Mortality and its predictors among hospitalized patients with infections due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae in Malaysia: a retrospective observational study

An assessment of the index of rational drug prescribing for severe acute respiratory infections among hospitalised children in Northern Nigeria: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated drug use pattern among hospitalized children with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Nigeria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective assessment of prescribed medicines for children aged 13 years and below who were admitted and treated for SARI from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018 was conducted. The WHO prescribing indicators and the Index of Rational Drug Prescribing were used to evaluate prescriptions.

RESULTS

A total of 259 patients were included, mostly diagnosed with bronchopneumonia (56%). A summary of WHO-core prescribing indicators showed the average number of drugs per encounter was 3.9, medicines prescribed by generic name was 82.1%, and an encounter with at least an antibiotic was 99.7%. The percentage of drugs prescribed from the Essential Medicine List for children was 79%. The most frequently prescribed pharmacological class of medicines was antibiotics (41.4%). Cephalosporins (40.0%), aminoglycosides (34.1%), and penicillins (21.5%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes. Gentamicin (34.1%) and cefuroxime (21.5%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug prescribing for hospitalized children with SARI was suboptimal, especially with regard to polypharmacy, antibiotics, and injection use. Interventions to promote rational use of medicines including antimicrobial stewardship interventions are recommended.

A multicentre study to determine the in vitro efficacy of flomoxef against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in Malaysia

Background

The high burden of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales worldwide, especially in the densely populated South East Asia poses a significant threat to the global transmission of antibiotic resistance. Molecular surveillance of ESBL-producing pathogens in this region is vital for understanding the local epidemiology, informing treatment choices, and addressing the regional and global implications of antibiotic resistance.

Methods

Therefore, an inventory surveillance of the ESBL-Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) isolates responsible for infections in Malaysian hospitals was conducted. Additionally, the in vitro efficacy of flomoxef and other established antibiotics against ESBL-EC was evaluated.

Results

A total of 127 non-repetitive ESBL-EC strains isolated from clinical samples were collected during a multicentre study performed in five representative Malaysian hospitals. Of all the isolates, 33.9% were isolated from surgical site infections and 85.8% were hospital-acquired infections. High rates of resistance to cefotaxime (100%), cefepime (100%), aztreonam (100%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%) were observed based on the broth microdilution test. Carbapenems remained the most effective antibiotics against the ESBL-EC, followed by flomoxef. Antibiotic resistance genes were identified by PCR. The blaCTX-M-1 was the most prevalent ESBL gene, with 28 isolates (22%) harbouring blaCTX-M-1 only, 27 isolates (21.3%) co-harbouring blaCTX-M-1 and blaTEM, and ten isolates (7.9%) co-harbouring blaCTX-M-1, blaTEM and blaSHV. A generalised linear model showed significant antibacterial activity of imipenem against different types of infection. Besides carbapenems, this study also demonstrated a satisfactory antibacterial activity of flomoxef (81.9%) on ESBL-EC, regardless of the types of ESBL genes.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study investigated how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to identify potentially eligible studies published from December 2019 to September 2022. A random effect model was used to determine the changes in the rate of HAIs during the pandemic. Thirty-seven studies, mostly from the United States (n = 13), were included. Fifteen studies described how the pandemic affected the rate of CLABSIs and CAUTIs, and eight of them showed a significant increase in CLABSIs. The risk of CLABSIs and CDIs was 27% (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 0.73; confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.89; p < 0.001) and 20% (pooled OR: 1.20; CI: 1.10-1.31; p < 0.001) higher during the pandemic compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic period, respectively. However, the overall risk of HAIs was unaffected by the pandemic (pooled OR: 1.00; 95 CI: 0.80-1.24; p = 0.990). Furthermore, there were no significant changes in the risk of CAUTIs (pooled OR: 1.01; 95 CI: 0.88-1.16; p = 0.890), and SSIs (pooled OR: 1.27; CI: 0.91-1.76; p = 0.16) between the two periods. The COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on the overall risk of HAIs among hospitalized patients, but an increased risk of CLABSIs and CDI were observed during the pandemic. Therefore, more stringent infection control and prevention measures and prudent interventions to promote the rational use of antibiotics are warranted across all healthcare facilities to reduce the burden of HAIs.

Awareness, practices and perceptions of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship in Libya: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists play a vital role in promoting appropriate use of antibiotics in the community. This study evaluated the practices and perceptions of community pharmacists towards antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, and antimicrobial stewardship in Libya.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Libya using a 47-item validated, pre-tested online questionnaire. Data was collected from December 2021 to February 2022 and was analysed using descriptive and inferential analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 114 questionnaires included in the analysis, 54.4% were females, 78.1% had < 10 year working experience (78.1%), and 81.6% had a Bachelor of Pharmacy. Most (78.1%) strongly agreed/agreed that community pharmacists have an important role to play to reduce antibiotic resistance. Overall, the participants had a moderate perception towards antimicrobial resistance (median score: 21.5; IQR [16-28] out of 35.0). More than 40% supply antibiotics when patients requested them specifically, because if they do not supply them, patients will just go to another pharmacy. About 47% strongly agreed/agreed that if a patient cannot afford a full course of antibiotics all in one go, they will give them a smaller amount that they are able to afford at that time, even when a longer duration of treatment is required. Most (66.7%) had no previous involvement in antibiotics awareness campaign due to 'I have never heard about the campaign' (48.7%) and 'I do not have enough time to participate' (22.4%). Overall, the perception towards antimicrobial stewardship was good (20 [13-25] out of 25.0). Raising awareness of rational antibiotic use, including antimicrobial resistance, among pharmacy students (83.4%) and patient education by pharmacists in community pharmacies at the time medicines are supplied to patients (81.6%) were the most common strategies to improve rational use of antibiotics in community pharmacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Community pharmacists in Libya recognise their role in reducing antimicrobial resistance. They had a moderate perception towards antimicrobial resistance and a good perception towards antimicrobial stewardship. However, inappropriate antibiotic practices were common. The most common strategies to improve rational use of antibiotics in community pharmacy were raising awareness about the rational antibiotic use among pharmacy students and patient education by community pharmacists at the time antibiotics are dispensed to patients. Regulations are needed to restrict dispensing antibiotics without prescription among community pharmacists.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative pathogens: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is paucity of data describing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance. This review evaluated the changes in the rate of multidrug resistant gram negative and gram positive bacteria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to identify eligible studies. Studies that reported the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CPE) were selected. Studies published in English language from the start of COVID-19 pandemic to July 2022 were considered for inclusion.

RESULTS

Thirty eligible studies were selected and most of them were from Italy (n = 8), Turkey (n = 3) and Brazil (n = 3). The results indicated changes in the rate of multidrug resistant bacteria, and the changes varied between the studies. Most studies (54.5%) reported increase in MRSA infection/colonization during the pandemic, and the increase ranged from 4.6 to 170.6%. Five studies (55.6%) reported a 6.8-65.1% increase in VRE infection/colonization during the pandemic. A 2.4-58.2% decrease in ESBL E. coli and a 1.8-13.3% reduction in ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed during the pandemic. For CRAB, most studies (58.3%) reported 1.5-621.6% increase in infection/colonization during the pandemic. Overall, studies showed increase in the rate of CRE infection/colonization during the pandemic. There was a reduction in carbapenem-resistant E. coli during COVID-19 pandemic, and an increase in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. Most studies (55.6%) showed 10.4 - 40.9% reduction in the rate of CRPA infection during the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

There is an increase in the rate of multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative bacteria during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rate of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and CRPA has decrease during the pandemic. Both infection prevention and control strategies and antimicrobial stewardship should be strengthen to address the increasing rate of multidrug resistant gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

ESBL and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in infectious pleural effusions: current epidemiology at Hôpital du Mali

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern, with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases being major contributors. Pleural infection (PI) is a severe condition in West Africa, complicated by AMR. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of ESBL and carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria in pleural effusions in Mali.

Materials and methods

Pleural fluid samples from 526 patients with pleuritis were analyzed. Enterobacterial species were isolated and identified, and the prevalence of resistance genes (blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1, blaKPC, blaTEM, blaSHV) and virulence factors was determined.

Results

Among the patients, 110 were diagnosed with enterobacterial pleuritis. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis were the main pathogens identified. Resistance to β-lactams and cephalosporins was high, while carbapenems showed good activity. ESBL production was detected in 33.6% of isolates, with blaTEM being the most common gene. Carbapenemase gene (blaNDM-1) was found in three isolates.

Conclusion

The study highlights the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the need for appropriate antibiotic selection based on local resistance patterns. Understanding the molecular characteristics of resistance is crucial for optimizing patient care and developing effective therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to monitor and control AMR in PIs in Mali.

Perspectives on the Ethics of Antibiotic Overuse and on the Implementation of (New) Antibiotics

The continuing rise in global antimicrobial resistance is seen by many governments and international organizations as a major threat to worldwide health. This means that many publications have already described the problems concerning the overuse of currently available antibiotics and potential solutions to this crisis, including the development of new alternatives to antibiotics. However, in this manuscript, the authors approach the subject of increasing global antimicrobial resistance from two perspectives not normally covered by previous publications, namely the ethical use of antibiotics and potential issues relating to the implementation of new antibiotics.