Gram-negative bacteremia, the risk factors, and outcome in children.

We aimed to determine the epidemiology and resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria, the risk factors and outcome of bloodstream infection (BSI). In all, 412 episodes in children who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of bacteremia were analyzed. The most common microorganisms were Klebsiella spp. (43.9%), Escherichia coli (13.5 %) and Acinetobacter spp. (10.6 %). Among isolates, 41.2 % were multidrug-resistant, 13.5 % were extensively drug-resistant and 0.4 % were pan-drug-resistant. Carbapenem resistance was revealed in 27.6 % of isolates. Carbapenem and colistin resistance increased over the years. The most common risk factors were the presence of a central-venous catheter and pediatric intensive care unit admission. Clinical response and infection-related mortality were significantly different in cases infected with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative (CRGN) vs carbapenem-susceptible gram-negative bacteria. The increase in multi-resistant Klebsiella spp. seems to be the biggest obstacles in fight against nosocomial infections. The increasing number of CRGN infections over the years affects both the clinical response and mortality rate of BSI.

Investigation of some changes and clonal relationship in enterococci isolates due to relocation of a hospital.

Objectives: To investigate the isolation rates, antimicrobial resistance rates, minimum inhibitory concentration values of antimicrobial agents, and clonal relationships of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faeciumdue to the relocation of a hospital to a newly constructed building. METHODS: The comparative, prospective study was conducted at adult general intensive care units of the Mus State Hospital, Mus, Turkey, in two phases; before the relocation from January 25 to December 1, 2014, and after the relocation from February 10 to May 24, 2015. Rectal swab samples were collected 72 hours post-hospitalisation. Identification of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faeciumisolates was determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial resistance with minimum inhibitory concentration values was detected with Vitek 2 system. The clonal relatedness among the strains was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients, 37(53.62%) were related to pre-relocation phase; 20(54.1%) females and 17(45.9%) males with mean age 62.81±21.71 years. There were 32(46.37%) patients in the post-relocation phase; 13(40.6%) females and 19(59.4%) males with mean age 62.69±21.35 years (p>0.05). Of the 84 enterococci strains isolated, 51(60.7%) were Enterococcus faecium; 28(55%) before relocation and 23(45%) after relocation (p=0.77). The remaining 33(39.3%) isolates were Enterococcus faecalis; 16(48.5%) before relocation and 17(51.5%) after relocation (p=0.73). Multiple strains were located in 7(18.9%) patients before relocation and in 7(21.9%) after relocation. In 1(3.1%) patient after relocation, 2(8.7%) Enterococcus faecium isolates with different resistance and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were detected. There were no significant differences between the isolation and antibiotic resistance rates before and after relocation (p>0.05), and a clonal relation between the isolates was not detected (p>0.05). Decreased minimum inhibitory concentration values were noted for some antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Clonal relationship between the isolates and change in the rates of isolation and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was not detected due to relocation. Minimum inhibitory concentration values could be used to reveal relocation-related changes in isolates obtained from patients hospitalised in intensive care units.

The Use of CHROMID® Colistin R for the Detection of Colistin-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Positive Blood Cultures.

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of CHROMID® Colistin R for direct detection of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from positive blood cultures. A total of 390 blood cultures from hospitalised patients containing Gram-negative bacteria were included in this study. These blood cultures were referred to clinical laboratories in the United Kingdom and Türkiye. A further 16 simulated positive blood culture bottles were included that contained a range of colistin-resistant strains as well as susceptible control strains. Fluid from each positive blood culture was diluted 1/200 in saline and 10 µL aliquots cultured onto cystine-lactose-electrolyte-deficient agar and CHROMID® Colistin R. All recovered bacteria were identified, and for Gram-negative bacteria, their minimum inhibitory concentration of colistin was measured using the broth microdilution method. From a total of 443 Gram-negative isolates, 57 colistin-resistant isolates were recovered, of which 53 (93%) grew on CHROMID® Colistin R within 18 h. Of the 377 isolates determined to be colistin-susceptible, only 9 isolates were able to grow, including 6 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For positive blood cultures that are shown to contain Gram-negative bacteria, culture on CHROMID® Colistin R is a useful diagnostic tool to detect susceptibility or resistance to colistin within 18 h.

Impact of a hospital sepsis management protocol on the selection of empirical antibiotics in infectious disease consultations.

It is well-established that Infectious Diseases consultation (IDC) enhances the prognosis of bloodstream infections. However, it is unclear if adoption of an institutional sepsis protocol would lead to any further improvement in a setting where IDC and infectious diseases approval (IDA) - available throughout 7 days/24 hours -are mandatory for administering broad spectrum antibiotics. We aimed to evaluate the influence of the institutional sepsis protocol developed by Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology on the selection of appropriate empirical antibiotics by IDC through focusing on patients who had bloodstream infections caused by Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which poses a therapeutic challenge. One hundred and fifty-three adult patients (58 patients in the pre-protocol period and 95 patients in the post-protocol period), who received empirical antibiotic treatment for ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, in whom at least one systemic antibiotic was started either on the day blood cultures were drawn or not later than 24 hours were included in the study, retrospectively. The primary outcome was whether the empirical treatment regimen included a carbapenem that was accepted as the appropriate treatment based on the results of the MERINO trial. Secondary outcomes included empirical treatment based on pre-defined risk factors suggesting multidrug resistance (MDR), 30-day inpatient mortality, and appropriate antibacterial treatment according to antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results. The median age (Interquartile range) was 61 (48-70.5) years and 76 (49.7%) out of 153 patients were male. The patients in the post-protocol period were older compared to the pre-protocol period (54 years vs 64 years, p = 0.045). The Charlson Comorbidity Index was higher during the post-protocol period compared to the pre-protocol period (4 vs 5, p=0.038). At least one risk factor for MDR bacteria infection was present in 147 (96.1%) of the 153 patients. While the rate of risk factors for MDR bacteria infections did not differ significantly between the pre-protocol and post-protocol periods, the post-protocol period showed a significantly higher level of appropriate antibiotic treatment according to the presence of MDR risk factors compared to the pre-protocol period (44.8% vs 64.2%, p=0.019). There was a significant increase in the use of carbapenems in the post-protocol period compared to the pre-protocol period (34.5% vs. 56.8%, p=0.007). When the subgroup of patients who were likely to have infection caused by ESBL-producing bacteria is taken into consideration, the carbapenem use was more frequent in the post-protocol period (37.8% vs 68.9%, p=0.002). The rate of appropriate empirical treatment according to AST was not statistically different between pre-protocol and post-protocol period. The 30-day mortality rates were similar in both periods (24.1% vs 31.5, p=0.33). However, the rate of susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam was statistically higher in the pre-protocol period (82.6% vs 46.2%, p=0.016) when 39.7% of the patients received piperacillin-tazobactam as the empirical treatment. This study highlights the significance of using a structured protocol to attain appropriate empirical treatment for patients suspected of sepsis, even in a setting where IDC is readily available.

What if an articular bone fragment drops on the floor in the course of osteosynthesis? An experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1-min 10% povidone-iodine immersion in the decontamination of dropped osteochondral fragments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight sets of sterile osteochondral bone fragments, each consisting of three samples, were prepared from removed femoral heads that would otherwise be discarded during different hip replacement surgeries. Immediately afterward, each set was dropped on the floor right behind the surgeon in another operating room in which fracture fixation operations were being performed. Samples were picked up with sterile gloves. A swab culture of the floor was taken. One of the three pieces was kept as the control group. The second one (saline group) was washed with saline and subsequently soaked in saline for 1 min. The last one (treatment group) was first immersed in a 10% povidone-iodine solution for 1 min, then rinsed with saline and soaked in saline for 1 min. The samples were cultured in nutrient media, and microorganisms were identified at the microbiology laboratory. The groups were compared in terms of positive culture rates. RESULTS: The positive culture (contamination) rates were 100%, 58.3%, 39.6%, and 10.4% for the swab samples, control group, saline group, and treatment group respectively. The decontamination ratio in the treatment group was significantly more than both the control group (p<0.001) and the saline group (p=0.001). Handling only with saline did not significantly decontaminate compared to the control group (p=0.066). CONCLUSION: Immersing the dropped osteochondral fragments in 10% povidone-iodine solution for 1 min and then rinsing with saline may provide statistically significant decontamination but cannot be accepted to be safe enough for clinical practice. Further studies are needed to find the optimal time needed for safe decontamination without compromising the viability of cartilage tissue.

Cessation of Rectal Screening for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital from Türkiye.

OBJECTIVE: Here, we compared the impact of different polices on the epidemiology of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bloodstream infections (VRE-BSIs) in a tertiary care hospital including two hospital buildings (oncology and adult hospitals) in the same campus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients who were hospitalized in high-risk units were screened weekly for VRE colonization via rectal swab between January 2006 and January 2013. After January 2013, VRE screening was only performed in cases of suspicion of VRE outbreak and during point prevalence studies to evaluate the epidemiology of VRE colonization. Contact precautions were in place for all VRE-positive patients. The incidence density rates of hospital-acquired (HA)-VRE-BSIs were compared between two periods. RESULTS: While the rate of VRE colonization was higher in the second period (5% vs. 9.5% (p < 0.01) for the adult hospital, and 6.4% vs. 12% (p = 0.02 for the oncology hospital), there was no increase in the incidence rate HA-VRE BSIs after the cessation of routine rectal screening in either of the hospitals. CONCLUSION: Screening policies should be dynamic and individualized according to the epidemiology of VRE as well as the workforce and cost. Periodical rectal screening of VRE can be discontinued if suspicion of an outbreak can be carefully monitored.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Aspergillus and Salmonella after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: An unusual case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising new treatment for different types of cancer. The infectious complications in patients taking ICIs are rare. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old male who received chemotherapy consisting of pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) for esophagus squamous cell carcinoma one month before was admitted to the emergency room with shortness of breath soon after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which was done for the inspection of the lower airway. A computed tomography of the chest revealed a progressive consolidation on the right upper lobe. Salmonella group D was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid culture. The fungal culture of the same clinical sample yielded Aspergillus niger; furthermore, a high titer (above the cut-off values) of Aspergillus antigen was found both in the BAL fluid and serum of the patient. Despite the effective spectrum and appropriate dose of antimicrobial treatment, the patient died due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of unusual pathogens in the etiology of pneumonia after ICI treatment may help to avoid underdiagnosis.

Higher rates of cefiderocol resistance among NDM producing Klebsiella bloodstream isolates applying EUCAST over CLSI breakpoints.

BACKGROUND: Cefiderocol is generally active against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. (CRK) with higher MICs against metallo-beta-lactamase producers. There is a variation in cefiderocol interpretive criteria determined by EUCAST and CLSI. Our objective was to test CRK isolates against cefiderocol and compare cefiderocol susceptibilities using EUCAST and CLSI interpretive criteria. METHODS: A unique collection (n = 254) of mainly OXA-48-like- or NDM-producing CRK bloodstream isolates were tested against cefiderocol with disc diffusion (Mast Diagnostics, UK). Beta-lactam resistance genes and multilocus sequence types were identified using bioinformatics analyses on complete bacterial genomes. RESULTS: Median cefiderocol inhibition zone diameter was 24 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 24-26 mm) for all isolates and 18 mm (IQR 15-21 mm) for NDM producers. We observed significant variability between cefiderocol susceptibilities using EUCAST and CLSI breakpoints, such that 26% and 2% of all isolates, and 81% and 12% of the NDM producers were resistant to cefiderocol using EUCAST and CLSI interpretive criteria, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cefiderocol resistance rates among NDM producers are high using EUCAST criteria. Breakpoint variability may have significant implications on patient outcomes. Until more clinical outcome data are available, we suggest using EUCAST interpretive criteria for cefiderocol susceptibility testing.

Does marking as sterile mean really sterile? Stenotrophomonas maltophilia outbreak caused by a blood-gas injector containing liquid heparin.

An outbreak investigation was initiated after detecting an increase in the number of patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bloodstream infections (SM-BSIs) througout the hospital. S. maltophilia was isolated from the cultures of blood-gas injectors containing liquid heparin. The incidence density of SM-BSIs decreased significantly after prohibiting the use of those injectors.

A case-control study of the effects of Aspergillus clinical phenotypes on pulmonary functions in patients with cystic fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: There are no precise data about the effect of Aspergillus infection on lung function other than allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Here, we aimed to determine clinical phenotypes caused by Aspergillus spp. using laboratory and immunologic parameters and to compare Aspergillus phenotypes in terms of pulmonary function tests (PFT) prospectively. METHODS: Twenty-three pwCF who had Aspergillus isolation from respiratory cultures in the last year (case group) and 20 pwCF without Aspergillus isolation in sputum (control group) were included. Aspergillus immunoglobulin (Ig)-G, Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), galactomannan, total IgE from blood samples, and Aspergillus PCR and galactomannan from sputum, and skin prick test reactivity to Aspergillus antigen were used to distinguish different Aspergillus phenotypes. Pulmonary functions and frequency of pulmonary exacerbations were evaluated during a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Of 23 pwCF, 11 (47.8%) had Aspergillus colonization, nine (39.1%) had Aspergillus bronchitis, and three (13%) had ABPA. Aspergillus infection was not associated with worse z-scores of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (p = 0.612), forced vital capacity  (p = 0.939), and the median FEV 1% decline (0.0%/year vs. -4.7%/year, p = 0.626). The frequency of pulmonary exacerbations in the Aspergillus infected and noninfected groups was similar. CONCLUSION: Although Aspergillus spp. Isolation in pwCF was not associated with decreased lung function, a further decline was seen in the ABPA subgroup, and frequent pulmonary exacerbations during the 1-year follow-up.

The effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa eradication regimens on chronic colonization and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization (Pa-CC) affects cystic fibrosis (CF) progression, including pulmonary exacerbations and pulmonary function tests. There are few studies of the effects of eradication protocols on colonization time. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of eradication regimens on chronic colonization and assess the impact of Pa-CC on body mass index, lung functions, and pulmonary exacerbations. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of medical records, over a period of 11 years, of children aged under 18 years with CF who had Pa-CC in our tertiary care pediatric hospital. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 215 of our patients with CF during the study period. Forty-four patients with Pa-CC were recruited for the study. The eradication treatment for the initial acquisition of P. aeruginosa was inhaled antibiotics in 27 (61.4%) patients; the remainder were given intravenous antibiotics. It was observed that eradication treatment with either IV or inhaled antibiotics did not affect the time between the P. aeruginosa and the time of Pa-CC(P = 0.791). There was a non-significant decrease in the body mass index z-score from the Pa-IA to the last visit(P = 0.27), a significant decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) (P = 0.01) over time, and the annual number of exacerbations after colonization was significantly higher than before colonization (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between eradication regimens in delaying the age at Pa-CC. Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in patients with CF was also associated with poorer lung functions, lower body mass index, and more pulmonary exacerbation regardless of mucoid type. Consequently, to slow the progression of lung disease, we must prevent Pa-CC, which we can achieve with early eradication. Despite conventional eradication protocols, future studies need to evaluate those who fail to clear P. aeruginosa.

Clinical Microbial Identification of Severe Oral Infections by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Stockholm County: an 11-Year (2010 to 2020) Epidemiological Investigation.

Growing evidence suggests that oral infections can modify the course of systemic diseases. To date, epidemiological data on microbial oral infections are scarce. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the trend and microbial diversity in oral infection specimens referred for clinical microbiology analysis from 2010 to 2020. The microbes were isolated by culture and were identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry technology (MALDI-TOF MS) throughout the study period. A total of 1,014 referred samples from dental clinics in Stockholm County with dentoalveolar abscesses and jaw osteomyelitis being the main reason were identified. Overall, the microbial composition was dominated by Firmicutes (51%), followed by Bacteroidetes (19%), Proteobacteria (12%), and Actinobacteria (5%). At the genus level, Streptococcus spp. (36%), Prevotella spp. (18%), and Staphylococcus spp. (11%) were among the most frequently reported. Interestingly, a strong increase in trend was noted for Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Eikenella corrodens, Actinomyces spp., Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Granulicatella adiacens during the study time (R = 0.66 to 0.89, P < 0.05), and a minor increase was noted for Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella spp., whereas steady levels were noted for most of the others. The present study shows the diversity of bacteria that have been involved in dental infections during the last decade in the capital of Sweden, as well as the emerging oral microbiota trend, with clear clinical implications on the oral-systemic link. IMPORTANCE Oral diseases and associated microbes are a risk factor for systemic diseases and can change the courses of these diseases. To date, epidemiological data on microbial oral infections are scarce, and longitudinal reports are lacking. We present for the first time the microbial composition of severe oral bacterial infections determined via the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique in a comprehensive study between 2010 and 2020 (11 years) in Stockholm County. The trend and microbial diversity of oral infections were analyzed on referred clinical microbiological samples and were processed by standardized protocols. Trend increase was noted for Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Eikenella corrodens, Actinomyces spp., Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Granulicatella adiacens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella spp. Our results provide new insights into the diversity and trend of oral microbiota that were involved in serious oral infections over the past decade in the capital of Sweden and may influence the oral-systemic link.

Clinical findings of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates have increased in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.This study aimed to determine the rate of MRSA, define risk factors, and clarify the effect of MRSA on pulmonary functions, annual pulmonary exacerbation (aPEx) in children with MRSA positive CF. METHODS: This was a retrospective case control study. CF patients who had ≥1 MRSA (+) respiratory culture between September 2016-2019 were included. MRSA growth rate, colonization status, clinical characteristics, hospitalization rates, FEV1 %predicted, and z-score one year prior to the MRSA isolation, at MRSA growth and one year after MRSA growth were recorded. The aPEx rate changes before-after MRSA growth were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one subjects who had ≥1MRSA growth and 66 controls were enrolled. There was no statistically significant difference between the spirometry indices at first, and 12th month after MRSA acquisition. The mean aPEx was 0.6 one year prior to MRSA acquisition and this rate significantly increased to 1.2 one year after MRSA growth(p < 0.05). The mean hospitalization rate before and after one year of MRSA acquisition significantly increased from 0.17(±0.12) to 0.48 (±0.3)(p:0.008) admissions per year. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA growth was related to increased aPEx. Increased aPEx and hospitalization rates after MRSA acquisition suggest MRSA should be eradicated when detected.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nosocomial multidrug-resistant bacterial bloodstream infections and antibiotic consumption in a tertiary care hospital.

We investigated the change in the epidemiology of nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria during Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and antibiotic consumption rates at a pandemic hospital and at the Oncology Hospital which operated as COVID-19-free on the same university campus. Significant increases in the infection density rate (IDRs) of BSIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (ARE) were detected at the pandemic hospital, whereas carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae BSIs were increased at the non-pandemic Oncology Hospital. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed a polyclonal outbreak of CRAB in COVID-19 intensive care units. Antibiotic consumption rates were increased for almost all antibiotics, and was most significant for meropenem at both of the hospitals. Increased IDRs of CRAB and ARE BSIs as well as an increased consumption rate of broad-spectrum antibiotics emphasize the importance of a multimodal infection prevention strategy combined with an active antibiotic stewardship program.

Comparison of ceftazidime-avibactam susceptibility testing methods against OXA-48-like carrying Klebsiella blood stream isolates.

Ceftazidime-avibactam exhibits good in vitro activity against carbapenem resistant Klebsiella carrying OXA-48-like enzymes. We tested two hundred unique carbapenem resistant Klebsiella blood stream isolates (71% with single OXA-48-like carbapenemases, including OXA-48, n = 62; OXA-232, n = 57; OXA-244, n = 17; OXA-181, n = 5) that were collected as part of a multicentre study against ceftazidime-avibactam using Etest (bioMérieux, Marcyl'Étoile, France), 10/4 µg disc (Thermo Fisher) and Sensititre Gram Negative EURGNCOL Plates (Lyophilized panels, Sensititre, Thermo Fisher) with the aim of comparing the performances of the Etest and disc to that of Sensititre. Ceftazidime-avibactam MIC50/90 was 2/>16 mg/L for the entire collection and was 2/4 mg/L for single OXA-48-like producers. Categorical and essential agreements between the Etest and Sensititre were 100% and 97%, respectively. Categorical agreement between the disc and Sensititre was 100%. Etest and 10/4 µg discs are suitable alternatives to Sensititre for ceftazidime-avibactam sensitivity testing for OXA-48-like producers.

A screening study for COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been reported as an important cause of mortality in critically ill patients with an incidence rate ranging from 5% to 35% during the first and second pandemic waves. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors for CAPA by a screening protocol and outcome in the critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic. PATIENTS/METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in two intensive care units (ICU) designated for patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary care university hospital between 18 November 2020 and 24 April 2021. SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive adult patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure were included in the study. Serum and respiratory samples were collected periodically from ICU admission up to CAPA diagnosis, patient discharge or death. ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria were used to diagnose and classify CAPA cases. RESULTS: A total of 302 patients were admitted to the two ICUs during the study period, and 213 were included in the study. CAPA was diagnosed in 43 (20.1%) patients (12.2% probable, 7.9% possible). In regression analysis, male sex, higher SOFA scores at ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation and longer ICU stay were significantly associated with CAPA development. Overall ICU mortality rate was higher significantly in CAPA group compared to those with no CAPA (67.4% vs 29.4%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of critically ill patients in COVID-19 ICUs developed CAPA, and this was associated with a high mortality.

Characteristics and outcomes of carbapenemase harbouring carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. bloodstream infections: a multicentre prospective cohort study in an OXA-48 endemic setting.

A prospective, multicentre observational cohort study of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. (CRK) bloodstream infections was conducted in Turkey from June 2018 to June 2019. One hundred eighty-seven patients were recruited. Single OXA-48-like carbapenemases predominated (75%), followed by OXA-48-like/NDM coproducers (16%). OXA-232 constituted 31% of all OXA-48-like carbapenemases and was mainly carried on ST2096. Thirty-day mortality was 44% overall and 51% for ST2096. In the multivariate cox regression analysis, SOFA score and immunosuppression were significant predictors of 30-day mortality and ST2096 had a non-significant effect. All OXA-48-like producers remained susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam.