Epidemiology and risk factors for mortality among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremic patients in Southern Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and 30-day mortality of adult patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic and clinical data of adult patients with S. aureus bloodstream infections (BSI), admitted to a tertiary public teaching medical center in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from January 2014 to December 2019. A total of 928 patients with S. aureus BSI were identified in the study period (68.5 per 100,000 patient-years), and the proportion of MRSA isolates was 22% (19-27%). Thus, 199 patients were included in the analyses. The median age was 62 (IQR: 51-74) years, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) median was 5 (IQR: 3-6), the Pitt bacteremia score (PBS) median was 1 (IQR: 1-4), and the most common site of infection was skin and soft tissue (26%). Most infections were hospital-acquired (54%), empirical anti-MRSA treatment was initiated in 34% of the cases, and in 44% vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration was 1.5mg/L or above. Sixty-two (31.2%) patients died up to 30 days after the bacteremia episode. Patients with more comorbid conditions (higher CCI; aOR 1.222, p = 0.006) and a more severe presentation (higher PBS; aOR 1.726, p<0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Empiric antimicrobial therapy with an anti-MRSA regimen was associated with reduced mortality (aOR 0.319, p = 0.016). Our study identified significant risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with MRSA BSI in a population with a high incidence of S. aureus bacteremia. Empiric treatment with an anti-MRSA drug was a protective factor. No significant variation in the incidence of S. aureus BSI was recorded throughout the period.

Is the Frequency of Candidemia Increasing in COVID-19 Patients Receiving Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Recently, these medications have gained importance in the treatment of severe COVID-19. Here we present data demonstrating a marked (10-fold) increase in frequency of candidemia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receiving corticosteroids in Brazil. Overall mortality was 72.7%, despite antifungal therapy. Physicians should be aware of the potential risk for candidemia among severely ill COVID-19 patients receiving high-doses of corticosteroids.

Acinetobacter etiology respiratory tract infections associated with mechanical ventilation: what impacts on the prognosis? A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter species treatment often represents a challenge. The main objective of this study is identify predictors of ICU mortality in patients submitted to mechanical ventilation (MV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Patients with MV > 48 h who developed a respiratory tract positive culture for Acinetobacter were included, and distinguished among colonized, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) patients. Primary outcome was ICU mortality. RESULTS: 153 patients were in MV and presented positive culture for Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumanii complex, 70 of them with VAP, 59 with VAT and 24 patients were colonized. The factors related to ICU mortality were VAP (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5) and shock at the time of diagnosis (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.8-2.3). In multivariate analysis, only SOFA score at the time of diagnosis (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09) was related with ICU mortality. A paired-matched analysis was performed to assess effect of dual therapy on outcomes, and no effect was found in terms of clinical cure, ICU or hospital mortality or duration of antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Previous comorbidities and degree of associated organic injury seem to be more important factors in the prognosis than double antibiotic therapy in patients with Acinetobacter-related respiratory infection.

Burden of isolation for multidrug-resistant organisms in a tertiary public hospital in Southern Brazil.

We aimed to describe the use of isolation beds between September 2011 and August 2013 at a tertiary hospital located in Southern Brazil. The main cause for isolation was gram-negative carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Huge costs were associated with isolation practices. Considering the high burden on the isolation ward, practice of surveillance cultures and contact isolation should be balanced with other infection control practices.

Perfil dos pacientes colonizados por enterobactérias produtoras de KPC em hospital terciário de Porto Alegre, Brasil / Characteristics of patients colonized by KPC-producing enterobacteriaceae in a tertiary hospital from Porto Alegre, Brazil

Enterobactérias produtoras de carbapenemase do tipo Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) são cada vez mais identificadas em pacientes hospitalizados, porém pouco se conhece sobre o perfil e o prognóstico dos pacientes colonizados por elas. Este estudo objetiva avaliar o perfil epidemiológico e a mortalidade total intra-hospitalar dos pacientes colonizados por KPC em um centro de referência. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo em adultos colonizados por KPC em internação clínica de novembro/2012 a março/2013 no Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre (RS). Foram definidos como colonizados pacientes com exame de rastreio (swab) positivo para bactérias produtoras de KPC durante a internação. Resultados: Foram incluídos 75 pacientes, sendo 40 homens, com mediana de 52 anos. O tempo desde o início da internação até a positivação do swab apresentou uma mediana e amplitude interquartil de 18 (9-33) dias, com período de internação de 36 (24-56) dias. Foi identificado uso de cateter central em 93%, sondagem vesical de demora 88%, sondagem nasogástrica/nasoentérica 87%, ventilação mecânica 81% e hemodiálise 40%. Dois terços dos pacientes apresentaram pelo menos um evento infeccioso após a colonização. O escore de Charlson (OR 1,53 por cada ponto; IC95% 1,25-1,97) e diálise prévia (OR 4,35; IC95% 1,39-15,37) foram preditores independentes de mortalidade. Óbito ocorreu em 56% dos pacientes (n=42). Conclusão: Pacientes colonizados por KPC apresentam mortalidade total intra-hospitalar elevada. Comorbidades prévias à colonização foram associadas com mortalidade. O presente estudo não permite definir qual o papel da colonização no desfecho clínico dos pacientes...

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been increasingly identified in hospitalized patients, but little is known about the profile and prognosis of patients colonized by these bacteria. This study aims to assess the epidemiological profile and overall in-hospital mortality of patients colonized by KPC in a reference center. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study in adult patients colonized by KPC and admitted to clinical units of Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre, Brazil, between November/2012 and March/2013. Those patients with screening culture test positive for KPC-producing bacteria during hospitalization were defined as colonized. Results: Seventy-five patients were included, 40 of which were males, and the median age was 52 years. The median and interquartile range of time from onset of hospitalization until colonization was 18 [9-33] days, with a median hospital stay of 36 (24-56) days. Considering the other risk factors for colonization, there was a high prevalence in the use of central access catheter (93%), indwelling catheter (88%), nasogastric/enteral tube (87%), mechanical ventilation (81%), and need for hemodialysis (40%). Two thirds of patients had at least one infectious event after colonization. Charlson score (OR 1.53 for each point; 95%CI1.25-1.97) and previous dialysis (OR 4.35; 95%CI1.39-15.37) were independent predictors for mortality. In hospital mortality was 56%. Conclusion: Patients colonized by KPC have high in-hospital overall mortality. Comorbidities were associated with mortality. This study does not enable to define the role of colonization in defining patients’ clinical outcomes...