Prevalence of and risk factors associated with the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the chronic wounds of patients treated in primary health care settings in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Wounds can be colonized by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS: We evaluated the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in the wounds of patients treated at Basic Health Units in Brazil and identified risk factors associated with their presence. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of S. aureus and MRSA were 51.5% and 8.7%, respectively. There was a correlation between the presence of S. aureus in wounds and nostrils (p<0.01). A positive association was detected between S. aureus infection and previous benzylpenicillin use (p=0.02). No associations were observed for MRSA. CONCLUSIONS: Multidrug-resistant pathogens are present in primary healthcare settings in Brazil.

Public policies on healthcare-associated infections: a Brazil and UK case study

ABSTRACT To summarize the historical events and drivers underlying public policy for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in Brazil and in the United Kingdom. In doing so, the article aims to identify lessons and recommendations for future development of public policy. The analysis is based on a historical overview of national healthcare-associated infections programs taken from previously published sources. Findings highlight how the development of healthcare-associated infections prevention and control policies followed similar trajectories in Brazil and the United Kingdom. This can be conceptualized around four sequential phases: Formation, Consolidation, Standardization, and Monitoring and Evaluation. However, while we identified similar phases of development in Brazil and the United Kingdom, it can be seen that the former entered each stage around 20 years after the latter.

Surgical site infection and its risk factors in colon surgeries / Infección de sitio quirúrgico y sus factores de riesgo en cirugías de colon / Infecção de sítio cirúrgico e seus fatores de risco em cirurgias de cólon

Abstract OBJECTIVE To identify the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) and its risk factors in patients undergoing colon surgery in a tertiary hospital located in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. METHOD Retrospective cohort study, with collection of information contained in the medical records of patients undergoing colon surgery in the period between January 2010 and December 2013. The studied variables were the possible risk factors related to the patient, to demographic characteristics and the surgical procedure. RESULTS In total, were evaluated 155 patients with an overall SSI incidence of 16.7%. A statistically significant association was found both in the univariate as in the multivariate analysis between the SSI and the following variables: male gender, Charlson index and mechanical bowel preparation. CONCLUSION The understanding of health professionals about the factors that influence the incidence of SSI in colon surgery may contribute to the quality of care provided to surgical patients, from effective actions to minimize the risk of infections.

Resumen OBJETIVO Identificar la ocurrencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico (ISQ) y sus factores de riesgo en pacientes sometidos a cirugías de colon, en un hospital terciario del interior del Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODO Estudio de cohorte no concurrente, mediante relevamiento de informaciones contenidas en las fichas de pacientes sometidos a cirugías de colon en el período comprendido entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2013. Las variables estudiadas fueron los posibles factores de riesgo vinculados con el paciente, los rasgos demográficos y el procedimiento quirúrgico. RESULTADOS Fueron evaluados 155 pacientes, con una incidencia global de ISQ del 16,7%. Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa tanto en el análisis univariado como en el multivariado entre la ISQ y las siguientes variables: sexo masculino, puntuación de Charlson y preparación mecánica intestinal. CONCLUSIÓN La comprensión de los profesionales de la salud acerca de los factores que influencian la incidencia de ISQ en las cirugías de colon puede contribuir a la calidad de la asistencia prestada al paciente quirúrgico mediante acciones efectivas que minimicen los riesgos de infecciones.

Resumo OBJETIVO Identificar a ocorrência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) e seus fatores de risco em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de cólon, em um hospital terciário do interior paulista. MÉTODO Estudo de coorte não concorrente, por meio do levantamento de informações contidas nos prontuários de pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de cólon no período compreendido entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2013. As variáveis estudadas foram os possíveis fatores de risco ligados ao paciente, às características demográficas e ao procedimento cirúrgico. RESULTADOS Foram avaliados 155 pacientes, com uma incidência global de ISC de 16,7%. Encontrou-se associação estatisticamente significativa tanto na análise uni quanto na multivariada entre a ISC e as seguintes variáveis: sexo masculino, pontuação de Charlson e preparo mecânico intestinal. CONCLUSÃO A compreensão dos profissionais de saúde sobre os fatores que influenciam a incidência de ISC nas cirurgias de cólon pode contribuir para a qualidade da assistência prestada ao paciente cirúrgico a partir de ações efetivas que minimizem os riscos de infecções.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in non-outbreak skin infections

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and risk factors for the acquisition of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) as the main cause of skin and soft tissue infections. S. aureus were characterized for the presence of PVL, TSST-1 and mecA genes. SCCmec typing was carried out in mecA positive strains and PFGE was performed only in these strains. During the study period, 127 outpatients attending a dermatology clinical the Botucatu Medical School, a regional tertiary hospital in Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, were diagnosed with active skin infections. A total 66 (56.9%) S. aureus strains were isolated. The methicillin resistance gene mecA was detected in seven (10.6%) S. aureus strains. The SCCmec types detected in the seven mecA-positive S. aureus strains were type Ia in one, type II in three, and type IV in three. The PVL gene was detected in 10 (15.1%) in sensitive strains. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed non-clonal diversity among the isolates. The risk factors associated with MRSA acquisition in this study were previous ciprofloxacin use and working in a healthcare environment. The risk factors indicate plausible routes of CA-MRSA transmission among the subjects studied.

Predictive factors of post-discharge surgical site infections among patients from a teaching hospital

Introduction Surgical site infections (SSIs) often manifest after patients are discharged and are missed by hospital-based surveillance. Methods We conducted a case-reference study nested in a prospective cohort of patients from six surgical specialties in a teaching hospital. The factors related to SSI were compared for cases identified during the hospital stay and after discharge. Results Among 3,427 patients, 222 (6.4%) acquired an SSI. In 138 of these patients, the onset of the SSI occurred after discharge. Neurological surgery and the use of steroids were independently associated with a greater likelihood of SSI diagnosis during the hospital stay. Conclusions Our results support the idea of a specialty-based strategy for post-discharge SSI surveillance. .

Case-case-control study of risk factors for nasopharyngeal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a medical-surgical intensive care unit

Nasopharyngeal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often precedes the development of nosocomial infections. In order to identify risk factors for MRSA colonization, we conducted a case-case-control study, enrolling 122 patients admitted to a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). All patients had been screened for nasopharyngeal colonization with S. aureus upon admission and weekly thereafter. Two case-control studies were performed, using as cases patients who acquired colonization with MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), respectively. For both studies, patients in whom colonization was not detected during ICU stay were selected as control subjects. Several potential risk factors were assessed in univariate and multivariable (logistic regression) analysis. MRSA and MSSA were recovered from nasopharyngeal samples from 27 and 10 patients, respectively. Independent risk factors for MRSA colonization were: length-of-stay in the ICU (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.12, 95 percentConfidence Interval[CI]=1.06-1.19, p<0.001) and use of ciprofloxacin (OR=5.05, 95 percentCI=1.38-21.90, p=0.015). The use of levofloxacin had a protective effect (OR=0.08, 95 percentCI=0.01-0.55, p=0.01). Colonization with MSSA was positively associated with central nervous system disease (OR=7.45, 95 percentCI=1.33-41.74, p=0.02) and negatively associated with age (OR=0.94, 95 percentCI=0.90-0.99, p=0.01). In conclusion, our study suggests a role for both cross-transmission and selective pressure of antimicrobials in the spread of MRSA.

Risk factors for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in nonventilated adults

Although most recent publications focus on Ventilator-associated Pneumonia, Non-Ventilator-associated Hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP) is still worrisome. We studied risk factors for NVHAP among patients admitted to a small teaching hospital. Sixty-six NVHAP case patients and 66 controls admitted to the hospital from November 2005 through November 2006 were enrolled in a case-control study. Variables under investigation included: demographic characteristics, comorbidities, procedures, invasive devices and use of medications (Sedatives, Antacids, Steroids and Antimicrobials). Univariate and multivariable analysis (hierarchical models of logistic regression) were performed. The incidence of NVHAP in our hospital was 0.68 percent (1.02 per 1,000 patients-day). Results from multivariable analysis identified risk factors for NVHAP: age (Odds Ratio[OR]=1.03, 95 percent Confidence Interval[CI]=1.01-1.05, p=0.002), use of Antacids (OR=5.29, 95 percentCI=1.89-4.79, p=0.001) and Central Nervous System disease (OR=3.13, 95 percentCI=1.24-7.93, p=0.02). Although our findings are coherent with previous reports, the association of Antacids with NVHAP recalls a controversial issue in the physiopathology of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, with possible implications for preventive strategies.