Epidemiology and economics of adult patients hospitalized with urinary tract infections

Economic Burden of Community-Acquired Antibiotic-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) poses a major burden to global health and economic systems. ABR in community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) has become increasingly prevalent. Accurate estimates of ABR's clinical and economic burden are needed to support medical resource prioritization and cost-effectiveness evaluations of urinary tract infection (UTI) interventions.

Objective

This study aims to systematically synthesize the evidence on the economic costs associated with ABR in CA-UTIs, using published studies comparing the costs of antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant cases.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Embase, Cochrane Review Library, and Scopus databases. Studies published in English from January 1, 2008, to January 31, 2023, reporting the economic costs of ABR in CA-UTI of any microbe were included. Independent screening of titles/abstracts and full texts was performed based on prespecified criteria. A quality assessment was performed using the Integrated Quality Criteria for Review of Multiple Study Designs (ICROMS) tool. Data in UTI diagnosis criteria, patient characteristics, perspectives, resource costs, and patient and health economic outcomes, including mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and costs, were extracted and analyzed. Monetary costs were converted into 2023 US dollars.

Results

This review included 15 studies with a total of 57,251 CA-UTI cases. All studies were from high- or upper-middle-income countries. A total of 14 (93%) studies took a health system perspective, 13 (87%) focused on hospitalized patients, and 14 (93%) reported UTI pathogens. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most prevalent organisms. A total of 12 (80%) studies reported mortality, of which, 7 reported increased mortality in the ABR group. Random effects meta-analyses estimated an odds ratio of 1.50 (95% CI 1.29-1.74) in the ABR CA-UTI cases. All 13 hospital-based studies reported LOS, of which, 11 reported significantly higher LOS in the ABR group. The meta-analysis of the reported median LOS estimated a pooled excess LOS ranging from 1.50 days (95% CI 0.71-4.00) to 2.00 days (95% CI 0.85-3.15). The meta-analysis of the reported mean LOS estimated a pooled excess LOS of 2.45 days (95% CI 0.51-4.39). A total of 8 (53%) studies reported costs in monetary terms-none discounted the costs. All 8 studies reported higher medical costs spent treating patients with ABR CA-UTI in hospitals. The highest excess cost was observed in UTIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. No meta-analysis was performed for monetary costs due to heterogeneity.

Conclusions

ABR was attributed to increased mortality, hospital LOS, and economic costs among patients with CA-UTI. The findings of this review highlighted the scarcity of research in this area, particularly in patient morbidity and chronic sequelae and costs incurred in community health care. Future research calls for a cost-of-illness analysis of infections, standardizing therapy-pathogen combination comparators, medical resources, productivity loss, intangible costs to be captured, and data from community sectors and low-resource settings and countries.

Evaluation of Local Prescribing Patterns and Antimicrobial Resistance in Women With Acute Pyelonephritis Caused by E. coli

BACKGROUND

Owing to increasing local Escherichia coli resistance and current guidelines for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN) over 14 years old, an evaluation of local prescribing patterns is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate local prescribing patterns and appropriateness of antibiotics in acute uncomplicated APN.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of female patients aged 18 to 89 years diagnosed with APN and positive urine culture growing E. coli. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, immunocompromised status, and complicated urinary tract infections. Outcomes included antibiotic appropriateness and its effects on hospital admission, hospital length of stay, and 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2022, 308 female patients were diagnosed with APN and had positive urine cultures, with 104 seen only in the emergency department (ED) and 109 admitted to the hospital. Patients seen in the ED had a significant increase in E. coli resistance to discharge antibiotics (12.5% vs 2.8%, P = 0.0070). In those patients discharged on antibiotics resistant to E. coli, significantly more patients returned to the ED in 30 days (31.3% vs 10.7%, P = 0.0155).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Patients seen only in the ED were more likely to have resistant organisms to discharge antibiotics compared with those admitted to the hospital. Patients discharged on antibiotics resistant to E. coli had a 3-fold increase in returning to the ED within 30 days regardless of admitted location. Follow-up of all cultures should be performed, and patients resistant to discharge antibiotics should be contacted and antibiotic regimens changed.

Trends in hospitalisation for urinary tract infection in adults aged 18-65 by sex in Spain: 2000 to 2015

OBJECTIVE

To analyse trends in urinary tract infection (UTIs) hospitalisation among patients adults 18-65 aged in Spain from 2000-2015.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study using the Spanish Hospitalisation Minimum Data Set (CMBD), with codifications by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9). Variables: Type of UTIs (pyelonephritis, prostatitis, cystitis and non-specific-UTIs), sex, age (in 5 categories: 18-49 and 50-64 years in men, and 18-44, 45-55 and 56-64 years in women), comorbidity, length of stay, costs and mortality associated with admission. The incidence of hospitalisation was studied according to sex, age group and type of UTIs per 100,000. Trends were identified using Joinpoint regression.

RESULTS

From 2000-2015, we found 259,804 hospitalisations for UTIs (51.6% pyelonephritis, 7.5% prostatitis, 0.6% cystitis and 40.3% non-specific UTIs). Pyelonephritis predominated in women and non-specific UTIs in men. The hospital stay and the average cost (2,160 EUR (IQR 1,7872,540 were greater in men. Overall mortality (0.4%) was greater in non-specific UTIs. More women were admitted (rates of 79.4 to 81.7) than in men (30.2 to 41). The greatest increase was found in men aged 50-64 years (from 59.3 to 87). In the Joinpoint analysis, the incidence of pyelonephritis increased in women [AAPC 2.5(CI 95% 1.6;3.4)], and non-specific UTIs decreased [AAPC -2.2(CI 95% -3.3;-1.2)]. Pyelonephritis decreased in men [AAPC -0.5 (CI 95% -1.5;0.5)] and non-specific UTIs increased [AAPC 2.3 (CI 95% 1.9;2.6)] and prostatitis increased [AAPC 2.6 (CI 95% 1.4;3.7)].

CONCLUSIONS

The urinary infection-related hospitalisation rate in adults in Spain increased during the period 2000-2015. Pyelonephritis predominated in women and non-specific UTIs in men. The highest hospitalisation rates occurred in the women but the greatest increase was found in men aged 65-74. The lenght of stay and cost were higher in men.

Frequency and impact on renal transplant outcomes of urinary tract infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species

Background

Enterobacterales are often responsible for urinary tract infection (UTI) in kidney transplant recipients. Among these, Escherichia coli or Klebsiella species producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) are emerging. However, there are only scarce data on frequency and impact of ESBL-UTI on transplant outcomes.

Methods

We investigated frequency and impact of first-year UTI events with ESBL Escherichia coli and/or Klebsiella species in a prospective multicenter cohort consisting of 1,482 kidney transplants performed between 2012 and 2017, focusing only on 389 kidney transplants having at least one UTI with Escherichia coli and/or Klebsiella species. The cohort had a median follow-up of four years.

Results

In total, 139/825 (17%) first-year UTI events in 69/389 (18%) transplant recipients were caused by ESBL-producing strains. Both UTI phenotypes and proportion among all UTI events over time were not different compared with UTI caused by non-ESBL-producing strains. However, hospitalizations in UTI with ESBL-producing strains were more often observed (39% versus 26%, p = 0.04). Transplant recipients with first-year UTI events with an ESBL-producing strain had more frequently recurrent UTI (33% versus 18%, p = 0.02) but there was no significant difference in one-year kidney function as well as longer-term graft and patient survival between patients with and without ESBL-UTI.

Conclusion

First-year UTI events with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and/or Klebsiella species are associated with a higher need for hospitalization but do neither impact allograft function nor allograft and patient survival.

Microbial Transfer by Intermittent Catheters: An In Vitro Evaluation of Microbial Transfer in Catheter With Variable Protective Features

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various protective features (eg, catheter cap, introducer tip, and catheter sleeve) of hydrophilic intermittent catheters against contamination with urinary tract infection-associated microorganisms using an in vitro model.

DESIGN

An in vitro study of microbial transfer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gloves were contaminated with uropathogenic microorganisms and used to simulate intermittent catheterization of male anatomical models with and without the protective features present in 5 commercially available hydrophilic catheters. Using this contaminated touch transfer method, both the meatus of the sterile male anatomical models and sterile surgical gloves of an operator were inoculated with a high level of microorganisms (107 and 109 colony-forming units [CFU], respectively). The operator then performed catheterization of the anatomical model. The most relevant segments of the catheter were sampled, and the level of microbial transfer and catheter contamination was quantified. Results from experimental and sample replicates from the 3 microbial species and 5 catheters (sleeved and unsleeved) were analyzed by pair-wise t tests and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Of the 5 commercially available sleeved intermittent catheters evaluated in this study, use of catheters with multiple protective components (ring cap, introducer tip, and catheter sleeve) resulted in significant improvement in protection against contamination with a 25- to 2500-fold lower level of microbial contamination (C1 segment) across all species as compared to catheters protected with only sleeves or un-sleeved catheters.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a ring cap, protective introducer tip, and protective sleeve provides additional protection when compared to sleeve alone from transferring microbial contamination from the meatus to the advancing catheter. Additional research is needed to determine whether these design features result in fewer urinary tract infections among intermittent catheter users.

Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales of Shrimp and Salmon Available for Purchase by Consumers in Canada-A Risk Profile Using the Codex Framework

The extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-EB) encompass several important human pathogens and are found on the World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogens list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They are a group of organisms which demonstrate resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GC) and their presence has been documented worldwide, including in aquaculture and the aquatic environment. This risk profile was developed following the Codex Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance with the objectives of describing the current state of knowledge of ESBL-EB in relation to retail shrimp and salmon available to consumers in Canada, the primary aquacultured species consumed in Canada. The risk profile found that Enterobacterales and ESBL-EB have been found in multiple aquatic environments, as well as multiple host species and production levels. Although the information available did not permit the conclusion as to whether there is a human health risk related to ESBLs in Enterobacterales in salmon and shrimp available for consumption by Canadians, ESBL-EB in imported seafood available at the retail level in Canada have been found. Surveillance activities to detect ESBL-EB in seafood are needed; salmon and shrimp could be used in initial surveillance activities, representing domestic and imported products.

Antimicrobial Activity of Tebipenem and Comparators against Enterobacterales from diverse Outpatient Centers and Nursing Homes in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Tebipenem is a potential option for the treatment of a range of infections because of its oral dosing coupled with the safety profile of the β-lactam antimicrobial class.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate tebipenem in vitro activity against a challenge set of clinical Enterobacterales collected from outpatient and community settings.

METHODS

618 Enterobacterales isolates were submitted by 11 geographically dispersed U.S medical centers that processed cultures from affiliated outpatient centers in 2022. Susceptibility tests for tebipenem and comparator agents were performed by broth microdilution. Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-like isolates were identified phenotypically. Multidrug-resistant isolates were non-susceptible to ≥1 agent in ≥3 antimicrobial classes. Genotypic testing (CarbaR) was conducted on select isolates.

RESULTS

Isolates (59% Escherichia coli) were recovered from patients seen predominantly in urology/nephrology (24%), nursing home/long-term care (21%), and ambulatory/primary care (21%) clinics. Comparator agent susceptibility rates against all isolates were as follows: levofloxacin (67.5%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (73.6%), cefixime (70.4%), cefpodoxime (70%), cephalexin (61.7%), ceftriaxone (74.4%), cefazolin (63.8%), ertapenem (97.6%), meropenem (99.7%), nitrofurantoin (64.9%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (70.9%). Overall, 90.3% (558/619) of isolates were inhibited at a tebipenem MIC of ≤0.125 mg/L (MIC_50/90, 0.016/0.125 mg/L), including 85.7% inhibition of ESBL-phenotype isolates (n=161; MIC_50/90, 0.03/0.25 mg/L), 86.3% of levofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim co-resistant isolates (n=95; MIC_50/90, 0.016/0.25 mg/L) and 84.3% of multidrug-resistant isolates (n = 172; MIC_50/90, 0.03/0.25 mg/L). Carbapenemase genes were observed in 2 ESBL-phenotype isolates with a tebipenem MIC of ≥0.5 mg/L.

CONCLUSION

Relative to common oral comparators, these data demonstrate excellent tebipenem in vitro activity against Enterobacterales isolated from patients receiving care in outpatient settings, including urology clinics and nursing homes.

Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns and Guideline Concordance for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Among Adult Women in the US Military Health System

IMPORTANCE

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most commonly diagnosed infections, and prior studies have reported discordance in antibiotic treatment with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To assess IDSA guideline concordance rates for women with uncomplicated UTIs treated with antibiotics, and compare concordance rates between different specialty field.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cross-sectional study of health care claims data from the US Military Health System Data Repository, which contains comprehensive health care encounter and claims data for all military beneficiaries. Participants were adult women between the ages of 18 to 50 years with uncomplicated UTIs from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019. Data extraction and analysis were performed in 2022. Patients with diagnosis of UTI in the preceding 6 months, current pregnancy, history of pyelonephritis, history of diabetes, history of organ transplant, history of human immunodeficiency virus, immunosuppression, renal insufficiency, urinary tract abnormalities, or history of urologic procedures were excluded.

EXPOSURES

Antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated UTIs. Only antibiotics received within 1 day after the diagnosis were analyzed. The IDSA recommends the following antibiotics as first-line therapy: nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fosfomycin, pivmecillinam.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The IDSA guideline concordance rates were calculated as the number of patients receiving first-line antibiotic therapy divided by the total number of cases for uncomplicated UTIs.

RESULTS

A total of 46 793 adult women (67.3% [31 475 of 46 793] aged 18-34 years; 38.2% [31 475 of 46 793] of White race) were diagnosed with uncomplicated UTIs with 91.0% receiving guideline-concordant antibiotic treatment. In comparison with obstetrics and gynecology, IDSA guideline-concordant treatment was more likely in internal medicine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.87; 95% CI, 2.73-3.03), family medicine (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.76-1.87), surgery (aOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.36-1.67), and emergency medicine (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.32-1.39) and less likely in urology (aOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.38-0.43). Compared with direct military care, private sector care had lower concordance rates (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.62-0.64).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cross-sectional study of antibiotic treatments for uncomplicated UTIs in a universally insured population, the IDSA guideline-concordance rate was high at 91.0% with higher rates in direct military care compared with private sector care. There were higher rates in general medical specialties, surgery, and emergency medicine and lower rates in urology and obstetrics and gynecology. These results further enhance the literature on current antibiotic prescribing practices for uncomplicated UTIs in adult women.

Aminopenicillins for treatment of ampicillin-resistant enterococcal urinary tract infections

DISCLAIMER

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

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review is to describe the theory behind and data supporting use of aminopenicillins in the treatment of ampicillin-resistant enterococcal urinary tract infections.

SUMMARY

Aminopenicillin concentrations in the urine may be high enough to achieve bacterial eradication and clinical cure for infections affecting the lower genitourinary tract, even in the context of in vitro resistance based on established susceptibility breakpoints. A literature search was conducted to identify original research articles describing the use of aminopenicillins in the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus species. Three published retrospective cohort studies were identified, all of which reported that aminopenicillins had similar rates of clinical cure as other antibiotic classes prescribed for the treatment of enterococcal urinary tract infections.

CONCLUSION

Both pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles and limited retrospective clinical data support the use of aminopenicillins in the treatment of lower urinary tract infections caused by Enterococcus species, even when the isolates have a minimum inhibitory concentration that exceeds the susceptibility breakpoint.

Clinical exposure-response relationship of cefepime/taniborbactam against Gram-negative organisms in the murine complicated urinary tract infection model

OBJECTIVES

Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) are frequently encountered in hospitals and ICUs. Increasingly, the causative pathogens harbour enzymatic resistance mechanisms. Taniborbactam is a novel β-lactamase inhibitor with activity against Ambler class A, B, C and D β-lactamases. Herein, we assessed the efficacy of cefepime alone and the combination cefepime/taniborbactam in a neutropenic murine cUTI model.

METHODS

Eighteen cefepime-resistant clinical isolates (9 Enterobacterales, 3 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 6 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; cefepime MIC = 32 to >512 mg/L) were assessed. Cefepime/taniborbactam MICs ranged from 0.06 to 128 mg/L. Human-simulated plasma regimens (HSRs) of cefepime alone and in combination with taniborbactam were developed in the murine cUTI model. The efficacy of cefepime HSR and cefepime/taniborbactam HSR was determined as the change in log10 cfu/kidney at 48 h compared with 48 h controls.

RESULTS

Mean ± SD initial bacterial burden was 5.66 ± 0.56 log10 cfu/kidney, which increased to 9.05 ± 0.39 log10 cfu/kidney at 48 h. The cefepime HSR was ineffective, as bacterial burden was similar to untreated controls (-0.14 ± 0.40 change in log10 cfu/kidney). In contrast, cefepime/taniborbactam exhibited substantial killing, with log10 cfu/kidney changes of -5.48 ± 1.3, -4.79 ± 0.3 and -5.04 ± 0.7 for ESBL/AmpC-, KPC- and OXA-48-harbouring Enterobacterales, respectively. Cefepime/taniborbactam also exhibited robust killing of P. aeruginosa (-6.5 ± 0.26) and S. maltophilia (-5.66 ± 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Humanized exposures of cefepime/taniborbactam achieved robust killing of Enterobacterales, P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia harbouring ESBL, AmpC, KPC and/or OXA-48. These data support the role of cefepime/taniborbactam for cUTI treatment for cefepime/taniborbactam MICs up to 32 mg/L.

Recurrence of Urinary Tract Infections due to Escherichia coli and Its Association with Antimicrobial Resistance

We analyzed the association between antibiotic resistance and recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) by Escherichia coli. Susceptibility levels to 14 antimicrobial agents and the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) were established using MicroScan. Incidences of multidrug resistant (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR), and ESBL-producer isolates as well as rUTIs were estimated. The time to recurrence was established adjusted for number of antibiotic-resistant families and MDR as predictors of interest, respectively. Overall, 8,553 urinary tract infection (UTI) cases related to E. coli, including 963 rITU, were analyzed with levels of resistance >30% in all cases, except for amikacin, nitrofurantoin, and carbapenems. The incidence of rUTI was of 11.3%, being 46.5%, 24.3%, and 42.5% for MDR, XDR, and ESBLs, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed that rUTI was associated with age, gender, resistance to specific antimicrobials, MDR, and XDR. The number of antibiotic families tested as resistant, MDR, XDR, gender, and age were associated with time to recurrence when adjusted for number of antibiotic families, and MDR, gender, and age were related when adjusted for MDR. High rates of antibiotic resistance to the usual antibiotics was observed in E. coli causing UTI, with female sex, age, and antibiotic resistance being risk factors for the development of rUTI.

Economic Burden of Urinary Tract Infections From Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Among Hospitalized Adult Patients in Lebanon: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The rising incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) attributable to Escherichia coli resistant isolates is becoming a serious public health concern. Although global rates of infection vary considerably by region, the growing prevalence of this uropathogen has been associated with a high economic burden and health strain. This study aims: (1) to estimate the differences in clinical and economic outcomes between 2 groups of adult hospitalized patients with UTIs from E. coli resistant and susceptible bacteria and (2) to investigate drivers of this cost from a payer's perspective.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in 10 hospitals in Lebanon. The cost analysis followed a bottom-up microcosting approach; a linear regression was constructed to evaluate the predictors of hospitalization costs and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the impact of resistance on length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Out of 467 inpatients, 250 cases were because of resistant E. coli isolates. Results showed that patients with resistant uropathogens had 29% higher mean total hospitalization costs ($3429 vs $2651; P = .004), and an extended median LOS (6 days vs 5 days; P = .020) compared with susceptible cohorts. The selection of resistant bacteria and the Charlson comorbidity index predicted higher total hospitalization costs and in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

In an era of increased pressure for cost containment, this study showed the burden of treating UTIs resulting from resistant bacteria. The results can inform cost-effectiveness analyses that intend to evaluate the benefit of a national action plan aimed at decreasing the impact of antibiotic resistance.

Urinary Microbiome Characteristics in Female Patients with Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis and Recurrent Cystitis

Traditionally, the diagnostic mainstay of recurrent urinary tract infection has been urinary culture. However, the causative uropathogen of recurrent cystitis has not been well established. Urine DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) can provide additional information on these infections. Herein, we compared urine NGS results and urine cultures in patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) and recurrent cystitis (RC), and evaluated the difference in microbiome patterns in the NGS results. Patients who underwent urine culture and NGS due to AUC or RC were retrospectively reviewed. All urine samples were collected via a transurethral catheter and studied utilizing a type of NGS called 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplification and sequencing. The sensitivity of urine NGS was significantly higher than that of conventional urine culture (69.0% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.05). The detection rate of urine NGS was slightly lower in the RC group than in the AUC group (67.7% vs. 72.7%). Microbiome diversity was significantly higher in the RC group compared to the AUC group (p = 0.007), and the microbiome composition was significantly different between the AUC and RC groups. In the urine NGS results, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacteriaceae were found in the AUC group, and Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Rothia spp. were detected in the RC group. Urine NGS can significantly increase the diagnostic sensitivity compared to traditional urine culture methods, especially in RC patients. AUC and RC patients had significant differences in bacterial diversity and patterns. Therefore, recurrent cystitis might be approached from a different perspective.

Economic Burden of Urinary Tract Infections From Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Among Hospitalized Adult Patients in Lebanon: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The rising incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) attributable to Escherichia coli resistant isolates is becoming a serious public health concern. Although global rates of infection vary considerably by region, the growing prevalence of this uropathogen has been associated with a high economic burden and health strain. This study aims: (1) to estimate the differences in clinical and economic outcomes between 2 groups of adult hospitalized patients with UTIs from E. coli resistant and susceptible bacteria and (2) to investigate drivers of this cost from a payer's perspective.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in 10 hospitals in Lebanon. The cost analysis followed a bottom-up microcosting approach; a linear regression was constructed to evaluate the predictors of hospitalization costs and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the impact of resistance on length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Out of 467 inpatients, 250 cases were because of resistant E. coli isolates. Results showed that patients with resistant uropathogens had 29% higher mean total hospitalization costs ($3429 vs $2651; P = .004), and an extended median LOS (6 days vs 5 days; P = .020) compared with susceptible cohorts. The selection of resistant bacteria and the Charlson comorbidity index predicted higher total hospitalization costs and in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

In an era of increased pressure for cost containment, this study showed the burden of treating UTIs resulting from resistant bacteria. The results can inform cost-effectiveness analyses that intend to evaluate the benefit of a national action plan aimed at decreasing the impact of antibiotic resistance.

Appropriateness of empirical antibiotics: risk factors of adult patients with sepsis in the ICU

Background The appropriateness of antibiotics is the basis for improving the survival of patients with sepsis. Objective This study aimed to determine the appropriateness of empirical antibiotics, reasons for non-appropriate empirical antibiotics, risk factors of mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU-LOS) and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score predictors in adult patients with sepsis. Setting An adult ICU of a tertiary hospital in  Malaysia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted amongst patients with sepsis. Data were retrieved from the patients' files and computer system. Each case was reviewed for the appropriateness of empirical antibiotics based on ICU local guidelines, bacterial sensitivity, dose, frequency, creatinine clearance and time of administration of empirical antibiotics. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression modelling were performed to compute the adjusted association of receiving appropriate or inappropriate empirical antibiotics with ICU mortality. Multivariable linear regression modelling was performed using ICU-LOS and APACHE II scores. Main outcome measures were ICU mortality, severity score (APACHE II scores) and ICU-LOS. Results The total mortality rate amongst the 228 adult ICU patients was 84.6%. Males showed a higher mortality rate (119 [52.2%]) than females (74 [32.5%]). Inappropriate empirical antibiotics were significantly associated with mortality and ICU-LOS (P < 0.005). Results from multivariable logistic regression showed that the appropriateness of empirical antibiotics model was a potential predictor for survival (OR 0.395, 95% CI 0.184-0.850, P < 0.005). Results from simple linear regression indicated that the appropriateness of empirical antibiotics model was a remarkable predictor of decreasing ICU-LOS (R² = 0.055, 95% CI - 7.184 to - 2.114, P < 0.001). Results from simple Cox regression suggested that the appropriateness of empirical antibiotics was a protective factor for ICU mortality (HR 0.610, 95% CI 0.433-0.858, P = 0.005). Multivariable Cox regression revealed that the administration of antibiotics exceeding the recommended dose based on creatinine clearance was a protective factor (HR 0.186, 95% CI 0.040-0.868, P = 0.032). Conclusion The appropriateness of empirical antibiotics is a good predictor for improving survival and decreasing ICU-LOS. Effective appropriateness of empirical antibiotics use and close adherence to the recommended dose can prevent the early mortality of patients with sepsis and acute renal failure.

Epidemiology of urological infections: a global burden

INTRODUCTION

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most frequent infections in clinical practice worldwide. Their frequency and burden must be higher than available data suggest because they are not among mandatory diseases to be notified.

CLASSIFICATION OF URINARY INFECTIONS

Although there are many different proposals for classifying UTIs, classifications based on acquisition settings and complication status are more widely used. These include community- acquired UTIs (CAUTIs) or healthcare-associated UTIs (HAUTIs) and uncomplicated or complicated UTIs.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF UROLOGICAL INFECTIONS AND GLOBAL BURDEN

As the most frequently seen infectious disease, CAUTIs affect more than 150 million people annually. Complicated UTIs in particular constitute a huge burden on healthcare systems as a frequent reason for hospitalization. The prevalence of HAUTIs ranges between 1.4% and 5.1%, and the majority of them are catheter-related UTIs. Community-onset HAUTIs have gained importance in recent years.

CONCLUSION

As frequent infectious diseases, UTIs create clinical and economic burdens on healthcare systems, and they also affect quality of life determinants.

Direct medical costs of urinary tract infections by Gram-negative bacilli resistant to beta-lactams in a tertiary care hospital in Medellín, Colombia

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are very frequent in the hospital environment and given the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, they have made care processes more complex and have placed additional pressure on available healthcare resources. Objective: To describe and compare excess direct medical costs of urinary tract infections due to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to beta-lactams. Materials and methods: A cohort study was conducted in a third level hospital in Medellín, Colombia, from October, 2014, to September, 2015. It included patients with urinary tract infections caused by beta-lactam-susceptible bacteria, third and fourth generation cephalosporin-resistant, as well as carbapenem-resistant. Costs were analyzed from the perspective of the health system. Clinical-epidemiological information was obtained from medical records and the costs were calculated using standard tariff manuals. Excess costs were estimated with multivariate analyses. Results: We included 141 patients: 55 (39%) were sensitive to beta-lactams, 54 (38.3%) were resistant to cephalosporins and 32 (22.7%) to carbapenems. The excess total adjusted costs of patients with urinary tract infections due to cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant bacteria were US$ 193 (95% confidence interval (CI): US$ -347-734) and US$ 633 (95% CI: US$ -50-1316), respectively, compared to the group of patients with beta-lactam sensitive urinary tract infections. The differences were mainly found in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as meropenem, colistin, and fosfomycin. Conclusion: Our results show a substantial increase in the direct medical costs of patients with urinary tract infections caused by beta-lactam-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (cephalosporins and carbapenems). This situation is of particular concern in endemic countries such as Colombia, where the high frequencies of urinary tract infections and the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics can generate a greater economic impact on the health sector.

Causative agents of urinary tract infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at a referral center in Western India: An audit to help clinicians prevent antibiotic misuse

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain one of the most common infections in community and susceptibility of uropathogens to commonly used antimicrobials has declined over years. It is important to periodically study susceptibility patterns of uropathogens, so that empiric treatment can be determined using recent data, helping improve patient outcomes.

Methods

Urine samples received by the laboratory for culture and susceptibility testing over a period of 3 months were analyzed and included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on cultured isolates.

Results

Of total 3,151 urine samples received, 3,066 were processed, and organisms were isolated from 1,401 (45.69%) samples. Isolation rate from male and female urine samples was 45.29% and 46.32%, respectively. The most commonly isolated organism was Escherichia coli (36.11%), followed by Candida spp. (18.56%), and Klebsiella spp. (18.06%). E. coli was most susceptible to meropenem (91.89%) and imipenem (91.69%). Klebsiella spp. was most susceptible to imipenem(75.89%) and meropenem(75.49%). Susceptibility of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. to nitrofurantoin, cotrimoxazole, and ciprofloxacin was 72.33%, 32.02%, and 18.97%, and 51.77%, 27.27%, and 22.13%, respectively. Candida spp. was most susceptible to amphotericin B (97.30%).

Conclusion

Treatment for UTIs should be determined based on current local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of uropathogens to minimise therapeutic failures and prevent antibiotic misuse.

Cost of hospitalised patients due to complicated urinary tract infections: a retrospective observational study in countries with high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: the COMBACTE-MAGNET, RESCUING study

OBJECTIVE

Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) impose a high burden on healthcare systems and are a frequent cause of hospitalisation. The aims of this paper are to estimate the cost per episode of patients hospitalised due to cUTI and to explore the factors associated with cUTI-related healthcare costs in eight countries with high prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR).

DESIGN

This is a multinational observational, retrospective study. The mean cost per episode was computed by multiplying the volume of healthcare use for each patient by the unit cost of each item of care and summing across all components. Costs were measured from the hospital perspective. Patient-level regression analyses were used to identify the factors explaining variation in cUTI-related costs.

SETTING

The study was conducted in 20 hospitals in eight countries with high prevalence of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Romania, Spain and Turkey).

PARTICIPANTS

Data were obtained from 644 episodes of patients hospitalised due to cUTI.

RESULTS

The mean cost per case was €5700, with considerable variation between countries (largest value €7740 in Turkey; lowest value €4028 in Israel), mainly due to differences in length of hospital stay. Factors associated with higher costs per patient were: type of admission, infection source, infection severity, the Charlson comorbidity index and presence of MDR.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean cost per hospitalised case of cUTI was substantial and varied significantly between countries. A better knowledge of the reasons for variations in length of stays could facilitate a better standardised quality of care for patients with cUTI and allow a more efficient allocation of healthcare resources. Urgent admissions, infections due to an indwelling urinary catheterisation, resulting in septic shock or severe sepsis, in patients with comorbidities and presenting MDR were related to a higher cost.

The development and validation of different decision-making tools to predict urine culture growth out of urine flow cytometry parameter

Objective

Patients presenting with suspected urinary tract infection are common in every day emergency practice. Urine flow cytometry has replaced microscopic urine evaluation in many emergency departments, but interpretation of the results remains challenging. The aim of this study was to develop and validate tools that predict urine culture growth out of urine flow cytometry parameter.

Methods

This retrospective study included all adult patients that presented in a large emergency department between January and July 2017 with a suspected urinary tract infection and had a urine flow cytometry as well as a urine culture obtained. The objective was to identify urine flow cytometry parameters that reliably predict urine culture growth and mixed flora growth. The data set was split into a training (70%) and a validation set (30%) and different decision-making approaches were developed and validated.

Results

Relevant urine culture growth (respectively mixed flora growth) was found in 40.2% (7.2% respectively) of the 613 patients included. The number of leukocytes and bacteria in flow cytometry were highly associated with urine culture growth, but mixed flora growth could not be sufficiently predicted from the urine flow cytometry parameters. A decision tree, predictive value figures, a nomogram, and a cut-off table to predict urine culture growth from bacteria and leukocyte count were developed, validated and compared.

Conclusions

Urine flow cytometry parameters are insufficient to predict mixed flora growth. However, the prediction of urine culture growth based on bacteria and leukocyte count is highly accurate and the developed tools should be used as part of the decision-making process of ordering a urine culture or starting an antibiotic therapy if a urogenital infection is suspected.

Clinical and economic implications of urinary tract infections

INTRODUCTION

Urinary tract infections represent one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalization. As a result of their prevalence from community-based origins as well as those which develop in hospital setting, this constellation of infections represents a tremendous burden to the global healthcare system. Areas covered: Over the last several decades the management of these infections has become more complicated due to the underlying comorbid conditions of the patients as well as escalating antimicrobial resistance to many of the most frequently used oral and parenteral agents. One such example is the emergence of extend spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) bacteria that render many of the most frequently utilized oral and parenteral penicillin and cephalosporin based regimens of little clinical utility. As such new treatment strategies are required to effectively manage the growing population of patients with multi-drug resistant bacteria. Expert commentary: Herein, we review some of the current literature which reveals the challenges associated with the contemporary management of UTIs, while presenting strategies such as the implementation of clinical pathways that have the potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of care while reducing the overall cost of care.

Influence of hematuria and infection on diagnostic accuracy of urinary LASP1: a new biomarker for bladder carcinoma

AIM

To further promote the clinical use of urinary LASP1 as biomarker for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder regarding limitations and alternative testing systems.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Urine stabilization, alternative measurement systems and limitations by erythrocyte contamination and infection were investigated in 246 patients.

RESULTS

Thimerosal allowed sufficient stabilization. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was not influenced by presence of erythrocytes or leukocytes and reliably urothelial carcinoma of the bladder but cell counts in specimen were low. Cut-off values of <25 leukocytes and <200 erythrocytes/µl resulted in sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 0.59, 0.80, 0.80 and 0.59, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Hematuria up to 200 erythrocytes/µl but not presence of leukocytes may be tolerated for this promising marker.

Necessity of carbapenem use when prescribed per infectious diseases specialists

Preauthorization strategies, including restricting broad-spectrum antimicrobials such as carbapenems to infectious diseases physicians (ID) are commonly employed by stewardship programs. The appropriateness, or "necessity" of empiric carbapenem therapy by ID, defined as an isolated organism sensitive to the carbapenem and resistant to cefepime, was evaluated over a 6month span and included 84 patients. Additionally, 30 patients followed by ID who were not prescribed a carbapenem until final susceptibilities were included as a definitive therapy group. Differences in multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) risk factors between groups were non-significant. Carbapenem therapy was necessary for only 6 (7%) empiric therapy patients, while four times as many definitive group patients required a carbapenem but did not receive one empirically. Overall, ID's ability to accurately gauge which patients required carbapenems appeared poor in this study. Alternative risk stratification strategies may better guide broad-spectrum antimicrobial use than ID judgment alone.

High prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing enterobacteriaceae among clinical isolates in Burkina Faso

Background

Nothing is known about the epidemiology and resistance mechanisms of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to determine ESBL-PE prevalence and to characterize ESBL genes in Burkina Faso.

Methods

During 2 months (June-July 2014), 1602 clinical samples were sent for bacteriologic investigations to the microbiology laboratories of the tree main hospitals of Burkina Faso. Isolates were identified by mass spectrometry using a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) BioTyper. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method on Müller-Hinton agar. The different ESBL genes in potential ESBL-producing isolates were detected by PCR and double stranded DNA sequencing. Escherichia coli phylogenetic groups were determined using a PCR-based method.

Results

ESBL-PE frequency was 58 % (179 strains among the 308 Enterobacteriaceae isolates identified in the collected samples; 45 % in outpatients and 70 % in hospitalized patients). The CTX-M-1 group was dominant (94 %, CTX-M-15 enzyme), followed by the CTX-M-9 group (4 %). ESBL producers were more often found in E. coli (67.5 %) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (26 %) isolates. E. coli isolates (n = 202; 60 % of all Enterobacteriaceae samples) were distributed in eight phylogenetic groups (A = 49, B1 = 15, B2 = 43, C = 22, Clade I = 7, D = 37, F = 13 and 16 unknown); 22 strains belonged to the sequence type ST131. No association between a specific strain and ESBL production was detected.

Conclusions

This report shows the alarming spread of ESBL genes in Burkina Faso. Public health efforts should focus on education (population and healthcare professionals), surveillance and promotion of correct and restricted antibiotic use to limit their dissemination.