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.

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.

The Effectiveness of Bundle Applications in the Prevention of Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infections: Nine Years of Observation.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing in a bundle of interventions to reduce the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Materials and Methods: We performed a bundle of interventions to reduce the CLABSIs from 2012. As one bundle component, we started using the chlorhexidine impregnated catheter dressing. We used a document describing applying central venous catheters for the practicing physicians and nurses, and we organized several educational meetings. An interrupted time-series analysis was performed. Results: Seventy-six CLABSI events were detected in total between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019. Twenty-six cases were detected in the pre-intervention period (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011), and 50 patients were seen in the post-intervention term (January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019). The annual CLABSI rate was 2.60/1000 catheter days in the pre-intervention period and 0.46/1000 catheter days (p=0.0328) in the post-intervention period. The CLABSI rate among hematology-oncology inpatients decreased from 3.39 to 0.71 (p=0.0101) in the same term. Conclusion: By using bundle form including chlorhexidine impregnated dressing, the rate of CLABSIs decreased significantly. This effect has been observed consistently for nine years, and the clinical pathway use has become the standard care protocol.

High prevalence of ArmA-16S rRNA methyltransferase among aminoglycoside-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream isolates.

Introduction. Aminoglycosides are used for the treatment of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPK) infections. 16S rRNA methyltransferases (RMTs) confer resistance to all aminoglycosides and are often cocarried with NDM.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. There is a dart of studies looking at the aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms for invasive CPK isolates, particularly in OXA-48 endemic settings.Aim. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RMTs and their association with beta lactamases and MLSTs amongst aminoglycoside-resistant CPK bloodstream isolates in an OXA-48 endemic setting.Methodology. CPK isolates (n=181), collected as part of a multicentre cohort study, were tested for amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin susceptibility using custom-made sensititre plates (GN2XF, Thermo Fisher Scientific). All isolates were previously subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Carbapenemases, RMTs, MLSTs and plasmid incompatibility groups were detected on the assembled genomes.Results. Of the 181 isolates, 109(60 %) were resistant to all three aminoglycosides, and 96 of 109(88 %) aminoglycoside-resistant isolates carried an RMT (85 ArmA, 10 RmtC, 4 RmtF1; three isolates cocarried ArmA and RmtC). Main clonal types associated with ArmA were ST2096 (49/85, 58 %) and ST14 (24/85, 28 %), harbouring mainly OXA-232 and OXA-48 +NDM, respectively. RmtC was cocarried with NDM (5/10) on ST395, and NDM +OXA-48 or NDM +KPC (4/10) on ST14, ST15 and ST16. All RMT producers also carried CTX-M-15, and the majority cocarried SHV-106, TEM-150 and multiple other antibiotic resistance genes. The majority of the isolates harboured a combination of IncFIB, IncH and IncL/M type plasmids. Non-NDM producing isolates remained susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam.Conclusion. Aminoglycoside resistance amongst CPK bloodstream isolates is extremely common and mainly driven by clonal spread of ArmA carried on ST2096 and ST14, associated with OXA-232 and OXA48 +NDM carriage, respectively.

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.

Appropriate use of tocilizumab in COVID-19 infection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the effectiveness and optimum use of tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment by the support of clinical, laboratory and radiologic observations. METHODS: All patients were followed up in the hospital with daily interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, d-dimer, full blood count, and procalcitonin. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) was performed on admission, when oxygen support was necessary, and seven days after TCZ started. Disease course of the patients was grouped as severe or critical, according to their clinical, laboratory and radiologic evaluations. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were included: 70% were male; the median age was 64 years (minimum-maximum: 27-94); and six (14%) patients died. The median duration of oxygen support before the onset of TCZ was shorter among the severe patient group than the critical patient group (1 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001). Three cases of 21 (14%) who received TCZ in the ward were transferred to ICU, and none of them died. The levels of IL-6, CRP, ferritin, d-dimer, and procalcitonin were significantly lower in the severe cases group than the critical cases group (p = 0.025, p = 0.002, p = 0.008, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Radiological improvement was observed in severe cases on the seventh day of TCZ. Secondary bacterial infection was detected in 41% of critical cases, but none of the severe ones. CONCLUSION: Earlier use of TCZ in COVID-19 infection was beneficial for survival, length of hospitalization and duration of oxygen support. The recommendation for administration of TCZ was based on an increase in requirement of oxygen support, progression in thoracic CT, and elevation of inflammation markers, including IL-6, CRP, ferritin, and d-dimer, and decrease in % lymphocytes.