Aneta Guzek - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Aneta Guzek
JEADV Clinical Practice
Eight hot topics regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial skin infections were selecte... more Eight hot topics regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial skin infections were selected and reviewed by five experts from different European countries, chosen based on their expertise in microbiology, infectious diseases, and dermatology. As noninfectious skin diseases/conditions such as atopic dermatitis can be complicated by infections, including Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI), a collaboration between dermatologists and infectious disease specialists can promote a rational approach to diagnosis and a more functional treatment approach, especially for complicated infections. In addition, an important role would be played by microbiologists as they are crucial for the isolation and classification of the bacterial pathogen to guide clinicians toward the most effective antibiotic therapy. Although there are many therapeutic options for the treatment of bacterial skin infections, including those due to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus,...
Central European Journal of Urology
Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna
Seasonal outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus are common among young children and represent a... more Seasonal outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus are common among young children and represent an important clinical problem. The infection can affect all floors of the respiratory system. Respiratory syncytial virus is highly infectious and is the most common aetiological agent of bronchiolitis. It is estimated that 90% of children develop respiratory syncytial virus infection by the age of 2 years. In Poland and other countries of the northern hemisphere, these infections usually occur between October and May, with a peak in January–February. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, a significant change was observed in the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infections in Europe and worldwide. The massive use of nonpharmacological interventions, such as closing nurseries, kindergartens, limited interpersonal contact, social distancing, strict hygiene rules and the use of protective masks, resulted in the absence or episodic occurrence of many seasonal infections, including th...
Diagnostics
There is limited information on the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients infected ... more There is limited information on the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and Klebsiella pneumoniae NDM. The objective of this study was to describe such a group of patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit of a large academic hospital during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Between 1 March and 30 June 2021, 103 patients were hospitalised, of whom 23 (22.3%) were positive for K. pneumoniae NDM; 14 (61%) of those patients died. Their hospitalisation time varied between 9 and 47 days. Five of the 23 patients (21.7%) were otherwise healthy. In contrast, the others suffered from cardiovascular problems (11, 47.8%), obesity (6, 26.1%), diabetes (5, 21.7%), neurological problems (4, 17.4%), or kidney disease (1, 4.3%); 4 (17.4%) were heavy smokers, and 1 (4.3%) had a history of alcohol abuse. K. pneumoniae NDM was isolated from urine samples of all patients. In 17 patients (73.9%), it was also isolated from other sources: fro...
The efficacy of antiseptics against bacteria and fungi is different. The choice of optimal antise... more The efficacy of antiseptics against bacteria and fungi is different. The choice of optimal antiseptic solution is very important in prophylaxis of hospital infections. In this study the efficacy of different antiseptics against some pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL (+), Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Candida dublinensis) was analyzed. The disc diffusion, similar to the method used in antibiotic sensitivity testing was applied. We assumed that the size of inhibition zone of bacterial growth corresponds with the efficacy of antiseptic. The 2% alcoholic solution of chlorhexidine was the most effective antiseptic in our study.
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 2012
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 2012
Przeglad epidemiologiczny, 2017
BACKGROUND Hospital infections have become an important problem. Knowledge of microbiological sit... more BACKGROUND Hospital infections have become an important problem. Knowledge of microbiological situations both helps in ensuring that the optimal choice of antibacterial treatment is made, and in improving the results of the selected therapy. OBJECTIVE In this paper, both the changes in the bacterial flora of patients hospitalized in the Military Institute of Medicine, and the bacterial resistance to antimicrobials were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected between 2005 and 2012. The identification and testing of pathogens, susceptibility tests, and analysis of bacterial resistance mechanisms to antibiotics were performed according to current guidelines. RESULTS A total number of 28,066 bacterial strains were isolated. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria (n=18,021; 64% of all isolated bacteria), including Enterobacteriaceae (71%) and non-Enterobacteriaceae (29%). The total number of isolated Gram-positive bacteria (n=10,045; 36% of all isol...
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2021
Objectives To assess the spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella p... more Objectives To assess the spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 organisms in Poland since an introduction from Tunisia in March 2015, including their phylogenetic position in the global population of the high-risk clone. Methods Out of 8925 unique NDM-positive K. pneumoniae isolates identified in Poland from April 2015 till December 2019, 126 isolates, including the Tunisian imports, were related by PFGE and blaNDM gene-carrying Tn125 transposon derivatives. Forty-seven representative isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq. The phylogeny, resistome, virulome and plasmid replicons were analysed and compared with the international ST147 strains. Plasmids of six isolates were studied by the MinION sequencing. Results A high homogeneity of the 47 isolates was observed, with minor variations in their resistomes and plasmid replicon profiles. However, the detailed SNP comparison discerned a strict outbreak cluster of 40 isolates. All of ...
Pathobiology of Pulmonary Disorders, 2016
The article presents the results of 11-year study (2005-2015) of Gram-negative bacteria responsib... more The article presents the results of 11-year study (2005-2015) of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for pneumonia in 2033 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit. Of 8796 biological samples, consisting mainly of bronchial aspirate (97.9 %), 2056 bacterial strains were isolated and subjected to identification. VITEK 2 was used to determine drug susceptibility (classified according to the EUCAST criteria). ESBL, MBL and KPC-producing strains were identified by means of phenotypic methods using appropriate discs. The findings were that the predominant bacteria responsible for infections consisted of Enterobacteriaceae (42.0 %), Acinetobacter baumannii (37.2 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.1 %), and Stenotrophomonas maltophila (4.7 %). We observed a rise in the number of bacteria causing pneumonia throughout the study period, especially in S. maltophila and Enterobacteriaceae ESBL (+). Gram-negative bacilli were 100 % susceptible to colistin, apart from naturally resistant strains such as Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, whereas Enterobacteriaceae ESBL (+) were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Acinetobacter baumannii strains exhibited the lowest drug susceptibility. In conclusion, we report an increase in the prevalence of pneumonia associated with Gram-negative bacteria in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. Colistin remains the most effective drug against the majority of Gram-negative bacteria. Therapeutic problems are common in the course of treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Eurosurveillance, 2015
We describe the introduction of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 and Escherichia coli ... more We describe the introduction of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 and Escherichia coli ST410, and OXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae ST101 strains to Poland by two patients transported to the country after hospitalisation in Tunisia. The patients had gunshot wounds following the terrorist attack in the Bardo National Museum in Tunis in March 2015. Our report reinforces the need for microbiological screening of patients returning from travel on admission to healthcare institutions, especially following hospitalisation in countries where carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are endemic.
Infection and Drug Resistance, 2015
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The ca... more Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The case-fatality rate associated with BSIs in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) reaches 35%-50%. The emergence and diffusion of bacteria with resistance to antibiotics is a global health problem. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were detected in 50.7% of patients with BSIs in a recently published international observational study, with methicillin resistance detected in 48% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, carbapenem resistance detected in 69% of Acinetobacter spp., in 38% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and in 37% of Pseudomonas spp. Prior hospitalization and antibiotic exposure have been identified as risk factors for infections caused by resistant bacteria in different studies. Patients with BSIs caused by resistant strains showed an increased risk of mortality, which may be explained by a higher incidence of inappropriate empirical therapy in different studies. The molecular genetic characterization of resistant bacteria allows the understanding of the most common mechanisms underlying their resistance and the adoption of surveillance measures. Knowledge of epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms of resistance, and outcomes of BSIs caused by resistant bacteria may have a major influence on global management of ICU patients. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician an update on BSIs caused by resistant bacteria in ICU patients.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2015
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) account for 20-30 % of all hospital-acquired contagions... more Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) account for 20-30 % of all hospital-acquired contagions. They are characterized by high mortality of hospitalized patients. The most serious form of LRTI is pneumonia, and the most common etiological factors in such cases are bacteria. The article gives the analysis of bacterial flora samples obtained from lower respiratory tract of hospitalized patients. In vitro susceptibility of pathogens to selected antibiotics has also been assessed. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 1,171 bacterial strains isolated from 1,171 patients treated in clinics of the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland. In most cases the samples were collected from an endotracheal or tracheostomic tube (71.5 %) and from bronchoalveolar lavage (21.7 %). The most commonly isolated pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii (35.8 %), Staphylococcus aureus (27.6 %), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.4 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.2 %). Multidrug-resistant gram...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2015
Neisseria meningitidis, etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease, is a human commensa... more Neisseria meningitidis, etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease, is a human commensal that colonizes the nasopharynx. Colonization is usually asymptomatic, but it is a prerequisite for disease. Asymptomatic carriers are the major source of infection. In the present study, a survey of N. meningitidis carriage was conducted between January and March 2013 in a military unit in Poland. Single-time throat culture samples were collected from professional 559 soldiers (302 unvaccinated vs. 257 vaccinated individuals with the quadrivalent conjugate vaccine AC YW-135). Bacterial identification was performed with classic microbiological methods (culture, incubation, identification). Non-culture method (PCR) was used for confirmation of detected strains of N. meningitidis and determination of serogroups. We found 29 carriers in the group of unvaccinated soldiers (9.6 % of examined individuals) whereas among vaccinated soldiers only 3 persons were carriers of N. meningitidis (1.2 %...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2013
Respiratory diseases are one of the most common health problems among service personnel assigned ... more Respiratory diseases are one of the most common health problems among service personnel assigned to contemporary military operations which are conducted in areas characterized by adverse environmental conditions. This article reviews the results of the studies into the prevalence of acute respiratory tract diseases among soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The article also discusses a number of factors which increase the prevalence of diseases diagnosed in the population of soldiers on a military mission in different climatic and sanitary conditions. Retrospective analysis was based on medical records of Polish troops treated on an outpatient basis in Iraq in 2003-2004 (n = 871) and in Afghanistan in 2003-2005 (n = 400), 2009 (n = 2,300), and 2010 (n = 2,500). The intensity rates were calculated and were then used to calculate the prevalence of diseases per 100 persons in a given population of the military personnel. We found that acute respi...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2013
Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens are the most common causes of fatal ... more Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens are the most common causes of fatal pneumonia among patients treated in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Carbapenems remain a group of antibiotics characterized by the highest effectiveness in treatment of heavy infections of the lower respiratory tract. This study compared in vitro sensitivity of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa to three carbapenems: imipenem, meropenem and doripenem. The material was collected from 71 patients treated in the ICU from April 2009 to January 2010. Bronchial tree was the predominant source of samples. Fifty-four strains of A. baumannii and 17 strains of P. aeruginosa were analyzed. Sensitivity to carbapenems was interpreted in line with Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) and European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria (imipenem and meropenem) or in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CLSI guidelines (doripenem). We found that A...
Anestezjologia intensywna terapia
Although broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) culture and protected specimen brush (PSB) are regarded as... more Although broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) culture and protected specimen brush (PSB) are regarded as the most effective methods in the diagnosis of VAP, a simple endotracheal aspiration (EA) is frequently performed during routine care, because of its simplicity and low cost. We compared the effectiveness of EA with BAL and PSB in VAP patients. Sixty-one adult VAP patients, ventilated for longer than 48 h, were cultured with all three methods. Positive cultures were obtained from 63.9% of patients, with Acinetobacter baumannii being the most common pathogen. There was a high positive correlation between simple aspirates and BAL (k 0.817, CI 0.664-0.840, p <0.001) and aspirates and PSB (k 0.667, CI 0.483-0.871, p <0.001). Because of the high sensitivity of bronchial aspirate culturing, compared to BAL and PSB, it can be used successfully in most cases.
International Maritime Health, 2014
This article presents the results of a preliminary study concerning cases of Chlamydia trachomati... more This article presents the results of a preliminary study concerning cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infections among professional soldiers in the Polish Armed Forces. Soldiers who declared casual sexual contact with women were investigated in this study regarding the transmission of chlamydial infections by sexual activity. In total, 66 healthy, sexually active professional Polish soldiers, aged between 27 and 44, who didn't report any symptoms of urogenital infection were investigated. Urine samples taken from these patients were investigated using molecular methods (Cobas TaqMan, real-time PCR) in March-April 2012 in the Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland. In the investigated group of 66 Polish soldiers, two 33-34 year old men were asymptomatic carriers of Chlamydia trachomatis (3.0%). They confirmed having casual sexual activity without prevention with many women. In the examined group of Polish soldiers the relatively low level of chlamydial infections found may result from the use of preventive measures during sexual activity. According to the examined men, the common use of condoms is mainly connected with the fear of HIV infection. Screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis in the Polish Armed Forces are not performed, therefore incidence rates of chlamydial infections remain unknown. The authors plan further investigations with a larger group of professional soldiers.
Anestezjologia Intensywna Terapia, 2013
Background. The members of the bacterial Enterobacteriaceae family play an important role in the ... more Background. The members of the bacterial Enterobacteriaceae family play an important role in the aetiology of many hospital infections. Some of them are able to produce β-lactamase, an enzyme which induces the resistance of those bacteria to penicillins, cephalosporins and, in severe infections, to penicillins with β-lactamase inhibitors. In this situation, the carbapenems become the drugs of choice. The objective of this study was to analyse the in vitro efficacy of three carbapenems: ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem against bacterial species of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Methods. A total of 99 bacterial species (including ten bacterial species producing the ESBL mechanism), isolated between September 2011 and March 2012 from diagnostic material collected from patients of surgical clinics In the department of motoskeletal system infections and the critical care unit, hospitalised in the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, were analysed. The values of MIC 50 and MIC 90 were recorded. Results. All isolated bacterial species were susceptible to meropenem. One strain of Morganella morganii was resistant to imipenem, while one strain of Enterobacter cloaceae and one strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae were resistant to ertapenem. In the Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(-) group, the values of MIC 50 were 0.006 μg mL-1 for ertapenem, 0.19 μg mL-1 for imipenem, and 0.032 μg mL-1 for meropenem, and the MIC 90 values were: 0.25 μg mL-1 , 0.5 μg mL-1 and 0.125 μg mL-1 , respectively. In the Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(+) group, the values of MIC 50 were 0.38 μg mL-1 , 0.25 μg mL-1 , 0.064 μg mL-1 , and the values of MIC 90 were 0.5 μg mL-1 , 0.25 μg mL-1 and 0.125 μg mL-1 , respectively. Conclusions. All analysed carbapenems had high in vitro efficacy against both Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(-) and Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(+) bacterial species.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2014
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), beside diarrheas, skin lesions, and fevers of unknown origin... more Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), beside diarrheas, skin lesions, and fevers of unknown origin, are one of the most common health problems acquired by travelers going to tropical and subtropical countries. Visitors to African, Asian, or South American destinations, typically characterized by harsh environmental conditions and poor sanitation standards, are at risk of exposure to a large number of pathogens causing infectious diseases. The infections are transmitted from contaminated food and water, through the air, direct contact, or by insects. The main modes of RTIs transmission include droplet infection and direct contact. The clinical spectrum of RTIs in travelers is broad, from upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, to influenza-like illness. The spectrum of microbial agents causing respiratory infections include numerous viruses and bacteria, rarely fungi, and parasites. Most travelers complain of mild infections, only a small minority seek medical assistance and report to health care facilities. Because of the risk of importing pathogens into Europe or North America and transferring them onto the local population, it is important to present the scale of the problem in relation to rapid development of tourism industry and an increasing number of intercontinental journeys. The aim of the study
JEADV Clinical Practice
Eight hot topics regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial skin infections were selecte... more Eight hot topics regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial skin infections were selected and reviewed by five experts from different European countries, chosen based on their expertise in microbiology, infectious diseases, and dermatology. As noninfectious skin diseases/conditions such as atopic dermatitis can be complicated by infections, including Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI), a collaboration between dermatologists and infectious disease specialists can promote a rational approach to diagnosis and a more functional treatment approach, especially for complicated infections. In addition, an important role would be played by microbiologists as they are crucial for the isolation and classification of the bacterial pathogen to guide clinicians toward the most effective antibiotic therapy. Although there are many therapeutic options for the treatment of bacterial skin infections, including those due to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus,...
Central European Journal of Urology
Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna
Seasonal outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus are common among young children and represent a... more Seasonal outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus are common among young children and represent an important clinical problem. The infection can affect all floors of the respiratory system. Respiratory syncytial virus is highly infectious and is the most common aetiological agent of bronchiolitis. It is estimated that 90% of children develop respiratory syncytial virus infection by the age of 2 years. In Poland and other countries of the northern hemisphere, these infections usually occur between October and May, with a peak in January–February. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, a significant change was observed in the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infections in Europe and worldwide. The massive use of nonpharmacological interventions, such as closing nurseries, kindergartens, limited interpersonal contact, social distancing, strict hygiene rules and the use of protective masks, resulted in the absence or episodic occurrence of many seasonal infections, including th...
Diagnostics
There is limited information on the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients infected ... more There is limited information on the clinical characteristics of critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and Klebsiella pneumoniae NDM. The objective of this study was to describe such a group of patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit of a large academic hospital during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Between 1 March and 30 June 2021, 103 patients were hospitalised, of whom 23 (22.3%) were positive for K. pneumoniae NDM; 14 (61%) of those patients died. Their hospitalisation time varied between 9 and 47 days. Five of the 23 patients (21.7%) were otherwise healthy. In contrast, the others suffered from cardiovascular problems (11, 47.8%), obesity (6, 26.1%), diabetes (5, 21.7%), neurological problems (4, 17.4%), or kidney disease (1, 4.3%); 4 (17.4%) were heavy smokers, and 1 (4.3%) had a history of alcohol abuse. K. pneumoniae NDM was isolated from urine samples of all patients. In 17 patients (73.9%), it was also isolated from other sources: fro...
The efficacy of antiseptics against bacteria and fungi is different. The choice of optimal antise... more The efficacy of antiseptics against bacteria and fungi is different. The choice of optimal antiseptic solution is very important in prophylaxis of hospital infections. In this study the efficacy of different antiseptics against some pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL (+), Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Candida dublinensis) was analyzed. The disc diffusion, similar to the method used in antibiotic sensitivity testing was applied. We assumed that the size of inhibition zone of bacterial growth corresponds with the efficacy of antiseptic. The 2% alcoholic solution of chlorhexidine was the most effective antiseptic in our study.
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 2012
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review, 2012
Przeglad epidemiologiczny, 2017
BACKGROUND Hospital infections have become an important problem. Knowledge of microbiological sit... more BACKGROUND Hospital infections have become an important problem. Knowledge of microbiological situations both helps in ensuring that the optimal choice of antibacterial treatment is made, and in improving the results of the selected therapy. OBJECTIVE In this paper, both the changes in the bacterial flora of patients hospitalized in the Military Institute of Medicine, and the bacterial resistance to antimicrobials were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected between 2005 and 2012. The identification and testing of pathogens, susceptibility tests, and analysis of bacterial resistance mechanisms to antibiotics were performed according to current guidelines. RESULTS A total number of 28,066 bacterial strains were isolated. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria (n=18,021; 64% of all isolated bacteria), including Enterobacteriaceae (71%) and non-Enterobacteriaceae (29%). The total number of isolated Gram-positive bacteria (n=10,045; 36% of all isol...
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2021
Objectives To assess the spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella p... more Objectives To assess the spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 organisms in Poland since an introduction from Tunisia in March 2015, including their phylogenetic position in the global population of the high-risk clone. Methods Out of 8925 unique NDM-positive K. pneumoniae isolates identified in Poland from April 2015 till December 2019, 126 isolates, including the Tunisian imports, were related by PFGE and blaNDM gene-carrying Tn125 transposon derivatives. Forty-seven representative isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq. The phylogeny, resistome, virulome and plasmid replicons were analysed and compared with the international ST147 strains. Plasmids of six isolates were studied by the MinION sequencing. Results A high homogeneity of the 47 isolates was observed, with minor variations in their resistomes and plasmid replicon profiles. However, the detailed SNP comparison discerned a strict outbreak cluster of 40 isolates. All of ...
Pathobiology of Pulmonary Disorders, 2016
The article presents the results of 11-year study (2005-2015) of Gram-negative bacteria responsib... more The article presents the results of 11-year study (2005-2015) of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for pneumonia in 2033 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit. Of 8796 biological samples, consisting mainly of bronchial aspirate (97.9 %), 2056 bacterial strains were isolated and subjected to identification. VITEK 2 was used to determine drug susceptibility (classified according to the EUCAST criteria). ESBL, MBL and KPC-producing strains were identified by means of phenotypic methods using appropriate discs. The findings were that the predominant bacteria responsible for infections consisted of Enterobacteriaceae (42.0 %), Acinetobacter baumannii (37.2 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.1 %), and Stenotrophomonas maltophila (4.7 %). We observed a rise in the number of bacteria causing pneumonia throughout the study period, especially in S. maltophila and Enterobacteriaceae ESBL (+). Gram-negative bacilli were 100 % susceptible to colistin, apart from naturally resistant strains such as Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, whereas Enterobacteriaceae ESBL (+) were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Acinetobacter baumannii strains exhibited the lowest drug susceptibility. In conclusion, we report an increase in the prevalence of pneumonia associated with Gram-negative bacteria in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. Colistin remains the most effective drug against the majority of Gram-negative bacteria. Therapeutic problems are common in the course of treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Eurosurveillance, 2015
We describe the introduction of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 and Escherichia coli ... more We describe the introduction of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 and Escherichia coli ST410, and OXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae ST101 strains to Poland by two patients transported to the country after hospitalisation in Tunisia. The patients had gunshot wounds following the terrorist attack in the Bardo National Museum in Tunis in March 2015. Our report reinforces the need for microbiological screening of patients returning from travel on admission to healthcare institutions, especially following hospitalisation in countries where carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are endemic.
Infection and Drug Resistance, 2015
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The ca... more Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The case-fatality rate associated with BSIs in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) reaches 35%-50%. The emergence and diffusion of bacteria with resistance to antibiotics is a global health problem. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were detected in 50.7% of patients with BSIs in a recently published international observational study, with methicillin resistance detected in 48% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, carbapenem resistance detected in 69% of Acinetobacter spp., in 38% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and in 37% of Pseudomonas spp. Prior hospitalization and antibiotic exposure have been identified as risk factors for infections caused by resistant bacteria in different studies. Patients with BSIs caused by resistant strains showed an increased risk of mortality, which may be explained by a higher incidence of inappropriate empirical therapy in different studies. The molecular genetic characterization of resistant bacteria allows the understanding of the most common mechanisms underlying their resistance and the adoption of surveillance measures. Knowledge of epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms of resistance, and outcomes of BSIs caused by resistant bacteria may have a major influence on global management of ICU patients. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician an update on BSIs caused by resistant bacteria in ICU patients.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2015
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) account for 20-30 % of all hospital-acquired contagions... more Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) account for 20-30 % of all hospital-acquired contagions. They are characterized by high mortality of hospitalized patients. The most serious form of LRTI is pneumonia, and the most common etiological factors in such cases are bacteria. The article gives the analysis of bacterial flora samples obtained from lower respiratory tract of hospitalized patients. In vitro susceptibility of pathogens to selected antibiotics has also been assessed. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 1,171 bacterial strains isolated from 1,171 patients treated in clinics of the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland. In most cases the samples were collected from an endotracheal or tracheostomic tube (71.5 %) and from bronchoalveolar lavage (21.7 %). The most commonly isolated pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii (35.8 %), Staphylococcus aureus (27.6 %), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.4 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.2 %). Multidrug-resistant gram...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2015
Neisseria meningitidis, etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease, is a human commensa... more Neisseria meningitidis, etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease, is a human commensal that colonizes the nasopharynx. Colonization is usually asymptomatic, but it is a prerequisite for disease. Asymptomatic carriers are the major source of infection. In the present study, a survey of N. meningitidis carriage was conducted between January and March 2013 in a military unit in Poland. Single-time throat culture samples were collected from professional 559 soldiers (302 unvaccinated vs. 257 vaccinated individuals with the quadrivalent conjugate vaccine AC YW-135). Bacterial identification was performed with classic microbiological methods (culture, incubation, identification). Non-culture method (PCR) was used for confirmation of detected strains of N. meningitidis and determination of serogroups. We found 29 carriers in the group of unvaccinated soldiers (9.6 % of examined individuals) whereas among vaccinated soldiers only 3 persons were carriers of N. meningitidis (1.2 %...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2013
Respiratory diseases are one of the most common health problems among service personnel assigned ... more Respiratory diseases are one of the most common health problems among service personnel assigned to contemporary military operations which are conducted in areas characterized by adverse environmental conditions. This article reviews the results of the studies into the prevalence of acute respiratory tract diseases among soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The article also discusses a number of factors which increase the prevalence of diseases diagnosed in the population of soldiers on a military mission in different climatic and sanitary conditions. Retrospective analysis was based on medical records of Polish troops treated on an outpatient basis in Iraq in 2003-2004 (n = 871) and in Afghanistan in 2003-2005 (n = 400), 2009 (n = 2,300), and 2010 (n = 2,500). The intensity rates were calculated and were then used to calculate the prevalence of diseases per 100 persons in a given population of the military personnel. We found that acute respi...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2013
Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens are the most common causes of fatal ... more Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens are the most common causes of fatal pneumonia among patients treated in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Carbapenems remain a group of antibiotics characterized by the highest effectiveness in treatment of heavy infections of the lower respiratory tract. This study compared in vitro sensitivity of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa to three carbapenems: imipenem, meropenem and doripenem. The material was collected from 71 patients treated in the ICU from April 2009 to January 2010. Bronchial tree was the predominant source of samples. Fifty-four strains of A. baumannii and 17 strains of P. aeruginosa were analyzed. Sensitivity to carbapenems was interpreted in line with Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) and European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria (imipenem and meropenem) or in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CLSI guidelines (doripenem). We found that A...
Anestezjologia intensywna terapia
Although broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) culture and protected specimen brush (PSB) are regarded as... more Although broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) culture and protected specimen brush (PSB) are regarded as the most effective methods in the diagnosis of VAP, a simple endotracheal aspiration (EA) is frequently performed during routine care, because of its simplicity and low cost. We compared the effectiveness of EA with BAL and PSB in VAP patients. Sixty-one adult VAP patients, ventilated for longer than 48 h, were cultured with all three methods. Positive cultures were obtained from 63.9% of patients, with Acinetobacter baumannii being the most common pathogen. There was a high positive correlation between simple aspirates and BAL (k 0.817, CI 0.664-0.840, p <0.001) and aspirates and PSB (k 0.667, CI 0.483-0.871, p <0.001). Because of the high sensitivity of bronchial aspirate culturing, compared to BAL and PSB, it can be used successfully in most cases.
International Maritime Health, 2014
This article presents the results of a preliminary study concerning cases of Chlamydia trachomati... more This article presents the results of a preliminary study concerning cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infections among professional soldiers in the Polish Armed Forces. Soldiers who declared casual sexual contact with women were investigated in this study regarding the transmission of chlamydial infections by sexual activity. In total, 66 healthy, sexually active professional Polish soldiers, aged between 27 and 44, who didn't report any symptoms of urogenital infection were investigated. Urine samples taken from these patients were investigated using molecular methods (Cobas TaqMan, real-time PCR) in March-April 2012 in the Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland. In the investigated group of 66 Polish soldiers, two 33-34 year old men were asymptomatic carriers of Chlamydia trachomatis (3.0%). They confirmed having casual sexual activity without prevention with many women. In the examined group of Polish soldiers the relatively low level of chlamydial infections found may result from the use of preventive measures during sexual activity. According to the examined men, the common use of condoms is mainly connected with the fear of HIV infection. Screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis in the Polish Armed Forces are not performed, therefore incidence rates of chlamydial infections remain unknown. The authors plan further investigations with a larger group of professional soldiers.
Anestezjologia Intensywna Terapia, 2013
Background. The members of the bacterial Enterobacteriaceae family play an important role in the ... more Background. The members of the bacterial Enterobacteriaceae family play an important role in the aetiology of many hospital infections. Some of them are able to produce β-lactamase, an enzyme which induces the resistance of those bacteria to penicillins, cephalosporins and, in severe infections, to penicillins with β-lactamase inhibitors. In this situation, the carbapenems become the drugs of choice. The objective of this study was to analyse the in vitro efficacy of three carbapenems: ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem against bacterial species of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Methods. A total of 99 bacterial species (including ten bacterial species producing the ESBL mechanism), isolated between September 2011 and March 2012 from diagnostic material collected from patients of surgical clinics In the department of motoskeletal system infections and the critical care unit, hospitalised in the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, were analysed. The values of MIC 50 and MIC 90 were recorded. Results. All isolated bacterial species were susceptible to meropenem. One strain of Morganella morganii was resistant to imipenem, while one strain of Enterobacter cloaceae and one strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae were resistant to ertapenem. In the Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(-) group, the values of MIC 50 were 0.006 μg mL-1 for ertapenem, 0.19 μg mL-1 for imipenem, and 0.032 μg mL-1 for meropenem, and the MIC 90 values were: 0.25 μg mL-1 , 0.5 μg mL-1 and 0.125 μg mL-1 , respectively. In the Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(+) group, the values of MIC 50 were 0.38 μg mL-1 , 0.25 μg mL-1 , 0.064 μg mL-1 , and the values of MIC 90 were 0.5 μg mL-1 , 0.25 μg mL-1 and 0.125 μg mL-1 , respectively. Conclusions. All analysed carbapenems had high in vitro efficacy against both Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(-) and Enterobacteriaceae ESBL(+) bacterial species.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2014
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), beside diarrheas, skin lesions, and fevers of unknown origin... more Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), beside diarrheas, skin lesions, and fevers of unknown origin, are one of the most common health problems acquired by travelers going to tropical and subtropical countries. Visitors to African, Asian, or South American destinations, typically characterized by harsh environmental conditions and poor sanitation standards, are at risk of exposure to a large number of pathogens causing infectious diseases. The infections are transmitted from contaminated food and water, through the air, direct contact, or by insects. The main modes of RTIs transmission include droplet infection and direct contact. The clinical spectrum of RTIs in travelers is broad, from upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, to influenza-like illness. The spectrum of microbial agents causing respiratory infections include numerous viruses and bacteria, rarely fungi, and parasites. Most travelers complain of mild infections, only a small minority seek medical assistance and report to health care facilities. Because of the risk of importing pathogens into Europe or North America and transferring them onto the local population, it is important to present the scale of the problem in relation to rapid development of tourism industry and an increasing number of intercontinental journeys. The aim of the study