Antimicrobial overuse and misuse in the community in Greece and link to antimicrobial resistance using methicillin-resistant S. aureus as an example.

Both antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial resistance are very high in Greece, ranking among the highest of Europe. The link between antimicrobial consumption and resistance is well-known. Here, we discuss the reasons of antimicrobial overuse in Greece in the community (such as self-medication, dispersion of antibiotics by pharmacies without prescription, over-prescription by physicians, patient expectations and liability pressure) and we explore the misuse of antibiotics for common community infections. Furthermore, we discuss how such overuse/misuse can drive antimicrobial resistance, using methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus as an example. S. aureus is one of the pathogens with high rates of resistance in Greece. Comparing the rate of antimicrobial susceptibility to non-beta lactams between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus we highlight the antibiotics that have the potential to drive methicillin-resistance through co-selection. Based on the above we identify targets for intervention in order to reduce antimicrobial overuse/misuse in the community in Greece.

A significant percentage of patients with transrectal biopsy-related infections have positive blood cultures but negative urine cultures. A literature review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy are rare. Nevertheless, since these are frequent procedures, the burden of infectious complications is high. Considering the increasing antimicrobial resistance, microbiological confirmation is important to guide antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: We reviewed PubMed for original studies providing concurrent urine and blood culture data in symptomatic patients with transrectal biopsy-related infectious complications. We performed a proportions meta-analysis (with MedCalc) and calculated the pooled yield of urine and blood cultures and the pooled discordance rate between urine and blood cultures. RESULTS: Our review identified 41 studies, involving 852 patients with infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy and sufficient data to calculate discordance. The pooled yield of urine cultures was 64.6% (95% CI: 56.2-72.3%, I2 83%), the pooled yield of blood cultures was 43% (95% CI: 36.5-49.7%, I2 74%) and the pooled discordance rate was 14% (95% CI: 10.6-17.8%, I2 53%). In subgroup analyses the pooled discordance was; 19.6% (95% CI: 11.8-28.9%, I2 31%) in 113 patients presenting within 2 calendar days after the biopsy and 11.2% (95% CI: 4.5-20%, I2 47%) in 143 patients presenting with fever and symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms. The statistical and methodological heterogeneity of included studies was high. CONCLUSION: Obtaining blood cultures is reasonable in all patients presenting with systemic symptoms suggestive of infection after a transrectal prostate biopsy. Blood cultures can provide additional microbiological data in about 1 of 7 patients with post-biopsy infectious complications. Prospective studies are needed to validate these results.

The clinical significance of concomitant bacteriuria in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. A review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria (SABU) concomitant to S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) has been associated with deep-seated infections and worse prognosis. However, the relevant studies were small and inconsistent. Here, we aim to provide a review of the relevant literature, and a meta-analysis of these studies. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Scopus for studies comparing patients with SAB and concomitant SABU to patients with SAB without SABU. RESULTS: Nine relevant studies were identified, involving 1429 patients with SAB, of whom 18.5% (n = 265) had concomitant SABU. Pooling the results of those studies, SABU was significantly associated with endocarditis, bone/joint infection and septic embolism. SABU was also associated with persistent SAB, and higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although SABU may be a useful marker of complicated SAB, the current literature has several limitations. Larger prospective studies are required to clarify the value of SABU in clinical decision making.

Blood culture useful only in selected patients with urinary tract infections - a literature review.

PURPOSE: The practice of obtaining blood culture in febrile urinary tract infections is controversial, considering that blood cultures rarely provide additional useful information compared to urine cultures alone. Furthermore, whether a longer treatment duration is necessary in bacteremic patients is also controversial. Here, we aim to review to relevant studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed and Scopus for studies providing information regarding the discordance between urine and blood cultures. We also searched for clinical trials regarding the treatment duration in bacteremic patients with urinary tract infections. RESULTS: It seems that a higher likelihood of a negative urine culture (e.g. in patients with antibiotic pre-treatment) combined with a higher likelihood of a positive blood culture (e.g. patients with high fever, or patients with complicated urinary tract infections) increases the chance that a blood culture might provide additional useful information. Furthermore, when polymicrobial infection or contamination of the urine specimen is likely (e.g. in patients with indwelling urinary tract catheters or bedridden patients with frequent hospitalizations and catheterizations), blood cultures may help identify the clinically significant pathogen and guide the choice of the antimicrobial regimen. Finally, because bacteremia has been associated with more severe disease and worse outcomes, some authors suggest a longer treatment duration for bacteremic patients. However, whether the presence of bacteremia should alter the duration of treatment remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining blood cultures may be useful in selected patients. Randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the value of bacteremia in guiding the duration of antimicrobial therapy.

Pitfalls in studies of eosinopenia and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio.

There is a number of publications evaluating the eosinophil count and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio for diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of patients. Of special interest is the use of these parameters for discrimination between the different causes of fever (e.g. bacterial versus viral vs. non-infectious causes of fever) and for monitoring the efficacy of therapy and predict the course of the patient. However, pitfalls in previous study designs prevent applicability to clinical practice. Here, we provide a short review of the relevant literature and summarize important factors that should be taken into account when designing studies, with special attention to the selection of a proper and clinically meaningful study population and the effects of the stress response and of corticosteroids.

Evaluation and management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria: an updated review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is little guidance regarding the evaluation and management of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria (SABU). Here, we aimed to provide an up-to-date review of the literature. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and clinical trial registries for articles evaluating the epidemiology of SABU, risk factors of SABU, the association of SABU with urinary tract infection, bacteremia and invasive S. aureus infections, and the management of patients with SABU. RESULTS: S. aureus is an uncommon isolate in urine cultures. It is more common among certain patients, e.g., patients with indwelling urinary tract devices or prior urinary tract instrumentation. SABU may represent asymptomatic bacteriuria, primary urinary tract infection, or hematogenous seeding of the urinary tract associated with other foci of infection. SABU may also serve as the focus for subsequent bacteremia and invasive infections. We did not find any clinical trials regarding the management of patients with SABU. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our review, we suggest an algorithmic approach for the evaluation and management of patients with SABU. However, evidence from clinical trials is lacking and there are several gaps in the current literature. These are discussed in this review.

Nasogastric aspiration/lavage in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding: a review of the evidence.

INTRODUCTION: The usefulness of nasogastric aspiration and nasogastric lavage in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding is controversial, as evidenced by conflicting recommendations, both among and within society guidelines. Areas covered: Considering these controversies, we reviewed the evidence regarding the following questions: 1) Can nasogastric lavage stop or slow down the bleeding and improve subsequent endoscopic visualization? 2) Is nasogastric aspiration helpful for the localization of bleeding? 3) Can nasogastric aspiration identify high risk patients that might benefit from earlier endoscopy? 4) Is there evidence for benefit in terms of outcomes from using nasogastric aspiration? 5) Is nasogastric intubation safe in patients with possible esophageal varices? Our review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Expert commentary: Based on the available literature, nasogastric lavage or aspiration cannot be routinely recommended unless a large properly designed randomized trial (which is currently lacking) proves otherwise. It is a painful and time-consuming procedure with no demonstrated benefit for the patient in terms of outcomes. Other clinical and laboratory parameters, and risk scores, are less invasive and are effective for guiding the stratification and management of patients, while pre-endoscopic erythromycin infusion is a good if not better alternative for improving visualization of the stomach.

A rare case of acute transverse myelitis associated with Staphylococcusaureus bacteremia and osteomyelitis.

INTRODUCTION: Direct intramedullary infections are considered very rare. Only few reports of Staphylococcus aureus myelitis have been published. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient, a 79-year-old male, presented with a 2-day history of high-grade fever and high inflammatory markers and progressively developed tetraplegia during hospitalization. Lumbar puncture revealed cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and a spinal cord MRI revealed transverse myelitis at the level of C3-C5 and possible osteomyelitis of C5-T1. Two blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Despite control of the infection, there was no neurologic improvement. DISCUSSION: The morbidity of infectious myelitis can be severe. Considering the rarity of S. aureus myelitis, experience gained from case reports is important. A brief review of the available literature is provided.