title: Multidrug-resistant bacteria colonization amongst patients newly admitted to a geriatric unit: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine prevalence, incidence and risk factors of colonization by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriacae (ESBLE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in aged subjects admitted to an acute geriatric unit at a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 12 months, 337 patients were screened by nasal, oropharyngeal, groin, axillary and rectal swabs upon admission and at discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ESBLE, MRSA and VRE carriage upon admission was 11.6%, 7.5% and 0.6%, respectively. The incidence density of ESBLE and MRSA carriage was respectively of 1.77 and 2.40 new cases for 1000 patient-days. No cases of VRE acquisition were found. Risk factors for ESBLE colonization on admission were: multiple contacts with the hospital within the previous year, chronic catheter use and a high level of dependency. For MRSA, risk factors were: chronic wounds, anti-acid use and a high level of dependency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a high prevalence of asymptomatic colonization of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in patients admitted to an acute geriatric ward, as high as MRSA carriage. A low functional status is a common risk factor both for ESBLE and for MRSA colonization and it highlights the need to reinforce infection control measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHU Mont-Godinne-UCL, Av Dr Therasse, 1, B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium. didier.schoevaerdts@uclouvain.be
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schoevaerdts
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verroken
authors.forename: Te-Din
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Malorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frennet
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berhin
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jamart
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bogaerts
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Swine
authors.forename: Youri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Glupczynski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001365:Axilla / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000382:microbiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents