Outbreak of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae at a Portuguese university hospital: Epidemiological characterization and containment measures.

Background: KPC-producing K pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) is a public health problem with important clinical and epidemiological implications. We describe an outbreak of KPC-Kp at vascular surgery and neurosurgery wards in a central hospital in Porto, Portugal. Methods: A case of KPC-Kp was considered to be a patient positive for KPC-Kp with strong epidemiological plausibility of having acquired this microorganism in the affected wards and/or with genetic relationship ≥92% between KPC-Kp isolates. Active surveillance cultures (ASCs) and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for the detection of carbapenemase genes through rectal swab in a selected population. Molecular analysis was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis at the National Reference Laboratory. Patient risk factors were collected from the electronic medical record system. Information regarding outbreak containment strategy was collected from the Infection Control Unit records. Results: Of the 16 cases, 11 (69%) were identified through active screening, representing 1.4% of the total 766 ASCs collected. The most frequent risk factors identified were previous admission (63%), antibiotic exposure in the past 6 months (50%), and immunodepression (44%). The length of stay until KPC-Kp detection was high (0-121 days, mean 35.6), as was the total length of stay (5-173 days, mean 56.6). Three patients (19%) were infected by KPC-Kp, 2 of whom died. One previously colonized patient died later because of KPC-Kp infection. Conclusions: Multifactorial strategy based on contact precautions (with patient and healthcare professional cohorts) and ASC, as well as Antibiotic Stewardship Program reinforcement, allowed to contain this KPC-Kp outbreak.

Etiological agents and antimicrobial susceptibility in hospitalized children with acute pyelonephritis.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance driven by antibiotic use remains a major public health and professional concern. Our aim was to know the local prevalence of uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in acute pyelonephritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of patients admitted in a level III Pediatric Department ward with acute pyelonephritis from 1994 to 2012 was performed in Northern Portugal. Etiological agents and their antimicrobial sensitivity profile were evaluated in four timed periods (G1: 1994-97; G2: 2002; G3: 2007; G4: 2012). RESULTS: We evaluated 581 patients, 66% female with median age 22 months. Escherichia coli was the leading uropathogen and its prevalence remained stable during the last 18 years. It showed an increased sensitivity to amoxicillin-clavulanate from 71% in G1 to 81.5% in G4 (p = 0.001) and a decreased resistance rate from 8.7% in G1 to 2.8% in G4 (p = 0.008). Its sensitivity to 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporin was more than 90% (p = ns) and more than 95% to nitrofurantoin (p = ns). Resistance rate of cotrimoxazole increased from 22% to 26% (p = 0.008). DISCUSSION: Escherichia coli remains the main uropathogen responsible for acute pyelonephritis, reason why its antimicrobial sensitivity profile will determine the empirical therapeutic choice. CONCLUSIONS: Amoxicillin-clavulanate remains a good first-line choice for empirical treatment of acute pyelonephritis in our inpatient health care.

Introdução: A resistência aos antimicrobianos, provocada pela utilização de antibióticos continua a ser um importante problema de saúde pública e uma preocupação para os profissionais de saúde. O nosso objetivo foi conhecer a prevalência local dos uropatógenos e o seu perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobiannos na pielonefrite aguda. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo nas crianças internadas por pielonefrite aguda no internamento de Pediatria de um hospital do norte de Portugal entre 1994-2012. Os agentes etiológicos e o seu perfil de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos foram avaliados em quatro períodos de tempo (G1: 1994-1997, G2: 2002; G3: 2007; G4: 2012). Resultados: Avaliámos 581 doentes, 66% do sexo feminino, com idade mediana de 22 meses. A Escherichia coli foi o principal uropatógeno e a sua prevalência manteve-se estável durante os últimos 18 anos. Verificou-se um aumento da sensibilidade à amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico de 71% no G1 para 81,5% no G4 (p = 0,001) e uma diminuição da taxa de resistência de 8,7% no G1 para 2,8% G4 (p = 0,008). A sua sensibilidade às cefalosporinas de segunda e terceira geração e nitrofurantoína foi superior a 90% (p = ns). A taxa de resistência ao cotrimoxazol aumentou de 22 % para 26 % (p = 0,008). Discussão: A Escherichia coli continua a ser o uropatogénio mais frequente responsável por pielonefrite aguda, motivo pelo qual o seu perfil de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos determina a escolha da antibioticoterapia empírica. Conclusões: A amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico mantém-se como escolha de primeira linha para o tratamento empírico da pielonefrite aguda em regime de internamento.