Articles

Rapid reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern Alpha detected in a nurse during an outbreak at a non-covid inpatient ward: lessons learned

We describe the lessons learned during a SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern Alpha outbreak investigation at a normal care unit in a university hospital in Amsterdam in December 2020. The outbreak consisted of nine ...

Authors: Jelle Koopsen, Mireille Dekker, Philip Thung, Marcel Jonges, Harry Vennema, Tjalling Leenstra, Dirk Eggink, Matthijs R. A. Welkers, Peter A. A. Struijs, Chantal Reusken, Rosa van Mansfeld, Menno D. de Jong, Janke Schinkel and Ingrid J. B. Spijkerman

Effectiveness of topical vancomycin in the prevention of spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective cohort study

The risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) SSIs, after spinal surgeries is one of the most daunting experiences to patients and surgeons. Some aut...

Authors: Rawan T. Tafish, Ahmed F. Alkhaldi, Anouar Bourghli and Turki A. Althunian

Mechanical ventilation-associated pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii in Northeast China region: analysis of genotype and drug resistance of bacteria and patients’ clinical features over 7 years

To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with mechanical ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab), and to characterize the drug resistance of pathogenic s...

Authors: Tao Zhang, Xiao Xu, Cai-Fang Xu, Salisu Rabiu Bilya and Wei Xu

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on antibiotic use and resistance among healthcare workers in Italy, 2019: investigation by a clustering method

Identifying healthcare workers (HCW) who have less awareness and knowledge on antibiotic use and resistance represents a challenge for public health, since it might help the development of novel educational an...

Authors: Martina Barchitta, Michela Sabbatucci, Francesca Furiozzi, Stefania Iannazzo, Andrea Maugeri, Francesco Maraglino, Rosa Prato, Antonella Agodi and Annalisa Pantosti

Virus matrix interference on assessment of virucidal activity of high-touch surfaces designed to prevent hospital-acquired infections

High-touch surfaces are a critical reservoir in the spread of nosocomial infections. Although disinfection and infection control protocols are well developed, they lack the ability to passively reduce the path...

Authors: Sadru-Dean Walji, Mark R. Bruder and Marc G. Aucoin

The epidemiology of bloodstream infections and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Thuringia, Germany: a five-year prospective, state-wide surveillance study (AlertsNet)

Monitoring pathogens of bloodstream infections (BSI) and their antibiotic susceptibility is important to guide empiric antibiotic treatment strategies and prevention programs.

Authors: Franziska Schöneweck, Roland P. H. Schmitz, Florian Rißner, André Scherag, Bettina Löffler, Mathias W. Pletz, Sebastian Weis, Frank M. Brunkhorst and Stefan Hagel

Increasing incidence and antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli bloodstream infections: a multinational population-based cohort study

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen in humans and is the most common cause of bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs). The objectives of our study were to determine factors associated with E. coli BSI incid...

Authors: Melissa C. MacKinnon, Scott A. McEwen, David L. Pearl, Outi Lyytikäinen, Gunnar Jacobsson, Peter Collignon, Daniel B. Gregson, Louis Valiquette and Kevin B. Laupland

Abstracts from the 6th international conference on prevention & infection control (ICPIC 2021)

Authors:

Non-prescriptionxx antibiotic use for people aged 15 years or older for cough in China: a community-based survey

Non-prescription antibiotic use at community is a main driver of antimicrobial resistance. Cough is a common condition and prevalent in all townships, including China. This study aims to investigate the non-pr...

Authors: Yan Luo, Xuewen Tang, Linling Ding, Zhujun Shao, Jianxing Yu, Yangqing Chen, Yang Zhou, Hanqing He and Zhiping Chen

Admission screening and cohort care decrease carbapenem resistant enterobacteriaceae in Vietnamese pediatric ICU’s

To assess if admission screening for Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and cohort care can reduce CRE acquisition (CRE colonization during hospital stay), Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI), hospital-...

Authors: K. Garpvall, V. Duong, S. Linnros, T. N. Quốc, D. Mucchiano, S. Modeen, L. Lagercrantz, A. Edman, N. K. Le, T. Huong, N. T. B. Hoang, H. T. Le, D. TK. Khu, D. M. Tran, P. H. Phuc, H. Hanberger…

Investigation of possible transmission of a susceptible microorganism through a contaminated duodenoscope; a case report

Despite compliance to extensive reprocessing protocols, duodenoscopes have been linked to outbreaks of susceptible and multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) due to persistent duodenoscope contamination. Duoden...

Authors: Judith A. Kwakman, Arjan W. Rauwers, Corné H. W. Klaassen, Marco J. Bruno and Margreet C. Vos

Prevalence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in a Chinese multidrug-resistant TB cohort after redefinition

Recently, the definition of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) has been revised. In this study, we conducted a descriptive and retrospective study to determine the prevalence of XDR-TB in a Chinese multidr...

Authors: Cong Yao, Haiping Guo, Qiang Li, Xuxia Zhang, Yuanyuan Shang, Tongxin Li, Yufeng Wang, Zhongtan Xue, Lu Wang, Liang Li and Yu Pang

COVID-19 lessons learned: a global perspective

One June 15, 2021, infectious disease authorities from around the world participated in a joint webinar to share experiences and lessons learned in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the overriding goals...

Authors: Kevin T. Kavanagh, Christine Pontus, Judith Pare and Lindsay E. Cormier

Animal source food eating habits of outpatients with antimicrobial resistance in Bukavu, D.R. Congo

Antibiotic resistance is a public health concern in Democratic Republic Congo and worldwide. It is usually caused by antibiotic over prescription or dispensing practices. The consumption of animal source food ...

Authors: Ghislain Bilamirwa Ngaruka, Brigitte Bora Neema, Theophile Kashosi Mitima, Antoine Sadiki Kishabongo and Olivier Basole Kashongwe

A five-component infection control bundle to permanently eliminate a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii spreading in an intensive care unit

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection outbreaks are difficult to control and sometimes require cohorting of CRAB-positive patients or temporary ward closure for environmental cleaning. We ...

Authors: Marianna Meschiari, José-María Lòpez-Lozano, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Carola Gimenez-Esparza, Elena Vecchi, Erica Bacca, Gabriella Orlando, Erica Franceschini, Mario Sarti, Monica Pecorari, Antonella Grottola, Claudia Venturelli, Stefano Busani, Lucia Serio, Massimo Girardis, Gian Maria Rossolini…

Genomic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus from the West African Dwarf (WAD) goat in Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus can colonize various host species, and human-animal interaction is a significant factor for cross-species transmission. However, data on S. aureus colonization in animals, particularly on ru...

Authors: Adebayo Osagie Shittu, Fadekemi Funmilayo Taiwo, Neele Judith Froböse, Bianca Schwartbeck, Silke Niemann, Alexander Mellmann and Frieder Schaumburg

Pathogens distribution and antimicrobial resistance in bloodstream infections in twenty-five neonatal intensive care units in China, 2017–2019

Overcrowding, abuse of antibiotics and increasing antimicrobial resistance negatively affect neonatal survival rates in developing countries. We aimed to define pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AM...

Authors: Jing Liu, Zengyu Fang, Yonghui Yu, Yanjie Ding, Zhijie Liu, Chengyuan Zhang, Haiying He, Hongli Geng, Weibing Chen, Guoying Zhao, Qiang Liu, Baoying Wang, Xueming Sun, Shaofeng Wang, Rongrong Sun, Delong Fu…

Long-term antimicrobial effectiveness of a silver-impregnated foil on high-touch hospital surfaces in patient rooms

The hospital environment has got more attention as evidence as source for bacterial transmission and subsequent hospital-acquired infection increased. Regular cleaning and disinfection have been proposed to lo...

Authors: Andreas F. Widmer, Sonja Kuster, Marc Dangel, Sammy Jäger and Reno Frei

Nosocomial infections among COVID-19 patients: an analysis of intensive care unit surveillance data

Surveillance of nosocomial infections, like catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection, possible ventilator-associated pneumonia and secondary bloodstrea...

Authors: Clara Chong Hui Ong, Sharifah Farhanah, Kyaw Zaw Linn, Ying Wei Tang, Chu Ying Poon, Allie Yin Lim, Hui Ru Tan, Nur Hafizah Binte Hamed, Xiaowei Huan, Ser Hon Puah, Benjamin C. H. Ho, Margaret M. L. Soon, Brenda S. P. Ang, Shawn Vasoo, Monica Chan, Yee Sin Leo…

Trends in prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from patients with community- and healthcare-associated bacteriuria: results from 2014 to 2020 in an urban safety-net healthcare system

The prevalence of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) is increasing worldwide, but the setting in which this increase is occurring is not well defined. ...

Authors: Eva Raphael, M. Maria Glymour and Henry F. Chambers

Correlation between antibiotic consumption and the incidence of healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection: a retrospective chart review and analysis

Healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The use of antibiotics is an important risk fac...

Authors: Ji Hyun Yun, Ga Eun Park and Hyun Kyun Ki

The correlation between ATP measurement and microbial contamination of inanimate surfaces

The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements and microbial contamination using a standardized method. Secondarily, analyzing reproducibility of...

Authors: Andreas van Arkel, Ina Willemsen and Jan Kluytmans

Global status of tetracycline resistance among clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There has been an increasing resistance rate to tetracyclines, the first line treatment for cholera disease caused by V. cholera strains, worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the global status...

Authors: Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi

SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial infection acquired in a French university hospital during the 1st wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a prospective study

In healthcare facilities, nosocomial transmissions of respiratory viruses are a major issue. SARS-CoV-2 is not exempt from nosocomial transmission. Our goals were to describe COVID-19 nosocomial cases during t...

Authors: A. Landoas, F. Cazzorla, M. Gallouche, S. Larrat, B. Nemoz, C. Giner, M. Le Maréchal, P. Pavese, O. Epaulard, P. Morand, M.-R. Mallaret and C. Landelle

Infection prevention and control (IPC) implementation in low-resource settings: a qualitative analysis

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has again demonstrated the critical role of effective infection prevention and control (IPC) implementation to combat infectious disease threats. Standards such...

Authors: Sara Tomczyk, Julie Storr, Claire Kilpatrick and Benedetta Allegranzi

Impact of a total lockdown for pandemic SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) on deep surgical site infections and other complications after orthopedic surgery: a retrospective analysis

A total lockdown for pandemic SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) entailed a restriction of elective orthopedic surgeries in Switzerland.  While access to the hospital and human contacts were limited, hygiene measures were ...

Authors: Ines Unterfrauner, Laura A. Hruby, Peter Jans, Ludwig Steinwender, Mazda Farshad and Ilker Uçkay

Comparison of colistin-induced nephrotoxicity between two different formulations of colistin in critically ill patients: a retrospective cohort study

Colistin is widely used in the treatment of nosocomial infections caused by carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB). Colistin-induced nephrotoxicity is one of the major adverse reactions during col...

Authors: Jia-Yih Feng, Yi-Tzu Lee, Sheng-Wei Pan, Kuang-Yao Yang, Yuh-Min Chen, David Hung-Tsang Yen, Szu-Yuan Li and Fu-Der Wang

Evaluation of GeneXpert PA assay compared to genomic and (semi-)quantitative culture methods for direct detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in endotracheal aspirates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Rapid and accurate detection of lower respiratory tract colonization and/or infection with P. aeruginosa may advise targeted prev...

Authors: Thomas Ewout van der Schalk, Jasmine Coppens, Leen Timbermont, Agata Turlej-Rogacka, Liesbet Van Heirstraeten, Matilda Berkell, Li Yu, Christine Lammens, Basil Britto Xavier, Veerle Matheeussen, Margareta Ieven, Michael McCarthy, Philippe G. Jorens, Alexey Ruzin, Mark T. Esser, Samir Kumar-Singh…

Assessment of laparoscopic instrument reprocessing in rural India: a mixed methods study

Laparoscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that uses long slender instruments that require much smaller incisions than conventional surgery. This leads to faster recovery times, fewer post-surgical...

Authors: Daniel Robertson, Jesudian Gnanaraj, Linda Wauben, Jan Huijs, Vasanth Mark Samuel, Jenny Dankelman and Tim Horeman-Franse

Sequence type 17 is a predictor of subsequent bacteremia in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium-colonized patients: a retrospective cohort study

Sequence type (ST) 17 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) is frequently isolated in nosocomial settings. The aim of this study was to identify whether ST17 contributes to subsequent bacteremia more o...

Authors: Si-Ho Kim, Sun Young Cho, Hye Mee Kim, Kyungmin Huh, Cheol-In Kang, Kyong Ran Peck and Doo Ryeon Chung

Risk factors for norovirus infection in healthcare workers during nosocomial outbreaks: a cross-sectional study

Norovirus outbreaks cause severe medico-socio-economic problems affecting healthcare workers and patients. The aim of the study was to investigate prevalence of norovirus infection and risk factors for infecti...

Authors: Kjell Torén, Linus Schiöler, Nancy P. Nenonen, Charles Hannoun, Anette Roth, Lars-Magnus Andersson, Johan Westin and Tomas Bergström

Reducing the risk of tuberculosis transmission for HCWs in high incidence settings

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of hospital-acquired TB infection due to persistent exposure to Mycobacteriu...

Authors: Ana Paleckyte, Oshani Dissanayake, Stella Mpagama, Marc C. Lipman and Timothy D. McHugh

Antimicrobial stewardship in rural and remote primary health care: a narrative review

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem worldwide and poses a significant threat to human health. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes are being implemented in health systems globally, primarily in hos...

Authors: Jun Wern Yau, Sze Mun Thor, Danny Tsai, Tobias Speare and Chris Rissel

Not too close! impact of roommate status on MRSA and VRE colonization and contamination in Nursing Homes

Multiple room occupancy is common in Nursing Homes (NHs), and its role in transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is unclear. We investigated prevalence of patient colonization and environmental contami...

Authors: Marco Cassone, Meghan Linder, Cheon Jee Shin, Julia Mantey, Kristen Gibson, Bonnie Lansing and Lona Mody

A mandatory indication-registration tool in hospital electronic medical records enabling systematic evaluation and benchmarking of the quality of antimicrobial use: a feasibility study

Evaluation of the extent and appropriateness of antimicrobial use is a cornerstone of antibiotic stewardship programs, but it is time-consuming. Documentation of the indication at the moment of prescription mi...

Authors: Annemieke K. van den Broek, Berend H. H. Beishuizen, Eric A. F. Haak, Michiel Duyvendak, Jaap ten Oever, Chris Sytsma, Mieke van Triest, Cornelia C. H. Wielders and Jan M. Prins

Development of a web-based contact tracing and point-of-care-testing workflow for SARS-CoV-2 at a German University Hospital

In late 2019, a novel coronavirus was detected in China. Supported by its respiratory transmissibility, even by people infected without symptomatic disease, this coronavirus soon began to rapidly spread worldw...

Authors: Julian Zirbes, Christian M. Sterr, Marcus Steller, Laura Dapper, Claudia Nonnenmacher-Winter and Frank Günther

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus isolates

Vancomycin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a serious public health challenging concern worldwide.

Authors: Qianxing Wu, Niloofar Sabokroo, Yujie Wang, Marzieh Hashemian, Somayeh Karamollahi and Ebrahim Kouhsari

Small quantities of respiratory syncytial virus RNA only in large droplets around infants hospitalized with acute respiratory infections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. The predominant transmission routes for RSV are still a matter of debate. Specifically, it remains unclear ...

Authors: Jasmin S. Kutter, Dennis de Meulder, Theo M. Bestebroer, Jeroen J. A. van Kampen, Richard Molenkamp, Ron A. M. Fouchier, Jérôme O. Wishaupt, Pieter L. A. Fraaij and Sander Herfst

Combined antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures to contain the spread of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in an intensive care unit

The unrestricted use of linezolid has been linked to the emergence of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (LRSE). We report the effects of combined antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures...

Authors: Cihan Papan, Matthias Schröder, Mathias Hoffmann, Heike Knoll, Katharina Last, Frederic Albrecht, Jürgen Geisel, Tobias Fink, Barbara C. Gärtner, Alexander Mellmann, Thomas Volk, Fabian K. Berger and Sören L. Becker

Epidemiology and outcomes of bloodstream infections in severe burn patients: a six-year retrospective study

Infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among burn patients, and bloodstream infection (BSI) is the most serious. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of BSI in...

Authors: Yangmin Hu, Danyang Li, Lingcheng Xu, Yuping Hu, Yiwen Sang, Gensheng Zhang and Haibin Dai

Predictors of physicians’ intentions to use clinical practice guidelines on antimicrobial in tertiary general hospitals of China: a structural equation modeling approach

With inappropriate use of antimicrobials becoming a great public health concern globally, the issue of applying clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to regulate the rational use of antimicrobials has attracted ...

Authors: Qingwen Deng, Zhichao Zeng, Yuhang Zheng, Junhong Lu and Wenbin Liu

Characterisation of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-3 and mcr-5) in river and storm water in regions of the Western Cape of South Africa

Colistin is regarded as a last-resort antimicrobial against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), therefore the dissemination of colistin resistance in the environment is of great concern. Horizon...

Authors: Yolandi Snyman, Andrew C. Whitelaw, Jo M. Barnes, Motlatji R. B. Maloba and Mae Newton-Foot

Intensivists’ beliefs about rapid multiplex molecular diagnostic testing and its potential role in improving prescribing decisions and antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study

Rapid molecular diagnostic tests to investigate the microbial aetiology of pneumonias may improve treatment and antimicrobial stewardship in intensive care units (ICUs). Clinicians’ endorsement and uptake of t...

Authors: Alyssa M. Pandolfo, Robert Horne, Yogini Jani, Tom W. Reader, Natalie Bidad, David Brealey, Virve I. Enne, David M. Livermore, Vanya Gant and Stephen J. Brett

Tanzanian primary healthcare workers’ experiences of antibiotic prescription and understanding of antibiotic resistance in common childhood infections: a qualitative phenomenographic study

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to global child health. Primary healthcare workers play a key role in antibiotic stewardship in the community, but few studies in low-income countries have described their exp...

Authors: Matilda Emgård, Rose Mwangi, Celina Mayo, Ester Mshana, Gertrud Nkini, Rune Andersson, Sia E. Msuya, Margret Lepp, Florida Muro and Susann Skovbjerg

Handrub dispensers per acute care hospital bed: a study to develop a new minimum standard

Accessibility to alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) dispenser is crucial to improve compliance to hand hygiene (HH), being offered as wall-mounted dispensers (ABHR-Ds), and/or pocket bottles. Nevertheless, informati...

Authors: Sabine Kuster, Jan A. Roth, Reno Frei, Christoph A. Meier, Marc Dangel and Andreas F. Widmer

Geographical information system and spatial–temporal statistics for monitoring infectious agents in hospital: a model using Klebsiella pneumoniae complex

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and infectious agents have challenged hospitals in recent decades. Our aim was to investigate the circulation of target infectious agents using Geographic I...

Authors: Priscila Pinho da Silva, Fabiola A. da Silva, Caio Augusto Santos Rodrigues, Leonardo Passos Souza, Elisangela Martins de Lima, Maria Helena B. Pereira, Claudio Neder Candella, Marcio Zenaide de Oliveira Alves, Newton D. Lourenço, Wagner S. Tassinari, Christovam Barcellos and Marisa Zenaide Ribeiro Gomes

Confidence interval methods for antimicrobial resistance surveillance data

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health challenges today, but burden assessment is hindered by uncertainty of AMR prevalence estimates. Geographical representation of AMR estimates ...

Authors: Erta Kalanxhi, Gilbert Osena, Geetanjali Kapoor and Eili Klein

Does continuity in nursing staff matter? A pilot study on correlation of central line-associated bloodstream infections and employee turnover

Understaffing has been previously reported as a risk factor for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). No previous study addressed the question whether fluctuations in staffing have an impact...

Authors: Thomas Scheier, Stefan P. Kuster, Mesida Dunic, Christian Falk, Hugo Sax and Peter W. Schreiber

Prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and its related factors among Chinese residents: a cross-sectional study

Self-medication is one of the most common forms of inappropriate use of antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) in China and evaluate the related factors.

Authors: Xiaoxv Yin, Ketao Mu, Heping Yang, Jing Wang, Zhenyuan Chen, Nan Jiang, Fengjie Yang, Guopeng Zhang and Jianxiong Wu

Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in Thailand, 2016–2018

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is a global threat. Enterobacterales develops carbapenem resistance through several mechanisms, including the production of carbapenemases. We aim to describe the preva...

Authors: Wantana Paveenkittiporn, Meghan Lyman, Caitlin Biedron, Nora Chea, Charatdao Bunthi, Amy Kolwaite and Noppavan Janejai