from the five scientific societies involved (nephrology [S.E.N.], vascular surgery [SEACV], vascular and interventional radiology [SERAM-SERVEI], infectious diseases [SEIMC] and nephrology nursing [SEDEN]), along with the methodological support of the Cochrane Center, has updated the Guidelines on Vascular Access for Haemodialysis, published in 2005. These guidelines maintain a similar structure, in that they review the evidence without compromising the educational aspects. However, on one hand, they provide an update to methodology development following the guidelines of the GRADE system in order to translate this systematic review of evidence into recommendations that facilitate decision-making in routine clinical practice, and, on the other hand, the guidelines establish quality indicators which make it possible to monitor the quality of healthcare.

Evaluation of Factors which Influence Mortality in Gram-positive Bacteremia in Hemodialysis Patients

Vascular access infection is one of the major contributors to hemodialysis (HD) patient morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of consensus guidelines on vancomycin use in the HD population. The primary objective of this study was to determine if vancomycin serum concentrations were associated with positive outcomes in HD patients with Gram-positive bacteremia. A retrospective cohort study conducted at a 443-bed tertiary teaching county hospital from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2016 was performed. Patients aged 18-89, with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis who presented with positive blood cultures with Gram-positive bacteria and received intravenous vancomycin for at least 24 hours were evaluated. A multivariate analysis was utilized comparing factors related to outcomes including Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), loading dose, 30-day mortality and vancomycin serum concentrations. A total of 139 patients were obtained, 90 of whom had documented pre-dialysis serum vancomycin concentrations. A multivariate analysis showed that a lower SAPS II score [OR 1.220 (95% CI: 1.086-1.370, p < 0.0001)], a higher loading dose/kg [OR 0.7911 (0.6302-0.9929, p = 0.0239)], and pre-dialysis concentrations between 15 and 20 mcg/mL [0.05437 (95% CI: 0.0033-0.8891, p = 0.0099)] were associated with decreased mortality (overall multivariate model, p < 0.0001). When patient acuity and loading dosing are taken into account, pre-dialysis vancomycin serum concentrations between 15 and 20 mcg/mL were associated with decreased mortality in Gram-positive bacteremic intermittent HD patients. Further prospective studies are needed to assess whether targeting a pre-dialysis serum vancomycin concentration of 15-20 mcg/mL can improve mortality.

Epidemiology and management of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in non-neutropenic immunosuppressed patients: a review of the literature

Advancements in medicine have led to a considerable increase in the proportion of patients living with severe chronic diseases, malignancies, and HIV infections. Most of these conditions are associated with acquired immune-deficient states and treatment-related immunosuppression. Although infections as a result of neutropenia have long been recognized and strategies for management were developed, non-neutropenic immunosuppression has been overlooked. Recently, community-acquired infections in patients with frequent, significant exposure to healthcare settings and procedures have been classified as 'healthcare-associated infections' since they are more similar to hospital-acquired infections. Most of the non-neutropenic immunosuppressed patients have frequent contact with the healthcare system due to their chronic and severe diseases. In this review, we focus on the healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in the most common non-neutropenic immunosuppressive states and provide an update of the recent evidence for the management of these infections.

Reduced pro-inflammatory responses to Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection and low prevalence of enterotoxin genes in isolates from patients on haemodialysis

Patients with end-stage renal failure undergo regular haemodialysis (HD) and often develop episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI), which can re-occur. However, clinically, patients on HD, with S. aureus BSI, respond well to treatment, rarely developing overt signs of sepsis. We investigated the contributions of bacterial virulence and cytokine responses to the clinical course of S. aureus BSI in HD and non-HD patients. Seventy patients were recruited, including 27 (38.6 %) patients on HD. Isolates were spa-typed and virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene carriage was investigated using DNA microarray analysis. Four inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, RANTES, GROγ and leptin, were measured in patient plasma on the day of diagnosis and after 7 days. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of genotypes or antimicrobial resistance genes in S. aureus isolates from HD compared to non-HD patients. The enterotoxin gene cluster (containing staphylococcal enterotoxins seg, sei, sem, sen, seo and seu) was significantly less prevalent among BSI isolates from HD patients compared to non-HD patients. Comparing inflammatory cytokine response to S. aureus BSI in HD patients to non-HD patients, IL-6 and GROγ were significantly lower (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001, respectively) in HD patients compared to other patients on the day of diagnosis and RANTES levels were significantly lower (p = 0.025) in HD patients on day 7 following diagnosis. Lowered cytokine responses in HD patients and a reduced potential for super-antigen production by infecting isolates may partly explain the favourable clinical responses to episodes of S. aureus BSI in HD patients that we noted clinically.

Hemodialysis Catheter-related Infection: Prophylaxis, Diagnosis and Treatment

Purpose

Infectious complications associated with central venous catheters (CVCs) are a major source of morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. This review aims to discuss prevention, diagnosis criteria and management of CVC-related infections in HD patients.

Methods

We searched Medline for articles published in the last 10 years, with the keywords “catheter,” “hemodialysis,” “infection,” “treatment,” “diagnosis,” “prophylaxis” and “adults.” Only English language articles were reviewed. We reviewed prophylaxis and surveillance protocols, diagnosis criteria, including new molecular tools, and the management of catheter-related infections, including antibiotic regimen, empiric and according to causal agents, lock therapy, catheter salvage or removal choice and treatment of complications.

Results

To prevent infectious complications, first of all we need to avoid using catheters. If we need CVC, adoption of prophylaxis and surveillance protocols, and antibiotic ointment at the exit site reduce infectious complications. The diagnosis of CVC-related infections should be made with drainage and/or blood cultures. Empiric systemic antibiotics should cover Gram-positive and -negative microorganisms, and final regimen should be based on culture results. In selected cases, salvage of site, by CVC exchange over wire, or salvage of catheter, using antibiotic lock, under the cover of systemic antibiotics, could be attempted.

Conclusions

The best approach to prevent CVC-related infection would be to avoid the use of CVC. However, in patients for whom it is impossible, the adoption of adequate prophylaxis protocols, early diagnosis and effective treatment of infectious complications are essential to improve outcomes.

Clinical Usefulness of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for the Detection of Infections of Unknown Origin in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are highly prone to infections. The potential clinical usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of infections of unknown origin in this patient population remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate this issue.

METHODS

Between October 2011 and July 2014, a total of 104 adult MHD patients with sepsis underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of unknown infection foci. Follow-up was continued until October 2014. Positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings and mortality served as the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Of the 104 study patients, 73 (70.2%) had positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings, and a total of 95 major infection foci were identified. Eighteen patients (24.6%) had at least 2 infection foci on (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans. Seven (53.8%) of the 13 patients with primary vascular access-related infections had concurrent metastatic foci. Twenty-eight patients (26.9%) had their treatments modified by (18)F-FDG PET/CT results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low hemoglobin and high C-reactive protein levels at diagnosis were the independent predictors of positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT results. Twenty-seven patients (26.0%) died during their hospital stay, and 24 of them had positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings (P = 0.014). Positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT results were an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 3.896; 95% confidence interval, 1.039-14.613; P = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that (18)F-FDG PET/CT may be clinically useful for detecting occult infection foci in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing MHD. In this population, positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings may lead to a significant change in clinical management and independently predict mortality.

A case-control study: are urological procedures risk factors for the development of infective endocarditis?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between urological procedures and the development of infective endocarditis (IE), as there are case-reports linking urological procedures to IE but evidence of a causal relationship is lacking and no major guidelines advise prophylaxis to prevent development of IE during transurethral urological procedures. No case-control study has been undertaken to examine the relationship between urological procedures and the development of IE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective evaluation of the IE database at our institution. The population consisted of patients diagnosed with enterococcal, staphylococcal, Streptococcus bovis-group and oral streptococcal IE over a 10-year period. Possible risk factors for the development of IE, including urological procedures were collected. A case-control design was used and univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out. Missing data was accounted for using the multiple imputations method.

RESULTS

We included 384 patients with IE. There was a statistical association between the development of enterococcal IE and preceding urological procedures (odds ratio 8.21, 95% confidence interval 3.54-19.05, P < 0.05). Increasing age and being an intravenous drug user were also associated with enterococcal IE. Haemodialysis and the presence of an intracardiac device were associated with the development of coagulase-negative staphyloccal IE.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show a statistical association between urological procedures and the development of IE. The bacteraemia leading to IE may be a result of the urological procedures or a consequence of the underlying urological pathology causing recurrent subclinical bacteraemias.

Bloodstream infection in patients with end-stage renal disease in a teaching hospital in central-western Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Vascular access in patients undergoing hemodialysis is considered a critical determinant of bloodstream infection (BSI) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of BSI in patients with end-stage renal disease using central venous catheters for hemodialysis.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted in a public teaching hospital in central-western Brazil from April 2010 to December 2011. For every patient, we noted the presence of hyperemia/exudation upon catheter insertion, as well as fever, shivering, and chills during hemodialysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were evaluated. Thirty-fi ve (59.3%) patients started dialysis due to urgency, 37 (62.7%) had BSI, and 12 (20%) died. Hyperemia at the catheter insertion site (64.9%) was a significant clinical manifestation in patients with BSI. Statistical analysis revealed 1.7 times more cases of BSI in patients with hypoalbuminemia compared with patients with normal albumin levels. The principal infective agents identified in blood cultures and catheter-tip cultures were Staphylococcus species (24 cases), non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (7 cases of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and 5 cases of Chryseobacterium indologenes), and Candida species (6). Among the Staphylococci identified, 77.7% were methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative Staphylococci. Of the bacteria isolated, the most resistant were Chryseobacterium indologenes and Acinetobacter baumannii.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood culture was demonstrated to be an important diagnostic test and identified over 50% of positive BSI cases. The high frequency of BSI and the isolation of multiresistant bacteria were disturbing findings. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism, although Gram-negative bacteria predominated overall. These results highlight the importance of infection prevention and control measures in dialysis units.

A nationwide study of comorbidity and risk of reinfection after Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

BACKGROUND

Data on risk factors and rates of reinfection associated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) are sparse.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide cohort study of cases of SAB diagnosed between 1995 and 2008. Reinfection was defined as an episode of SAB more than 90 days after the initial episode of SAB. Comorbidity was evaluated by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to estimate hazard rates (HR).

RESULTS

Of 10,891 eligible patients, 774 (7.1%) experienced reinfection a median of 458 days (range 90-5021 days) after their primary SAB episode corresponding to a reinfection rate of 1459 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1357-1562) per 100,000 personyears. In multivariate analysis, sex, origin, a vascular or peritoneal device, endocarditis and comorbidity were associated with reinfection. The association was more than two-fold higher among patients in dialysis and for patients with severe comorbidity (CCI ≥ 2). HIV infection (Hazard ratio (HR) 6.18, 95% CI: 4.17-9.16), renal disease (HR 3.92, 95% CI: 3.22-4.78), diabetes with complications (HR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.69-2.62), diabetes without complications (HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34-1.93), mild (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.36-2.76) and severe liver disease (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.08-4.03), peptic ulcer (HR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.72), and paraplegia (HR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.02-4.54) were each associated with an increased risk of reinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with previous SAB have a 60-fold higher risk of SAB compared to the general population. Patients with HIV infection, renal disease, diabetes, liver disease, peptic ulcer and paraplegia had the highest rates of reinfection.

Persistent nasal methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus carriage in hemodialysis outpatients: a predictor of worse outcome

Background

Nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a well defined risk factor for subsequent bacteremia and death in various groups of patients, but its impact on outcome in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis (HD) is under debate.

Methods

This prospective interventional cohort study (performed 2004 to 2010) enrolled 289 HD outpatients of an urban dialysis-unit. Nasal swab cultures for MRSA were performed in all patients upon first admission, at transfer from another dialysis facility or readmission after hospitalisation. Nasal MRSA carriers were treated in a separate ward and received mupirocin nasal ointment. Concomitant extra-nasal MRSA colonization was treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse (throat) or octenidine dihydrochloride containing antiseptic soaps and 2% chlorhexidine body washes (skin). Clinical data and outcome of carriers and noncarriers were systematically analyzed.

Results

The screening approach identified 34 nasal MRSA carriers (11.7%). Extra-nasal MRSA colonization was observed in 11/34 (32%) nasal MRSA carriers. History of malignancy and an increased Charlson Comorbidity Index were significant predictors for nasal MRSA carriers, whereas traditional risk factors for MRSA colonization or markers of inflammation or malnutrition were not able to discriminate. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significant survival differences between MRSA carriers and noncarriers. Mupirocin ointment persistently eliminated nasal MRSA colonization in 26/34 (73.5%) patients. Persistent nasal MRSA carriers with failure of this eradication approach had an extremely poor prognosis with an all-cause mortality rate >85%.

Conclusions

Nasal MRSA carriage with failure of mupirocin decolonization was associated with increased mortality despite a lack of overt clinical signs of infection. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether nasal MRSA colonization represents a novel predictor of worse outcome or just another surrogate marker of the burden of comorbid diseases leading to fatal outcome in HD patients.

Predictors of Failure of Catheter Salvage in Incident Hemodialysis Patients

Purpose

Catheter-related bloodstream infection is a frequent complication for patients who use catheter as dialysis access. This study was performed to identify the risk factors for failed catheter salvage.

Methods

We enrolled patients who received non-tunneled catheters as initial vascular access during a two-year period. Catheter salvage was attempted in all symptomatically mild patients. Patients were prospectively followed for 8 weeks starting from the day of infection. Risk factors for salvage failure were explored.

Results

A total of 77 bacteremia episodes occurred in 69 patient, with an infection rate of 1.61 per 1,000 catheter days. Salvage was successful in 73.4% of all episodes. We found that higher ferritin levels (greater vs. lower than 500 mg/l, (odds ratio (OR) 6.388, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.073, 19.686), higher phosphate levels (greater vs. lower than 5.5 mg/dl, OR 4.084, 95% CI 1.391, 11.978) and shorter time intervals between catheterization and infection (within vs. beyond 3 weeks, OR 4.190, 95% CI 1.279, 13.725) predicted salvage failure.

Conclusions

Catheter salvage can be a reasonable initial strategy for symptomatically mild patients. We propose salvaging aggressively and waiting watchfully; however, clinical judgment is prior to any specific management protocol.

Novel antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among patients requiring chronic hemodialysis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) including resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, and Gram-negative bacteria have the potential to cause serious infections among patients requiring chronic hemodialysis (CHD). The purpose of this article is to review novel ARB, which have emerged in this patient population, their mechanisms of transmission, and preventive efforts aimed at limiting their dissemination.

RECENT FINDINGS

New strains of ARB, including community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus, S. aureus strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, vancomycin-resistant S. aureus and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDRGN), are emerging among the CHD population. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase Gram-negative bacteria (ESBLGN) are among the most common MDRGN strains. These ESBLGN are resistant to the great majority of antimicrobials. The carbapenems remain the only optimal antimicrobial choice to treat ESBLGN infections. Intrafacility spread of ARB in dialysis units occurs between patients through contaminated hands and clothes of healthcare workers (HCWs), as well as contaminated inanimate surfaces. Spread of ARB to family members of both patients and HCWs has also been documented.

SUMMARY

Colonization and infection with ARB continues to present a significant threat to patients receiving CHD. Interventions to reduce the spread of ARB should include infection control measures and judicious use of antimicrobials.

The potential economic value of a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine among hemodialysis patients

Staphylococcus aureus infections are a substantial problem for hemodialysis patients. Several vaccine candidates are currently under development, with hemodialysis patients being one possible target population. To determine the potential economic value of an S. aureus vaccine among hemodialysis patients, we developed a Markov decision analytic computer simulation model. When S. aureus colonization prevalence was 1%, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of vaccination was ≤$25,217/quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Vaccination became more cost-effective as colonization prevalence, vaccine efficacy, or vaccine protection duration increased or vaccine cost decreased. Even at 10% colonization prevalence, a 25% efficacious vaccine costing $100 prevented 29 infections, 21 infection-related hospitalizations, and 9 inpatient deaths per 1000 vaccinated HD patients. Our results suggest that an S. aureus vaccine would be cost-effective (i.e., ICERs ≤ $50,000/QALY) among hemodialysis patients over a wide range of S. aureus prevalence, vaccine costs and efficacies, and vaccine protection durations and delineate potential target parameters for such a vaccine.

Prevention and management of central line-associated bloodstream infections in hospital practice

In this article aimed at hospitalists, we examine the literature on preventive measures for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and optimal management once a CLABSI has been established. We focus on a number of core preventive measures and the contemporary approach of bundling these measures for maximal impact in reducing infection rates. We then discuss empiric and pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy, including the role of newer antimicrobial agents, as well as the management of an infected central venous catheter.