IntroductionUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common community-onset infections in the adult population in many parts of the world. Clinical manifestations of community-onset UTIs range from asymptomatic bacteriuria to acute pyelonephritis with sepsis [1,2]. The major UTI pathogen is Escherichia coli, and there is increasing multidrug resistance in the isolates from community-onset infections. Multidrug resistance of these isolates is frequently associated with the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes [3,4]. ESBL-producing isolates are resistant to all penicillins, cephalosporins, and aztreonam, combined with high resistance rates to fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) [5]. Multidrug resistance of ESBL-positive E. coli makes it more difficult to decide the antibiotic treatment in community-onset UTI and increases the risk of treatment failure. Early initiation of appropriate empirical therapy reduces mortality, especially in life-threatening UTIs [6]. Therefore, a better understanding of the risk factors for community-onset UTIs caused by ESBL-positive E. coli will guide clinicians in choosing appropriate empirical therapy. Also, it will ensure that measures are taken to reduce risk factors for these resistant infections.For this reason, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for community-onset UTI caused by ESBL-producing E. coli. Materials and methods Study population and data collectionThis prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2012 and March 2014 in cases of communityonset UTI caused by E. coli. Demographic characteristics, Background/aim: Community-onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli have increased in many parts of the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for communityonset UTI caused by ESBL-producing E. coli. Materials and methods:This prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2012 and March 2014 in cases of communityonset UTI caused by E. coli. Patients with UTI due to ESBL-producing E. coli and patients with UTI due to non-ESBL-producing E. coli were compared to identify risk factors for ESBL-producing E. coli in the community.Results: A total of 305 patients (116 males [46.4%]; mean age: 57.76 ± 18.06 years) were included in the study. Among these patients, 154 (50.5%) were infected with ESBL-producing E. coli. In multivariate analysis, the healthcare-associated UTI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.80; 95% confidence interval [

Background The core components (CCs) of infection prevention and control (IPC) from World Health Organization (WHO) are crucial for the safety and quality of health care. Our objective was to examine the level of implementation of WHO infection prevention and control core components (IPC CC) in a developing country. We also aimed to evaluate health care-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in intensive care units (ICUs) in association with implemented IPC CCs. Methods Members of the Turkish Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialization Association (EKMUD) were invited to the study via e-mail. Volunteer members of any healt care facilities (HCFs) participated in the study. The investigating doctor of each HCF filled out a questionnaire to collect data on IPC implementations, including the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) and HAIs/AMR in ICUs in 2021. Results A total of 68 HCFs from seven regions in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participated while 85% of these were tertiary care hospitals. Fifty (73.5%) HCFs had advanced IPC level, whereas 16 (23.5%) of the 68 hospitals had intermediate IPC levels. The hospitals’ median (IQR) IPCAF score was 668.8 (125.0) points. Workload, staffing and occupancy (CC7; median 70 points) and multimodal strategies (CC5; median 75 points) had the lowest scores. The limited number of nurses were the most important problems. Hospitals with a bed capacity of > 1000 beds had higher rates of HAIs. Certified IPC specialists, frequent feedback, and enough nurses reduced HAIs. The most common HAIs were central line-associated blood stream infections. Most HAIs were caused by gram negative bacteria, which have a high AMR. Conclusions Most HCFs had an advanced level of IPC implementation, for which staffing was an important driver. To further improve care quality and ensure everyone has access to safe care, it is a key element to have enough staff, the availability of certified IPC specialists, and frequent feedback. Although there is a significant decrease in HAI rates compared to previous years, HAI rates are still high and AMR is an important problem. Increasing nurses and reducing workload can prevent HAIs and AMR. Nationwide “Antibiotic Stewardship Programme” should be initiated.

Introduction: Brucellar spondylodiscitis is a frequent and serious complication of brucellosis. The aim of this study is to describe the brucellosis patients with spondylodiscitis and the predictive factors related to spondylodiscitis in brucellosis. Methodology: Laboratory-confirmed brucellosis patients from a low-to medium-endemic region were enrolled in the study and distributed into two groups. Group I consisted of patients with spondylodiscitis and Group II patients had no complications. Both groups were compared for predictive factors of spondylodiscitis. Results: A total of 219 patients with active brucellosis were included in the study. We determined at least one complication in 91 (41.6%) patients. The most frequent complication was spondylodiscitis [n = 59 patients (26.9 %)]. In univariate analysis, age, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, presence of low back pain, increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and alkaline phosphatases were the most significant predictive factors for spondylodiscitis among brucellosis cases. Presence of headache and thrombocytopenia were less frequent in patients with spondylodiscitis when compared to patients without complications (p = 0.024, p = 0.006 respectively). In multivariate analysis, old age (odds ratio [OR] 1,063; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.026-1.101; p < 0.001), prolonged time between symptoms onset before diagnosis (OR 1.008; 95% CI 1.001-1.016; p = 0.031), and presence of low back pain (OR 12.886;; p < 0.001) were indepedently associated with an increased risk of spondylodiscitis. Conclusions: Spondylodiscitis is the most frequent complication of systemic brucellosis. Patients with low back pain, older age, and longer duration of symptoms should be considered as candidates of potential spondylodiscitis in brucellosis.

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