In Vitro Susceptibility of Clinical and Carrier Strains of to STAFAL Phage Preparation.

The treatment of infections caused by is currently complicated by the increasing number of strains resistant to antimicrobial agents. One promising way to solve this problem is phage therapy. Due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and safety of phage preparations, STAFAL is the only registered phage preparation for the treatment of infectious diseases in the Slovak Republic and the entire European Union.

The Relationship between Biofilm Phenotypes and Biofilm-Associated Genes in Food-Related Strains.

is an important pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness associated with high mortality rates. Therefore, is considered a challenge for the food industry due to the ability of some strains to persist in food-associated environments. Biofilm production is presumed to contribute to increased resistance and persistence.

Characterization of bacteriophages infecting multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common causative agent of urinary tract infections, and strains that are resistant to antibiotics are a major problem in treating these infections. Phage therapy is a promising alternative approach that can be used to treat infections caused by polyresistant bacterial strains. In the present study, 16 bacteriophages isolated from sewage and surface water were investigated.

Endolysin EN572-5 as an alternative to treat urinary tract infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen causing urinary tract infection (UTI). Endolysin EN572-5 was identified in prophage KMB-572-E of the human isolate Streptococcus agalactiae KMB-572. The entire EN572-5 gene was cloned into an expression vector and the corresponding recombinant protein EN572-5 was expressed in Escherichia coli in a soluble form, isolated by affinity chromatography, and characterized.

Carbapenem-Resistant in COVID-19 Era-Challenges and Solutions.

The COVID-19 era brought about new medical challenges, which, together with nosocomial bacterial infections, resulted in an enormous burden for the healthcare system. One of the most alarming nosocomial threats was carbapenem-resistant (CRKP). Monitoring CRKP incidence and antimicrobial resistance globally and locally is vitally important.

High Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Sequence Type 131 Subclade C2 among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Isolated from the University Hospital Bratislava, Slovakia.

The expansion of sequence type 131 (ST131) extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing () represents major worldwide challenges. strains originating from healthcare facilities (labeled No. 1 and No.

Complete Genome Sequence of Cronobacter dublinensis Bacteriophage vB_Cdu_VP8.

Cronobacter dublinensis is a Gram-negative pathogen that is capable of causing infection in humans. In this announcement, we describe the characterization of bacteriophage vB_Cdu_VP8, which is able to lyse a Cronobacter dublinensis strain. Related to phages belonging to the genus , such as Muldoon and SP1, vB_Cdu_VP8 contains 264 predicted protein-coding genes and 3 tRNAs.

Complete Genome Sequence of New Specific Bacteriophage Dev_CS701.

is a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium linked with serious infections. In this report, we describe the characterization of phage Dev_CS701, which was isolated from wastewater. Related to phages belonging to the family and genus, such as vB_CsaM_IeB, Dev_CS701 contains 257 predicted protein-coding genes and a tRNA gene.

Tracing of persistent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ewe's milk farm.

Ewe's milk farm production is permanently associated with the risk of contamination by pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. In the present study, the prevalence and diversity of L. monocytogenes strains repeatedly isolated from tank ewe's milk and the milking environment on a farm in Slovakia during a prolonged period were investigated to identify the source of potentially persistent contamination.

Characterization and the host specificity of Pet-CM3-4, a new phage infecting Cronobacter and Enterobacter strains.

Bacteria belonging to Cronobacter and Enterobacter genera are opportunistic pathogens responsible for infections in immunocompromised patients including neonates. Phage therapy offers a safe method for pathogen elimination, however, phages must be well characterized before application. In the present study we isolated four closely related bacteriophages from the subfamily Tevenvirinae infecting Cronobacter and Enterobacter strains.

Next-Generation Sequencing of Carbapenem-Resistant Strains Isolated from Patients Hospitalized in the University Hospital Facilities.

Carbapenem-resistant (CR) represents an urgent worldwide threat. We focused on CR in selected facilities of the University Hospital Bratislava (UHB) to investigate sequence types (STs), clonal relatedness, and antimicrobial resistance. Suspected carbapenem-nonsusceptible strains were obtained from hospitalized patients.

Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains to commercial therapeutic phage preparations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains to commercial phage preparations. The strains were isolated from clinical patients as well as from nasal mucosa of healthy carriers.

Background: The elevating number of antibiotic-resistant S.

Characterization of Anti-Bacterial Effect of the Two New Phages against Uropathogenic .

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the events that most frequently need medical intervention. Uropathogenic are frequently their causative agents and the infections are sometimes complicated by the presence of polyresistant nosocomial strains. Phage therapy is a tool that has good prospects for the treatment of these infections.

Environmental Isolates and Their Specific Diversity Through Metabolite Profiling.

We present a biological profile of 16 environmental isolates from different types of soils and solid substrates across a pH range, from an ultra-acidic (<3.5) to a very strongly alkaline (>9.0) environment.

Impact of DNA extraction methods on 16S rRNA-based profiling of bacterial communities in cheese.

Numerous factors associated with sample preparation, DNA extraction, primer choice, sequencing platform and data analysis can affect the accuracy of 16S rRNA sequencing results. The DNA extraction method is considered critical for the success of sequencing as it can be the source of considerable variations in the analysis of the microbiome. In this study, the impact of various DNA extraction methods on the results of analysis of bacterial communities in cheese was evaluated.

Characterization of Clinical and Carrier and Prophage Contribution to the Strain Variability.

(group B Streptococcus, GBS) represents a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in newborns and is also responsible for diseases in older and immunocompromised adults. Prophages represent an important factor contributing to the genome plasticity and evolution of new strains. In the present study, prophage content was analyzed in human GBS isolates.

Seasonal changes of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlate with the lower gut microbiome composition in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Higher probability of the development of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) as a possible consequence of the north-south gradient has been recently suggested. Living far north or south of the equator is manifested in fluctuation of vitamin D (vitD) levels depending on the season in both healthy and affected individuals. In the present study we investigate the possible link between the seasonal serum vitD level to the microbial composition of the lower gut of Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD) patients using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Characterization of Dev-CD-23823 and Dev-CT57, new Autographivirinae bacteriophages infecting Cronobacter spp.

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogenic bacteria responsible for severe infections in neonates. Powdered infant formula has been confirmed to be the source of infection in some cases.

Genome analysis of lactic acid bacterial strains selected as potential starters for traditional Slovakian bryndza cheese.

Genomes of 21 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Slovakian traditional cheeses were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Subsequently, they were analysed regarding taxonomic classification, presence of genes encoding defence systems, antibiotic resistance and production of biogenic amines. Thirteen strains were found to carry genes encoding at least one bacteriocin, 18 carried genes encoding at least one restriction-modification system, all strains carried 1-6 prophages and 9 strains had CRISPR-Cas systems.

Benzalkonium chloride tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from a meat processing facility is related to presence of plasmid-borne bcrABC cassette.

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne pathogen capable of persisting in food processing environments. Tolerance to disinfectants used in industrial settings constitutes an important factor of Listeria survival. In the present study, the mechanism of tolerance to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was investigated in 77 L.

Characterisation of Cronobacter strains isolated from hospitalised adult patients.

Bacteria belonging to the genus Cronobacter are opportunistic pathogens known for causing rare but serious infections in neonates, including meningitis, necrotising enterocolitis and sepsis. Cronobacter infections occur also in adult populations, however, they generally have milder manifestations and their prevalence is uncertain. In this study, the presence of Cronobacter strains from adult patients in the University Hospital in Bratislava was investigated and overall 18 confirmed isolates from 321 patients (5.

Contribution of the thermotolerance genomic island to increased thermal tolerance in Cronobacter strains.

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens associated with serious infections in neonates. Increased stress tolerance, including the thermotolerance of some Cronobacter strains, can promote their survival in production facilities and thus raise the possibility of contamination of dried infant formula which has been identified as a potential source of infection.

Characterization of Cronobacter spp. isolated from food of plant origin and environmental samples collected from farms and from supermarkets in the Czech Republic.

The Cronobacter genus (previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii) comprises seven species (Cronobacter sakazakii, Cronobacter malonaticus, Cronobacter muytjensii, Cronobacter turicensis, Cronobacter dublinensis, Cronobacter universalis and Cronobacter condimenti)which cause serious infections in neonates and immunocompromised people.Most of the documented outbreaks of these bacteria have been associated with consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula. The plant environment is considered to be the natural habitat of these bacteria.

Characterization and genome sequence of Dev2, a new T7-like bacteriophage infecting Cronobacter turicensis.

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for severe infections in neonates. Powdered infant formula was confirmed to be the source in some cases.