Resistance to first-line antibiotic therapy among patients with uncomplicated acute cystitis in Melbourne, Australia: prevalence, predictors and clinical impact.

Background: Australian guidelines recommend trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin as first-line agents for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Laboratory surveillance indicates high rates of trimethoprim resistance among urinary bacterial isolates, but there are scant local clinical data about risk factors and impact of trimethoprim resistance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, mechanism and impact of resistance to first-line antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated UTIs in the community setting. Methods: A prospective observational study from October 2019 to November 2021 in four general practices in Melbourne, Australia. Female adult patients prescribed an antibiotic for suspected or confirmed uncomplicated acute cystitis were eligible. Primary outcome was urine isolates with resistance to trimethoprim and/or nitrofurantoin. Results: We recruited 87 participants across 102 UTI episodes with median (IQR) age of 63 (47-76) years. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen cultured (48/62; 77%); 27% (13/48) were resistant to trimethoprim (mediated by a dfrA gene) and none were resistant to nitrofurantoin. Isolates with resistance to a first-line therapy were more common among patients reporting a history of recurrent UTIs [risk ratio (RR): 2.08 (95% CI: 1.24-3.51)] and antibiotic use in the previous 6 months [RR: 1.89 (95% CI: 1.36-2.62)]. Uropathogen resistance to empirical therapy was not associated with worse clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Resistance to trimethoprim is common in uncomplicated UTIs in Australia but may not impact clinical outcomes. Further research is warranted on the appropriateness of trimethoprim as empirical therapy, particularly for patients with antimicrobial resistance risk factors.

Vulnerability to environmental and climatic health provocations among women and men hospitalized with chronic heart disease: insights from the RESILIENCE TRIAL cohort.

AIMS: We aimed to recruit a representative cohort of women and men with multi-morbid chronic heart disease as part of a trial testing an innovative, nurse-co-ordinated, multi-faceted intervention to lower rehospitalization and death by addressing areas of vulnerability to external challenges to their health. METHODS AND RESULTS: The prospective, randomized open, blinded end-point RESILIENCE Trial recruited 203 hospital inpatients (mean age 75.7 ± 10.2 years) of whom 51% were women and 94% had combined coronary artery disease, heart failure, and/or atrial fibrillation. Levels of concurrent multi-morbidity were high (mean Charlson Index of Comorbidity Score 6.5 ± 2.7), and 8.9% had at least mild frailty according to the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale. Including the index admission, 19-20% of women and men had a pre-existing pattern of seasonally linked hospitalization (seasonality). Detailed phenotyping revealed that 48% of women and 40% of men had ≥3 physiological factors, and 15% of women and 16% of men had ≥3 behavioural factors likely to increase their vulnerability to external provocations to their health. Overall, 61-62% of women and men had ≥4 combined factors indicative of such vulnerability. Additional factors such as reliance on the public health system (63 vs. 49%), lower education (30 vs. 14%), and living alone (48 vs. 29%) were more prevalent in women. CONCLUSION: We successfully recruited women and men with multi-morbid chronic heart disease and bio-behavioural indicators of vulnerability to external provocations to their health. Once completed, the RESILIENCE TRIAL will provide important insights on the impact of addressing such vulnerability (promoting resilience) on subsequent health outcomes. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.org: NCT04614428.

High-performance enrichment-based genome sequencing to support the investigation of hepatitis A virus outbreaks.

IMPORTANCE: This proof-of-concept study introduces a hybrid capture oligo panel for whole-genome sequencing of all six human pathogenic hepatitis A virus (HAV) subgenotypes, exhibiting a higher sensitivity than some conventional genotyping assays. The ability of hybrid capture to enrich multiple targets allows for a single, streamlined workflow, thus facilitating the potential harmonization of molecular surveillance of HAV with other enteric viruses. Even challenging sample matrices can be accommodated, making them suitable for broad implementation in clinical and public health laboratories. This innovative approach has significant implications for enhancing multijurisdictional outbreak investigations as well as our understanding of the global diversity and transmission dynamics of HAV.

IMpleMenting Effective infection prevention and control in ReSidential aged carE (IMMERSE): protocol for a multi-level mixed methods implementation study.

BACKGROUND: Older people living in residential aged care facilities are at high risk of acquiring infections such as influenza, gastroenteritis, and more recently COVID-19. These infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among this cohort. Quality infection prevention and control practice in residential aged care is therefore imperative. Although appointment of a dedicated infection prevention and control (IPC) lead in every Australian residential aged care facility is now mandated, all people working in this setting have a role to play in IPC. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed inadequacies in IPC in this sector and highlighted the need for interventions to improve implementation of best practice. METHODS: Using mixed methods, this four-phase implementation study will use theory-informed approaches to: (1) assess residential aged care facilities' readiness for IPC practice change, (2) explore current practice using scenario-based assessments, (3) investigate barriers to best practice IPC, and (4) determine and evaluate feasible and locally tailored solutions to overcome the identified barriers. IPC leads will be upskilled and supported to operationalise the selected solutions. Staff working in residential aged care facilities, residents and their families will be recruited for participation in surveys and semi-structured interviews. Data will be analysed and triangulated at each phase, with findings informing the subsequent phases. Stakeholder groups at each facility and the IMMERSE project's Reference Group will contribute to the interpretation of findings at each phase of the project. DISCUSSION: This multi-site study will comprehensively explore infection prevention and control practices in residential aged care. It will inform and support locally appropriate evidence-based strategies for enhancing infection prevention and control practice.

State-wide genomic epidemiology investigations of COVID-19 in healthcare workers in 2020 Victoria, Australia: Qualitative thematic analysis to provide insights for future pandemic preparedness.

Background: COVID-19 has affected many healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. We performed state-wide SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiological investigations to identify HCW transmission dynamics and provide recommendations to optimise healthcare system preparedness for future outbreaks. Methods: Genome sequencing was attempted on all COVID-19 cases in Victoria, Australia. We combined genomic and epidemiologic data to investigate the source of HCW infections across multiple healthcare facilities (HCFs) in the state. Phylogenetic analysis and fine-scale hierarchical clustering were performed for the entire dataset including community and healthcare cases. Facilities provided standardised epidemiological data and putative transmission links. Findings: Between March-October 2020, approximately 1,240 HCW COVID-19 infection cases were identified; 765 are included here, requested for hospital investigations. Genomic sequencing was successful for 612 (80%) cases. Thirty-six investigations were undertaken across 12 HCFs. Genomic analysis revealed that multiple introductions of COVID-19 into facilities (31/36) were more common than single introductions (5/36). Major contributors to HCW acquisitions included mobility of staff and patients between wards and facilities, and characteristics and behaviours of patients that generated numerous secondary infections. Key limitations at the HCF level were identified. Interpretation: Genomic epidemiological analyses enhanced understanding of HCW infections, revealing unsuspected clusters and transmission networks. Combined analysis of all HCWs and patients in a HCF should be conducted, supported by high rates of sequencing coverage for all cases in the population. Established systems for integrated genomic epidemiological investigations in healthcare settings will improve HCW safety in future pandemics. Funding: The Victorian Government, the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia, and the Medical Research Future Fund.

SARS-CoV-2 infection results in immune responses in the respiratory tract and peripheral blood that suggest mechanisms of disease severity.

Respiratory tract infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in varying immunopathology underlying COVID-19. We examine cellular, humoral and cytokine responses covering 382 immune components in longitudinal blood and respiratory samples from hospitalized COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM, IgG, IgA are detected in respiratory tract and blood, however, receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific IgM and IgG seroconversion is enhanced in respiratory specimens. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity in respiratory samples correlates with RBD-specific IgM and IgG levels. Cytokines/chemokines vary between respiratory samples and plasma, indicating that inflammation should be assessed in respiratory specimens to understand immunopathology. IFN-α2 and IL-12p70 in endotracheal aspirate and neutralization in sputum negatively correlate with duration of hospital stay. Diverse immune subsets are detected in respiratory samples, dominated by neutrophils. Importantly, dexamethasone treatment does not affect humoral responses in blood of COVID-19 patients. Our study unveils differential immune responses between respiratory samples and blood, and shows how drug therapy affects immune responses during COVID-19.

Multi-site implementation of whole genome sequencing for hospital infection control: A prospective genomic epidemiological analysis.

Background: Current microbiological methods lack the resolution to accurately identify multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission, however, whole genome sequencing can identify highly-related patient isolates providing opportunities for precision infection control interventions. We investigated the feasibility and potential impact of a prospective multi-centre genomics workflow for hospital infection control. Methods: We conducted a prospective genomics implementation study across eight Australian hospitals over 15 months (2017,2018), collecting all clinical and screening isolates from inpatients with vanA VRE, MRSA, ESBL Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec), or ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp). Genomic and epidemiologic data were integrated to assess MDRO transmission. Findings: In total, 2275 isolates were included from 1970 patients, predominantly ESBL-Ec (40·8%) followed by MRSA (35·6%), vanA VRE (15·2%), and ESBL-Kp (8·3%).Overall, hospital and genomic epidemiology showed 607 patients (30·8%) acquired their MDRO in hospital, including the majority of vanA VRE (266 patients, 86·4%), with lower proportions of ESBL-Ec (186 patients, 23·0%), ESBL-Kp (42 patients, 26·3%), and MRSA (113 patients, 16·3%). Complex patient movements meant the majority of MDRO transmissions would remain undetected without genomic data.The genomics implementation had major impacts, identifying unexpected MDRO transmissions prompting new infection control interventions, and contributing to vanA VRE becoming a notifiable condition. We identified barriers to implementation and recommend strategies for mitigation. Interpretation: Implementation of a multi-centre genomics-informed infection control workflow is feasible and identifies many unrecognised MDRO transmissions. This provides critical opportunities for interventions to improve patient safety in hospitals. Funding: Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance (supported by State Government of Victoria, Australia), and National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia).

Gut microbiome signatures and host colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The human gut is host to a diverse range of microorganisms that offer protection against colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic use, medications, health conditions, and lifestyle factors can alter the composition of the gut microbiota in such a way that results in loss of colonization resistance and increased susceptibility to invading pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therapeutics aiming to restore a diverse and protective microbiome are fast advancing. In this review, we focus on the compositional changes within the gut microbiome that are associated with colonization resistance and discuss their use as potential targets for therapeutics or diagnostics.

Optimising genomic approaches for identifying vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium transmission in healthcare settings.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is a major nosocomial pathogen. Identifying VREfm transmission dynamics permits targeted interventions, and while genomics is increasingly being utilised, methods are not yet standardised or optimised for accuracy. We aimed to develop a standardized genomic method for identifying putative VREfm transmission links. Using comprehensive genomic and epidemiological data from a cohort of 308 VREfm infection or colonization cases, we compared multiple approaches for quantifying genetic relatedness. We showed that clustering by core genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST) was more informative of population structure than traditional MLST. Pairwise genome comparisons using split k-mer analysis (SKA) provided the high-level resolution needed to infer patient-to-patient transmission. The more common mapping to a reference genome was not sufficiently discriminatory, defining more than three times more genomic transmission events than SKA (3729 compared to 1079 events). Here, we show a standardized genomic framework for inferring VREfm transmission that can be the basis for global deployment of VREfm genomics into routine outbreak detection and investigation.

Defective Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Immune Responses in an Immunocompromised Individual With Prolonged Viral Replication.

We describe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immune responses in a patient with lymphoma and recent programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapy with late onset of severe coronavirus disease 2019 disease and prolonged SARS-CoV-2 replication, in comparison to age-matched and immunocompromised controls. High levels of HLA-DR+/CD38+ activation, interleukin 6, and interleukin 18 in the absence of B cells and PD-1 expression was observed. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses were absent and SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were minimally detected. This case highlights challenges in managing immunocompromised hosts who may fail to mount effective virus-specific immune responses.

Staff to staff transmission as a driver of healthcare worker infections with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: High rates of healthcare worker (HCW) infections due to COVID-19 have been attributed to several factors, including inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), exposure to a high density of patients with COVID-19, and poor building ventilation. We investigated an increase in the number of staff COVID-19 infections at our hospital to determine the factors contributing to infection and to implement the interventions required to prevent subsequent infections. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study of staff working at a tertiary referral hospital who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between 25 January 2020 and 25 November 2020. The primary outcome was the source of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Of 45 staff who returned a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, 19 were determined to be acquired at our hospital. Fifteen (15/19; 79% [95% CI: 54-94%]) of these were identified through contact tracing and testing following exposures to other infected staff and were presumed to be staff-to-staff transmission, including an outbreak in 10 healthcare workers (HCWs) linked to a single ward that cared for COVID-19 patients. The staff tearoom was identified as the likely location for transmission, with subsequent reduction in HCW infections and resolution of the outbreak following implementation of enhanced control measures in tearoom facilities. No HCW contacts (0/204; 0% [95% CI: 0-2%]) developed COVID-19 infection following exposure to unrecognised patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Unrecognised infections among staff may be a significant driver of HCW infections in healthcare settings. Control measures should be implemented to prevent acquisition from other staff as well as patient-staff transmission.

Immune responses in COVID-19 respiratory tract and blood reveal mechanisms of disease severity.

Although the respiratory tract is the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ensuing immunopathology, respiratory immune responses are understudied and urgently needed to understand mechanisms underlying COVID-19 disease pathogenesis. We collected paired longitudinal blood and respiratory tract samples (endotracheal aspirate, sputum or pleural fluid) from hospitalized COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 controls. Cellular, humoral and cytokine responses were analysed and correlated with clinical data. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies were detected using ELISA and multiplex assay in both the respiratory tract and blood of COVID-19 patients, although a higher receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgM and IgG seroconversion level was found in respiratory specimens. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity in respiratory samples was detected only when high levels of RBD-specific antibodies were present. Strikingly, cytokine/chemokine levels and profiles greatly differed between respiratory samples and plasma, indicating that inflammation needs to be assessed in respiratory specimens for the accurate assessment of SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology. Diverse immune cell subsets were detected in respiratory samples, albeit dominated by neutrophils. Importantly, we also showed that dexamethasone and/or remdesivir treatment did not affect humoral responses in blood of COVID-19 patients. Overall, our study unveils stark differences in innate and adaptive immune responses between respiratory samples and blood and provides important insights into effect of drug therapy on immune responses in COVID-19 patients.

Multi-site assessment of rapid, point-of-care antigen testing for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a low-prevalence setting: A validation and implementation study.

BACKGROUND: In Australia, COVID-19 diagnosis relies on RT-PCR testing which is relatively costly and time-consuming. To date, few studies have assessed the performance and implementation of rapid antigen-based SARS-CoV-2 testing in a setting with a low prevalence of COVID-19 infections, such as Australia. METHODS: This study recruited participants presenting for COVID-19 testing at three Melbourne metropolitan hospitals during a period of low COVID-19 prevalence. The Abbott PanBioTM COVID-19 Ag point-of-care test was performed alongside RT-PCR. In addition, participants with COVID-19 notified to the Victorian Government were invited to provide additional swabs to aid validation. Implementation challenges were also documented. FINDINGS: The specificity of the Abbott PanBioTM COVID-19 Ag test was 99.96% (95% CI 99.73 - 100%). Sensitivity amongst participants with RT-PCR-confirmed infection was dependent upon the duration of symptoms reported, ranging from 77.3% (duration 1 to 33 days) to 100% in those within seven days of symptom onset. A range of implementation challenges were identified which may inform future COVID-19 testing strategies in a low prevalence setting. INTERPRETATION: Given the high specificity, antigen-based tests may be most useful in rapidly triaging public health and hospital resources while expediting confirmatory RT-PCR testing. Considering the limitations in test sensitivity and the potential for rapid transmission in susceptible populations, particularly in hospital settings, careful consideration is required for implementation of antigen testing in a low prevalence setting. FUNDING: This work was funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. The funder was not involved in data analysis or manuscript preparation.

Pilot study of a combined genomic and epidemiologic surveillance program for hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant pathogens across multiple hospital networks in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a pilot study implementing combined genomic and epidemiologic surveillance for hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) to predict transmission between patients and to estimate the local burden of MDRO transmission. DESIGN: Pilot prospective multicenter surveillance study. SETTING: The study was conducted in 8 university hospitals (2,800 beds total) in Melbourne, Australia (population 4.8 million), including 4 acute-care, 1 specialist cancer care, and 3 subacute-care hospitals. METHODS: All clinical and screening isolates from hospital inpatients (April 24 to June 18, 2017) were collected for 6 MDROs: vanA VRE, MRSA, ESBL Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb). Isolates were analyzed and reported as routine by hospital laboratories, underwent whole-genome sequencing at the central laboratory, and were analyzed using open-source bioinformatic tools. MDRO burden and transmission were assessed using combined genomic and epidemiologic data. RESULTS: In total, 408 isolates were collected from 358 patients; 47.5% were screening isolates. ESBL-Ec was most common (52.5%), then MRSA (21.6%), vanA VRE (15.7%), and ESBL-Kp (7.6%). Most MDROs (88.3%) were isolated from patients with recent healthcare exposure.Combining genomics and epidemiology identified that at least 27.1% of MDROs were likely acquired in a hospital; most of these transmission events would not have been detected without genomics. The highest proportion of transmission occurred with vanA VRE (88.4% of patients). CONCLUSIONS: Genomic and epidemiologic data from multiple institutions can feasibly be combined prospectively, providing substantial insights into the burden and distribution of MDROs, including in-hospital transmission. This analysis enables infection control teams to target interventions more effectively.

Cure of Limb-Threatening XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection: Combining Genome Sequencing, Therapeutic Drug Level Monitoring, and Surgical Debridement.

We describe a case of limb-threatening osteomyelitis and metalware infection with carbapenemase-producing extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa successfully cured with aggressive surgical debridement and combined intravenous fosfomycin and colistin. Real-time therapeutic drug monitoring was used to maximize probability of efficacy and minimize potential for toxicity.

Key parameters for genomics-based real-time detection and tracking of multidrug-resistant bacteria: a systematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pairwise single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a cornerstone of genomic approaches to the inference of transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms in hospitals. However, the impact of many key analytical approaches on these inferences has not yet been systematically assessed. This study aims to make such a systematic assessment. METHODS: We conducted a 15-month prospective study (2-month pilot phase, 13-month implementation phase), across four hospital networks including eight hospitals in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Patient clinical and screening samples containing one or more isolates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected and underwent whole genome sequencing. Using the genome data from the top four most numerous sequence types from each species, 16 in total, we systematically assessed the: (1) impact of sample and reference genome diversity through multiple core genome alignments using different data subsets and reference genomes, (2) effect of masking of prophage and regions of recombination in the core genome alignments by assessing SNP distances before and after masking, (3) differences between a cumulative versus a 3-month sliding-window approach to sample genome inclusion in the dataset over time, and (4) the comparative effects each of these approaches had when applying a previously defined SNP threshold for inferring likely transmission. FINDINGS: 2275 samples were collected (397 during the pilot phase from April 4 to June 18, 2017; 1878 during the implementation phase from Oct 30, 2017, to Nov 30, 2018) from 1870 patients. Of these 2275 samples, 1537 were identified as arising from the four most numerous sequence types from each of the four target species of MDR organisms in this dataset (16 sequence types in total: S aureus ST5, ST22, ST45, and ST93; E faecium ST80, ST203, ST1421, and ST1424; K pneumoniae ST15, ST17, ST307, and ST323; and E coli ST38, ST131, ST648, and ST1193). Across the species, using a reference genome of the same sequence type provided a greater degree of pairwise SNP resolution, compared with species and outgroup-reference alignments that mostly resulted in inflated SNP distances and the possibility of missed transmission events. Omitting prophage regions had minimal effect; however, omitting recombination regions had a highly variable effect, often inflating the number of closely related pairs. Estimated SNP distances between isolate pairs over time were more consistent using a sliding-window than a cumulative approach. INTERPRETATION: We propose that the use of a closely related reference genome, without masking of prophage or recombination regions, and of a sliding-window approach for isolate inclusion is best for accurate and consistent MDR organism transmission inference, when using core genome alignments and SNP thresholds. These approaches provide increased stability and resolution, so SNP thresholds can be more reliably applied for putative transmission inference among diverse MDR organisms, reducing the chance of incorrectly inferring the presence or absence of close genetic relatedness and, therefore, transmission. The establishment of a broadly applicable and standardised approach, as proposed here, is necessary to implement widespread prospective genomic surveillance for MDR organism transmission. FUNDING: Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Search and Contain: Impact of an Integrated Genomic and Epidemiological Surveillance and Response Program for Control of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.

BACKGROUND: Multiresistant organisms (MROs) pose a critical threat to public health. Population-based programs for control of MROs such as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) have emerged and evaluation is needed. We assessed the feasibility and impact of a statewide CPE surveillance and response program deployed across Victoria, Australia (population 6.5 million). METHODS: A prospective multimodal intervention including active screening, carrier isolation, centralized case investigation, and comparative pathogen genomics was implemented. We analyzed trends in CPE incidence and clinical presentation, risk factors, and local transmission over the program's first 3 years (2016-2018). RESULTS: CPE case ascertainment increased over the study period to 1.42 cases/100 000 population, linked to increased screening without a concomitant rise in active clinical infections (0.45-0.60 infections/100 000 population, P = .640). KPC-2 infection decreased from 0.29 infections/100 000 population prior to intervention to 0.03 infections/100 000 population in 2018 (P = .003). Comprehensive case investigation identified instances of overseas community acquisition. Median time between isolate referral and genomic and epidemiological assessment for local transmission was 11 days (IQR, 9-14). Prospective surveillance identified numerous small transmission networks (median, 2; range, 1-19 cases), predominantly IMP and KPC, with median pairwise distance of 8 (IQR, 4-13) single nucleotide polymorphisms; low diversity between clusters of the same sequence type suggested genomic cluster definitions alone are insufficient for targeted response. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the value of centralized CPE control programs to increase case ascertainment, resolve risk factors, and identify local transmission through prospective genomic and epidemiological surveillance; methodologies are transferable to low-prevalence settings and MROs globally.