Jacomina A. A. Hoogkamp-Korstanje

Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Europe.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in Europe. Overall, 49 laboratories in 27 countries collected 4,208 clinical isolates of enterococci. Species identification, susceptibility testing, and van gene determination by polymerase chain reaction were performed in a central laboratory. Overall, 18 vanA and 5 vanB isolates of VRE were found. The prevalence of vanA VRE was highest in the UK (2.7%), while the prevalence of vanB VRE was highest in Slovenia (2%). Most vanA and vanB VRE were identified as Enterococcus faecium. Most VRE isolates originated from the patients urogenital tract, skin, or digestive tract. VRE were equally distributed among clinical departments, with no clear preponderance in any single patient group. A total of 71 isolates containing the vanC gene were identified. The prevalence of vanC VRE was highest in Latvia and Turkey, where rates were 14.3 and 11.7%, respectively. Two-thirds of these isolates were identified as Enterococcus gallinarum and one-third as Enterococcus casseliflavus; the majority of these isolates were cultured from feces. Almost all isolates were obtained from hospitalized patients, mostly children. The highest prevalence of high-level gentamicin-resistant enterococci was seen in Turkey and Greece. In general, the distribution of this resistance type seemed unrelated to the occurrence of VRE. The prevalence of vanA/vanB VRE in Europe is still low; the majority of the VRE isolates exhibit the vanC genotype and colonize the gastrointestinal tract of hospitalized children.

Occurrence of yeast bloodstream infections between 1987 and 1995 in five Dutch university hospitals

The aim of this study was to identify retrospectively trends in fungal bloodstream infections in The Netherlands in the period from 1987 to 1995. Results of over 395,000 blood cultures from five Dutch university hospitals were evaluated. Overall, there were more than 12 million patient days of care during the nine-year study period. The rate of candidemia doubled in the study period, reaching an incidence of 0.71 episodes per 10,000 patient days in 1995. The general increase in candidemia was paralleled by an increase in non-Candida albicans bloodstream infections, mainly due toCandida glabrata. However, more than 60% of the infections were caused byCandida albicans. Fluconazoleresistant species such asCandida krusei did not emerge during the study period. The increasing rate of candidemia found in Dutch university hospitals is similar to the trend observed in the USA, but the rate is lower and the increase is less pronounced.

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Infections by Yersinia enterocolitica in 261 Dutch Patients

A surveillance of the clinical manifestations, course and outcome of 261 patients with gastrointestinal infection by Yersinia enterocolitica between 1982 and 1991 was carried out. Acute uncomplicated enteritis was diagnosed in 169 patients, complicated enteritis in 37, appendicular syndrome in 33, ileitis in 8 and colitis in 14. Children (age < 16 years, n = 105) presented most often with mild enteritis, young adults (age 16-25 years, n = 47) with enteritis or appendicular syndrome, adults (age > 25 years, n = 109) had significant risk for developing serious enteritis, ileitis and colitis. Complications included reactive arthritis, septicaemia, lymphadenitis, disturbed liver functions and erythema nodosum. Four patients died of generalized peritonitis. Diagnosis was established by positive culture in 207 patients. Another 54 patients were diagnosed by having at least two other positive tests: serum agglutinins, specific IgA and IgG antibodies to Yersinia outer membrane proteins (Yops) or antigen detection in biopsies. Culture alone was sufficient to diagnose uncomplicated enteritis, antiYops serology appeared to be very useful in diagnosing patients with other manifestations of yersiniosis. The majority of the infections were caused by serotypes O3 and O9 while unusual serotypes were associated with advancing age and colitis.

Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children

The clinical presentation, course and outcome of Yersinia enterocolitica infection was studied prospectively in 125 children. Enteric forms occurred in 114 children (92 enteritis, 20 pseudoappendicitis, 2 chronic ileitis), of whom 17 also had extramesenteric manifestations; 11 children had one or more extramesenteric forms without enteric disease. Enteritis occurred more frequently in young children whereas serious forms and extramesenteric forms were more common in children older than 6 years of age (P < 0.001). Arthritis was observed in 13 children and extensive lymphadenopathy in 11; 1 child had septicemia with pleurisy, 1 had vasculitis, 1 had cholecystitis and 4 had erythema nodosum. Diagnosis was established by positive culture in 100 (80%) children and by agglutinin test in 11 of 45 (24%), demonstration of circulating specific anti-IgA and anti-IgG to Yersinia outer membrane proteins in 47 of 48 (98%) and detection of antigen in biopsies in 28 of 33 (85%) children. The 2 latter methods were superior to the agglutinin test. Serotype O3 and O9 predominated. The frequency and seriousness of complications may justify the use of antibiotics for Yersinia enteritis in children 6 years of age or older.

Clinical evaluation and reproducibility of the Pastorex aspergillus antigen latex agglutination test for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis

AIMS--The performance of the Pastorex Aspergillus antigen latex agglutination test for the detection of galactomannan in sera of patients at risk for invasive aspergillosis was evaluated, and the impact of storage on the reproducibility of the antigen titre was tested. METHODS--During a one year period, 392 serum samples were obtained from 46 patients at risk for invasive aspergillosis and tested for the presence of galactomannan using an Aspergillus latex agglutination test (Pastorex). Twenty three positive serum samples which had been stored at -20 degrees C for 2-16 months were retrospectively retested. Furthermore, two positive serum samples were stored at -20 degrees C and -70 degrees C and prospectively tested at three month intervals for a period of 15 months. RESULTS--The Pastorex Aspergillus test was positive in eight patients with microbiological, radiological, or histological evidence for invasive aspergillosis, but was negative in the initial serum sample from five of these patients. In two patients with histological evidence for invasive aspergillosis no positive reaction was found in six samples. Six of 13 (45%) serum samples which had been stored at -20 degrees C for longer than six months had lost reactivity, while one of 10 (10%) samples had lost reactivity when stored up to six months. Two serum samples which had been stored at -20 degrees C and -70 degrees C and prospectively retested at three month intervals for 15 months, maintained stable antigen titres. CONCLUSIONS--The Pastorex Aspergillus test is too insensitive to diagnose invasive aspergillosis in an early stage, but may contribute to the diagnosis when cultures remain negative and serial samples are obtained. To maintain a good reproducibility, serum samples should be stored at -70 degrees C when the period of storage exceeds six months.

Immunoperoxidase staining for identification of Aspergillus species in routinely processed tissue sections

AIMS: To evaluate the performance of an immunoperoxidase stain using the monoclonal antibody EB-A1 to detect Aspergillus species in formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue. METHODS: The monoclonal antibody EB-A1 directed against galactomannan was used to detect Aspergillus species in 23 patients with suspected or confirmed invasive aspergillosis. Immunostaining was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue using the streptavidin-biotin method and compared with conventional haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Gomori-Grocott stains. Results of immunostaining were semiquantitatively analysed with regard to both intensity of staining and number of positively staining micro-organisms. Tissue sections from 16 patients with confirmed invasive mycoses due to Candida species, Apophysomyces elegans, Rhizopus oryzae, Pseudallescheria boydii and Histoplasma capsulatum were used as controls. RESULTS: In 19 (83%) of 23 cases invasive aspergillosis was confirmed by both histological examination and culture (18 Aspergillus fumigatus and one A flavus). Immunoperoxidase stains were positive in 17 (89%) of 19 cases including one case of disseminated infection due to A flavus. Furthermore, the immunoperoxidase stain was positive in a culture negative tissue section with histological evidence of mycelial development, indicating the presence of Aspergillus species. Some cross-reactivity was observed with the highly related fungus P boydii, although the number of mycelial elements that stained was low. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoperoxidase staining using the monoclonal antibody EB-A1 performs well on routinely processed tissue sections and permits detection and generic identification of Aspergillus species, although it was no better than conventional histopathology in identifying the presence of an infection. An additional advantage is that the immunostain may help to provide an aetiological diagnosis when cultures remain negative.

Interrepeat Fingerprinting of Third- Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae Isolated During an Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE To investigate an outbreak in neonates of Enterobacter cloacae infection resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. DESIGN A retrospective study of an outbreak in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and review of E cloacae isolates in pediatric wards and other intensive care units from June 1992 through March 1993. SETTING An academic tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Six patients admitted to the NICU were colonized or infected with E cloacae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. In the period preceding the outbreak, four E cloacae isolates were available from four patients in the pediatric surgical ward. Nine isolates from four patients in two other intensive care units (ICUs) also were collected during the outbreak. Isolates were biotyped by the API 50CH system and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting. RESULTS Typing by interrepeat PCR showed that 21 isolates, which were obtained from five neonates, were identical. One neonate was colonized with a different strain. Some neonates were colonized with a single type of E cloacae for a relatively long period of time. Isolates of patients who were cared for in the pediatric surgical ward and the two other intensive care units (ICUs) showed different genotypes. One patient in an ICU was colonized with an E cloacae strain genetically identical to the outbreak strain. No predominant biotype could be established. CONCLUSIONS E cloacae can colonize neonates for a long period of time and although colonization with E cloacae initially may arise endogenously, we were able to show further transmission by cross-contamination in a neonatal intensive care unit.

FLUCONAZOLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNGAL URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

The presence ofCandida in the urine is not considered normal but does not necessarily indicate urinary tract infection. On the other hand, yeasts in urine cultures might be the first symptom of systemic fungal infections. Despite the difficulties that exist, establishment of an accurate diagnosis is important especially in high risk patients because ascending infections may lead to disseminated disease. Amphotericin B bladder irrigation is a common mode of therapy for fungal urinary tract infection, although no specific guidelines exist as to the use of the procedure. The pharmacokinetic parameters posessed by the triazole antifungal agent fluconazole make it a candidate for treating fungal urinary tract infections. Five case reports and 99 patients reported in several small studies were reviewed. As evident from these reports, fluconazole appears to be of value in the treatment of both uncomplicated and complicated fungal urinary tract infections. ObwohlCandida für gewöhnlich nicht im Urin vorkommt, läßt der Nachweis nicht sicher auf eine Harnwegsinfektion schließen. Andererseits kann der Nachweis von Hefen im Urin das erste Symptom einer systemischen Mykose sein. Trotz der bestehenden Probleme ist eine akkurate Diagnose, insbesondere bei Risikopatienten, von besonderer Bedeutung, da aszendierende Infektionen zur systemischen Erkrankung führen können. Amphotericin-B-Blasenspülung ist eine gebräuchliche Therapieform bei durch Pilzen verursachten Harnwegsinfektionen, obwohl keine spezifischen Richtlinien für diese Anwendung bestehen. Fluconazol erscheint aufgrund seiner Pharmakokinetik ideal für den Einsatz bei Harnwegsinfektionen. Die Ergebnisse von 5 Fallberichten und 99 Patienten aus verschiedenen, kleineren Studien, sind in diesem Review zusammengefaßt. Anhand der Ergebnisse dieser Studien erscheint der Einsatz von Fluconazol bei unkomplizierten und kompliziertenCandida-Harnwegsinfektionen gerechtfertigt.SummaryThe presence ofCandida in the urine is not considered normal but does not necessarily indicate urinary tract infection. On the other hand, yeasts in urine cultures might be the first symptom of systemic fungal infections. Despite the difficulties that exist, establishment of an accurate diagnosis is important especially in high risk patients because ascending infections may lead to disseminated disease. Amphotericin B bladder irrigation is a common mode of therapy for fungal urinary tract infection, although no specific guidelines exist as to the use of the procedure. The pharmacokinetic parameters posessed by the triazole antifungal agent fluconazole make it a candidate for treating fungal urinary tract infections. Five case reports and 99 patients reported in several small studies were reviewed. As evident from these reports, fluconazole appears to be of value in the treatment of both uncomplicated and complicated fungal urinary tract infections.ZusammenfassungObwohlCandida für gewöhnlich nicht im Urin vorkommt, läßt der Nachweis nicht sicher auf eine Harnwegsinfektion schließen. Andererseits kann der Nachweis von Hefen im Urin das erste Symptom einer systemischen Mykose sein. Trotz der bestehenden Probleme ist eine akkurate Diagnose, insbesondere bei Risikopatienten, von besonderer Bedeutung, da aszendierende Infektionen zur systemischen Erkrankung führen können. Amphotericin-B-Blasenspülung ist eine gebräuchliche Therapieform bei durch Pilzen verursachten Harnwegsinfektionen, obwohl keine spezifischen Richtlinien für diese Anwendung bestehen. Fluconazol erscheint aufgrund seiner Pharmakokinetik ideal für den Einsatz bei Harnwegsinfektionen. Die Ergebnisse von 5 Fallberichten und 99 Patienten aus verschiedenen, kleineren Studien, sind in diesem Review zusammengefaßt. Anhand der Ergebnisse dieser Studien erscheint der Einsatz von Fluconazol bei unkomplizierten und kompliziertenCandida-Harnwegsinfektionen gerechtfertigt.

Ciprofloxacin vs. cefotaxime regimens for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections

SummaryThe efficacy of ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole was compared with that of cefotaxime plus gentamicin plus metronidazole in 79 patients with proven intra-abdominal infections. Patients were classified with the Peritonitis Index Altona-II (PIA-II) score for severity of disease, underlying conditions, prognosis and type of infection. Local peritonitis was diagnosed in 21 patients, generalized peritonitis in 25, intra-abdominal abscesses in 33; 35 patients had polymicrobial infections. Cure and improvement rates were: ciprofloxacin 77%, cefotaxime combination 56% (p<0.02). Failures were significantly associated with a low initial PIA-II score, the presence of generalized peritonitis or abscesses, persistence of pathogens and superinfection. Superinfection was observed in 49% of the cases under cefotaxime and in 30% under ciprofloxacin. Concentrations of ciprofloxacin in pus ranged 2.0–5.2 mg/l with simultaneous serum concentrations of 1.2–3.1 mg/l.ZusammenfassungDie Wirksamkeit der Kombination Ciprofloxacin-Metronidazol wurde mit der Kombination Cefotaxim plus Gentamicin plus Metronidazol bei 79 Patienten mit erwiesener intraabdomineller Infektion verglichen. Der Schweregrad der Erkrankung wurde nach dem Peritonitis-Index Altona-II (PIA-II)-Score klassifiziert, erfaßt wurden außerdem Grundkrankheiten, Prognose und Art der Infektion. Eine lokale Peritonitis lag bei 21 Patienten vor, eine generalisierte Peritonitis bei 25. In 33 Fällen fanden sich intraabdominelle Abszesse. In 35 Fällen handelte es sich um eine polymikrobielle Infektion. Die Rate an Heilungen und Besserungen betrug bei Patienten, die Ciprofloxacin erhalten hatten, 77%, bei Patienten, die mit der Cefotaxim-Kombination behandelt wurden, 56% (p<0,02). Eine signifikante Korrelation zu Therapieversagen bestand mit einem niedrigen initialen PIA-II-Score, dem Vorliegen einer generalisierten Peritonitis oder Abszessen, der Erregerpersistenz und einer Superinfektion. In 49% der mit Cefotaxim behandelten und bei 30% der mit Ciprofloxacin behandelten Fälle wurden Superinfektionen beobachtet. Die Konzentrationen von Ciprofloxacin im Eiter lagen in einem Bereich von 2,0–5,2 mg/l bei zeitgleichen Serumkonzentrationen von 1,2–3,1 mg/l.The efficacy of ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole was compared with that of cefotaxime plus gentamicin plus metronidazole in 79 patients with proven intra-abdominal infections. Patients were classified with the Peritonitis Index Altona-II (PIA-II) score for severity of disease, underlying conditions, prognosis and type of infection. Local peritonitis was diagnosed in 21 patients, generalized peritonitis in 25, intra-abdominal abscesses in 33; 35 patients had polymicrobial infections. Cure and improvement rates were: ciprofloxacin 77%, cefotaxime combination 56% (p<0.02). Failures were significantly associated with a low initial PIA-II score, the presence of generalized peritonitis or abscesses, persistence of pathogens and superinfection. Superinfection was observed in 49% of the cases under cefotaxime and in 30% under ciprofloxacin. Concentrations of ciprofloxacin in pus ranged 2.0–5.2 mg/l with simultaneous serum concentrations of 1.2–3.1 mg/l. Die Wirksamkeit der Kombination Ciprofloxacin-Metronidazol wurde mit der Kombination Cefotaxim plus Gentamicin plus Metronidazol bei 79 Patienten mit erwiesener intraabdomineller Infektion verglichen. Der Schweregrad der Erkrankung wurde nach dem Peritonitis-Index Altona-II (PIA-II)-Score klassifiziert, erfaßt wurden außerdem Grundkrankheiten, Prognose und Art der Infektion. Eine lokale Peritonitis lag bei 21 Patienten vor, eine generalisierte Peritonitis bei 25. In 33 Fällen fanden sich intraabdominelle Abszesse. In 35 Fällen handelte es sich um eine polymikrobielle Infektion. Die Rate an Heilungen und Besserungen betrug bei Patienten, die Ciprofloxacin erhalten hatten, 77%, bei Patienten, die mit der Cefotaxim-Kombination behandelt wurden, 56% (p<0,02). Eine signifikante Korrelation zu Therapieversagen bestand mit einem niedrigen initialen PIA-II-Score, dem Vorliegen einer generalisierten Peritonitis oder Abszessen, der Erregerpersistenz und einer Superinfektion. In 49% der mit Cefotaxim behandelten und bei 30% der mit Ciprofloxacin behandelten Fälle wurden Superinfektionen beobachtet. Die Konzentrationen von Ciprofloxacin im Eiter lagen in einem Bereich von 2,0–5,2 mg/l bei zeitgleichen Serumkonzentrationen von 1,2–3,1 mg/l.

Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolates from urology services in The Netherlands (1998–2005)

OBJECTIVES An increase in antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli, the most common pathogen in urinary tract infections (UTIs), is encountered worldwide. Optimal treatment of UTIs will contribute substantially to limit antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. This study determined trends in antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic E. coli, which can be of use to optimize UTI guidelines. METHODS During 1998-2005, E. coli from urine samples of patients attending urology services were collected in three regions in The Netherlands: north-east (NE, n = 1084), west (W, n = 1064) and south (S, n = 1212). The antibiotic susceptibility was determined using microbroth dilution following CLSI guidelines. E. coli ATCC 35218 and ATCC 25922 were used as reference strains. RESULTS Amoxicillin resistance remained stable over time (37% to 47%), but was higher in the south (44%) compared with the other regions (40%; P < 0.02). Resistance to piperacillin increased from 4% (1998) to 32% (2005; P < 0.001), and resistance to fluoroquinolones increased from 6% to 13% (P < 0.01). Interregional differences were observed for resistance to piperacillin (NE 10%, W 12%, S 14%; P < 0.05) and to fluoroquinolones (NE 7%, W 13%, S 8%; P < 0.001). Trimethoprim +/- sulfamethoxazole resistance remained stable (27% to 37%), as did that of nitrofurantoin (4% to 9%). The percentage of strains with multidrug resistance (resistance to three or more groups of antibiotics) for each region increased over time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic resistance was fairly constant over time for most agents tested, except for piperacillin and the fluoroquinolones. Regional differences were observed for several compounds. National and regional surveillance of antibiotic resistance is important to keep therapeutic guidelines up-to-date and adequate for the treatment of resistant microorganisms.