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Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases are responsible for resistance of Gram-negative bacilli to several beta-lactam antibiotics, including those prescribed for treatment pneumonia. To evaluate the importance of colonization with E-GNB for the choice of empirical treatment we performed a retrospective case-control study including 156 patients, hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia from 2009 through 2013. Empirical treatment success and in-hospital survival were significantly lower in patients colonized with E-GNB compared to non-colonized (p = 0.002, p = 0.035). When comparing subgroups of colonized patients, treatment success was significantly lower in patients who were colonized with E-GNB resistant to empirical antibiotic (p = 0.010), but not in those colonized by E-GNB susceptible to empirically given antibiotic (p = 0.104). Difference in in-hospital mortality was insignificant in both subgroups (p = 0.056, p = 0.331). The results of study suggest that an anti-E-GNB active antibiotic should be used for empirical treatment of pneumonia in E-GNB colonized patients.

We wanted to determine the time course of colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE), sites of colonization and risk factors for prolonged colonization with EPE to obtain information for successful infection control measures.Rectal swab, urine, throat swab and other clinically relevant samples (wound swab, tracheal aspirate and sputum) were obtained from each participant. Sets of follow-up samples and data about potential risk factors for prolonged colonization with EPE were collected every 3 months for 2 years. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model was performed to identify risk factors for prolonged colonization.A total of 114 patients were included in the study, 49 completed the 2-year follow-up. In all, 611 sample sets were collected, 309 (50.6%) of which were positive for ESBL. Of the positive sample sets, 90% had a rectal swab positive for ESBL, the throat swab was positive for ESBL in 17.2% of cases and urine in 36.2% of cases; 10% of positive sample sets had negative rectal swabs with EPE isolated from other sites, most often from urine. Immobility was found to be associated with prolonged carriage (≥ 12 months) of EPE. After 2 years, 15/49 (30.6%) patients were colonized with EPE. In 12/49 (24.5%) patients, transient negativity was observed.We found that prolonged colonization with EPE was common, especially in bedridden patients. Transient negative samples were often observed during the course of colonization. In some patients, urine can be the only positive site from which EPE are isolated.

The aim of the study was to assess the performance of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) assay on plasma and respiratory samples for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia.Three hundred and forty patients (160 children and 180 adults) with community-acquired pneumonia were included prospectively from January 2011 to May 2012. Blood samples were obtained simultaneously for culture and rt-PCR targeting the lytA gene. Respiratory samples were also obtained: nasopharyngeal swab in nearly all patients and sputum or tracheal aspirate when available.Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in 222 (65%) of 340 patients: 143 (89%) children and 79 (44%) adults. Pneumonia was assigned as definite pneumococcal in 96 (28.2%) of 340 patients, according to S. pneumoniae detected in blood: in 54 (33.8%) children - by rt-PCR in 51 (31.9%) and by culture in 5 (3.1%); and in 42 (23.3%) adults - by rt-PCR in 41 (22.8%) and by culture in 12 (6.7%). Pneumonia was considered as probably pneumococcal in 19 (10.6%) adults according to S. pneumoniae detected in sputum/tracheal aspirate, by rt-PCR in 19 and by culture in 5. In 18 adults and 89 children with S. pneumoniae detected only in the nasopharynx, pneumonia was considered as possibly pneumococcal; however it should be noted that nasopharyngeal colonization with S. pneumoniae is also common in children with other aetiologies of pneumonia.rt-PCR on plasma and other samples performed significantly better than culture for the detection of pneumococcal pneumonia (p0.0005) in children and adults.

The influence of fever on the pharmacokinetics of cefazolin was investigated in patients with acute febrile diseases. Nine patients were included in the study. Antibiotic serum concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatograpy (HPLC). An analog computer and the SIMULINK software package were used to identify the pharmacokinetic model and PCNONLIN software package to obtain the secondary parameters. In 6 patients a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model of cefazolin was observed during fever and after defervescence. In 2 patients a two-compartment model changed to a one-compartment after defervescence, and a one-compartment model was observed in one patient during both periods. Cefazolin-treated patients with a two-compartment model (6/9) had higher Cmax, mean steady state serum concentrations (Css), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0--infinity)), smaller central compartment volume (V1), and lower clearance (Cl) during fever. The varying distribution of antibiotics during fever probably reflects different hemodynamic responses to fever.