Antimicrobial resistance surveillance of Bacteroides fragilis isolated from blood cultures, Europe, 2022 (ReSuBacfrag).

BACKGROUND: Bacteroides fragilis is the most frequent cause of anaerobic bacteraemia. Although recent data suggest a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of this and other anaerobic bacteria, surveillance remains limited due to a lack of both data availability and comparability. However, a newly introduced standardised method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of anaerobic bacteria has made larger scale surveillance possible for the first time. AIM: To investigate phenotypic AMR of Bacteroides fragilis isolates from bacteraemia across Europe in 2022. METHODS: In a multicentre approach, clinical microbiology laboratories in Europe were invited to contribute results of AST for Bacteroides fragilis blood culture isolates (including only the first isolate per patient and year). AST of a selection of four antibiotics was performed locally by participating laboratories in a prospective or retrospective manner, using the new EUCAST disc diffusion method on fastidious anaerobe agar (FAA-HB). RESULTS: A total of 16 European countries reported antimicrobial susceptibilities in 449 unique isolates of Bacteroides fragilis from blood cultures in 2022. Clindamycin demonstrated the highest resistance rates (20.9%, range 0 - 63.6%), followed by piperacillin-tazobactam (11.1%, 0 - 54.5%), meropenem (13.4%, 0 - 45.5%), and metronidazole (1.8%, 0 - 20.0%), all with wide variation between countries. CONCLUSION: Considering that the mean resistance rates across Europe were higher than expected for three of the four anti-anaerobic antibiotics under surveillance, both local AST of clinically relevant isolates of Bacteroides fragilis and continued surveillance on an international level is warranted.

Epidemiology and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in critically ill patients in Spain: The PROCRID study / Epidemiología y factores de riesgo para la infección por Clostridium difficile en pacientes críticos en España: Estudio PROCRID

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives were to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in critically ill patients and to determine C. difficile PCR-ribotypes. METHODS: Prospective, observational study in 26 Spanish ICUs. Patients with diarrhea meeting ESCMID criteria for CDI were included. Molecular characterization of isolates was performed using PCR ribotyping. RESULTS: Of 4258 patients admitted to the ICUs, 190 (4.5%) developed diarrhea. Only 16 patients (8.4%) were diagnosed with CDI. Ribotype 078/126 (25.0%) was the most frequently identified. The mortality rate was similar in patients with ICD compared to patients with diarrhea not caused by C. difficile (p = 0.115). Chronic renal insufficiency was identified as the only factor independently associated with the development of CDI (OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.24-27.83; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CDI in Spanish ICUs is low. Only chronic renal insufficiency was observed to be a risk factor for CDI development

INTRODUCCIÓN: Pretendemos describir la incidencia, las características clínicas y los factores de riesgo de la infección por Clostridium difficile (ICD) en pacientes ingresados en unidades de cuidados intensivos, así como los ribotipos identificados. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, realizado en 26 unidades de cuidados intensivos de España. Se incluyeron pacientes con diarrea y criterios clínicos de la ESCMID por sospecha de ICD. La caracterización molecular se realizó mediante PCR. RESULTADOS: De 4.258 pacientes ingresados, 190 (4,5%) presentaron diarrea; en 16 causada por ICD. El ribotipo más frecuentemente aislado fue 078/126 (25%). La tasa de mortalidad cruda fue similar en pacientes con ICD y en pacientes con diarrea no causada por Clostridium difficile (p = 0,115). La insuficiencia renal crónica fue identificada como factor independientemente asociado a desarrollo de ICD (OR: 5,87; IC 95%: 1,24-27,83; p = 0,026). CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de ICD en las unidades de cuidados intensivos españolas es baja. La insuficiencia renal crónica es el único factor identificado para desarrollo de ICD

Epidemiology and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in critically ill patients in Spain: The PROCRID study.

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives were to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in critically ill patients and to determine C. difficile PCR-ribotypes. METHODS: Prospective, observational study in 26 Spanish ICUs. Patients with diarrhea meeting ESCMID criteria for CDI were included. Molecular characterization of isolates was performed using PCR ribotyping. RESULTS: Of 4258 patients admitted to the ICUs, 190 (4.5%) developed diarrhea. Only 16 patients (8.4%) were diagnosed with CDI. Ribotype 078/126 (25.0%) was the most frequently identified. The mortality rate was similar in patients with ICD compared to patients with diarrhea not caused by C. difficile (p=0.115). Chronic renal insufficiency was identified as the only factor independently associated with the development of CDI (OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.24-27.83; p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CDI in Spanish ICUs is low. Only chronic renal insufficiency was observed to be a risk factor for CDI development.

Infección por Clostridium difficile / Clostridium difficile infection

La infección por Clostridium difficile (ICD) es la principal causa de diarrea nosocomial en países industrializados y el origen de un número de casos cada vez mayor de diarrea en la comunidad. La irrupción de la cepa del ribotipo 027 ha incrementado en algunos países la incidencia y la gravedad de la ICD. Aunque suele cursar como una diarrea leve/moderada, puede dar lugar a formas graves, como megacolon tóxico y shock séptico. Uno de cada 2 episodios de ICD no es diagnosticado en los hospitales españoles por falta de sospecha clínica o por el uso de métodos diagnósticos poco sensibles. Se recomiendan algoritmos diagnósticos basados en la detección de glutamato deshidrogenasa y en la detección molecular de los genes de las toxinas con o sin la detección directa de las toxinas. El tratamiento recomendado de la ICD depende del tipo de infección y las características del paciente (AU)

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhea in industrialized countries and the source of a growing number of cases of diarrhea in the community. The outbreak of the hypervirulent strain belonging to ribotype 027 has increased the incidence and severity of CDI in some countries. Although CDI usually courses as a mild diarrhea it can lead to severe forms such as toxic megacolon or septic shock. One of every 2 episodes of CDI is not diagnosed in Spanish hospitals due to a lack of clinical suspicion or the use of insensitive diagnostic methods. The diagnostic techniques of choice are algorithms based on the detection of glutamate dehydrogenase and molecular detection of the genes of the toxins with or without the direct detection of the toxins. The recommended treatment for CDI depends on the type of infection and the characteristics of the patient (AU)

Clostridium difficile infection. / Infección por Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhea in industrialized countries and the source of a growing number of cases of diarrhea in the community. The outbreak of the hypervirulent strain belonging to ribotype 027 has increased the incidence and severity of CDI in some countries. Although CDI usually courses as a mild diarrhea it can lead to severe forms such as toxic megacolon or septic shock. One of every 2 episodes of CDI is not diagnosed in Spanish hospitals due to a lack of clinical suspicion or the use of insensitive diagnostic methods. The diagnostic techniques of choice are algorithms based on the detection of glutamate dehydrogenase and molecular detection of the genes of the toxins with or without the direct detection of the toxins. The recommended treatment for CDI depends on the type of infection and the characteristics of the patient.

Diagnóstico microbiológico de la infección por Clostridium difficile / Laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile es la primera causa de diarrea nosocomial en los países desarrollados y uno de los principales agentes etiológicos de diarrea comunitaria. La irrupción de la cepa hipervirulenta BI/NAP1/027 ha dado lugar a un incremento de la morbimortalidad de la infección por C.difficile (ICD). Este documento pretende revisar tanto los principales cuadros clínicos de la ICD como el diagnóstico de laboratorio, incluyendo la toma de la muestra, su transporte y conservación, su procesamiento, los distintos procedimientos diagnósticos disponibles, las pruebas de sensibilidad a antibióticos y la caracterización molecular de los aislados. El propósito principal de los autores ha sido elaborar un documento eminentemente práctico que dé respuesta a las principales dudas que surgen en el diagnóstico de laboratorio de la ICD

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in developed countries, and is one of the main aetiologic agents of community diarrhea. The eruption of the hypervirulent strain BI/NAP1/027 has given rise to an increase in the morbidity and mortality of C.difficileinfection (CDI). This document aims to review the main clinical pictures of CDI and the laboratory diagnosis, including sampling, transport and storage of specimens, specimen processing, diagnostic procedures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular characterisation of the isolates. The main purpose of the article is to develop a practical document that provides answers to the main questions that arise in the laboratory diagnosis of CDI

[Laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection]. / Diagnóstico microbiológico de la infección por Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in developed countries, and is one of the main aetiologic agents of community diarrhea. The eruption of the hypervirulent strain BI/NAP1/027 has given rise to an increase in the morbidity and mortality of C.difficile infection (CDI). This document aims to review the main clinical pictures of CDI and the laboratory diagnosis, including sampling, transport and storage of specimens, specimen processing, diagnostic procedures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular characterisation of the isolates. The main purpose of the article is to develop a practical document that provides answers to the main questions that arise in the laboratory diagnosis of CDI.