Burden of Six Healthcare-Associated Infections on European Population Health: Estimating Incidence-Based Disability-Adjusted Life Years through a Population Prevalence-Based Modelling Study.

BACKGROUND: Estimating the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) compared to other communicable diseases is an ongoing challenge given the need for good quality data on the incidence of these infections and the involved comorbidities. Based on the methodology of the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE) project and 2011-2012 data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) point prevalence survey (PPS) of HAIs and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals, we estimated the burden of six common HAIs. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The included HAIs were healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP), healthcare-associated urinary tract infection (HA UTI), surgical site infection (SSI), healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection (HA CDI), healthcare-associated neonatal sepsis, and healthcare-associated primary bloodstream infection (HA primary BSI). The burden of these HAIs was measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Evidence relating to the disease progression pathway of each type of HAI was collected through systematic literature reviews, in order to estimate the risks attributable to HAIs. For each of the six HAIs, gender and age group prevalence from the ECDC PPS was converted into incidence rates by applying the Rhame and Sudderth formula. We adjusted for reduced life expectancy within the hospital population using three severity groups based on McCabe score data from the ECDC PPS. We estimated that 2,609,911 new cases of HAI occur every year in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA). The cumulative burden of the six HAIs was estimated at 501 DALYs per 100,000 general population each year in EU/EEA. HAP and HA primary BSI were associated with the highest burden and represented more than 60% of the total burden, with 169 and 145 DALYs per 100,000 total population, respectively. HA UTI, SSI, HA CDI, and HA primary BSI ranked as the third to sixth syndromes in terms of burden of disease. HAP and HA primary BSI were associated with the highest burden because of their high severity. The cumulative burden of the six HAIs was higher than the total burden of all other 32 communicable diseases included in the BCoDE 2009-2013 study. The main limitations of the study are the variability in the parameter estimates, in particular the disease models' case fatalities, and the use of the Rhame and Sudderth formula for estimating incident number of cases from prevalence data. CONCLUSIONS: We estimated the EU/EEA burden of HAIs in DALYs in 2011-2012 using a transparent and evidence-based approach that allows for combining estimates of morbidity and of mortality in order to compare with other diseases and to inform a comprehensive ranking suitable for prioritization. Our results highlight the high burden of HAIs and the need for increased efforts for their prevention and control. Furthermore, our model should allow for estimations of the potential benefit of preventive measures on the burden of HAIs in the EU/EEA.

Neurological sequelae of healthcare-associated sepsis in very-low-birthweight infants: Umbrella review and evidence-based outcome tree.

Sepsis is a frequent cause of death in very-low-birthweight infants and often results in neurological impairment. Its attributable risk of sequelae has not been systematically assessed. To establish an outcome tree for mapping the burden of neonatal sepsis, we performed systematic literature searches to identify systematic reviews addressing sequelae of neonatal sepsis. We included cohort studies and performed meta-analyses of attributable risks. Evidence quality was assessed using GRADE. Two systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. The first included nine cohort studies with 5,620 participants and five outcomes (neurodevelopmental impairment, cerebral palsy, vision impairment, hearing impairment, death). Pooled risk differences varied between 4% (95% confidence interval (CI):2-10) and 13% (95% CI:5-20). From the second review we analysed four studies with 472 infants. Positive predictive value of neurodevelopmental impairment for later cognitive impairment ranged between 67% (95% CI:22-96) and 83% (95% CI:36-100). Neonatal sepsis increases risk of permanent neurological impairment. Effect size varies by outcome, with evidence quality being low to very low. Data were used to construct an outcome tree for neonatal sepsis. Attributable risk estimates for sequelae following neonatal sepsis are suitable for burden estimation and may serve as outcome parameters in interventional studies.

Long-term carriage of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2-producing K pneumoniae after a large single-center outbreak in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The natural progress of intestinal colonization with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2-producing K pneumoniae (KPC-2-KP) is almost unknown. METHODS: After a large, single-center outbreak of KPC-2-KP, we analyzed carrier prevalence through retrospective and prospective investigation of intestinal KPC-2-KP carriage 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after acquisition, defined as the earliest date of KPC-2-KP detection. Rectal swabs or stool samples were collected at baseline and at each visit and submitted for both culture and KPC-specific polymerase chain reaction. Resolution of intestinal KPC-2-KP carriage was defined as a minimum of 3 consecutive negative polymerase chain reaction test results separated by at least 48 hours. RESULTS: In patients available for long-term evaluation 26 out of 84 patients (31%) tested negative for KPC-2-KP after 1 month, 14 out of 34 (41%) after 3 months, 17 out of 26 (65%) after 6 months, 14 out of 19 (74%) after 1 year, and 5 out of 6 (83%) after 2 years. Decolonization of KPC-2-KP was hampered in patients with prolonged or repeated hospitalization (P = .044-.140, depending on the time interval). Two patients retested positive for KPC-2-KP after they had previously shown 3 consecutive negative tests. The longest positive KPC-2-KP carrier status so far was observed after nearly 40 months (1,191 days). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients experienced spontaneous decolonization within 6 months after acquisition, mainly after discharge from the hospital. However, long-term carriage of >3 years is possible. Appropriate infection control measures must be taken when these patients are readmitted to health care facilities. A series of at least 4 consecutive negative rectal swabs or stool samples separated by sufficient time intervals appears necessary before the declaration of successful KPC-2-KP decolonization is made.

Lack of evidence for Schmallenberg virus infection in highly exposed persons, Germany, 2012.

Schmallenberg virus, a novel orthobunyavirus, is spreading among ruminants, especially sheep, throughout Europe. To determine the risk for human infection, we conducted a survey among shepherds to assess possible exposure and symptoms. We also performed serologic and molecular assays. No evidence of transmission to humans was detected.