Effect of Using Local Intrawound Vancomycin Powder in Addition to Intravenous Antibiotics in Posterior Lumbar Surgery: Midterm Result in a Single-Center Study

OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to report the efficacy of local application of vancomycin powder in the setting of surgical site infection (SSI) of posterior lumbar surgical procedures and to figure out risk factors of SSIs. METHODS: From February 2013 to December 2013, SSI rates following 275 posterior lumbar surgeries of which intrawound vancomycin powder was used in combination with intravenous antibiotics (Vanco group) were assessed. Compared with 296 posterior lumbar procedures with intravenous antibiotic only group from February 2012 to December 2012 (non-Vanco group), various infection rates were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis to figure out risk factors of infection among Vanco group were done. RESULTS: Statistically significant reduction of SSI in Vanco group (5.5%) from non-Vanco group (10.5%) was confirmed (p=0.028). Mean follow-up period was 8 months. Rate of acute staphylococcal SSIs reduced statistically significantly to 4% compared to 7.4% of non-Vanco group (p=0.041). Deep staphylococcal infection decreased to 2 compared to 8 and deep methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection also decreased to 1 compared to 5 in non-Vanco group. No systemic complication was observed. Statistically significant risk factors associated with SSI were diabetes mellitus, history of cardiovascular disease, length of hospital stay, number of instrumented level and history of previous surgery. CONCLUSION: In this series of 571 patients, intrawound vancomycin powder usage resulted in significant decrease in SSI rates in our posterior lumbar surgical procedures. Patients at high risk of infection are highly recommended as a candidate for this technique.

Optimization of initial antibacterial drug regimens for treating common staphylococcal infection in ICU / 重庆医学

Objective To optimize the antibacterial drug regimen in ICU common staphylococcal infection.Methods The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of antibacterial drugs were collected in combination with the hospital ICU anti-microbial drug resistance monitoring reports from the national antimicrobial resistance investigation net (Mohnarin)of the Ministry of Health and the performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (2013)issued by the clinical and laboratory stand-ards institute (CLSI),the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)of staphylococci was set by using the discrete uniform distribu-tion method and 16 kinds of administration regimens with 6 antimicrobial agents were worked out.The best initially antimicrobial regimen was optimized by using the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models and Monte Carlo simulations of cumulative frac-tion of response (CFR)from 5 000 patients.Results The alternative initially drug regimens to the infectious bacteria were:linezolid 0.40 g twice daily and vancomycin 0.75 g twice daily for staphylococcus aureus;amikacin 0.60 g once daily and linezolid 0.40 g twice daily,and vancomycin 0.75 g twice daily for hemolytic staphylococci and staphylococcus epidermidis;linezolid 0.40 g twice daily and vancomycin 0.75 g twice daily for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus;ampicillin/sulbactam 1.50 g 4 times daily, cefuroxime 0.75 g 4 times daily,amikacin 0.60 g once daily,moxifloxacin 0.40 g once daily for methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion In the Staphylococcus aureus infection occurred in ICU,if which being methicillin-sensitive could be deter-mined,ampicillin/sulbactam,cefuroxime,amikacin and moxifloxacin could be selected for treatment,and linezolid or vancomycin could be selected for treating possible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection or undetermined whether being methicil-lin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Staphylococcal Infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: Staphylococcal bacteremia is a major problem in the neonatal intensive care unit. But, there is little data on staphylococcal bacteremia in the neonatal intensive care unit in Korea. We searched for patterns of staphylococcal infection in neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on infants who had staphylococcal bacteremia and were in the neonatal intensive care unit between 2001, February and 2007, May. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases were reviewed (mean gestational age 31 wks [23-40], mean birth weight 1689 g [510-3,920]). The vast majority of cases were coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) (30 cases, 62.5%). Staphylococcus aureus caused 36.1% of staphylococcal bacteremia (17 cases). Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) (14 cases) caused 77.7% of staphylococcal aureus bacteremia. Peripherally inserted central venous catheters were placed in situ in most patients (MSSA: 75%, MRSA: 88.2%, CoNS: 62.1%). Most of the staphylococcal bacteremia in patients were hospital-acquired (81%). Fifteen cases increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (31%). (Mean CRP : MSSA 1.07 mg/dL, MRSA 3.64 mg/dL, CoNS 0.54 mg/dL). Exclusively MRSA had focal complications (osteomyelitis/arthritis: 3 cases). Vancomycin was used in 47.4% in MRSA and 52.6% in CoNS. Four patients (8.3%) died, but all were not directly attributable. CONCLUSION: The staphylococcal bacteremia was generally observed to be a hospital- acquired infection in the neonatal intensive care unit. MRSA caused more elevation of CRP levels and focal complication. To know exactly that what the pattern of staphylococcal bacteremia in Korea is, more research is needed in other neonatal intensive care unit.

Psoas abscess: Analysis of 24 cases / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Psoas abscess is a rare condition with vague clinical presentations, therefore misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is often made. We have reviewed the characteristics of the clinical presentation, microbiology, and treatment of 24 patients with psoas abscess. METHODS: The records of all patients treated with psoas abscess at Ajou University Hospital between March, 1996 and May, 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 24 cases of psoas abscess were reviewed: among these 17 cases were due to secondary cases and seven cases were diagnosed as primary psoas abscess. The right side was affected in 11 cases, the left side in nine, and both sides in four. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent (7/24 cases) pathogen, which were detected in cultures from five of seven patients with primary abscesses, whereas Mycobacterium tuberculosis (6/17 cases) and mixed enteric flora were detected in secondary abscesses. Three of the patients with primary psoas abscess expired from septic shock. The mortality rate was 12.5%. CONCLUSION: A psoas abscess should be considered when any patient presents with nonspecific abdominal pain, back pain and fever. This condition may be diagnosed promptly with computed tomography. Treatment involves use of appropriate antibiotics, as well as drainage of the abscess. Antibiotic coverage must include S. aureus and enteric bacteria. However, in endemic areas (such as Korea), tuberculous infection should be also considered.