Impact of the introduction of an automated microbiologic system on the clinical outcomes of bloodstream infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae strains.

INTRODUCTION: Enterobacteriaceae strains are a leading cause of bloodstream infections (BSI). The aim of this study is to assess differences in clinical outcomes of patients with BSI caused by Enterobacteriaceae strains before and after introduction of an automated microbiologic system by the microbiology laboratory. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of the introduction of an automated microbiologic system (Phoenix(tm) automated microbiology system, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) - Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, MD, USA) on the outcomes of BSIs caused by Enterobacteriaceae strains. The study was undertaken at Hospital São Paulo, a 750-bed teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Patients with BSI caused by Enterobacteriaceae strains before the introduction of the automated system were compared with patients with BSI caused by the same pathogens after the introduction of the automated system with regard to treatment adequacy, clinical cure/improvement and 14- and 28-day mortality rates. RESULTS: We evaluated 90 and 106 patients in the non-automated and automated testing periods, respectively. The most prevalent species in both periods were Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. Clinical cure/improvement occurred in 70% and 67.9% in non-automated and automated period, respectively (p = 0.75). 14-day mortality rates were 22.2% and 30% (p = 0.94) and 28-day mortality rates were 24.5% and 40.5% (p = 0.12). There were no significant differences between the two testing periods with regard to treatment adequacy, clinical cure/improvement and 14- and 28-day mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of the BD Phoenix(tm) automated microbiology system did not impact the clinical outcomes of BSIs caused by Enterobacteriaceae strains in our setting.

Estratégias de implantação dos controles ambientais para prevenir a disseminação da tuberculose hospitalar / Estrategias para la implementacion de controles ambientales en la prevencion de la propagacion de la tuberculosis en los establecimientos de salud / Strategies for implementation of environmental controls to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in health-care settings

A transmissão intra-hospitalar da tuberculose consisteemumproblemade saúde ocupacional, e as medidas de controleefetivas incluem os controles ambientais que visam prevenir a disseminação dessa doença e reduzir as partículasinfecciosas aéreas. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, realizado como objetivo de descrever a estrutura necessária paraimplantar e operacionalizar uma unidade de isolamento para tuberculose com pressão negativa do ar. A unidade foiprojetada comumsistema de climatização comcontrole de temperatura de 22±2 oC, recirculação do ar, filtragem HEPA,20 trocas de ar por hora e pressão negativa. Após a reforma da unidade e a implantação dos controles ambientais,o funcionamento do isolamento respiratório foi monitorizado por 12 meses. As ocasiões em que a pressão negativase tornou neutra foram identificadas pelos manômetros nos quartos e nos filtros, indicando a saturação deles e suasubstituição. Em seguida, a pressão negativa foi restabelecida. O investimento para a implantação do isolamento foide 75 mil dólares e o custo mensal de manutenção, 550 dólares. A unidade requer gerenciamento apropriado paraassegurar a proteção dos profissionais da saúde e demais pacientes.

Thenosocomial transmission of tuberculosis is a seriousoccupational health problem.Aneffectiveprevention of this diseaseincludes environmental measures to avoid its dissemination and to reduce the amount of droplet nuclei in the air. It is adescriptive study that aimed to describe the necessary structure for the implementation of an isolation roomwith negativeair pressure for patients with tuberculosis. The units were projected with HVAC system with temperature control at 22±2ºC, air recirculation system, HEPA filters, twenty two air changes per hour and negative air pressure. After repairs and theimplementation of the environmental control the functioning of the respiratory isolation wasmonitored for 12months. Inthe event of the negative air pressure becoming neutral the manometers in the room would display the filters saturationlevel and the need for their replacement. Soon after that the negative air pressure could be restarted. The isolation unitimplementationrequiredaninvestmentofUS$75,000.00 being themonthly repaircostUS$550.00.Therespiratoryisolationunit requires specific management strategies so as to ensure the protection of healthcare workers and patients.

La transmisión intrahospitalaria de la tuberculosis es un problema de salud en el trabajo y las medidas efectivas decontrol incluyen controles ambientales destinados a prevenir la diseminación de la enfermedad y reducir la cantidadde partículas infecciosas en el aire. Este estudio se realizó con el objetivo de describir la estructura necesaria paraimplementar y operar una unidad de aislamiento para la tuberculosis con presión de aire negativa. La unidad fuediseñada con un sistema de climatización con control de temperatura de 22 ± 2 ° C, recirculación del aire, filtros HEPA,veinte cambios de airepor horaypresión negativa. Después del proceso de reforma e implementación de los controlesambientales, el funcionamiento del aislamiento respiratorio fue monitoreado durante doce meses. Las ocasiones enque la presión negativa se convirtió en neutra fueron identificadas por manómetros en las habitaciones y en los filtros,señalando saturación y necesidad de sustitución. En seguida, la presión negativa fue restablecida. La inversión parainstalar el aislamiento fue de U$S 75.000,00yel costodemantenimiento mensual es de U$S 550,00. La unidad requiereestrategias de gestión adecuadas para garantizar la protección de los profesionales de la salud y de los pacientes.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by SPM-1-producing and non-producing imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and exhibits high rates of resistance to several antimicrobial drugs. The carbapenens are usually the drugs of choice against this microorganism. However, the carbapenem resistance has increased among these strains worldwide. The presence of metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL) has been pointed out as a major mechanism of resistance among these strains. No previous study addressed outcomes of respiratory infections caused by these strains. METHODS: Our group sought to analyze the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of patients with VAP caused by imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. A total of 29 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were screened for metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) genes. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical variables were similar between the SPM-1-producing and non-SPM-1-producing group. Five (17.2%) isolates were positive for blaSPM-1. No other MBL gene was found. All patients were treated with polymyxin B. The infection-related mortality was 40% and 54.2% for SPM-1-producing and -non-producing isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in epidemiological and clinical outcomes between the two groups.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by SPM-1-producing and non-producing imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Prevalência e evolução clínica de episódios de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica causada por Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a imipenem produtoras e não-produtoras de SPM-1

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and exhibits high rates of resistance to several antimicrobial drugs. The carbapenens are usually the drugs of choice against this microorganism. However, the carbapenem resistance has increased among these strains worldwide. The presence of metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) has been pointed out as a major mechanism of resistance among these strains. No previous study addressed outcomes of respiratory infections caused by these strains. METHODS: Our group sought to analyze the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of patients with VAP caused by imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. A total of 29 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were screened for metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical variables were similar between the SPM-1-producing and non-SPM-1-producing group. Five (17.2 percent) isolates were positive for blaSPM-1. No other MBL gene was found. All patients were treated with polymyxin B. The infection-related mortality was 40 percent and 54.2 percent for SPM-1-producing and -non-producing isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in epidemiological and clinical outcomes between the two groups.

INTRODUÇÃO: Pseudomonas aeruginosa é uma importante causa de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) e exibe altas taxas de resistência a vários antimicrobianos. Os carbapenens são usualmente as drogas de escolha para esse microorganismo. Contudo, a resistência a carbapenens tem crescido entre essas amostras em todo o mundo. A presença de metalo- β-lactamase (MBL) tem sido apontado como um importante mecanismo de resistência nessas cepas. Nenhum estudo prévio avaliou desfechos clínicos de infecções respiratórias causadas por essas amostras MÉTODOS: Nosso grupo analisou a epidemiologia e evolução clínica de episódios de PAV causada por P. aeruginosa resistente a imipenem. Um total de vinte e nove isolados clínicos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenem foram avaliados quanto à presença de genes para metalo-β-lactamase (MBL). RESULTADOS: Variáveis clínicas e demográficas foram similares entre o grupo produtor de SPM-1 e o não-produtor. Cinco (17,2 por cento) isolados foram positivos para blaSPM-1. Nenhum outro gene para MBL foi encontrado. Todos os pacientes foram tratados com polimixina B. A mortalidade relacionada à infecção foi de 40 por cento e 50 por cento respectivamente para os isolados produtores de SPM-1 e não-produtores de SPM-1. CONCLUSÕES: Nao houve diferença entre os dados epidemiológicos e a evolução clínica entre os dois grupos.

Risk factors for catheter-related bloodstream infection: a prospective multicenter study in Brazilian intensive care units.

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheters (CVC) are devices of great importance in health care. The advantages gained from the use of catheters outweigh the complications that might result from their use, among which bloodstream infections (BSI). In spite of its importance, few national studies have addressed this issue. OBJECTIVE: The aim this study was to determine the incidence of BSI in patients with CVC, hospitalized in ICU, as well as the variables associated with this complication. METHODS: Multicentric cohort study carried out at ICUs of three hospitals at Universidade Federal de São Paulo complex. RESULTS: A total of 118 cases of BSI in 11.546 catheters day were observed: 10.22 BSI per 1,000 catheters day. On average, BSI was associated to seven additional days of hospital stay in our study (p < 0.001), with a significant difference between types of catheters. Concerning the place of insertion, there was no statistical difference in BSI rates. CONCLUSION: We concluded that a patient who uses a catheter for longer than 13 days presents a progressive risk for infection of approximately three times higher in relation to a patient who uses the catheter for less than 13 days (p < 0.001). The median duration of catheter use was 14 days among patients with BSI and 9 days in patients without infection (p < 0.001). There was higher prevalence of gram-negative infections. The risk factors for BSI were utilization of multiple-lumen catheters, duration of catheterization and ICU length of stay.

Risk factors for catheter-related bloodstream infection: a prospective multicenter study in Brazilian intensive care units

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheters (CVC) are devices of great importance in health care. The advantages gained from the use of catheters outweigh the complications that might result from their use, among which bloodstream infections (BSI). In spite of its importance, few national studies have addressed this issue. OBJECTIVE: The aim this study was to determine the incidence of BSI in patients with CVC, hospitalized in ICU, as well as the variables associated with this complication. METHODS: Multicentric cohort study carried out at ICUs of three hospitals at Universidade Federal de São Paulo complex. RESULTS: A total of 118 cases of BSI in 11.546 catheters day were observed: 10.22 BSI per 1,000 catheters day. On average, BSI was associated to seven additional days of hospital stay in our study (p < 0.001), with a significant difference between types of catheters. Concerning the place of insertion, there was no statistical difference in BSI rates. CONCLUSION: We concluded that a patient who uses a catheter for longer than 13 days presents a progressive risk for infection of approximately three times higher in relation to a patient who uses the catheter for less than 13 days (p < 0.001). The median duration of catheter use was 14 days among patients with BSI and 9 days in patients without infection (p < 0.001). There was higher prevalence of Gram-negative infections. The risk factors for BSI were utilization of multiple-lumen catheters, duration of catheterization and ICU length of stay.

O virus HIV e a cirurgia

Os autores realizam um trabalho de revisao a respeito dos riscos que representam para os profissionais de saude, o tratamento cirurgico de pacientes portadores do virus da AIDS. Apos as consideracoes sobre o estado atual da infeccao em nosso meio, apresentam aspectos dos mecanismos de transmissao do virus, assim como os meios disponiveis para o seu diagnostico. Em seguida, apresentam os resultados de uma pesquisa de opiniao onde medicos foram ouvidos a respeito da informacao que possuem do assunto. Comentando as respostas, analisam os acidentes que podem ocorrer no ato cirurgico e os riscos que representam para os profissionais de saude. Opinam que a pratica do exame sorologico sistematico dos pacientes a serem submetidos a cirurgia deve ser evitada por ser ineficiente e ilegal e substituida por medidas universais de precaucao procurando prevenir os acidentes. Finalmente apresentam recomendacoes de medidas a serem tomadas em caso de acidente durante o tratamento de um paciente.

Tratamento de infecçöes graves com ofloxacina por via oral / Treatment of severe infections with ofloxacin by oral route

A ofloxacina (OFX) foi empregada, por via oral, para o tratamento de infeccçöes graves, de etiologias diversas, em 25 pacientes, sendo 12 do sexo masculino e 13 do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 40,9 anos. Os pacientes receberam doses diárias entre 400 a 800 mg de ofloxacina (200 a 400 mg a cada 12 horas) por períodos de tratamento que variaram de oito a 24 dias. Os diagnósticos clínicos mais comuns foram: penumonia, pielonefrite aguda, infecçöes de partes moles e infecçäo urinária. As bactérias isoladas com maior freqüência foram as Gram-negativas (e. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp e Proteus sp) e Gram-positivas (S.aureus), entre outras. Houve um alto índice de cura clínica e microbiológica (92%), traduzindo-se pela erradicaçäo de bactérias como E. coli, P.aeruginosa, Klebsiela sp, Proteus sp e S. aureus. Houve persistência de três bactérias: Acinetobacter sp, Enterobacter aerogenes e Streptococcus beta-hemolítico