Multilocus-sequence typing reveals clonality of Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is exacerbated by Staphylococcus aureus, which is capable of displacing not only the physiological microbiota, but also other strains of its own species. Analyses of the molecular characteristics and relationships of S. aureus strains present in different microniches are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To determine, using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), the relationship of S. aureus isolates from the lesional and nonlesional skin and anterior nares of patients with AD, and to review the characteristics of the dominant clones. METHODS: Sixty-three individuals with active AD were enrolled. Ten patients with moderate-to-severe AD (SCoring of Atopic Dermatitis score ≥ 25) colonized by S. aureus in all analysed locations were included in the MLST analysis. RESULTS: The most prevalent sequence types were 7 (10/30 strains; 33.3%), 15 and 97 (both 5/30 strains; 16.7%) all of which were associated with the expression of adhesins and toxins promoting chronic microbial dysbiosis, skin barrier damage and inflammation. Six patients (60%) were carriers of clonal S. aureus strains at all analysed locations, three (30%) carriers in lesional and nonlesional skin, and one (10%) was a carrier in nonlesional skin and the anterior nares. CONCLUSIONS: The results imply that the identified S. aureus lineages are better adapted to dominate the microbiota in AD. Decontaminating the identified reservoirs of S. aureus (i.e. anterior nares and nonlesional skin) could reduce the severity of AD.

The Impact of Harsh Stratospheric Conditions on Survival and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Non-Spore Forming Multidrug Resistant Human Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Hospital-Associated Infections.

Bacteria are constantly being lifted to the stratosphere due to air movements caused by weather phenomena, volcanic eruptions, or human activity. In the upper parts of the atmosphere, they are exposed to extremely harsh and mutagenic conditions such as UV and space radiation or ozone. Most bacteria cannot withstand that stress, but for a fraction of them, it can act as a trigger for selective pressure and rapid evolution. We assessed the impact of stratospheric conditions on the survival and antibiotic resistance profile of common non-spore-forming human pathogenic bacteria, both sensitive and extremely dangerous multidrug-resistant variants, with plasmid-mediated mechanisms of resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not survive the exposure. In the case of strains that were recovered alive, the survival was extremely low: From 0.00001% of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the ndm-1 gene and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mecA-positive with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (MRSA/VISA), to a maximum of 0.001% of K. pneumoniae sensitive to all common antibiotics and S. aureus sensitive to vancomycin (MRSA/VSSA). We noticed a tendency towards increased antibiotic susceptibility after the stratospheric flight. Antimicrobial resistance is a current real, global, and increasing problem, and our results can inform current understandings of antibiotic resistance mechanisms and development in bacteria.

Enterotoxin Gene Cluster and selX Are Associated with Atopic Dermatitis Severity-A Cross-Sectional Molecular Study of Staphylococcus aureus Superantigens.

Staphylococcus aureus superantigens (SAgs) have been reported to aggravate atopic dermatitis. However, comprehensive analyses of these molecules in multiple microniches are lacking. The present study involved 50 adult patients with active atopic dermatitis. S. aureus was isolated from the lesional skin, nonlesional skin, and anterior nares. Multiplex-PCR was performed to identify genes encoding (1) selX (core genome); (2) seg, selI, selM, selN, selO, selU (enterotoxin gene cluster, EGC); and (3) sea, seb, sec, sed, see, tstH (classic SAgs encoded on other mobile genetic elements). The results were correlated to clinical parameters of the study group. selx and EGC were the most prevalent in all microniches. The number of SAg-encoding genes correlated between the anterior nares and nonlesional skin, and between the nonlesional and lesional skin. On lesional skin, the total number of SAg genes correlated with disease severity (total and objective SCORAD, intensity, erythema, edema/papulation, lichenification and dryness). Linear regression revealed that AD severity was predicted only by selx and EGC. This study revealed that selX and EGC are associated with atopic dermatitis severity. Anterior nares and nonlesional skin could be reservoirs of SAg-positive S. aureus. Restoring the physiological microbiome could reduce the SAg burden and alleviate syndromes of atopic dermatitis.

Genomic Insights of First ermB-Positive ST338-SCCmecVT/CC59 Taiwan Clone of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Poland.

We report the first Polish representative of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), lukS/F-PV-positive, encoding the ermB gene, as a genetic determinant of constitutive resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B antibiotics, cMLS-B. This is the first detection of the CA-MRSA strain responsible for nosocomial infection in the Warsaw Clinical Hospital. Resistance to ß-lactams associates with a composite genetic element, SCCmec cassette type VT (5C2&5). We assigned the strain to sequence type ST338 (single-locus variant of ST59), clonal complex CC59, spa-type t437, and agr-type I. Genomic-based comparison was designated SO574/12 as an international Taiwan clone, which has been so far described mainly in the Asia-Pacific region. The ermB gene locates on the chromosome within the 14,690 bp mobile element structure, i.e., the MESPM1-like structure, which also encodes aminoglycoside- and streptothricin-resistance genes. The MESPM1-like structure is a composite transposon containing Tn551, flanked by direct repeats of IS1216V insertion sequences, which probably originates from Enterococcus. The ermB is preceded by the 273 bp regulatory region that contains the regulatory 84 bp ermBL ORF, encoding the 27 amino acid leader peptides. The latest research suggests that a new leader peptide, ermBL2, also exists in the ermB regulatory region. Therefore, the detailed function of ermBL2 requires further investigations.

The Propensity to Form Biofilm in vitro by Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from the Anterior Nares of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Associations.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with complex pathogenesis. The skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis is dominated by Staphylococcus aureus which shows the ability to produce biofilm. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to assess the influence of S. aureus biofilm on the course of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Disease severity was evaluated based on the SCORAD index in 56 adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Microtiter plate assay of the propensity to form biofilm was performed on S. aureus strains isolated from the anterior nares, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Microbiological results were correlated to the clinical parameters and total IgE concentration. RESULTS: Biofilm-producing strains of S. aureus were identified in 76.3% (29/38) and 79.1% (34/43) of samples from the anterior nares and lesional skin, respectively (p > 0.05), and in 48.5% (16/33) of samples from nonlesional skin (p < 0.03). Patients colonized by biofilm-producing strains of S. aureus within the anterior nares showed statistically higher mean values of total and objective SCORAD and its components (extent, dryness), and of the largest extent of skin lesions during the flares in the last year when compared to patients colonized by non-biofilm-producing strains. Carriage of biofilm-producing S. aureus on lesional skin was associated with higher mean values of the extent of skin lesions during stable periods of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may suggest a relationship between the production of biofilm by S. aureus strains colonizing the anterior nares and the course of atopic dermatitis. Biofilm seems crucial for dispersal and persistent colonization of large areas of the skin by this pathogen. Destruction of S. aureus biofilm could positively affect the course of atopic dermatitis.

Correction to: Multiresistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a new threat in second decade of the XXI century.

The article "Multiresistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a new threat in second decade of the XXI century", written by Beata Mlynarczyk­Bonikowska, Anna Majewska, Magdalena Malejczyk, Grazyna Mlynarczyk, Slawomir Majewski was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on December 04, 2019 without open access.

Trends and Impact in Antimicrobial Resistance Among Bacteroides and Parabacteroides Species in 2007-2012 Compared to 2013-2017.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the susceptibility of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides spp. strains, isolated from patients hospitalized in the clinical hospital in Poland to penicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, imipenem, clindamycin, and metronidazole. Methods: We analyzed susceptibility of 476 isolates to routinely use for the treatment of anaerobic bacterial infections antibiotics. E test method was used to determining the minimal inhibitory concentration values. To show the trend of drug resistance, we compared data from two periods within the years 2003-2017. Results: Research results indicate that the problem of resistance is mainly related to strains belonging to non-fragilis Bacteroides. In the analyzed periods, there was an increase in the percentage of clindamycin-resistant isolates (35.21% vs. 53.33%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (2.83% vs. 8.15%), and imipenem (1.41% vs. 3.7%). In isolates belonging to Parabacteroides distasonis, we observed a constant high (∼50%) percentage of clindamycin-resistant strains. The overwhelming majority of B. fragilis strains were resistant to penicillin (>95%) and about 20% of the isolates were not susceptible to clindamycin. Conclusions: Clindamycin, due to the high and increasing percentage of resistant strains, may not be a good choice in the empirical therapy of infections caused by Bacteroides and P. distasonis. Our study highlighted the importance of a routine or at least periodic monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli, providing important information for appropriate therapy. The study shows that infection caused (or suspected of being caused) by Bacteroides and Parabacteroides spp. can be empirically treated with metronidazole or imipenem.

Analysis of Susceptibility to Selected Antibiotics in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Causing Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients over 8 Years: Single-Center Study.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections among kidney transplant (KTX) recipients. The purpose of this study was to analyze antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in four most common pathogens responsible for UTIs in KTX recipients and determine risk factors (RF) for resistance in the same group. Methods: Analyzed antibiograms were based on urine samples positive for bacterial growth of 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL obtained from hospitalized adult KTX recipients presenting with UTI symptoms upon admission to the center in years 2011-2018. Results: In total, 783 antibiograms were analyzed for Klebsiella pneumoniae (258 samples, 33.0%), Escherichia coli (212, 27.0%), Enterococcus faecalis (128, 24.0%), and Enterococcus faecium (125, 16.0%). The decrease in susceptibility of E. coli to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (62.9% vs. 40.0%) and ciprofloxacin (100% to 40.0%) was observed. Susceptibility to gentamicin increased from 33.3% to 92.9% in E. faecium. Susceptibility to tigecycline remained 100% through all years in case of E. faecalis and E. faecium. Male gender was a RF for resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (p = 0.008), ciprofloxacin (p = 0.0003), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (p = 0.00009), ceftriaxone (p = 0.0001), and cefuroxime axetil (p = 0.00038) in K. pneumoniae and against gentamicin in E. faecalis (p = 0.015). Higher resistance to ampicillin in E. faecalis (p = 0.012) and to ciprofloxacin (p = 0.0003), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (p = 0.007), piperacillin/tazobactam (p = 0.003), ceftriaxone (p = 0.001), and cefuroxime axetil (p = 0.013) in K. pneumoniae was observed in higher age groups of patients. Diabetes as a cause of kidney insufficiency (p = 0.026) and kidney-pancreas transplantation (p = 0.014) was RF for resistance to ceftriaxone in K. pneumoniae. Conclusions: AMR in uropathogens from KTX recipients fluctuated. There were identifiable RFs for resistance in the examined bacteria-antibiotic combinations. We recommend continuous mapping of site-specific microorganisms as etiology and susceptibility may vary between institutions and over time.

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonization increases the number of hospitalizations in patients after solid organ transplantation or with non-communicable diseases.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections could affect the rate of morbidity, mortality and post-discharge hospitalization among patients. They are also dangerous to healthcare professionals and generate significant cost to the healthcare system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence rate of colonization with various antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria among patients admitted to the Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study used retrospective analysis of patients (n = 280) with no clinical signs of infection admitted into the department between November 2015 and May 2017. The observational period lasted until January 2019. Collected data included sex, age at admission, location directly prior to current hospitalization, and medical history. Nasal and rectal swabs were collected, and stool and urine samples were obtained on the day of admission. Specimens were cultured according to standard microbiological procedures. In all cases, the appropriate bioMerieux (Marcy-l'Étoile, France) media were used. Isolates were identified using mass spectrometer (Vitek MS; bioMerieux). RESULTS: One-hundred ninety-one (68.2%) of patients were colonized with AR bacteria. The incidence of colonization was not influenced by age or sex. The risk of colonization was associated with admission from another hospital and history of kidney transplantation (p = 0.0136 and p < 0.001, respectively). The number of hospitalizations during the whole observational period was higher in the group of colonized patients compared to non-colonized (2.76 ±2.4 vs 2.07 ±1.68, p = 0.0099). The number of hospitalizations correlated positively with the number of positive cultures obtained from the same patients (rho = 0.18, p = 0.0274). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of colonization at admission to the ward could be high, depending on previous hospitalization and medical history. Colonization significantly increased post-discharge hospitalization rate.

Nasal Colonization by Staphylococci and Severity of Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) correlates with increased severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). The role of nasal SA carriage and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNSs) in AD is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of colonization of lesional/nonlesional skin and the anterior nares by SA and CNSs on AD severity in 63 adult patients. METHODS: Disease severity was assessed with SCORAD index. The total immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The prevalence and abundance of staphylococci were assessed with the combination of bacterial culture and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The prevalence values of SA within the skin (lesional/nonlesional) and anterior nares were 79.4%/61.9% and 69.8%, respectively (vs 5.6% and 13.9%, respectively in controls, P < 0.0001). The carriage of CNSs in all niches was associated with lower mean IgE concentration (1164.66 ± 1010.36 vs 1762.99 ± 1059.15, P < 0.0213; 1166.9 ± 1006.4 vs 2152.7 ± 759.2, P < 0.0063; 1022 ± 1100 vs 1925 ± 880.8, P < 0.0044, respectively). The abundance of SA correlated with the extent of skin lesions and total IgE (ρ = 0.42, P = 0.0007; ρ = 0.488, P < 0.0001; ρ = 0.312, P < 0.2; and ρ = 0.402, P = 0.0007; ρ = 0.403, P < 0.002; ρ = 0.287, P < 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Atopic dermatitis severity correlates with both cutaneous and nasal colonization by SA. Staphylococcus aureus seems to promote TH2-type response, whereas CNS probably limits this process. Preventive measures within the anterior nares should be considered for AD patients.

Is Itch Intensity in Atopic Dermatitis Associated with Skin Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus?

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic skin condition of unclear pathogenesis. Patients with AD are predisposed to colonization by Staphylococcus aureus due to deficiencies in the mechanical and immunological functions of the skin barrier. Recent studies indirectly show that S. aureus may aggravate disease flares in AD. AIMS: The aim was to assess the relationship between S. aureus skin colonization and itch intensity in patients with AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SCORAD index components reflecting itch intensity (excoriations, subjective evaluation of pruritus, and sleep loss) were assessed in 33 adult patients with AD. Swabs were taken from lesional and nonlesional skin. The prevalence and abundance of S. aureus were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate the microbiological results with the clinical parameters. The control group consisted of 36 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Lesional and nonlesional skin showed a high frequency of S. aureus colonization when compared with controls (81.8% and 57.6% vs 5.6%, respectively, P < 0.0001). The mean concentration (points) of S. aureus was 2.01 ± 1.25, 1.06 ± 1.14, and 0.11 ± 0.46, respectively (P < 0.0001). S. aureus abundance on lesional/nonlesional skin positively correlated with excoriations and sleep loss (rho = 0.69, P < 0.00001; rho = 0.44, P < 0.01; rho = 0.41, P < 0.02; and rho = 0.34, P < 0.05, respectively). The mean values of excoriations were higher in patients colonized by S. aureus than in patients without S. aureus carriage. CONCLUSION: S. aureus skin colonization may be one of the factors aggravating itch in AD. It may be hypothesized that restoring the natural composition of the skin microbiome may reduce pruritus intensity.

Multiresistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a new threat in second decade of the XXI century.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an etiologic agent of gonorrhoea, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria. For many years, infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae were considered to be relatively easy to treat; however, resistance has emerged successively to all therapeutic agents used in treatment of the disease, e.g., penicillin, ciprofloxacin or azithromycin. Currently, the global problem is the emergence and a threat of spread of N. gonorrhoeae strains resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC), such as injectable ceftriaxone and oral-used cefixime. Especially, dangerous are multi-resistant strains resistant simultaneously to ESC and azithromycin. Three strains with high-level resistance to azithromycin and resistant to ESC were first time isolated in 2018. Moreover, in 2018, the first ESBL was described in N. gonorrhoeae and that makes the threat of appearing the ESBL mechanism of resistance in N. gonorrhoeae more real, even though the strain was sensitive to ceftriaxone. Molecular typing revealed that variants resistant to ESC occurred also among strains belonging to epidemic clonal complex CC1 (genogroup G1407) distinguished in NG-MAST typing system. The G1407 genogroup, in particular the ST1407 sequence type, is currently dominant in most European countries. The presence of different mechanisms of drug resistance significantly affects clinical practice and force changes in treatment regimens and introduction of new drugs.

An Analysis of Resistance Patterns of Oral Streptococci Obtained from Orofacial Infections Against Beta-lactams, Clindamycin and Vancomycin over 2014-2018.

PURPOSE: Comparison of viridans group Streptococcus (VGS) susceptibility to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin and vancomycin in order to determine resistance rates to assess whether guidelines for prophylactic or therapeutic antibiotic treatment include the present resistance patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) over 4 consecutive years (2014-2017) and 4 months in 2018 for 779 VGS isolates (cumulative data). Isolates originated from pus from orofacial infections cases and tissue fragments from patients undergoing maxillofacial surgeries Results: The highest resistance rate was observed to clindamycin. The highest overall resistance rate was for Streptococcus parasanguinis 43% and S. constellatus 49%; the lowest was for S. anginosus 12%. All S. anginosus isolates were susceptible to ampicillin during tested period. All isolates of analysed species were susceptible to vancomycin through studied period. CONCLUSION: Due to high resistance levels, individual antibiotic susceptibility testing for strains should become mandatory.

Prevalence of methicillin resistant and mupirocin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains among medical students of Medical University in Warsaw

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism, which is able to colonize the human body without any pathogenic effect, but it also can cause life-threatening infections (opportunistic pathogen). Asymptomatic colonization with both methicillin resistant (MRSA) and methicillin susceptible (MSSA) S.aureus strains state is an important predisposing factor for infections. The risk of infection for carriers of MSSA is even three-times higher than for non-colonized people, and in the case of MRSA it is even four-times higher than in MSSA carriers. Carriers can be also a source of infection for other people, especially those belonging to high-risk groups. The drug of choice used for the local eradication of S.aureus is mupirocin (Mup). In recent years, the failure of decolonization therapy has been observed. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the level of colonization of S.aureus (MRSA or MSSA) among medical students and to evaluate the sensitivity of the strains to mupirocin. For MRSA/MupRSA isolates the molecular mechanism of resistance phenotype was determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 955 swabs from 2014-2016 from pre-clinical students of medicine of the Medical University of Warsaw. The strains were identified using Pastorex-Staph-Plus (BioRad) and/or the VITEK-MS system (Biomerieux), according to manufacturer's instructions. Susceptibility to methicillin and mupirocin was determined by disk diffusion and/or broth microdilution method, according to EUCAST. The presence of the mecA/mecC and mupA genes were detected with PCR technique. RESULTS: Asymptomatic colonization with S.aureus strains was found in 245/955 (25,7%) students, in particular years in the range of 21,7-29,9%. 243 isolates expressed the MSSA/MupSSA phenotype, one strain was resistant to mupirocin MSSA/MupRSA (genotype mecA/mecC-negative, mupA-positive) and one showed simultaneous resistance to methicillin and mupirocin (mecA/mupA-positive genotype). The level of MRSA and MupRSA colonization was 0,1% and 0,2%, respectively. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The level of S.aureus colonization among surveyed students, didn't differ from the norm for a generally healthy population, but showed an upward trend. The carriage of S.aureus, especially of multi-resistant strains among medical students at the beginning of their clinical activities, consist of a real threat to patients and other people.

Corynebacterium coyleae as potential urinary tract pathogen.

Corynebacterium coyleae is part of the commensal microflora of the skin, urethra, mucous membranes, and genital tract. Isolates from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) were reported, but the pathogenic potential of this species has not been defined yet. The aim of the study is to determine whether C. coyleae could be the etiological agent of UTI and to analyze its antibiotic susceptibility. Urine samples were cultured quantitatively according to accepted laboratory procedures. The identification of bacterial isolates was carried out using the Vitek MS (bioMérieux) and antibiotic susceptibility was tested using disc diffusion according to EUCAST guidelines. Between 1 January 2017 and 30 October 2018, a total of 39 C. coyleae strains were isolated. This represented 0.32% of all urine samples cultured in the laboratory during the collection period. The strains were isolated from samples obtained from 35 women and 3 men (age median for all-64 years). One female patient presented with C. coyleae in her urine twice at an interval of 21 months. In six cases of UTI, C. coyleae was isolated in monoculture. The isolates had the same resistance pattern. A total of 11 strains were obtained from cases with a clinical diagnosis of UTI. In 13 cases, the strain was cultured in a monoculture and in 28 cases with accompanying species. All strains were susceptible to vancomycin. However, resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed for 58.4% of the strains. Urine isolates of C. coyleae must be considered as contamination or normal flora in most cases (28/39, 72%). In the remaining cases, it can be considered as potential etiologic agents, mostly in women and especially in the 6 UTI cases where C. coyleae was found as the single culture-positive species. Several of these isolates demonstrate resistance to antibiotics commonly used in empiric treatment of urinary tract infections.

Treatment of late bacterial infections resulting from soft-tissue filler injections.

PURPOSE: Late bacterial infections (LBIs) after esthetic facial augmentation using hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are relatively rare yet severe complications that are difficult to treat. No adequate treatment standards have hitherto been formulated. We have bridged this gap by formulating a treatment scheme based on the principles of treating foreign-body implantation-related infections and treating bacterial growth in the form of biofilm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive scheme for treating LBI complications after facial augmentation using cross-linked HA fillers. METHODS: A total of 22 patients with LBI symptoms at a site of cross-linked HA injection underwent treatment and observation. The comprehensive treatment scheme formulated by Marusza and Netsvyetayeva (M&N scheme) comprised draining the lesion, dissolution of cross-linked HA with hyaluronidase, broad-spectrum antibiotic combination therapy, and use of probiotics. While 17 patients underwent the M&N scheme, the remaining five were treated with other schemes. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Mann-Whitney U and χ2 nonparametric tests with SAS 9.4 software. RESULTS: All 17 patients who underwent the M&N scheme experienced resolution of symptoms, with no recurrence of infection at the HA-injection sites. CONCLUSION: To treat LBI at a site of cross-linked HA administration, the principles applicable to infections resulting from implantation of a foreign body must be followed. The treatment period should be sufficiently long for complete resolution of symptoms. The efficacy of treatment is considered proven if 2 months have elapsed without recurrence since the symptoms resolved. The M&N scheme is recommended for use as the first therapeutic option for treating LBI related to soft-tissue fillers.

The presence of antibiotic resistance genes and bft genes as well as antibiotic susceptibility testing of Bacteroides fragilis strains isolated from inpatients of the Infant Jesus Teaching Hospital, Warsaw during 2007-2012.

The purpose of this study was to assess drug susceptibility of clinical B. fragilis strains and to determine any correlation between drug resistance and the presence of specific genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using E-tests. All isolates were analyzed with the PCR technique for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (cepA, cfxA, cfiA, ermF, ermB, ermG, nim), insertion sequences elements (IS1186, IS1187, IS1188, IS942), and enterotoxin-encoding genes (bft). Susceptibility tests yielded the following rates of resistance to the evaluated antibiotics: penicillin G (100%), clindamycin (22.5%), cefoxitin (6.3%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (1.8%). All strain were susceptible to imipenem, and metronidazole. The following antibiotic resistance genes were detected in the evaluated isolates: cepA (in 96.4% of isolates), cfxA (in 12.6%), cfiA (in 1.8%), and ermF (in 25.2%). Genes ermB, ermG, and nim were not found. The presence of the cepA gene showed no correlation with the penicillin G MIC. However, we observed a high correlation between cefoxitin MIC values and the presence of gene cfxA as well as a nearly complete correlation between clindamycin MIC values and the presence of gene ermF. The presence of a bft gene was detected in 14.4% of the analyzed B. fragilis isolates; with the bft-1 allele found in 75%, bft-2 in 25%, and bft-3 in none of the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of enterotoxin gene-positive isolates in our study did not differ from those of enterotoxin gene-negative isolates.

Catheter-associated bacterial flora in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: shift in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

BACKGROUND: Men with urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are prone to genitourinary infections. Physicians should be aware of the current antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in this population if empirical treatment is needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate variations in prevalence, composition and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial flora in men with indwelling catheters subjected to surgery for BPH in chosen time periods since 1994. Necessary changes in empirical therapy were also assessed. METHODS: All patients with indwelling catheters admitted to a single urological center for BPH surgery in the years 1994-1996, 2004-2006, and 2011-2015 were considered. Catheterization times and results of urine cultures from samples collected at admission were evaluated. Susceptibility for selected antimicrobials was compared separately for Gram negative and Gram positive species. For each agent and for their combinations effectiveness of empirical therapy was calculated dividing the number of patients with bacteriuria susceptible to the agents by the total number of patients with bacteriuria. RESULTS: Bacteriuria was present in 70% of 169, 72% of 132, and 69% of 156 men in the respective time periods. The incidence of Gram-positive strains increased from 10 to 37% (P < 0.001). Their susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate was fluctuating (81, 61, 77%; P=NS). No vancomycin-resistant strain was present. Gram-negative flora composition was stable. Their susceptibility decreased to ciprofloxacin (70 to 53%; P = 0.01) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (56 to 37%; P < 0.01) while it increased to gentamycin (64 to 88%; P < 0.001) and co-trimoxazole (14 to 62%; P < 0.001); susceptibility to amikacin remained high (> 85%). Only two cases of resistance to carbapenems in 2004-2006 were found. In vitro effectiveness of amikacin + amoxicillin/clavulanate in empirical therapy was slowly decreasing (87 to 77%; P=NS). Imipenem was found the most effective single agent (90-95%) and its efficacy was even improved by adding vancomycin (97-98%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial rise in the incidence of Gram-positive species and fluctuations in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were found. Empirical therapy of genitourinary infection in catheterized men with BPH should now involve antimicrobial agents effective both to Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae. Periodic monitoring and publishing data on antimicrobial susceptibility for this population is necessary.

Evaluation of an Integrated Cell Culture-based and PCR Assay for Diagnosis of Genital Herpes in Women.

Diagnosis of genital herpes requires a combination of clinical presentation and laboratory studies. Laboratory diagnostics allow us to clearly establish the etiology (HSV-1 or HSV-2) in order to determine the course of infection and prognosis. Decisive factors in the selection of the appropriate test are: diagnostic goals, patient population, specimen type, and implementation of conditions for the specific method. In total, 187 samples collected during a routine gynecological examination from 120 women were examined for the presence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the genital area. Two methods were used to test swabs: cell culture isolation and PCR. HSV-1 was the dominant type of virus in both study groups. The cytopathic effect was observed in 67 (35.8%) cultures with clinical material. HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were detected by PCR in 73 (39.0%) cell cultures infected with clinical samples. We did not observe typical, virus related cytopathic changes in 13.7% DNA HSV positive cell cultures, but on the other hand we did not detect viral DNA in 6% of positive cell cultures. High values of the parameters, defining the usefulness of diagnostic tests (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values) in both groups, are determined by previous viral replication in cell culture.

Characteristics of glycopeptide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from inpatients of three teaching hospitals in Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Vancomycin is still one of the most commonly used drug for treatment of severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strains are a serious danger for public health. This study aimed to characterize healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains, resistant to at least one of glycopeptide antibiotics: vancomycin (VRSA) and/or teicoplanin (TRSA), isolated at three Warsaw hospitals over a period of 17-years (1991-2007). Methods: Among 600 HA-MRSA strains, isolated from patients with symptomatic infections, 47 were subjected to detailed analysis. In the study, mechanisms behind VRSA phenotypes were determined (E-tests, GRD-test, agar-dilution method and vanA/B detection). Characteristics of selected isolates on molecular level: i) by detection of resistance genes ermA/ermB/ermC, msrA/msrB, linA/linA', aacA-aphD, aadD, aph(3")-IIIa; ii) SCCmec-typing and iii) MLST-typing was done. Results: In general population of studied strains, 11/47 (23.4%) were VRSA and 36/47 (76.6%) were resistant only to teicoplanin. All isolates exhibited van-independent mechanisms of resistance. Over 80% of isolates belonged to clonal complex CC8, with the following predominant sequence types (STs)/clones: ST247-IA/Iberian, ST241-III/Finland-UK, and ST239-III/Brazilian. Most of the isolated strains harboured ermA and aacA-aphD genes, encoding additional resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramin B, and majority of aminoglycosides. They occurred also in Polish VRSA/TRSA population over the period, which was subjected for analysis: an increase in MIC values for glycopeptides, evolution in terms of the level and extent of resistance, and genetic re-assortment in epidemic clones. Conclusions: VRSA strains isolated from patients hospitalized at three Warsaw teaching hospitals in Poland, over a period of 17-years do not pose a threat as potential donors of van genes in horizontal-gene transfer processes, but are constantly evolving and represent international epidemic clones.