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Reduction of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bacterial Infections during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Author

Listed:
  • Enrico Bentivegna

    (Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, St’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Michelangelo Luciani

    (Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, St’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Arcari

    (Covid-Cardiology Unit, Madre Giuseppina Vannini Hospital, 00177 Rome, Italy)

  • Iolanda Santino

    (Hospital Direction and Clinical Departments, St’Andrea Hospital, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Maurizio Simmaco

    (Hospital Direction and Clinical Departments, St’Andrea Hospital, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Paolo Martelletti

    (Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, St’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms are emerging as some of the main healthcare problems worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been adopted to reduce nosocomial microorganism transmission. We performed a case–control study to identify if the incidence of MDR bacterial infections while using pandemic-related preventive measures is lower than in previous years. From 2017 to 2020, we monitored hospital discharges over a four-month period (P #) (1 March to 30 June) in St. Andrea Hospital, Rome. In total, we reported 1617 discharges. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to identify significant differences. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A significant reduction in the incidence of total MDR bacterial infections was observed during the pandemic compared to in prepandemic years ( p < 0.05). We also found a significantly higher incidence of MDR bacterial infections in COVID-19 departments compared with other medical departments (29% and 19%, respectively), with extended-spectrum β -lactamase Klebsiella pneumoniae as the pathogens presenting the highest increase. This study demonstrates that maintaining a high level of preventive measures could help tackle an important health problem such as that of the spread of MDR bacteria.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrico Bentivegna & Michelangelo Luciani & Luca Arcari & Iolanda Santino & Maurizio Simmaco & Paolo Martelletti, 2021. "Reduction of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bacterial Infections during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1003-:d:485764
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    Cited by:

    1. Kaća Piletić & Bruno Kovač & Marko Perčić & Jure Žigon & Dalibor Broznić & Ljerka Karleuša & Sanja Lučić Blagojević & Martina Oder & Ivana Gobin, 2022. "Disinfecting Action of Gaseous Ozone on OXA-48-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilm In Vitro," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.

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