Successful SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination Program in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients-A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis.

(1) Background: mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective but show varied efficacy in immunocompromised patients, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. (2) Methods: A retrospective study on 167 HSCT recipients assessed humoral response to two mRNA vaccine doses, using the manufacturer cut-off of ≥7.1 BAU/mL, and examined factors affecting non-response.

Rapid cross-border emergence of NDM-5-producing in the European Union/European Economic Area, 2012 to June 2022.

Whole genome sequencing data of 874 isolates carrying from 13 European Union/European Economic Area countries between 2012 and June 2022 showed the predominance of sequence types ST167, ST405, ST410, ST361 and ST648, and an increasing frequency of detection. Nearly a third (30.6%) of these isolates were associated with infections and more than half (58.

Humoral response after a third and fourth dose of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in previously seronegative kidney transplant recipients.

Growing evidence shows diminished response to mRNA-based SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients. We aimed to investigate the seroconversion rate after a 3rd and 4th dose of mRNA vaccination in kidney transplant recipients without prior antibody response to two or three vaccination doses.This retrospective study included 324 prevalent kidney transplant recipients of a single tertiary transplantation center of which 157 remained seronegative, defined as anti-spike-RBD-IgG antibody titer < 7.

Efficacy and safety of voriconazole as invasive fungal infection prophylaxis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are commonly observed in patients, who are at high risk of severe infections during the neutropenic phase. The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of voriconazole as a fungal prophylaxis after induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adult patients. Six proven/probable IFIs were diagnosed in 213 patients with AML (median age 61 years, range 18-85), who received a total of 377 induction chemotherapies.

Oxazolidinone Resistance Mediated by in Clinical Isolates in Upper Austria: First Report and Characterization by Whole Genome Sequencing.

The genetic mechanisms associated with acquisition of linezolid (LZD) resistance are diverse, including point mutations in the V domain of the 23S rRNA and the 50S ribosomal proteins as well as , A, and/or A genes, which may be plasmid- or chromosomally encoded. The aim of this study was to investigate through Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based typing the presence and location of genes and point mutations associated with LZD resistance in two isolates from Upper Austrian patients. The isolates were retrieved during screening by LZD disk diffusion test of a total of 911 clinical isolates in 2017.

Hospital outbreak caused by linezolid resistant in Upper Austria.

Background: is part of the human gastrointestinal flora but may act as opportunistic pathogen. Environmental persistence, high colonization capability and diverse intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms make it especially successful in nosocomial high-risk settings. In March 2014, an outbreak of Linezolid resistant (LR) was observed at the hematooncology department of a tertiary care center in Upper Austria.

Truncation of GdpP mediates β-lactam resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

Objectives: High-level β-lactam resistance in MRSA is mediated in the majority of strains by a mecA or mecC gene. In this study, we identified 10 mec gene-negative MRSA human isolates from Austria and 11 bovine isolates from the UK showing high levels of β-lactam resistance and sought to understand the molecular basis of the resistance observed.

Methods: Different antimicrobial resistance testing methods (disc diffusion, Etest and VITEK® 2) were used to establish the β-lactam resistance profiles for the isolates and the isolates were further investigated by WGS.

Antifungal susceptibility of yeast bloodstream isolates collected during a 10-year period in Austria.

Background: Candida-associated infections put a significant burden on western healthcare systems. Development of (multi-)resistant fungi can become untreatable and threaten especially vulnerable target groups, such as the immunocompromised.

Objectives: We assessed antifungal susceptibility and explored possible influence factors of clinical Candida isolates collected from Austrian hospitals between 2007 and 2016.

Whole-Genome Analysis of a Human Enterobacter mori Isolate Carrying a bla Carbapenemase in Austria.

Enterobacterales belonging to the genus Enterobacter are well-known human pathogens and bla carrying strains have been described in several countries. From Austria, we report on the first human Enterobacter mori isolate, typically a plant pathogen, which showed an undescribed multilocus sequence type and carried a bla carbapenemase.

SeptiFast versus blood culture in clinical routine - A report on 3 years experience.

Background: In recent years a multiplex real-time PCR (SeptiFast) has been introduced, allowing detection of 25 common blood pathogens considerably faster than conventional blood culture.

Methods: SeptiFast was applied routinely in addition to blood culture in cases of critically ill patients with fever and other signs of severe systemic infections. In this study data of 470 episodes were retrospectively analysed to assess the impact of various parameters, such as clinical indications, assigning ward and antimicrobial treatment on test outcome using a multivariate logistic model.

Detection of the Gene in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolate from an Austrian Patient.

Since colistin resistance based on the plasmid-encoded gene was first described, this resistance gene in has been found worldwide. These organisms are typically of heterogeneous genetic background and show exceptional clonal diversity. We describe the first confirmation of in a human strain cultured from a surveillance stool sample of an Austrian oncology patient.

Cilastatin does not affect Carba NP test performance for detection of carbapenemase production in Enterobacteriaceae.

The Carba NP test is a simple confirmation method for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) but reagents have to be freshly prepared as imipenem sodium salt is unstable. We evaluated the Carba NP test performance based on a commercially available 10-fold cheaper drug formulation containing cilastatin against 217 CPE and 78 non-CPE isolates with reduced meropenem susceptibility. Specificity and sensitivity were 100 % and 98.

Multi-center and multi-method evaluation of in vitro activities of ceftaroline against S. aureus.

This five-site study was performed to assess the reproducibility of ceftaroline MIC and disk results for Staphylococcus aureus. Three commercial broth microdilution, three gradient diffusion and ceftaroline 5μg disk diffusion methods were compared to a reference broth microdilution method against challenge isolates (n = 41) and isolates collected at four European sites (n = 30/site). For four MIC methods (Sensititre and three gradient diffusion methods), 99.

Strategies to enhance rational use of antibiotics in hospital: a guideline by the German Society for Infectious Diseases.

Introduction: In the time of increasing resistance and paucity of new drug development there is a growing need for strategies to enhance rational use of antibiotics in German and Austrian hospitals. An evidence-based guideline on recommendations for implementation of antibiotic stewardship (ABS) programmes was developed by the German Society for Infectious Diseases in association with the following societies, associations and institutions: German Society of Hospital Pharmacists, German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, Paul Ehrlich Society for Chemotherapy, The Austrian Association of Hospital Pharmacists, Austrian Society for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Austrian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Robert Koch Institute.

Materials And Methods: A structured literature research was performed in the databases EMBASE, BIOSIS, MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library from January 2006 to November 2010 with an update to April 2012 (MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library).

Prevalence and resistance patterns of commensal S. aureus in community-dwelling GP patients and socio-demographic associations. A cross-sectional study in the framework of the APRES-project in Austria.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and resistance of commensal S. aureus in the nasal microbiota of community-dwelling persons in Austria, as well as to identify possible associations with socio-demographic factors. Multi-drug resistance in this population was additionally studied.

First report of mecC MRSA in human samples from Austria: molecular characteristics and clinical data.

Reports of mecC methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been published from several European countries. We describe the first six mecC MRSA isolates of human origin from Austria and report the application of a rapid PCR test. Candidate isolates (n = 295) received between 2009 and 2013 were investigated phenotypically by cefoxitin screening and streaking on ChromID MRSA plates.

Exposure to cigarette smoke and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in mice: Effect on infectious burden, systemic dissemination and cytokine responses: A pilot study.

Cigarette smoke exposure has been considered a risk factor for infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae. C. pneumoniae infection is associated with respiratory tract infection and chronic respiratory disease, which is a serious public health concern.

Evaluation of a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay for the detection of respiratory pathogens in oncological patients.

Background: Respiratory tract infections are widespread and may cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed populations such as oncological patients.

Objectives: The RealAccurate Respiratory RT PCR Kit covering 14 respiratory viruses was compared to the RespiFinder Smart22, a broad-spectrum multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) test, targeting 22 viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens.

Study Design: After verification of its analytical performance, the clinical performance of the RespiFinder Smart22 was evaluated by re-analysis of 96 respiratory samples from oncological patients.

Spectrum of pathogens of in-patient children and youths with community acquired pneumonia: a 3 year survey of a community hospital in Vienna, Austria.

Background: No actual data are available on the epidemiology and morbidity of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in youths and children in Vienna, Austria.

Objective: The objective was to determine the epidemiology of CAP and morbidity of children hospitalized due to CAP in a tertiary care facility.

Methods: During three winter seasons youths and children hospitalized due to CAP were enrolled.

Temocillin and meropenem to discriminate resistance mechanisms leading to decreased carbapenem susceptibility with focus on OXA-48 in Enterobacteriaceae.

A temocillin minimal inhibitory concentration ≥ 128 mg/L combined with the results of meropenem double disc synergy testing was used to (i) discriminate carbapenemase production from other resistance mechanisms leading to decreased carbapenem susceptibility; and (ii) differentiate Ambler classes in carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE). The suggested test algorithm discriminated all extended spectrum ß-lactamase/AmpC from CPE isolates, which could further be divided correctly into Ambler classes A and B enzymes as well as OXA-48 in all cases. The algorithm is simple to implement as part of the daily routine in a standard microbiology laboratory with limited access to or resources for molecular biological tools.