Reconstruction of the historic time course of blood-borne virus contamination of clotting factor concentrates, 1974-1992.

Factor VIII and IX clotting factor concentrates manufactured from pooled plasma have been identified as potent sources of virus infection in persons with hemophilia (PWHs) in the 1970s and 1980s. To investigate the range and diversity of viruses over this period, we analysed 24 clotting factor concentrates for several blood-borne viruses. Nucleic acid was extracted from 14 commercially produced clotting factors and 10 from nonremunerated donors, preserved in lyophilized form (expiry dates: 1974-1992). Clotting factors were tested by commercial and in-house quantitative PCRs for blood-borne viruses hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HEV), HIV- types 1/2, parvoviruses B19V and PARV4, and human pegiviruses types 1 and 2 (HPgV-1,-2). HCV and HPgV-1 were the most frequently detected viruses (both 14/24 tested) primarily in commercial clotting factors, with frequently extremely high viral loads in the late 1970s-1985 and a diverse range of HCV genotypes. Detection frequencies sharply declined following introduction of virus inactivation. HIV-1, HBV, and HAV were less frequently detected (3/24, 1/24, and 1/24 respectively); none were positive for HEV. Contrastingly, B19V and PARV4 were detected throughout the study period, even after introduction of dry heat treatment, consistent with ongoing documented transmission to PWHs into the early 1990s. While hemophilia treatment is now largely based on recombinant factor VIII/IX in the UK and elsewhere, the comprehensive screen of historical plasma-derived clotting factors reveals extensive exposure of PWHs to blood-borne viruses throughout 1970s-early 1990s, and the epidemiological and manufacturing parameters that influenced clotting factor contamination.

Blood bacterial resistant investigation collaborative system (BRICS) report: a national surveillance in China from 2014 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: In this first national bloodstream infection (BSI) surveillance program in China, we assessed the composition of pathogenic bacteria and the trends for antimicrobial susceptibility over a 6-year period in China. METHODS: Blood bacterial isolates from patients at hospitals participating in the Blood Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System (BRICS) were collected from January 2014 to December 2019. Only the first isolate of a species per patient was eligible over the full study period. Antibiotic-susceptibility testing was conducted by agar-dilution or broth-dilution methods as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze data. RESULTS: During the study period, 27,899 bacterial strains were collected. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 29.5% (8244) of the species identified and Gram-negative organisms accounted for 70.5% (19,655). The most-commonly isolated organisms in blood cultures were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii was higher in tertiary hospitals, whereas extended-spectrum, ß-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli), carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii were more prevalent in economically-developing areas. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus declined from 39.0% (73/187) in 2014 to 25.9% (230/889) in 2019 (p < 0.05). The prevalence of ESBL-E. coli dropped from 61.2% (412/673) to 51.0% (1878/3,683) over time (p < 0.05), and carbapenem-resistant E. coli remained low prevalence (< 2%; 145/9944; p = 0.397). In contrast, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae increased markedly from 7.0% (16/229) in 2014 to 19.6% (325/1,655) in 2019 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: E. coli and K. pneumoniae were the leading causes of BSI during the 6-year study period. The major resistant pathogens declined or remained stable, whereas carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae continued to increase, which poses a great therapeutic challenge for BSIs.

Multiplex detection of blood-borne pathogens on a self-driven microfluidic chip using loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Detection of blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is essential to ensure the safety of blood transfusion. However, traditional PCR-based pathogen nucleic acid detection methods require relatively high experimental facilities and are difficult to apply in areas with limited resources. In this study, a self-driven microfluidic chip was designed to carry out multiplex detection of HBV, HCV and HIV by using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Benefitting from the air permeability of the polydimethylsiloxane material, the chip could accomplish sample loading within 12 min driven by the pressure difference between the reaction chambers and vacuum chambers in the chip without using pumps or any injection devices. Multiplex detection is achieved by presetting LAMP primers specific to different targets in different reaction chambers. Calcein was used as an indicator to indicate the positive amplification reaction, and the result can be recorded by a smartphone camera. After 50 min of isothermal amplification at 63 °C, 2 copies/µL of HBV, HCV and HIV target nucleic acids could be detected. The results of HBV detection of 20 clinical plasma samples by using the chip are consistent with that of the qPCR-based kit, indicating that the LAMP-based self-driven chip has the clinical application potential for blood-borne pathogen detection, especially in resource-limited areas.

Impact of pathogen reduction methods on immunological properties of the COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 convalescent plasma is an experimental treatment against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of different pathogen reduction methods on the levels and virus neutralizing activity of the specific antibodies against SARS-CoV2 in convalescent plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 plasma doses collected by plasmapheresis from COVID-19 convalescent donors were subjected to pathogen reduction by three methods: methylene blue (M)/visible light, riboflavin (R)/UVB and amotosalen (A)/UVA. To conduct a paired comparison, individual plasma doses were divided into 2 samples that were subjected to one of these methods. The titres of SARS-CoV2 neutralizing antibodies (NtAbs) and levels of specific immunoglobulins to RBD, S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2 were measured before and after pathogen reduction. RESULTS: The methods reduced NtAbs titres differently: among units with the initial titre 80 or above, 81% of units remained unchanged and 19% decreased by one step after methylene blue; 60% were unchanged and 40% decreased by one step after amotosalen; after riboflavin 43% were unchanged and 50% (7%, respectively) had a one-step (two-step, respectively) decrease. Paired two-sample comparisons (M vs. A, M vs. R and A vs. R) revealed that the largest statistically significant decrease in quantity and activity of the specific antibodies resulted from the riboflavin treatment. CONCLUSION: Pathogen reduction with methylene blue or with amotosalen provides the greater likelihood of preserving the immunological properties of the COVID-19 convalescent plasma compared to riboflavin.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology for detection of pathogens in blood of critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the applicability of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology for the detection of blood pathogens in intensive care unit patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 63 critically ill patients who could not be diagnosed with blood culture (BC) and who underwent mNGS blood sample testing were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic efficacy of mNGS was compared with that of traditional detection methods; the distribution of the pathogens identified by mNGS was analyzed; and the differences in laboratory tests, comorbidities, treatment, and prognosis between the mNGS-positive and mNGS-negative groups were compared. RESULTS: The positive rate of mNGS was 41.3% (26/63), and 16 patients were found to have mixed infections. However, the positive rate of BCs performed simultaneously with mNGS was only 7.9% (5/63). The results of univariate analysis showed that the average length of intensive care unit stay (ß, -8.689 [95% CI, -16.176, -1.202]; P = 0.026) and the time from onset to sequencing (ß, -5.816 [95% CI,-9.936, -1.696]; P = 0.007) of the mNGS-positive group were significantly shorter than those of the mNGS-negative group. More patients in the positive group were adjusted for anti-infective treatment after mNGS (OR, 3.789 [95% CI,1.176, 12.211]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of blood pathogens by mNGS has good applicability for critically ill patients who cannot be diagnosed by BC in the early stages of infection, and mNGS should be performed as early as possible to obtain higher pathogen detection rates.

Improving the recovery and detection of bloodstream pathogens from blood culture.

Introduction. Bloodstream infections (BSI) are growing in incidence and present a serious health threat. Most patients wait up to 48 h before microbiological cultures can confirm a diagnosis. Low numbers of circulating bacteria in patients with BSI mean we need to develop new methods and optimize current methods to facilitate efficient recovery of bacteria from the bloodstream. This will allow detection of positive blood cultures in a more clinically useful timeframe. Many bacterial blood recovery methods are available and usually include a combination of techniques such as centrifugation, filtration, serum separation or lysis treatment. Here, we evaluate nine different bacteria recovery methods performed directly from blood culture.Aim. We sought to identify a bacterial recovery method that would allow for a cost-effective and efficient recovery of common BSI pathogens directly from blood culture.Methods. Simulated E. coli ATCC 25922 blood culture was used as a model system to evaluate nine different bacteria recovery methods. Each method was assessed on recovery yield, cost, hands-on time, risk of contamination and ease of use. The highest scoring recovery method was further evaluated using simulated blood cultures spiked with seven of the most frequently occurring bloodstream pathogens. The recovery yield was calculated based on c.f.u. count before and after each recovery method. Independent t-tests were performed to determine if the recovery methods evaluated were significantly different based on c.f.u. ml-1 log recovery.Results. All nine methods evaluated successfully recovered E. coli ATCC 25922 from simulated blood cultures although the bacterial yield differed significantly. The MALDI-TOF intact cell method offered the poorest recovery with a mean loss of 2.94±0.37 log c.f.u. ml-1. In contrast, a method developed by Bio-Rad achieved the greatest bacterial yield with a mean bacteria loss of 0.27±0.013 log c.f.u. ml-1. Overall, a low-speed serum-separation method was demonstrated to be the most efficient method in terms of time, cost and recovery efficiency and successfully recovered seven of the most frequent BSI pathogens with a mean bacteria loss of 0.717±0.18 log c.f.u. ml-1.Conclusion. The efficiency of bacterial recovery can vary significantly between different methods and thereby can have a critical impact on downstream analysis. The low-speed serum-separation method offered a simple and effective means of recovering common BSI pathogens from blood culture and will be further investigated for use in the rapid detection of bacteraemia and susceptibility testing in clinical practice.

Race/Ethnic and Educational Disparities in the Association Between Pathogen Burden and a Laboratory-Based Cumulative Deficits Index.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in adult morbidity and mortality may be rooted in patterns of biological dysfunction in early life. We sought to examine the association between pathogen burden and a cumulative deficits index (CDI), conceptualized as a pre-clinical marker of an unhealthy biomarker profile, specifically focusing on patterns across levels of social disadvantage. METHODS: Using the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 wave (aged 20-49 years), we examined the association of pathogen burden, composed of seven pathogens, with the CDI. The CDI comprised 28 biomarkers corresponding to available clinical laboratory measures. Models were stratified by race/ethnicity and education level. RESULTS: The CDI ranged from 0.04 to 0.78. Nearly half of Blacks were classified in the high burden pathogen class compared with 8% of Whites. Among both Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups, the largest proportion of individuals were classified in the common pathogens class. Among educational classes, 19% of those with less than a high school education were classified in the high burden class compared with 7% of those with at least a college education. Blacks in the high burden pathogen class had a CDI 0.05 greater than those in the low burden class (P < 0.05). Whites in the high burden class had a CDI only 0.03 greater than those in the low burden class (P < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest there are significant social disparities in the distribution of pathogen burden across race/ethnic groups, and the effects of pathogen burden may be more significant for socially disadvantaged individuals.

[When Urban and Agricultural Activities Favor the Proliferation of Mosquito Nuisance and Vectors of Pathogens to Humans]. / Quand les activités urbaines et agricoles favorisent la pullulation des moustiques nuisants et vecteurs d'agents pathogènes pour l'Homme.

Big cities have thrived on all continents, so have domestic and industrial wastes not to mention the often irrational use of agricultural inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) detrimental to plants and animals. One hundred and eighty million tons of fertilizers and 2.4 million tons of pesticides are spread every year worldwide. Such pollutions, whether urban or rural, have a significant impact on the biology of mosquitoes. Today some urban spaces have properly become a land of plenty for mosquitoes. The combined use of fertilizer and pesticides in the country, quite paradoxically also favor their proliferation. Ironically the very reasons that account for the multitudes of mosquitoes are the exact reasons responsible for the depletion of biodiversity.

Les grandes villes se sont multipliées sur tous les continents en générant des pollutions domestiques et industrielles et dans les campagnes, l'utilisation souvent irraisonnée des intrants agricoles (engrais et pesticides) déciment les plantes et les animaux. Cent quatre-vingt millions de tonnes d'engrais et 2,4 millions de tonnes de pesticides sont déversées chaque année dans le monde. Ces pollutions, qu'elles soient urbaines ou rurales, ont un impact considérable sur la biologie des moustiques. Aujourd'hui, certains espaces urbains sont devenus de véritables nids à moustiques et, dans les campagnes, l'usage combiné des engrais et des pesticides favorise, paradoxalement, leur prolifération. L'ironie de cette histoire du monde moderne est que les différents facteurs qui favorisent la pullulation des moustiques sont ceux là mêmes qui déciment une bonne partie de la biodiversité.

Seroprevalence and demographic factors associated with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection from a hospital emergency department testing programme, London, United Kingdom, 2015 to 2016.

BackgroundProgress towards HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination requires local prevalence estimates and linkage to care (LTC) of undiagnosed or disengaged cases.AimWe aimed to estimate seroprevalence, factors associated with positive blood-borne virus (BBV) serology and numbers needed to screen (NNS) to detect a new BBV diagnosis and achieve full LTC from emergency department (ED) BBV testing.MethodsDuring a 9-month programme in an ED in east London, England, testing was offered to adult attendees having a full blood count (FBC). We estimated factors associated with positive BBV serology using logistic regression and NNS as the inverse of seroprevalence. Estimates were weighted to the age, sex and ethnicity of the FBC population.ResultsOf 6,211 FBC patients tested, 217 (3.5%) were positive for at least one BBV. Weighted BBV seroprevalence was 4.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6-4.9). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of positive BBV serology were elevated among patients that were: male (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.9-3.9), 40-59 years old (aOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4-2.7), of Black British/Black other ethnicity (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.8) or had no fixed address (aOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5-5.5). NNS to detect a new BBV diagnosis was 154 (95% CI: 103-233) and 135 (95% CI: 93-200) to achieve LTC.ConclusionsThe low NNS suggests routine BBV screening in EDs may be worthwhile. Those considering similar programmes should use our findings to inform their assessments of anticipated public health benefits.

Pathogen reduced plasma products: a clinical practice scientific review from the AABB.

BACKGROUND: A small body of literature assessing the efficacy and safety of pathogen reduced (PR) plasma has been published. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An AABB committee systematically reviewed the literature and graded the clinical trial evidence with the assistance of a GRADE expert. RESULTS: Most studies identified were low quality and had a small sample size; in addition, efficacy and safety were monitored in many different ways making it difficult to quantify therapeutic benefit and risk. The data analyzed in this systematic review showed that pathogen inactivation did not adversely affect the efficacy of S/D or amotosalen plasma transfusions in any patient population studied. In addition, there were no significant safety issues for these patient populations, other than the specific contraindications noted in their respective package inserts. CONCLUSION: Larger, well-designed trials are needed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of all of the PR plasma products.

Understanding how, why, for whom, and under what circumstances opt-out blood-borne virus testing programmes work to increase test engagement and uptake within prison: a rapid-realist review.

BACKGROUND: Prisons represent a unique opportunity to diagnose blood-borne viruses. Opt-out testing is receiving increasing interest, as a result of mounting evidence to suggest that the manner in which a test offer is delivered, affects test uptake. Although the effectiveness of opt-out testing within the prison setting has been established, robust explanations are required for the variation in outcomes reported. METHODS: Rapid-realist review methodology was used to synthesise the literature on prison-based opt-out testing. The review was carried out in three phases. Phase one: An expert panel provided literature relevant to the implementation of opt-out testing within the English prison estate. Unstructured searches were also conducted to identify other social programmes where "opt-out" had been used to increase uptake. Phase two: a systematic search of six peer-review and five grey literature databases was carried out to identify empirical data on opt-out testing within the prison setting. Phase three: Additional non-exhaustive searches were carried out to identify literature that reinforced emergent concepts. The development of programme theory took place with each iteration and was validated in consultation with stakeholders. RESULTS: Programme theory was constructed for two outcomes: the proportion of intake offered a test and the proportion offered that accepted testing. The proportion of intake offered testing was influenced by the timing of the test offer, which was often delayed due to barriers to prisoner access. The decision to accept testing was influenced by concerns about confidentiality, fear of a positive diagnosis, a prisoner's personal interpretation of risk, discomfort with invasive procedures, trust in healthcare, and the fidelity of the opt-out offer. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified important implementation considerations that moderate the effectiveness of opt-out testing programmes. It also highlighted a lack of appreciation for the theoretical underpinnings of opt-out programmes and tension around how to implement testing in a manner that adheres to both default theory and informed consent. It is anticipated that results will be used to inform the design and implementation of subsequent versions of these programmes, as well as catalyse further in-depth analysis into their operation within the unique context of prison. REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42017068342 .

Transfusion of pathogen-reduced platelet components without leukoreduction.

BACKGROUND: Leukoreduction (LR) of platelet concentrate (PC) has evolved as the standard to mitigate risks of alloimmunization, clinical refractoriness, acute transfusion reactions (ATRs), and cytomegalovirus infection, but does not prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Amotosalen-ultraviolet A pathogen reduction (A-PR) of PC reduces risk of transfusion-transmitted infection and TA-GVHD. In vitro data indicate that A-PR effectively inactivates WBCs and infectious pathogens. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A sequential cohort study evaluated A-PR without LR, gamma irradiation, and bacterial screening in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The first cohort received conventional PC (control) processed without LR, but with gamma irradiation and bacterial screening. The second cohort received A-PR PC (test) processed without: LR, bacterial screening, or gamma irradiation. The primary efficacy outcome was the 1-hour corrected count increment. The primary safety outcome was treatment-emergent ATR. Secondary outcomes included clinical refractoriness, and 100-day status for engraftment, TA-GVHD, HSCT-GVHD, infections, and mortality. RESULTS: Mean corrected count increment (× 103 ) of 33 test PC recipients was similar (18.9 ± 8.8 vs. 16.6 ± 8.4; p = 0.296) to that of 31 control PC recipients. Test recipients had a reduced, but nonsignificant, incidence of ATR (test = 9.1%, Control = 19.4%; p = 0.296). The frequencies of clinical refractoriness (0 of 33 vs. 4 of 31 patients) and refractory transfusions (6.6% vs. 19.3%) were lower in the test cohort (p = 0.05 and 0.02), respectively. No patient in either cohort had TA-GVHD. Day 100 engraftment, HSCT-GVHD, mortality, and infectious disease complications were similar between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that A-PR PC without LR, gamma irradiation, or bacterial screening is feasible for support of HSCT.

Pediatric bloodstream infections in metropolitan Australia.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality of children worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate BSI in children and determine the identity of causative organism and their susceptibility patterns in a metropolitan public hospital in Australia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed children aged 0-16 years admitted to a public hospital from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2014 inclusive, and whose blood cultures revealed bacteraemia. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, species of bacteria isolated, antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 96 patients with BSI, 55 (57.3%) were males. The median age was 3.35 years (IQR 0.44-7.46), and there were 2 mortalities. Common sites of infection were the respiratory tract (16.6%, n = 16), bone and joints (15.6%, n = 15) and the urinary tract (11.5%, n = 11). The most frequent isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (27.0%), Escherichia coli (14.0%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.0%). Whilst most bacterial isolates displayed susceptibility (> 90%) to common antimicrobial agents, only 57.1% (8/14) of Escherichia coli isolates were susceptible to ampicillin and 58.3% (7/12) were susceptible to co-trimoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive bacteria accounted for the majority of pediatric BSIs, of which invasive pneumococcal disease remains a noteworthy cause. The majority of isolates, except Escherichia coli, were susceptible to commonly used antimicrobials. This study confirms the knowledge of high rates of resistance of Escherichia coli to ampicillin. Therefore, empirical treatment should still include gentamicin. Monitoring of resistance patterns is warranted to ensure that antibiotic therapy remains appropriate.

Retrospective investigation of 9 years of data on needlestick and sharps injuries: Effect of a hospital infection control committee.

BACKGROUND: The risk of occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens to health care workers is primarily associated with needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs). However, most NSIs are not reported, and most health care workers are not aware of postexposure procedures. METHODS: Data for NSIs reported in our hospital between 2008 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 546 staff members reported NSIs. Of these, 376 (68.9%) were women. NSIs were more commonly reported by trainee nurses (243 [44.5%]), followed by nurses (121 [22.2%]), cleaning staff (108 [19.8%]), and doctors (49 [9%]). The rate of postexposure interventions was 13% in 2008 and 92.6% in 2016 (P < .0001; χ2 = 82.866). NSI rates also show that the number of applications with NSIs increased over the years. When occupational blood exposure was examined, the number of bloodborne pathogens was 50 (9.3%) cases of hepatitis B virus, 30 (5.6%) cases of hepatitis C virus, 3 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, 1 case of HIV, and 2 cases of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus coinfection. DISCUSSION: Over the years, the increase in both the appropriate intervention rate and the number of reports to the hospital infection control committee after NSIs shows that regular training regarding NSIs is effective. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital infection control committees may play a more active role in raising awareness in this regard and thus reducing the rate of unreported NSIs.

Antimicrobial susceptibility among gram-positive and gram-negative blood-borne pathogens collected between 2012-2016 as part of the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial.

Background: Antimicrobial activity of tigecycline and comparator agents was assessedin vitroagainst 27857 isolates source from blood samples collected between 2012 and 2016 as part of the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial (TEST). Methods: The broth microdilution methods was used to determine  minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of blood-borne isolates according to guildlines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Antimicrobial susceptibility breakpoints from CLSI guidelines were used as standards to determine susceptibility against comparator agents, whereas tigecycline breakpoints were provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results: More than 91% Enterobacteriaceae isolates, belonging to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacaeandSerratia marcescens, were susceptible to amikacin, meropenem, and tigecycline. Meropenem resistance was observed in 8% ofK.pneumoniae isolates worldwide. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) was produced in 15.9 and 20.9%E.coli and K.pneumoniaeisolates, respectively. MIC90 of tigecycline against Acinetobacter baumannii was 2 µg/ml.  The highest proportion of susceptible A.baumanniiisolates was 70.8% for minocycline. Among P.aeruginose  isolates worldwide, 71.1-94.9% were susceptible to six antibiotics. Almost all Staphylococcus aureusisolates were susceptible to linezolid(100%), vancomycin(100%), and tigecycline (99.9%). The proportion of methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) was 33.0% among S.aureusisolates worldwide; it was highest in Asia with 46.6%, followed by North America and Latin America with 37.7 and 34.2%, respectively. Vancomycin-resistant (VR) isolates represented 1.4% ofEnterococcus faecalis (VR.E.faecalis) and 27.6% of Enterococcus faecium(VR.E.faecium). Highest percentages of VR.E.faeciumwere found in North America and Latin America, with 61.6 and 58.1% of the isolates, respectively. Production of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae(PRSP) represented 9.0% of S. pneumoniae isolates worldwide; the PRSP proportion was 25.8% in Asia, 13.0% in Africa, and 11.8% in Latin America. Conclusions: In our study, tigecycline was the only antibiotic that was active against over 90% of all major blood-borne pathogens. A global comparison revealed that antimicrobial resistance was higher in Africa, Asia and Latin America than in Europe and North America.

Hidden dangers-prevalence of blood borne pathogens, hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis, among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016: opportunities for improvement: a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Transmissible blood-borne infections are a serious threat to blood transfusion safety in West African countries; and yet blood remains a key therapeutic product in the clinical management of patients. Sierra Leone screens blood donors for blood-borne infections but has not implemented prevention of mother-to-child transmission for hepatitis B. This study aimed to describe the overall prevalence of hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016 and to compare the differences between volunteer versus family replacement donors, as well as urban versus rural donors. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional study from January-December 2016 in five blood bank laboratories across the country. Routinely-collected programme data were analyzed; blood donors were tested with rapid diagnostic tests-HBsAg for HBV, anti-HCV antibody for HCV, antibodies HIV1&2 for HIV and TPHA for syphilis. RESULTS: There were 16807 blood samples analysed, with 80% from males; 2285 (13.6%) tested positive for at least one of the four pathogens. Overall prevalence was: 9.7% hepatitis B; 1.0% hepatitis C; 2.8% HIV; 0.8% syphilis. Prevalence was higher among samples from rural blood banks, the difference most marked for hepatitis C. The proportion of voluntary donors was 12%. Family replacement donors had a higher prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV than volunteers. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, particularly hepatitis B, was revealed in Sierra Leone blood donors. The study suggests the country should implement the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and push to recruit more volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors.