Risk factors and outcomes of organ-space surgical site infections after elective colon and rectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Organ-space surgical site infections (SSI) are the most serious and costly infections after colorectal surgery. Most previous studies of risk factors for SSI have analysed colon and rectal procedures together. The aim of the study was to determine whether colon and rectal procedures have different risk factors and outcomes for organ-space SSI. METHODS: A multicentre observational prospective cohort study of adults undergoing elective colon and rectal procedures at 10 Spanish hospitals from 2011 to 2014. Patients were followed up until 30 days post-surgery. Surgical site infection was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Oral antibiotic prophylaxis (OAP) was considered as the administration of oral antibiotics the day before surgery combined with systemic intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis. RESULTS: Of 3,701 patients, 2,518 (68%) underwent colon surgery and 1,183 (32%) rectal surgery. In colon surgery, the overall SSI rate was 16.4% and the organ-space SSI rate was 7.9%, while in rectal surgery the rates were 21.6% and 11.5% respectively (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for organ-space SSI in colon surgery were male sex (Odds ratio -OR-: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.14-2.15) and ostomy creation (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.8-3.92) while laparoscopy (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.38-0.69) and OAP combined with intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.51-0.97) were protective factors. In rectal surgery, independent risk factors for organ-space SSI were male sex (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.34-3.31) and longer surgery (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.03-2.15), whereas OAP with intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32-0.73) was a protective factor. Among patients with organ-space SSI, we found a significant difference in the overall 30-day mortality, being higher in colon surgery than in rectal surgery (11.5% vs 5.1%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Organ-space SSI in colon and rectal surgery has some differences in terms of incidence, risk factors and outcomes. These differences could be considered for surveillance purposes and for the implementation of preventive strategies. Administration of OAP would be an important measure to reduce the OS-SSI rate in both colon and rectal surgeries.

Current outcomes and predictors of treatment failure in patients with surgical site infection after elective colorectal surgery. A multicentre prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine current outcomes and predictors of treatment failure among patients with surgical site infection (SSI) after colorectal surgery. METHODS: A multicentre observational prospective cohort study of adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery in 10 Spanish hospitals (2011-2014). Treatment failure was defined as persistence of signs/symptoms of SSI or death at 30 days post-surgery. RESULTS: Of 3701 patients, 669 (18.1%) developed SSI; 336 (9.1%) were organ-space infections. Among patients with organ-space SSI, 81.2% required source control: 60.4% reoperation and 20.8% percutaneous/transrectal drainage. Overall treatment failure rate was 21.7%: 9% in incisional SSIs and 34.2% in organ-space SSIs (p < 0.001). Median length of stay was 15 days (IQR 9-22) for incisional SSIs and 24 days (IQR 17-35) for organ-space SSIs (p < 0.001). One hundred and twenty-seven patients (19%) required readmission and 35 patients died (5.2%). Risk factors for treatment failure among patients with organ-space SSI were age ≥65 years (OR 1.83, 95% CI: 1.07-1.83), laparoscopy (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.06-2.77), and reoperation (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.6). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of SSI and treatment failure in organ-space SSI after elective colorectal surgery are notably high. Careful attention should be paid to older patients with previous laparoscopy requiring reoperation for organ-space SSI, so that treatment failure can be identified early.

Foodborne nosocomial outbreak of SHV1 and CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: epidemiology and control.

BACKGROUND: We describe a foodborne nosocomial outbreak due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: An outbreak of ESBL K. pneumoniae was detected in March 2008. Initial control measures included contact isolation and a protocol for routine detection and reinforcement in hand hygiene practices. ESBL producers were screened for the bla(TEM), bla(SHV), and bla(CTX-M) genes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis was performed using XbaI as a restriction endonuclease. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six colonized and/or infected patients were identified, 35 (22.4%) of whom had infection. The outbreak affected all hospital wards. Fecal carriage was up to 38% of patients in some wards. Of note, investigation revealed a very short delay between admission and colonization. None of the health care workers or environmental surfaces in the wards was found to be colonized. This prompted an epidemiological investigation of a possible foodborne transmission. We found that up to 35% of the hospital kitchen-screened surfaces or foodstuff were colonized and that 6 (14%) of 44 food handlers were found to be fecal carriers. Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of all clinical, environmental, and fecal carrier isolates showed the dissemination of a single strain of SHV-1 and CTX-M-15-producing K. pneumoniae. At that time, structural and functional reforms in the kitchen were performed. These were followed by a progressive reduction in colonization and infection rates among inpatients until complete control was obtained in December 2008. No restrictions in the use of antibiotics were needed. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported hospital outbreak that provides evidence that food can be a transmission vector for ESBL K. pneumoniae.