A scoping review and behavioural analysis of factors underlying overuse of antimicrobials

Background

Overuse of antimicrobials is a challenging global issue that contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Despite widespread awareness of the problem among members of the medical community and various attempts to improve prescription practices, existing antimicrobial stewardship programmes are not always effective. In our view, this may reflect limited understanding of factors that influence prescription of antimicrobials as empirical therapy, implying a need to address the psychological mechanisms behind some of the specific behaviours involved.

Objectives

To identify factors that influence the antimicrobials prescription as empirical therapy, and to relate these factors to findings from behavioural science.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of the literature on the factors underlying antimicrobial prescription decisions, following the protocol designed using PRISMA guidelines.

Results and conclusions

From a final sample of 90 sources, we identified ten factors important in antimicrobial prescription decisions. In the second stage of our analysis, we grouped them into five final categories: (1) nature of the decision, (2) social influences, (3) individual differences, (4) characteristics of the patient, (5) context. We analyse these categories using a behavioural science perspective.

Outpatient Antibiotic Use and Costs in Adults: A Nationwide Register-Based Study in Finland 2008-2019

The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of outpatient use and costs for systemic antibacterials by age and sex among adults in Finland from 2008-2019. Data from the Finnish statistical database Kelasto, containing information concerning all reimbursed medicines for 18+-year-olds during 2008-2019, were analyzed. In addition to the decreased (26%) use of systemic antibiotics, decreased use was observed in all antibiotic categories, notably including several wide-spectrum antibiotics. The use of quinolones decreased by 49% and of tetracyclines by 39%. The 10 most frequently used antibiotics covered 89% of all adult antibiotic prescriptions. Antibiotic use also decreased in every age group during the study period. Although the overall yearly costs of outpatient antibiotics during the 10-year study period decreased from EUR 36.4 million to EUR 30.7 million, the cost per prescription increased slightly. In conclusion, according to the findings of this study, concerning adults and the results of our previous study concerning children and adolescents (2008-2016), there has been a decreasing trend of outpatient antibacterial use among the whole Finnish outpatient population over the duration of nearly one decade. However, during the same time period, there has been a specific increasing trend for the Gram-negative AMR threat regarding E. coli resistance. Therefore, based on our important findings in Finland, methods other than the restriction of antibiotic use, such as new anti-infective innovations, including antibacterials, are needed as soon as possible to tackle this major global health threat-a silent pandemic.

Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions in France: Patients and Providers Characteristics and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In France, despite several successive plans to control antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic use remains high in the outpatient setting. This study aims to better understand outpatient antibiotic use and prescription in order to identify tailored targets for future public health actions. Using data from the French National Health Data System, we described and compared the individual characteristics of patients with and without an antibiotic prescription. The prescribed antibiotics (ATC-J01) were detailed and compared between 2019 and 2020. Antibiotic prescribing indicators that take prescriber activity into account were estimated and compared. Patients who were female, advanced age, and the presence of comorbidities were associated with antibiotic prescriptions. The overall prescription rate was estimated at 134 per 1000 consultations and 326 per 1000 patients seen in 2019. General practitioners (GPs), dentists and paediatricians were associated with 78.0%, 12.2% and 2.2% of antibiotic prescriptions, respectively, with high prescription rates (391, 447, and 313 p. 1000 patients seen, respectively). In comparison with 2019, this rate decreased in 2020 for paediatricians (−30.4%) and GPs (−17.9%) whereas it increased among dentists (+17.9%). The reduction was twice as high among the male prescribers than among their female counterparts (−26.6 and −12.0, respectively). The reduction in prescriptions observed in 2020 (−18.2%) was more marked in children (−35.8%) but less so among individuals ≥65 years (−13.1%) and those with comorbidities (−12.5%). The decrease in penicillin prescriptions represents 67.3% of the overall reduction observed in 2020. The heterogeneous decrease in prescriptions by age and antibiotic class could be explained by the impact of COVID-19 control measures on the spread of respiratory viruses; thus, a substantial proportion of the prescriptions avoided in 2020 is likely inappropriate, particularly among children. In order to keep the rate of prescriptions comparable to that observed in 2020, male prescribers, paediatricians and GPs should be encouraged to maintain that level, while a campaign to raise awareness of the appropriate use of antibiotics should be aimed at dentists in particular.

Non-biomedical factors affecting antibiotic use in the community: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In the past two decades, human antibiotic consumption has increased globally, contributing to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and calling for urgent effective actions.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically identify and collate studies exploring non-biomedical factors influencing healthcare consumers' antibiotic use globally, in order to inform future interventions to improve antibiotic use practices.

METHODS

Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Original and empirical studies that identified factors for healthcare consumers' antibiotic use.

PARTICIPANTS

Healthcare consumers. Assessment of risk of bias: Adapted BMJ survey appraisal tools, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool were utilised for quality assessment. Methods of data synthesis: The Social Ecological Framework and Health Belief Model were employed for data synthesis. We did random-effects meta-analyses to pool the odds ratios of risk factors for antibiotic use.

RESULTS

We included 71 articles for systematic review and analysis: 54 quantitative, nine qualitative, and eight mixed-methods studies. Prevalent non-prescription antibiotic uses and irresponsible prescriptions were reported globally, especially in low-to-middle income countries. Barriers to healthcare - wait time, transportation, stigmatization - influenced people's antibiotic use practices. Further, lack of oversight and regulation in the drug manufacturing and weak supply chain have led to the use of substandard or falsified antibiotics. Knowledge had mixed effects on antibiotic use behaviours. Meta-analyses identified pro-attitudes towards self-medication with antibiotics, relatives having medical backgrounds, older age, living in rural areas, and storing antibiotics at home to be risk factors for self-medication with antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-prescription antibiotic use and irresponsible prescriptions in the community are prevalent in all WHO regions and largely driven by a mixed collection of non-biomedical factors specific to the respective setting. Future AMR strategies should incorporate implementation science approach for community-based complex interventions that addresses drivers of the target behaviours tailored to local contexts.

Reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescription through implementation of a clinical guideline on self-limiting respiratory tract infections

BACKGROUND

Clinical guidelines (CG) are used to reduce variability in practice when the scientific evidence is sparse or when multiple therapies are available. The development and implementation of evidence-based CG is intended to organize and provide the best available evidence to support clinical decision making in order to improve quality of care. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are the leading cause of misuse of antibiotics and a CG may reduce the unnecessary antibiotic prescription.

METHODS

The aim of this quasi-experimental, before-after study was to analyze the short- and long-term effects of the implementation of a CG to decrease the rate of antibiotic prescription in URTI cases in the emergency department of a third level private hospital in Quito, Ecuador. The study included 444 patients with a main diagnosis of URTI. They were distributed in three groups: a baseline cohort 2011 (n = 114), a first post-implementation cohort 2011 (n = 114), and a later post-implementation cohort 2018 (n = 216). The implementation strategy consisted of five key steps: acceptance of the need for implementation of the CG, dissemination of the CG, an educational campaign, constant feedback, and sustainability of the strategy through continuous training.

RESULTS

The results of this study show a 42.90% of antibiotic prescription rate before the CG implementation. After the implementation of the CG, the prescription rate of antibiotics was significantly reduced by 24.5% (42.9% vs 18.4%, p<0.0001) and the appropriate antibiotic prescription rate was significantly increased by 44.2% (22.4% vs 66.6%, p<0.0001) in the first post-implementation cohort 2011. There was not a significant difference in antibiotic prescription rate and appropriate antibiotic prescription rate between two post-implementation cohorts: 18.4% vs 25.9% (p = 0.125) and 66.6% vs 50% (p = 0.191), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of CGs decreases the rate of antibiotic prescription in URTI cases. The results are remarkable after early implementation, but the effect persists over time. The emphasis must shift from guideline development to strategy implementation.

Effects of restrictive-prescribing stewardship on antibiotic consumption in primary care in China: an interrupted time series analysis, 2012-2017

BACKGROUND

The overuse of antibiotics has been a major public health problem worldwide, especially in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC). However, there are few policies specific to antibiotic stewardship in primary care and their effectiveness are still unclear. A restrictive-prescribing stewardship targeting antibiotic use in primary care has been implemented since December 2014 in Hubei Province, China. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the restrictive-prescribing stewardship on antibiotic consumption in primary care so as to provide evidence-based suggestions for prudent use of antibiotics.

METHODS

Monthly antibiotic consumption data were extracted from Hubei Medical Procurement Administrative Agency (HMPA) system from Sept 1, 2012, to Aug 31, 2017. Quality Indictors of European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC QIs) combined with Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification codes and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID) methodology were applied to measure antibiotic consumption. An interrupted time series analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of restrictive-prescribing stewardship on antibiotic consumption.

RESULTS

Over the entire study period, a significant reduction (32.58% decrease) was observed in total antibiotic consumption, which declined immediately after intervention (coefficient = - 2.4518, P = 0.005) and showed a downward trend (coefficient = - 0.1193, P = 0.017). Specifically, the use of penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides/lincosamides/streptogramins showed declined trends after intervention (coefficient = - 0.0553, P = 0.035; coefficient = - 0.0294, P = 0.037; coefficient = - 0.0182, P = 0.003, respectively). An immediate decline was also found in the contribution of β-lactamase-sensitive penicillins to total antibiotic use (coefficient = - 2.9126, P = 0.001). However, an immediate increase in the contribution of third and fourth-generation cephalosporins (coefficient = 5.0352, P = 0.005) and an ascending trend in the contribution of fluoroquinolones (coefficient = 0.0406, P = 0.037) were observed after intervention. The stewardship led to an immediate increase in the ratio between broad- and narrow-spectrum antibiotic use (coefficient = 1.8747, P = 0.001) though they both had a significant downward trend (coefficient = - 0.0423, P = 0.017; coefficient = - 0.0223, P = 0.006, respectively). An immediate decline (coefficient = - 1.9292, P = 0.002) and a downward trend (coefficient = - 0.0815, P = 0.018) were also found in the oral antibiotic use after intervention, but no significant changes were observed in the parenteral antibiotic use.

CONCLUSIONS

Restrictive-prescribing stewardship in primary care was effective in reducing total antibiotic consumption, especially the use of penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides/lincosamides/streptogramins. However, the intervention effects were limited regarding the use of combinations of penicillins with ß-lactamase inhibitors, the third and fourth-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and parenteral antibiotics. Stronger administrative regulations focusing on specific targeted antibiotics, especially the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and parenteral antibiotics, are in urgent need in the future.

Patterns of Antibiotic Prescription in Colombia: Are There Differences between Capital Cities and Municipalities?

The use of antibiotics is the most important modifiable risk factor for the development of microorganism resistance. A cross-sectional study of outpatients receiving antibiotic prescriptions registered in a population database in Colombia was conducted. The characteristics of the consumption in capital cities and small municipalities was studied and the AWaRe classification was used. AWaRe classifies antibiotics into three stewardship groups: Access, Watch and Reserve, to emphasize the importance of their optimal use and potential harms of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 182,397 patients were prescribed an antibiotic; the most common were penicillins (38.6%), cephalosporins (30.2%) and fluoroquinolones (10.9%). ‘Access’ antibiotics (86.4%) were the most frequently prescribed, followed by ‘Watch’ antibiotics (17.0%). Being 18 or older, being male, living in a municipality, having one or more comorbidities and urinary, respiratory or gastrointestinal disorders increased the probability of receiving ‘Watch’ or ‘Reserve’ antibiotics. Penicillin and urinary antiseptic prescriptions predominated in cities, while cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone prescriptions predominated in municipalities. This analysis showed that the goal set by the WHO Access of mainly using Access antibiotics is being met, although the high use of Watch antibiotics in municipalities should be carefully studied to determine if it is necessary to design specific campaigns to improve antibiotics use.

Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract complaints in Malta: a 1 year repeated cross-sectional surveillance study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the 1 year antibiotic prescribing patterns by GPs for acute respiratory tract complaints (aRTCs) in Malta.

METHODS

In this repeated cross-sectional surveillance study, GPs collected data for patients seen for aRTCs during a designated 1 week period each month, between May 2015 and April 2016. GPs received three text reminders during surveillance weeks and were contacted by phone at most four times during the year. GPs also received 3 monthly individual- and aggregate-level feedback reports on their antibiotic prescribing patterns. Descriptive statistics were used to examine patient, consultation and clinical characteristics, and to describe GPs' prescribing patterns.

RESULTS

Participating GPs (n = 33) registered 4641 patients with an aRTC, of whom 2122 (45.7%) received an antibiotic prescription. The majority (99.6%) of antibiotics prescribed were broad-spectrum and the most commonly prescribed antibiotics were macrolides (35.5%), followed by penicillins with a β-lactamase inhibitor (33.2%) and second-generation cephalosporins (14.2%). Specifically, co-amoxiclav (33.2%), clarithromycin (19.6%), azithromycin (15.1%) and cefuroxime axetil (10.9%) represented 78.8% of all antibiotics prescribed. Patients with tonsillar exudate (99.1%), purulent sputum (84%), otorrhoea (78%), tender cervical nodes (74.4%) and fever (73.1%) received most antibiotics. The diagnoses that received the highest proportion of antibiotic treatment were tonsillitis (96.3%), otitis media (92.5%) and bronchitis (87.5%). Wide variation in the choice of antibiotic class by diagnosis was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

GP antibiotic prescribing in Malta is high. The abundant use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly macrolides, is of particular concern and indicates that antibiotics are being used inappropriately. Efforts must be made to improve GP awareness of appropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Assessing the association between fluoroquinolones and emerging adverse drug reactions raised by regulatory agencies: An umbrella review

BACKGROUND

Regulatory agencies warned against fluoroquinolones for the management of minor infections because of the risk of emerging adverse events (collagen-associated adverse events, neuropsychiatric toxicity and long-term disability). We aimed to assess quality and credibility of evidence as well as causality regarding these putative associations.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and PROSPERO were searched, from inception to August 2019, for systematic reviews with meta-analyses investigating emerging adverse events. Two investigators extracted data to grade quality (through validated AMSTAR-2 tool), rank credibility of the evidence (convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak) through adapted criteria including E-value calculation, and assess causality (Hill's criteria).

RESULTS

Seven systematic reviews of observational studies providing 16 risk estimates [seven, five and four, respectively, for aortic aneurysm/dissection (AAD), retinal detachment (RD) and any tendon disorders (ATD)] met inclusion criteria. No systematic reviews with meta-analysis investigating the risk of neuropsychiatric toxicity or long-term disability were found. The associations between fluoroquinolones and AAD/ATD showed highly suggestive credibility and were supported by strong evidence of causality (double increased risk, especially within first 2 months of treatment). Conflicting data concerning the emergence of RD were retrieved, resulting in weak evidence of causality. Quality of the evidence ranged from high to low for AAD, from moderate to critically low for RD, and it was moderate for ATD.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis supports credible, plausible and highly suggestive associations with AAD (rare occurrence but strong causality) and ATD. Limitations of both umbrella reviews and observational evidence should be considered.

Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim ratio as a new marker in raw wastewaters: A critical review

Global Trimethoprim (TMP) and Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) occurrences in raw wastewaters were systematically collected from the literature (n = 140 articles) in order to assess the relevance of using the SMX/TMP ratio as a marker of the main origin of wastewaters. These two antibiotics were selected due to their frequent use in association (i.e. co-trimoxazole) in a 5:1 ratio (SMX:TMP) for medication purposes, generating a unique opportunity to globally evaluate the validity of this ratio based on concentration values. Several parameters (e.g. sorption, biodegradation) may affect the theoretical SMX/TMP ratio. However, the collected data highlighted the good agreement between the theoretical ratio and the experimental one, especially in wastewater treatment plant influents and hospital effluents. Only livestock effluents displayed a very high SMX/TMP ratio, indicative of the very significant use of sulfonamide alone in this industry. Conversely, several countries displayed low SMX/TMP ratio values, highlighting local features in the human pharmacopoeia. This review provides new insights in order to develop an easy to handle and sound marker of wastewater origins (i.e. human/livestock), beyond atypical local customs.

Antimicrobial overuse and misuse in the community in Greece and link to antimicrobial resistance using methicillin-resistant S. aureus as an example

Both antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial resistance are very high in Greece, ranking among the highest of Europe. The link between antimicrobial consumption and resistance is well-known. Here, we discuss the reasons of antimicrobial overuse in Greece in the community (such as self-medication, dispersion of antibiotics by pharmacies without prescription, over-prescription by physicians, patient expectations and liability pressure) and we explore the misuse of antibiotics for common community infections. Furthermore, we discuss how such overuse/misuse can drive antimicrobial resistance, using methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus as an example. S. aureus is one of the pathogens with high rates of resistance in Greece. Comparing the rate of antimicrobial susceptibility to non-beta lactams between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus we highlight the antibiotics that have the potential to drive methicillin-resistance through co-selection. Based on the above we identify targets for intervention in order to reduce antimicrobial overuse/misuse in the community in Greece.

Surveillance of Antibiotic Prescribing in Intensive Care Units in Poland

Antibiotic use and microbial resistance in health care-associated infections are increasing globally and causing health care problems. Intensive Care Units (ICUs) represent the heaviest antibiotic burden within hospitals, and sepsis is the second noncardiac cause of mortality in ICUs. Optimizing appropriate antibiotic treatment in the management of the critically ill in ICUs became a major challenge for intensivists. We performed a surveillance study on the antibiotic consumption in 108 Polish ICUs. We determined which classes of antibiotics were most commonly consumed and whether they affected the length of ICU stay and the size and category of the hospital. A total of 292.389 defined daily doses (DDD) and 192.167 patient-days (pd) were identified. Antibiotic consumption ranged from 620 to 3960 DDD/1000 pd. The main antibiotic classes accounted for 59.6% of the total antibiotic consumption and included carbapenems (17.8%), quinolones (14%), cephalosporins (13.7%), penicillins (11.9%), and macrolides (2.2%), respectively, whereas the other antibiotic classes accounted for the remainder (40.4%) and included antifungals (34%), imidazoles (20%), aminoglycosides (18%), glycopeptides (15%), and polymyxins (6%). The most consumed antibiotic classes in Polish ICUs were carbapenems, quinolones, and cephalosporins, respectively. There was no correlation between antibiotic consumption in DDD/1000 patient-days, mean length of ICU stay, size of the hospital, size of the ICU, or the total amount of patient-days. It is crucial that surveillance systems are in place to guide empiric antibiotic treatment and to estimate the burden of resistance. Appropriate use of antibiotics in the ICU should be an important public health care issue.

"Appropriateness and adequacy of antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory tract infections in ambulatory health care centers in Ecuador"

Background

Upper respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of misuse of antibiotics, a problem that leads to unnecessary adverse events and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic prescription in Ecuador was analyzed in order to evaluate the state of antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections. Both the appropriateness and adequacy of prescribing was evaluated. Appropriateness represents the percentage of prescriptions that are indicated; adequacy refers to the percentage of patients requiring antibiotics who are treated.

Methods

The aim of the study is to analyze the appropriateness and adequacy of antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory tract infections in the Ambulatory Health Centers of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador. This is a cross-sectional study of patients from one Health Center of the Ministry of Public Health in the District 17D03 in Ecuador during 2015 with upper respiratory tract infection as a primary diagnosis.

Results

We included a total of 1393 patients in the analysis. Out of the 1393 patients identified, 523 were prescribed antibiotics, constituting an antibiotic prescription rate of 37.5%, and 51 required antibiotics, reflecting a real need of antibiotics of 3.7%. Appropriateness: Of these 523 patients who were treated, 51 required an antibiotic, resulting in an appropriate antibiotic prescription rate of 9.75%. Adequacy: When analyzing each individual case, 33 of these 51 patients received an antibiotic, constituting an adequate prescription rate of 64.7%.

Conclusions

The results of our study report a 90.25% of inappropriate prescription. The antibiotic prescription, appropriate prescription, and adequate prescription rates show the need for implementation of strategies in order to reduce them. Related aspects regarding prescriber’s behavior and the patient’s expectations should be analyzed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40360-018-0237-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Time trends in antibiotic consumption in the elderly: Ten-year follow-up of the Spanish National Health Survey and the European Health Interview Survey for Spain (2003-2014)

Background

The purposes of this study were: firstly, to estimate time trends in the prevalence of prescription antibiotic consumption between 2003 and 2014; secondly, to identify the factors associated with the probability of consuming antibiotics during this period in elderly persons in Spain.

Methods

We analyzed data collected from the Spanish National Health Survey in 2003 (n = 21,650), 2006 (n = 29,478), and 2012 (n = 20,007) and from the European Health Interview Survey for Spain in 2009 (n = 22,188) and 2014 (n = 22,842). Antibiotic consumption was the dependent variable. We also analyzed sociodemographic features, self-perceived health status, lifestyle habits, comorbid diseases, and disabilities using logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of antibiotic consumption increased from 2003 to 2014 in both sexes. The variables that predicted antibiotic consumption (men; women) were secondary education (OR 1.38; OR 1.31), visits to a general practitioner (OR 2.05; OR 2.15), hospitalization (OR 1.91; OR 1.83), therapy with > 4 non-antibiotic drugs (OR 3.36; OR 5.84), instrumental activities of daily living (OR 1.50; OR 1.24), and activities of daily living (OR 1.39; OR 1.35). In contrast, age > 85 years was associated with low antibiotic consumption in both men (OR 0.81) and women (OR 0.88).

Conclusions

The prevalence of antibiotic prescription has increased in Spain in the last decade. Our study identified several factors that appear to affect antibiotic consumption in elderly persons, with potential implications for healthcare providers.

ECDC, EFSA and EMA Joint Scientific Opinion on a list of outcome indicators as regards surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial consumption in humans and food-producing animals

ECDC, EFSA and EMA have jointly established a list of harmonised outcome indicators to assist EU Member States in assessing their progress in reducing the use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both humans and food-producing animals. The proposed indicators have been selected on the basis of data collected by Member States at the time of publication. For humans, the proposed indicators for antimicrobial consumption are: total consumption of antimicrobials (limited to antibacterials for systemic use), ratio of community consumption of certain classes of broad-spectrum to narrow-spectrum antimicrobials and consumption of selected broad-spectrum antimicrobials used in healthcare settings. The proposed indicators for AMR in humans are: meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and 3rd-generation cephalosporins, Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin and S. pneumoniae resistant to macrolides, and K. pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems. For food-producing animals, indicators for antimicrobial consumption include: overall sales of veterinary antimicrobials, sales of 3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins, sales of quinolones and sales of polymyxins. Finally, proposed indicators for AMR in food-producing animals are: full susceptibility to a predefined panel of antimicrobials in E. coli, proportion of samples containing ESBL-/AmpC-producing E. coli, resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes in E. coli and resistance to ciprofloxacin in E. coli. For all sectors, the chosen indicators, which should be reconsidered at least every 5 years, are expected to be valid tools in monitoring antimicrobial consumption and AMR. With the exception of the proposed human AMR indicators, the indicators are in general not suitable to monitor the effects of targeted interventions in a specific sector, such as in a single animal species or animal production sector. Management decisions should never be based on these indicators alone but should take into account the underlying data and their analysis.

Longevity and gender as the risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in southern Poland

BACKGROUND

The proportion of older people among the general population has risen. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) constitutes a significant problem. Underlying disease and functional debility, predispose the older adult to staphylococcal carriage and infection, specially bloodstream infection and pneumonia.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of older patients with SA infections. We analyzed a database containing the results of laboratory cultures from patients treated in 2013 for SA infections and selected 613 hospitalized and non-hospitalized people aged ≥60 years.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) were significantly different in categories of patients: from 14.1% in young old, 19.5% in old old and 26.7 in longevity. MRSA was significantly more frequently reported in cases of pneumonia, 40.4% of SA strains (p < 0.0001, OR 0.3, 95%CI 0.14-0.49). The nosocomial MRSA infections were more common in ICU departments: prevalence 36.8%, than in non-ICU departments: prevalence 17.3% (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.06-7.34, p = 0.014). Bloodstream infections, which accounted for 6% of all infections, were more frequent in males (p = 0.0231, OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.098-4.604). The greatest increase in antibiotic resistance was related to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SXT), which increased to over 80% in the older study groups. All age groups demonstrated increased MIC90 values for glycopeptide and tigecycline. Although strains isolated from patients in all age groups remained sensitive to vancomycin, strains isolated from patients in the old-old and longevity groups demonstrated resistance to teicoplanin. The MIC90 for tigecycline was the highest in the group aged >90 years.

CONCLUSIONS

MRSA constitutes a significant epidemiological problem in cases of hospital-treated pneumonia. The findings were similar for long-term-care facilities, where MRSA appears to affect male residents in particular, although there were fewer male residents than female residents. The low sensitivity to TMP/SXT of SA strains isolated from the oldest patients indicates potentially serious challenges pertaining to efficacious treatment of SA infections.