Association between time to surgery and hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired limb necrotizing fasciitis: an 11-year multicenter retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but potentially life-threatening soft tissue infection. The objective of this study was to assess the association between timely surgery within 6 h and hospital mortality in patients with limb NF, and to describe the trends in patients with NF, time to surgery and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) over 11 years. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of all intensive care unit patients who had emergency surgery within 24 h of hospitalization for limb NF between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2019 in Hong Kong. Timely surgery was defined as the first surgical treatment within 6 h of initial hospitalization. Appropriate antibiotics were achieved if the patient was given antibiotic(s) for all documented pathogens prior to or on day of culture results. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. RESULTS: There were 495 patients (median age 62 years, 349 (70.5%) males) with limb NF treated by surgery within 24 h of hospitalization over the 11 years. Appropriate antibiotic(s) were used in 392 (79.2%) patients. There were 181 (36.5%) deaths. Timely surgery was not associated with hospital mortality (Relative Risk 0.89, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.07) but admission year, advanced age, higher severity of illness, comorbidities, renal replacement therapy, vasopressor use, and type of surgery were significant predictors in the multivariable model. There was an upward trend in NF diagnosis (1.9 cases/year, 95% CI: 0.7 to 3.1; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.60) but there was no downward trend in median time to surgery (-0.2 h/year, 95% CI: -0.4 to 0.1; P = 0.16) or SMR (-0.02/year, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.01; P = 0.22; R2 = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients operated within 24 h, very early surgery within 6-12 h was not associated with survival. Increasing limb NF cases were reported each year but mortality remained high despite a high rate of appropriate antibiotic use and timely surgical intervention.

MRSA infection of masticatory spaces in a paediatric patient.

Diagnosis of source of maxillofacial infection in paediatric patients can be challenging due to difficulty in eliciting a proper history and multiple potential sources of infection. Identification and removal of the nidus of infection with decompression and institution of antibiotic therapy as per the culture-sensitivity report form the mainstay treatment of the infection. Deviation from it may result in persistence or even progression of infection, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. In the past decade, the incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the oral cavity has seen an upward trend. This has further led to an increase in complexity in the diagnosis of maxillofacial infections. In this case, the authors want to bring to light the challenges faced in managing a paediatric patient with persistent fascial space infection even after removal of the offending tooth, which signifies the importance of managing the infection by the time-tested protocol.

Outcome of community- versus hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections in intensive care unit: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To compare patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for community-acquired intra-abdominal infection (CA-IAI) and hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infection (HA-IAI) in terms of mortality, severity and complications. METHODS: Retrospective study including all patients admitted to 2 ICUs within 48 h of undergoing surgery for peritonitis. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled during the study period. Patients with CA-IAI had an increased 28-day mortality rate compared to those with HA-IAI (30% vs 15%, respectively (p = 0.009)). At 90 days, the mortality rates were 36.7 and 37.5% in the CA-IAI group and HA-IAI group, respectively, with a similar APACHE II score on admission (median: 21 [15-25] vs. 21 [15-24] respectively, p = 0.63). The patients with HA-IAI had prolonged ICU and hospital stays (median: 17 [7-36] vs. 6[3-12] days, p < 0.001 and 41 [24-66] vs. 17 [7-32] days, p = 0.001), and experienced more complications (reoperation and reintubation) than those with CA-IAI. CONCLUSION: CA-IAI group had higher 28-day mortality rate than HA-IAI group. Mortality was similar at 90 days but those with HA-IAI had a prolonged ICU and hospital stay. In addition, they developed more complications.

Microbiological ascertainment in patients with pneumonia: the experience of a teaching hospital in Rome.

OBJECTIVES: Pneumonia still remains a problem from the clinical and public health viewpoint because of the relevant epidemiological burden. The etiological diagnosis is important in the light of avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment and choosing the most appropriate therapeutical approach. This study is aimed at providing evidence on the proportion of microbiological ascertainment in pneumonia-related hospitalizations in one of the most important teaching hospitals in Rome. METHODS: The study relied on the record linkage of two administrative databases of the same hospital: the electronic hospital discharge register and the microbiology laboratory surveillance database. RESULTS: 2819 records were identified, where 46% had a microbiological ascertainment, significantly higher in males than in females (51% vs 40%) and in cases of pneumonia reported in secondary diagnosis instead of primary diagnosis (52% vs 42%). Medical patients had significantly lower proportion of ascertainment compared to surgical patients (43% vs 67%) whereas there were not differences between patients with emergency and elective admission. The overall mortality was 17%. Mortality was significantly higher: in surgical compared to medical patients (27% vs 15%), in ventilated compared to not ventilated patients (41% vs 11%), in cases with secondary diagnosis of pneumonia compared to a primary diagnosis (23% vs 11% ) and in hospitalized in intensive care unit-ICU- rather than in non-ICU (71% vs 12%). CONCLUSION: The proportion of microbiological ascertaiment in pneumonia remains less than 50%. Albeit in line with other evidence, this result should call the attention on the impact of unknown etiological diagnosis on antibiotic treatment and resistance.

Lung ultrasound findings in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia requiring surgical procedures: a two-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound (US) in the evaluation of suspected pediatric pneumonia is increasingly used and has a recognized role in evaluating pleural effusions, although there are no detailed studies specifically addressing its use in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVES: To define lung US findings of severe pediatric community-acquired pneumonia that required surgical procedures during admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our prospective case-control study compared lung US findings in patients ages 1 month to 17 years admitted with community-acquired pneumonia that required surgical procedures from findings those who did not. Lung US was performed at admission and always before surgical procedures. Medical treatment, laboratory and microbiological findings, chest X-ray, computed tomography scan and surgical procedures are described. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one children with community-acquired pneumonia were included; of these, 23 underwent surgical intervention. Compared with the control group, children requiring a surgical procedure had a significantly higher rate of large consolidations (52.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.6% to 73.2%), larger and complicated pleural effusions (100%; 95% CI: 85.2% to 100%), and both liquid and air bronchograms (73.9%; 95% CI: 51.6% to 89.8%). CONCLUSION: Larger consolidations, larger and more complicated pleural effusions, and liquid and air bronchograms were associated with surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment of necrotizing pneumonia in children: a 10-year assessment. / Tratamento cirúrgico de pneumonia necrosante em crianças em um período de 10 anos.

OBJECTIVE: Necrotizing pneumonia (PNZ) is a severe and rare complication of a community-acquired pneumonia, affecting mainly children. We aimed to analyze medical records of children undergoing surgical treatment for PNZ and compare our results with those found in the medical literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of children's medical charts who underwent an operation for PNZ, between July 2006 and July 2016, in two hospitals in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 26 children with a median age of 2.70 years and mostly females (61.5%) were included in the current study. The main symptoms were fever (88.5%) and cough (65.4%). There was an average use of 4.31 antibiotics per patient. The primary etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (23.1%), but cultures were negative in 69% of the patients. Decortication and debridement of necrotic areas were performed in 23 patients (88.5%). The mean postoperative pleural drainage was 8.12 days. The presence of bronchopleural fistula occurred in 50.0% in the preoperative period and 46.2% in the postoperative. The total length of hospital stay was, on average, 27.52 days and the postoperative length of stay was 12.60 days (mean). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 children and there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The surgical approach is indicated to patients with no response to clinical treatment. Late surgical intervention is associated with progressive parenchyma infection and higher rates of complications. Surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes and earlier recovery.

OBJETIVO: A pneumonia necrosante (PNS) é uma grave e rara complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade, acometendo principalmente crianças, sendo assim, objetivamos analisar prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de PNS e comparação dos resultados obtidos com os presentes na literatura médica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico por PNS entre julho de 2006 a julho de 2016 em dois hospitais do sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Do total de 26 crianças, com mediana de idade 2,70 anos, maioria mulheres (61,5%). Os principais sintomas foram febre (88,5%) e tosse (65,4%). Houve média de 4,31 antibióticos utilizados por paciente. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus (23,1%) mas as culturas foram negativas em 69% dos pacientes. Em 23 pacientes realizou-se decorticação e desbridamento das áreas necróticas (88,5%). A média de drenagem pleural pós-operatória foi 8,12 dias. Fístula broncopleural ocorreu em 50,0% no pré-operatório e 46,2% após a cirurgia. O tempo total de internação hospitalar foi, em média, de 27,52 dias e tempo pós-operatório com média de 12,60 dias. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 13 crianças e não houve mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: Propõe-se abordagem cirúrgica nos pacientes sem resposta ao tratamento clínico, pois o atraso na intervenção cirúrgica associa-se a infecção progressiva no parênquima pulmonar e taxas maiores de complicações. A cirurgia pode conduzir a melhor evolução clínica e recuperação mais precoce.

Tratamento cirúrgico de pneumonia necrosante em crianças em um período de 10 anos / Surgical treatment of necrotizing pneumonia in children: a 10-year assessment

RESUMO Objetivo: A pneumonia necrosante (PNS) é uma grave e rara complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade, acometendo principalmente crianças, sendo assim, objetivamos analisar prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de PNS e comparação dos resultados obtidos com os presentes na literatura médica. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico por PNS entre julho de 2006 a julho de 2016 em dois hospitais do sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Resultados: Do total de 26 crianças, com mediana de idade 2,70 anos, maioria mulheres (61,5%). Os principais sintomas foram febre (88,5%) e tosse (65,4%). Houve média de 4,31 antibióticos utilizados por paciente. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus (23,1%) mas as culturas foram negativas em 69% dos pacientes. Em 23 pacientes realizou-se decorticação e desbridamento das áreas necróticas (88,5%). A média de drenagem pleural pós-operatória foi 8,12 dias. Fístula broncopleural ocorreu em 50,0% no pré-operatório e 46,2% após a cirurgia. O tempo total de internação hospitalar foi, em média, de 27,52 dias e tempo pós-operatório com média de 12,60 dias. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 13 crianças e não houve mortalidade. Conclusões: Propõe-se abordagem cirúrgica nos pacientes sem resposta ao tratamento clínico, pois o atraso na intervenção cirúrgica associa-se a infecção progressiva no parênquima pulmonar e taxas maiores de complicações. A cirurgia pode conduzir a melhor evolução clínica e recuperação mais precoce.

ABSTRACT Objective: Necrotizing pneumonia (PNZ) is a severe and rare complication of a community-acquired pneumonia, affecting mainly children. We aimed to analyze medical records of children undergoing surgical treatment for PNZ and compare our results with those found in the medical literature. Methods: Retrospective analysis of children's medical charts who underwent an operation for PNZ, between July 2006 and July 2016, in two hospitals in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. Results: A total of 26 children with a median age of 2.70 years and mostly females (61.5%) were included in the current study. The main symptoms were fever (88.5%) and cough (65.4%). There was an average use of 4.31 antibiotics per patient. The primary etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (23.1%), but cultures were negative in 69% of the patients. Decortication and debridement of necrotic areas were performed in 23 patients (88.5%). The mean postoperative pleural drainage was 8.12 days. The presence of bronchopleural fistula occurred in 50.0% in the preoperative period and 46.2% in the postoperative. The total length of hospital stay was, on average, 27.52 days and the postoperative length of stay was 12.60 days (mean). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 children and there was no mortality. Conclusion: The surgical approach is indicated to patients with no response to clinical treatment. Late surgical intervention is associated with progressive parenchyma infection and higher rates of complications. Surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes and earlier recovery.

Bacteriological profile of community-acquired musculoskeletal infections: a study from Queensland.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine bacteriology of community-acquired musculoskeletal infections requiring hospitalization and to compare this with published national and international data. This will help treating physicians select the appropriate antibiotic. METHODS: All patients who underwent surgical procedures for community-acquired musculoskeletal infections over a period of 22 months were included in the study. Hospital acquired infections, post-operative infections and infections involving prosthetic joints were excluded. Patient characteristics, treatment details, cultured organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with 46 cases met the inclusion criteria. Ten patients were from paediatric age group. Soft tissue infections were the most common diagnosis and accounted for 20 cases. The remainder were septic arthritis (n = 17) and osteomyelitis (n = 9). Thirteen patients (28.3%) had negative cultures from the operative samples. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated organism overall accounting for 23 cases (69.7%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) sensitive to vancomycin was cultured in four adult cases (12.1%), of which three were hand infections (50%). For the entire cohort, 67.7% and 61.3% isolates that were tested were sensitive to cefazolin and flucloxacillin, respectively. CONCLUSION: The bacteriological profile in this study is consistent with European and Australian data. While the overall MRSA infection rate was low, it was much higher among hand infections and is comparable to reports from the USA. Flucloxacillin and cefazolin should be considered as the first line of antibiotic therapy for all cases. Vancomycin should be considered when MRSA is suspected.

Surgically Treated Community-Acquired Brain Abscess: Bacteriological Analysis Based on Predisposing Infections.

Community-acquired brain abscesses are still encountered in clinical practice and cause considerable complications, despite improvements in hygiene in modernized societies. This study aimed to identify potential risk factors pertaining to predisposing infections and microorganisms to facilitate the effective treatment of brain abscesses. Of 121 surgically treated patients with brain abscesses, the most frequent predisposing condition was odontogenic infections (49/121 patients, 40.5%) followed by sinusitis (14/121, 11.6%). Of 121 patients, 51 (42.1%) had no identifiable predisposing infection. Viridans group streptococci (VGS) were the most frequently identified (47%) bacteria in all patients, and anaerobes were more frequently isolated in patients with odontogenic infections (36.7%, p=0.001) than aerobes. Among the patients with no identifiable predisposing infection, the most commonly isolated pathogen was VGS (38.3%); anaerobes occurred significantly less frequently (p=0.045), and old pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly more common (p=0.001) than in the group with identified predisposing infections. There was only one case of staphylococcal infection in 121 patients. The present study indicates that VGS should be the first target for antibiotic treatment when predisposing infections are not identifiable in patients with brain abscesses. Additionally, the association of old tuberculosis with community-acquired brain abscesses is common in these patients.

A Community-acquired Lung Abscess Attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae which Extended Directly into the Chest Wall.

We herein report the case of 75-year-old Japanese female with a community-acquired lung abscess attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. penumoniae) which extended into the chest wall. The patient was admitted to our hospital with a painful mass on the left anterior chest wall. A contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography scan showed a lung abscess in the left upper lobe which extended into the chest wall. Surgical debridement of the chest wall abscess and percutaneous transthoracic tube drainage of the lung abscess were performed. A culture of the drainage specimen yielded S. pneumoniae. The patient showed a remarkable improvement after the initiation of intravenous antibiotic therapy.

[Microbiological and resistance profiles of community acquired and nosocomial intra abdominal infections in surgery of National Hospital Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Peru]. / Perfil microbiológico de las infecciones intra abdominales en el Servicio de Cirugía de Emergencia del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiological and resistance profiles of community acquired and nosocomial intra abdominal infections (IAIs) at the Surgery Service of Emergency and surgery critical care units from the Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From August 1st, 2013 till July 31st, 2014, patients undergoing surgery/interventional drainage for IAIs were included. RESULTS: The suitable cultures for the analysis were 169 (74 bile and 95 no bile cultures; 142 community acquired and 27 nosocomials). The microorganims more frequently isolated were E. coli (63.3%), K. pneumoniae (12%) and Enterococcus spp. (10%). The 43.5% of E. coli and the 21.23% of Klebsiella were ESBL producers. The carbapenems were the most active agents in vitro (100%), while the quinolones showed high resistance (>50%). CONCLUSIONS: E. coli was the most common microorganism in the IAIs. Because of the quinolone’s high â€Å“in vitro” resistance, they should not be recommended as initial empirical therapy.

Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Musculoskeletal Infections: Emerging Trends Over the Past Decade.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has altered the management of pediatric musculoskeletal infections. Yet, institution-to-institution differences in MRSA virulence may exist, suggesting a need to carefully examine local epidemiological characteristics. The purpose of this study was to compare MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) musculoskeletal infections with respect to prevalence and complexity of clinical care over the past decade at a single children's hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a series of patients presenting to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, or both over a 10-year period. Inclusion criteria were S. aureus (SA) infections proven by positive culture of blood, bone, or joint aspirate. Exclusion criteria were non-SA infectious etiologies. Hospital-acquired infections were also not included to exclusively evaluate acute, community-acquired cases. Data related to hospital course, laboratory values, and number of surgical interventions were collected and compared between MRSA and MSSA cohorts. RESULTS: In our series of pediatric patients, we identified 148 cases of acute, community-acquired musculoskeletal SA infections (MRSA, n=37 and MSSA, n=111). The prevalence of MRSA musculoskeletal infections increased from 11.8% in 2001 to 2002 to 34.8% in 2009 to 2010. Compared with MSSA, MRSA infections resulted in higher presenting C-reactive protein levels (10.4 vs. 7.8 mg/L, P=0.04), longer inpatient stays (10 vs. 5 d, P<0.01), multiple surgical procedures (n>1) (38% vs. 14%, P<0.01), increased sequelae (27% vs. 6%, P<0.01), and more frequent admissions to the intensive care unit (16% vs. 3%, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: At our institution over the past decade, we found an approximate 3-fold rise in community-acquired pediatric MRSA musculoskeletal infections accompanied by an elevated risk for complications during inpatient management. Awareness of the epidemiological trends of MRSA within the local community may guide parental counseling and facilitate timely and accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-prognostic retrospective study.

Suppurative cervical lymphadenitis in infancy: microbiology and sociology.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between patient age, sociological factors, and the microbiology of pediatric neck infections. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children up to 5 years old who underwent surgical management of suppurative cervical lymphadenitis. RESULTS: A total of 76 individuals met inclusion criteria; 93% of culture-positive infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus in infants, compared with 59% in children between 13 months and 5 years of age (P = .002). Of the S aureus isolates, 51% were methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) and 49% were methicillin-sensitive S aureus. Methicillin resistance was associated with African American race (P = .004); 67% of participants received empirical antibiotics prior to admission. Of these, 73% received antibiotics in the ß-lactam class, and 25% received treatment with clindamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of MRSA is high in infants with cervical lymphadenitis who fail empirical antibiotic therapy and require surgical management. Empirical coverage for cervical lymphadenitis with ß-lactam antibiotics may provide inadequate coverage for early infection in this population.

Emergence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive ST59 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus with high cytolytic peptide expression in association with community-acquired pediatric osteomyelitis complicated by pulmonary embolism.

A 15-year-old boy, who had had a furuncle on his femur, developed femoral pyomyositis and osteomyelitis complicated by septic pulmonary embolism. Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive (PVL(+)) ST59 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was isolated from pus and blood. Chemotherapy was started with cefazolin, followed by combination therapy with meropenem/vancomycin with surgery. The MSSA (strain KS1) was positive for increased levels of cytolytic peptide (psmα and hld) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and manifested IS1216V-mediated multidrug resistance (to erythromycin, clindamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol), similar to a genome-analyzed reference strain (PM1) of ST59/SCCmecV(5C2&5) community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (Taiwan CA-MRSA), but unlike another reference strain (M013) of Taiwan CA-MRSA in terms of resistance. The data suggest that CA-MSSA KS1, characterized by PVL, increased levels of cytolytic peptide, SEB, and multidrug resistance, is a possible ancestral strain of Taiwan CA-MRSA and causes the unique association of osteomyelitis and septic pulmonary embolism, requiring complicated management.

Incidence of surgically drained cutaneous abscess in relation to climate in Mayotte, Comoros.

Although skin infections are common in tropical countries, there is scant data quantifying the relationship with climate conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and seasonality of skin abscess in Mayotte, Comoros. We collected data on patients with cutaneous abscesses requiring surgical drainage from January 2009 to December 2010. A total of 3423 abscesses were recorded. The overall annualized incidence was 785 cases per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval 754-814). The incidence rate peaked in children and abscesses were highest during the rainy season (964 cases per 100,000 population per 6 months). A greater frequency of insects bites, a lower level of sensitization and lack of access to adequate hygiene are potential explanations for these findings. A community-based intervention strategy should target vulnerable children in order to combat this disease.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prostatic abscesses.

We describe 2 men with prostatic abscesses due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Neither of them had diabetes mellitus, prior prostate disease, recent health care exposure or urinary instrumentation and had no evidence of bloodstream infection at the time of presentation. Both were treated with surgical drainage and prolonged antibiotics.