Antibiotic Resistance of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from the Urine of Patients Hospitalized in the University Hospital in North-Central Poland, 2016-2021.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common outpatient and inpatient infections, often treated with empirical therapy. Enterococcus spp. is responsible for about 10% of UTIs. This study aimed to determine the necessity of changing the empirical treatment of UTIs caused by Enterococcus spp. The evaluation was performed for 542 Enterococcus strains isolated from urine samples in the years 2016-2021. We identified three Enterococcus species that were found: E. faecalis (389, 71.8%), E. faecium (151, 27.8%) and E. gallinarum (2, 0.4%). E. faecalis was the dominant species every year. Among E. faecalis, the most prevalent was resistance to norfloxacin (51.4%). Almost all E. faecium strains (150, 99.3%) were resistant to beta-lactams and norfloxacin. Eighty-three strains (55.0%) were resistant to vancomycin and 72 (47.7%) to teicoplanin. E. faecium strains showed a significantly higher percentage of resistance mechanisms GRE (Glicopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus) (72, 48.7%) and VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus) (11, 7.3%), while only five strains of E. feacalis showed a VRE mechanism (1.3%). In the therapy of E. faecalis UTIs, ampicillin and imipenem still remain effective. However, the above-mentioned antibiotics, as well as fluoroquinolones, are not recommended in the treatment of UTIs of E. faecium etiology.

Comparison of Selected Phenotypic Features of Persistent and Sporadic Strains of Listeria monocytogenes Sampled from Fish Processing Plants.

(1) Background: The main source of transmission of Listeria monocytogenes is contaminated food, e.g., fish and meat products and raw fruit and vegetables. The bacteria can remain for 13 years on machines in food processing plants, including fish plants. (2) Methods: A total of 720 swabs were collected from a salmon filleting line. The research material consisted of 62 (8.6%) L. monocytogenes isolates. Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) allowed detecting a pool of persistent strains. All persistent strains (n = 6) and a parallel group of strains collected sporadically (n = 6) were characterized by their ability to invade HT-29 cells, biofilm formation ability, and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of selected disinfectants. (3) Results: Among the obtained isolates, 38 genetically different strains were found, including 6 (15.8%) persistent strains. The serogroup 1/2a-3a represented 28 strains (73.7%), including the persistent ones. There were no significant differences in invasiveness between the persistent and sporadic strains. The persistent strains tolerated higher concentrations of the tested disinfectants, except for iodine-based compounds. The persistent strains initiated the biofilm formation process faster and formed it more intensively. (4) Conclusions: The presence of persistent strains in the food processing environment is a great challenge for producers to ensure consumer safety. This study attempts to elucidate the phenotypic characteristics of persistent L. monocytogenes strains.

Flies as a potential vector of selected alert pathogens in a hospital environment.

Multi-drug resistant pathogens are a global problem. Flies are a potential vector of multi-drug resistant pathogens, which can be particularly dangerous in the hospital environment. This study aimed to evaluate flies as vectors of alert pathogens. The research material consisted of 100 flies (Musca domestica (46.0%), Lucilia sericata (28.0%), and Calliphora vicina (26.0%)) collected at the University Hospital No. 1 dr. A. Jurasz in Bydgoszcz (Poland) in 2018-2019 (summer months). The presence of bacteria of the genera: Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Leclercia, Citrobacter, Hafnia, Providencia, Proteus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Raoultella, Morganella, Moellerella, Bordetella, Pantoea, Serratia, Plesiomonas, Wohlfahrimonas, and Lelliottia was confirmed. The most frequently isolated species included: Enterococcus faecalis (n = 64), Escherichia coli (n = 43) and Moellerella wisconsensis (n = 24). The infection rate and antibiotic resistance of bacteria were assessed. One strain of Proteus mirabilis (isolated from Calliphora vicina) produced ESBLs (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases). The infection rate was 0.38%, 0.26%, and 0.20% for Musca domestica, Lucilia sericata, and Calliphora vicina, respectively. The flies from a hospital area were not a vector of alert pathogens. Monitoring flies as potential vectors of pathogens is an important aspect of public health, especially for hospitalized patients.

The Differences in the Level of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies after mRNA Vaccine between Convalescent and Non-Previously Infected People Disappear after the Second Dose-Study in Healthcare Workers Group in Poland.

(1) Background: In many infections, antibodies play a crucial role in controlling infection. In COVID-19, the dynamics of the immune system response to SARS-CoV-2 is not fully understood. (2) Methods: The study was conducted on 120 healthcare workers from Dr. Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz, between June and December 2020. In all participants, IgA and IgG antibody serum concentrations were measured using the semi-quantitative Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA test (Euroimmun). After vaccination, in January and February 2021, antibody levels were examined using the quantitative IgG Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Quantivac ELISA test (Euroimmun). (3) Results: During the whole study period, the SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 29 (24.2%) participants. In all infected participants, IgA and IgG antibodies were detectable after infection by semi-quantitative serological tests. Levels of antibodies were higher one month after the first dose in the convalescents than in the non-previously infected participants. In this second group, the level of antibodies increased significantly after the second dose of vaccines compared to the first dose. (4) Conclusions: The level of antibodies after the first dose of vaccine in the convalescents' group is higher than in the SARS-CoV-2 non-infected group, but the differences disappear after the second vaccination.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from a meat processing plant.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The ability of L. monocytogenes to create biofilm results in the higher resistance to disinfectants and determines the need to search for effective methods of eradication. The aim of the study was to assess the level of L. monocytogenes contamination in the environment of a meat processing plant. The sensitivity of tested isolates to various antimicrobials used for disinfection purposes was also estimated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The samples were taken from raw materials, semi-finished and final products, as well as food contact surfaces inthe production hall and deli meat packaging department. The number of L. monocytogenes and the effect of eight different biocides on bacteria planktonic forms and biofilm formed on stainless steel and polypropylene was investigated. The effect of blood and albumin on L. monocytogenes resistance to disinfectants was also analysed. RESULTS: The prevalence of L. monocytogenes on food contact surfaces was estimated at 2.93% (10 of 340 swabs taken). The samples of raw and processed products were not contaminated. Various disinfectants reduced the growth of planktonic L. monocytogenes forms at both tested concentrations 0.5% and 0.1% (irrespective of time exposure). The highest efficacy against L. monocytogenes biofilm was reported for agents containing hydrogen peroxide. The reduction of bacteria number ranged from 6.93-7.21 log CFU × cm-2, and was dependent on the surface type and time of agent application. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the effectiveness of various disinfectants against planktonic bacteria and Listeria biofilm was observed. For the majority of disinfectants, the extension of time exposure increased bacteria elimination from the biofilm. The presence of blood resulted in reduction of the antilisterial action of most of the disinfectants applied at low concentrations.

Human Skin Microbiome: Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on Skin Microbiota.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it protects the body from the external environment. It has become the topic of interest of researchers from various scientific fields. Microorganisms ensure the proper functioning of the skin. Of great importance, are the mutual relations between such microorganisms and their responses to environmental impacts, as dysbiosis may contribute to serious skin diseases. Molecular methods, used for microorganism identification, allow us to gain a better understanding of the skin microbiome. The presented article contains the latest reports on the skin microbiota in health and disease. The review discusses the relationship between a properly functioning microbiome and the body's immune system, as well as the impact of internal and external factors on the human skin microbiome.