Late-onset neonatal infections and bacterial multidrug resistance / Infecções neonatais tardias e multirresistência bacteriana

Abstract Objective: This study aims to describe bacterial and antimicrobial sensibilities in late-onset healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) with laboratory confirmation in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a public hospital in Ceará. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2013 to December 2017. The bacterial types involved in late-onset HAIs, their sensitivity to antimicrobials, and their multidrug resistance were evaluated. The latter was classified according to the criteria revised by the Pan-American Health Organization as multidrug resistance (MDR), extended drug resistance (XDR), or pandrug resistance (PDR). The description of the variables was performed through proportions and frequency distribution depicted in tables. Results: Of the 427 patients with late-onset HAIs, 47 (11.0%) had bacterial infections confirmed by blood cultures, and 7 (14.9%) had infections caused by MDR bacteria. Among the types of bacteria, 26 (55.3%) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 21 (44.7%) were Gram-positive bacteria. Among the Gram-negative bacteria, 92.3% (n=24) showed resistance to more than one antimicrobial, especially to ampicillin (81.2%), cefepime (33.1%), gentamicin (19.4%), and piperacillin/tazobactam (17.2%). Among the MDR ones, three cases had Klebsiella pneumoniae, and three had Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified as two MDR and one XDR, and three XDR, respectively. Gram-positive resistance to penicillin was the most common one (80.0%), and approximately half of the strains being resistant to oxacillin. Susceptibility was high to vancomycin (97.5%), but one microorganism was resistant to oxacillin and vancomycin. Conclusions: The emergence of MDR strains is a reality in NICUs, carrying the risk of therapeutic failure and requiring continuous prevention protocols aimed at minimizing the risks of contamination by bacteria with high morbidity and mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever as bactérias e sensibilidades aos antimicrobianos nas infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) tardias com confirmação laboratorial em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) de um hospital público do Ceará. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2017. Foram avaliados os tipos de bactérias das IRAS tardias, a sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos e a multirresistência. Esta foi classificada segundo os critérios revisados pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde como MDR, ou multirresistência (multidrug resistance); XDR, ou resistência estendida (extensively drug-resistance); ou PDR, panresistência (pandrug-resistance). A descrição das variáveis foi realizada por meio de proporções e distribuição das frequências na forma de tabelas. Resultados: Dos 427 pacientes com IRAS tardias, 47 (11,0%) apresentaram infecções bacterianas confirmadas por hemoculturas, sete (14,9%) das quais foram causadas por bactérias multirresistentes. Entre os tipos de bactérias, 26 (55,3%) foram Gram-negativas e 21 (44,7%) Gram-positivas. Entre as primeiras, 92,3% (n=24) apresentaram resistências a mais de um antimicrobiano, destacando-se ampicilina (81,2%), cefepima (33,1%), gentamicina (19,4%) e piperacilina/tazobactam (17,2%). Entre as multirresistentes, três foram Klebsiella pneumoniae e três Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classificadas como duas MDR e uma XDR, e três XDR, respectivamente. A resistência das Gram-positivas à penicilina foi a mais comum (80,0%). A susceptibilidade foi alta à vancomicina (97,5%), porém uma bactéria foi resistente à oxacilina e à vancomicina. Conclusões: O aparecimento de cepas multirresistentes é uma realidade em UTIN com risco de falha terapêutica, sendo necessários protocolos contínuos de prevenção a fim de minimizar os riscos de contaminação interpessoal e ambiental por bactérias de alta morbimortalidade.

Study on the zoonotic cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis in an endemic area of a metropolitan region in the Northeastern region of Brazil

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to characterize the transmission cycle of the tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in an old colonization area at Pernambuco State, Brazil. The aims were to identify autochthonous cases, sandflies fauna, domestic animals as possible reservoir hosts and the Leishmania species involved in this endemic area. A total of 168 suspected human cases of TL and 272 domestic animals (canine, feline, equine, goat, and sheep) were included. The sandflies were captured and identified by species. Patients were predominantly male and the average age was 37+18.1 years old. Of 85 patients who had skin lesions, 25.6% of them had direct positive smears for TL and 34 isolates were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The confirmation for TL diagnosed by molecular detection (PCR) was almost three times more sensitive than the direct test [p < 0.001; PR = 2.72] associated with clinical examination. The Kappa test on PCR between two different specimens, biopsy, and skin lesion swab was 60.8% (p < 0.001). More than 200 specimens of sandflies (80 males and 159 females) were captured and identified as Lutzomyia whitmani (99.6%) and Lu. evandroi (0.4%). The detection of L. (V.) braziliensis by Real-Time PCR in the blood of a captured fed female was positive in 59.3% of Lu. whitmani. Of the 272 domestic animals included, 61.76% were male (n = 168). Thirty-six animals (13.2%) had lesions compatible with TL (34 dogs, 1 cat and 1 sheep) and 3 of them, all dogs, had lesions on the snout, showing destruction of cartilage and mucosa. The study suggests the participation of domestic animals as possible reservoirs. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the transmission cycle and take recommended measures in order to control the disease.

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and serological testing in endemic areas, in the metropolitan region of Recife. Methods: Blood samples and conjunctival fluids were collected from 232 animals (canids, felids, equines, and caprines) for the detection of L. braziliensis using molecular tests (conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR and qPCR]). For immunological detection, blood samples from 115 dogs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Real-time quantitative PCR showed positive results for blood and conjunctival samples in all investigated species. The results of the blood and conjunctival samples were 68.2% and 26.9% in Canis familiaris, 100% and 41.7% in Felis catus, 77.3% and 30.8% in Equus caballus/Equus asinus, and 50% and 33.3% in Capra hircus samples, respectively. Conclusions: Results from this study adds valuable information to our understanding of the role of asymptomatic domestic animals, L. braziliensis life cycle, and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.