Evolution of the environmental microbiota of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and implications for infection prevention and control.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in the environmental microbiota of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and potential implications for infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A newly constructed level IV neonatal cardiac intensive care unit (NCICU) before and after patient introduction and the original NICU prior to patient transfer. METHODS: Environmental samples were obtained from the original NICU prior to patient transfer to a new NCICU. Serial sampling of patient rooms and provider areas of the new NICU was conducted immediately prior to patient introduction and over an 11-month study period. Microbiota at each sampling point were characterized using Illumina sequencing of the V3/V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Microbiota characteristics (α and ß diversity and differential abundance) were compared based on time, location, and clinical factors (room-level antibiotic use and patient turnover). RESULTS: An immediate increase in the environmental differential abundance of gut anaerobes were seen after patient introduction. There was an increase in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, and Streptococcus spp over time. The new NCICU consistently showed more diverse microbiota and remained distinct from the original NICU. The microbiota of the provider areas of the NCICU eventually formed a cluster separate from the patient rooms. Patient turnover increased room-level microbiota diversity. CONCLUSION: Microbiota characteristics of the new NICU were distinct from the original ICU despite housing similar patients. Patient and provider areas developed distinct microbiota profiles. Non-culture-based methods may be a useful adjunct to current IPC practice.

Relationship Between Dietary Fiber Intake and Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Producing Bacteria During Critical Illness: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber increases short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria yet is often withheld in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study evaluated the safety and effect of fiber in ICU patients with gut microbiome sampling. METHODS: This was a retrospective study nested within a prospective cohort. Adults were included if newly admitted to the ICU and could receive oral nutrition, enteral feedings, or no nutrition. Rectal swabs were performed at admission and 72 hours later. The primary exposure was fiber intake over 72 hours, classified in tertiles and adjusted for energy intake. The primary outcome was the relative abundance (RA) of SCFA producers via 16S RNA sequencing and the tolerability of fiber. RESULTS: In 129 patients, median fiber intake was 13.4 g (interquartile range 0-35.4 g) over 72 hours. The high-fiber group had less abdominal distension (11% high fiber vs 28% no fiber, P < .01) and no increase in diarrhea (15% high fiber vs 13% no fiber, P = .94) or other adverse events. The median RA of SCFA producers after 72 hours was 0.40%, 0.50%, and 1.8% for the no-, low-, and high-fiber groups (P = .05 for trend). After correcting for energy intake, the median RA of SCFA producers was 0.41%, 0.32%, and 2.35% in the no-, low-, and high-corrected-fiber categories (P < .01). These associations remained significant after adjusting for clinical factors including antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: During the 72 hours after ICU admission, fiber was well tolerated, and higher fiber intake was associated with more SCFA-producers.

The impact of yoga in medically underserved populations: A mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the acceptability, access, and impact of yoga among participants in yoga classes co-located in community health centers. DESIGN: Participants were invited to complete a mixed-methods program evaluation consisting of a pre/post survey at their first class and structured interviews at 4 months. SETTING: The study took place at two community health centers on the South Side of Chicago, IL, USA. INTERVENTIONS: Four weekly 1-1.5 hour yoga classes were provided by four certified yoga instructors trained to teach to all ability levels. MEASURES: Our primary outcome measures were pain and stress before and after the first class, and at 4-months. We gathered data about participant demographics, their health problems, how they accessed the classes, and motivations and barriers to attending. We also extracted themes from participants' qualitative feedback about their experiences. RESULTS: Overall, 70 participants completed the initial surveys; 44 completed the 4-month interviews. A racially and ethnically diverse group of middle- and low-income adult patients and community members attended, with flyers and word of mouth the major routes to the class. A single yoga class provided statistically significant decreases in pain and stress, but these benefits were not demonstrated at the 4-month follow-up. The primary motivators for yoga class attendance were stress relief, exercise, and overall health improvement. Primary barriers included family issues, schedule, illness, and work conflicts. Primary benefits included physical benefits, relaxation, emotional benefits, and community connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: Co-locating yoga classes in community health centers provides a variety of benefits and is a viable pathway to addressing disparities in yoga access.

The Role of Genetics in Pancreatitis.

Individuals with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis may have an inherited predisposition to the development of the disease. Pancreatitis in the setting of a significant family history of the disease can be classified as hereditary or familial pancreatitis. In this article, the authors closely examine the specific genes implicated in pancreatitis, investigate the role of genetic testing for diagnosis, and describe the impact of genetic testing results on clinical management.

Pathogen colonization of the gastrointestinal microbiome at intensive care unit admission and risk for subsequent death or infection.

PURPOSE: Loss of colonization resistance within the gastrointestinal microbiome facilitates the expansion of pathogens and has been associated with death and infection in select populations. We tested whether gut microbiome features at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission predict death or infection. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of medical ICU adults. Rectal surveillance swabs were performed at admission, selectively cultured for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Patients were followed for 30 days for death or culture-proven bacterial infection. RESULTS: Of 301 patients, 123 (41%) developed culture-proven infections and 76 (25%) died. Fecal biodiversity (Shannon index) did not differ based on death or infection (p = 0.49). The presence of specific pathogens at ICU admission was associated with subsequent infection with the same organism for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and Clostridium difficile, and VRE at admission was associated with subsequent Enterococcus infection. In a multivariable model adjusting for severity of illness, VRE colonization and Enterococcus domination (≥ 30% 16S reads) were both associated with death or all-cause infection (aHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.00 and aHR 1.47, 95% CI 1.00-2.19, respectively); among patients without VRE colonization, Enterococcus domination was associated with excess risk of death or infection (aHR 2.13, 95% CI 1.06-4.29). CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcus status at ICU admission was associated with risk for death or all-cause infection, and rectal carriage of common ICU pathogens predicted specific infections. The gastrointestinal microbiome may have a role in risk stratification and early diagnosis of ICU infections.

Analysis and interrater reliability of pB-C2 using MRI and CT: data from the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium on behalf of the Pediatric Craniocervical Society.

OBJECTIVE The distance to the ventral dura, perpendicular to the basion to C2 line (pB-C2), is commonly employed as a measure describing the anatomy of the craniovertebral junction. However, both the reliability among observers and the clinical utility of this measurement in the context of Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) have been incompletely determined. METHODS Data were reviewed from the first 600 patients enrolled in the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium with CM-I and syringomyelia. Thirty-one cases were identified in which both CT and MRI studies were available for review. Three pediatric neurosurgeons independently determined pB-C2 values using common imaging sequences: MRI (T1-weighted and T2-weighted with and without the inclusion of retro-odontoid soft tissue) and CT. Values were compared and intraclass correlations were calculated among imaging modalities and observers. RESULTS Intraclass correlation of pB-C2 demonstrated strong agreement between observers (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] range 0.72-0.76). Measurement using T2-weighted MRI with the inclusion of retro-odontoid soft tissue showed no significant difference with measurement using T1-weighted MRI. Measurements using CT or T2-weighted MRI without retro-odontoid soft tissue differed by 1.6 mm (4.69 and 3.09 mm, respectively, p < 0.05) and were significantly shorter than those using the other 2 sequences. Conclusions pB-C2 can be measured reliably by multiple observers in the context of pediatric CM-I with syringomeyelia. Measurement using T2-weighted MRI excluding retro-odontoid soft tissue closely approximates the value obtained using CT, which may allow for the less frequent use of CT in this patient population. Measurement using T2-weighted MRI including retro-odontoid soft tissue or using T1-weighted MRI yields a more complete assessment of the extent of ventral brainstem compression, but its association with clinical outcomes requires further study.