Application of Molecular Methods for Carbapenemase Detection.

This study has evaluated the correlation between different carbapenemases detection methods on carbapenem non-susceptible strains from Northern and Eastern Europe; 31 institutions in 9 countries participated in the research project, namely Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, St. Petersburg, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia. During the research program, a total of 5,001 clinical isolates were screened for any carbapenem non-susceptibility by the disk diffusion method, Vitek 2 or Phoenix system following the EUCAST guideline on detection of resistance mechanisms, version 1.

Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from outpatient urinary tract infections in women in six European countries including Russia.

Objectives: In the Northern Dimension Antibiotic Resistance Study (NoDARS), Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Sweden collected urine samples from outpatient women (aged 18-65years) with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) to investigate the levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Escherichia coli isolates.

Methods: A total of 775 E. coli isolates from 1280 clinical urine samples were collected from October 2015 to January 2017.

Large variation in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli carriers in six European countries including Russia.

We investigated the faecal carriage prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production in Escherichia coli (EP-EC) and/or Klebsiella pneumoniae (EP-KP) and risk factors associated with carriage among adult study subjects in Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Sweden (partner countries). The aim was to get indicative data on the prevalence of ESBL-carriage in specific populations in the region. Faecal samples were collected from four study populations and screened on ChromID-ESBL and ChromID-OXA-48 plates.

Haemophilus influenzae as an airborne contamination in child day care centers.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of children to airborne Haemophilus influenzae in day care centers.

Methods: Air samples were taken using an Andersen impactor in 32 rooms designed for children stay. The concentrations of airborne bacteria were calculated as colony forming units (CFU) (growing on trypticase soy agar) per cubic meter of air (CFU/m(3)).

Methicillin resistance of airborne coagulase-negative staphylococci in homes of persons having contact with a hospital environment.

Background: The persons having contact with a hospital environment (hospital personnel workers and discharged patients) are highly exposed to colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the airborne Staphylococcus genus features in homes in which inhabitants have had contact with the hospital environment.

Methods: Airborne bacteria were collected using a 6-stage Anderson impactor.

Viability of fungal and actinomycetal spores after microwave radiation of building materials.

The effects of microwave radiation on viability of fungal and actinomycetal spores growing on agar (medium optimal for growth) as well as on wooden panel and drywall (common building construction/finishing materials) were studied. All materials were incubated at high (97-99%) and low (32-33%) relative humidity to mimic "wet" and "dry" environmental conditions. Two microwave power densities (10 and 60 mW/cm2) and three times of exposure (5, 30, and 60 min) were tested to find the most effective parameters of radiation which could be applied to non-invasive reduction or cleaning of building materials from microbial contaminants.

Children's allergic diseases and microbial contamination of indoor air--a case report.

The assessment of exposure to bioaerosols in damp houses of two children who suffered from perennial rhinitis and asthma was performed. The paper presents an approach to the complex (i.e.

Microbial air quality in offices at municipal landfills.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbiological air quality in offices on landfill sites. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Air samples were collected with a six-stage Andersen impactor.