Incidence and Characteristics of Co-infection and Secondary Infection in Patients with COVID-19

ObjectiveThe etiology and epidemiology of co-infection and secondary infection in COVID-19 patients remain unknown. The study aims to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of co-infection and secondary infection in COVID-19 patients, mainly focusing on Streptococcus pneumoniae co-infections. MethodsThis study was a prospective, observational cohort study of the inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 in two designated hospitals in south China enrolled between Jan 11 and Feb 22, 2020. The urine specimen was collected on admission and applied for pneumococcal urinary antigen tests (PUATs). Demographic, clinical and microbiological data of patients were recorded simultaneously. ResultA total of 146 patients with a confirm diagnosis of COVID-19 at the median age of 50.0 years (IQR 36.0-61.0) were enrolled, in which, 16 (11.0%) were classified as severe cases and 130 (89.0%) as non-severe cases. Of the enrolled patients, only 3 (2.1%) were considered to present the co-infection, in which 1 was co-infected with S.pneumoniae, 1 with B. Ovatus infection and the other one with Influenza A virus infection. Secondary infection occurred in 16 patients, with S. maltophilia as the most commonly isolated pathogen (43.8%), followed by P. aeruginosa (25.0%), E. aerogenes (25.0%), C. parapsilosis (25.0%) and A. fumigates (18.8%). ConclusionPatients with confirmed COVID-19 were rarely co-infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or other pathogens, indicating that the application of antibiotics against CAP on admission may not be necessary in the treatment of COVID-19 cases.

Temperature-Regulated IncX3 Plasmid Characteristics and the Role of Plasmid-Encoded H-NS in Thermoregulation.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a critical public health problem worldwide. Globally, IncX3-type plasmids have emerged as the predominant vehicles carrying the metallo-ß-lactamase gene bla NDM. Although bla NDM-bearing IncX3 plasmids have been found in various hosts from diverse environments, whether their transfer and persistence properties vary under different conditions and what factors influence any variation is unknown. By observing the effects of different temperatures on IncX3 plasmid conjugation rates, stability, and effects on host fitness in Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that temperature is an important determinant of plasmid phenotypes. The IncX3 plasmid pGZIncX3 transferred at highest frequencies, was most stable and imposed lower fitness costs at 37°C. Temperature-regulated variation in pGZIncX3 properties involved a thermoregulated plasmid-encoded H-NS-like protein, which was produced at higher levels at 30°C and 42°C and inhibited the expression of type IV secretion system genes involved in conjugation. These findings suggest that bla NDM-bearing IncX3 plasmids are adapted to carriage by enterobacteria that colonize mammalian hosts and could explain the rapid dissemination of these plasmids among human-associated species, particularly in hospital settings.

National primary care responses to COVID-19: a rapid review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review, conducted in April 2020, is to examine available national primary care guidelines for COVID-19 and to explore the ways in which these guidelines support primary care facilities in responding to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Rapid review and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase and Google, as well as the websites of relevant national health departments, were searched from 1 January 2020 to 24 April 2020. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Documents included must be issued by a national health authority, must be specific to COVID-19 care, directed at healthcare workers or managers, and must refer to the role of primary care in the COVID-19 response. RESULTS: We identified 17 documents from 14 countries. An adapted framework on primary care challenges and responses to pandemic influenza framed our analysis. Guidelines generally reported on COVID-19 service delivery and mostly made specific recommendations for ensuring continued delivery of essential primary care services through telehealth or other virtual care modalities. Few offered guidance to support surveillance as a public health function. All offered guidance on implementing outbreak control measures, largely through flexible and coordinated organisational models with partners from various sectors. There was a lack of guidance to support supply chain management and practice resilience in primary care, and lack of personal protective equipment represents a serious threat to the provision of quality care during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Current national primary care guidelines for COVID-19 provide guidance on infection control and minimising the risk of spread in primary care practices, while supporting the use of new technology and coordinated partnerships. However, to ensure primary care practice resilience and quality of care are upheld, guidelines must offer recommendations on supply chain management and operational continuity, supported by adequate resources.

Persistent bacterial coinfection of a COVID-19 patient caused by a genetically adapted Pseudomonas aeruginosa chronic colonizer

This study characterized a genetically adapted Pseudomonas aeruginosa small colony variant isolated from a COVID-19 patient who suffered persistent bacterial coinfection and eventually recovered from critical illness. Specification and modification of the isolates discovered at genomic and transcriptomic levels with aligned phenotypic observations indicated that these isolates formed excessive biofilm with elevated quorum sensing systems.

Analysis of pathogen spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of clinical common organisms from twelve teaching hospitals in 2016 / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of major pathogens causing nosocomial infections in China, 2016. Methods Non-duplicated nosocomial cases as well as pathogens causing bloodstream infections ( BSI) , hospital-acquired pneumonia ( HAP) and intra-abdominal infections ( IAI ) from 12 teaching hospitals across China were collected. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of important clinical common strains were determined by agar dilution method or broth microdilution method. The CLSI M100-S27 criteria was used for interpretation. Data were analyzed by using WHONET-5. 6 software. Results A total of 2060 cases were collected, including 894 cases from BSI, 630 cases from HAP and 536 cases from IAI. The MICs of 1896 important clinical common strains were determined. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most prevalent pathogens causing BSI and IAI, while Acinetobacter baumanii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were dominated in HAP. All Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to tigecycline, linezolid, daptomycin and glycopeptides. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus accounted for 44. 4％ ( 75/169 ) of all the S. aureus. The rate of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci was 80. 9％ ( 72/89 ) . No Enterococcus strains were found resistant to tigecycline, linezolid or daptomycin. Vacomycin resistant enterococcus was found in Enterococcus faecium, accounting for 1. 8％ ( 2/111 ) of all E. faecium strains. Tigecycline, meropenem, amikacin, imipenem, and polymyxin B exhibited high potency against Enterobacteriaceae and the susceptibility rates were 96. 6％(865/895), 94. 3％ (859/911), 94. 2％ (858/911), 94. 1％ (857/911), and 91. 6％ (820/895), respectively. The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase was 58. 4％ ( 263/450 ) in E. coli and 28. 6％ ( 84/294 ) in K. pneumonia. The rate of carbapenem resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 15. 3％ ( 45/294 ) and 1. 8％ ( 8/450 ) , respectively. The percentage of polymyxin B resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 4. 1％ ( 12/294 ) and 4. 4％ ( 20/450 ) , respectively. The rate of tigecycline resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 2. 4％ ( 7/294 ) and 0. 2％ ( 1/450 ) , respectively. A. baumanii showed low susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents except tigecycline ( 91. 4％, 235/257 ) and polymyxin B (100％, 257/257). The rate of carbapenem resistant A. baumanii was 80. 5％ (207/257). The rate of carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa was 31. 7％ ( 59/186 ) . Polymyxin B and amikacin demonstrated high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa with susceptility rate of 100％ ( 186/186 ) and 90. 9％ ( 169/186), respectively. Conclusions Nosocomial pathogens showed high susceptibilities against tigecycline and polymyxin B. Antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii is a serious problem. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and polymyxin B resistant Enterobacteriaceae has increased, which should be monitored continuously in China.

Molecular epidemiological analysis of the Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from blood and sputum specimens of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of the Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from blood and sputum samples of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU.Methods The patients were analyzed in two groups:Group A,A.baumannii was isolated from both blood and sputum,and Group B,A.baumannii was isolated only from sputum.Clinical data of the patients were collected,including the results of antimicrobial susceptibility test.Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for the strains.Results During the study period from June 2015 to December 2105,28 nonduplicate A.baumannii strains were collected from 14 patients in group A and 28 nonduplicate strains from 28 patients in group B.The 56 A.baumannii strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR).More than 80％ of the strains were resistant to carbapenem,third-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycoside,but highly sensitive to tigecycline.No significant difference was found for the resistance rates between group A and group B.The nonduplicate A.baumannii isolates from blood and sputum samples of the same patient in group A were all homologous strains confirmed by PFGE.Six pulsotypes were identified from the 28 strains in Group A and 9 pulsotypes in Group B.Five pulsotypes were shared between the two groups.MLST analysis showed that there were 9 ST types (ST195,ST208,ST229,ST369,ST373,ST457,ST836 and two new phenotypes ST N2,ST N5) in Group A and 8 ST types (ST195,ST208,ST381 and 5 new phenotypes ST N1,ST N2,ST N3,ST N4,ST N5) strains in group B.There was no significant difference in the proportion of the main ST types between the two groups.eBURST analysis indicated that ST195,ST208,ST457,ST369,ST N1,ST N2,ST N51 belonged to CC92 prevalent strain.Conclusions The antimicrobial susceptibility profile and genotype of A.baumannii isolates from blood and sputum samples are similar.There was CC92 prevalent strain in the ward.There is no direct relation between the risk factors for bloodstream infection in VAP patients and the genotype of A.baumannii strain.It is particularly important to reinforce infection control for prevention and treatment ofA.baumannii bloodstream infections.

Antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical isolates in hospitals across China: report from the CHINET Surveillance Program, 2017 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of the clinical isolates collected from selected hospitals across China. Methods Twenty-nine general hospitals and five children's hospitals were involved in this program. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems. Results were interpreted according to CLSI 2017 breakpoints. Results A total of 190 610 clinical isolates were collected from January to December 2017, of which gram negative organisms accounted for 70.8％ (134 951/190 610) and gram positive cocci 29.2％ (55 649/190 610). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains was 35.3％ in S. aureus (MRSA) and 80.3％ in coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) on average. MR strains showed much higher resistance rates to most of the other antimicrobial agents than MS strains. However, 91.6％ of MRSA strains were still susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while 86.2％ of MRCNS strains were susceptible to rifampin. No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin. E. faecalis strains showed much lower resistance rates to most of the drugs tested (except chloramphenicol) than E. faecium. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) was identified in both E. faecalis and E. faecium. The identified VRE strains were mainly vanA, vanB or vanM type based on phenotype or genotype. The proportion of PSSP or PRSP strains in the non-meningitis S.pneumoniae strains isolated from children decreased but the proportion of PISP strains increased when compared to the data of 2016. Enterobacteriaceae strains were still highly susceptible to carbapenems. Overall, less than 10％ of these strains (excluding Klebsiella spp.) were resistant to carbapenems. The prevalence of imipenem-resistant K. pneumoniae increased from 3.0％ in 2005 to 20.9％ in 2017, and meropenem-resistant K. pneumoniae increased from 2.9％ in 2005 to 24.0％ in 2017, more than 8-fold increase. About 66.7％ and 69.3％ of Acinetobacter (A. baumannii accounts for 91.5％) strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem, respectively. Compared with the data of year 2016, P. aeruginosa strains showed decreasing resistance rate to carbapenems. Conclusions Bacterial resistance is still on the rise. It is necessary to strengthen hospital infection control and stewardship of antimicrobial agents. The communication between laboratorians and clinicians should be further improved in addition to surveillance of bacterial resistance.

Changing susceptibility ofKlebsiella strains in hospitals across China：data from the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program, 2005-2014 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To evaluate the changing pattern of antibiotic resistance inKlebsiella strains isolated from the patients in 19 hospitals across China based on the data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program during the period from 2005 through 2014.Methods Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and automated susceptibility testing methods were used to test the susceptibility ofKlebsiella isolates to the commonly used antibiotics. The results were interpreted according to the criteria of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (CLSI-2014).Results A total of 61 406Klebsiella strains were identified between 2005 and 2014, includingK. pneumoniae (56 281 strains), K. oxytoca(4 779),Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp.Ozaenae (300) and otherKlebsiella species (46). Most (89.0%, 54 664/61 406) of theKlebsiella strains were isolated from inpatients, and 60.0% (36 835/61 406) were from respiratory tract speciems. About 16.7% (10 248/61 406) of the strains were isolated from pediatric patients aged 0-17 years and 83.3% (51 158/61 406) from adult patients. The prevalence ofKlebsiella spp. increased with time from 10.1% in 2005 to 14.3% in 2014. Based on the surveillance data during the 10-year period, we found a marked increase of resistance to imipenem (2.9% to 10.5%) and meropenem (2.8% to 13.4%) inKlebsiella spp. The prevalence of ESBLs-producing isolates inK. pneumoniae andK. oxytoca decreased from 39.0% in 2005 to 30.1% in 2014. The resistance to amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprolfoxacin, pipracillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam was on decline. The resistance rate to cefotaxime remained high about 49.5%. Carbapenem resistantance was identiifed in 5 796 (9.4%) of the isolates, including 5 492 strains ofK. pneumoniae and 280 strains ofK. oxytoca. Overall, 4 740 (7.8%) strains were identiifed as extensively-drug resistant (XDR), including 4 520 strains ofK. pneumoniae and 202 strains ofK. oxytoca. The carbapenem-resistant strains showed high (>60%) resistance rate to majority of the antimicrobial agents tested, but relatively low resistance to tigecycline (16.8%), amikacin (54.4%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (55.5%).Conclusions During the 10-year period from 2005 through 2014, carbapenem resistance amongKlebsiella isolates has increased dramatically in the hospitals across China. The level of resistance to other antibiotics remains stable.

Antibiotic resistance profile of Enterobacter in hospitals across China：data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2005 through 2014 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance proifle of clinicalEnterobacter isolates using the data from CHINET during the period from 2005 through 2014.Methods A total of 20 558 clinical strains ofEnterobacter spp. were collected from 2005 to 2014 in CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed with Kirby-Bauer or minimum inhibitory concentration method. The results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints.ResultsEnterobacter cloacae andEnterobacter aerogenes accounted for 71.1% (14 617/20558) and 20.1% (4 129/20 558) of all theEnterobacterisolates, respectively. The proportion ofEnterobacter spp. increased with time from 3.5% in 2005 to 4.3% in 2014. The main source of the isolates was respiratory tract, accounting for 55.2% (11 358/20 558). More than 90% of theEnterobacterisolates were resistant to cefazolin and cefoxitin, but less than 30% of the strains were resistant to cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoperazone-sulbactam, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprolfoxacin, meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem. TheEnterobacterisolates showed a trend of declining resistance to most antibiotics except ertapenem and meropenem. The resistance proifle ofEnterobacterisolates varied with departments where they were isolated. The strains from ICU and Department of Surgery were relatively more resistant to antibiotics. The prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains was decreasing, but the prevalence of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacter (CRE, resistant to any of imipenem, meropenem or ertapenem) was increasing. The MDR and CRE strains were primarily isolated from ICU and Department of Surgery. At least 30% of the MDREnterobacter strains were resistant to any of the antimicrobial agents tested except meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem and at least 35% of the CRE strains were resistant to any of the antimicrobial agents tested except amikacin and ciprolfoxacin.Conclusions TheEnterobacter isolates in CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program showed decreasing resistance to most of the antimicrobial agents tested since 2011, but the prevalence of CRE strains increased progressively. Effective measures should be carried out to prevent the spread of CRE strains in hospitals.

Changing resistance proifle ofProteus, Serratia, Citrobacter, Morganella andProvidencia isolates in hospitals across China：data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program 2005-2014 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To understand the changing resistance proifle ofProteus,Serratia,Citrobacter,Morganella andProvidencia in hospitals across China according to the data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program 2005-2014.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by using Kirby-Bauer method or automatic minimum inhibitory concentration determination according to a uniifed protocol.Results A total of 21 663 clinical isolates were collected from January 2005 to December 2014. The proportion ofProteus andSerratia isolates increased with time from 1.41% in 2005 to 2.09% in 2014, and from 0.99% in 2005 to 1.28% in 2014 among all the isolates. No change was found for the proportion ofCitrobacter,Morganella, orProvidencia. Less than 10% of theProteus isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 10% of theSerratia isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 20% of theCitrobacter isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 10% of theMorganella isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 20% of theProvidencia isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, cefoxitin and tigecycline.Conclusions The antibiotic resistance ofProteus,Serratia, Citrobacter,Morganella andProvidencia isolates in hospitals across China is growing during the period from 2005 to 2014. Strengthening infection control and rational antibiotic use are effective to slow the growth of drug resistance.

Resistance profile ofSalmonella isolates in hospital across China：results from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program, 2005-2014 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution and changing resistance proifle ofSalmonella isolates in hospitals across China during the period from January 2005 to December 2014.Methods Seventeen general hospitals and two children’s hospitals were involved in this program. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or MIC determination. The results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints.Results The proportion ofSalmonella isolates increased with time from 0.2% in 2005 to 0.7% in 2014. A total of 3 478Salmonella strains were collected from 19 hospitals. The proportion ofSalmonella typhimurium andSalmonella enteritidis was 27.4% and 24.4%, respectively. During the 10-year period, theSalmonella strains showed highest resistance rate to ampicillin (33.3%-64.8%), but low resistance to cefoperazone-sulbactam (0-5.3%) and ciprofloxacin (2.4%-14.3%).S. typhimurium showed higher resistance rate thanS. typhi,S. paratyphi andS. enteritidis. About 76.8% and 50.5% ofS. typhimurium were resistant to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The average prevalence of multi-drug resistantSalmonellawas 3.9% in the ten-year period, the highest (7.5%) was in 2005, the lowest (1.5%) in 2013.Conclusions During the period from 2004 to 2015, majority of theSalmonella isolates in hospitals across China wasS. typhimurium andS. enteritidis. Ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are no longer appropriate for empirical treatment ofS. typhimurium infection due to high resistance rate.Salmonella isolates are relatively more susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. Ongoing monitoring is necessary to identify multi-drug resistant strains ofSalmonella.

Antibiotic resistance profile of the bacterial strains isolated from geriatric patients in hospitals across China：data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program 2005-2014 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To analyze the resistance proifle of bacterial strains isolated from geriatric patients in 17 hospitals across China from 2005 to 2014.Methods A total of 17 representative general hospitals were involved in this program. Bacterial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of a uniifed protocol using Kirby-Bauer method and MIC determination. The results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints.Results The proportion of the strains isolated from geriatric patients among all the clinical isolates increased with time from 30.0% in 2005 to 32.7% in 2014. A total of 159 888 clinical isolates were collected from geriatric patient during the period from 2005 to 2014, about 33.1% of the whole patient population. Gram negative organisms and gram positive cocci accounted for 77.1% (123 229/159 888) and 22.9% (36 659/159 888), respectively. Majority (92.8%, 148 376/159 888) of the isolates were from inpatients and more than half (55.2%, 88 201/159 888) of the isolates were from sputum or other respiratory tract specimens. Methicillin-resistant strains inS. aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negativeStaphylococcus (MRCNS) accounted for an average of 67.1% and 75.9%, respectively. The resistance rates of methicillin-resistant strains to β-lactams and other antimicrobial agents were much higher than those of methicillin-susceptible strains. No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin or linezolid. Some strains ofE. faecalis (0.4%) andE. faecium (4.6%) were resistant to vancomycin, which was higher than average national level (0.3%, 3.2%). Vancomycin-resistant strains ofE. faecalisandE. faecium were mainly VanA type and VanB type based on their phenotype. The prevalence of penicillin-susceptibleS. pneumoniae strains was 78.2%, slightly lower than the 95.0% in Chinese adults in year 2014. The prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains was 67.5% inE. coli, 40.4% inKlebsiella (K. pneumoniae andK. oxytoca) and 34.3% inProteus mirabilis isolates on average. The strains ofEnterobacteriaceae were still highly susceptible to carbapenems (<10% resistant), followed by amikacin and the beta-lactam and beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Overall, 35.9% and 33.0% of theP. aeruginosa strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem. More than 50% of theA. baumannii strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem. The prevalence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR)P. aeruginosa (4.0%-1.8%) was higher than the average national level (2.1%-1.6%). The prevalence of XDR A. baumannii (19.2%-15.5%) and XDREnterobacteriaceae (0.1%-1.0%) was lower than the average national level (21.4%-19.7% and 0.3%-3.2%).Conclusions The proportion of clinical isolates from geriatric patients is different from average national level at the same period. The isolates from geriatric patients are more likely from inpatients, respiratory tract specimens and more likely non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli compared to average national level. The proportion of fastidious bacteria andEnterobacteriaceae species is generally lower than average national level. MRSA, VRE, ESBLs-producing strains and XDRP. aeruginosa are more prevalent in geriatric patients than in general Chinese patient population. This study suggests that surveillance of antimicrobial resistance for the clinical isolates from geriatric patients is very important for rational antimicrobial therapy.

CHINET 2014 surveillance of bacterial resistance in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the susceptibility and resistance of clinical isolates from hospitals in several regions of China .Methods Fifteen general hospitals and two children′s hospitals were involved in this program . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby‐Bauer method or automated systems .Results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints .Results A total of 78 955 clinical isolates were collected from January to December 2014 ,of which gram negative organisms and gram positive cocci accounted for 72 .6% and 27 .4% ,respectively . Methicillin‐resistant strains in S .aureus(MRSA)and coagulase negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS)accounted for an average of 44 .6% and 83 .0 % ,respectively .The resistance rates of methicillin‐resistant strains to β‐lactams and other antimicrobial agents were much higher than those of methicillin‐susceptible strains .However ,92 .0% of MRSA strains were still susceptible to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole ,while 85 .6% of MRCNS strains were susceptible to rifampin .No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin ,teicoplanin or linezolid .In Enterococcus spp .,the resistance rates of E .f aecalis strains to most tested drugs (except chloramphenicol) were much lower than those of E . f aecium .Some strains of both species were resistant to vancomycin .Vancomycin resistant strains of E . f aecalis and E . f aecium were mainly V anA ,V anB or V anM type based on their phenotype or genotype .Regarding non‐meningitis S .pneumoniae strains ,the prevalence of penicillin‐susceptible S .pneumoniae strains isolated from both adults and children were higher than those isolated in 2013 ,but the prevalence of penicillin‐intermediate S . pneumoniae or penicillin‐resistant S . pneumoniae strains decreased . The prevalence of ESBLs producingstrainswas55.8% in E.coliand29.9% in Klebsiellaspp.(K.pneumoniaeand K.oxytoca)and24.0% in Proteus mirabilis isolates on average . ESBLs‐producing Enterobacteriaceae strains were more resistant than non‐ESBLs‐producing strains in terms of antibiotic resistance rates . The strains of Enterobacteriaceae were still highly susceptible to carbapenems .Overall less than 10 % of these strains were resistant to carbapenems . About 62 .4% and 66 .7% of Acinetobacter spp .(A .baumannii accounts for 93 .0 % ) strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem ,respectively . Compared with the data of year 2013 ,extensively‐drug resistant strains in K . pneumoniae and A .baumannii increased . Conclusions The antibiotic resistance of clinical bacterial isolates is growing .The disseminated multi‐drug or pan‐drug resistant strains in a special region poses a serious threat to clinical practice and implies the importance of strengthening infection control .

CHINET 2011 surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Stenotrophomonas malto-philia in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the resistance of clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates from 15 hospitals in several regions of China during 2011.Methods Fifteen repre-sentative general hospitals were involved in this program. Bacterial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method and MIC determi-nation.Results were analyzed according to CLSI 2011 break-points.Results Majority (93.3%) of the 1 889 clinical strains of S.maltophilia were isolated from inpatients.On-ly 6.7% of the isolates were from outpatients.About 62.9% of these S .maltophilia strains were isolated from old patients whose age was 60 years or older.Only 8.2% of the strains were from the patients younger than 18 years old.Sputum and re-spiratory tract secretion were the most common specimen source,accounting for 82.6%.Another 4.2% isolates were from blood,abdominal fluid and other sterile body fluids.The percentage of the S .maltophilia strain resistant to trimethoprim-sul-famethoxazole,levofloxacin and minocycline was 16.6%,10.0% and 1.8%,respectively.The strains resistant to cefopera-zone-sulbactam accounted for 19.0%.About 37.1% of the strains isolated from blood or sterile body fluids were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,significantly higher than the strains from urine or wound specimens (P < 0.01).Conclusions S.maltophilia strains are mainly isolated from inpatients.The most common source is sputum and other respiratory speci-mens.Most of the patients with S.maltophilia isolate are 60 years of age or older.The S.maltophilia strains are constitu-tively resistant to several antibacterial agents,but showed relatively lower resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,levo-floxacin and minocycline.Cefoperazone-sulbactam is still active against these strains.The antimicrobial therapy targeting S. maltophilia infections should be selected cautiously according to the results of antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

CHINET 2013 surveillance of bacterial resistance in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the susceptibility and resistance of clinical isolates collected from hospitals in several regions of China . Methods Fourteen general hospitals and two children ’ s hospitals were involved in this program . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated Systems .Results were analyzed according to CLSI 2013 breakpoints .Results A total of 84 572 clinical isolates were collected from January to December 2013 ,of which gram negative organisms and gram positive cocci accounted for 73 .0% and 27 .0%respectively .Methicillin-resistant strains in S .aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) accounted for an average of 45 .2% and 73 .5% respectively .The resistance rates of methicillin-resistant strains to β-lactams and other antimicrobial agents were much higher than those of methicillin-susceptible strains .However ,92 .2% of MRSA strains were still susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole while 87 .4% of MRCNS strains were susceptible to rifampin . No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin ,teicoplanin or linezolid .In Enterococcus spp .,the resistance rates of E . f aecalis strains to most tested drugs (except chloramphenicol) were much lower than those of E . f aecium .Some strains of both species were resistant to vancomycin .Vancomycin-resistant strains of E . f aecalis and E . f aecium were mainly VanA type based on their phenotype .Regarding non-meningitis S . pneumoniae strains ,the prevalence of penicillin-susceptible S . pneumoniae and penicillin-intermediate S . pneumoniae strains isolated from both adults and children were lower than those isolated in 2012 ,but the prevalence of penicillin-resistant S .pneumoniae strains increased .The prevalence of ESBLs producing strains was 54 .0% in E .coli ,31 .8% in Klebsiella spp .(K .pneumoniae and K .oxytoca) and 16 .5% in Proteus mirabilis isolates on average . ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains were more resistant than non-ESBLs-producing strains in terms of antibiotic resistance rates .The strains of Enterobacteriaceae were still highly susceptible to carbapenems .Overall less than 7 .0% of these strains were resistant to carbapenems .About 62 .8% and 59 .4% of Acinetobacter spp .(A .baumannii accounts for 89 .2% ) strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem ,respectively .Compared with the data of year 2012 , extensively-drug resistant strains in K . pneumoniae and A . baumannii decreased .Conclusions The antibiotic resistance of clinical bacterial isolates is growing in 2013 .The disseminated multi-drug or pan-drug resistant strains in a special region poses a serious threat to clinical practice and implies the importance of strengthening infection control .

CHINET surveillance of distribution and susceptibility of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates in 2012 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution and susceptibility of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates in 2012 from CHINET surveillance .Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated Systems .Results were analyzed according to the breakpoints of CLSI 2012 M100-S22 .Results A total of 1 499 CRE isolates were collected from January to December 2012 ,of which K lebsiella spp .,Enterobacter spp .and E .coli accounted for 63 .5% ,15 .1% and 13 .7% ,respectively .Of the 1 499 isolates , 48 .2% and 29 .3% were from respiratory tract and ICU , respectively . The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the resistance rate of CRE isolates to most antimicrobial agents was 70 .0%-100% except amikacin (46 .9% ) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (49 .8% ) .CRE isolates from adults were more resistant to ciprofloxacin ,aminoglycosides and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than those from children .Conclusions The antibiotic resistance of CRE isolates is very high . The spread of CRE strains in a specific region such as ICU and neurosurgery ward poses a serious threat to clinical practice and implies the importance of strengthening infection control .

CHINET 2012 surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacter spp .in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance of clinical Enterobacter isolates .Methods A total of 3 031 clinical strains of Enterobacter were collected from 15 hospitals from January 1 through December 31 , 2012 . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed with Kirby-Bauer or minimum inhibitory concentration method .The results were analyzed according to CLSI 2012 breakpoints .Results Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter aerogenes accounted for 73 .0% (2 212/3 031) and 23 .9% (725/3 031) of all the Enterobacter strains .The isolates of other Enterobacter species accounted for 3 .1% (94/3 031 ) . The main source of the isolates was respiratory tract specimen , accounting for 53 .2% (1 612/3 031) .Most (> 89% ) of the Enterobacter strains were resistant to cefazolin and cefoxitin . Generally ,54 .4% ,47 .5% and 34 .3% of the strains were resistant to cefuroxime ,cefotaxime and cefazidime ,respectively . About 6 .6% to 26 .3% of the strains were resistant to amikacin ,gentamicin ,piperacillin-tazobactam ,cefepime ,cefoperazone-sulbactam ,ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole .Imipenem ,meropenem and ertapenem showed the highest activity , to which only 3 .5% ,3 .7% and 10 .3% of the strains were resistant ,respectively .About 8 .9% (269/3 031) of the strains were resistant to at least imipenem ,meropenem or ertapenem .Four Enterobacter strains were extensive-drug resistant (XDR) .Conclusions The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacter isolates decreased slightly in 2012 compared to the data in 2011 ,but the situation is still very serious .We should continue to take effective measures to control the resistant strains .

CHINET 2012 surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance in the A cinetobacter baumannii strains in different parts of China during 2012 .Methods A total of 8 739 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter were collected from 13 general hospitals and two children’s hospitals ,of which most were A . baumannii (89 .6% , 7 827/8 739 ) . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of Kirby-Bauer method according to the unified protocol . The susceptibility testing data were analyzed by WHONET 5 .6 software according to CLSI 2013 breakpoints .Results Majority (85 .4% ) of the Acinetobacter strains were isolated from inpatients .The remaining 14 .6% were from outpatients and emergency room patients .Of the 7 827 strains of A .baumannii , 10 .9% ,35 .2% ,35 .7% and 43 .4% were resistant to tigecycline ,minocycline ,cefoperazone-sulbactam and amikacin , respectively .The percentage of A .baumannii resistant to imipenem and meropenem was 63 .5% and 68 .2% ,respectively . The antimicrobial resistant pattern varied in different hospitals . The resistance of A . baumannii varied between different clinical departments .A number of pandrug resistant (PDR) (20 .0% ,1 567/7 827) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) (45 .0% , 3 521/7 827 ) A . baumannii were identified . Conclusions A . baumannii is the most popular pathogenic bacteria among Acinetobacter .The antibiotic resistance of A .baumannii is still increasing .Cefoperazone-sulbactam and minocycline has good in vitro antibacterial activity against A .baumannii .The antibiotic resistance of A .baumannii varies greatly with hospital and department .

CHINET 2012 surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella spp .in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical strains of K lebsiella spp .isolated from 15 hospitals in China CHINET during 2012 .Methods Kirby-Bauer method and automatic microbiology analysis system were employed to study the antimicrobial resistance . WHONET 5 .6 software was applied for data analysis according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2012 breakpoints .Results A total of 9 621 clinical K lebsiella isolates were analyzed ,including 8 772 strains of K . pneumoniae and 804 strains of K . oxytoca . About 54 .9% (5 285/9 621) of the K lebsiella strains were isolated from sputum ,and 16 .3% (1 564/9 621) were isolated from pediatric patients .Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that about 8 .9% ,10 .8% and 12 .9% of the strains were resistant to imipenem ,meropenem and ertapenem ,respectively .About 14 .1% and 17 .0% of the strains were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam , respectively . Carbapenem-resistant K lebsiella strains were identified from all the 15 hospitals ,including 945 strains of K .pneumoniae and 45 strains of K .oxytoca ,which were resistant to either imipenem ,meropenem or ertapenem .Conclusions The Klebsiella isolates collected from 15 hospitals in China during 2012 are relatively sensitive to carbapenems ,cefoperazone-sulbactam and piperacillin-tazobactam .The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains is still increasing in China ,about 10 .3% in 2012 ,and relatively higher in Eastern China .More efforts should be made to control the superbug .

Mechanism of drug resistance of NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae and the clinical feature of its infection / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objeetive To explore the mechanism of drug resistance of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Enterobacteriaceae,and to investigate the characteristics of blaNDM-1 carrying plasmid and its gene environment.Methods A total of 48 strains of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were successively collected from six general hospitals in south China during August 2011 and January 2013.Escherichia coli J53 was used for plasmid conjugation.Modified Hodge test was performed,and PCR method was used for the detection of carbarpenase-related genes.The relative molecular mass of the blaNDM-1 carrying plasmid was determined using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)assay,and enzyme digestion was performed to investigate the homology and incompatibility group of the plasmid.Clinical feature of blaNDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae infection was also investigated.Results Among 48 strains of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae,43 were positive in modified Hodge tests.blaVIM,blaGIM and blaSPM genes were negative in all strains,while blaNDM-1 was positive in 19 strains including 3 strains of Escherichia coli,5 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae,6 strains of Enterobacter cloacae,3 strains of Citrobacterfreundii,1 strain of Klebsiella oxytoca and 1 strain of Providencia rettgeri.All the 19 strains were resistant to imipenem,cefotaxime,ceftazidime,cefepime,aztreonam and piperacillin/tazobactam,47.3％ strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin,but 68.4％ strains were sensitive to amikacin.Conjugation experiment showed that,blaNDM-1 carrying plasmids in 13 strains were transmitted to the Escherichia coli J53.The conjugants were resistant to imipenem,ceftazidime,cefotaxime and piperacillin/tazobactam,but were sensitive to amikacin,ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.All genes in conjugant J-FR90 (Providencia rettgeri) were negative,while the remaining 12 conjugants carried blaNDM-1,blaSHV and aac-(6')-Ib genes.PFGE showed that,the sizes of all blaNDM-1 carrying plasmids were about 50 kb,and more than 80％ of their macrorestriction maps were similar.The plasmid belonged to incompatibility group IncX3,and exhibited 100％ passage stability after 500 generations of propagation.Among 19 patients infected with NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae,6 died and 13 survived.Conclusions NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae is emerging in south China,and blaNDM-1 is transmitted to Enterobacteriaceae through IncX3.Patients infected with NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae usually have good prognosis.