[Prevention of nosocomial infections: surveillance based on microbiological data]. / Effetti del monitoraggio sistematico sulla prevenzione delle infezioni ospedaliere: la sorveglianza basata sui dati del laboratorio di microbiologia.

BACKGROUND: In the C. Poma Hospital of Mantua we have been using a system of continuous surveillance of nosocomial infections based on microbiological data for the past 4 years. This monitoring estimates the incidence of the microorganisms found in cultures, especially those at risk of causing nosocomial infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since June 2001 microbiological data have been registered using the Mercurio-Dianoema software and elaborated by means of Microsoft Excel in order to obtain information about isolated bacteria, especially those resistant to antibiotics. RESULTS: Surveillance in "critical" wards revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in the intensive care unit in the period 2003-2005. The most frequent bacteria in hemodialysis have been coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus, with variable methicillin resistance. CONCLUSION: The analysis of microbiological data has promoted effective measures to reduce the incidence of these bacteria (increased rules of good practice, hand washing, etc.). If nosocomial infections or high-risk microorganisms occur, assessments are carried out; monitoring of the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria is very important.

[Epidemiologic surveillance of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mantova Hospital (Italy)]. / Sorveglianza epidemiologica di Pseudomonas aeruginosa multiresistente nell'Ospedale di Mantova.

For the period 2002-2005 we verified and compared the data of the prevalence and resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolated in Mantova Hospital (Italy) with the data from the international database. From the first six-month period of 2004 a significant increase was found (9% vs 28.8%) in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant PA (MDR-PA). The principal wards involved were the Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Respiratory Diseases. A significant increase in resistance rates was observed for all antimicrobials tested, in particular for aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and imipenem. The lowest dual resistance rates were observed between amikacina with piperacillin/tazobactam, while the highest were for those that included ciprofloxacin and beta-lactams (aztreonam, cefepime). In this study we confirm the importance of continuous surveillance of laboratory data and tightening local control measures for nosocomial infections in order to prevent the spread and selection of MDR-PA.