Sink-traps are a major source for carbapenemase-producing transmission.

Objective: We studied the extent of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) sink contamination and transmission to patients in a nonoutbreak setting.

Methods: During 2017-2019, 592 patient-room sinks were sampled in 34 departments. Patient weekly rectal swab CPE surveillance was universally performed.

Optimizing the Yield of In-and-Out Urinary Catheter Cultures by Applying a "Midstream-Like" Approach in Pediatric Patients.

Despite appropriate disinfection, sample contamination during in-and-out urinary catheterization is not uncommon, yielding false-positive and "mixed-culture" interpretations. We implemented a "midstream-like" catheterization technique, and cultured both first- and second-voided urine fractions. Second-fraction cultures exhibited less contaminants and "mixed-culture" interpretations and were better aligned with pyuria, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and minimizing the risk of clinical misdiagnosis and unwarranted antibiotic use.

Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Biofilm from Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Lung infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and is mainly dominated by . Treatment of CF-associated lung infections is problematic because the drugs are vulnerable to multidrug-resistant pathogens, many of which are major biofilm producers like . Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components in all life forms and exhibit antimicrobial activity.

Persistent abdominal symptoms in returning travellers: clinical and molecular findings.

Background: Persistent abdominal symptoms (PAS) are the leading cause of post-travel morbidity although there is a paucity of evidence concerning the aetiology of this condition. Recently molecular methods for protozoa detection in stool have been introduced. Herein, we describe the clinical aspects and the prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoa in returning travellers with PAS.

Viral co-pathogens in COVID-19 acute respiratory syndrome - what did we learn from the first year of pandemic?

Objective: This study aimed to describe the distribution of respiratory pathogens and the occurrence of co-pathogens during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We used a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel targeting 23 microorganisms to analyze the oro-pharyngeal samples of patients admitted to our hospital with acute respiratory infection (ARI) between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. We matched 40 to 50 patients who were SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative per month for age and sex.