Interventions to reduce infections caused by multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDR-E): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate different interventions to reduce multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDR-E) infection/colonization.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating interventions for prevention of MDR-E infection/colonization among hospitalized adult patients. The co-primary outcomes were mortality and MDR-E infections. PubMed, Cochrane library, and LILACS databases were searched up till December 2019, as well as grey literature sources. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Infection/colonization/acquisition outcomes were reported per patient-days as pooled incidence ratios (IRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis studies were reported separately.

Results: Sixty-three studies were included, 16 RCTs, 33 observational studies, and 14 ITS. For the intervention of antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), 23 studies were included. No differences in mortality or MDR-E infections were observed with ASP, however, MDR-E colonization was significantly reduced (IR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57-0.82). Seventeen studies examined decolonization without significant difference in outcomes. Other interventions were scarcely represented. Among 14 ITS publications, most evaluating ASP, 11 showed benefit of the intervention.

Conclusions: ASP is an effective measure in preventing MDR-E colonization. Decolonization did not show significant benefit in reducing infection or colonization. Studies are needed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of ASP and assess bundles of interventions.