Successful control of an environmental reservoir of NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with nosocomial transmissions in a low-incidence setting.

Background: The hospital wastewater system has been reported as a source of nosocomial acquisition of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in various settings. Cleaning and disinfection protocols or replacement of contaminated equipment often fail to eradicate these environmental reservoirs, which can lead to long-term transmission of CPE. We report a successful multimodal approach to control a New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (NDM-KP) nosocomial outbreak implicating contamination of sink traps in a low-incidence setting.

Investigations of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus invasive mould infections in an onco-haematology unit.

Aims Of The Study: Invasive mould infections are life-threatening complications in patients with haematologic cancer and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. While invasive aspergillosis represents the main cause of invasive mould infections, non-Aspergillus mould infections, such as mucormycosis, are increasingly reported. Consequently, their local epidemiology should be closely monitored.

Core genome multilocus sequence typing of Clostridioides difficile to investigate transmission in the hospital setting.

Purpose: Traditional epidemiological investigations of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) are often insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate a procedure that includes secondary isolation and genomic typing of single toxigenic colonies using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) for the investigation of C. difficile transmission.

Predictive performance of automated surveillance algorithms for intravascular catheter bloodstream infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intravascular catheter infections are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, a significant proportion of these infections are preventable. Evaluations of the performance of automated surveillance systems for adequate monitoring of central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) or catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) are limited.

Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19: A 1-Year Analysis.

Long-lasting symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described many times in the literature and are referred to as Long COVID. In this prospective, longitudinal, monocentric, observational study, we collected the health complaints of 474 patients (252 ambulatory and 222 hospitalized) at Lausanne University Hospital 1 year after COVID-19 diagnosis. Using a self-reported health survey, we explored cardiopulmonary, vascular, neurological, and psychological complaints.

Molecular typing of Clostridioides difficile from frozen stool samples to investigate cross-transmissions: A proof of concept.

Purpose: Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile is responsible for up to one third of post antibiotic diarrhea and for more than 95% of pseudomembranous colitis. Nowadays, diagnosis relies on the documentation of the presence of the toxin in stools by specific antigenic or PCR tests. Stool cultures have been mostly abandoned, leading to the absence of isolates for further epidemiological analyses.

Treatment and Outcomes of Infection in Switzerland: A Two-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea, often complicated by severe infection and recurrence with increased morbidity and mortality. Data from large cohorts in Switzerland are scarce. We aimed to describe diagnostic assays, treatment, outcomes, and risk factors for CDI in a large cohort of patients in Switzerland.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) epidemiology and patient characteristics in Switzerland.

Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. The objective of this study was to describe CDI epidemiology and patient characteristics over a 5-year period in Switzerland and assess risk factors for mortality, recurrence and severe CDI.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively included all consecutive CDI cases having occurred in adult patients hospitalized in two tertiary centers: the Lausanne University Hospital (1000 beds) and the University Hospital of Zurich (900 beds), between 2014 and 2018.

[Methicillin-resistant : 15 years of molecular epidemiology in Western Switzerland].

Since the introduction of antibiotics, successive waves of Staphylococcus aureus clones occurred, each one having characteristic susceptibility pattern to antibiotics and virulence factors. We report here the results of a molecular epidemiological surveillance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in French-speaking Switzerland between 2006 and 2020 showing the emergence and disappearance of clones known for their international dissemination, and the sporadic appearance of other international clones.

Increasing morbidity and mortality of candidemia over one decade in a Swiss university hospital.

Background: The epidemiology of candidemia is evolving with raising concern about the emergence of intrinsically resistant non-albicans Candida species and acquisition of antifungal resistance. In addition to microbiological surveys, epidemiological studies including clinical data are needed to assess the impact of candidemia on morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To assess the clinical and microbiological trends of candidemia in a Swiss university hospital.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers of a Swiss tertiary care centre at the end of the first wave: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in healthcare workers (HCWs) using seroprevalence as a surrogate marker of infection in our tertiary care centre according to exposure.

Design: Seroprevalence cross-sectional study.

Setting: Single centre at the end of the first COVID-19 wave in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Trends in Antibiotic Consumption and Resistance in France Over 20 Years: Large and Continuous Efforts but Contrasting Results.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to humanity. This paper describes the French efforts made since 2001 and presents data on antimicrobial consumption (AC) and AMR.

Methods: We gathered all data on AC and AMR recorded since 2001 from different national agencies, transferred on a regular basis to standardized European data on AC and resistance in both humans and animals.

Evaluation of the performance of rapid tests for screening carriers of acquired ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and their impact on turnaround time.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales constitute a global burden for hospital infection, and the identification of carriers by screening patients at risk is recommended by several guidelines.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of rapid ESBL tests on the turnaround time (TAT) of screening.

Methods: Rectal swabs were analysed by culture and synergism tests for identification of non-Esherichia coli Enterobacterales that produce ESBLs (NEcESBL-producing Enterobacterales).

Comparison of Whole Genome (wg-) and Core Genome (cg-) MLST (BioNumerics) Versus SNP Variant Calling for Epidemiological Investigation of .

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used for epidemiological investigations of pathogens. While SNP variant calling is currently considered as the most suitable method, the choice of a representative reference genome and the isolate dependency of results limit standardization and affect resolution in an unknown manner. Whole or core genome Multi Locus Sequence Typing (wg-, cg-MLST) represents an attractive alternative.

Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in rehabilitation pools and therapeutic water environments.

SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted by respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. It can be retrieved in faeces but there is no evidence of faecal-oral transmission, which is the main route of contamination in recreational waters. Standard cleaning and disinfecting procedures, microbiological control and health rules aim to prevent infectious risk regardless of the micro-organisms.

[SARS-CoV-2, a point in the storm].

Since its emergence in December 2019, scientific knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved rapidly but, due to the complexity and novelty of this infection and its political and economic stakes, much remains to be clarified. Thousands of studies have already been published and scientific research is constantly evolving. In this multitude of information, we offer an update of the knowledge currently available.

What face mask for what use in the context of COVID-19 pandemic? The French guidelines.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a face mask has become usual and ubiquitous, in both hospitals and community. However, the general public is consuming surgical or filtering face piece (FFP) masks irrespective of their specificity, leading to global supply shortage for the most exposed persons, which are healthcare workers. This underlines the urgent need to clarify the indications of the different categories of mask, in order to rationalize their use.

An educational intervention about the classification of penicillin allergies: effect on the appropriate choice of antibiotic therapy in pregnant women.

Background: Most pregnant women who self-report penicillin allergy are not truly penicillin-allergic and this misunderstanding often leads to administration of inappropriate antibiotic therapy. Decision algorithms have been developed to guide antibiotic selection but major discrepancies have been reported between guidelines and clinical practice. We aimed to optimize the prescription of antibiotics for pregnant women who self-reported penicillin allergy, using an educational intervention about the classification of penicillin allergies that targeted gynecologists, anesthesiologists and midwives.