Patients who require mechanical ventilation (MV) are at risk for developing ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Nurses’ adherence to sedation vacations (SVs) has a direct impact on the development of VAP, because SVs have been shown to reduce patients’ average duration of MV and length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purposes of this study guided by Donabedian’s (1966) model were to quantify nurses’ level of adherence to SVs, in relation to the health outcomes of critically ill patients, and identify the barriers and facilitators to performing SVs. A correlational design was used. The design included three components: abstraction of patient data from the electronic medical record (EMR) (n=79 with VAP and n=79 without VAP), administration of surveys to ICU nurses (N =34), and vignettes related to SVs. Analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlations, and analyses of covariance. Most nurses held a Bachelors degree (70.6%), had < 9 years of ICU experience (52.9%), worked in a medical ICU (47.1%), and reported high confidence in managing SVs (M =8.88, SD =1.25). The majority of patients (N =158) were Black (58.2%), males (56.3%), and on average middle-aged (M =61.5, SD =14.91), with a long ICU LOS (M =15.5, SD =11.84), extended duration of MV (M =9.5, SD =8.47), and high acuity (APACHE III) (M =70.2, SD =25.42). The nurses’ education, advanced certification, and ICU experience were not associated with the appropriate implementation of SVs in the vignettes. On average nurses’ had low scores on the vignettes (M =6.97, SD =2.21; possible range =0-14). The adherence rate of nurses’ implementation of SVs, determined using EMR data, was also low (M =24%; SD =23%). There were higher rates of SV adherence in patients without VAP (p (p < .01), and a duration of MV < 6 days (p =.04). These findings indicate that even with established protocols, nurses may not consistently implement the evidenced-based interventions that have been shown to prevent nosocomial infections. Future research is needed to improve nursing practice and the quality of care in this patient population.

Les infections nosocomiales sont causées par des germes opportunistes souvent résistants aux antibiotiques et persistants sur les surfaces, représentant une source constante de risque d’infection en milieu hospitalier. Dans ce contexte, l’isolement et la caractérisation de bactériophages s’attaquant spécifiquement aux bactéries nosocomiales telles que Staphylococcus aureus résistant (SARM), Enterococcus résistant (ERV), Pseudomonas aeruginosa et Acinetobacter baumanii, pourraient fournir une alternative bactéricide naturelle contre la transmission de ces infections. Des phages isolés des eaux usées, ont été sélectionnés selon leur capacité d’amplification, leur profil génomique et leur potentiel lytique envers différentes souches bactériennes cliniques. Les meilleurs ont été caractérisés en détail pour s’assurer de leur spécificité, sécurité, stabilité et efficacité préalablement à leur utilisation in vivo. Sept phages contre SARM et trois contre Acinetobacter baumanii ont été caractérisés. Quatre phages SARM s’avèrent être de bons candidats potentiels et pourraient être testés en milieu hospitalier comme agents désinfectants dans le but de lutter contre les infections nosocomiales. / Nosocomial infections are directly related to opportunistic germs, which are often resistant to antibiotics and persistent on surfaces, representing a high infectious risk in hospitals. In this context, the isolation and characterization of bacteriophages specifically targeting nosocomial bacteria such as resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumanii, could provide a natural bactericidal alternative against the transmission of these infections. Phages, isolated from waste water, were selected according to their capacity of amplification, their genomic profile and lytic potential towards various bacterial clinical strains. The best ones were characterized in detail to primarily ensure their specificity, safety, stability and effectiveness, before studying their in vivo usage. Seven phages against MRSA and three against Acinetobacter baumanii were characterized. Four MRSA phages proved to be good potential candidates and could be tested in hospitals as disinfectant agents with the aim of fighting nosocomial infections.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1998. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 84-96.

Staphylococcus aureus, pathogène opportuniste de l’homme, est responsable de 30% des infections nosocomiales. L’apparition de souches multi résistantes aux antibiotiques en font un problème majeur de santé publique. La pathogénie de la bactérie résulte de l’expression d’une pléthore de facteurs de virulence, mais quels sont les mécanismes de régulation contrôlant l’expression de ces gènes ? Aujourd’hui, il est clairement établi que les ARN non-codant sont des molécules clés dans la régulation de l’expression des gènes. Plus de 50 ARN ont été identifiés chez S. aureus. Néanmoins la fonction de peu d’entre eux est connue. Durant ce travail de thèse, l’étude de la fonction et du mécanisme de régulation des ARN RsaA et RsaE a été entreprise. RsaA est un ARN sous le contrôle du facteur de stress sigmaB. Les résultats obtenus montrent que ce dernier régule la traduction de l’ARNm mgrA qui code pour un facteur de transcription important dans l’expression des gènes de virulence et la régulation de l’autolyse. Par appariement de base, RsaA cible l’ARNm en utilisant deux sites distants et coopératifs, permettant un interaction forte qui empêche la traduction de l’ARNm. In vivo, la délétion du gène rsaA perturbe la synthèse de biofilm de capsule. En régulant la traduction de sa cible, RsaA permet de relier l’adaptation au stress à l’expression des gènes de virulence. De manière plus générale, les réseaux de régulation des ARN se connectent les uns aux autres pour permettre à la bactérie d’intégrer une multitude de signaux provenant du milieu extracellulaire afin de moduler finement l’expression des gènes. / Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile and opportunist human pathogen, which is responsible of 30% of nosocomial infections. S. aureus is today an important public safety concern due to high persistence rate in hospital combined with emergence of multi resistant strains against antibiotics. The pathogenicity of the bacteria results from the expression of numerous virulence factors. An importance focus has been made to understand what triggers virulence genes expression. Regulatory RNAs are important regulators of genes expression in bacteria. In S. aureus, there is more than 50 RNAs identified, but there is a lack of investigations about their functions and regulatory networks. The aim of this work was to characterize the function and mechanism of action of RsaA and RsaE RNAs. RsaA is under the control of the stress factor sigma B. Computational analysis combined with global analysis of the proteome led to the discovery of one target : mgrA mRNA, which is a global transcription factor involved in autolysis and biofilm regulation. In vitro studies show that RsaA binds efficiently mgrA mRNA using two distant and cooperative interaction sites. Binding of RsaA to the mRNA prevents initiation of the translation. In vivo, rsaA gene deletion shows impact on biofilm and capsule production. By regulating the expression of mgrA mRNA, RsaA network is linked to agr system and virulence gene expression. In a more general way, this work shows that regulatory RNAs networks allow bacteria to modulate virulence, stress and metabolism gene expression depending on the signals provided by the environment of the bacteria.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativos (SCN) são encontrados na pele e mucosas de seres humanos e outros animais, já que algumas espécies são parte constituinte da microbiota normal destes mesmos sítios, e podem constituir um reservatório para SCN. A espécie Staphylococcus epidermidis, é reconhecida como grande oportunista e agente de graves infecções nosocomiais e comunitárias, além de associado com infecções em pacientes submetidos a implantes com dispositivos médicos, e a espécie Staphyloccus haemolyticus é a segunda espécie mais isolada de hemoculturas humanas, sendo uma das espécies que apresenta elevada resistência aos antimicrobianos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal investigar a presença de SCN em fômites (estetoscópios, termômetros e esfigmomanômetros) no ambiente hospitalar, identificar as espécies S. haemolyticus e S. epidermidis e correlacionar seus perfis de resistência aos antimicrobianos com a capacidade de produção de biofilme. A técnica de multiplex-mPCR foi empregada na determinação das espécies e a fenotipagem foi realizada pelos testes fenotípicos convencionais. Os perfis de resistência aos antimicrobianos foram verificados através do teste de disco-difusão, determinação da CIM (oxacilina e vancomicina), determinação da CBM e presença do gene mecA. A capacidade de produção de biofilme foi investigada pelos testes do Ágar Vermelho do Congo e ensaios de aderência em superfícies abióticas (poliestireno e vidro) na presença e ausência de oxacilina e vancomicina, além da PCR para o gene icaAD. Os resultados demonstraram que pelos testes bioquímicos convencionais, a espécie mais encontrada foi S. epidermidis (43,5%). Após a confirmação pela técnica de PCR, 29 amostras (82%) foram identificadas como S. epidermidis, e 6 amostras (18%) foram identificadas como S. haemolyticus. Todas as amostras foram multirresistentes, oxacilina resistentes e vancomicina sensíveis, sendo que apenas 5 amostras S. epidermidis (17,2%) foram tolerantes a oxacilina. A presença do gene mecA foi detectada em 71,4% das amostras. Apesar da maioria das amostras ter apresentado capacidade de produzir slime e/ou biofilme não foi observada total correlação com a presença do gene icaAD enfatizando a natureza multifatorial da produção de biofilme. As amostras aderiram melhor ao esfigmomanômetro, e também, neste fômites, foi encontrado a maior porcentagem de amostras positivas para a produção de slime. Para aderência ao vidro e aderência ao poliestireno não foi encontrada correlação com os fômites. Foram isoladas amostras S. epidermidis de todos os sítios hospitalares estudados e S. haemolyticus só não foi encontrado em Enfermaria de Clínica Médica. Em relação aos fômites, S. epidermidis foi encontrado em todos os fômites estudados, e S. haemolyticus, apenas foi encontrado em esfigmomanômetro e em outros fômites. Os fômites estão servindo como fontes de transmissão e disseminação de micro-organismos, sendo necessário maiores estudos a respeito. / Coagulase-negative staphylococci ( SCN ) are found in the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other animals , since some species are a constituent part of the normal flora of these same sites, which may constitute a reservoir for SCN. Staphylococcus epidermidis species, is recognized as a major opportunistic infections and serious nosocomial and community staff, as well as associated with infections in patients undergoing implants with medical devices, and Staphylooccus haemolyticus is the second species most frequent species of human blood cultures, one of species that has a high antimicrobial resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of SCN on fomites (stethoscopes, thermometers and sphygmomanometers) in the hospital environment, identify the species S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis and correlate their antimicrobial resistance profiles with the ability to produce biofilm. The technique of multiplex mPCR was used in the determination of the species and phenotyping was performed by conventional phenotypic tests. The antimicrobial resistance profiles were checked by the disk diffusion test, MIC determination (oxacillin and vancomycin), determination of MBC and the presence of the mecA gene. The capacity of the biofilm was investigated by testing the Congo Red agar and adhesion assays abiotic surfaces (glass and polystyrene) in the presence and absence of oxacillin and vancomycin in addition to the PCR icaAD gene. The results demonstrated that the conventional biochemical tests, it was found more species S. epidermidis (43,5%). After confirmation by PCR , 29 samples (82%) were identified as S. epidermidis, and 6 samples (18%) were identified as S. haemolyticus. All samples were multiresistant, oxacillin-resistant and vancomycin-sensitive, and only 5 samples S. epidermidis (17,2%) were tolerant to oxacillin. The presence of the mecA gene was detected in 71,4% of samples. Although most of the samples have shown the ability to produce slime and/or biofilm not fully correlate with the presence of the gene was observed icaAD emphasizing the multifactorial nature of biofilm production. Samples adhered better to the sphygmomanometer, and that too, in this fomites, found the highest percentage of samples positive for slime production. For adhesion to glass and adherence to polystyrene was found no correlation with fomites. S. epidermidis samples of all hospital sites studied, and S. haemolyticus were isolated not only found in Infirmary Medical Clinic. Regarding fomites, S. epidermidis was found in all studied fomites, and S. haemolyticus, have been found only on sphygmomanometer and other fomites. The fomites are serving as sources of transmission and spread of microorganisms, and further study concerning necessary.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativos (SCN) são encontrados na pele e mucosas de seres humanos e outros animais, já que algumas espécies são parte constituinte da microbiota normal destes mesmos sítios, e podem constituir um reservatório para SCN. A espécie Staphylococcus epidermidis, é reconhecida como grande oportunista e agente de graves infecções nosocomiais e comunitárias, além de associado com infecções em pacientes submetidos a implantes com dispositivos médicos, e a espécie Staphyloccus haemolyticus é a segunda espécie mais isolada de hemoculturas humanas, sendo uma das espécies que apresenta elevada resistência aos antimicrobianos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal investigar a presença de SCN em fômites (estetoscópios, termômetros e esfigmomanômetros) no ambiente hospitalar, identificar as espécies S. haemolyticus e S. epidermidis e correlacionar seus perfis de resistência aos antimicrobianos com a capacidade de produção de biofilme. A técnica de multiplex-mPCR foi empregada na determinação das espécies e a fenotipagem foi realizada pelos testes fenotípicos convencionais. Os perfis de resistência aos antimicrobianos foram verificados através do teste de disco-difusão, determinação da CIM (oxacilina e vancomicina), determinação da CBM e presença do gene mecA. A capacidade de produção de biofilme foi investigada pelos testes do Ágar Vermelho do Congo e ensaios de aderência em superfícies abióticas (poliestireno e vidro) na presença e ausência de oxacilina e vancomicina, além da PCR para o gene icaAD. Os resultados demonstraram que pelos testes bioquímicos convencionais, a espécie mais encontrada foi S. epidermidis (43,5%). Após a confirmação pela técnica de PCR, 29 amostras (82%) foram identificadas como S. epidermidis, e 6 amostras (18%) foram identificadas como S. haemolyticus. Todas as amostras foram multirresistentes, oxacilina resistentes e vancomicina sensíveis, sendo que apenas 5 amostras S. epidermidis (17,2%) foram tolerantes a oxacilina. A presença do gene mecA foi detectada em 71,4% das amostras. Apesar da maioria das amostras ter apresentado capacidade de produzir slime e/ou biofilme não foi observada total correlação com a presença do gene icaAD enfatizando a natureza multifatorial da produção de biofilme. As amostras aderiram melhor ao esfigmomanômetro, e também, neste fômites, foi encontrado a maior porcentagem de amostras positivas para a produção de slime. Para aderência ao vidro e aderência ao poliestireno não foi encontrada correlação com os fômites. Foram isoladas amostras S. epidermidis de todos os sítios hospitalares estudados e S. haemolyticus só não foi encontrado em Enfermaria de Clínica Médica. Em relação aos fômites, S. epidermidis foi encontrado em todos os fômites estudados, e S. haemolyticus, apenas foi encontrado em esfigmomanômetro e em outros fômites. Os fômites estão servindo como fontes de transmissão e disseminação de micro-organismos, sendo necessário maiores estudos a respeito. / Coagulase-negative staphylococci ( SCN ) are found in the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other animals , since some species are a constituent part of the normal flora of these same sites, which may constitute a reservoir for SCN. Staphylococcus epidermidis species, is recognized as a major opportunistic infections and serious nosocomial and community staff, as well as associated with infections in patients undergoing implants with medical devices, and Staphylooccus haemolyticus is the second species most frequent species of human blood cultures, one of species that has a high antimicrobial resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of SCN on fomites (stethoscopes, thermometers and sphygmomanometers) in the hospital environment, identify the species S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis and correlate their antimicrobial resistance profiles with the ability to produce biofilm. The technique of multiplex mPCR was used in the determination of the species and phenotyping was performed by conventional phenotypic tests. The antimicrobial resistance profiles were checked by the disk diffusion test, MIC determination (oxacillin and vancomycin), determination of MBC and the presence of the mecA gene. The capacity of the biofilm was investigated by testing the Congo Red agar and adhesion assays abiotic surfaces (glass and polystyrene) in the presence and absence of oxacillin and vancomycin in addition to the PCR icaAD gene. The results demonstrated that the conventional biochemical tests, it was found more species S. epidermidis (43,5%). After confirmation by PCR , 29 samples (82%) were identified as S. epidermidis, and 6 samples (18%) were identified as S. haemolyticus. All samples were multiresistant, oxacillin-resistant and vancomycin-sensitive, and only 5 samples S. epidermidis (17,2%) were tolerant to oxacillin. The presence of the mecA gene was detected in 71,4% of samples. Although most of the samples have shown the ability to produce slime and/or biofilm not fully correlate with the presence of the gene was observed icaAD emphasizing the multifactorial nature of biofilm production. Samples adhered better to the sphygmomanometer, and that too, in this fomites, found the highest percentage of samples positive for slime production. For adhesion to glass and adherence to polystyrene was found no correlation with fomites. S. epidermidis samples of all hospital sites studied, and S. haemolyticus were isolated not only found in Infirmary Medical Clinic. Regarding fomites, S. epidermidis was found in all studied fomites, and S. haemolyticus, have been found only on sphygmomanometer and other fomites. The fomites are serving as sources of transmission and spread of microorganisms, and further study concerning necessary.

O gênero Acinetobacter tem sido implicado em grande variedade de infecções hospitalares, principalmente em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. O tratamento de infecções por Acinetobacter spp. é geralmente realizado com imipenem embora não haja ensaios clínicos randomizados que embasem esta recomendação. No caso de resistência a esta classe, situação cada vez mais freqüente, as opções mais estudadas são as polimixinas e ampicilinasulbactam. Diante da escassez de dados sobre o assunto, estudos que avaliem o tratamento de infecções por Acinetobacter spp resistente a carbapenem são necessários. Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectivo de pacientes com infecção causada por Acinetobacter spp. resistente a carbapenem, internados no Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas (HC-FMUSP) e no Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (HSPE) no período de 1996 a 2004. Foram considerados como casos os pacientes com diagnóstico de infecção hospitalar baseado em critérios estabelecido pelo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) somado ao isolamento de Acinetobacter spp. resistente a carbapenem obtidos de materiais estéreis ou lavado bronco-alveolar.Não foram incluídos casos de infecção do trato urinário. Foi realizada a análise dos prontuários dos pacientes e foram coletadas informações clínico-demográficas, tratamento utilizado, sinais, sintomas e exames auxiliares no diagnóstico da infecção e no decorrer do tratamento. Foram avaliados três desfechos: mortalidade até o final do tratamento, mortalidade até o final da internação e evolução clínica. Oitenta e dois pacientes (30%) receberam polimixina B ou E, oitenta e cinco (31%) foram tratados com ampicilina-sulbactam, 99 (36%) não receberam tratamento específico. As características clínico-demográficas dos grupos foram semelhantes. A mortalidade durante a internação foi de 78% e boa resposta clínica foi observada em 50% dos pacientes tratados. Na análise multivariada de fatores associados à má evolução clínica, início do tratamento após 72 horas do isolamento e piora da função renal durante o tratamento foram estatisticamente significativos. Pontuação de Apache II >= 15, início do tratamento após 72 horas do isolamento; piora da função renal durante o tratamento; presença de choque séptico e uso de polimixina foram variáveis associadas com óbito até o final do tratamento. As variáveis independentemente associadas com óbito durante a internação foram: idade >= 58 anos, presença de choque séptico no dia do início do tratamento e pontuação de Apache II >=15. Concluiu-se que para o tratamento de infecções causadas por Acinetobacter spp. resistente a carbapenem, ampicilinasulbactam foi superior a polimixinas considerando mortalidade durante o tratamento. / Acinetobacter spp. is a cause of a number of infections, mainly in the ICU setting. Antimicrobials drugs frequently reported as active against Acinetobacter spp include carbapenems, colistin, ampicillin/sulbactam, amikacin, rifampin and tetracyclines and currently carbapenens are considered the main antimicrobial treatment. Unfortunately, over the past years there has been a worldwide increase in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter. This poses a therapeutic challenge as few treatment options are avaible. We performed a retrospective review of the case records of patients from 1996 to 2004 who had nosocomial infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. from 2 large teaching hospitals. Diagnosis of infection was based on CDC criteria plus the isolation of Acinetobacter from a usually sterile site or from broncoalvelolar lavage. Urinary tract infections were not included. We collected data on demographic and clinical features, treatment, signs and symptoms from medical records. We evaluate 3 outcomes: mortality until the end of treatment, in-hospital mortality and clinical outcome. Eighty two patients received polymyxins (30%), 85 were treated with ampicilin-sulbactam (31%) and 99 (36%) did not receive any of these antibiotics. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups were similar. Multivariate analysis showed that treatment with polymyxins, Apache II score >= 15; septic shock; treatment delay and renal failure were independent predictors of mortality. On multivariate analysis, age >= 58 years, presence of septic shock and Apache II score >=15 were prognosis factors for mortality during hospitalization. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that Apache II >=15 and renal failure during treatment were associated with treatment failure. In conclusion, ampicillin-sulbactam was superior to polymyxin considering mortality during treatment.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:30:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_mestrado_Hildene.pdf: 565864 bytes, checksum: 757a27963d59fc60689199a0ec35fa95 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-31 / Fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in hospitalized individuals, which are submitted to differente types of treatment have increased in recent decades and are cause of death of these patients. The diagnoses of infection as well as the correct identification of the fungus, in addition to the in vitro susceptibility tests are important to control the disease and thus avoid death. This work was conducted to identify the species that causes candidemia in patients with hematologic malignancies and in those submitted to bone marrow transplantation from Araujo Jorge Hospital in the city of Goiânia. The main predisposing factors for the acquisition of candidiasis, the virulence factors inherent to the microorganism, as well as the in vitro susceptibility to different antifungal agents of Candida isolates were verified in this work. Clinical samples from patients were collected and cultived in brain heart infusion and Sabouraud agar dextrose and incubated at room temperature and at 36ºC. The identification of yeasts was performed by culture in cornmeal agar to check the chlamydospore production, by germ tube production in fetal bovine serum plus 1% tween 80, by inoculation onto chromogenic agar, CHROMagar and methods of assimilation of carbohydrates. The isolates were subjected to hemolytic activity and proteinase testing as well as to in vitro susceptibility testing using broth microdilution and Etest methods. Of the 410 clinical samples originated from 144 transplant patients we identified eleven yeasts, included three (3) Candida albicans, five (5) C. parapsilosis, one (1) C. tropicalis and two (2) Candida spp. All isolates of C. parapsilosis were susceptible to all antifungal agents, while two (2) isolates of C. albicans and one (1) C. tropicalis were resistant to three azole derivatives, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole. Candida spp isolates did not show hemolytic activity, they were not able to secrete the enzyme proteinase either, they were resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B and susceptible to caspofungin and voriconazole. In this study we can conclude that C. parapsilosis was prevalent, showing that the emergence of Candida non albicans. Besides we can conclude that in vitro susceptibility tests are of great importance for the adequate therapy to avoid the death of patients. / As infecções fúngicas em pacientes imunocomprometidos, principalmente em indivíduos hospitalizados, que são submetidos a diferentes tipos de tratamento têm aumentado nas últimas décadas, sendo causa de mortalidade entre estes pacientes. O diagnóstico da infecção bem como a identificação correta do fungo além dos testes de suscetibilidade in vitro são importantes para controlar a doença e por conseguinte evitar a morte. Neste trabalho, foi realizada a identificação das espécies causadoras de candidemia em pacientes portadores de doenças hematológicas e submetidos a transplantes de medula óssea provenientes do Hospital Araújo Jorge na cidade de Goiânia. Os principais fatores predisponentes para aquisição de candidiases, os fatores de virulência inerentes ao microorganismo bem como a suscetibilidade in vitro a diferentes antifúngicos dos isolados de Candida foram verificados para estes pacientes. Amostras clínicas dos pacientes foram coletadas e semeadas em ágar Brain Heart Infusion bifásico e ágar Sabouraud dextrose, incubadas a temperatura ambiente e a 36ºC, e observadas diariamente. A identificação das leveduras foi realizada através de cultivo em ágar cornmeal para verificar a produção de clamidoconidios, produção de tubo germinativo em soro fetal bovino acrescido de 1% de tweeen 80, inoculação em agar cromogênico, CHROMagar e por métodos de assimilação de hidratos de carbono. Os isolados de leveduras obtidos foram submetidos aos testes de suscetibilidade in vitro usando o método da microdiluição em caldo e Etest. Testes de atividade hemolítica e de proteinase foram também realizados para estes isolados. Das 410 amostras clínicas procedentes de 144 pacientes transplantados foram identificadas onze leveduras do gênero Candida, sendo três (3) Candida albicans, cinco (5) Candida parapsilosis, uma (1) Candida tropicalis e duas (2) Candida spp. Os isolados de C. parapsilosis foram suscetíveis a todos os antifúngicos, enquanto dois (2) isolados de C. albicans e o de C. tropicalis (um) mostraram-se resistentes aos três derivados azólicos, fluconazol. Itraconazol e voriconazol. As amostras de Candida não identificadas com relação a espécie foram suscetíveis ao voriconazol e a caspofungina. não apresentaram atividade hemolítica e não foram capazes de secretar a enzima proteinase. Neste trabalho pode-se concluir que C. parapsilosis foi prevalente mostrando a emergência de outras espécies não albicans como agentes de candidíase e ainda que os testes de suscetibilidade in vitro são de grande importância para que a terapia seja usada adequadamente evitando a morte dos pacientes.

Les infections nosocomiales sont responsables de milliers de décès chaque année. Les soignants, les patients et l'environnement à l'hôpital peuvent être source de contamination. Les objets tels que les téléphones cellulaires, les stéthoscopes, les tensiomètres, les cravates, les blouses et les bagues sont utilisés par les soignants et peuvent être contaminés. Ils deviennent alors des vecteurs potentiels pouvant être responsables d'infections nosocomiales. Les mains des soignants peuvent aussi être un vecteur de la transmission d'agents pathogènes. Respecter l'ensemble des règles d'hygiènes au quotidien est indispensable mais peut être contraignant pour les soignants. Afin d'avoir une mesure plus précise de la désinfection des mains, un outil automatique de mesure appelé MédiHandTrace® (MHT) a été développé, et breveté. Il permet de tracer les soignants grâce à leurs sabots pucés. MHT montre des taux d'observance inférieurs à 50% et aussi que l'hygiène des mains est individuelle. Aussi, Nous avons voulu comprendre le raisonnement des soignants au regard de leurs pratiques d'hygiène. Grâce à la vidéo, nous avons mis en lumière des comportements singuliers. L'amélioration de l'hygiène des mains reste une priorité. En conséquence, nous avons introduit des outils couplés à MHT, envoyé des sms sur les téléphones des soignants donnant leurs performances individuelles. L'hygiène des mains est un geste simple, mais sa réalisation se fait dans des situations de soins souvent complexes. L'adhérence à l'hygiène reste multifactorielle nécessitant l'apport de nouveaux outils d'apprentissage et de communication afin de délivrer des messages simples et efficaces auprès des soignants. / Nosocomial infections are responsible for thousands of deaths each year. Healthcare workers (HCW), patients and the hospital environment can be a source of contamination. Fomites such as cell phones, stethoscopes, tensiometers, ties, gowns and rings are used by HCW and may be contaminated. They become potential vectors that can be responsible for nosocomial infections. The HCWs hands' can also be a vector for the transmission of pathogens. Respecting all the rules of hand hygiene in everyday life is essential but can be binding for the HCW. In order to have a more accurate measurement of hand disinfection, an automatic measuring tool called MédiHandTrace® (MHT) was developed and patented. It makes it possible to trace the HCWs with tags into their shoe hoofs. MHT shows compliance rates below 50% and also that hand hygiene is individual. Also, we wanted to understand the reasoning of HCW with regard to their hygiene practices. Through the video, we have highlighted some singular behaviors of HCWs. Improving hand hygiene remains a priority. As a result, we introduced tools coupled with MHT, sent sms to the phones of HCWs showing their individual performance. Hand hygiene is a simple gesture, but its realization takes place in often complex care situations. Adherence to hand hygiene remains multifactorial, requiring new learning and communication tools to deliver simple and effective messages to HCWs.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge since infection with resistant organisms may cause death, can spread across the community, and increase health care costs at individual, community and government level as more expensive antimicrobials will have to be made available for the treatment of infections caused by resistant bacteria. This calls for urgent and consolidated efforts in order to effectively curb this growing crisis, to prevent the world from slipping back to the pre-antibiotic era. The World Health Organization made a call in 2011 advocating for strengthening of surveillance and laboratory capacity as one-way of detecting and monitoring trends and patterns of emerging AMR. Knowledge of AMR guides clinical decisions regarding choice of antimicrobial therapy, during an episode of bacteraemia and forms the basis of key strategies in containing the spread of resistant bacteria. The current study focused on Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), as they are common hospital acquired infections which are prone to developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. Aim: The aim of this project was to assess and utilize the laboratory information system (LIS) at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), as a tool for reporting AMR and monitoring resistance patterns and trends over time of clinical isolates of SA, KP and PA, cultured from the blood of patients admitted to seven tertiary public hospitals in three provinces in South Africa. Methods: A retrospective and prospective analysis was done on isolates of SA, KP, PA from blood specimens collected from patients with bacteraemia and submitted to diagnostic microbiology laboratories of the NHLS at seven tertiary public hospitals in three provinces in South Africa. These hospitals comprised the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CBH), Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH), Steve Biko Pretoria Academic Hospital (SBPAH), Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Tygerberg Hospital (TH) and the Universitas Hospital of the Free State (UH). For retrospective analysis, data submitted during the period July 2005 to December 2009 were used and for prospective analysis, data relating to AMR in SA, KP, PA, collected by the Group for Enteric, Respiratory and Meningeal disease Surveillance in South Africa, (GERMS-SA) from July 2010 to June 2011 were used. AMR in these three pathogens to commonly used antimicrobial drugs was systematically investigated. Multivariate logistic regressions models were used to assess factors associated with AMR. In addition, a systematic review of research done to date on AMR in bacterial pathogens commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections was conducted in order to understand the existing antimicrobial surveillance systems and baseline resistance patterns in South Africa. Results: A total of 9969 isolates were reported from the retrospective dataset. These were 3942 (39.5%) SA, 4466 (44.8%) KP and 1561 (15.7%) PA. From the prospective dataset, a total of 3026 isolates were reported, 1494 (49.4%) SA and 1532 (50.6%) KP isolates respectively. The proportion of invasive bacteraemia was higher in the <5 year old children. Nearly all strains of SA in South Africa were resistant to penicillin, and >30% up to as high as 80% were resistant to methicillin-related drugs among~560 invasive SA isolates over the two year period. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates significantly differed between hospitals (p=<0.001). The proportion of MRSA isolates in relation to methicillin-susceptible strains showed a declining trend from 22.2% in 2005 to 10.5% in 2009 (p=0.042). Emerging resistance was observed for vancomycin: 1 isolate was identified in 2006 and 9 isolates between July 2010-June 2011, and all except 1 were from Gauteng hospitals. The study found increasing rates of carbapenem-resisant KP of 0.4% in 2005 to 4.0% in 2011 for imipenem. The mean rate of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL-KP) producing KP was 74.2%, with the lowest rate of 62.4% in SBPAH and the highest rate of 81.3% in UH, showing a significant geographical variation in rates of resistance (p=0.021). PA showed a tendency for multi-drug resistance with resistance rates of >20% to extended spectrum cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides respectively. Emerging resistance in PA isolates was observed to colistin, showing a resistance rate of 1.9% over the 5 years period. In the multivariate model, age <5 years, male gender, and hospital location were factors significantly associated with MRSA, while ESBL-KP was significantly associated with age <5 years and hospital location. Concluding remarks: The study has clearly demonstrated that AMR is relatively common in South Africa among children <5 years. Enhancement of continued surveillance of nosocomial infections through use of routine laboratory data should be reinforced as this will facilitate effective interpretation and mapping of trends and patterns of AMR. Therefore, the LIS as a tool for gathering such data should be strengthened to provide reliable AMR data for improved understanding of the extent of the AMR, and present evidence on which future policies and practices aimed at containing AMR could be based. Key words: Laboratory information system, Trends, Patterns, Antimicrobial resistance, Bacterial pathogens, Nosocomial infections, Surveillance, Bacteraemia, Blood culture.