Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 26326

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Department of Microbiology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Avda Fuerzas Armadas, Granada, Spain
Interests: anaerobes; antimicrobials; MALDI-TOF MS; molecular methods
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bacteremia is a complex clinical syndrome in constant transformation that is an important growing cause of morbidity and mortality. The last several years have seen a deep change in the epidemiology, etiology and clinical features of bacteremia. The incidence of bacteremia in the general population has increased by around 9% yearly, ranging 83 to 240 episodes per 100,000 inhabitants. This change has been in parallel with medical advances, the appearance of different types of hosts and the development of new antimicrobials. Bacteremia is defined as the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, but different degrees of severity have been established. In the third international consensus of sepsis, the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine agreed to define sepsis as a “life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an unregulated host response to infection”. In addition, septic shock is defined as the subset of patients with sepsis in which the underlying circulatory and cellular/metabolic abnormalities are significant enough to substantially increase the mortality. The progression into sepsis significantly reduces the probability of spontaneous reversion, and without treatment the patient inexorably will develop multi-organ failure and septic shock.

Even with treatment, mortality estimates for patients with sepsis/septic shock in some series range between 27% and 40%.

Thus, different studies have shown that in patients with bacteremia and/or sepsis, an appropriate initial empirical antimicrobial treatment significantly reduces mortality. The implementation of rapid diagnostic techniques could help to quickly introduce an appropriate treatment.

This Special Issue entitled "Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia" aims to present recent research on any aspect of bacteremia epidemiology. Focal points include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Epidemiology and clinical features of bacteremia;
  • Bacteremia in special populations;
  • New tools for the diagnosis of bacteremia;
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens associated with bacteremia
  • Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in bacteremia episodes.

Reviews, original research papers, and communications are welcome.

Dr. Fernando Cobo
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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11 pages, 969 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Infective Endocarditis among Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia and Bone and Joint Infections
by Matthaios Papadimitriou-Olivgeris, Benoit Guery, Pierre Monney, Laurence Senn, Sylvain Steinmetz and Noémie Boillat-Blanco
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020342 - 06 Feb 2024
Viewed by 692
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of infective endocarditis (IE) among patients with bone and joint infections (BJIs) and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. This observational study was conducted at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, from 2014 to 2023, and included episodes involving BJI, S. aureus [...] Read more.
We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of infective endocarditis (IE) among patients with bone and joint infections (BJIs) and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. This observational study was conducted at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, from 2014 to 2023, and included episodes involving BJI, S. aureus bacteraemia, and cardiac imaging studies. The endocarditis team defined IE. Among the 384 included episodes, 289 (75%) involved native BJI (NBJI; 118 septic arthritis, 105 acute vertebral or non-vertebral osteomyelitis, 101 chronic osteitis), and 112 (29%) involved orthopedic implant-associated infection (OIAI; 78 prosthetic joint infection and 35 osteosynthesis/spondylodesis infection). Fifty-one episodes involved two or more types of BJI, with 17 episodes exhibiting both NBJI and OIAI. IE was diagnosed in 102 (27%) episodes. IE prevalence was 31% among patients with NBJI and 13% among patients with OIAI (p < 0.001). The study revealed a high prevalence of IE among S. aureus bacteraemic patients with NBJI, with notably lower prevalence among those with OIAI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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10 pages, 1938 KiB  
Article
Bacteremia in Patients with Sepsis in the ICU: Does It Make a Difference?
by Tomáš Nejtek, Martin Müller, Michal Moravec, Miroslav Průcha and Roman Zazula
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2357; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092357 - 20 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1129
Abstract
Sepsis (and septic shock) is on of the most common causes of death worldwide. Bacteremia often, but not necessarily, occurs in septic patients, but the impact of true bacteremia on a patient’s clinical characteristics and outcome remains unclear. The main aim of this [...] Read more.
Sepsis (and septic shock) is on of the most common causes of death worldwide. Bacteremia often, but not necessarily, occurs in septic patients, but the impact of true bacteremia on a patient’s clinical characteristics and outcome remains unclear. The main aim of this study was to compare the characteristics and outcome of a well-defined cohort of 258 septic patients with and without bacteremia treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary center hospital in Prague, Czech Republic. As expected, more frequently, bacteremia was present in patients without previous antibiotic treatment. A higher proportion of bacteremia was observed in patients with infective endocarditis as well as catheter-related and soft tissue infections in contrast to respiratory sepsis. Multivariant analysis showed increased severity of clinical status and higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) as variables with significant influence on mortality. Bacteremia appears to be associated with higher mortality rates and length of ICU stay in comparison with nonbacteremic counterparts, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. The presence of bacteremia, apart from previous antibiotic treatment, may be related to the site of infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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11 pages, 479 KiB  
Article
Intravenous versus Partial Oral Antibiotic Therapy in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Bloodstream Infection Due to Streptococcus Species
by Lynn E. Broermann, Majdi N. Al-Hasan, Sarah Withers, Kristina L. Benbow, Taylor Ramsey, Meghan McTavish and Hana R. Winders
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2313; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092313 - 14 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1235
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study examines effectiveness of partial oral antibiotic regimens in uncomplicated bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to Streptococcus species compared to standard intravenous therapy. Adult patients with uncomplicated streptococcal BSIs from April 2016 to June 2020 in seven hospitals in South Carolina, [...] Read more.
This retrospective cohort study examines effectiveness of partial oral antibiotic regimens in uncomplicated bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to Streptococcus species compared to standard intravenous therapy. Adult patients with uncomplicated streptococcal BSIs from April 2016 to June 2020 in seven hospitals in South Carolina, USA, were evaluated. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the time to treatment failure within 90 days of a BSI after adjustment for the propensity to receive partial oral therapy. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the hospital length of stay (HLOS). Among the 222 patients included, 99 received standard intravenous antibiotics and 123 received partial oral therapy. Of the standard intravenous therapy group, 46/99 (46.5%) required outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT). There was no difference in the risk of treatment failure between partial oral and standard intravenous therapy (hazards ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.18, 1.60; p = 0.25). Partial oral therapy was independently associated with a shorter HLOS after adjustments for the propensity to receive partial oral therapy and other potential confounders (−2.23 days, 95% CI −3.53, −0.94; p < 0.001). Transitioning patients to oral antibiotics may be a reasonable strategy in the management of uncomplicated streptococcal BSIs. Partial oral therapy does not seem to have a higher risk of treatment failure and may spare patients from prolonged hospitalizations and OPAT complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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12 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Acinetobacter baumannii Bloodstream Infections: A Nationwide Study in Israel
by Amir Nutman, Elizabeth Temkin, Liat Wullfhart, Vered Schechner, Mitchell J. Schwaber and Yehuda Carmeli
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2178; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092178 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 981
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major public health concern and associated with high mortality. We describe the nationwide incidence, antimicrobial resistance, and mortality of Ab-BSI in Israel using laboratory-based BSI surveillance data from January 2018 to December 2019. During the [...] Read more.
Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major public health concern and associated with high mortality. We describe the nationwide incidence, antimicrobial resistance, and mortality of Ab-BSI in Israel using laboratory-based BSI surveillance data from January 2018 to December 2019. During the study period, there were 971 Ab-BSI events (508 in 2018 and 463 in 2019), with an average annual incidence of 8.08/100,000 population. The median age of patients was 72 (IQR 62–83), and 56.4% were males. Two-thirds of Ab-BSI events were hospital-onset (HO), with median day of onset 16 (IQR 9–30). HO-BSI incidence was 0.62/10,000 patient-days (rate per 10,000 patient-days: 2.78, 1.17, and 0.2 for intensive care, medical, and surgical wards, respectively). Carbapenem susceptibility was 23.4%; 41.4% and 14.9% in community and HO events, respectively. The 14-day, 30-day, and 1-year mortality were 51.2%, 59.3%, and 81.4%, respectively. Carbapenem-resistant Ab-BSI were associated with a significantly higher 14-day, 30-day, and 1-year mortality (p < 0.001 for all). In the multivariable model, age (aHR 1.02) and carbapenem resistance (aHR 3.21) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. In conclusion, Ab-BSIs pose a significant burden with high mortality, especially associated with antimicrobial resistance. Attention should be focused on prevention and improving treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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12 pages, 600 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors for Bacteremia and Its Clinical Impact on Complicated Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection
by Manuel Madrazo, Ian López-Cruz, Laura Piles, Silvia Artero, Juan Alberola, Juan Alberto Aguilera, José María Eiros and Arturo Artero
Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11081995 - 02 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Bacteremia has been associated with severity in some infections; however, its impact on the prognosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is still disputed. Our goal is to determine the risk factors for bacteremia and its clinical impact on hospitalized patients with complicated community-acquired [...] Read more.
Bacteremia has been associated with severity in some infections; however, its impact on the prognosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is still disputed. Our goal is to determine the risk factors for bacteremia and its clinical impact on hospitalized patients with complicated community-acquired urinary tract infections. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients admitted to the hospital with complicated community-acquired UTIs. Clinical variables and outcomes of patients with and without bacteremia were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for bacteremia and mortality. Of 279 patients with complicated community-acquired UTIs, 37.6% had positive blood cultures. Risk factors for bacteremia by multivariate analysis were temperature ≥ 38 °C (p = 0.006, OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.7)) and procalcitonin ≥ 0.5 ng/mL (p = 0.005, OR 8.5 (95% CI 2.2–39.4)). In-hospital and 30-day mortality were 9% and 13.6%, respectively. Quick SOFA (p = 0.030, OR 5.4 (95% CI 1.2–24.9)) and Barthel Index <40% (p = 0.020, OR 4.8 (95% CI 1.3–18.2)) were associated with 30-day mortality by multivariate analysis. However, bacteremia was not associated with 30-day mortality (p = 0.154, OR 2.7 (95% CI 0.7–10.3)). Our study found that febrile community-acquired UTIs and elevated procalcitonin were risk factors for bacteremia. The outcomes in patients with bacteremia were slightly worse, but without significant differences in mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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16 pages, 877 KiB  
Article
Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia, through a Six-Year Infection Control Program in a Hospital
by Amalia Papanikolopoulou, Panagiotis Gargalianos-Kakolyris, Athina Stoupis, Nikos Moussas, Anastasia Pangalis, Kalliopi Theodoridou, Genovefa Chronopoulou, Nikos Pantazis, Maria Kantzanou, Helena C. Maltezou and Athanasios Tsakris
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1315; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051315 - 17 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a life-threatening healthcare-associated infection affecting especially patients with immunosuppression and comorbidities. We investigated the association between the incidence of CRPA bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in a hospital during 2013–2018. Methods: We prospectively recorded the [...] Read more.
Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a life-threatening healthcare-associated infection affecting especially patients with immunosuppression and comorbidities. We investigated the association between the incidence of CRPA bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in a hospital during 2013–2018. Methods: We prospectively recorded the incidence of CRPA bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, use of hand-hygiene solutions, and isolation rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) carrier patients. Findings: The consumption of colistin, aminoglycosides, and third-generation cephalosporins decreased significantly in the total hospital and its divisions (p-value < 0.001 for all comparisons) while the consumption of carbapenems decreased significantly in the adults ICU (p-value = 0.025). In addition, the incidence of CRPA significantly decreased in the total hospital clinics and departments (p-values = 0.027 and 0.042, respectively) and in adults clinics and departments (p-values = 0.031 and 0.051, respectively), while in the adults ICU, the incidence remained unchanged. Increased isolation rates of MDR carrier patients, even two months before, significantly correlated with decreased incidence of CRPA bacteremia (IRR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05–0.73, p-value = 0.015) in the adults ICU. Interestingly, when the use of hand-hygiene solutions (alcohol and/or scrub) increased, the consumption of advanced, nonadvanced, and all antibiotics decreased significantly. Conclusion: In our hospital, multimodal infection control interventions resulted in a significant reduction of CRPA bacteremia, mostly due to the reduction of all classes of antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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11 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors for Mortality in Patients with Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Bloodstream Infection
by Jin Young Ahn, Sang Min Ahn, Jung Ho Kim, Su Jin Jeong, Nam Su Ku, Jun Yong Choi, Joon Sup Yeom and Je Eun Song
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051121 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1300
Abstract
Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) significantly influences patient morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of mortality in adult patients with CRE bacteremia and elucidate the differences between carbapenemase-producing (CP)-CRE BSI and non-CP-CRE [...] Read more.
Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) significantly influences patient morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of mortality in adult patients with CRE bacteremia and elucidate the differences between carbapenemase-producing (CP)-CRE BSI and non-CP-CRE BSI. Methods: This retrospective study included 147 patients who developed CRE BSI between January 2016 and January 2019 at a large tertiary care hospital in South Korea. The patient demographic characteristics and clinical and microbiological data including the Enterobacteriaceae species and carbapenemase type were obtained and analyzed. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most commonly detected pathogen (80.3%), followed by Escherichia coli (15.0%). In total, 128 (87.1%) isolates were found to express carbapenemase, and most CP-CRE isolates harbored blaKPC. The 14-day and 30-day mortality rates for CRE BSI were 34.0% and 42.2%, respectively. Higher body mass index (odds ratio (OR), 1.123; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.012–1.246; p = 0.029), higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (OR, 1.206; 95% CI, 1.073–1.356; p = 0.002), and previous antibiotic use (OR, 0.163; 95% CI, 0.028–0.933; p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for the 14-day mortality. A high SOFA score (OR, 1.208; 95% CI; 1.081–0.349; p = 0.001) was the only independent risk factor for 30-day mortality. Carbapenemase production and appropriate antibiotic treatment were not associated with high 14- or 30-day mortality rates. Conclusions: Mortality from CRE BSI was related to the severity of the infection rather than to carbapenemase production or antibiotic treatment, showing that efforts to prevent CRE acquisition rather than treatment following CRE BSI detection would be more effective at reducing mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
12 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
The Challenge of Bacteremia Treatment due to Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacteria
by Svetlana Sadyrbaeva-Dolgova, María del Mar Sánchez-Suárez, Juan Antonio Reguera Márquez and Carmen Hidalgo-Tenorio
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040899 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1770
Abstract
Nosocomial infections caused by non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria are a real challenge for clinicians, especially concerning the accuracy of empirical treatment. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristic, empirical antibiotic therapy, accuracy of these prescriptions for appropriate coverage and risk factor for clinical [...] Read more.
Nosocomial infections caused by non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria are a real challenge for clinicians, especially concerning the accuracy of empirical treatment. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristic, empirical antibiotic therapy, accuracy of these prescriptions for appropriate coverage and risk factor for clinical failure of bloodstream infections due to non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. This retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted between January 2016 and June 2022. Data were collected from the hospital’s electronic record. The statistic tests corresponding to each objective were applied. A multivariate logistic regression was performed. Among the total 120 patients included in the study, the median age was 63.7 years, and 79.2% were men. Considering the appropriate empirical treatment rate by species, inappropriate treatment for S. maltophilia was 72.4% (p = 0.088), for A. baumanii 67.6% and 45.6% for P. aeruginosa. Clinical success was achieved in 53.3%, and overall, 28-day mortality was 45.8%. ICU admission, sepsis or shock septic, age, previous antibiotic treatment and contact with healthcare facilities were independently associated with clinical failure. In conclusion, bloodstream infection produced by multidrug-resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria is a significant therapeutic management challenge for clinicians. The accuracy of empirical treatment is low due to the fact that it is not recommended to cover these microorganisms empirically, especially S. maltophilia and A. baumanii. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
13 pages, 509 KiB  
Article
Healthcare-Associated Bloodstream Infections Due to Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
by Karolina Dobrović, Tea Škrobo, Katarina Selec, Marko Jelić, Rok Čivljak, Jasminka Peršec, Sanja Sakan, Nikolina Bušić, Antonija Mihelčić, Sonja Hleb and Arjana Tambić Andrašević
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030774 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections are an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs) among critically ill COVID-19 patients [...] Read more.
Healthcare-associated infections are an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs) among critically ill COVID-19 patients and to analyze the characteristics of healthcare-associated BSIs due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii in an COVID-19 ICU. A single-center retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital during a 5-month period. The detection of carbapenemase genes was performed by PCR and genetic relatedness by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus-sequence typing. A total of 193 episodes were registered in 176 COVID-19 ICU patients, with an incidence of 25/1000 patient-days at risk. A. baumannii was the most common etiological agent (40.3%), with a resistance to carbapenems of 100%. The blaOXA-23 gene was detected in ST2 isolates while the blaOXA-24 was ST636-specific. PFGE revealed a homogeneous genetic background of the isolates. The clonal spread of OXA-23-positive A. baumannii is responsible for the high prevalence of MDR A. baumannii BSIs in our COVID-19 ICU. Further surveillance of resistance trends and mechanisms is needed along with changes in behavior to improve the implementation of infection control and the rational use of antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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15 pages, 780 KiB  
Article
Fecal Volatile Metabolomics Predict Gram-Negative Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants: A Nationwide Case-Control Study
by Nina M. Frerichs, Sofia el Manouni el Hassani, Nancy Deianova, Mirjam M. van Weissenbruch, Anton H. van Kaam, Daniel C. Vijlbrief, Johannes B. van Goudoever, Christian V. Hulzebos, Boris. W. Kramer, Esther J. d’Haens, Veerle Cossey, Willem P. de Boode, Wouter J. de Jonge, Alfian N. Wicaksono, James A. Covington, Marc A. Benninga, Nanne K. H. de Boer, Hendrik J. Niemarkt and Tim G. J. de Meij
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030572 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1693
Abstract
Early detection of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants is crucial since timely treatment initiation is a key prognostic factor. We hypothesized that fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reflecting microbiota composition and function, could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for preclinical pathogen-specific LOS [...] Read more.
Early detection of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants is crucial since timely treatment initiation is a key prognostic factor. We hypothesized that fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reflecting microbiota composition and function, could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for preclinical pathogen-specific LOS detection. Fecal samples and clinical data of all preterm infants (≤30 weeks’ gestation) admitted at nine neonatal intensive care units in the Netherlands and Belgium were collected daily. Samples from one to three days before LOS onset were analyzed by gas chromatography—ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), a technique based on pattern recognition, and gas chromatography—time of flight—mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS), to identify unique metabolites. Fecal VOC profiles and metabolites from infants with LOS were compared with matched controls. Samples from 121 LOS infants and 121 matched controls were analyzed using GC-IMS, and from 34 LOS infants and 34 matched controls using GC-TOF-MS. Differences in fecal VOCs were most profound one and two days preceding Escherichia coli LOS (Area Under Curve; p-value: 0.73; p = 0.02, 0.83; p < 0.002, respectively) and two and three days before gram-negative LOS (0.81; p < 0.001, 0.85; p < 0.001, respectively). GC-TOF-MS identified pathogen-specific discriminative metabolites for LOS. This study underlines the potential for VOCs as a non-invasive preclinical diagnostic LOS biomarker. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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13 pages, 1245 KiB  
Article
Short Course of Antibiotic Therapy for Gram-Negative Bacilli Bacteremia in Patients with Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Less Is Possible
by Fabián Herrera, Diego Torres, Alberto Carena, Federico Nicola, Andrés Rearte, Elena Temporiti, Laura Jorge, Ricardo Valentini, Florencia Bues, Silvia Relloso and Pablo Bonvehí
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020511 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1814
Abstract
Data about short courses of antibiotic therapy for Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteremia in immunosuppressed patients are limited. This is a prospective observational study performed on adult patients with cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who developed GNB bacteremia and received appropriate empirical [...] Read more.
Data about short courses of antibiotic therapy for Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteremia in immunosuppressed patients are limited. This is a prospective observational study performed on adult patients with cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who developed GNB bacteremia and received appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy (EAT), had a clinical response within 7 days and survived 48 h after the end of therapy. They received antibiotic therapy in the range of 7–15 days and were divided into short course, with a median of 7 days (SC), or long course, with a median of 14 days (LC). Seventy-four patients were included (SC: 36 and LC: 38). No differences were observed in baseline characteristics or in the presence of neutropenia: 58.3% vs. 60.5% (p = 0.84). Clinical presentation and microbiological characteristics were similar in SC and LC, respectively: clinical source of bacteremia 72.2% vs. 76.3% (p = 0.68); shock 2.8% vs. 10.5% (p = 0.35) and multidrug-resistant GNB 27.8% vs. 21.1% (p = 0.50). Overall, mortality was 2.8% vs. 7.9% (p = 0.61), and bacteremia relapse was 2.8% vs. 0 (p = 0.30). The length of hospitalization since bacteremia was 7 days (interquartile range (IQR), 6–15) for SC and 12 days (IQR, 7–19) (p = 0.021) for LC. In the case of patients with cancer or HSCT and GNB bacteremia who receive appropriate EAT with clinical response, 7 days of antibiotic therapy might be adequate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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10 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of a Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Rapid Detection of CTX-M Producers from Blood Cultures
by Hanshu Fang, Chung-Ho Lee, Huiluo Cao, Shuo Jiang, Simon Yung-Chun So, Cindy Wing-Sze Tse, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng and Pak-Leung Ho
Microorganisms 2023, 11(1), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010128 - 04 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2857
Abstract
Bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Enterobacterales has increased rapidly and is mainly attributed to CTX-M enzymes. This study aimed to evaluate the NG-Test® CTX-M MULTI lateral flow assay (CTX-M LFA) for rapid detection of CTX-M producers in blood cultures (BCs) positive for [...] Read more.
Bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Enterobacterales has increased rapidly and is mainly attributed to CTX-M enzymes. This study aimed to evaluate the NG-Test® CTX-M MULTI lateral flow assay (CTX-M LFA) for rapid detection of CTX-M producers in blood cultures (BCs) positive for Gram-negative bacilli in spiked and clinical BCs. Retrospective testing was performed on BC bottles spiked with a collection of well-characterized Enterobacterales isolates producing CTX-M (n = 15) and CTX-M-like (n = 27) β-lactamases. Prospective testing of clinical, non-duplicate BCs (n = 350) was performed in two hospital microbiology laboratories from April 2021 to March 2022 following detection of Gram-negative bacilli by microscopic examination. Results were compared against molecular testing as the reference. In the spiked BCs, the CTX-M LFA correctly detected all CTX-M producers including 5 isolates with hybrid CTX-M variants. However, false-positive results were observed for several CTX-M-like β-lactamases, including OXY-1-3, OXY-2-8, OXY-5-3, FONA-8, -9, -10, 11, 13 and SFO-1. In clinical BCs, the CTX-M LFA showed 100% (95% CI, 96.0–100%) sensitivity and 99.6% (97.9–100%) specificity. In conclusion, this study showed that rapid detection of CTX-M producers in BC broths can be reliably achieved using the CTX-M LFA, thus providing an opportunity for early optimization of antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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Review

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25 pages, 1473 KiB  
Review
Oral Antibiotics for Bacteremia and Infective Endocarditis: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
by Gerasimos Eleftheriotis, Markos Marangos, Maria Lagadinou, Sanjay Bhagani and Stelios F. Assimakopoulos
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 3004; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11123004 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2344
Abstract
Bacteremia and endocarditis are two clinical syndromes that, for decades, were managed exclusively with parenteral antimicrobials, irrespective of a given patient’s clinical condition, causative pathogen, or its antibiotic susceptibility profile. This clinical approach, however, was based on low-quality data and outdated expert opinions. [...] Read more.
Bacteremia and endocarditis are two clinical syndromes that, for decades, were managed exclusively with parenteral antimicrobials, irrespective of a given patient’s clinical condition, causative pathogen, or its antibiotic susceptibility profile. This clinical approach, however, was based on low-quality data and outdated expert opinions. When a patient’s condition has improved, gastrointestinal absorption is not compromised, and an oral antibiotic regimen reaching adequate serum concentrations is available, a switch to oral antibacterials can be applied. Although available evidence has reduced the timing of the oral switch in bacteremia to three days/until clinical improvement, there are only scarce data regarding less than 10-day intravenous antibiotic therapy in endocarditis. Many standard or studied oral antimicrobial dosages are smaller than the approved doses for parenteral administration, which is a risk factor for treatment failure; in addition, the gastrointestinal barrier may affect drug bioavailability, especially when the causative pathogen has a minimum inhibitory concentration that is close to the susceptibility breakpoint. A considerable number of patients infected by such near-breakpoint strains may not be potential candidates for oral step-down therapy to non-highly bioavailable antibiotics like beta-lactams; different breakpoints should be determined for this setting. This review will focus on summarizing findings about pathogen-specific tailoring of oral step-down therapy for bacteremia and endocarditis, but will also present laboratory and clinical data about antibiotics such as beta-lactams, linezolid, and fosfomycin that should be studied more in order to elucidate their role and optimal dosage in this context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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15 pages, 1031 KiB  
Review
Clinical and Microbiological Features of Fulminant Haemolysis Caused by Clostridium perfringens Bacteraemia: Unknown Pathogenesis
by Ai Suzaki and Satoshi Hayakawa
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040824 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2106
Abstract
Bacteraemia brought on by Clostridium perfringens has a very low incidence but is severe and fatal in fifty per cent of cases. C. perfringens is a commensal anaerobic bacterium found in the environment and in the intestinal tracts of animals; it is known [...] Read more.
Bacteraemia brought on by Clostridium perfringens has a very low incidence but is severe and fatal in fifty per cent of cases. C. perfringens is a commensal anaerobic bacterium found in the environment and in the intestinal tracts of animals; it is known to produce six major toxins: α-toxin, β-toxin, ε-toxin, and others. C. perfringens is classified into seven types, A, B, C, D, E, F and G, according to its ability to produce α-toxin, enterotoxin, and necrotising enterotoxin. The bacterial isolates from humans include types A and F, which cause gas gangrene, hepatobiliary infection, and sepsis; massive intravascular haemolysis (MIH) occurs in 7–15% of C. perfringens bacteraemia cases, resulting in a rapid progression to death. We treated six patients with MIH at a single centre in Japan; however, unfortunately, they all passed away. From a clinical perspective, MIH patients tended to be younger and were more frequently male; however, there was no difference in the toxin type or genes of the bacterial isolates. In MIH cases, the level of θ-toxin in the culture supernatant of clinical isolates was proportional to the production of inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood, suggesting the occurrence of an intense cytokine storm. Severe and systemic haemolysis is considered an evolutionary maladaptation as it leads to the host’s death before the bacterium obtains the benefit of iron utilisation from erythrocytes. The disease’s extraordinarily quick progression and dismal prognosis necessitate a straightforward and expedient diagnosis and treatment. However, a reliable standard of diagnosis and treatment has yet to be put forward due to the lack of sufficient case analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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17 pages, 1480 KiB  
Review
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Complement System: A Review of the Evasion Strategies
by Alex González-Alsina, Margalida Mateu-Borrás, Antonio Doménech-Sánchez and Sebastián Albertí
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030664 - 06 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2014
Abstract
The increasing emergence of multidrug resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa causes major problems in hospitals worldwide. This concern is particularly significant in bloodstream infections that progress rapidly, with a high number of deaths within the first hours and without time to select the [...] Read more.
The increasing emergence of multidrug resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa causes major problems in hospitals worldwide. This concern is particularly significant in bloodstream infections that progress rapidly, with a high number of deaths within the first hours and without time to select the most appropriate treatment. In fact, despite improvements in antimicrobial therapy and hospital care, P. aeruginosa bacteremia remains fatal in about 30% of cases. The complement system is a main defensive mechanism in blood against this pathogen. This system can mark bacteria for phagocytosis or directly lyse it via the insertion of a membrane attack complex in the bacterial membrane. P. aeruginosa exploits different strategies to resist complement attack. In this review for the special issue on “bacterial pathogens associated with bacteriemia”, we present an overview of the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the complement components and strategies used by this pathogen to prevent recognition and killing by the complement system. A thorough understanding of these interactions will be critical in order to develop drugs to counteract bacterial evasion mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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9 pages, 742 KiB  
Case Report
Yersinia enterocolitica Bacteremia Associated with a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Report with Literature Review
by Yordan Kalchev, Hristina Urdzhanova, Stefan Stanev, Bogomila Cheshmedzhieva, Maria Pavlova, Gergana Lengerova and Marianna Murdjeva
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122911 - 02 Dec 2023
Viewed by 943
Abstract
Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen, mainly associated with disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract, including diarrhea, ileitis, and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Extraintestinal presentation is uncommon in healthy individuals, but bacteremia is reported in immunocompromised hosts. We present a 74-year-old male with Y. enterocolitica serogroup [...] Read more.
Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen, mainly associated with disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract, including diarrhea, ileitis, and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Extraintestinal presentation is uncommon in healthy individuals, but bacteremia is reported in immunocompromised hosts. We present a 74-year-old male with Y. enterocolitica serogroup O:3 bacteremia who complicated to rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. With the current case report, we aimed to emphasize the association of Y. enterocolitica bacteremia with abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Better surveillance is needed, not only to reduce morbidity and mortality but also to update current epidemiological data on the incidence of such associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Bacteremia)
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