Molecular Surveillance and Prediction of Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Northern Alberta, Canada, 2015 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study was to describe molecular surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the North Zone of Alberta (NZ) and to determine its value in predicting antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: Sequence types (STs) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays were performed on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) samples. Sequence types of NAATs were matched to ST of cultures from across Alberta. Antimicrobial resistance prediction of NAATs for cephalosporins, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin using SNP was compared with matching ST culture results using agar dilution and whole-genome sequencing. RESULTS: Of 2755 eligible specimens (2492 cases), 61.9% (1646 specimens) were sent for sequence typing, identifying 196 unique ST. Antimicrobial resistance data for 1307 additional cases were available using matching cultures. Decreased susceptibility (DS) to antimicrobials used for gonorrhea treatment was rare in the NZ; according to the SNP assay, none of the specimens had predicted DS to cephalosporins or azithromycin resistance. However, of the NZ NAAT samples tested in this study, 10.7% (131 of 1220) were predicted to have intermediate cephalosporin minimum inhibitory concentrations and 9.6% (115 of 1204) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Based on cultures, the proportions of resistance in all of Alberta were as follows: DS to cephalosporins, 0.6% (20 of 3373); DS to intermediate cephalosporin, 16.9% (570 of 3373); azithromycin resistance, 1.2% (41 of 3373); and ciprofloxacin resistance, 32.2% (1087 of 3373). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight our ability to use culture-independent methods to predict antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae.

Evaluation of 5 commercial assays for the detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and other Urogenital Mycoplasmas.

The focus on urogenital mycoplasmas as the possible etiologic agents of urogenital infections and syndromes, has increased in the last decade. Of these, Mycoplasma genitalium is proven to be pathogenic and sexually transmitted. We compared five commercially available assays for the detection of these organisms in urogenital mycoplasma culture specimen remnants. Stored specimen remnants were tested on Aptima Mycoplasma genitalium, Allplex™ STI Essential and CGMT, ResitancePlus®MG and Allplex™ MG & AziR Assays. All positive M. genitalium specimens and culture negative, nucleic acid positive Ureaplasmas were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory for confirmation. The Aptima Mycoplasma genitalium assay detected 7 M. genitalium infections, the Allplex™ STI-EA and the Allplex™ CGMT detected 6 M. genitalium positives, and the Allplex™MG and AziR and SpeeDx ResistancePlus® MG detected 5 M. genitalium positives, four with macrolide resistant genes. The Allplex™ STI Essential assay was 100% sensitive and specific for Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma targets. As seen in other studies, the Aptima Mycoplasma genitalium assay was 100% sensitive and specific for the detection of M. genitalium. The multiplex assays had lower sensitivities for M. genitalium detection (Allplex™ STI Essential and CGMT sensitivity of 85.71%; Allplex™ MG & AziR and SpeeDx ResistancePlus® MG sensitivity of 71.43%) with high specificities of 100%. Assays tested have high sensitivities and specificities for the detection of urogenital mycoplasmas especially M. genitalium macrolide resistance markers. All labs wanting to perform onsite detection of these organisms will find an assay to easily fit into their workflow.

Equations To Predict Antimicrobial MICs in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Using Molecular Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants.

The emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains that are resistant to azithromycin and extended-spectrum cephalosporins represents a public health threat, that of untreatable gonorrhea infections. Multivariate regression modeling was used to determine the contributions of molecular antimicrobial resistance determinants to the overall antimicrobial MICs for ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and penicillin. A training data set consisting of 1,280 N. gonorrhoeae strains was used to generate regression equations which were then applied to validation data sets of Canadian (n = 1,095) and international (n = 431) strains. The predicted MICs for extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime) were fully explained by 5 amino acid substitutions in PenA, A311V, A501P/T/V, N513Y, A517G, and G543S; the presence of a disrupted mtrR promoter; and the PorB G120 and PonA L421P mutations. The correlation of predicted MICs within one doubling dilution to phenotypically determined MICs of the Canadian validation data set was 95.0% for ceftriaxone, 95.6% for cefixime, 91.4% for azithromycin, 98.2% for tetracycline, 90.4% for ciprofloxacin, and 92.3% for penicillin, with an overall sensitivity of 99.9% and specificity of 97.1%. The correlations of predicted MIC values to the phenotypically determined MICs were similar to those from phenotype MIC-only comparison studies. The ability to acquire detailed antimicrobial resistance information directly from molecular data will facilitate the transition to whole-genome sequencing analysis from phenotypic testing and can fill the surveillance gap in an era of increased reliance on nucleic acid assay testing (NAAT) diagnostics to better monitor the dynamics of N. gonorrhoeae.

An unusual case of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae prosthetic joint infection from the Canadian Arctic: whole genome sequencing unable to identify a zoonotic source.

BACKGROUND: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic pathogen that causes erysipeloid and is most frequently associated with exposure to domestic swine. Infection of native and prosthetic joints is a rarely reported manifestation. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of E. rhusiopathiae prosthetic joint infection in a woman with a history of exposure to wild animals in the Canadian Arctic. Patient management involved a 1-stage surgical revision exchange with an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer and 6 weeks of intravenous penicillin G followed by 6 weeks of oral amoxicillin. Ten previously reported cases of E. rhusiopathiae joint infection are reviewed. Recent increases in mortality due to infection with this organism among host animal populations in the Canadian Arctic have generated concern regarding a potential increase in human infections. However, whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the organism was unable to identify a zoonotic origin for this case. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to E. rhusiopathiae as a cause of joint infections if the appropriate epidemiologic and host risk factors exist. Expanded use of WGS in other potential animal hosts and environmental sources may provide important epidemiologic information in determining the source of human infections.

A Comparison of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for the Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Markers and Sequence Typing From Clinical Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Samples and Matched Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect antimicrobial resistance-associated mutations were tested on Neisseria gonorrhoeae-positive clinical samples with matched isolates. Of the nucleic acid amplification tests/cultures, 87.7% (64/73), 98.6% (72/73), and 98.4% (62/63) predicted cephalosporin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin susceptibilities, respectively. N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence type was correctly predicted for 98.7% (79/80), and 13 of 58 N. gonorrhoeae-negative specimens showed false-positive results.

Trichomonas vaginalis Prevalence and Correlates in Women and Men Attending STI Clinics in Western Canada.

Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence (2.8%) in female sexually transmitted infection clinic attendees was within the prevalence of chlamydia (5.8%) and gonorrhea (1.8%), while being very low for male attendees (0.2%). Correlates among women were indigenous ethnicity, other ethnicity, and being symptomatic.

Mycoplasma genitalium Antibiotic Resistance-Mediating Mutations in Canadian Women With or Without Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection.

Testing remnant Aptima specimens from women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis detected 13.4% (53/396) with Mycoplasma genitalium compared with 5.4% (22/406) in matched C. trachomatis-negative women. Overall, 9.4% (provincial ranges of 3-20%) were infected with M. genitalium and resistance mediating mutations were found in 47.3% (26/55) to macrolides and 1.9% (1/53) to fluoroquinolones by sequencing.

Use of the APTIMA Combo 2 Assay and a Secondary Algorithm to Detect and Confirm Chlamydia trachomatis in Rectal-Only Infections.

We sought to confirm the results of 81 rectal specimens positive for Chlamydia trachomatis by the APTIMA Combo 2 assay among patients with concurrently collected negative genitourinary specimens. A total of 79 (97.5%) samples were confirmed by the APTIMA single target assay and/or sequencing of the C. trachomatis ompA gene.

Eosinophilia: A poor predictor of Strongyloides infection in refugees.

BACKGROUND: Canada resettles 10,000 to 12,000 refugees annually. Despite this being a highly vulnerable population, there are little Canadian data on subclinical tropical diseases harboured in this population over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroprevalence and predictors of Strongyloides infection in refugees arriving in Edmonton, Alberta. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all refugees seen at the New Canadians Clinic between March 2009 and April 2010 was performed. Demographic, symptom and physical examination data were collected from the charts. Laboratory results were obtained from the electronic laboratory records. RESULTS: A total of 350 subjects were studied. The overall seroprevalence of strongyloidiasis was 4.6%. Equivocal results were found in 6.3%. In the positive group, the majority were male (62.5%); 75% were born in Africa (P=0.004) and 81.2% lived in refugee camps in Africa (P=0.002). Eosinophilia was present in 25% of the positive subjects (P=0.05), in none of the equivocal group and in 8.7% of the negative group. DISCUSSION: Persistent asymptomatic Strongyloides infection is maintained for years through autoinfection. Traditionally, eosinophilia was used as one of the key tools to diagnose chronic but stable diseases, but it was shown to have a poor predictive value for strongyloidiasis in returning expatriates as well as in those presenting with a disseminated form of the disease. It is important to raise awareness of the severe limitations of eosinophilia as a marker for strongyloidiasis when managing patients who either are immunocompromised, or about to start immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated that eosinophilia is a poor predictor of seropositivity and, thus, Strongyloides infection. Residence in Africa (birth/refugee camps) proved to be a significantly better predictor of Strongyloides seropositivity.

HISTORIQUE: Le Canada accueille de 10 000 à 12 000 réfugiés par année. Même s'il s'agit d'une population hautement vulnérable, depuis 20 ans, peu de données canadiennes ont porté sur les maladies tropicales subcliniques, dont cette population est atteinte. OBBJECTIF: Déterminer la séroprévalence et les prédicteurs de l'infection à Strongyloides chez les réfugiés qui arrivent à Edmonton, en Alberta. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont procédé à l'examen rétrospectif des dossiers de tous les réfugiés vus à la New Canadians Clinic de mars 2009 à avril 2010. Ils ont colligé les renseignements démographiques et les données relatives aux symptômes et à l'examen physique à partir des dossiers et obtenu les résultats de laboratoire dans les dossiers électroniques de laboratoire. RÉSULTATS: Au total, les chercheurs ont étudié 350 sujets. Ils ont constaté une séroprévalence globale de strongyloïdiase de 4,6 % et ont obtenu des résultats équivoques dans 6,3 % des cas. Dans le groupe positif, la majorité était de sexe masculin (62,5 %), 75 % étaient nés en Afrique (P=0,004) et 81,2 % avaient vécu dans des camps de réfugiés d'Afrique (P=0,002). Ils ont observé la présence d'éosinophiles chez 25 % des sujets positifs (P=0,05), chez aucun des sujets du groupe aux résultats équivoques et chez 8,7 % des sujets du groupe négatif. EXPOSÉ: L'infection à Strongyloides asymptomatique persistante perdure des années à cause de l'auto-infection. On avait l'habitude d'utiliser les éosinophiles comme l'un des principaux outils diagnostiques des maladies chroniques, mais stables, mais les chercheurs ont établi qu'ils ont une mauvaise valeur prédictive de strongyloïdiase chez les expatriés et chez les personnes atteintes de la forme disséminée de la maladie. Il est important de sensibiliser les médecins aux limites importantes des éosinophiles comme marqueur de la strongyloïdias dans la prise en charge des patients qui sont soit immunodéprimés, soit sur le point d'entreprendre un traitement immunosuppressif. CONCLUSIONS: Selon la présente étude, les éosinophiles sont un mauvais prédicteur de séropositivité et, par conséquent, de l'infection à Strongyloides. Le fait d'avoir résidé en Afrique (y être né ou avoir habité dans un camp de réfugiés) constituait un prédicteur beaucoup plus fiable de séropositivité à Strongyloides.

A review of 11 years of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia blood isolates at a tertiary care institute in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has emerged as a significant nosocomial pathogen with increasing resistance to trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), the current drug of choice for treatment. OBJECTIVES: To describe the microbiological and clinical characteristics of S maltophilia bloodstream infections (BSIs) over an 11-year period at a tertiary care centre in Canada. METHODS: All adult S maltophilia BSIs from 1999 to 2009 in a 750-bed tertiary care teaching hospital (University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta) were identified through the infection control nosocomial infection surveillance program. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the infection control database and from patient charts. Microbiological data were confirmed through the laboratory information system. RESULTS: Twenty-five episodes of S maltophilia BSI (0.9% of all BSIs) involving 24 patients were identified between 1999 and 2009. The patient age range was 18 to 83 years (average 45.7 years). The majority were men (14 of 24 [58.3%]). The mean length of hospital stay was 83.3 days (range eight to 310 days). The rate of S maltophilia BSIs per 1000 admissions ranged from 0.04 to 0.22 (average 0.09). Greater than one-half of the episodes (13 of 25 [52%]) were admitted to the intensive care unit before BSI onset. Laboratory data were available for 24 of the 25 isolates. Polymicrobial infections were present in 11 of 24 (45.8%) patients. Resistance to TMP/SMX occurred in 8.3% of all infections. Fifteen per cent of isolates were resistant to ticarcillin/clavulanate. Mortality attributed to bacteremia was 16.7%. CONCLUSIONS: In the University of Alberta Hospital, the rate of S maltophilia BSI remains low and constant, and TMP/SMX remains the drug of choice for treatment.

HISTORIQUE: Le Stenotrophomonas maltophilia a émergé comme un pathogène nosocomial important de plus en plus résistant au triméthoprim-sulphaméthoxazole (TMP-SMX), le traitement de choix actuel. OBJECTIFS: Décrire les caractéristiques microbiologiques et cliniques des infections du sang (IS) à S maltophilia sur une période de onze ans dans un centre de soins tertiaires du Canada. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont retenu tous les adultes ayant contracté une IS à S maltophilia entre 1999 et 2009 dans un hôpital d'enseignement de soins tertiaires de 750 lits (University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta) par le programme de surveillance des infections nosocomiales du Contrôle des infections. Ils ont tiré les données démographiques et cliniques des bases de données du Contrôle des infections et des dossiers des patients. Ils ont confirmé les données microbiologiques par le système d'information en laboratoire. RÉSULTATS: Les chercheurs ont constaté 25 épisodes d'IS à S maltophilia (0,9 % de toutes les IS), touchant 24 patients entre 1999 et 2009. Les patients avaient de 18 à 83 ans (moyenne de 45,7 ans), étaient majoritairement de sexe masculin (14 sur 24 [58,3 %]) et ils avaient été hospitalisés pendant une durée moyenne de 83,3 jours (plage de huit à 310 jours). Le taux d'IS à S maltophilia sur 1 000 hospitalisations oscillait entre 0,04 et 0,22 (moyenne 0,09). Plus de la moitié des épisodes (13 sur 25 [52 %]) s'étaient produits chez des patients hospitalisés à l'unité de soins intensifs avant l'apparition de l'IS. Les chercheurs possédaient les données de laboratoire de 24 des 25 isolats et ont relevé des infections polymicrobiennes chez 11 des 24 patients (45,8 %). Ils ont observé une résistance au TMP-SMX dans 8,3 % de toutes les infections. Quinze pour cent des isolats étaient résistants à la ticarcilline-clavulanate. La mortalité attribuée à la bactériémie s'élevait à 16,7 %. CONCLUSIONS: À l'University of Alberta Hospital, le taux d'IS à S maltophilia demeure faible et constant, et le TMP-SMX demeure le médicament de choix pour traiter cette infection.

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network guidelines for the use of point-of-care tests for Treponema pallidum in Canada.

Over the past few years, the increase in infectious syphilis outbreaks in major urban centres and remote or rural locations in Canada, often affecting hard-to-reach patient populations, has renewed an interest and urgency in studying the use of point-of-care tests (POCTs) that can provide test results at the time and place of primary health care delivery, obviating the repeat visit necessary with traditional syphilis serology or molecular diagnostic tests. In 2015, the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network released its first laboratory guideline for the use of POCTs in the diagnosis of syphilis in Canada. Although Canada has no licensed POCT, two POCTs (Syphilis Health Check and the DPP® HIV Syphilis System) have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval under premarket approval applications. Most syphilis POCTs detect antibodies to treponemal antigens, so their results cannot be used to differentiate between active and past infection. The only POCT that detects antibodies to both treponemal and non-treponemal antigens does not yet have Health Canada or FDA approval. In this updated guideline, the current landscape of POCTs for syphilis, with an emphasis on data from low-prevalence countries, is described. Individual operators should consider the questions of where, when, how, and why a POCT is used before its actual implementation. Training in the operation and interpretation, quality control, proficiency program, safety, and careful documentation of the process and results are especially important for the successful implementation of POCTs.

Depuis quelques années, la recrudescence des éclosions de syphilis infectieuses dans les grands centres urbains et dans les régions éloignées ou rurales du Canada, qui touchent souvent des populations de patients difficiles à atteindre, a renouvelé l'intérêt pour l'étude des tests au point de service (TPDS) et l'urgence de les réaliser, afin d'obtenir des résultats au moment et au lieu de prestation des soins de santé primaires et d'ainsi éviter le deuxième rendez-vous après le test diagnostique sérologique ou moléculaire habituel de la syphilis. En 2015, le Réseau des laboratoires de santé publique du Canada a publié son premier guide de laboratoire pour l'utilisation des TPDS afin de diagnostiquer la syphilis au Canada. Même si le Canada ne possède pas de TPDS homologué, deux TPDS (Syphilis Health Check et HIV Syphilis System de DPPMD) ont été homologués par la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) des États-Unis en vertu des demandes d'autorisation précommercialisation. La plupart des TPDS de la syphilis décèlent les anticorps contre les antigènes tréponémiques, si bien que les résultats ne peuvent pas servir à distinguer une infection active d'une infection passée. Le seul TPDS qui détecte des anticorps contre les antigènes tréponémiques et non tréponémiques n'est pas encore homologué par Santé Canada ni par la FDA. Dans la présente mise à jour des directives, les chercheurs décrivent le paysage actuel des TPDS de la syphilis et s'attardent sur les données des pays où la prévalence est faible. Chaque opérateur devrait se demander où, quand, pourquoi et comment le TPDS est utilisé avant d'en amorcer la mise en œuvre. La formation sur l'utilisation, l'interprétation, le contrôle de la qualité, le programme de vérification de la compétence, l'innocuité et la consignation attentive du processus et des résultats revêt une importance particulière pour assurer la mise en œuvre réussie des TPDS.

Autochthonous North American Leprosy: A Second Case in Canada.

Autochthonous leprosy was reported in the Southern USA in 2011 and has comprised an average of 34% of new cases from 2015 to 2020 in that country. We report a similar case in a patient from Western Canada. A 50-year old male patient presented with a four-year history of a chronic rash. Pathology stains revealed acid-fast bacilli prompting specialist referral. Examination was suspicious for leprosy, which was confirmed on slit skin smears and molecular testing. The patient responded well to treatment. Genotypic testing mapped the organism to the 3I-2 SNP type, which is of European origin and is the type found in implicated armadillo species in North America.

Global phylogeny of Treponema pallidum lineages reveals recent expansion and spread of contemporary syphilis.

Syphilis, which is caused by the sexually transmitted bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, has an estimated 6.3 million cases worldwide per annum. In the past ten years, the incidence of syphilis has increased by more than 150% in some high-income countries, but the evolution and epidemiology of the epidemic are poorly understood. To characterize the global population structure of T. pallidum, we assembled a geographically and temporally diverse collection of 726 genomes from 626 clinical and 100 laboratory samples collected in 23 countries. We applied phylogenetic analyses and clustering, and found that the global syphilis population comprises just two deeply branching lineages, Nichols and SS14. Both lineages are currently circulating in 12 of the 23 countries sampled. We subdivided T. p. pallidum into 17 distinct sublineages to provide further phylodynamic resolution. Importantly, two Nichols sublineages have expanded clonally across 9 countries contemporaneously with SS14. Moreover, pairwise genome analyses revealed examples of isolates collected within the last 20 years from 14 different countries that had genetically identical core genomes, which might indicate frequent exchange through international transmission. It is striking that most samples collected before 1983 are phylogenetically distinct from more recently isolated sublineages. Using Bayesian temporal analysis, we detected a population bottleneck occurring during the late 1990s, followed by rapid population expansion in the 2000s that was driven by the dominant T. pallidum sublineages circulating today. This expansion may be linked to changing epidemiology, immune evasion or fitness under antimicrobial selection pressure, since many of the contemporary syphilis lineages we have characterized are resistant to macrolides.

Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance in Gonorrhea: The Alberta Model, 2012⁻2016.

Alberta established a surveillance system in 2001 to monitor resistance to antibiotics used for the treatment of gonorrhea. A retrospective review of gonorrhea cases during the last five years was conducted. All cases of gonorrhea were reportable to public health by testing laboratories and clinicians. Specimens were primarily submitted for nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT); three sentinel sites obtained specimens for culture and NAAT. The Provincial Laboratory for Public Health conducted E-tests on isolates for multiple antibiotics. A proportion of isolates and NAAT specimens were submitted to the National Microbiology Laboratory for sequence typing (ST). Data were combined and analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Between 2012 and 2016, 13,132 gonorrhea cases were reported; 22.0% (n = 2891) had isolates available for susceptibility testing. All culture positive isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone. Decreased susceptibility (0.5 ug/mL) to cefixime was reported in four cases in 2014. Resistance to azithromycin (≥2 ug/mL) ranged between 0.4% and 1.8%. Many (n = 509) unique STs were identified; the most prevalent sequence groups (SG) were SG-7638 (n = 367), SG-5985 (n = 145), and SG-11299 (n = 127). The Alberta model for maintaining surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea employs culture and NAAT specimens, providing information crucial to informing provincial treatment guidelines.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium among STI clinic attendees in Western Canada: a cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection among men and women, determine the prevalence of gene mutations conferring resistance and compare test performance of female specimen types. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on specimens collected for gonorrhoea (NG, Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and chlamydia (CT, Chlamydia trachomatis) among male and female Alberta STI clinic attendees using the M. genitalium transcription-mediated amplification-research use only test. Positive specimens were sequenced for 23SrRNA, parC and gyrA genes. Gender-stratified analysis compared test results using χ2 or Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression. Female endocervical and urine specimens were compared. RESULTS: A total of 2254 individuals were tested; 53.8% (n=1212) were male. Male prevalence of MG was 5.3%; CT was 5.9% and NG was 1.8%. Correlates of male infection were a non-gonococcal urethritis diagnosis and NG coinfection. MG prevalence for women was 7.2%; CT was 5.8% and NG was 1.8%. Correlates of female infection were younger age, Indigenous/Other ethnicity and CT/NG coinfection. Nearly two-thirds of eligible specimens had mutations associated with macrolide resistance and 12.2% of specimens had a parC mutation signifying possible moxifloxacin resistance. There was high concordance (98.1%) of results between urine and endocervical swabs. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of MG relative to CT and NG supports the incorporation of MG testing into routine sexually transmissible infection screening. The high rate of resistance to macrolides and moxifloxacin raises concerns about treatment options. The good concordance of results between urine and endocervical swabs supports the use of female urine specimens for testing.

Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis Due to Abiotrophia defectiva: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Abiotrophia defectiva is a fastidious aerobic gram-positive bacterium which is part of the normal flora of the human oral cavity. It is an unusual cause of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a man in his fifties with end-stage renal failure secondary to polycystic kidney disease who presented with a cloudy peritoneal fluid effluent and a cell count of 35 620 × 106 cells/L with 90% polymorphonuclear cells. The fluid was cultured per unit protocol, and the organism was identified as Abiotrophia defectiva. Post-peritonitis dialysis technique review revealed frequent lapses in the use of facemask and hand washing during cycler connection and disconnection. The patient responded well to vancomycin; however, he subsequently developed ultrafiltration failure and symptoms of fluid overload and uremia and was transferred to home hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Abiotrophia defectiva is an unusual cause of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis. The organism is a normal commensal of the oral cavity and may cause peritonitis in patients with nonadherence to dialysis technique. In our case, the infection was followed by peritoneal membrane failure and transfer to hemodialysis. It remains to be seen if peritonitis with Abiotrophia defectiva heralds a worse outcome.

MISE EN CONTEXTE: Une des causes inhabituelles de péritonites en situation de dialyse péritonéale est attribuée à Abiotrophia defectiva, une bactérie à Gram positif aérobie et exigeante qui fait partie de la flore normale de la cavité buccale. PRÉSENTATION DU CAS: Nous présentons le cas d'un patient âgé de 51 ans atteint d'insuffisance rénale terminale à la suite d'une maladie polykystique des reins (MPR). Le patient présentait des effluents de liquide péritonéal troubles dont le compte cellulaire évalué à 35 620 × 106 cellules/L comportait 90 % de cellules polymorphonucléaires. Le fluide a été recueilli selon le protocole de l'unité de dialyse et le microorganisme responsable de l'infection identifié comme étant Abiotrophia defectiva. L'examen de la technique de dialyse après la péritonite a révélé de fréquentes lacunes dans le port du masque ou dans le lavage des mains au moment du branchement ou du débranchement du cycleur. Le patient a bien répondu au traitement antibiotique par la vancomycine, mais a tout de même connu une défaillance de microfiltration et développé des symptômes de surcharge liquidienne ainsi que d'urémie à la suite de sa péritonite, ce qui a nécessité son transfert sur hémodialyse à domicile. CONCLUSIONS: La bactérie Abiotrophia defectiva est une cause inhabituelle de péritonite reliée à la dialyse péritonéale. Ce microorganisme est un commensal normal de la cavité buccale et peut causer des péritonites chez les patients qui ne suivent pas les consignes strictes de cette technique de dialyse. Dans le cas présenté, l'infection a été suivie d'une défaillance de la membrane péritonéale qui a nécessité le transfert du patient sur hémodialyse. Il reste à démontrer si les cas de péritonites par Abiotrophia defectiva s'avèrent annonciateurs d'un pronostic aussi pessimiste.

Post-arrival screening for malaria in asymptomatic refugees using real-time PCR.

Malaria is a significant health risk to refugee populations originating from endemic areas, but there is little consensus on screening and/or treatment approaches for malaria in this population. Furthermore, detection of malaria in semi-immune asymptomatic refugees is limited by the sensitivity of diagnostic tests used for screening. We determined the prevalence of malaria by microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a consecutive population of 324 asymptomatic refugees examined in Edmonton, Canada, during 2009-2010. Although all thick and thin blood smear results were negative, 10 subjects (3.1%) tested PCR positive for Plasmodium DNA. Interestingly, 6 of 10 PCR positive subjects are at risk of malaria relapse by P. vivax or P. ovale infections. These results suggest that appropriate guidelines for malaria screening should consider the risk of relapsing infections, and they highlight the potential usefulness of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of asymptomatic malaria.