Dialysis Water Supply Faucet as Reservoir for Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

During June 2017-November 2019, a total 36 patients with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona-integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase were identified in a city in western Texas, USA. A faucet contaminated with the organism, identified through environmental sampling, in a specialty care room was the likely source for infection in a subset of patients.

Rapid Assessment and Containment of Candida auris Transmission in Postacute Care Settings-Orange County, California, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, can spread rapidly in ventilator-capable skilled-nursing facilities (vSNFs) and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). In 2018, a laboratory serving LTACHs in southern California began identifying species of Candida that were detected in urine specimens to enhance surveillance of C auris, and C auris was identified in February 2019 in a patient in an Orange County (OC), California, LTACH. Further investigation identified C auris at 3 associated facilities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of C auris and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in LTACHs and vSNFs in OC. DESIGN: Point prevalence surveys (PPSs), postdischarge testing for C auris detection, and assessments of IPC were done from March to October 2019. SETTING: All LTACHs (n = 3) and vSNFs (n = 14) serving adult patients in OC. PARTICIPANTS: Current or recent patients in LTACHs and vSNFs in OC. INTERVENTION: In facilities where C auris was detected, PPSs were repeated every 2 weeks. Ongoing IPC support was provided. MEASUREMENTS: Antifungal susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing to assess isolate relatedness. RESULTS: Initial PPSs at 17 facilities identified 44 additional patients with C auris in 3 (100%) LTACHs and 6 (43%) vSNFs, with the first bloodstream infection reported in May 2019. By October 2019, a total of 182 patients with C auris were identified by serial PPSs and discharge testing. Of 81 isolates that were sequenced, all were clade III and highly related. Assessments of IPC identified gaps in hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and environmental cleaning. The outbreak was contained to 2 facilities by October 2019. LIMITATION: Acute care hospitals were not assessed, and IPC improvements over time could not be rigorously evaluated. CONCLUSION: Enhanced laboratory surveillance and prompt investigation with IPC support enabled swift identification and containment of C auris. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Candida auris Outbreak in a COVID-19 Specialty Care Unit - Florida, July-August 2020.

In July 2020, the Florida Department of Health was alerted to three Candida auris bloodstream infections and one urinary tract infection in four patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who received care in the same dedicated COVID-19 unit of an acute care hospital (hospital A). C. auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infection. Its ability to colonize patients asymptomatically and persist on surfaces has contributed to previous C. auris outbreaks in health care settings (1-7). Since the first C. auris case was identified in Florida in 2017, aggressive measures have been implemented to limit spread, including contact tracing and screening upon detection of a new case. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital A conducted admission screening for C. auris and admitted colonized patients to a separate dedicated ward.

Malaria Diagnostic Practices in U.S. Laboratories in 2017.

In the United States, the gold standard for malaria diagnosis is microscopic blood smear examination. Because malaria is not endemic in the United States, diagnostic capabilities may be limited, causing delays in diagnosis and increased morbidity and mortality. A survey of the malaria diagnostic practices of U.S. laboratories was conducted from June to July 2017; members of the American Society for Microbiology's listserv received a questionnaire inquiring about malaria diagnostic test availability, techniques, and reporting. Results were assessed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines for malaria diagnostics. After excluding incomplete and duplicate responses, responses representing 175 laboratories were included. Most labs (99%) received at least one specimen annually for malaria diagnosis, and 31% reported receiving only 1 to 10 specimens. The majority (74%) diagnosed five or fewer cases of malaria per year. Most (90%) performed blood smears on-site. Two-thirds (70%) provided initial blood smear results within 4 h. Although diagnostic testing for malaria was available 24/7 at 74% (141) of responding laboratories, only 12% (17) met criteria for analysis and reporting of malaria testing, significantly more than reported in a similar survey in 2010 (3%; P < 0.05). The majority of laboratories surveyed had the capability for timely diagnosis of malaria; few comply with CLSI guidelines. Inexperience may factor into this noncompliance; many laboratories see few to no cases of malaria per year. Although reported adherence to CLSI guidelines was higher than in 2010, there is a need to further improve laboratory compliance with recommendations.

Clusters of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms in US health care facilities during the initial months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms (eMDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida auris, have been reported among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. We describe eMDRO clusters in SARS-CoV-2 units and associated infection control (IC) practices early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective survey of a convenience sample of health departments in 11 states to describe clusters of eMDROs that began before November 1, 2020 and involved SARS-CoV-2 units. Cluster characteristics and IC practices during the cluster period were assessed using a standardized outbreak report form, and descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 18 eMDRO clusters (10 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, 6 C auris, 1 carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 carbapenem-resistant A baumannii) in 18 health care facilities involving 397 patients were reported from 10 states. During the cluster period, 60% of facilities reported a shortage of isolation gowns, 69% extended use of gowns, and 67% reported difficulty obtaining preferred disinfectants. Reduced frequency of hand hygiene audits was reported in 85% of acute care hospitals during the cluster period compared with before the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in IC practices and supply shortages were identified in facilities with eMDRO outbreaks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and might have contributed to eMDRO transmission.

A Review of Pediatric Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections Reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network: United States, 2016-2022.

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections in pediatrics. Children's hospital CLABSI standardized infection ratios decreased when comparing 2016-2019 (-26%, 95% CI [-31%, -20%]), and increased from 2019 to 2022 (18%, 95% CI [9%, 26%]). Resilient pediatric CLABSI prevention initiatives are needed.

Mycobacterium chimaera infections among cardiothoracic surgery patients associated with heater-cooler devices-Kansas and California, 2019.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, an international outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera infections among patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgeries was associated with exposure to contaminated LivaNova 3T heater-cooler devices (HCDs). From June 2017 to October 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of 18 patients with M. chimaera infections who had undergone cardiothoracic surgeries at 2 hospitals in Kansas (14 patients) and California (4 patients); 17 had exposure to 3T HCDs. Whole-genome sequencing of the clinical and environmental isolates matched the global outbreak strain identified in 2015. METHODS: Investigations were conducted at each hospital to determine the cause of ongoing infections. Investigative methods included query of microbiologic records to identify additional cases, medical chart review, observations of operating room setup, HCD use and maintenance practices, and collection of HCD and environmental samples. RESULTS: Onsite observations identified deviations in the positioning and maintenance of the 3T HCDs from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations and the manufacturer's updated cleaning and disinfection protocols. Additionally, most 3T HCDs had not undergone the recommended vacuum and sealing upgrades by the manufacturer to decrease the dispersal of M. chimaera-containing aerosols into the operating room, despite hospital requests to the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for continued awareness of the risk of M. chimaera infections associated with 3T HCDs, even if the devices are newly manufactured. Hospitals should maintain vigilance in adhering to FDA recommendations and the manufacturer's protocols and in identifying patients with potential M. chimaera infections with exposure to these devices.

Remote Infection Control Assessments of US Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic, April to June 2020.

BACKGROUND: Nursing homes (NHs) provide care in a congregate setting for residents at high risk of severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In spring 2020, NHs were implementing new guidance to minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread among residents and staff. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether telephone and video-based infection control assessment and response (TeleICAR) strategies could efficiently assess NH preparedness and help resolve gaps. DESIGN: We incorporated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidance for NH into an assessment tool covering 6 domains: visitor restrictions; health care personnel COVID-19 training; resident education, monitoring, screening, and cohorting; personal protective equipment supply; core infection prevention and control (IPC); and communication to public health. We performed TeleICAR consultations on behalf of health departments. Adherence to each element was documented and recommendations provided to the facility. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Health department-referred NHs that agreed to TeleICAR consultation. METHODS: We assessed overall numbers and proportions of NH that had not implemented each infection control element (gap) and proportion of NH that reported making ≥1 change in practice following the assessment. RESULTS: During April 13 to June 12, 2020, we completed TeleICAR consultations in 629 NHs across 19 states. Overall, 524 (83%) had ≥1 implementation gap identified; the median number of gaps was 2 (interquartile range: 1-4). The domains with the greatest number of facilities with gaps were core IPC practices (428/625; 68%) and COVID-19 education, monitoring, screening, and cohorting of residents (291/620; 47%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: TeleICAR was an alternative to onsite infection control assessments that enabled public health to efficiently reach NHs across the United States early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessments identified widespread gaps in core IPC practices that put residents and staff at risk of infection. TeleICAR is an important strategy that leverages infection control expertise and can be useful in future efforts to improve NH IPC.

Urinary Tract Infections With Extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing Bacteria: Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections among infants and young children with fever without a source. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) have emerged as emerging cause of UTI globally; however, data about risk factors and clinical features of children with ESBL-UTI have been scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe the predisposing risk factors, clinical and microbiologic features associated with pediatric UTIs caused by ESBL-producing bacteria (ESBL-PB). METHODS: Our nested case-control study ran from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. Pediatric patients with ESBL-PB UTI were compared with patients with non-ESBL-PB UTI matched for age and year of diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 720 children were enrolled (240 cases and 480 controls). Patients with ESBL-PB UTI were more likely to have a history of prior intensive care unit (ICU) admission (22.5% vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001), at least one underlying comorbidity (19.2% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.001), prior hospitalization (47.1% vs. 32.9%, P < 0.001), exposure to a cephalosporin antibiotic within 30 days before culture (7.5% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.035), and to have cystostomy (7.9% vs. 1.5%, P < 0.001) compared with those with non-ESBL-PB UTI. Patients with ESBL-PB UTI were more likely to present with hypothermia (48.8% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.009); had significantly longer average hospital stays {8.7 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.2-14.3] vs. 4.0 days (95% CI: 2.5-5.5)} and were more likely to be admitted to the ICU [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-2.9). Multivariate analysis determined that only having cystostomy (OR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.4-9.4] and at least one underlying comorbidity (OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3-4.3) were the independent risk factors for ESBL-PB UTI. All ESBL-PB isolates tested against meropenem were susceptible, majority were resistant to multiple non-beta-lactam antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Children with underlying comorbidities and cystostomy are at higher risk for ESBL-PB UTI, but majority of ESBL cases were patients without any known risk factors. Clinical signs/symptoms and commonly used biochemical markers were unreliable to differentiate cases caused by ESBL-PB from those caused by non-ESBL-PB. Further research is needed to elucidate the conditions most associated with ESBL-PB UTIs among children to properly guide empirical therapy in patients at-risk for these infections, to improve the outcomes, and finally, to determine strategies for rational antimicrobial use.