The Distribution and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Etiologic Agents Isolated From Bacteremia Episodes Among Immunocompromised Patients

Objective: Bacteremia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the etiology of bacteremia and the antibiotic susceptibilities of etiologic agents among immunocompromised patients followed up from January 1, 2012 to July 30, 2013. Methods: Immunocompromised patients, both inpatient and outpatient treated in our hospital, were followed prospectively. The definition of "immunocompromised patients" consisted of solid organ (kidney, liver) transplantation recipients and hemato-oncologic malignancy patients with a history of chemotherapy in the previous month before bacteremia. Results: This prospective study comprised of 167 bacteremia episodes of 130 consecutive immunocompromised patients. The most isolated group of bacteria was Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli was the most commonly (30.8%) isolated bacteria and the second was coagulase-negative staphylococci (15.1%). Fifty one percent of the E. coli isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamasepositive. Acinetobacter baumannii was the second most common bacteria of Gram-negative agents and the ratio of multiple drug-resistant (MDR) isolates among Acinetobacter isolates was 73%. Conclusions: Gram-negative bacteria are the most common causative agents of bacteremia in immunocompromised patients in our hospital. The rising ratio of MDR A. baumannii is a striking problem which causes difficult-to-treat infections

Bloodstream Infections among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Eight Years’ Experience from a Turkish University Hospital

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are frequently seen after solid organ transplantation. The incidence of bloodstream infections differs among the types of transplantation. The microbiological features and antimicrobial resistance patterns change from centre to centre. Aims: To evaluate the incidence and spectrum of aetiological agents of bloodstream infections among solid organ transplantation recipients. Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Medical records of solid organ transplant recipients in the period between January 1st 2004 and August 15th 2012 were assessed retrospectively. The study population comprised 927 (64 heart, 556 kidney, 307 liver) consecutive recipients. Bloodstream infections were divided into three groups according to the onset time of bloodstream infections after transplantation: early, mid-term and late. The incidence and microbiological features of bloodstream infections were evaluated. Results: The number of bloodstream infection episodes was 317 in 191 recipients which was distributed as 228 (72%) in liver, 70 (22%) in kidney and 19 (6%) in heart transplantation. Ninety-eight 98 (30.9%) of the episodes were diagnosed within the early period, 134 (42.3%) within the mid-term and 85 (26.8%) in the late period. Early and mid-term bloodstream infections were seen statistically more often in liver than in kidney or heart transplantation (p=0.01 and p=0.031, respectively). Late bloodstream infections were also common in liver transplant recipients which was not statistically significant (p=0.229). Conclusion: Liver transplant recipients are at the highest risk for developing BSI after transplantation in early, mid-term and late periods

Prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar

Abstract Background It is well documented that food handlers harbor and shed enteric foodborne pathogens causing foodborne disease outbreaks. However, little known on enteric antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria carriage in food handlers. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline prevalence of fecal AR E. coli among food handlers in Qatar. Methods Fecal samples were collected from 456 migrant food handlers of different nationalities arriving in Qatar on a work permit between January 2015 and December 2016. These samples (25 g each) were collected based on the availability and examination schedule at the Medical Commission facility from those consented to participate. Isolated E. coli bacteria were tested for antibiotic susceptibility against nine antibiotics using the E-test method and Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production. Results From the 78 E. coli positive samples (17.1%, n = 456), 60% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, whereas, 27% were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Seven isolates (9%, n = 78) were ESBL producers of which five were MDR. Individual AR E. coli frequencies to the nine antibiotics were not significantly (P > 0.05) different by nationality. Conclusions Based on our findings, we revealed that individual resistant E. coli and MDR resistant E. coli were common in fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar. This may indicate that food handlers can potentially contaminate foods with AR E. coli, a possible public health concern