Molecular and epidemiological investigation of a colistin-resistant OXA-23-/NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in the Southwest Indian Ocean Area.

Dual resistance to colistin and carbapenems is a milestone reached by certain extensively-drug resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. This study describes the first outbreak of XDR colistin- and carbapenem-resistant OXA-23-/NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (CCRAB) in the European overseas territory of Reunion Island (France, Indian Ocean). Between April 2019 and June 2020, 13 patients admitted to the University Hospital of Reunion Island were involved in the outbreak, of whom eight were infected and six died. The first case was traced to a medical evacuation from Mayotte Island (Comoros archipelago). An epidemiological link could be established for 11 patients. All of the collected CCRAB isolates showed the same resistance profile and co-produced intrinsic ß-lactamases OXA-69 and ADC-191, together with acquired carbapenem-hydrolysing ß-lactamases OXA-23 and NDM-1. A mutation likely involved in colistin resistance was detected in the two-component system PmrAB (D82N in PmrA). All of the isolates were found to belong to STPas1/STOx231 clonal complex and were phylogenetically indistinguishable. Their further characterization by whole-genome sequence analyses (whole-genome multi-locus sequence typing, single nucleotide polymorphisms) provided hints about the transmission pathways. This study pleads for strict application of control and prevention measures in institutions where the risk of imported XDR bacteria is high.

Case Report: Refractory Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation due to Coinfection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and Leptospirosis in Reunion Island.

Infection with Leptospira spp. is common in Réunion, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. However, respiratory coinfections between strains of Leptospira spp. and other microorganisms are rarely described. Here, we describe the first reported case of coinfection between Leptospira spp. and Chlamydia pneumoniae, responsible for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a favorable outcome. In a case of leptospirosis with severe respiratory illness, testing for respiratory coinfection, especially with atypical pathogens, could explain the seriousness of the clinical condition and lead to specific treatment.

Emergency air evacuation of patients with acute respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 from Mayotte to Reunion Island.

ABSTRACT: In February 2021, an explosion of cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia overwhelmed the only hospital in Mayotte. To report a case series of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to SARS-CoV-2 who were evacuated by air from Mayotte to Reunion Island.This retrospective observational study evaluated all consecutive patients with ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 who were evacuated by air from Mayotte Hospital to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Félix Guyon University Hospital in Reunion Island between February 2, and March 5, 2021.A total of 43 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were evacuated by air, for a total flight time of 2 hours and a total travel time of 6 hours. Of these, 38 patients (88.4%) with a median age of 55 (46-65) years presented with ARF and were hospitalized in our ICU. Fifteen patients were screened for the SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 variant, all of whom tested positive. Thirteen patients (34.2%) developed an episode of severe hypoxemia during air transport, and the median paO2/FiO2 ratio was lower on ICU admission (140 [102-192] mmHg) than on departure (165 [150-200], P = .022). Factors associated with severe hypoxemia during air transport was lack of treatment with curare (P = .012) and lack of invasive mechanical ventilation (P = .003). Nine patients (23.7%) received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in our ICU. Seven deaths (18.4%) occurred in hospital.Emergency air evacuation of patients with ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 was associated with severe hypoxemia but remained feasible. In cases of ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 requiring emergency air evacuation, sedated patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and curare should be prioritized over nonintubated patients. It is noteworthy that patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia related to the 501Y.V2 variant were very severe despite their young age.

Clinical, Radiological, and Microbiological Characteristics of Mycobacterium simiae Infection in 97 Patients.

Mycobacterium simiae is a rare species of slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). From 2002 to 2017, we conducted a retrospective study that included all patients with NTM-positive respiratory samples detected in two university hospitals of the French overseas department of Reunion Island. We recorded the prevalence of M. simiae in this cohort, as well as the clinical, radiological, and microbiological features of patients with at least 1 sample positive for M. simiae In our cohort, 97 patients (15.1%) were positive for M. simiae Twenty-one patients (21.6%) met the American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for infection. M. simiae infection was associated with bronchiectasis, micronodular lesions, and weight loss. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed for 60 patients, and the isolates were found to have low susceptibility to antibiotics, except for amikacin, fluoroquinolones, and clarithromycin. Treatment failed for 4 of the 8 patients treated for M. simiae infection. Here, we describe a specific cluster corresponding to a large cohort of patients with M. simiae, a rare nontuberculous mycobacterium associated with low pathogenicity and poor susceptibility to antibiotics.

Assessment of the National French recommendations regarding the dosing regimen of 8mg/kg of gentamicin in patients hospitalised in intensive care units.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) guidelines concerning the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of gentamicin when using a loading dose of 8mg/kg administered in patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study conducted in one ICU. RESULTS: During the study period, 34 patients with a median simplified acute physiology score 2 of 54 [44-70] received a median dose of 8 [7.9-8.1] mg/kg of gentamicin. The median Cmax was 17.5 [15.4-20.7] mg/L and no patient had a Cmax>30mg/L. Twenty-four of 34 patients (71%) had a Cmax>16mg/L. Following multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with Cmax<16mg/L was a positive fluid balance 24hours before gentamicin administration (per 1000mL increment) (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.18-0.77, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a Cmax>30mg/L [which corresponds to approximately 8 times the minimal inhibiting concentrations (MIC) breakpoints for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae with intermediate sensitivity] of gentamicin as recommended by ANSM guidelines seems impossible to obtain with a loading dose of 8mg/kg in the ICU. A loading dose of 8mg/kg should probably not be used in the empiric antibiotic treatment of infection due to non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli and Enterobacteriaceae with intermediate sensitivity whose MIC breakpoint is 4mg/L. A Cmax>16mg/L was not reached in almost 30% of patients, particularly in the group with a positive fluid balance who require higher doses than currently recommended.