Clinical Microbiology and Infection最新文献

Objectives: The impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among older adults hospitalized for acute respiratory symptoms was uncertain. We compared the prevalence and clinical outcomes of RSV with those of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza in older adults hospitalized for acute respiratory symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study at 3 community hospitals, which enrolled emergently hospitalized adults aged ≥50 years with acute respiratory symptoms or signs from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza A/B were measured with FilmArray Respiratory 2.1 panel on nasopharyngeal swab. The primary outcomes were lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), defined as presence of ≥2 lower respiratory symptoms/signs for at least 24 hours including ≥1 lower respiratory sign, or presence of ≥3 lower respiratory symptoms for at least 24 hours; modified LRTIs, incorporating chest radiography or computed tomography; and the 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results: During the 18-month study period, 3067 patients were included, with a mean age of 81 years (SD 11) and 55% of whom were male. Comorbidities included chronic pulmonary diseases (28%), chronic heart failure (32%), and diabetes (30%). The vaccination rates for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza were 0%, 62.3%, and 37.9%, respectively. The prevalences of RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza A/B were 1.6%, 18.0%, and 2.3%, respectively. The rates of LRTIs were 87.8% (RSV), 82.8% (COVID-19), and 88.4% (Influenza A/B). The rates of modified LRTIs were exhibited a marginal increase. The 30-day mortality was highest among patients with RSV (14.3%) compared to those with COVID-19 (8.4%), and Influenza A/B (2.9%) (P < .0001). The adjusted ORs (95%CI) of 30-day mortality with RSV and COVID-19 relative to Influenza A/B were 5.2 (1.2-36.7) and 2.9 (0.83-17.9), respectively.

Conclusions: RSV should be recognized as a risk factor for mortality among older adults emergently hospitalized for acute respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: The burden of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) is rising globally and often linked to community-acquisition in low-resource settings. In sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), AMR occurrence in rural areas remains under-studied despite anticipated higher risks. We investigated the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of ESBL-E in rural Burkina Faso.

Methods: In a community-based cross-sectional survey (May 2021-May 2022), participants were randomly selected in two health catchment areas and through face-to-face interviews, field workers collected data on hygiene, animal presence, household characteristics, and healthcare use. Stool samples were also collected for ESBL-E screening. Prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) and K. pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) was estimated, and associated factors assessed. Based on resistance profiles and PCR screening, selected isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing.

Results: Among 1,482 participants, ESBL-E prevalence was 61.3% (58.8-63.7%): ESBL-EC 53.0% (50.5-55.5%) and ESBL-KP 22.3% (20.3-24.5%). Colonisation was more common in the rainy than dry season (70.2% vs 53.6%, p<0.001) and among individuals not washing hands with soap before meals (62.5% vs 49.0%, p<0.001). Ciprofloxacin-resistance exceeded 65% in both species. The predominant ESBL-gene was bla_CTX-M-15 (47.3% in ESBL-EC, 19.9% in ESBL-KP), with one ESBL-EC isolate carrying bla_NDM-5. IncF plasmids predominated, and plasmid-mediated quinolone-resistance genes (qnr, aac(6')-ib-cr, oqxAB) were frequently co-detected with ESBL genes.

Conclusion: ESBL-E prevalence was high and associated with poor hygiene and seasonal variation. Higher rainy season prevalence was not explained by reported antibiotic use and may reflect increased environmental exposure risks, which requires further exploration. Improving hygiene-standards and establishing community-level AMR surveillance can provide effective steps forward in mitigating AMR burden in rural sSA.

Background: Procalcitonin is known to have moderate diagnostic accuracy for bacteremia. A 2014 meta-analysis showed a 76% sensitivity for a 0.50 ng/mL threshold. Lower thresholds might improve sensitivity.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for community-acquired bacteremia by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, focusing on the ability to exclude bacteremia.

Methods data sources: We searched PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science from the 1^st of January 2014 up to the 20^th of May 2025.

Study eligibility criteria and participants: Articles studying diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for community-acquired bacteremia in adults.

Test and reference standard: Procalcitonin was compared to blood culture results.

Assessment of risk of bias: Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Methods of data synthesis: We pooled sensitivity/specificity with a bivariate random-effects model and created a summary receiver-operating (sROC) curve. The main analysis focused on studies reporting on a procalcitonin threshold of 0.10 ng/mL. In addition, we analysed results for all studies, studies with a 0.25 ng/mL and studies with a 0.50 ng/mL threshold.

Results: We included 40 out of 5450 identified articles, reflecting 192.529 patients of whom 31.480 (16%) had bacteremia. 32 out of 40 studies had high risk of bias. The pooled sensitivity for a 0.10 ng/mL threshold was 93% (95% CI: 85% - 97%) with a specificity of 36% (95% CI: 26% to 47%). The area under the sROC curve for all studies was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76 - 0.83), prediction interval (PI) 0.57 - 0.91.

Discussion: A low cut-off value of PCT can be useful to exclude community-acquired bacteremia, depending on what the treating clinician considers to be an acceptable trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. Procalcitonin may require combination with clinical characteristics for accurate assessment of the risk of bacteremia and safely reducing unnecessary blood cultures.

Objectives: Parapneumonic pleural effusions/empyema (PPE/PE) are serious complications of community-acquired pneumonia in children. While Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes are established major pathogens, the clinical relevance of oral cavity bacteria (viridans streptococci, anaerobic bacteria; VS/AA) in paediatric PPE/PE is largely unclear.

Methods: A nationwide hospital-based surveillance study in Germany recorded children aged <18 years with PPE/PE from 10/2010 to 6/2023, with bacteria detected from pleural fluid and/or blood. We compared clinical characteristics of patients with VS/AA-associated PPE/PE to those with S. pneumoniae- or S. pyogenes-associated PPE/PE (reference group) using multivariable regression analysis, with results presented as regression coefficient (RC) or Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI), respectively.

Results: Among 1,242 children with any identified PPE/PE-associated pathogen, 115 (9.3%) presented with VS/AA and 818 (65.9%) with S. pneumoniae or S. pyogenes. Compared to the reference group, children with VS/AA-associated PPE/PE were older (median [IQR): 11.4 [4.9-14.9] vs. 3.6 [2.2-5.7] years, p<0.001) and had more underlying diseases (46.1% [53/115] vs. 22.2% [182/818], p<0.001), mainly complex neurological comorbidities (25.2% [29/115]). In multivariable analyses, VS/AA vs. reference patients showed a similar duration of hospital stay (median [IQR]: 20 days [15-28] vs. 18 days [14-25], p=0.467), and a similar proportion required treatment at a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (80.0% [92/115] vs. 81.5% [667/818], p=0.992). VS/AA patients had a longer time from symptom onset to hospital admission or to discharge (by 4.1 days [RC, 95%CI 2.5-5.7, p<0.001], and by 5.2 days [RC, 95%CI 2.1-8.3, p=0.001], respectively), and needed longer PICU treatment (by 3.1 days, [RC, 95%CI 0.4-5.9, p=0.025]). They showed more frequently pulmonary complications, especially atelectasis (65.2% [75/115] vs. 50.6% [414/818]; OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.2-3.0, p=0.006) and pulmonary abscess (27.8% [32/115] vs. 19.8% [162/818]; OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.0-2.8, p=0.040). They were more likely to develop sequelae (41.6% [47/115] vs. 21.3% [173/818]; OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.5-3.7, p<0.001) but less likely to develop sepsis/SIRS (8.7% [10/115] vs. 18.1% [148/818]; OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.7, p=0.004).

Conclusions: VS/AA-associated PPE/PE particularly affected older children and those with complex comorbidities. In such patients, it would therefore be advisable to include anaerobic coverage in empirical antibiotic treatment, and distinct clinical features should be considered in therapeutic management.

Objectives: Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is a significant public health challenge due to the rising incidence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains. The Valencian Region, one of the top tourist destinations in Eastern Spain, has witnessed an increase of over 200% in the number of cases in recent years. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of imported AMR lineages in shaping the local gonococcal population and generating sustained transmission events.

Methods: We analysed 1647 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in the Valencian Region between 2012-2024 with accompanying phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility and epidemiological data. Genomic data was obtained through high-throughput sequencing and combined with 5894 genomes from national and international isolates. From these, information on typing and genetic AMR determinants was derived. Phylogenomic and statistical inference were used to investigate the local dynamics of this pathogen.

Results: Results revealed high levels of AMR, including 63.6% (n=449/706) ciprofloxacin resistance, 17.7% (n=195/1102) azithromycin resistance and 8.4% (n=66/783) reduced susceptibility or resistance to ceftriaxone. The two main circulating lineages were NG-STAR CC1615 and CC63, carrying 55.0% (n=121/220) and 26.5% (n=45/170) isolates with a mosaic mtr (mosaic mtrD and mtrR promoter), respectively. Phylodynamic analyses identified multiple introductions of AMR lineages into the region leading to sustained transmissions since the 1990s. These lineages significantly carried more isolates with mtr mosaics (OR=4.17 [3.27-5.34], p-value=1.26E-33) and phenotypic resistance to azithromycin (OR=2.22 [1.60-3.06], p-value=1.14E-06), among other antimicrobials.

Conclusions: This study highlights the dynamic evolution and dissemination of AMR N. gonorrhoeae at the local level, highlighting the role of international mobility, sexual networks and antibiotic usage in shaping resistance patterns. Enhanced genomic surveillance, with special monitoring of mosaic mtr-carrying lineages, together with targeted public health interventions, will be key to curb local and regional spread of resistant gonococcal strains.

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria poses a significant threat to global health. This has prompted the development of novel antimicrobials and combination with ß-lactamase inhibitors.

Objectives: This review aims to shed light on into the resistance mechanisms associated with new drugs against Enterobacterales.

Sources: We searched PubMed relevant English literature in up to 30 June 2025, as well as including articles known to the authors. We analysed Enterobacterales resistance mechanisms for diazabicyclooctanes (DBOs), bicyclic boronates, cefepime/enmetazobactam, cefiderocol, and eravacycline.

Content: The review summarises the main mechanisms of resistance to recently introduced ß-lactamase inhibitor families, including DBOs and bicyclic boronates, as well as other novel combinations or antimicrobials, such as cefiderocol and eravacycline.

Implications: Understanding how microorganisms develop resistance to new antimicrobials or combinations with inhibitor is essential for redesigning treatment strategies and for the design of future antibiotics.

Background: Invasive fungal diseases are a growing global health concern, with Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) emerging as a major healthcare-associated pathogen. Its multidrug resistance, environmental persistence, prolonged skin colonization, and efficient nosocomial transmission have driven sustained outbreaks and endemicity worldwide, while recent taxonomic changes have complicated surveillance and diagnostics.

Objectives: This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the taxonomy, epidemiology, clinical impact, antifungal resistance, transmission, and infection prevention and control of C. auris, highlighting outbreak drivers, regional endemicity, and key gaps relevant to surveillance and policy.

Sources: We conducted a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2009 and 2025, drawing from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and major public health websites (WHO, CDC, ECDC, UKHSA, and national surveillance portals).

Content: C. auris has rapidly evolved into an endemic healthcare threat across multiple continents, with substantial regional variation in incidence, outbreak dynamics, antifungal resistance, and control capacity. Candidemia mortality averages ∼30% but differs by region and patient population. Azole resistance is widespread in several clades, while resistance to amphotericin B and echinocandins is increasingly reported, particularly in high-endemic settings. Outbreaks are sustained by environmental persistence, prolonged skin colonization, and healthcare-associated transmission, amplified by intensive care exposure, antimicrobial pressure, and system strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite broadly aligned IPC guidance, major challenges persist in screening, decolonization, laboratory identification, and long-term outbreak control.

Implications: The continued global expansion of C. auris has major clinical, economic, and public health implications. Effective control requires sustained investment in laboratory capacity, standardized nomenclature adoption, active surveillance, genomic monitoring, and rigorous IPC measures tailored to the pathogen's unique biology. Without coordinated regional and international responses, C. auris is likely to continue shifting from epidemic emergence to entrenched endemicity in diverse healthcare systems worldwide.