Bloodstream infections: trends and evolution of incidence and etiology in a 12-year period (2010-2021)

INTRODUCTION

The epidemiological evolution of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in the last decade is not clearly defined. Our aim was to analyze the changes in the workload in our institution and to describe the evolution of the incidence and etiology of BSIs in a 12-year period, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

All blood cultures received in the laboratory of a tertiary general hospital between 2010 and 2021 were analyzed. Bloodstream infection episodes refer to each episode of bacteremia or fungemia in each patient. Incidence rates per 1000 admissions and per 100,000 population were calculated.

RESULTS

No significant changes in the incidence of BSI episodes/1000 admissions were observed (mean, 31.1), while estimated population-based incidences showed declining trends (mean, 182.8/100,000 inhabitants). There was a slight increase in BSI episodes per 1000 admissions caused by Gram-negatives (mean, 16.6/1000 admissions) and E. coli was the most frequent pathogen (mean, 8.5/1000 admissions). There was no significant rise in episodes caused by ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing E. coli or K. pneumoniae, with a decline in those caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. A spike in BSI episodes, fungal BSIs and catheter-related infections was detected in 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak.

CONCLUSIONS

No clear increase in the incidence of BSI episodes was detected in our center over this period. Gram-negatives are the most frequent etiology, with no clear rise in antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. The COVID-19 pandemic accounted for a small increase in BSI episodes in 2020, probably related to the increase of catheter-related infections.

Epidemiology and preventability of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia in 2 hospitals in India

OBJECTIVE

Studies evaluating the incidence, source, and preventability of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB), defined as any positive blood culture obtained after 3 calendar days of hospital admission, are lacking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

All consecutive blood cultures performed for 6 months during 2020-2021 in 2 hospitals in India were reviewed to assess HOB and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reportable central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) events. Medical records of a convenience sample of 300 consecutive HOB events were retrospectively reviewed to determine source and preventability. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with HOB preventability.

RESULTS

Among 6,733 blood cultures obtained from 3,558 hospitalized patients, there were 409 and 59 unique HOB and NHSN-reportable CLABSI events, respectively. CLABSIs accounted for 59 (14%) of 409 HOB events. There was a moderate but non-significant correlation (r = 0.51; P = .070) between HOB and CLABSI rates. Among 300 reviewed HOB cases, CLABSIs were identified as source in only 38 (13%). Although 157 (52%) of all 300 HOB cases were potentially preventable, CLABSIs accounted for only 22 (14%) of these 157 preventable HOB events. In multivariable analysis, neutropenia, and sepsis as an indication for blood culture were associated with decreased odds of HOB preventability, whereas hospital stay ≥7 days and presence of a urinary catheter were associated with increased likelihood of preventability.

CONCLUSIONS

HOB may have utility as a healthcare-associated infection metric in LMIC settings because it captures preventable bloodstream infections beyond NHSN-reportable CLABSIs.

Characteristics, costs, and outcomes associated with central-line-associated bloodstream infection and hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia in US hospitals

OBJECTIVES

To compare characteristics and outcomes associated with central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and electronic health record-determined hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) cases in hospitalized US adults.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients in 41 acute-care hospitals. CLABSI cases were defined as those reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). HOB was defined as a positive blood culture with an eligible bloodstream organism collected during the hospital-onset period (ie, on or after day 4). We evaluated patient characteristics, other positive cultures (urine, respiratory, or skin and soft-tissue), and microorganisms in a cross-sectional analysis cohort. We explored adjusted patient outcomes [length of stay (LOS), hospital cost, and mortality] in a 1:5 case-matched cohort.

RESULTS

The cross-sectional analysis included 403 patients with NHSN-reportable CLABSIs and 1,574 with non-CLABSI HOB. A positive non-bloodstream culture with the same microorganism as in the bloodstream was reported in 9.2% of CLABSI patients and 32.0% of non-CLABSI HOB patients, most commonly urine or respiratory cultures. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae were the most common microorganisms in CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOB cases, respectively. In case-matched analyses, CLABSIs and non-CLABSI HOB, separately or combined, were associated with significantly longer LOS [difference, 12.1-17.4 days depending on intensive care unit (ICU) status], higher costs (by $25,207-$55,001 per admission), and a >3.5-fold increased risk of mortality in patients with an ICU encounter.

CONCLUSIONS

CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOB cases are associated with significant increases in morbidity, mortality, and cost. Our data may help inform prevention and management of bloodstream infections.

Distribution of fungemia agents in five years and antifungal resistance

OBJECTIVE

Recent research has suggested that fungemia may demonstrate an epidemiologic shift in etiologic agents. This study focuses on the agents causing fungemia and antifungal resistance in a tertiary hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated all-age fungemia cases admitted to Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital in 2017-2021. Blood cultures (BC) were studied using BacT/Alert® 3D (bioMérieux, Marcyl'Etoile, France) and Render BC128 System (Render Biotech Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China). On the data, we explored only the first fungal positive samples or the first isolates in different episodes of the same patients. Upon The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) disk diffusion guidelines, conventional methods and the Phoenix™ 100 System (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) were utilized for antifungal susceptibility identifications.

RESULTS

The findings showed that 325 (0.84%) of 38,682 BC sets were positive for fungal growth. Except for four cases (1.2%) [Saprochaete capitata (n = 2); Trichosporon asahii (n = 1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (n = 1)], all positive cases yielded Candida spp. (98.8%) growth. In these patients, the following Candida spp. were isolated: Candida albicans complex (n = 155; 47.7%), Candida parapsilosis complex (n = 127; 39.1%), Candida glabrata complex (n = 19; 5.85%), Candida tropicalis (n = 12; 3.7%), Candida kefyr (n = 5; 1.54%), Candida krusei (n = 2; 0.62%), and Candida guilliermondii complex (n = 1; 0.31%). We also realized that while none of the Candida spp. had echinocandin resistance, 8 C. parapsilosis complex isolates were resistant to fluconazole, and 17 C. parapsilosis complex and 2 C. tropicalis isolates were susceptible dose-dependent to fluconazole.

CONCLUSIONS

In brief, antifungal resistance is more likely to restrict therapeutic options, albeit it is, fortunately, not prevalent in Turkey despite a few recent reports. Yet, a robust detection or management of antifungal resistance requires species-level identification and strict compliance with relevant management guidelines. Besides, challenges in research may be compensated with a national data set built with data from local laboratories.

Scedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans fungaemia is uniformly fatal in patients with haematological malignancy

Scedosporium and Lomentospora species are environmental moulds that are virulent in immunocompromised hosts and rarely cause bloodstream infection (BSI). Patients with Scedosporium and Lomentospora species BSI were identified by the state public laboratory service in Queensland, Australia, over a 20-year period. Twenty-two incident episodes occurred among 21 residents; one patient had a second episode 321 days following the first. Of these, 18 were Lomentospora prolificans, three were Scedosporium apiospermum complex and one was a nonspeciated Scedosporium species. Seventeen (81%) patients died during their index admission, and all-cause mortality at 30, 90 and 365 days was 73%, 82% and 91% respectively. All 20 patients with haematological malignancy died within 365 days of follow-up with a median time to death of 9 days (interquartile range, 6-20 days) following diagnoses of BSI.

Fungemia due to rare non-Candida yeasts between 2018 and 2021 in a Greek tertiary care university hospital

INTRODUCTION

Non-Candida yeasts, although rare, are increasingly encountered and recognized as a growing threat.

METHODS

Cases of bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to non-Candida yeasts (NCYs) during the last four years (2018-2021) are presented.

RESULTS

During the study period, 16 cases caused by non-Candida yeasts out of 400 cases of yeast BSIs were recorded, corresponding to an incidence of 4%. Yeasts that were isolated included Cryptococcus spp (4 isolates-25%), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (2 isolates-12.5%), Trichosporon asahii (7 isolates-43.75%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3 isolates-18.75%). Predisposing factors involved mostly hematological malignancies, long term hospitalization or major surgical interventions. Most isolates, 15 out of 16 were susceptible to amphotericin B. Voriconazole was the most active azole in vitro. All isolates, except Saccharomyces spp., were resistant to echinocandins.

DISCUSSION

Early recognition of rare yeasts as causative agents of BSIs and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment based on current guidelines and expertise remain crucial in efficient patient management.

Candida haemulonii complex, an emerging threat from tropical regions?

BACKGROUND

Candida haemulonii complex-related species are pathogenic yeasts closely related to Candida auris with intrinsic antifungal resistance, but few epidemiological data are available.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We analyzed clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex and related species (C. pseudohaemulonii, C. vulturna) reported in France during 2002-2021, and compared them to data of C. parapsilosis fungemia, as they all can be commensal of the skin. We also conducted a study on adult inpatients and outpatients colonized by C. haemulonii complex, managed at the University Hospital of Martinique during 2014-2020. Finally, we performed a literature review of fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex and related species reported in Medline (1962-2022). In total, we identified 28 fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex in France. These episodes were frequently associated with bacterial infection (38%) and high mortality rate (44%), and differed from C. parapsilosis fungemia by their tropical origin, mainly from Caribbean and Latin America. All isolates showed decreased in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B and fluconazole. In Martinique, we found that skin colonization was frequent in the community population, while colonization was strongly associated with the presence of foreign devices in ICU patients. The literature review identified 274 fungemia episodes, of which 56 were individually described. As in our national series, published cases originated mainly from tropical regions and exhibited high crude mortality.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Multidrug-resistant C. haemulonii complex-related species are responsible for fungemia and colonization in community and hospital settings, especially in tropical regions, warranting closer epidemiological surveillance to prevent a potential C. auris-like threat.

The first case of Wickerhamomyces anomalus fungemia in Iran in an immuneodeficient child, a review on the literature

The incidence of invasive candidiasis in pediatric patients is increasing and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. C. pelliculosa has been rarely reported as a human pathogen, however, it has been associated with serious nosocomial infections and clonal outbreaks with poor clinical outcomes in immunocompromised children were reported. Here, we describe the first case of candidemia due to Candida pelliculosa in a 5-year-old immunocompromised male suffered from Griscelli syndrome with hemophagocytic syndrome hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), Tehran, Iran. In addition, the history of reported cases or case-series due to C. pelliculosa is reviewed.

Etiological factors of bloodstream infections in oncological patients, who was hospitalized at the National Institute of Maria Skłodowska-Curie - National Research Institute in Warsaw in 2020-2022

Aim of the study

The purpose of the study was the microbiological analysis of bloodstream infections in patients hospitalized at the National Institute of Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie - National Research Institute in the period from 01/01/2020 to 31/10/2022.

Material and methods

In the period from 01/01/2020 to 31/10/2022, 18,420 blood cultures obtained from patients hospitalized at the NIO-PIB were analysed in the Department of Clinical Microbiology (total for the presence of bacteria and fungi). Culture for the presence of bacteria was carried out in the BactAlert automatic system by bioMerieux, and for fungi in the Bactec FX automatic system by Becton Dickinson.

Results

1,184 strains of bacteria and 32 strains of fungi considered to be the etiological factor of the infection were cultured from clinical samples. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 61.57%, while Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 32.26% of all isolated bacterial strains. The most frequently cultured strains were Escherichia coli - 13.77% (including 22.1% of ESBL strains), Klebsiella penumoniae - 4.6% (44.4% of ESBL strains, 1.85% of NDM strains), Enterobacter cloacae - 2 .7% (including 40.6% of multi-resistant strains: ESBL (15.6%) or with AmpC derepression (25%), among the non-fermenting bacilli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently cultured - 4.18% (including 3.8% MBL) and Acinetobacter baumannii - 0.8% (including CRAB strains 50%, MBL 10%). Anaerobic microorganisms were responsible for 3.46% of blood infection cases. Yeast- like fungi were a factor in 2.7% of all fungemia cases. From blood samples taken Staphylococci were more frequently isolated directly from a vein or through a central venous catheter than aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (44.7% and 25.3% and 55.6% and 12.5%, respectively). The opposite situation occurred in the case of samples taken simultaneously directly from vein and through a central venous catheter, in which a higher share of aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (46.6%) than staphylococci (32.8%) in causing blood infections was observed.

Conclusions

Gram-positive bacteria are the major contributors to bloodstream infections in cancer patients. There is a growing tendency to develop BSI caused by multi-resistant strains.

Development and validation of a risk score for predicting positivity of blood cultures and mortality in patients with bacteremia and fungemia

INTRODUCTION

Bacteremia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Predictors of mortality are critical for the management and survival of hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to determine the factors related to blood culture positivity and the risk factors for mortality in patients whose blood cultures were collected.

METHODS

A prospective 2-cohort study (derivation with 784 patients and validation with 380 patients) based on the Pitt bacteremia score for all patients undergoing blood culture collection. The score was obtained from multivariate analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve of the cohort derivation and the cohort validation groups was calculated, and the difference was assessed using a log-rank test. Mortality-related factors were older age, extended hospitalization, > 10% of immature cells in the leukogram, lower mean blood pressure, elevated heart rate, elevated WBC count, and elevated respiratory rate. These continuous variables were dichotomized according to their significance level, and a cut-off limit was created.

RESULTS

The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.789. The score was validated in a group of 380 patients who were prospectively evaluated.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged hospitalization, body temperature, and elevated heart rate were related to positive blood cultures. The Pitt score can be used to assess the risk of death; however it can be individualized according to the epidemiology of each hospital.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Drug Resistance of Fungemia in General Hospitals from 2010 to 2019

OBJECTIVE

This study intends to analyze the data of fungemia in a large tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2019, and is aimed at understanding its epidemic characteristics and drug resistance.

METHODS

The "Hospital Infection Real-Time Monitoring System" was used to retrieve the case information of patients who were hospitalized for more than 48 hours from 2010 to 2019. The questionnaire was designed to collect patients' basic information, infection situation, drug resistance, and other related information. Statistical software was used for analysis.

RESULTS

The fungi detection rate was in the range of 0.19%~0.75% in ten years, the average rate was 0.29%, and the rate 0.2%~0.3% since 2013, which was lower than that from 2010 to 2012. Non-Candida albicans was the main fungus, accounting for 62.50%. The drug resistance of non-C. albicans was higher than that of C. albicans, among which C. glabrata had the highest resistance rate. Data analysis showed that the patients with more serious basic diseases, combined with infection of other sites, surgery, long hospital stay, combination of antibiotics, and invasive catheterization, were more likely to occur fungemia.

CONCLUSION

We should pay more attention to the patients with high-risk factors of fungemia and focus on the drug resistance of non-C. albicans, choose the right antifungal drugs, so as to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment.

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Fungemia, and Pneumocystosis in the Intensive Care Unit: a Retrospective Multicenter Observational Cohort during the First French Pandemic Wave

The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic means, host factors, delay of occurrence, and outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and fungal coinfections in the intensive care unit (ICU). From 1 February to 31 May 2020, we anonymously recorded COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), fungemia (CA-fungemia), and pneumocystosis (CA-PCP) from 36 centers, including results on fungal biomarkers in respiratory specimens and serum. We collected data from 154 episodes of CAPA, 81 of CA-fungemia, 17 of CA-PCP, and 5 of other mold infections from 244 patients (male/female [M/F] ratio = 3.5; mean age, 64.7 ± 10.8 years). CA-PCP occurred first after ICU admission (median, 1 day; interquartile range [IQR], 0 to 3 days), followed by CAPA (9 days; IQR, 5 to 13 days), and then CA-fungemia (16 days; IQR, 12 to 23 days) (P < 10-4). For CAPA, the presence of several mycological criteria was associated with death (P < 10-4). Serum galactomannan was rarely positive (<20%). The mortality rates were 76.7% (23/30) in patients with host factors for invasive fungal disease, 45.2% (14/31) in those with a preexisting pulmonary condition, and 36.6% (34/93) in the remaining patients (P = 0.001). Antimold treatment did not alter prognosis (P = 0.370). Candida albicans was responsible for 59.3% of CA-fungemias, with a global mortality of 45.7%. For CA-PCP, 58.8% of the episodes occurred in patients with known host factors of PCP, and the mortality rate was 29.5%. CAPA may be in part hospital acquired and could benefit from antifungal prescription at the first positive biomarker result. CA-fungemia appeared linked to ICU stay without COVID-19 specificity, while CA-PCP may not really be a concern in the ICU. Improved diagnostic strategy for fungal markers in ICU patients with COVID-19 should support these hypotheses. IMPORTANCE To diagnose fungal coinfections in patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit, it is necessary to implement the correct treatment and to prevent them if possible. For COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), respiratory specimens remain the best approach since serum biomarkers are rarely positive. Timing of occurrence suggests that CAPA could be hospital acquired. The associated mortality varies from 36.6% to 76.7% when no host factors or host factors of invasive fungal diseases are present, respectively. Fungemias occurred after 2 weeks in ICUs and are associated with a mortality rate of 45.7%. Candida albicans is the first yeast species recovered, with no specificity linked to COVID-19. Pneumocystosis was mainly found in patients with known immunodepression. The diagnosis occurred at the entry in ICUs and not afterwards, suggesting that if Pneumocystis jirovecii plays a role, it is upstream of the hospitalization in the ICU.

Outbreak of Dirkmeia churashimaensis Fungemia in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, India

Bloodstream infections caused by uncommon or novel fungal species are challenging to identify and treat. We report a series of cases of fungemia due to a rare basidiomycete yeast, Dirkmeia churashimaensis, in neonatal patients in India. Whole-genome sequence typing demonstrated that the patient isolates were genetically indistinguishable, indicating a single-source infection.

Epidemiology of yeast species causing bloodstream infection in Tehran, Iran (2015-2017); superiority of 21-plex PCR over the Vitek 2 system for yeast identification

Introduction. Given the limited number of candidaemia studies in Iran, the profile of yeast species causing bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially in adults, remains limited. Although biochemical assays are widely used in developing countries, they produce erroneous results, especially for rare yeast species.Aim. We aimed to assess the profile of yeast species causing BSIs and to compare the accuracy of the Vitek 2 system and 21-plex PCR.Methodology. Yeast blood isolates were retrospectively collected from patients recruited from two tertiary care training hospitals in Tehran from 2015 to 2017. Relevant clinical data were mined. Identification was performed by automated Vitek 2, 21-plex PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2).Results. In total, 137 yeast isolates were recovered from 107 patients. The overall all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 47.7 %. Fluconazole was the most widely used systemic antifungal. Candida albicans (58/137, 42.3 %), Candida glabrata (30/137, 21.9 %), Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto (23/137, 16.8 %), Candida tropicalis (10/137, 7.3 %) and Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei) (4/137, 2.9 %) constituted almost 90 % of the isolates and 10 % of the species detected were rare yeast species (12/137; 8.7 %). The 21-plex PCR method correctly identified 97.1 % of the isolates, a higher percentage than the Vitek 2 showed (87.6 %).Conclusion. C. albicans was the main cause of yeast-derived fungaemia in this study. Future prospective studies are warranted to closely monitor the epidemiological landscape of yeast species causing BSIs in Iran. The superiority of 21-plex PCR over automated Vitek 2 indicates its potential clinical utility as an alternative identification tool use in developing countries.

Ophthalmology Consultation to Detect Endogenous Endophthalmitis: Clinical Characteristics in Consulted Versus Diagnosed Cases Among At-Risk Inpatients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Predisposing factors for ophthalmology consultations and endogenous endophthalmitis were compared among inpatients with systemic infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized.

RESULTS

There were 9,527 encounters identified with systemic infection. The 5-year incidence rate was 8.4% (803/9,527) for consultations and 0.3% (25/9,527) for endophthalmitis. Factors most associated with consultations included positive fungal blood cultures and HIV. Factors most associated with endophthalmitis included positive blood fungal cultures and endocarditis. Four of 25 endophthalmitis patients lacked positive blood cultures; six of 20 endophthalmitis patients with adequate mentation were asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive blood fungal cultures were strongly associated with both endophthalmitis and consultations. Endocarditis was strongly associated with endophthalmitis but less associated with consultation and may warrant increased attention. Neither presence of symptoms nor positive cultures may be sufficiently accurate to determine need for consultation. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:159-169.].

Large Outbreaks of Fungal and Bacterial Bloodstream Infections in a Neonatal Unit, South Africa, 2012-2016

Candidemia is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections. We describe a large outbreak of Candida krusei bloodstream infections among infants in Gauteng Province, South Africa, during a 4-month period; a series of candidemia and bacteremia outbreaks in the neonatal unit followed. We detected cases by using enhanced laboratory surveillance and audited hospital wards by environmental sampling and epidemiologic studies. During July-October 2014, among 589 patients, 48 unique cases of C. krusei candidemia occurred (8.2% incidence). Risk factors for candidemia on multivariable analyses were necrotizing enterocolitis, birthweight <1,500 g, receipt of parenteral nutrition, and receipt of blood transfusion. Despite initial interventions, outbreaks of bloodstream infection caused by C. krusei, rarer fungal species, and bacterial pathogens continued in the neonatal unit through July 29, 2016. Multiple factors contributed to these outbreaks; the most functional response is to fortify infection prevention and control.

Risk Factors for Candidemia in Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Objective.

To identify the main risk factors for the acquisition of candidemia in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) in order to improve the clinical management of these patients.

Design.

A case-control study.

Setting.

A large tertiary-care referral center in Spain with a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to which more than 500 children with CHD are admitted annually.

Patients.

All patients had CHD and were admitted to the PICU during 1995-2000. Case patients were defined as patients with candidemia, and control patients were defined as patients without candidemia.

Results.

Twenty-eight case patients and 47 control subjects were included in the study. Case patients were younger (mean age [ ± SD], 12.5 ± 32.0 vs 38.0 ± 48.0 months;P< .01) and had a longer median PICU stay (19 vs 4 days;P< .01), and a greater percentage of case patients previously hadCandidaspecies isolated from specimens other than blood (eg, bronchial aspirates, urine, or skin specimens) (39% vs 4%;P<.01). Severity of clinical condition, as measured by the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) 1 week after PICU admission (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.26;P<.01), and receipt of antibiotic treatment for more than 5 days (odds ratio, 13.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-137.13;P= .03) were independently associated with the development of candidemia.

Conclusions.

Patients with CHD who have a high TISS score 1 week after PICU admission and patients who have received prolonged antibiotic therapy should be considered at high risk for candidemia. Our results suggest that shorter courses of antibiotic therapy, routine surveillance culture forCandidaspecies, and initiation of preemptive or empirical antifungal treatment could help in the clinical management of these patients.

An Outbreak ofPichia anomalaFungemia in a Brazilian Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objective:

To report an outbreak ofPichia anomalafungemia that occurred in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) from October 2002 to January 2004.

Design:

Unmatched case-control study.

Methods:

We randomly selected four control-patients for each case-patient from a list of all patients admitted to the ICU for at least 48 hours during the outbreak. A second control group was composed of all consecutive patients with nosocomial candidemia in the ICU during the outbreak. An environmental study was performed, and genetic relatedness among the clinical isolates was characterized by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA assay.

Results:

During the study period, 1,046 children were admitted to the pediatric ICU, 17 of whom developedP. anomalafungemia (attack rate, 1.6%). The median age was 1.1 years, and the main underlying conditions were congenital malformations (35.3%) and neoplastic diseases (11.8%). The overall mortality rate was 41.2%. Two patients received no antifungal treatment; all of the others were treated with amphotericin B. On multivariate analysis, only the presence of a central venous catheter was significantly associated withP. anomalafungemia. The yeast was not found on healthcare workers' hands or in the environment. Molecular studies showed that the outbreak was caused by a single strain. The distribution of risk factors was similar between patients withP. anomalafungemia and control-patients with candidemia.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the importance ofP. anomalaas an emerging nosocomial fungal pathogen. Patients withP. anomalafungemia seem to have risk factors in common with those who have candidemia.

Ethnicity and Other Possible Risk Factors for Candidemia at 3 Tertiary Care University Hospitals in Hawaii

A total of 108 cases of candidemia detected in 3 tertiary care university hospitals in Hawaii between January 2001 and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis accounted for 28% of the cases. Mortality among Filipino patients was significantly higher than that among other ethnic groups (71% vs 48%; P<.05).

Secular Trends of Candidemia in a Large Tertiary-Care Hospital From 1988 to 2000: Emergence ofCandida parapsilosis

Objective:

To analyze the secular trends of candidemia in a large tertiary-care hospital to determine the overall incidence, as well as the incidence by ward and by species, and to detect the occurrence of outbreaks.

Design:

Retrospective descriptive analysis. Secular trends were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel test.

Setting:

A large tertiary-care referral center in Spain with a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) to which more than 500 children with congenital cardiac disease are admitted annually.

Patients:

All patients with candidemia occurring from 1988 to 2000 were included. Cases were identified from laboratory records of blood cultures.

Results:

There were 331 episodes of candidemia. The overall incidence of nosocomial candidemia was 0.6 episode per 1,000 admissions and remained stable throughout the study period (P= .925). The species most frequently isolated wasCandida albicans, but the incidence ofC. parapsilosiscandidemia increased (P= .035). In the pediatric ICU, the incidence ofC. parapsilosiswas 5.6 episodes per 1,000 admissions and it was the predominant species. Outbreaks occurred occasionally in the pediatric ICU, suggesting nosocomial transmission.

Conclusions:

During this 13-year period, the incidence of candidemia remained stable in this hospital, butC. parapsilosisincreased in frequency. Occasional outbreaks of candidemia suggested nosocomial transmission ofCandidaspecies (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2005;26:548-552).

Outbreak of Bloodstream Infection With the Mold Phialemonium Among Patients Receiving Dialysis at a Hemodialysis Unit

Background

Molds are a rare cause of disseminated infection among dialysis patients.

Objective.

We evaluated a cluster of intravascular infections with the mold Phialemonium among patients receiving hemodialysis at the same facility in order to identify possible environmental sources and prevent further infection.

Design.

Environmental assessment and case-control study.

Setting.

A hemodialysis center affiliated with a tertiary care hospital.

Methods.

We reviewed surveillance and clinical microbiology records and performed a blood culture survey for all patients. The following data for case patients were compared with those for control patients: underlying illness, dialysis characteristics, medications, and other possible exposure for 120 days prior to infection. Environmental assessment of water treatment, dialysis facilities, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems of the current and previous locations of the dialysis center was performed. Samples were cultured for fungus; Phialemonium isolates were confirmed by sequencing of DNA. Investigators observed dialysis access site disinfection technique.

Results.

Four patients were confirmed as case patients, defined as a patient having intravascular infection with Phialemonium species; 3 presented with fungemia, and 1 presented with an intravascular graft infection. All case patients used a fistula or graft for dialysis access, as did 12 (75%) of 16 of control patients (P = .54). Case and control patients did not differ in other dialysis characteristics, medications received, physiologic findings, or demographic factors. Phialemonium species were not recovered from samples of water or dialysis machines, but were recovered from the condensation drip pans under the blowers of the HVAC system that supplied air to the dialysis center. Observational study of 21 patients detected suboptimal contact time with antiseptic agents used to prepare dialysis access sites.

Conclusion.

The report of this outbreak adds to previous published reports of Phialemonium infection occurring in immunocompromised patients who likely acquired infection in the healthcare setting. Recovery of this mold from blood culture should be considered indicative of infection until proven otherwise. Furthermore, an investigation into possible healthcare-related environmental reservoirs should be considered.

Saprochaete capitata as an emerging fungus among patients with haematological malignencies

Saprochaete capitata is a very rare pathogen that causes invasive disease particularly in patients with haematological malignancies. We recognised a clustering of S. capitata fungaemia in recent years. So, we report our 6-year surveillance study of fungaemia among patients with haematological malignancies and haematopoietic stem cell transplant. We performed a retrospective and observational study. Hospitalised patients aged >18 years with haematological malignancies were included in the study. A total of 51 fungaemia episodes of 47 patients were analysed. The characteristics of fungaemia in patients with S. capitata compared to patients with candidemia. Median duration of neutropenia was 21.5 days in patients with S. capitata fungaemia, whereas this duration was significantly shorter in patients with candidemia (8 days). Interval between first and last positive culture was significantly longer in patients with S. capitata fungaemia (P < 0.05). Previous use of caspofungin was significantly more common in patients with S. capitata fungaemia. Thirty-day mortality was found 40% for patients with candidemia, whereas it was 39% for patients with S. capitata. In conclusion, despite its limitations this study showed that a novel and more resistant yeast-like pathogen become prevalent due to use of caspofungin in patients with long-lasting neutropenia which was the most noteworthy finding of this 6-year surveillance study.

Central line-associated bloodstream infections among critically-ill patients in the era of bundle care

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at high risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Bundle care has been documented to reduce CLABSI rates in Western countries, however, few reports were from Asian countries and the differences in the epidemiology or outcomes of critically-ill patients with CLABSIs after implementation of bundle care remain unknown. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, microbiological characteristics, and factors associated with mortality in critically-ill patients after implementation of bundle care.

METHODS

Prospective surveillance was performed on patients admitted to ICUs at the National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan from January 2012 to June 2013. The demographic, microbiological, and clinical data of patients who developed CLABSI according to the National Healthcare Safety Network definition were reviewed. A total of 181 episodes of CLABSI were assessed in 156 patients over 46,020 central-catheter days.

RESULTS

The incidence of CLABSI was 3.93 per 1000 central-catheter days. The predominant causative microorganisms isolated from CLABSI episodes were Gram-negative bacteria (39.2%), followed by Gram-positive bacteria (33.2%) and Candida spp. (27.6%). Median time from insertion of a central catheter to occurrence of CLABSI was 8 days. In multivariate analysis, the independent factors associated with mortality were higher Pitt bacteremia score [odds ratio (OR) 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.68] and longer interval between onset of CLABSIs and catheter removal (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.20), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In institutions with a high proportion of CLABSI caused by Gram-negative bacteria, severity of bacteremia and delay in catheter removal were significant factors associated with mortality.

Temporal Trends in Blood Stream Infection Isolates from Surgical Patients

BACKGROUND

Blood stream infections (BSIs) are a common source of morbidity and death in hospitalized patients. We hypothesized that the proportions of bacteremia from gram-positive and fungal pathogens have decreased over time, whereas rates of gram-negative bacteremia have increased as a result of better central venous catheter management.

METHODS

All U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined BSIs in patients treated on the general surgery and trauma services at our institution between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2009 were identified prospectively. These cases were analyzed on a yearly basis to compare rates of various infections over time. The Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate categorical data, whereas the Jonckheere-Terpstra test for ordered values was used to analyze continuous data.

RESULTS

A total of 1,040 patients had 1,441 episodes of BSI caused by 1,632 strains of bacteria or fungi. There was no difference over time in the proportion of BSI among overall infections. Rates of BSI for gram-negative and fungal pathogens increased over time (p=0.03 and<0.0001, respectively), whereas rates of gram-positive BSI decreased (p<0.0001). Positive changes in anaerobic BSI approached statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Although our hypothesis was only partly true, over the last 12 y, our institution clearly has witnessed a shift in the types of organisms causing BSIs. There was a decrease in the rates of BSI caused by gram-positive pathogens with an associated increase in the rates of BSI of infections by fungal and gram-negative pathogens. Interventions to reduce institutional rates of BSI should include targeted therapies based on historical institutional trends.

A practice-based observational study on the use of micafungin in Surgical Critical Care Units

INTRODUCTION

Echinocandins are first-line therapy in critically ill patients with invasive Candida infection (ICI). This study describes our experience with micafungin at Surgical Critical Care Units (SCCUs).

METHODS

A multicenter, observational, retrospective study was performed (12 SCCUs) by reviewing all adult patients receiving 100 mg/24h micafungin for ≥72h during ad-mission (April 2011-July 2013). Patients were divided by ICI category (possible, probable + proven), 24h-SOFA (<7, ≥7) and outcome.

RESULTS

72 patients were included (29 possible, 13 probable, 30 proven ICI). Forty patients (55.6%) presented SOFA ≥7. Up to 78.0% patients were admitted after urgent surgery (64.3% with SOFA <7 vs. 90.3% with SOFA ≥7, p=0.016), and 84.7% presented septic shock. In 66.7% the site of infection was intraabdominal. Forty-nine isolates were recovered (51.0% C. albicans). Treatment was empirical (59.7%), microbiologically directed (19.4%), rescue therapy (15.3%), or anticipated therapy and prophylaxis (2.8% each). Empirical treatment was more frequent (p<0.001) in possible versus probable + proven ICI (86.2% vs. 41.9%). Treatment (median) was longer (p=0.002) in probable + proven versus possible ICI (13.0 vs. 8.0 days). Favorable response was 86.1%, without differences by group. Age, blood Candida isolation, rescue therapy, final MELD value and %MELD variation were significantly higher in patients with non-favorable response. In the multivariate analysis (R2=0.246, p<0.001) non-favorable response was associated with positive %MELD variations (OR=15.445, 95%CI= 2.529-94.308, p=0.003) and blood Candida isolation (OR=11.409, 95%CI=1.843-70.634, p=0.009).

CONCLUSION

High favorable response was obtained, with blood Candida isolation associated with non-favorable response, in this series with high percentage of patients with intraabdominal ICI, septic shock and microbiological criteria for ICI.

Trends in paediatric bloodstream infections at a South African referral hospital

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of paediatric bloodstream infection (BSI) in Sub-Saharan Africa is poorly documented with limited data on hospital-acquired sepsis, impact of HIV infection, BSI trends and antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed paediatric BSI (0-14 years) at Tygerberg Children's Hospital between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2013 (excluding neonatal wards). Laboratory and hospital data were used to determine BSI rates, blood culture contamination, pathogen profile, patient demographics, antimicrobial resistance and factors associated with mortality. Fluconazole resistant Candida species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae were classified as antimicrobial resistant pathogens.

RESULTS

Of 17001 blood cultures over 6 years, 935 cultures isolated 979 pathogens (5.5% yield; 95% CI 5.3-5.7%). Contamination rates were high (6.6%, 95% CI 6.4-6.8%), increasing over time (p = 0.003). Discrete BSI episodes were identified (n = 864) with median patient age of 7.5 months, male predominance (57%) and 13% HIV prevalence. BSI rates declined significantly over time (4.6-3.1, overall rate 3.5 per 1000 patient days; 95% CI 3.3-3.7; Chi square for trend p = 0.02). Gram negative pathogens predominated (60% vs 33% Gram positives and 7% fungal); Klebsiella pneumoniae (154; 17%), Staphylococcus aureus (131; 14%) and Escherichia coli (97; 11%) were most prevalent. Crude BSI mortality was 20% (176/864); HIV infection, fungal, Gram negative and hospital-acquired sepsis were significantly associated with mortality on multivariate analysis. Hospital-acquired BSI was common (404/864; 47%). Overall antimicrobial resistance rates were high (70% in hospital vs 25% in community-acquired infections; p < 0.0001); hospital-acquired infection, infancy, HIV-infection and Gram negative sepsis were associated with resistance. S. pneumoniae BSI declined significantly over time (58/465 [12.5%] to 33/399 [8.3%]; p =0.04).

CONCLUSION

Although BSI rates declined over time, children with BSI had high mortality and pathogens exhibited substantial antimicrobial resistance in both community and hospital-acquired infections. Blood culture sampling technique and local options for empiric antimicrobial therapy require re-evaluation.

NNDSS Annual Report Writing Group. Australia's notifiable disease status, 2012: Annual report of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System

In 2012, 65 diseases and conditions were nationally notifiable in Australia. States and territories reported a total of 243,822 notifications of communicable diseases to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, an increase of 2% on the number of notifications in 2011. In 2012, the most frequently notified diseases were sexually transmissible infections (99,250 notifications, 40.7% of total notifications), vaccine preventable diseases (85,810 notifications, 35.2% of total notifications), and gastrointestinal diseases (31,155 notifications, 12.8% of total notifications). There were 16,846 notifications of bloodborne diseases; 8,305 notifications of vector-borne diseases; 1,924 notifications of other bacterial infections; 578 notifications of zoonoses; and 5 notifications of quarantinable diseases.

Risk factors for invasive Cryptococcus neoformans diseases: a case-control study

Background

Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous environmental fungus that can cause life-threatening meningitis and fungemia, often in the presence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, or other medical conditions. To distinguish risk factors from comorbidities, we performed a hospital-based, density-sampled, matched case-control study.

Methods

All new-onset cryptococcal meningitis cases and cryptococcemia cases at a university hospital in Taiwan from 2002–2010 were retrospectively identified from the computerized inpatient registry and were included in this study. Controls were selected from those hospitalized patients not experiencing cryptococcal meningitis or cryptococcemia. Controls and cases were matched by admission date, age, and gender. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors.

Results

A total of 101 patients with cryptococcal meningitis (266 controls) and 47 patients with cryptococcemia (188 controls), of whom 32 patients had both cryptococcal meningitis and cryptococcemia, were included in this study. Multivariate regression analysis showed that AIDS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 181.4; p < 0.001), decompensated liver cirrhosis (aOR = 8.5; p = 0.008), and cell-mediated immunity (CMI)-suppressive regimens without calcineurin inhibitors (CAs) (aOR = 15.9; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for cryptococcal meningitis. Moreover, AIDS (aOR = 216.3, p < 0.001), decompensated liver cirrhosis (aOR = 23.8; p < 0.001), CMI-suppressive regimens without CAs (aOR = 7.3; p = 0.034), and autoimmune diseases (aOR = 9.3; p = 0.038) were independent risk factors for developing cryptococcemia. On the other hand, diabetes mellitus and other medical conditions were not found to be risk factors for cryptococcal meningitis or cryptococcemia.

Conclusions

The findings confirm AIDS, decompensated liver cirrhosis, CMI-suppressive regimens without CAs, and autoimmune diseases are risk factors for invasive C. neoformans diseases.

Risk factors predictive of endogenous endophthalmitis among hospitalized patients with hematogenous infections in the United States

PURPOSE

To identify potential risk factors associated with endogenous endophthalmitis among hospitalized patients with hematogenous infections.

DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters, and Medicare Supplemental and Coordination of Benefit inpatient databases from the years 2007-2011 were obtained. Utilizing ICD-9 codes, logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors/comorbidities for developing endophthalmitis in patients with hematogenous infections.

RESULTS

Among inpatients with hematogenous infections, the overall incidence rate of presumed endogenous endophthalmitis was 0.05%-0.4% among patients with fungemia and 0.04% among patients with bacteremia. Comorbid human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (OR = 4.27; CI, 1.55-11.8; P = .005), tuberculosis (OR = 8.5; CI, 1.2-61.5; P = .03), endocarditis (OR = 8.3; CI, 4.9-13.9; P < .0001), bacterial meningitis (OR = 3.8; CI, 1.2-12.0; P = .023), fungal meningitis (OR = 59.1; CI, 14.1-247.8; P < .0001), internal organ abscess (OR = 2.9; CI, 1.2-6.4; P = .02), lymphoma/leukemia (OR = 2.9; CI, 1.6-5.3; P < .0001), skin abscess/cellulitis (OR = 1.75; CI, 1.1-2.8; P = .02), pyogenic arthritis (OR = 4.2; CI, 1.8-9.6; P = .001), diabetes with ophthalmic manifestations (OR = 7.0; CI, 1.7-28.3; P = .006), and urinary tract infection (OR = 0.04; CI, 0.3-0.9; P = .023) were each significantly associated with a diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis. Patients aged 0-17 years (OR = 2.61; CI, 1.2-5.7; P = .02), 45-54 years (OR = 3.4; CI, 2.0-5.4; P < .0001), and 55-64 years (OR = 2.9; CI, 1.8-4.8; P < .0001); those having length of stay of 3-10 days (OR = 1.9; CI, 1.1-3.3; P = .01), 11-30 days (OR = 3.1; CI, 1.8-5.5; P < .0001), and 31+ days (OR = 5.3; CI, 2.7-10.4; P < .0001); and those with intensive care unit/neonatal intensive care unit (ICU/NICU) admissions (OR = 1.5; CI, 1.4-1.6; P < .0001) were all more likely to be diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Endogenous endophthalmitis is rare among hospitalized patients in the United States. Among patients with hematogenous infections, odds of endogenous endophthalmitis were higher for children and middle-aged patients, and for patients with endocarditis, bacterial meningitis, lymphoma/leukemia, HIV/AIDS, internal organ abscess, diabetes with ophthalmic manifestations, skin cellulitis/abscess, pyogenic arthritis, tuberculosis, longer hospital stays, and/or ICU/NICU admission.

Breakthrough Candidemia in Patients with Cancer Differs from De Novo Candidemia in Host Factors andCandidaSpecies But Not Intensity

Objectives:

To evaluate the risk factors associated with breakthrough candidemia in patients with cancer and to compare them with those of de novo candidemia in this patient population. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of 120 episodes of candidemia, 90 de novo and 30 breakthrough candidemias.

Setting:

University-affiliated, tertiary-care cancer center in Houston, Texas.

Patients:

All patients with cancer who acquired candidemia between January 1993 and December 1998 were included if they had non-catheter-related candidemia and information about quantitative blood cultures.

Results:

Although less frequent, breakthrough candidemia was seen more often in neutropenic patients with leukemia. The intensity of breakthrough candidemia was comparable to that of de novo candidemia. Most (70%) of the breakthrough candidemias were due toCandida glabrataorC. krusei.

Conclusions:

In breakthrough candidemia, the same risk factors seen in de novo candidemia were encountered, although more frequently.C. glabrataandC. kruseiare the leading causes of breakthrough candidemia in patients with cancer.

Has the Epidemiology of Nosocomial Candidemia Changed?

Objective:

To assess changes in the epidemiology of nosocomial candidemia in the post-fluconazole era among hospitalized patients using a case–control study design.

Design:

Candidemia case-patients were matched 1:1 on diagnosis, age, and length of stay with control-patients. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine predictors and outcomes of candidemia. Treatment regimens and compliance with national practice guidelines were compared among case-patients.

Setting:

Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,278-bed, tertiary-care center affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

Participants:

Patients admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2000. Case-patients were identified through the hospital microbiological surveillance system and matched with control-patients.

Results:

Predictors of candidemia included Hickman catheters (odds ratio [OR], 9.53; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.34 to 68.01), gastric acid suppressants (OR, 6.38; CI95, 2.33 to 17.43), nasogastric tubes (OR, 3.69; CI95, 1.27 to 10.78), antibiotics (OR, 1.46; CI95,1.15 to 1.86), and admission to the intensive care unit (OR, 6.40; CI95, 2.12 to 19.31). The crude case-fatality rate was 40%. Seventeen (15%) of the case-patients received the recommended treatment regimen according to recently published practice guidelines.

Conclusions:

The epidemiology of candidemia has changed little at our hospital during the past decade and remains a significant cause of mortality. Further studies on the benefits of preventive therapy will be essential to improve the outcome of this infection.

Late-onset bloodstream infections in hospitalized term infants

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology and incidence of late-onset blood stream infections (BSIs) in premature infants have been described, but studies describing late-onset BSI in term infants are sparse. We sought to describe the pathogens, incidence, risk factors and mortality of late-onset BSI in hospitalized term infants.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted of infants ≥37 weeks gestational age and ≤120 days of age discharged from Pediatrix Medical Group neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2010. We examined all cultures obtained from day of life 4-120 and used multivariable regression to assess risk factors for late-onset BSI.

RESULTS

We found a total of 206,019 infants cared for between day of life 4 and 120, and the incidence of late-onset BSI was 2.7/1000 admissions. We identified Gram-positive organisms in 64% of the cultures and Gram-negative organisms in 26%. We found a decreased risk of late-onset BSI in infants with the following characteristics: small for gestational age, delivery by Cesarean, antenatal antibiotic use and discharged in the later years of the study. Late-onset BSI increased the risk of death after controlling for confounders [odds ratio 8.43 (95% confidence interval 4.42-16.07)].

CONCLUSION

Our data highlight the importance of late-onset BSI in hospitalized term infants. We identified Gram-positive organisms as the most common pathogen, and late-onset BSI was an independent risk factor for death.

Bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance patterns in a South African neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Bloodstream infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) worldwide. Commonly isolated NICU pathogens are increasingly resistant to standard antimicrobial treatment regimes.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to determine the burden of bloodstream infections (BSI) in an NICU in a low-to-middle-income country and to describe the spectrum of pathogens isolated together with their drug susceptibility patterns.

METHODS

This retrospective, descriptive study included NICU patients admitted to the Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, between 1 January and 31 December 2008. All blood culture samples submitted to the reference laboratory were extracted and clinical data on patients were obtained by hospital record review.

RESULTS

There were 78 culture-confirmed episodes of BSI in 54/503 (11%) patients admitted; median gestational age was 31 weeks (IQR 29-37) and birth weight 1370 g (IQR 1040-2320). Common isolates included coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (22/78, 28%), Klebsiella spp. (17/78, 22%), Acinetobacter spp. (14/78, 18%), Candida spp. (9/78, 11·5%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (5/78, 6%). There was a predominance of gram-negative organisms (38/78, 48·7%). All Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant and 59% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Acinetobacter baumanii isolates showed low susceptibility to the aminoglycosides, carbapenems and cephalosporins. Of 54 infants admitted to the NICU with BSI, 25 (46%) died; 9/25 deaths (36%) were attributable solely to infection.

CONCLUSION

Compared with overall mortality in the NICU, that attributable solely or partly to BSI was high. Many bacterial BSI isolates were resistant to current empiric antibiotic regimens. Regular microbiological and clinical surveillance of BSI in NICUs is required to inform appropriate antibiotic protocols and monitor the impact of infection prevention strategies.

Frequency, clinical presentation and microbiological spectrum of candidemiain a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE

To document the frequency, clinical presentation, outcome and spectrum of species in Candida blood stream infection.

METHODS

A prospective, descriptive cohort study was conducted from June 1st till November 30th 2012 at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation in Karachi, Pakistan. All patients > or = 15 years of age from nephrology, urology, gastroenterology, oncology or intensive care units with candidemia were included.

RESULTS

Of 2457 positive blood cultures, 145 (6%) were positive for Candida species in 121 patients. Seventy seven patients were included for further analysis as clinical data was available for these. The majority of patients had renal failure (89.6%) and 44% had femoral line. Non- albicans species were isolated in 70 (90.9%) patients; Candida parapsilosis in 28 (36.4%), C. lusitaniae in 23 (29.9%), C. tropicalis in 16 (20.8%), C. glabrata in 3 (3.9%) with only 7 (9.1%) with C. albicans. Mortality was 23.4% (18 patients).

CONCLUSION

Frequency of candidemia and species distribution with predominantly non-albicans candida in our study is similar to that reported from other developing countries. Mortality is high. The majority of our patients had line related candidemia. Therefore prevention of line infection must be our top priority.

A fatal outbreak of Trichosporon asahii sepsis in a neonatal intensive care Unit

We describe an outbreak of Trichosporon asahii in 8 newborn infants with sepsis. Six out of these 8 infants died. The organism was identified on specific culture and morphologic characteristics. The organism was sensitive to amphotericin-B but resistant to fluconazole. Laminar flow unit was suspected to be the source of the outbreak.

Morbidity and mortality associated with primary and catheter-related bloodstream infections in critically ill patients

PURPOSE

To analyze the impact of primary and catheterrelated bloodstream infections (PBSI/CRBSI) on morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A matched case-control study (1:4) was carried out on a Spanish epidemiological database of critically ill patients (ENVIN-HELICS). To determine the risk of death in patients with PBSI/CRBSI a matched Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Out of the 74,585 registered patients, those with at least one episode of monomicrobial PBSI/CRBSI were selected and paired with patients without PBSI/CRBSI for demographic and diagnostic criteria and seriousness of their condition on admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). for mortality analysis, 1,879 patients with PBSI/CRBSI were paired with 7,516 controls. The crude death rate in the ICU was 28.1% among the cases and 18.7% among the controls. Attributable mortality 9.4% (HR:1.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.34; p<0.001). Risk of death varied according to the source of infection, aetiology, moment of onset of bloodstream infection and severity on admission to the ICU. The median stay in the ICU of patients who survived PBSI/CRBSI was 13 days longer than the controls, also varying according to aetiology, moment of onset of bloodstream infection and severity on admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Acquisition of PBSI/CRBSI in critically ill patients significantly increases mortality and length of ICU stay, which justifies prevention efforts.

Laboratory-based surveillance of hospital-acquired catheter-related bloodstream infections in Catalonia. Results of the VINCat Program (2007-2010)

The VINCat Program is an institutional surveillance program for hospital-acquired infections developed in the healthcare institutions of Catalonia, Spain. The program includes the monitoring of various components of hospital-acquired infection, among which is catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of CRBSI in hospitals participating in the VINCat Program over a period of 4 years (2007-2010). The monitoring of the CRBSI component is carried out continuously in all inpatient units by performing a daily assessment of all blood culture results issued by the Microbiology Laboratories. Precise definitions are used for CRBSI, and adjusted rates are expressed per 1,000 days of hospitalization, hospital size and type of catheter. The rates of CRBSI in catheters used for parenteral nutrition are adjusted and expressed per 1,000 days of device use. The aggregate data of the total period are shown in percentiles (10%, 25%, 50% or median, 75%, and 90%). From 2007 to 2010, a total of 2977 episodes of CRBSI were reported in 40 hospitals participating in the VINCat Program. The cumulative incidence of CRBSI has been 0.26 episodes per 1,000 days of hospitalization (CI95% 0.2 to 0.3). The overall incidence varied depending on hospital size: 0.36 ‰ for hospitals in Group I (>500 beds), 0.17 ‰ for Group II (200-500 beds), and 0.09 ‰ for Group III (<200 beds). 76% of the episodes were associated with central venous catheters (CVC), 19% of the episodes with peripheral venous catheters (PVC), and the remaining 5% with peripherally inserted CVCs (PICC). The most common organisms causing CRBSI were staphylococci, the group Klebsiella, Serratia and Enterobacter, Candida spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There are important differences in the etiology of CRBSI in relation to these variables. During the reporting period, a significant reduction (38.1%, CI95%, 29.0-46.0%) of CRBSI rates have been observed in Group I hospitals. CRBSI surveillance is an important element of the VINCat Program, offering to us the possibility of establishing standard values for this component and implementing intervention strategies for its reduction.

Characteristics and determinants of outcome of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in intensive care units: the EUROBACT International Cohort Study

PURPOSE

The recent increase in drug-resistant micro-organisms complicates the management of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs). We investigated the epidemiology of HA-BSI and evaluated the impact of drug resistance on outcomes of critically ill patients, controlling for patient characteristics and infection management.

METHODS

A prospective, multicentre non-representative cohort study was conducted in 162 intensive care units (ICUs) in 24 countries.

RESULTS

We included 1,156 patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age, 59.5 ± 17.7 years; 65 % males; mean ± SD Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II score, 50 ± 17] with HA-BSIs, of which 76 % were ICU-acquired. Median time to diagnosis was 14 [interquartile range (IQR), 7-26] days after hospital admission. Polymicrobial infections accounted for 12 % of cases. Among monomicrobial infections, 58.3 % were gram-negative, 32.8 % gram-positive, 7.8 % fungal and 1.2 % due to strict anaerobes. Overall, 629 (47.8 %) isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), including 270 (20.5 %) extensively resistant (XDR), and 5 (0.4 %) pan-drug-resistant (PDR). Micro-organism distribution and MDR occurrence varied significantly (p < 0.001) by country. The 28-day all-cause fatality rate was 36 %. In the multivariable model including micro-organism, patient and centre variables, independent predictors of 28-day mortality included MDR isolate [odds ratio (OR), 1.49; 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI), 1.07-2.06], uncontrolled infection source (OR, 5.86; 95 %CI, 2.5-13.9) and timing to adequate treatment (before day 6 since blood culture collection versus never, OR, 0.38; 95 %CI, 0.23-0.63; since day 6 versus never, OR, 0.20; 95 %CI, 0.08-0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

MDR and XDR bacteria (especially gram-negative) are common in HA-BSIs in critically ill patients and are associated with increased 28-day mortality. Intensified efforts to prevent HA-BSIs and to optimize their management through adequate source control and antibiotic therapy are needed to improve outcomes.

Factors affecting microbial contamination rate of cord blood collected for transplantation

BACKGROUND

Collection and processing of cord blood (CB) is associated with significant risk of microbial contamination and hence relevant standards mandate microbial screening of the final product. This study aimed to determine the contamination rate and associated risk factors during 14 years of banking at the Sydney Cord Blood Bank.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

CB was collected and processed using a closed system and tested for contamination using blood culture bottles (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux) incubated for a minimum of 5 days. Four microbial screening methods were used with different combinations of inoculated bottles (adult or pediatric) and associated sample volumes (10 or 1 mL).

RESULTS

Of 13,344 CB units screened, 537 (4.0%) tested positive for contamination, with Bacteroides spp. (20.9%), Staphylococcus spp. (18.6%), and Propionibacterium spp. (13.7%) being the most common isolates. The contamination rate reduced from 10% in 1997 to 1.1% in 2009. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the following variables were independently associated with higher contamination rates: vaginal delivery, collection by obstetric staff, and use of an anaerobic bottle in addition to an aerobic bottle (which facilitated a larger sample inoculation volume than pediatric bottles).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that contamination rates of CB collected for transplantation can be substantially reduced by collection after cesarean delivery and utilizing trained CB collection staff. These data also indicate that the common practice of testing using a pediatric (aerobic) bottle with its attendant small volume of the final CB product may be suboptimal for sensitive detection of contaminating anaerobic microbes.

Profile of neonatal septicaemia at a district-level sick newborn care unit

Although sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns in resource-poor countries, little data are available from rural areas on culture-proven sepsis. The aim of the present study was to provide information in this regard. The study reports results on the incidence and aetiology of neonatal sepsis cases admitted to a facility in a rural area in eastern India. Blood culture was done for all babies, with suspected clinical sepsis, who were admitted to the sick newborn care unit at Suri where the study was conducted during March 2009-August 2010. A standard form was used for collecting clinical and demographic data. In total, 216 neonatal blood culture samples were processed, of which 100 (46.3%) grew potential pathogens. Gram-negative infection was predominant (58/100 cases) mainly caused by enteric Gram-negative bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common Gram-negative isolate. The emergence of fungal infection was observed, with 40% of the infection caused by yeast. Gram-negative organisms exhibited 100% resistance to ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin. Amikacin and co-trimoxazole showed 95% (n=57) resistance, and ciprofloxacin showed 83.3% (n=50) resistance among the Gram-negative bacteria. Carbapenem showed emerging resistance (n=4; 6.6%). Results of analysis of risk factors showed an extremely significant association between gestation and sepsis and gender and sepsis. Gastrointestinal symptoms were highly specific for fungal infections. One-third of babies (n=29), who developed culture-positive sepsis, died. Blood culture is an investigation which is frequently unavailable in rural India. As a result, empirical antibiotic therapy is commonly used. The present study attempted to provide data for evidence-based antibiotic therapy given to sick newborns in such rural units. The results suggest that there is a high rate of antibiotic resistance in rural India. Urgent steps need to be taken to combat this resistance.

[Phenotypic and genotypic identification of Candida strains isolated as nosocomial pathogens]

Over the last decade, there have been important changes in the epidemiology of Candida infections and antifungal agents used to treat these infections. In recent years, Candida species have emerged as important causes of invasive infections among patients in intensive care units. One of the main goals of this study was to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of infectious Candida species isolated in our hospital and accordingly supply data for hospital infection (HI) control. The other aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and practical applicability of traditional and molecular methods used to identify Candida isolates to the species level. A total of 77 Candida strains that were isolated from various clinical specimens of 60 hospitalized patients (29 male, 24 female; 7 were children) were included in the study. Fifty-seven (74%) of those isolates were defined as HI agents according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. The most common Candida species identified as agents of HI were C.albicans (22; 38.6%), followed by C.tropicalis (14; 24.6%), C.parapsilosis (13; 22.8%), C.glabrata (7; 12.3%) and Candida spp. (1; 1.75%). It was determined that bloodstream (26; 45.6%) and urinary tract infections (24; 42.1%) were the most frequently encountered nosocomial infections caused by Candida species. In addition it was detected that the most frequent causative agent of bloodstream infections was C.parapsilosis (10; 38.5%) and of urinary tract infections was C.albicans (12; 50%). The evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of traditional phenotypic methods [germ tube formation, chlamydospore formation in corn meal agar, growth at 45°C, colony characteristics on CHROMagar Candida medium, carbohydrate assimilation properties detected by API ID 32C (BioMerieux, France) system] and some molecular techniques [polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using ITS-1, ITS-3 and ITS 4 primers, PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), PCRRFLP in which ITS1-ITS4 products cut by Msp I ve Bln I restriction enzymes] for the identification of Candida species revealed that CHROMagar Candida medium combined with API ID 32C kit yielded the same results (100% compatible) as molecular techniques for the species identification of Candida isolates. Since these phenotypic methods were simple and cost effective when compared to molecular techniques, they should be considered in the identification of Candida species.

National surveillance of fungemia in Denmark (2004 to 2009)

A 6-year nationwide study of fungemia in Denmark was performed using data from an active fungemia surveillance program and from laboratory information systems in nonparticipating regions. A total of 2,820 episodes of fungemia were recorded. The incidence increased from 2004 to 2007 (7.7 to 9.6/100,000) and decreased slightly from 2008 to 2009 (8.7 to 8.6/100,000). The highest incidences were seen at the extremes of age (i.e., 11.3 and 37.1/100,000 for those <1 and 70 to 79 years old, respectively). The rate was higher for males than for females (10.1 versus 7.6/100,000, P = 0.003), with the largest difference observed for patients >50 years of age. The species distribution varied significantly by both age and gender. Candida species accounted for 98% of the pathogens, and C. albicans was predominant, although the proportion decreased (64.4% to 53.2%, P < 0.0001). C. glabrata ranked second, and the proportion increased (16.5% to 25.9%, P = 0.003). C. glabrata was more common in adults and females than in children and males, whereas C. tropicalis was more common in males (P = 0.020). C. krusei was a rare isolate (4.1%) except at one university hospital. Acquired resistance to amphotericin and echinocandins was rare. However, resistance to fluconazole (MIC of >4 μg/ml) occurred in C. albicans (7/1,183 [0.6%]), C. dubliniensis (2/65 [3.1%]), C. parapsilosis (5/83 [6.0%]), and C. tropicalis (7/104 [6.7%]). Overall, 70.8% of fungemia isolates were fully fluconazole susceptible, but the proportion decreased (79.7% to 68.9%, P = 0.02). The study confirmed an incidence rate of fungemia in Denmark three times higher than those in other Nordic countries and identified marked differences related to age and gender. Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole was frequent and increasing.

[Blood-stream catheter related infection in inpatient children receiving parenteral nutrition]

Blood-stream catheter related infection is the most severe complication in patients carrying a central venous catheter. Parenteral nutrition (PN) use seems to be a risk factor for developing a catheter-related infection (CRI).

MATERIAL & METHODS

In order to know the incidence of CRI in children to further implement policies to reduce nosocomial infection, we review all charts of children (1 month to 17 years) who received parenteral nutrition while in hospital. All episodes of fever + positive blood culture were recorded. Infection rate was defined as number of episodes/1000 Parenteral nutrition days.

RESULTS

48 positive blood cultures was obtained from 120 patients. Infection rate was 37.8/1000 days. Incidence was significantly higher in infants and toddlers (52% vs 29.8%, p = 0.016). Most frequent organisms were coagulase negative Staph. (56.8%), Gram negative bacilli (20.8%), Staph aureus (12.5%) and fungus (12.5%). No difference in incidence were found according to the underlying disease or the length of PN use.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection rate in our PN inpatient patients was significantly higher. PN may represent a risk factor for developing a CRI. Specific measurements and policies need to be implemented to overcome present situation.

Secular trends of candidemia in a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND

Candidemias account for 8% to 15% of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. They have been associated with previous exposure to antimicrobials and are considered high-morbidity infections with high treatment costs. This study characterizes candidemias in a tertiary care hospital and assesses their incidence rates, clinical and microbiological features, and use of antifungals.

METHODS

We assessed hospital-acquired candidemias in the period from January 1997 to July 2007 in a high-complexity private hospital.

RESULTS

There were 151 cases of candidemia in 147 patients. The incidence rate was 0.74 episodes/1000 admissions. The mean age of the patients was 60 years (standard deviation +/- 24.9), and the mean length of hospital stay before the blood culture identified candidemia was 40.9 days (standard deviation +/- 86.3). The in-hospital mortality rate was 44.2%. C albicans was isolated in 44% (n = 67) of the cases, and no difference in mortality rates was found between species (Candida albicans vs C non-albicans, P = .6). The average use of antifungals in the period was 104.0 defined daily dose/1000 patient-days.

CONCLUSION

We found a high mortality rate associated to candidemia events and an increasingly important role of Candida non-albicans. New approaches to health care-related infection control and to defining prophylactic and preemptive therapies should change this scenario in the future.