Sensitivity of the PBP2a SA Culture Colony Test on shortly incubated subcultures of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from positive blood cultures.

The sensitivity of an immunochromatographic assay for detecting methicillin resistance (PBP2a SA Culture Colony Test, Alere-Abbott) on shortly incubated subcultures of staphylococci in blood cultures was evaluated. The assay is highly sensitive for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after 4 hour-subculture but requires 6 hour-incubation for methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Multicenter Retrospective Study of Vascular Infections and Endocarditis Caused by Campylobacter spp., France.

The incidence of campylobacteriosis has substantially increased over the past decade, notably in France. Secondary localizations complicating invasive infections are poorly described. We aimed to describe vascular infection or endocarditis caused by Campylobacter spp.

Evaluation of ceftolozane-tazobactam susceptibility on a French nationwide collection of Enterobacterales.

Objectives: Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) proved its efficacy for the treatment of infections caused by non-carbapenemase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales. Here, we aimed to provide susceptibility data on a large series of Enterobacterales since the revision of EUCAST categorization breakpoints in 2020.

Methods: First, C/T susceptibility was determined on characterized Enterobacterales resistant to third generation cephalosporins (3GCs) (extended spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL] production or different levels of AmpC overexpression) (n = 213) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (n = 259), including 170 carbapenemase producers (CPE).

Linezolid resistance: detection of the cfr(B) gene in French clinical MRSA strains.

Objectives: To describe two linezolid-resistant MRSA strains carrying the cfr(B) gene detected in the French National Reference Centre for staphylococci.

Methods: Two linezolid-resistant MRSA strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in two different French hospitals in 2017 and 2019 were examined to explore the mechanisms of linezolid resistance. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using broth microdilution and gradient strips.

A fusidic acid-resistant (PVL+) clone is associated with the increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in New Caledonia.

Objectives: Since 2014, Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistance has been rapidly increasing in New Caledonia and is associated with potential serious clinical repercussions. In the present study, we investigated the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in New Caledonia and the possible emergence of a particular clonal strain.

Performances of the BD MAX™ CDIFF assay for the detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile using Cary-Blair preserved samples.

Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a high concern because of its increasing prevalence, among both nosocomial infection and community-acquired infection contexts. A total of 1320 prospective stool samples collected on FecalSwab™ (Cary-Blair medium) were screened using BD Max™ CDIFF assay (BDM). Results were compared to the routine algorithm including immunochromatographic testing for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B (tox) using C.

A Community Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease with Two Strains of Serogroup 1 Linked to an Aquatic Therapy Centre.

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease affected 18 people in Montpellier, a town of the south of France, between December 2016 and July 2017. All cases were diagnosed by a positive urinary antigen test. No deaths were reported.

Retrospective Multicentric Study on Campylobacter spp. Bacteremia in France: The Campylobacteremia Study.

Background: Campylobacter spp. bacteremia is a severe infection. A nationwide 5-year retrospective study was conducted to characterize its clinical features and prognostic factors.

Assessment of Respiratory Bacterial Coinfections Among Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Positive Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Units Using Conventional Culture and BioFire, FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus Assay.

Background: Approximately 15% of patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) present with severe forms of the disease and require hospitalization in intensive care units, which has been associated with high mortality rates. The prevalence of bacterial infections in these patients is not well established, and more data are needed to guide empiric antibiotic therapy and improve patient outcomes.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter study, we assessed bacterial coinfections identified in culture from 99 French patients infected by SARS-Cov-2 and hospitalized in intensive care units.

Transmission of Legionnaires' Disease through Toilet Flushing.

We describe 2 cases of healthcare-associated Legionnaires' disease in patients in France hospitalized 5 months apart in the same room. Whole-genome sequencing analyses showed that clinical isolates from the patients and isolates from the room's toilet clustered together. Toilet contamination by Legionella pneumophila could lead to a risk for exposure through flushing.

Comparison of Legionella K-set® and BinaxNOW® Legionella for diagnosing Legionnaires' disease on concentrated urine samples.

Detection of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 urinary antigens is the most widely used technique for the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Legionella K-set® immunochromatographic test, in comparison with the BinaxNOW® Legionella urinary antigen card (UAC) on concentrated urine samples (US). A total of 250 concentrated US including 200 prospective US sent to the laboratory for urinary antigens' testing and 50 frozen US from patients with confirmed LD were tested.

The clinical presentation of Legionella arthritis reveals the mode of infection and the bacterial species: case report and literature review.

Background: While Legionella is a common cause of pneumonia, extrapulmonary infections like arthritis are scarce. Here, we describe a case of monoarthritis due to Legionella bozemanii, with no history of pneumonia. We provide a literature review of the 9 previously published Legionella arthritis and highlight a dichotomous epidemiology suggesting different physiopathological pathways leading to joint infection.

Slowly or Nonresolving Legionnaires' Disease: Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: Rarely, Legionnaires' disease (LD) can progress into a slowly or nonresolving form.

Methods: A nationwide retrospective study was conducted by the French National Reference Center for Legionella (2013-2017) including cases of slowly or nonresolving LD defined as persistent clinical symptoms, computed tomography (CT) scan abnormalities, and Legionella detection in lower respiratory tract specimens by culture and/or real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) >30 days after symptom onset.

Results: Twelve cases of community-acquired slowly or nonresolving LD were identified among 1686 cases of culture-positive LD.

Evaluation of the Accelerate Pheno™ system for rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections.

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are critical steps in the management of bloodstream infections. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of the Accelerate Pheno™ System, CE v1.2 software, for identification and AST of Gram-negative pathogens from positive blood culture bottles.

Listeria monocytogenes and ocular abscess: an atypical but yet potential association.

Purpose: To report a farmer's corneal abscess caused by an unusual pathogen: Listeria monocytogenes fluoroquinolone resistant.

Methods: A 78-year-old farmer presented a central corneal abscess associated with 1-mm hypopyon and decreased visual acuity evolving since 2 weeks. First an antibiotic therapy associating oral ofloxacin and topical ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and ceftazidime was started.

Legionella pneumophila LPS to evaluate urinary antigen tests.

Three urinary antigen tests were compared using purified Legionella pneumophila (Lp) LPS. For Lp serogroup1, Sofia®FIA and Binax®EIA limits of detection (LOD) were similar; that of BinaxNOW® lower. For all tests the LOD was higher with LPS from non-Pontiac compared to Pontiac-strains.

Basic rules of hygiene protect health care and lab workers from nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus: an international cross-sectional study.

Acquisition of nasal Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization by contaminated hands is likely an important determinant of its nasal carriage rate in health care and lab setting. The objective of our cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of nasal methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) or -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage among health care professionals (HCPs) attending an international symposium and to study the association between compliance with hygiene rules, individual-related parameters, and medical conditions with nasal S.