Revisiting the personal protective equipment components of transmission-based precautions for the prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory virus infections in healthcare.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some potential limitations of transmission-based precautions. The distinction between transmission through large droplets vs aerosols, which have been fundamental concepts guiding infection control measures, has been questioned, leading to considerable variation in expert recommendations on transmission-based precautions for COVID-19. Furthermore, the application of elements of contact precautions, such as the use of gloves and gowns, is based on low-quality and inconclusive evidence and may have unintended consequences, such as increased incidence of healthcare-associated infections and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. These observations indicate a need for high-quality studies to address the knowledge gaps and a need to revisit the theoretical background regarding various modes of transmission and the definitions of terms related to transmission. Further, we should examine the implications these definitions have on the following components of transmission-based precautions: (i) respiratory protection, (ii) use of gloves and gowns for the prevention of respiratory virus infections, (iii) aerosol-generating procedures and (iv) universal masking in healthcare settings as a control measure especially during seasonal epidemics. Such a review would ensure that transmission-based precautions are consistent and rationally based on available evidence, which would facilitate decision-making, guidance development and training, as well as their application in practice.

White Paper: Bridging the gap between human and animal surveillance data, antibiotic policy and stewardship in the hospital sector-practical guidance from the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) are essential pillars in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but practical guidance on how surveillance data should be linked to AMS activities is lacking. This issue is particularly complex in the hospital setting due to structural heterogeneity of hospital facilities and services. The JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks have joined efforts to formulate a set of target actions for linking surveillance data with AMS activities. METHODS: A scoping review of the literature was carried out addressing research questions on three areas: (i) AMS leadership and accountability; (ii) antimicrobial usage and AMS; (iii) AMR and AMS. Consensus on the target actions was reached through a RAND-modified Delphi process involving over 40 experts in different fields from 18 countries. RESULTS: Evidence was retrieved from 51 documents. Initially 38 targets were proposed, differentiated as essential or desirable according to clinical relevance, feasibility and applicability to settings and resources. In the first consultation round, preliminary agreement was reached for 32 targets. Following a second consultation, 27 targets were approved, 11 were deleted and 4 were suggested for rephrasing, leading to a final approved list of 34 target actions in the form of a practical checklist. CONCLUSIONS: This White Paper provides a pragmatic and flexible tool to guide the development of calibrated hospital-surveillance-based AMS interventions. The strength of this tool is that it is a comprehensive perspective that takes into account the hospital patient case-mix and the related epidemiology, which ultimately drives antimicrobial usage, and the feasibility in low-resource settings.

A novel micellar formulation based on natural plant extracts enhances the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide against biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The antibacterial efficacy of hydrogen peroxide encapsulated in micelles (mH2O2) against biofilms was compared with that of hydrogen peroxide alone and of three commercially available aqueous biocides. The activity of mH2O2 on 24-h biofilms of reference strains of Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested in a static microtiter plate model. The biofilms were incubated with mH2O2 (17% v/v H2O2, 2% lactic acid, 0.3% phytoextract, H2O) and its individual ingredients and compared with three aqueous biocides at different concentrations and times of exposure. After 5-min exposure, 10% mH2O2 (corresponding to 1.7% v/v H2O2) achieved > 8 log10 reductions against all the test strains, while 1.7% H2O2 achieved a maximum of 1.5 log10 reduction. After 5-min exposure, none of the commercially available biocides tested showed themselves to be capable of completely eliminating the test strains embedded in biofilms. Hydrogen peroxide encapsulated in micelles demonstrated enhanced activity against planktonic cells and biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa.

Various biofilm matrices of the emerging pathogen Staphylococcus lugdunensis: exopolysaccharides, proteins, eDNA and their correlation with biofilm mass.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an emerging high-virulent pathogen causative of hospital-acquired infections. Biofilm formation is a complex pathogenic process that leads to well-established bacterial communities. There is a paucity of data on the composition of the biofilm matrix among S. lugdunensis strains. Here, twenty-two S. lugdunensis clinical isolates, mainly from orthopaedic infections but also from other clinical sources, were sub-grouped by ribotyping and dendrogram analysis. Biofilms were analysed by fluorimetric methods based on FITC-Wheat Germ Agglutinin, SYPRO Ruby and TOTO-1 dyes to detect exopolysaccharides, proteins and extracellular DNA (eDNA), respectively. Biofilm morphology was investigated under confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Isolates displayed intriguing diversities in biofilm mass and matrix composition. The content of exopolysaccharides was found to be to be strongly associated with the biofilm mass (R2 = 0.882), while the content of proteins turned out to be weakly (R2 = 0.465) and that of eDNA very weakly associated (R2 = 0.202) to the biofilm mass.

Zirconium Nitride Coating Reduced Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation on Orthopaedic Implant Surfaces: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: One of the most commonly identified pathogens responsible for orthopaedic implant infection is Staphylococcus epidermidis, which can form biofilms on surfaces. Currently, orthopaedic implants made of various surface materials are available, each with features influencing osseointegration, biocompatibility, and adherence of bacteria to the surface, which is the first step in biofilm formation. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of a high tribologic-resistant 2.5-µm zirconium nitride top coat on an antiallergic multilayer ceramic-covered cobalt-chromium-molybdenum surface on the formation of S. epidermidis biofilm compared with other commonly used smooth and rough orthopaedic implant surface materials. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) When evaluating the surfaces of a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy with a zirconium (Zr) nitride coating, a CoCrMo alloy without a coating, titanium alloy, a titanium alloy with a corundum-blasted rough surface, and stainless steel with a corundum-blasted rough surface, does a Zr coating reduce the number of colony-forming units of S. epidermidis in an in vitro setting? (2) Is there quantitatively less biofilm surface area on Zr-coated surfaces than on the other surfaces tested in this in vitro model? METHODS: To determine bacterial adhesion, five different experimental implant surface discs were incubated separately with one of 31 different S. epidermidis strains each and subsequently sonicated. Twenty test strains were obtained from orthopaedic patients undergoing emergency hip prosthesis surgeries or revision of implant infection and 10 further strains were obtained from the skin of healthy individuals. Additionally, one reference strain, S. epidermidis DSM 3269, was tested. After serial dilutions, the number of bacteria was counted and expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs)/mL. For biofilm detection, discs were stained with 0.1% Safranin-O for 15 minutes, photographed, and analyzed with computer imaging software. RESULTS: The lowest bacterial count was found in the CoCrMo + Zr surface disc (6.6 x 10 CFU/mL ± 4.6 x 10 SD) followed by the CoCrMo surface (1.1 x 10 CFU/mL ± 1.9 x 10 SD), the titanium surface (1.36 x 10 CFU/mL ± 1.8 x 10 SD), the rough stainless steel surface (2.65 x 10 CFU/mL ± 3.8 x 10 SD), and the rough titanium surface (2.1 x 10 CFU/mL ± 3.0 x 10 SD). The mean CFU count was lower for CoCrMo + Zr discs compared with the rough stainless steel surface (mean difference: 2.0 x 10, p = 0.021), the rough titanium alloy surface (mean difference: 1.4 x 10, p = 0.002), and the smooth titanium surface (mean difference: 7.0 x 10, p = 0.016). The results of biofilm formation quantification show that the mean covered area of the surface of the CoCrMo + Zr discs was 19% (± 16 SD), which was lower than CoCrMo surfaces (35% ± 23 SD), titanium alloy surface (46% ± 20 SD), rough titanium alloy surface (66% ± 23 SD), and rough stainless steel surface (58% ± 18 SD). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that a multilayer, ceramic-covered, CoCrMo surface with a 2.5-µm zirconium nitride top coat showed less S. epidermidis biofilm formation compared with other surface materials used for orthopaedic implants. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CoCrMo with a 2.5-µm zirconium nitride top coat seems to be a promising surface modification technology able to reduce bacterial attachment on the surface of an implant and, hence, may further prevent implant infection with S. epidermidis biofilm formation.

Evaluation of three experimental in vitro models for the assessment of the mechanical cleansing efficacy of wound irrigation solutions.

The aim of this study was to compare different wound-rinsing solutions to determine differences in the efficiency and to evaluate three different in vitro models for wound cleansing. Different wound-rinsing solutions (physiological saline solution, ringer lactate solution for wound irrigation, water and a solution containing polihexanide and the surfactant undecylenamidopropyl-betain) were applied on standardised test models (one- and three-chamber model, flow-cell method and a biofilm model), each challenged with three different standardised wound test soils. In the one-chamber model saline showed a better effect on decontaminating proteins than the ringer lactate solution. In the flow-cell method, water performed better than physiological saline solution, whereas ringer lactate solution demonstrated the lowest cleansing effect. No obvious superiority between the two electrolyte-containing solutions was detectable in the biofilm model. Unfortunately, it was not possible to assess the protein decontamination qualities of the surfactant-containing solution because of the interference with the protein measurement. The flow-cell method was able to detect differences between different rinse solutions because it works at constant flow mechanics, imitating a wound-rinsing procedure. The three-chamber and the less-pronounced modified one-chamber method as well as the biofilm model had generated inhomogeneous results.

Does Extracellular DNA Production Vary in Staphylococcal Biofilms Isolated From Infected Implants versus Controls?

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic implant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis are major challenges for early diagnosis and treatment owing to biofilm formation on the implant surface. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is actively excreted from bacterial cells in biofilms, contributing to biofilm stability, and may offer promise in the detection or treatment of such infections. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Does DNA structure change during biofilm formation? (2) Are there time-dependent differences in eDNA production during biofilm formation? (3) Is there differential eDNA production between clinical and control Staphylococcal isolates? (4) Is eDNA production correlated to biofilm thickness? METHODS: We investigated eDNA presence during biofilm formation in 60 clinical and 30 control isolates of S aureus and S epidermidis. The clinical isolates were isolated from patients with infections of orthopaedic prostheses and implants: 30 from infected hip prostheses and 30 from infected knee prostheses. The control isolates were taken from healthy volunteers who had not been exposed to antibiotics and a hospital environment during the previous 3 and 12 months, respectively. Control S epidermidis was isolated from the skin of the antecubital fossa, and control S aureus was isolated from the nares. For the biofilm experiments the following methods were used to detect eDNA: (1) fluorescent staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), (2) eDNA extraction using a commercial kit, and (3) confocal laser scanning microscopy for 24-hour biofilm observation using propidium iodide and concanavalin-A staining; TOTO®-1 and SYTO® 60 staining were used for observation and quantification of eDNA after 6 and 24 hours of biofilm formation. Additionally antibiotic resistance was described. RESULTS: eDNA production as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy was greater in clinical isolates than controls (clinical isolates mean ± SD: 1.84% ± 1.31%; control mean ± SD: 1.17% ± 1.37%; p < 0.005) after 6 hours of biofilm formation. After 24 hours, the amount of eDNA was greater in biofilms of S epidermidis than in biofilms of S aureus (S aureus mean ± SD: 1.35% ± 2.0%; S epidermidis mean ± SD: 6.42% ± 10.6%; p < 0.05). Clinical isolates of S aureus and S epidermidis produced more eDNA than control isolates at 6 hours of biofilm formation. The extraction method also showed that clinical isolates produced substantially greater amounts of eDNA than controls. CONCLUSIONS: S aureus and S epidermidis exhibit a differential production of DNA with time. Clinical isolates associated with implant infections produce greater amounts of eDNA than controls. Future research might focus on the diagnostic value of eDNA as a surrogate laboratory marker for biofilm formation in implant infections. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: eDNA should be considered as a potential future diagnostic tool or even a possible target to modify biofilms for successful treatment of biofilm-associated infections.

Lichtheimia Infection in a Lymphoma Patient: Case Report and a Brief Review of the Available Diagnostic Tools.

We describe the case of a patient with a T-lymphoblastic lymphoma whose disseminated mucormycosis was diagnosed with delay, and we address the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process and review the diagnostic workup of patients with potential IFD. The diagnosis was delayed despite a suggestive radiological presentation of the patient's pulmonary lesion. The uncommon risk profile (T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, short neutropenic phases) wrongly led to a low level of suspicion. The diagnosis was also hampered by the lack of indirect markers for infections caused by Mucorales, the low sensitivity of both fungal culture and panfungal PCR, and the limited availability of species-specific PCR. A high level of suspicion of IFD is needed, and aggressive diagnostic procedures should be promptly initiated even in apparently low-risk patients with uncommon presentations. The extent of the analytical workup should be decided on a case-by-case base. Diagnostic tests such as the galactomannan and ß-D-glucan test and/or PCR on biological material followed by sequencing should be chosen according to their availability and after evaluation of their specificity and sensitivity. In high-risk patients, preemptive therapy with a broad-spectrum mould-active antifungal agent should be started before definitive diagnostic findings become available.

Incidence and characteristics of invasive fungal diseases in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients experience an increased risk for invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study at the Medical University of Vienna aspired to assess the incidence, characteristics and the outcome of IFDs as well as the associated risk factors in a setting where only 43 % of patients were given systemic antifungal prophylaxis during aplasia. IFDs were classified as probable or proven according to the EORTC/MSG consensus group. All adult patients (n = 242) receiving an allogeneic HSCT at the University Hospital of Vienna from January 2009 to December 2013 were enrolled. RESULTS: The primary outcome of this study was the one-year incidence for IFDs after HSCT, which was 10.3 % (25/242). Overall 28 patients experienced an IFD - 20 probable and 8 proven - with invasive aspergillosis being the predominant IFD (n = 18), followed by invasive candidiasis (n = 7) and pneumocystis pneumonia (n = 3). Patients with an IFD were more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (64 % versus 12 %, p < 0.0001) and had a significantly higher mortality in the first year after HSCT (48 % versus 25 %, p = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that intensified immunosuppressive therapy (high-dose cortisone and basiliximab or etanercept) because of severe graft-versus-host disease (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.6, p = 0.01) and transplant-associated microangiopathy (AOR 3.7, p = 0.04) were associated with an increased risk for IFD, while antifungal prophylaxis given during aplasia and post-engraftment was associated with a decreased risk (AOR 0.3, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We documented a one-year incidence for IFDs of 10.3 % and no selection of rare pathogens at a centre with moderate use of antifungal prophylaxis. Intensified immunosuppressive therapy and transplant-associated microangiopathy were significant risk factors for IFDs.

In vitro susceptibility of Candida isolates from organ transplant recipients to newer antifungals.

Organ transplant recipients (OTR) are at higher risk of developing life-threatening infections. In this study, we tested 527 Candida isolates obtained from the oral and genital mucosa from OTR and healthy controls in order to monitor antifungal susceptibility patterns in this particular risk group. Testing was carried out in parallel for already marketed azoles and anidulafungin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the E-test(®) for azoles and CLSI broth microdilution for anidulafungin. Overall, there was no difference in the distribution of Candida spp. for both groups, C. albicans being the most frequently isolated Candida sp. followed by C. glabrata. Also, there were only minor differences in the susceptibility patterns to all antifungal agents. All C. albicans isolates were fully susceptible to fluconazole and voriconazole. In C. glabrata, 2.2% (n = 1) were resistant to fluconazole, and 82.6% (n = 38) to itraconazole, and in C. krusei, 66.7% (n = 2) were resistant in itraconazole. All strains were susceptible to voriconazole. Only fluconazole showed a higher rate of resistant C. glabrata isolates for OTR (3.7%), whereas the control group showed only intermediate susceptible and no resistant isolates. As there are no breakpoints established for posaconazole by CLSI, breakpoints determined by EUCAST were used. A total of 87.9% of C. albicans, 81.3% of C. parapsilosis and 66.7% of C. tropicalis were considered susceptible. C. glabrata and C. krusei showed higher MIC values and thus lesser susceptibility than the other Candida species. There were no differences observed between OTR and control groups. For anidulafungin, 99.8% of C. albicans isolates were susceptible, 0.2% were intermediate, whereas for C. glabrata, only 95.3% were susceptible, 0.2% were resistant and 4.5% were interpreted as intermediate. Interestingly, the two resistant isolates were found in the control group. Also, the controls showed a marginally higher percentage of intermediate strains compared to the transplant patients. All in all, resistant isolates were only observed for C. glabrata of the control group.

Bacterial adherence to different components of total hip prosthesis in patients with prosthetic joint infection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and quantify the bacterial adherence to the different components of total hip prosthesis. METHODS: The bacterial load of 80 retrieved hip components from 24 patients was evaluated by counting of colony-forming units (CFU) dislodged from component surfaces using the sonication culture method. RESULTS: Micro-organisms were detected in 68 of 80 explanted components. The highest bacterial load was detected on the polyethylene liners, showing a significant difference in distribution of CFU between the liner and metal components (stem and cup). Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified as the pathogen causing the highest CFU count, especially from the polyethylene liner. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study confirm that sonicate culture of the retrieved liners and heads, which revealed the highest bacterial loads, are reliable and sufficient for pathogen detection in the clinical diagnostic routine.

Point-of-Care Method T2Bacteria®Panel Enables a More Sensitive and Rapid Diagnosis of Bacterial Blood Stream Infections and a Shorter Time until Targeted Therapy than Blood Culture.

BACKGROUND: Rapid diagnosis and identification of pathogens are pivotal for appropriate therapy of blood stream infections. The T2Bacteria®Panel, a culture-independent assay for the detection of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in blood, was evaluated under real-world conditions as a point-of-care method including patients admitted to the internal medicine ward due to suspected blood stream infection. METHODS: Patients were assigned to two groups (standard of care-SOC vs. T2). In the SOC group 2 × 2 blood culture samples were collected, in the T2 group the T2Bacteria®Panel was performed additionally for pathogen identification. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients were included. Pathogens were detected in 19 of 50 patients (38%) in the T2 group compared to 16 of 44 patients (36.4%) in the SOC group. The median time until pathogen detection was significantly shorter in the T2 group (4.5 h vs. 60 h, p < 0.001), as well as the time until targeted therapy (antibiotic with the narrowest spectrum and maximal effectiveness) (6.4 h vs. 42.2 h, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the T2Bacteria®Panel for patients with sepsis leads to an earlier targeted antimicrobial therapy resulting in earlier sufficient treatment and decreased excessive usage of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.

Surgical site infection after trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures: a single centre retrospective analysis.

Surgical site infection (SSI) following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures is a rare but serious complication with incidence rate ranging from 1 to 3%. SSIs are associated with higher mortality and increased length of hospital stay resulting in higher healthcare costs and loss of life quality. In this retrospective analysis all patients with SSI following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures at the Department of Trauma Surgery were identified. We included all surgical procedures performed from 1992 to 2018, using data from electronic health records and SSI-Trauma-Registry. The aim was to describe epidemiological data, as well as to identify parameters correlating with the occurrence of SSI and mortality. Of 2753 patients, 53 (1.9%) developed SSI. Longer operative time was demonstrated among patients with SSI (P = 0.008). Mortality during the first postoperative year was significantly higher in the SSI group (32.1% vs. 19.1%; P = 0.018), with detection of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; HR 4.13, CI 95% 1.24-13.80; P = 0.021) or Enterococcus spp. (HR 5.58, CI 95% 1.67-18.65; P = 0.005) being independent risk factors. Male sex (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.86-2.73; P < 0.001) and higher mean age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06; P < 0.001) were found to be predictors for 1-year mortality in non-infected patients. SSI rate was low with 1.9% and longer duration of surgery was associated with infection. Patients with SSI had a higher 1-year mortality, with detection of MSSA, MRSA and enterococci significantly increasing the risk of dying. Male sex and higher age were risk factors for one-year mortality in patients without SSI.

Long-term absolute and relative survival after aortic valve replacement: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement is one of the most common cardiac surgical procedures, especially in elderly patients. Whether or not there is a net life gain over a long period of time is a matter for debate. OBJECTIVE: To compare survival of patients with that of the age, sex, and follow-up year-matched normal population (relative survival). DESIGN: Single-centre, prospectively collected data. SETTING: Tertiary care centre, Vienna, Austria. PATIENTS: We enrolled 1848 patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement between 1997 and the end of 2008. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Relative survival at the end of 2011 as determined by relative Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (3.7%) died within the first 30 days. Another 70 patients (3.8%) died within the first year and 429 (23.2%) died during the remaining follow-up period. The longest follow-up period was 14 years (median, 5.8; interquartile range, 3.2 to 8.9). Medical risk indicators for relative survival were diabetes mellitus [hazard ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.37 to 2.07, P<0.001], pulmonary disease (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.81, P=0.001), history of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.66, P=.005) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor medication (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.44, P=0.031). Perioperative risk indicators were urgent surgery (hazard ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.94, P=0.047), resternotomy at 48 h or less (hazard ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.70, P=0.001), resternotomy at more than 48 h (hazard ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.45, P<0.001), blood transfusion (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12, P=0.018) and renal replacement therapy (hazard ratio 2.02, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.90, P<0.001). Relative survival was highest in the oldest age quartile (76 to 94 years) and lowest in the youngest (19 to 58 years) (hazard ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.36; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients who survived the first year after aortic valve replacement had a similar chance of survival as the matched normal population. Relative survival benefit was higher in the oldest age quartile.

COVID-19 patient and personal safety - lessons learnt for pandemic preparedness and the way to the next normal.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly challenged societies and healthcare systems in particular. To prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies had to be developed on the local, national and international level. The aim of this study is to provide details of the COVID-19 experience at the Vienna General Hospital (VGH) in the context of the national and international COVID-19 response for learning and improvement. METHODS: This is a retrospective report, outlining the evolution of IPC measures and challenges encountered at the health facility (VGH), the national (Austria) and global level between February 2020 and October 2022. RESULTS: The IPC strategy at the VGH has been continuously adapted to changes in the epidemiological setting, new legal directives and Austrian by-laws. The current strategy, nationally and internationally, focuses on endemicity rather than maximum transmission risk reduction. For the VGH, this has recently resulted in an increase in COVID-19 clusters. To protect our particularly vulnerable patients, many COVID-19 precautions have been maintained. Barriers to adequate IPC implementation at the VGH and other hospitals include a lack of sufficient isolation options and non-adherence with universal face mask regulations. Globally, misinformation on COVID-19 hampered an effective response. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis of the COVID-19 response at the VGH and international reports underline the need for pandemic preparedness, readiness and response by improving future hospital design and infrastructure, conducting regular trainings for protective attire and increasing health literacy as now recently published in a concise document by WHO.

ESCMID/EUCIC clinical practice guidelines on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients colonized by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria before surgery.

SCOPE: The aim of the guidelines is to provide recommendations on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) in adult inpatients who are carriers of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) before surgery. METHODS: These evidence-based guidelines were developed after a systematic review of published studies on PAP targeting the following MDR-GNB: extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), aminoglycoside-resistant Enterobacterales, fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales, cotrimoxazole-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), extremely drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The critical outcomes were the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by any bacteria and/or by the colonizing MDR-GNB, and SSI-attributable mortality. Important outcomes included the occurrence of any type of postsurgical infectious complication, all-cause mortality, and adverse events of PAP, including development of resistance to targeted (culture-based) PAP after surgery and incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections. The last search of all databases was performed until April 30, 2022. The level of evidence and strength of each recommendation were defined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel was reached for the final list of recommendations. Antimicrobial stewardship considerations were included in the recommendation development. RECOMMENDATIONS: The guideline panel reviewed the evidence, per bacteria, of the risk of SSIs in patients colonized with MDR-GNB before surgery and critically appraised the existing studies. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, and most questions were addressed by observational studies. Moderate to high risk of bias was identified in the retrieved studies, and the majority of the recommendations were supported by low level of evidence. The panel conditionally recommends rectal screening and targeted PAP for fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy and for extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and solid organ transplantation. Screening for CRE and CRAB is suggested before transplant surgery after assessment of the local epidemiology. Careful consideration of the laboratory workload and involvement of antimicrobial stewardship teams before implementing the screening procedures or performing changes in PAP are warranted. High-quality prospective studies to assess the impact of PAP among CRE and CRAB carriers performing high-risk surgeries are advocated. Future well-designed clinical trials should assess the effectiveness of targeted PAP, including the monitoring of MDR-GNB colonization through postoperative cultures using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing clinical breakpoints.

EPI-Net One Health reporting guideline for antimicrobial consumption and resistance surveillance data: a Delphi approach.

Strategic and standardised approaches to analysis and reporting of surveillance data are essential to inform antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mitigation measures, including antibiotic policies. Targeted guidance on linking full-scale AMR and antimicrobial consumption (AMC)/antimicrobial residues (AR) surveillance data from the human, animal, and environmental sectors is currently needed. This paper describes the initiative whereby a multidisciplinary panel of experts (56 from 20 countries-52 high income, 4 upper middle or lower income), representing all three sectors, elaborated proposals for structuring and reporting full-scale AMR and AMC/AR surveillance data across the three sectors. An evidence-supported, modified Delphi approach was adopted to reach consensus among the experts for dissemination frequency, language, and overall structure of reporting; core elements and metrics for AMC/AR data; core elements and metrics for AMR data. The recommendations can support multisectoral national and regional plans on antimicrobials policy to reduce resistance rates applying a One Health approach.

Microsatellite genotyping clarified conspicuous accumulation of Candida parapsilosis at a cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.

Candida parapsilosis has become a significant cause of invasive fungal infections in seriously ill patients. Nosocomial outbreaks through direct and indirect contact have been described. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of what appeared to be an ongoing C. parapsilosis outbreak at the cardiothoracic intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Vienna between January 2007 and December 2008. Using two different molecular typing methods-automated repetitive sequence-based PCR (DiversiLab; bioMérieux) and microsatellite genotyping-we investigated the genetic relationship of 99 C. parapsilosis isolates. Eighty-three isolates originated from the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, while 16 isolates were random control isolates from other intensive care units and a different Austrian hospital. The 99 C. parapsilosis isolates analyzed by repetitive-element PCR all showed identical genotypes, suggesting an ongoing outbreak. In contrast, microsatellite genotyping showed a total of 56 different genotypes. Two major genotypes were observed in 10 and 15 isolates, respectively, whereas another 13 genotypes were observed in 2 to 4 isolates each. Forty-one genotypes were observed only once. Closely related genotypes that differed in only a single microsatellite marker were grouped into clonal complexes. When it comes to C. parapsilosis, microsatellite genotyping is a more discriminative method than repetitive-element PCR genotyping to investigate outbreaks.

Antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans in biofilms.

Candida albicans are the most common fungi associated with biofilm-related infections. Biofilms are defined as microbial communities encased in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. The most important feature of biofilm growth is the high resistance to antimicrobial agents that can be up to 1000-fold greater than that of planktonic cells. This review discusses the factors affecting antifungal resistance as well as activity of mono- and combination therapy of different antifungal classes and antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo against C. albicans biofilms.