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The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has become a global public health problem. ESBL-E/CRE colonization can increase the risk of infection in patients and lead to poor disease prognosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate current decolonization strategies regarding ESBL-E/CRE and their efficacy. A literature search was conducted until August 2023 on the five databases to review decolonization strategies associated with ESBL-E/CRE. A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 to compare differences in the decolonization strategy with placebo controls. The primary outcome was decolonization rates, with secondary outcomes of attributable death and adverse events. Quality of identified studies was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and cochrane risk assessment tool. Random and fixed effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled value. A total of 25 studies were included. In five randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, the decolonization effect of selective digestive decontamination(SDD) on ESBL-E/CRE at the end of treatment was significantly better in the experimental group than the controls [risk radio (RR): 3.30; 95% CI 1.78-6.14]. In three n-RCT studies, the decolonization effect in the experimental group was still better than the controls one month after SDD therapy [odds ratio (OR): 4.01; 95% CI 1.88-8.56]. The combined decolonization rates reported by six single-arm trial studies of SDD therapy ranged from 53.8 to 68.0%. Additionally, TSA analysis confirmed the effectiveness of SDD therapy. In studies on Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy, the decolonization effect of the experimental group was significantly better than the controls 1 month after treatment (OR: 2.57; 95% CI 1.07-6.16). In studies without a control group and with varying follow-up times, the decolonization rates varied widely but indicated the effectiveness trend of FMT therapy (61.3-81.2%). Currently, research on the decolonization effect of probiotic therapy on ESBL-E/CRE is insufficient, and only a systematic review was conducted. SDD and FMT strategies have short-term benefits for ESBL-E/CRE decolonization, but long-term effects are unclear. The effect of probiotic therapy on ESBL-E/CRE decolonization is an interesting topic that still requires further investigation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for surgical site infections (SSI) in orthopaedic surgery. The efficacy of decolonisation for S. aureus on reducing the risk of SSI is uncertain in this speciality. The objective was to evaluate the impact of a nasal screening strategy of S. aureus and targeted decolonisation on the risk of S. aureus SSI., Methods: A retrospective pre-post and here-elsewhere study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2020 in 2 adult orthopaedic surgical sites (North and South) of a French university hospital. Decolonisation with Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine was conducted in S. aureus carriers starting February 2017 in the South site (intervention group). Scheduled surgical procedures for hip, knee arthroplasties, and osteosyntheses were included and monitored for one year. The rates of S. aureus SSI in the intervention group were compared to a historical control group (South site) and a North control group. The risk factors for S. aureus SSI were analysed by logistic regression., Results: A total of 5,348 surgical procedures was included, 100 SSI of which 30 monomicrobial S. aureus SSI were identified. The preoperative screening result was available for 60% (1,382/2,305) of the intervention group patients. Among these screenings, 25.3% (349/1,382) were positive for S. aureus and the efficacy of the decolonisation was 91.6% (98/107). The rate of S. aureus SSI in the intervention group (0.3%, 7/2,305) was not significantly different from the historical control group (0.5%, 9/1926) but differed significantly from the North control group (1.3%, 14/1,117). After adjustment, the risk factors of S. aureus SSI occurrence were the body mass index (ORa per unit , 1.05; 95%CI, 1.0-1.1), the Charlson comorbidity index (ORa per point , 1.34; 95%CI, 1.0-1.8) and operative time (ORa per minute , 1.01; 95%CI, 1.00-1.02). Having benefited from S. aureus screening/decolonisation was a protective factor (ORa, 0.24; 95%CI, 0.08-0.73)., Conclusions: Despite the low number of SSI, nasal screening and targeted decolonisation of S. aureus were associated with a reduction in S. aureus SSI., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of death by infectious diseases worldwide. Treatment of S aureus infections is difficult due to widespread antibiotic resistance, necessitating alternative approaches and measures for prevention of infection. Because S aureus infections commonly arise from asymptomatic colonisation, decolonisation is considered a key approach for their prevention. Current decolonisation procedures include antibiotic-based and antiseptic-based eradication of S aureus from the nose and skin. However, despite the widespread implementation and partial success of such measures, S aureus infection rates remain worrisome, and resistance to decolonisation agents is on the rise. In this Review we outline the epidemiology and mechanisms of S aureus colonisation, describe how colonisation underlies infection, and discuss current and novel approaches for S aureus decolonisation, with a focus on the latest findings on probiotic strategies and the intestinal S aureus colonisation site., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Asymptomatic long-term carriers of Shigatoxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are regarded as potential source of STEC-transmission. The prevention of outbreaks via onward spread of STEC is a public health priority. Accordingly, health authorities are imposing far-reaching restrictions on asymptomatic STEC carriers in many countries. Various STEC strains may cause severe hemorrhagic colitis complicated by life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), while many endemic strains have never been associated with HUS. Even though antibiotics are generally discouraged in acute diarrheal STEC infection, decolonization with short-course azithromycin appears effective and safe in long-term shedders of various pathogenic strains. However, most endemic STEC-strains have a low pathogenicity and would most likely neither warrant antibiotic decolonization therapy nor justify social exclusion policies. A risk-adapted individualized strategy might strongly attenuate the socio-economic burden and has recently been proposed by national health authorities in some European countries. This, however, mandates clarification of strain-specific pathogenicity, of the risk of human-to-human infection as well as scientific evidence of social restrictions. Moreover, placebo-controlled prospective interventions on efficacy and safety of, e.g., azithromycin for decolonization in asymptomatic long-term STEC-carriers are reasonable. In the present community case study, we report new observations in long-term shedding of various STEC strains and review the current evidence in favor of risk-adjusted concepts., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Sayk, Hauswaldt, Knobloch, Rupp and Nitschke.)

Background: Decolonization treatment of MRSA carriers is recommended in Denmark, except in households with MRSA-positive children <2 years old (wait-and-see approach)., Objectives: To investigate a wait-and-see approach in children 2-5 years old, and the effect of decolonization treatment of MRSA carriage in all children <6 years old., Patients and Methods: In this retrospective follow-up study, we included MRSA carriers <6 years old in the Capital Region of Denmark from 2007 to 2021. Data were collected from laboratory information systems and electronic patient records. We divided children into age groups of <2 years or 2-5 years and decolonization treatment versus no treatment. Treatment was chlorhexidine body washes and nasal mupirocin, sometimes supplemented with systemic antibiotics. Children were followed until becoming MRSA free, or censoring. The probability of becoming MRSA free was investigated with Cox regression (higher HRs indicate faster decolonization)., Results: Of 348 included children, 226 were <2 years old [56/226 (25%) received treatment] and 122 were 2-5 years old [90/122 (74%) received treatment]. Multivariable analyses did not show a larger effect of decolonization treatment versus no treatment in <2-year-olds (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.52-1.65) or 2-5-year-olds (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.26-1.12). Without treatment, 2-5-year-olds tended to clear MRSA faster than <2-year-olds (HR 1.81, 95% CI 0.98-3.37)., Conclusions: We did not find a larger effect of decolonization treatment versus no treatment in children <6 years old, and 2-5-year-olds tended to become MRSA free faster than <2-year-olds. These results support a wait-and-see approach for all children <6 years old, but further studies are needed., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.)

Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) is a Gram-positive bacteria which causes a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening sepsis. Studies report up to 2000 times greater risk of invasive S. pyogenes disease in close contacts of index cases within 30-days of symptom onset. Despite this, there is variability in the management of asymptomatic carriage of S. pyogenes and those at risk of secondary cases of invasive S. pyogenes infection., Objective: Our systematic review assessed the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens used for eradication of S. pyogenes from the pharynx in asymptomatic individuals., Methods: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE (1974-), OVID Medline (1948-) and the Cochrane CENTRAL registry. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with asymptomatic participants with >50% with pharyngeal cultures positive with S. pyogenes at baseline. Only studies with microbiological methods including culture (+/- polymerase chain reaction, PCR) were included. We included studies published in English. Each included study was assessed by two independent reviewers for data extraction and risk of bias., Results: Of 1166 unique records identified, three RCTs were included in the review. Two of the three included RCTs found oral clindamycin for 10-days was the most efficacious regimen, compared to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G followed by 4 days of oral rifampicin, or monotherapy using benzathine penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin or erythromycin. Two RCTs were assessed as being at high risk of bias, with the third study demonstrating low/some risk of bias., Conclusions: Current available evidence for the optimal antibiotic in eradicating pharyngeal S. pyogenes carriage is limited. Future RCTs should include penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, rifampicin, macrolides (such as azithromycin) and clindamycin., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization increases the risk of infection. Response to decolonization treatment is highly variable and determinants for successful decolonization or failure of eradication treatment are largely unknown. Insight into genetic predictors of eradication failure is potentially useful in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore genetic characteristics that are associated with MRSA decolonization failure. This cohort study was performed in a tertiary care hospital in the Netherlands. Patients with ≥ 1 positive MRSA culture from any site and with available whole -genome sequencing data of the MRSA isolate between 2017 and 2022 were included. Lineages, resistance, and virulence factors were stratified by MRSA decolonization outcome. In total, 56 patients were included: 12/56 (21%) with treatment failure and 44/56 (79%) with successful decolonization (with or without preceding treatment). A significant association was found between ciprofloxacin-resistant lineages and failure of eradication (OR 4.20, 95%CI 1.11-15.96, P = 0.04). Furthermore, livestock-associated MRSA and the major community-associated MRSA lineages ST6-t304 and ST8-t008 were associated with successful eradication treatment or spontaneous clearance. In conclusion, this explorative study showed a higher eradication failure rate in complicated MRSA carriers with ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA lineages, which are predominantly healthcare-associated. Further studies are warranted to confirm the higher eradication failure risk of ciprofloxacin-resistant lineages, and identify the underlying mechanisms., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Nasal decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus with the antibiotic mupirocin is a common clinical practice before complex surgical procedures, to prevent hospital acquired infections. However, widespread use of mupirocin has led to the development of resistant S. aureus strains and there is a limited scope for developing new antibiotics for S. aureus nasal decolonization. It is therefore necessary to develop alternative and nonantibiotic nasal decolonization methods. In this review, we broadly discussed the effectiveness of different nonantibiotic antimicrobial agents that are currently not in clinical practice, but are experimentally proved to be efficacious in promoting S. aureus nasal decolonization. These include lytic bacteriophages, bacteriolytic enzymes, tea tree oil, apple vinegar, and antimicrobial peptides. We have also discussed the possibility of using photodynamic therapy for S. aureus nasal decolonization. This article highlights the importance of further large scale clinical studies for selecting the most suitable and alternative nasal decolonizing agent., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Applied Microbiology International.)

Background: Staphylococcus aureus colonization is a key risk factor for S. aureus infections in surgical patients and in hospitalized patients. Many studies have assessed various decolonization agents, protocols, and settings. This review summarizes key findings about nasal decolonization for 2 different patient populations: patients undergoing surgery and patients hospitalized in intensive care units., Methods: We reviewed major studies related to decolonization of patients colonized with S. aureus and who were either undergoing surgical procedures or were hospitalized in intensive care units. We focused on recent studies, particularly randomized controlled trials and robust quasi-experimental trials. We also reviewed select non-randomized trials when more rigorous trials were limited., Discussion/conclusions: Mupirocin is the best-studied agent for decolonization. Its use reduces the risk of surgical site infection following orthopedic surgery (strongest data) and cardiac surgery. Mupirocin decolonization also reduces the incidence of S. aureus clinical cultures in the intensive care unit. Povidone-iodine is less well-studied. Current data suggest that it decreases the risk of surgical site infections after orthopedic surgical procedures. In contrast, povidone-iodine is less effective than mupirocin for reducing the incidence of S aureus clinical cultures in the intensive care unit. Both mupirocin and povidone-iodine have important limitations, highlighting the need for future decolonization research., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization is common among end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis, few studies were focused on MRSA nasal carriers among haemodialysis patients with central venous catheters (CVCs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors, various clinical outcomes and effect of decolonization for MRSA nasal colonization among patients on haemodialysis via CVCs., Methods: This was a single-centre non-concurrent cohort study of 676 patients who had new haemodialysis CVCs inserted. They were all screened for MRSA colonization via nasal swabs and were categorized into two groups: MRSA carriers and MRSA noncarriers. Potential risk factors and clinical outcomes were analysed in both groups. All MRSA carriers were given decolonization therapy and the effect of decolonization on subsequent MRSA infection was also performed., Results: Eighty-two patients (12.1%) were MRSA carriers. Multivariate analysis showed that MRSA carrier (OR 5.44; 95% CI 3.02-9.79), long-term care facility resident (OR 4.08; 95% CI 2.07-8.05), history of Staphylococcus aureus infection (OR 3.20; 95% CI 1.42-7.20) and CVC in situ > 21 days (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.15-3.93) were independent risk factors for MRSA infection. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between MRSA carriers and noncarriers. The MRSA infection rates were similar between MRSA carriers with successful decolonization and those who had failed/incomplete decolonization in our subgroup analysis., Conclusion: MRSA nasal colonization is an important cause of MRSA infection among haemodialysis patients with CVCs. However, decolonization therapy may not be effective in reducing MRSA infection., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

We studied 83 cardiac-surgery patients with nasal S. aureus carriage who received 4 intranasal administrations of XF-73 nasal gel or placebo <24 hours before surgery. One hour before surgery, patients exhibited a S. aureus nasal carriage reduction of 2.5 log 10 with XF-73 compared to 0.4 log 10 CFU/mL for those who received placebo (95% CI, -2.7 to -1.5; P < .0001).

Decolonization of MRSA detected in the oral cavity and tracheal aspirates occurred in 85% and 58% of neonates, respectively, with nasal mupirocin treatment. Recurrent MRSA colonization occurred in 45% of neonates whose MRSA was detected in the oral cavity at a mean of 19 days. Recurrent MRSA colonization occurred in 58% of neonates whose MRSA was detected in tracheal aspirates at a mean of 23 days.

Mupirocin-based decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus carriers undergoing haemodialysis is not widely implemented due to concerns of mupirocin resistance. In our haemodialysis unit, a strategy combining universal S. aureus screening with targeted mupirocin-based decolonization was introduced two decades ago. In this study of haemodialysis patients, mupirocin resistance was assessed in blood and colonizing S. aureus isolates during two periods. Mupirocin resistance in S. aureus was infrequent in both blood and colonizing isolates. Furthermore, in the years 2003-2021, a decreasing trend in the annual rate of S. aureus bloodstream infections was observed. Targeted mupirocin-based decolonization of S. aureus carriers undergoing haemodialysis is a sustainable measure for preventing healthcare-associated infections., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The CLEAR Trial demonstrated that a multisite body decolonization regimen reduced post-discharge infection and hospitalization in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers. Here, we describe decolonization efficacy., Methods: We performed a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial of MRSA decolonization among adult patients after hospital discharge with MRSA infection or colonization. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either MRSA prevention education or education plus decolonization with topical chlorhexidine, oral chlorhexidine, and nasal mupirocin. Participants were swabbed in the nares, throat, axilla/groin, and wound (if applicable) at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after randomization. The primary outcomes of this study are follow-up colonization differences between groups., Results: Among 2121 participants, 1058 were randomized to decolonization. By 1 month, MRSA colonization was lower in the decolonization group compared with the education-only group (odds ration [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], .36-.54; P ≤ .001). A similar magnitude of reduction was seen in the nares (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, .27-.42; P < .001), throat (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, .42-.73; P < .001), and axilla/groin (OR = 0.57; 95% CI, .43-.75; P < .001). These differences persisted through month 9 except at the wound site, which had a relatively small sample size. Higher regimen adherence was associated with lower MRSA colonization (P ≤ .01)., Conclusions: In a randomized, clinical trial, a repeated post-discharge decolonization regimen for MRSA carriers reduced MRSA colonization overall and at multiple body sites. Higher treatment adherence was associated with greater reductions in MRSA colonization., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. L. G. M. has served as a consultant or has received grants from Gilead Science, Achaogen, Merck, Abbott, Medline, and Cepheid and has received financial or material support from Medline, Sage, and Xttrium. R. S. has received financial or material support from Medline, Molnlycke, Sage, and Xttrium. L. H. has received financial or material support from Medline, Molnlycke, Sage, and Xttrium. J. A. M. has received research funding from Achaogen, Theravance Biopharma, Allergan, Cempra, Melinta Therapeutics, Menarini Group, Medline, and Thermo Fisher Scientific and has received financial or material support from Medline, Sage, and Xttrium. S. S. Huang has received financial or material support from Medline, Molnlycke, Sage, and Xttrium. All other authors report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The CLEAR Trial recently found that decolonization reduced infections and hospitalizations in MRSA carriers in the year following hospital discharge. In this secondary analysis, we explored whether decolonization had a similar benefit in the subgroup of trial participants who harbored USA300, using two different definitions for the USA300 strain-type.

Background: To improve adherence with pre-surgical screening for Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and decolonization, we need more information about patients' experiences with these protocols., Methods: We surveyed patients undergoing orthopedic, neurosurgical, or cardiac operations at Johns Hopkins Hospitals (JHH), the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) at MercyOne Northeast Iowa Neurosurgery (MONIN) to assess patients' experiences with decolonization protocols., Results: Five hundred thirty-four patients responded. Respondents at JHH were significantly more likely than those at the UIHC to report using mupirocin and were significantly more likely than those at the UIHC and MONIN to feel they received adequate information about surgical site infection (SSI) prevention and decolonization. Respondents at JHH were the least likely to not worry about SSI and they were more willing to do anything they could to prevent SSI. Few patients reported barriers to adherence and side effects of mupirocin or chlorhexidine., Conclusion: Respondents did not report either major side effects or barriers to adherence. Patients varied in their level of concern about SSI, their willingness to invest effort in preventing SSI, and their assessments of preoperative information. To improve patients' adherence, clinicians and hospitals should assess their patients' needs and desires and tailor their preoperative processes, education, and prophylaxis accordingly., (Copyright © 2022 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We evaluated the success rate of MRSA decolonization directly after treatment and after one year in patients who were treated at the outpatient MRSA clinic of a large university medical centre to identify potential contributing factors to treatment success and failure., Methods: Data from November 1, 2013 to August 1, 2020 were used. Only patients who had undergone complete MRSA decolonization were included. Risk factors for MRSA treatment failure were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model., Results: In total, 127 MRSA carriers were included: 7 had uncomplicated carriage, 91 had complicated carriage, and 29 patients had complicated carriage in combination with an infection. In complicated carriers and complicated carriers with an infection final treatment was successful in 75.0%. Risk factors for initial treatment failure included having one or more comorbidities and not testing the household members. Risk factors for final treatment failure were living in a refugee centre, being of younger age (0-17 years), and having one or more comorbidities., Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that patients with a refugee status and children treated at the paediatric clinic have a higher risk of MRSA decolonisation treatment failure. For this reason, it might be useful to revise decolonization strategies for these subgroups and to refer these patients to specialized outpatient clinics in order to achieve higher treatment success rates., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Nasal decolonization procedures against the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus rely on topical antimicrobial drug usage, whose impact on the nasal microbiota is poorly understood. We examined this impact in healthy S. aureus carriers and noncarriers. This is a prospective interventional cohort study of 8 S. aureus carriers and 8 noncarriers treated with nasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine baths. Sequential nasal swabs were taken over 6 months. S. aureus was detected by quantitative culture and genotyped using spa typing. RNA-based 16S species-level metabarcoding was used to assess the living microbial diversity. The species Dolosigranulum pigrum, Moraxella nonliquefaciens and Corynebacterium propinquum correlated negatively with S. aureus carriage. Mupirocin treatment effectively eliminated S. aureus, D. pigrum and M. nonliquefaciens, but not corynebacteria. S. aureus recolonization in carriers occurred more rapidly than recolonization by the dominant species in noncarriers (median 3 vs. 6 months, respectively). Most recolonizing S. aureus isolates had the same spa type as the initial isolate. The impact of mupirocin-chlorhexidine treatment on the nasal microbiota was still detectable after 6 months. S. aureus recolonization predated microbiota recovery, emphasizing the strong adaptation of this pathogen to the nasal niche and the transient efficacy of the decolonization procedure., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

We evaluated antibiotic resistance selection in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from children participating in an individually randomized trial of single-dose azithromycin versus placebo. After 14 days, the prevalence of resistance to erythromycin, oxacillin, and clindamycin was elevated in the azithromycin versus placebo group. There was no difference at 6 months., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization is widely utilized in many medical subspecialities to reduce surgical site infections, but routine ophthalmic implementation has been limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and actual practice of corneal specialists and oculoplastic surgeons toward MRSA decolonization as a preventive measure in ophthalmic surgery. Materials and Methods: A web-based survey was sent to cornea specialists and oculoplastic surgeons to assess their knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding MRSA prophylaxis and the use of MRSA decolonization to prevent post-operative infections. Results: A total of 180 surgeons participated in this study: 71% of respondents agreed that MRSA colonization plays a role in post-operative infection of the eye and adnexal structures; 65% stated that MRSA decolonization could help prevent MRSA infection. Although 41% of respondents would change their management in response to a positive pre-operative MRSA screening result, only 18% performed pre-operative screening. Seventeen percent of respondents indicated that they offer pre-operative decolonization for MRSA-positive patients; the most frequently applied technique was the use of nasal antibiotic agents such as mupirocin, followed by antiseptic baths. Peri-operative MRSA prophylaxis was used by 18% of respondents; pre-operative MRSA decolonization was used in conjunction by 8.5 % of respondents. Conclusions: Although MRSA decolonization has been validated in fields outside of ophthalmology, there has not been widespread adoption of this practice among oculoplastic surgeons and cornea specialists. Prospective MRSA decolonization ophthalmic studies are necessary if evidence-based management guidelines are to be developed.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can colonize multiple body sites, and carriage is a risk factor for infection. Successful decolonization protocols reduce disease incidence; however, multiple protocols exist, comprising diverse therapies targeting multiple body sites, and the optimal protocol is unclear. Standard methods cannot infer the impact of site-specific components on successful decolonization. Here, we formulate a Bayesian coupled hidden Markov model, which estimates interactions between body sites, quantifies the contribution of each therapy to successful decolonization, and enables predictions of the efficacy of therapy combinations. We applied the model to longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an MRSA decolonization protocol consisting of chlorhexidine body and mouthwash and nasal mupirocin. Our findings (i) confirmed nares as a central hub for MRSA colonization and nasal mupirocin as the most crucial therapy and (ii) demonstrated all components contributed significantly to the efficacy of the protocol and the protocol reduced self-inoculation. Finally, we assessed the impact of hypothetical therapy improvements in silico and found that enhancing MRSA clearance at the skin would yield the largest gains. This study demonstrates the use of advanced modelling to go beyond what is typically achieved by RCTs, enabling evidence-based decision-making to streamline clinical protocols.

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen and an important cause of maternal and neonatal sepsis. Asymptomatic bacterial colonization is considered a necessary step towards sepsis. Intra-partum azithromycin may reduce GAS carriage., Methods: A posthoc analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized-trial was performed to determine the impact of 2 g oral dose of intra-partum azithromycin on maternal and neonatal GAS carriage and antibiotic resistance. Following screening, 829 mothers were randomized who delivered 843 babies. GAS was determined by obtaining samples from the maternal and newborn nasopharynx, maternal vaginal tract and breastmilk. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of GAS isolates was performed using the Illumina Miseq platform., Results: GAS carriage was lower in the nasopharynx of both mothers and babies and breast milk among participants in the azithromycin arm. No differences in GAS carriage were found between groups in the vaginal tract. The occurrence of azithromycin-resistant GAS was similar in both arms, except for a higher prevalence in the vaginal tract among women in the azithromycin arm. WGS revealed all macrolide-resistant vaginal tract isolates from the azithromycin arm were Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis expressing Lancefield group A carbohydrate (SDSE(A)) harbouring macrolide resistant genes msr(D) and mef(A). Ten of the 45 GAS isolates (22.2%) were SDSE(A)., Conclusions: Oral intra-partum azithromycin reduced GAS carriage among Gambian mothers and neonates however carriage in the maternal vaginal tract was not affected by the intervention due to azithromycin resistant SDSE(A). SDSE(A) resistance must be closely monitored to fully assess the public health impact of intrapartum azithromycin on GAS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01800942., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: To prevent transmission of, and infection with, meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), eradication treatment of colonized individuals is recommended. Throat colonization is a well-known risk factor for eradication failure. Staphylococcus aureus throat colonization is associated with colonization of the rhinopharynx, but in the currently recommended Danish MRSA eradication strategies, rhinopharynx colonization is not directly targeted. Rhinopharynx colonization could therefore be an important risk factor for prolonged MRSA throat carriage., Aim: To determine whether irrigation and wash of the rhinopharynx and mouth with dissolved mupirocin is a feasible and potentially efficacious supplementary strategy against treatment-resistant MRSA throat carriage., Methods: The patient study was an open, non-blinded, trial including 20 treatment-resistant MRSA throat carriers. In the study, the patients received a supplementary treatment besides the standard treatment according to the Danish MRSA eradication strategy. The supplementary treatment consisted of rhinopharyngeal irrigation and mouth-gurgling twice a day for 14 days with a mupirocin ointment (22 g 2% ointment per litre of isotonic sterile saline solution) in a 37°C solution., Findings: Eighteen patients (90%) complied with the treatment protocol and none ex-perienced any major adverse events. Out of the 18 patients who finished the study per protocol, 15 (83%) and seven (39%) patients had negative MRSA sampling results one and six months after end of treatment, respectively., Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility and clinical potential of also targeting the rhinopharynx and oropharynx in non-systemic throat MRSA eradication strategies., (Copyright © 2021 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE) is increasing worldwide, though less documented in low-income settings. Here we determined the prevalence of EPE infection and carriage, and patient factors associated with EPE-carriage among pediatric patients in three health care levels in Tanzania. Between January and April 2016, 350 febrile children (median age 21 months) seeking care at a university or a regional referral hospital, or a health centre in Moshi municipality, Tanzania, were included. Socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. Rectal swabs and blood cultures were collected from all children (n = 350) and urinary samples from 259 children at admission. ESBL-phenotype and antimicrobial susceptibility were determined for Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates. Only one EPE case (E. coli) in blood and four in urine (one E. coli and three K. pneumoniae) were found, whereas (n = 90, 26%) of the children were colonized in feces (ESBL-E. coli; n = 76, ESBL-K. pneumoniae, n = 14). High resistance rates were seen in fecal ESBL-E. coli (n = 76) against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 69, 91%), gentamicin (n = 51, 67%), ciprofloxacin (n = 39, 51%) and chloramphenicol (n = 27, 35%) whereas most isolates were sensitive to amikacin (n = 71, 93%). Similar rates were seen for fecal ESBL-K. pneumoniae. Resistance to first line antibiotics were also very high in fecal E. coli not producing ESBL. No sociodemographic factor was associated with EPE-carriage. Children colonized with EPE were younger than 12 months (n = 43, 48%) and often treated with antibiotics (n = 40, 44%) in the previous two months. After adjustment for age children admitted to the intensive care unit had higher odds of EPE fecal carriage compared with those in the general wards (OR = 3.9, 95%CI = 1.4-10.4). Despite comparatively high rates of fecal EPE-carriage and previous antibiotic treatment, clinical EPE cases were rare in the febrile children. The very high resistant rates for the EPE and the non-ESBL producing E. coli to commonly used antibiotics are worrying and demand implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs in all levels of health care in Tanzania., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Salmonella Paratyphi B (Paratyphoid B) is a rare infection and a notifiable disease in England. Disease is typically mild, and chronic carriage in children has been described in endemic countries. Almost all cases in England are imported, with very few cases of community transmission reported., Methods: The aim of this work was to describe an unusual cluster of Paratyphoid B cases transmitted within England, examining clinical, epidemiologic and microbiologic data. Detailed phylogenetic analysis is presented to corroborate public health epidemiologic links between cases., Results: One child had recently returned from an endemic area and had mild gastrointestinal symptoms. One year later, 2 other children with no travel history developed invasive disease requiring hospitalization. Epidemiologic links confirmed person-to-person spread between these three cases. All isolates of S. Paratyphi B (n = 93) received by the Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit between 2014 and 2019 were typed using whole genome sequencing. Three cases of Paratyphoid B were identified in the same geographical location over a 2-year period. S. Paratyphi B strains isolated from the stool and blood of the three cases were closely linked (0-5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms) using whole genome sequencing., Conclusions: This case series highlights the potential public health risks of paratyphoid B and the range of pediatric complications associated with this illness, especially in younger children. Although rare, chronic carriage of Paratyphoid B can lead to transmission in nonendemic areas and should be considered in all children presenting with signs of enteric fever even where there is no history of foreign travel., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AMROs) can colonize people without symptoms for long periods of time, during which these agents can spread unnoticed to other patients in healthcare systems. The accurate identification of asymptomatic spreaders of AMRO in hospital settings is essential for supporting the design of interventions against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, this task remains challenging because of limited observations of colonization and the complicated transmission dynamics occurring within hospitals and the broader community. Here, we study the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a prevalent AMRO, in 66 Swedish hospitals and healthcare facilities with inpatients using a data-driven, agent-based model informed by deidentified real-world hospitalization records. Combining the transmission model, patient-to-patient contact networks, and sparse observations of colonization, we develop and validate an individual-level inference approach that estimates the colonization probability of individual hospitalized patients. For both model-simulated and historical outbreaks, the proposed method supports the more accurate identification of asymptomatic MRSA carriers than other traditional approaches. In addition, in silica control experiments indicate that interventions targeted to inpatients with a high-colonization probability outperform heuristic strategies informed by hospitalization history and contact tracing.

Malaria elimination and eradication efforts have stalled globally. Further, asymptomatic infections as silent transmission reservoirs are considered a major challenge to malaria elimination efforts. There is increased interest in a mass screen-and-treat (MSAT) strategy as an alternative to mass drug administration to reduce malaria burden and transmission in endemic settings. This study systematically synthesized the existing evidence on MSAT, from both epidemiological and economic perspectives. Searches were conducted on six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINALH, Web of Science, Global Health, and Google Scholar) between October and December 2020. Only experimental and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness of MSAT in reducing malaria prevalence or incidence were included. Of the 2,424 citation hits, 14 studies based on 11 intervention trials were eligible. Eight trials were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and three trials in Asia. While five trials targeted the community as a whole, pregnant women were targeted in five trials, and school children in one trial. Transmission setting, frequency, and timing of MSAT rounds, and measured outcomes varied across studies. The pooled effect size of MSAT in reducing malaria incidence and prevalence was marginal and statistically nonsignificant. Only one study conducted an economic evaluation of the intervention and found it to be cost-effective when compared with the standard of care of no MSAT. We concluded that the evidence for implementing MSAT as part of a routine malaria control program is growing but limited. More research is necessary on its short- and longer-term impacts on clinical malaria and malaria transmission and its economic value.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization leads to increased infection rates and mortality. Decolonization treatment has been proven to prevent infection and reduce transmission. As the optimal antimicrobial strategy is yet to be established, different regimens are currently prescribed to patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the decolonization treatments recommended by the Dutch guideline. A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in five Dutch hospitals. All patients who visited the outpatient clinic because of complicated MRSA carriage between 2014 and 2018 were included. We obtained data on patient characteristics, clinical and microbiological variables relevant for MRSA decolonization, environmental factors, decolonization regimen, and treatment outcome. The primary outcome was defined as three negative MRSA cultures after treatment completion. Outcomes were stratified for the first-line treatment strategies. A total of 131/224 patients were treated with systemic antibiotic agents. Treatment was successful in 111/131 (85%) patients. The success rate was highest in patients treated with doxycycline-rifampin (32/37; 86%), but the difference from any of the other regimens did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in the success rate of a 7-day treatment compared to that with 10 to 14 days of treatment (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 2.53; P  = 1.00). Side effects were reported in 27/131 (21%) patients and consisted mainly of mild gastrointestinal complaints. In a multivariable analysis, an immunocompromised status was an independent risk factor for failure at the first treatment attempt (OR, 4.65; 95% CI, 1.25 to 17.25; P  = 0.02). The antimicrobial combinations recommended to treat complicated MRSA carriage yielded high success rates. Prolonged treatment did not affect treatment outcome. A randomized trial is needed to resolve whether the most successful regimen in this study (doxycycline plus rifampin) is superior to other combinations.

Asymptomatic and convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subjects may carry severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for months in their upper respiratory ways. Desiring to permanently clean the mucosal surfaces, we investigated the chemical agents that fit to rapidly degrade the virus. Among these, hydrogen peroxide, initially tested by two of us for tolerability, showed both good performance and acceptable side effects (burning sensation for 15-20 s). We contacted circles of family physicians and the ATS Milano (Territorial Assistance and Prevention Service), and we tested this procedure on eight persistent carriers of SARS-CoV-2, performing swabs before the procedure and after it until the reappearance of the virus or until 14 days (the incubation period), keeping the surfaces clean with a hypertonic solution. Our patients had a median time from exposure or symptom onset of 111 days, and three had relapsed after being declared "cured" (two consecutive negative swabs after quarantine). One patient had a baseline negative swab and was excluded, and two successfully ended the 14 days' course, four suppressed viral elimination for 72 h, and one for 48 h, all rebounding to weak positive (cycle thresholds above 24). Although temporarily effective, such measures may have some place in the control of viral shedding to protect the most fragile subjects., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Medical Virology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

We report a five-time recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) after sexual contacts and had no recurrence after concurrent therapy to both partners. Although Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a Gram-positive streptococcus capable of causing a recurrent pharyngotonsillitis, the recurrent GAS pharyngotonsillitis as STI has not been published.A 30-year-old man had a high fever and sore throat. He had a repeated pharyngotonsillitis caused by GAS in spite of the sufficient antimicrobial therapy after having sex with his partner, including oral penile and oral vaginal sex. In contrast, a hug and kiss alone did not precede his episodes of pharyngotonsillitis. His partner had GAS carriage on her pharynx. He had no recurrence after concurrent therapy to both partners. The recurrent GAS pharyngotonsillitis as STI has not been published. In a patient with recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by GAS, the sexual history and pharyngeal carrier status of the partner should be checked., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: To study Group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates associated with different clinical syndromes: asymptomatic carriage in pregnant women, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and early onset disease (EOD) in the newborn., Methods: GBS isolates were collected from asymptomatic pregnant women admitted for labor, IUFD cases, and neonates with EOD. Serotypes and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to assess genetic epidemiology., Results: GBS carriage rate was 26.1% (280/1074). The dominant serotype among asymptomatic pregnant women was VI [98/240 women (40.8%)], followed by serotypes III, V and IV in 42/240 (17.5%), 30/240 (12.5%) and 28/240 (11.7%) women, respectively. The dominant serotype in IUFD cases was serotype VI [10/13 (76.9%)]. In contrast the prevalent serotype among EOD cases was III [16/19 (84.2%)]. ST-1 was associated with IUFD [7/13 (53.8%)], ST-17 was associated with serotype III and EOD in the newborn 14/19 (73.7%)]. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance reached 36.8%, 7.7% and 20.0%among EOD, vaginal carriage and IUFD, respectively., Conclusions: Serotypes VI and ST-1 were dominant among asymptomatic pregnant women and in IUFD cases while EOD was associated with serotype III and ST-17. Invasive mechanisms thus may differ between IUFD and EOD in the newborn and virulence may be related to capsule serotype. Resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were high in EOD cases., Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this paper declare the following competing interests: YM and GR received consultant and lecture fees from Pfizer, MSD, Gilead and Astellas. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products associated with this research to declare. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Nasal mucosa colonization by Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for hospital-acquired infections. This study examined the effectiveness of a decolonization strategy on orthopedic surgeons in a teaching hospital. S aureus colonization was detected in 43.2% of the surgeons, 25% of which were methicillin-resistant S aureus strains. Eradication was documented in 61.53% of the subjects who completed the decolonization strategy. Among orthopedic surgeons, mupirocin with or without chlorhexidine decolonization strategies was effective in eradicating S aureus colonization., (Copyright © 2019 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The evidence base for modulator therapies in cystic fibrosis (CF) has continued to expand, and it is likely that up to 90% of people with CF could benefit. Worldwide there are however marked inequalities of access to basic CF care and modulator therapies. For infants and young children there is now an evidence base for inhaled hypertonic saline. There is increasing evidence that structural lung disease in CF is not due purely to infection and that mucus retention and inflammation are also key, and further evidence of the value of azithromycin in those chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Finally, exercise is good for you, but airway clearance is better for mucus clearance., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To assess the effects of nasal decontamination on preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in people who are Staphylococcus aureus carriers undergoing different types of surgeries and diverse measures of decolonization., Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through systematic searches of the PubMed, Embase, Web of science, and the Cochrane Library databases. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and the effects model was chosen according to the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of surgeries and measures of decolonization that Staphylococcus aureus carriers were applied., Results: Twenty RCTs published between 1996 and 2019 involving 10,526 patients were included. Pooled results showed that the overall SSIs and pulmonary surgery SSIs presented with a statistical difference in measures of nasal decontamination (RR = 0.59 and 0.47, respectively, both p < 0.01). However, the associations between nasal decolonization and increased risks of SSIs in orthopedics surgery or cardiovascular surgery remained insignificant in studies. As for the diverse measures of nasal decontamination, 50% used mupirocin, 15% used chlorhexidine, 30% used different types of antimicrobial drugs, and 5% use others. The SSIs rate were decreased after chlorhexidine (RR = 0.474, 95% CI 0.259-0.864), while no significant difference was shown in the use of mupirocin (RR = 0.871, 95% CI 0.544-1.394)., Conclusion: It seems that nasal decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus may be associated with a reduction of SSIs in these patients, especially in patients who have been administered by pulmonary surgeries or treated with chlorhexidine.

Background: Preoperative decolonization is recommended in Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers scheduled for cardiac surgery. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of and compliance with mupirocin use in nasal S. aureus carriers in a real-life setting., Methods: Prospective study including consecutive patients scheduled for cardiac surgery screened for S. aureus nasal carriage at preoperative consultation. Carriers were prescribed mupirocin nasal ointment, chlorhexidine shower and mouthwash. Effectiveness of decolonization was evaluated with a postoperative nasal sample. Compliance was evaluated objectively by determination of nasal mupirocin concentration using UPLC-MS/MS and self-reported by questionnaire., Results: Over 10 months, 361 patients were included, 286 had preoperative screening, 75 (26.2%) were S. aureus nasal carriers and 19 of them (25.3%) failed to be effectively decolonized. No resistance to mupirocin was documented. Preoperative and postoperative strains were identical in all cases. Declared good compliance was associated with decolonization success (OR = 24; 95% CI 4-143, P < 0.0001). Mupirocin detection was significantly associated with the level of compliance. Mupirocin was detected in 52.2% (24/46) of patients effectively decolonized and in 12.5% (2/16) of patients with decolonization failure (P < 0.01). In 2/19 patients, failure of decolonization was not associated with a compliance issue. Postoperative carriage was associated with an increased risk of S. aureus infection (OR = 9.8; 95% CI 1.8-53, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: In real life, decolonization is not always effective, hence there is a persisting risk of S. aureus endogenous infection. Mupirocin concentration measurement may help to understand compliance issues and failures in decolonization., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Although the survival advantage of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) is well known in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), this technique has not been widely adopted. This is mainly because of the increased risk of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) associated with its use. However, in recent years the overall risk of DSWI has decreased. This is mainly because of strategies that have been adopted to decrease the risk of these infections in patients undergoing CABG. Conclusion: In this review we identified DSWI preventive strategies and described them in detail so that their use by surgeons can be increased. This would minimize the risk of DSWI after BITA grafting and maximize the use of this highly effective surgical technique.

Introduction. Nasal and skin colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are linked to a higher incidence of infection after total joint replacement. The prevalence of colonization is poorly defined in Latin American countries. Aim. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization in the nostrils and groin using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methodology. In this cross-sectional study, 146 patients undergoing THA between December 2015 and March 2017 in a tertiary-care university-affiliated hospital in Chile were screened for MRSA colonization before the procedure using RT-PCR independently in the nostrils and groin. Risk factors for colonization were documented. Results. Seven of the 146 (5 %) patients undergoing THA were carriers of MRSA in the nostrils and/or the groin. Recent antibiotic use was identified as a risk factor for colonization, OR=4.86 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.56-13.96]. Patients reporting at least one of the seven surveyed risk factors had an OR of 2.39 (95 % CI: 0.37-25.77) for colonization. MRSA colonization frequency was twofold higher in the groin as opposed to the nostrils ( P =0.014). Conclusion. Five percent of the patients undergoing THA were identified as carriers of MRSA. Recent antibiotic use is a relevant risk factor for MRSA colonization in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty.

Objectives: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are serious issues following lung cancer surgery, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and hospital cost burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on postoperative outcomes of a preoperative screening and decolonization strategy of nasal carriers for Staphylococcus aureus prior to lung cancer surgery., Methods: We performed a retrospective study comparing 2 cohorts of patients undergoing major lung resection: a control group of patients from the placebo arm of the randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes operated on between July 2012 and April 2015 without any nasopharyngeal screening (N = 224); an experimental group, with preoperative screening for S. aureus of nasal carriers and selective 5-day decolonization in positive carriers using mupirocin ointment between January 2017 and December 2017 (N = 310). The 2 groups were matched according to a propensity score analysis with 1:1 matching. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative HAIs, and the secondary outcome was the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation after surgery., Results: After matching, 2 similar groups of 108 patients each were obtained. In the experimental group, 26 patients had positive results for nasal carriage, and a significant decrease was observed in the rate of overall postoperative HAIs [control n = 19, 17.6%; experimental group n = 9, 8.3%; P = 0.043; relative risk 0.47 (0.22-1)] and in the rate of postoperative mechanical ventilation [control n = 12, 11.1%; experimental group n = 4, 3.7%; P = 0.038; relative risk 0.33 (0.11-1)]. After logistic regression and multivariable analysis, screening of S. aureus nasal carriers reduced the rate of HAIs [odds ratio (OR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.76; P = 0.01] and reduced the risk of the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.74; P = 0.02). There was no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups regarding the rate of postoperative S. aureus-associated infection (control group n = 6, 5.6%; experimental group n = 2, 1.9%; P = 0.28)., Conclusions: Identification of nasal carriers of S. aureus and selective decontamination using mupirocin appeared to have a beneficial effect on postoperative infectious events after lung resection surgery., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Surgical site infection is associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs, as well as a poorer patient quality of life. Many hospitals have adopted scientifically-validated guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. Most of these protocols have resulted in improved postoperative results. The Surgical Infection Division of the Spanish Association of Surgery conducted a critical review of the scientific evidence and the most recent international guidelines in order to select measures with the highest degree of evidence to be applied in Spanish surgical services. The best measures are: no removal or clipping of hair from the surgical field, skin decontamination with alcohol solutions, adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (administration within 30-60minutes before the incision in a single preoperative dose; intraoperative re-dosing when indicated), maintenance of normothermia and perioperative maintenance of glucose levels., (Copyright © 2019 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) is a rapidly evolving enzyme that cleaves beta-lactam-containing antibiotics, forming resistance to certain types of antibiotics, such as penicillin, cephalosporins and monobactams. Colonization with ESBL-producing bacteria during pregnancy is harmful, however this topic is currently underrepresented in the literature., Study Design: Using a retrospective design, we analyzed data of all consecutive pregnant women who were identified with a vaginal colonization of ESBL-producing bacteria from 2011 to 2016 at the Medical University of Vienna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Swabs were taken during pregnancy and/or at delivery, as well as from neonates. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the central in-house alert system and patients' clinical records., Results: Of the 14,279 deliveries performed in our department during the study period, we identified 13 women with vaginal colonization of ESBL-producing bacteria during pregnancy. Of these cases, 6 born neonates were tested ESBL positive. The maternal-to-neonatal transmission rate was 43 %, associated with a 70 % rate of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and a preterm birth rate of 83 %. Of the 6 neonates with ESBL colonization, 4 neonates (67 %) were born to mothers who were still tested positive at the time of delivery., Conclusion: Maternal colonization of ESBL-producing bacteria is an important risk factor for transmission. The vaginal presence of ESBL-producing bacteria during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and pPROM, which shows the need for clear diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Primaquine is an important gametocytocidal drug that is combined with conventional malaria treatment for prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission. Primaquine has been administered together on the first or the last day of conventional treatment but the impact of primaquine timing has never been examined. This study aimed to assess safety, efficacy and optimal timing of single full-dose (0.75 mg/kg) primaquine when added to a standard 6-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine (AL)., Methods: In an individual-level randomized controlled trial, enrolled participants who were G6PD normal and had uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to receive: AL only; AL and a single 0.75 mg/kg primaquine dose on the first day of AL (day 1); or AL and single 0.75 mg//kg primaquine on the last day of AL (day 3). On days 2, 3, 4, 8, 11 and 15, gametocytes were assessed and quantified by microscope and quantitative nuclear acid sequence based quantification (QT-NASBA)., Results: Overall, 111 participants aged between 3 and 17 years were randomly allocated to receive AL only (36) or combined with primaquine on day 1 (38), or primaquine on day 3 (37). Day 4 gametocyte prevalence in AL + day 1 primaquine was half the level seen in either AL + day 3 primaquine or AL only arm (11% [4/35] vs 26% [8/31] and 27% [8/30], respectively) albeit not statistically significant. A similar trend of lower gametocyte in the AL + day 1 primaquine verses AL + day 3 primaquine or AL only arm was observed in mean gametocyte density. Mean (sd) haemoglobin level in AL + day 3 primaquine arm recovered from -0.42(1.2) g/dl on day 2 to 0.35 (1.5) g/dl on day 15 of follow up. This was not the case in AL only and AL + day 1 primaquine arms during the same follow-up period, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 318). No serious adverse events reported in the study. Across arms, 23% (26/111) of participants reported a total of 31 mild adverse events and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.477)., Conclusion: Primaquine administration on the first day of AL is well tolerated and as safe as later administration. Whilst the World Health Organization currently recommends a lower dose of primaquine (0.25 mg/kg), the findings are supportive of early primaquine administration when combined with artemisinin-combination therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration NCT01906788.

Inflatable penile prostheses are an important tool in the treatment of medically refractory erectile dysfunction. One of the major complications associated with these prostheses is infections, which ultimately require device explanation and placement of a new device. Over the past several decades, significant work has been done to reduce infection rates and optimize treatment strategies to reduce patient morbidity. This article reviews the current state of knowledge surrounding penile prosthesis infections, with attention to the evidence for methods to prevent infection and best practices for device reimplantation., Competing Interests: None

This study aimed to evaluate the Danish Board of Health's guidance for treating the carriage of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), focusing on nose-throat carriage and use of supplementary systemic antibiotics. The results of MRSA eradication treatment among 358 patients were analysed, focusing on those with nose (N=58) or throat (N=183) MRSA colonization. The Danish guidance for MRSA treatment was found to be more successful in patients with nose colonization (66%) compared with throat colonization (41%), despite the fact that the cumulative eradication rates were equal after three treatment cycles (71% vs 73%). This study found that supplementation of colonization treatment with systemic antibiotics does not have a positive effect., (Copyright © 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To demonstrate the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage status in children younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean., Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out on the direct and indirect effects of pneumococcal vaccine in the carriage status, after implementation in childhood immunization programs. Studies carried out in children younger than 5 years were selected from the PubMed® and Virtual Health Library databases, and data collected after implementation of pneumococcal vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean, between 2008 and 2018., Results: From 1,396 articles identified, 738 were selected based on titles and abstracts. After duplicate removal, 31 studies were eligible for full-text reading, resulting in 6 publications for analysis. All selected publications were observational studies and indicated a decrease in the carriage and vaccine types, and an increase in the circulation of non-vaccine serotypes, such as 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 and 38. We did not identify changes in the antimicrobial resistance after vaccine implementation., Conclusion: A decrease in the carriage status of vaccine types and non-vaccine types was detected. The continuous monitoring of pneumococcal vaccine effect is fundamental to demonstrate the impact of the carriage status and, consequently, of invasive pneumococcal disease, allowing better targeting approaches in countries that included pneumococcal vaccine in their immunization programs. Our study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under number CRD42018096719.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly encountered bacteria in the burn unit. In order to investigate the magnitude of this challenge, we assessed the prevalence of MRSA colonization on admission and the incidence of MRSA acquisition within burn units., Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting MRSA colonization among patients admitted in burn units., Results: We identified 16 articles that fulfilled our inclusion criteria and found an overall pooled prevalence of MRSA colonization upon the first 72 h of admission (colonization on admission) to the burn unit of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.7%-5.7%). MRSA acquisition in studies without a decolonization protocol was 21.2% (95% CI: 13.2%-30.5%) with a statistically significant downward trend over the years. Studies that implemented a decolonization protocol yielded a MRSA acquisition incidence rate of 4.5% (95% CI: 0.9%-10.6%). MRSA acquisition was higher among patients that have had inhalation injury (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 2.51-6.23), flame burns (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.25-2.73), or ICU admission (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 2.18-4.47)., Conclusion: Our study yielded that among burn victims, MRSA colonization prevalence on admission is not negligible and the risk of becoming MRSA colonized during hospitalization is higher when no decolonization protocols are implemented. Flame burns, admission to ICU, and inhalation injury were found to be associated with MRSA acquisition., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)

Background: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a critical complication of cardiovascular surgery. This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of new, multimodal preventive measures for post-operative DSWI., Methods: From January 2008 to December 2012, 1240 patients underwent cardiovascular surgery via median sternotomy at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to the period in which surgery was performed: those treated before and those treated after January 2011, which was when we implemented the new preventive measures against DSWI. The preventive measures included routine use of an off-pump technique in coronary artery bypass grafting, higher body temperature of pump cases, screening and pre-operative eradication of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization, and use of a microbial sealant. We compared the incidence of DSWI between the two time periods. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed for the entire period to identify DSWI risk factors., Results: Only 1 case (0.2%) of DSWI was noted among 554 patients in the latter period while 25 patients (3.6%) experienced DSWI among the 686 patients in the earlier period (p < 0.0001). The risk factors for DSWI were body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m 2 and operation time ≥ 8 h., Conclusions: We observed a marked decrease in the incidence of DSWI after the implementation of multimodal preventive measures. The risk factors for DSWI were BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 and operation time ≥ 8 h.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) implementations led to major changes in serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance in carriage, accompanied by changes in antibiotic consumption., Objectives: To assess the dynamic patterns of antimicrobial non-susceptibility across non-PCV13 serotypes following PCV implementations., Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental interrupted time series analysis based on a 17 year French nationwide prospective cohort. From 2001 to 2018, 121 paediatricians obtained nasopharyngeal swabs from children with acute otitis media who were aged 6 months to 2 years. The main outcome was the rate of penicillin-non-susceptible pneumococci (PNSP), analysed by segmented regression., Results: We enrolled 10 204 children. After PCV13 implementation, the PNSP rate decreased (-0.5% per month; 95% CI -0.9 to -0.1), then, after 2014, the rate slightly increased (+0.7% per month; 95% CI +0.2 to +1.2). Global antibiotic use within the previous 3 months decreased over the study period (-22.2%; 95% CI -33.0 to -11.3), but aminopenicillin use remained high. Among the main non-PCV13 serotypes, four dynamic patterns of penicillin susceptibility evolution were observed, including unexpected patterns of serotypes emerging while remaining or even becoming penicillin susceptible. In contrast to PNSP strains, for these latter patterns, the rate of co-colonization with Haemophilus influenzae increased concomitant with their emergence., Conclusions: In a context of continuing high antibiotic selective pressure, a progressive increase in PNSP rate was observed after 2014. However, we highlighted an unexpected variability in dynamic patterns of penicillin susceptibility among emerging non-PCV13 serotypes. Antibiotic resistance may not be the only adaptive mechanism to antimicrobial selective pressure, and co-colonization with H. influenzae may be involved., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aims To define the burden of wound complications in patients with infra-inguinal bypass surgery. Methods A retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients from January 2012 to July 2017. Data collected included patient demographics, operative details, length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications. Results The average age was 64 years (range 25-88 years) and 10 had a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2. Pre-operative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening was performed in 17 patients (n=4 positive). Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) continued longer than 24 hours in 25. Surgical site infection (SSI) was the most common complication (n=10) and associated with female gender (p= 0.039), high BMI (p=0.017), shorter preoperative (p=0.039) and longer postoperative LOS (p=0.022). Three of 46 patients and four of 38 had graft occlusion at 30 days and one year respectively. Conclusion Pre-operative co-morbidity (e.g., BMI reduction), and MRSA screening optimization and SAP are areas identified for improvement., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Objectives: Pharyngeal carriers such as H. influenzae seem to constitute the only reservoir and probably the only transmission vehicle of the invasive disease. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of H. influenzae carriage, to characterize antibiotic susceptibility, and to explore genetic diversity of H. influenzae isolates. Sampling was carried out as nasopharynx swabs among children less than 6 years old volunteers. After traditional biochemical tests, isolates were confirmed by targeting omp6 sequence. Following the susceptibility tests, genomic diversity of strains was analyzed by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis procedure., Results: Out of 328 nasopharynx swabs, 73 strains were identified as H. influenzae. Among H. influenzae isolates, resistance to chloramphenicol (42%) and ampicillin (43%) was observed. Levofloxacin is the most effective antibiotic and the least effect belonged to tetracycline. By genomic analysis of selected H. influenza, 28 PFGE patterns were achieved among which 11 patterns included at least 2 strains. All strains clustered into 25 different clones. The dendrogram analysis of the isolated H. influenzae strains showed that some of these strains had a clonal relationship and common genetic origin. According to our results, antibiotic resistance didn't show any significant correlation with the clonality of strains.