Rapid identification of carbapenemase genes in gram-negative bacteria with an oligonucleotide microarray-based assay.

Rapid molecular identification of carbapenemase genes in Gram-negative bacteria is crucial for infection control and prevention, surveillance and for epidemiological purposes. Furthermore, it may have a significant impact upon determining the appropriate initial treatment and greatly benefit for critically ill patients. A novel oligonucleotide microarray-based assay was developed to simultaneously detect genes encoding clinically important carbapenemases as well as selected extended (ESBL) and narrow spectrum (NSBL) beta-lactamases directly from clonal culture material within few hours.

Characterization of PVL-positive MRSA from Norway.

Norway is a country in which the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence has been low for the last decades. There are virtually no epidemic, hospital-acquired MRSA because of an emphasis on strict infection control rules and restrictive use of antibiotics. However, community-acquired and/or Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA need to be monitored as these strains are transmitted outside of healthcare facilities and cannot be contained by healthcare-centred strategies.

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from diseased poultry.

To gain insight into the genomic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus associated with diseases in domestic poultry, 131 isolates from clinically ill turkeys (n=80) and chickens (n = 51) were collected and genotyped using microarray hybridisations. MRSA isolates were subjected to spa and dru typing and their antimicrobial resistance geno- and phenotypes were determined. Most (68 out of 80) turkey isolates belonged to the clonal complex (CC) 398.

Characterisation of MRSA strains isolated from patients in a hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spreading worldwide and poses a serious public health problem, being present in hospital settings and communities. However, from the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula few molecular typing data on MRSA strains are currently available. In order to obtain data on the population structure of MRSA in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 107 clinical and environmental MRSA isolates were genotyped using a microarray-based assay.

A field guide to pandemic, epidemic and sporadic clones of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern.