Risk factors associated with the transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae via contaminated duodenoscopes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The duodenoscopes used to perform ERCP have been implicated in several outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection. The risk factors for CRE transmission via contaminated duodenoscopes remain unclear.

METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center, case-control study, all patients who underwent ERCP with either 1 of 2 contaminated duodenoscopes were evaluated. We compared the patients who acquired CRE (active infection or colonization) with those who did not.

RESULTS: Between October 3, 2014, and January 28, 2015, a total of 125 procedures were performed on 115 patients by using either of the contaminated duodenoscopes. Culture data were available for 104 of the 115 exposed patients (90.4%). Among these patients, 15 (14.4%) became actively infected (n = 8, 7.7%) or colonized (n = 7, 6.7%) with CRE. On univariate analysis, recent antibiotic exposure (66.7% vs 37.1%; P = .046), active inpatient status (60.0% vs 28.1%; P = .034), and a history of cholangiocarcinoma (26.7% vs 3.4%; P = .008) were patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of CRE infection. Biliary stent placement (53.3% vs 22.5%; P = .024) during ERCP was a significant procedure-related risk factor. After adjusting for cholangiocarcinoma, biliary stent placement (odds ratio 3.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-11.67), and active inpatient status (odds ratio 3.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-12.12) remained independent risk factors for CRE transmission.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing ERCP with a contaminated duodenoscope, biliary stent placement, a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, and active inpatient status are associated with an increased risk of CRE transmission.