Multi-resistant pathogens in patients of a university ear, nose and throat clinic

Multi-resistant pathogens (MRE) represent a worldwide challenge, require special hygienic measures and make therapy for affected patients more difficult. The significance of MRE in ENT patients is still unclear. A retrospective evaluation of positive MRE smears (MRSA, VRE, MRGN) in the period from 2008 to 2017 was performed with regard to frequency, localization and pathogen-associated infections.

We identified n=482 cases tested positive for MRE. MRSA (n=157) accounted for 32.6 % , VRE (n=49) for 10.2 % , ESBL (n=111) for 23.0 % , MRGN+FQ (n=155) for 32.2 %  and MRGN+CR (n=10) for 2.1 % . Overall, both performed and MRE-positive smears increased significantly (2008: 95 of 316 positive; 2017: 242 of 2067 positive, p<0.001). Colonizations with MRSA (ear/nose, n=126; 80.3 % ) and MRGN+CR (trachea/tracheostoma, n=4; 40.0 % ) were most evident. VRE, ESBL and MRGN+FQ were most frequently detected in the anal/rectal region (n=41, 83.7 % ; n=97; 87.4 %  and n=108; 69.7 % , respectively). Patients with MRSA were significantly more likely to have pathogen-associated infections (n=89; 56.7 % , p<0.001) than patients with other MRE. VRE (n=45; 91.8 % ) caused the most common asymptomatic colonization.

MRE occur ubiquitously in the ENT area. Here the most frequent MRE colonization is caused by MRSA and MRGN+CR. MRSA also cause the most common symptomatic infections, while VRE cause asymptomatic colonization in most cases. This should be taken into account when choosing antibiotic therapy. In addition, against the background of increasing MRE numbers, common hygiene concepts should be strictly adhered to and MRE development/spread should be reduced by antibiotic stewardship concepts.

Poster-PDF A-1570.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021