rome and Bacterial-Infections

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms are emerging as some of the main healthcare problems worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been adopted to reduce nosocomial microorganism transmission. We performed a case-control study to identify if the incidence of MDR bacterial infections while using pandemic-related preventive measures is lower than in previous years. From 2017 to 2020, we monitored hospital discharges over a four-month period (P #) (1 March to 30 June) in St. Andrea Hospital, Rome. In total, we reported 1617 discharges. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to identify significant differences. A value of

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Case-Control Studies; COVID-19; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Hospitals; Humans; Incidence; Pandemics; Retrospective Studies; Rome

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of enteric pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among hospitalized children in a large Italian hospital, to measure the incidence of coinfections, and to compare the clinical characteristics of those infected with one versus multiple agents. A prospective study was conducted from March 2010 to April 2011 at the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, Italy. All patients between 1 month and 16 years of age admitted to the Pediatric Department with a diagnosis of AGE were eligible for enrollment. Two stool samples for each patient were tested for gastrointestinal pathogens. We summarized the clinical severity of episodes, describing the duration of diarrhea, duration and frequency of vomiting, fever, and severity of dehydration. All the patients underwent medical evaluation with estimation of dehydration. One or more etiological agents were detected in 151 out of 232 patients (65.1%), while we did not detect any etiological agent in 81 (34.9%). Rotavirus was detected in 96 (63.6%), adenovirus in 17 (11.2%), norovirus in 7 (4.6%), toxin-producing Clostridium difficile in 23 (15.2%), Salmonella spp. in 15 (9.9%, B group in 12/15 and D group in 3/15), C. perfringens in 12 (7.9%), Campylobacter spp. in 6 (4%), and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in 2 (1.3%). In 27 children out of 151 (17.9%), we found evidence of coinfection. Coinfection with rotavirus and toxin-producing C. difficile was the most common (63%). Children with coinfection had a more severe clinical presentation and had a higher probability to be severely dehydrated, independently of age and living community type.

Topics: Adolescent; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Coinfection; Feces; Female; Gastroenteritis; Hospitals, Pediatric; Humans; Infant; Male; Prospective Studies; Rome; Virus Diseases; Viruses

The aim of this paper was to enlarge the available knowledge on clinical and etiological aspects of patients affected by spondylodiscitis.. All patients with spondylodiscitis admitted between January 2001 and December 2007 at the 1,300-bed University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I" of Rome, Italy, were followed. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, invasive procedures, imaging studies, isolated microorganisms, treatment, complications, and outcome were recorded.. Eighty-one patients of mean age 57.7 +/- 14.7 years with lumbosacral (72.8%), thoracic (14.8%), and cervical tract (12.3%) site of infection were included, of which 38 developed community-acquired (CA) spondylodiscitis and 43 developed hospital-acquired (HA) spondylodiscitis. Underlying disease was present in 49.4% of patients. HA spondylodiscitis was diagnosed earlier (46.8 +/- 49.7 days) than CA spondylodiscitis (65.0 +/- 55.4 days) (P < 0.05). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus (28 strains, 43.1%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (eight strains, 12.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (eight strains, 12.3%), and three methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated in CA spondylodiscitis. Fungi and yeasts, isolated in six patients, represented 9.2% of all strains but 17.6% when considering only HA spondylodiscitis. Over 85% of patients were managed by conservative treatment alone, and the treatment time depended on clinical and laboratory evidence. Poor outcome was recorded in 12 (14.8%) patients, and was associated with neurological deficit symptoms (relative risk [RR] 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-8.07; P < 0.05) and the time between diagnosis and the onset of symptoms > or = 60 days (RR 2.65; 95% CI 0.92-7.59; P < 0.05).. Infectious spondylodiscitis affects most frequently the elderly population, who are more exposed to healthcare contacts. Consequently, the infection etiology includes a growing proportion of multi-resistant bacteria and fungi.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Discitis; Female; Fungi; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Rome; Young Adult

From 2 to 5 September 2009, Rome was the venue of Eurobiofilms 2009, providing the 408 participants with a valuable forum for a multidisciplinary scientific exchange in the field of microbial biofilms. The congress joined together microbiologists and specialists in infectious diseases, hygiene and public health involved in investigating different aspects of bacterial and fungal biofilms as well as in designing innovative approaches to prevention and treatment. The scientific program was developed together with the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group on Biofilms (ESGB) to combine state of the art lectures and sessions dealing with the major issues of this fast-growing area of science.

Topics: Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Biofilms; Fungi; Humans; Mycoses; Rome

Topics: Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Biofilms; Biomedical Research; Candida; Candidiasis; Catheter-Related Infections; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Rome

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).. All neonates admitted for > 48 hours between January 2003 and December 2006 in the NICU of the teaching hospital Umberto I of Rome, Italy were considered.. Of the 575 neonates evaluated, 76 (13.2%) developed a total of 100 HAIs, including 36 bloodstream infections (BSIs), 33 pneumonias, 19 urinary tract infections, 8 conjunctivitis, and 4 onphalitis. There were 7.8 HAIs/1000 patient-days and 12.5 BSIs/1000 days of umbilical catheterization. Logistic analysis identified an association with mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75 to 5.31; P < .01) and birth weight

Topics: Bacterial Infections; Candida; Cross Infection; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Male; Mycoses; Prevalence; Rome; Staphylococcus

To assess the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in children affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).. Consecutive children affected by IBS according to Rome II criteria (n = 43) were enrolled at the Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University of Rome. The control population (n = 56) consisted of healthy subjects without IBS symptoms, similar to patients for age, sex, and social background. All subjects underwent lactulose/methane breath test (LBT) to assess small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.. The prevalence of abnormal LBT result was significantly higher in patients with IBS (65%, 28/43) with respect to control subjects (7%, 4/56; OR 3.9, 95% CI 7.3-80.1, P < .00001). Patients with abnormal LBT showed a trend toward a worse visual analog scale score with respect to children with IBS without SIBO, but a significant statistical difference was observed only for bloating.. Results from this study suggest a significant epidemiologic association between SIBO and IBS in childhood. Placebo-controlled interventional studies with antibiotics used to treat bacterial overgrowth are warranted to clarify the real impact of the disease on IBS symptoms.

Topics: Adolescent; Bacterial Infections; Breath Tests; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Intestine, Small; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Lactulose; Male; Methane; Pain Measurement; Prevalence; Rome; Severity of Illness Index

The surveillance system for Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) implemented in the S. Eugenio hospital of Rome allows to monitor the distribution of the micro-organisms by service and their resistance to antibiotics. It is based upon the data collected by the Central Analysis Laboratory of the hospital. The data of four high-risk departments (Surgical service, Intensive Care Unit, Haematology, Burn Unit) are reported. In the period October 1992-September 1993, 3909 samples have been analyzed; 1603 (43.1%) were found positive to the microbiologic analysis. The results of the antibiotic resistance concerning four micro-organisms, agents of HAI are reported and discussed. Surveillance systems are necessary to limit the frequency of HAI.

Topics: Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Hospital Information Systems; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rome; Sentinel Surveillance

Topics: Bacterial Infections; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Rome