Introduction: Recently, pathogen ecology has been recognized as an important epidemiological determinant of healthcareassociated infections (HAIs). Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important agents known to cause HAIs. It is widespread in healthcare settings and exhibits seasonal variations in incidence. Little is known about the impact of competition with other hospital pathogens on the incidence of A. baumannii infection. Methods: We conducted an ecological study, enrolling patients who presented with healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs) from 2005 to 2010 at a 450-bed teaching hospital in Brazil. HA-BSIs were said to be present when bacteria or fungi were recovered from blood cultures collected at least three days after admission. Monthly incidence rates were calculated for all HA-BSIs (overall or caused by specifi c pathogens or groups of pathogens). Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to identify the impacts of the incidence of several pathogens on the incidence of A. baumannii. Results: The overall incidence rate of HA-BSI caused by A. baumannii was 2.5 per 10,000 patient-days. In the multivariate analysis, the incidence of HA-BSI caused by A. baumannii was negatively associated with the incidence rates of HA-BSI due to Staphylococcus aureus (rate ratio [RR]=0.88; 95% confi dence interval [CI]=0.80-0.97), Enterobacter spp. (RR=0.84; 95%CI=0.74-0.94) and a pool of less common gram-negative pathogens. Conclusions: Our results suggest that competition between pathogens infl uences the etiology of HA-BSIs. It would be benefi cial to take these fi ndings into account in infection control policies.
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly recognized as a threat for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, the magnitude of asymptomatic MRSA colonization in that group varies among different countries and geographic regions. Methods: We conducted a study that aimed at identifying the prevalence, risk factors and spatial epidemiology of both overall S. aureus and MRSA colonization among PLWHA from small cities from inner São Paulo State, Brazil. MRSA isolates were characterized using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), and submitted to typing of the Staphylococcal Chromosome Cassete (SCC)mec. Spatial analysis was performed to search for geographical clusters and correlation with socioeconomic indicators. Results: In a first point prevalence survey, nasal and oropharyngeal swabs of 368 people were collected. Sixty-seven subjects from the city of Botucatu were surveyed for colonization in two other occasions, and had swabs collected from household members. The prevalence rates for S. aureus and MRSA in the first survey were 25.8% and 2.7%. The overall S. aureus colonization was negatively associated with the use of beta-lactams and of illicit drugs. On the other hand, MRSA colonized subjects were more likely to use crack and to have been admitted to a hospital during the past year. Repeated surveys found additional cases of MRSA colonization, but all subjects were positive in only one occasion. Four PFGE clusters were characterized, grouping subjects in household, city and region level. Of 19 total MRSA isolates, only one did not harbor SCCmec type IV. Spatial analysis of households of subjects living in the city of Botucatu found significant overdispersion of cases, but no association with socio-economic indicators. Conclusion: We found small but relevant prevalence of MRSA among PLWHA. Community and healthcare-associated risk factors were identified, so that predominant routes of transmission could not be determined on epidemiological grounds.
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