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.

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.

Rapid Detection of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae From Blood Culture Bottles of Known CPE Carriers: Real-world Experience.

We used a rapid antigen test for the detection of carbapenemases directly from positive blood culture bottles of pediatric hemato-oncologic patients, known carriers of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae. Resistance mechanism was detected within 15 minutes of observing Gram-negative bacilli from a positive bottle, leading to treatment modification. This simple-to-use, inexpensive assay shortens the interval between empiric to tailored antimicrobial therapy.