Appropriateness of Antibiotic Prescriptions for Urinary Tract Infections

The epidemiology of gram-negative bacteremia in Lebanon: a study in four hospitals

INTRODUCTION

Gram-negative bacteremia is a life-threatening infection with high morbidity and mortality. Its incidence is rising worldwide, and treatment has become more challenging due to emerging bacterial resistance. Little data is available on the burden and outcome of such infections in Lebanon.

METHODS

We conducted this retrospective study in four Lebanese hospitals. Data on medical conditions and demographics of 2400 patients diagnosed with a bloodstream infection based on a positive blood culture were collected between January 2014 and December 2020.

RESULTS

Most bacteremias were caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, with the more resistant organisms being hospital-acquired. Third-generation cephalosporin and quinolone resistance was steady throughout the study, but carbapenem resistance increased. Mortality with such infections is high, but carbapenem resistance or infection with Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter species were significant risk factors for poor outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first multi-center study from Lebanon on gram-negative bacteremia, resistance patterns, and factors associated with a poor outcome. More surveillance is needed to provide data to guide empirical treatment for bacteremia in Lebanon.

Antibiotic Overtreatment of Presumed Urinary Tract Infection Among Children with Spina Bifida

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with overtreatment of presumed urinary tract infection (UTI) among children with spina bifida using such criteria.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of children with spina bifida (age <21 years) evaluated in the Emergency Department (ED) at a single institution was performed. Patients with a urinalysis (UA) performed who were reliant on assisted bladder emptying were included. The primary outcome was overtreatment, defined as receiving antibiotics for presumed UTI but ultimately not meeting spina bifida UTI criteria (≥2 urologic symptoms plus pyuria and urine culture growing >100k CFU/mL). The primary exposure was whether the components of the criteria available at the time of the ED visit (≥2 urologic symptoms plus pyuria) were met when antibiotics were initiated.

RESULTS

Among 236 ED encounters, overtreatment occurred in 80% of cases in which antibiotics were initiated (47% of the entire cohort). Pyuria with <2 urologic symptoms was the most important factor associated with overtreatment (OR 9.6). Non-Hispanic White race was associated with decreased odds of overtreatment (OR 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Overtreatment of presumed UTI among patients with spina bifida was common. Pyuria, which is not specific to UTI in this population, was the main driver of overtreatment. Symptoms are a cornerstone of UTI diagnosis among children with spina bifida, should be collected in a standardized manner, and considered in a decision to treat.

Adherence to Antibiotic Prescription Guidelines in Four Community Hospitals in Germany

This retrospective study aimed to assess and compare guideline adherence and treatment costs in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections (BSIs) in German tertiary hospitals from January 2019 to December 2020. The study analyzed 586 patient records, with 65% diagnosed with UTIs and 35% with BSIs. Antibiotic treatment was given to 98% of patients, but only 65% received microbiological diagnostics. Bacterial growth was observed in 86% of patients with cultures taken, with Escherichia coli being the leading pathogen. The treatment was intravenous in 63% of cases, with Ceftriaxone as the leading antibiotic agent. The guideline adherence was found to be low, at 33%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with urogenital risk factors (OR = 1.589; p < 0.001) and increasing age (OR = 1.01; p = 0.007) were significantly more likely to receive guideline-concordant treatment for UTIs and BSIs. Additionally, complicating factors such as diabetes and renal dysfunction were associated with higher adherence rates, underscoring the importance of targeted antibiotic stewardship interventions.

U.S. primary care physician perceptions on barriers to providing guideline-driven care for UTI and recurrent UTI: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTI) affect almost two-thirds of all women during their lives and many experience recurrent infections. There are evidence-based guidelines from multiple international societies for evaluation and treatment; however, recent claims-based analyses have demonstrated that adherence to these guidelines is poor. This study seeks to understand the barriers experienced by U.S. primary care providers (PCPs) to providing guideline-based care for UTI and recurrent UTI (rUTI).

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews of 18 PCPs, recruited from the greater Los Angeles area, examined real-world clinical management of UTI/rUTI episodes, decisions to refer to subspecialty care, and resources guiding counseling and management. Grounded theory methodology served to analyze interview transcripts and identify preliminary and major themes.

RESULTS

Participants expressed the desire to obtain urine cultures for each cystitis episode, but felt pressured to make compromises by patient demands or barriers to care. PCPs had lower thresholds to empirical treatment if patients had a history of rUTIs, were elderly, or declined evaluation. Laboratory data was minimally utilized in clinical decision-making: urinalyses were infrequently considered when interpreting culture data. PCPs treated a broad set of urologic and non-urologic symptoms as UTI, even with negative cultures. PCPs did not feel comfortable initiating UTI prophylaxis, instead seeking specialist evaluation for anatomic causes. They were unaware of management guidelines, typically utilizing UpToDate® as their primary resource. Few evidence-based UTI prevention interventions were recommended by providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Low availability of succinct and clear professional guidelines are substantial barriers to appropriate UTI/rUTI care. Poor useability of clinical guidance documents results in substantial confusion about the role of preventative measures and additional diagnostic testing. Difficulties in patient access to care providers lead to expectations for presumptive treatment. Future studies are needed to determine if improved educational materials for providers and/or management algorithms can improve guideline concordance of UTI management.

Antibiotic Switches in Urinary Tract Infection Are Associated With Atypical Symptoms and Emergent Care

IMPORTANCE

Given worsening global antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial stewardship aims to use the shortest effective duration of the most narrow-spectrum, effective antibiotic for patients with specific urinary symptoms and laboratory testing consistent with urinary tract infection (UTI). Inappropriate treatment and unnecessary antibiotic switching for UTIs harms patients in a multitude of ways.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to analyze antibiotic treatment failures as measured by antibiotic switching for treatment of UTI in emergent and ambulatory care.

STUDY DESIGN

For this retrospective cohort study, 908 encounters during July 2019 bearing a diagnostic code for UTI/cystitis in a single health care system were reviewed. Urinary and microbiological testing, symptoms endorsed at presentation, and treatments prescribed were extracted from the medical record.

RESULTS

Of 908 patients diagnosed with UTI, 64% of patients (579/908) received antibiotics, 86% of which were empiric. All patients evaluated in emergent care settings were prescribed antibiotics empirically in contrast to 71% of patients in ambulatory settings (P < 0.001). Of patients given antibiotics, 89 of 579 patients (15%, 10% of all 908 patients) were switched to alternative antibiotics within 28 days. Emergent care settings and positive urine cultures were significantly associated with increased antibiotic switching. Patients subjected to switching tended to have higher rates of presenting symptoms inconsistent with UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

Empiric treatment, particularly in an emergent care setting, was frequently inappropriate and associated with increasing rates of antibiotic switching. Given the profound potential contribution to antibiotic resistance, these findings highlight the need for improved diagnostic and prescribing accuracy for UTI.

Antibiotic Stewardship and Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department of a Community Hospital

A retrospective, cross-sectional study of children with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) 3 months to 18 years of age who had a urinalysis and urine culture (UC) during an emergency department (ED) visit between 2019 and 2020 was performed. Chi-square, Fisher exact, and independent samples T tests were used as appropriate. Median age was 6.6 years (interquartile range = 3.3-12.4). Urinalysis positivity was 92.8%, of which 81.9% of children were prescribed a first-line antibiotic. First-line antibiotic use was 82.7%. Positive UC rate was 84.7%, with 84% receiving a first-line antibiotic (P = .025). The correlation between a positive urinalysis and a positive UC was 80.8% (P < .001). Change of antibiotics based on the uropathogen of positive UCs was 6.3% (P < .001). The urinalysis and UC guided the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs. First-line antibiotics can be safely administered in the ED and prescribed for positive urinalyses. Studies are needed to evaluate the discontinuation of antibiotics with negative UCs as part of antibiotic stewardship initiatives.

Characterization of uropathogenic E. coli from various geographical locations in India

Objectives

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common causative agent of urinary tract infection, accounting for more than 80% of cases worldwide. This study presents data on prevalent serotypes, resistance profiles, and colonization-aiding virulence characteristics of UPEC from different geographical regions in India.

Methods

UPEC were serotyped through microtiter plate agglutination. Standard techniques were used to detect various virulence characteristics, i.e., biofilm formation (tissue culture plate method), siderophore production (screened on Chrome Azurol S agar and categorized with Csaky's and Arnow's methods), colicin release (agar overlay technique), gelatin hydrolysis (on gelatinase agar), and cell surface hydrophobicity (salt aggregation method). Antibiotic resistance profiles (against 20 antimicrobial agents) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) were evaluated according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results

UPEC strains exhibited very high drug resistance rates to most of the commonly used antimicrobial agents; the highest resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (63.4%), nalidixic acid (63.4%), and cefotaxime (62.1%). High rates of multi-drug resistance (63.36%), ESBL-production (34.1%), and carbapenem-resistance (25.0%) were detected in UPEC strains from all geographical regions of India. Hydrophobicity (61.2%), biofilm production (62.5%), and siderophore production (67.7%) were the most common virulence characteristics of UPEC isolates. Co-expression of virulence characteristics was common (69.8%) in UPEC strains.

Conclusion

UPEC strains with very high antimicrobial-resistance are in circulation in India, and have diverse serotypes and virulence characteristics.

Antibiotic prescription patterns in patients with suspected urinary tract infections in Ecuador

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common cause to prescribe antibiotics in primary care. Diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical symptoms in combination with the results of laboratory tests. Antibiotic therapy is the primary approach to the treatment of UTIs; however, some studies indicate that therapeutics in UTIs may be suboptimal, potentially leading to therapeutic failure and increased bacterial resistance.

METHODS

This study aimed to analyze the antibiotic prescription patterns in adult patients with suspected UTIs and to evaluate the appropriateness of the antibiotic prescription. This is a cross-sectional study of patients treated in outpatient centers and in a second-level hospital of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in a city in Ecuador during 2019. The International Classification of Disease Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used for the selection of the acute UTI cases. The patients included in this study were those treated by family, emergency, and internal medicine physicians.

RESULTS

We included a total of 507 patients in the analysis and 502 were prescribed antibiotics at first contact, constituting an immediate antibiotic prescription rate of 99.01%. Appropriate criteria for antibiotic prescription were met in 284 patients, representing an appropriate prescription rate of 56.02%. Less than 10% of patients with UTI had a urine culture. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were alternative antibiotics (also known as second-line antibiotics), such as ciprofloxacin (50.39%) and cephalexin (23.55%). Factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for UTIs were physician age over forty years, OR: 2.87 (95% CI, 1.65-5.12) p<0.0001, medical care by a general practitioner, OR: 1.89 (95% CI, 1.20-2.99) p = 0.006, not using point-of-care testing, OR: 1.96 (95% CI, 1.23-3.15) p = 0.005, and care at the first level of health, OR: 15.72 (95% CI, 8.57-30.88) p<0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study indicate an appropriate prescription rate of 56.02%. Recommended antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin for UTIs are underutilized. The odds for inappropriate antibiotic prescription were 15.72 times higher at the first level of care compared to the second. Effective strategies are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs.

Antibiotic Resistance Profiling and Phylogenicity of Uropathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are healthcare problems that commonly involve bacterial and, in some rare instances, fungal or viral infections. The irrational prescription and use of antibiotics in UTI treatment have led to an increase in antibiotic resistance. Urine samples (145) were collected from male and female patients from Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Biochemical analyses were carried out to identify uropathogens. Molecular analysis for the identification of 16S ribosomal RNA in samples was performed via Sanger sequencing. Evolutionary linkage was determined using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis-7 (MEGA-7). The study observed significant growth in 52% of the samples (83/145). Gram-negative bacteria were identified in 85.5% of samples, while Gram-positive bacteria were reported in 14.5%. The UTI prevalence was 67.5% in females and 32.5% in males. The most prevalent uropathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (39.7%, 33/83), followed by Escherichia coli (27.7%, 23/83), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.8%, 9/83), Staphylococcus aureus (9.6%, 8/83), Proteus mirabilis (7.2%, 6/83) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (4.8%, 4/83). Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighbor-joining method, further confirming the relation of the isolates in our study with previously reported uropathogenic isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility tests identified K. pneumonia as being sensitive to imipenem (100%) and fosfomycin (78.7%) and resistant to cefuroxime (100%) and ciprofloxacin (94%). Similarly, E. coli showed high susceptibility to imipenem (100%), fosfomycin (78.2%) and nitrofurantoin (78.2%), and resistance to ciprofloxacin (100%) and cefuroxime (100%). Imipenem was identified as the most effective antibiotic, while cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin were the least. The phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and P. mirabilis clustered with each other and the reference sequences, indicating high similarity (based on 16S rRNA sequencing). It can be concluded that genetically varied uropathogenic organisms are commonly present within the KP population. Our findings demonstrate the need to optimize antibiotic use in treating UTIs and the prevention of antibiotic resistance in the KP population.

Appropriateness of antibiotic use for patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria or urinary tract infection with positive urine culture: a retrospective observational multi-centre study in Korea

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance threatens public health worldwide, and inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes.

AIM

To evaluate qualitative use of antibiotics in asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) and urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODS

Cases of positive urine culture (≥105 colony-forning units/mL) performed in inpatient, outpatient and emergency departments in April 2021 were screened in 26 hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The cases were classified as ABU, lower UTI and upper UTI. The appropriateness of antibiotic use was evaluated retrospectively by infectious disease specialists using quality indicators based on clinical guidelines for ABU and UTI.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 2697 patients with ABU or UTI. The appropriateness of antibiotic use was assessed in 1157 patients with ABU, and in 677 and 863 patients with lower and upper UTI, respectively. Among the 1157 patients with ABU, 251 (22%) were prescribed antibiotics without appropriate indications. In 66 patients with ABU in which antibiotics were prescribed with appropriate indications, the duration was adequate in only 23 (34.8%) patients. The appropriateness of empirical and definite antibiotics was noted in 527 (77.8%) and 353 (68.0%) patients with lower UTI, and 745 (86.3%) and 583 (78.2%) patients with upper UTI, respectively. The duration of antibiotics was adequate in 321 (61.8%) patients with lower UTI and 576 (78.7%) patients with upper UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide qualitative assessment of antibiotic use in ABU and UTI revealed that antibiotics were often prescribed inappropriately, and the duration of antibiotics was unnecessarily prolonged.

Novel Key Ingredients in Urinary Tract Health-The Role of D-mannose, Chondroitin Sulphate, Hyaluronic Acid, and N-acetylcysteine in Urinary Tract Infections (Uroial PLUS®)

Urinary tract infections represent a common and significant health concern worldwide. The high rate of recurrence and the increasing antibiotic resistance of uropathogens are further worsening the current scenario. Nevertheless, novel key ingredients such as D-mannose, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid, and N-acetylcysteine could represent an important alternative or adjuvant to the prevention and treatment strategies of urinary tract infections. Several studies have indeed evaluated the efficacy and the potential use of these compounds in urinary tract health. In this review, we aimed to summarize the characteristics, the role, and the application of the previously reported compounds, alone and in combination, in urinary tract health, focusing on their potential role in urinary tract infections.

Quality indicators for appropriate antibiotic prescribing in urinary tract infections in children

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to define a set of urinary tract infections (UTIs)-specific quality indicators for appropriate prescribing in children and evaluate clinical practices in a district general hospital in Greece.

METHODS

The UTIs-specific quality indicators were informed by a review of the existing literature. Quality indicators were selected to describe the overall antibiotics use, prescribing patterns and UTIs clinical management regarding treatment and prophylaxis in a cohort of children admitted with a UTI. Microbiological, clinical and prescribing data about dosing, duration and route of administration were collected from the patients' electronic health records.

RESULTS

Twelve quality indicators were adapted or developed for prescribing in childhood UTIs. A broad variety of antibiotics were prescribed for UTIs, with a drug utilization (DU) 90% rate of 6 and 9 different antibiotics for febrile and afebrile UTIs, respectively. Despite the low incidence of multi-drug resistant UTIs in the study period (9/261, 3.4%), broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed in 33.5% (164/490) of prescriptions. A total of 62.8% (164/261) of patients were started on empiric combined therapies, while opportunities to de-escalate were missed in 37.8% (62/164) of them. One quarter (67/261, 25.7%) of patients did not fulfil the criteria for receiving treatment, while nearly half of those prescribed prophylaxis (82/175, 46.9%) could have avoided having a prophylaxis prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified substantial gaps for improvement in antimicrobial prescribing for UTIs in children. The application of the proposed quality indicators could help to limit unnecessary antibiotics use in children with UTI.

High prevalence of β-lactam and fluoroquinolone resistance in various phylotypes of Escherichia coli isolates from urinary tract infections in Jiroft city, Iran

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases with worldwide health threatening. Antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are a common cause of UTI which were identified as a treatment challenge. This study aimed to assay the prevalence of common β-lactam resistance genes including blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaCMY and phenotypic resistance to commonly used β-lactam and fluoroquinolone antibiotics in UTIs. These factors were evaluated in various phylogenetic groups (phylotypes) of E. coli isolates. Real-time PCR was applied to detect β-lactam resistance genes and conventional PCR was used to determine the phylotypes. Phenotypic resistance against β-lactams (ceftazidime, cefotaxime, aztreonam and ceftriaxone) and fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) were identified by the disc diffusion technique. The ability of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production in E. coli isolates was detected using the combined disc diffusion method.

RESULTS

The prevalence of resistance genes were 89.6% for blaTEM, 44.3% for blaCTX-M, 6.6% for blaSHV and 0.9% for blaCMY. The two high prevalent phylotypes were B2 (29.2%) and D (17.9%) followed by E (14.1%), F (9.4%), C (6.6%) and 10.3% of isolates were unknown in phylotyping. Disc diffusion results showed high prevalence of antibiotic resistance to cefotaxime (88.6%), aztreonam (83%), ceftireaxon (77.3%), ceftazidime (76.4%) and ciprofloxacin (55.6%). Totally, 52.8% of isolates were found as phenotypical ESBL-producers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's results confirmed an explosion of antibiotic resistance amongst E. coli isolates from UTI against β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. Findings explain the necessity of deep changes in quantity and quality of drug resistance diagnosis and antibiotic therapy strategies. More studies are suggested to better and confident evaluations.

The clinical implications of bacterial pathogenesis and mucosal immunity in chronic urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) exert a significant health and economic cost globally. Approximately one in four people with a previous history of UTI continue to develop recurrent or chronic infections. Research on UTI has primarily concentrated on pathogen behavior, with the focus gradually shifting to encompass the host immune response. However, these are centered on mouse models of Escherichia coli infection, which may not fully recapitulate the infective etiology and immune responses seen in humans. The emerging field of the urobiome also inadvertently confounds the discrimination of true UTI-causing pathogens from commensals. This review aims to present a novel perspective on chronic UTI by linking microbiology with immunology, which is commonly divergent in this field of research. It also describes the challenges in understanding chronic UTI pathogenesis and the human bladder immune response, largely conjectured from murine studies. Lastly, it outlines the shortcomings of current diagnostic methods in identifying individuals with chronic UTI and consequently treating them, potentially aggravating their disease due to mismanagement of prior episodes. This discourse highlights the need to consider these knowledge gaps and encourages more relevant studies of UTIs in humans.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN UKRAINE: RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER STUDY (2020-2022)

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To obtain the first national estimates of the current prevalence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnant women and antimicrobial resistance of causing pathogens in Ukraine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022. The study population consisted of 36,876 pregnant women from 17 regions of Ukraine. Antibiotic susceptibility was done by the disc diffusion test as recommended by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines.

RESULTS

Results: A total 29.5% pregnant women were found to have UTIs. Among these cases, 36.5% Asymptomatic bacteriuria, 51.7% Cystitis and 11.8% Pyelonephritis were observed. Of all cases, 87.9% were defined as healthcare-acquired UTIs and 12.1% community-acquired UTIs. The most common uropathogen was Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Many uropathogens isolated from UTI cases were found to be multidrug resistant.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: UTIs in pregnant women in Ukraine is a common occurrence and many cases are caused by pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics. Optimizing the management and empirical antimicrobial therapy may reduce the burden of UTIs in pregnant women, but prevention is the key element.

Antibiotic treatment duration in diverticulitis, complicated urinary tract infection and endocarditis: a retrospective, single center study

OBJECTIVES

Despite the availability of international guidelines advocating shorter treatment durations, non-adherence to them is common. We assessed duration of antibiotic treatment (DAT) in diverticulitis, complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) and endocarditis.

METHODS

Medical records of patients hospitalized with the above stated diseases in 2017 and 2018 were randomly selected at a Swiss tertiary care hospital. Appropriateness of antibiotic treatment duration was assessed according to international and local guidelines.

RESULTS

243 patients were included into the study: 100 with diverticulitis and complicated UTI each, and 43 patients with endocarditis. Adherence to local and international guidelines was 11% and 18% in diverticulitis, 39% and 40% in complicated UTI and 84% and 86% in endocarditis, respectively. Non-adherence was primarily due to prolonged treatment in diverticulitis and complicated UTI with a median DAT of 11 days (IQR 10-13) and 14 days (IQR 10-15), respectively. When pooling diverticulitis and complicated UTI cases, the identification of a pathogen in any microbiological sample was associated with an improved adherence to local guidelines in addition to hospitalization in a medical ward and infectious diseases consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged courses of antibiotic treatment were common and treatment adherence to guidelines poor in diverticulitis, moderate in complicated UTI and excellent in endocarditis.

Applying Diagnostic Stewardship to Proactively Optimize the Management of Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection is amongst the most common bacterial infections in the community and hospital setting and accounts for an estimated 1.6 to 2.14 billion in national healthcare expenditure. Despite its financial impact, the diagnosis is challenging with urine cultures and antibiotics often inappropriately ordered for non-specific symptoms or asymptomatic bacteriuria. In an attempt to limit unnecessary laboratory testing and antibiotic overutilization, several diagnostic stewardship initiatives have been described in the literature. We conducted a systematic review with a focus on the application of molecular and microbiological diagnostics, clinical decision support, and implementation of diagnostic stewardship initiatives for urinary tract infections. The most successful strategies utilized a bundled, multidisciplinary, and multimodal approach involving nursing and physician education and feedback, indication requirements for urine culture orders, reflex urine culture programs, cascade reporting, and urinary antibiograms. Implementation of antibiotic stewardship initiatives across the various phases of laboratory testing (i.e., pre-analytic, analytic, post-analytic) can effectively decrease the rate of inappropriate ordering of urine cultures and antibiotic prescribing in patients with clinically ambiguous symptoms that are unlikely to be a urinary tract infection.

What Left for Us for Urinary Tract Infection Treatment? An Experience from the South of Iran

Background:

The aim of the study is to define the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria from cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of urinary pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility was done on urine cultures at Shiraz University Laboratory from 2015 to 2017. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests have done using the disk-diffusion technique as per the standard of CSLI.

Results:

During 2 years of study, 3489 samples were culture positive. Escherichia coli was the dominant isolate (84%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (10.7%) and Enterococci spp. (2,2%). The overall resistance rates to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin were 56.1%, 47.2%, and 37%, respectively. The most frequently isolated bacteria were E. coli, which had resistance rates of 58.6%, 49.1% to TMP-STX, and cefixime, also sensitivity rates of 95.1% to nitrofurantoin (FM).

Conclusions:

In the study area, resistance rates to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins were high. Because most isolates were sensitive to FM and aminoglycoside, they are suggested as appropriate antimicrobials for empirical treatment of UTIs before available urine culture results.

A retrospective comparison of guidelines to assess hospital-diagnosed urinary tract infection in nursing home residents

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate antibiotic treatments for urinary tract infection (UTI) in nursing home (NH) residents are common and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Published guidelines aim to improve accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of UTIs. This study assessed whether records from hospitalized NH residents diagnosed with UTI, while comparing the Cooper Tool and Stone criteria, supported appropriate treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted using electronic medical record (EMR) data from residents of 3 NHs who were diagnosed with UTI when hospitalized over a 3-year period. The Cooper Tool and Stone criteria were used to assess treatment appropriateness.

RESULTS

Of 79 hospitalized residents treated for UTI, 11 (13.9%) were appropriately treated according to the Cooper Tool and 9 (11.4%) according to Stone. The 2 criteria agreed in 9 of the cases including 100% of those with catheters. Urinalysis was documented in 72% of residents and 24% had documentation of culture and sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate UTI treatment rates using both tools were low but much higher in those with catheters. Future research is necessary to validate the use of these tools in the hospital setting which have the potential to improve treatment accuracy and reduce unnecessary antibiotics use.

Current antibiotic resistance patterns of rare uropathogens: survey from Central European Urology Department 2011-2019

BACKGROUND

While the resistance rates of commonly detected uropathogens are well described, those of less frequent Gram-negative uropathogenic bacteria have seldom been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the resistance rates of less frequent uropathogenic Gram-negatives in a population of patients treated in a Department of Urology of a tertiary referral centre in Central Europe over a period of 9 years.

METHODS

Data on all positive urine samples from urological in- and out-patients were extracted form the Department of Clinical Microbiology database from 2011 to 2019. Numbers of susceptible and resistant isolates per year were calculated for these uropathogens: Acinetobacter spp. (n = 74), Citrobacter spp. (n = 60), Enterobacter spp. (n = 250), Morganella morganii (n = 194), Providencia spp. (n = 53), Serratia spp. (n = 82) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 27). Antimicrobial agents selected for the survey included: ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam; cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefepime; ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin; gentamicin and amikacin; ertapenem, meropenem and imipenem; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), nitrofurantoin and colistin.

RESULTS

Penicillin derivatives have generally poor effect except piperacillin/tazobactam. Cefuroxime is not efficient unlike cefotaxime (except against Acinetobacter spp. and S. maltophilia). Susceptibility to fluoroquinolones is limited. Amikacin is somewhat more efficient than gentamicine but susceptibilities for both safely exceed 80%. Nitrofurantoin shows virtually no efficiency. Cotrimoxazole acts well against Citrobacter spp., Serratia spp. and it is the treatment of choice for S. maltophilia UTIs. Among carbapenems, ertapenem was less efficient than meropenem and imipenem except for S. maltophilia whose isolates were mostly not suceptible to any carbapenems.

CONCLUSIONS

Uropathogenic microorganisms covered in this report are noteworthy for their frequently multi-drug resistant phenotypes. Knowledge of resistance patterns helps clinicians choose the right empirical antibiotic treatment when the taxonomical assignment of the isolate is known but sensitivity results are pending.

Differential Serum and Urine CRP, IP-10, and TRAIL Levels in Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection

Background: It is estimated that clinical evaluation and urinalysis are unable to diagnose >10% of urinary tract infections (UTI) in young children. TNF-related apoptosis induced ligand (TRAIL), interferon gamma induced protein-10 (IP-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) exhibit differential expression in the blood in response to bacterial vs. viral infection. We assessed if the urinary and serum levels of these host biomarkers discriminate UTI, nephronia, and response to antibiotic treatment. Methods: Hospitalized febrile children aged <18 years with suspected UTI based on abnormal urinalysis were recruited prospectively between 2016 and 2018; also, non-febrile controls were recruited. Following urine culture results and hospitalization course, participants were divided into three groups based on AAP criteria and expert adjudication: UTI, viral infection, and indeterminate. Results: Seventy-three children were enrolled, 61 with suspected UTI and 12 non-febrile controls. Of the 61 with suspected UTI, 40 were adjudicated as UTI, 10 viral infection, and 11 as indeterminate. Urinary CRP and IP-10 levels were significantly higher in the UTI group (p ≤ 0.05). Urinary CRP differentiated UTI from non-bacterial etiology in children under and over 3 months of age, with AUCs 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93-1.00) and 0.82 (0.68-0.95), respectively. Similarly, urinary IP-10 discriminated with AUCs of 0.80 (0.59-1.00) and 0.90 (0.80-1.00), respectively. Serum CRP and IP-10 levels were significantly higher in UTI cases with nephronia (p ≤ 0.03). UTI-induced changes in the levels of urinary and serum biomarkers resolved during recovery. Conclusions: CRP, IP-10, and TRAIL represent biomarkers with potential to aid the clinician in diagnosis and management of UTI.

Current Antibiotic Resistance Trends of Uropathogens in Central Europe: Survey from a Tertiary Hospital Urology Department 2011-2019

Monitoring of pathogen resistance profiles is necessary to guide empirical antibiotic therapy before culture and sensitivity results become available. The aim of this study was to describe current antibiotic resistance patterns of five most frequent causative uropathogens in a Department of Urology of a tertiary referral centre in Central Europe over a period of nine years. The Hospital Department of Clinical Microbiology database was used to extract data on all positive urine samples from inpatients in the Department of Urology between 2011 and 2019. Numbers of susceptible and resistant isolates per year were calculated for five most frequent uropathogens: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus spp. Antimicrobial agents selected for the survey included: ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam; cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefepime; ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin; gentamicin and amikacin; ertapenem, meropenem and imipenem; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), nitrofurantoin, colistin, and vancomycin. High resistance rates of Gram-negative uropathogens were demonstrated to most common antimicrobials, with statistically significant increasing or decreasing trends in some cases. No carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. strains were rare in our population.