Unintended Consequences of Pretransplant Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Screening on Antimicrobial Stewardship Among Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients

We examined vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)-directed antimicrobial use and VRE bacteremia in a cohort of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation patients from a center where VRE screening is standard prior to transplant. In this cohort, VRE bacteremia (VREB) was infrequent. In patients without VREB, colonized patients received VRE therapy more often than noncolonized patients.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:730–733</jats:p

1505. Antiviral and Antibiotic Prescribing Among Patients at an Ambulatory Cancer Center with Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza

Abstract Background Cancer patients are at high risk for serious complications due to influenza. Early treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) is recommended for high-risk patients with suspected or documented influenza. Limited data exist on timing of presentation to care and ambulatory management of cancer patients with influenza. We sought to characterize antimicrobial prescribing and outcomes among patients with influenza at a large cancer center. Methods We selected consecutive patients seen in the ambulatory cancer clinic with laboratory confirmed influenza between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 for chart review. A lab-developed multiplex PCR assay was used with a turnaround time of about 24 hours. We obtained demographics, symptoms at first clinic encounter (day 0), viral testing, NAI and antibiotic prescribing, and clinical outcomes. Results Of 138 charts reviewed, 133 (96%) were eligible for analysis. 109 (82%) had an underlying hematologic malignancy. 84 (63%) tested positive for influenza A and 49 for influenza B. 58 (44%) presented to care within 48 hours of symptom onset (F1). The most commonly reported symptoms were cough (83%), fever (41%), and rhinorrhea (40%) (F2). 110 (83%) were prescribed oseltamivir, with 24 (22%) receiving empiric therapy on day 0, and 63 (57%) prescribed on day 1 (F3). Among 109 patients with known symptom onset date, 34 (31%) were prescribed oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset. 23 (17.3%) were prescribed antibiotics, 17 (74%) on day 0 (F3). Levofloxacin (26%), azithromycin (21%) and vancomycin (18%) were most commonly prescribed. Nine (6.8%) patients progressed to lower respiratory tract infection, 1 complicated by bacterial pneumonia. There were 11 (8.3%) influenza-related hospitalizations, 1 (0.7%) ICU admission, and no influenza-related deaths. Figure 1. Time From Symptom Onset to Date of First Clinical Encounter Figure 2. Symptoms Reported at First Clinical Encounter Figure 3. Time from First Clinical Encounter to Oseltamivir and Antibiotic Prescription Conclusion NAIs were frequently prescribed among cancer patients, but less than a third received treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset. Most were prescribed NAIs only after test results were available, while antibiotics were prescribed empirically. Delayed presentation to care is an obstacle to early NAI use; patient and provider education along with rapid diagnostics are needed to improve early NAI use among cancer patients with influenza. Disclosures Steven A. Pergam, MD, MPH, Chimerix, Inc (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Global Life Technologies, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck &amp; Co. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Sanofi-Aventis (Other Financial or Material Support, Participate in clinical trial sponsored by NIAID (U01-AI132004); vaccines for this trial are provided by Sanofi-Aventis) </jats:sec

Antibiotic prescribing knowledge: A brief survey of providers and staff at an ambulatory cancer center during Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019

Abstract We surveyed healthcare professionals at a cancer center regarding their knowledge and perceptions of antibiotic use. Most knew the term “antimicrobial stewardship.” Nurses and other staff were less likely than pharmacists or providers to answer knowledge-based questions correctly. Opportunities exist to improve antibiotic knowledge among cancer center staff.</jats:p

Antibiotic Prescribing and Respiratory Viral Testing for Acute Upper Respiratory Infections Among Adult Patients at an Ambulatory Cancer Center

Abstract Background Outpatient antibiotic prescribing for acute upper respiratory infections (URIs) is a high-priority target for antimicrobial stewardship that has not been described for cancer patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients at an ambulatory cancer center with URI diagnoses from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016. We obtained antimicrobial prescribing, respiratory viral testing, and other clinical data at first encounter for the URI through day 14. We used generalized estimating equations to test associations of baseline factors with antibiotic prescribing. Results Of 341 charts reviewed, 251 (74%) patients were eligible for analysis. Nearly one-third (32%) of patients were prescribed antibiotics for URIs. Respiratory viruses were detected among 85 (75%) of 113 patients tested. Antibiotic prescribing (P = .001) and viral testing (P &amp;lt; .001) varied by clinical service. Sputum production or chest congestion was associated with higher risk of antibiotic prescribing (relative risk [RR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–3.8; P &amp;lt; .001). Viral testing on day 0 was associated with lower risk of antibiotic prescribing (RR, 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.8; P = .01), though collinearity between viral testing and clinical service limited our ability to separate these effects on prescribing. Conclusions Nearly one-third of hematology–oncology outpatients were prescribed antibiotics for URIs, despite viral etiologies identified among 75% of those tested. Antibiotic prescribing was significantly lower among patients who received an initial respiratory viral test. The role of viral testing in antibiotic prescribing for URIs in outpatient oncology settings merits further study. </jats:sec

1076. Gaps in Measles and Mumps Seroprevalence Among Cancer Patients

Abstract Background Immunosuppressed cancer patients are at risk for morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable diseases. Recent outbreaks and declining vaccination rates put cancer patients at increased risk for measles and mumps exposures. To assess the current status within our center, we measured measles and mumps seroprevalence among cancer patients. Methods Residual clinical plasma samples from patients seen at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance were collected between 8/11/2019 and 8/15/2019 and tested for measles and mumps IgG using ELISA (Genway Biotech); patients receiving intravenous immunoglobulin ≤16 weeks prior to collection date were excluded. Seroprevalence was calculated based on positive results; equivocal results were not considered protective. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Overall and subgroup seroprevalence were estimated with Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CI); Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to compare subgroups and estimate prevalence ratios (PR). Results Of 1000 unique patients, 987 were eligible, with a median age of 61 years (range 2-97). More than half had a solid tumor (574 [58%]) while 376 (38%) had a hematologic malignancy (HM); 155 (16%) were hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. The percentage of seropositive patients was 75% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72%, 78%) for measles and 62% (95% CI: 59%, 65%) for mumps. Seropositivity was highest among older age groups, particularly those older than 63, who most likely have naturally acquired immunity (Figure 1-2). In multivariable analysis, patients aged 30-59 years were significantly less likely to be seropositive compared to patients ≥80 years of age. Patients with HM and those undergoing HCT were also less likely to be seropositive (Figure 3). Figure 1. Distribution of age at sample collection and measles antibody test results Figure 2. Measles and mumps seroprevalence by age Figure 3. Multivariable model estimates for measles and mumps seroprevalence Conclusion One-quarter of cancer patients tested did not have evidence of seroprotection for measles and mumps. Seronegative and equivocal responses were observed primarily among younger patients and those with hematologic malignancies. Deficits in protective antibody seen in this study are common among cancer patients and underscore the need for population/community-based efforts to increase herd immunity and protect vulnerable populations. Disclosures Helen Y. Chu, MD MPH, Cepheid (Grant/Research Support)Ellume (Grant/Research Support)Glaxo Smith Kline (Consultant)Merck (Consultant)Sanofi-Pasteur (Grant/Research Support) Steven A. Pergam, MD, MPH, Chimerix, Inc (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Global Life Technologies, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck &amp; Co. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Sanofi-Aventis (Other Financial or Material Support, Participate in clinical trial sponsored by NIAID (U01-AI132004); vaccines for this trial are provided by Sanofi-Aventis) </jats:sec