Review finds increased intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant E coli
An analysis of studies published over the past two decades shows that human intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli has risen substantially in healthcare and community settings around the world, researchers reported today in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance.
The review and meta-analysis of 133 studies published from January 2000 through Apr 22, 2021, which included 73,318 patient samples, found that 21.1% of inpatients in healthcare settings and 17.6% of healthy individuals worldwide carried extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E coli in their intestines, which can cause MDR infections that are difficult to treat.
In healthcare settings, the highest carriage rate by World Health Organization region was found in the Eastern Mediterranean (45.6%), followed by Southeast Asia (32.9%), Africa (32.4%), and the Western Pacific (24.1%). In community settings, the highest carriage rates were observed in Southeast Asia (35.1%), the Western Pacific (25.3%), Africa (21.4%), and Eastern Mediterranean (20.6%).
Based on an estimation from linear regression analysis, the researchers found that the prevalence of human intestinal ESBL E coli carriage in the healthcare setting more than tripled over the study period, from 7% in 2001 to 2005 to 25.7% in 2016 to 2020, with a 10-fold increase seen in community settings (2.6% to 26.4% during the same period). The researchers also found, based on data from Europe, that fecal ESBL E coli colonization increased with duration of contact/stay in healthcare settings. For example, the prevalence of fecal ESBL E coli colonization in patients who spent more than 48 hours in the hospital was twice that of healthy people who had no contact with a healthcare setting.
"Key relevant health organizations should perform surveillance and implement preventive measures to address the spread of ESBL E. coli in both settings," the study authors concluded.
Jun 2 JAC-Antimicrob Resist study
Testing for carbapenemase production rises at VA hospitals
A study of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) found an increase in carbapenemase detection and testing following the release of new guidelines, a team of VA researchers reported today in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology.
In late 2016, the VA released guidelines that prioritized the identification of carbapenenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CP-CRE). The new guidelines simplified antimicrobial susceptibility testing and recommended polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify carbapenemase production in CRE cultures. Knowing whether and what type of carbapenemase enzyme or gene is being produced can provide critical information for clinical care and empiric antibiotic treatment, help guide real-time infection control response, and inform epidemiologic surveillance.
To analyze trends in carbapenemase testing and detection following the release of the guidelines, the researchers analyzed microbiologic and clinical data on VA patients who had CRE-positive cultures from 2013 through 2018.
Overall, the researchers identified 5,778 standard cultures from 3,096 patients at 132 VAMCs that grew CRE. Of these, 1,905 (33.0%) had evidence of molecular or phenotypic carbapenemase testing, and 1,603 (84.1%) of these had carbapenemases detected.
Among the cultures confirmed as CP-CRE, 1,053 (65.7%) had molecular testing for one or more mechanism of carbapenemase production. Almost all testing included the KPC enzyme (1,047; 99.4%), with KPC detected in 914 (87.3%) of 1,047 cultures. The NDM enzyme was found in 585 cultures (55.6%), and OXA-48 was found in 507 (48.1%).
Carbapenemase testing increased over the study period, from 23.5% of CRE cultures in 2013 to 58.9% in 2018, with significant increases in testing observed after the release of the new guidelines. The study authors note, however, that despite the encouraging increase in testing, as of 2018, more than 40% of cultures that grew CRE in all VAMCs and more than 75% of cultures in low-complexity or rural facilities did not have evidence of carbapenemase testing.
"Our study indicates a need to expand carbapenemase testing, to standardize test reporting in microbiology reports, and to support all laboratories in fully implementing national recommendations," they wrote. "Further research in this area could help delineate the most cost-effective strategies to enhance implementation of carbapenemase testing for both VA and private-sector healthcare systems."
Jun 2 Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol abstract