Facklamia hominis bacteremia after transurethral resection of the prostate: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) is one of the most frequent routine procedures in urology. Because of the semisterile environment, postoperative infections, including sepsis, are a common complication, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus mirabilis or Enterococcus faecalis as frequently isolated pathogens. Facklamia hominis is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, alpha-hemolytic, catalase-negative coccus that was first described in 1997. To date, only a few cases of infectious complications have been described. We report the first case of postoperative bacteremia due to Facklamia hominis after TUR-P. CASE PRESENTATION: An 82-year-old man developed fever only a few hours after elective TUR-P because of benign prostate syndrome. After cultivation of blood cultures, antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone was intravenously administered and changed to oral cotrimoxazole before discharge of the afebrile patient. One anaerobic blood culture revealed Facklamia hominis. Under antibiotic therapy, the patient remained afebrile and showed no signs of infections during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Fever and bacteremia are frequent complications after TUR-P. This study is the first report of Facklamia hominis in a postoperative blood culture after TUR-P. To date, there are only a few reports of patients with infectious complications and isolation of Facklamia hominis in various patient samples. Because Facklamia hominis resembles viridans streptococci on blood agar analysis, this pathogen may often be misidentified. In this case identification of Facklamia hominis was possible with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. It has been postulated that Facklamia hominis might be a facultative pathogen and that its incidence will increase in the future.

Pediatric Febrile Neutropenia: Change in Etiology of Bacteremia, Empiric Choice of Therapy and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The optimal choice of initial antibiotic therapy for patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) in children is unclear and varies by the institution on the basis of local antibiograms and epidemiology of specific pathogens. The authors evaluated the appropriateness of antibiotics for the empiric treatment of FN in pediatric patients with cancer in our institution on the basis of changes in the epidemiology of organisms isolated from blood cultures (BCx). METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective medical record review of pediatric patients who received any oncology care (including patients with cancer and patients who had stem cell transplant) at University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospitals (March 2009 to December 2016) with a diagnosis of FN who had at least 1 BCx obtained. They reviewed pathogens isolated from BCx and determined whether they were pathogens or contaminants using the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines and the team's decision to treat. They investigated the microbiologic spectrum and susceptibility patterns of pathogens causing bacteremia in pediatric FN and whether the empiric therapy chosen may have affected clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 667 FN episodes were identified in 268 patients. BCx were negative in 497 (74.5%) and were determined to be contaminants in 27 (4%). In 143 episodes (21.5%), the BCx were positive for a pathogenic species. Polymicrobial bacteremia was identified in 25 episodes; a total of 176 pathogens were isolated. The majority of pathogens (95/176, 54%) were Gram-positive (GP), whereas 64 of 162 (36%) were Gram-negative (GN), 5 were fungal, and 4 were mycobacterial. The most common GP pathogens were viridans group streptococci (VGS) (n=34, 19.3%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=25, 14%), and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (n=12, 6.8%). Of aerobic GN bacilli, 15 (8.5%) were AmpC producers and 3 (1.7%) carried extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. There was no increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant GN isolates during the study period. Patients with VGS and multidrug-resistant GN bacteremia were more likely to be admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit [odds ratio (OR), 3.24; P=0.017; and OR, 2.8; P=0.07, respectively]. There were trends toward a higher prevalence of GP pathogens causing bacteremia and the emergence of VGS with decreased penicillin sensitivity. The prevalence of bacteremia with VGS was higher in acute myelogenous leukemia and neuroblastoma (OR, 2.3; P<0.01) than in patients with other solid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Empiric antibiotic treatment should be tailored to patients' risk for VGS and multidrug-resistant organisms. Individual hospitals should monitor the pathogens causing FN among patients with cancer to guide choice of empiric therapy.

Ethanol Lock Therapy Markedly Reduces Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections in Adults Requiring Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Retrospective Study From a Tertiary Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: The use of central venous catheter (CVC) access for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). There are limited data on the use of ethanol lock therapy (ELT) to prevent CRBSI in adult HPN patients. Our aim was to determine whether the routine institution of ELT decreased the incidence of CRBSI compared with historic controls at Emory University Hospital (EUH) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. METHODS: EUH medical records of adult HPN patients discharged with a tunneled, silicone CVC on ELT were retrospectively studied during a pre-hoc determined 14-month observation period (n = 87; 13,386 catheter days) and compared with clinically similar HPN patients from the same institution before institution of the ELT protocol for all appropriate patients. The ELT protocol involved instilling 2 mL of 70% ethanol into each catheter lumen daily after the HPN cycle, following initial flushing with normal saline. RESULTS: Only 5 of 87 patients (5.7%) who received ELT were diagnosed with a CRBSI (0.45/1000 catheter days) during observation. We compared these data with our previously published clinically matched patient population from EUH (n = 22) receiving HPN via a silicone CVC without ELT. Of these historical controls, 45.5% were diagnosed with 1 or more CRBSIs (8.7/1000 catheter days) during observation (P < .001 vs the current ELT cohort). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study with historical controls from the same academic center, institution of ELT in adults requiring HPN via a silicone CVC was associated with a marked (19-fold) reduction in CRBSI.

Gentamicin as Empirical Treatment in Hemodialysis Patients: Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics.

The aim of this study was to describe the safety profile and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters in end-stage renal disease patients who received gentamicin as empirical treatment in catheter-related bacteremia when they showed infection signs, regardless of the timing of the next HD. Patients received gentamicin 3 mg/kg before blood culture extraction when they showed infection signs and regardless of the timing of next hemodialysis session. Serum concentrations were collected after the gentamicin administration (peak level) and before the next HD (trough level). Toxicities and adverse drug events were registered. The main pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic goal for Gram-negative infections was peak:minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥10. Sixteen patients were included. Nephrotoxicity was not assessed in this population, and no ototoxicity was found. According to microbial isolation and gentamicin susceptibility, the value of peak:MIC was 5.4 ± 2.0. The administration of gentamicin in these conditions was safe. Estimated pharmacokinetic values were consistent with previous studies and appropriate according to peak:MIC goal for Gram-negative organisms with MIC ≤1 mg/L.

Are Probiotic Really Safe for Humans?

Probiotic bacteria have been used as a health-promoting factor for a very long time. Nowadays, products containing probiotic bacteria are becoming more and more popular on the market. The term probiotics refers to the products belonging to the following groups: probiotic drugs (medicinal products - live biotherapeutic products for human use), medical devices, probiotic foods (e.g. foods, food ingredients, dietary supplements or food for special medical purposes), directly fed microorganisms (for animal use) and designer probiotics (genetically modified probiotics). Safety assessment of bacterial strains used as probiotics should be carefully studied. Even though probiotic bacteria have the generally recognized as safe (GRAS status), there are several reports about side effects triggered by the presence of these organisms. Microorganisms used as probiotics may cause systemic infections, stimulate the immune system, disturb metabolism and participate in horizontal gene transfer.

The role of extended infusion ß-lactams in the treatment of bloodstream infections in patients with liver cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients with liver cirrhosis are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early appropriated antibiotic treatment is essential for the correct management of these patients. Areas covered: This review covers several aspects of how the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic behavior of antimicrobials may change in patients with liver cirrhosis. Common features of cirrhosis, including hypoproteinemia, third space expansion and impairment of renal function may alter drug distribution in patients receiving hydrophilic drugs like ß-lactams, which are often frontline agents. ß-lactams exhibit time-dependent pharmacodynamics and achieve maximal bacterial killing when serum drug and tissue concentrations exceed a multiple of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) during the dosing interval (%fT>MIC). Administration of ß-lactams by extended infusion strategies improves the rate of this pharmacodynamic target attainment and has been associated with improved outcomes in several randomized trials in critically-ill patients. Expert commentary: Observational studies have suggested that cirrhotic patients have improved outcomes when beta-lactam therapy is administered by extended or continuum infusion. Given the multiple pathophysiological features of liver cirrhosis that impact antimicrobial behavior and the high incidence of multidrug resistance in this population, additional studies are needed to understand how cirrhosis affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibacterial therapy.

Antibacterial prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin for patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma undergoing autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation: a quasi-experimental single-centre before-after study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study whether ciprofloxacin prophylaxis reduces infectious complications in patients undergoing autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental, retrospective, before-after study. We compared the incidence of bacterial-related complications among 356 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) (n = 202) and lymphoma (n = 154) who underwent AHCT with (n = 177) or without (n = 179) ciprofloxacin prophylaxis between 03/2007 and 10/2012 and between 10/2012 and 07/2016, respectively, at a single centre. RESULTS: Febrile neutropaenia, bacteraemia, and pneumonia were significantly more common among patients who underwent AHCT during the second study period and did not receive antibacterial prophylaxis compared with patients who underwent AHCT during the first study period and received antibacterial prophylaxis (89.9% (161/179) vs. 83.1% (147/177), difference 6.9%, 95% CI 0-14.1%, P = 0.002; 15.1% (27/179) vs. 4.5% (8/177), difference 10.6%, 95% CI 4.4-16.9%, p < 0.0001; 12.3% (22/179) vs. 6.2% (11/177), difference 6.1%, 95% CI 0-12.3%, p = 0.04, respectively). The number-needed-to-treat to prevent one episode of bacteraemia, pneumonia, and febrile neutropaenia was 8.6, 8.5, and 13.7, respectively. Patients with ciprofloxacin prophylaxis had higher rates of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteraemia (62.5% (5/8) vs. 18.5% (5/27), difference 44%, 95% CI 7-70%, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, ciprofloxacin prophylaxis significantly decreased the odds of bacteraemia (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07-0.52; p < 0.0001) and pneumonia (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.85, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: According to our single-centre experience, patients with MM and lymphoma undergoing AHCT may benefit from antibacterial prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin.

What should be the antibiotic prescription protocol for burn patients admitted in the department of burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery.

This is a prospective study with the aim to determine specific patterns of burn wound bacterial colonisation and antimicrobial resistance profiles. There is a high incidence of infections and septicaemia in post-burn patients, which, in turn, are associated with high morbidity and mortality, a fact that compelled us to undertake this study. The study was conducted over a period 11 months, from 1 August 2014 to 30 June 2015, in 50 burn patients admitted in our burn unit. Wound cultures were taken after 72 hours of admission from all the patients, and then, empirical systemic antibiotics were administered. For wound cultures; 1 cubic cm tissue was taken and placed in aerobic and anaerobic culture vials and transported to the microbiology lab under all aseptic precautions as soon as possible. At the time of fever any time after 72 hours of admission, 16 ml of blood was drawn under all aseptic precautions. Both aerobic and anaerobic blood culture vials were filled with 8 ml of blood each and transported to the microbiology lab. The results of culture and sensitivity reports of 50 patients were recorded. The data obtained was analysed using appropriate statistical analytical tests. The most common organism responsible for bacteraemia is Pseudomonas (43%). Most of the strains of organisms isolated were resistant to commonly used antibiotics in the hospital; Pseudomonas was found 100% resistant to a combination of ampicillin + sulbactum, ceftriaxone and was most often sensitive to imipenem, amikacin and vancomycin. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was also found resistant to commonly used antibiotics like ceftriaxone, ampicillin + sulbactum and ceftazidime + calvulanic acid. Linzolid and vancomycin were effective in 83% and 100% cases, respectively. We conclude that similar institution-specific studies should be conducted, and such studies will be helpful in providing useful guidelines for choosing effective empirical therapy that will have a great impact on the prevention of infection and its complications in burn patients because of bacteraemia.

Central venous catheter related bloodstream infections in adult patients on home parenteral nutrition: Prevalence, predictive factors, therapeutic outcome.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of central venous catheter (CVC)-related blood-stream infections (CRBSI), infecting agents and the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy were evaluated in 172 adult patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) at the Clinical Nutrition Outpatient Unit of Federico II University Hospital in Naples, Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 127 oncological (74%) and 45 (26%) non-oncological patients, for a total of 53,818 (median 104; range 14-1080) CVC days. RESULTS: Ninety-four CRBSIs were diagnosed on 238 CVC (infection rate 1.74/1000 CVC days). Coagulase negative (CoNs) Staphylococci were the most frequently infecting agents (52.8% as single agent) with 17.1% Staphylococcus epidermidis infections. Eighty-three percent S. epidermidis were beta-lattamase producer (BLACT), 66.6% methicillin-resistant (MR) and 55.5% had a MIC for Vancomicin ≥1. Gram-negative bacteria represented 18.6% infections, fungi 7.1%, finally 15% infections were polymicrobial. Previous catheterizations and the presence of an enterocutaneous stoma were significantly related with a higher infection risk (p < 0.0001 in both cases). CONCLUSIONS: CRBSI and antibiotic resistance of infecting agents remain an important challenge in adult patients on HPN; an active research on strategies to counteract the phenomena is required.

Atlanto-axial infection after acupuncture.

A 67-year-old man presented with neck cellulitis following acupuncture for cervical spondylosis. Blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Increased neck pain and bacteraemia prompted MRI, which showed atlanto-axial septic arthritis without signs of infection of the tissues between the superficial cellulitic area and the atlanto-axial joint, thus making direct extension of infection unlikely. It is more likely that haematogenous spread of infection resulted in seeding in the atlanto-axial joint, with the proximity of the arthritis and acupuncture site being coincidental. Acupuncture is a treatment option for some indolent pain conditions. As such, acupuncture services are likely to be more frequently utilised. A history of acupuncture is rarely requested by the admitting doctor and seldom offered voluntarily by the patient, especially where the site of infection due to haematogenous spread is distant from the needling location. Awareness of infectious complications following acupuncture can reduce morbidity through early intervention.

Comparative Effectiveness of Single versus Combination Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Infections after Transrectal Prostate Biopsy.

An increase in fluoroquinolone resistance and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate (TRUS) biopsy infections has prompted the need for alternative effective antibiotic prophylaxis. We aimed to compare ciprofloxacin and other single-agent therapies to combination therapy for efficacy and adverse effects. Men who underwent a TRUS biopsy within the VA Boston health care system with documented receipt of prophylactic antibiotics periprocedure were eligible for inclusion. Postprocedure infections within 30 days were ascertained by chart review from electronic records, including any inpatient, outpatient, or urgent-care visits. Among 455 evaluable men over a 3-year period, there were 25 infections (5.49%), with sepsis occurring in 2.4%, urinary tract infections (UTI) in 1.54%, and bacteremia in 0.44% of patients. Escherichia coli was the most common urine (89%) and blood (92%) pathogen, with fluoroquinolone resistance rates of 88% and 91%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin alone was associated with significantly more infections than ciprofloxacin plus an additional agent (P = 0.014). Intramuscular gentamicin alone was also significantly associated with a higher infection rate obtained with all other regimens (P = 0.004). Any single-agent regimen, including ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, or gentamicin, was associated with significantly higher infection rates than any combination regimen (odds ratio [OR], 4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47, 10.85; P = 0.004). Diabetes, immunosuppressive condition or medication, hospitalization within the previous year, and UTI within the previous 6 months were not associated with infection risk. Clostridium difficile infections were similar. These findings suggest that ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and gentamicin alone are inferior to a combination regimen. Institutions with high failure rates of prophylaxis for TRUS biopsies should consider combination regimens derived from their local data.

Impact of Molecular Epidemiology and Reduced Susceptibility to Glycopeptides and Daptomycin on Outcomes of Patients with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia was associated with high mortality, but the risk factors associated with mortality remain controversial. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed. All patients with MRSA bacteremia admitted were screened and collected for their clinical presentations and laboratory characteristics. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type of bacterial isolates were determined. Risk factors for mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Most MRSA isolates from the 189 enrolled patients showed reduced susceptibility to antibiotics, including MIC of vancomycin ≥ 1.5 mg/L (79.9%), teicoplanin ≥ 2 mg/L (86.2%), daptomycin ≥ 0.38 mg/L (73.0%) and linezolid ≥ 1.5 mg/L (64.0%). MRSA with vancomycin MIC ≥ 1.5 mg/L and inappropriate initial therapy were the two most important risk factors for mortality (both P < 0.05; odds ratio = 7.88 and 6.78). Hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), carrying SCCmec type I, II, or III, was associated with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin or daptomycin and also with higher attributable mortality (all P < 0.05). Creeping vancomycin MIC was linked to higher MIC of teicoplanin and daptomycin (both P < 0.001), but not linezolid (P = 0.759). CONCLUSIONS: Giving empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics for at least 5 days to treat catheter-related infections, pneumonia, soft tissue infection and other infections was the most important risk factor for acquiring subsequent HA-MRSA infection. Choice of effective anti-MRSA agents for treating MRSA bacteremia should be based on MIC of vancomycin, teicoplanin and daptomycin. Initiation of an effective anti-MRSA agent without elevated MIC in 2 days is crucial for reducing mortality.

Fluoroquinolone resistance in bacteremic and low risk febrile neutropenic patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: The low risk febrile neutropenic patients with Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score of more than 20 are recommended to be treated with fluoroquinolone-based oral treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline. This recommendation relies, at least partially, on the high sensitivity of the blood culture isolates to fluoroquinolone in clinical trials conducted in Western countries. Whether this also applies in middle or low income countries like China where antibiotic resistance is becoming prevalent recently has not been evaluated. METHODS: All the positive blood culture results from January 2010 to December 2013 in the 2 large Chinese cancer centers were reviewed. The patients were included into the study with the following criteria: febrile neutropenia, solid tumor or lymphoma, MASCC score >20, positive blood cultures within two days of the onset of fever, and detailed treatment history. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were included in this analysis. Two patients had polymicrobial bacteremia (Enterococcus faecalis and Flavimonas oryzihabitans). Other isolates included coagulase-negative staphylococcus, micrococcal species, viridans streptococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. The majority of the monomicrobial isolates from these 36 patients was Escherichia coli (28 patients, 74%). Notably, in contrast to the high sensitivity to fluoroquinolone from blood culture of the low risk patients in previous reports in Westen countries, a very high drug resistance was observed: 13 out of 28 Escherichia coli isolates (46%) or 14 out of all 38 positive cultures (37%). CONCLUSION: The results warrant further validations in prospective clinical trials in countries where antibiotic resistance is prevalent to ensure appropriate antibiotic administration.

Etiology of childhood bacteremia and timely antibiotics administration in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Bacteremia is now an uncommon presentation to the children's emergency department (ED) but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Its evolving etiology may affect the ability of clinicians to initiate timely, appropriate antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: A retrospective time series analysis of bacteremia was conducted in the Alder Hey Children's Hospital ED between 2001 and 2011. Data on significant comorbidities, time to empirical therapy, and antibiotic susceptibility were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 575 clinical episodes were identified, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 109), Neisseria meningitidis (n = 96), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 89) were commonly isolated. The rate of bacteremia was 1.42 per 1000 ED attendances (95% confidence interval: 1.31-1.53). There was an annual reduction of 10.6% (6.6%-14.5%) in vaccine-preventable infections, and an annual increase of 6.7% (1.2%-12.5%) in Gram-negative infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was associated with a 49% (32%-74%) reduction in pneumococcal bacteremia. The rate of health care-associated bacteremia increased from 0.17 to 0.43 per 1000 ED attendances (P = .002). Susceptibility to empirical antibiotics was reduced (96.3%-82.6%; P < .001). Health care-associated bacteremia was associated with an increased length of stay of 3.9 days (95% confidence interval: 2.3-5.8). Median time to antibiotics was 184 minutes (interquartile range: 63-331) and 57 (interquartile range: 27-97) minutes longer in Gram-negative bacteremia than in vaccine-preventable bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the etiology of pediatric bacteremia have implications for prompt, appropriate empirical treatment. Increasingly, pediatric bacteremia in the ED is health care associated, which increases length of inpatient stay. Prompt, effective antimicrobial administration requires new tools to improve recognition, in addition to continued etiological surveillance.

The efficacy of alcohol-antibiotic lock therapy for treatment of catheter related bloodstream infections in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

UNLABELLED: In patients with chronic gastrointestinal tract failure, requiring access to the venous system, the subsequent catheter re-insertion are leading to large veins thrombosis impeding or preventing the insertion of another catheter and exposing patients to the risk of complications. Understanding the pathophysiology of catheter-related infections, enabled to use methods allowing to eradicate the source of infection without removal and replacement of central catheter with a new one. In our center, for many years we have been using an alternative method involving implementation of the alcohol-antibiotic lock in the treatment of infections. This method is based on the assumption that the destruction of biofilm with concentrated alcohol will enable antibiotic penetration and killing other microorganisms. Treatment with alcohol-antibiotic lock lasts from 8 to 10 days and involves filling the catheter with 96% alcohol followed by a solution of the antibiotic of high concentration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections with two methods (catheter replacement with a new one and the alcohol-antibiotic lock therapy) in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 428 HPN in the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010. Among which 240 (56%) of women with an average age of 56.5 ± 16 years and 188 (44%) of men with an average age of 54 ± 17 years. The indications to HPN were as follows: short bowel syndrome in 298 (70%) patients, multilevel obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract in 52 (12%), postoperative gastrointestinal fistulas in 48 (11.2%), malabsorption syndrome in 17 (4%), motility disorders in 6, cachexia in 4 and radiation enteritis in 3 patients. RESULTS: In 247 (57.5%) from 428 patients, no episode of catheter-related bloodstream infection was found, while 181 were diagnosed with 352 episodes of catheter-related bloodstream infections. In 40 (9.4%) from 428 patients, 168 (47.8%) episodes have been found - almost a half. The mean duration of treatment of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition, starting from the first episode of catheter-related bloodstream infection, in 48 patients treated with the lock was equal to 1053+748 days, and in 133 patients treated with catheter replacement was equal to 952+709 days (t-test p = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The survival time of patients treated with alcohol-antibiotic lock is the same as in patients treated with the catheter removal and insertion of the new one. The use of alcohol-antibiotic lock to treat catheter-related bloodstream infections in order to eradicate selected microorganisms that colonize the lumen and cause an infection, is as effective as catheter replacement with a new one.

Case series of Bifidobacterium longum bacteremia in three preterm infants on probiotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: The use of probiotics as prophylaxis for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants is being increasingly practised. OBJECTIVE: We report, for the first time, a case series of 3 preterm, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants who developed bacteremia with Bifidobacterium longum on probiotic therapy with Infloran® containing viable B. longum. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 3 infants (of gestational age <30 weeks and birth weight <1,230 g). They were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Clinical data were retrieved from their medical records. RESULTS: In infants 1 and 2, B. longum was isolated from the blood cultures when they were on probiotic therapy with Infloran or shortly after, respectively, and was interpreted as transient bacteremia. The clinical presentation of these infants did not require antibiotic treatment after the isolation of B. longum. Infant 3 developed an NEC despite probiotic therapy with Infloran and the blood cultures showed B. longum growth. This infant required explorative laparotomy and antibiotic treatment. The clinical isolates of B. longum and the strain of the Infloran capsule showed an identical profile on biochemical, mass-spectrometric and molecular analyses, suggesting a direct correlation between the administration of probiotics and bacteremia with B. longum in all 3 infants. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of bacteremia with bifidobacteria after its prophylactic administration in VLBW infants and its possible clinical consequences are a matter of concern. In the interests of safety, the use of probiotics in such a population should be indicated with caution and requires further investigation.

Taurolidine locks significantly reduce the incidence of catheter-related blood stream infections in high-risk patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Emerging evidence suggests taurolidine reduces the risk of repeated episodes of catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) in a subgroup of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). We defined 3 indications where taurolidine could be considered and retrospectively analysed data from patients who were treated over a 10 year period to examine the validity of these criteria. Twenty-two patients were identified from a total HPN population of 81, representing 33.2 years of experience. The overall CRBSI rate pre- and post-taurolidine usage was reduced from 5.71 to 0.99 infections per 1000 patient parenteral nutrition days (P-value <0.0001), with reductions identified in each smaller subgroup, confirming previous reports of a significant reduction in infections when taurolidine is used as secondary prophylaxis and providing initial data suggesting the benefit of its use as primary prophylaxis.

Taurolidine lock in home parenteral nutrition in adults: results from an open-label randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many techniques have been tested to reduce the incidence of catheter-relater bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) during home parenteral nutrition (HPN). One of these methods, taurolidine lock, has shown some potential in several studies, but it has been studied primarily in patients with a relatively high CRBSI rate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the clinical value of taurolidine in patients receiving HPN who have a low infection rate. METHODS: The CRBSI ratio at the Skawina HPN center has remained at 0.3-0.4 episodes/patient/y for the past 7 years. In November 2012, 30 patients (17 men, 13 women, mean age 52.3 years) were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: 2% taurolidine lock (group A), 1.35% taurolidine + citrate lock (B), and control-saline flush (C). Patients were observed for 12 consecutive months for catheter-related complications. Blood cultures were collected in each case in which an infection was suspected. RESULTS: The total number of catheter days reached 10,968, with the following number of days per group: group A, 3658; group B, 3650; and group C, 3660. No complications were observed in the control group, while patients in the study groups had 1 catheter infection (group A) and 1 occlusion (group B). The CRBSIs were treated successfully with antibiotics. The cost of treatment in groups A and B was significantly higher than that in group C (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The study did not observe any additional clinical value of taurolidine in patients receiving HPN who have a low infection rate and found low cost-effectiveness. Taurolidine should most likely be used only in patients with a high CRBSI rate.