Quantifying aminoglycoside resistance in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales clinical isolates: a retrospective cohort study

AIMS Aminoglycoside resistance is frequently detected in extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE), questioning the appropriateness of aminoglycosides as empiric therapy in patients with suspected ESBL-PE infections. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of aminoglycoside resistance in patients harbouring ESBL-PE and identify patient-related risk factors associated with aminoglycoside resistance to facilitate early detection of at-risk patients. METHODS This retrospective single-centre cohort study included hospitalised patients aged ≥18 years with an ESBL-PE-positive sample between January 2016 and December 2018. Aminoglycoside resistance was defined according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) clinical breakpoints for Enterobacterales for the current year of testing. RESULTS Five hundred forty-four patients met the eligibility criteria, of which 240 (44.1%) harboured aminoglycoside-resistant ESBL strains. Identification of ESBL-Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly associated with aminoglycoside resistance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65–4.21, p <0.001) and an international travel history within the past 12 months was marginally associated with aminoglycoside resistance (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.95–2.42, p = 0.084). CONCLUSIONS In a low ESBL endemicity setting, aminoglycoside resistance in patients harbouring ESBL-PE is common, especially ESBL-K. pneumoniae, and needs to be considered in clinicians’ decision-making regarding empiric therapy regimens

The Swiss Approach - feasibility of a national low-dose CT lung cancer screening program.

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Switzerland. Despite this, there is no lung cancer screening program in the country. In the United States, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is partially established and endorsed by guidelines. Moreover, evidence is growing that screening reduces lung cancer-related mortality and this was recently shown in a large European randomized controlled trial. Implementation of a lung cancer screening program, however, is challenging and depends on many country-specific factors. The goal of this article is to outline a potential Swiss lung cancer screening program. FRAMEWORK An exhaustive literature review on international screening models as well as interviews and site visits with international experts were initiated. Furthermore, workshops and interviews with national experts and stakeholders were conducted to share experiences and to establish the basis for a national Swiss lung cancer screening program. SCREENING APPROACH General practitioners, pulmonologists and the media should be part of the recruitment process. Decentralisation of the screening might lead to a higher adherence rate. To reduce stigmatisation, the screening should be integrated in a "lung health check". Standardisation and a common quality level are mandatory. The PLCOm2012 risk calculation model with a threshold of 1.5% risk for developing cancer in the next six years should be used in addition to established inclusion criteria. Biennial screening is preferred. LUNG RADS and NELSON+ are applied as classification models for lung nodules. CONCLUSION Based on data from recent studies, literature research, a health technology assessment, the information gained from this project and a pilot study the Swiss Interest Group for lung cancer screening (CH-LSIG) recommends the timely introduction of a systematic lung cancer screening program in Switzerland. The final decision is for the Swiss Cancer Screening Committee to make

The Swiss Approach - feasibility of a national low-dose CT lung cancer screening program

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Switzerland. Despite this, there is no lung cancer screening program in the country. In the United States, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is partially established and endorsed by guidelines. Moreover, evidence is growing that screening reduces lung cancer-related mortality and this was recently shown in a large European randomized controlled trial. Implementation of a lung cancer screening program, however, is challenging and depends on many country-specific factors. The goal of this article is to outline a potential Swiss lung cancer screening program. FRAMEWORK An exhaustive literature review on international screening models as well as interviews and site visits with international experts were initiated. Furthermore, workshops and interviews with national experts and stakeholders were conducted to share experiences and to establish the basis for a national Swiss lung cancer screening program. SCREENING APPROACH General practitioners, pulmonologists and the media should be part of the recruitment process. Decentralisation of the screening might lead to a higher adherence rate. To reduce stigmatisation, the screening should be integrated in a "lung health check". Standardisation and a common quality level are mandatory. The PLCOm2012 risk calculation model with a threshold of 1.5% risk for developing cancer in the next six years should be used in addition to established inclusion criteria. Biennial screening is preferred. LUNG RADS and NELSON+ are applied as classification models for lung nodules. CONCLUSION Based on data from recent studies, literature research, a health technology assessment, the information gained from this project and a pilot study the Swiss Interest Group for lung cancer screening (CH-LSIG) recommends the timely introduction of a systematic lung cancer screening program in Switzerland. The final decision is for the Swiss Cancer Screening Committee to make

Persisting intrahospital transmission of multidrug-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and challenges for infection control

AbstractIn the past several decades, the incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring resistance mechanisms against multiple antibiotic agents has increased on a global scale. We discuss reasons for ongoing transmission of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in healthcare settings, which has resulted in the successful spread and establishment of this pathogen. It is now one of the most important causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide.</jats:p

Risk factors for colonization with multiple species of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales: a case-case–control study

Abstract Background Approximately 11% of patients colonized with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) are colonized with more than one ESBL-producing species. We investigated risk factors associated with colonization with multiple ESBL-PE species. Methods We performed a case-case–control study at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, including hospitalized patients colonized with ESBL-PE between 01/2008 and 12/2018. Patients colonized with multiple species of ESBL-PE during the same hospitalization were assigned to group 1. Group 2 consisted of patients with ESBL-PE and a newly acquired ESBL-PE-species identified during subsequent hospitalization. Controls (i.e., group 3) were patients with only one species of ESBL-PE identified over multiple hospitalizations. Controls were frequency-matched 3:1 to group 2 cases according to time-at-risk (i.e., days between ESBL-PE detection during first and subsequent hospitalizations) to standardize the duration of colonization. ESBL was identified with phenotypic assay and the presence of ESBL genes was confirmed by whole genome sequencing. Results Among 1559 inpatients, 154 cases met eligibility criteria (67 in group 1, 22 in group 2, 65 in group 3). International travel within the previous 12 months (OR 12.57, 95% CI 3.48–45.45, p &lt; 0.001) and antibiotic exposure within the previous 3 months (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.37–6.41, p = 0.006) were independently associated with co-colonization with multiple ESBL-PE species. Admission from another acute-care facility was the only predictor of replacement of one ESBL-PE species with another during subsequent hospitalizations (OR 6.02, 95% CI 1.15–31.49, p = 0.003). Conclusion These findings point to strain-related factors being the main drivers of co-colonization with different ESBL-PE and may support stratification of infection prevention and control measures according to ESBL-PE species/strains. </jats:sec

Infections in Patients Colonized With Extended-spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract We investigated relative proportions of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) versus non-ESBL-PE (nESBL-PE) infections in ESBL-PE colonized patients. ESBL-PE are not causative for the majority of infections in hospitalized patients colonized with ESBL-PE. Site of infection and patient-level exposures may be useful predictors of nESBL-PE infections, potentially guiding empiric treatment recommendations.</jats:p

Independent, external validation of clinical prediction rules for the identification of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, January 2010 to December 2016

Background Algorithms for predicting infection with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) on hospital admission or in patients with bacteraemia have been proposed, aiming to optimise empiric treatment decisions. Aim We sought to confirm external validity and transferability of two published prediction models as well as their integral components. Methods We performed a retrospective case–control study at University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. Consecutive patients with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from blood samples between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 were included. For each case, three non-ESBL-producing controls matching for date of detection and bacterial species were identified. The main outcome measure was the ability to accurately predict infection with ESBL-PE by measures of discrimination and calibration. Results Overall, 376 patients (94 patients, 282 controls) were analysed. Performance measures for prediction of ESBL-PE infection of both prediction models indicate adequate measures of calibration, but poor discrimination (area under receiver-operating curve: 0.627 and 0.651). History of ESBL-PE colonisation or infection was the single most predictive independent risk factor for ESBL-PE infection with high specificity (97%), low sensitivity (34%) and balanced positive and negative predictive values (80% and 82%). Conclusions Applying published prediction models to institutions these were not derived from, may result in substantial misclassification of patients considered as being at risk, potentially leading to wrong allocation of antibiotic treatment, negatively affecting patient outcomes and overall resistance rates in the long term. Future prediction models need to address differences in local epidemiology by allowing for customisation according to different settings. </jats:sec

CME: Zoonosen in der Schweiz: Leptospirose CME-Fragen

Zusammenfassung. Die Leptospirose ist eine weltweit häufige Zoonose, die auch in der Schweiz vorkommt. Häufig zeigt sich eine selbstlimitierende, milde Erkrankungsform. Bei einem schweren Verlauf mit Ikterus und schwerer akuter Nierenschädigung (Morbus Weil) besteht jedoch eine hohe Morbidität und Mortalität. Um die Diagnose zu stellen, ist es wichtig, die typischen Befunde zu erkennen und die entsprechende Diagnostik durchzuführen. Wir diskutieren in diesem Artikel die Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Prävention der Leptospirose und präsentieren den Fall eines 54-jährigen Patienten mit schwerer Leptospirose. </jats:p