Genomic characterization of a unique Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive community-associated methicillin-resistant lineage increasingly impacting on Australian indigenous communities.

In 2010 a single isolate of a trimethoprim-resistant multilocus sequence type 5, Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive, community-associated methicillin-resistant (PVL-positive ST5 CA-MRSA), colloquially named WA121, was identified in northern Western Australia (WA). WA121 now accounts for ~14 % of all WA MRSA infections. To gain an understanding of the genetic composition and phylogenomic structure of WA121 isolates we sequenced the genomes of 155 WA121 isolates collected 2010-2021 and present a detailed genomic description.

Travel-associated lineages and unique endemic antimicrobial-susceptible lineages of predominate in Western Australia.

In Australia, gonococcal isolates are monitored for antimicrobial susceptibilities. In Western Australia (WA), gonorrhoea notification rates increased by 63 % between 2013 and 2016, with the steepest increase occurring between 2015 and 2016, before stabilizing at this higher baseline between 2017 and 2020. This increased prevalence was associated with antimicrobial-susceptible (AMS) lineages.

Three-Dimensionally Printed Simulated Tracheas to Improve Cricothyrotomy Skills Among Anesthesia Providers.

Cricothyrotomy proficiency is imperative for anesthesia providers; however, opportunities to perform this skill are infrequent making skill maintenance essential. Increased accessibility of three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for production of low-cost simulation models. The models used for simulation-based teaching and deliberate practice facilitate skill development and refinement.

Education for Registered Nurses Completing Preoperative Anesthesia Interviews: A Quality Improvement Project.

Purpose: This quality improvement project implemented job-related education for registered nurses (RNs) completing preoperative anesthesia interviews (PAIs) to increase their knowledge and confidence, improve completeness of documented preoperative interviews, and decrease day of surgery (DOS) cancellations.

Design: Pre/post implementation design and retrospective chart review.

Methods: An educational module on PAIs was created and RNs working in the pre-admission testing (PAT) clinic were asked to complete the module.

The changing molecular epidemiology of Enterococcus faecium harbouring the van operon at a teaching hospital in Western Australia: A fifteen-year retrospective study.

Introduction: Enterococcus faecium is an opportunistic pathogen that has become one of the leading causes of hospital acquired infection that are resistant to multiple critically important antimicrobials.

Aim: The objective of the study was to describe the molecular characteristics and relationship between major strains of E. faecium harbouring the van operon and to determine if the strains had increasing virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants over time.

Complete Genome Sequence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 1, SCC IV[2B], Isolated in the 1990s from Northern Western Australia.

Sequence type 1 (ST1) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) SCC IV[2B] has become one of the most common community-associated MRSA clones in Australia. We report the complete genome sequence of one of the earliest isolated Australian S. aureus ST1-MRSA-IV strains, WBG8287, isolated from an Indigenous Australian patient living in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Complete Genome Sequences of Three of the Earliest Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated in Remote Western Australia.

Initially reported in Western Australia in the 1980s, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a major cause of S. aureus infections globally. We report the complete genome sequences of three of the earliest CA-MRSA strains isolated from remote Australian Indigenous communities in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Multiple introductions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST612 into Western Australia associated both with human and equine reservoirs.

Staphylococcus aureus is a serious human and animal pathogen. Multilocus sequence type 612 (ST612) is the dominant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clone in certain South African hospitals and is sporadically isolated from horses and horse-associated veterinarians in Australia.

Genomic epidemiology and population structure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from remote highly endemic Western Australian populations.

Background: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhoea, the second most commonly notified sexually transmitted infection in Australia. One of the highest notification rates of gonorrhoea is found in the remote regions of Western Australia (WA). Unlike isolates from the major Australian population centres, the remote community isolates have low rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Papua New Guinea: a community nasal colonization prevalence study.

Background: There are few epidemiological data available to inform a national response to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey to determine the pattern of MRSA nasal colonization and the diversity of circulating MRSA clones among adults and adolescents in Madang Province, PNG.

Results: S.

The Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Australia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study, 2012.

Background:  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is considered a serious global threat.

Methods:  In this nationwide study, we used MassARRAY iPLEX genotyping technology to examine the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae and associated AMR in the Australian population.

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2014.

From 1 January to 31 December 2014, 27 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Staphylococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (ASSOP). The aim of ASSOP 2014 was to determine the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, with particular emphasis on susceptibility to methicillin and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the isolates. Overall, 18.

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2014.

From 1 January to 31 December 2014, 27 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (AESOP). The aim of AESOP 2014 was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteraemia isolates in Australia that were antimicrobial resistant, and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the Enterococcus faecium isolates. Of the 952 unique episodes of bacteraemia investigated, 94.

A clonal complex 12 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain, West Australian MRSA-59, harbors a novel pseudo-SCCmec element.

A West Australian methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (WA MRSA-59) was characterized by microarray and sequencing. Its pseudo-staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element comprised dcs, Q9XB68-dcs, mvaS-SCC, Q5HJW6, dru, ugpQ, ydeM, mecA-mecR-mecI, txbi mecI, tnp IS431, copA2-mco (copper resistance), ydhK, arsC-arsB-arsR (arsenic resistance), open reading frame PT43, and per-2. Recombinase genes, xylR (mecR2), and PSM-mec (phenol-soluble modulin) were absent.

Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2013.

From 1 January to 31 December 2013, 26 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (AESOP). The aim of AESOP 2013 was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteraemia isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the Enterococcus faecium isolates. Of the 826 unique episodes of bacteraemia investigated, 94.

Australian Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2013.

From 1 January to 31 December 2013, around Australia 26 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Staphylococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (ASSOP). The aim of ASSOP 2013 was to determine the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, (with particular emphasis on susceptibility to methicillin) and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the isolates. Overall 19.

Use of the Rasch model for initial testing of fit statistics and rating scale diagnosis for a general anesthesia satisfaction questionnaire.

Background And Purpose: The level of patient satisfaction is a result of a complex set of interactions between the patient and the health care provider. It is important to quantify satisfaction with care because it involves the patient in the care experience and decreases the potential gap between expected and actual care delivered.

Methods: We tested a preliminary 23-item instrument to measure patient satisfaction with general anesthesia care.

Epidemiological, clinical, outcome and antibiotic susceptibility differences between PVL positive and PVL negative Staphylococcus aureus infections in Western Australia: a case control study.

Background: Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) has been associated with invasive Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue and pneumonic infections.

Methods: From September 2007 to January 2009 at Royal Perth Hospital we tested for the PVL gene in S. aureus isolates from an invasive site, a suspected PVL-related soft tissue infection and all MRSA isolates.

Resident physicians using modern practices for excellent documentation and care in heart failure (PUMPED CHF).

The most common indication for readmission among Medicare patients is congestive heart failure (CHF). Prior studies underscore the use of residents to bolster hospital-wide programs and reduce CHF readmissions. The authors assessed the effectiveness of a novel online training program designed to improve resident documentation and knowledge related to CHF.

Community-onset Staphylococcus aureus Surveillance Programme annual report, 2012.

In 2012, the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR) conducted a community-onset period-prevalence survey of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital outpatients and general practice patients including nursing homes, long term care facilities and hospice patients. Day surgery and dialysis patients were excluded. Twenty-nine medical microbiology laboratories from all state and mainland territories participated.

Hospital-onset Gram-negative Surveillance Program annual report, 2011.

The Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance performs regular period-prevalence studies to monitor changes in antimicrobial resistance in selected enteric Gram-negative pathogens. The 2011 survey focussed on hospital-onset infections, examining isolates from all specimens presumed to be causing disease. In 2011, 1,827 Escherichia coli, 537 Klebsiella species and 269 Enterobacter species were tested using a commercial automated method (Vitek 2, BioMérieux) and results were analysed using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoints from January 2012.

Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Progamme, 2011.

From 1 January to 31 December 2011, 29 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (AESOP). The aim of AESOP 2011 was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteraemia isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, with particular emphasis on susceptibility to ampicillin and the glycopeptides, and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium isolates.