Outbreaks in the neonatal ICU: a review of the literature

Investigating the implementation of infection prevention and control practices in neonatal care across country income levels: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite the proven effectiveness of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in reducing healthcare-associated infections and related costs, their implementation poses a challenge in neonatal care settings across high-income (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While existing research has predominantly focused on assessing the clinical effectiveness of these practices in neonatal care, aspects concerning their implementation remain underexplored. This systematic review therefore aimed to analyze implementation determinants and employed strategies for implementing IPC practices in inpatient neonatal care across country income levels.

METHODS

Following a targeted search in seven databases, titles and abstracts as well as full texts were screened in a dual review process to identify studies focusing on the implementation of IPC practices in inpatient neonatal care and reporting on implementation determinants and/or implementation strategies. Implementation determinants were synthesized using the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implementation strategies were coded according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change taxonomy. A convergent integrated approach was used to narratively summarize results across qualitative and quantitative studies. χ2 Tests and Fisher's Exact Tests were performed to analyze differences in implementation determinants and strategies across IPC practices and country income levels. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

Out of 6,426 records, a total of 156 studies were included in the systematic review. Neonatal units in LMICs and HICs showed general commonalities in reported implementation determinants, which were mainly reported at the organizational level. While educational as well as evaluative and iterative strategies were most frequently employed to support the implementation of IPC practices in both LMICs and HICs, other strategies employed showed variance across country income levels. Notably, the statistical analyses identified a significant association between country income levels and implementation determinants and strategies respectively ([Formula: see text]<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review underscore the importance of the organizational level for the implementation of IPC practices in neonatal care irrespective of country income level. However, further research is needed to understand the underlying relationships of factors and dynamics contributing to the observed practice variances in LMICs and HICs.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42022380379).

Pathogenic bacteria rapidly colonize sinks of a neonatal intensive care unit: results of a prospective surveillance study

BACKGROUND

Hospital sinks are known to harbour bacteria with the potential to infect patients.

AIM

To examine bacterial growth in the sinks of a newly constructed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the transition from an established NICU within the same facility.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of pathogenic bacterial growth in NICU handwashing sinks before and after the new NICU was occupied. Samples from various sink traps were cultured longitudinally, and comparison was made between the established NICU and the new NICU.

FINDINGS

Potentially pathogenic bacteria colonized sinks rapidly in the new NICU within 1 month of occupation. During the study period, between 29th June 2021 and 2nd September 2022, 62 samples were collected from 11 sinks, of which 43 (69.4%) tested positive. The mean semi-quantitative bacterial growth score was notably higher in the sink in the milk preparation room compared with the sinks in the patient care area in the new NICU (40.67 vs 1.768; P=0.025). The bacterial profiles in the sink in the new NICU milk preparation room mirrored that of the established NICU, with a predominance of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae complex. In handwashing sinks of both the established NICU and the new NICU, the dominant colonizing pathogen was Burkholderia cepacia complex, followed by Serratia marcescens and Elizabethkingia spp. Cessation of sink use reduced the bioburden of bacteria significantly in the NICU handwashing sink drains.

CONCLUSION

Handwashing sinks were colonized rapidly with pathogenic bacteria in a newly constructed NICU. More diversified and prolific growth of pathogenic bacteria was noted in the sink in the milk preparation room.

Outbreak simulation on the neonatal ward using silica nanoparticles with encapsulated DNA: unmasking of key spread areas

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial infections pose a serious threat. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) especially, there are repeated outbreaks caused by micro-organisms without the sources or dynamics being conclusively determined.

AIM

To use amorphous silica nanoparticles with encapsulated DNA (SPED) to simulate outbreak events and to visualize dissemination patterns in a NICU to gain a better understanding of these dynamics.

METHODS

Three types of SPED were strategically placed on the ward to mimic three different dissemination dynamics among real-life conditions and employee activities. SPED DNA, resistant to disinfectants, was sampled at 22 predefined points across the ward for four days and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was conducted.

FINDINGS

Starting from staff areas, a rapid ward-wide SPED dissemination including numerous patient rooms was demonstrated. In contrast, a primary deployment in a patient room only led to the spread in the staff area, with no distribution in the patient area.

CONCLUSION

This study pioneers SPED utilization in simulating outbreak dynamics. By unmasking staff areas as potential key trigger spots for ward-wide dissemination the revealed patterns could contribute to a more comprehensive view of outbreak events leading to rethinking of hygiene measures and training to reduce the rate of nosocomial infections in hospitals.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus and US Pediatric Intensive Care Utilization

Importance

Bronchiolitis is the most common diagnosis necessitating respiratory support and pediatric intensive care, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis. In 2023, the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab and the maternal RSVpreF vaccine were implemented to prevent RSV in infants.

Objective

To determine the potential association of novel RSV prevention strategies with pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) utilization.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cross-sectional study examined US pediatric ICU encounters with and without RSV from January 1, 2017, to June 1, 2023. Data were from Oracle Cerner RealWorld Data, a national electronic health record database. All children (aged >1 day and <18 years) admitted to an ICU during the study period were included in the analysis. Statistical analysis was performed from February to May 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were ICU encounters with RSV and ICU encounters with RSV eligible for RSV prevention.

Results

There were 119 782 ICU encounters from 53 hospitals; 65 757 encounters (54.9%) were male; median (IQR) age was 4.5 (1.1-12.5) years, median (IQR) ICU length of stay was 1.8 (1.0-3.9) days; 13 702 ICU encounters (11.4%) had RSV, of which 38.6% (5217) were eligible for prevention (4.4% of total ICU encounters). Encounters with RSV accounted for 21.1% (109 334) of ICU days, of which 43.8% (47 888) were eligible for prevention (9.2% of total ICU days). Encounters with RSV were associated with a greater use of positive pressure ventilation (4074 [29.7%] vs 18 821 [17.7%]; P < .001) and vasoactive medications (3057 [22.3%] vs 18 570 [17.5%]; P < .001) compared with those without RSV.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this retrospective cross-sectional study of RSV and US pediatric intensive care utilization suggest that if 65% to 85% of eligible children received RSV prevention, an estimated 2.1% to 2.8% reduction in pediatric ICU encounters and an estimated 4.5% to 5.9% reduction in pediatric ICU days could be achieved.

Outbreaks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Description and Management

Healthcare settings, especially intensive care units, can provide an ideal environment for the transmission of pathogens and the onset of outbreaks. Many factors can contribute to the onset of an epidemic in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including neonates' vulnerability to healthcare-associated infections, especially for those born preterm; facility design; frequent invasive procedures; and frequent contact with healthcare personnel. Outbreaks in NICUs are one of the most relevant problems because they are often caused by multidrug-resistant organisms associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The prompt identification of an outbreak, the subsequent investigation to identify the source of infection, the risk factors, the reinforcement of routine infection control measures, and the implementation of additional control measures are essential elements to contain an epidemic.

Rapid identification and subsequent contextualization of an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal intensive care unit using nanopore sequencing

Outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are well described in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. Genomics has revolutionized the investigation of such outbreaks; however, to date, this has largely been completed retrospectively and has typically relied on short-read platforms. In 2022, our laboratory established a prospective genomic surveillance system using Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing for rapid outbreak detection. Herein, using this system, we describe the detection and control of an outbreak of sequence-type (ST)97 MRSA in our NICU. The outbreak was identified 13 days after the first MRSA-positive culture and at a point where there were only two known cases. Ward screening rapidly defined the extent of the outbreak, with six other infants found to be colonized. There was minimal transmission once the outbreak had been detected and appropriate infection control measures had been instituted; only two further ST97 cases were detected, along with three unrelated non-ST97 MRSA cases. To contextualize the outbreak, core-genome single-nucleotide variants were identified for phylogenetic analysis after de novo assembly of nanopore data. Comparisons with global (n=45) and national surveillance (n=35) ST97 genomes revealed the stepwise evolution of methicillin resistance within this ST97 subset. A distinct cluster comprising nine of the ten ST97-IVa genomes from the NICU was identified, with strains from 2020 to 2022 national surveillance serving as outgroups to this cluster. One ST97-IVa genome presumed to be part of the outbreak formed an outgroup and was retrospectively excluded. A second phylogeny was created using Illumina sequencing, which considerably reduced the branch lengths of the NICU isolates on the phylogenetic tree. However, the overall tree topology and conclusions were unchanged, with the exception of the NICU outbreak cluster, where differences in branch lengths were observed. This analysis demonstrated the ability of a nanopore-only prospective genomic surveillance system to rapidly identify and contextualize an outbreak of MRSA in a NICU.

Linking preterm infant gut microbiota to nasograstric enteral feeding tubes: exploring potential interactions and microbial strain transmission

Introduction

Preterm birth is a growing problem worldwide. Staying at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is critical for the survival of preterm infants whose feeding often requires the use of nasogastric enteral feeding tubes (NEFT). These can be colonized by hospital-associated pathobionts that can access the gut of the preterm infants through this route. Since the gut microbiota is the most impactful factor on maturation of the immune system, any disturbance in this may condition their health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of NEFT-associated microbial communities on the establishment of the gut microbiota in preterm infants.

Material and methods

A metataxonomic analysis of fecal and NEFT-related samples obtained during the first 2 weeks of life of preterm infants was performed. The potential sharing of strains isolated from the same set of samples of bacterial species involved in NICU's outbreaks, was assessed by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genotyping.

Results

In the samples taken 48 h after birth (NEFT-1 and Me/F1), Staphylococcus spp. was the most abundant genera (62% and 14%, respectively) and it was latter displaced to 5.5% and 0.45%, respectively by Enterobacteriaceae. Significant differences in beta diversity were detected in NEFT and fecal samples taken at day 17 after birth (NEFT-3 and F3) (p = 0.003 and p = 0.024, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the most relevant genera detected in NEFT-3 and F3. 28% of the patients shared at least one RAPD-PCR profile in fecal and NEFT samples and 11% of the total profiles were found at least once simultaneously in NEFT and fecal samples from the same patient.

Conclusion

The results indicate a parallel bacterial colonization of the gut of preterm neonates and the NEFTs used for feeding, potentially involving strain sharing between these niches. Moreover, the same bacterial RAPD profiles were found in neonates hospitalized in different boxes, suggesting a microbial transference within the NICU environment. This study may assist clinical staff in implementing best practices to mitigate the spread of pathogens that could threaten the health of preterm infants.

Outbreaks by Klebsiella oxytoca in neonatal intensive care units: Analysis of an outbreak in a tertiary hospital and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Klebsiella oxytoca can cause nosocomial infections, affecting vulnerable newborns. There are few studies describing nosocomial outbreaks in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In this study, a systematic review of the literature was carried out to know the main characteristics of these outbreaks and the evolution of one is described.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review in the Medline database up to July 2022, and present a descriptive study of an outbreak with 21 episodes in the NICU of a tertiary hospital, between September 2021 and January 2022.

RESULTS

9 articles met the inclusion criteria. The duration of outbreaks was found to be variable, of which 4 (44.4%) lasted for a year or more. Colonization (69%) was more frequent than infections (31%) and the mortality rate was 22.4%. In studies describing sources, the most frequent was the environmental origin (57.1%). In our outbreak there were 15 colonizations and 6 infections. The infections were mild conjunctivitis without sequelae. Molecular typing analysis made it possible to detect 4 different clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an important variability in the evolution and results of the published outbreaks, highlighting a greater number of colonized, use of PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) techniques for molecular typing and implementation of control measures. Finally, we describe an outbreak in which 21 neonates were affected with mild infections, resolved without sequelae and whose control measures were effective.

Cultivation and sequencing-free protocol for Serratia marcescens detection and typing

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen that survives in inhospitable environments causing large outbreaks, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Genomic studies revealed that most S. marcescens nosocomial infections are caused by a specific clone (here "Infectious clone"). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is the only portable method able to identify this clone, but it requires days to obtain results. We present a cultivation-free hypervariable-locus melting typing (HLMT) protocol for the fast detection and typing of S. marcescens, with 100% detection capability on mixed samples and a limit of detection that can reach the 10 genome copies. The protocol was able to identify the S. marcescens infectious clone with 97% specificity and 96% sensitivity when compared to WGS, yielding typing results portable among laboratories. The protocol is a cost and time saving method for S. marcescens detection and typing for large environmental/clinical surveillance screenings, also in low-middle income countries.

SHEA NICU white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of viral respiratory infections

This white paper provides clinicians and hospital leaders with practical guidance on the prevention and control of viral respiratory infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This document serves as a companion to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)'s "Prophylaxis and Screening for Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Systematic Review." It provides practical, expert opinion and/or evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about viral respiratory detection and prevention in the NICU. It was developed by a writing panel of pediatric and pathogen-specific experts who collaborated with members of the HICPAC systematic review writing panel and the SHEA Pediatric Leadership Council to identify questions that should be addressed. The document has been endorsed by SHEA, the American Hospital Association (AHA), The Joint Commission, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

Advancements in nanosensors for detecting pathogens in healthcare environments

ESKAPEE pathogens: where we can find them in hospital environments and how to detect them through nanotechnologies devices.

Using adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence level monitoring to identify bacterial reservoirs during two consecutive Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus capitis nosocomial infection outbreaks at a neonatal intensive care unit

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence level monitoring for identifying reservoirs of the outbreak pathogen during two consecutive outbreaks caused by Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus capitis at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The secondary aim was to evaluate the long-term sustainability of the infection control measures employed one year after the final intervention measures.

METHODS

Two outbreaks occurred during a 53-day period in two disconnected subunits, A and B, that share the same attending physicians. ATP bioluminescence level monitoring, environmental cultures, and hand cultures from healthcare workers (HCW) in the NICU were performed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing was carried out to investigate the phylogenetic relatedness of the isolated strains.

RESULTS

Four cases of E. faecium sepsis (patients A-8, A-7, A-9, B-8) and three cases of S. capitis sepsis (patients A-16, A-2, B-8) were diagnosed in six preterm infants over a span of 53 days. ATP levels remained high on keyboard 1 of the main station (2076 relative light unit [RLU]/100 cm2) and the keyboard of bed A-9 (4886 RLU/100 cm2). By guidance with the ATP results, environmental cultures showed that E. faecium isolated from the patients and from the main station's keyboard 1 were genotypically indistinguishable. Two different S. capitis strains caused sepsis in three patients. A total 77.8% (n = 7/9) of S. capitis cultured from HCW's hands were genotypically indistinguishable to the strains isolated from A-2 and A-16. The remaining 22.2% (n = 2/9) were genotypically indistinguishable to patient B-8. Three interventions to decrease the risk of bacterial transmission were applied, with the final intervention including a switch of all keyboards and mice in NICU-A and B to disinfectable ones. Post-intervention prospective monitoring up to one year showed a decrease in blood culture positivity (P = 0.0019) and catheter-related blood stream infection rate (P = 0.016) before and after intervention.

CONCLUSION

ATP monitoring is an effective tool in identifying difficult to disinfect areas in NICUs. Non-medical devices may serve as reservoirs of pathogens causing nosocomial outbreaks, and HCWs' hands contribute to bacterial transmission in NICUs.

Maternal Colonization Versus Nosocomial Transmission as the Source of Drug-Resistant Bloodstream Infection in an Indian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Drug-resistant gram-negative (GN) pathogens are a common cause of neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries. Identifying GN transmission patterns is vital to inform preventive efforts.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study, 12 October 2018 to 31 October 2019 to describe the association of maternal and environmental GN colonization with bloodstream infection (BSI) among neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Western India. We assessed rectal and vaginal colonization in pregnant women presenting for delivery and colonization in neonates and the environment using culture-based methods. We also collected data on BSI for all NICU patients, including neonates born to unenrolled mothers. Organism identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed to compare BSI and related colonization isolates.

RESULTS

Among 952 enrolled women who delivered, 257 neonates required NICU admission, and 24 (9.3%) developed BSI. Among mothers of neonates with GN BSI (n = 21), 10 (47.7%) had rectal, 5 (23.8%) had vaginal, and 10 (47.7%) had no colonization with resistant GN organisms. No maternal isolates matched the species and resistance pattern of associated neonatal BSI isolates. Thirty GN BSI were observed among neonates born to unenrolled mothers. Among 37 of 51 BSI with available NGS data, 21 (57%) showed a single nucleotide polymorphism distance of ≤5 to another BSI isolate.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective assessment of maternal GN colonization did not demonstrate linkage to neonatal BSI. Organism-relatedness among neonates with BSI suggests nosocomial spread, highlighting the importance of NICU infection prevention and control practices to reduce GN BSI.

SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: Strategies to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission and infection in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

Previously published guidelines have provided comprehensive recommendations for detecting and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist acute-care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing efforts to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission and infection. This document updates the "Strategies to Prevent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Infection in Acute Care Hospitals" published in 2014.1 This expert guidance document is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). It is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise.

Infection control measures against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in children and neonates

The increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units over recent years is alarming. MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have constituted the main causes of the MDR Gram-negative bacteria problem. The implementation of infection control measures such as hand hygiene, cohorting of patients, contact precautions, active surveillance and environmental cleaning could diminish their spread. Recently, water safety has been identified as a major component of infection control policies. The aim of the current review is to highlight the effectiveness of these infection control measures in managing outbreaks caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and highlight future perspectives on the topic.

Infant isolation and cohorting for preventing or reducing transmission of healthcare-associated infections in neonatal units

BACKGROUND

Neonatal healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in increased morbidity and mortality, as well as increased healthcare costs. Patient isolation measures, i.e. single-room isolation or the cohorting of patients with similar infections, remain a recommended and commonly used practice for preventing horizontal spread of infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was to assess the effect of single-room isolation or cohorting, or both for preventing transmission of HAIs or colonization with HAI-causing pathogens in newborn infants less than six months of age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our secondary objective was to assess the effect of single-room isolation or cohorting, or both on neonatal mortality and perceived or documented adverse effects in newborn infants admitted to the NICU.  SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registries. There were no restrictions to date, language or publication type. We also checked the reference lists of studies identified for full-text review.  SELECTION CRITERIA: Types of studies: cluster-randomized or quasi-randomized trials at the level of the cluster (where clusters may be defined by NICU, hospital, ward, or other subunits of the hospital). We also included cross-over trials with a washout period of more than four months (arbitrarily defined).

TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS

newborn infants less than six months of age in neonatal units that implemented patient isolation or cohorting as infection control measures to prevent HAIs. Types of interventions: patient isolation measures (single-room isolation or cohorting, or both of infants with similar colonization or infections) compared to routine isolation measures.

TYPES OF OUTCOME MEASURES

the primary outcome was the rate of transmission of HAIs as estimated by the infection and colonization rates in the NICU. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality during hospital stay at 28 days of age, length of hospital stay, as well as potential adverse effects of isolation or cohorting measures, or both.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The standard methods of Cochrane Neonatal were used to identify studies and assess the methodological quality of eligible cluster-randomized trials. The certainty of the evidence was to be assessed by the GRADE method as evidence of high, moderate, low, or very low certainty. Infection and colonization rates were to be expressed as rate ratios for each trial and if appropriate for meta-analysis, the generic inverse variance method in RevMan was to be used.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not identify any published or ongoing trials to include in the review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The review found no evidence from randomized trials to either support or refute the use of patient isolation measures (single-room isolation or cohorting) in neonates with HAIs. Risks secondary to infection control measures need to be balanced against the benefits of decreasing horizontal transmission in the neonatal unit for optimal neonatal outcomes. There is an urgent need to research the effectiveness of patient isolation measures for preventing the transmission of HAIs in neonatal units. Well-designed trials randomizing clusters of units or hospitals to a type of patient isolation method intervention are warranted.

Serratia marcescens Colonization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Has Multiple Sources, with Sink Drains as a Major Reservoir

Compelling evidence suggests a contribution of the sink environment to the transmission of opportunistic pathogens from the hospital environment to patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In this study, the distribution of the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens in the sink environment and newborns in a NICU was investigated. More than 500 sink drain and faucet samples were collected over the course of five sampling campaigns undertaken over 3 years. Distribution and diversity of S. marcescens were examined with a modified MacConkey medium and a high-throughput short-sequence typing (HiSST) method. Sink drains were an important reservoir of S. marcescens, with an average of 44% positive samples, whereas no faucet sample was positive. The genotypic diversity of S. marcescens was moderate, with an average of two genotypes per drain, while the spatial distribution of S. marcescens was heterogeneous. The genotypic profiles of 52 clinical isolates were highly heterogeneous, with 27 unique genotypes, of which 71% of isolates were found in more than one patient. S. marcescens acquisition during the first outbreaks was mainly caused by horizontal transmissions. HiSST analyses revealed 10 potential cases of patient-to-patient transmission of S. marcescens, five cases of patient-to-sink transmission, and one bidirectional transfer between sink and patient. Environmental and clinical isolates were found in sink drains up to 1 year after the first detection, supporting persisting drain colonization. This extensive survey suggests multiple reservoirs of S. marcescens within the NICU, including patients and sink drains, but other external sources should also be considered. IMPORTANCE The bacterium Serratia marcescens is an important opportunistic human pathogen that thrives in many environments, can become multidrug resistant, and is often involved in nosocomial outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We evaluated the role of sinks during five suspected S. marcescens outbreaks in a NICU. An innovative approach combining molecular and culture methods was used to maximize the detection and typing of S. marcescens in the sink environment. Our results indicate multiple reservoirs of S. marcescens within the NICU, including patients, sink drains, and external sources. These results highlight the importance of sinks as a major reservoir of S. marcescens and potential sources of future outbreaks.

Prospective Genomic Surveillance Reveals Cryptic MRSA Outbreaks with Local to International Origins among NICU Patients

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections cause substantive morbidity and mortality in neonates. Using publicly available resources from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) GalaxyTrakr pipeline, we illustrate the dynamics of MRSA colonization and infection in neonates. Over 217 days of prospective surveillance, analyses revealed concurrent MRSA transmission chains affecting 11 of 17 MRSA-colonized patients (65%), with two clusters that demonstrated intervals of more than a month among the appearance of isolates. All MRSA infected neonates (n = 3) showed previous colonization with the infecting strain. GalaxyTrakr clustering of the NICU strains, in the context of 21,521 international isolates deposited in NCBI's Pathogen Detection Resource, revealed NICU isolates to be distinct from adult MRSA strains seen locally and internationally. Clustering of the NICU strains within an international context enhanced the resolution of strain clusters and supported the rule-out of suspected, local transmission events within the NICU. Analyses also identified sequence type 1535 isolates, emergent in the Middle East, carrying a unique SCCmec with fusC and aac(6')-Ie/aph(2'')-1a that provided a multidrug-resistant phenotype. NICU genomic pathogen surveillance, leveraging public repositories and outbreak detection tools, supports rapid identification of cryptic MRSA clusters, and can inform infection prevention interventions for this vulnerable patient population. Results demonstrate that sporadic infections in the NICU may be indicative of hidden chains of asymptomatic transmission best identified with sequenced-based approaches.

Serratia Infection Epidemiology Among Very Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Serratia spp. are opportunistic, multidrug resistant, Gram-negative pathogens, previously described among preterm infants in case reports or outbreaks of infection. We describe Serratia late-onset infection (LOI) in very preterm infants in a large, contemporary, nationally representative cohort.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of prospectively collected data of preterm infants born 401-1500 grams and/or 22-29 weeks gestational age from 2018 to 2020 at 774 Vermont Oxford Network members, LOI was defined as culture-confirmed blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid infection > 3 days after birth. The primary outcome was incidence of Serratia LOI. Secondary outcomes compared rates of survival and discharge morbidities between infants with Serratia and non-Serratia LOI.

RESULTS

Among 119,565 infants, LOI occurred in 10,687 (8.9%). Serratia was isolated in 279 cases (2.6% of all LOI; 2.3 Serratia infections per 1000 infants). Of 774 hospitals, 161 (21%) reported at least one Serratia LOI; 170 of 271 (63%) cases occurred at hospitals reporting 1 or 2 Serratia infections, and 53 of 271 (20%) occurred at hospitals reporting ≥5 Serratia infections. Serratia LOI was associated with a lower rate of survival to discharge compared with those with non-Serratia LOI (adjusted relative risk 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82-0.95). Among survivors, infants with Serratia LOI had higher rates of tracheostomy, gastrostomy and home oxygen use compared with those with non-Serratia LOI.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of Serratia LOI was 2.3 infections per 1000 very preterm infants in this cohort. Lower survival and significant morbidity among Serratia LOI survivors highlight the need for recognition and targeted prevention strategies for this opportunistic nosocomial infection.

Genomic transmission analysis of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria within a newborn unit of a Kenyan tertiary hospital: A four-month prospective colonization study

Objective

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), especially carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO), represent a threat for newborns. This study investigates the colonization prevalence of these pathogens in a newborn unit at a Kenyan tertiary hospital in an integrated approach combining routine microbiology, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and hospital surveillance data.

Methods

The study was performed in the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in 2019 over a four-month period and included 300 mother-baby pairs. A total of 1,097 swabs from newborns (weekly), mothers (once) and the hospital environment were taken. Routine clinical microbiology methods were applied for surveillance. Of the 288 detected MDRO, 160 isolates were analyzed for antimicrobial resistance genes and phylogenetic relatedness using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatic analysis.

Results

In maternal vaginal swabs, MDRO detection rate was 15% (n=45/300), including 2% CRO (n=7/300). At admission, MDRO detection rate for neonates was 16% (n=48/300), including 3% CRO (n=8/300) with a threefold increase for MDRO (44%, n=97/218) and a fivefold increase for CRO (14%, n=29/218) until discharge. Among CRO, K. pneumoniae harboring bla_NDM-1 (n=20) or bla_NDM-5 (n=16) were most frequent. WGS analysis revealed 20 phylogenetically related transmission clusters (including five CRO clusters). In environmental samples, the MDRO detection rate was 11% (n=18/164), including 2% CRO (n=3/164).

Conclusion

Our study provides a snapshot of MDRO and CRO in a Kenyan NBU. Rather than a large outbreak scenario, data indicate several independent transmission events. The CRO rate among newborns attributed to the spread of NDM-type carbapenemases is worrisome.

Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit associated with contaminated donor milk

Objective:

Investigation of the origin of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Design:

Retrospective case–control study.

Setting:

Regional level 3 perinatal center in Germany.

Patients:

This study included 4 S. marcescens–positive and 19 S. marcescens–negative neonates treated between February 1 and February 26, 2019, in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods:

A case–control study was performed to identify the source of the outbreak. The molecular investigation of S. marcescens isolates collected during the outbreak was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing.

Results:

The retrospective case–control study showed a significant correlation (P < .0001) between S. marcensens infection or colonization and consumption of donor milk that had tested negative for pathogenic bacteria from a single breast milk donor. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing retrospectively confirmed an S. marcescens strain isolated from the breast milk of this donor as the possible origin of the initial outbreak. The outbreak was controlled by the implementation of an infection control bundle including a multidisciplinary infection control team, temporary nutrition of infants with formula only and/or their mother’s own milk, repeated screening of all inpatients, strict coat and glove care, process observation, retraining of hand hygiene and continuous monitoring of environmental cleaning procedures.

Conclusions:

Low-level contaminated raw donor milk can be a source of infection and colonization of preterm infants with S. marcescens even if it tests negative for bacteria.

Respiratory syncytial virus nosocomial outbreak in neonatal intensive care: A review of the incidence, management, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

The main objective was to determine the incidence, management, and outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus nosocomial infection (RSVNI) outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of RSVNI in 9 databases was conducted from January 1, 2000 to May 1, 2021, of which the Cochrane Library comprised the Cochrane central register of controlled trials and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews. Two hundred and twenty-eight articles were retrieved and 17 were retained. A descriptive analysis was performed, and frequencies are reported as mean, median, and range where pertinent.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventeen infants were analyzed and comprised preterms (88.1%) and those with pre-existing co-morbidities. The estimated proportional incidence of RSVNI was 23.8% (177/744) infants. Outbreaks were principally managed by conventional protective measures, neonatal intensive care unit closure, and visitor restriction. Palivizumab was used to control RSVNI in 10 studies. RSVNI-related mortality was 8.5% (15/177) and 8.0% (7/87) among infants where infection control was solely employed.

CONCLUSION

RSVNI is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The use of palivizumab should be a multidisciplinary decision, based on rapidly spreading infection. Prospective studies are essential to determine the cost-benefit of palivizumab versus standard prevention control for an RSVNI outbreak.

A Yersiniabactin-producing Klebsiella aerogenes Strain Causing an Outbreak in an Austrian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Yersiniabactin, a siderophore with a high affinity to iron, has been described as a potential virulence factor in Enterobacteriaceae. Klebsiella aerogenes is a Gram-negative rod known to cause invasive infection in very low birth weight infants but is an unusual pathogen to cause outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients colonized with K. aerogenes in our NICU from September to December 2018. Each infant with an occurrence of K. aerogenes in any microbiological culture was defined as a case. Clinical data were taken from medical charts. K. aerogenes isolates were genotyped using whole-genome sequencing combined with core genome multilocus sequencing type analysis. Yersiniabactin production was evaluated by luciferase assay.

RESULTS

In total 16 patients were colonized with K. aerogenes over the 3-month period and 13 patients remained asymptomatic or developed late-onset neonatal sepsis from another pathogen. Three patients developed necrotizing enterocolitis, 2 complicated by sepsis and 1 of them died. All symptomatic patients were premature infants with low birth weight. Genetic sequencing confirmed an outbreak with the same strain, all samples expressed the high-pathogenicity island, necessary for the production of yersiniabactin. Six exemplary cases were proven to produce yersiniabactin in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of an outbreak of a yersiniabactin-producing K. aerogenes strain causing invasive infection in preterm infants. We hypothesize that, due to improved iron uptake, this strain was associated with higher virulence than non-yersiniabactin-producing strains. Extended search for virulence factors and genetic sequencing could be pivotal in the management of NICU outbreaks in the future.

Whole Genome Sequencing of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Neonatal Bloodstream Infections at a Neonatal Care Unit, Algeria

Aims: Neonatal bloodstream infections (BSIs) are an important cause of mortality among neonates. Besides, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) is one of the most frequent pathogens causing neonatal BSIs. This study aimed to characterize ESBL-Kp strains recovered from neonatal BSI and to investigate risk factors associated with ESBL-Kp BSI at the neonatal care unit of Elmeki Hospital, Bejaia, Algeria. Methodology: After isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing, the ESBL-Kp strains were characterized by whole genome sequencing. The genomes were then analyzed using bioinformatic tools to determine the resistome, virulome, and phylogenetic relatedness. Results: From September 2019 to May 2020, 27 (8.2%) out of 328 neonates were infected by ESBL-Kp strains. These strains displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype, and on further investigation, were found to carry an array of antibiotic resistance genes. All ESBL-Kp strains harbored the bla_CTX-M-15 gene. Using in silico multilocus sequence typing analysis, six sequence types (STs) were detected with ST268 being the most frequent (56%, n = 15) indicating a local outbreak, confirmed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The yersiniabactin and colibactin gene clusters were identified in six and two ESBL-Kp strains, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of CTX-M-15-producing K. pneumoniae strains coharboring different antibiotic resistance mechanisms from neonatal BSIs in Algeria. Screening of health care personnel and mothers for ESBL carriage before delivery, isolation of carriers, barrier precautions, antimicrobial usage, and control of hygiene are needed to prevent the dissemination of these pathogens.

Early warning for healthcare acquired infections in neonatal care units in a low-resource setting using routinely collected hospital data: The experience from Haiti, 2014-2018

In low-resource settings, detection of healthcare-acquired outbreaks in neonatal units relies on astute clinical staff to observe unusual morbidity or mortality from sepsis as microbiological diagnostics are often absent. We aimed to generate reliable (and automated) early warnings for potential clusters of neonatal late onset sepsis using retrospective data that could signal the start of an outbreak in an NCU in Port au Prince, Haiti, using routinely collected data on neonatal admissions. We constructed smoothed time series for late onset sepsis cases, late onset sepsis rates, neonatal care unit (NCU) mortality, maternal admissions, neonatal admissions and neonatal antibiotic consumption. An outbreak was defined as a statistical increase in any of these time series indicators. We created three outbreak alarm classes: 1) thresholds: weeks in which the late onset sepsis cases exceeded four, the late onset sepsis rates exceeded 10% of total NCU admissions and the NCU mortality exceeded 15%; 2) differential: late onset sepsis rates and NCU mortality were double the previous week; and 3) aberration: using the improved Farrington model for late onset sepsis rates and NCU mortality. We validated pairs of alarms by calculating the sensitivity and specificity of the weeks in which each alarm was launched and comparing each alarm to the weeks in which a single GNB positive blood culture was reported from a neonate. The threshold and aberration alarms were the strongest predictors for current and future NCU mortality and current LOS rates (p<0.0002). The aberration alarms were also those with the highest sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. Without microbiological diagnostics in NCUs in low-resource settings, applying these simple algorithms to routinely collected data show great potential to facilitate early warning for possible healthcare-acquired outbreaks of LOS in neonates. The methods used in this study require validation across other low-resource settings.

Healthcare-associated infections caused by chlorhexidine-tolerant Serratia marcescens carrying a promiscuous IncHI2 multi-drug resistance plasmid in a veterinary hospital

The bacterium Serratia marcescens can cause opportunistic infections in humans and in animals. In veterinary settings, the diversity, reservoirs and modes of transmission of this pathogen are poorly understood. The phenotypes and genotypes of Serratia spp. isolated from dogs, cats, horses, a bird and a rabbit examined at an Australian veterinary hospital between 2008 and 2019 were characterised. The isolates were identified as S. marcescens (n = 15) or S. ureilytica (n = 3) and were placed into four distinct phylogenetic groups. Nine quasi-clonal isolates associated with post-surgical complications in different patients displayed high levels of resistance to the antimicrobials fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and to the disinfectant chlorhexidine. A Serratia sp. with a similar resistance profile was also isolated from chlorhexidine solutions used across the Hospital, suggesting that these infections had a nosocomial origin. A genomic island encoding a homolog of the Pseudomonas MexCD-OprJ biocide efflux system was detected in the chlorhexidine-tolerant Serratia. The nine multi-drug resistant Serratia isolates also possessed a Ser-83-Ile mutation in GyrA conferring fluoroquinolone resistance, and carried a large IncHI2 conjugative plasmid encoding antimicrobial and heavy metal resistances. This replicon was highly similar to a plasmid previously detected in a strain of Enterobacter hormaechei recovered from the Hospital environment. IncHI2 plasmids are commonly found in Enterobacteriaceae, but are rarely present in Serratia spp., suggesting that this plasmid was acquired from another organism. A chlorhexidine-tolerant Serratia isolate which lacked the IncHI2 plasmid was used in mating experiments to demonstrate the transfer of multi-drug resistance from a E. hormaechei donor. This study illustrates the importance of environmental surveillance of biocide-resistance in veterinary hospitals.

Healthcare worker associated outbreak of Panton-Valentine Leucocidin producing meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in a large Neonatal Unit in London: successful targeted suppression therapy following failure of mass suppression therapy

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare associated infection and outbreaks have been associated with neonatal units and colonisation of healthcare workers.

AIM

To describe an outbreak of Panton-Valentine Leucocidin producing meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-MSSA) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

METHODS

Multi-disciplinary outbreak control investigation RESULTS: Over a period of 16 months, 7 neonates were identified as positive for PVL-MSSA. Isolates were identified in blood cultures (2 patients), nasopharyngeal aspirate (1 patient) and rectal screening swabs (4 patients). Epidemiological and whole genome sequencing data suggested a long-term carrier as the most likely source. Despite two rounds of mass suppression therapy of staff, using chlorhexidine initially, then octenidine-based regimens, positive patients continued to be identified. Staff screening subsequently identified one healthcare worker colonised with the outbreak strain of PVL-MSSA who underwent enhanced screening and further suppression therapy. No further cases have been identified to date. Compliance with mass suppression therapy was >95% and a post administration staff satisfaction survey showed the majority of staff agreed with the steps taken with low rates of adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION

Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks are commonly associated with colonisation of healthcare workers and are challenging to manage within environments such as neonatal units. Our study highlights the utility of whole genome sequencing in identifying and mapping an outbreak. We recommend that targeted staff screening should be considered early in similar outbreaks. In our setting mass suppression therapy was not an effective strategy despite a high level of staff engagement and compliance.

A High-Throughput Short Sequence Typing Scheme for Serratia marcescens Pure Culture and Environmental DNA

Molecular typing methods are used to characterize the relatedness between bacterial isolates involved in infections. These approaches rely mostly on discrete loci or whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses of pure cultures. On the other hand, their application to environmental DNA profiling to evaluate epidemiological relatedness among patients and environments has received less attention. We developed a specific, high-throughput short sequence typing (HiSST) method for the opportunistic human pathogen Serratia marcescens. Genes displaying the highest polymorphism were retrieved from the core genome of 60 S. marcescens strains. Bioinformatics analyses showed that use of only three loci (within bssA, gabR, and dhaM) distinguished strains with a high level of efficiency. This HiSST scheme was applied to an epidemiological survey of S. marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In a first case study, a strain responsible for an outbreak in the NICU was found in a sink drain of this unit, by using HiSST scheme and confirmed by WGS. The HiSST scheme was also applied to environmental DNA extracted from sink-environment samples. Diversity of S. marcescens was modest, with 11, 6, and 4 different sequence types (ST) of gabR, bssA, and dhaM loci among 19 sink drains, respectively. Epidemiological relationships among sinks were inferred on the basis of pairwise comparisons of ST profiles. Further research aimed at relating ST distribution patterns to environmental features encompassing sink location, utilization, and microbial diversity is needed to improve the surveillance and management of opportunistic pathogens. IMPORTANCE Serratia marcescens is an important opportunistic human pathogen, often multidrug resistant and involved in outbreaks of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units. Here, we propose a quick and user-friendly method to select the best typing scheme for nosocomial outbreaks in relating environmental and clinical sources. This method, named high-throughput short sequence typing (HiSST), allows to distinguish strains and to explore the diversity profile of nonculturable S. marcescens. The application of HiSST profile analysis for environmental DNA offers new possibilities to track opportunistic pathogens, identify their origin, and relate their distribution pattern with environmental features encompassing sink location, utilization, and microbial diversity. Adaptation of the method to other opportunistic pathogens is expected to improve knowledge regarding their ecology, which is of significant interest for epidemiological risk assessment and elaborate outbreak mitigation strategies.

Investigation of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase and Carbapenemase Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli in Rectal Swabs Collected from Neonates and Their Associated Factors in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Southern Ethiopia

Background

Currently extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL) and carbapenemase producing gram-negative bacteria are the greatest concern among the neonatal population with very limited therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ESβL and carbapenemase producing gram-negative bacilli, associated factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns among neonates in intensive care units.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2021 on 212 neonates in intensive care units. Risk factors data were collected by using a well-designed questionnaire. A rectal swab sample was collected using a sterile cotton swab and inoculated on MacConkey agar. Bacterial isolates were identified using various biochemical tests. ESβL and carbapenemase were first screened by indicator cephalosporins (cefotaxime (30µg) and ceftazidine (30µg)) and carbapenem (meropenem and ertapenem), respectively. ESβL and carbapenemase were confirmed by a double-disk synergy test and modified carbapenem inactivation methods, respectively. SPSS version 21.0 was used for data analysis. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

The overall prevalence of ESβL-producing gram-negative bacilli was 72/212 (34%). The predominant ESβL-producing isolate was Klebsiella pneumoniae 23/72 (31.9%) followed by Escherichia coli 17/72 (23.6%). Five (2.4%) carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacilli were isolated. ESβL-producing isolates showed a high resistance against ampicillin 72/72 (100%), augmentin 69/72 (95.8%) and gentamycin 57/72 (79.2%). The majority 63/72 (87.5%) of isolated ESβL-producing gram-negative bacilli were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Rectal carriage of ESβL by neonates showed a statistically significant association with endotracheal intubation (p = 0.001; AOR = 4.2; 96% CI = (1.8–9.5)), treatment with ampicillin+gentamycin (p = 0.004; AOR = 3.3; 95% CI = (1.5–7.6)) and staying in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between 11 and 20 days (p = 0.042; AOR = 2; 95% CI = (1.0–4.5)).

Conclusion

A high prevalence of ESβL-producing bacterial isolates was observed for commonly used antibiotics which needs further attention. Therefore, continuous and regular follow-ups of drug resistance patterns is important for the proper treatment and management of ESβL and carbapenemase producing gram-negative bacilli.

Outbreaks in Health Care Settings

Outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks in health care settings are complex and should be evaluated systematically using epidemiologic and molecular tools. Outbreaks result from failures of infection prevention practices, inadequate staffing, and undertrained or overcommitted health care personnel. Contaminated hands, equipment, supplies, water, ventilation systems, and environment may also contribute. Neonatal intensive care, endoscopy, oncology, and transplant units are areas at particular risk. Procedures, such as bronchoscopy and endoscopy, are sources of infection when cleaning and disinfection processes are inadequate. New types of equipment can be introduced and lead to contamination or equipment and medications can be contaminated at the manufacturing source.

High Burden of Bloodstream Infections Associated With Antimicrobial Resistance and Mortality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Pune, India

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to newborns in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study in 3 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Pune, India, to describe the epidemiology of neonatal bloodstream infections (BSIs). All neonates admitted to the NICU were enrolled. The primary outcome was BSI, defined as positive blood culture. Early-onset BSI was defined as BSI on day of life (DOL) 0-2 and late-onset BSI on DOL 3 or later.

RESULTS

From 1 May 2017 until 30 April 2018, 4073 neonates were enrolled. Among at-risk neonates, 55 (1.6%) developed early-onset BSI and 176 (5.5%) developed late-onset BSI. The majority of BSIs were caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB; 58%); among GNB, 61 (45%) were resistant to carbapenems. Klebsiella spp. (n = 53, 23%) were the most common cause of BSI. Compared with neonates without BSI, all-cause mortality was higher among neonates with early-onset BSI (31% vs 10%, P < .001) and late-onset BSI (24% vs 7%, P < .001). Non-low-birth-weight neonates with late-onset BSI had the greatest excess in mortality (22% vs 3%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, neonatal BSIs were most commonly caused by GNB, with a high prevalence of AMR, and were associated with high mortality, even in term neonates. Effective interventions are urgently needed to reduce the burden of BSI and death due to AMR GNB in hospitalized neonates in LMIC.

Infection Prevention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Although many aspects of infection prevention and control (IPC) mirror institutional efforts, optimization of IPC practices in the neonatal intensive care unit requires careful consideration of its unique population and environment, addressed here for key IPC domains. In addition, innovative mitigation efforts to address challenges specific to limited resource settings are discussed.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) Newborn Colonization in a Portuguese Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control Measures

Infections due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are increasing worldwide and are especially concerning in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Risk factors for CPE gut colonization in neonates need to be clarified. In this work, we describe the epidemiological and clinical features of CPE-colonized newborns and the infection control measures in a Portuguese NICU. We performed a prospective, observational, longitudinal, cohort study for surveillance of CPE colonization. Maternal and neonatal features of colonized newborns and surveillance strategy were described. A statistical analysis was performed with SPSS23.0, and significance was indicated by p-value ≤ 0.05. Between March and November 2019, CPE was isolated in 5.8% of 173 admitted neonates. Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently isolated. There was no associated infection. Birth weight, gestational age, length of stay, and days of central line were the identified risk factors for CPE colonization (bivariate analysis with Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, according to normality). No independent risk factors for CPE colonization were identified in the logistic regression analysis. CPE colonization risk factors are still to be determined accurately in the neonatal population. Active surveillance and continuous infection control measures restrained the current cluster of colonized newborns and helped to prevent infection and future outbreaks.

Impact of a Whole-Room Atomizing Disinfection System on Healthcare Surface Contamination, Pathogen Transfer, and Labor Efficiency

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Healthcare surfaces contribute to nosocomial disease transmission. Studies show that despite standard guidelines and practices for cleaning and disinfection, secondary infection spread among healthcare workers and patients is common in ICUs. Manual terminal cleaning practices in healthcare are subject to highly variable results due to differences in training, compliance, and other inherent complexities. Standard cleaning practices combined with no-touch disinfecting technologies, however, may significantly lower nosocomial infection rates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a whole-room, no-touch disinfection intervention to reduce the concentration and cross-contamination of surface bacteria when used in tandem with manual cleaning protocols.

[Neonatal healthcare associated-infections in the Maghreb. A systematic review and meta-analysis]

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections are a major source of morbidity and mortality in neonatology. Our aim was to describe the epidemiology of Healthcare-associated infections in neonatology (frequency, associated factors and prognosis).

METHODS

Articles were searched in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. We included observational studies describing prevalence, incidence or mortality among new-born babies having developed infections more than 48hours after hospitalization. The pooled prevalence, incidence and mortality estimates were analysed using the random effects model. Publication bias was analysed using the funnel plot and Egger's test statistics. Data analysis was carried out using R Studio software v1.2.

RESULTS

Among the initially identified 137 studies, ten articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the metanalysis. They mainly concerned Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Pooled incidence was 10% (95% CI [4%-18%]) and overall mortality was 49% (95% CI [33%-66%]). Heterogeneity between studies was significantly high, with rates of 98% and 90% respectively.

CONCLUSION

This review underlined a need to undertake more large-scale multicentric surveys and studies on monitoring systems and the attitudes and practices of relevant caregivers, the objective being to better understand the realities of healthcare-associated infections in Greater Maghreb neonatology units.

Whole-genome sequencing for neonatal intensive care unit outbreak investigations: Insights and lessons learned

Infectious diseases outbreaks are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are particularly vulnerable to infectious complications during hospitalization. Thus, rapid recognition of and response to outbreaks in the NICU is essential. At Rush University Medical Center, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been utilized since early 2016 as an adjunctive method for outbreak investigations. The use of WGS and potential lessons learned are illustrated for 3 different NICU outbreak investigations involving methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), group B Streptococcus (GBS), and Serratia marcescens. WGS has contributed to the understanding of the epidemiology of outbreaks in our NICU, and it has also provided further insight in settings of unusual diseases or when lower-resolution typing methods have been inadequate. WGS has emerged as the new gold standard for evaluating strain relatedness. As barriers to implementation are overcome, WGS has the potential to transform outbreak investigation in healthcare settings.

Is there a widespread clone of Serratia marcescens producing outbreaks worldwide?

BACKGROUND

Serratia marcescens frequently causes outbreaks in healthcare settings. There are few studies using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) that analyse S. marcescens outbreaks. We present the analysis of two outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in hospitals from the Comunitat Valenciana (CV, Spain) and the impact of using different reference genomes.

METHODS

DNA from cultured isolates was extracted and sequenced by HTS using Illumina NextSeq. Reads were mapped against two reference genomes, strains UMH9 and Db11, and the unmapped fraction of the genomes was assembled to fully genetically characterize the isolates.

FINDINGS

Isolates from the first outbreak were identical to the UMH9 reference, an unrelated isolate obtained three years earlier in the USA. This did not occur when the Db11 strain, a standard reference for S. marcescens, was used as the reference for mapping. To check whether UMH9 was a widely distributed clone spreading in the CV, the second outbreak isolates were mapped against this reference. They were not closely related to this strain, and this outbreak could be defined as such regardless of the reference used for mapping the reads.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of the reference for genomic analysis of outbreaks is a critical decision. In the case of the first outbreak, this choice changed the interpretation of the results drastically, allowing or preventing the definition of the outbreak according to the reference used. Although HTS is a powerful tool for epidemiological analysis, it is still essential to collect microbiological and epidemiological data for the correct interpretation of the results.

Antibiotic Resistance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an increasing problem in the NICU. Ineffective empiric antibiotic therapy is associated with increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Organisms that are resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents (multidrug-resistant organisms) are particularly problematic. These organisms may be transmitted to infants if infection control practices are not adhered to, or they may be created by antibiotic exposure. Therefore, meticulous infection prevention-including hand hygiene, surveillance cultures, contact precautions, and selective decolonization-and antibiotic stewardship are important strategies to minimize drug resistance in the NICU.

Assessment of surface cleaning and disinfection in neonatal intensive care unit

Background

Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) is a priority in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), given the critical immune status of patients. The aim of this study was to assess surface bacterial contamination before and after improving cleaning and disinfection practices.

Materials and methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in March 2018. Surface samples were taken from the same areas in three steps: after cleaning, after "improved" cleaning, and after terminal disinfection using hydrogen peroxide vapor (VHP). Sampling and culture was carried out according to standard ISO14698-1: 2004. Results interpretation was based on the thresholds defined by good hospital pharmacy practice. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 21.0 and a P-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results

In total, 290 samples were taken from different zones: fixed equipment (69%), aseptic washbasins (12%), pneumatic system (9%), computer equipment (6%) and mobile equipment (4%). Prevalence of non-compliances after cleaning and disinfection was 75%, 10% after “improved” cleaning, and 0% after automated VHP (P < 0.0001). Median of CFU was 24[EI (0–625)] after standard cleaning, 2[EI (0–35)] after “improved” cleaning and 0 [EI (0–3)] after VHP (P < 0.0001). Isolated germs werecoagulase-negative Staphylococcus (31.2%), Acinetobacter baumannii (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (19.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9%), E. coli (4%) and Enterobacter sp (1.3%).

Conclusion

Improved cleaning and disinfection practices associated to VHP give microbiological satisfactory results. It is important to educate cleaning staff for effective surface cleaning and disinfection operations to control HAI.

Effect of camera monitoring and feedback along with training on hospital infection rate in a neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

In terms of pediatric healthcare-associated infections (HAI), neonatal intensive care units (NICU) constitute the greatest risk. Contacting a health care personnel, either directly or indirectly, elevates NICU occurrence rate and risks other infants in the same unit. In this study, it is aimed to retrospectively analyze the effect of the training along with camera monitoring and feedback (CMAF) to control the infection following a small outbreak.

METHODS

ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected on three infants in May 2014 at the isolation room of Sakarya University Hospital NICU. Precautions were taken to prevent further spread of the infection. The infected infants were isolated and the decolonization process was initiated. For this aspect, health care workers (HCWs) in NICU were trained for infection control measures. An infection control committee has monitored the HCWs. Before monitoring, an approval was obtained from the hospital management and HCWs were informed about the CMAF, who were then periodically updated. On a weekly basis, NICU workers were provided with the feedbacks. Epidemic period and post-epidemic control period (June-July-August 2014) were evaluated and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) density was 9.59% before the onset of the CMAF, whereas it was detected as 2.24% during the CMAF period (p < 0.05). Following the precautions, HAI and HAI density rates have reduced to 76.6% and 74.85%, respectively. Moreover, hand hygiene compliance of health care workers was found 49.0% before the outbreak, whereas this rate has elevated to 62.7% after CMAF.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare workers should be monitored in order to increase their compliance for infection control measures. Here, we emphasized that that CMAF of health workers may contribute reducing the HAI rate in the NICU.

A nonclonal outbreak of vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To describe an outbreak of bacteremia caused by vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus faecalis (VSEfe).

DESIGN

An investigation by retrospective case control and molecular typing by whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

SETTING

A tertiary-care neonatal unit in Melbourne, Australia.

METHODS

Risk factors for 30 consecutive neonates with VSEfe bacteremia from June 2011 to December 2014 were analyzed using a case control study. Controls were neonates matched for gestational age, birth weight, and year of birth. Isolates were typed using WGS, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was determined.

RESULTS

Bacteremia for case patients occurred at a median time after delivery of 23.5 days (interquartile range, 14.9-35.8). Previous described risk factors for nosocomial bacteremia did not contribute to excess risk for VSEfe. WGS typing results designated 43% ST179 as well as 14 other sequence types, indicating a polyclonal outbreak. A multimodal intervention that included education, insertion checklists, guidelines on maintenance and access of central lines, adjustments to the late onset sepsis antibiotic treatment, and the introduction of diaper bags for disposal of soiled diapers after being handled inside the bed, led to termination of the outbreak.

CONCLUSIONS

Typing using WGS identified this outbreak as predominately nonclonal and therefore not due to cross transmission. A multimodal approach was then sought to reduce the incidence of VSEfe bacteremia.

Influence of a Serratia marcescens outbreak on the gut microbiota establishment process in low-weight preterm neonates

Adequate gut microbiota establishment is important for lifelong health. The aim was to sequentially analyze the gut microbiota establishment in low-birth-weight preterm neonates admitted to a single neonatal intensive care unit during their first 3 weeks of life, comparing two epidemiological scenarios. Seven control infants were recruited, and another 12 during a severe S. marcescens outbreak. Meconium and feces from days 7, 14, and 21 of life were collected. Gut microbiota composition was determined by 16S rDNA massive sequencing. Cultivable isolates were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, with four S. marcescens submitted for whole-genome sequencing. The expected bacterial ecosystem expansion after birth is delayed, possibly related to antibiotic exposure. The Proteobacteria phylum dominates, although with marked interindividual variability. The outbreak group considerably differed from the control group, with higher densities of Escherichia coli and Serratia to the detriment of Enterococcus and other Firmicutes. Curiously, obligate predators were only detected in meconium and at very low concentrations. Genotyping of cultivable bacteria demonstrated the high bacterial horizontal transmission rate that was confirmed with whole-genome sequencing for S. marcescens. Preterm infants admitted at NICU are initially colonized by homogeneous microbial communities, most of them from the nosocomial environment, which subsequently evolve according to the individual conditions. Our results demonstrate the hospital epidemiology pressure, particularly during outbreak situations, on the gut microbiota establishing process.

Identification and Containment of a Cluster of Two Bacillus cereus Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

We report a cluster of invasive Bacillus cereus infections in a neonatal intensive care unit. We describe the clinical course of two infected patients, one of whom died of severe pneumonia after successfully being weaned from ECMO. Environmental analyses failed to yield a common source. Molecular characterization confirmed the homogeneity of both isolates. Rigorous hygiene control and adequate therapy enabled the containment of the cluster.