The incidence rate of pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has increased in recent years. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical features, laboratory test results, and causes of pyogenic liver abscesses in 239 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for multidrug resistance. Among patients with pyogenic liver abscesses, the rate of infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms was observed to be 23.0% (55/239), with a polymicrobial infection rate of 14.6% (35/239). Additionally, 71 cases (29.7%) were associated with biliary tract disease. Patients with pyogenic liver abscesses caused by multidrug-resistant organisms had a significantly higher likelihood of polymicrobial infection and increased mortality (7/44 [15.9%] vs. 3/131 [2.3%]; p = .003). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.68), hospitalization (aOR: 10.34, 95% CI: 1.86-60.3) or an invasive procedure (aOR: 9.62; 95% CI: 1.66-71.7) within the past 6 months, and gas in the liver on imaging (aOR: 26.0; 95% CI: 3.29-261.3) were independent risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. A nomogram was constructed based on the risk factors identified. The nomogram showed high diagnostic accuracy (specificity, 0.878; sensitivity 0.940). Multidrug-resistant organisms causing pyogenic liver abscesses have specific characteristics. Early identification of patients at high risk of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms could help improve their management and enable personalized treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The hospital water environment is an important reservoir of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and presents a risk for patient safety. We assessed the effectiveness of thermal and chemical interventions on sinks contaminated with MDRO in the hospital setting.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of MDRO contamination of sinks and toilets in 26 clinical wards of a tertiary care hospital. MDRO-contaminated sink traps were then replaced and randomized (1:1:1) to receive chemical (sodium hypochlorite), thermal disinfection (steam), or no intervention. Interventions were repeated weekly for 4 weeks. Sinks were resampled 7 days after the last intervention. The primary outcome was the proportion of decontaminated sinks. MDROs of interest were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, and non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli.
RESULTS: In the cross-sectional assessment, at least one MDRO was identified in 258 (36%) of the 748 samples and in 91 (47%) of the 192 water sources. In total, 57 (42%) of the 137 sinks and 34 (62%) of the 55 toilets were contaminated with 137 different MDROs. The most common MDRO were ESBL Enterobacterales (69%, 95/137), followed by Verona Integron-Borne Metallo-β-Lactamase (VIM) carbapenemase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%, 12/137) and Citrobacter spp. (6%, 5/137). In the nested randomized trial, five of the 16 sinks (31%) in the chemical disinfection group were decontaminated, compared with 8 of 18 (44%) in the control group (OR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.14-2.32) and 9 of 17 (53%) in the thermal disinfection group (OR 1.40; 95% CI, 0.37-5.32).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study failed to demonstrate an added benefit of repeated chemical or thermal disinfection, beyond changing sink traps, in the MDRO decontamination of sinks. Routine chlorine-based disinfection of sinks may need to be reconsidered.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship (AS/DS) principles are crucial for the management of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) infections. We evaluated the impact of a pro-active Infectious Disease (ID) consultation on the mortality risk of patients during an MDROs outbreak in a COVID-19 hospital.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, including patients with suspected/confirmed infection and/or colonization by MDROs, which were managed as follows: (i) according to the standard of care during the pre-phase and (ii) in collaboration with a dedicated ID team performing a pro-active bedside evaluation every 48-72 h in the post-phase.
RESULTS: Overall, 112 patients were included (pre-phase = 89 and post-phase = 45). The AS interventions included the following: therapy optimization (33%), de-escalation to narrow the spectrum (24%) or to lessen toxic drugs (20%), and discontinuation of antimicrobials (64%). DS included the request of additional microbiologic tests (82%) and instrumental exams (16%). With the Cox model, after adjusting for age, sex, COVID-19 severity, infection source, etiological agents, and post-phase attendance, only age predicted an increased risk of mortality, while attendance in the post-phase resulted in a decreased risk of mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of AS and DS intervention through a pro-active ID consultation may reduce the risk of 28-day mortality of COVID-19 patients with MDROs infections.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of daily bathing by chlorhexidine bathing on multidrug-resistant organisms in ICU, especially on carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
METHODS: Semiexperimental study which employed both precontrols and a parallel control was conducted. In the intervention period (from July 1 to December 31, 2016), strengthened infection control measures and daily bathing with 2% CHG-impregnated wipes once daily was performed in the ICU. Fifty-seven non-ICU wards with the occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) infections during the same time were selected as parallel control group (only CHG bathing was not performed). The net effect of the 2% CHG daily bathing was evaluated by the difference in difference (DID) model.
RESULTS: The DID model analysis showed that CHG bathing reduced the incidence of CRAB- and CRPA-caused infections in ICU by 1.56 and 2.15 cases/1000 patient days, and bathing of every 19 patients (95CI% 13 to 41) and 39 patients (95CI% 24 to 110) were able to prevent one case of HAIs of total MDROs and CRPA, respectively. However, CHG bathing showed no effect on MRSA, VRE, and CRE (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Daily bathing with 2% CHG-impregnated wipes can reduce HAIs caused by CRAB and CRPA, while it is not effective for the prevalence of infections caused by MRSA, VRE, and CRE.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) have a high impact in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of HAIs, and to describe phenotypic and genotypic features of antimicrobial resistance in responsible pathogens in Ukraine.
METHODS: Prospective multicentre surveillance was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021 in 17 regional hospitals of Ukraine. Definitions of HAIs were adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\'s National Healthcare Safety Network.
RESULTS: Among 37,968 patients, 6218 (16.4%) HAIs were observed. Of all HAI cases, 14.8% were detected after hospital discharge. The most frequently reported HAI types were pneumonia (24.4%), urinary tract infections (19.8%), surgical site infections (15.3%), and bloodstream infections (11.2%). Of all HAIs, 11.9% were defined as part of an outbreak. Death during hospitalization was reported in 12.6% of HAI cases. In total, 85.1% isolates from patients were found to be MDROs. Meticillin resistance was found in 41.2% of S. aureus (MRSA) isolates, and vancomycin resistance was found in 11.8% of enterococci. Antimicrobial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was detected in 48.4% of all Enterobacterales. Antimicrobial resistance to carbapenems was detected in 71.3% of all non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria. Of the all isolates tested, 25.1% were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found a high prevalence of HAIs; those caused by MDROs varied widely depending on the bacterial species, antimicrobial group, and geographical region of Ukraine. MDROs were one of the main causes of HAI-associated deaths.

Multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriage may have an adverse impact on the quality of life of carriers, in particular those who have experienced hospital precautionary measures. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of how MDRO carriage has affected the daily lives of carriers with these experiences.
This was a qualitative study based on 15 semi-structured interviews with MDRO carriers or parents of carriers, which were analysed by thematic analysis.
Three main themes were identified: (1) Feeling dirty and unworthy portrays the feelings that MDRO carriers often expressed and how these were related to the language usage describing the MDRO, the perceived avoidance by staff and those in their personal networks, and the effects of the precautionary measures implemented in the hospital. (2) MDROs are invisible, but impact is visible covers how the microbe, despite its apparent invisibility, still impacted carriers in their physical and psychological health. MDRO carriage disrupted their lives, by affecting their other unrelated medical conditions at times and by causing varying levels of fear for their own and others\' health. (3) Carrying the burden on one\'s own shoulders describes the lingering questions, uncertainties and confusion that carriers continued to live with and the perceived burden and responsibility that lay on their own shoulders with respect to carrying and preventing the transmission of the MDRO.
MDRO carriage can negatively influence the quality of people\'s lives in various ways. Improved support and sensitivity from health care providers (HCPs) are needed to address feelings of unworthiness among MDRO carriers and the fears that many experience. Clearer information and guidelines are also needed from HCPs to address the many questions and uncertainties that MDRO carriers face outside of the hospital in their daily lives.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is a growing problem worldwide. However, little is known about the incidence, clinical features and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) caused by MDROs. A retrospective study of 833 patients with PLA admitted from 2008 to 2017 was performed. MDROs were found in 55 (6.6%) patients, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae was the most common causative microorganism. To evaluate the clinical features of and risk factors for MDRO-induced PLAs, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed in a 1:3 ratio (55 patients with MDROs and 165 patients without MDROs). After PSM, previous hepatobiliary procedure, preadmission exposure to antibiotics and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were independent risk factors for MDRO-induced PLA. Sixteen patients (7.3%) died during hospitalization. Admission to intensive care unit (ICU), inadequate initial antibiotic treatment and use of inotropic agents were factors predictive of mortality. Although the presence of MDROs was not associated with in-hospital mortality, inadequate initial antibiotic treatment was prescribed to a large portion of the patients with MDRO-induced PLAs. We conclude that initial empirical antibiotic therapy for PLA should be based on the possibility of infection with MDROs, and close monitoring is necessary for patients with risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance poses a risk for healthcare, both in the community and hospitals. The spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) occurs mostly on a local and regional level, following movement of patients, but also occurs across national borders.AimThe aim of this observational study was to determine the prevalence of MDROs in a European cross-border region to understand differences and improve infection prevention based on real-time routine data and workflows.MethodsBetween September 2017 and June 2018, 23 hospitals in the Dutch (NL)-German (DE) cross-border region (BR) participated in the study. During 8 consecutive weeks, patients were screened upon admission to intensive care units (ICUs) for nasal carriage of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and rectal carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium/E. faecalis (VRE), third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (3GCRE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). All samples were processed in the associated laboratories.ResultsA total of 3,365 patients were screened (median age: 68 years (IQR: 57-77); male/female ratio: 59.7/40.3; NL-BR: n = 1,202; DE-BR: n = 2,163). Median screening compliance was 60.4% (NL-BR: 56.9%; DE-BR: 62.9%). MDRO prevalence was higher in DE-BR than in NL-BR, namely 1.7% vs 0.6% for MRSA (p = 0.006), 2.7% vs 0.1% for VRE (p < 0.001) and 6.6% vs 3.6% for 3GCRE (p < 0.001), whereas CRE prevalence was comparable (0.2% in DE-BR vs 0.0% in NL-BR ICUs).ConclusionsThis first prospective multicentre screening study in a European cross-border region shows high heterogenicity in MDRO carriage prevalence in NL-BR and DE-BR ICUs. This indicates that the prevalence is probably influenced by the different healthcare structures.

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotic use in palliative care patients is a frequent dilemma. The benefits of their use in terms of quality of end-of-life care or survival improvement are not clear and the potential harm and futility of this practice not well established. Our aim was to characterise the prevalence of antibiotic use, documented infection and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) colonisation among palliative care patients admitted to a private hospital in Brazil.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all palliative care patients admitted to our hospital during 1 year, including demographic characteristics, diagnosis of infectious disease at admission, antibiotic use during hospital stay, infectious agents isolated in cultures, documented MDRO colonisation and hospital mortality.
RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were included in the analysis. Forty-five (39%) were male and the median age was 83 years. About 78% of the patients had an infectious diagnosis at hospital admission and 80% of the patients not admitted with an infectious diagnosis used antibiotics during their stay, out of which a great proportion of large spectrum antibiotics. Previous MDRO colonisation and hospital mortality were similar between patients admitted with or without an infectious diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Infection is the leading cause of hospital admission in palliative care patients. However, antibiotics prescription is also very prevalent during hospital stay of patients not admitted with an infectious condition. Mortality is very high regardless of the initial reason for hospital admission. Therefore, the impact of multiple large spectrum antibiotics prescription and consequent significant cost burden should be urgently confronted with the real benefit to these patients.

UNASSIGNED: Few prospective studies analyze, with sufficient duration, the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program (AMSP) carried out entirely in a hospital.
UNASSIGNED: Descriptive study evaluating the consumption of antimicrobials expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 100 hospital occupied bed-days (OBDs) stratified in medical, surgical and intensive care unit (ICU) and the incidence of densities (ID) per 1,000 hospital OBDs of the prevalent multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in a tertiary hospital, over a period of 5 years before and after the implementation of an AMSP. Analysis of direct costs and those associated with hospital stay and mortality.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 32,802 patients with antibiotic treatment were included in the intervention period (2013-2017). Non-imposed advice was exercised in 14.9%. The degree of adherence to recommendation was 87.9%, direct treatment and de-escalation being the most frequently admitted interventions (P<0.001). Overall hospital consumption of antibacterials in DDD/100s decreased by 5.7% (77.04 vs. 71.33) between 2008 and 2017. In ICU, the average DDD/100s showed a reduction from 155 to 113 (mean difference -18, P=0.005). There was a decrease in the DI/1000 OBDs of MDROs in the post-intervention period (RR 0.78; CI 95% [0.73, 0.84], P<0.001). The average annual cost of antibacterials declined from €1,435,048 to €955,805 (mean difference -€469,243; P=0.001).
UNASSIGNED: Long-term maintenance of a hospital AMSP was associated with a reduction in antibiotic consumption, especially in ICU, as well as a beneficial ecological impact and economic savings.