Assessing the burden of disease of gram-negative bloodstream infections in a Brazilian hospital: A retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2019.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the disease burden of BSIs caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB-BSIs) in a Brazilian hospital from 2015 to 2019, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adult patients with GNB-BSI was conducted from April 01, 2015 to March 31, 2019. This study was carried out in a 356-bed private hospital with a 68-bed medical intensive care unit located in Salvador, Brazil. Demographic and clinical data were collected through a review of medical records. DALYs were estimated using Monte Carlo Simulations, using life tables for Brazilians estimated for 2020 and the Global Burden of Diseases 2010 (GBD 2010). Results: A total of 519 GNB-BSI episodes in 498 individuals were identified. The mean age was 59.92 ± 17.97 years, with 61.1% being male. The most common bacterial infections were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli (66.5%), whereas carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) accounted for 32.7% of cases. The highest overall DALYs were observed in 2018 (752, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 520-1021 with Brazilian Life Tables and 782, 95% CI: 540-1062 with GBD 2010). Infections due to CR-GNB had the highest DALYs, particularly, in 2017, reaching 7050 (95% CI: 3200-12,150 with Brazilian Life Tables and 7350, 95% CI: 3350-12,700 with GBD 2010) DALYs per 1000 patient days and an estimated mortality rate of 40% per 1000 patient days. Conclusions: The persistently high DALYs associated with CR-GNB raise alarming concerns, potentially leading to over 300 deaths per 1000 patient days in the coming years. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing GNB-BSI as a significant public health issue in Brazil. These results are expected to provide helpful information for public health policymakers to prioritize interventions for infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits in ESBL-producing-Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 strains colonizing the gastrointestinal tract and causing a fatal bloodstream infection in a leukemia patient.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans. The mechanisms underlying the successful translocation of this pathogen to cause extra-intestinal infections remain unknown, although virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits likely play significant roles in the establishment of infections. We investigated K. pneumoniae strains isolated from GIT colonization (strains Kp_FZcol-1, Kp_FZcol-2 and Kp_FZcro-1) and from a fatal bloodstream infection (strain Kp_HM-1) in a leukemia patient. All strains belonged to ST307, carried a transferable IncF plasmid containing the blaCTX-M-15 gene (pKPN3-307 TypeA-like plasmid) and showed a multidrug-resistance phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Kp_HM-1 was more closely related to Kp_FZcro-1 than to the other colonizing strains. The Kp_FZcol-2 genome showed 81 % coverage with the Kp_HM-1 246,730 bp plasmid (pKp_HM-1), lacking most of its putative virulence genes. Searching public genomes with similar coverage, we observed the occurrence of this deletion in K. pneumoniae ST307 strains recovered from human colonization and infection in different countries. Our findings suggest that strains lacking the putative virulence genes found in the pKPN3-307 TypeA plasmid are still able to colonize and infect humans, highlighting the need to further investigate the role of these genes for the adaptation of K. pneumoniae ST307 in distinct human body sites.

Severe form of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis: a case report.

Sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Latin America. It is caused by species of the genus Sporothrix. Infection in humans occurs through the entry of the fungus into the skin. Zoonotic outbreaks involving cats in the transmission of the disease have been frequently reported. The lymphocutaneous form is the most commonly observed and the upper limbs are the most affected sites. We report a case of a 64-year-old healthy female patient with a lymphocutaneous form with rapid progression of lesions, which was refractory to initial treatment with itraconazole. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was performed with a satisfactory resolution, but aesthetic and functional sequelae in the left upper limb were installed.

Severe form of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis: a case report

ABSTRACT Sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Latin America. It is caused by species of the genus Sporothrix. Infection in humans occurs through the entry of the fungus into the skin. Zoonotic outbreaks involving cats in the transmission of the disease have been frequently reported. The lymphocutaneous form is the most commonly observed and the upper limbs are the most affected sites. We report a case of a 64-year-old healthy female patient with a lymphocutaneous form with rapid progression of lesions, which was refractory to initial treatment with itraconazole. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was performed with a satisfactory resolution, but aesthetic and functional sequelae in the left upper limb were installed.

Impacto de Marcadores Inflamatórios no Prognóstico de Pacientes Oncológicos Internados no Instituto Nacional de Câncer com SARS-CoV-2 na Primeira Onda da Pandemia no Brasil / Impact of Inflammatory Markers on the Prognosis of Patients with Cancer Admitted to the National Cancer Institute with SARS-CoV-2 in the First Wave of the Pandemic in Brazil / Impacto de los Marcadores Inflamatorios en el Pronóstico de Pacientes con Cáncer Ingresados en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer con SARS-CoV-2 en la Primera Ola de la Pandemia en el Brasil

Introdução: O intenso processo inflamatório desencadeado pela covid-19 tem sido apontado por diversos autores. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de marcadores inflamatórios no prognóstico de pacientes com tumores sólidos internados com SARS-CoV-2/covid-19 na primeira onda da pandemia no Brasil. Método: Estudo de coorte com pacientes maiores de 18 anos com câncer, internados em um centro público de referência no tratamento oncológico, com SARS-CoV-2/covid-19, no período de março a setembro de 2020. Os seguintes marcadores inflamatórios foram analisados: razão neutrófilo-linfócito (RNL), derivação da razão neutrófilo-linfócito (dRNL) e razão plaqueta-linfócito (RPL). Foi considerado desfecho deste estudo a ocorrência de óbito durante a internação hospitalar. A associação entre as variáveis independentes e o desfecho foi analisada por meio de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. Resultados: Dos 185 pacientes, a maioria apresentava idade < 65 anos (61,1%), performance status (PS) ≥ 2 (82,4%) e estavam em tratamento oncológico (80,0%). O câncer de mama foi o tumor mais frequente (26,5%). Para a maior parte dos casos, o tempo de internação foi ≥ 5 dias (59,5%) e ocorreu em unidade de tratamento intensivo (84,3%). Durante a internação, 86 (46,5%) pacientes evoluíram para óbito. Na análise ajustada, apenas a RNL elevada (≥ 4,44) esteve associada ao risco de morrer (OR 3,54; IC 95%; 1,68 - 7,46; p = 0,001). Conclusão: A RNL se mostrou um importante marcador prognóstico, e níveis acima do seu valor mediano estiveram relacionados ao aumento do risco de morte durante a internação hospitalar

Introduction: The intense inflammatory process triggered by COVID-19 has been pointed out by several authors. Objective: To evaluate the impact of inflammatory markers on the prognosis of patients with solid tumors hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic in Brazil. Method: A cohort study of patients >18 years old with cancer, hospitalized at a public cancer treatment reference center, with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 from March to September 2020. The following inflammatory markers were analyzed: neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derivation of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The outcome of this study was death during hospitalization. The association between the independent variables and the outcome was analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the 185 patients, most were aged < 65 years (61.1%), had performance status (PS) ≥ 2 (82.4%) and were in cancer treatment (80.0%). Breast cancer was the most frequent tumor (26.5%). For the majority of the cases, the length of hospital stay was ≥ 5 days (59.5%) and occurred in the intensive treatment unit (84.3%). During hospitalization, 86 (46.5%) patients progressed to death. In the adjusted analysis only high NLR (≥ 4.44) was associated with the risk of death (OR 3.54; 95% CI; 1.68 - 7.46; p = 0.001). Conclusion: NLR proved to be an important prognostic marker, and levels above its median value were related to an increased risk of death during hospitalization

Introducción: El papel de la inflamación desencadenada por la COVID-19 ha sido señalado por varios autores. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de los marcadores inflamatorios en el pronóstico de pacientes con tumores sólidos hospitalizados por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 en la primera ola de la pandemia en el Brasil. Método: Estudio de cohorte con pacientes >18 años con cáncer, ingresados en un centro público de referencia en el tratamiento del cáncer, con SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 de marzo a septiembre de 2020. Se evaluaron los siguientes marcadores inflamatorios: relación neutrófilos-linfocitos (RNL), derivación de la relación neutrófilos-linfocitos (dRNL) y relación plaquetas-linfocitos (RPL). Se consideró como desenlace de este estudio la ocurrencia de muerte durante la hospitalización. La asociación entre las variables independientes y el desenlace se analizó mediante regresión logística univariada y múltiple. Resultados: De los 185 pacientes hospitalizados, la mayoría tenía una edad < 65 años (61,1%), un performance status (PS) ≥ 2 (82,4%) y estaban en tratamiento oncológico (80,0 %). El cáncer de mama fue el tumor más frecuente (26,5%). Para la mayoría de los casos, el tiempo de hospitalización fue ≥ 5 días (59,5%) y ocurrió en la unidad de tratamiento intensivo (84,3%). Durante la hospitalización, 86 (46,5%) pacientes terminaron falleciendo. En el análisis ajustado, solo una RNL alta (≥ 4,44) se asoció con el riesgo de muerte (OR 3,54; IC 95%; 1,68 - 7,46; p = 0,001). Conclusión: La RNL demostró ser un importante marcador pronóstico, y los niveles por encima de su valor medio se relacionaron con un mayor riesgo de muerte durante la hospitalización

Subacute infective endocarditis caused by Bacillus cereus in a patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A rare and difficult to diagnose case of subacute infective endocarditis caused by Bacillus cereus in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and Libman-Sacks endocarditis has been reported. Our aim is to highlight the importance of molecular methods such as MALDI-TOF and PCR to explain clinical and epidemiological issues about infections caused by unusual pathogen.

Molecular aspects of Chikungunya virus infections in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that can cause chronic and debilitating manifestations. The first autochthonous case in Rio de Janeiro state was diagnosed in 2015, and an outbreak was declared in 2016. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate CHIKV viral load in serum, plasma and urine in cancer patients to determine the best sample for diagnosis, as well as perform molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of circulating strains. METHODS: Paired serum, plasma and urine collected from 31 cancer patients were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a segment of the CHIKV E1 gene was sequenced. FINDINGS: We detected 11 CHIKV+ oncological patients. Paired samples analyses of nine patients showed a different pattern of detection. Also, a higher viral load in plasma (6.84 log10) and serum (6.07 log10) vs urine (3.76 log10) was found. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterisation revealed East/Central/Southern Africa (ECSA) genotype circulation and three amino acids substitutions (E1-K211T, E1-M269V, E1-T288I) in positive patients. MAIN CONCLUSION: The results indicate the bioequivalence of serum and plasma for CHIKV diagnosis, with urine being an important complement. ECSA genotype was circulating among patients in the period of the 2016 outbreak with K211T, M269V and T288I substitution.

Molecular aspects of Chikungunya virus infections in cancer patients

BACKGROUND Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that can cause chronic and debilitating manifestations. The first autochthonous case in Rio de Janeiro state was diagnosed in 2015, and an outbreak was declared in 2016. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to evaluate CHIKV viral load in serum, plasma and urine in cancer patients to determine the best sample for diagnosis, as well as perform molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of circulating strains. METHODS Paired serum, plasma and urine collected from 31 cancer patients were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a segment of the CHIKV E1 gene was sequenced. FINDINGS We detected 11 CHIKV+ oncological patients. Paired samples analyses of nine patients showed a different pattern of detection. Also, a higher viral load in plasma (6.84 log10) and serum (6.07 log10) vs urine (3.76 log10) was found. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterisation revealed East/Central/Southern Africa (ECSA) genotype circulation and three amino acids substitutions (E1-K211T, E1-M269V, E1-T288I) in positive patients. MAIN CONCLUSION The results indicate the bioequivalence of serum and plasma for CHIKV diagnosis, with urine being an important complement. ECSA genotype was circulating among patients in the period of the 2016 outbreak with K211T, M269V and T288I substitution.

Risk Factors of Death in Bloodstream Infections Caused by AmpC ß-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales in Patients with Neoplasia.

PURPOSE: The infections caused by ESCPM Enterobacterales (Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., Citrobacter spp., Providencia spp. and Morganella spp.) have limited therapeutic options. Patients with neoplastic diseases are particularly vulnerable to bloodstream infections (BSIs). OBJECTIVE: To analyze determinant factors of death in patients with neoplasia complicated with BSI caused by ESCPM Enterobacterales. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort study of patients aged 18 years or older with neoplasia and BSI due to ESCPM group was conducted at the Cancer Hospital I of the National Cancer Institute, Brazil, from September 2012 to December 2017. The variables associated with death were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients included in the cohort, 67.0% were male, the median age was 63 years and 67.0% had solid tumors. Of the 107 BSI episodes evaluated, 70.1% were hospital-acquired infections, 54.2% were secondary to extravascular focus of infection, gastrointestinal tract (19.6%), mainly. Enterobacter spp. (n: 49, 45.4%) was the most frequent agent isolated followed by Serratia spp. (n: 34, 31.5%), Morganella morganii (n: 16, 14.9%), Citrobacter freundii. (n: 7, 6.5%) and Providencia spp. (n: 2, 1.8%). Ten (9.3%) BSI episodes were caused by multidrug-resistant ESCPM Enterobacterales (MDR-ESCPM). The 7-day and 30-day mortality were 9.3% and 21.5%, respectively. The BSIs caused by MDR-ESCPM were independently associated with 7-day death (OR = 21.62 95% CI: 1.81-258.51 P = 0.01). Monotherapy with piperacillin-tazobactam tended to be associated with 7-day death (OR = 10.46 95% CI: 0.97-112.91 P = 0.05) and 30-day death (OR = 2.73 95% CI: 0.96-7.70 P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: BSIs due to ESCPM group have high mortality and when caused by MDR-ESCPM are independently associated with 7-day death. The possible association of piperacillin-tazobactam monotherapy for BSI-ESCPM with death needs to be better studied.

The impact of ageing on the incidence and mortality rate of bloodstream infection: A hospital-based case-cohort study in a tertiary public hospital of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Over the past few decades, life expectancy in Brazil has increased from 48 years in 1950s to 76 years in 2017. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ageing on: (1) the frequency of hospitalisations due to bloodstream infection (BSI); (2) the incidence of hospital-acquired BSI (H-BSI); (3) the incidence of BSI caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) agents and (4) the mortality rate of BSI in a public hospital. METHODS: A hospital-based case-cohort study was conducted between 1 December 2013 and 31 December 2015. The data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 500 BSI episodes were detected, among 11,102 hospitalizations. The incidence of hospitalisations resulting from BSI was significantly higher in older than younger patients (3.7/100 vs. 2.0/100, p < 0.01). Similarly, the incidence of hospital-acquired BSI was significantly higher in older patients (2.7/100 vs. 0.9/100, p < 0.01). Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.3%), Escherichia coli (13.1%) and Acinetobacter spp. (12.1%) were the most common agents isolated. MDR agents caused 37.6% of the BSI episodes; enteric Gram-negative bacilli resistant to third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins (9.7%) and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (9.2%) were the most common MDR agents. The following complications were independently associated with ageing: Charlson comorbidity index (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.09-1.24); BSI secondary to urinary tract infection (OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.29-3.55); BSI secondary to pneumonia (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.07-2.93) and 30-day mortality following BSI (OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.43-3.36). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest ageing has a significant impact on hospitalisations due to BSI, H-BSI incidence and mortality from BSI in older patients attending a Brazilian public hospital. Age was not significantly associated with MDR-related BSI. These results indicate that age plays an important role in the increase in morbidities and mortality resulting from BSI in Brazil and that with the increased life expectancy observed over recent decades in Brazil, the burden of BSI will be expected to continue to increase. This dynamic needs to be better understood with additional studies.

Bloodstream infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria: epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. This scenario worsens with the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, resulting in infections which are difficult to treat or even untreatable with conventional antimicrobials. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological aspects of BSI caused by multiresistant gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB). METHODS: We conducted a laboratory-based surveillance for gram-negative bacteremia over a 1-year period. The bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF/MS and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by VITEK®2. Resistance genes were identified through PCR assays. RESULTS: Of the 143 patients, 28.7% had infections caused by MDR-GNB. The risk factors for MDR bacteremia were male sex, age ≥ 60, previous antimicrobial use, liver disease and bacteremia caused by K. pneumoniae. K. pneumoniae was the most frequently observed causative agent and had the highest resistance level. Regarding the resistance determinants, SHV, TEM, OXA-1-like and CTX-M-gp1 were predominant enzymatic variants, whereas CTX-M-gp9, CTX-M-gp2, KPC, VIM, GES, OXA-48-like, NDM and OXA-23-like were considered emerging enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: Here we demonstrate that clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes are prevalent in this setting. We hope our findings support the development of intervention measures by policy makers and healthcare professionals to face antibiotic resistance.

Early prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium amycolatum: the first case reported in Brazil.

Non-diphtheriae Corynebacterium species are usually considered as contaminants of clinical specimens due to their widely environmental distribution and colonization of the human skin and mucous membranes. However, these bacteria have been increasingly recognized as agents of life-threatening infections mainly in individuals in immunosuppressive conditions. These organisms have vast variation in morphology and biochemical reaction, characteristics that make the correct identification of Corynebacterium at the species level extremely difficult using conventional phenotypic methods. The precise identification of C. amycolatum requires approaches rarely available in conventional clinical microbiology laboratories, such as API Coryne system, 16s rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing. In this setting, MALDI-TOF, a quick, accurate, and relatively unexpansive molecular technique, arises as a cost-effective alternative for characterizing these agents. Here, a rare and lethal case of endocarditis caused by C. amycolatum is presented. This is the first case of infective endocarditis due to C. amycolatum reported in Brazil.

Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) of Central-Line Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) in a University Hospital in a Developing Country, Brazil.

Central-line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) increases hospital mortality. A cohort study was conducted in a Brazilian hospital to estimate the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) of CLABSI using modified World Health Organization (WHO) methodology. CLABSI DALY was 20.44 per 1,000 inpatients, most were the result of premature death (20.42 per 1,000 inpatients). DALY can be useful to guide and measure the impact of healthcare infection prevention. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:606-609.

Characterization of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant and Ciprofloxacin-Susceptible Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Obtained from Patients with Gynecological Cancer.

The objective of this work was to assess the genetic characteristics of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, ciprofloxacin resistance or susceptibility, obtained from patients with gynecological cancer and urinary tract infection (UTI). Seventy-seven E. coli ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates and 38 ciprofloxacin-susceptible were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the phylogenetic groups, virulence factors as iucC, fyuA, hlyC, cnf1 genes, and pks pathogenicity island. The presence of genes related to ciprofloxacin resistance such as qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and qepA, and the sequencing of DNA gyrase genes and topoisomerase IV were determined. The genetic profile of the isolates was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test. Phylogenetic group B2 was the most prevalent although a great genetic diversity was observed by PFGE. Only genes associated to siderophores were found in ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates; however, in ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates, genes related to siderophores and toxin, were detected. Additionally qnrB was detected in both populations, ciprofloxacin resistant and susceptible. DNA mutations in gyrA were Ser-83-Leu and Asp-87-Asn and in parC were Ser-80-Ile and Glu-84-Val, Glu-84-Lys. In conclusion, it was observed a high prevalence of qnrB in the population studied; in addition, it was the first time the pks island was observed only in ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates.

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections.

The epidemiology of urinary tract infections (UTI) by Staphylococcus saprophyticus has not been fully characterised and strain typing methods have not been validated for this agent. To evaluate whether epidemiological relationships exist between clusters of pulsed field gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes of S. saprophyticus from community-acquired UTI, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In total, 32 (16%) female patients attending two walk-in clinics were culture-positive for S. saprophyticus. Five PFGE clusters were defined and evaluated against epidemiological data. The PFGE clusters were grouped in time, suggesting the existence of community point sources of S. saprophyticus. From these point sources, S. saprophyticus strains may spread among individuals.

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections

The epidemiology of urinary tract infections (UTI) by Staphylococcus saprophyticus has not been fully characterised and strain typing methods have not been validated for this agent. To evaluate whether epidemiological relationships exist between clusters of pulsed field gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes of S. saprophyticus from community-acquired UTI, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In total, 32 (16%) female patients attending two walk-in clinics were culture-positive for S. saprophyticus. Five PFGE clusters were defined and evaluated against epidemiological data. The PFGE clusters were grouped in time, suggesting the existence of community point sources of S. saprophyticus. From these point sources, S. saprophyticus strains may spread among individuals.

Imported and intensive care unit-born Acinetobacter baumannii clonal complexes: one-year prospective cohort study in intensive care patients.

The main objective of this study was to assess the frequency and possible sources of colonization and infection by Acinetobacter in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and characterize the isolates for relatedness to internationally and locally disseminated lineages. Patients consecutively admitted to the ICU from April 2007 to April 2008 were screened for colonization and infection. Species were identified by rpoB sequencing. The presence of acquired and intrinsic carbapenemase genes was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Strains were typed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using the schemes hosted at the University of Oxford (UO) and Institut Pasteur (IP). Of 234 patients, 98 (42%) had at least one specimen positive for the Acinetobacter isolate, and 24 (10%) had infection. A total of 22 (92%) infections were caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and one each (4%) by Acinetobacter nosocomialis and Acinetobacter berezinae. A. baumannii isolates from 60 patients belonged to RAPD types that corresponded to MLST clonal complexes (CCs) 109/1 (UO/IP scheme, known as International Clone I), CC 110/110 (UO/IP), CC 113/79 (UO/IP), and CC 104/15 (UO/IP). Most CCs were carbapenem resistant and carried the bla(OXA-23)-like gene. Strains were introduced by patients transferred from other wards of the same hospital (11 patients, 18%) or acquired from cross-transmission within the ICU (49 patients, 82%). A. nosocomialis lineage sequence type 260 colonized 10% of the whole study population. A. baumannii have become established in this hospital as a part of a global epidemic of successful clones. Once introduced into the hospital, such clones have become entrenched among patients in the ICU.

The influence of carbapenem resistance on mortality in solid organ transplant recipients with Acinetobacter baumannii infection.

BACKGROUND: Infection with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been associated with high morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of carbapenem resistance and other potential risk factors on the outcome of A. baumannii infection after kidney and liver transplantation. METHODS: Retrospective study of a case series of A. baumannii infection among liver and renal transplant recipients. The primary outcome was death associated with A. baumannii infection. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the influence of carbapenem resistance and other covariates on the outcome. RESULTS: Forty-nine cases of A. baumannii infection affecting 24 kidney and 25 liver transplant recipients were studied. Eighteen cases (37%) were caused by carbapenem-resistant isolates. There were 17 (35%) deaths associated with A. baumannii infection. In unadjusted analysis, liver transplantation (p = 0.003), acquisition in intensive care unit (p = 0.001), extra-urinary site of infection (p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.001), use of central venous catheter (p = 0.008) and presentation with septic shock (p = 0.02) were significantly related to a higher risk of mortality associated with A. baumannii infection. The number of deaths associated with A. baumannii infection was higher among patients infected with carbapenem-resistant isolates, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.28). In multivariate analysis, the risk of A. baumannii-associated mortality was higher in patients with infection acquired in the intensive care unit (odds ratio [OR] = 34.8, p = 0.01) and on mechanical ventilation (OR = 15.2, p = 0.04). Appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy was associated with significantly lower mortality (OR = 0.04, p = 0.03), but carbapenem resistance had no impact on it (OR = 0.73, p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that A. baumannii-associated mortality among liver and kidney transplant recipients is influenced by baseline clinical severity and by the early start of appropriate therapy, but not by carbapenem resistance.

A cluster of Listeria monocytogenes infections in hospitalized adults.

BACKGROUND: Listeriosis occurs mainly in persons at extremes of age and with immunocompromising conditions. It is believed that most cases of listeriosis are acquired in the community. A cluster of listeriosis in hospitalized patients prompted the present investigation. METHODS: We conducted a case series study of listeriosis from August 21, 2006, to June 1, 2007, in a hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: Six patients with Listeria monocytogenes infection were identified: 5 during hospitalization and 1 at a day clinic. By the time the infection was diagnosed, 5 patients had been in the hospital for a mean of 9 days. All patients were elderly (median age, 80 years) and had immunocompromising conditions. Five (83%) patients died. Four patients developed bloodstream infections, 3 caused by serotype 1/2b. Two patients had peritonitis: one caused by serotype 3b and another by serotype 1/2b. Four L monocytogenes isolates belonged to a single pulse-field gel electrophoresis genotype, suggesting a common source. An epidemiologic investigation pointed to the hospital kitchen as the possible contamination. CONCLUSION: Data suggest a health care-associated outbreak of listeriosis and highlight the importance of developing guidelines for prevention and treatment of health care-associated foodborne diseases, especially in hospitals with immunocompromised adult patients.

Case-crossover study of Burkholderia cepacia complex bloodstream infection associated with contaminated intravenous bromopride.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an outbreak of healthcare-associated Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) primary bloodstream infections (BCC-BSI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-crossover study in a public hospital, a university hospital and a private hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 2006 to May 2006. PATIENTS: Twenty-five patients with BCC-BSI. DESIGN: After determining the date BCC-BSI symptoms started for each patient, 3 time intervals of data collection were defined, each one with a duration of 3 days: the case period, starting just before BCC-BSI symptoms onset; the control period, starting 6 days before BCC-BSI symptoms onset; and the washout period, comprising the 3 days between the case period and the control period. Exposures evaluated were intravascular solutions and invasive devices and procedures. Potential risk factors were identified by using the McNemar chi(2) adjusted test. Cultures of samples of potentially contaminated solutions were performed. BCC strain typing was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using SpeI. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed that the use of bromopride and dipyrone was associated with BCC-BSI. A total of 21 clinical isolates from 17 (68%) of the 25 patients and an isolate obtained from the bromopride vial were available for strain typing. Six pulsotypes were detected. A predominant pulsotype (A) accounted for 11 isolates obtained from 11 patients (65%) in the 3 study hospitals. CONCLUSION: Our investigation, using a case-crossover design, of an outbreak of BCC-BSI infections concluded it was polyclonal but likely caused by infusion of contaminated bromopride. The epidemiological finding was validated by microbiological analysis. After recall of contaminated bromopride vials by the manufacturer, the outbreak was controlled.