Vaginal Cuff Infection After Hysterectomy in Ukraine

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To obtain the first estimates of the current prevalence of vaginal cuff infection after hysterectomy and antimicrobial resistance of causing pathogens in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study was based on surveillance data. The study population consisted of women who had an abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy from 2017 to 2019 in 7 women hospitals of Ukraine. Definitions of vaginal cuff infections were used from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network, USA. RESULTS: Results: Total 12.6% women's after hysterectomy had vaginal cuff infections. Of these cases, 20.3% after abdominal, 15.5% vaginal and 4.1% laparoscopic hysterectomy were identified. The predominant pathogens of VCUF infections were: Escherichia coli (18.6%), Enterobacter spp. (12.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.8%), Streptococcus spp. (9,7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (7,0%) and Proteus spp. (7.0%). Methicillin-resistance was observed in 12.9% of S. aureus (MRSA) and 9.7% CoNS. Carbapenem resistance was identified in 7.3% of P.aeruginosa isolates. Resistance to thirdgeneration cephalosporins was observed in 8.9% K. pneumoniae and E.coli 11.9% isolates. The overall proportion of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) production among Enterobacteriaceae was 22.7%. The prevalence of ESBL production among E. coli isolates was significantly higher than in K. pneumoniae (32.6%, vs 12.3%). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Vaginal cuff infections in women after hysterectomy are common in Ukraine and most of these infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The incidence of VCUF infections after hysterectomy differs depending on the type of surgical procedure.