Antibiogram data from private hospitals in Hong Kong: 6-year retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The surveillance of antibiotic resistance is critical for the establishment of effective control strategies. The antibiotic resistance situations in private hospitals in Hong Kong have not been systematically described. The objective of the study was to analyse antibiogram data from private hospitals and describe the temporal trends of non-susceptibility percentages in this setting. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study used antibiogram data from all private hospitals in Hong Kong that had been collected annually for 6 years (2014-2019). Data on six targeted bacteria and their corresponding multidrug-resistant organisms were included. RESULTS: The non-susceptibility percentages of isolates remained stable or decreased during the study period: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus had a stable prevalence of approximately 20%; extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species had stable prevalences of 20% to 30% and 10% to 20%, respectively; multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter species had prevalences of approximately 2% to 8%, which decreased over time; multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa had prevalences of 0.0% to 0.3%; Streptococcus pneumoniae penicillin and macrolide non-susceptibility percentages were 2% to 9% and 71% to 79%, respectively. These values generally were comparable with findings from public hospitals and Residential Care Homes for the Elderly in Hong Kong. However, the prevalences of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, which are increasing in Hong Kong and other nations, were also increasing in our dataset despite their currently low values (<1% for Escherichia coli and <2% for Klebsiella species). CONCLUSION: The antibiotic resistance landscape among private hospitals in Hong Kong is satisfactory overall; there remains a need for surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and other infection control measures.

Rapid antigen test during a COVID-19 outbreak in a private hospital in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: In response to two nosocomial clusters of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in our hospital, we adopted a series of strict infection control measures, including regular rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for high-risk patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a locally developed RAT, the INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (Phase Scientific, Hong Kong), using respiratory samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR)-confirmed deep throat saliva (DTS) and pooled nasopharyngeal swab and throat swab (NPS/TS) samples collected from 1 November to 30 November 2020 were tested by INDICAID. Screening RATs were performed on asymptomatic healthcare workers during a 16-week period (1 December 2020 to 22 March 2021). RESULTS: In total, 20 rRT-PCR-confirmed samples (16 DTS, four pooled NPS/TS) were available for RAT. Using the original sample, RAT results were positive in 17/20 samples, indicating 85% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]=62.11%-96.79%). Negative RAT results were associated with higher cycle threshold (Ct) values. For samples with Ct values <25, the sensitivity was 100%. Of the 49 801 RATs collected from healthcare workers, 33 false positives and one rRT-PCR-confirmed case were detected. The overall specificity was 99.93% (95% CI=99.91%-99.95%). The positive and negative predictive values were 2.94% (95% CI=2.11%-4.09%) and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The INDICAID COVID-19 RAT demonstrated good sensitivity for specimens with high viral loads and satisfactory specificity for low-risk, asymptomatic healthcare workers.

Antibiotic management of acute pharyngitis in primary care.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has convened the Advisory Group on Antibiotic Stewardship Programme in Primary Care (the Advisory Group) to formulate guidance notes and strategies for optimising judicious use of antibiotics and enhancing the Antibiotic Stewardship Programme in Primary Care. Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions among out-patients in primary care in Hong Kong. Practical recommendations on the diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis are made by the Advisory Group based on the best available clinical evidence, local prevalence of pathogens and associated antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and common local practice.

Clinical characteristics of nosocomial norovirus outbreaks in Hong Kong.

Norovirus outbreaks occur worldwide every year and have become more frequent over the last few years. There were extensive outbreaks in Hong Kong from May to July 2006 and our aim was to describe nosocomial outbreaks from 1 May 2006 to 31 July 2006 in this retrospective observational study. A total of 38 confirmed norovirus outbreaks involving 218 patients were identified. Most of these patients were elderly with a mean age of 74.5 years (range: 3 months to 97 years); 62% of them were either totally or partially dependent for help with daily activities, 83.9% had underlying chronic medical problems and 56% had limited mobility. In all, 97.2% of individuals presented with diarrhoea and only 46.3% of them had vomiting. The median duration for diarrhoea was 3 days and the longest 24 days. The median duration of vomiting was one day and the longest 15 days. Fever occurred in one-third of all cases. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was positive for norovirus in 72.6% cases. We conclude that nosocomial norovirus infection often involves frail elderly patients with limited mobility and that these patients may have more prolonged symptoms.

Clinical outcomes of bacteremic pneumococcal infections in an area with high resistance.

In a retrospective study designed to gather information in a region with high antimicrobial resistance, the outcomes of 216 episodes of laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal bacteremia treated in Hong Kong between 1995 and 2001 were assessed. The patients had a mean age (+/-standard deviation) of 40+/-33.7 years. In all patients, the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood (n=216), cerebrospinal fluid (n=7) and/or other sterile sites (n=12). Penicillin nonsusceptibility was found in 37.5% of the isolates (20.8% intermediate and 16.7% resistant). Penicillin nonsusceptibility was not a risk factor for inpatient mortality (p=0.7), nor did it affect duration of fever (p=0.4), requirement for intensive care unit admission (p=0.4) or development of suppurative complications (p=0.2). Advanced age (OR 11.3, 95%CI 4.5-28.2, p<0.01), critical illness (OR 11.3, 95%CI 4.5-28.2, p<0.001) and discordant therapy (OR 4.3, 95%CI 1.7-10.9, p<0.002) involving agents with poor anti-pneumococcal activity (but not penicillins and broad-spectrum beta-lactam agents) were significantly associated with mortality.

Contemporary methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones in Hong Kong.

Two hundred non-duplicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates causing bacteremia in patients in four major Hong Kong hospitals during the period 2000 to 2001 were characterized by antibiogram, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using SmaI restriction enzymes, and determination of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. Nine PFGE types, A to I, were obtained. PFGE type A constituted 50% (99/200) of all isolates and was present in isolates from all four hospitals. PFGE types A to E, had previously been identified as the major types at one of the hospitals from 1988 to 2000. The majority had a resistance profile to tetracycline (T), erythromycin (E), clindamycin (D), gentamicin (G), tobramycin (To), and ciprofloxacin (Ci), and belonged to SCCmec type III; and representatives belonged to clonal complex 239 (CC 239) (MRSA with SCCmec type III and sequence type 239, designated ST 239-MRSA-III). PFGE types F to I were new patterns that had not been previously identified in isolates from Hong Kong. PFGE type F constituted 18% (35/200) of MRSAs, had resistance profile TEGToCi, and belonged to CC 5 (ST 5-MRSA-II). PFGE type G included 13% (26/200) of MRSAs, had resistance profile TECi, and belonged to CC 45 with SCCmec type I or II. PFGE type H had characteristics similar to those of CC 239, while PFGE type I included three isolates, two of which expressed resistance to oxacillin and fusidic acid only. Two of these strains had SCCmec IVa and carried sequence type 389, with a multilocus sequence typing allelic profile of 3-35-19-2-20-26-39. Contemporary MRSAs causing bacteremia in Hong Kong hospitals belong to three clonal complexes (CC 5, CC 45, and CC 239). The most prevalent MRSA clone in Hong Kong belongs to CC 239, with PFGE types A to E and H, SCCmec type III, ST 239, and a resistance profile of TEDGToCi.

Japanese encephalitis in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: To review past and present patterns of occurrence of Japanese encephalitis in Hong Kong and across Asia. A better understanding of the disease should facilitate the formulation of an effective strategic plan to prevent a future epidemic. DATA SOURCES: Report of local cases, and literature search of MEDLINE up to November 2004. STUDY SELECTION: Literature and data related to Japanese encephalitis. DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant information and data were reviewed by the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Since 16 July 2004, under the ordinance of Hong Kong, Japanese encephalitis has been a notifiable disease. In the past, Japanese encephalitis has reached epidemic proportions in Japan, South Korea, and some areas in China. It has spread globally and has a worldwide incidence of 35 000 to 50 000 cases per year with 10 000 deaths. Mortality is about 30% and survivors often suffer serious long-term morbidity. In 2004, there were five local cases of Japanese encephalitis in Hong Kong. Subsequent serological surveillance of serum samples from 1547 local inhabitants revealed that 37 were positive, ie 2.4% of local inhabitants had been exposed to the Japanese encephalitis virus in the past. Most local inhabitants are immunologically naive to Japanese encephalitis virus. Most infections in endemic areas are asymptomatic. Patients with symptomatic Japanese encephalitis usually present with fever, headache, and confusion. Other signs include neurosis, poliomyelitis, and convulsion. Investigations including magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and single photon emission computed tomography are not specific. A definitive diagnosis depends on serological studies. Treatment is mainly supportive. CONCLUSIONS: The control of Japanese encephalitis in Hong Kong relies on an accurate surveillance system, vector control, vector avoidance, and vaccination of the at-risk population. At present, vaccination should be limited to travellers to endemic areas who would stay for longer than 1 month.

Gemella bacteraemia characterised by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

AIMS: To define epidemiology, clinical disease, and outcome of gemella bacteraemia by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To examine the usefulness of the Vitek, API, and ATB systems in identifying two gemella species. METHODS: All alpha haemolytic streptococci other than Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures during a six year period were identified by conventional biochemical methods, the Vitek system, and the API system. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on all isolates identified by both kits as gemella with >or= 95% confidence or by either kit as any bacterial species with < 95% confidence. The ATB expression system was used to identify the two isolates that were defined as gemella species by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Of the 302 alpha haemolytic streptococci other than S pneumoniae isolated, one was identified as Gemella morbillorum, and another as Gemella haemolysans by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The patient with monomicrobial G morbillorum bacteraemia was a 66 year old man with community acquired infective endocarditis with septic thromboemboli. The patient with G haemolysans bacteraemia was a 41 year old woman with hospital acquired polymicrobial bacteraemia during the neutropenic period of an autologous bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the first case of its kind in the English literature. The API and ATB expression systems only identified the second strain as G haemolysans at 94% and 99% confidence, respectively, whereas the Vitek system identified none of the two strains correctly at > 70% confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Gemella bacteraemia is uncommon. 16S rRNA gene sequencing is the method of choice for identification of gemella and gemella-like isolates.

Peripartum tuberculosis as a form of immunorestitution disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical spectrum of peripartum tuberculosis from the perspective of immunorestitution disease. Of 29 patients with peripartum tuberculosis, 27 (93.1%) had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 20 (69%) of whom were affected in the central nervous system. Twenty-two (75.9%) patients had no clinical features suggestive of tuberculosis during pregnancy. The median time from delivery to the onset of immunorestitution was 4 days, but treatment with anti-tuberculous therapy was delayed for a median time of 27 days after the onset of symptoms. Despite therapy, 11 (38%) patients died and 4 (13.8%) had residual functional deficits. Peripartum tuberculosis is an important differential diagnosis of postpartum fever (of unknown origin) without localized signs.

Effectiveness of precautions against droplets and contact in prevention of nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

We did a case-control study in five Hong Kong hospitals, with 241 non-infected and 13 infected staff with documented exposures to 11 index patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during patient care. All participants were surveyed about use of mask, gloves, gowns, and hand-washing, as recommended under droplets and contact precautions when caring for index patients with SARS. 69 staff who reported use of all four measures were not infected, whereas all infected staff had omitted at least one measure (p=0.0224). Fewer staff who wore masks (p=0.0001), gowns (p=0.006), and washed their hands (p=0.047) became infected compared with those who didn't, but stepwise logistic regression was significant only for masks (p=0.011). Practice of droplets precaution and contact precaution is adequate in significantly reducing the risk of infection after exposures to patients with SARS. The protective role of the mask suggests that in hospitals, infection is transmitted by droplets.

Coronavirus as a possible cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been reported in Hong Kong. We investigated the viral cause and clinical presentation among 50 patients. METHODS: We analysed case notes and microbiological findings for 50 patients with SARS, representing more than five separate epidemiologically linked transmission clusters. We defined the clinical presentation and risk factors associated with severe disease and investigated the causal agents by chest radiography and laboratory testing of nasopharyngeal aspirates and sera samples. We compared the laboratory findings with those submitted for microbiological investigation of other diseases from patients whose identity was masked. FINDINGS: Patients' age ranged from 23 to 74 years. Fever, chills, myalgia, and cough were the most frequent complaints. When compared with chest radiographic changes, respiratory symptoms and auscultatory findings were disproportionally mild. Patients who were household contacts of other infected people and had older age, lymphopenia, and liver dysfunction were associated with severe disease. A virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae was isolated from two patients. By use of serological and reverse-transcriptase PCR specific for this virus, 45 of 50 patients with SARS, but no controls, had evidence of infection with this virus. INTERPRETATION: A coronavirus was isolated from patients with SARS that might be the primary agent associated with this disease. Serological and molecular tests specific for the virus permitted a definitive laboratory diagnosis to be made and allowed further investigation to define whether other cofactors play a part in disease progression.