Predictors and outcomes of antibiotic adequacy for bloodstream infections in veterans with spinal cord injury

Vital sign differences between septic patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVES

Sepsis is a leading preventable cause of death in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Individuals with tetraplegia may exhibit different signs and symptoms of infection compared to those with paraplegia. In this study, we examine differences in vital signs (VS) and mental status between septic patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia with the goal of improving early identification of sepsis in this population.

SETTING

Veterans hospital in Washington, USA.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 19 patients with tetraplegia and 16 with paraplegia who were transferred from an SCI Service to a higher level of care with sepsis between June 1, 2010 and June 1, 2018 (n = 35). We compared VS between patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia at baseline and during sepsis including temperature, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure as well as presence/absence of altered mental status (AMS).

RESULTS

While there were no significant VS differences between groups at baseline, septic patients with tetraplegia had lower maximum temperature (38.2 °C versus 39.2 °C, p = 0.003), lower maximum HR (106 versus 124 beats/minute, p = 0.004), and more frequent AMS compared to septic patients with paraplegia (79% versus 31%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Patients with tetraplegia may not be able to mount fever and tachycardia to the same degree as patients with paraplegia and may be more prone to developing AMS during sepsis. These findings suggest that changes to VS parameter cut-offs may improve sensitivity and be useful in identifying sepsis earlier in the tetraplegic population.

Effects of Inappropriate Administration of Empirical Antibiotics on Mortality in Adults With Bacteraemia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality rates and contribute substantially to healthcare costs, but a consensus on the prognostic benefits of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy (EAT) for bacteraemia is lacking.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases through July 2021. Studies comparing the mortality rates of patients receiving appropriate and inappropriate EAT were considered eligible. The quality of the included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.

Results

We ultimately assessed 198 studies of 89,962 total patients. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the prognostic impacts of inappropriate EAT was 2.06 (P < 0.001), and the funnel plot was symmetrically distributed. Among subgroups without between-study heterogeneity (I² = 0%), those of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (OR, 2.14), Pitt bacteraemia scores of ≥4 (OR, 1.88), cirrhosis (OR, 2.56), older age (OR, 1.78), and community-onset/acquired Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia infection (OR, 2.53) indicated a significant effect of inappropriate EAT on mortality. The pooled adjusted OR of 125 studies using multivariable analyses for the effects of inappropriate EAT on mortality was 2.02 (P < 0.001), and the subgroups with low heterogeneity (I² < 25%) exhibiting significant effects of inappropriate EAT were those of patients with vascular catheter infections (adjusted OR, 2.40), pneumonia (adjusted OR, 2.72), or Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia (adjusted OR, 4.35). Notably, the pooled univariable and multivariable analyses were consistent in revealing the negligible impacts of inappropriate EAT on the subgroups of patients with urinary tract infections and Enterobacter bacteraemia.

Conclusion

Although the current evidence is insufficient to demonstrate the benefits of prompt EAT in specific bacteraemic populations, we indicated that inappropriate EAT is associated with unfavorable mortality outcomes overall and in numerous subgroups. Prospective studies designed to test these specific populations are needed to ensure reliable conclusions.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021270274.

Sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective analysis

Study Design

Retrospective analysis.

Objectives

Sepsis, one of the most frequent and life-threatening complications on intensive care units (ICUs), is associated with a need for mechanical ventilation (MV) as well as adverse respiratory outcomes in hospitalized individuals. However, it has poorly been investigated in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI); a population at high risk for pulmonary and infectious complications.

Setting

Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital.

Methods

Over a 5-year period, 182 individuals with SCI requiring MV during their ICU stay were analyzed. Data assessment included demographics, medical characteristics, focus and causative pathogen of sepsis, length of stay, weaning outcomes, and mortality.

Results

Sepsis was recorded in 28 patients (15%), containing a subgroup of individuals suffering from infectious SCI and co-occurring primary sepsis with Staphylococcus aureus as the predominant microorganism. In most individuals, sepsis was found as secondary complication, which was associated with pulmonary foci, Gram-negative bacteria, and high mortality. More than 80% of individuals with secondary sepsis required induction of MV due to respiratory failure. Furthermore, respiratory failure was found to be independent of sepsis focus, spectrum of causative pathogens, SCI etiology, or severity of injury. Subsequent weaning from the respirator was prolonged in more than 90% with a high proportion of weaning failure.

Conclusions

Sepsis predominantly occurs as a secondary complication after SCI and is associated with detrimental outcomes. Although the lung is frequently affected as a failing organ, not all sepsis foci are pulmonary. Awareness of both actual sepsis focus and causative pathogen is central to initiate an adequate sepsis treatment.

Changes in bacterial epidemiology and antibiotic resistance among veterans with spinal cord injury/disorder over the past 9 years

OBJECTIVE

Patients with spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) have an increased risk of infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We described bacterial epidemiology and resistance in patients with SCI/D at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) for the past 9 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

One hundred thirty VAMCs.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans with SCI/D and bacterial cultures with antibiotic susceptibility testing performed between 1/1/2005-12/31/2013. Single cultures with contaminants and duplicate isolates within 30 days of initial isolates were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

OUTCOMES

Trends in microbial epidemiology and antibiotic resistance.

RESULTS

Included were 216,504 isolates from 19,421 patients. Urine was the most common source and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) were isolated most often, with 36.1% of GNB being MDR. Logistic regression models clustered by patient and adjusted for location at an SCI/D center and geographic region showed increased odds over time of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.15], while methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus remained unchanged (aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74-1.09). There were also increased odds of fluoroquinolone resistance (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.31-1.47) and multidrug resistance (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.38-1.55) in GNB, with variability in the odds of MDR bacteria by geographic region.

CONCLUSIONS

GNB are isolated frequently in Veterans with SCI/D and have demonstrated increasing resistance over the past 9 years. Priority should be given to controlling the spread of resistant bacteria in this population. Knowledge of local and regional epidemiologic trends in antibiotic resistance in patients with SCI/D may improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Organisms in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms (MDRGNOs) have been increasing every year. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of MDRGNOs and factors associated with MDRGNOs in patients with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record data from 142 VA facilities were evaluated for 19,642 patients with SCI/D. Multivariable cluster-adjusted models were fit to identify factors associated with MDRGNO.

RESULTS

Gram-negative (GN) cultures occurred in 44% of patients with SCI/D receiving care at VA facilities, and 11,527 (41.3%) GN cultures had an MDRGNO. The most frequent GN organisms (GNOs) were Escherichia coli (28.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.0%). Two-thirds of GN cultures were from the outpatient setting, where MDRGNO prevalence was 37.6%. Significant geographic variation in the prevalence of MDRGNOs was identified (South, 44.7%; Northeast, 44.3%; West, 36.8%; Midwest, 34.4%). Other factors associated with an MDRGNO were older age, injury characteristics, comorbidities, specimen type, healthcare setting, and healthcare exposure. Black (odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.78) and Hispanic race (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.28–1.95), polymicrobial culture (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.46–2.90), and antibiotic use in the previous 90 days (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.50–1.76) were also associated with having an MDRGNO.

CONCLUSIONS

MDRGNOs were common in community and healthcare settings among veterans with SCI/D, with significant geographic variation. Health care and antibiotic exposures were significant factors associated with MDRGNOs. Priority should be given to controlling the spread of MDRGNOs in this special population, including a focus on judicious use of antibiotics.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1464–1471

Risk factors for community-associated multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder: a retrospective cohort study

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study

Objectives

To identify independent risk factors associated with community-associated multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) in a population of Veterans with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D).

Setting

127 Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities

Methods

Laboratory results from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 were collected and MDRPA cultures were compared to non-MDRPA cultures.

Results

One thousand four hundred forty one cultures were collected from Veterans with SCI/D, including 227 cultures with MDRPA isolates. Characteristics associated with an increased odds of MDRPA include age 50-64 (aOR= 1.80, 95% CI= 1.13-2.87), MDRPA culture in the past 365 days (aOR= 9.12, 95% CI= 5.88-14.15), and carbapenem exposure in the past 90 days (aOR= 2.56, 95% CI= 1.35-4.87). In contrast, paraplegia was associated with a 53% decreased odds of MDRPA compared to those with tetraplegia (aOR= 0.47, 95% CI= 0.32-0.69).

Conclusions

Risk factors for community-associated MDRPA include prior history of MDRPA and exposure to carbapenems. Awareness of these factors is important for targeted prevention and treatment of MDRPA in patients with SCI/D.

Infections in the spinal cord-injured population: a systematic review

STUDY DESIGN

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are an increasing population due to recent military conflicts. SCI patients are at an increased risk of infection, but the epidemiology management and prevention strategies for these infections are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To review the incidence, microbiology and management of pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and bloodstream infections in the SCI population via literature review.

METHODS

With the assistance of an experienced medical librarian, we developed a search strategy for the Ovid MEDLINE database and then adapted it for the Ovid Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The databases were searched from their inception to April 2014 with no restrictions on language or time period. Data were extracted using a standardized form. All studies were reviewed by two independent investigators.

RESULTS

Forty-one studies reporting on the described infections were identified. UTIs were the most commonly identified infections, but studies failed to identify consistently effective preventive strategies. SSTIs were also common, and the best preventive strategies focused on decubitus ulcer prevention and skin decolonization protocols. Pneumonia management and course were not significantly different from the general population. Bloodstream infections were associated with delays in recognition, and were most often secondary to UTI, pneumonia or SSTI.

CONCLUSION

There is a paucity of literature on consistently effective infection prevention strategies in SCI patients. Identification and implementation of evidence-based interventions that optimize prevention and management of infections in this patient population are needed.

Gut dysbiosis impairs recovery after spinal cord injury

Kigerl et al. show that spinal cord injury causes profound changes in gut microbiota and that these changes in gut ecology are associated with activation of GALT immune cells. They show that feeding mice probiotics after SCI confers neuroprotection and improves functional recovery.

The trillions of microbes that exist in the gastrointestinal tract have emerged as pivotal regulators of mammalian development and physiology. Disruption of this gut microbiome, a process known as dysbiosis, causes or exacerbates various diseases, but whether gut dysbiosis affects recovery of neurological function or lesion pathology after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is unknown. Data in this study show that SCI increases intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation from the gut. These changes are associated with immune cell activation in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) and significant changes in the composition of both major and minor gut bacterial taxa. Postinjury changes in gut microbiota persist for at least one month and predict the magnitude of locomotor impairment. Experimental induction of gut dysbiosis in naive mice before SCI (e.g., via oral delivery of broad-spectrum antibiotics) exacerbates neurological impairment and spinal cord pathology after SCI. Conversely, feeding SCI mice commercial probiotics (VSL#3) enriched with lactic acid–producing bacteria triggers a protective immune response in GALTs and confers neuroprotection with improved locomotor recovery. Our data reveal a previously unknown role for the gut microbiota in influencing recovery of neurological function and neuropathology after SCI.

Knowledge and use of antimicrobial stewardship resources by spinal cord injury providers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge and the use of antimicrobial stewardship resources, such as hospital antibiograms and infectious disease consultants, by spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D) providers.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Anonymous Internet-based, cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 314 SCI/D physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who prescribe antibiotics were invited to complete a survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Knowledge of and behaviors related to antibiograms and infectious disease (ID) consults.

RESULTS

A total of 118 providers (80 physicians, 20 nurse practitioners, 18 physician assistants) completed the survey (37.6% response rate). Approximately one-third of respondents indicated that they did not have access to (11.0%) or were unsure of (28.0%) the existence of facility antibiograms. Half of the providers indicated that they never used antibiograms to determine treatment for their SCI/D patients. Respondent factors associated with viewing facility antibiograms were older age, employment at SCI/D specialty centers, a longer duration since completion of training, and years of SCI/D patient care. Nearly all respondents (95%) indicated that they believed that improving access to antibiotic prescribing data or antibiograms would reduce antibiotic resistance. More than one-third reported that they never or seldom used ID consults.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant portion of SCI/D providers who prescribe antibiotics do not have access to facility antibiograms or are unaware of their existence and thus could not use them for determining antibiotic treatment. Interventions could include formal education of providers on how to access antibiograms and the use of ID physicians as a resource, as well as providing technologic support, such as electronic facility-level antibiograms as part of the medical record system, which can be easily identified if a provider is making a decision on an antibiotic.