Clinical Impact of Colonization with Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Critically Ill Patients Admitted for Severe Trauma

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) have raised concerns as common, frequent etiologic agents of nosocomial infections, and patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) present the highest risk for colonization and infection. The incidence of colonization and infection in trauma patients remains poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for Carbapenem-resistant (CR)-GNB colonization and the clinical impact of colonization acquisition in patients with severe trauma admitted to the ICU in a CR-GNB hyperendemic country. This is a retrospective observational study; clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the nosocomial infection surveillance system database. Among 54 severe trauma patients enrolled in the study, 28 patients were colonized by CR-GNB; 7 (12.96%) patients were already colonized at ICU admission; and 21 (38.89%) patients developed a new colonization during their ICU stay. Risk factors for colonization were the length of stay in the ICU (not colonized, 14.81 days +/- 9.1 vs. colonized, 38.19 days +/- 27.9; p-value = 0.001) and days of mechanical ventilation (not colonized, 8.46 days +/- 7.67 vs. colonized, 22.19 days +/- 15.09; p-value < 0.001). There was a strong statistical association between previous colonization and subsequent development of infection (OR = 80.6, 95% CI 4.5-1458.6, p-value < 0.001). Factors associated with the risk of infection in colonized patients also included a higher Charlson comorbidity index, a longer length of stay in the ICU, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and a longer duration of treatment with carbapenem and vasopressors (not infected vs. infected: 0(0-4) vs. 1(0-3), p = 0.012; 24.82 +/- 16.77 vs. 47 +/- 28.51, p = 0.016; 13.54 +/- 15.84 vs. 31.7 +/- 16.22, p = 0.008; 1.09 +/- 1.14 vs. 7.82 +/- 9.15, p = 0.008). The adoption of MDR-GNB colonization prevention strategies in critically ill patients with severe trauma is required to improve the quality of care and reduce nosocomial infections, length of hospital stay and mortality.