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
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
Eiman Sarkhoo, Edet E. Udo, Samar S. Boswihi, Stefan Monecke, Elke Mueller, Ralf Ehricht
Summary: The study investigated the molecular characteristics of CC361-MRSA isolated from patients in Kuwait hospitals from 2016 to 2018, showing that these isolates were mainly resistant to fusidic acid, kanamycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. They belonged to 22 spa types, with the dominant genotype being ST672-MRSA [V/VT + fus]. The emergence of linezolid resistance limits therapeutic options and presents significant challenges for the control of MRSA infections in Kuwait hospitals.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jan Tkadlec, Anh Vu Le, Marie Brajerova, Anna Soltesova, Jozef Marcisin, Pavel Drevinek, Marcela Krutova
Summary: The epidemiology of MRSA is characterized by the rise and fall of epidemic clones. This study aimed to gain data on the current epidemiology of MRSA in Slovakia, and it identified the presence of epidemic HA-MRSA clones and the emergence of the global epidemic USA300 CA-MRSA clone. The extensive spread of the USA300 clone in Slovakia is a significant finding.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
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
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
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
Roushan Liu, Jian Zhang, Xiaoli Du, Yingying Lv, Xiangyu Gao, Yanyan Wang, Junrui Wang
Summary: This study found a relatively low prevalence of OS-MRSA, but with universal heterogeneous resistance and weak PBP2a protein expression. The frequency of resistant subpopulations varied among different isolates, and no dominant clones were identified.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
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
Andreas Petersen, Kjersti W. Larssen, Frode W. Gran, Hege Enger, Sara Haeggman, Barbro Makitalo, Gunnsteinn Haraldsson, Laura Lindholm, Jaana Vuopio, Anna Emilie Henius, Jens Nielsen, Anders R. Larsen
Summary: The study described the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in the Nordic countries from 2009 to 2016, showing high genetic diversity. Except for Iceland, all countries experienced a significant increase in new MRSA cases. The most common spa-types showed an increasing trend in four countries.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
G. Torres, K. Vargas, J. Reyes-Velez, N. Jimenez, A. Blanchard, M. Olivera-Angel
Summary: This study aimed to describe the frequency of genotypes of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from intramammary infections, as well as to evaluate their ability to form biofilm under in vitro conditions. The results showed the presence of 19 different spa types, with t521, t267, and t605 being the most common. Strains from the t605 spa type exhibited the highest biofilm production. The high frequency of spa types with zoonotic potential suggests that cattle serve as an important reservoir for these clones, posing a risk to individuals in close proximity.
COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
O. M. Karlsen, K. D. Sandbu, C. A. Grontvedt
Summary: The Norwegian surveillance and control strategy for LA-MRSA in pig farms has effectively prevented MRSA establishment in the pig population by identifying positive herds and eradicating MRSA. The presence of MRSA CC7 t091 in two linked pig farms led to successful eradication through high-cost and low-cost MRSA eradication protocols, including total depopulation and repopulation.
PORCINE HEALTH MANAGEMENT
(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
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
Urology & Nephrology
Matthew R. Sinclair, Maria Souli, Felicia Ruffin, Lawrence P. Park, Michael Dagher, Emily M. Eichenberger, Stacey A. Maskarinec, Joshua T. Thaden, Michael Mohnasky, Christina M. Wyatt, Vance G. Fowler
Summary: This study evaluated the changes in clinical and bacterial characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and found that SAB-attributable mortality and morbidity have increased, despite a decline in catheter-related infections.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Emily M. Eichenberger, Christiaan R. de Vries, Felicia Ruffin, Batu Sharma-Kuinkel, Lawrence Park, David Hong, Erick R. Scott, Lily Blair, Nicholas Degner, Desiree Hollemon, Timothy A. Blauwkamp, Carine Ho, Hon Seng, Pratik Shah, Lisa Wanda, Vance G. Fowler, Asim A. Ahmed
Summary: In patients with bacteremia, microbial cell-free DNA can be detected for a longer period of time compared to conventional blood cultures, and the duration of detection is associated with an increased risk of metastatic infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Heather A. King, Sarah B. Doernberg, Kiran Grover, Julie Miller, Megan Oakes, Tsai-Wei Wang, Molly McFatrich, Felicia Ruffin, Karen Staman, Hannah G. Lane, Abigail Rader, Zoe Sund, Hayden B. Bosworth, Bryce B. Reeve, Vance G. Fowler, Thomas L. Holland
Summary: Using cognitive interviews with bloodstream infection patients, we developed a survey that accurately captures the most important aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during recovery. This survey, tailored specifically to bloodstream infections, is valuable for assessing meaningful HRQoL outcomes in clinical trials and patient care.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
David J. Weber, Emily E. Sickbert-Bennett, Bobby G. Warren, Deverick J. Anderson
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Emily M. Eichenberger, Nicholas Degner, Erick R. Scott, Felicia Ruffin, John Franzone, Batu Sharma-Kuinkel, Pratik Shah, David Hong, Sudeb C. Dalai, Lily Blair, Desiree Hollemon, Eliza Chang, Carine Ho, Lisa Wanda, Christiaan de Vries, Vance G. Fowler, Asim A. Ahmed
Summary: Microbial cell-free DNA accurately identifies the microbial etiology of infective endocarditis, and sequential mcfDNA levels may help estimate the patient's burden of infection and response to treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andrew Bock, Blake M. Hanson, Felicia Ruffin, Joshua B. Parsons, Lawrence P. Park, Batu Sharma-Kuinkel, Michael Mohnasky, Cesar A. Arias, Vance G. Fowler, Joshua T. Thaden
Summary: Recurrent gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections (GNB-BSI) are mainly caused by relapse, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis accurately differentiates relapse from reinfection. Having a cardiac device is a risk factor for relapse.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bobby G. Warren, Michael E. Yarrington, Christopher R. Polage, Deverick J. Anderson, Rebekah W. Moehring
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of blood-culture utilization in 6 hospitals and identify potential opportunities for diagnostic stewardship. The results showed that blood-culture utilization rates varied among hospitals and were heavily influenced by emergency department culture volumes. Hospital comparisons of blood-culture metrics can assist in optimizing blood-culture collection practices.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Felicia Ruffin, Michael Dagher, Lawrence P. Park, Lisa Wanda, Jonathan Hill-Rorie, Michael Mohnasky, Julia Marshall, Maria Souli, Paul Lantos, Batu K. Sharma-Kuinkel, Stacey A. Maskarinec, Emily M. Eichenberger, Charles Muiruri, Brittney Broadnax, Vance G. Fowler
Summary: The study found that Black and White patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia had similar outcomes, despite differences in age, diabetes, and hemodialysis dependence. The results highlight the need for further research on the reasons behind the disparities.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Felicia Ruffin, Elizabeth Van Horn, Susan Letvak, Laurie Kennedy-Malone
Summary: We explored patient pre-hospital delays in seeking care for symptoms of bacteremia and sepsis. The main finding revealed that an inability to recognize symptoms of bacteremia resulted in delayed help-seeking, possibly due to patients lacking experience with infection or being unable to differentiate them from symptoms of other chronic co-morbid conditions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Annette C. Westgeest, Felicia Ruffin, Jackson L. Kair, Lawrence P. Park, Rachel E. Korn, Maren E. Webster, Leo G. Visser, Emile F. Schippers, Mark G. J. de Boer, Merel M. C. Lambregts, Vance G. Fowler Jr
Summary: Although there are significant differences in patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and management between women and men with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, they have a similar mortality risk.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Amanda Brumwell, Granger Sutton, Paul M. M. Lantos, Kate Hoffman, Felicia Ruffin, Lauren Brinkac, Thomas H. H. Clarke, Mark D. D. Adams, Vance G. G. Fowler Jr, Derrick E. E. Fouts, Joshua T. T. Thaden
Summary: This study aims to further understand the risk factors, clinical outcomes, and bacterial genetics associated with ST131 bloodstream infections. A cohort study was conducted in which 88 out of 227 patients with E. coli bloodstream infection were infected with ST131. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with ST131 and non-ST131 infections overall, but ST131 was associated with higher mortality in patients with urinary tract infections.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Sarah B. Doernberg, Cesar A. Arias, Deena R. Altman, Ahmed Babiker, Helen W. Boucher, C. Buddy Creech, Sara E. Cosgrove, Scott R. Evans, Vance G. Fowler Jr, Stephanie A. Fritz, Toshimitsu Hamasaki, Brendan J. Kelly, Sixto M. Leal Jr, Catherine Liu, Thomas P. Lodise, Loren G. Miller, Jose M. Munita, Barbara E. Murray, Melinda M. Pettigrew, Felicia Ruffin, Marc H. Scheetz, Bo Shopsin, Truc T. Tran, Nicholas A. Turner, Derek J. Williams, Smitha Zaharoff, Thomas L. Holland
Summary: The Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) has prioritized gram-positive bacterial infections as one of its scientific priorities. This article summarizes the accomplishments and future directions of ARLG studies on gram-positive infections.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Amanda Graves, Aaron Barrett, Bechtler R. Addison, Christopher A. Polage, Becky Smith, Sarah J. Lewis, Deverick G. Anderson, Bobby Warren, CDC Prevention Epictr Program
Summary: We conducted a study in a controlled laboratory setting to evaluate the low environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 by assessing the residue of Oxivir Tb wipe disinfectant. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of viral RNA detection between the intervention and control groups on day 3 (P=0.14). The viability of environmental contamination is low, and residual disinfectant does not significantly contribute to the low contamination.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Felicia Ruffin, Elizabeth Van Horn, Laurie Kennedy-Malone, Susan Letvak
Summary: This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore and describe the facilitators and barriers to seeking care for suspected bacteraemia and sepsis symptoms among patients in the United States. The study identified three themes - symptom recognition, psychosocial support, and healthcare planning and coordination. Patients' participation in the study provided valuable insights into patients' perspectives and experiences in the pre-hospital phase, emphasizing the need to improve patient decision time, patient-provider interactions, and knowledge of bacteraemia and sepsis through education.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xi Chen, Yuan Wang, Antonio Cappuccio, Wan-Sze Cheng, Frederique Ruf Zamojski, Venugopalan D. Nair, Clare M. Miller, Aliza B. Rubenstein, German Nudelman, Alicja Tadych, Chandra L. Theesfeld, Alexandria Vornholt, Mary-Catherine George, Felicia Ruffin, Michael Dagher, Daniel G. Chawla, Alessandra Soares-Schanoski, Rachel R. Spurbeck, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, Robert Sebra, Steven H. Kleinstein, Andrew G. Letizia, Irene Ramos, Vance G. Fowler Jr, Christopher W. Woods, Elena Zaslavsky, Olga G. Troyanskaya, Stuart C. Sealfon
Summary: This study presents a method called MAGICAL, which combines single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell chromatin accessibility sequencing to uncover the gene expression changes associated with chromatin remodeling in disease states. By integrating multiomic data and modeling signal variation across cells and conditions, MAGICAL accurately identifies disease-associated regulatory circuits. The method is successfully applied to study Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and distinguish methicillin-resistant from methicillin-susceptible infections.
NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)