scholarly journals Antimicrobial resistance in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and bacterial infections in a tertiary center in Northern Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Hillert ◽  
Marie Schultalbers ◽  
Tammo L. Tergast ◽  
Ralf-Peter Vonberg ◽  
Jessica Rademacher ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and aims Bacterial infections are common in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and a leading cause of death. Reliable data on antibiotic resistance are required to initiate effective empiric therapy. We here aim to assess the antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria among patients with liver cirrhosis and infection. Methods Overall, 666 cirrhotic patients admitted to Hannover Medical School between January 2012 and April 2018 with ascites were assessed for bacterial infection. In case of infection, bacteria cultured from microbiological specimens of ascites, blood or urine were identified and analyzed for resistances against common antibiotic agents. Furthermore, analyses compared two periods of time and community-acquired vs. nosocomial infections. Results In 281 patients with infection, microbiological sampling was performed and culture-positive results were obtained in 56.9%. Multidrug-resistant (MDR)-bacteria were found in 54 patients (19.2%). Gram-positive organisms were more common (n = 141/261, 54.0%) and detected in 116/192 culture-positive infections (60.4%). Comparing infections before and after 2015, a numerical decline for MDR-bacteria (23.8% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.08) was observed with a significant decline in meropenem resistance (34.9% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.03). MDR-bacteria were more frequent in the case of nosocomial infections. Of note, in ascites the majority of the tested bacteria were resistant against ceftriaxone (73.8%) whereas significantly less were resistant against meropenem (27.0%) and vancomycin (25.9%). Conclusions In our tertiary center, distinct ratios of gram-positive infection with overall low ratios of MDR-bacteria were found. Adequate gram-positive coverage in the empiric therapy should be considered. Carbapenem treatment may be omitted even in nosocomial infection. In contrast, 3rd generation cephalosporins cannot be recommended even in community-acquired infection in our cirrhotic population.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 2047
Author(s):  
Magda Ferreira ◽  
Maria Ogren ◽  
Joana N. R. Dias ◽  
Marta Silva ◽  
Solange Gil ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial drugs are key tools to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Despite the early success of antibiotics, the current treatment of bacterial infections faces serious challenges due to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. Moreover, the decline of research and private investment in new antibiotics further aggravates this antibiotic crisis era. Overcoming the complexity of antimicrobial resistance must go beyond the search of new classes of antibiotics and include the development of alternative solutions. The evolution of nanomedicine has allowed the design of new drug delivery systems with improved therapeutic index for the incorporated compounds. One of the most promising strategies is their association to lipid-based delivery (nano)systems. A drug’s encapsulation in liposomes has been demonstrated to increase its accumulation at the infection site, minimizing drug toxicity and protecting the antibiotic from peripheral degradation. In addition, liposomes may be designed to fuse with bacterial cells, holding the potential to overcome antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation and constituting a promising solution for the treatment of potential fatal multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In this review, we aim to address the applicability of antibiotic encapsulated liposomes as an effective therapeutic strategy for bacterial infections.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (51) ◽  
pp. 12887-12895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Baker ◽  
David J. Payne ◽  
Rino Rappuoli ◽  
Ennio De Gregorio

Bacterial infections have been traditionally controlled by antibiotics and vaccines, and these approaches have greatly improved health and longevity. However, multiple stakeholders are declaring that the lack of new interventions is putting our ability to prevent and treat bacterial infections at risk. Vaccine and antibiotic approaches still have the potential to address this threat. Innovative vaccine technologies, such as reverse vaccinology, novel adjuvants, and rationally designed bacterial outer membrane vesicles, together with progress in polysaccharide conjugation and antigen design, have the potential to boost the development of vaccines targeting several classes of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, new approaches to deliver small-molecule antibacterials into bacteria, such as hijacking active uptake pathways and potentiator approaches, along with a focus on alternative modalities, such as targeting host factors, blocking bacterial virulence factors, monoclonal antibodies, and microbiome interventions, all have potential. Both vaccines and antibacterial approaches are needed to tackle the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and both areas have the underpinning science to address this need. However, a concerted research agenda and rethinking of the value society puts on interventions that save lives, by preventing or treating life-threatening bacterial infections, are needed to bring these ideas to fruition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-576
Author(s):  
Marie Schultalbers ◽  
Tammo L Tergast ◽  
Nicolas Simon ◽  
Abdul-Rahman Kabbani ◽  
Markus Kimmann ◽  
...  

Background Nosocomial infections are a particular threat for patients with liver cirrhosis. It is not uncommon that individuals develop even several consecutive infections during a single hospital stay. We aimed to investigate the impact and characteristics of multiple, consecutive nosocomial infections. Methods A total of 514 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites were included and followed up for 28 days for nosocomial infection, death or liver transplantation (LTx). Laboratory values were assessed at the time of hospitalization as well as at the onset of each new infectious episode. Results 58% ( n = 298) of the patients developed at least one nosocomial infection and in 23% ( n = 119) even multiple infections were documented during a single hospital stay. Consecutive infections usually occurred shortly after the previous episode. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) was the most common infection. However, the proportion of SBP declined from 43% at the first to only 31% at the third nosocomial infection ( p = 0.096). In contrast, the likelihood for other, less common types of infection such as blood stream infections increased. Third nosocomial infections were also more likely to be linked to the detection of fungal pathogens (21% vs. 52%; p = 0.001). Each additional infectious episode had a dramatic detrimental impact on LTx-free survival that was independent from the stage of liver disease (adjusted-HR: 6.76, p = 0.002 for first nosocomial infection; adjusted-HR: 14.69, p<0.001 for second nosocomial infection; adjusted-HR: 24.95, p<0.001 for third nosocomial infection). Conclusion In patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis LTx-free survival significantly decreases with every consecutive infectious episode. Development of prevention strategies is urgently required.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Min Jiang ◽  
Xin Shi ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
Huan Gao ◽  
Meng-Di Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bacterial infections are the most frequent complications in patients with malignancy, and the epidemiology of nosocomial infections among cancer patients has changed over time. This study aimed to evaluate characteristics, antibiotic-resistant patterns, and prognosis of nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in cancer patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed cancer patients with MDR bacteria caused nosocomial infections from August 2013 to May 2019. The extracted clinical data were recorded in a standardized form and compared based on the patient’s survival status after infection during hospitalization. Data were analyzed by using independent samples t-test, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. P -values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 257 cancer patients developed nosocomial infections caused by MDR bacteria. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) was the most frequently isolated multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDRGNB), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii , and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia . Smoking history, cancer patients who received intrapleural/abdominal infusion within 30 days, presence of indwelling urinary catheter, and haemoglobin were independent factors for in-hospital mortality in the study population. The isolated MDR bacteria were mainly sensitive to amikacin, meropenem, imipenem, tigecycline, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Conclusions: This study confirms that MDR bacteria caused nosocomial infections were widely prevalent in cancer patients. ESBL-PE was the most commonly MDR bacteria, and the isolated MDR strains were mainly sensitive to amikacin, meropenem, imipenem, tigecycline, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Former smokers, cancer patients who received intrapleural/abdominal infusion within 30 days, presence of indwelling urinary catheter, and anemia were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Our findings suggest that clinicians should think highly of nosocomial infections caused by MDR in cancer patients and advise policymakers to develop a guideline.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Despoina Koulenti ◽  
Elena Xu ◽  
Andrew Song ◽  
Isaac Yin Sum Mok ◽  
Drosos E. Karageorgopoulos ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial agents are currently the mainstay of treatment for bacterial infections worldwide. However, due to the increased use of antimicrobials in both human and animal medicine, pathogens have now evolved to possess high levels of multi-drug resistance, leading to the persistence and spread of difficult-to-treat infections. Several current antibacterial agents active against Gram-positive bacteria will be rendered useless in the face of increasing resistance rates. There are several emerging antibiotics under development, some of which have been shown to be more effective with an improved safety profile than current treatment regimens against Gram-positive bacteria. We will extensively discuss these antibiotics under clinical development (phase I-III clinical trials) to combat Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus pneumoniae. We will delve into the mechanism of actions, microbiological spectrum, and, where available, the pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and efficacy of these drugs, aiming to provide a comprehensive review to the involved stakeholders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Neves ◽  
Bruno Duarte ◽  
Margarida Pinto ◽  
Ana Formiga ◽  
José Neves

Most moderate-to-severe diabetic foot infections (DFIs) require hospitalization with urgent surgical approach and administration of empiric antibiotherapy. To ensure optimal antibiotic coverage, regular microbiological background updates are imperative. The purpose is to characterize the microbiological profile and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the DFI causative pathogens isolated within a specialized DFI unit of a tertiary hospital, in order to establish evidence-based policies regarding empirical antibiotic use. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Microbiological cultures and corresponding antibiotic sensitivity tests collected from moderate-to-severe DFIs as a first approach to the hospitalized patient were retrieved and analyzed during a 12-month period. Two groups were analyzed: inpatients that had been previously followed at the diabetic foot clinic of the hospital and inpatients without a previous contact with the hospital services. A total of 125 isolates obtained from 87 patients were deemed for analysis. Globally, a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria was observed (60%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. The global ratio of methicillin-sensitive S aureus to methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) was 1.3:1, with similar findings in both groups. According to the antibiotic sensitivity test results, and within the recommended empiric antibiotic regimens for DFI, piperacillin/tazobactam seems to be the most suitable option. Gram-positive bacteria prevail as the main isolates in DFIs. Screening for MRSA-specific risk factors is mandatory. When going for a first empiric therapy, piperacillin/tazobactam is recommended in this institution, and an anti-MRSA agent should be added early, if necessary. We encourage continuous monitoring for the bacterial prevalence in Portuguese diabetic foot centers as it is paramount for the decision making regarding DFI protocols.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Mc Carlie ◽  
Julius E. Hellmuth ◽  
Jeffrey Newman ◽  
Charlotte E. Boucher ◽  
Robert R. Bragg

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant issue, and it threatens the prevention and effective treatment of a range of bacterial infections. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of the multidrug-resistant isolate Serratia sp. strain HRI. A hybrid assembly was created using sequences from a first (MiSeq) and second (PacBio) sequencing run. This work is imperative for understanding antimicrobial resistance and adds to the knowledge base for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.


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