Education of medical personnel optimizes filling volume of blood culture bottles without negatively affecting microbiology testing.

Background: Anemia is a risk factor for adverse outcomes, which can be aggravated by unnecessary phlebotomies. In blood culture testing, up to 30 ml of blood can be withdrawn per sample, even though most manufacturers recommend blood volumes of 10 ml or less. After assessing the filling volume of blood culture bottles at our institution, we investigated whether an educational intervention could optimize filling volume of blood culture bottles without negatively affecting microbiology testing.

Apparent Intracellular Helicobacter pylori Detected by Immunohistochemistry: The Missing Link in Eradication Failure.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is primarily an extracellularly living bacterium. However, seemingly intracellular occurrence can often be detected by immunohistochemical stains. Considering antimicrobial resistance, we investigated the impact of the apparent intracellular H.

Review: Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Endoscopic imaging of the stomach is improving. In addition to narrow band imaging, other methods, for example, blue light imaging and linked color imaging, are now available and can be combined with artificial intelligence systems to obtain information on the gastric mucosa and detect early gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry is only recommended as an ancillary stain in case of chronic active gastritis without Helicobacter pylori detection by standard staining, and recommendations to exclude false negative H.

Substantial diagnostic impact of blood culture independent molecular methods in bloodstream infections: Superior performance of PCR/ESI-MS.

This study analyzed the performance of different molecular technologies along with blood culture (BC) in the diagnosis of bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients from internal medicine wards - including intensive care units (ICUs) - and the emergency room. Patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome were prospectively included. BCs and EDTA whole blood were obtained simultaneously.

Detection of fungal pathogens by a new broad range real-time PCR assay targeting the fungal ITS2 region.

Purpose: The rise in the incidence of fungal infections and the expanding spectrum of fungal pathogens make early and broad detection of fungal pathogens essential. In the present study, a panfungal real-time PCR assay for the broad-range detection of fungal DNA (Fungi assay) in a wide variety of clinical specimens was developed.

Methodology: Our in-house, HybProbe real-time PCR assay targets the ITS2 region of fungal DNA.

House dust mites as potential carriers for IgE sensitization to bacterial antigens.

Background: IgE reactivity to antigens from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is common in patients suffering from respiratory and skin manifestations of allergy, but the routes and mechanisms of sensitization are not fully understood. The analysis of the genome, transcriptome and microbiome of house dust mites (HDM) has shown that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E.

Prospective multicentre clinical study on inter- and intrapatient genetic variability for antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori.

Objectives: We report on a large prospective, multicentre clinical investigation on inter- and intrapatient genetic variability for antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori.

Methods: Therapy-naive patients (n = 2004) who had undergone routine diagnostic gastroscopy were prospectively included from all geographic regions of Austria. Gastric biopsy samples were collected separately from antrum and corpus.

SeptiFast versus blood culture in clinical routine - A report on 3 years experience.

Background: In recent years a multiplex real-time PCR (SeptiFast) has been introduced, allowing detection of 25 common blood pathogens considerably faster than conventional blood culture.

Methods: SeptiFast was applied routinely in addition to blood culture in cases of critically ill patients with fever and other signs of severe systemic infections. In this study data of 470 episodes were retrospectively analysed to assess the impact of various parameters, such as clinical indications, assigning ward and antimicrobial treatment on test outcome using a multivariate logistic model.

Comprehensive evaluation of chemiluminescent immunoassays for the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection.

For the microbiological diagnosis of a Clostridium (C.) difficile infection (CDI), a two-test algorithm consisting of a C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)-immunoassay followed by a toxin-immunoassay in positive cases is widely used.

Sonication culture improves microbiological diagnosis of modular megaprostheses.

Modular megaprostheses are known for high infection rates followed by high rates of revisions. Microbial biofilms growing adherently on prosthetic surfaces may inhibit the detection of the pathogens causing prosthetic joint infections. We sought to answer the following questions: Does sonication culture (SC) improve the microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic infections of megaprostheses compared to conventional tissue culture (TC)? Which pathogens were detected on the surface of megaprostheses with either SC or TC and do the findings help to identify low-grade infections? Included were 31 patients with modular megaprostheses, whose implant had been explanted due to suspected joint infection or revision surgery.

Risk factors for development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and subsequent mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Background: Patients with ascites are at risk for developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) - a severe complication associated with high mortality. We aimed to identify risk factors for SBP development and mortality to optimize stratification for primary prophylaxis and therapeutic strategies to improve survival.

Methods: 575 patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergoing paracentesis at a tertiary care hospital were included in this retrospective cohort study.

High diversity of beta-lactamases in the General Hospital Vienna verified by whole genome sequencing and statistical analysis.

The detailed analysis of antibiotic resistance mechanisms is essential for understanding the underlying evolutionary processes, the implementation of appropriate intervention strategies and to guarantee efficient treatment options. In the present study, 110 β-lactam-resistant, clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae sampled in 2011 in one of Europe's largest hospitals, the General Hospital Vienna, were screened for the presence of 31 β-lactamase genes. Twenty of those isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Bacterial adherence to different components of total hip prosthesis in patients with prosthetic joint infection.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and quantify the bacterial adherence to the different components of total hip prosthesis.

Methods: The bacterial load of 80 retrieved hip components from 24 patients was evaluated by counting of colony-forming units (CFU) dislodged from component surfaces using the sonication culture method.

Results: Micro-organisms were detected in 68 of 80 explanted components.

A novel fluorescence in situ hybridization test for rapid pathogen identification in positive blood cultures.

A novel molecular beacon-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test allowing for the identification of a wide range of bacterial pathogens directly in positive blood cultures (BCs) was evaluated with positive BCs of 152 patients. Depending on the Gram stain, either a Gram-negative or a Gram-positive panel was used. The time to result was 30 min, and the hands-on time was only 10 min.

Storage of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and accuracy of microbiologic diagnostics in the ICU: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: Early initiation of appropriate antimicrobial treatment is a cornerstone in managing pneumonia. Because microbiologic processing may not be available around the clock, optimal storage of specimens is essential for accurate microbiologic identification of pathogenetic bacteria. The aim of our study was to determine the accuracy of two commonly used storage approaches for delayed processing of bronchoalveolar lavage in critically ill patients with suspected pneumonia.

Neutralization of antimicrobial substances in new BacT/Alert FA and FN Plus blood culture bottles.

Time to detection (TTD) in automated blood culture systems is delayed for sensitive microorganisms in the presence of antimicrobial substances and has been associated with worse outcomes for sepsis patients on inadequate empirical therapy. While resin addition removes antimicrobial substances to various degrees from blood culture media, media formulations and the blend of resins may influence performance. The BacT/Alert 3D system (bioMérieux) was investigated using the new resin-containing medium types FA Plus (aerobic) and FN Plus (anaerobic).

Differential bacterial load on components of total knee prosthesis in patients with prosthetic joint infection.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and quantify the bacterial adherence on different components of total knee prosthesis with the sonication culture method.

Methods: Explanted components of all patients with presumptive prosthetic or implant infection were treated by sonication separately in sterile containers to dislodge the adherent bacteria from the surfaces and cultured. The bacterial load of the different knee components (femur, tibia, PE-inlay and patella) was evaluated by counting of colony-forming units (CFU) dislodged from the components surfaces using the sonication culture method.

Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics in Europe and its relationship to antibiotic consumption.

Objective: Resistance to antibiotics is the major cause of treatment failure of Helicobacter pylori infection. A study was conducted to assess prospectively the antibacterial resistance rates of H pylori in Europe and to study the link between outpatient antibiotic use and resistance levels in different countries.

Design: Primary antibiotic resistance rates of H pylori were determined from April 2008 to June 2009 in 18 European countries.

Use of a commercial PCR-based line blot method for identification of bacterial pathogens and the mecA and van genes from BacTAlert blood culture bottles.

In this study, the PCR-based DNA strip assay GenoType BC for the identification of bacteria and the resistance genes mecA, vanA, vanB, vanC1, and vanC2/3 directly from positive BacTAlert blood culture bottles was evaluated in a multicenter study. Of a total of 511 positive blood cultures, correct identification percentages for Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and the mecA gene were 96.1%, 89.

Endodontic pathogens causing deep neck space infections: clinical impact of different sampling techniques and antibiotic susceptibility.

Introduction: The aims of the present study were to compare microbial populations in patients suffering from deep neck space abscesses caused by primary endodontic infections by sampling the infections with aspiration or swabbing techniques and to determine the susceptibility rates of the isolated bacteria to commonly used antibiotics.

Methods: A total of 89 patients with deep neck space abscesses caused by primary endodontic infections requiring extraoral incision and drainage under general anesthesia were included. Either aspiration or swabbing was used to sample microbial pus specimens.

Helicobacter pylori eradication rates in children upon susceptibility testing based on noninvasive stool polymerase chain reaction versus gastric tissue culture.

Background And Objectives: In children with clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori, clarithromycin-containing therapies often fail. The present study aimed to assess the outcome of tailored therapy upon noninvasive versus invasive H pylori susceptibility testing.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a pediatric outpatient clinic located in a region where H pylori clarithromycin resistance is highly prevalent.

Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin-binding protein specifically binds IgE from patients with atopic dermatitis and requires antigen presentation for cellular immune responses.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus superinfections occur in more than 90% of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and aggravate skin inflammation. S aureus toxins lead to tissue damage and augment T-cell-mediated skin inflammation by a superantigen effect.

Objective: To characterize IgE-reactive proteins from S aureus.

Sonication cultures of explanted components as an add-on test to routinely conducted microbiological diagnostics improve pathogen detection.

The purpose of this study was to improve the pathogen detection in prosthetic joint infections, particularly to evaluate the feasibility of the sonication culture method in the clinical routine. Explanted components of all patients with presumptive prosthetic or implant infection were sonicated separately in sterile containers to dislodge the adherent bacteria from the surfaces and cultured. The results of sonication culture were compared to the conventional tissue culture.