[Treatment of osteoarticular infections with clindamycin in adults]. / Traitement des infections ostéoarticulaires par clindamycine chez l'adulte.

UNLABELLED: The main characteristics of clindamycin are adequate for treatment of osteoarticular infections (OAI): good bone diffusion, broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and oral use. METHOD: A number of 61 patients was included in an observational retrospective study of efficacy and tolerance. RESULTS: Prosthetic infections accounted for 50.8% of the cases and chronic osteitis for 36.1%. The causative micro-organisms were Staphylococci (72.2%) and Streptococci (15.3%); 86.5% of these strains were susceptible to erythromycin, 9.6% were erythromycin resistant and susceptible to lincomycin. Clindamycin was associated with either ofloxacine, rifampicin, or teicoplanin in 88.5% and the average course duration was 101 days. A surgical procedure was performed in 84% of cases. Complete cure was obtained in 91.1% at 18 months of follow up. Only one cutaneous rash and one Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea occurred. The other adverse effects were gastrointestinal in 36%, cutaneous in 6.6%, and hematological in 1.6%, but did not lead to discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Clindamycin can be used in OAI in association with or as an alternative to rifampicin, fluoroquinolones, or glycopeptides according to microbiological data.

Successive emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter aerogenes isolates in a university hospital.

Sixty-two clinical isolates of Enterobacter aerogenes resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins were collected between July 2003 and May 2005. Among these isolates, 23 (37.1%) were imipenem (IPM) susceptible, and 39 (62.9%) were IPM insusceptible, of which 89.7% (35/39) were resistant and 10.3% (4/39) were intermediate. Isolate genotypes were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Of 62 isolates, 48 belonged to epidemic pulsotype A (77.4%). This pulsotype included 37.5% and 58.4% of beta-lactam phenotypes b and a, respectively. Nine isolates (14.5%) belonged to pulsotype E, which included 22.3% and 77.7% of phenotypes b and a, respectively. The beta-lactamases with pIs of 5.4, 6.5, 8.2, and 8.2 corresponded to extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) TEM-20, TEM-24, SHV-5, and SHV-12, respectively. Of 39 IPM-insusceptible E. aerogenes isolates, 26 (66.6%) were determined to be metallo-beta-lactamase producers, by using a phenotypic method. Of these isolates, 24 harbored a bla(IMP-1) gene encoding a protein with a pI of >9.5, and two carried the bla(VIM-2) gene encoding a protein with a pI of 5.3, corresponding to beta-lactamases IMP-1 and VIM-2, respectively. The remaining 13 (33.4%) isolates were negative for the bla(IMP-1) and bla(VIM-2) genes but showed an alteration of their outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Ten of these isolates produced the two possible OMPs (32 and 42 kDa), with IPM MICs between 8 and 32 microg/ml, and three others produced only a 32-kDa OMP with IPM MICs >32 microg/ml. This work demonstrates that, in addition to resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, IPM resistance can occur in ESBL-producing E. aerogenes isolates by carbapenemase production or by the loss of porin in the outer membrane.

[Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in Amiens Hospital between 1990 and 2005. Bacteriological characteristics of strains isolated]. / Les méningites à Streptococcus pneumoniae au CHU d'Amiens de 1990 à 2005. Aspects bactériologiques des souches isolées.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is actually the first most likely organism to cause meningitis in children 2 months to 2 years old and in adults older than 65 years. From January 1990 to December 2005, 72 cases of S. pneumoniae-positive cerebrospinal fluid culture were indexed in our hospital. Among the 72 cases, 25 came from children, and 60% of these came from children under two years of age and 47 came from adults whose the mean age was 55 years. The first penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PNSP) meningitis was identified in 1993. The susceptibility to penicillin of pneumococcal isolates causing meningitis varied according to time; until 1995, 25% of the strains were PNSP, then from 1996 to 2005, 50% of strains were PNSP. The overall prevalence of non-susceptible was 34.7% (25/72). Among the 25 PNSP, 21 were intermediate to penicillin G and four of them were resistant. Among children, seven PNSP meningitis were indexed and one of them was resistant. The antimicrobial MICs of amoxicillin and cefotaxim varied from 0.064 to 1 mg/l and from 0.016 to 0.5 mg/l respectively. Among adults, 18 PNSP meningitis were indexed. Three strains were penicillin-resistant. The antimicrobial MICs of amoxicillin varied from 0.064 to 2 mg/l. Nine strains of 18 PNSP had cefotaxim MIC>/=0.5 mg/l and, four of them had MIC 1 mg/l. None amoxicillin and cefotaxim-resistant strain was isolated. Serotyping of all strains was performed in the Reference Center. Serotypes 6B, 9V and 19 were the most frequent in child and serotypes 6B, 23F, 19, 9, 4 were the most frequent in adult. So, all serotypes were represented.

[Extended-spectrum betalactamases producing Escherichia coli: a new health-care associated infection threat?]. / Escherichia coli producteurs de bêtalactamases à spectre étendu: de nouvelles menaces nosocomiales ?

OBJECTIVES: Study the health-care associated infection risk due to Extended-Spectrum Betalactamases Producing Escherichia coli (ESBL Esc) isolated from diagnostic samples. METHODS: Descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study of 104 diagnostic isolates of ESBL Esc, one per patient, identified in Amiens university hospital between February 1999 and December 2005. Patients (sex, age, contamination risk factor, antecedent hospitalization) and microbiological data were progressively collected, entered into EPI INFO 6.04dFr software (ENSP, France) database, and compared using the chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test, as appropriate. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Diagnostic ESBL Esc isolates raised, per 1000 isolates of Esc, from 1.2 in 1999 to 6 in 2005. Global and acquired isolates number of ESBL Esc varied from 7 and 3 in 2002 to 25 and 19 in 2003 (P=0.22). ESBL Esc global and acquired incidence per 10(5) patient-days were, 0.8 and 0.6 in 1999 and 4.99 and 3.4 in 2005 (P<10(-6)), but rose from 0.6 acquired isolate in 2002 to 3.9 in 2003 (P=0.002). ESBL Esc, isolated from urines, stools, pulmonary, blood and surgical site samples of patients of>/=65 years aged (68.3%), were imipenem and latamoxef sensitive. Their acquisition risk factors found were hospitalization during the last 6 month period (40/104) and transfer from other institutions (20/104). CONCLUSION: ESBL Esc isolates, among ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, constitute an escalating health-care associated risk in our institution. The research at admission time of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, mainly in acute geriatric wards, strict isolation precaution and hand hygiene observance, rational antibiotic usage, are the key actions to control their cross transmission. Nonetheless, other studies are needed to determine whether we are in front of an ESBL Esc new clone emergence.

[Performance of different methods of oxacillin resistance detection in atypic strains of Staphylococcus aureus]. / Performances des différentes méthodes de détection de la résistance à l'oxacilline de souches atypiques de Staphylococcus aureus.

Seventy-three of aminoglycoside-susceptible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (AS-MRSA) and 12 kanamycin-tobramycin-resistant methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (KTR-MSSA) isolates were phenotypically and genotypically examined for methicillin susceptibility. The AS-MRSA profile represents 8.3% of MRSA strains and the KTR-MSSA profile represents 1.38% of MSSA strains. The diffusion method using the 5 microg oxacillin and 30 microg cefoxitin discs on Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) with and without NaCl, the incubation at 35 degrees C or 30 degrees C for 24 or 48 hours respectively, and the determining oxacillin MICs by E-test (AES, Combourg, France) were performed and used as phenotypic methods. We also used the mecA gene PCR which was considered as the "gold standard" for methicillin resistance detection, and the Slidex MRSA Detection (bioMérieux) that detect the presence of mecA gene product (PBP 2a). To increase the level of PBP 2a expression, the 30 microg cefoxitin disc was used as an inducer. All the AS-MRSA strains (100%) were detected by the cefoxitin disc in all conditions and by the oxacillin disc on MHA with 2% of NaCl at 35 degrees C. Without NaCl, the sensitivity fell to 97,2% by oxacillin disc. The oxacillin MICs for these isolates ranged from 2 to 128 mg/l. The mecA gene determinant and its product PBP 2a were detected in all AS-MRSA strains. All KTR-MSSA strains were phenotypically methicillin-susceptible and oxacillin MICs were below or borderline of breakpoint (< or =2 mg/l). The mecA gene determinant and its product were detected in one strain which was considered to be the most heterogeneous of those tested.

Detection of methicillin/oxacillin resistance and typing in aminoglycoside-susceptible methicillin-resistant and kanamycin-tobramycin-resistant methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.

Eighty-five atypical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus divided into 73 aminoglycoside-susceptible methicillinresistant (AS-MRSA) and 12 kanamycin-tobramycin-resistant methicillin-susceptible (KTR-MSSA) were phenotypically and genotypically examined for methicillin resistance. Among these tests, the diffusion method using the oxacillin and cefoxitin disks on Mueller-Hinton agar with and without NaCl, the incubation at 35 degrees C or 30 degrees C for 24 or 48 hr, respectively, and the determination of oxacillin MICs by E-test were performed. We also examined the presence of the mecA gene by PCR and its product PBP 2a by the Slidex MRSA Detection test after induction by cefoxitin disk. All of the AS-MRSA strains (100%) were detected by the cefoxitin disk in all conditions and by the oxacillin disk on Mueller-Hinton agar with 2% of NaCl at 35 degrees C. Without NaCl, the sensitivity fell to 97.2% by oxacillin disk. The oxacillin MICs for these isolates ranged from 2 to 128 mg/L. The mecA gene determinant and its product PBP 2a were detected in all AS-MRSA strains. All KTR-MSSA strains were phenotypically methicillin-susceptible and oxacillin MICs were below or borderline of breakpoint (< or =2 mg/L). The mecA gene determinant and its product were detected in one strain. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was applied and revealed the presence of two major patterns A (36.9%) and B (46.2%) in AS-MRSA isolates and seven patterns in the KTR-MSSA strains.

Molecular diversity of Proteus mirabilis isolates producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in a French university hospital.

Between February 1997 and December 2002, 3340 hospitalised patients yielded samples positive for Proteus mirabilis, of whom 45 (1.3%) were colonised/infected by P. mirabilis producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The gross incidence of patients colonised/infected by ESBL-producing P. mirabilis was 1.61/10(5) days of hospitalisation, with 20% of isolates being collected from patients in urology wards, most frequently (53.3%) from urine samples. Seventeen (37.7%) of the 43 isolates were obtained from samples collected within 48 h of hospitalisation, indicating that they were community-acquired. Isoelectric focusing assays and sequencing identified the TEM-24, TEM-92 and TEM-52 ESBLs. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed eight pulsotypes (I-VIII), with the two most common pulsotypes, IV and VI, comprising ten (23.3%) and 12 (26.6%) isolates, respectively. These pulsotypes were considered to represent epidemic strains and spread in various wards of the hospital.

Regional dissemination of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is season dependent.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out epidemiological typing of clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and analysis of their antibiotic resistance. METHODS: Over a 12-month period, 44 Salmonella Enteritidis isolates, recovered from 40 patients admitted to the University Hospital Center of Amiens, France and from three outpatients, were characterized by the analysis of phenotypic and genotypic traits and clinical data from medical reports. RESULTS: Forty nontyphoidal salmonellosis episodes were diagnosed in hospitalized patients (34 episodes of gastroenteritis, two episodes of bacteremia not affecting other organs, one episodes of bacteremia plus urinary infection, one episodes of bacteremia plus gastroenteritis, one episodes of chronic colitis plus gastroenteritis and one episode of peritonitis), and three carriers were observed in outpatients. By means of PFGE, RAPD and antibiotic susceptibility patterns 44 isolates were subdivided into 16 clonally related groups. Two of them were predominantly implicated in the course of these infections, being responsible for two successive waves of infection, while the others were encountered sporadically.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of a multiresistant bacteria control programme in a teaching hospital, studying the evolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus incidence]. / Evaluation de l'efficacité d'une politique de lutte contre les bactéries multirésistantes dans un centre hospitalier universitaire par l'étude de l'évolution de l'incidence de Staphylococcus aureus résistant à la méticilline.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitute the most important multiresistant bacteria (MRB) recovered in French hospitals. Our objective was to measure these MRSA diffusion in our hospital to evaluate the MRB control programme which had been implemented in the beginning of 1999. This study was conducted in a teaching hospital containing 1800 beds, from February 1999 to January 2001. All MRSA isolated in clinical samples were included. Duplicates (same bacteria in the same patient) were excluded. The detection of methicillin-resistance was performed at 30 degrees C, by disk diffusion method. Incidence densities were determined with their 95% confidence interval (CI 95%). Their evolution by four-month period was evaluated with the chi-square test for trend. During the two-year period, 866 MRSA were isolated. The global incidence was 0,88 per 1000 patient-days (PD) (IC 95% = left open bracket 0,83-0,93 right open bracket ). For cases acquired in our hospital the incidence was 0,66 per 1000 PD, whereas it was 0,26 per 1000 PD for imported cases. Concerning the evolution of incidences, no significant trend was observed for global incidence. The incidence of acquired MRSA decreased during the first year, but increased thereafter. The incidence of imported MRSA increased with a significant trend (p < 10(-5)). The number of these imported MRSA isolated in our hospital was twice fold higher in 2000. This study emphasizes an important actual problem : the increase of patient colonization pressure at the time of admission in hospitals. This increase, which can be due in part to a community transmission, is responsible for a reduction of the efficacy of MRSA control programmes.

[Spread of Enterobacteriaceae producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamase and the development of their incidence over a 16-month period in a university hospital center]. / Diffusion des entérobactéries productrices de beta-lactamase à spectre élargi et évolution de leur incidence sur une période de 16 mois dans un centre hospitalier universitaire.

Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLE) constitute with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus the main multiresistant bacteria recovered in French hospitals. Our objectives were to evaluate these ESBLE diffusion in our teaching hospital and to follow their incidence during a 16-month period, whereas a control programme (barrier precautions) had been implemented in the beginning of 1999. This study was conducted in a teaching hospital containing 1800 beds, from February 1999 to May 2000. All ESBLE isolated in clinical or screening samples were included. Duplicates (same bacteria in the same patient) were excluded. The detection of the ESBL was performed with the double-disk diffusion test. Incidence densities were determined with their 95% confidence interval (CI95%). Their evolution by four-month period was evaluated with the chi-square test for trend. During the 16-month period, 229 ESBLE were isolated. The incidence was 0.35 per 1000 patient-days (PD) (CI95% = [0.30-0.40]) for the whole hospital. It was 0.47/1000 PD (CI95% = [0.38-0.56]) in medical wards, 0.29/1000 PD (CI95% = [0.20-0.38]) in surgical wards and 1.32/1000 PD (CI95% = [0.90-1.74]) in intensive care units. Enterobacter aerogenes strains represented more than 75% of all ESBLE, whereas Klebsiella pneumoniae stains represented only 8.6%. During the study, the incidence of ESBLE and the proportion of strains acquired in our hospital decreased significantly (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Indeed, between the first eight-month period and the last one, the incidence of ESBLE acquired in our hospital decreased by 55%, whereas the incidence of imported strains increased slightly. This study shows that the diffusion of ESBLE concerns the entire hospital. The implementation of a control programme of the spread of multiresistant bacteria allowed us to reduce significantly the incidence of ESBLE. This incidence seemed to be stable for several months. The implementation of a policy which restricts antimicrobial use would allow us to complete the the efficacy of barrier precautions.

Evaluation of the contribution of isolation precautions in prevention and control of multi-resistant bacteria in a teaching hospital.

From February 1999 to January 2000, a control programme to prevent the spread multi-resistant bacteria (MRB) was implemented in a French teaching hospital. This programme focused on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), and was based on the application of barrier precautions (washing hands with antiseptic soaps, wearing disposable gloves and gowns, identifying MRB carriers). No changes in antibiotic policy occurred during the year. Our aim was to conduct an evaluation of this programme by measuring incidence rates. Concurrently, the effect of barrier precautions was estimated in an indirect way, by documenting the availability of barrier precautions in MRB carriers' rooms and by analysing the monthly correlation between the supply of such material and the theoretical cumulated length of MRB carriers' isolation in six randomized wards. All MRB isolated in hospitalized patients were recorded, and differentiated between acquisition in our hospital or from elsewhere. For the analysis of trends, the year was divided in three periods of four months. Over the year, the global MRB incidence was 1.26 per 1000 patient-days (PD) [95% confidence interval (95%CI)=1.16-1.36]. The MRSA incidence was 0.89 per 1000 PD (95%CI=0.81- 0.97) and the ESBL incidence was 0.38 per 1000 PD (95% CI=0.33-0.43). The MRB incidence decreased significantly in all types of specialties except for surgical wards. The incidence decreased by 17.9% for MRSA, 54.9% for ESBL and 34.8% for both MRB. Concurrently, the proportion of strains acquired in our hospital decreased for MRSA (P for trend > or = 0.05) and ESBL (P for trend > or = 0.01), whereas the incidence of imported strains increased slightly. The proportion of multiresistant strains in S. aureus (36.8%) and Enterobacter aerogenes (37.0%) remained similar throughout the year. Thus, the decrease of the incidence concerned both resistant and susceptible strains. The availability of antiseptic soaps increased significantly (P for trend > or = 0.01). The amount of antiseptic soap ordered and the theoretical lengths of isolation were correlated on a monthly basis (Spearman coefficient = 0.72; P > or = 0.02). These results shows the efficacy of such a programme of MRB containment in a large hospital, provided barrier nursing is instigated, together with the availability of such material as antiseptic soap, to allow implementation.

[Risk of deep infection in first-intention total hip replacement. Evaluation concerning a continuous series of 790 cases]. / Le risque d'infection profonde des prothèses totales de hanche réalisées en première intention. Evaluation sur une série continue de 790 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Deep infections of the operative site is a rare but serious complication of first intention total hip arthroplasties. French data on infections are sparse. We studied the incidence, characteristics and potential risk factors for these infections in a consecutive series of 790 total hip arthroplasties performed as first intention implantations in a University Hospital in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing first intention total hip arthroplasty surgery between November 1995 and May 1999 were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and surgical data were collected. Deep infection was defined as proven presence of microorganisms in at least two preoperative samples during revision surgery. Patients were followed for 1 month to 4 years. Potential risk factors were identified with univariate analysis. Chi square and exact Fisher test were used. RESULTS: The overall incidence of deep infections was 1.11 per 100 implantations (95% CI 0.84-2.70). Delay to development ranged from 14 days to 32 months. Eleven infections were proven within the first year and 3 after one year. Two risk factors were identified: absence of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (RR = 4.74, p = 0.03) and drainage discharge after 48 hours (RR = 3.62, p = 0.02). Other variables associated with infection with a relative risk greater than 2 were obesity, corticosteroid therapy, development of a hematoma, or difficult postoperative wound healing. CONCLUSION: The incidence observed in this series is slightly higher than generally reported in the world literature. It would be important to write an antibiotic prophylaxis protocol with prescription of systemic antibiotics for all operated patients in order to reduce this incidence. Other measures that could improve the quality of care should also be taken: re-evaluation of preoperative skin preparation protocols, systematic screening of patients carrying Staphylococcus aureus before implantation and proper care for these patients.

[Direct cost of antibiotic therapy prescribed for nosocomial bacteremia. Prospective study during 6 months at a CHU (University Hospital Center)]. / Coût direct de l'antibiothérapie prescrite dans les bactériémies nosocomiales. Etude prospective pendant 6 mois dans un CHU.

A six-month prospective study of costs associated with antimicrobial therapy in nosocomial bacteremia was conducted from November 1, 1995 to April 30, 1996 in a 1837-bed teaching hospital, with the help of the hospital pharmacists and hospital hygiene unit. Only the costs due to the antimicrobials themselves were taken into account. A total of 238 cases of nosocomial bacteremia occurred during the study period. The total direct cost of antimicrobial therapy was 444,931 French francs (FF), i.e., 6.8% of total expenditures for antimicrobials. Mean cost per case was 1869 FF, and was 2.6-fold higher in the 21 patients with bacteremia due to more than one organism (P = 0.03). CAses with an identifiable portal of entry contributed 75% of the total cost. Portals of entry associated with the highest cost included central venous lines (103,928 FF) and urinary tract infections (50,810 FF). Although 20% of nosocomial bacteremias due to coagulase-negative staphylococci did not lead to antimicrobial therapy, the remaining 80% contributed 40.8% of the total cost, followed by nosocomial bacteremias due to Escherichia coli with 19.7% of the total cost. Thirty-seven patients (15.5%) did not receive specific antimicrobial therapy, for the following reasons: death before treatment initiation, transfer to another hospital, antimicrobial therapy initiated earlier for another infection elsewhere in the body due to a different organism, or other form of treatment. The results of this study highlight the need for prevention.

[Clinical value of studying hematuria using phase-contrast microscopy]. / Valeur clinique de l'étude des hématuries au microscope à contraste de phase.

To evaluate the examination of urine erythrocytes with a contrast phase microscope for the etiological diagnosis of haematuria (erythrocytes > 10/mm3 of non centrifuged urine) the charts of 84 patients with haematuria were reviewed. A nephrological origin had been established with certainty in 56 cases with a renal biopsy and an urological origin was also established with certainty in 28 cases thanks to appropriate radiological, endoscopical and pathological examinations. The morphological criteria of the erythrocytes deformation were those of Birch and Fairley but the quantitative criteria of these authors (either 80 or 100%) were found to be of no value. By successive approaches the threshold of 20% of deformed erythrocytes was selected and found to be the best criterion for diagnosing glomerular hematuria: the sensitivity of the test is then 73% and its specificity 60%. As these results were relatively modest, conditions which decrease the percentage of deformed erythrocytes were excluded to improve the sensitivity, such as macroscopic haematuria and also examinations made during the 6 hours following furosemide administration whereas conditions which increase the percentage of deformed erythrocytes and which are easily diagnosed such as urinary infections, lithiasis and renal insufficiency associated with an uropathy were excluded in order to improve the specificity. Then the examination has a sensitivity and a specificity of 90% which makes it clinically relevant, authorizing a wait and see attitude in case there is an isolated microscopic haematuria of glomerular type.

[Consequences of ischemia of the terminal ileum in the rat: influence of exclusive parenteral nutrition]. / Conséquences de l'ischémie de l'ileon terminal chez le rat: influence de la nutrition parentérale exclusive.

An experimental model of ischemia of the distal part of the small intestine has been realized in rats. This experimental study realizes a moderate ischemia of the distal part of ileum loops, by vascular ligations. An important decreasing of the intestinal motility is observed 2 days after the operation, by in vitro study. The motility became normal 7 days after. During this time a microbiological evaluation revealed an important increasing of anaerobic germ in the distal ileum. Total parenteral nutrition preserves the intestinal motility and the endoluminal flora. Ischemia of the small bowel is an important component of enterocolitis by modification of the peristalsis. The total Parenteral Nutrition in such condition seems to protect the intestinal flora.