23 research outputs found
Prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria colonisation among asylum seekers in western Switzerland.
The recent increase of migration to Europe represents a risk of increased the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We conducted a cross-sectional study among asylum seekers admitted at two hospitals in Switzerland. Of the 59 patients included, 9 (14%) were colonised by a MDR bacteria, including 5 (8.5%) methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 4 (6.8%) extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. No patient carried both ESBL-producing bacteria and MRSA. None of the patients carried a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) or a carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Colonisation with MDR bacteria was not associated with hospitalisation abroad or recent arrival in Switzerland. Whole genome sequencing analysis allowed us to exclude transmission between patients. The prevalence of MDR bacteria carriage is moderate among asylum seekers in western Switzerland. Further surveillance studies are necessary to determine if there is a risk of dissemination of pathogens into the local population
Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence among Blood Donors in Southwest Switzerland
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) among blood donors in southwest Switzerland.Background: HEV is recognized as a food-borne disease in industrialized countries, transmitted mainly through pork meat. Cases of transmission through blood transfusion have also been reported. Recent studies have revealed seroprevalence rates of 13.5%, 16.6% and 20.6% among blood donors in England, France and Denmark, respectively.Methods: We analyzed 550 consecutive blood donor samples collected in the region of Lausanne, canton of Vaud, Switzerland, for the presence of anti-HEV IgG, using the MP Diagnostics HEV ELISA kit. For each donor, we documented age, sex and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value.Results: The study panel was composed of 332 men (60.4%) and 218 women (39.6%). Overall, anti-HEV IgG was found in 27 of 550 samples (4.9%). The seroprevalence was 5.4% (18/332) in men and 4.1% (9/218) in women. The presence of anti-HEV IgG was not correlated with age, gender or ALT values. However, we observed a peak in seroprevalence of 5.3% in individuals aged 51 to 70 years old.Conclusions: Compared with other European countries, HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in southwest Switzerland is low. The low seroprevalence may be explained by the sensitivity of commercial tests used and/or the strict regulation of animal and meat imports. Data regarding HEV prevalence in Swiss livestock are lacking and merit exploration
Hepatitis E virus chronic infection of swine co-infected with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Underreporting of needlestick and sharps injuries among healthcare workers in a Swiss University Hospital.
OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) rates of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) not reported to occupational health services, 2) reasons for underreporting and 3) awareness of reporting procedures in a Swiss university hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed 6,367 employees having close clinical contact with patients or patient specimens. The questionnaire covered age, sex, occupation, years spent in occupation, history of NSSI during the preceding twelve months, NSSI reporting, barriers to reporting and knowledge of reporting procedures.
RESULTS: 2,778 questionnaires were returned (43.6%) of which 2,691 were suitable for analysis. 260/2,691 employees (9.7%) had sustained at least one NSSI during the preceding twelve months. NSSIs were more frequent among nurses (49.2%) and doctors performing invasive procedures (IPs) (36.9%). NSSI rate by occupation was 8.6% for nurses, 19% for doctors and 1.3% for domestic staff. Of the injured respondents, 73.1% reported all events, 12.3% some and 14.6% none. 42.7% of doctors performing invasive procedures (IPs) underreported NSSIs and represented 58.6% of underreported events. Estimation that transmission risk was low (87.1%) and perceived lack of time (34.3%) were the most common reasons for non-reporting. Regarding reporting procedures, 80.1% of respondents knew to contact occupational health services.
CONCLUSION: Doctors performing IPs have high rates of NSSI and, through self-assessment that infection transmission risk is low or perceived lack of time, high rates of underreporting. If individual risk analyses underestimate the real risk, such underreporting represents a missed opportunity for post-exposure prophylaxis and identification of hazardous procedures. Doctors' training in NSSI reporting merits re-evaluation
Low seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among blood donors in Switzerland
Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) emerged as an autochthonous
food-borne disease in developed countries, transmitted mainly through
pork meat. Cases of transmission through blood transfusion have been
reported. Recent studies revealed sero-prevalence rates of 13.5%,
16.6% and 20.6% among blood donors in England, France and
Denmark, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the
sero-prevalence of HEV among Swiss blood donors.
Method: We screened 550 consecutive blood donations from the
Service Régional Vaudois de Transfusion Sanguine of Epalinges, for the
presence of anti-HEV IgG (MP Diagnostics HEV ELISA). The sample
size was based on the Lorentz formula considering an expected
prevalence of 3% with a precision of 1.5%. For each donor, we studied
the following variables: age, sex and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
value.
Results: All blood donors were Caucasian, and included 332 men
(60.4%) and 218 women (39.6%). The median age was 55 years (IQR
46-63 years). Overall, anti-HEV IgG were found in 27 of 550 samples
(4.9%). The sero-prevalence was 5.4% (18/314) in men and 4.1%
(9/209) in women. The presence of anti-HEV IgG was not correlated to
age, gender or ALT values.
Conclusion: Compared to other European countries, the HEV
sero-prevalence among blood donors in Switzerland is surprisingly low.
Possible explanations include the strict regulation of animals and meat
import. However, to confirm this hypothesis, further studies assessing
the prevalence of HEV in Swiss swine will be necessary