Phage type and DNA plasmid profile of Salmonella typhimurium isolates in the area of Isernia, Italy.

Thirty-eight Salmonella typhimurium strains isolated from December 1987 to March 1988 in Isernia, Central Italy, were characterized on the basis of their phage type, resistance to antimicrobials and plasmid profiles. According to their phage types, the isolates could be assigned to one of six groups, the prevalent one being PT 195 which accounted for 73.6% of isolates. On the basis of their plasmid content, the isolates could be assigned to one of ten groups. The prevalent plasmid profile (60.0; 6.0; 4.3; 4.0; 3.2 megadaltons) was found in 60.4% of isolates. All the isolates from a particular food (salsicce), and as most of isolates from humans who had consumed this food belonged to phage type 195 and were of the same plasmid profile. The combined use of phage typing and DNA plasmid analysis proved to be a useful tool in identifying epidemiologically related isolates in this investigation.

[Microbiological study of 386 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in a 30-month span in the Isernia area with special reference to an antimicrobial assay carried out with the ABAC system on 214 of them]. / Studio microbiologico di 386 ceppi di "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" isolati in un arco di tempo di 30 mesi presso la U.S.L. di Isernia con particolare riferimento al saggio antimicrobico effettuato con tecnica ABAC su 214 di essi.

386 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in the "F. Veneziale" Hospital Laboratory and Public Health Laboratory in Isernia (Italy) from April 1982 to September 1984 were examined by serological typing according to Habs scheme. Susceptibility to 16 antibiotics was evaluated for 214 of them with the ABAC system. Strains from hospitalized patients were also considered for isolation site and hospital service. Among the 14 different serotypes isolated the O12 serotype ranked first accounting for 31.6% of all isolates. Only 25 strains were untypable (6.5%). Tobramycin resulted the most effective antibiotic in inhibiting Ps. aeruginosa in vitro. No clear relationship was found between serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Hospital strains showed marked antibiotic resistance compared to community strains from both patients and healthy carriers. Temporal analysis of antibiograms revealed an increasing incidence of resistant Ps. aeruginosa over time. The spread of antibiotic resistance, however, involved mainly hospital strains and was confined to aminoglycosides and anti-Pseudomonas beta-lactam agents.