Eric McGrath

An outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in a neonatal intensive care unit: investigation and control.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mode of transmission of and assess control measures for an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant (multidrug-resistant) Acinetobacter baumannii infection involving 6 premature infants. DESIGN An outbreak investigation based on medical record review was performed for each neonate during the outbreak (from November 2008 through January 2009) in conjunction with an infection control investigation. SETTING A 36-bed, level 3 neonatal intensive care unit in a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Detroit, Michigan. INTERVENTIONS Specimens were obtained for surveillance cultures from all infants in the unit. In addition, geographic cohorting of affected infants and their nursing staff, contact isolation, re-emphasis of adherence to infection control practices, environmental cleaning, and use of educational modules were implemented to control the outbreak. RESULTS Six infants (age, 10-197 days) with multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infection were identified. All 6 infants were premature (gestational age, 23-30 weeks) and had extremely low birth weights (birth weight, 1000 g or less). Conditions included conjunctivitis (2 infants), pneumonia (4 infants), and bacteremia (1 infant). One infant died of causes not attributed to infection with the organism; the remaining 5 infants were discharged home. All surveillance cultures of unaffected infants yielded negative results. CONCLUSIONS The spread of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infection was suspected to be due to staff members who spread the pathogen through close contact with infants. Clinical staff recognition of the importance of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii recovery from neonatal intensive care unit patients, geographic cohorting of infected patients, enhanced infection control practices, and staff education resulted in control of the spread of the organism.

Nosocomial Infections and Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Organisms in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Nosocomial infections in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms are increasing. This review attempts to report on significant findings in the current literature related to nosocomial infections in PICU settings with an international perspective. The types of nosocomial infections are addressed, including catheter-related bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections and post-surgical wound infections. A review of emerging resistant bacterial pathogens includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus sp., Clostridium difficile, extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Gram-negative organisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing strains and multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Basic and enhanced infection control methods for the management and control of multidrug-resistant organisms are also summarized with an emphasis on prevention.

Short-Dwell Ethanol Lock Therapy in Children Is Associated With Increased Clearance of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections

Background. Central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a known complication of central line use. Salvage of infected central lines with ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobials may be an alternative treatment option in children. Methods. Retrospective review was performed in children with CLASBI who underwent short-dwell ELT (70% ethanol, 4- to 25-hour dwell times ≤3 days) with systemic antimicrobials from January 1, 2007 to July 15, 2009. Results. A total of 59 patients, aged 2 months to 19 years (mean ± SD = 6.3 ± 6.1 years) with 80 episodes of CLABSI were included. The CLABSI eradication rate was 86% (69/80 episodes; 95% confidence interval [CI] 78%, 94%), significantly greater than 50% (Z = 2.35, P < .05), the estimated clearance rate of CLABSI eradication using systemic antimicrobials alone. Overall central line retention was 78% (60/77 episodes, 95% CI 69%, 87%). ELT was well tolerated. Conclusions. These findings suggest the potential benefit of short-dwell ELT combined with systemic antimicrobials in CLABSI treatment. Randomized controlled trials are needed.

Emergence of human rotavirus genotype G9 in metropolitan Detroit between 2007 and 2009

Between January 2007 and April 2009, rotavirus (RV)-positive stool samples from 238 children with acute gastroenteritis, seen at Childrens Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, USA, were collected and RV genotyping was performed. G and P genotypes were determined by RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing was conducted on selected G9 and P[6] strains. Correlation between the severity of gastroenteritis episode and the infecting G genotype was done using a 14-point scoring system. The predominant G genotype was G9 (39.5 %), followed by G1 (35.3 %) and G4 (15.5 %), while P[8] was the most prevalent P genotype (66.5 %), followed by P[4] (21.9 %) and P[6] (11.2 %). The gene combinations G1P[8] and G9P[8] were the most prevalent (21.4 % and 20.6 %, respectively), followed by G4P[8] (13 %) and G9P[6] (8.8 %). Immunization data showed that only 17/238 (7.1 %) children received ≥one dose of RV vaccine (the pentavalent vaccine RotaTeq or the monovalent vaccine Rotarix) and that 10/17 were infected with G4P[8] strains. Severity of RV gastroenteritis episodes was not related to the infecting G genotype. Our results suggest a high proportion of genotype G9 strains in combination with P[8], P[6] and P[4] specificity circulating in the metropolitan Detroit area. While the protective efficacy of the RV vaccines has been demonstrated against G9P[8] strains, the level of cross-protection offered by the vaccines against G9 strains with P[6] and P[4] genotypes in the Detroit paediatric population remains to be determined.

Detection of Oseltamivir Resistance during Treatment of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection in Immunocompromised Patients: Utility of Cycle Threshold Values of Qualitative Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR

ABSTRACT Two immunocompromised patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza pneumonia had viral shedding for over 5 weeks despite therapy with oseltamivir. Declining or persistently low cycle threshold values noted on serial qualitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) of respiratory specimens implied increasing viral load and probable drug resistance. Oseltamivir resistance was later confirmed by pyrosequencing.

Ceftaroline Fosamil for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pulmonary Exacerbation in a Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patient

Ceftaroline, an advanced generation cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), may present a new therapeutic alternative for treating lung infections among patients with cystic fibrosis. We report a case of ceftaroline therapy in a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis, whose dose was increased from 9.7 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours to 10.8 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours by using pharmacokinetic analyses.

The Impact of Ethanol Lock Therapy on Length of Stay and Catheter Salvage in Pediatric Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infection

Background. Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobial therapy (SAT) is a treatment for catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI). However, its impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) is unknown. Objectives. Assess the impact of ELT on LOS, LOS attributable to CABSI (ALOS), and catheter salvage in pediatric hematology, oncology, stem cell transplant (HOSCT) CABSI. Methods. Retrospective review of HOSCT CABSI from January 2009 to July 2011. Results. A total of 124 CABSI episodes were reviewed in 66 patients. Mean LOS with ELT after 1 positive blood culture (BC) was 7.1 versus 12.3 days after ≥2 positive BC (P = .014). Mean ALOS was 1.6 days with ELT versus 2.9 days without ELT (P = .018). Mean ALOS with ELT after 1 positive BC was 3.75 days versus 5.8 days after ≥2 positive BC (P = .022). Catheter salvage rate: 41 of 48 (85%) with ELT versus 49 of 68 (72%) without ELT (P = .169). Conclusion. Earlier initiation of ELT may decrease ALOS.

Preemptive Ethanol Lock Therapy in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients With Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infection: Impact on Length of Stay, Cost, and Catheter Salvage:

Background. Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobial therapy is a promising therapy for catheter-related infection (CRI). The impact of ELT timing on treatment efficacy and costs is unknown. Procedures. A prospective study was conducted in the Hematology/Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Patients with suspected CRI were randomized to Preemptive ELT arm or Rescue ELT arm after positive culture. Results. Five cases in Preemptive arm and 9 in Rescue arm had a confirmed CRI. All cases cleared infection with line salvage with no adverse events due to ELT or recurrence within 14 days. Our data showed a trend toward 36% reduction in average hospital costs and 40% reduction in average length of stay in Preemptive arm over Rescue arm. Conclusion. Although a small study, our data on preemptive ELT with systemic antimicrobial therapy suggest a potentially important treatment strategy in reducing length of stay as well as hospital costs.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of fatal sepsis with encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, because of the inherent autosplenectomy that occurs in SCD. This risk is thwarted with oral penicillin prophylaxis during the first 5 years of life, and with stringent vaccination against S. pneumoniae alongside routine childhood immunization. But compared with the general African American pediatric population, the rate of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in patients with SCD still remains high, resulting in hospitalization and fatality. Methods: Patients with SCD who developed IPD from 2004 up to 2013 were identified using microbiology records. Descriptive analysis of presence of risk factors for IPD, type of SCD, pneumococcal vaccination and prophylaxis status, clinical presentation, microbiological data, and the outcome of IPD was performed. Results: Eight patients with SCD developed IPD (7 bacteremia and 1 respiratory tract infection). Three of the 8 isolates underwent serotype analysis (15 C in 2 and 15A in 1), none covered with the current vaccination program. One patient had fatal outcome (15A). Conclusions: Breakthrough cases of IPD may involve nonvaccine isolates, and seem to occur after 5 years of age when oral penicillin prophylaxis has been terminated.

Acceptance of Pharmacist-Driven Antimicrobial Stewardship Recommendations With Differing Levels of Physician Involvement in a Children’s Hospital:

This prospective interventional study assessed whether a pharmacist-physician team in a setting where physician support is not provided for daily antimicrobial stewardship (AS) activities would improve later acceptance of pharmacist recommendations once multidisciplinary efforts stopped and the pharmacist again worked alone. This was measured by AS recommendation acceptance rate during 3 study phases wherein AS recommendations were provided by a pharmacist alone (Phase 1), a pharmacist and a physician together (Phase 2), and then a pharmacist alone again (Phase 3). Recommendations were well accepted across all study phases with no differences in recommendation appropriateness or patient clinical outcomes. Prescribers were significantly (P = .045) more likely to accept recommendations to de-escalate treatment during Phase 3 than during Phase 1. Independently pharmacist-driven AS efforts were generally successful, and recommendations for antimicrobial de-escalation were better accepted after the involvement of an infectious diseases physician.