This study aimed to compare the ventilator-free days (VFDs) at day 28 and the short-term outcomes in neonates with and without ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP and non-VAP groups).

We performed a cohort study in a Thai neonatal intensive care unit between 2014 and 2020 to identify the VFDs in VAP and non-VAP neonates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

The incidences of VAP rates were 5.76% (67/1,163 neonates) and 10.86 per 1,000 (92/8,469) ventilator days. The medians (interquartile ranges [IQRs]) of gestational age and birth weight in the VAP versus non-VAP groups were 31 (27-35) versus 34 (30-38) weeks, and 1,495 (813-2,593) versus 2,220 (1,405-2,940) g (p < 0.001, both), respectively. The medians (IQRs) of VFDs at 28 days in the VAP and non-VAP groups were 5 (0-16) and 24 (20-26) days (p < 0.001). From the univariate analysis, the lower VFDs, longer ventilator days, and higher rates of moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), postnatal steroids for BPD, length of stay, and daily hospital cost in the VAP group were significantly higher than in the non-VAP group. From the multivariate analysis, the VAP group had significantly lower VFDs (regression coefficient = -10.99, standard error = 1.11, p < 0.001) and higher BPD (adjusted risk ratio = 18.70; 95% confidence interval = 9.17-39.5, p < 0.001) than the non-VAP group.

Neonatal VAP lead to lower VFDs and a higher frequency of BPD. A multimodal strategy with a VAP prevention bundle care should be used in indicated cases to reduce the occurrence of neonatal VAP.

· The VFDs of the neonatal VAP was lower than reported in adult study.. · There are limited data on VFDs in VAP during the neonatal period.. · Neonatal VAP reduces VFDs and increases BPD rates compared with non-VAP infants..

The increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units over recent years is alarming. MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have constituted the main causes of the MDR Gram-negative bacteria problem. The implementation of infection control measures such as hand hygiene, cohorting of patients, contact precautions, active surveillance and environmental cleaning could diminish their spread. Recently, water safety has been identified as a major component of infection control policies. The aim of the current review is to highlight the effectiveness of these infection control measures in managing outbreaks caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and highlight future perspectives on the topic.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) sepsis is becoming an extreme threat caused by high-case fatality rates and poor prevention and control in ICUs worldwide. However, the risk of mortality among neonatal CRAB sepsis is still unclear.

A retrospective medical records review study, which aimed to identify the risk factors of mortality in neonates with CRAB sepsis (including both bacteremia and/or meningitis) in Thailand from 1996 to 2019. All cases featuring positive blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures for CRAB were reviewed. A multivariable logistic regression model was analyzed for nonsurvivors and survivors of neonatal CRAB sepsis.

In a 24-year period, 47 of these were identified with CRAB sepsis. The median (interquartile range) gestational age and birth weight were 30 (28-35) weeks and 1500 (933-2482) g, respectively. The 30-day case fatality rate was 55% (26/47). In multivariable analysis, nonsurvivors of neonatal CRAB sepsis were associated with congenital heart disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.33; 95% CI 1.06-1.66, P = 0.02), CRIB II score ≥9 (adjusted OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.20-2.27, P = 0.004), severe thrombocytopenia (adjusted OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.09-1.94, P = 0.02), and septic shock (adjusted OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.33-1.99, P <0.001).

The risk factors of mortality in neonates with CRAB sepsis are associated with congenital heart disease, CRIB II score ≥9, shock, and severe thrombocytopenia.

Acinetobacter baumannii is frequently found on floors, devices, and environmental sites in hospitals and can survive for prolonged periods and accumulate resistance determinants. The infection and presence of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) in patients is associated with increased mortality, severe clinical outcomes, and longer lengths of stay at hospitals. This review addresses contamination by CRAB in corporal surfaces of patients and healthcare workers and environmental sites at healthcare-related settings. We summarized published data during the last decade on potential reservoirs for CRAB, including contamination frequency and the involved resistance mechanisms, and some measures associated with the elimination of CRAB from hospital surfaces.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has become one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections globally, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Cross-transmission of microorganisms between patients and the hospital environment may play a crucial role in ICU-acquired CRAB colonization and infection. The control and treatment of CRAB infection in ICUs have been recognized as a global challenge because of its multiple-drug resistance. The main concern is that CRAB infections can be disastrous for ICU patients if currently existing limited therapeutic alternatives fail in the future. Therefore, the colonization, infection, transmission, and resistance mechanisms of CRAB in ICUs need to be systematically studied. To provide a basis for prevention and control countermeasures for CRAB infection in ICUs, we present an overview of research on CRAB in ICUs, summarize clinical infections and environmental reservoirs, discuss the drug resistance mechanism and homology of CRAB in ICUs, and evaluate contemporary treatment and control strategies.

Antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures are equally important in the control of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the incidence rate of hospital-onset carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection (per 1000 patient days) in the Queen Mary Hospital, a 1700-bed, university-affiliated teaching hospital, from period 1 (1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013) to period 2 (1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019), where enhanced infection control measures, including directly observed hand hygiene before meal and medication rounds to conscious patients, and the priority use of single room isolation, were implemented during period 2. This study aimed to investigate the association between enhanced infection control measures and changes in the trend in the incidence rate of hospital-onset CRAB infection. Antimicrobial consumption (defined daily dose per 1000 patient days) was monitored. Interrupted time series, in particular segmented Poisson regression, was used. The hospital-onset CRAB infection increased by 21.3% per year [relative risk (RR): 1.213, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.162−1.266, p < 0.001], whereas the consumption of the extended spectrum betalactam-betalactamase inhibitor (BLBI) combination and cephalosporins increased by 11.2% per year (RR: 1.112, 95% CI: 1.102−1.122, p < 0.001) and 4.2% per year (RR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.028−1.056, p < 0.001), respectively, in period 1. With enhanced infection control measures, the hospital-onset CRAB infection decreased by 9.8% per year (RR: 0.902, 95% CI: 0.854−0.953, p < 0.001), whereas the consumption of the extended spectrum BLBI combination and cephalosporins increased by 3.8% per year (RR: 1.038, 95% CI: 1.033−1.044, p < 0.001) and 7.6% per year (RR: 1.076, 95% CI: 1.056−1.097, p < 0.001), respectively, in period 2. The consumption of carbapenems increased by 8.4% per year (RR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.073−1.094, p < 0.001) in both period 1 and period 2. The control of healthcare-associated CRAB could be achieved by infection control measures with an emphasis on directly observed hand hygiene, despite an increasing trend of antimicrobial consumption.

Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis constitutes an extreme threat with a poor prognosis and is a difficult infection to control, especially in Asia. Moreover, a knowledge gap in the risk of mortality in neonatal A. baumannii sepsis still exists.

This study aimed to identify the risk factors of mortality in neonates with A. baumannii sepsis in Thailand from 1996 to 2019. A multivariable logistic regression model was analyzed for nonsurvivors and survivors of neonatal A. baumannii sepsis.

In a 24-year period, 91 neonates with A. baumannii sepsis were reviewed. The median (interquartile range) gestational age and birth weight were 33 (28.5, 37.5) weeks and 1740 (987.5, 2730.0) g, respectively. The 30-day case fatality rate was 36.3% (33/91). In univariable analysis, nonsurvivors of neonatal A. baumannii sepsis was associated with smaller neonates, lower Apgar scores, septic shock, mechanical ventilation, umbilical catheterization, neutropenia, severe thrombocytopenia, carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii sepsis, inadequate empiric antimicrobial therapy, and acute kidney injury. In multivariable analysis, nonsurvivors of neonatal A. baumannii sepsis were associated with septic shock (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 41.38; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.42-501.13; P = 0.003), severe thrombocytopenia (adjusted OR = 33.70; 95% CI: 3.44-330.55; P = 0.002), and inadequate empiric antimicrobial therapy (adjusted OR = 10.05; 95% CI: 1.40-71.98; P = 0.02).

In high multidrug-resistant areas, empiric treatment with broader spectrum antimicrobials should be considered in neonates with sepsis shock or severe thrombocytopenia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate for a long time the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and its impact on colistin usage in the ICU of a tertiary hospital in Spain. The rate of carbapenem resistance declined drastically during the period of study (2015 to 2018), from 93.57 to 74.65%, especially in the ICU. A significant decrease in colistin usage, from 1.16 to 0.39 DOTs, was observed. Forty-nine CRAB isolates recovered nearly 1 year after starting the intervention were characterized. Most of them were recovered from patients admitted in wards other than ICU and were extensively drug-resistant, carried bla_OXA-23-like and armA, and belonged to ST218. Implementation of control measures is crucial to CRAB control in ICUs but must be extended to all wards in order to eradicate CRAB from hospitals.