Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Adult Patients Attending Outpatient and Emergency Departments, Taiwan, 2012-2013: A PCR/Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Study.

Viral etiologies of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been less studied in adult than in pediatric populations. Furthermore, the ability of PCR/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) to detect enteroviruses and rhinoviruses in respiratory samples has not been well evaluated. We sought to use PCR/ESI-MS to comprehensively investigate the viral epidemiology of adult RTIs, including testing for rhinoviruses and enteroviruses. Nasopharyngeal or throat swabs from 267 adults with acute RTIs (212 upper RTIs and 55 lower RTIs) who visited a local clinic or the outpatient or emergency departments of a medical center in Taiwan between October 2012 and June 2013 were tested for respiratory viruses by both virus isolation and PCR/ESI-MS. Throat swabs from 15 patients with bacterial infections and 27 individuals without active infections were included as control samples. Respiratory viruses were found in 23.6%, 47.2%, and 47.9% of the 267 cases by virus isolation, PCR/ESI-MS, and both methods, respectively. When both methods were used, the influenza A virus (24.3%) and rhinoviruses (9.4%) were the most frequently identified viruses, whereas human coronaviruses, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), enteroviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza viruses were identified in small proportions of cases (<5% of cases for each type of virus). Coinfection was observed in 4.1% of cases. In the control group, only 1 (2.4%) sample tested positive for a respiratory virus by PCR/ESI-MS. Patients who were undergoing steroid treatment, had an active malignancy, or suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were at risk for rhinovirus, hMPV, or parainfluenza infections, respectively. Overall, immunocompromised patients, patients with COPD, and patients receiving dialysis were at risk for noninfluenza respiratory virus infection. Rhinoviruses (12.7%), influenza A virus (10.9%), and parainfluenza viruses (7.3%) were the most common viruses involved in the 55 cases of lower RTIs. The factors of parainfluenza infection, old age, and immunosuppression were independently associated with lower RTIs. In conclusion, PCR/ESI-MS improved the diagnostic yield for viral RTIs. Non-influenza respiratory virus infections were associated with patients with comorbidities and with lower RTIs. Additional studies that delineate the clinical need for including non-influenza respiratory viruses in the diagnostic work-up in these populations are warranted.

Emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bloodstream infections in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bloodstream infections (VRE BSI) in the United States has been noted in recent years. There were a few reports of VRE BSI in Taiwan. This study is intended to show the epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of VRE BSI at a medical center in southern Taiwan. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010. All patients with VRE BSI episodes were identified and their medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 69 episodes of VRE BSI were identified in the study period. The incidence rate increased from 0.01 episodes of VRE BSI/1000 patient-days in 2005 to 0.07 episodes of VRE BSI/1000 patient-days in 2010. The 30-day mortality rate was 52.17% for all patients with VRE BSI. The mortality rate of patients who received in vitro active and inactive antimicrobial therapy for VRE BSI was 40% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). Factors associated with mortality were shock [odds ratio (OR) 24.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-163.2, p = 0.001], renal failure (OR 90.9, 95% CI 1.9-4404.3, p = 0.02), and underlying liver cirrhosis (OR 12.4, 95% CI 1.2-125.8, p = 0.03). Use of linezolid for VRE BSI showed a trend for lower 30-day mortality than daptomycin therapy (35.5% vs. 56.3%, p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: VRE BSI is increasingly important in the study hospital and is associated with a significant mortality rate. Appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy has a prognostic impact on patients with VRE BSI.