Background Antimicrobial resistance in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients is a threat, due to the frequent use of antimicrobial treatment and invasive devices in fragile babies. Since 2014 an active surveillance program of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) carriage has been in place in the five NICUs of Palermo, Italy. In 2017 an increase in the prevalence of MDR-GNB, and in particular of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP), was observed in “Civico” hospital NICU. Aim To assess the impact of a coordinated intervention strategy in achieving long-lasting reduction of MDR-GNB prevalence in the NICU. Methods Rectal swabs were obtained monthly and processed to detect MDR-GNB using standard methods. MDR-GNB were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Since November 2017 the following intervention measures were applied: (a) two-months intensification of sample collection; (b) stakeholders meetings; (c) improvement of prevention measures and antimicrobial policies. Findings During the intensified microbiological surveillance MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP were detected in rectal swabs (34.8%; 23.2%), nasal swabs (24.6%; 14.5%), oral swabs (14.5%; 5.4%), milk samples (32.1%; 17.9%), pacifiers swabs (30.8%; 17.9%) and from sub-intensive room surfaces. Thirteen ESBL-KP strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples showed identical PFGE patterns. The prevalence of MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP carriage significantly decreased in the year after intervention compared to the previous year (20.6% vs 62.2%; p < 0.001 and 11.1% vs 57.8%; p < 0.001). MDR-GNB were not detected at all for three months and ESBL-KP for five months. Multivariate analysis of the principal exposure variables showed that admission in the post-intervention period significantly reduced the risk of MDR-GNB carriage (adj-OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.076–0.629; p < 0.001). Conclusions MDR-GNB broadly circulate in NICU setting, they can colonize different body sites and spread through various vehicles. A coordinated strategy of multiple interventions with active cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians in the NICU can effectively reduce their circulation and in particular the carriage of the most dangerous ESBL-KP strains.

In the last decade, widespread use of E-cigarettes (EC) has occurred all over the world. Whereas, a large amount of evidence on harm to children from conventional cigarette exposure is available, data on health effects in this population throughout different vulnerability windows are still a matter of concern. Exposure to EC during pregnancy may compromise placental function, resulting in fetal structural abnormalities. Specifically, this may cause physio-pathologic changes in the developing lung, which in turn may impair respiratory health later in life. Furthermore, there is evidence that using EC can cause both short- and long-term respiratory problems in the pediatric population and there is great concern for future young people with nicotine addiction. The low parental perception of the risks connected to EC exposure for children increases their susceptibility to harmful effects from passive vaping. This minireview aims to summarize the current evidence focusing on: (i) prenatal effects of EC passive exposure; (ii) post-natal respiratory effects of EC exposure in youth; (iii) parental attitudes toward EC use and perception of children's health risks connected to EC exposure; and (iv) addressing gaps in our current evidence.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients is a threat, due to the large use of antimicrobial treatment and invasive devices in fragile babies.Since 2014 an active surveillance program of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) carriage is in place in the five NICUs of Palermo, Italy. In 2017 an increase in the prevalence of MDR-GNB and in particular of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) was observed in “Civico” hospital NICU. Aim: To estimate the impact of a coordinated intervention strategy in achieving long-lasting reduction of MDR-GNB prevalence in the NICU.Methods: Rectal swabs were obtained monthly and processed to detect MDR-GNB using standard methods. MDR-GNB were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From November 2017 the following intervention measures were applied: a) two-months strengthening of sample collection; b) stakeholders’ meetings; c) improvement of prevention measures and antimicrobial policy. Prevalence of MDR-GNB carriage observed in the 12 months before and in the 24 months after intervention were compared by chi-square test. Risk factors for MDR-GNB carriage in a subgroup of patients were identified by a multivariate logistic regression model. Findings: During the strengthened microbiological surveillance MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP were detected in rectal swabs (34.8%; 23.2%), nasal swabs (24.6%; 14.5%), oral swabs (14.5%; 5.4%), milk samples (32.1%; 17.9%), soother swabs (30.8%; 17.9%) and from a sub-intensive room surface. Thirteen ESBL-KP strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples showed identical PFGE patterns. ESBL-KP was detected no more until June 2018. No MDR-GNB isolate was detected for three months. Prevalence of MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP carriage after intervention significantly decreased compared to the previous year (20.6% vs 62.2 %; p<0.001 and 11.1% vs 57.8%; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis of principal exposure variables showed that admission in post-intervention period significantly reduced the risk of MDR-GNB carriage (OR=0.15, p=0.01). Conclusions: MDR-GNB broadly circulate in NICU setting and can colonize different body sites and spread by various vehicles. A coordinated strategy of multiple interventions with active cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians in the NICU can effectively reduce their circulation and in particular the carriage of most dangerous ESBL-KP strains.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients is a threat, due to the large use of antimicrobial treatment and invasive devices in fragile babies.Since 2014 an active surveillance program of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) carriage is in place in the five NICUs of Palermo, Italy. In 2017 an increase in the prevalence of MDR-GNB and in particular of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) was observed in “Civico” hospital NICU.Aim: To estimate the impact of a coordinated intervention strategy in achieving long-lasting reduction of MDR-GNB prevalence in the NICU.Methods: Rectal swabs were obtained monthly and processed to detect MDR-GNB using standard methods. MDR-GNB were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From November 2017 the following intervention measures were applied: a) two-months strengthening of sample collection; b) stakeholders’ meetings; c) improvement of prevention measures and antimicrobial policy.Findings: During the strengthened microbiological surveillance MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP were detected in rectal swabs (34.8%; 23.2%), nasal swabs (24.6%; 14.5%), oral swabs (14.5%; 5.4%), milk samples (32.1%; 17.9%), soother swabs (30.8%; 17.9%) and from a sub-intensive room surface. Thirteen ESBL-KP strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples showed identical PFGE patterns.Prevalence of MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP carriage significantly decreased in the year after intervention compared to the previous year (20.6% vs 62.2 %; p<0.001 and 11.1% vs 57.8%; p<0.001). MDR-GNB were not detected for three months and ESBL-KP for five months. Multivariate analysis of principal exposure variables showed that admission in post-intervention period significantly reduced the risk of MDR-GNB carriage (adj-OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.076-0.629; p<0.001).Conclusions: MDR-GNB broadly circulate in NICU setting and can colonize different body sites and spread by various vehicles. A coordinated strategy of multiple interventions with active cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians in the NICU can effectively reduce their circulation and in particular the carriage of most dangerous ESBL-KP strains.