Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant concern worldwide. The mortality rate of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) is increasing, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Thus, the objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of colistin plus vancomycin for the treatment of critically ill patients with CRAB in Chiang Mai University Hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients in the ICU with CRAB infection who received colistin alone or colistin-vancomycin combination therapy at Chiang Mai University Hospital. A total of 365 critically ill patients met the inclusion criteria. The results in this study showed that after propensity score matching, colistin plus vancomycin showed no significant differences in the 30-day mortality compared to colistin alone. Likewise, for colistin plus vancomycin, compared with colistin therapy alone, there were no significant differences in the clinical response, microbiological response and nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, colistin plus vancomycin was no significant differences in 30-day mortality, clinical response, microbiological response compared to colistin alone for infections due to CRAB. The nephrotoxicity rates were similar for both groups, so colistin combination with vancomycin was not necessary for the management of infection caused by CRAB.

Increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a serious problem worldwide. We sought to record the acquisition of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in healthy infants in Northern Thailand and investigated potential determinants. Stool samples from 142 infants after birth, at ages 2wk, 2mo, 4 to 6mo, and 1y, and parent stool samples were screened for E. coli resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and cefazoline by culture, and isolates were further investigated for multiresistance by disc diffusion method. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed to identify persistent and transmitted strains. Genetic comparison of resistant and transmitted strains was done by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and strains were further investigated for extra- and intra-intestinal virulence factors by multiplex PCR. Forty-seven (33%) neonatal meconium samples contained resistant E. coli. Prevalence increased continuously: After 1y, resistance proportion (tetracycline 80%, ampicillin 72%, co-trimoxazole 66%, cefazoline 35%) almost matched those in parents. In 8 infants (6%), identical E. coli strains were found in at least 3 sampling time points (suggesting persistence). Transmission of resistant E. coli from parents to child was observed in only 8 families. MLST showed high diversity. We could not identify any virulence genes or factors associated with persistence, or transmission of resistant E. coli. Full-term, vaginal birth and birth in rural hospital were identified as risk factors for early childhood colonization with resistant E. coli. One third of healthy Thai neonates harboured antibiotic-resistant E. coli in meconium. The proportion of resistant E. coli increased during the first year of life almost reaching the value in adults. We hypothesize that enhancement of infection control measures and cautious use of antibiotics may help to control further increase of resistance.

Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive cocci bacterium that are found mainly in pigs and can be transmitted to human through pigs or pork exposure. The disease is mainly found among occupations involving swine contact in western countries whereas in Asia the disease is usually contracted through raw pork consumption. In this case report, we present a case of a middle-aged Thai man who acquired the infection from raw pork consumption. He presented with endogenous endophthalmitis with infective spondylodiscitis, sepsis and meningitis and later developed blindness of the right eye and permanent bilateral hearing loss disseminated from S. suis infection. Our report suggests that S. suis infection be considered as a causative factor in patient presenting with established clinical symptoms and predisposing factors. Cultural habit of eating raw pork should be taken into account especially in Asian countries.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin in pediatric patients with nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria infections and to determine factors associated with treatment outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study recruited patients <18 years of age receiving intravenous colistin between January 2014 and December 2018. Clinical data and treatment outcomes were reviewed, and factors associated with treatment outcomes were assessed. Results: This study included 178 patients with a median age of 3.4 years (range, 0.1–17.8). The mean ± SD dose of colistin prescribed to patients without renal impairment was 5.1 ± 0.6 mg/kg/day. The clinical response rate was 70.8% in patients receiving colistin for specific treatment. Infection-related mortality and crude mortality were 17.5% and 19.7%, respectively. The nephrotoxicity rate was 29.8%; approximately 70% of the episodes occurred between the 3rd and 7th day of treatment. The presence of at least 2 organ dysfunctions [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 7.17; 95% CI: 1.64–31.40], septic shock (aHR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.36–5.32) and receiving chemotherapy/immunosuppressants (aHR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.36–5.25) were observed to be associated with clinical failure. The factors observed to be associated with nephrotoxicity included hypoalbuminemia (aHR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.26–6.78), receiving amphotericin B (aHR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.16–4.52), vancomycin (aHR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.50–7.56) and vasopressors (aHR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.27–5.21). Conclusion: Colistin is generally effective in the treatment of nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria infections in pediatric patients. Close monitoring of renal function should be considered, especially in high-risk patients. Optimal dosage regimens for pediatric populations to promote more favorable clinical outcomes and minimize nephrotoxicity require further investigation.