Resistant intestinal germs at the University Hospital Jena

Preemies at the University Hospital Jena colonized with resistant intestinal germs

06/08/2012

In the University Hospital Jena, a resistant intestinal germ was detected in several preemies. However, "through consistent hospital hygiene measures and regular examinations of patients, it has been possible to prevent widespread dissemination of the so-called VRE germ at the premature infants ward in the Children's Clinic of the University Hospital Jena (UKJ)," according to the current press release of the hospital.

Since the end of April, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been detected in fourteen preterm infants in the Jena hospital. However, none of the children has contracted an infection and eight affected premature babies have already been discharged from hospital, according to the University Hospital. Currently, according to the director of the Children's Hospital, Professor James Beck, inpatient care of five premature infants, where a germ colonization was detected. One of the affected babies has died in the meantime, but this is not due to the resistant AER germs, but the physical immaturity after an extremely early birth, said Prof. Beck.

Detection of resistant intestinal germs at the University Hospital Jena
For the first time, the resistant intestinal germ was detected in the University Hospital on 24 April in the children's hospital "in the context of routine diagnostics in a premature baby," according to the press release of the Jena University Hospital. This was "the first proof in our clinic for years", explained Prof. Dr. med. James Beck. The patient samples at the UKJ's Institute of Microbiology "showed how persistent the germ is," added the UKJ's Chief Hospital Hygienist. Ute Dobermann. "Fortunately, we were able to prevent a wave of disease", but "there were in the following weeks even more isolated cases of staggered colonization, but in no case led to a disease," Dr. Ute Dobermann on. The last proof was on May 29th. Since then no further AER colonization has been reported, according to the hospital.

Antibiotic use as a cause of resistance
Since the colonization with the resistant intestinal germs in the affected preemies did not trigger any "signs of illness", "therapy with special reserve antibiotics was not necessary", explained Prof. Beck. However, immediately after the proof "the additional hygiene measures required in such cases", such as "the wearing of special protective clothing and the patient isolation", were implemented, so the message of the hospital. At present, the "studies on whether or not the enterococci belong to one or more strains" are also underway, as the physicians are hoping "for a possible indication of the source of the germ", the UKJ reports. Because so far it remains unclear on which way the resistant germs could spread in the university hospital. As part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals enterococci are generally relatively widespread. "Probably due to the use of antibiotics, for example in animal husbandry or excessive use in medicine, the vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)", according to the press release of the UKJ.

Threatening blood poisoning in infections with AER
The intestinal germs "can cause severe infections or even sepsis" (blood poisoning) in patients with weakened immune systems, the physicians of the hospital describe the health risks. The elimination of the AER is difficult, since they have an extremely high environmental resistance. "Only with enormously high hygienic effort" can the pathogens according to information from the hospital eliminate. To spread the pathogens, the experts explained that it is estimated that around seven percent of the population carries vancomycin-resistant enterococci without being affected. The head of the section "Clinical Infectiology" at the UKJ, Professor dr. According to Mathias Pletz, "the resistant variant is not more aggressive, but more difficult to treat in the event of an actual infection." The UKJ experts were relieved that the pathogen control was so smooth.

Consistent hospital hygiene required
The Medical Board of the University Hospital Jena, Prof. Dr. med. According to Klaus Höffken, the current situation shows "the importance of consistent hospital hygiene and, above all, the targeted search for such germs". Because only with intensive routine checks can one find the resistant germs and initiate appropriate protective measures in a timely manner. However, the frequent evidence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in hospitals throughout Germany also illustrates that "the resistance of many germs represents a growing challenge for medical care in the clinics". Among the UKJ there is "among other things. a new research group working on sustainable strategies against such multidrug-resistant bacteria, "said Höffken. (Fp)

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