A retrospective analysis of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections in critically ill patients: Experience at a tertiary-care teaching hospital ICU.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a clinically significant pathogen with a high incidence of multidrug resistance that is associated with life-threatening nosocomial infections. Here, we aimed to provide an insight into the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a unique group of A. baumannii infections in which the isolates were resistant to carbapenems and most other antibiotic groups in a tertiary-care intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study in which records of patients hospitalized in the ICU between June 1, 2021 and June 1, 2023 were reviewed. We checked the clinical, laboratory, and microbiological records of all adult patients who had carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infections. Prior antibiotic treatments and definitive antibiotic treatments after culture positivity and susceptibility test results were recorded. C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels and leukocyte counts were noted. Length of ICU stay and 30-day mortality were defined as the outcome parameters. Results: During the study period, 57 patients were diagnosed with CRAB infections. The respiratory tract was the leading infection site (80.7%). In non-survivors, bloodstream infections (21.9% vs. 4.0% P=0.05) and colistin-resistant (col-R) CRAB infections (43.8% vs. 24.0%, P=0.12) were more common than in survivors, but these parameters were not statistically significant. The length of ICU stay was not different between survivors and non-survivors. Overall, the rate of col-R among CRAB clinical isolates was 35.1%. The 30-day mortality in all patients with CRAB infection was 56.1%. Mortality in col-R CRAB and colistin-susceptible (col-S) CRAB infections was 70.0% and 48.6%, respectively (P=0.12). Prior carbapenem use was 56.1%. Prior colistin use before col-R and col-S CRAB infections was not significant (35.0% vs. 27.0%, P=0.53). Conclusions: Our study provides real-world data on highly resistant A. baumannii infections and shares the characteristics of infections with such resistant strains. Unfortunately, carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii is a challenge for intensive care specialists who are faced with few treatment options, and colistin resistance further complicates the problem.

Refeeding Hypophosphatemia in Oldest Old Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Refeeding syndrome is characterized by metabolic and electrolyte alterations that result from the initiation of feeding after a period of inadequate caloric intake. Especially, in the elderly with acute and/or chronic illness, nutritional deficiencies are common, and diminished oral intake with effects of catabolic status yields malnutrition. This study was conducted to evaluate refeeding hypophosphatemia and its consequences on outcomes in the oldest old critically ill patients. METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study that included patients who were 80 years old or older admitted to ICU. Patients were grouped depending on whether hypophosphatemia occurred after 48 hours of admission who started feeding. RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 87[82-90] years and 61(73%) of them were female. Refeeding hypophosphatemia was observed in 25(30%) patients. When patients were grouped depending on the occurrence of hypophosphatemia, groups were similar according to the severity scores, and comorbidities. Neither ICU mortality nor hospital mortality was different between groups (p=0.76 and p=0.19, respectively). CONCLUSION: Refeeding hypophosphatemia incidence was similar to previous studies, although study patients were the highest risk group. Outcome parameters including mortality rate and length of ICU stay were not different between patients with or without refeeding hypophosphatemia.

Epidemiology and risk factors of 28-day mortality of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection in Turkish intensive care units: a prospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To uncover clinical epidemiology, microbiological characteristics and outcome determinants of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs) in Turkish ICU patients. METHODS: The EUROBACT II was a prospective observational multicontinental cohort study. We performed a subanalysis of patients from 24 Turkish ICUs included in this study. Risk factors for mortality were identified using multivariable Cox frailty models. RESULTS: Of 547 patients, 58.7% were male with a median [IQR] age of 68 [55-78]. Most frequent sources of HA-BSIs were intravascular catheter [182, (33.3%)] and lower respiratory tract [175, (32.0%)]. Among isolated pathogens (n = 599), 67.1% were Gram-negative, 21.5% Gram-positive and 11.2% due to fungi. Carbapenem resistance was present in 90.4% of Acinetobacter spp., 53.1% of Klebsiella spp. and 48.8% of Pseudomonas spp. In monobacterial Gram-negative HA-BSIs (n = 329), SOFA score (aHR 1.20, 95% CI 1.14-1.27), carbapenem resistance (aHR 2.46, 95% CI 1.58-3.84), previous myocardial infarction (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.12-3.08), COVID-19 admission diagnosis (aHR 2.95, 95% CI 1.25-6.95) and not achieving source control (aHR 2.02, 95% CI 1.15-3.54) were associated with mortality. However, availability of clinical pharmacists (aHR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.90) and source control (aHR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.77) were associated with survival. In monobacterial Gram-positive HA-BSIs (n = 93), SOFA score (aHR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17-1.43) and age (aHR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08) were associated with mortality, whereas source control (aHR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20-0.87) was associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Considering high antimicrobial resistance rate, importance of source control and availability of clinical pharmacists, a multifaceted management programme should be adopted in Turkish ICUs.

Ventilator associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence rate, risk factors, and isolated microorganisms in COVID-19 patients as the primary endpoint. Evaluation of VAP-associated intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortalities was the secondary endpoint. Materials and Methods: Records of patients admitted between March 2020- June 2021 to our pandemic ICU were reviewed and COVID-19 patients with VAP and non-VAP were evaluated retrospectively. Comorbidities, management, length of ICU stay, and outcomes of VAP and non-VAP patients, as well as risk factors for VAP mortality, were identified. Result: During the study period, 254 patients were admitted to the ICU. After the exclusion, the data of 208 patients were reviewed. In total, 121 patients required invasive mechanical ventilation, with 78 (64.5%) developing VAP. Length of ICU and hospital stays were longer in VAP patients (p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively). Steroid use was higher in VAP patients, although it was not statistically significant (p= 0.06). APACHE II score (p<0.01) was higher in non-VAP patients. ICU mortality was high in both groups (VAP 70%, non-VAP 77%). VAP mortality was higher in males (p= 0.03) and in patients who required renal replacement therapy (p= 0.01). Length of ICU stay (p= 0.04), and length of hospital stay (p<0.01) were both high in VAP survivors. The most common isolated microorganisms were Acinetobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. in VAP patients and most of them were extensively drug-resistant. Conclusions: Critically ill COVID-19 patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation developed VAP frequently. The length of ICU stay was longer in patients who developed VAP and ICU mortality was high in both VAP and non-VAP patients. The length of hospital and ICU stays among VAP survivors were also considerably high which is probably related to the long recovery period of COVID-19. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Acinetobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. in VAP patients.