BackgroundDespite being the leading cause of mortality from bloodstream infections worldwide, little is known about regional variation in treatment practices for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia ... Show moreBackgroundDespite being the leading cause of mortality from bloodstream infections worldwide, little is known about regional variation in treatment practices for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). The aim of this study was to identify global variation in management, diagnostics, and definitions of SAB.MethodsDuring a 20-day period in 2022, physicians throughout the world were surveyed on SAB treatment practices. The survey was distributed through listservs, e-mails, and social media.ResultsIn total, 2031 physicians from 71 different countries on 6 continents (North America [701, 35%], Europe [573, 28%], Asia [409, 20%], Oceania [182, 9%], South America [124, 6%], and Africa [42, 2%]) completed the survey. Management-based responses differed significantly by continent for preferred treatment of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, use of adjunctive rifampin for prosthetic material infection, and use of oral antibiotics (P < .01 for all comparisons). The 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were most commonly used in Europe (94%) and least frequently used in Africa (13%) and North America (51%; P < .01). Although most respondents defined persistent SAB as 3–4 days of positive blood cultures, responses ranged from 2 days in 31% of European respondents to 7 days in 38% of Asian respondents (P < .01).ConclusionsLarge practice variations for SAB exist throughout the world, reflecting the paucity of high-quality data and the absence of an international standard of care for the management of SAB. Show less
Background: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, especially in women. When oral antimicrobial prophylaxis is ineffective or not possible due to allergies or antimicrobial... Show moreBackground: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, especially in women. When oral antimicrobial prophylaxis is ineffective or not possible due to allergies or antimicrobial resistance, intravesical aminoglycoside instillations (IAIs) are a non-systemic alternative.Objectives: To assess treatment satisfaction, long-term safety and efficacy of IAIs for recurrent UTI.Methods: We conducted a cohort study using data collected between January 2013 and June 2022 at the Leiden University Medical Center. Adult patients with recurrent UTI who received prophylactic IAI were eligible for inclusion. Treatment satisfaction was assessed through a survey. Data on serum aminoglycoside concentrations, cystoscopy results and number of recurrences were obtained through chart review. Number of recurrences and UTI characteristics were compared between patients on and off IAI using Poisson and logistic mixed effects models.Results: Forty-four patients were included (median follow-up time 976 days) and 323 UTIs occurred during follow-up. Overall treatment satisfaction was high (median 79.2/100). All but one patient had undetectable serum aminoglycoside levels and no malignancies were found on follow-up cystoscopy. IAI increased the time to first recurrence (102 days versus 36 days, P = 0.02), reduced the number of recurrences (rate ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.56-0.99, P = 0.04) and the necessity for systemic antibiotics (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.86, P = 0.02). Conclusions: In patients with recurrent UTI, IAI was associated with high treatment satisfaction, and was found to be a safe and effective alternative to oral antimicrobial prophylaxis. Show less
Court, J.R. de la; Woudt, S.H.S.; Schoffelen, A.F.; Heijmans, J.; Jonge, N.A. de; Bruggen, T. van der; ... ; Schade, R.P. 2022
Objectives Among patients with haematological malignancy, bacteraemia is a common complication during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Resistance of gram-negative bacteria (GNB) to third... Show moreObjectives Among patients with haematological malignancy, bacteraemia is a common complication during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Resistance of gram-negative bacteria (GNB) to third-generation cephalosporins (3GC) is increasing. In order to explore the value of using surveillance cultures to guide empirical treatment e.g. choosing between carbapenem versus ceftazidime- we aimed to assess the distribution of pathogens causing bacteraemia in patients with haematological malignancy, and the proportion of 3GC-resistant GNB (3GC-R GNB) bacteraemia that was preceded by 3GC-R GNB colonization. Methods Using 11 years of data (2008-2018) from the Dutch national antimicrobial resistance surveillance system, we assessed the prevalence of 3GC-R GNB in episodes of bacteraemia, and the proportion of 3GC-R GNB bacteraemia that was preceded by 3GC-R GNB colonization. Colonization was defined as availability of any GNB surveillance isolate in the year before, independent of the causative micro-organism (time-paired isolates). Results We included 3887 patients, representing 4142 episodes of bacteraemia. GNB were identified in 715/4142 (17.3%), of which 221 (30.9%) were 3GC-R GNB. In 139 of these 221 patients a time-paired surveillance culture was available. In 76.2% (106/139) of patients these surveillance cultures already showed 3GC-R GNB isolates in the year prior to the culture date of the 3GC-R GNB positive blood isolate. Conclusions This multi-centre study shows that in patients with haematological malignancy, the majority of 3GC-R GNB bacteraemia is preceded by 3GC-R GNB colonization. Prospective clinical studies are needed to assess the safety and benefits of the use of surveillance-cultures to guide empirical therapy to restrict the empirical use of carbapenems in this population. Show less
Westgeest, A.C.; Schippers, E.F.; Sijbom, M.; Visser, L.G.; Boer, M.G.J. de; Numans, M.E.; ... ; MRSA Network Holland West 2022
The Dutch 'search and destroy' policy consists of screening patients with an increased risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriership and subsequent decolonization treatment... Show moreThe Dutch 'search and destroy' policy consists of screening patients with an increased risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriership and subsequent decolonization treatment when carriership is found. Decolonization therapy of individual MRSA carriers is effective. However, the effectiveness of the national 'search and destroy' policy is dependent on the entire cascade of care, including identification, referral, and subsequent treatment initiation in MRSA carriers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the leakages in the cascade of MRSA decolonization care. We assessed familiarity with the 'search and destroy' policy and the barriers in the uptake of MRSA eradication care using a questionnaire among 114 Dutch general practitioners. The main reasons for treatment were planned hospital visits, occupational reasons, and infections. The main reasons for refraining from eradication treatment were unfamiliarity with the 'search and destroy' policy and the assumption that MRSA carriership is often self-limiting. To optimize the continuity of the cascade of care, interventions should be aimed at supporting general practitioners and facilitating treatment and referral. Show less
Sijbom, M.; Braun, K.K.; Büchner, F.L.; Bodegom-Vos, L. van; Hendriks, B.J.C.; Boer, M.G.J. de; ... ; Lambregts, M.M.C. 2022
Background: Approximately 2% of patients in primary care practice and up to 25% of hospital patients are registered as being allergic to an antibiotic. However, up to 90% of these registrations are... Show moreBackground: Approximately 2% of patients in primary care practice and up to 25% of hospital patients are registered as being allergic to an antibiotic. However, up to 90% of these registrations are incorrect, leading to unnecessary prescription of 2(nd) choice antibiotics with the attendant loss of efficacy, increased toxicity and antibiotic resistance. To improve registration, a better understanding is needed of how incorrect labels are attributed. Objective: To investigate the quality of antibiotic allergy registration in primary care and identify determinants to improve registration of antibiotic allergies. Design: Registration of antibiotic allergies in primary care practices were analysed for 1) completeness and 2) correctness. To identify determinants for improvement, semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers from four healthcare domains were conducted. Participants: A total of 300 antibiotic allergy registrations were analysed for completeness and correctness. Thirty-four healthcare providers were interviewed. Main measures: A registration was defined as complete when it included a description of all symptoms, time to onset of symptoms and the duration of symptoms. It was defined as correct when the conclusion was concordant with the Salden criteria. Determinants of correct antibiotic allergy registrations were divided into facilitators or obstructers. Key results: Rates of completeness and correctness of registrations were 0% and 29.3%, respectively. The main perceived barriers for correct antibiotic allergy registration were insufficient knowledge, lack of priority, limitations of registration features in electronic medical records (EMR), fear of medical liability and patients interpreting side-effects as allergies. Conclusions: The quality of antibiotic allergy registrations can be improved. Potential interventions include raising awareness of the consequences of incomplete and the importance of correct registrations, by continued education, and above all simplifying registration in an EMR by adequate ICT support. Show less
Bilsen, M.P.; Lambregts, M.M.C.; Prehn, J. van; Kuijper, E.J. 2022
Purpose of review Antimicrobial resistance is a rising threat to global health and is associated with increased mortality. Intestinal colonisation with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) can... Show morePurpose of review Antimicrobial resistance is a rising threat to global health and is associated with increased mortality. Intestinal colonisation with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) can precede invasive infection and facilitates spread within communities and hospitals. Novel decolonisation strategies, such as faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), are being explored. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on how the field of FMT for MDRO decolonisation has developed during the past year and to assess the efficacy of FMT for intestinal MDRO decolonisation. Recent findings Since 2020, seven highly heterogenous, small, nonrandomised cohort studies and five case reports have been published. In line with previous literature, decolonisation rates ranged from 20 to 90% between studies and were slightly higher for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae than vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Despite moderate decolonisation rates in two studies, a reduction in MDRO bloodstream and urinary tract infections was observed. Summary and implications Although a number of smaller cohort studies show some effect of FMT for MDRO decolonisation, questions remain regarding the true efficacy of FMT (taking spontaneous decolonisation into account), the optimal route of administration, the role of antibiotics pre and post-FMT and the efficacy in different patient populations. The observed decrease in MDRO infections post-FMT warrants further research. Show less
A significant proportion of the in-hospital antimicrobial consumption is used in the empiric setting, making empiric therapy an important target of stewardship interventions.Empiric antimicrobial... Show moreA significant proportion of the in-hospital antimicrobial consumption is used in the empiric setting, making empiric therapy an important target of stewardship interventions.Empiric antimicrobial therapy is the antimicrobial regimen that is started when the definite clinical diagnosis, causative agent and/or resistance pattern are yet unknown. Empiric therapy is accompanied by a varying level of uncertainty. In daily clinical practice, this uncertainty about the source, pathogen and susceptibility pattern are often managed by prescribing relatively broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. This has potential negative effects, such as toxicity and selective pressure resulting in antimicrobial resistance. Balancing the potential benefits and drawbacks of more broad-spectrum therapy is a substantial challenge, in particular when the level of uncertainty is high.This thesis aims to address the uncertainties most relevant in daily clinical practice in empiric antimicrobial therapy, to determine how they affect daily decision making, and to explore how this can be translated in antimicrobial policy making and antimicrobial stewardship. Show less
Berghuis, D.; Lambregts, M.M.C.; Boer, M.G.J. de 2021
Up to 10% of hospitalized patients have an antibiotic allergy label in their medical file, most frequently concerning penicillins. However, the vast majority of reported allergies to antibiotics... Show moreUp to 10% of hospitalized patients have an antibiotic allergy label in their medical file, most frequently concerning penicillins. However, the vast majority of reported allergies to antibiotics does not represent a "true" allergy but are due to drug intolerance, idiosyncratic reactions or symptoms of the concurrent infectious disease. Since antibiotic allergy labels result in deviation from first-choice antimicrobial therapy, tackling the issue of incorrect antibiotic allergy labelling, already at young age, is a core element of antibiotic stewardship. In this article, we describe the structured approach to the patient with a presumed antibiotic allergy with emphasis on key elements of allergy-specific history taking and the limited risk of cross-allergic reactions between beta-lactam subclasses. Show less
Background: Isolation precautions are applied to control the risk of transmission of multi drug resistant organisms (MDROs). These precautions have been associated with adverse effects, such as... Show moreBackground: Isolation precautions are applied to control the risk of transmission of multi drug resistant organisms (MDROs). These precautions have been associated with adverse effects, such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to quantify stigma among MDRO carriers and its association with perceived mental health and experienced quality of care.Methods: A quantitative questionnaire study was performed in MDRO carriers exposed to >= 3 days of isolation precautions during hospitalization. Items derived from the Consumer Quality Index questionnaire (CQI) were used to assess perception of care. Stigma scores were calculated using the recently modified Berger Stigma Scale for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Mental health was measured with the RAND Mental Health Inventory. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to assess the association between stigma score and RAND mental health score.Findings: Of the 41 included carriers, 31 (75.6%) completed both questionnaires. The experienced quality of care was 'good' according to CQI score. Twenty-four percent reported not to have received proper explanation about MDRO carriership from healthcare workers (HCWs). MDRO-associated stigma was reported in 1/31 (3.2%). Poor mental health was self-reported in 3/31 (9.7%). There was no correlation between stigma score and RAND mental health score (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.347).Conclusions: In this study, MDRO carriers exposed to >= 3 days of isolation precautions did not report stigma. This contrasts with a recent study that investigated MRSA-associated stigma and may be explained by contact plus airborne isolation protocols in MRSA compared with contact isolation alone in most other MDROs. Also, the psychological impact may be of a different magnitude due to as yet unknown reasons. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Healthcare Infection Society. Show less
Lambregts, M.M.C.; Wijnakker, R.; Bernards, A.T.; Visser, L.G.; Cessie, S. le; Boer, M.G.J. de 2020
Background: Timely empiric antimicrobial therapy is one of the cornerstones of the management of suspected bloodstream infection (BSI). However, studies about the effects of empiric therapy on... Show moreBackground: Timely empiric antimicrobial therapy is one of the cornerstones of the management of suspected bloodstream infection (BSI). However, studies about the effects of empiric therapy on mortality have reported inconsistent results. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of delay of appropriate empiric therapy on early mortality in patients with BSI. Methods: Data for the propensity score matching (PSM) study were obtained from a cohort of patients with BSI. Inadequate empiric treatment was defined as in vitro resistance to the antimicrobial regimen administered < 6 h after blood cultures were taken. The primary outcome measure was 14-day mortality. Thirty-day mortality and median length of stay (LOS) were secondary outcomes. PSM was applied to control for confounding. Results: Of a total of 893 included patients with BSI, 35.7% received inadequate initial empiric treatment. In the PSM cohort (n = 334), 14-day mortality was 9.6% for inadequate antibiotic treatment, compared to. 10.2% in adequate empiric treatment (p = 0.85). No prolonged median LOS was observed in patients who initially received inadequate therapy (10.5 vs. 10.7 days, p = 0.89). Conclusions: In this study, we found no clear effect of inadequate empirical treatment on mortality in a low-risk BSI population. The importance of early empiric therapy compared to other determinants, may be limited. This may not apply for specific subpopulations, e.g., patients with sepsis. Show less
Lambregts, M.M.C.; Visser, L.G.; Boer, M.G.J. de; Staats, H.; Dijk, E. van 2019
We appreciate the response of Peiffer-Smadja and colleagues to our article confirming the importance of the use of social science to understand antibioticprescription behavior (APB) [1], [2]. In th... Show moreWe appreciate the response of Peiffer-Smadja and colleagues to our article confirming the importance of the use of social science to understand antibioticprescription behavior (APB) [1], [2]. In their letter, Peiffer-Smadja et al. advocate the supplementation of the proposed conceptual framework with insights from cognitive science, most notably cognitive biases[2]. Show less
Warreman, E.B.; Lambregts, M.M.C.; Wouters, R.H.P.; Visser, L.G.; Staats, H.; Dijk, E. van; De Boer, M.G.J. 2019
BackgroundKnowledge of determinants that influence antibiotic prescription behaviour (APB) is essential for the successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions. The theory of...Show moreBackgroundKnowledge of determinants that influence antibiotic prescription behaviour (APB) is essential for the successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is an established model that describes how cognitions drive human behaviour.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to identify the sociocultural and behavioural determinants that affect APB and to construct a TPB framework of behavioural intent. Show less
Lambregts, M.M.C.; Bernards, A.T.; Visser, L.G.; Boer, M.G.J. de 2018
