Stroke in Sierra Leone. the stroke risk factors for people with HIV: A prospective case-control study.

Background: HIV infection rates are relatively low in Sierra Leone and in West Africa but the contribution of HIV to the risk factors for stroke and outcomes is unknown. In this study, we examined stroke types, presentation, risk factors and outcome in HIV stroke patients compared with controls.

Methods: We used data from the Stroke in Sierra Leone Study at 2 tertiary hospitals in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Safety and immunogenicity of a self-amplifying RNA vaccine against COVID-19: COVAC1, a phase I, dose-ranging trial.

Background: Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is a novel technology formulated as a low dose vaccine against COVID-19.

Methods: A phase I first-in-human dose-ranging trial of a saRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate LNP-nCoVsaRNA, was conducted at Imperial Clinical Research Facility, and participating centres in London, UK, between 19 June to 28 October 2020. Participants received two intramuscular (IM) injections of LNP-nCoVsaRNA at six different dose levels, 0.

A Prospective Stroke Register in Sierra Leone: Demographics, Stroke Type, Stroke Care and Hospital Outcomes.

Stroke is the second most common cause of adult death in Africa. This study reports the demographics, stroke types, stroke care and hospital outcomes for stroke in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A prospective observational register recorded all patients 18 years and over with stroke between May 2019 and April 2020.

SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow assays for possible use in national covid-19 seroprevalence surveys (React 2): diagnostic accuracy study.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of new lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) suitable for use in a national coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) seroprevalence programme (real time assessment of community transmission 2-React 2).

Design: Diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: Laboratory analyses were performed in the United Kingdom at Imperial College, London and university facilities in London.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow assays for use in a national COVID-19 seroprevalence survey.

Background: Accurate antibody tests are essential to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) can deliver testing at scale. However, reported performance varies, and sensitivity analyses have generally been conducted on serum from hospitalised patients.

Colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: beyond carbapenem resistance.

Background: With an increase in the use of colistin methansulfonate (CMS) to treat carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, colistin resistance is emerging.

Methods: Patients with infection or colonization due to colistin-resistant A. baumannii were identified at a hospital system in Pennsylvania.

Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization using sponges.

OBJECTIVE Nasal swab culture is the standard method for identifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers. However, this method is known to miss a substantial portion of those carrying MRSA elsewhere. We hypothesized that the additional use of a sponge to collect skin culture samples would significantly improve the sensitivity of MRSA detection.

Molecular features of community-associated extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strains in the United States.

We characterized 30 community-associated extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates collected from five hospitals in the United States. Nineteen sequence types were identified. All sequence type 131 (ST131) isolates had the fimH30 allele.

Microbiological features of KPC-producing Enterobacter isolates identified in a U.S. hospital system.

Microbiological data regarding Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacter spp. are scarce. In this study, 11 unique KPC-producing Enterobacter isolates were identified among 44 ertapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacter isolates collected between 2009 and 2013 at a hospital system in Western Pennsylvania.

Molecular epidemiology of KPC-producing Escherichia coli: occurrence of ST131-fimH30 subclone harboring pKpQIL-like IncFIIk plasmid.

Of 20 Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Escherichia coli isolates identified at hospitals in western Pennsylvania, 60% belonged to the epidemic ST131-fimH30 subclone. IncFIIk was the most common replicon type for the blaKPC-carrying plasmids (n = 8). All IncFIIk plasmids possessed a scaffold similar to that of pKpQIL, and seven of them were borne by ST131-fimH30 isolates.

Targeting NAD+ metabolism in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential metabolite utilized as a redox cofactor and enzyme substrate in numerous cellular processes. Elevated NAD+ levels have been observed in red blood cells infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, but little is known regarding how the parasite generates NAD+. Here, we employed a mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approach to confirm that P.

In vitro responses of Acinetobacter baumannii to two- and three-drug combinations following exposure to colistin and doripenem.

We compared in vitro killing of colistin, doripenem, and sulbactam by time-kill methods against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates collected from patients before and after colistin-doripenem treatment (initial and recurrent isolates, respectively). Colistin-doripenem bactericidal activity against recurrent isolates was attenuated (mean log10 kill, -5.74 versus -2.

Aerosolization of Acinetobacter baumannii in a trauma ICU*.

Objective: To establish the presence of air contamination with Acinetobacter baumannii in the trauma ICU.

Design: Point prevalence microbiological surveillances.

Settings: A 1,500-bed public teaching hospital in the Miami metro area.

Novel 16S rRNA methyltransferase RmtH produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with war-related trauma.

Klebsiella pneumoniae strain MRSN2404 was isolated from the chronic wound of a soldier who had been wounded in Iraq in 2006. The strain displayed very high MICs of all aminoglycosides, including arbekacin. A gene encoding a novel 16S rRNA methyltransferase, now designated RmtH, was identified.

Coproduction of 16S rRNA methyltransferase RmtD or RmtG with KPC-2 and CTX-M group extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Eight Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains with high-level aminoglycoside resistance were collected from eight hospitals in São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2010 and 2011. Three of them produced an RmtD group 16S rRNA methyltransferase, RmtD1 or RmtD2. Five strains were found to produce a novel 16S rRNA methyltransferase, designated RmtG, which shared 57 to 58% amino acid identity with RmtD1 and RmtD2.

Activities of vancomycin-containing regimens against colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains.

Treatment of infections due to extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii often involves the use of antimicrobial agents in combination. Various combinations of agents have been proposed, with colistin serving as the backbone in many of them. Recent data suggest that glycopeptides, in particular vancomycin, may have unique activity against laboratory-adapted and clinical strains of A.