Rep-PCR and RAPD-PCR fingerprinting of Aspergillus terreus.

We compared two PCR methods for molecular typing the medically important filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus. In a set of 46 strains investigated we found 19 and 12 different fingerprinting types obtained by random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD) and semi-automated repetitive element PCR (rep-PCR), respectively.

Utility of PCR in diagnosis of invasive fungal infections: real-life data from a multicenter study.

Prospective studies addressing the clinical value of broad-range PCR using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) for diagnosis of microscopy-negative fungal infections in nonselected patient populations are lacking. We first assessed the diagnostic performance of ITS rRNA gene PCR compared with that of routine microscopic immunofluorescence examination. Second, we addressed prospectively the impact and clinical value of broad-range PCR for the diagnosis of infections using samples that tested negative by routine microscopy; the corresponding patients' data were evaluated by detailed medical record reviews.

[ESBL-producing E. coli and EHEC in dogs and cats in the Tyrol as possible source of human infection].

In contrast to infections with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), which are thought to be classical zoonosis, the zoonotic potential of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is still widely unknown. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of EHEC and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in domestic animals (dogs and cats) in the Tyrol.

Genetic characterization of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Western Austria.

Background: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (caMRSA) is an emerging pathogen which causes potentially severe infections in young and healthy individuals due to the ability of most strains to produce Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PVL-positive (PVL(+))-MRSA strains in Western Austria in the period from December 2005 to May 2010 and to characterize the identified PVL(+)-MRSA strains.

Methods: Six hundred and fifty MRSA strains from Innsbruck Medical University hospital, district hospitals, and general practitioners were investigated for the presence of lukS-lukF gene (encoding for PVL).

In vivo emergence of Aspergillus terreus with reduced azole susceptibility and a Cyp51a M217I alteration.

Azole resistance in Aspergillus terreus isolates was explored. Twenty related (MB) and 6 unrelated A. terreus isolates were included.