title: Pathogens present in acute mangled extremities from Afghanistan and subsequent pathogen recovery.
abstract: Given the changing epidemiology of infecting pathogens in combat casualties, we evaluated bacteria and fungi in acute traumatic wounds from Afghanistan. From January 2013 to February 2014, 14 mangled lower extremities from 10 explosive-device injured casualties were swabbed for culture at Role 3 facilities. Bacteria were recovered from all patients on the date of injury. Pathogens recovered during routine patient care were recorded. The median injury severity score was 29, median initial Role 3/4 blood product support was 32 units, and median evacuation time was 42 minutes to first surgical care. Gram-positive bacteria were found in some wounds but not methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Most wounds were colonized with low-virulence, environmental gram-negative bacteria, and not recovered again during therapy, reflecting wound contamination. Only one wound had the same bacteria (E. cloacae) throughout care at the Role 3, 4, and 5 facilities. Three cultures from two patients had multidrug-resistant bacteria (E. cloacae, E. coli), all detected at Role 5 facilities. Molds were not detected at Role 3, whereas one patient had a mold at Role 4 and 5. Mangled lower extremity injuries have a high contamination rate with environmental organisms, which are not typically associated with infections during the course of the patient's care.
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wallum
authors.affiliation: San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Heather C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, CMR 402, Box 1559, APO AE 09180, Landstuhl, Germany.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rini
authors.affiliation: Naval Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit 5 San Diego, 3235 Albacore Alley, San Diego, CA 92136.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Guymon
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Akers
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Tyner
authors.affiliation: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Clinton K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000346:Afghanistan; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D014481:United States; D000067398:War-Related Injuries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents