Population-Based Study of Emergence and Spread of Escherichia coli Producing OXA-48-Like Carbapenemases, Israel, 2007-2023.

Escherichia coli producing OXA-48-like carbapenemases (OXA-EC) is considered a high-risk pathogen spread primarily in the community in low- and middle-income countries and nosocomially in high-income countries. We investigated the emergence and spread of OXA-EC in Israel, a high-income country with strong carbapenemase-directed infection control in healthcare institutions, by conducting a population-based study using data and isolates from the national surveillance system. A total of 3,510 incident cases of OXA-EC occurred during 2007-2023.

Evaluation of the CARBA PAcE test, a colorimetric imipenem hydrolysis test for rapid detection of carbapenemase activity.

There is an urgent need for accurate and fast diagnostic tests to identify carbapenemase-producing bacteria. Here, we evaluated a colorimetric imipenem hydrolysis test, called the CARBA PAcE test, to detect carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). We tested a collection of 270 GNB isolates with a characterized carbapenemase content.

larvae as a novel model for the study of virulence and antimicrobial resistance.

The use of mammalian models for testing of bacterial virulence raises ethical concerns and is expensive and time-consuming. As an alternative, non-mammalian models are sought. larvae have been used as a model to study several bacterial pathogens.

Carbapenem-resistant carrier detection: a simple and efficient protocol.

Unlabelled: Timely detection of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) carriers is essential to direct infection control measures. In this work, we aimed to develop a practical protocol to detect CRAB from screening samples. To choose a selective medium that detects CRAB with high sensitivity and specificity, 111 .

The Yield of One vs. Two Blood Cultures in Children: Under-Detection and Over-Testing.

We aimed to determine whether obtaining two blood cultures (BCs) instead of one improved the detection of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. For this descriptive study, we used surveillance data collected in 2019-2021 from all Israeli hospitals serving children. The sample included 178,702 culturing episodes.

Plasmid-encoded VCC-1 β-lactamase in a clinical isolate of .

arbapenemase (VCC-1) is a chromosomal encoded class A carbapenemase thus far reported in environmental isolates. Here, we report the first isolation of a -carrying from a clinical sample in Israel. The isolate was resistant to all β-lactam agents, including carbapenems.

Bloodstream Infections: A Nationwide Study in Israel.

(Ab) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major public health concern and associated with high mortality. We describe the nationwide incidence, antimicrobial resistance, and mortality of Ab-BSI in Israel using laboratory-based BSI surveillance data from January 2018 to December 2019. During the study period, there were 971 Ab-BSI events (508 in 2018 and 463 in 2019), with an average annual incidence of 8.

Impact of intensified prevention measures on rates of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection in medical-surgical intensive care units, Israel, 2011 to 2019.

BackgroundCentral line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is among the most common preventable infectious complications in patients in intensive care units (ICU). In 2011, the Israel National Center for Infection Control initiated a nationwide CLABSI prevention programme.AimTo evaluate the impact of different components of the programme on CLABSI and non-CLABSI rates in medical-surgical ICUs.

Carbapenem-resistant load in patients and their environment: the importance of detecting carriers.

The environment surrounding 30 of 31 carriers of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) was contaminated by CRAB. The environmental CRAB loads were similar whether carriers were identified only by surveillance cultures (nonclinical carriers) or also had positive clinical cultures. Screening to detect and isolate nonclinical CRAB carriers may be important to prevent CRAB transmission.

Preventing nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs) by implementing hospitalwide, department-level, self-investigations: A NBSIs frontline ownership intervention.

Background: Nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs) are adverse complications of hospitalization. Most interventions focus on intensive care units. Data on interventions involving patients' personal care providers in hospitalwide settings are limited.

Hospital-acquired bacterial infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Israel.

Background: We sought to determine incidence of common hospital-acquired bacteria among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Israeli general hospitals during the first year of the pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed routinely collected incidence data to determine hospital acquisition of the following sentinel bacteria: e, , , , , , , and . We examined 3 acquisition measures: (1) sentinel bacteria, (2) sentinel bacteremia, and (3) antimicrobial-resistant sentinel bacteremia.

Effect of temperature on Escherichia coli bloodstream infection in a nationwide population-based study of incidence and resistance.

Background: The incidence of Escherichia coli bloodstream infections (BSI) is high and increasing. We aimed to describe the effect of season and temperature on the incidence of E. coli BSI and antibiotic-resistant E.

Analysis of Blood Culture Collection and Laboratory Processing Practices in Israel.

Importance: Blood culturing is a critical diagnostic procedure affecting patient outcomes and antibiotic stewardship. Although there are standards for blood culturing, the process is not often measured.

Objectives: To evaluate processes related to the diagnosis of bloodstream infection and compare them with best practices.

One-year mortality and years of potential life lost following bloodstream infection among adults: A nation-wide population based study.

Background: Limited data exist on long-term consequences of bloodstream infections (BSIs). We aimed to examine incidence, 1-year mortality, and years of potential life lost (YPLL) following BSI. We estimated the relative contribution of hospital-onset BSI (HO-BSI) and antibiotic-resistant BSI to incidence, mortality and YPLL.

Hospital-Onset Bloodstream Infections Caused by Eight Sentinel Bacteria: A Nationwide Study in Israel, 2018-2019.

Nationwide studies on hospital-onset bloodstream infections (HO-BSIs) are scarce. To describe incidence, mortality and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of HO-BSI caused by eight sentinel bacteria in Israel, we used laboratory-based BSI surveillance data from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019. All hospitals reported positive blood cultures growing , , , , , , and .

Analysis of four carbapenem-resistant outbreaks using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

We used Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze 4 carbapenem-resistant outbreaks. FTIR distinguished between isolates from different hospitals and uncovered the relatedness between isolates from acute-care hospitals and a post-acute-care hospital. Using higher cutoffs reveals more distant relationships and lower cutoffs support analyses of recent events.

Large-scale WGS of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates reveals patterns of dissemination of ST clades associated with antibiotic resistance.

Objectives: To describe the population genetics and antibiotic resistance gene distribution of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates causing infections in three Mediterranean countries.

Methods: Isolates were collected during the 2013-17 AIDA clinical trial in six hospitals in Israel, Greece and Italy. WGS, bioinformatic characterization and antibiotic resistance profiling were performed.

Colistin Dependency among Colistin-Heteroresistant Isolates.

Colistin dependent (CD) isolates are dependent on colistin for optimal growth. Here we aimed to systematically determine the emergence of CD among colistin-heteroresistant carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) isolates. We also examined the phenotypic characteristics of CD and the evolution of CD strains to overt resistance.

A nationwide population-based study of Escherichia coli bloodstream infections: incidence, antimicrobial resistance and mortality.

Objectives: Escherichia coli is the leading cause of bloodstream infection (BSI). The incidence of E. coli BSI caused by antibiotic-resistant strains is increasing.

Increased Capsule Thickness and Hypermotility Are Traits of Carbapenem-Resistant ST3 Strains Causing Fulminant Infection.

Background: is a successful nosocomial pathogen, causing severe, life-threatening infections in hospitalized patients, including pneumonia and bloodstream infections. The spread of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) strains is a major health threat worldwide. The successful spread of CRAB is mostly due to its highly plastic genome.

In vivo fitness of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains in murine infection is associated with treatment failure in human infections.

Objectives: Mortality among patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections varies between studies. We examined whether in vivo fitness of CRAB strains is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with CRAB infections.

Methods: Isolates were collected from patients enrolled in the AIDA trial with hospital-acquired pneumonia, bloodstream infections and/or urinary tract infections caused by CRAB.