scholarly journals Outbreak of Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcusColonization Among Pediatric Oncology Patients

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila M. Nolan ◽  
Jeffrey S. Gerber ◽  
Theoklis Zaoutis ◽  
Priya Prasad ◽  
Susan Rettig ◽  
...  

Objective.To detect the burden of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) colonization among pediatric oncology patients and to determine risk factors for VRE acquisition.Design.Retrospective case-control study.Setting.The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Patients.Pediatric oncology patients hospitalized from June 2006 through December 2007.Methods.Prevalence surveys revealed an increased VRE burden among pediatric oncology patients. For the case-control study, the 16 case patients were pediatric oncology patients who had 1 stool sample negative for VRE at screening before having a stool sample positive for VRE at screening; the 62 control patients had 2 consecutive screenings in which stool samples were negative for VRE. Case and control patients were matched on the duration of the interval between screens. Analyses were performed to determine the association between multiple exposures and VRE acquisition.Results.The prevalence survey revealed that 5 (9.6%) of 52 patients had unsuspected VRE colonization at the time of hospitalization. Multivariate analysis identified a lack of empirical contact precautions (odds ratio [OR], 17.16 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.49–198.21];P= .02) and the presence of a gastrointestinal device (OR, 4.03 [95% CI, 1.04–15.56];P= .04) as significant risk factors for acquisition of VRE. Observations in the interventional radiology department revealed that staff could not access the portions of the electronic medical record in which isolation precautions were documented. Simple interventions that granted access and that trained interventional radiology staff to review the need for precautions, coupled with enhanced infection control practices, interrupted ongoing transmission and reduced the proportion of VRE screens that were positive to 15 (1.2%) of 1,270.Conclusions.Inadequate communication with regard to infection control precautions can increase the risk of transmission of epidemiologically important organisms, particularly when patients receive care at multiple clinic locations. Adherence to infection control practices across the spectrum of care may limit the spread of resistant organisms.

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arisara Poosari ◽  
Thitima Nutravong ◽  
Prakasit Sa-ngiamwibool ◽  
Wises Namwat ◽  
Supaporn Chatrchaiwiwatana ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown the association between Campylobacter species infection and that environmental factors, poor oral hygiene in particular, are linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer (EC). However, no study has reported on these factors in Thailand. Thus, this study’s objective was to evaluate the impact of the relationship between Campylobacter infection and environmental factors on EC incidence in the population of Thailand. Methods Data from a case–control study were collected from 105 newly diagnosed EC cases and 105 controls recruited from 2007 to 2017. Infection with Campylobacter spp. was detected in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue of EC taken from gastroesophageal biopsy specimens obtained from the participants, and evaluated using TaqMan® real-time PCR. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and perform data analysis. Results Smoking, alcohol use, a family history of cancer, history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection were shown to be significant risk factors for EC (p  <  0.05). The combination of poor oral hygiene and infection with Campylobacter spp. constituted significant risk for EC (p  <  0.001). In addition, the risk of EC in subjects co-infected with C. rectus and C. concisus that practiced poor oral hygiene was even higher and was significant (ORadj  =  4.7; 95% CI 2.41–9.98; p  =  0.003). Conclusions In Thailand, the major risk factors for EC are smoking status, alcohol drinking, family history of cancer, GERD, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection. This study found Campylobacter spp. prevalence to be associated with EC and appears to be enhanced by poor oral hygiene, suggesting that a combination of poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter species infection may together act as an important etiological risk factor for EC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkareem Ali Hussein Nassar ◽  
Amr Abdulaziz Torbosh ◽  
Yassin Abdulmalik Mahyoub ◽  
Mohammed Abdullah Al Amad

Abstract Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is a significant health problem in Yemen especially in the coastal areas. On November 6, 2018, Taiz governorates surveillance officer notified the Ministry of Public Health and Population on an increase in the number of suspected DF in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate. On November 7, 2018, Field Epidemiology Training Program sent a team to perform an investigation. The aims were to confirm and describe the outbreak by person, place and time in Taiz governorate, and identify its risk factors.Methodology: Descriptive and case-control study (1:2 ratio) were conducted. WHO case definition was used to identify cases in Al Qahirah or Al Mudhaffar districts during August-November 2018. Control was selected from the same districts who did not suffer from DF. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate backward stepwise analyses were used. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A P value < 0.05 was considered as the cut point for statistically significant. Epi info version 7.2 was used.Results: A total of 50 DF cases were found. Almost 52% were males and 76% were <30 years of age. The overall attack rate was 1/10,000 of the population. Case fatality rate was 4%. In multivariate analysis, not working (aOR = 26.6, 95% CI: 6.8–104.7), not using mosquito repellent (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI:1.4–136.8), wearing short sleeves/pants (aOR = 27.3, 95% CI: 4.8–156.8), poor sanitation (aOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.4–20.3), presence of outdoor trees (aOR = 13.2, 95% CI: 2.8–63.0) and houses without window nets (aOR = 15.7, 95% CI: 3.9–63.4) were statistically significant risk factors associated with DF outbreak. Eleven 11 (58%) of blood samples were positive for DF IgM.Conclusions: DF outbreak in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate was confirmed. This study provides evidence-based information regarding the identified risk factors that contributed to the occurrence of this outbreak. Raising community awareness on the importance of personal protection measures and improving the sanitation services are strongly recommended.


Author(s):  
Mayadevi Brahmanandan ◽  
Lekshmi Murukesan ◽  
Bindu Nambisan ◽  
Shaila Salmabeevi

Background: The greatest risks to life are in its very beginning. Although a good start in life begins well before birth, it is just before, during, and in the very first hours and days after birth that life is most at risk. This prospective case control study was designed on maternal risk factors for perinatal mortality.Methods: This was a case control study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Paediatrics, Medical College Trivandrum for one year period in 2004-2005. The cases were all the fresh and macerated still births and early neonatal death cases during the study period. The controls were chosen as the next delivery entry in the OR register.Results: During this period, the total number of deliveries was 14,796 and there were 431 perinatal deaths. The perinatal mortality rate was 29.12. This was much higher compared to Kerala’s perinatal mortality rate of 10, the reason being that the study is conducted in a tertiary referral hospital with one of the best new born care nurseries and a large number of referrals. The most significant risk factors for perinatal mortality were low socio-economic status, referrals, late registration, prematurity, low birth weight, intra-uterine growth restriction, maternal diseases like gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes and intrapartum complications like abruption.Conclusions: Perinatal mortality rate serves as the most sensitive index of maternal and neonatal care. Good antenatal care and prevention of preterm birth may play a key role in further reduction of PMR.


Author(s):  
Niaz Mustafa Kamal ◽  
Nasih Othman

Congenital anomalies comprise a wide range of abnormalities in body structure or function that are present at birth and are of prenatal origin. These are defined as structural changes that have significant medical, social or cosmetic consequences for the affected individual, and typically require medical intervention. According to our Knowledge, research is scarce on these conditions in Sulaimaniyah city. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate potential risk factors for congenital anomalies. A case-control study was carried out from March to August 2017 involving 400 children (200 cases and 200 controls) aged 0-5 years. Required data were obtained on the risk factors through face to face interviews with mothers of cases and controls. The data were using descriptive statistical methods, Chi-square and Logistic Regression using STATA 11, calculating odds ratios and condensing P value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. The mean age of the children was 1.9 years and age of their mothers at the time of pregnancy was 28 years. Congenital heart anomalies were the commonest type accounting for 27.5%. Significant risk factors for congenital anomalies were family history (OR=2.24, P= 0.007), maternal obesity (OR= 2.26, P= 0.001), mothers age over 30 (OR=2.78, P= 0.002) and mothers not using folic acid during pregnancy (OR=2.12, P= 0.0007). In general, in order to control and prevent the cases of CM, it is important to provide health education and policies to reduce environmental and maternal risk factors. Further, studies with larger sample size are needed to investigate incidence and risk factors of congenital anomalies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac See ◽  
Duc B. Nguyen ◽  
Somu Chatterjee ◽  
Thein Shwe ◽  
Melissa Scott ◽  
...  

Objective.To determine the source and identify control measures of an outbreak ofTsukamurellaspecies bloodstream infections at an outpatient oncology facility.Design.Epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak with a case-control study.Methods.A case was an infection in whichTsukamurellaspecies was isolated from a blood or catheter tip culture during the period January 2011 through June 2012 from a patient of the oncology clinic. Laboratory records of area hospitals and patient charts were reviewed. A case-control study was conducted among clinic patients to identify risk factors forTsukamurellaspecies bloodstream infection. Clinic staff were interviewed, and infection control practices were assessed.Results.Fifteen cases ofTsukamurella (Tsukamurella pulmonisorTsukamurella tyrosinosolvens) bloodstream infection were identified, all in patients with underlying malignancy and indwelling central lines. The median age of case patients was 68 years; 47% were male. The only significant risk factor for infection was receipt of saline flush from the clinic during the period September–October 2011 (P= .03), when the clinic had been preparing saline flush from a common-source bag of saline. Other infection control deficiencies that were identified at the clinic included suboptimal procedures for central line access and preparation of chemotherapy.Conclusion.Although multiple infection control lapses were identified, the outbreak was likely caused by improper preparation of saline flush syringes by the clinic. The outbreak demonstrates that bloodstream infections among oncology patients can result from improper infection control practices and highlights the critical need for increased attention to and oversight of infection control in outpatient oncology settings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 2156-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Klaassen ◽  
Anne van Els ◽  
Marianne van de Wetering ◽  
C. van Ommen

AbstractVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication in paediatric oncology patients. To identify the incidence, risk factors and recurrence rate of VTE in paediatric oncology patients, an observational, retrospective cohort study of all consecutive children (≤18 years) with malignancies, treated at the Emma Children's Hospital Academic Medical Centre between January 1989 and December 2013, was done. A matched case–control study in children with lymphomas was performed, to identify thrombotic risk factors. Cumulative recurrence-free survival after first VTE was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Of the 2,183 children included (male: female = 1.4:1.0; median age, 6.6 years) with cancer, 78 patients developed VTE (3.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8–4.4). The incidence increased from 0.8% (4/478, 95% CI, 0.0–1.6) between 1989 and 1993 to 10.4% (44/423, 95% CI, 7.6–13.4) between 2009 and 2013. Independent risk factors for VTE were age ≥ 12 years, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and lymphoma. The case–control study in lymphoma patients showed a trend for increased VTE incidence in stage IV lymphoma. Twelve (15.4%) patients developed recurrent thrombosis, 7 patients while on therapeutic or prophylactic anticoagulation. The cumulative recurrence-free survival after first VTE was 88.5, 87.1 and 80.6% after 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrated an increasing incidence of VTE in children with malignancies, with age ≥ 12 years, ALL and lymphoma as independent risk factors. The elevated recurrence rate underlines the importance of full anticoagulant therapy and might warrant prophylactic anticoagulation after first VTE during cancer treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (13) ◽  
pp. 806-810
Author(s):  
Asha P.S ◽  
Sujatha T.L.

BACKGROUND Meconium stained amniotic fluid is a significant contributor to perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study was conducted to determine the risk factors of meconium stained amniotic fluid in term pregnancy. METHODS This study is a prospective case control study done in a tertiary care hospital in South India over a period of one year. 100 women with meconium stained amniotic fluid detected at any time during the course of labour, prior to it or meconium detected in hind waters were enrolled in the study group. The inclusion criteria were term pregnancy, cephalic presentation and singleton pregnancy. 200 women who satisfied the same set of inclusion criteria with clear amniotic fluid, selected on random basis were taken as controls. A standardised pretested proforma was used for data collection. RESULTS In the study, incidence of grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 meconium were 31 %, 42 % and 27 % respectively. 83 % of cases were in the 20 – 24 year age group and advanced maternal age was not a risk factor in the study. Primiparity (86 % cases vs. 47 % controls) and advanced gestational age (56 % cases and 33 % controls) were significant risk factors. Maternal obesity, socioeconomic status and treatment for infertility were not significant risk factors. Among medical disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus (21 % cases vs. 5 % controls), gestational hypertension (12 % vs. 3.5 %) and hypothyroidism (13 % cases vs. 4.5 % controls) showed statistical significance. Oligoamnios (9 % vs. 1 %), fetal growth restriction (13 % vs. 4.5 %) and maternal infection (12 % vs. 2 %) were significant risk factors. Induced labour and prolonged labour were the significant intrapartum risk factors. Caesarean section rates were nearly doubled in cases (40 %) compared to controls (21.5 %). Babies born to mothers with meconium stained amniotic fluid had low Apgar scores at birth (25 %) and increased neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. CONCLUSIONS Meconium stained amniotic fluid is associated with increased rates of maternal morbidity due to higher rates of operative deliveries and increased incidence of perinatal asphyxia, perinatal morbidity and mortality. Meticulous antenatal care and early identification of risk factors help in reducing the incidence of meconium stained amniotic fluid and preventing adverse maternal and neonatal outcome. KEYWORDS Risk Factors, Meconium, Amniotic Fluid, Term Pregnancy, Caesarean Section, Perinatal Outcome


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
marianna meschiari ◽  
Shaniko Kaleci ◽  
Gabriella Orlando ◽  
Silvia Selmi ◽  
Antonella Santoro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During the last decade carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) became hyper-endemic in hospitals due to difficult to control spreading. Our aim is to identify risk factors for nosocomial rectal CRAB colonization in an endemic hospital. Methods A retrospective matched case-control study (ratio 1:2) with a prospective inclusion of cases and concurrent selection of controls was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 in a tertiary-care hospital. Universal active surveillance for CRAB was implemented. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was carried out using a stepwise selection method to compare prognostic factors between cases and controls. A sub-analysis was carried out according to the type of department. Results Forty-five cases with nosocomial rectal CRAB colonization and 90 controls were included. One hundred and two (75%) patients were hospitalized in medical departments. At multivariable analysis significant risk factors associated with CRAB colonization were: use of permanent devices (OR: 10.15, 95%CI: 2.27–45.39; P = 0.002), mechanical ventilation (OR: 40.01, 95%CI: 4.05–395.1; P = 0.002), urinary catheters (OR: 4.9, 95%CI:1.52–16.19; P = 0.008), McCabe score (OR: 5.45, 95%CI: 1.87–15.89; P = 0.002), length of stay (OR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.01–1.05; P = 0.002), carbapenem use (OR: 5.39, 95%CI: 1.14–25.44; P = 0.033). The sub-analysis showed that patients admitted to different departments had different risk factors. In geriatric department a fatal disease and a longer hospital stay represented significant risk factors both in univariate and multivariate analysis, while in internal medicine department the use of permanent devices, current antibiotic therapy and antibiotic polytherapy represented significant risk factors for CRAB at the univariate analysis, also confirmed in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Our data suggest that active surveillance for rectal CRAB colonization should be addressed to patients with an unfavourable prognosis, longer hospitalizations and carriers of multiple devices. To counter CRAB spreading in endemic settings, clinicians must limit the use of carbapenems, and reinforce interventions aimed at proper use of devices.


2003 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. NEIMANN ◽  
J. ENGBERG ◽  
K. MØLBAK ◽  
H. C. WEGENER

A case control study comprising 282 cases and 319 matched controls was conducted in Denmark during 1996–7. Two estimates of the odds ratio (OR) were determined for each risk factor with and without ‘protective factors’ fitted into the final model. Consumption of undercooked poultry (OR 4·5; 8·2), consumption of red meat at a barbecue (OR 2·3; 4·1), consumption of grapes (OR 1·6; 2·8) and drinking unpasteurized milk (OR 2·3; 11·8) were identified as risk factors in both models. Frequent consumption of pork chops (OR 4·4) and daily contact with domestic animals and pets were identified as risk factors in one of the two models only. Finally, foreign travel was found to be a significant risk factor (OR 2·5). Seasonal and regional interaction was observed for several risk factors and the time elapsed from interviewing of cases to interviewing of controls seemed to influence the effect of certain seasonal dependent risk factors.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 4555-4560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Y. Lin ◽  
Yehuda Carmeli ◽  
Jennifer Zumsteg ◽  
Ernesto L. Flores ◽  
Jocelyn Tolentino ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The incidence of infections caused by Candida glabrata and Candida krusei, which are generally more resistant to fluconazole than Candida albicans, is increasing in hospitalized patients. However, the extent to which prior exposure to specific antimicrobial agents increases the risk of subsequent C. glabrata or C. krusei candidemia has not been closely studied. A retrospective case-case-control study was performed at a university hospital. From 1998 to 2003, 60 patients were identified with hospital-acquired non-C. albicans candidemia (C. glabrata or C. krusei; case group 1). For comparison, 68 patients with C. albicans candidemia (case group 2) and a common control group of 121 patients without candidemia were studied. Models were adjusted for demographic and clinical risk factors, and the risk for candidemia associated with exposure to specific antimicrobial agents was assessed. After adjusting for both nonantimicrobial risk factors and receipt of other antimicrobial agents, piperacillin-tazobactam (odds ratio [OR], 4.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 16.50) and vancomycin (OR, 6.48; CI, 2.20 to 19.13) were significant risk factors for C. glabrata or C. krusei candidemia. For C. albicans candidemia, no specific antibiotics remained a significant risk after adjusted analysis. Prior fluconazole use was not significantly associated with either C. albicans or non-C. albicans (C. glabrata or C. krusei) candidemia. In this single-center study, exposure to antibacterial agents, specifically vancomycin or piperacillin-tazobactam, but not fluconazole, was associated with subsequent hospital-acquired C. glabrata or C. krusei candidemia. Further studies are needed to prospectively analyze specific antimicrobial risks for nosocomial candidemia across multiple hospital centers.


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