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Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are among the most common adverse events of medical care. Surveillance of HAI is a key component of successful infection prevention programmes. Conventional surveillance - manual chart review - is resource intensive and limited by concerns regarding interrater reliability. This has led to the development and use of automated surveillance (AS). Many AS systems are the product of in-house development efforts and heterogeneous in their design and methods. With this roadmap, the PRAISE network aims to provide guidance on how to move AS from the research setting to large-scale implementation, and how to ensure the delivery of surveillance data that are uniform and useful for improvement of quality of care., Methods: The PRAISE network brings together 30 experts from ten European countries. This roadmap is based on the outcome of two workshops, teleconference meetings and review by an independent panel of international experts., Results: This roadmap focuses on the surveillance of HAI within networks of healthcare facilities for the purpose of comparison, prevention and quality improvement initiatives. The roadmap does the following: discusses the selection of surveillance targets, different organizational and methodologic approaches and their advantages, disadvantages and risks; defines key performance requirements of AS systems and suggestions for their design; provides guidance on successful implementation and maintenance; and discusses areas of future research and training requirements for the infection prevention and related disciplines. The roadmap is supported by accompanying documents regarding the governance and information technology aspects of implementing AS., Conclusions: Large-scale implementation of AS requires guidance and coordination within and across surveillance networks. Transitions to large-scale AS entail redevelopment of surveillance methods and their interpretation, intensive dialogue with stakeholders and the investment of considerable resources. This roadmap can be used to guide future steps towards implementation, including designing solutions for AS and practical guidance checklists., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A high degree of vigilance and appropriate diagnostic methods are required to detect Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). We studied the effectiveness of a multimodal training program for improving CDI surveillance and prevention. Between 2011 and 2016, this program was made available to healthcare staff of acute care hospitals in Catalonia. The program included an online course, two face-to-face workshops and dissemination of recommendations on prevention and diagnosis. Adherence to the recommendations was evaluated through surveys administered to the infection control teams at the 38 participating hospitals. The incidence of CDI increased from 2.20 cases/10 000 patient-days in 2011 to 3.41 in 2016 (P < 0.001). The number of hospitals that applied an optimal diagnostic algorithm rose from 32.0% to 71.1% (P = 0.002). Hospitals that applied an optimal diagnostic algorithm reported a higher overall incidence of CDI (3.62 vs. 1.92, P < 0.001), and hospitals that were more active in searching for cases reported higher rates of hospital-acquired CDI (1.76 vs. 0.84, P < 0.001). The results suggest that the application of a multimodal training strategy was associated with a significant rise in the reporting of CDI, as well as with an increase in the application of the optimal diagnostic algorithm.

Background: Patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) frequently receive broad-spectrum antibiotics. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in patients with cUTI., Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in south and eastern Europe, Turkey and Israel including consecutive patients with cUTIs hospitalised between January 2013 and December 2014. Multidrug-resistance was defined as non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to determine predictive factors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria cUTI., Results: From 948 patients and 1074 microbiological isolates, Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism (559/1074), showing a 14.5% multidrug-resistance rate. Klebsiella pneumoniae was second (168/1074) and exhibited the highest multidrug-resistance rate (54.2%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97/1074) with a 38.1% multidrug-resistance rate. Predictors of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.29), acquisition of cUTI in a medical care facility (OR, 2.59; 95%CI, 1.80-3.71), presence of indwelling urinary catheter (OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 0.99-2.10), having had urinary tract infection within the previous year (OR, 1.89; 95%CI, 1.28-2.79) and antibiotic treatment within the previous 30 days (OR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.13-2.50)., Conclusions: The current high rate of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria infections among hospitalised patients with cUTIs in the studied area is alarming. Our predictive model could be useful to avoid inappropriate antibiotic treatment and implement antibiotic stewardship policies that enhance the use of carbapenem-sparing regimens in patients at low risk of multidrug-resistance., Competing Interests: This study was approved by the local research ethics committee of each site. The processing of patients’ personal data was anonymised and complied with local data protection legislations and with the European Union Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC). As no individual data is published as well as no intervention was performed to patients, patient consent was waived by the Ethics Committee.No applicable.Authors IA, CV, IW, and CV belong to EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association) member companies in the IMI JU and costs related to their part in the research were carried by the respective company as in kind contribution under the IMI JU scheme. Other authors declare no potential conflicts.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Background: Contaminated handwashing sinks have been identified as reservoirs that can facilitate colonization/infection of patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in intensive care units (ICUs)., Aim: To assess the impact of removing patients' sinks and implementing other water-safe strategies on the annual rates of ICU-acquired MDR-GNB., Methods: This six-year quasi-experimental study was conducted from January 2011 to December 2016. The intervention was carried out in August 2014 in two adult ICU wards with 12 rooms each. To assess the changes in annual MDR-GNB rates before and after the intervention, we used segmented regression analysis of an interrupted time-series. Crude relative risk (RR) rates were also calculated., Findings: The incidence rates of MDR-GNB were 9.15 and 2.20 per 1000 patient-days in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. This yielded a crude RR of acquiring MDR-GNB of 0.24 (95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.34). A significant change in level was observed between the MDR-GNB rate at the first point of the post-intervention period and the rate predicted by the pre-intervention time trend., Conclusion: The implementation of a new water-safe policy, which included the removal of sinks from all patient rooms, successfully improved the control of MDR-GNB spread in an ICU with endemic infection. Our results support the contribution of sink use with the incidence of MDR-GNB in endemic environments., (Copyright © 2017 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have become receptors of patients with a high risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)., Objective: To determine the prevalence of HAIs in LTCFs., Method: During the period 2011-2014 2 annual prevalence studies were performed according to Healthcare-associated infections in long-term-care facilities (HALT) study definitions and methodology., Results: A total of 28,360 patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence rate of HAIs was 10.2%. Subacute units and palliative care units showed the highest rates, 22.3% and 18.7%, respectively. Main infections were respiratory tract infection (35.8%) and urinary tract infection (35.8%)., Conclusion: These results were higher than other similar experiences, a fact that suggests the need to extend the specific strategies and programs to LTCFs, and ensuring a sufficient number of specialised staff in infection control., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)

Background: Our institution experienced an endemic situation with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii in the intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we describe the long-term results of the implementation of a screening and cohorting policy and new cleaning techniques based on a procedure that we call the 1 room, 1 wipe approach., Methods: We conducted a 4-year quasi-experimental study in the ICUs of an 800-bed teaching hospital. The main actions implemented were active surveillance of XDR A baumannii and cohorting of carriers and introducing new cleaning techniques intended to avoid sharing wipes between rooms., Results: XDR A baumannii significantly decreased from 132 cases in 2011 to 8 cases in 2014 and from 10.78 cases per 1,000 patient days in 2011 to 0.69 cases per 1,000 patient days in 2014. Segmented regression analysis showed that after implementing the measures, the monthly rates presented a sustained negative slope, with a significant change of -0.623 (P = .002)., Conclusions: The prompt identification and isolation of patients and adequate environmental cleaning are effective measures for reducing XDR A baumannii in ICUs. The 1 wipe, 1 room approach should be considered a standard measure for cleaning hospital facilities to avoid cross-transmission as a result of reusable cleaning wipes., (Copyright © 2016 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The main objective of this study was to validate the structure of the infection control team (ICT) in the hospitals adhered to VINCat program and secondary objective was to establish the consistency of resources of each center with the requirements established by the program. Qualitative research consisting of an ethnographic study using participant observation during the years 2008-2010. The centers were stratified in three groups by complexity and beds. The instrument was a semistructured interview to members of the ICT. The transcription of the interview was sent to informants for validation. In November 2010 a questionnaire regarding human resources and number hours dedicated to the ICT was sent. During 2008-2010, 65 centers had been adhered to VINCat program. In 2010, the ICT of Group I hospitals had a mean of two physician, one in full-time and one nurse for every 230 beds. In Group II, one physician part-time and one nurse per 180 beds and in Group III a physician and a nurse for every 98 beds, both part-time. In 2010, all hospitals had a structured ICT, an operative infection committee, and a hospital member representing the center at the program as well as enough electronic resources. The hospitals participating in the program have now VINCat an adequate surveillance structure and meet the minimum technical and human resources required to provide high-quality data. However human resources are not guaranteed., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Espana.)

There is increasing concern regarding the association between certain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genotypes and poor clinical outcome. To assess this issue, a large cohort of 579 subjects with MRSA bacteraemia was prospectively followed from June 2008 to December 2009, in 21 hospitals in Spain. Epidemiology, clinical data, therapy, and outcome were recorded. All MRSA strains were analysed in a central laboratory. Presence of a haematogenous seeding infection was the dependent variable in an adjusted logistic regression model. Of the 579 patients included in the study, 84 (15%) had haematogenous seeding infections. Microdilution vancomycin median MIC (IQR) was 0.73 (0.38-3) mg/L. Most MRSA isolates (n = 371; 67%) belonged to Clonal Complex 5 (CC5) and carried an SCCmec element type IV and agr type 2. Isolates belonging to ST8-agr1-SCCmecIV, ST22-agr1-SCCmecIV and ST228-agr2-SCCmecI--a single locus variant of ST5--accounted for 8%, 9% and 9% of the isolates, respectively. After adjusting by clinical variables, any of the clones was associated with increased risk of haematogenous seeding infections. Higher vancomycin MIC was not identified as an independent risk factor, either. In contrast, persistent bacteraemia (OR 4.2; 2.3-7.8) and non-nosocomial acquisition (3.0; 1.7-5.6) were associated with increased risk., (© 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398, associated with livestock animals, was described in 2003 as a new lineage infecting or colonizing humans. We evaluated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of MRSA ST398 isolated in the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge from January 2000 to June 2011. Tetracycline resistant (Tet-R) MRSA isolates from single patients (pts) were screened by SmaI-pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Nontypable MRSA strains by SmaI (NT Sma I)-MRSA were further analysed by ApaI-PFGE, spa, SCCmec, agr, MLST typing, and by DNA microarray hybridization. Among 164 pts harboring Tet-R MRSA, NT Sma I-MRSA ST398-agrI was found in 33 pts (20%). Although the first pt was detected in 2003, 22/33 pts (67%) were registered in the 2010-2011 period. Ten pts (30%) were infected and cancer was the most frequent underlying disease. In one case, death was due to MRSA-ST398-related infection. Five pulsotypes (A-E) were detected using ApaI-PFGE, with type A accounting for 76% of the strains. The majority of the studied isolates presented spa type t011 (70%) and SCCmec type V (88%). One strain was spa negative both by PCR and microarray analysis. Forty-nine percent of the studied isolates showed resistance to 3 or more antibiotic classes, in addition to beta-lactams. Ciprofloxacin resistance was 67%. Tet-R was mediated by tet(M) and tet(K) in 26 isolates. All isolates lacked Panton-Valentine Leukocidin production, as well as other significant toxins. This study displays the molecular features of MRSA-ST398 clone and shows the increase in tetracycline resistance together with arise in MRSA-ST398 isolates infecting or colonizing patients in our clinical setting.

To determine the impact of a multimodal intervention designed to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) outside the ICU, we conducted a prospective, quasi-experimental, before-after intervention study in 11 hospitals participating in the VINCat programme in Catalonia, Spain. The intervention consists of: (i) an evidence-based bundle of practices relating to catheter insertion and maintenance; (ii) a training programme for healthcare workers; (iii) four point-prevalence surveys to track the status of the catheters; and (iv) feedback reports to the staff involved. The study included both central (CVC) and peripheral venous catheters (PVCs). Rates of CRBSI per 1000 patient-days were prospectively measured in 2009 (pre-intervention period) and 2010 (post-intervention period). The analysis included 1 191 843 patient-days in 2009 and 1 173 672 patient-days in 2010. The overall incidence of CRBSI decreased from 0.19 to 0.15 (p 0.04) and the incidence of CRBSI associated with a CVC decreased from 0.14 to 0.10 (p 0.004) after the intervention. The incidence in PVCs remained unchanged. There was a statistically significant improvement in the adequate maintenance of both CVCs and PVCs. Among the CRBSIs originating in PVCs, 61.8% appeared more than 72 h every insertion. There was a lower infection rate in the hospitals with a higher adherence to the recommendation to replace PVCs after 72 h. Our findings suggest that the implementation of intervention programmes similar to ours could have a major impact on patient safety by reducing the incidence of CRBSIs, and that routine replacement of PVCs might additionally prevent a significant number of bloodstream infections., (© 2012 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2012 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

Infections related to the health-care system are those associated with health care practices in hospitalized patients as well as in out-patients with health-care contact. Nosocomial infections affect 5% of in-patients, and carry a high morbidity, mortality and economic cost. The main types of nosocomial infections are related to invasive procedures, and include respiratory tract infection, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and vascular catheter bacteremia. It has been shown that the application of checklists and a bundle of measures are useful in preventing these infections. Epidemiological surveillance, defined as the gathering of information to take actions, is the basis of infection control programs. These have evolved from a global surveillance targeted at processes and indicators of nosocomial infection. The comparison of these indicators can be useful in establishing preventive measures., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

The VINCat Program is a system for epidemiological surveillance of healthcare-related infections in which the majority of Catalan hospitals participate. It has a specific module for surgical site infections (SSI) surveillance. Primary hip and knee arthroplasties are basic indicators of the program due to their high frequency and the important morbidity of SSI of these sites. Results are presented for surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance of primary hip and knee arthroplasties for the first three years of the VINCat Program. The program requires SSI surveillance to be performed in a standardized, prospective and continuous manner by an infection control team from the centers. With primary arthroplasties, as with all procedures involving implants, the surveillance is maintained for 1 year after the intervention. The VINCat Program uses the SSI definitions of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and patients are stratified by surgical risk, following the classification of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). During the period 2007-2009, 51 Catalan hospitals participated in the SSI surveillance of prosthetic orthopedic surgery. The overall SSI rate in the interventions for total primary hip prosthesis (7,804 procedures) was 3.0% (IC 95%: 2.6-3.4) and for total primary knee prosthesis (16,781 procedures) was 3.3% (IC95%: 3.0-3.6). During the period 2007-2009, the overall SSI rates for total primary hip and knee arthroplasty were higher than those published by some surveillance systems in our environment. There were significant differences in the infection rates by procedure and in those adjusted by risk among the different hospitals., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España S.L. All rights reserved.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of healthcare-related infection. Surveillance and prevention of MRSA is a priority in infection control programs. The aim of this study was to describe rates and trends of MRSA colonization or infection in 40 hospitals participating in the VINCat Program from 2008 to 2010. The study included all patients treated in acute care areas of participating hospitals. Hospitals were stratified into 3 groups based on size. The following annual indicators were reported: Methicillin-resistance rate, incidence density of new cases of MRSA and incidence density of MRSA bacteremia. Between 2008 and 2010, the yearly mean rate of resistance to methicillin remained stable for the study period (24%-25%), while the mean incidence of new cases of MRSA decreased from 0.65 to 0.54 cases per 1000 patient-days (p=NS) and the mean incidence of MRSA bacteremia decreased from 0.06 to 0.05 cases per 1,000 patient-days (p=NS). The implementation of a MRSA surveillance system in hospitals that participated in the VINCat Program provides information on the situation of each institution and facilitated interhospital comparisons in order to establish appropriate preventive measures., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España S.L. All rights reserved.)

The VINCat Program is a standardized surveillance program of healthcare infections in Catalonia, Spain. This program includes monitoring of surgical site infections (SSI) of elective colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to define SSI rates in colorectal surgery among VINCat hospitals over a period of 4 years. We included consecutive elective colorectal interventions performed in VINCat hospitals from 2007 to 2010. Follow-up visits were performed 30 days after surgery. Prospective monitoring of SSI in colorectal surgery was performed according to standardized VINCat methodology. SSI was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and surgical risk factors according to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) classification. From 2007 to 2010, 49 centers performed 10,104 surgical procedures. The cumulative incidence of SSI was 20.8% (95% CI: 20.03-21.63). The annual cumulative SSI incidence rate did not vary significantly over the study period; however, there were significant differences among hospital infection rates. The relative frequency of organ-space infection increased from 25% in 2007 to 40% in 2010 (p<0.001). Laparoscopic surgery also increased (28% in 2007 to 42% in 2010, p<0.001). However, no changes were observed in mean surgery duration, ASA score and degree of surgical contamination. The VINCat Program incorporated a large number of Catalan hospitals that participated in standardized monitoring of colorectal surgery. The cumulative incidence rate of SSI for colorectal surgery was 20.8%, although there were large variations between hospitals., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España S.L. All rights reserved.)

Hospital-acquired infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Surveillance of device-associated infections plays a major role in infection control programs. In 2006, the Surveillance Program of Nosocomial Infections in Catalonia (VINCat Program) was started, with the major aim of reducing infection rates through a process of active monitoring. The study period comprised calendar years 2008 (with 21 ICUs participating), 2009 (with 21 ICUs participating), and 2010 (with 28 ICUs participating). Each participating hospital was required to have an infection control team made up of at least one physician, an infection surveillance nurse, and a microbiology laboratory. Hospitals were classified into three groups according to their size. Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CVC-BSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were chosen as the device-associated infections to analyze. Incidence rates of device-associated infections were calculated by dividing the total number of device-associated infection (VAP or CVC-BSI) days by the total number of days use for the relevant device. Mechanical ventilation use ranged from 0.10 to 0.85 days (overall, 0.35), and central venous catheter use ranged from 0.18 to 0.98 days (overall, 0.65). Incidence rates of VAP ranged from 7.2 ± 3.7 to 10.7 ± 9.6 episodes of VAP/1000 ventilator days. Incidence rates of CVC-BSl ranged from 1.9 ± 1.6 to 2.7 ± 2.0 episodes of CVC-associated bloodstream infection/1000 central venous catheter days. The implementation of the VINCat Program allowed monitoring of nosocomial device-associated infections in ICUs in Catalonia and enabled corrective measures in ICUs with increased incidences of device-associated infections., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España S.L. All rights reserved.)

In 2006 the VINCat Program was established in order to develop and support a standardized surveillance system of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). All acute care hospitals included in the public health system network of Catalonia (Spain) were invited to participate. The aim was to provide risk-adjusted, procedure-specific rates for most relevant infections. Data are collected by the local multidisciplinary infection control teams and transmitted electronically to the Coordinating Centre, which acts as the core of a network of infection control committees and has the support of a Technical Advisory Committee. The program website provides updated information on program activities, training workshops, aggregated data on past infection rates and access to databases, manuals and protocols. During the period 2007-2011, 64 hospitals have joined the program: 9 tertiary, 16 district and 39 small hospitals, providing records on 4.044 episodes of catheter-related blood stream infections, 14.389 elective colorectal surgical interventions, 14.214 hip and 29.599 knee arthroplasties, among the most significant indicators. Nowadays, it appears that VINCat has been successfully implemented and is well established as the official HAI surveillance program in Catalonia. Determinants for success have been: the maintenance of a close contact between the hospitals and the coordinating center, the timely and regular data feedback to institutions, the program's contribution towards reducing HAIs, the ongoing efforts to improve performance and, a key factor, the perception among the infection control professionals of the value added by the program to their daily work in different ways. Adequate funding, commitment of infection control teams and the generous collaboration of experts from different specialties are essential for maintaining the success of the VINCat Program., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España S.L. All rights reserved.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals and community long-term-care facilities (LTCFs). This longitudinal study was performed in community LTCFs to determine whether MRSA colonization is associated with MRSA infections and overall mortality. Nasal and decubitus ulcer cultures were performed every 6 months for an 18-month period on 178 MRSA-colonized residents (86 490 patient-days) and 196 non-MRSA carriers (97 470 patient-days). Fourteen residents developed MRSA infections and 10 of these were skin and soft tissue infections. Two patients with respiratory infections required hospitalization. The incidence rate of MRSA infection was 0·12/1000 patient-days in MRSA carriers and 0·05/1000 patient-days in non-carriers (P=0·46). No difference in MRSA infection rate was found according to the duration of MRSA colonization (P=0·69). The mortality rate was 20·8% in colonized residents and 16·8% in non-carriers; four residents with MRSA infection died. Overall mortality was statistically similar in both cohorts. Our results suggest that despite a high prevalence of MRSA colonization in LTCFs, MRSA infections are neither frequent nor severe while colonized residents remain at the facility. The epidemiological impact of an MRSA reservoir is more relevant than the clinical impact of this colonization for an individual resident and supports current recommendations to control MRSA spread in community LTCFs.

Background: Studies of recent hospital outbreaks caused by multiresistant P.aeruginosa (MRPA) have often failed to identify a specific environmental reservoir. We describe an outbreak due to a single clone of multiresistant (MR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance procedures and control measures applied., Methods: Patients with MRPA isolates were prospectively identified (January 2006-May 2008). A combined surveillance procedure (environmental survey, and active surveillance program in intensive care units [ICUs]) and an infection control strategy (closure of ICU and urology wards for decontamination, strict compliance with cross-transmission prevention protocols, and a program restricting the use of carbapenems in the ICUs) was designed and implemented., Results: Three hundred and ninety patients were identified. ICU patients were the most numerous group (22%) followed by urology patients (18%). Environmental surveillance found that 3/19 (16%) non-ICU environmental samples and 4/63 (6%) ICU samples were positive for the MRPA clonal strain. In addition, active surveillance found that 19% of patients were fecal carriers of MRPA. Significant changes in the trends of incidence rates were noted after intervention 1 (reinforcement of cleaning procedures): -1.16 cases/1,000 patient-days (95%CI -1.86 to -0.46; p = 0.003) and intervention 2 (extensive decontamination): -1.36 cases/1,000 patient-days (95%CI -1.88 to -0.84; p < 0.001) in urology wards. In addition, restricted use of carbapenems was initiated in ICUs (January 2007), and their administration decreased from 190-170 DDD/1,000 patient-days (October-December 2006) to 40-60 DDD/1,000 patient-days (January-April 2007), with a reduction from 3.1 cases/1,000 patient-days in December 2006 to 2.0 cases/1,000 patient-days in May 2007. The level of initial carbapenem use rose again during 2008, and the incidence of MRPA increased progressively once more., Conclusions: In the setting of sustained MRPA outbreaks, epidemiological findings suggest that patients may be a reservoir for further environmental contamination and cross-transmission. Although our control program was not successful in ending the outbreak, we think that our experience provides useful guidance for future approaches to this problem.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is one of the most common nosocomial infections. The incidence is higher in paediatric patients than in adults, especially in those admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU). CLABSI-related morbidity makes it a major health problem; therefore it is necessary to develop prevention strategies against it., Patients and Methods: An intervention study in a paediatric ICU (PICU) was performed, in order to assess the impact of the introduction of the program «Bacteraemia zero» in December 2007. This program aims to prevent CLABSI. Demographic data and variables related to hospitalisation and infection were collected from January to December 2007 (before the intervention) and from January to December 2008 (after the intervention), and were compared. In the first period, 497 patients were studied, and 495 in the second., Results: A reduction of 30.4% in the incidence of CLABSI (P=0.49) in the second year was observed (5.5 to 3.8 episodes per 1000 catheter-days). The CVC use ratio was 0.59 and 0.64, respectively. The most frequently isolated organism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Conclusions: The implementation of a «no bacteraemia» program, involving all staff in the PICU as well as the professionals in infection control, reduces the incidence of CLABSI., (Copyright © 2010 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infection (BSI) is a cause of concern in health systems all over the world, due to the high incidence rates and the associated undesirable outcomes. In our tertiary 900-bed university hospital, all episodes of MRSA-BSI have been prospectively followed up since the identification of the first episode in 1990. We conducted the current study to report changes in the epidemiology of MRSA-BSI over the 19-year period between 1990 and 2008, comparing 4 periods (1990-1994, 1995-1999, 2000-2004, and 2005-2008). Overall, 524 patients developed MRSA-BSI. Cumulative incidence was 10.0 episodes/100,000 patient days (range, 1.3-17.4). Although no trend in the incidence rate was observed between the 4 consecutive periods, significant upward trends in patient age and comorbidities, health care acquisition, and non-intravascular catheter source were all identified (p < 0.05). While the Iberian clone (ST247/SCCmecI) was dominant during the first and second periods, almost all the strains isolated in the subsequent periods belonged to Clonal Complex 5 (ST125/SCCmecIV and ST228/SCCmecI). A significant downward trend in vancomycin geometric minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also observed from 2.04 mg/L to 0.88 mg/L, coinciding with the clonal replacement and the reduction in the hospital vancomycin prescription. Therefore, no MRSA vancomycin MIC creep was observed since higher MICs were associated with strains belonging to the Iberian clone. Glycopeptides were the most frequently used antibiotics for MRSA-BSI during all 4 periods. No differences in MRSA-BSI outcomes were found, and the mortality rate at 30 days was close to 29% in each of the 4 periods. In conclusion, we identified significant changes in demographic and clinical characteristics and in the molecular epidemiology of MRSA-BSI during the study period, but found no significant trends in cumulative incidence or in overall mortality rate.

Introduction: Community-onset infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are increasing. However, there is little information about community-onset bacteremia (CB) due to MRSA in Spain. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence, clinical and molecular epidemiology, clinical features, and prognosis of CB due to MRSA in comparison with nosocomial bacteremia (NB)., Methods: Prospective multicenter cohort study; all new cases of bacteremia due to MRSA occurring during June 2003 in 59 Spanish hospitals were included. Episodes diagnosed during the first 48 hours of admission were considered CB, and otherwise, NB. Isolates were typed by pulsed field electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing. Staphylococcal cassete chromosome mec types and Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes were studied by polymerase chain reaction., Results: Sixty-four cases were included; 21 (33%) were classified as CB. In all CB cases, a relation was found with health care, or the isolate proved to be clonally related to nosocomial isolates. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, underlying conditions, prognosis, or characteristics of the isolates. Regarding the source of bacteremia, catheter-related cases were more frequent in NB than CB (39.5% vs 5%, P=0.005), whereas a urinary source was more frequent in CB than NB (25% vs 0%, P=0.001). Most isolates belonged to 2 clones related to the pandemic "pediatric" clone., Conclusion: MRSA should be considered in empiric treatment for certain infectious syndromes in patients with healthcare-associated community-onset sepsis., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Background: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been endemic in Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, since 1990. During the 1990-95 period the Iberian clone (ST-247; SCCmec-I) was dominant. Isolates of clonal complex 5 (ST-125; SCCmec-IV) gradually replaced the Iberian clone from 1996 to 2003. A new multiresistant MRSA phenotype showing rifampicin resistance emerged in 2004 and rapidly increased from 25% in 2004 to 45% in 2006. The aims of this study were i) the molecular characterisation of rifampicin resistant MRSA isolates, ii) the study of the rifampicin resistance expression by disk diffusion, microdilution and E-test, and iii) the analysis of the rpoB gene mutations involved in rifampicin resistance., Results: A sample of representative 108 rifampicin-resistant MRSA isolates belonged to a single PFGE genotype, ST-228, SCCmec type I and spa type t041. Of 108 isolates, 104 (96%) had a low-level rifampicin resistance (MICs, 2 to 4 mg/L) and 4 a high-level rifampicin resistance (MICs, 128 - > or = 256 mg/L). Disk diffusion and E-test methods failed to identify a low-level rifampicin resistance in 20 and 12 isolates, respectively. A low-level rifampicin resistance was associated with amino acid substitution 481His/Asn in the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase. Isolates with a high-level rifampicin resistance carried additional mutations in the rpoB gene., Conclusions: The emergence of MRSA clone ST228-SCCmecI, related to the Southern Germany clone, involved a therapeutical challenge for treating serious MRSA infections. Decreased susceptibility to rifampicin in MRSA strains of ST228-SCCmecI was associated with one or two specific mutations in the rpoB gene. One fifth of isolates with low-level rifampicin-resistance were missed by the diffusion methods.

Introduction: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) is a cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units, and the optimal approach for preventing these infections is not well defined. Comparison of CR-BSI rates with those provided by programs such as the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNISS) from the USA and the Spanish National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Study (ENVIN), enable determination of the need to implement control measures. In 2000, we found that the CR-BSI rates in UCIs of our hospital were much higher than the data reported by ENVIN., Objective: To assess the impact of implementing a protocol for proper use of intravascular catheters on CR-BSI rates in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital., Methods: Prospective study of patients admitted to the ICUs of a tertiary hospital in the months of May and June, from 2000 to 2004. In 2001, a CR-BSI prevention program including aspects related to catheter insertion and maintenance in ICU patients was implemented. We calculated infection rates per 1000 days of catheter use in all the 2-month periods studied, and compared the 2000 and 2004 results by analysis of the odds ratios and confidence intervals., Results: A total of 923 patients were included. Mean age was 58.7 years (SD: 15.4), mean ICU stay was 11.6 days (SD: 11.4), mean SAPSII was 28.2 (SD: 15.9), and mortality was 20.5%. There was a significant reduction in CR-BSI rates from 13.3 episodes per 1000 days of catheter use in the first period to 3.21 in the last period (OR=3.53, 95% CI: 2.36-5.31)., Conclusions: Application of a prevention program for CR-BSI and a system for monitoring BSI rates led to a significant, sustained reduction in these infections.

A prospective cohort study including all new cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization or infection in 64 Spanish hospitals during June 2003 was performed to investigate the epidemiology of MRSA in Spain. Only patients who yielded clinical MRSA-positive samples were included. Epidemiological and clinical data for a total of 370 cases were collected. Genotyping was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing. Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes and the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) were identified in representative isolates. MRSA was considered to be nosocomially acquired in 202 cases (55%), healthcare-associated (HCA) in 139 cases (38%), community-acquired (CA) in three cases, and of uncertain mode of acquisition in 26 (7%) cases. The pooled population-based rate was 2.31 cases/100,000 population/month, and the pooled nosocomial rate was 0.21 cases/1000 hospital stays (20.2% of S. aureus). Peripheral vascular disease, respiratory tract infections, catheter infections, bloodstream infections and crude mortality were more frequent among HCA cases, whereas neoplasia and urinary tract infections were more frequent among nosocomially acquired cases. Two clones related to the paediatric clone ST5-IV accounted for 71% of the isolates; EMRSA-16 has emerged in two different geographical areas. Only one isolate belonged to the formerly predominant Iberian clone. The three CA isolates were related to the USA300 clone. SCCmec type IV was the most frequent type in nosocomial and HCA isolates. The epidemiology of MRSA has changed in Spain; outpatients with previous healthcare contact represent a very important reservoir of MRSA, and community isolates are emerging.

Cefepime (FEP) and ceftazidime (CAZ) are broad-spectrum cephalosporins that display similar MICs for wild-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Recently, P. aeruginosa isolates showing a discordance in susceptibility to CAZ and FEP have been noted at the Hospital de Bellvitge in Barcelona, Spain, and a clustering was suspected. During the study period (March to December 2007), 51 patients, particularly those in an intensive care units (ICUs) (n = 29 [57%]), infected or colonized with at least one P. aeruginosa non-FEP-susceptible and CAZ-susceptible (Fep(ns) Caz(s)) phenotype strain were detected. Twenty-three (45%) patients were infected, and the respiratory tract was the most frequent site of infection. Changes in the consumption of antimicrobials in the ICUs were observed over time: a progressive reduction in the levels of consumption of carbapenems (247 defined daily doses [DDD]/1,000 patient days to 66 DDD/1,000 patient days; P = 0.008), after restriction of its use in 2006, and an expected increase in the rate of piperacillin-tazobactam use (42 DDD/1,000 patient days in 2004 to 200 DDD/1,000 patient days in 2007; P < 0.001). Throughout the whole study period, only a single clone of a P. aeruginosa Fep(ns) Caz(s) phenotype strain was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis to be associated with the hyperexpression of MexXY-OprM and the production of an integron-borne PSE-1 ss-lactamase. In conclusion, we identified an epidemic P. aeruginosa clone of an Fep(ns) Caz(s) phenotype strain involving 51 patients, in particular, ICU patients. The combination of the overexpression of an efflux pump and PSE-1 ss-lactamase production is associated with the multidrug-resistant phenotype. The dominant use of a single class of antibiotics could have provided the selective pressure required for the emergence and spread of this P. aeruginosa strain.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of empirical therapy on the mortality of patients with health care-associated (HCA) sepsis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in a multicenter cohort, and the variables associated with inappropriate empirical therapy., Methods: All new cases of infection caused by HCA-MRSA presenting with sepsis syndrome in 59 Spanish hospitals during June 2003 were prospectively followed. The main outcome variable was mortality at day 30. Predictors of mortality and of inappropriate empirical therapy were studied using multivariate logistic regression., Results: We included 209 cases. Crude mortality was 23%. After controlling for severity of the underlying condition, ICU stay, presentation with severe sepsis or shock, and site of infection, inappropriate empirical therapy was associated with an increased odds of mortality (OR=3.0; 95% CI: 1.01-9.0; p=0.04). Only 21.1% of the patients received appropriate empirical therapy. Variables independently associated with appropriate therapy were recent surgery, central venous catheter and certain sites of infection (primary bacteraemia, intraabdominal infections, and respiratory tract infections). Cancer patients were at an increased risk of receiving inappropriate therapy., Conclusions: Inappropriate empirical therapy was independently associated with increased mortality in this multicenter cohort. Clinicians should be aware of the need to consider coverage against MRSA more frequently.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen, both in-hospital and in the community. Although there are several guidelines with recommendations for the control of this microorganism, the measures proposed are not uniformly implemented in Spanish hospitals. The objective of this document is to provide evidence-based recommendations that are applicable to Spanish hospitals, with the aim of reducing transmission of MRSA in our health care centers. The recommendations are divided into the following groups: surveillance, active detection of colonization in patients and health care workers, control measures for colonized or infected patients, decolonization therapy, environmental cleaning and disinfection, antimicrobial consumption, measures for non-hospitalized patients, and others. The main measures recommended include appropriate surveillance, hand hygiene, and implementation of active surveillance, contact precautions, and environmental cleaning.

Thirty-four isolates of pan-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing VIM-2 metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) were detected at a university hospital in Spain (July 2004-September 2006). Eleven (32%) patients had clinically significant infections, and three (27%) of these patients died. A single clone of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A cluster of isolates associated with the vascular surgery ward involved ten patients and appeared as a series of low-grade, sustained and misdiagnosed endemic infections in the hospital. The identification of MBL-positive P. aeruginosa should be considered mandatory in the surveillance of pan-resistant P. aeruginosa and requires a high index of suspicion in the context of endemic infections with a low attack rate.

Enterobacter cloacae has been associated with several outbreaks, usually involving strains that overproduce chromosomal beta-lactamase or, uncommonly, strains expressing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). Only sporadic cases of ESBL-producing E. cloacae have been identified in our hospital in recent years. We describe the epidemiology and clinical and microbiological characteristics of an outbreak caused by ESBL-producing E. cloacae in a cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CT-ICU). Prospective surveillance of patients with infection or colonization by ESBL-producing E. cloacae among patients admitted to the CT-ICU was performed during the outbreak. Production of ESBL was determined by decreased susceptibility to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and a positive double-disk test result. Clone relatedness was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From July to September 2005, seven patients in the CT-ICU with ESBL-producing E. cloacae were identified (four males; median age, 73 years; range, 45 to 76 years); six patients had cardiac surgery. Four patients developed infections; three had primary bacteremia, one had ventilator-associated pneumonia, and one had tracheobronchitis. ESBL-producing E. cloacae showed resistance to quinolones and aminoglycosides. PFGE revealed two patterns. Five isolates belonged to clone A; two carried a single ESBL (pI 8.2 and a positive PCR result for the SHV type), and three carried two ESBLs (pIs 8.1 and 8.2 and positive PCR results for the SHV and CTX-M-9 types). Isolates belonging to clone B carried a single ESBL (pI 5.4 and a positive PCR result for the TEM type). Review of antibiotic consumption showed increased use of cefepime and quinolones during June and July 2005. The outbreak was stopped by the implementation of barrier measures and cephalosporin restriction. ESBL production could be increasingly common in nosocomial pathogens other than Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent throughout the healthcare system in Spain, particularly in long-term care facilities (LTCF) and the incidence of MRSA bloodstream infection (MRSA-BSI) at hospital admission is increasing. This study aimed to determine factors that predict meticillin resistance among patients who require hospitalization for S. aureus BSI. We performed a case-control study comparing patients with S. aureus at hospital admission from January 1991 to December 2003. Case patients with MRSA-BSI at hospital admission (N=50) were compared with control patients with meticillin-susceptible S. aureus bloodstream infection (MSSA-BSI) at hospital admission (N=98). The incidence of MRSA-BSI at hospital admission increased significantly from 0.08 cases/1000 hospital admissions in 1991 to 0.37 cases in 2003 (P<0.001). Univariate analysis comparing patients with MRSA- and MSSA-BSI found a significant association between meticillin resistance and age >60 years, female sex, prior MRSA isolation and healthcare-related BSI. No differences were found in underlying conditions such as diabetes, haemodialysis, immunosuppression, source of infection or mortality between the two groups. Multivariate analyses identified prior MRSA isolation [odds ratio (OR): 41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4-350] and admission from long-term care facilities (OR: 37; 95% CI: 4.5-316) as independent risk factors for MRSA-BSI.

We describe a case of bacteremia due to an as yet unclassified Acinetobacter genomic species 17-like strain. The recognition of this microorganism as non-Acinetobacter baumannii may have important epidemiological implications, as it relieves the hospital of the implementation of barrier precautions for patients infected or colonized as may be necessary with a multiresistant A. baumannii epidemic.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the main nosocomial pathogens. The incidence of MRSA infections is increasing in Spain. The objective of this study was to investigate the measures used for surveillance and control of MRSA in a sample of Spanish hospitals., Methods: A questionnaire survey was done, including data on the incidence of MRSA infection/colonization for 2002, the microbiological methods used to study S. aureus susceptibility, and the use of control measures based on published guidelines., Results: Sixty-one hospitals with a catchment population of 16 million inhabitants participated. Automatic methods were most frequently used for routine susceptibility testing. The median incidence was 0.45 cases/100 admissions; this data could be obtained from only 70% of the centers. In 59%, the incidence was indicative of high transmission. Isolation precautions were indicated for all patients with MRSA in 95% of the hospitals; screening of carriers among patients was performed in 18% to 72%, depending on the circumstances. Health care workers from at least one unit had been screened in 52% of the hospitals during 2002. Mupirocin was used for the treatment of 90% of colonized persons., Conclusion: There is considerable variation in the application of control measures in the hospitals surveyed. National guidelines with recommendations for MRSA control are needed in Spain.

Objective: To investigate an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) in a urology ward., Methods: Patients infected or colonized with CRPA were prospectively identified by daily laboratory surveillance. Routine infection-control measures were reinforced, disinfection protocols were revised, and a surveillance program was set up, analyzing cross-transmission in the nursing ward and environment cultures from urology wards and the operating theater. CRPA isolates from clinical and environment samples were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), following XbaI and SpeI restriction., Results: From February 1998 to September 2000, 59 adult urology patients were colonized or infected by CRPA. All patients had been operated on prior to identification of the CRPA isolate and 79% of these procedures were performed in the same cystoscopy room. No patients had received prior carbapenem therapy. No cross-transmission was detected, and environment cultures from the urology ward and theater were negative except for five samples collected in the cystoscopy room. PFGE identified a single clone in the isolates from different patients and the environment samples., Conclusions: The PFGE analysis indicated that the CRPA outbreak resulted from the contamination of the cystoscopy room via an unsealed drain. The outbreak ended when the drain was sealed.

This study describes the clinical outcome of an outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) bacteraemia. Ninety-two episodes of hospital-acquired K. pneumoniae bacteraemia were studied, 49 ESBL-KP and 43 non-ESBL-KP, from May 1993 to June 1995. Of these, 44 (90%) episodes of ESBL-KP vs. 20 (46%) episodes of non-ESBL-KP occurred in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The incidence of K. pneumoniae bacteraemia (mainly due to ESBL-KP) increased in the ICU during the outbreak. A significant association was found between intravascular catheter-related bacteraemia and isolation of ESBL-KP [27 (56%) in the ESBL-KP group vs. 13 (30%) in the non-ESBL-KP group;P= 0.01]. The worst prognostic features were identified as age > 65 years (P= 0.02), septic shock (P< 0.001) and secondary bacteraemia (P= 0.04). High rates of resistance to beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors observed in our ESBL-KP isolates, as well as variable activity of aminoglycosides, restricts the empirical use of these antibiotics. Carbapenems should be the treatment of choice since they are uniformly active against these strains. Our study shows that ESBL-KP bacteraemia occurring in an epidemic ICU setting is mainly catheter-related. We did not find ESBL strains to be associated with a significantly poor outcome., (Copyright 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.)

From March 1995 to March 1997, sulbactam was prospectively evaluated in patients with non-life-threatening multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections. During this period, 47 patients were treated with sulbactam; of them, five were excluded because they had received < or =48 h of sulbactam therapy. A total of 42 patients, 27 males and 15 females with a mean age of 60+/-15 years, were finally evaluated. Infections were as follows: surgical wound, 19; tracheobronchitis, 12; urinary tract, 7; catheter-related bacteraemia, 2; and pneumonia, 2. Eighteen patients received intravenous sulbactam alone (1 g every 8 h) and 24 patients received intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin (1 g:2 g every 8 h) with no major adverse effects. Of the 42 patients, 39 improved or were cured and showed A. baumannii eradication and one patient had persistence of wound infection after 8 days of sulbactam/ampicillin requiring surgical debridement. Two patients died after 3 days of therapy (one of the deaths was attributable to A. baumannii infection). The in-vitro activity of the sulbactam/ampicillin combination was by virtue of the antimicrobial activity exhibited by sulbactam. Killing curves showed that sulbactam was bacteriostatic; no synergy was observed between ampicillin and sulbactam. Our results indicate that sulbactam may prove effective for non-life-threatening A. baumannii infections. Its role in the treatment of severe infections is unknown. However, the current formulation of sulbactam alone may allow its use at higher doses and provide new potential synergic combinations, particularly for those infections by A. baumannii resistant to imipenem.

Over the 5-year period from 1990 to 1994, a prospective cohort study was conducted to define the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of ventilator-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia acquired during a large-scale outbreak of MRSA infection. Of 2411 mechanically ventilated patients, 347 (14.4%) acquired MRSA, 220 (63.4%) had MRSA positive respiratory tract samples and 41 (18.6%) developed ventilator-associated MRSA pneumonia. The overall attack rate for ventilator-associated MRSA pneumonia was 1.56 episodes/1000 ventilator days, but annual attack rates varied according to the trend of the outbreak (range 4.9-0.2). In comparison with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), which was implicated in 98 episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia, MRSA caused exclusively late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia, while MSSA caused both early-onset [55 of 98 (56.1%) episodes] and late-onset [43 of 98 (43.8%) episodes] ventilator-associated pneumonia. Logistic regression analysis of all patients with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia revealed intubation for more than 3 days (odds ratio (OR),1.11; confidence interval (CI):1.03-1.18) and prior bronchoscopy (OR,5.8; CI,1.85-18.19) to be independent variables associated with MRSA pneumonia. The results indicate that MRSA ventilator-associated pneumonia is a frequent complication in intensive care patients, manifesting itself as late-onset pneumonia in patients who have been intubated for prolonged periods and/or have often undergoing previous bronchoscopy.

An outbreak due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) was detected from May 1993 to June 1995. A total of 145 patients, particularly patients in intensive care units (ICUs) (107 patients [72%]), were colonized or infected. Infection developed in 92 (63%) patients, and primary bacteremia caused by ESBL-KP was the most frequent infection (40 of 92 patients [43%]). A single clone of ESBL-KP was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis throughout the whole period, and no molecular epidemiological relationship could be found between the epidemic strain and non-ESBL-KP isolates. To determine risk factors for ESBL-KP infection weekly rectal swabs were obtained in three serial incidence surveys (470 patients); the probabilities of carriage of ESBL-KP in the digestive tract were 33% (October and November 1993), 40% (May and June 1994), and 0% (October and November 1995) at 10 days of ICU admission. A logistic regression model identified prior carriage of ESBL-KP in the digestive tract (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 10.4) as an independent variable associated with ESBL-KP infection. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the restricted use of oxyimino-beta-lactams (189 defined daily doses [DDD]/ 1,000 patient-days to 24 DDD/1,000 patient-days) and the trends of ESBL-KP infection (r = 0.7; P = 0.03).

From January to December 1994, 752 consecutive patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) for more than two days were studied prospectively for Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection. Nasal swabs were obtained at admission and weekly during the ICU stay. At ICU admission 166 patients (22.1%) were Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers, while 586 were free of nasal colonization. Of the 166 nasal carriers, 163 harbored methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and three methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). During the ICU stay 24 of the 586 noncolonized patients became nasal carriers (11 MSSA and 13 MRSA), and one nasal carrier initially colonized by MSSA was reconlonized by MRSA. Staphylococcal infections were documented in 51 (6.8%) of the total 752 patients. After 14 days of ICU stay, the probability of developing staphylococcal infections was significantly higher for those patients who were nasal carriers at ICU admission than for those found to be initially negative (relative risk 59.6, 95% CI 20.37-184.32; p < 0.0001). In patients with ICU-acquired nasal colonization, most infections were documented prior to or at the time of the detection of the nasal colonization; thus, in this group of patients nasal carriage showed a lower predictive value for subsequent Staphylococcus aureus infections that that described classically. Paired isolates of nasal colonizing and clinical strains were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and mecA polymorphism analysis in 30 patients; identity was demonstrated in all but two patients. The results suggest that, outside the setting of an outbreak of MRSA, the detection of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers on admission may be particularly useful in identifying those patients who are at high risk for developing staphylococcal infections during their ICU stay.

In the course of an outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) in an intensive care unit (ICU), we conducted active surveillance to determine the risk factors for ESBL-KP faecal colonization of patients. We used weekly rectal samples during a four-month period. ESBL-KP was found in the faeces of 72 of 188 (38%) patients, and 42 (58%) of them were colonized within the first week of admission to the ICU. The probability of remaining free of faecal colonization was less than 20% at 30 days of ICU admission. The risk factors associated with ESBL-KP faecal colonization were clinical severity score at admission (P = 0.004), arterial catheterization (P = 0.002), total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.04), urinary catheterization (P = 0.01), mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001), and previous antibiotic therapy (P = 0.04). A logistic regression analysis identified duration of urinary catheterization (OR:3.5; 95% CI 1.2-10.3) and mechanical ventilation (OR:4.6; 95% CI 1.1-19.3) as independent risk factors for ESBL-KP faecal colonization. Our results suggest that in an ESBL-KP prevalent environment, manipulations that facilitate cross-infection are the most relevant in the acquisition of the micro-organism and risk increases throughout hospitalization.

Objectives: To determine the relevance of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, either methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant (MRSA), as a risk factor for the development of nosocomial S aureus bacteremia during an MRSA outbreak., Patients and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 488 patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) during a 1-year period were screened with nasal swabs within 48 hours of admission and weekly thereafter in order to identify nasal S aureus carriage. Nasal staphylococcal carriers were observed until development of S aureus bacteremia, ICU discharge, or death., Results: One hundred forty-seven (30.1%) of 488 patients were nasal S aureus carriers; 84 patients (17.2%) harbored methicillin-sensitive S aureus; and 63 patients (12.9%) methicillin-resistant S aureus. Nosocomial S aureus bacteremia was diagnosed in 38 (7.7%) of 488 patients. Rates of bacteremia were 24 (38%) of the MRSA carriers, eight (9.5%) of the MSSA carriers, and six (1.7%) of noncarriers. After adjusting for other predictors of bacteremia by means of a Cox proportional hazard regression model, the relative risk for S aureus bacteremia was 3.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-9.8; P = 0.002) for MRSA carriers compared with MSSA carriers., Conclusions: Among ICU patients, nasal carriers of S aureus are at higher risk for S aureus bacteremia than are noncarriers; in the setting of an MRSA outbreak, colonization by methicillin-resistant strains represents a greater risk than does colonization by MSSA and strongly predicts the occurrence of MRSA bacteremia.

Background: Nosocomial infection represents a prolongation of hospital stay and an increase of costs. The aim of the study was to estimate attributable costs by means of two methods: calculation of costs resulting from an increase of hospital stay and calculation of costs attributed to services., Methods: A matched case-control study was carried out with a cohort population. An appropriate control was found for 63 patients with surgical site infection, for 30 patients with respiratory infection and for 55 with urinary infection. The estimation of costs attributable to services includes the case-control pairs with surgical site infection and was performed of the sum of costs of diagnostic and therapeutic services rendered in the care of the surgical site infection., Results: The median of postoperative stay was 21 days for cases with surgical site infection vs 10 days for controls (p < 0.001); the median length of stay was 21.5 days for cases with respiratory infection vs 11.5 days for controls (p < 0.01); and for urinary infection the median length of stay was 21 days for cases vs 15 days for controls (p < 0.01). The surgical site infection cost attributed to extra days was 310,310 pesetas and the surgical site infection cost attributed to service cost was 220,546 pesetas., Conclusions: Nosocomial infection produces a increase median hospital stay of 7-10 days. In absence of a precise accounting system, the prolongation of hospital stay was considered as the more objective date to estimate the costs.

In a prospective surveillance study (February 1990-December 1991) performed at a 1000-bed teaching hospital to identify risk factors for nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, 309 patients were found to be colonized (n = 103; 33%) or infected (n = 206; 67%) by MRSA. Sixty-three of them developed bacteremia. Compared with 114 patients who had nosocomial bacteremia caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus during the same period of time, MRSA bacteremic patients had more severe underlying diseases (p < 0.01), were more often in intensive care units (p < 0.01) and had received prior antibiotic therapy more frequently (p < 0.01). To further identify risk factors for MRSA bacteremia, univariate and multivariate analyses of this series of 309 patients were performed using the occurrence of MRSA bacteremia as the dependent variable. Among 14 variables analyzed, intravascular catheterization, defined as one or more intravascular catheters in place for more than 48 h, was the only variable selected by a logistic regression model as an independent risk factor (OR = 2.7, CI = 1.1-6.6). The results of this study reinforce the concept that recent antibiotic therapy may predispose patients to MRSA infection and suggest that among patients colonized or infected by MRSA, those with intravascular catheters are at high risk of developing MRSA bacteremia.

Background: The aim of this study was to establish the clinical and epidemiologic features of nosocomial bacteremia by Enterobacter spp. and to analyse its prognostic factors., Methods: A prospective study of the episodes of nosocomial bacteremia by Enterobacter spp. with clinical significance, detected in a third level university hospital from January 1984 to December 1990 was performed., Results: During the study period, 226 episodes of bacteremia by Enterobacter spp., of which 184 (81%) were of nosocomial origin (8.1% of all the nosocomial bacteremias), while 14% were polymicrobial. An increasing trend was observed in the number of episodes (1984 vs 1990) from 0.9 vs 1.8 episodes per 1,000 admissions, respectively. The mean age was 57 years and the male/female relation was 2.4/1. The most frequent focus of origin was infection of the vascular catheter (43%), followed by intraabdominal catheter (21%), urinary tract (14%), and other foci (17%). Fifty-four percent of the patients had received antibiotics prior to the episode of bacteremia. Most of the cases were detected in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) (41%) and in the gastrointestinal surgery area (24%). Global mortality was 23%. Logistic regression analysis selected an entry site other than infection of the vascular catheter (odds ratio 6.1; CI [95%)] 2.0-18.4), shock (odds ratio, 6; CI [95%], 1.6-21.9) and immunosuppressive treatment (odds ratio, 5; CI [95%], 1.5-16.2) as independent variables of bad prognosis., Conclusions: Enterobacter spp. is an important nosocomial pathogen taking fourth place in the ranking of nosocomial bacteremia by gram negative bacilli. It predominantly affects a population of patients admitted in the ICU and surgery. The intravascular catheter is a frequent entry site for nosocomial bacteremia by Enterobacter spp.

Background: Nosocomial enterococcal infections have increased in various institutions, and patients with these infections had often been treated with cephalosporins during the previous weeks. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of second- and third-generation cephalosporins is a risk factor for nosocomial enterococcal bacteremia (NEB), by means of a matched case-control study design., Methods: Two hundred seven cases of NEB were studied. A control was matched to each case by sex, age (+/- 10 years), date of admission (+/- 2 years), hospital service, days of hospitalization, primary diagnosis, and operative procedures., Results: One hundred fifty-six cases had an appropriate matched control. The univariate analysis of unmatched variables showed that the presence of a urinary catheter (odds ratio [OR], 3.8), mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.6), and cephalosporin use (OR = 5.1) were associated with NEB. Using a conditional logistic regression model, cephalosporin use (adjusted OR = 4.8, 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 9.8) and urinary catheter use (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 7.4) remained significantly associated with NEB after controlling for other unmatched variables., Conclusions: These data show that the use of second- and third-generation cephalosporins may be a major risk factor for NEB. It may explain, at least partially, the steadily increasing number of enterococcal infections observed in some hospitals.