Fecal microbiota composition is a better predictor of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection than clinical factors in a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Introduction: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Fidaxomicin and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are effective, but expensive therapies to treat recurrent CDI (reCDI). Our objective was to develop a prediction model for reCDI based on the gut microbiota composition and clinical characteristics, to identify patients who could benefit from early treatment with fidaxomicin or FMT.

Major comorbid diseases as predictors of infection in the first month after hip fracture surgery: a population-based cohort study in 92,239 patients.

Purpose: Comorbidity level is a predictor of infection in the first 30 days after hip fracture surgery. However, the roles of individual comorbid diseases as predictors of infection remain unclear. We investigated individual major comorbid diseases as predictors of infection after hip fracture surgery.

Description of a nationwide structure for monitoring nosocomial outbreaks of (highly resistant) microorganisms in the Netherlands: characteristics of outbreaks in 2012-2021.

Background: Before 2012, established national surveillance systems in the Netherlands were not able to provide a timely, comprehensive epidemiological view on nosocomial outbreaks. The Healthcare-associated Infections and AntiMicrobial Resistance Monitoring Group (SO-ZI/AMR) was initiated in 2012 for timely national nosocomial outbreak monitoring and risk assessment. This paper aims to describe the achievements of the SO-ZI/AMR by presenting characteristics of outbreaks reported in 2012-2021.

Comorbidity and risk of infection among patients with hip fracture: a Danish population-based cohort study.

Unlabelled: Impact of comorbidity on infection risk among hip fracture patients is unclear. We found high incidence of infection. Comorbidity was an important risk factor for infection up to 1 year after surgery.

Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use With Risk of Acquiring Drug-Resistant Enterobacterales.

Importance: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with the risk of colonization with drug-resistant bacteria; however, possible confounding by lifestyle-associated factors and disease severity casts doubt on this association, and whether the risk is dose dependent is not known.

Objectives: To assess the association between PPI use and the risk of acquiring drug-resistant Enterobacterales and to examine interactions with possible microbiome-altering agents.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nested case-control study involved 2239 hospitalized adult (aged ≥18 years) patients identified from the microbiology laboratory database of Amsterdam University Medical Centers between December 31, 2018, and January 6, 2021.

CSF-contacting neurons respond to Streptococcus pneumoniae and promote host survival during central nervous system infection.

The pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) can invade the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cause meningitis with devastating consequences. Whether and how sensory cells in the central nervous system (CNS) become activated during bacterial infection, as recently reported for the peripheral nervous system, is not known.

Evaluation of an infection control link nurse program: an analysis using the RE-AIM framework.

Background: Important elements of programs that train and support infection control link nurses (ICLN) are the engagement of stakeholders, support from hospital and ward management and a structure for iterative improvement. The effects of programs, that combine all these elements, are unknown. We evaluated such a comprehensive program to explore its impact on link nurses and infection prevention practices and routines.

Incidence of infection with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant enterococci in carriers: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

Background: Carriers of multidrug-resistant bacteria are at risk of infections with these bacteria; the precise size of this risk is unclear. We aimed to quantify the effect of gut colonisation on subsequent risk of infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

Strategies to improve the implementation of infection control link nurse programmes in acute-care hospitals.

Background: Infection control practitioners face several challenges when implementing infection control link nurse (ICLN) programmes. Identification of strategies to address these can improve the impact of current ICLN programmes and guide their future implementation.

Aim: We aimed to identify implementation strategies for ICLN programmes in acute-care hospitals with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)-Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) Implementation Strategy Matching tool.

Gut colonisation by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and its association with the gut microbiome and metabolome in Dutch adults: a matched case-control study.

Background: Gut colonisation by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is a risk factor for developing overt infection. The gut microbiome can provide colonisation resistance against enteropathogens, but it remains unclear whether it confers resistance against ESBL-producing E coli. We aimed to identify a potential role of the microbiome in controlling colonisation by this antibiotic-resistant bacterium.

Prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in retail sheep meat from Zagazig city, Egypt.

Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production in Enterobacterales isolated from retail sheep meat in Zagazig, Egypt.

Methods: One hundred random samples of sheep meat were collected from different retail butcher shops (n = 5) in the city of Zagazig, Egypt. Bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and screened for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion; further genotypic characterization of β-lactamase-encoding genes was performed with Real-Time PCR.

Role perception of infection control link nurses; a multi-centre qualitative study.

Background: Infection control link nurses (ICLN) disseminate knowledge on infection prevention topics to their peers. Little is known about how they succeed and thereby contribute to infection prevention in daily practise.

Aim: To explore the experiences of infection control link nurses regarding their role in acute care hospitals and identify perceived facilitators and best practices.

Indwelling time of peripherally inserted central catheters and incidence of bloodstream infections in haematology patients: a cohort study.

Background: We aimed to assess whether longer indwelling time of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) increases risk of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in haematology patients.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective cohort study among haematology patients receiving PICCs between 2013 and 2015. Occurrence of CLABSI based on CDC definitions was assessed.

Esophageal microbiota composition and outcome of esophageal cancer treatment: a systematic review.

Background: The role of esophageal microbiota in esophageal cancer treatment is gaining renewed interest, largely driven by novel DNA-based microbiota analysis techniques. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of current literature on the possible association between esophageal microbiota and outcome of esophageal cancer treatment, including tumor response to (neo)adjuvant chemo(radio)therapy, short-term surgery-related complications, and long-term oncological outcome.

Methods: A systematic review of literature was performed, bibliographic databases were searched and relevant articles were selected by two independent researchers.

Prognostic factors for severe and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: a systematic review.

Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), its subsequent recurrences (rCDIs), and severe CDI (sCDI) provide a significant burden for both patients and the healthcare system. Identifying patients diagnosed with initial CDI who are at increased risk of developing sCDI/rCDI could lead to more cost-effective therapeutic choices. In this systematic review we aimed to identify clinical prognostic factors associated with an increased risk of developing sCDI or rCDI.

Gastric acid suppression, lifestyle factors and intestinal carriage of ESBL and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: Gastric acid-suppressive therapy has been suggested to increase the risk for intestinal carriage of MDR Enterobacterales, but there is scarce community-based evidence substantiating this risk.

Objectives: To investigate if acid-suppressant use is associated with a risk of intestinal carriage of ESBL and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in the open population, and to assess possible modifying factors.

Methods: Within the framework of a nationwide seroprevalence study, we identified a population-based cross-sectional cohort comprising 2746 adults (≥18 years), who provided stool specimens between February 2016 and June 2017.

Simultaneous detection and ribotyping of Clostridioides difficile, and toxin gene detection directly on fecal samples.

Background: Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Ribotyping of cultured strains by a PCR-based test is used to study potential transmission between patients. We aimed to develop a rapid test that can be applied directly on fecal samples for simultaneous detection and ribotyping of C.

Does death from Covid-19 arise from a multi-step process?

The Covid-19 death rate increases exponentially with age, and the main risk factors are having underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, severe chronic respiratory disease and cancer. These characteristics are consistent with the multi-step model of disease. We applied this model to Covid-19 case fatality rates (CFRs) from China, South Korea, Italy, Spain and Japan.

External validation of two prediction tools for patients at risk for recurrent infection.

Background: One in four patients with primary infection (CDI) develops recurrent CDI (rCDI). With every recurrence, the chance of a subsequent CDI episode increases. Early identification of patients at risk for rCDI might help doctors to guide treatment.

Community-Acquired Bacteremia after Age 50 and Subsequent Incidence of a Cancer Diagnosis: A Danish Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Community-acquired bacteremia (CAB) with may signal occult cancer. This might differ between phylogenetic groups.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study in northern Denmark (1994-2013) to examine whether CAB after age 50 is associated with incident cancer.

Faecal microbiota transplantation for infection: Four years' experience of the Netherlands Donor Feces Bank.

Background: The Netherlands Donor Feces Bank provides standardized ready-to-use donor faecal suspensions for faecal microbiota transplantation treatment of patients with recurrent infection.

Objective: The purpose of this study was evaluation of safety, feasibility and outcome of faecal microbiota transplantation facilitated by a national stool bank.

Methods: The methods used included: observational cohort study of donors and recipients of faecal suspensions; assessment of donor screening and patient selection performed by an expert panel of medical microbiologists, gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists; and patient outcome evaluated at different timepoints after faecal microbiota transplantation.

A Test-Negative Design with Additional Population Controls Can Be Used to Rapidly Study Causes of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic.

Testing of symptomatic persons for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is occurring worldwide. We propose two types of case-control studies that can be carried out jointly in test settings for symptomatic persons. The first, the test-negative case-control design (TND) is the easiest to implement; it only requires collecting information about potential risk factors for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the tested symptomatic persons.