Search

Objectives: There is local and regional deficiency in the data examining the contribution of resistant pathogens to device-associated healthcare-associated infections (DA-HAIs). The objective was to examine such data in a multi-hospital system in Saudi Arabia in comparison with the US National Health Surveillance Network (NHSN). Methods: Surveillance of DA-HAIs was prospectively conducted between 2008 and 2016 in four hospitals of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. Consecutive NHSN reports were used for comparisons. Definitions and methodology of DA-HAIs and bacterial resistance were based on NHSN. Results: A total 1260 pathogens causing 1141 DA-HAI events were included. Gram negative pathogens (GNPs) were responsible for 62.5% of DA-HAIs, with a significantly higher Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter than NHSN hospitals. Approximately 28.3% of GNPs and 23.5% of gram positive pathogens (GPPs) had some type of resistance. Nearly 34.3% of Klebsiella were resistant to third/fourth generation cephalosporins, 4.8% of Enterobacteriaceae were carbapenem-resistant (CRE), 24.4% of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and 21.9% of Enterococci were vancomycin-resistant (VRE). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was 65.0% in Acinetobacter, 26.4% in Escherichia coli, 23.0% in Klebsiella, and 14.9% in Pseudomonas. Resistant GNPs including cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella, MDR Klebsiella, and MDR Escherichia coli were significantly more frequent while resistant GPPs including MRSA and VRE were significantly less frequent than NHSN hospitals. Conclusion: The current findings showed heavier and more resistant contribution of GNPs to DA-HAIs in Saudi hospitals compared with American hospitals. The higher resistance rates in Klebsiella and Escherichia coli are alarming and call for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Abstract Background Despite being largely preventable, surgical site infections (SSIs) are still one of the most frequent healthcare-associated infections. The presence of resistant pathogens can further augment their clinical and economic impacts. The objective was to estimate the distribution and resistance in SSI pathogens in Saudi Arabia and to compare them to the US National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) hospitals. Methods Targeted SSI surveillance was prospectively conducted on several surgical procedures done between 2007 and 2016 in four hospitals of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. Definitions and methodology of SSI and bacterial resistance were based on NHSN. Results A total 492 pathogens causing 403 SSI events were included. The most frequent pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (22.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.1%), Klebsiella spp. (12.2%), and Escherichia coli (12.2%), with marked variability between surgeries. Approximately 30.3% of Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin-resistant (MRSA), 13.0% of Enterococcus spp. was vancomycin-resistant (VRE), and 5.5% of Enterobacteriaceae were carbapenem resistant (CRE). The highest multidrug-resistant (MDR) GNPs were Acinetobacter spp. (58.3%), Klebsiella spp. (20.4%) and Escherichia coli (16.3%). MRSA was significantly less frequent while cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella spp., MDR Klebsiella spp., and MDR Escherichia coli were significantly more frequent in our hospitals compared with NHSN hospitals. Conclusion GNPs in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia are responsible for more than 60% of SSI with more resistant patterns than Western countries. This information may be critical to secure resources and ensure support for caregivers and healthcare leaders in implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs and evidence-based SSI preventive practices.

Abstract Background Studying temporal changes in resistant pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is crucial in improving local antimicrobial and infection control practices. The objective was to describe ten-year trends of resistance in pathogens causing HAIs in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia and to compare such trends with those of US National Health Surveillance Network (NHSN). Methods Pooled analysis of surveillance data that were prospectively collected between 2007 and 2016 in four hospitals of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. Definitions and methodology of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance were based on NHSN. Consecutive NHSN reports were used for comparisons. Results A total 1544 pathogens causing 1531 HAI events were included. Gram negative pathogens (GNP) were responsible for 63% of HAIs, with a significant increasing trend in Klebsiella spp. and a decreasing trend in Acinetobacter. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (27.0%) was consistently less frequent than NHSN. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE, 20.3%) were more than doubled during the study, closing the gap with NHSN. Carbapenem resistance was highest with Acinetobacter (68.3%) and Pseudomonas (36.8%). Increasing trends of carbapenem resistance were highest in Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae, closing initial gaps with NHSN. With the exception of Klebsiella and Enterobacter, multidrug-resistant (MDR) GNPs were generally decreasing, mainly due to the decreasing resistance towards cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. Conclusion The findings showed increasing trends of carbapenem resistance and VRE, which may reflect heavy use of carbapenems and vancomycin. These findings may highlight the need for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs, including monitoring and feedback on antimicrobial use and resistance.