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.

Superior immunogenicity and effectiveness of the third compared to the second BNT162b2 vaccine dose.

As the effectiveness of a two-dose messenger RNA (mRNA) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine regimen decreases with time, a third dose has been recommended. Here, we assessed immunogenicity, vaccine effectiveness and safety of the third BNT162b2 vaccine dose in a prospective cohort study of 12,413 healthcare workers (HCWs). Anti-RBD immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were increased 1.

Immunoglobulin (Ig)A seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in Israel, 4 April to 13 July 2020: an observational study.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare workers (HCW) at significant risk. Presence of antibodies can confirm prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AimThis study investigates the prevalence of IgA and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCW.

Early Immunogenicity and Safety of the Third Dose of BNT162b2 Messenger RNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Among Adults Older Than 60 Years: Real-World Experience.

Background: Despite high vaccine coverage, an increase in breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, prompted administration of a third BNT162b2 dose to people aged >60 years in Israel since July 2021. Here, we report real-world immunogenicity following third dose.

Methods: Overall, 208 healthcare workers aged >60 years were included.

Determinants of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in the developing infant nasal microbiome.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare- and community-associated infections and can be difficult to treat due to antimicrobial resistance. About 30% of individuals carry S. aureus asymptomatically in their nares, a risk factor for later infection, and interactions with other species in the nasal microbiome likely modulate its carriage.

The impact of PCV7/13 on the distribution of carried pneumococcal serotypes and on pilus prevalence; 14 years of repeated cross-sectional surveillance.

Background: S. pneumoniae carriage by children is a major source of pneumococcal transmission, and the initial step prior to infection. Pilus type 1, reported in ~30% of pneumococcal strains in the pre-vaccine era, contributes to pneumococcal colonization and virulence.

Patterns and Predictors of Carriage during the First Year of Life: a Longitudinal Study.

We sought here to investigate the patterns of carriage in the first year of life, its determinants, and the dynamics of transmission between mothers and infants. A prospective longitudinal cohort study of carriage among mothers and their infants was performed, including monthly screenings from pregnancy/birth through the first year of the infant's life. Medical and lifestyle data were collected.

Comparison of early effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13 on Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage in a population based study; The Palestinian-Israeli Collaborative Research (PICR).

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), PCV10 and PCV13, are currently used in different countries. We have previously reported the effectiveness of PCV7, following its introduction in Israel and before PCVs were introduced in Palestine. Here, we extended the study and compared the initial impact of PCV10 to that of PCV7/13.

Sink traps as the source of transmission of OXA-48-producing Serratia marcescens in an intensive care unit.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) outbreaks are mostly attributed to patient-to-patient transmission via healthcare workers.

Objective: We describe successful containment of a prolonged OXA-48-producing S. marcescens outbreak after recognizing the sink traps as the source of transmission.

Genomic epidemiology of meticillin-resistant ST22 widespread in communities of the Gaza Strip, 2009.

BackgroundRemarkably high carriage prevalence of a community-associated meticillin-resistant (MRSA) strain of sequence type (ST) 22 in the Gaza strip was reported in 2012. This strain is linked to the pandemic hospital-associated EMRSA-15. The origin and evolutionary history of ST22 in Gaza communities and the genomic elements contributing to its widespread predominance are unknown.

Clinical evaluation of early acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus carriage by newborns.

Background: Little is known about neonatal Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Sites and clinical outcomes of S. aureus colonization during the first month of life were evaluated in this study.

Vaccine escape of piliated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.

Introduction: Type1-pilus proteins were suggested as targets of future protein-based vaccines. Here we studied the effect of pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine (PCV7) implementation on the prevalence of piliated strains in a unique study setting which controls for typical confounders; the Palestinian-Israeli Collaborative Research (PICR).

Methods: Annual cross-sectional surveys of pneumococcal carriage were performed during 2009-2011 among two closely related population that live under different health policies (a) Palestinian-Authority (PA) (n=1773), where PCV7 was not yet introduced (b) East-Jerusalem (EJ) (n=983) where PCV7 was rapidly implemented.

Measuring the effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and antibiotic resistance: the Palestinian-Israeli Collaborative Research (PICR).

Background: The Palestinian-Israeli Collaborative Research (PICR) cross-conflict setting provided a unique opportunity to study overall and indirect effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), in two closely related Palestinian populations governed by two distinct health authorities with distinct vaccination policies. Here, PCV7 effects on pneumococcal carriage, serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance are reported.

Methods: Annual cross-sectional surveys of pneumococcal carriage were performed during 2009-2011 among Palestinian children (≤5 years) (a) under Palestinian-Authority (PA) health policy (Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem), where PCV7 was unlicensed (b) under Israeli health policy (East-Jerusalem (EJ)) where PCV7 was rapidly implemented from July 2009.