Publications by authors named "Karyoti A"
We evaluated the effects of enhanced infection control measures (ICMs) on carriage and infections of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) in a pediatric intensive care unit. We conducted a quasi-experimental study, including patients with infections of CRGNB retrospectively for 13 months and those participating in an active surveillance program prospectively for 22 months. Active surveillance (weekly rectal swabs) was implemented during a 63-week subperiod with standard ICMs and a subsequent 27-week subperiod with enhanced ICMs (intensified ICMs supplemented with audits and feedback).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The aim of this study was to forecast the monthly incidence rates of infections [infections/1000 bed-days (IBD)] due to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and total carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) in an endemic intensive care unit (ICU) during the subsequent year (December 2016-December 2017) following the observational period.
Methods: A 52-month observational period (August 2012-November 2016) was used. Two forecasting models, including a simple seasonal model for CRGNB, CRKP and CRPA and Winters' additive model for CRAB infections, were applied.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates two methods for diagnosing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in ICU patients: semiquantitative roll plate (SQRP) and differential time to positivity (DTP).
- - SQRP showed high sensitivity (94.7%), while DTP had high specificity (82.5%), and together they achieved 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value.
- - The results suggest that employing both SQRP and DTP methods in tandem could improve the diagnostic accuracy for CLABSIs.
We report a predominance (64.7%) of polyclonal carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) strains concurrently producing OXA-23 and OXA-58 carbapenemases in a pediatric intensive care unit in an endemic area. This is the first report of emergence of such double-OXA CRAB strains in a single unit worldwide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study focused on the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRKP, CRPA, and CRAB) in a high-resistance intensive care unit.
- - A new strain of CRPA was identified that produces both VIM and KPC enzymes, marking the first detection of this combination in an endemic region.
- - CRKP strains, mainly from the "hyperepidemic Greek clone," were the most prevalent, while CRAB strains producing OXA-23-like enzymes displayed various pulsotypes.
Background: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) infections constitute a global threat for critically ill patients and the outcome of their hospitalization. Early identification of CRGNB through rectal surveillance cultures and routine infection control measures including contact precautions, use of appropriate disinfectants, staff education on cleaning, and hand hygiene may reduce the dissemination of CRGNB.
Aim: To assess the impact of enhanced infection control measures on CRGNB infections in a nine-bed polyvalent intensive care unit in a tertiary level hospital in an endemic area.
Solid-organ transplant recipients may display high rates of colonization and/or infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We analysed and compared the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains of , and isolated from patients in the Solid Organ Transplantation department of our hospital. Between March 2012 and August 2013, 56 CR strains from various biological fluids underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing with VITEK 2, molecular analysis by PCR amplification and genotypic analysis with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of stricter infection control measures (ICM) on the spread of carbapenem-resistant (CR) bacteria among solid organ transplant (SOT) patients.
- The research utilized a quasi-experimental approach with three distinct periods: before the intervention, during the intervention with enhanced ICM, and after the intervention without active surveillance.
- Results showed a significant decrease in colonization rates from 19% to 9% during the intervention; however, infection rates actually increased afterwards, indicating the complexity of managing CR infections in these high-risk patients.
Background: Data on nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSI) in neurosurgery is limited. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology, microbiology, outcome, and risk factors for death in neurosurgical patients with NBSI in a multidrug resistant setting.
Methods: Neurosurgical patients with a confirmed NBSI within the period 2003-2012 were retrospectively analyzed.