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Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2023Bacterial co-infections increase the severity of respiratory viral infections and are frequent causes of mortality in COVID-19 infected subjects. During the COVID-19... (Review)
Review
Bacterial co-infections increase the severity of respiratory viral infections and are frequent causes of mortality in COVID-19 infected subjects. During the COVID-19 period, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, an inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatments has been frequently described, mainly due to prolonged hospitalization, especially in intensive care unit departments, and the use of immune-suppressive treatments as steroids. This misuse has finally led to the occurrence of infections by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Although different reports assessed the prevalence of Gram-negative infections in COVID-19 infected patients, scarce data are currently available on bloodstream infections caused by in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The aim of our systematic review is to describe data on this specific population and to discuss the possible implications that these co-infections could have in the management of COVID-19 pandemics in the future. We systematically analysed the current literature to find all the relevant articles that describe the occurrence of bloodstream infections in COVID-19 patients. We found 40 papers that described in detail HAIs-BSI in COVID-19 patients, including 756,067 patients overall. The occurrence of severe infections due to MDR bacteria had a significant impact in the management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infections, leading to a prolonged time of hospitalization and to a consequent increase in mortality. In the near future, the increased burden of MDR bacteria due to the COVID-19 pandemic might partially be reduced by maintaining the preventive measures of infection control implemented during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the role of antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings, according to the isolation of MDR bacteria and how to restore on a large scale the optimization of antibiotic strategies in COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 36983256
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062252 -
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews Dec 2023Respiratory infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major concern for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients due to increasing antibiotic... (Review)
Review
Respiratory infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major concern for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that selectively target and kill bacteria, are being studied as an alternative treatment for these infections. This systematic review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of bacteriophages for the treatment of CF-related infections caused by S. aureus and/or P. aeruginosa. We conducted a search for original, published articles in the English language up to March 2023. Studies that administered bacteriophages via intravenous, nebulised, inhaled, or intranasal routes were included, with no comparators required. In vitro and in vivo studies were eligible for inclusion, and only animal in vivo studies that utilised a CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) animal model were included. Bacteriophage treatment resulted in a decrease in bacterial load in both humans and animals infected with P. aeruginosa. Complete eradication of P. aeruginosa was only observed in one human subject. Additionally, there was a reduction in biofilm, improvement in resistance profile, and reduced pulmonary exacerbations in individual case reports. Evidence suggests that bacteriophage therapy may be a promising treatment option for CF-related infections caused by P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. However, larger and more robust trials are needed to establish its safety and efficacy and create necessary evidence for global legislative frameworks.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Pseudomonas Infections; Cystic Fibrosis; Staphylococcus aureus; Bacteriophages; Staphylococcal Infections; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37598024
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2023.08.001 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2017Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and lung damage. Antibiotics have adverse effects and long-term use might lead to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess continuous oral antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus versus no prophylaxis in people with cystic fibrosis, we tested these hypotheses. Prophylaxis:1. improves clinical status, lung function and survival;2. causes adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea, skin rash, candidiasis);3. leads to fewer isolates of common pathogens from respiratory secretions;4. leads to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and colonisation of the respiratory tract with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register, comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Companies manufacturing anti-staphylococcal antibiotics were contacted.Most recent search of the Group's Register: 29 September 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials of continuous oral prophylactic antibiotics (given for at least one year) compared to intermittent antibiotics given 'as required', in people with cystic fibrosis of any disease severity.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors assessed studies for eligibility and methodological quality and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included four studies, with a total of 401 randomised participants aged zero to seven years on enrolment; one study is ongoing. The two older included studies generally had a higher risk of bias across all domains, but in particular due to a lack of blinding and incomplete outcome data, than the two more recent studies. We only regarded the most recent study as being generally free of bias, although even here we were not certain of the effect of the per protocol analysis on the study results. Evidence was downgraded based on GRADE assessments and outcome results ranged from moderate to low quality. Downgrading decisions were due to limitations in study design (all outcomes); for imprecision (number of people needing additional antibiotics); and for inconsistency (weight z score).Fewer children receiving anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis had one or more isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (low quality evidence). There was no significant difference between groups in infant or conventional lung function (moderate quality evidence). We found no significant effect on nutrition (low quality evidence), hospital admissions, additional courses of antibiotics (low quality evidence) or adverse effects (moderate quality evidence). There was no significant difference in the number of isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa between groups (low quality evidence), though there was a trend towards a lower cumulative isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the prophylaxis group at two and three years and towards a higher rate from four to six years. As the studies reviewed lasted six years or less, conclusions cannot be drawn about the long-term effects of prophylaxis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis leads to fewer children having isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, when commenced early in infancy and continued up to six years of age. The clinical importance of this finding is uncertain. Further research may establish whether the trend towards more children with CF with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, after four to six years of prophylaxis, is a chance finding and whether choice of antibiotic or duration of treatment might influence this.
Topics: Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 28417451
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001912.pub4 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Nov 2023Gram-negative bacteria are infectious and life-threatening agents after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). So, this study aimed to investigate the... (Review)
Review
Gram-negative bacteria are infectious and life-threatening agents after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). So, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its antibiotic resistance in patients who have received Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation through a systematic review. The systematic search was done with key words; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from 2000 to the end of July 2023 in Google Scholar and PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. Twelve studies were able to include our study. Quality assessment of studies was done by Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. The most of the included studies were conducted as allo-HSCT. Infections such as respiratory infection, urinary infection and bacteremia have occurred. The rate of prevalence with P. aeruginosa has varied between 3 and 100%. The average age of the participants was between 1 and 74 years. The rate of prevalence of P. aeruginosa resistant to several drugs has been reported to be variable, ranging from 20 to 100%. The highest antibiotic resistance was reported against cefotetan (100%), and the lowest was related to tobramycin (1.8%) followed by amikacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin with the prevalence of 16.6%. Our findings showed a high prevalence and antibiotic resistance rate of P. aeruginosa in Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Therefore, more serious health measures should be taken in patients after transplantation.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Prevalence; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections
PubMed: 37769854
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106368 -
Journal of Global Infectious Diseases 2018Multidrug-resistant (MDR ) is known as a serious threat to human health worldwide. Limited information is available concerning the prevalence of MDR in Iran. The aim...
BACKGROUND
Multidrug-resistant (MDR ) is known as a serious threat to human health worldwide. Limited information is available concerning the prevalence of MDR in Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relative frequency of MDR in different parts of Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using appropriate keywords and well-known English and Persian database, available data about MDR in Iran were retrieved. After applying predefined criteria, relevant studies were selected.
RESULTS
By using random-effect models, the pooled incidence of MDR was estimated 58% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.54-0.61). The highest and lowest prevalence of MDR were observed in Tehran (100%) (95% CI; 0.94-1.00) and Zahedan (16%) (95% CI; 0.10-0.24), respectively. The highest resistance rate was against ceftazidime (50%) (95% CI; 0.46-0.54) and amikacin (50%) (95% CI; 0.46-0.54).
CONCLUSION
Our findings are of concern since they demonstrate the high prevalence rate of MDR in the majority of Iranian hospitals.
PubMed: 30581263
DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_113_17 -
Germs Jun 2017Imipenem-resistant (IRPA), due to resistance to different classes of antibiotics and its remarkable capacity to survive in harsh and adverse conditions such as those in...
INTRODUCTION
Imipenem-resistant (IRPA), due to resistance to different classes of antibiotics and its remarkable capacity to survive in harsh and adverse conditions such as those in the hospital environment, is considered a serious threat to the healthcare system. Given the great impact of IRPA on patients' outcome and in order to possibly improve antibiotic prescription, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of clinical isolates of IRPA in different parts of Iran.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus, as well as in two Iranian domestic search engines, i.e., Iranian Scientific Information Database and Magiran. Finally, after applying exclusion and inclusion criteria 37 articles with full-texts describing the prevalence of imipenem-resistant were selected for meta-analysis and systematic review.
RESULTS
The pooled estimation of 5227 isolates in this analysis showed that the percentage of imipenem-resistant is about 54% in the Iranian population (95%CI: 0.47-0.62, logit event rate=0.19, 95%CI: -0.12,0.49).
CONCLUSION
The findings of this analysis show that in the majority of Iranian hospitals the relative frequency of IRPA is high, therefore, in order to prevent further dissemination of IRPA, more appropriate antibiotic prescription and infection control policies must be implemented by decision-makers.
PubMed: 28626739
DOI: 10.18683/germs.2017.1113 -
BMC Ophthalmology Nov 2017Bacteria are the major contributor of ocular infections worldwide. Ocular infections, if left untreated, can damage the structures of the eye with possible blindness and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Bacteria are the major contributor of ocular infections worldwide. Ocular infections, if left untreated, can damage the structures of the eye with possible blindness and visual impairments. This work was aimed to review the bacterial profile of ocular infections.
METHODS
Literature search was made in different electronic databases; the review was systematically made to get concrete findings.
RESULTS
As far as this review, Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the leading isolates in ocular infections. Frequent pathogens of the respective clinical diagnose include Staphylococci, Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in blepharitis; Staphylococci, Streptococus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Conjunctivitis; Staphylococci, P. aeruginosa and E. coli in dacryocystitis; Coagulase negative Staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in keratitis; Streptococcus viridians, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Coagulase negative Staphylococci in endophthalmitis diagnoses. Endogenous endophthalmitis is associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae whereas Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Bacillus spp. are common causes of post-operative and post-traumatic endophthalmitis. However, the predominant pathogens may not be exactly same in all areas of the world, in the United States for instance, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the major causes of conjunctivitis.
CONCLUSION
Gram positive bacteria are the major contributor of bacterial ocular infections. The distribution and proportion of bacterial isolates among clinical diagnoses varied but without exclusive anatomical restriction. To mitigate the burden of bacterial ocular infections, physicians should regard on risk reduction and comply with etiologic approach of diagnosis.
Topics: Eye Infections, Bacterial; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans
PubMed: 29178851
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-017-0612-2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2014Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus causes pulmonary infection in young children with cystic fibrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed hoping to prevent such infection and lung damage. Antibiotics have adverse effects and long-term use might lead to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
OBJECTIVES
To assess continuous oral antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus versus no prophylaxis in people with cystic fibrosis, we tested these hypotheses. Prophylaxis:1. improves clinical status, lung function and survival;2. causes adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea, skin rash, candidiasis);3. leads to fewer isolates of common pathogens from respiratory secretions;4. leads to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and colonisation of the respiratory tract with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register, comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Companies manufacturing anti-staphylococcal antibiotics were contacted.Most recent search of Register: 04 September 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials of continuous oral prophylactic antibiotics (given for at least one year) compared to intermittent antibiotics given 'as required', in people with cystic fibrosis of any disease severity.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors assessed studies for eligibility and methodological quality and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included four studies, totaling 401 randomised participants aged zero to seven years on enrolment. The two older studies generally had a higher risk of bias across all domains, but in particular due to a lack of blinding and incomplete outcome data, than the two more recent studies. We only regarded the most recent study as being generally free of bias, although even here we were not certain of the effect of the per protocol analysis on the study results.Fewer children receiving anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis had one or more isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. There was no significant difference between groups in infant or conventional lung function. We found no significant effect on nutrition, hospital admissions, additional courses of antibiotics or adverse effects. There was no significant difference in the number of isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa between groups, though there was a trend towards a lower cumulative isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the prophylaxis group at two and three years and towards a higher rate from four to six years. As the studies reviewed lasted six years or less, conclusions cannot be drawn about the long-term effects of prophylaxis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis leads to fewer children having isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, when commenced early in infancy and continued up to six years of age. The clinical importance of this finding is uncertain. Further research may establish whether the trend towards more children with CF with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, after four to six years of prophylaxis, is a chance finding and whether choice of antibiotic or duration of treatment might influence this.
Topics: Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 25419599
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001912.pub3 -
Clinical Otolaryngology : Official... May 2023To present a systematic review and critical analysis of clinical studies for necrotising otitis externa (NOE), with the aim of informing best practice for diagnosis and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To present a systematic review and critical analysis of clinical studies for necrotising otitis externa (NOE), with the aim of informing best practice for diagnosis and management.
DESIGN
Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from database inception until 30 April 2021 for all clinical articles on NOE. The review was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020128957) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
Seventy articles, including 2274 patients were included in the final synthesis. Seventy-three percent were retrospective case series; the remainder were of low methodological quality. Case definitions varied widely. Median patient age was 69.2 years; 68% were male, 84% had diabetes and 10% had no reported immunosuppressive risk factor. Otalgia was almost universal (96%), with granulation (69%) and oedema (76%) the commonest signs reported. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 62%, but a range of bacterial and fungal pathogens were reported and 14% grew no organism. Optimal imaging modality for diagnosis or follow-up was unclear. Median antimicrobial therapy duration was 7.2 weeks, with no definitive evidence for optimal regimens. Twenty-one percent had surgery with widely variable timing, indication, or procedure. One-year disease-specific mortality was 2%; treatment failure and relapse rates were 22% and 7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of robust, high-quality data to support best practice for diagnosis and management for this neglected condition. A minimum set of reporting requirements is proposed for future studies. A consensus case definition is urgently needed to facilitate high-quality research.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Female; Otitis Externa; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36759416
DOI: 10.1111/coa.14041 -
Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews May 2018Metformin, a widely used antihyperglycaemic, has a good safety profile, reasonably manageable side-effects, is inexpensive, and causes a desirable amount of weight loss.... (Review)
Review
Metformin, a widely used antihyperglycaemic, has a good safety profile, reasonably manageable side-effects, is inexpensive, and causes a desirable amount of weight loss. In 4 studies of patients with tuberculosis (1 prospective and 3 retrospective), metformin administration resulted in better outcomes. In mice with several models of endotoxemia, metformin diminished levels of proinflammatory cytokines and improved survival. Laboratory studies showed effectiveness of the drug on multiple pathogens, including Trichinella spiralis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. Metformin administration in humans and mice produced major changes in the composition of the gut microbiota. These recently discovered microbe-modulating properties of the drug have led investigators to predict wide therapeutic utility for metformin. The recent easing in United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines regarding administration of metformin to patients with kidney disease, and reduced anxiety about patient safety in terms of lactic acidosis, increase the probability of broadening of metformin's usage as a treatment of infectious agents. In this text we review articles pertinent to metformin's effects on microorganisms, both pathogens and commensals. We highlight the possible role of metformin in a wide range of infectious diseases and a possible expansion of its therapeutic profile in this field. A systematic review was done of PubMed indexed articles that examined the effects of metformin on a wide range of pathogens. Metformin was found to have efficacy as an antimicrobial agent in patients with tuberculosis. Mice infected with Trypanosomiasis cruzi had higher survival when also treated with metformin. The drug in vitro was active against T. spiralis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and hepatitis B virus. In addition there is emerging literature on its role in sepsis. We conclude that metformin may have a potential role in the therapy for multiple infectious diseases. Metformin, in addition to its traditional effects on glucose metabolism, provides anti-microbial benefits in patients with tuberculosis and in a very wide range of other infections encounters in vitro and in vivo.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Metformin
PubMed: 29271563
DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2975