Neonatal nosocomial bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in a middle-income country: burden, pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and mortality

BACKGROUND

Data on nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI) rates, pathogens, mortality and antimicrobial resistance in African neonates are limited.

METHODS

Nosocomial neonatal BSI at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town were retrospectively reviewed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013. Laboratory and hospital data were used to determine BSI rates, pathogen profile, mortality and antimicrobial resistance in selected nosocomial pathogens.

RESULTS

Of 6521 blood cultures taken over 5 years, 1145 (17.6%) were culture-positive, and 717 (62.6%) discrete nosocomial BSI episodes were identified. Nosocomial BSI rates remained unchanged over time (overall 3.9/1000 patient days, 95% CI 3.6-4.2, χ(2) for trend P = 0.23). Contamination rates were relatively high (5.1%, 95% CI 4.6-5.7%). Among BSI pathogens, Gram-negatives predominated (65% vs 31% Gram-positives and 4% fungal); Klebsiella pneumoniae (235, 30%), Staphylococcus aureus (112, 14%) and Enterococci (88, 11%) were most prevalent. Overall crude BSI mortality was 16% (112/717); Gram-negative BSI was significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.007). Mortality occurred mostly in neonates of very low (33/112, 29%) or extremely low (53/112, 47%) birthweight. Deaths attributed to nosocomial BSI declined significantly over time (χ(2) for trend P = 0.01). The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens was high: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 66%, multidrug-resistant A. baumanni 90% and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae 73%.

CONCLUSION

The burden of nosocomial neonatal BSI at this middle-income country referral neonatal unit is substantial and remained unchanged over the study period, although attributable mortality declined significantly. Nosocomial BSI pathogens exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia patients treated with ceftaroline: retrospective case series of 10 patients

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common nosocomial pneumonia (NP) pathogen in US ICUs. Ceftaroline fosamil is a novel cephalosporin with activity against MRSA.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients (pts) who received ceftaroline therapy for MRSA NP.

RESULTS

A total of 10 pts received ceftaroline from September 2011 to September 2012 for MRSA NP. Nine pts received prior anti-MRSA therapy before initiation of ceftaroline. Ceftaroline duration of therapy ranged from 4 to 28 days. Three pts pursued palliative care prior to completion of therapy and expired off antibiotics. Of the remaining seven pts, six pts were considered to have clinical cure or improvement either at the end of therapy with ceftaroline or total antibiotic treatment. One pt had a relapse 1 week after ceftaroline treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series suggests the potential of ceftaroline as an alternative agent for the treatment of MRSA NP and warrants further investigation.