New Insights into Beta-Lactam Resistance of : Serine Protease HtrA Degrades Altered Penicillin-Binding Protein 2x.

Reduced amounts of the essential penicillin-binding protein 2x (PBP2x) were detected in two cefotaxime-resistant laboratory mutants C405 and C606. These mutants contain two or four mutations in the penicillin-binding domain of PBP2x, respectively. The transcription of the gene was not affected in both mutants; thus, the reduced PBP2x amounts were likely due to post-transcriptional regulation.

Tolerance and Persister Formation in Oral Streptococci.

The aim of this study was to analyze the potential influence of long-term exposure in subinhibitory concentrations of chlorhexidine on the emergence of tolerant and/or persistent cells in oral streptococci. The two oral streptococcal isolates ATCC25175 and ATCC33402 were incubated, after long-term subinhibitory exposure to chlorhexidine, in liquid growth media containing high concentrations of chlorhexidine. A distinct subpopulation of more chlorhexidine-tolerant cells could be detected in streptococci that had been previously exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of chlorhexidine but not in the control strains.

Evaluation of the virtues and pitfalls in an HIV screening algorithm based on two fourth generation assays - A step towards an improved national algorithm.

Background: Fourth-generation immunoassays used for HIV screening, simultaneously detect anti-HIV antibodies and HIV-1 P24 antigen, but are prone to false-positive results. Usually, they are followed by highly specific third-generation assay, able to differentiate between HIV-1/2 infections. In Israel, screening algorithm is based on consecutive testing by two fourth-generation assays and confirmation by a third-generation test.

New Aspects of the Interplay between Penicillin Binding Proteins, , and the Two-Component System CiaRH of Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 19A Isolates from Hungary.

The clone Hungary-6 expresses unusually high levels of β-lactam resistance, which is in part due to mutations in the MurM gene, encoding a transferase involved in the synthesis of branched peptidoglycan. Moreover, it contains the allele , encoding the histidine kinase CiaH (M. Müller, P.

Tobacco prevention and reduction with nursing students: A non-randomized controlled feasibility study.

Background: Prevalence of tobacco use among nurses and nursing students is disproportionally high in Germany. However, from a public health perspective they are considered to be an important group for delivering smoking cessation interventions. As delivery of tobacco-related treatment depends on own smoking status, smoking prevention and cessation among the nursing professions is indicative for improving nurse and public health.