First description in Europe of the emergence of Enterococcus faecium ST117 carrying both vanA and vanB genes, isolated in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: An Enterococcus faecium isolate (Efa-125) carrying both the vanA and vanB genes was recovered from a patient with bacteraemia treated in a Greek hospital. Since this is the first description in Europe of E. faecium carrying both vanA and vanB genes, the isolate was further studied. METHODS: Susceptibility to several antibiotics was determined using the VITEK®2 automated system. The isolate was typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). To define the genetic units of the vanA and vanB genes, the plasmid content of Efa-125 was analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of total DNA digested with S1 nuclease followed by hybridisation with digoxigenin-labelled vanA and vanB probes. In addition, plasmids and chromosomes were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. RESULTS: E. faecium Efa-125 belonged to ST117 and expressed resistance both to vancomycin and teicoplanin, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for both of 256mg/L. The vanA gene was carried on a 29 320-bp plasmid exhibiting high similarity to pA6981 previously characterised from Enterococcus gallinarum A6981, whereas vanB was part of a Tn1549-like transposon integrated into the chromosome. Expression of the VanA phenotype was correlated with the presence of intact vanZ and vanS genes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detection in Greece of vanA-vanB genotype/VanA phenotype E. faecium and indicates an evolving epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Thermal capsular shrinkage: Basic science and clinical applications.

Recently, the use of thermal energy to shrink the redundant glenohumeral joint capsule in patients with instability has generated a great deal of interest. Proponents assert that the procedure avoids the need for an open stabilization and it may be used as an adjunct to an open or arthroscopic capsulolabral repair. The use of nonablative thermal energy to shrink soft-tissue collagen appears to induce ultra-structural and mechanical changes at or above 60 degrees C. The microscopic changes reflect the unwinding of the collagen triple helix and loss of the fiber orientation. The fibrils contract into a shortened state and reactive fibroblasts have been shown to grow into this treated area and synthesize the collagen matrix. The biomechanical properties of the tissue do not appear to be detrimentally altered if shrinkage is limited to less than 15% and if ablation or excess focal treatment is avoided. The endpoint of optimal shrinkage is not known and clinical estimations of tissue changes and volumetric reduction are used as guides to treatment. The first clinical follow-up study was only recently published in the peer-reviewed literature and prior preliminary reports were optimistic regarding the use of thermal energy for the treatment of glenohumeral instability. Thermal capsular shrinkage has been used as an adjunct to a capsulolabral repair, as well as an isolated treatment for the disorders of internal impingement and multidirectional instability. Additional evaluation is necessary to determine the optimal quantity of energy needed for tissue shrinkage without inadvertent tissue destruction. The long-term clinical effect, mechanical properties, and durability of the newly produced collagen need to be analyzed further. The basic science and clinical applications of this newly applied technology are reviewed in this article.

Gender disparity of anterior cruciate ligament injury. Etiological theories in the female athlete.

The gender disparity of anterior cruciate ligament injury has recently been demonstrated and is striking. Numerous etiological factors have been implicated but definitive causation has not yet been determined. An overview of the various hypotheses has been presented and it appears that the etiology is multifactorial. The intrinsic factors are primarily anatomical and cannot be altered in an effort to reduce injury rate. Presently, neuromuscular factors appear to be the most contributory to female ACL injury. Physicians, trainers, and coaches participating in the care of female athletes should encourage proper conditioning. A particular emphasis should be placed on hamstring and gastrocnemius strengthening, as female athletes tend to be quadriceps dominant. Movement training that encourages landing and pivoting with increased knee flexion should also be emphasized. Structured plyometric and jump training programs have been documented to significantly reduce the rate of female ACL injury and continued research in this area may provide more explanation to the gender disparity of ACL injury rates.