New Research Reveals Surprising Cause of Infections after Surgery

Health care-associated infections not always caused by hospital superbugs

Health care providers and patients have traditionally thought that infections patients get while in the hospital are caused by superbugs they’re exposed to while they’re in a medical facility. However, groundbreaking new research indicates a different story. Genetic data from the bacteria causing these infections suggests that most health care-associated infections are caused by harmless bacteria that patients already had on their bodies.

Link between Microbiome and Infections

Comparing the bacteria in the microbiome with the bacteria that cause different infections, such as pneumonia, diarrhea, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections, reveals a clear pattern. In most cases, the bacteria normally present on the body become responsible for infections when a person falls ill.

The Persistent Problem of Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections pose a significant challenge in health care-associated infections. These infections, following about 1 in 30 procedures, contribute the most to the annual costs of hospital-acquired infections. They are also responsible for hospital readmission and even death.

Hospitals have taken extraordinary measures to prevent surgical site infections, including sterilizing surgical equipment, using ultraviolet light for room sterilization, following strict surgical attire protocols, and monitoring airflow. Despite these efforts, surgical site infections continue to occur, and the problem shows no signs of improvement.

The Potential Source of Infections

Findings from recent research published in Science Translational Medicine shed light on the source of surgical site infections. The study reveals that a large number of surgical site infections after spinal surgery are caused by microbes that are already present on the patient’s skin. Strikingly, 86 percent of the bacteria causing infections were the same as the bacteria the patient carried before surgery.

Implications for Infection Prevention

Understanding that the patient’s own microbiome is the most probable source of surgical site infections opens up possibilities for new prevention strategies. Current protocols for infection prevention, such as broad-spectrum antibiotics and topical antiseptics, may need to be personalized based on the patient’s microbiome. Personalized approaches have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of infection prevention practices and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

While there is more research needed to fully comprehend the implications and develop targeted antimicrobial strategies, the shift toward patient-centered, individualized infection prevention is crucial to progress.

Conclusion

The research presented here challenges the long-held belief that hospital superbugs are the primary cause of health care-associated infections. Instead, it highlights the role of the patient’s own microbiome and the bacteria already present on their body as the main culprits. By understanding this connection, medical teams can explore personalized prevention approaches that may significantly reduce the prevalence of surgical site infections. Although further investigations are necessary, the potential to shift infection prevention strategies toward a patient-centered model offers hope for a brighter future in health care.

This article is based on research conducted by Dustin Long, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, and Chloe Bryson-Cahn, Associate Professor of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington.