Chemokines Kill Bacteria by Binding Anionic Phospholipids without Triggering Antimicrobial Resistance.

Classically, chemokines coordinate leukocyte trafficking during immune responses; however, many chemokines have also been reported to possess direct antibacterial activity in vitro. Yet, the bacterial killing mechanism of chemokines and the biochemical properties that define which members of the chemokine superfamily are antimicrobial remain poorly understood. Here we report that the antimicrobial activity of chemokines is defined by their ability to bind phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, two anionic phospholipids commonly found in the bacterial plasma membrane. We show that only chemokines able to bind these two phospholipids kill Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and that they exert rapid bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against E. coli with a higher potency than the antimicrobial peptide beta-defensin 3. Furthermore, our data support that bacterial membrane cardiolipin facilitates the antimicrobial action of chemokines. Both biochemical and genetic interference with the chemokine-cardiolipin interaction impaired microbial growth arrest, bacterial killing, and membrane disruption by chemokines. Moreover, unlike conventional antibiotics, E. coli failed to develop resistance when placed under increasing antimicrobial chemokine pressure in vitro. Thus, we have identified cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol as novel binding partners for chemokines responsible for chemokine antimicrobial action. Our results provide proof of principle for developing chemokines as novel antibiotics resistant to bacterial antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

Are Nurses Aware of Their Contribution to the Antibiotic Stewardship Programme? A Mixed-Method Study from Qatar.

The antibiotic stewardship programme (ASP) is a new concept initiated by WHO, but nurses are not yet ready to adopt the program. The training and empowerment of nurses are the best strategies for enhancing their knowledge and engagement in ASP. This mixed-method study was used to assess perceived roles and barriers of nurses' involvement in ASP. An online survey was conducted among 420 clinical nurses to identify their role, and 23 individual interviews were performed among nurses and infection control practitioners to explore the barriers and recommendations to overcome the identified barriers. The majority of the nurses agreed with the sixteen identified roles in ASP, of which 'antibiotic dosing and de-escalation' (82.61%), 'IV to PO conversion of antibiotic, outpatient antibiotic therapy' (85.23%), and 'outpatient management, long-term care, readmission' of the patients (81.19%) had the lowest agreement from the participants. The major themes generated through the qualitative interviews were a lack of knowledge about ASP, poor communication between multidisciplinary teams, lack of opportunity and multidisciplinary engagement, lack of formal education and training about ASP, lack of ASP competency and defined roles in policy, role conflict or power/position, availability of resources, and lack of protected time. Nurses play an integral role in the successful implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs. The empowerment of nurses will help them to adopt the unique role in ASP. Nurses can significantly contribute to antibiotic stewardship efforts and improve patient outcomes through addressing these challenges.

Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Correct Management to Reduce Sepsis in NICU Settings.

The discovery of antimicrobial drugs has led to a significant increase in survival from infections; however, they are very often prescribed and administered, even when their use is not necessary and appropriate. Newborns are particularly exposed to infections due to the poor effectiveness and the immaturity of their immune systems. For this reason, in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), the use of antimicrobial drugs is often decisive and life-saving, and it must be started promptly to ensure its effectiveness in consideration of the possible rapid evolution of the infection towards sepsis. Nevertheless, the misuse of antibiotics in the neonatal period leads not only to an increase in the development and wide spreading of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) but it is also associated with various short-term (e.g., alterations of the microbiota) and long-term (e.g., increased risk of allergic disease and obesity) effects. It appears fundamental to use antibiotics only when strictly necessary; specific decision-making algorithms and electronic calculators can help limit the use of unnecessary antibiotic drugs. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the right balance between the risks and benefits of antimicrobial therapy in NICUs; for this purpose, specific Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in neonatal care and the creation of a specific antimicrobial stewardship team are requested.

New Antibiotics Against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Liver Transplantation: Clinical Perspectives, Toxicity, and PK/PD Properties.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health problem, and it is especially relevant among liver transplant recipients where infections, particularly when caused by microorganisms with a difficult-to-treat profile, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We provide here a complete dissection of the antibiotics active against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria approved over the last years, focusing on their activity spectrum, toxicity profile and PK/PD properties, including therapeutic drug monitoring, in the setting of liver transplantation. Specifically, the following drugs are presented: ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/relebactam, cefiderocol, and eravacycline. Overall, studies on the safety and optimal employment of these drugs in liver transplant recipients are limited and especially needed. Nevertheless, these pharmaceuticals have undeniably enhanced therapeutic options for infected liver transplant recipients.

Effects of a Primary Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains across a Region of Catalunya (Spain) over 5 Years.

Primary care antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions can reduce the over-prescription of unnecessary antibiotics, but the impact on the reduction in bacterial resistance is less known, and there is a lack of available data. We implemented a prolonged educational counseling ASP in a large regional outpatient setting to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. Over a 5-year post-implementation period, which was compared to a pre-intervention period, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescriptions occurred, particularly those associated with greater harmful effects and resistance selection. There was also a decrease in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and in their co-resistance to other antibiotics, particularly those with an ecological impact.

Comparative study of the etiology of nosocomial bacteremic pneumonia in ventilated and non-ventilated patients: a 10-year experience in an institution.

IMPORTANCE: This study on bacteremic nosocomial pneumonia (bNP) demonstrates the importance of this condition both in patients undergoing and not undergoing mechanical ventilation. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacterales, and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli are all causative agents in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), with a predominance of S. aureus in HAP and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in VAP. Mortality in this condition is very high. Therefore, new therapeutic and preventive approaches should be sought.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Using Nanoemulsion-Encapsulated Zinc Phthalocyanine.

Multidrug-resistant microorganisms have become a significant public health threat, and traditional antibiotics are becoming ineffective. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative that utilizes photosensitizers and light to produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that can kill microorganisms. Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is a promising photosensitizer due to its strong affinity for encapsulation in nanoemulsions and its antimicrobial properties. In this study, nanoemulsion was prepared using Miglyol 812N, a surfactant, and distilled water to dissolve hydrophobic drugs such as ZnPc. The nanoemulsion was characterized by its particle size, polydispersity index, Transmission Electron Microscope and Zeta potential, and the results showed that it was an efficient nanocarrier system that facilitated the solubilization of hydrophobic drugs in water. The use of ZnPc encapsulated in the nanoemulsion produced through the spontaneous emulsification method resulted in a significant reduction in cell survival percentages of gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli by 85% and 75%, respectively. This may be attributed to the more complex cell membrane structure of E. coli compared to S. aureus. This demonstrates the potential of nanoemulsion-based PDT as an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Impact of a Primary Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Bacterial Resistance Control and Ecological Imprint in Urinary Tract Infections.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are a central component in reducing the overprescription of unnecessary antibiotics, with multiple studies showing benefits in the reduction of bacterial resistance. Less commonly, ASPs have been performed in outpatient settings, but there is a lack of available data in these settings. We implemented an ASP in a large regional outpatient setting to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. Over a 5-year post-implementation period, compared to the pre-intervention period, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescription occurred, with a reduction in resistance in E. coli urinary isolates. ASP activities also were found to be cost-effective, with a reduction in medication prescription.

[Program for the prevention of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteria in critical units in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Programa de prevención de enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas en unidades críticas durante la pandemia COVID-19 en Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: The problem of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in countries with a previous high incidence, such as Argentina. This study describes the development and results of a CPE prevention program, mainly carbapenemase-producing Klebsiellas (KPC), in three critical units of two public hospitals during 6 months of the pandemic. METHODS: The objective was to reduce the incidence of KPC in clinical and colonization samples. This quasi-experimental study was based on a cycle of improvement and implementation of three measures: hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, and periodic surveillance with rectal swabs. RESULTS: Regarding the measures, all the units optimized active surveillance, and two of these also improved hand and environmental hygiene. Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods in the three units, no significant change was observed in the rate of KPC positive clinical samples. KPC colonization was significantly reduced in two units (unit 2: 51.6-18.5 p 0.0004, unit 3: 62.5-5.2 p < 0.0000001). All units showed a downtrend in both rates towards the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Containing or reducing the advance of the KPC in our region is possible even in difficult scenarios such as the pandemic. More studies are needed in low- and middle-income countries to demonstrate the impact of KPC prevention programs in these situations.

Introducción: La problemática de las enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas (EPC) se exacerbó con la pandemia por COVID-19 en países con una incidencia previa elevada, como la Argentina. Este estudio describe el desarrollo y resultados de un programa de prevención de EPC, fundamentalmente Klebsiellas productoras de carbapenemasas (KPC), en tres unidades críticas de dos hospitales públicos durante 6 meses de la pandemia. Métodos: El objetivo fue reducir la incidencia de KPC en muestras clínicas y de colonización. Este estudio, quasi experimental, se basó en un ciclo de mejora e implementación de tres medidas: higiene de manos, higiene ambiental y vigilancia periódica con hisopados rectales. Resultados: Respecto a las medidas, todas las unidades mejoraron la vigilancia activa y dos de estas tuvieron además mejoría en la higiene de manos e higiene ambiental. Comparando los períodos pre y post intervención en las tres unidades no se observaron cambios significativos en la tasa de muestras clínicas KPC positivas. Se logró disminuir en forma significativa la colonización por KPC en dos unidades (unidad 2: 51.6-18.5 p 0.0004, unidad 3: 62.5-5.2 p < 0.0000001). Todas las unidades mostraron hacia el final del estudio una tendencia al descenso en ambas tasas. Conclusión: Contener o reducir el avance de KPC en nuestra región es posible incluso en escenarios difíciles como el de la pandemia. Se necesitan más estudios en países de ingresos bajos y medianos, para demostrar el impacto de los programas de prevención de KPC en estas situaciones.

Programa de prevención de Enterobacterias Productoras de Carbapenemasas en unidades críticas en Argentina durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Program for the prevention of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteria in critical units in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen Introducción: La problemática de las enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas (EPC) se exacerbó con la pandemia por COVID-19 en países con una incidencia previa elevada, como la Argentina. Este estudio describe el desarrollo y resultados de un programa de prevención de EPC, fundamental mente Klebsiellas productoras de carbapenemasas (KPC), en tres unidades críticas de dos hospitales públicos durante 6 meses de la pandemia. Métodos: El objetivo fue reducir la incidencia de KPC en muestras clínicas y de colonización. Este estudio, quasi experimental, se basó en un ciclo de mejora e implementación de tres me didas: higiene de manos, higiene ambiental y vigilancia periódica con hisopados rectales. Resultados: Respecto a las medidas, todas las unidades mejoraron la vigilancia activa y dos de estas tuvieron además mejoría en la higiene de manos e higiene ambiental. Comparando los períodos pre y post intervención en las tres unidades no se observaron cambios significativos en la tasa de muestras clínicas KPC positivas. Se logró disminuir en forma significativa la colonización por KPC en dos unidades (unidad 2: 51.6-18.5 p 0.0004, unidad 3: 62.5-5.2 p < 0.0000001). Todas las unidades mostraron hacia el final del estudio una tendencia al descenso en ambas tasas. Conclusión: Contener o reducir el avance de KPC en nuestra región es posible incluso en escenarios difíciles como el de la pandemia. Se necesitan más estudios en países de ingresos bajos y medianos, para demostrar el impacto de los programas de prevención de KPC en estas situaciones.

Abstract Introduction: The problem of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in countries with a previous high incidence, such as Argentina. This study describes the development and results of a CPE prevention program, mainly carbapenemase-producing Klebsiellas (KPC), in three critical units of two public hospitals during 6 months of the pandemic. Methods: The objective was to reduce the incidence of KPC in clinical and colonization samples. This quasi-experimental study was based on a cycle of improvement and implementation of three measures: hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, and periodic surveillance with rectal swabs. Results: Regarding the measures, all the units optimized active surveillance, and two of these also improved hand and environmental hygiene. Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods in the three units, no significant change was observed in the rate of KPC positive clinical samples. KPC coloni zation was significantly reduced in two units (unit 2: 51.6-18.5 p 0.0004, unit 3: 62.5-5.2 p < 0.0000001). All units showed a downtrend in both rates towards the end of the study. Conclusion: Containing or reducing the advance of the KPC in our region is possible even in difficult scenarios such as the pandemic. More studies are needed in low- and middle-income countries to demonstrate the impact of KPC prevention programs in these situations.

Optimization of antimicrobial prescription in the hospital.

Internal Medicine wards are an appropriate focus of antibiotic stewardship, along with emergency departments and intensive care units, because a large proportion of patients are with parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics. Given the unmet clinical need of antibiotic optimization in the hospital and the importance of front-line practitioners for antibiotic stewardship, the barriers and tactics to overcome them were discussed in a round table at the European Congress of Internal Medicine. Better rapid diagnostic tests should help to increase appropriate early antibiotic rates, favoring diversity in antibiotic choices adapted to the awareness of local resistance patterns. Providing such is a greater challenge in low-resource settings. Prescriptions should be personalized, adjusting dosage and source control to specific patients' conditions. Shorter antibiotic duration and de-escalation are major drivers to reduce adverse events, with mortality and recurrence rates being independent of antimicrobial duration. Appropriate diagnostic tests with quick turnaround times decrease excessive antibiotic use. Antimicrobial optimization requires a multidisciplinary approach and it should be a core competence of training specialists, improving opportunities to provide safer patient care.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage-related ventriculitis due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics of adult patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage-related ventriculitis. METHODS: Retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2019 performed in the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (Spain). Cases of CSF drainage-related ventriculitis in patients ≥18-year-old were gathered. Clinical characteristics of patients, type of drainage devices, management and microbiological isolates were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-one episodes of CSF drainage-related ventriculitis were identified. The most frequent organisms isolated were Gram-positive cocci (65%), mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis (48%). Multidrug-resistant microorganisms were detected in 21 episodes (23%). In multivariate analysis, the independent factors related with multidrug-resistant ventriculitis were the length of hospital stay >14 days (HR 6.7; 95%CI 1.75-25.86, p=0.006) and previous antimicrobial therapy (HR 5.58; 95%CI 1.44-21.65, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a large number of drainage-related ventriculitis episodes caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and reinforce the importance of a judicious use of antibiotics.

Disinfecting Action of Gaseous Ozone on OXA-48-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilm In Vitro.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen that can contaminate hospital surfaces in the form of a biofilm which is hard to remove with standard disinfectants. Because of biofilm resistance to conservative disinfectants, the application of new disinfection technologies is becoming more frequent. Ozone gas has antimicrobial activity but there is lack of data on its action against K. pneumoniae biofilm. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of gaseous ozone on the OXA-48-procuding K. pneumoniae biofilm. A 24 h biofilm of K. pneumoniae formed on ceramic tiles was subsequently exposed to different concentrations of ozone during one and two hours to determine the optimal ozone concentration. Afterwards, the total bacteria count, total biomass and oxidative stress levels were monitored. A total of 25 ppm of gaseous ozone was determined to be optimal ozone concentration and caused reduction in total bacteria number in all strains of K. pneumoniae for 2.0 log10 CFU/cm2, followed by reduction in total biomass up to 88.15%. Reactive oxygen species levels significantly increased after the ozone treatment at 182% for the representative K. pneumoniae NCTC 13442 strain. Ozone gas in the concentration of 25 ppm caused significant biofilm reduction but did not completely eradicate the K. pneumoniae biofilm formed on ceramics. In conclusion, ozone gas has great potential to be used as an additional hygiene measure in joint combat against biofilm in hospital environments.

[Prospective study of the incidence density of multi-resistant microorganisms and Clostridioides difficile during the period 2012- 2019 in the Canary Islands]. / Estudio prospectivo de la densidad de incidencia de microorganismos multirresistentes y Clostridioides difficile durante el periodo 2012-2019 en la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias.

OBJECTIVE: In 2012, the Canary Islands Health Service implemented a new surveillance system for nosocomial infections caused by multi-resistant microorganisms and Clostridioides difficile. This system will make it possible to know the incidence rates of these pathogens, periodically contrast them to monitor their trend and compare them with those of other national and European health institutions. METHODS: Observational, prospective study of the density of incidence of multi-resistant pathogens and Clostridioides difficile in the healthcare centers of the Canary Islands Health Service from 2012 to 2019. RESULTS: The incidence density of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections for 2012 was 1.96 cases per 10,000 stays and decreased to 0.80 in 2019, reaching the lowest figure in the surveillance period. Infections due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) showed an upward trend, 0.47 (2014) and 2.35 (2019). The slight upward trend in imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections in observed bacteraemias 0.17 (2012) and 0.09 (2019) has been corrected. No cases of infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci were observed. With regard to C. difficile, an upward trend that began in 2012 has consolidated, producing an increase of 216% in the number of cases detected at the end of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant problem detected today is the CPE. The data analyzed in this period showed an evident change in the trend of the multi-resistant pathogens studied. This fact must be confirmed in the future.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Predisposing Factors for Surgical Site Infections Caused by Bacterial Pathogens Exhibiting Multidrug-Resistant Patterns.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection is the most common kind of nosocomial infection in developed and developing countries. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to identify the prevalence of factors predisposing to multidrug resistance and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of pathogens. METHOD: This retrospective study enrolled 10,878 patients who underwent operations in 2018-2020. Pathogens were identified using eosin methylene blue agar. Mueller-Hinton agar was used to assess antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance. In total, 382 patients with confirmed surgical site infection (SSI), whose culture showed growth, were included in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of SSI in the current study was 3.5%. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen (35.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21.8%). Antibiotic use, chronic renal failure, diabetes, and emergency operations were found to increase the likelihood of multidrug resistance (OR = 6.23, CI = 1.443-26.881, p = 0.014; OR = 5.67, CI = 1.837-19.64, p = 0.02; OR = 2.54, CI = 1.46-7.35, p = 0.03; OR = 1.885, CI = 1.067-3.332, p = 0.002, respectively). The pathogens showed different levels of antimicrobial resistance against ceftriaxone (72.7%), ciprofloxacin (46.6%), and gentamicin (34%). Antimicrobial resistance of about 1-3.4% was exhibited by linezolid, tigecycline, and teicoplanin. CONCLUSION: The study presented significantly increased multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae pathogens isolated from surgical sites. They involve significant morbidity and mortality rates and increased health-related costs.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage-related ventriculitis due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics of adult patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage-related ventriculitis. METHODS: Retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2019 performed in the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (Spain). Cases of CSF drainage-related ventriculitis in patients ≥18-year-old were gathered. Clinical characteristics of patients, type of drainage devices, management and microbiological isolates were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-one episodes of CSF drainage-related ventriculitis were identified. The most frequent organisms isolated were Gram-positive cocci (65%), mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis (48%). Multidrug-resistant microorganisms were detected in 21 episodes (23%). In multivariate analysis, the independent factors related with multidrug-resistant ventriculitis were the length of hospital stay >14 days (HR 6.7; 95%CI 1.75-25.86, p=0.006) and previous antimicrobial therapy (HR 5.58; 95%CI 1.44-21.65, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a large number of drainage-related ventriculitis episodes caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and reinforce the importance of a judicious use of antibiotics.

High prevalence of MDR gram-negative bacteria in feces of healthy blood donors in Mexico.

During the initial stage of a study to recruit universal intestinal microbiota donors in Mexico City, we found multiple "healthy" subjects that colonized with MDRO (Multidrug-resistant organisms). We aimed to describe clinical and demographic characteristics of these individuals. This was a prospective observational study. Participants were consecutively recruited among blood donors. A fecal sample was collected from each subject and analyzed at the same day in search of MDRO through chromographic culture media and, if growth observed, later confirmed by MALDI-TOF and susceptibility testing in Vitek 2 system. From July 2018 to March 2019, 85 individuals were screened for fecal colonization. Median age was 35 years (IQR 27-46 years), and 48/85 (56.4%) were males. Seventy-two (84.7%) subjects harbored at least one MDRO. ESBL-producing microorganisms were found in 72/85 (84.3%) subjects, and E. coli was the most frequent (63/85, 74.1%). Four samples (2 E. coli, 2 P. aeruginosa, 2.4% each) harbored carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), together with an ESBL-producing microorganism. Antibiotic use (p = 0.06) and PPIs or H2-blockers intake (p = 0.03) were more common in the colonized subjects during the previous 6-month period. We report a high incidence of enteric colonization of healthy subjects with MDRO, a condition that may be related to antibiotics or PPIs/H2-blockers consumption. This surprisingly high MDRO colonization rate in potential FMT donors emphasizes the need for careful screening of donors to avoid possible transmission to FMT recipients.

[The problem of global development of antibiotic resistant nosocomial pathogens].

The problem of global expansion of multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections pathogens is under special attention at the moment. Antibiotic resistance increasing give us the limited treatment options. This problem is particularly acute for transplant clinics, because of patients need lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. From the one hand this ensures stable allograft functioning, but from the other increases the risk of severe infectious complications in the postoperative period. The purpose of this article is analysis carbapenem resistance dynamics of Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. isolated from the blood of recipients of donor organs from 2009 to 2019 in the Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs. A significant annual decrease of carbapenem-sensitive strains of Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter spp. are shown. The study of a distinctive pathogen resistance profile specific to each institution can help one in selecting an adequate antimicrobial strategy and is an effective predictive tool for controlling the growth of multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Faecal Microbiota Transplantation Eradicated Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Renal Transplant Recipient with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections.

Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are highly susceptible to infections, and antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem with limited treatment options. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is effective for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection and may be used for patients with intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. We present a RTR who suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL+) Klebsiella pneumoniae. Blood and urinary isolates revealed the same antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and whole-genome sequencing confirmed identical isolates in blood and urine. Despite several treatments with meropenem, the patient experienced recurrent infections that caused hospitalisation. ESBL+ K. pneumoniae was isolated in faeces. In an attempt to decolonise the gut, FMT was performed. A few days after nasojejunal infusion of donor faeces, the patient experienced a single relapse of UTI. During the subsequent 12 months, no further episodes of UTI occurred. Absence of ESBL+ K. pneumoniae in urine and faeces was demonstrated during follow-up. We conclude that FMT may be an effective treatment in RTRs with recurrent UTIs caused by intestinal colonisation with MDR organisms.