Dataset Information

Skin infections due to Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing S. aureus-Cost effectiveness of outpatient treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA) are associated with recurrent skin abscesses. Secondary prevention, in conjunction with primary treatment of the infection, focuses on topical decolonization. Topical decolonization is a standard procedure in cases of recurrent PVL-SA skin infections and is recommended in international guidelines. However, this outpatient treatment is often not fully reimbursed by health insurance providers, which may interfere with successful PVL-SA decolonization.

Aim

Our goal was to estimate the cost effectiveness of outpatient decolonization of patients with recurrent PVL-SA skin infections. We calculated the average cost of treatment for PVL-SA per outpatient decolonization procedure as well as per in-hospital stay.

Methods

The study was conducted between 2014 and 2018 at a German tertiary care university hospital. The cohort analyzed was obtained from the hospital's microbiology laboratory database. Data on medical costs, DRG-based diagnoses, and ICD-10 patient data was obtained from the hospital's financial controlling department. We calculated the average cost of treatment for patients admitted for treatment of PVL-SA induced skin infections. The cost of outpatient treatment is based on the German regulations of drug prices for prescription drugs.

Results

We analyzed a total of n = 466 swabs from n = 411 patients with recurrent skin infections suspected of carrying PVL-SA. PVL-SA was detected in 61.3% of all patients included in the study. Of those isolates, 80.6% were methicillin-susceptible, 19.4% methicillin-resistant. 89.8% of all patients were treated as outpatients. In 73.0% of inpatients colonized with PVL-SA the main diagnosis was SSTI. The median length of stay was 5.5 days for inpatients colonized with PVL-SA whose main diagnosis SSTI; the average cost was €2,283. The estimated costs per decolonization procedure in outpatients ranged from €50-€110, depending on the products used.

Conclusion

Our data shows that outpatient decolonization offers a highly cost-effective secondary prevention strategy, which may prevent costly inpatient treatments. Therefore, health insurance companies should consider providing coverage of outpatient treatment of recurrent PVL-SA skin and soft tissue infections.

SUBMITTER: Rentinck MN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8232536 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundSome Staphylococcus aureus strains produce Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), a bi-component pore-forming toxin, which causes leukocyte lysis and tissue necrosis. Currently, there is very limited information on the molecular epidemiology of PVL-encoding S. aureus strains in Iran. This study aimed to determine the molecular epidemiology and genetic background of PVL-positive S. aureus clinical strains isolated from Iranian patients.MethodsA total of 28 PVL-positive S. aureus strains were detected from 600 S. aureus isolates between February 2015 and March 2018 from different hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Molecular genotyping was performed using SCCmec and accessory gene regulator (agr) typing, PVL haplotyping, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).ResultsThe highest antibiotic resistance rate was found to be against erythromycin (57.1%), followed by ciprofloxacin (42.8%) and clindamycin (35.7%). Moreover, 19 (67.9%) out of 28 S. aureus isolates were identified as MRSA, including CA-MRSA (14/19, 73.7%) and HA-MRSA (5/19, 26.3%). SCCmec type IVa was detected as the predominant type (10/19, 52.6%), followed by type III (5/19, 26.3%) and type V (4/19, 21.1%). The agr type I was identified as the most common type (14/28, 50%), and H and R haplotype groups were observed at frequencies of 67.9 and 32.1%, respectively. Among H variants, the predominant variant was H2 (78/9%). The isolates encompassed 21 different sequence types (STs), including 16 new STs (ST5147 to ST5162). Based on eBURST analysis, the isolates were clustered into five CCs, including CC30, CC22, CC1, CC8, and CC5 (ST5160), and nine singletons. PFGE typing showed that 24 isolates were clustered into A (4 pulsotypes), B (9 pulsotypes), and C (11 pulsotypes) clusters.ConclusionsA high prevalence of PVL-positive CA-MRSA strains was detected in Iran. The majority of PVL-positive isolates were of H (mostly H2) variant, while R variant was harbored by 100% of PVL-positive MRSA strains. Also, CC8, CC22, and CC30 were identified as the dominant clones among PVL-encoding S. aureus strains. This study promotes a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology and evolution of PVL-positive S. aureus strains in Iran.