Article
Microbiology
Gernot Zarfel, Julia Schmidt, Josefa Luxner, Andrea J. Grisold
Summary: MRSA is a universal threat, but the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on MRSA dynamics in Austria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mohd Azrul Hisham Ismail, Norhidayah Kamarudin, Muttaqillah Najihan Abdul Samat, Raja Mohd Fadhil Raja Abdul Rahman, Saberi Saimun, Toh Leong Tan, Hui-min Neoh
Summary: Periodic surveillance of hospital-acquired pathogens is crucial for antimicrobial control and infection prevention. The second MRSA surveillance at HCTM in 2017 found a dominant strain resistant to multiple antibiotics, suggesting clonal replacement in the hospital within 8 years. Ongoing investigation of the new MRSA clone's phenotype changes is underway.
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Mollerup, Peder Worning, Andreas Petersen, Mette Damkjaer Bartels
Summary: The study shows that WGS-based spa typing is highly accurate when the best assembly program is used. The use of SKESA program in de novo assembly resulted in the highest accuracy compared to Sanger sequencing.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Katarina Pomorska, Vladislav Jakubu, Lucia Malisova, Marta Fridrichova, Martin Musilek, Helena Zemlickova
Summary: This study aimed to characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from the blood of hospitalized patients in the Czech Republic between 2016 and 2018. The majority of MRSA strains were found to be resistant to several antibiotics, with 52 different spa types identified in the analyzed strains. The CC5 clonal complex was predominant in this study, with other CCs such as CC398, CC22, CC8, CC45, and CC97 also present.
Article
Microbiology
Samar S. Boswihi, Tina Verghese, Edet E. Udo
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of 636 CC22-MRSA isolates and found that the CC22-MRSA-[tst1(+)] genotype remains dominant, with the emergence of new clones carrying SCCmec IV + V and multiply resistant variants. Some isolates showed resistance to multiple antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ricardo Oliveira, Eva Pinho, Goncalo Almeida, Nuno F. Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcal enterotoxins in raw milk from the main dairy region of mainland Portugal. The results showed the presence of S. aureus in raw cow's milk samples, with some samples containing multiple strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to various drugs in a portion of the isolates. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains and isolates carrying enterotoxin-encoding genes were also identified. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and control measures to prevent S. aureus transmission in the food chain in Portugal.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Henok Ayalew Tegegne, Ivana Kolackova, Martina Florianova, Tereza Gelbicova, Jean-Yves Madec, Marisa Haenni, Renata Karpiskova
Summary: MRSA was detected in 35.4% of raw meat samples in the Czech Republic, with poultry being the main source. The predominant ST was ST398, with common spa types including t011, t034, and t2576. Genes associated with infection, such as sea, seg, and sei, were detected in some isolates.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nadine Lerche, Silva Holtfreter, Birgit Walther, Torsten Semmler, Fawaz Al'Sholui, Stephanie J. Dancer, Georg Daeschlein, Nils-Olaf Huebner, Barbara M. Broeker, Roald Papke, Thomas Kohlmann, Romy Baguhl, Ulrike Seifert, Axel Kramer
Summary: The prevalence of MSSA among dental health care workers in Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, Germany was found to be 22.3%, while MRSA was not detected. Spa typing revealed most spa types were identified only once, and WGS data analysis confirmed close clonal relationships for some isolate pairs. Widespread use of PPE among dentists and assistants suggests adherence to routine hygiene protocols and may be protective against MRSA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mitra Motallebi, Zahra Alibolandi, Zeinab Fagheei Aghmiyuni, Willem B. van Leeuwen, Mohammad Reza Sharif, Rezvan Moniri
Summary: This study aimed to determine the SCCmec, dru types, and toxin, MSCRAMM, and biofilm genes of MRSA strains isolated from pemphigus wounds. The prevalence rates of hla and sea toxin genes were high among MRSA strains with SCCmec II and III, with the most prevalent dru types being dt10a and dt10g among MRSA with SCCmec III and dt8h and dt8i among MRSA with SCCmec II.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wei-Yao Wang, Po-Ren Hsueh, Shih-Ming Tsao
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate invasive MRSA isolates and correlate the molecular typing results with antibiotic susceptibility testing results, in order to help physicians select appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of invasive MRSA infections. The study collected 670 non-duplicate mecA-positive MRSA isolates from patients with invasive infections, identified 58 spa types, and categorized them as healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaoshen Li, Longfei Xie, Honghao Huang, Zhi Li, Guihua Li, Peng Liu, Danyu Xiao, Xucai Zhang, Wenguang Xiong, Zhenling Zeng
Summary: Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is a zoonotic microorganism that poses a significant public health concern. This study investigated the transmission and occurrence of MRSA in a slaughterhouse environment and examined its antimicrobial resistance and genetic characterization. The findings suggest that MRSA is more prevalent in swine samples compared to other sources, and there is potential transmission between swine, humans, and the environment. The MRSA isolates also exhibited multidrug resistance phenotypes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dimitrios Komodromos, Charalampos Kotzamanidis, Virginia Giantzi, Styliani Pappa, Anna Papa, Antonios Zdragas, Apostolos Angelidis, Daniel Sergelidis
Summary: This study investigated the isolation frequency, genetic diversity, and infectious characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in meat-processing establishments in northern Greece. The results showed that 13.8% of the samples were positive for S. aureus, with only one sample (0.6%) contaminated by MRSA. The isolates showed low antimicrobial resistance, with higher resistance observed for penicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and tetracycline. The genetic diversity of the isolates was observed, and the need for strict hygiene practices at the plant level to control the spread of S. aureus and MRSA was emphasized.
Article
Immunology
Sorour Farzi, Mohsen Rezazadeh, Ahmadreza Mirhosseini, Mohammad Amin Rezazadeh, Farhan Houshyar, Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi
Summary: This study investigated the molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance pattern of MRSA clinical isolates from Southern Iran, revealing different genetic types and resistance patterns among the strains.
ACTA MICROBIOLOGICA ET IMMUNOLOGICA HUNGARICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mohit Bhatia, Varun Shamanna, Geetha Nagaraj, Dharmavaram Sravani, Pratima Gupta, Balram Ji Omar, Arpana Singh, Diksha Rani, K. L. Ravikumar
Summary: The purpose of this study was to provide insights into the Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of MRSA strains in a teaching hospital in north India. The study found that the majority of MRSA strains belonged to CC22 (56.25%) and CC30 (31.25%), and they carried different types of SCCmec and spa genes. This study aims to explore a relatively newer avenue of clinical-genomic surveillance to improve infection control and antibiotic stewardship practices in the hospital.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Majda Golob, Mateja Pate, Darja Kusar, Urska Zajc, Bojan Papi, Matjaz Ocepek, Irena Zdovc, Jana Avbersek
Summary: Pigs were identified as the primary reservoir of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA), with farm size and management practices affecting the prevalence and characteristics of MRSA.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Hilary Humphreys, Niall Stevens, Louise Burke, Mariam Sheehan, Siobhan Glavey, Mary Keogan, Erum Rasheed
Summary: Pathology is crucial in medical training and should be included in the core curriculum. Teaching and assessment methods are evolving, with educators gaining insights from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Chelsea Cheng, Hilary Humphreys, Bridget Kane
Summary: Telemedicine has become increasingly integrated into medical practice, with medical students benefiting from increased understanding and acquisition of skills, while also facing challenges such as reluctance to conduct telemedicine consultations and build rapport with patients. Medical institutions should incorporate telemedicine teaching into curricula through experiential learning to help students overcome challenges and fully realize the benefits of telemedicine.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sarah A. Egan, Nicole L. Kavanagh, Anna C. Shore, Sarah Mollerup, Jose A. Samaniego Castruita, Brian O'Connell, Brenda A. McManus, Grainne Brennan, Mette Pinholt, Henrik Westh, David C. Coleman
Summary: This study investigated the population structure of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) in Ireland and analyzed the vanA transposon region, revealing the diversity of Irish VREfm. The isolates showed a highly polyclonal population structure, and most VREfm carried a characteristic vanA region with multiple IS1216E insertions, which may facilitate its spread.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
P. M. Kinnevey, A. Kearney, A. C. Shore, M. R. Earls, G. Brennan, T. T. Poovelikunnel, H. Humphreys, D. C. Coleman
Summary: This study investigated MSSA transmission events in a large hospital with a history of MRSA using whole-genome sequencing, identifying numerous potential transmission events involving HCWs, patients, and environmental contamination.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Pathology
Hilary Humphreys, Louise Burke, Karina O'Connell, Mary Keogan
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
E. C. Deasy, T. A. Scott, J. S. Swan, M. J. O'Donnell, D. C. Coleman
Summary: This study used contra-angle DHPs as a model to investigate the effectiveness of washer-disinfection in reducing microbial contamination of internal components of multiple DHPs. The results showed that there was an average reduction of approximately 5 log or greater in microbial colony forming units (cfu) after washer-disinfection for all DHPs under all tested conditions.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. Murphy, F. Duffy, F. McCormick, S. O'Donnell, F. Fitzpatrick, H. Humphreys
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Hilary Humphreys, Binu Dinesh, Stephen MacNally, Mohsen Javadpour
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eike Steinig, Izzard Aglua, Sebastian Duchene, Michael T. Meehan, Mition Yoannes, Cadhla Firth, Jan Jaworski, Jimmy Drekore, Bohu Urakoko, Harry Poka, Clive Wurr, Eri Ebos, David Nangen, Elke Mueller, Peter Mulvey, Charlene Jackson, Anita Blomfeldt, Hege Vangstein Aamot, Moses Laman, Laurens Manning, Megan Earls, David C. Coleman, Andrew Greenhill, Rebecca Ford, Marc Stegger, Muhammad Ali Syed, Bushra Jamil, Stefan Monecke, Ralf Ehricht, Simon Smith, William Pomat, Paul Horwood, Steven Y. C. Tong, Emma McBryde
Summary: Community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lineages have emerged and disseminated in various geographically distinct regions around the world. The spread of these MRSA lineages is associated with increases in effective reproduction number (R-e) and sustained transmission. The emergence and epidemiological trajectory of community-associated MRSA lineages from different regions show common signatures of epidemic growth, particularly at the divergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary Humphreys, Mary Corcoran, Jolita Mereckiene, Robert Cunney, Suzanne Cotter
Summary: The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has reduced invasive pneumococcal disease. Surveillance in Ireland shows that this reduction also extends to the elderly population. Currently, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is used to protect the elderly, but its effectiveness and uptake in Ireland are low. Therefore, providing a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to this age group should be considered.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
B. K. Aloba, P. M. Kinnevey, S. Monecke, G. I. Brennan, B. O'Connell, A. Blomfeldt, B. A. McManus, W. Schneider-Brachert, J. Tkadlec, R. Ehricht, A. Senok, M. D. Bartels, D. C. Coleman
Summary: This study investigated the international dissemination and diversity of PVL-positive CC5-MRSA-IVc isolates from hospital and community settings. The results showed that these isolates, mainly from Sri Lanka, had similar antimicrobial-resistance and virulence genes. The widespread dissemination of the Sri Lankan clone may be facilitated by the stable chromosomal retention of the PVL-encoding phage remnant, and most infections occurred in the community.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaja Turzanska, Oluwafolajimi Adesanya, Ashwene Rajagopal, Mary T. T. Pryce, Deirdre Fitzgerald Hughes
Summary: The management of Diabetic foot infection (DFI) requires multidisciplinary care with off-loading, debridement, and targeted antibiotic treatment. Topical treatments and advanced wound dressings are commonly used, but their choice is rarely evidence-based. The lack of clear guidelines and clinical trials contribute to this issue. However, with the increasing number of people with diabetes, preventing amputation resulting from chronic foot infections is crucial. Topical agents, such as antibiotic-impregnated biomaterials, antimicrobial peptides, and photodynamic therapy, may play a role in overcoming current challenges, including antibiotic resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. O'Donnell, M. Creedon, J. Walsh, B. Dinesh, D. P. O'Brien, S. MacNally, H. Humphreys
Summary: This study reviewed data from a national adult neurosurgical center to explore clinical aspects of bone flap infections (BFIs) and improve its definitions, classification, and surveillance. The most common underlying condition necessitating craniectomy was a malignant neoplasm, and specimens for investigation included bone flaps, fluid/pus, and tissue. Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, were the predominant pathogens. Clearer definitions of BFI are needed for better classification, surveillance, and patient management.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary Humphreys, Martin Cormican, Wendy Brennan, Karen Burns, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Therese Dalchan, Shirley Keane, Anne Sheahan
Summary: The study found that there is still a chance to prevent the endemic spread of CPE in hospitals, but efforts to control damp environmental reservoirs and improve antibiotic stewardship are needed. Additionally, there is currently no requirement to extend screening to detect CPE outside of acute hospitals.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
