Correlation between outbreaks of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and use of bronchoscopes suggested by epidemiological analysis.

An outbreak of Multi-Drug Resistance Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP) infections occurred in intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency room (ER) between June and August 2007. Five patients who isolated MDRP in the outbreak of 2007 were all used bronchoscopes, thus, we suspected contamination of the bronchoscopes as the cause of outbreak. Although we did not detect MDRP from any bronchoscopes, the outbreak finally ended after all the bronchoscopes had been disinfected appropriately with the reexamination of washing process in 2008 and 2009. We retrospectively reviewed eleven patients who isolated MDRP in 2006 and 2007, and the fact was revealed that bronchoscopes were used in most patients in ICU and ER. Bronchoscopes were significantly used during 2006-2007 period, compared with 2008-2009 period in ICU and ER, and the case-control analysis among all Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated patients identified that bronchoscopes [risk ratio (RR) 8.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.328-51.26] was one of the most important risk factors for MDRP isolation. Duration from admission to MDRP isolation was significant longer in MDRP-isolated cases (19.82±12.77 d), compared with in non MDRP-isolated controls (11.76±11.69 d: p=0.0453). Our epidemiological analysis suggested the significant risk factors for an MDRP outbreak, and could contribute the estimation of the focus and prevention of future outbreaks.

High-dose, short-interval daptomycin regimen was safe and well tolerated in three patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: The recommended daptomycin dosage is 4 or 6 mg/kg/day for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections or for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. Every other day administration is usually recommended for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Higher doses (>6 mg/kg/day) have been explored as a possible alternative. Daptomycin is considered a safe anti-methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) drug, although renal dysfunction may be worsened. In this paper we report on three patients with chronic renal failure who received a higher dose of daptomycin daily for successful treatment for MRSA bacteremia, MRSA osteomyelitis, and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) endocarditis. RESULTS: Previous administration of other drugs, including vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid, had failed. In spite of daily treatment with daptomycin instead of the recommended alternate day regimen, adverse effects, such as elevation of creatinine and creatine phosphokinase, did not occur. CONCLUSION: These experiences suggest that administration of high-dose/short-interval daptomycin can be efficient and safe even in the setting of renal dysfunction, and should be considered for the treatment of severe MRSA/MRSE infections in these patients.

Loading regimen required to rapidly achieve therapeutic trough plasma concentration of teicoplanin and evaluation of clinical features.

BACKGROUND: A trough concentration of >20 mg/L is considered the optimal dosage of teicoplanin required to ensure early therapeutic effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections including those in patients who develop febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy. This study determines appropriate initial doses during the first 2 days of administration and evaluates the therapeutic target teicoplanin trough concentration. METHOD: A 2-day regimen was evaluated in patients treated with 600 mg and 1200 mg or 1200 mg and 600 mg (total 1800 mg, Group 1), 800 mg and 800 mg (total 1600 mg, Group 2), and 800 mg and 400 mg (total 1200 mg, Group 3) of teicoplanin on Days 1 and 2, respectively. We also compared the efficiency and adverse effects at trough concentrations of 15-20 mg/L (Group A, n = 28) with >20 mg/L (Group B, n = 27) of teicoplanin, and also compared them with those on the similar concentrations of vancomycin (Groups C and D, n = 50 and 34, respectively). RESULTS: The mean trough concentrations of teicoplanin on Days 4 or 5 were 22.2, 17.5, and 16.2 mg/L in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The clinical efficiency was 85.7%, 81.5%, 92.0%, and 91.5%, in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The rates of adverse effects were not high in teicoplanin (nephrotoxicity, 7.1% and 3.7%, and hepatotoxicity, 14.3% and 11.1% in Groups A and B, respectively). However, more adverse effects tended to arise in patients who received vancomycin in nephrotoxicity (14.0% and 11.8%, in Groups C and D, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the 2-day regimens with total 1800 mg achieved the most effective therapeutic trough plasma concentration of teicoplanin (20 mg/L). However, 15-20 mg/L might also be an effective trough target for initial teicoplanin treatment. These teicoplanin regimens might be safer in terms of renal function than vancomycin.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia at a university hospital in Japan.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a leading cause of infections in hospitals, and mortality from MRSA bacteremia is high. In this study, we assessed the clinical characteristics and optimum management of 115 patients with MRSA bacteremia who were admitted to Osaka University Hospital between January 2006 and December 2010. Sixty-nine of the patients survived and 46 died of heart failure or renal failure. The nonsurvivors had reduced levels of platelets and albumin, and increased aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels. Other causes of death included sepsis, septic shock plus respiratory failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and unknown causes. However, a significant number of those whose infections were catheter-derived survived. Nonsurvivors were more often administered catecholamines and consultation with an infection-control team (ICT) was significantly associated with improved survival. Patients about whom the ICT were consulted were administered significantly more additional anti-MRSA drugs, for example trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, and gentamycin, than patients who were not the subject of consultation, although trough values for vancomycin did not differ between the two groups. Catheter removal was significantly higher for surviving patients with severe or complicated infections. These results suggest the status of patients with MRSA bacteremia who did not survive was worse than those who did survive, but that ICT consultation might significantly affect survival by recommendation of appropriate care and anti-MRSA drug use.