Article
Immunology
Elke S. Bergmann-Leitner, Eugene V. Millar, Elizabeth H. Duncan, David R. Tribble, Patrick M. Carey, Michael W. Ellis, Katrin Mende, Jason W. Bennett, Sidhartha Chaudhury
Summary: This study demonstrates the power of immunoprofiling for identifying predictive factors of the pre-illness state of SSTI, thus identifying early stages of infection and individuals susceptible to SSTI.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Haniyeh Khalili, Shahin Najar-Peerayeh, Mona Mahrooghi, Parvin Mansouri, Bita Bakhshi
Summary: The prevalence of S. aureus strains, including MRSA, was high among patients with skin and soft-tissue infections. These strains were resistant to antibiotics, contained various toxin genes, and were able to form biofilms, potentially playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases.
Review
Immunology
Chih-Ming Yueh, Hsin Chi, Nan-Chang Chiu, Fu-Yuan Huang, Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang, Lung Chang, Yen-Hsin Kung, Ching-Ying Huang
Summary: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and to determine if certain clinical and laboratory variables at admission could differentiate between community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and community-acquired methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (CA-MSSA). The study found that the age group 0-1 month and local lymph node reaction were independent factors for differentiating between CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA infections.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Quanxia Lyu, Shu Gong, Jialiang Yin, Jennifer M. Dyson, Wenlong Cheng
Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in soft wearable materials and devices, highlighting the need for novel materials in future healthcare devices and current monitoring and therapy systems.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Michael H. Storandt, Christopher D. Walden, Abe E. Sahmoun, James R. Beal
Summary: This study examines the trends and risk factors of antibiotic treatment for skin and soft tissue infections in the United States. The results show that providers more frequently utilize antibiotics with MRSA coverage for SSTIs. The region and age are associated with antibiotic choice, with MRSA coverage antibiotics more likely to be prescribed in the South, and older individuals are more likely to receive antibiotics with MSSA coverage.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
E. J. Zasowski, T. D. Trinh, K. C. Claeys, M. Dryden, S. Shlyapnikov, M. Bassetti, A. Carnelutti, N. Khachatryan, A. Kurup, Abraham Pulido Cejudo, L. Melo, B. Cao, Michael J. Rybak
Summary: The study aimed to validate an MRSA risk assessment tool internationally, and the results showed that the tool had higher predictive accuracy for MRSA and could help avoid unnecessary empiric MRSA coverage in low-acuity patients. Further research on the impact of such risk assessment tools on prescribing patterns and outcomes is necessary before implementation.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Stephanie N. Thiede, Evan S. Snitkin, William Trick, Darjai Payne, Alla Aroutcheva, Robert A. Weinstein, Kyle J. Popovich
Summary: This study used genomic epidemiology and statewide data to infer the origins of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among individuals with hospital-onset and healthcare-associated community-onset MRSA, community exposures associated with infection were identified, but there was little evidence of shared exposure in healthcare settings.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Victoria Etges Helfer, Alexandre Prehn Zavascki, Markus Zeitlinger, Bibiana Verlindo de Araujo, Teresa Dalla Costa
Summary: A population pharmacokinetic model was used to investigate the distribution and potential for treating MRSA infections with ceftaroline in soft tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. The simulations showed that ceftaroline has a high probability of targeting and treating MRSA infections, especially in patients with inflamed meninges.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingtong Li, Yichao Tang, Ren Hao Soon, Bin Dong, Wenqi Hu, Metin Sitti
Summary: Wireless small-scale soft actuators, utilizing the interactions between coiled artificial muscle and radio frequency-magnetic heating, have been developed to address the constraints of current miniature soft actuators. These wirelessly controlled actuators exhibit a large output force and high work capacity, and can be designed into various functional devices for minimally invasive medical applications.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sholpan S. Kaliyeva, Alyona Lavrinenko, Yerbol Tishkambayev, Gulzira Zhussupova, Aissulu Issabekova, Dinara Begesheva, Natalya Simokhina
Summary: Bacterial skin and soft tissue inflammatory diseases are major causes of hospitalizations in emergency departments. This study aimed to identify the differences in microbial landscape and antibiotic susceptibility among pathogens causing soft tissue infections in adults and children from 2018 to 2020. The findings showed a higher proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis strains in children compared to adults. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was not detected in children, but accounted for 12.5% of cases in adults. Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumanii were the main causes of infection in adults, with significant levels of multidrug resistance.
Review
Microbiology
Nitin Chandra Teja Dadi, Barbora Radochova, Jarmila Vargova, Helena Bujdakova
Summary: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by nosocomial pathogens have a significant impact worldwide, especially as device-associated infections. This review highlights the most relevant microorganisms infecting medical devices and briefly mentions both traditional and novel therapeutic approaches against HAIs.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chenghua Song, Ruichao Wen, Jiaxuan Zhou, Xiaoyan Zeng, Zi Kou, Jia Zhang, Tao Wang, Pengkang Chang, Yi Lv, Rongqian Wu
Summary: The antimicrobial activity and mechanism of a novel synthetic peptide GK-19, derived from scorpion venom-derived peptide AamAP1, were evaluated. GK-19 showed inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and fungi by disrupting the microbial cell membrane. It exhibited low toxicity to mammalian cells, low hemolytic activity, high stability in plasma, and significant antimicrobial and healing effects in mice models of skin and soft tissue infections.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Florencia Mariani, Estela Maria Galvan
Summary: Polymicrobial biofilms create a complex environment where different microorganisms can interact in various ways and alter the outcome of diseases. This review article explores the microorganisms commonly found together with Staphylococcus aureus in skin and soft tissue infections, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans. The molecular mechanisms and impact of these polymicrobial interactions on pathogenesis and antimicrobial susceptibility are also discussed.
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra E. Chittams-Miles, Areej Malik, Erin B. Purcell, Claudia Muratori, Brian Conlon
Summary: Treatment with short electric pulses can enhance the effects of multiple antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This combination therapy reduces the necessary antibiotic dosage and improves the efficacy of treating S. aureus infections such as skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). SSTIs are accessible to physical intervention, making electric pulse co-treatment a potential option for wound and abscess debridement.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Giulio Rizzetto, Elisa Molinelli, Giulia Radi, Oscar Cirioni, Lucia Brescini, Andrea Giacometti, Annamaria Offidani, Oriana Simonetti
Summary: Psoriatic patients have an increased risk of severe staphylococcal skin infections, and Staphylococcus aureus may also contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. New molecules are needed to overcome bacterial resistance and inhibit exotoxin production. Supplementation with Vitamin E could enhance the effect of anti-MRSA antibiotics, offering a potential new perspective in the treatment of psoriasis.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
T. Lamagni, C. Wloch, K. Broughton, S. M. Collin, V Chalker, J. Coelho, S. N. Ladhani, C. S. Brown, N. Shetty, A. P. Johnson
Summary: The study found a maternal GBS infection rate of 0.29 per 1000 maternities in England in 2014, with serotype III identified as the most common strain. The results suggest the potential benefits of GBS vaccination in preventing adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Mark Edward Fordham, Anna Mantzouratou, Elizabeth Sheridan
Summary: Colistin is a last resort antibiotic for treating carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. The insertion of IS elements into the mgrB gene is a mechanism that causes colistin resistance. Plasmids carrying IS elements are common in K. pneumoniae, with ISKpn25 being mostly carried by IncFIB(pQil) plasmids, while ISKpn26 and ISKpn14 are often associated with IncFII(pHN7A8) plasmids. ISKpn25 is identified in 26 out of 34 countries that contain any of the IS elements, while ISKpn26, ISKpn14, and IS903B are most frequently found in China. Plasmids carrying ISKpn25, ISKpn14, and ISKpn26 have a higher count of carbapenemase genes compared to IS903B-carrying plasmids. IS903B-bearing plasmids have a higher count of environmental source isolations compared to ISKpn25, ISKpn14, and ISKpn26 bearing plasmids. The presence of carbapenemase in combination with IS elements could lead to an extensively drug-resistant profile in K. pneumoniae, limiting treatment options.
Article
Immunology
Kate M. Miller, Theresa Lamagni, Roderick Hay, Jeffrey W. Cannon, Michael Marks, Asha C. Bowen, David C. Kaslow, Thomas Cherian, Anna C. Seale, Janessa Pickering, Jessica N. Daw, Hannah C. Moore, Chris Van Beneden, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Laurens Manning
Summary: This article provides guidelines for surveillance of cellulitis, including case definitions, surveillance types, and data elements. The objectives of cellulitis surveillance are to monitor infection rates, describe patient characteristics, estimate complication frequency, and describe associated risk factors.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kate M. Miller, Theresa Lamagni, Thomas Cherian, Jeffrey W. Cannon, Tom Parks, Richard A. Adegbola, Janessa Pickering, Tim Barnett, Mark E. Engel, Laurens Manning, Asha C. Bowen, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Hannah C. Moore, Dylan D. Barth, David C. Kaslow, Chris A. Van Beneden
Summary: This article provides guidelines for surveillance of invasive Strep A infections, including monitoring objectives, case definitions, and surveillance types.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kate M. Miller, Robert R. Tanz, Stanford T. Shulman, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Thomas Cherian, Theresa Lamagni, Asha C. Bowen, Janessa Pickering, Alma Fulurija, Hannah C. Moore, Jeffrey W. Cannon, Timothy C. Barnett, Chris A. Van Beneden
Summary: This article presents a standardized surveillance protocol for pharyngitis and Strep A pharyngitis, including case definitions and classifications, as well as tests used for detection. The article also discusses different surveillance methodologies and considerations for pharyngitis surveillance.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kate M. Miller, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Thomas Cherian, Roderick Hay, Michael Marks, Janessa Pickering, Jeffrey W. Cannon, Theresa Lamagni, Lucia Romani, Hannah C. Moore, Chris A. Van Beneden, Dylan D. Barth, Asha C. Bowen
Summary: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the superficial layer of skin, mainly caused by Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It occurs mainly in early childhood and can become a chronic illness. A standardized surveillance protocol is presented, including case definitions, classifications, and surveillance methods.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rebecca Guy, Katherine L. Henderson, Juliana Coelho, Helen Hughes, Emily L. Mason, Sarah M. Gerver, Alicia Demirjian, Conall Watson, Ashley Sharp, Colin S. Brown, Theresa Lamagni
Summary: There has been an increase in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection and associated deaths, especially in children, exceeding seasonally expected levels in England (772 notifications reported in weeks 37 to 48 in 2022). Diagnoses of iGAS infection from lower respiratory tract specimens in children under 15 years increased to 28% in November 2022. Medical practitioners have been alerted to the exceptional rise in incidence, including unusual numbers of children presenting with pulmonary empyema.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Massimo Cavallaro, Juliana Coelho, Derren Ready, Valerie Decraene, Theresa Lamagni, Noel D. McCarthy, Dan Todkill, Matt J. Keeling
Summary: The rapid detection of outbreaks and identification of epidemiologically linked cases are crucial for effective control and containment of infectious diseases. In this study, the authors developed a numerical approach called random neighbourhood covering (RaNCover) to complement the investigations conducted by public health teams. RaNCover achieved excellent predictive performances by summarising the statistical properties of event neighbourhoods. The approach was applied to invasive group A Streptococcus infection events and showed potential for detecting outbreaks across wide geographic areas.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Pediatrics
Shamez N. Ladhani, Rebecca Guy, Sunil S. Bhopal, Colin S. Brown, Theresa Lamagni, Ashley Sharp
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Emma McGuire, Ang Li, Simon M. Collin, Valerie Decraene, Michael Cook, Simon Padfield, Shiranee Sriskandan, Chris Van Beneden, Theresa Lamagni, Colin S. Brown
Summary: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the proportion of individuals who remain GAS culture-positive at different intervals after initiation of antibiotics. The results suggest that antibiotics achieve a high rate of culture conversion within 24 hours, but further research is needed due to methodological limitations and imprecision of the estimates.
Article
Microbiology
Emma McGuire, Claire Neill, Simon M. Collin, Hannah Higgins, Rebecca Guy, Mark Ganner, Juliana Coelho, Bruno Pichon, Russell Hope, Colin S. Brown
Summary: PVL toxin detection was not associated with worse outcomes in patients with community-acquired S. aureus bacteremia.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Shamez N. Ladhani, Rebecca Guy, Helen E. Hughes, Alex J. Elliot, Sunil S. Bhopal, Colin Brown, Theresa Lamagni
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kirsty F. Bennet, Rebecca L. Guy, Sarah M. Gerver, Katie L. Hopkins, Richard Puleston, Colin S. Brown, Katherine L. Henderson
Summary: Hospitals in England have screening policies for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), but the RCPath recommendations had minimal impact on reducing CPE screening. The reduction in screening was primarily due to a decrease in patient admissions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
INFECTION PREVENTION IN PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fernando Capelastegui, Joe Flannagan, Elizabeth Augarde, Elise Tessier, Dimple Chudasama, Gavin Dabrera, Theresa Lamagni, Ines Campos-Matos
Summary: This study presents a novel method for identifying COVID-19 cases among persons experiencing homelessness in England. A phenotype was developed and validated to identify this population, and confirmed cases were matched to known homelessness accommodations and shelters. Using address-based indicators, additional cases were identified. The findings showed that a disproportionately high number of cases and deaths occurred among this vulnerable population, particularly in London. This methodology can help track the impact of COVID-19 on homeless individuals and inform policy making, and it may be useful for future surveillance and research on select populations.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rebecca L. Guy, Jamie Rudman, Hannah Higgins, Emma Carter, Katherine L. Henderson, Alicia Demirjian, Sarah M. Gerver
Summary: This study in England reveals that MDR and XDR phenotypes occur more frequently in nitrofurantoin-resistant Escherichia coli urinary isolates compared to nitrofurantoin-susceptible isolates.
JAC-ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)