Journal of Hospital Infection

OBJECTIVE: Despite its efficacy and minimal invasiveness, the clean-contaminated nature of endoscopic transnasal surgery (ETS) may be susceptible to central nervous system surgical site infections (CNS-SSIs), especially when involving intradural exposure. However, the profiles of ETS-associated CNS-SSIs are not fully elucidated. METHODS: The institutional ETS cases performed between May 2017 and March 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The incidences of CNS-SSIs were calculated, and their risk factors were examined...

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Adenovirus (ADV) outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) can lead to durable transmission and serious adverse outcomes. We describe the investigation and control of an ADV-D8 outbreak in a NICU, associated with ophthalmologic equipment used during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. Cases were observed in neonates, parents and nurses. The outbreak investigation was performed including sampling patients, parents and health care workers as well as the environment for molecular detection of ADV DNA...

BACKGROUND: Severe COVID-19 elicits a hyperimmune response frequently amenable by steroids, which in turn increase the risk for opportunistic infections. COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a complication known to be associated with immunomodulatory treatment. The role of cumulative steroid dose in the development of CAPA is unclear. This study evaluates the relationship between cumulative steroid dose in hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 pneumonia and the risk for CAPA...

BACKGROUND: Transmission of infections via contaminated endoscopes is a common problem. Manual cleaning, using at least a detergent, is an important step in endoscope processing and should be performed as soon as possible to avoid drying of organic residues that might interfere with high level-disinfection and promote biofilm formation. AIM: We assessed the efficacy of two detergent-disinfectants, enzymatic and non-enzymatic, and of an enzymatic detergent used during the manual cleaning against a Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm...

BACKGROUND: The multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus capitis clone, NRCS-A is increasingly associated with late-onset sepsis in low birthweight newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in England and globally. Understanding where this bacterium survives and persists within the NICU environment is key to developing and implementing effective control measures. AIM: To investigate the potential for S. capitis to colonise surfaces within NICUs. METHODS: Surface swabs were collected from four NICUs with and without known NRCS-A colonisations/infections present at the time of sampling...

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BACKGROUND: Vertebral osteomyelitis after spine instrumentation surgery (pVOM) is a rare complication. Most cases of infection occur early after surgery that involve skin and soft tissue and can be managed with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR). Deeper involvement of bone structures may present different risk factors and may require a different approach. AIM: We aimed to identify its risk factors and evaluate management strategies. METHODS: From a multicenter cohort of deep infection after spine instrumentation (IASI) cases (2010-2016), we compared pVOM cases with those without vertebral involvement...

BACKGROUND: Health professionals frequently conduct procedures requiring asepsis but there is no definitive evidence-based guidance on how aseptic technique should be undertaken. OBJECTIVE: Undertake content and cluster analysis to compare and contrast information relating to the conduct of aseptic technique in national and international guidance. METHODS: Content and hierarchical cluster analysis. RESULTS: We identified 16 sources of information from organisations that generate infection prevention guidelines; provide advice about infection prevention in addition to other topics; generate guidance for procedures (e...

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the intestinal and nasal carriage of multidrug-resistant pathogens among medical students and its association with their lifestyle and demographic data. MATERIALS/METHODS: In 2021, first- and final-year medical students were invited to the study. Two rectal swabs were used for detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing, colistin-, tigecycline- or carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant enterococci...

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Hospital-acquired infections pose an ongoing threat to patient safety due to the presence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) and other pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile which are dependent on thorough and effective cleaning and disinfection by personnel. This study evaluates the influence of UV-C air treatment because the air in the room had been sanitized by UV-C and redirected into the room. Moreover, ozone was released into the room to treat actual surfaces in Low-Risk Areas such as hospital gyms, and High-Medium risk areas such as hospital rooms...

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19 and to build a predictive model for BSIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective case-control study included 236 ICU COVID-19 patients with BSIs group and 234 patients in the control group. Demographic and laboratory data, comorbidities, drug use, invasive procedures and identified pathogens were recorded separately for patients directly admitted and transferred to ICU...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 5 (ST5) is an emerging global threat. Our primary goal was to characterize the epidemiology of ST5 transmission in the anaesthesia work area. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study analysed transmitted, prophylactic antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates involving anaesthesia work area reservoirs. Using whole genome analysis, the epidemiology of ST5 transmission was characterized by reservoir(s) of origin, transmission location(s), portal of entry, and mode(s) of transmission...

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) is a leading cause of nosocomial infection, driven by its ability to spread between patients and persist in the hospital environment. Here, we investigated the impact of a long-established cardiothoracic hospital moving to new premises with close to 100% single-occupancy rooms on the rates of environmental contamination and infection or colonisation by VRE. METHOD: Prospective environmental surveillance for VRE was conducted at five time-points between April and November 2019, once in the original building, and four times in the new building...

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Testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) may generate indeterminate results (with a cycle threshold ≥30), requiring further investigation to determine the clinical significance. Patient variables which could predict a definitive result (Detected/Not detected) post indeterminate result would aid in optimization of bed management and utilization of limited resources. A retrospective observational study of indeterminate SARS-CoV-2 results in an Irish tertiary hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 was performed to determine if demographics, comorbidities and immunosuppression were associated with a definitive result upon subsequent investigation...

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing clinical and economic burden of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), data on CDI in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the Asia-Pacific region are lacking. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 191 patients who were treated with CDI in the ICUs of three hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to May 2021. Backward-stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing the treatment response and mortality...