Mortality predictors of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the causes of both community and healthcare-associated bacteremia. The attributable mortality of S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) is still higher and predictors for mortality and clinical outcomes of this condition are need to be clarified. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to examine the predictive factors for mortality in patients with SAB in eight Turkish tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: Adult patients with signs and symptoms of bacteremia with positive blood cultures for S. aureus were included. All data for episodes of SAB including demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, antibiotics, and outcome were recorded for a 3-year (2010-2012) period. Cox proportional hazard model with forward selection was used to assess the independent effect of risk factors on mortality. A 28-day mortality was the dependent variable in the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 255 episodes of SAB were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 59 years. Fifty-five percent of the episodes were considered as primary SAB and vascular catheter was the source of 42.1 %. Healthcare associated SAB was defined in 55.7 %. Blood cultures yielded methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) as a cause of SAB in 39.2 %. Initial empirical therapy was inappropriate in 28.2 %. Although overall mortality was observed in 52 (20.4 %), 28-day mortality rate was 15.3 %. Both the numbers of initial inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment and the median hours to start an appropriate antibiotic between the cases of fatal outcome and survivors after fever onset were found to be similar (12/39 vs 60/216 and 6 vs 12 h, respectively; p > 0.05). High Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score (p = 0.002), MRSA (p = 0.017), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p < 0.001) and prior exposure to antibiotics (p = 0.002) all were significantly associated with mortality. The Cox analysis defined age [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.03; p = 0.023], ICU admission (HR 6.9; p = 0.002), and high CCI score (HR 1.32; p = 0.002) as the independent predictive factors mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study showed that age, ICU stay and high CCI score of a patient were the independent predictors of mortality and MRSA was also significantly associated with mortality in SAB.

Gastrointestinal PCR panel results and antibiotic use in acute gastroenteritis cases: How appropriate are we in our usage?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the pathogens detected by the Gastrointestinal (GI) PCR panel in patients with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), the evaluation of antibiotic use in these patients, and the investigation of the role of laboratory parameters in differentiating viral and bacterial etiologies. METHODS: The demographic characteristics, GI PCR panel results, laboratory investigations, antibiotic usage, and appropriateness of antibiotic treatment were investigated in AGE patients. RESULTS: A total of 175 adult patients with AGE and GI PCR panel results were included in the study. The most common pathogens were EPEC (24.6%) and C. difficile (18.3%). Among the 102 patients receiving antibiotic treatment, 34.3% were evaluated as inappropriate antibiotic use. WBC, CRP, procalcitonin, CRP/albumin ratio, and procalcitonin/albumin ratio were found to be significantly higher in cases with bacterial origin. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of GI PCR panels in AGE patients has revolutionized the field of diagnostics by providing rapid and accurate identification of pathogens. In units without the possibility of GI PCR testing, CRP, procalcitonin, CRP/albumin ratio and procalcitonin/albumin ratio may be useful in the decision of antibiotic treatment.

[Evaluation of Candida colonization in intensive care unit patients and the use of Candida colonization index]. / Yogun bakim ünitesinde yatan hastalarda Candida kolonizasyonunun degerlendirilmesi ve kolonizasyon indeksinin kullanilmasi

Parallel to the developments in the field of diagnosis and treatment, an increase in the incidence of fungal infections and the number of patients who are in the risk group for the development of opportunistic fungal infections have been observed in the recent years. Among the hospitalized patients, those most at risk in terms of fungal infections are intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The rate of Candida colonization of mucous membranes in hospitalized patients may reach to 80%, and this may predispose to the establishment of severe infections especially in patients under risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of Candida colonization and to use Candida colonization index in the intensive care unit patients in Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. A total of 100 adult patients (46 female, 54 male; age range: 18-93 years, mean age: 65.28 ± 17.53 years) who were hospitalized for ≥ 7 days in the neurology (n= 56), anesthesia-reanimation (n= 24) and neurosurgery (n= 20) intensive care units between September 2008 to February 2009, were included in the study. Throat, nose, skin (axilla), urine, rectal swab cultures and additionally when necessary tracheal aspirates, drain and central vascular catheter cultures were taken weekly from each patient. Candida colonies were identified by using germ tube test, CHROMagar Candida Medium (Becton Dickinson, Germany) and ID 32 C (BioMeriux, France) yeast identification kit. Candida colonization index (CI) was calculated for each patient, and CI was defined as the ratio of the number of culture-positive distinct body sites to the total number of body sites cultured. Patients with CI > 0.2 were considered as Candida colonized. In our study, Candida colonization was found in 42 of 100 (42%) patients, of them 8 were heavily colonized (CI ≥ 0.50), and 34 were slightly colonized (C I < 0.50). The highest Candida colonization was detected in throat, urine and rectal swab samples, while none of the tracheal aspirate samples yielded Candida spp. growth. Invasive Candida infections subsequently developed in 21.4% (9/42) of the colonized patients, namely candidemia in five and Candida associated urinary tract infections in four cases. Our data indicated that, the number of colonized patients were higher in the surgical (anesthesia-reanimation and neurosurgery) intensive care units (p< 0.05), in patients staying in the ICU for longer periods (p= 0.000) and in patients with higher number of application of invasive instruments (p< 0.05) compared to those of non-colonized cases. Additionally Candida colonization emerged more often in patients with bacterial sepsis and in those exposed to broad spectrum antibiotics (p< 0.05). Use of broad spectrum antibiotics in the ICU, length of stay in the ICU and having central venous catheter were found as independent risk factors for Candida colonization. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of colonization index for the detection of developing Candida infections in colonized patients were estimated as 100%, 64%, 21% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, Candida colonization and Candida colonization index may be used as useful parameters to predict invasive Candida infections.

Evaluation of the implementation of WHO infection prevention and control core components in Turkish health care facilities: results from a WHO infection prevention and control assessment framework (IPCAF)-based survey.

BACKGROUND: The core components (CCs) of infection prevention and control (IPC) from World Health Organization (WHO) are crucial for the safety and quality of health care. Our objective was to examine the level of implementation of WHO infection prevention and control core components (IPC CC) in a developing country. We also aimed to evaluate health care-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in intensive care units (ICUs) in association with implemented IPC CCs. METHODS: Members of the Turkish Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialization Association (EKMUD) were invited to the study via e-mail. Volunteer members of any healt care facilities (HCFs) participated in the study. The investigating doctor of each HCF filled out a questionnaire to collect data on IPC implementations, including the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) and HAIs/AMR in ICUs in 2021. RESULTS: A total of 68 HCFs from seven regions in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participated while 85% of these were tertiary care hospitals. Fifty (73.5%) HCFs had advanced IPC level, whereas 16 (23.5%) of the 68 hospitals had intermediate IPC levels. The hospitals' median (IQR) IPCAF score was 668.8 (125.0) points. Workload, staffing and occupancy (CC7; median 70 points) and multimodal strategies (CC5; median 75 points) had the lowest scores. The limited number of nurses were the most important problems. Hospitals with a bed capacity of > 1000 beds had higher rates of HAIs. Certified IPC specialists, frequent feedback, and enough nurses reduced HAIs. The most common HAIs were central line-associated blood stream infections. Most HAIs were caused by gram negative bacteria, which have a high AMR. CONCLUSIONS: Most HCFs had an advanced level of IPC implementation, for which staffing was an important driver. To further improve care quality and ensure everyone has access to safe care, it is a key element to have enough staff, the availability of certified IPC specialists, and frequent feedback. Although there is a significant decrease in HAI rates compared to previous years, HAI rates are still high and AMR is an important problem. Increasing nurses and reducing workload can prevent HAIs and AMR. Nationwide "Antibiotic Stewardship Programme" should be initiated.

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory predictors of fatality in patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in a tertiary care hospital in Turkey.

The fatality rate of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease has been reported as 5.4-80%. In this prospective study our aim was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory predictors of fatality in patients with CCHF. Among probable CCHF patients admitted to our clinic between 2005 and 2008, patients with positive IgM antibodies and/or polymerase chain reaction for CCHF virus were included in the study. To determine the predictors of fatality, we compared epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of the fatal cases with survivors. Ninety-three confirmed CCHF patients were included in the study; 56 (60.2%) of them were female. Mean patient age was 48.4+/-17.7 y and mean hospital stay was 7.9+/-3.0 days. Five patients died (5.4%). The rates of haemorrhage, diarrhoea and confusion were higher in fatal cases compared with non-fatal cases (p<0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein levels were higher in fatal cases; the international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were longer and mean platelet counts were lower (p<0.05). By multivariate analysis, diarrhoea, melena, haematemesis, haematuria, elevated ALT and LDH, and prolongation of aPTT were independent clinical and laboratory predictors associated with fatality. We suggest that for patients who have diarrhoea, melena, haematemesis, haematuria, elevated AST and LDH, and a prolonged aPTT, physicians should be aware of the high fatality risk.

Analysis of epidemiology and risk factors for mortality in ventilator-associated pneumonia attacks in intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics, the causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and the prognostic risk factors for mortality in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, all the critically ill patients with VAP hospitalized in a medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2010 and June 2015 were evaluated. Patients' demographic features and microbiological data were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were clinically diagnosed with VAP; 51.1% of them were male and the average age was found as 69.9 ± 15.9 years. VAP was detected at approximately 25.0 ± 18.0 days of ICU stay and 17.9 ± 12.6 days after intubation. Acinetobacter baumannii (69.5%) was isolated as the most frequent VAP agent, and the most effective antibiotic was colistin. The crude mortality rate was detected as 39.8% among the patients. The presence of dyspnea at admission, coronary heart disease as a comorbidity, unconsciousness at admission, steroid usage, and prolonged hospital stay were observed as independent risk factors in multivariate analysis (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: According to the etiological microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, colistin was found to be the most reliable antibiotic for empirical antimicrobial therapy.

Evaluation of the clinical presentations in neurobrucellosis.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a multisystem disease that may present with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and complications. Neurobrucellosis is one of the complications. METHODS: In this study, we describe our experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and the final outcomes of 20 patients with neurobrucellosis out of 305 patients with brucellosis, within a five-year period between January 1999 and June 2004. RESULTS: The rate of neurobrucellosis was 6.6%. Twelve males and eight females with a mean age of 37.4 years were investigated. Fever, headache, confusion, and gait disorders were the main complaints. The duration of their complaints varied between one week and six months. On physical examination, 13 patients had fever, six had neck stiffness and confusion, three had motor deficit on either their upper or lower extremities, and four of them had diplopia. The Rose-Bengal test and standard tube agglutination tests were positive in all of the patients. Brucella melitensis was isolated from the blood of six of the 20 (30%) patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analyzed in 18 patients. Pleocytosis with a mean value of 244x10(6)cells/L, and high protein levels were detected in all. A low glucose level in the CSF was detected in ten patients. Patients were treated medically and a complete resolution was achieved in all. CONCLUSION: Patients with a Brucella infection occasionally manifest central nervous system involvement. Clinicians, especially serving in endemic areas or serving patients coming from endemic areas should consider the likelihood of neurobrucellosis in the patients with unexplained neurological and psychiatric symptoms, and should perform the necessary tests on blood and CSF.

[Comparison of the diagnostic value of blood and bone marrow cultures in brucellosis]. / Brusellozda kan ve kemik iligi kültürlerinin tani degerinin karsilastirilmasi.

The aim of this study was to compare the rates of brucellosis revealed by blood and bone marrow (BM) cultures obtained from patients followed up in our hospital, between 2002-2004 period. A total of 102 patients (62 male, 40 female; mean age: 39 +/- 5 years) were included to the study and 61 of them were in acute, 29 were in subacute, and 12 were in chronic stages of brucellosis. Blood and BM samples collected from all of the hospitalized patients were cultured by using the BACTEC 9050 system. The mean isolation period for BM cultures was 4.2 days, whereas it was 5.8 days for blood cultures. Overall the rate of positive blood cultures in brucellosis cases was found as 48% (n: 49), while the rate was was 34% (n: 35) for BM cultures, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Blood and BM culture positive results were detected in 40 (66%) and 28 (46%) of acute brucellosis cases, respectively. BM culture positive 23 samples yielded positive blood culture, while five were negative. These rates were found as 31% (n: 9), and 21% (n: 6) for subacute acute brucellosis cases, respectively. On the other hand Brucella spp. could not be isolated from blood cultures of 12 chronic cases, however, one (8%) was positive for BM culture. The patients were grouped according to their standard tube agglutination (STA) test results (group 1: 1/160-1/640, group 2: 1/1280-1/2560 STA titers), and when comparing these groups for their positive blood and BM culture results, the high rate in group 2 was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Nineteen (70%) of 27 patients who had previously received specific brucellosis therapy were positive for blood and/or BM cultures, indicating insufficient use of antibiotics, or the use of inappropriate antibiotic combinations. It was concluded that, since the rate of positive blood cultures were low in especially chronic brucellosis cases, bone marrow cultures should be obtained for the definite evaluation of these patients.

A long-term survey of brucellosis: Is there any marker to predict the complicated cases?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to find markers to predict complicated cases in brucellosis. Patients with and without complications were compared in terms of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory properties. METHODS: A total of 700 patients hospitalised at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of a total of 700 patients, 383 (54.7%) were male and mean age was 41.5 ± 17.0 years. Of the patients, 517 (73.8%) were classified as acute cases. Complications occurred significantly less frequently in acute infections (p < 0.001). Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) occurred more frequently in patients with complicated cases (p = 0.005 and 0.021, respectively), whereas malaise, myalgia and blood culture positivity occurred significantly less frequently in those cases (p < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). Fever at examination, loss of malaise and myalgia and blood culture negativity were statistically significant predictive factors for complicated patients in multivariate analysis (p < 0.001, for each). As compared to patients without orchitis, leukocytosis occurred more often in cases with orchitis (p < 0.001); leukopenia occurred more often in neurobrucellosis than in cases without neurobrucellosis (p = 0.008). Of patients who attended control regularly, 422 (98%) were treated successfully. All of the nine patients who did not recover fully were cases with osteoarticular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Fever was the most significant predictive marker of complications. Other classical symptoms of brucellosis like myalgia and malaise were absent in most of the complicated cases. Blood culture was of limited value in the diagnosis of complicated cases most of the time.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: Prognostic Factors and the Association of Leukocyte Counts with Mortality.

We aimed to determine the relationship between leukocyte counts and the survival of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a life-threatening illness. This is the first study to do so. A total of 220 patients with CCHF were evaluated retrospectively. The mortality rate was 16.4%. Analysis of the relationship between leukocyte counts and mortality rates provided insight into the pathogenesis of CCHF. Receiving operating curve analysis revealed that leukocyte counts ≥2,950/mm(3) on the day of admission predicted mortality rate with 62.1% sensitivity. The mean hospitalization stay in patients with fatal disease was 4.3 days; therefore, leukocyte counts were compared on the day of admission and day 3 of the hospital stay. Increases in neutrophil levels and decreases in lymphocyte and monocyte levels were identified as significant risk factors for mortality (P = 0.01, 0.037, and 0.001, respectively). The mortality risk was 7-12 fold higher in patients whose levels of leukocytes (2,950 µL), lactate dehydrogenase (967.5 U/L), and alanine aminotransferase (>119.5 U/L) and activated partial thromboplastin time (42.4 s) exceeded the cut-off values; these were identified as independent predictors of mortality. Depletion of monocytes and lymphocytes and accumulation of neutrophils correlated with poor outcome. These results highlight the importance of the mononuclear immune response for the survival of patients with CCHF.

Investigating the in vitro synergistic activities of several antibiotic combinationsagainst carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infectious agents worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro synergistic activities of several antibiotic combinations against carbapenem-resistant (CR) A. baumannii isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen CR A. baumannii strains were isolated from the patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit between June 2012 and August 2012. The in vitro effects of single and binary combinations of meropenem (MEM), colistin (CST), tigecycline (TGC), and sulbactam (SUL) on these isolates were determined using the Epsilometer test (E-test) method. RESULTS: All 18 isolates were resistant to MEM and SUL and susceptible to CST. TGC was detected as susceptible in two of the isolates and intermediate susceptibility results were observed in the remaining isolates. With MEM-CST and MEM-TGC combinations, synergism was determined against all isolates. The synergistic and/or additive effect ratios were detected in MEM-SUL, CST-SUL, TGC-SUL, and CST-TGC combinations as 16.7%, 38.9%, 16.7%, and 5.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among the tested antimicrobial combinations, the in vitro combination of MEM with TGC or CST was most effective against the CR A. baumannii strains.

Does the course of laboratory parameters help us to predict the outcome of CCHF?

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study was performed to identify the characteristics distinguishing fatal and nonfatal cases of patients diagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 92 patients with confirmed diagnosis of CCHF in 2009-2013 were included in the study. RESULTS: A high level of urea and aPTT on the third day of hospital stay, diarrhea, somnolence, and the interval from the beginning of the symptoms to hospital admission were independently associated with fatality. Each 10-unit increase in aPTT and urea levels increased the fatality rate by 3.379-fold and 1.236-fold, respectively. Delay in hospital admission increased the fatality rate 1.453-fold for each day of delay. When comparing first and third admission-day laboratory values, the increase in leukocyte counts and the decrease in CPK, urea, creatinine, aPTT, PT, INR, and hemoglobin levels were significant in nonfatal cases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the course of these laboratory tests helps us to predict the outcome of the disease. In a few days of hospitalization, persistence or progress of the abnormal laboratory parameters may warn us about poor prognosis.

Emergence of multidrug resistant isolates and mortality predictors in patients with solid tumors or hematological malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Infections are an important preventable cause of death in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the epidemiologic characteristics and resistance patterns of causative isolates and mortality predictors in infections of cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: Patients with sterile site infections were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. Etiological agents, antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolates, and possible risk factors for mortality were recorded. Survivors and non-survivors on day 30 after each infection onset were compared to identify the predictors of mortality. RESULTS: A total of 205 infection episodes of 132 patients were included in this study. Of them, 75% had hematologic malignancies and 25% had solid tumors. Febrile neutropenia was diagnosed in 61.5%. Bloodstream infections were the most frequent infection (78%). The majority of the pathogens were Enterobacteriaceae (44.3%) and nonfermentative isolates (17.6%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections were responsible for 40% of the episodes. The mortality rate was 23.4%. Inadequate initial antibiotic treatment (OR = 4.04, 95% CI = 1.80-9.05, p = 0.001), prolonged neutropenia (> 7 days) before infection (OR = 3.61, 95% CI = 1.48-8.80, p = 0.005), infection due to Klebsiella species (OR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.31-10.7, p = 0.013), and Acinetobacter baumannii (OR = 5.00, 95% CI = 1.38-18.2, p = 0.014) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-negative isolates were found to be the predominant pathogens with higher mortality rates. Local epidemiological data should be taken into account when administering empirical therapy since the inadequacy of initial antibiotherapy is associated with a poor outcome.

A case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever complicated with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease characterized by nonspecific symptoms like fever, myalgia, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It can result in various complications during the course of the disease due to the diffuse endothelial injury involved in the pathogenesis of CCHF. OBJECTIVES: Here we present a patient with CCHF complicated by acute pancreatitis, including pleural and intra-abdominal effusions. CASE REPORT: A 70-year-old patient was referred to our hospital from an endemic area with the suspicion of CCHF. The physical examination of the patient revealed high fever (38°C), somnolence, and petechial eruption. The diagnosis of case was confirmed with positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The viral load of the patient was 4×10(9) copies/mL. On the fifth day of admission, upper abdominal pain, scleral ichter, and abdominal distention developed. The patient had abdominal tenderness with guarding. The laboratory tests revealed an amylase level of 1740 U/L (28-100), lipase level of 583 U/L (13-60), and total bilirubin level of 3.75 mg/dL (<0.3). The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was confirmed with radiological findings. CONCLUSIONS: Until now, atypical presentations of CCHF have been reported in some case reports, but not acute pancreatitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of acute pancreatitis in the literature seen in the course of CCHF.

Epididymoorchitis due to brucellosis in central Anatolia, Turkey.

Brucellosis may involve many organs and tissues. Epididymoorchitis is a focal genitourinary complication of human brucellosis. In this study, we describe our experience with the diagnosis, treatment, and final outcomes of 17 patients with epididymoorchitis out of 186 male patients with brucellosis between March 1999 and December 2003. The rate of epididymoorchitisdue to brucellosiswas 9.1%. All subjects complained about swollen, painful testicles. The duration of their complaint varied between 1 week and 2 months. Both testis and epididymis were involved in 15 patients and 2 had bilateral involvement. The patients were treated with medical treatment and a complete resolution was achieved in all of them. Patients with Brucella infection occasionally manifest genitourinary complications. Clinicians, especially those serving in endemic areas or serving patients coming from endemic areas, should consider the likelihood of brucellosis as a cause of epididymoorchitis.