Publications by authors named "Eileen Driscoll"
Article Synopsis
- Within-patient diversity in bloodstream infections (BSIs) was investigated by sequencing strains from blood cultures of 4 patients, revealing mixed populations in 3 of them with significant genetic variations.
- One strain variant with chromosome 7 trisomy (Tri7) from patient MN showed different growth behaviors and competitiveness compared to its euploid counterpart during infections and antifungal treatments.
- The study suggests that diverse strain populations exist in BSIs, which could impact treatment outcomes and highlight the need for further research into their clinical significance and antifungal resistance.
Article Synopsis
- Traditional belief held that bloodstream infections (BSIs) were primarily caused by a single organism, but this study reveals mixed populations of genetically diverse strains of Candida glabrata in patients.
- Whole genome sequencing showed distinct genetic differences among these strains, impacting their susceptibility to antifungal treatments and their ability to evade the immune system.
- Findings indicate that the persistence and relapse of infections may be linked to a diversity of drug-resistant strains, highlighting the need for a population-based understanding of C. glabrata during BSIs.
Article Synopsis
- * Whole genome sequencing of strains from blood cultures of ten patients revealed that these mixed populations can have significant differences in their susceptibility to antifungal treatments.
- * The study indicates that this genetic diversity can lead to the recovery of both susceptible and resistant strains during infections, suggesting a need for a new understanding of how these infections behave and progress.
Article Synopsis
- Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) may involve a mix of different organisms rather than just single pathogens, specifically investigating the behavior of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP).
- Researchers analyzed 10 strains of CRKP from 6 patients, revealing genetic and phenotypic diversity among strains within individual patients, indicating significant variations in antibiotic resistance and virulence factors.
- The findings challenge traditional beliefs about BSIs being caused by a single organism, suggesting that understanding within-host microbial diversity could change infection management and treatment strategies.
Background: In an investigation of hospital-acquired mucormycosis cases among transplant recipients, healthcare linens (HCLs) delivered to our center were found to be contaminated with Mucorales. We describe an investigation and remediation of Mucorales contamination at the laundry supplying our center.
Methods: We performed monthly RODAC cultures of HCLs upon hospital arrival, and conducted site inspections and surveillance cultures at the laundry facility.
Mucormycoses are invasive infections by species and other Mucorales. Over 10 months, four solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients at our centre developed mucormycosis due to (=2), (=1) or (=1), at a median 31.5 days (range: 13-34) post-admission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMucormycosis outbreaks have been linked to contaminated linen. We performed fungal cultures on freshly-laundered linens at 15 transplant and cancer hospitals. At 33% of hospitals, the linens were visibly unclean.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRate of FKS Mutations among Consecutive Candida Isolates Causing Bloodstream Infection.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother
December 2015
Precise FKS mutation rates among Candida species are undefined because studies have not systematically screened consecutive, disease-causing isolates. The Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) assay measures echinocandin MICs against Candida with less variability than reference broth microdilution methods. However, clinical breakpoint MICs may overstate caspofungin nonsusceptibility compared to other agents.
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