Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have high mortality rates and pose a significant threat to healthcare settings. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical risk factors related to mortality and the development of P. aeruginosa with difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR-PA) BSI in the intensive care unit. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study that included patients with P. aeruginosa BSI who were hospitalized between 2020 and 2022. The risk factors affecting 30-day mortality and the development of DTR-PA were investigated using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 140 patients were analyzed. The mean age was (66 ± 17.5) years, and 48% of the patients were male. Previous meropenem use was an independent risk factor for DTR-PA BSI (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.24 to 5.80; P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the requirement for inotropic support was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality [hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33 to 4.68; P = 0.004]. Conclusions: Prior meropenem use was an independent risk factor for DTR-PA development. Strict policies for Carbapenem use and infection control procedures are essential to combat infections caused by DTR-PA.

Objective: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are leading causes of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) and pose a significant clinical challenge in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to identify clinical and laboratory parameters associated with 30-day mortality in ICU patients with CoNS-related BSI. Methods: This retrospective study included patients aged 18 years or older who were hospitalized in the ICU between January 1 and November 1, 2024, and had the same CoNS species isolated from two separate blood culture sets. Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory results, and microbiological data were evaluated. Factors associated with 30-day mortality were investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 173 patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 years (interquartile range [IQR], 66–81), and 42.8% were female. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently isolated species (42.2%), and 95.3% of isolates were methicillin-resistant. Septic shock was present in 45% of patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 71.6%. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors had significantly higher procalcitonin (PCT) levels (1.46 vs 0.58 ng/mL; p=0.002) and lactate levels (2.25 vs 1.97 mmol/L; p=0.044), whereas platelet counts were significantly lower (182 500 vs 282 000/mm³; p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, platelet count ≤194 000/mm³ [odds ratio (OR): 5.94; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.53–13.97; p0.67 ng/mL (OR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.50–6.57; p=0.002) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion: In patients with CoNS-related BSI, elevated PCT levels and low platelet counts were independently associated with 30-day mortality. These findings may contribute to early prognostic assessment and risk stratification in critically ill patients. Keywords: Bloodstream infection, coagulase-negative staphylococci, mortality, procalcitonin

Objective: Concerns regarding the high-level risk of infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) increased after COVID19 was declared as a pandemic in March 2020. Inadequate infection control owing to a shortage of personal protective equipment or an inconvenient usage of infection control measures may play a significant role in transmission to/among healthcare personnel. The study aimed to determine the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients who are healthcare workers along with possible transmission routes of COVID-19 in four different healthcare facilities in Istanbul. Methods: All hospital records were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic and clinical characteristics of HCWs were documented, and all infected HCWs were subjected to a phone-based mini-questionnaire and three-dimensional test (TDT). All statistical analyses were done using statistical packages SPSS Demo Ver 22 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Clinical features of COVID-19 were similar to the general public’s characteristics. The most frequent symptoms were cough, fever, and headache. HCWs with the O blood group tend to have asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. Hospital workers other than medical professionals have a lack of convenience of infection control measures. The median duration of PCR negativity was 9 days. HCWs who had a sore throat at the beginning of COVID-19 have a longer PCR-positive duration. Conclusion: Understanding the clinical features or characteristics of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers may aid in the implementation of a feasible screening program for early detection. It is strongly advised that proper infection control precautions, education, and auditing of nonclinical staff be implemented. As a result, transmission among healthcare workers can be avoided.