FRACTURE-RELATED INFECTION DIFFERENCES IN THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CULTURE YIELD ACROSS BRAZILIAN REGIONS: FRIDAY IN BRAZIL
Aim The microbial epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of fracture-related infections (FRIs) remain underexplored in Brazil, both regionally and nationwide. This knowledge gap limits effective local management strategies due to distinct scenario of AMR across Brazilian hospital settings. We aimed to address this issue in a multicenter prospective observational cohort study conducted in eleven Brazilian hospitals from different regions involving FRI patients. Method Clinical data were prospectively collected using the REDCap® electronic platform. Bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Chi-squared test. Results Among 197 FRI patients analyzed (70.6% male, median age of 49 years [IQR 36–64]), lower limb fractures predominated (74.6%), with 25.4% classified as open fractures (54.9% Gustilo III). Recurrences rates were highest with Staphylococcus aureus infection (31%, p =0.05), and DAIR (debridement, antibiotic and implant retention) approach (39%, p =0.02). Analysis of 312 isolates from 199 culture-positive cases revealed polymicrobial infections in 40.6%, with distinct geographic variation (highest in Paraná, p =0.02). Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) comprised 38.5% of all isolates but 46.1% in polymicrobial infections ( p =0.03). Overall, predominant pathogens included S. aureus (36.5%), Enterobacteriaceae (18.9%), CoNS (12.2%), Pseudomonas spp. (9.0%), and Enterococcus spp. (7.1%). While S. aureus dominated monomicrobial infections (61%, p <0.001), Enterobacteriaceae, CoNS, and Enterococcus were more frequent in polymicrobial cases ( p <0.05). Regional disparities included higher Pseudomonas spp. in Rio de Janeiro ( p =0.02) and “Other Gram-positive” isolates in São Paulo (88.9%, p <0.01). MRSA comprised 35.1% of S. aureus starins. Additionally, AMR Profiles for S. aureus highlighted Erythromycin resistance of 70% (range: 50–80% by state), while linezolid, tetracycline, and SMX-TMP showed lower resistance rates (5%), Clindamycin resistance varied regionally (São Paulo: 48%, p=0.05; Rio de Janeiro: 11%, p=0.03). Among Enterobacteriaceae, high tetracycline resistance was identified (47% overall; 88% in Rio de Janeiro, p=0.02). Meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, and gentamicin exhibited the lowest resistance rates (12–19%), with 14.5% ESBL producers. Conclusions This large national multicenter study highlights S. aureus (including MRSA) as the predominant pathogen in Brazilian FRIs, with alarming recurrence rates for DAIR procedures (39%), reinforcing the need to redefine surgical strategies to improve outcomes. Polymicrobial infections (40.6%) exhibited geographic variability (notably in Paraná) and regional disparities in pathogen distribution ( Pseudomonas in Rio) and resistance patterns (clindamycin: 11–48%) underscoring the urgency of localized stewardship. These findings demand targeted microbiological epidemiology studies to optimize FRI management.
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