Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research agenda for healthcare epidemiology

This SHEA white paper identifies knowledge gaps and challenges in healthcare epidemiology research related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a focus on core principles of healthcare epidemiology. These gaps, revealed during the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, are described in 10 sections: epidemiology, outbreak investigation, surveillance, isolation precaution practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental contamination and disinfection, drug and supply shortages, antimicrobial stewardship, healthcare personnel (HCP) occupational safety, and return to work policies. Each section highlights three critical healthcare epidemiology research questions with detailed description provided in supplementary materials. This research agenda calls for translational studies from laboratory-based basic science research to well-designed, large-scale studies and health outcomes research. Research gaps and challenges related to nursing homes and social disparities are included. Collaborations across various disciplines, expertise and across diverse geographic locations will be critical.

Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Youth and Staff Attending Day Camps

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

As schools reopen nationwide, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in youth settings remains a concern. Here, we describe transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among >6800 youth and staff at YMCA of the Triangle day camps in North Carolina (March to August 2020).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of deidentified SARS-CoV-2 cases reported by YMCA day camps in 6 counties (Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Wake) over 147 days. Inclusion criteria were youth and staff who enrolled or worked in camps during the study period. Individual-level youth and staff demographics (age, sex, race and ethnicity) were self-reported and linked to SARS-CoV-2 case data by using unique identifiers.

RESULTS

Youth (n = 5344; 66% white, 54% male, mean age 8.5 years) had a mean camp attendance rate of 88%; staff (n = 1486) were 64% white and 60% female (mean age 22 years). Seventeen primary SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred during the study period among 9 youth (mean age 9.7 years) and 8 staff (mean age 27 years) who were linked to 3030 contacts present in-person during the week before positive cases. Only 2 secondary infections (1 youth and 1 staff) were linked to primary cases. SARS-CoV-2 primary case attack rate was 0.6% (17/3030), and secondary case transmission rate was 0.07% (2/3011).

CONCLUSIONS

Extremely low youth and staff symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 attack and transmission rates were observed over a 147-day period across 54 YMCA camps from March to August 2020, when local coronavirus disease 2019 prevalence peaked. These findings suggest that the benefit of in-person programming in recreation settings with appropriate mitigation may outweigh the risk of viral transmission.

Incidence and Secondary Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Schools

BACKGROUND

In an effort to mitigate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), North Carolina closed prekindergarten through grade 12 public schools to in-person instruction on March 14, 2020. On July 15, 2020, North Carolina's governor announced schools could open via remote learning or a hybrid model that combined in-person and remote instruction. In August 2020, 56 of 115 North Carolina school districts joined The ABC Science Collaborative (ABCs) to implement public health measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and share lessons learned. We describe secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within participating school districts during the first 9 weeks of in-person instruction in the 2020-2021 academic year.

METHODS

From August 15, 2020 to October 23, 2020, 11 of 56 school districts participating in ABCs were open for in-person instruction for all 9 weeks of the first quarter and agreed to track incidence and secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Local health department staff adjudicated secondary transmission. Superintendents met weekly with ABCs faculty to share lessons learned and develop prevention methods.

RESULTS

Over 9 weeks, 11 participating school districts had >90 000 students and staff attend school in person. Among these students and staff, 773 community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections were documented by molecular testing. Through contact tracing, health department staff determined an additional 32 infections were acquired within schools. No instances of child-to-adult transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were reported within schools.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first 9 weeks of in-person instruction in North Carolina schools, we found extremely limited within-school secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as determined by contact tracing.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Among Infants Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units Across the US From 2009 to 2017

IMPORTANCE

Escherichia coli is a leading cause of serious infection among term and preterm newborn infants. Surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E coli among infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units should inform empirical antibiotic administration.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the epidemiologic characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E coli in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the US over time.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study used the Premier Health Database, a comprehensive administrative database of inpatient encounters from academic and community hospitals across the US. Participants included newborn infants admitted to centers contributing microbiology data from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017, with E coli isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine cultures. Data were collected and analyzed from December 1, 2018, to November 30, 2019.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Changes in annual antibiotic susceptibility of E coli during the study period. The proportion of infants with nonsusceptible organisms (resistant or intermediate susceptibility) in antibiotic categories by year, birth weight, infection source, and timing of infection and patient and center characteristics associated with neonatal E coli infection and antibiotic susceptibility were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 721 infants (434 male [60.2%]; median age at E coli infection, 14 days [interquartile range, 1-33 days]) from 69 centers had at least 1 episode of E coli infection and available susceptibility results. No significant changes were observed over time in the overall annual proportions of antibiotic nonsusceptibility to ampicillin (mean [SD], 66.8% [1.5%]; range, 63.3% to 68.6%; estimated yearly change, -0.28% [95% CI, -1.75% to 1.18%]), nonsusceptibility to aminoglycosides (mean [SD], 16.8% [4.5%]; range, 10.7% to 23.2%; estimated yearly change, -0.85% [95% CI, -1.93% to 0.23%]), or extended-spectrum β-lactamase phenotype (mean [SD], 5.0% [3.7%]; range, 0% to 11.1%; estimated yearly change, 0.46% [95% CI, -0.18% to 1.11%]). No isolates with nonsusceptibility to carbapenems were identified. Among 218 infants with early-onset infection, 22 (10.1%) had isolates with nonsusceptibility to both ampicillin and gentamicin, the antibiotics most commonly administered to newborns as empirical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, nonsusceptibility to commonly administered antibiotics was found in substantial proportions of neonatal E coli isolates, with no significant change from 2009 to 2017. These findings may inform empirical antibiotic choices for newborn infants.

Impact of COVID-19-related School Closures on the Drivers of Child Health

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in large-scale school closures in an effort to reduce the spread of disease. This article reviews the potential impact of COVID-19-related school closures on the health of children in North Carolina, with particular attention to the impact of school closures on drivers of child health.

A Pediatric Infectious Diseases Perspective of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Children

Understanding the role that children play in the clinical burden and propagation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, is emerging. While the severe manifestations and acute clinical burden of COVID-19 have largely spared children compared with adults, understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, management, and prevention opportunities and the social and behavioral impacts on child health is vital. Foremost is clarifying the contribution of asymptomatic and mild infections to transmission within the household and community and the clinical and epidemiologic significance of uncommon severe post-infectious complications. Here, we summarize the current knowledge, identify resources, and outline research opportunities. Pediatric infectious diseases clinicians have a unique opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of children in epidemiological, clinical, treatment, and prevention studies to optimize their care as well as to represent children in the development of guidance and policy during pandemic response.

Microbiology of Bloodstream Infections in Children After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience Over Two Decades (1997-2017)

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) occur frequently after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We examined the microbiology of BSI in pediatric HSCT recipients over a 2-decade period at our institution to inform empirical antimicrobial prescribing and infection prevention strategies.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children (<18 years) who underwent HSCT at Duke University between 1997 and 2015. We used recurrent-event gap-time Cox proportional hazards models to determine the hazards of all-cause and cause-specific BSI according to HSCT year. We compared the median time to BSI by causative organism type and evaluated for temporal trends in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among causative organisms.

Results

A total of 865 BSI occurred in 1311 children, including 412 (48%) Gram-positive bacterial, 196 (23%) Gram-negative bacterial, 56 (6%) fungal, 23 (3%) mycobacterial, and 178 (21%) polymicrobial BSI. The hazard of all BSIs did not change substantially over time during the study period, but the hazard of fungal BSIs declined over time during the study period (P = .04). Most fungal BSIs (82%) occurred in the first 100 days after HSCT, whereas mycobacterial BSIs occurred later after HSCT than BSIs caused by other organisms (P < .0001). The prevalence of vancomycin resistance among BSIs caused by Enterococcus faecium increased during the study period (P = .0007). The risk of 2-year mortality in children was increased with BSI (P = .02), Gram-negative bacterial BSI (P = .02), and fungal BSI (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Despite expanded practices for BSI prevention over the past several decades, the incidence of BSI remains high in pediatric HSCT recipients at our institution. Additional strategies are urgently needed to effectively prevent BSIs in this high-risk population.

Microbiology and Risk Factors for Hospital-Associated Bloodstream Infections Among Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Background

Children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at high risk for hospital-associated bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs). This study aimed to describe the incidence, microbiology, and risk factors for HA-BSI in pediatric HSCT recipients.

Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of children and adolescents (<18 years of age) who underwent HSCT over a 20-year period (1997–2016). We determined the incidence and case fatality rate of HA-BSI by causative organism. We used multivariable Poisson regression to identify risk factors for HA-BSI.

Results

Of 1294 patients, the majority (86%) received an allogeneic HSCT, most commonly with umbilical cord blood (63%). During the initial HSCT hospitalization, 334 HA-BSIs occurred among 261 (20%) patients. These were classified as gram-positive bacterial (46%), gram-negative bacterial (24%), fungal (12%), mycobacterial (<1%), or polymicrobial (19%). During the study period, there was a decline in the cumulative incidence of HA-BSI (P = .021) and, specifically, fungal HA-BSIs (P = .002). In multivariable analyses, older age (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.06), umbilical cord blood donor source (vs bone marrow; IRR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19–2.40), and nonmyeloablative conditioning (vs myeloablative; IRR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.21–2.82) were associated with a higher risk of HA-BSIs. The case fatality rate was higher for fungal HA-BSI than other HA-BSI categories (21% vs 6%; P = .002).

Conclusions

Over the past 2 decades, the incidence of HA-BSIs has declined among pediatric HSCT recipients at our institution. Older age, umbilical cord blood donor source, and nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens are independent risk factors for HA-BSI among children undergoing HSCT.

593. Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections among Hospitalized Infants within Community Hospitals

Background

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized children. Within community hospitals with targeted infection prevention efforts, participation in an infection control network has led to significant decreases in device or procedure-related infections among adult patients. The impact of these interventions has not been assessed in pediatric patients admitted to community hospitals.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to describe the burden of HAI among hospitalized infants (< 1 year old) within 53 community hospitals participating in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) from 2013–2018. We determined the frequency of device-related HAI, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and hospital-associated pneumonia or ventilator-associated events (HAP/VAE) using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions; and the burden of HAIs among neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and non-NICU centers. The trend of HAI was analyzed with Spearman’s correlation.

Results

Thirty hospitals reported 150 HAI among 141 infants over the 6-year period. Median (IQR) time to infection was 10 (4, 20) days after admission. Hospitals with a NICU (15) reported more HAI (median 5, (IQR: 3, 12)) than hospitals without a NICU (median 2 (IQR: 1, 2)) (P = 0.031). CLABSI represented 35% of HAI, HAP/VAE were 23% and CAUTI were 12%. The most frequently isolated primary organism for all HAI was Escherichia coli (22 HAI, 15%) which was also isolated in 39% of CAUTI. Methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were the most commonly isolated organisms among CLABSI (17%) and HAP/VAE (33%). Nine centers with ≥4 years of NICU and Central line (CL) use data reported a median (IQR) rate of 1.2 (0, 2.4) CLABSIs/1,000 central line days. There was no change in median CLABSI rate over time (P = 0.47), Figure 1.

Conclusion

CLABSI, most commonly caused by S. aureus, represented the majority of HAI reported from hospitalized infants within community hospitals participating in an infection control network. Further research into device utilization practices may inform future interventions to reduce HAI.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

1128. Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions about Antibiotic Stewardship (AS) Programs among Neonatology Trainees

Background

Antibiotic stewardship (AS) is a fundamental aspect of medical training. Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) often have unique stewardship needs as they are ideal settings for the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Assessing neonatology fellowship trainees’ knowledge and perceptions will highlight deficits in AS education and inform future curriculum development.

Methods

Prospective electronic survey study, distributed by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program directors to neonatology fellows in the United States over 4 months (January to April 2018). The objective was to assess neonatology fellows’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about AS to inform sustainable NICU-specific AS programs.

Results

Of 99 programs and 700 fellows, 159 respondents (23%) from 40 neonatology training programs (40%) responded to the survey and 139 (87%) provided complete responses. Respondents were equally spread across all 3 years of training

Seventy-two percent confirmed an institutional AS program existed, yet, only 33% were able to identify the components of AS programs and 66% either did not or were unsure if they had received AS training during fellowship. Furthermore, only 51% identified the appropriate empiric antibiotic for neonatal meningitis and 12% identified optimal methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) treatment while answering clinical case study questions. Notably, fellowship training year was not significantly related to the proportion of incorrect responses (P = 0.40).

Small group sessions were identified as the best teaching format (35%). This was followed by audit and feedback of individual prescribing behavior and didactic lectures which had an equal proportion of respondents (22%). Seventy-eight percent of respondents preferred a trainee-led AS program targeting necrotizing enterocolitis, antifungal prophylaxis and appropriate surgical prophylaxis.

Conclusion

Antibiotic stewardship is a critical part of physician training. While most institutions have a stewardship program, a dedicated curriculum incorporating small group sessions and didactics may be beneficial for educating neonatology trainees.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures

Increasing Clindamycin and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Resistance in Pediatric Staphylococcus aureus Infections

The epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infection in children is dynamic. We conducted a retrospective observational study on pediatric clinical cultures, performed between 2005 and 2017, that grew S aureus to determine temporal trends in antibiotic resistance. Although methicillin resistance declined, clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance increased significantly, especially among community-onset isolates.

Evaluating congenital syphilis in a reverse sequence testing environment

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of maternal reverse-sequence (RS) syphilis screening on management of infants at risk for congenital syphilis (CS) using a standardized approach.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study from 2011 to 2014 at an academic medical center using RS testing, involving chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA), rapid plasma  reagin (RPR), and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) assays for syphilis. Clinical management and outcomes of infants born to mothers with discordant (CIA+/RPR-/FTA+) serology were compared with national or internal guidelines.

RESULTS

Sixty-three infants were classified as discordant (n = 21), presumed false positive (CIA+/RPR-/FTA-; n = 16), or true positive (CIA+/RPR+; n = 26) based on maternal serology. Only 24% of cases in the discordant group underwent recommended full evaluation. None of the evaluated infants in the discordant group (n = 8) were diagnosed with CS.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of infants with discordant maternal RS serology remained reliant on clinical judgment. In our high-risk population, RS testing did not identify additional cases of CS.

A 17-Year-Old Boy With Right Face Palsy, Left Leg Weakness, and Lytic Skull-Bone Lesions

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), an infection that is endemic in certain parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, has been associated with malignancy and neurological deficits. Here, we describe a pediatric patient with chronic HTLV-I infection who developed complications associated with HTLV-I (ie, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis). To our knowledge, this presentation in a child has never been described. The patient underwent a bone marrow transplant and, at the time of this writing, was in remission. This case report highlights the fact that HTLV-related complications, previously expected to occur after decades of infection, also can occur in pediatric patients, particularly those who acquired HTLV-I perinatally.