Surveillance for parasites in unaccompanied minor refugees migrating to Germany in 2015

In 2015, most of the refugees arriving in Germany originated from countries with poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. Stool samples of 1,230 minor refugees unaccompanied by adults were investigated for possible parasites. was by far the most frequently detected parasite (n=165); all other parasites were considerably less frequent and encountered in the following order: (n=23), (n=17), (n=8), and (n=1). was not detected among any of the screened refugees. Considerable differences in prevalence rates in refugees originating from different countries could be observed

Burden of carbapenem-resistant organisms in the Frankfurt/Main Metropolitan Area in Germany 2012/2013 : first results and experiences after the introduction of legally mandated reporting

Background: The federal state of Hesse, Germany, introduced a laboratory-based reporting scheme for carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs). Method: The results of the first year of mandated reporting of CROs from April 2012 through March 2013 to the Public Health Authority of Frankfurt/Main, responsible for a population of 700,000 inhabitants, are described. Results: Within a period of 12 months 243 CROs were notified to the health authority. Of these 213 isolates had been reported from 16 of the 17 hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, 6 from ambulatory settings and 24 from clinics outside of Frankfurt/Main. Mean incidence rate per 1,000 patient days in hospitals was 0.138 (range 0.02-0.28). Conclusion: In Frankfurt/Main almost all hospitals have reported CROs in the study period though the frequency of isolation varies strongly and many facilities only report CROs sporadically. Molecular data indicate a high diversity of different carbapenemases. Autochthonous transmission must be assumed despite the absence of major outbreaks. Rapid and coordinated efforts by clinicians and health departments are crucial to control the spread of CRO infections. The mandatory reporting scheme provides important data to guide the implementation of preventive measures

Multiresistente Erreger bei Patienten ambulanter Pflegedienste im Rhein-Main-Gebiet 2014

Hintergrund: Aus der ambulanten Pflege gibt es bislang keine Untersuchung zur Prävalenz multiresistenter gramnegativer Erreger (MRGN) bzw. von Enterobakterien mit erweiterter Resistenz gegen β-Laktamantibiotika (ESBL) und nur wenige Daten zur Prävalenz von methicillinresistenten Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Deswegen führte das MRE-Netz Rhein-Main eine Untersuchung zur aktuellen Prävalenz und zu Risikofaktoren für MRGN-Kolonisationen/-Infektionen durch. Material und Methoden: Charakteristika aller Patienten wurden mit einem modifizierten Fragebogen des europaweiten HALT-Projekts (healthcare associated infections in long term care facilities) erhoben und Nasen- und Rachenabstriche auf MRSA sowie Analabstriche auf ESBL/3MRGN/4MRGN untersucht. Risikofaktoren für eine MRE-Besiedelung wurden mittels Odds Ratio errechnet. Ergebnisse: Zehn Pflegedienste mit insgesamt 486 Patienten nahmen teil, darunter ein Intensivpflegedienst mit beatmeten Patienten. Nasen-, Rachenabstriche ließen sich 269 Patienten entnehmen und 132 Patienten stimmten einem Analabstrich zu. Bei 3,7 % wurden MRSA und bei 14,4 % ESBL/MRGN nachgewiesen (6,8 % ESBL, 7,6 % 3MRGN, 0 % 4MRGN). Als Risikofaktoren für eine Besiedelung mit MRSA wurden Pflegestufe 3 oder mehr (OR 5,1), Antibiotikagabe innerhalb der letzten drei Monate (OR 3,7), Krankenhausaufenthalte innerhalb der letzten sechs Monate (OR 4,3) und MRSA in der Anamnese (OR 18,1) bestätigt. Inkontinenz sowie Krankenhausaufenthalt in der Anamnese wurden als Risikofaktoren für eine ESBL-Besiedelung gefunden (OR 9,5 resp. 6,5). Als Risikofaktoren für eine Besiedelung mit 3MRGN stellten sich eine hohe Pflegestufe (OR 7,5) sowie Harnwegskatheter (OR 8,3), PEG und andere Stomata (OR 6,2) und invasive Beatmung (OR 5) sowie eine positive MRE-Anamnese (MRSA OR 20; ESBL OR 6,7) heraus. Schlussfolgerung: Angesichts der hohen Prävalenzen an MRSA und 3MRGN müssen ambulante Pflegedienste über Kompetenz in der Pflege von Menschen mit MRE verfügen: gute Hygienemaßnahmen einschließlich Händehygiene und sachgerechtem Umgang bei der Wundversorgung und bei Punktionen und Injektionen, beim Umgang mit Kathetern, Stomata und ggf. invasiver Beatmung. Die entsprechenden KRINKO-Empfehlungen sind auch in der ambulanten Pflege umzusetzen

Handling of laundry in nursing homes in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2016 – laundry and professional clothing as potential pathways of bacterial transfer

Background: In accordance with the German Infection Protection Act, the treatment and handling of laundry was checked by the Public Health Department in 2016 in all Frankfurt nursing homes with special focus on the staff’s clothing.Methods: On-site visits and surveys were conducted in all 44 nursing homes in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, and random microbiological examinations of 58 reprocessed and 58 already worn protective gowns were performed to determine the numbers of the colony forming units (cfu) and microbiological differentiation of the pathogen species.Results: 41 (93%) of the 44 homes tested had contracted a certified laundry service. 23 (52%) of the homes also ran a laundry of their own; in 21 of these, laundry was reprocessed and disinfected in an industrial washing machine. Regular technical or microbiological tests were carried out in 16 or 12 of the home-owned laundries, respectively. Only (70%) provided uniforms for their employees. The staff’s clothing was processed in 25 homes by the external laundry, in 9 homes by the internal laundry, and in 12 homes, the nursing staff had to do this privately at their own home.Used coats exhibited significantly higher contamination than freshly prepared ones (median: 80 vs. 2 cfu/25 cm; P 95 percentile: 256 cfu vs. 81 cfu/25 cm). Clothing prepared in private homes showed significantly higher contamination rates than those washed in the certified external laundry or in the nursing homes themselves (Median: vs. 0.5–1 cfu/25 cm).Conclusion: Considering various publications on pathogen transfers and outbreaks due to contaminated laundry in medical facilities, the treatment of laundry, in particular the uniforms, must be given more attention, also in nursing homes for the elderly. The private reprocessing of occupational clothing by the employees at home must be rejected on hygienic principles, and is furthermore prohibited by law in Germany

Multidrug-resistant organisms in refugees: prevalences and impact on infection control in hospitals

Introduction: The refugee crisis is a great challenge to the social and healthcare system in European countries, especially in Germany. An abundance of data has been published on the refugees’ health problems (infections as well as physical diseases and psychiatric problems) and their prevention (i.e., sanitary and vaccination programs). However, data on prevalences of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in refugees are scarce, although it is known that most refugees are from or travelled through countries with high prevalences of MDRO. This paper presents current data on MDRO colonization of refugees admitted to hospitals, and the impact of screening upon admission and infection control in hospitals is discussed.Methods: Anonymous data obtained by screening upon hospital admission were reported by hospitals in the Rhine-Main region of Germany to the local public health department. Screening and microbiological analyses were performed from December 2015 to March 2016 according to standardized and validated methods.Results: 9.8% of the refugees screened (32/325) exhibited colonization with methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and 23.3% of the refugees (67/290) were colonized with Gram-negative bacteria with extended spectrum beta-lactamases, and/or enterobacteria with resistance against 3 or 4 groups of antibacterials, so-called 3MRGN (multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria with resistance against penicillins, cephalosporins and quinolones) and 4MRGN (with additional resistance against carbapenems). Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGN) were detected in 2.1% (6/290) of the refugees.Conclusion: The data confirms the studies published between 2014 and 2016, encompassing refugees tested in Germany, the Netherlands and Israel, with prevalences of MRSA and CRGN up to 13.5% and 5.6%. The MDRO prevalences are higher than those of “risk groups” for MRSA, such as hemodialysis patients and patients depending on outpatient home-nursing care or residing in nursing homes. Therefore, screening and special infection control in hospitals is strongly suggested when refugees are admitted to hospitals, in order to ensure best medical practice and safety for all hospital patients regardless of their country of origin

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria – analysis of the data obtained through a mandatory reporting system in the Rhine-Main region, Germany, 2012–2015

Background: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MRGN) and the infections they cause are a serious threat and a challenge to the healthcare system. This particularly applies to carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGN). Currently, the introduction of a nationwide mandatory notification system for CRGN in Germany is under consideration. Against this background, this paper presents an analysis of the mandatory reporting system for CRGN in effect since November 2011 in the federal state of Hesse (Germany). Materials and methods: All carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and the detected carbapenemases reported to the public health department of the city of Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, on the basis of the mandatory notification system were analyzed.Results: 827 CRGN cases were reported to the public health department of Frankfurt/Main between April 2012 and December 2015. The following bacterial species were reported: spp. (n=268), spp. (n=183), spp. (n=195), spp. (n=77), (n=75) and others (n=29). Between 2012 and 2015, a reduction of the CRGN reports was noticed, mainly due to changes in the reporting of spp. Between 2012 and 2015, the total number of notifications decreased slightly, although the number of reported CRGN in screening samples increased, thus giving no indication of a decreased testing frequency. For 10.5% of the patients, the place of residence was not Germany, 18.0% of the patients had previously stayed in hospitals abroad, often in countries with a high CRGN prevalence. CRGN bacteria were reported from all of Frankfurt’s hospitals, and 3.9% were reported from out-patient care facilities. Carbapenemases were detected and reported in 251 CRGN bacteria, including 73 OXA-48, 76 OXA-23, 56 NDM subtypes, and 21 KPC subtypes. There have been no major epidemiological signs of outbreak scenarios.Discussion: CRGN bacteria are already widespread in patients from hospitals and out-patient care facilities. Clearly, infection control measurements should therefore not only include hospital patients but also those receiving out-patient care. Screening strategies focused on patients from foreign countries with high MRGN prevalence is not sufficient, as only 10.5% of MRGN patients resided in those countries, and only 18% of the patients had been previously treated in a foreign hospital. In a public health context, infection control measures should therefore encompass broader screening strategies